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ICYMI – South East: In search of Political Freedom

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By Eric Elezuo

When the events of Nigeria’s political independence began to unfold in the late fifties culminating in the proper independence in 1960, it looked very obvious that the south easterners of Igbo extraction were sure to lead the political affairs of the country. With the likes of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Matthew Mbu, Michael Okpara and others, the stage was set for the very enlightened Igbo men and women to dominate the political climax of the Nigerian nation.

But the expected was not to be as the dominance of the sect was cut short with the ambition of the Northerners who took up the mantle immediately, relegating the Igbo race to playing the second fiddle then; a situation that has today worsened, relegating the race further down the lane to utmost oblivion with the coming of President Muhmmadu Buhari.

Since the post-independence era, leading to the first coup in 1966 by Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu, the Igbo race has lost its pride of place in the affairs of the Nigerian nation, following distantly behind the northerners and the westerners, and recently, the people of the South South, which has always been known as the minority.

In 1960, the formidable, but unfavourable alliance of the National Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC) led by Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and the Northern Peoples Congress (NPC) led by Alhaji Almadu Bello, the Sarduana of Sokoto created the way for the in balance in political leanings where Azikiwe and his bunch of followers, majorly of Igbo extracts, played second fiddle to the NPC.

This imbalance was to continue in 1963 when Nigeria became a republic. Dr. Azikiwe became the ceremonial President while the north produced Abubakar Tafawa Balewa as the Prime Minister, with all the powers.

Events came to a head with the coup of 1966 which saw the killing of top government officials, notably from the north, and the counter coup six months later which claimed the life of General Aguiyi Ironsi, the first and last Igbo man to hold the exalted position of first citizen in Nigeria.

The holocaust that followed afterwards in the north further demoralized the average Igbo man, and created an untold fear in him towards believing that someone else owns the entity called Nigeria.

This therefore, prompted the young Major in the Nigerian army, Odimegwu Ojukwu, to secede from the entity called Nigeria, creating another, called Biafra; a move that was rebuffed by Nigeria, supported by most major world powers. And for 30 months, the bloody struggle to either keep or destroyed Biafra was undertaken. In the end, Biafra was subdued!

Though the administration of General Yakubu Gowon then pledged total reconciliation, the South easterners have felt neglected political and otherwise since then.

However, on two different occasions, the geo-political zone has produced number two citizens; first in 1979 during the Second Republic with Dr. Alex Ekwueme as the Vice President to Alhaji Shehu Shagari and in 1985 with Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe, during the Administration of General Ibrahim Babangida. On those occasions, the administrations were truncated; the first through a military coup, and the second through un-ceremonial removal.

Since then the region has been embroiled in the search for political freedom and relevance in an entity that ‘scarcely recognized their existence’.

Consequently, the craze to join the party in power has become the in thing as the politicians of the region has joined the maddening crowd in the quest to cross carpet from one ruling party to another. While on the other hand, remnant groups have been formed to bring about secession from the ‘geographical expression’ better known as Nigeria. This is the reason the most vocal of all secessionist groups ever formed, the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) led by the maverick Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, came into existence.

Recently in 2016, a former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Emeka Worgu and former House of Representatives Speaker, Agunwa Anakwe, defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu.

Others who defected were Senators Emma Agboti, Chris Adighije, Nkechi Nwogu and Ifeanyi Ararume. Senator Jim Nwobodo, Gbazuagu Nweke Gbazuagu, former Imo State House of Assembly Speaker, Benjamin Uwajumogu, and Dr. Ezekiel Izuogu also joined the ruling party.

On hand to receive the decampees, which has hitherto become the name of most Igbo politicians, were chieftains of the APC in South-East including the national vice-chairman and convener of the meeting, Emma Eneukwu; National Organising Secretary of the party, Senator Osita Izunaso; National Auditor, George Moghalu; Deputy National Women Leader, Tina Adike and the standard bearer of the party in Enugu State, Okey Ezea, men and women who at one time or another been in the PDP.

The reason for this decamping according to one of the South East political heavyweight, Emma Eneukwu, is principally for the benefit of becoming politically relevant, saying that most of the juicy positions due the South-East were “being denied us because of our poor performance in 2015 elections”.

“With the array of prominent politicians from South-East joining us now, we shall work hard this time and turn things around,” he assured.

Enekwu’s assertion has been an age long thing which happens dispensation after dispensation in the political circuit, yet nothing of repute since to take place.

The frustration of the political alienation has therefore created agitations and agitators for the defunct state of Biafra.

According to a political analyst, Dike Uguru, based in Aba, the rise of various State of Biafra agitators is as a result of the hard to swallow knowledge that nothing positive can happen to the Southeasterner again in the Nigerian society so the desire to have a separate state.

“The frustration of alienation is the only reason for the renewed call for the state of Biafra. The Igbo man is sadly aware that there is no future for him in the Nigerian entity, politically, so the desire to create his own state,” he said.

However, he added, “the disunity and lack of trust that has come to become a trademark among the collective body will surely not allow the average Igbo man to gain the political freedom he so much desired.”

It will be recalled that if not for the home town of Odumegwu Ojukwu, who founded the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), no other state considered it wise to follow the warlord, who claimed to have come to give the Igbo man identity. APGA, as a party, is only alive in Anambra State where Chief Willie Obiano is the governor. The other states that make up the five states in the region are also separated along party lines. While Rochas Okorocha of Imo State belongs to the APC, Dave Umahi, Okezie Ikpeazu, and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Ebonyi, Abia and Enugu states respectively belong to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

This inability to forge one common front in spite of the of the existence of the Ohaneze Ndigbo, a pan-Igbo cultural organization, led to the formation of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) led by Ralph Uwazuruike. Uwazuruike’s movement was still in existence when Nnamdi Kanu founded the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Hear Uguru: “One would have expected that Nnamdi Kanu would meet Ralph Uwazuruike, since he was there before him, and robbed minds as to how their quest could be actualized. But because everyone wants to be the very leader, that was not done, and today, both are at each other’s throat. Tell me how the mandate would be actualized? The easterners are not just ready to free themselves.”

With the sound of discordant tunes coming from all quarters of the South East, stakeholders believe that it will take forever before the political liberty the region so much demand will belong reality.

“I think this issue of political liberty is within our finger tips, and we are busy searching for it far away from where it is. There are sovereign governors among us, who have been bestowed with political powers but lack something very minute but important – political will power; the governors lack political willpower. If they do, they would have come together, not minding party affiliation, and forge a way forward for the geo-political region,” said Innocent Egbuchu, a Political Scientist.

He added that though it is fair in all its ramification if the Southeast is given a shot at the Presidency, they don’t however, need the Presidency to do their region well.

It is only then that the expected desire of the region for 2023 will become a reality as in the word of the National Vice Chairman of the APC, Emma Eneukwu: “We believe by 2023, the President of a united Nigeria will be a Nigerian of Igbo extraction from the South-East.”

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How Glo Network Became the Lifeline That Saved Two Lives: A True Story from Sallari

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By Dr. Sani Sa’idu Baba

It was one of those calm, bright mornings in Sallari, a town in Tarauni Local Government Area of Kano State. I had gone to visit my longtime friend and colleague, Dr. Muhammad Umar Abdullahi, at his private facility, Rauda Clinic and Maternity. We were in his office discussing research, the usual challenges of medical practice, and other issues when the sound of hurried footsteps and anxious voices broke the calm. A young man rushed in, calling for the doctor.

Without hesitation, Dr. Muhammad sprang into action. I followed him instinctively. Within moments, two people burst through the gate, one man carrying a weak, heavily pregnant woman in his arms. Her breathing was shallow and wheezy, her face pale, and her body trembling between labor contractions and an asthma crisis. The scene was intense, we both knew that every second counted.

The team quickly moved her to the emergency bed. The Chief Medical Director Dr. Muhammad and his nurses worked swiftly to stabilize her breathing and monitor the baby. Oxygen was connected, IV lines were set, and within minutes, her breathing began to steady. The baby’s heartbeat was strong. After a short but tense period, she delivered a healthy baby girl. Relief filled the room like a gentle wind.

At that moment, I couldn’t help but admire the efficiency and dedication of Rauda Clinic and Maternity. The facility operated with the precision and compassion of a modern hospital. Every member of the team knew their role, every piece of equipment was in place, and the environment radiated calm professionalism. It reminded me that quality healthcare is not only about infrastructure, but about commitment and readiness when it truly matters. Rauda Clinic stood out that day as a quiet pillar of excellence and hope for patients and families alike.

The following day, I placed a call to Dr. Muhammad to ask about the condition of the woman who had been brought in the previous morning. He sounded cheerful and relieved. “Both mother and baby are fine now,” he said. Then, with deep reflection in his voice, he narrated the extraordinary story behind their survival, a story that showed how a single phone call, made at the right moment, became the bridge between life and death. As I listened to him recount the events, I couldn’t help but marvel at how sometimes, survival depends not only on medicine but also on connection.

Her name was Amina, a mother of three. That morning, she was alone at home, her husband was in Dutse, the capital of Jigawa state where he works, and her children had already gone to school. The first wave of pain came suddenly, followed by a tightening in her chest. Within minutes, she was gasping for air, her asthma worsening with every breath. She reached for her phone to call her husband, but the call wouldn’t go through. She tried again and again, each time, “Network error.”

Her strength was fading fast. She tried to reach her neighbors, but again, no connection. Alone, frightened, and struggling to breathe, she said she felt her end was near. Then, a thought crossed her mind, her maid had left her phone in the sitting room that morning. Gathering the last of her strength, Amina crawled toward the television stand where the phone lay.

When she reached it, she noticed the green SIM icon, it was a Glo line. Hope flickered. But when she tried to make a call, she saw there was no airtime. That could have been the end until she remembered Glo’s Borrow Me Credit service. With trembling fingers, she dialed the Glo borrow me code and she got the credit instantly, and that small credit became her lifeline.

Her first attempt to reach her husband failed. Then she dialed her younger brother, Umar. This time, the call went through immediately. Interestingly, Umar is a Glo user too. Without delay, Umar and his wife rushed to her house, found her collapsed on the floor, and carried her into their car.

On their way, Umar called ahead to alert the doctor, and again, the call went through clearly. By a remarkable coincidence, Dr. Muhammad was also using a Glo line. That seamless connection meant the hospital team was fully prepared by the time they arrived. Within minutes, Amina was stabilized, and both she and her baby were safe.

The next morning, Dr. Muhammad told me that Amina had smiled faintly and said to him, “Doctor, when every other network failed me, Glo answered. If that call hadn’t gone through, I wouldn’t be here today.”

Her words carried a truth that stayed with me. It wasn’t just a patient’s gratitude, it was a testimony about the power of reliable connection. At that moment, Glo wasn’t just a telecommunications network, it was the bridge between life and death, between despair and hope.

In today’s world, a simple phone call can determine whether someone lives or dies. That day reminded me that technology, when dependable, is not just about data speed, it’s about human connection at its most critical. Glo proved to be that connection: steady, available, and trustworthy when it mattered most.

Before she was discharged, she laughed and told the doctor she had already chosen a nickname for her baby “Amira Glo.” They both laughed, but deep down, Dr. Muhammad understood the meaning behind that name. It symbolized gratitude, faith, and survival.

As I ended the call with Dr. Muhammad that day, I felt a quiet pride. I had witnessed not just the miracle of life, but the harmony of medicine, compassion, and reliable technology. Through Rauda Clinic and Maternity, I saw what true service means, dedication without boundaries, and connection that saves.

Amina’s story isn’t an advert, but living proof that sometimes, when every other signal fades, Glo stands firm, and when every other facility seems far away, Rauda Clinic and Maternity remains a beacon of care and excellence.

For patients, families, and health workers alike, Glo is proven to be a network of necessity. It connects life to hope, when every second truly counts…

Dr. Sani Sa’idu Baba writes from Kano, and can be reached via drssbaba@yahoo.com

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Delta Govt Confirms Death of Senator Nwaoboshi at 68

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Senator Peter Onyelukachukwu Nwaoboshi, the former lawmaker who represented Delta North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, has passed away. He was 68.

Reports said that Nwaoboshi died on Friday in Abuja following a brief illness.

His demise was confirmed in a condolence statement issued by the Delta State governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori.

Expressing sorrow, the governor described Nwaoboshi’s passing as a monumental loss to Delta State, the Anioma nation, and the Nigerian federation.

In the statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, Governor Oborevwori hailed the late Senator as a “fearless advocate” of the Anioma cause whose contributions to nation-building remain indelible.

The governor recalled Nwaoboshi’s impactful tenure in the Red Chamber, particularly his role as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs.

He noted that Nwaoboshi’s consistent advocacy for the development of the oil-rich region distinguished him as a passionate and committed leader.

“On behalf of the government and people of Delta State, I mourn the passing of my dear friend, Senator Peter Onyelukachukwu Nwaoboshi,” the governor said.

“I extend my heartfelt condolences to his immediate family, the people of Anioma nation, members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and all those whose lives he touched. I pray that Almighty God grant his soul eternal rest.”

Before his elevation to the Senate in 2015, he served meritoriously as a two-term Chairman of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State, where he was instrumental in consolidating the party’s grip on the State.

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Ribadu’s Office Denies Arming Miyetti Allah in Kwara

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The National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), under the office of the National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has refuted claims that it armed members of the Miyetti Allah group for counter-terrorism operations in Kwara State.

The Head of Strategic Communication at NCTC, Mr. Michael Abu, issued the rebuttal on Wednesday in Abuja.

Abu described the reports circulated by some online platforms as false and misleading, saying they misrepresented ongoing security operations in forested areas of the state.

He said that in line with the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022, it continued to coordinate and support law enforcement, security and intelligence agencies in countering all forms of terrorism across the country.

NCTC spokesman explained that Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts guided by the National Counter Terrorism Strategy (NACTEST), involved the deployment of hybrid forces comprising regular security personnel and trained auxiliaries such as hunters and vigilante elements, particularly in difficult terrains.

According to him, the hybrid approach, which was previously deployed with the Civilian Joint Task Force in the North-East, is currently being applied in parts of the North-West and North-Central, including Kwara State, and has recorded several successes against banditry and other criminal activities.

He stressed that the Federal government was not conducting kinetic operations with any socio-cultural group, adding that claims that the Office of the National Security Adviser provided arms to such organisations are unfounded and should be disregarded.

According to him, all auxiliary personnel involved in hybrid operations were recruited directly by authorised security and intelligence agencies after due diligence, and that all operations were conducted strictly in line with the law and established standard operating procedures.

He urged the media to exercise responsibility by protecting sensitive security information and seeking clarification through designated official spokespersons, while advising the public to ignore unverified reports capable of undermining ongoing operations.

He reaffirmed the centre’s commitment to transparency and stakeholder engagement to deepen public understanding of Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts.

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