Featured

Atiku Makes Case for Release of Nnamdi Kanu

Published

2 years ago

May 2, 2024

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, and a former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has made case for the release of Biafran nation agitator, and leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, saying that his release will bring the much desired political solution to unrest in the South East.

He maintained that a political solution to the continued detention of IPOB leader would douse the tension in the southeast region.

The Waziri Adamawa also condemned the killing of five soldiers by unknown gunmen alleged to be members of POB.

Recall that on Thursday, five military personnel were ambushed and killed at the Obikabia Junction Checkpoint in Obingwa Local Government Area, of Abia State, during a clash with the IPOB terrorists.

The unknown gunmen, it was reported, were enforcing the sit-at-home declared to honour Biafra, and its fallen heroes. The 30th of May every year has been set aside by the Biafran agitators to honour Biafra, those that lost their lives in the Nigeri/Biafra war of 1967 – 1970. May 30 was the day Biafran independence was declared by late warlord, Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu, following killings of South Easterners in the north, and subsequent irreconcilable differences.

In a statement, however, on his X handle on Friday, Atiku lamented the impact of the sit-at-home for pupils who were writing their WAEC examination.

The statement read: “The violence that led to the killing of soldiers and civilians in Abia State on Thursday stands condemned. My thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those who may have lost a loved one.

‘May their souls rest in peace. But even more profound is the impact of yesterday’s sit-at-home in the Southeast region of our country on students writing WAEC examinations.

“The veil of the so-called Unknown Gun Men hiding under cover to unleash death and mayhem must be lifted to ensure that criminal elements are separated from legitimate agitators.

“To this end, without prejudice to the ongoing legal processes, I think the time has come to explore a political resolution to the Nnamdi Kanu and other associated issues.

“I believe that this will defuse the compressor cooker situation in the region. It will be a win-win for all parties. -AA”

Nnamdi Kanu, who is facing treason charges before the judge, Binta Nyako, was some days behind, denied bail by the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Ruling on Mr Kanu’s fresh bail request, Mrs Nyako said she could not exercise her discretion in granting the IPOB leader bail because he had jumped bail.

On 25 April 2017, the judge admitted Mr Kanu to bail on account of ill health after he was incarcerated for 18 months in State Security Service (SSS) custody.

But midway into the trial, the IPOB leader ran away for dear life after Nigerian soldiers invaded his ancestral home in Abia State in 2017.

Referencing the incident, the judge said persons who stood as sureties for Mr Kanu withdrew from the suit.

Mrs Nyako recalled Mr Kanu’s several unsuccessful bail applications, saying, “You have an option of appeal; please exercise your right of appeal.”

The judge warned that any attempt by the IPOB leader’s legal team to file another bail request before the court would be “a gross abuse of court process.”

Similarly, the court turned down Mr Kanu’s application seeking to either be put on house arrest or transferred to a custodial centre pending the hearing and determination of his trial.

The judge however, ordered the SSS to grant Mr Kanu access to his legal team of five persons each visiting day, and a doctor of his choice.

Nnamdi was rearrested later in Kenya, and renditioned to Nigeria in 2021, and has since remained in DSS custody. His continuous incarceration has increased the tension in the Southeast, prompting the declaration of sit-at-home every Monday in the region.

Featured

Dangote Launches Historic ₦1trn Scholarship Scheme for 1.3m Students

Published

8 hours ago

December 12, 2025

Eric

The Chairman of the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF), Aliko Dangote, has launched a ₦1 trillion scholarship programme targeting more than 1.3 million Nigerian students over the next decade.

The initiative, the largest private-sector education support scheme in Nigeria’s history, will begin in 2026 with ₦100 billion disbursed annually across all 774 local governments.

The programme focuses on vulnerable learners, supporting undergraduate STEM students, technical trainees, and secondary school girls through tuition aid, study materials, and essential learning supplies.

It will be implemented through a fully digital, merit-based system in partnership with NELFUND, JAMB, NIMC, NUC, NBTE, WAEC and NECO.

Dangote said the intervention is a strategic investment in Nigeria’s future, stressing that financial hardship—not lack of talent—is the major barrier keeping many young people out of school. He added that 25 percent of his wealth has been committed to sustaining the Foundation’s long-term programmes.

Vice President Kashim Shettima described the scheme as a transformative act of nation-building, noting that it complements government reforms in basic, tertiary and technical education.

Education Minister Tunji Alausa said the programme aligns with the administration’s goal of transitioning Nigeria into a knowledge-driven economy, while Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, speaking on behalf of his colleagues, pledged the governors’ full support.

Traditional rulers including the Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Dauda Bage, who chairs the programme’s steering committee, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, praised the initiative as unprecedented in scope and impact.

UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed also commended the scheme, saying it will create conditions for children to learn and families to thrive.

The scholarship initiative reinforces the Aliko Dangote Foundation’s mission to expand opportunities, drive social impact and improve the wellbeing of communities across Nigeria.

Featured

Yakubu, Fani-Kayode, Ikpeazu, Others Scale Senate Screening Hurdle for Ambassadorial Positions

Published

23 hours ago

December 11, 2025

Eric

The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, on Thursday, approved the nomination of former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, for appointment as ambassador.

Other nominees cleared by the committee include former Minister of Interior Abdulrahman Dambazau, ex-special adviser on new media to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, former presidential aide, Senator Ita Enang, and Senator Grace Bent.

Also confirmed were former INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu; former Governor of Enugu, State Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and former Governor of Abia State, Victor Okezie Ikpeazu, among others.

The screening session, conducted in batches of five nominees each, experienced a mild drama during Omokri’s turn.

Senators Mohammed Ali Ndume and Adams Oshiomhole openly disagreed on how his clearance should proceed.

After Omokri’s batch had introduced themselves, Ndume moved a motion to allow the nominees to take a bow and leave.

Some senators, including Oshiomhole, indicated they wanted to comment.

The Committee Chairman, Senator Abubakar Sani Bello, recognised Oshiomhole to speak, but Ndume insisted that his motion should be seconded before allowing further interventions.

This led to a sharp disagreement between the two senators.

Featured

Tinubu Reiterates Directive on Withdrawal of VIP Police Protection

Published

2 days ago

December 10, 2025

Eric

President Bola Tinubu has insisted on his earlier directive ordering the withdrawal of police officers from very important persons (VIPs) in the country.

On November 23, Tinubu ordered the immediate withdrawal of police officers attached to VIPs across the country during a security meeting with the inspector-general of police (IGP), the chiefs of army and air staff, and the director-general of the Department of State Services (DSS).

The president said the move was aimed at boosting police presence in communities, especially remote areas where stations are understaffed and citizens remain vulnerable to attacks.

Speaking at the opening of the federal executive council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday, Tinubu warned against non-compliance and directed Nuhu Ribadu, national security adviser (NSA); Ibrahim Gaidam, minister of police; and Kayode Egbetokun, the IGP, to follow up on the implementation of the order.

The president noted that police officers were trained to protect the lives and property of citizens, particularly the most vulnerable in society, adding that the protection of a select group of VIPs is not their responsibility.

The president ordered Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the minister of interior, to make arrangements for the replacement of police officers by civil defence corps.

“If you have any problem because of the nature of your assignments, please contact the IGP and get my clearance,” he said.

“The National Security and Civil Defence Corps are trained for VIP protection, and they are armed too.

“We face challenges here and there of kidnapping, banditry and terrorism. We need all forces utilised. I know some people are exposed; we will make the exceptions. The civil defence is very much around.”

Tinubu said there is a need to mobilise the police appropriately due to the country’s security challenges.