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No Nigerian anthem in southeast schools, slaughtering of cows for ceremonies – IPOB

Published

2 years ago

January 3, 2022

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The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has rolled out its action plan for the year 2022.

The group, through its Head of Directorate of State, Chika Edoziem, banned the singing of Nigeria’s national anthem in schools across the Southeast.

He also announced the ban on Fulani cows during festive seasons in the Southeast.

The DOS said IPOB would campaign for the unconditional release of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

Edoziem said IPOB members should prepare for a worldwide protest with a focus on the British, Nigerian Embassy, Kenyan Embassy, and the United Nations.

A statement signed by Edoziem and IPOB spokesman, Emma Powerful, said, “The following are some of the programs and actions which the leadership will vigorously pursue in 2022. #
These are the ones we can make public for now. Others will be made known at the appropriate time.

“Worldwide campaign for the unconditional release of Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu (A Prisoner of Conscience). The Campaign will be called THE PRISONER OF CONSCIENCE CAMPAIGN. In furtherance of this CAMPAIGN, all IPOB family members, Biafrans and friends of Biafra are hereby urged to change their profile pictures on social media with our official campaign poster.

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“Secondly all IPOB families worldwide are hereby directed to activate the earlier instruction passed down to them. We shall embark on a worldwide protest in cities and capitals around the world. The focus of our protest shall be British Embassies, the British Parliament, 10 downing street, the Kenyan Embassies, the Zoo Nigerian Embassies and International Organizations like the UN, the EU, Amnesty International and Media houses.”

The group said a new department known as the Education Department would be created.

IPOB said the department would be saddled with the responsibility of teaching Igbo history in primary and secondary schools.

The statement added, “The DOS will be creating a new department in IPOB to add to those already existing under the Directorate of State. The department will be designated as IPOB EDUCATION DEPARTMENT. Primary responsibility is to teach our history, language, tradition and culture to our children. We have about three books that will be published this new year in furtherance of this. After the head of this department is made public, Biafran writers will be called upon to bring forward books and educational materials to be published for our children in primary and secondary schools.

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“Beginning from tonight, no more Nigerian National Anthems in all Schools in Biafraland. Our Children must no longer be reminded daily that they are under oppression by singing the national anthem of the oppressor. School authorities and proprietors have a responsibility to teach our children our national anthem. The Biafran National Anthem.

“The ban placed on Fulani cows will take effect in April 2022. Effective this month Fulani cows will not be used for any social or ceremonial events and festivals in Biafraland. Our native cows will be used instead for these events Traditional Custodians of our Culture, the Clergy and Town Unions must ensure that this message gets to the grassroots. We cannot continue to eat and bring cause and damnation upon our land and upon ourselves by consuming cows that were used for bestiality.”

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Good morning! Here Are Some Major News Headlines In The Newspapers Today: Man arrested for forcefully marrying off underage daughters in Anambra

Published

2 hours ago

May 3, 2024

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1. Anambra State Government has arrested one Uzochukwu Okoli for giving out his underage daughter’s hand in marriage. Okoli was apprehended after his daughter reported to the state Ministry of Women and Social Welfare about the ill-treatment being meted out to her by her father and the man he forced her to marry.

2. The Army has taken a significant step to prevent the killing of its troops through ambush by terrorists and bandits. On Thursday, Chief of Army Staff, COAS Lt-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, hinted at the plan to take delivery of Mine-resistant Ambush-Protected, MRAP, vehicles in the next few weeks. This is to ensure safety of its personnel in the battle against terrorists and economic saboteurs.

3. Lagos State contributes N41 trillion (20 per cent) to the country’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP, Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Ope George, has said. According to him, despite many challenges, such as COVID-19 and EndSARS protest, the state has devised strategies to keep its economy afloat and boost investor confidence.

READ INSECURITY: IPOB tells Kumuyi to cancel planned crusade in South-East

4. The suspected mastermind of the March 28, 2022, Kaduna-Abuja train attack, Ibrahim Abdullahi (aka Mande), and his accomplice, Auwal Ayuba, were on Thursday paraded by the Police. Also paraded were others believed to be terrorising motorists and passengers plying the Kaduna-Abuja Highway and residents within the axis.

5. Former Katsina State governor, Ibrahim Shema has defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC. Alhaji Shema was governor in the Northwest State between 2007 and 2015, under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

6. Suspected bandits have attacked Maraban Agyaro where they abducted the village heads of Kakangi and Kisaya villages, and killed eight villagers in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The attackers invaded the area around 8 am on Thursday, during which they also abducted four farmers who were on their respective farms.

7. A yet to be identified police officer has gunned down a Lagos resident who prevented him from jumping queue to buy fuel at a Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, filling station at Obalende, in the Ikoyi area of Lagos State. Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed that the officer who shot the victim has been identified.

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8. Vice President Kashim Shettima on Thursday said President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms of the past one year “saved the life of the nation”. He described them as necessary given the poor state of Nigeria when he assumed office on May 29, 2023.

9. The Federal High Court in Warri, Delta State, on Thursday, commenced sitting on a N100bn lawsuit filed by indigenes of Okuama community in Ughelli North Local Government Area against the Nigeria Army, challenging the military invasion and destruction of the community.

10. Governors on Thursday sounded a note of caution to workers against unduly high expectations from the minimum wage negotiations. States will pay only implementable and sustainable wages, they said, but expressed commitment to improved salaries for workers.

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Labour gives FG May 31 deadline for new minimum wage

Published

18 hours ago

May 2, 2024

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The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have given the federal government a deadline of May 31 to come up with a new national minimum wage for workers.

The ultimatum was given despite the decision of the federal government to increase the salaries of civil servants by 35 percent.

The Federal Government also approved an increase in pension of between 20 percent and 28 percent for pensioners on the defined benefits scheme, with respect to the six consolidated salary structures.

The implementation of the new salary structure was backdated to January 1, 2024.

Labour has since said it wants the sum of ₦615,000 as the new minimum wage.

Speaking during the Workers Day Celebration in Abuja, Joe Ajaero, president of NLC, said they might not guarantee the industrial harmony of the country if the new minimum wage is not implemented.

“The NLC and the TUC have made it clear and emphatically that should the minimum wage negotiation continue and linger till the end of May, we can no longer guarantee industrial harmony in this country,” Ajaero said.

Also speaking, Festus Osifo, TUC president, said the N30,000 current minimum wage is insufficient for Nigerian workers due to the current economic realities.

READ IPOB insists on April deadline for Fulani cow ban in South-East

Osifo implored the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and power distribution companies to immediately reverse the current increase in electricity tariff for Band A customers.

“The NLC and TUC hereby advise NERC and power sector operators to reverse the last increase in electricity tariff within the next one week,” the TUC president said.

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Claims of inciting Igbos against FG baseless, Obi replies Umahi

Published

21 hours ago

May 2, 2024

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The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has responded to the allegation that he is inciting people of the south-east against the federal government.

The former governor of Anambra said the allegation is a “baseless distraction” designed to tarnish his character.

He averred that his “focus is on fostering constructive dialogue and inclusivity, rather than engaging in divisive politics”.

Obi said he would not reduce himself to the level of those who wallow in ethnic politics.

“Regarding allegations of incitement against the government, I firmly reject these unfounded accusations aimed at tarnishing my character,” Obi wrote on X.

“My focus is on fostering constructive dialogue and inclusivity, rather than engaging in divisive politics.

“Claims of incitement are baseless distractions. I have always advocated for unity and advancement, refusing to partake in reactionary divisive politics.

“Worse still, I have never and can never descend so low as to base my political aspirations on any sectional or ethnic interest.”

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THE INCITEMENT ALLEGATION

David Umahi, minister of works, on Wednesday accused Obi of inciting people of the south-east against the federal government over the Lagos-Calabar coastal road project.

Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos, Umahi said Obi implemented the demolition of structures for road infrastructure while he was governor of Anambra.

The minister condemned Obi for criticising the federal government over the project, adding that affected property owners are already being compensated.

Obi has repeatedly criticised the federal government for the construction, describing the project as a misplaced priority.

The former Anambra governor said the “insensitive” demolition of structures for the project was “heart-wrenching”.

Recently, the federal government commenced the construction of the 700-kilometre Lagos-Calabar coastal road, which is expected to run through the shoreline of beach resorts in Lagos, while traversing eight other states.

The project has elicited controversy over funding, and the businesses that would be affected during construction.

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RESPONSE ON DEMOLITIONS AS ANAMBRA GOVERNOR

Responding to Umahi on demolition of structures, Obi said while he was governor, he clearly stated that all structures obstructing existing roads and lacking approval would be removed.

The former Anambra governor challenged anyone to show evidence on whether the “demolished structures on existing roads or ongoing businesses were not encroaching on the road and built without government approval”.

He added that it amounts to false equivalence to compare his actions as governor with the current Lagos-Calabar coastal road project.

Obi said he “never proposed creating a new road that would disrupt existing structures”.

“My actions were strategic, aiming to prioritise the repair and maintenance of existing infrastructure over projects that risked disruption and destruction,” Obi added.

“This approach aimed to safeguard the livelihoods of Nigerians and ensure the efficient use of resources.”