– The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has nothing against the Nigerian Peace Corps
– This was the stance of the NSCDC deputy controller, Musa Farouk, who spoke on behalf of their commandant
– Farouk disclosed this on Tuesday, May 30 while appearing before the Senate committee on judiciary and human rights
The NSCDC, on Tuesday, May 30 urged the Senate to go ahead with the establishment of Nigerian Peace Corps, saying it had no opposition to it.
A Deputy Comptroller, Musa Farouk, who led the delegation on behalf of the Commandant General, said the services of Peace Corps officers were needed at the moment, due to inadequate security operatives to combat the increasing criminal activities in Nigeria.
Farouk told the lawmakers that Peace Corps and Civil Defence, according to the bill before the Senate, have different roles, except for ‘Peace and Conflict Resolution’ clause, which he urged the Senate to streamline, so as to avoid conflicts in the future.
Peace Corps boss, Dr Dickson Akoh and others at the Senate committee’s meeting
READ ALSO: SEE state with the lowest crime rate in Nigeria
On the allegation of confrontations with other security agencies, the NSCDC said it had not had any sour encounter with the Peace Corps since their existence, adding that, security operatives in Nigeria should cultivate inter-agency relationship amongst themselves, to be able to win the war against crime, instead of fighting each other.
The Nigerian Peace Corps Bill was passed at the National Assembly in 2016, and a conference committee of both chambers inaugurated to harmonize the 2 versions of the bill.
While the House of Representatives adopted its report in January 2017, the Senate has delayed its own version.
The Senate however, recently mandated its standing committee on judiciary to conduct an investigation and subsequently advise the red chamber on the next legislative action concerning the Peace Corps.
Officers of the NSCDC and Peace Corps at the Senate committee’s event
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Meanwhile, at the hearing, the Peace Corps boss, Dr Dickson Akoh said they had secured 11 judgements delivered at various courts in Nigeria against the Nigeria police.
According to him, at various rulings, the courts awarded cost to the police, running to millions of naira.
Watch the ZENITHBLOG.com TV video below of the minister of transportation, Rotimi Amaechi talking about the achievements of the federal government.
A member of the House of Representatives, representing Sumaila/Takai federal constituency of Kano state, Garba Durbunde has been reportedly kidnapped
He was kidnapped while driving to Kano from Abuja.
ZENITHBLOG.com gathered that he has been released.
According to Premium Times, the lawmaker has been released and since reunited with his family.
“He has been released unhurt and is with his family,” says Abdulrazak Namdas, the spokesperson of the House.
Mr. Namdas however said that no ransom was paid for his release.
“I learnt he wasn’t the actual target so he was released without any ransom.”
He was kidnapped while driving to Kano from Abuja
ZENITHBLOG.com had earlier reported that Mr. Durbunde who was driving alone got kidnapped on his way to Kano from Abuja on Tuesday, May 30th 5pm along Kaduna- Jere road.
READ ALSO: BREAKING: Many police officers feared dead as ‘Naval officers’ attack police station in Calabar
However, Abdulrazak Namdas, the spokesman of the House of Representatives at that time,claimed ignorance of the incident.
“I am not aware of this but I was told some papers have carried it,” he told Premium Times.
But a lawmaker, who asked not to be named, confirmed was said to have confirmed the incident.
ZENITHBLOG.com had reported that a human rights group, Committee for the Defense of Human Rights, has said that until politicians empower youths who they use for political thuggery, ballot box snatching and other anti-political behaviours during elections, cultism, kidnapping and robbery will continue to thrive in the country.
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Former president of the group, Sunny Enenuwedia, in an interview with ZENITHBLOG.com in Asaba, told our reporter that kidnapping and cultism are the products of politicians who fail to empower youths in their constituencies after election, thereby prompting the youths to resort to armed robbery, kidnapping and cult related activities.
Meanwhile, our ZENITHBLOG.com team has given us reasons why you cannot take your life for no just reasons. Watch the video.
– The Idoma people have said they are not a part of the agitation for Biafra
– Idoma people say they are in no way affiliated to Nnamdi Kanu’s IPOB
– The clarification comes days after Kanu was seen dressed in Idoma atire
The Idoma people of Benue state have they have no part in the agitation for a Biafra Republic.
According to Pulse, the Idoma people distanced themselves from the inclusion of its territory in the map of Biafra by the Nnamdi Kanu-led Independent People of Biafra (IPOB).
The Idoma people said Kanu, who recently donned the Idoma traditional attire to a court hearing in Abuja was only using Biafra for self-enrichment.
In a five-point communique in Otukpo, Benue state on Wednesday, May 31, the Idoma National Youth Forum for Justice said the inclusion of Benue South in the map of the defunct Biafra was a deliberate attempt by the agitators to pitch the people against the Nigerian government.
IPOB had recently claimed that Biafra spans from Itsekiri on the western boundary with Oduduwa to Bakassi on the eastern boundary with the Cameroons, and also stretches from Idoma and Igala land on the northern boundary with Northern Nigeria to the Bight of Biafra which is South of the island of Bonny.
The communique signed by Emmanuel Omonu, president of the group reads in part: “We ask the IPOB and other secessionist groups to henceforth a halt to stop referring to Idoma community as part of Biafra as it touches on the collective sensibilities of our people and could provoke ethnic crisis.
“We are surprise that the likes of Kanu and his other Bifara supporters have not learnt their lesson after returning to Nigeria following the fall of Biafra in January 15, 1970 with tales of woes and horrors.
“The Idomas and other ethnic groups who have been carved into the maps being circulated by Nnamdi Kanu and his groups, we shall not tolerate any provocation from this group of persons as law abiding citizens of Nigeria and hereby wish to draw attention of the Federal Government and the International community to this fraud of a Biafra Republic to extort and criminalize our people.
READ ALSO: As Nnamdi Kanu revives Biafra; read Ojukwu’s 1967 speech declaring war on Nigeria
Idoma people say Nnamdi Kanu is trying to have people believe they are part of Biafra, but they have nothing to do with the movement
“Our sons have held very high positions in Nigeria just like the Igbos and we see no reason for any secession anywhere in Nigeria, the right thing for all to do is to task our leaders in authority to judiciously apply the people’s resources for the overall benefit of all whilst subscribing to the current administration’s war against corruption.”
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The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, on Wednesday May 31, said the realization of a Biafra republic was near.
The Punch reports that speaking through IPOB’s media and publicity secretary, Emma Powerful, Kanu described the level of compliance with the sit-at-home order on Tuesday as satisfactory.
ZENITHBLOG.com gathered that Kanu said he was encouraged by the outing, vowing that he would stop at nothing in ensuring that the people of the area were liberated from the stranglehold of their oppressors.
He thanked, “friends of Biafra and lovers of freedom all over the world for their tenacious efforts that made our Heroes Day Sit-At-Home Order a resounding success”
His statement read in part: “I will not fail to thank Road Transporters Workers, Teachers, Civil Servants, Market Leaders, Artisans, Clergymen, Businessmen, Traders, Okada/Tricycle Drivers, School Children, Parents and all the Biafraland, Transport Owners, Women Organizations, Community Leaders, Youths Leaders in every community, Wheel Barrow/Truck Pushers, and politicians who defied every odd and pressure from Aso Rock to make our sit-at-home order a memorable and resounding historical event.”
ZENITHBLOG.com had previously reported that IPOB held sit-at-home throughout the states in the south east and that Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia state later revealed that the order by the IPOB and other groups held because Nigeria was enjoying democracy.
Below is a ZENITHBLOG.com video in which the possibility of achieving Biafra is examined.
Editor’s note:In this piece, John Iloduba condemned the sit-at-home protest ordered by the Indigenous People of Biafra.
Iloduba called on the IPOB and its leadership Nnamdi Kanu to desist from suppressing vulnerable Nigerians who have set out to make legitimate living by mandating them to shut down their businesses.
Repression of the innocent population of Nigerians by separatists in the South-East: the world must act now
On May 30, 2017 small businesses in Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Imo and Ebonyi were forced shut down by separatists as part of activities marking the 50th anniversary of the declaration of the moribund Biafra Republic.
The separatists attempted the same economic blockade to some extent in Rivers, Delta and Bayelsa states while they were completely rebuffed in Edo, Akwa-Ibom and Cross River states.
These separatists operated under names like Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) Biafra Independence Movement (BIM) and assortments of street gangs that act as the militant wings of these groups.
Past interventions by security operatives to prevent economic blockades had resulted in their personnel being attacked and some killed by the militants in the process.
The extent of suffering and economic hardship unleashed on the helpless population can be gauged from the headlines of newspapers in the aftermath of the punitive action.
READ ALSO: UPDATED: Angry naval officers ‘burn three policemen alive’ in Calabar (photos)
The Vanguard reported that “Biafra sit-at-home: Total shutdown in South-East” while the Sun read “Biafra: South-East shuts down” and the Guardian has “Sit-at-home order grounds South East”.
Separatists leaders quoted in all the reports gave the misleading impression that owners of these small shops and businesses voluntarily complied with the directive to shutter their premises to mark the anniversary of the tragic republic but the opposite was the case.
Owners of these businesses were repeatedly threatened with arson, looting and abuse (of women) for any business that dares to defy the orders of the Biafran “Supreme Leader” not to open for transactions.
Apparently, in an effort to avoid confrontation with the armed militant wing of the aforementioned groups, government security operatives refrained from interfering.
Past interventions by security operatives to prevent economic blockades had resulted in their personnel being attacked and some killed by the militants in the process.
Unfortunately, while the approach of the security agencies averted confrontations, the economic blockade has further impoverished the low income earners that were forced to go one day without earning their livelihood.
READ ALSO: BREAKING: Osinbajo invites Saraki, Dogara to Aso Rock for signing of 2017 budget
It must be stated here that the majority of the families that bore the brunt of this oppression from Biafran militants earn less than $2 per day – the implication of this loss of income for one day will amplify over time to further impoverish them.
More unfortunate is the fact that the sponsors and warlords that declared the forced closure have businesses that are considered too big to harass and were therefore not affected by the shutdown.
These businesses include big brands like hotels and supermarkets chains that opened in other cities, oil firms that operated in other parts of the country and other firms with branded names that do not give away their Igbo ownership.
We therefore call the attention of the world to this atrocity, which has become more frequent as the separatists continue to find new excuses for declaring sit-at home orders that effectively translate into forced closure of businesses.
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Well meaning countries and international organizations must condemn the activities of the Biafran militants as the terrorism that it is.
Actions must be demanded to protect the vulnerable population from being further impoverished by economic shutdowns that have no connection with the genuine calls for fiscal restructuring of Nigeria.
Demands must be made of the Federal Government of Nigeria not to again abandon the well-being of its citizens for political consideration.
It is the responsibility of the government, through its security and military agencies, to uphold the Constitutionally guaranteed freedom of movement and freedom to earn income from legitimate means that applies to all Nigerians.
Yours faithfully
John Paul Iloduba
Director of strategy
Igbo for Nigeria Movement, Awka, Anambra state
The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of ZENITHBLOG.com
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Watch this ZENITHBLOG.com video of Professor Osinbajo and former President Olusegun Obasanjo speaking at the #Biafra50 event:
– The state with the lowest crime rate in Nigeria has been revealed by the police
– Akwa Ibom State is currently ranked the lowest in terms of crime index in the country with the state government providing help to police officials
– The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Don Awunah made the announcement
According to the Akwa Ibom state Commissioner of Police, Mr Don Awunah, the state is currently ranked the lowest in terms of crime index in the country with the state government providing over 70 per cent of the patrol vehicles including other logistics.
Mr Awunah spoke on how this was achieved, saying that the command is adopting four basic principles to combat crime namely: preventive techniques, response rate, detective rate and clearance rate.
He also said for effective policing, the state, local governments, divisions and communities have been sectorised with each of the sector headed by a dedicated police officer.
Don Awunah, Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom
According to This Day, while briefing newsmen in his office on Wednesday, May 31, the police chief said that there was also a solid crime preventive network and patrol system being implemented in the state including Quick Response Squad (QRS), Eagles Patrol system, Safe Golf, Aduman and Rapid Respond Unit (RRU).
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In conclusion, he said the input and collaboration of all stakeholders made policing a success in the state, stressing that the issue bordering on crimes must not be politicised.
READ ALSO: Benue state police uncovers illegal gun factory
ZENITHBLOG.com earlier reported that many officers of Nigerian police were feared dead after suspected officers of Nigerian Navy stormed a police division in Calabar, on Tuesday night.
According to witnesses, the attack began shortly after 8:30 p.m., and was still underway as at 10:19 p.m. at Akim Divisional Headquarters.
Watch this ZENITHBLOG.com video on an incident involving the police:
– A former member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Babatunde Ogala has berated Ambode over sack of Lagos Chaplain
– Ogala, who is a legal practitioner, said that it is illegal for any government to establish church in government house
– He, therefore, called for the immediate sales of church in the government house
A former member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Babatunde Ogala, on Wednesday May 31 berated the Lagos state government for building and running a church.
ZENITHBLOG.com gathered that Mr. Ogala, a lawyer and rights advocate, also suggested that the government should sell off the church and use it for other productive means.
READ ALSO: BREAKING: Confusion as South East Assembly asks Abuja Court to revoke Nnamdi Kanu’s bail
Speaking exclusively to Premium Times at the media launch of a report by the Socio-economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, the lawyer condemned the government for setting up a church, adding that the government has no business in religion.
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos state
“The government has no business in religion (because) that is what has brought us to where we are. If the Chaplain is being paid by the state government as we are told (and) one has to apply for the job and go through an interview… I just wonder.”
“Commenting on the controversies trailing the sack of the church chaplain, Femi Taiwo, Mr. Ogala explained that he got what he deserved, adding that once anyone subjects himself to a government-run institution, he must subject himself to the protocols.
“He is getting what he deserves,” he said.
ZENITHBLOG.com had previously reported that Governor Akinwumi Ambode allegedly ordered the removal of the Chaplain of the Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa Femi Taiwo
Mr. Ogala, who was a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly from June 2007 to June 2011 where he served as Chairman of the House Committee on Judiciary, said the idea of the government building and owning religious institutions was absurd, adding that such is not the practice in European countries and other part of the world.
“Why should a government build a church?” he asked rhetorically, adding that when he was in the House of Assembly, they had a Chief Imam (Muslim cleric) at the Assembly complex too.
“My view is that the government has no business in it (building and owning religious centres),” he said.
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“If I even have my way, they should sell the church and move on and put it to other productive use,” he added.
Watch this ZENITHBLOG.com video of Acting President Yemi Osinbajo speaking on the 1967 Biafra war:
– South East Assemby has asked Abuja Court to revoke Nnamdi Kanu’s bail
– Justice Binta Nyako of Abuja High Court had on April 25 granted Kunu bail
– It maintained that Kanu’s struggle for Biafra does not enjoy the support of right thinking Igbo people both at home and in diaspora
Barely 24 hours after the sit-at-home campaign that crippled business activities in the South East, a group, on Wednesday May 31, asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to revoke the bail it granted to leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu.
IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu
READ ALSO: Nnamdi Kanu granted bail by High Court in Abuja
Vanguard reports that the group which is under the aegis of South East Peoples Assembly (SEPA) in a letter dated May 31 and signed by its President, Prince Chukwuemeka Okorie, urged the Chief Judge of the high court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, to as a matter of urgency, revoke Kanu’s bail.
ZENITHBLOG.com gathered that SEPA maintained that the IPOB leader has continued to conduct himself in a manner that is totally at variance with terms and conditions of his bail, among which included that he must not hold rallies, grant interviews or be in a crowd of more than 10 people.
It said: “Obviously, the recklessness with which he made media statements and even organised the ‘Sit at Home and Stay Indoor’ protest to mark the so called BIAFRA HEROS DAY on Tuesday, 30th May, 2017 is a threat to the unity, security and peace of Nigeria as a sovereign nation.
“We have no iota of doubt that he is trying to push our dear country Nigeria into an unnecessary precarious situation for his personal agenda and those of his paymasters. “Sir, our decision to write this demand letter to your good office at this time is to forestall another civil unrest in Nigeria, particularly around the Igbo speaking region.
“As you well know, the struggle by Kanu to be relevant under the guise of actualisation of Biafra does not enjoy the support of right thinking Igbo people both at home and in diaspora.
“That he suddenly addresses himself as the Supreme Leader of Biafra points to how arrogant and disrespectful he is to legitimately constituted authority in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The pertinent question on our minds as stakeholders is: Has Kanu been consistent in providing the court with reports on the progress of his health and treatment on a monthly basis since he was granted bail?
“We fear that if Kanu is not tamed by Your Lordship as a matter of urgency, the IPOB may create a situation where it becomes difficult if not impossible for genuine development to take place in the South East under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR.
“History has taught us that the Civil War of 1967-1970 started gradually and later turned out to be something that caused our people unimaginable losses. “We cannot afford to fold our arms this time and allow a stooge imported from the United Kingdom by stark enemies of Nigeria to maintain a state of belligerence against the nation and keep the name of Igbo people in the news for the wrong reasons.
“At the SEPA, our very mission is that we believe in the truth and can on the strength of this declare that the temporary freedom being enjoyed by Kanu has been abused. Therefore, we join the other patriotic Nigerians in urging Your Lordship to consider adopting the appropriate procedure to ensure that Kanu’s bail is revoked within the next 7 (Seven) working days.
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“It may interest you to know that the whole world is watching how you have been faring to reposition the Federal High Court on the path of excellence and restore her lost glory”, the letter read. It will be recalled trial Justice Binta Nyako had on April 25, granted Kanu bail after he spent about a year and six months in detention.
ZENITHBLOG.com had previously reported that Justice Binta Nyako had on April 25 said her decision to release Kanu on bail was based on health grounds. She cited an affidavit that was attached to the bail application Kanu filed through his lawyer, Mr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor.
Specifically, the court held that Kanu must produce three sureties, including a “highly respected and recognised jewish leader”.
According to the court, aside a jewish leader, Kanu must also produce a “highly placed person of Igbo extraction”, as well as “a highly respected person who is resident and owns landed property in Abuja”. Each of the sureties, among whom was Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, deposited N100 million each.
Watch the first appearance of Nnamdi Kanu as he stepped out of prison recently:
– A bomb blast has led to the death of 90 people in Kabul, Afghanistan
– Officials say over 400 people have been injured following the incident
– Death tolls are feared to rise following the incident
Emerging reports suggest that a massive suic*de bomb ripped through a secure area of Kabul, killing 90 people.
CNN reports that the blast which went off at the height of the Wednesday morning rush hour, left over 400 people injured.
Afghan officials said the blast which came a few days into the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, was one of the deadliest to hit the Afghan capital in recent years.
The bomb exploded in the diplomatic quarter near the German Embassy and the Afghan presidential palace.
READ ALSO: Sorry Nigerians, restructuring is not possible for now – Buhari’s minister gives reason
No militant group has claimed responsibility for the attack in Kabul
According to BBC, the streets were packed with commuters, women shopping and children going to school and the blast appears likely to result in a high civilian death toll.
No group has said it carried out the attack but Taliban militants denied being involved.
Recent bomb attacks in Kabul have been claimed either by the Taliban or so-called Islamic State (IS).
Most of the casualties were Afghans but foreign nationals were also injured, including 11 US citizens.
Authorities in Germany postponed a deportation flight due to return failed Afghan asylum seekers, with a government source telling newsmen that diplomatic and consular staff had “more important things to do than to deal with organisational matters” so soon after the attack.
Mohammed Nazir, who had worked as a driver for BBC Afghan for more than four years, died in the blast, the BBC confirmed, adding that four of his colleagues were injured.
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German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said employees at the German embassy had been injured and one Afghan security guard had died.
French officials said the country’s embassy had been damaged but no French casualties reported
The British embassy said all its staff were accounted for. Two Japanese embassy staff members were slightly wounded
Turkey said its embassy was damaged but no-one was hurt
Afghanistan’s Tolo news agency tweeted that one of its staff members, Aziz Navin, had died
A Tolo journalist also said some of the victims were from the Roshan mobile phone company, but this has not been confirmed.
ZENITHBLOG.com had reported a few weeks ago, that 30 people were killed, following a deadly terrorist attack against a military hospital in Afghanistan’s capital of Kabul.
The attack for which the Islamic State (IS) outfit claimed responsibility, has drawn wide condemnation.
About 50 other persons were wounded after four human-bombers struck Sardar Mohammad Daud Khan Hospital in fortified Wazir Akbar Khan diplomatic district Wednesday morning, the Defense Ministry said in a statement.
Xinhuanet reports that President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani denounced the bloody attack as a coward terrorist act and vowed that Afghan government won’t talk to terrorists, who are killing the innocent people of Afghanistan.
– Biafra Independent Movement (BIM) has warned Nnamdi Kanu against instigating Biafran youth towards violence
– The group said the United Nations and the international community frown at the use of violence in separatist agitations
– The group also noted that Biafra has come to stay
Biafra Independent Movement (BIM) has warned the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, against instigating Biafran youths towards violent agitation.
ZENITHBLOG.com gathered that the BIM zonal Leader for Ebonyi Central, Chief Gideon Iloke, gave the warning while addressing newsmen on the outcome of the May 30 Biafran Day celebration.
READ ALSO: I will stop at nothing to liberate Biafran people from their oppressors – Nnamdi Kanu
He noted that the United Nations and the international community frown at the use of violence in separatist agitations, adding that it was the reason Chief Uwazurike-led pro-Biafra group adopted non-violence in the pursuit of Biafran freedom.
Iloke regretted the violence and clashes that erupted in Onitsha and some other Biafran cities during the Biafran Day celebration, saying that the fallen Biafra heroes would be turning in their graves seeing young Biafrans being misled to avoidable deaths.
According to him, Biafra has come to stay and any group engaging Nigerian security agencies in a shootout, engaging in destruction or any act of destruction in the name of Biafra, were enemies of Biafra and should be regarded as such.
ZENITHBLOG.com had earlier reported that Nnamdi Kanu said that he would stop at nothing to ensure he liberate Biafran people from stranglehold of their oppresssors.
He said, “MASSOB/BIM believe in nonviolence agitation and we have remained so since 1999 to date. We have many groups claiming to be agitating for the actualization of sovereign state of Biafra, but I want to tell the World that any other group apart of MASSOB/BIM that believes in non-violence is fake and should be arrested.
“This is because MASSOB/BIM believes that we can achieve our aim without instigating biafrans to violence and lawlessness. IPOB Leader, NNamdi KANU and Uchenna Madu were long expelled from MASSOB because of their belief in violence and destruction.
“In the course of celebrating Biafra day which began from 22 to 30 May, we didn’t block any road, we didn’t destroy the properties of Nigerians nor engage in any act of lawlessness. But we choose the part of peace as approved by the United Nation and the International community.
“But Kanu and his group chose the part of violence and were instigating innocent Biafrans to engage in acts of lawlessness with some of them losing their lives in the process.
“We condemn this act in its entirety as we believe that it’s against what Biafra stands for and is known for. If Kanu and Madu cause the death of all Biafran youths what will be the gain of their agitation?
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“My advice is that Nigeria government and security agents should do their job, and stop looking the other way while one man causes confusion everywhere.
“We in MASSOB believe in non violence as a way of achieving our Biafra as being championed by our leader, Chief Raph Uwazurike. Any other group that engages in violence is an enemy of Biafra struggle and should be treated as such.”
Watch the first appearance of Nnamdi Kanu as he stepped out of prison recently:
Many do not know that interviewing a celebrity, politician, or a random person on the street involves more than just carrying a microphone or a camera.
This was the reason MHNG, Nigeria’s network of leading media professionals in conjunction with the School of Media and Communication of the Pan Atlantic University organized a one day workshop for journalists and media professionals titled The Art of Interviewing. This training took place on Tuesday 23, May, 2017.
Participants at The Art of Interviewing workshop put together by MHNG Network.
The convener of the media initiative and the CEO of Urban 10 Hub Limited, Miss Rosemary Egabor, stated that the training was important because interviews are used to expand upon the basic “who, what, where, how, when and why” of news gathering in whatever beat a journalist may cover, and it is the information gathered and dispersed that the public relies and acts on.
READ ALSO: Okorocha fires all commissioners, 27 local government transition committees on Biafra remembrance day
Dr. Ikechukwu Obiaya teaching participants at The Art of Interviewing workshop
READ ALSO: Many police officers feared dead as ‘Naval officers’ attack police station in Calabar
According to her, the workshop was a response to the need of the Nigerian media for capacity building to make it respond to global best practices and serve the needs of an emerging economy like Nigeria.
Dr. Josef Bel-Molokwu teaching the class at The Art of Interviewing workshop.
On his part, the dean of the School of Media and Communication, Dr. Ikechukwu Obiaya, applauded the initiative. He indicated that it aligned very much with the school’s mission of providing training for media professionals to enable them pursue their calling of service to human cultures with a sense of creativity, skill, knowledge and values.
READ ALSO: DSS recaptures actress who escaped from prison after being sentenced to death
ZENITHBLOG.com’s Content Editor Abisola Alawode (L) and a colleague Ugochi Oluigbo.
Twenty-five Journalists drawn from different media houses were nominated to attend the workshop, which was fully sponsored by the MHNG Network. The workshop was facilitated by Dr. Obiaya and Dr. Joseph Bel-Molokwu.
ZENITHBLOG.com’s Abisola Alawode receiving his certificate of participation at the MHNG workshop.
The MHNG Network was founded by Urban 10 Hub Limited, one of Nigeria’s growing PR companies, in 2016.
The primary goal of the MHNG is to promote professionalism in the media through journalism network programmes that bring together professionals from across all media platforms to network, debate and engage with national and global issues that are of importance to the Nigerian media industry.
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Watch ZENITHBLOG TV’s coverage of former President Olusegun Obasanjo speaking on why Nigeria needs to be treated correctly.
A ship crammed with almost 1,500 African migrants finally docked in Naples, Italy, on Sunday, May 28 after being blocked for two days due to tight security arrangements at the G7 summit.
The migrants had been rescued in the Mediterranean sea aboard small and shaky vessels while trying to reach Europe.
They included 207 women, 22 among them pregnant, and over 140 children of varying ages. Their sheer numbers meant they exceeded the ship’s capacity of just 600 people.
The ship carried 1,500 African migrants, well beyond its capacity of 600
The migrants had been rescued in the Mediterranean sea aboard small and shaky vessels
READ ALSO: Former finance ministry director slumps, dies in Abuja club
They included 207 women, 22 among them pregnant, and over 140 children of varying ages
Aid workers rescued the migrants on Thursday, May 25 and transferred them onto the Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) ship named Prudence. Unfortunately, they also retrieved bodies of two migrants.
An MSF spokesperson, Michel Trainiti, told reporters: “Due to security restrictions for the G7 summit, no landings were allowed in any Sicilian port between May 22-28.” The migrants therefore had to endure an extra two days at sea to reach Naples.
The current warm weather has resulted in a surge of migrants trying to reach Europe via the Mediterranean sea. Some estimates indicate that as many as six million migrants are planning to attempt the dangerous journey to Europe.
The current warm weather has resulted in a surge of migrants trying to reach Europe
The migrants finally disembark from the ship
READ ALSO: APC takes over PDP office in Enugu
Some of the children were as young as one week old
Watch visuals of the migrants docking in the video below.
The first thing that needs to be said is that beads were considered one of the original forms of trade. That is why it is not surprising that bead trading is considered to be the tool for development of human culture. It is widely known that the oldest beads were found at Ksar Akil, in Lebanon. If you want to learn more about Nigerian beads styles, just keep reading, and you will learn something very interesting.
Basically, a bead is a small, decorative object that can have different forms and sizes. Beads are usually made of such materials as a shell, stone, bone, plastic, glass, pearl or wood. Also, they have a small hole which is drilled for threading or stringing. Note that these little things have a huge history and origin.
Traditional types of beads: How do we define them?
It is a well-known fact that traditional beads are divided into several categories. As far as we know, beads types are based on a few special criteria:
– accessories which they are made from;
– the method used in their creation;
– site or time of emergence;
– some peculiar features;
– general form.
When it comes to such types of beads as millefiori and cloisonne, multiple categories can overlay easily.
Nowadays, there are different types of traditional beads:
1) Aggry beads;
2) Chevron beads;
3) Glass beads;
4) Faturan beads;
5) Hair pipe beads;
6) Heishe beads;
7) Kiffa beads;
8) Love beads;
9) Millefiori beads;
10) Murano beads;
11) Peranakan cut beads;
12) Powder glass beads;
13) Seed beads;
14) Sequin beads;
15) Trade beads;
16) Wampum beads.
What are the latest Nigerian beads styles?
One should note here that beads are important for Nigerians. We wear them both for casual event and special occasion. Usually, beads are worn with traditional attires made of Ankara prints, George, lace, and others. It is well known that beads beautify any woman and make any anyone look stylish at an event.
Nigerian beaded necklaces became very popular among African women due to their pliability and the gorgeous look. Besides, the latest bead designs are breathtakingly vibrant because you can find usual strings of traditional red beads ornamented with trendy broaches, coulombs, bijou stones and Swarovski crystals.
It is a well-known fact that in ancient times, Nigerian brides used to wear red coral beads during their traditional engagement or marriage. Nowadays, we can see many new Nigerian beads designs which are made from different modern materials. So, today we can see beads made of such materials as a pearl, wood, glass and crystals, plant seeds, metal, bugles, millefiori, crackle glass, semi-precious stones, gem chips, shells, nacre and even cloisonne.
To sum everything up, beads, which are made of the abovementioned materials become more and more popular. What is more, traditional red coral beads are still in trend. By the way, this traditional bijouterie is still used as the Edo wedding coral beads or for the princess clothes.
It goes without saying that every woman in the world wants to be the prettiest. The important point is that not everyone can afford buying new stylish jewelry, so many Nigerian handy ladies make beautiful beads with their own hands. Everything you need: a little patience and inspiration. What is more, you can make even prettier beads than you can find in the shop. So, best wishes and good luck!
– A former director at the ministry of finance Emmanuel Ayodele is dead
– Ayodele slumped at the Amity Club in Garki area of Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city, where he went to meet some of his friends
– He was immediately rushed to Zankali Hospital in Mabushi area where he finally died on Wednesday, May 31
A former director at the ministry of finance Emmanuel Ayodele is dead.
Ayodele, Punch reports died after he slumped at the Amity Club in Garki area of Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city, where he went to meet some of his friends.
ZENITHBLOG.com gathered that Ayodele who was 65 years old was an active member of the club where he died.
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He was said to have parked his car outside the club premises and was about gaining entrance into the club when the incident occurred.
Ayodele slumped at the Amity Club in Garki area of Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city, where he went to meet some of his friends
Sources said Ayodele was immediately rushed to Zankali Hospital in Mabushi area where he finally died on Wednesday, May 31.
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One of his friends Kazeem Idowu said the former finance director’s death is a shock to everyone.
Idowu, the assistant secretary general of Amity Club said his friend was never sick or complained of any form of illness before his death.
“Ayodele’s death was shocking to say the least because he was a very active person and a staunch member of the club; he has held several positions in the club and was well respected by everyone.
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“He was about entering the club when he slumped and was rushed to the hospital but unfortunately, he died. We shall miss him,” Idowu said.
However, Ayodele’s family could not be reached for comments as his children were said to be outside Nigeria.
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– Soon after her wedding, she decided to lose the extra weight
– She shed 25kg by drinking 3 liters of water a day
27-year-old Alyssa Lusk from Mississippi in the US gained 19kg of “happy weight” within a year of meeting the love of her life.
Her happiness saw her weight shooting up to 88kg, which alarmed her. Just before her wedding, she decided to shed the extra weight after feeling remorseful about it.
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Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Alyssa said: “I remember walking around the mall and wanting to cry because I was so unhappy with myself.”
Alyssa gained “happy weight” within a year of meeting the love of her life
She began watching what she ate and cut back on fast foods. She also started going to the gym and exercising regularly.
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Her efforts intensified after her wedding. She said her healthiest habit was drinking up to three liters of water every day, which is double the recommended amount.
Alyssa’s weight-loss journey began just before her wedding
Within a short time, her efforts began to pay off. She now cuts a fit and slim figure and weighs 63kg, one year after her wedding.
While she is proud of her achievement, she said it didn’t come easily, as she had to make big sacrifices.
She now cuts a fit and slim figure
The biggest sacrifice was cutting back on social engagements with her friends for fear of being tempted by unhealthy food.
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However, she said she does not regret one bit: “You just have to decide what is more important, cravings and temptations or your goals.“
Alyssa achieved her goal by drinking up to 3 litres of water daily
Watch more inspiring weight-loss stories in the video below.
Watch the video below of ZENITHBLOG.com telling you amazing tips on how to lose weight quickly:
Nigerians have come for Governor Bello Masari after a notebook that was printed to promote education in Katsina state contained some grammatical errors on the cover.
A Facebook user Sanya Adejokun, shared a photo of a notebook that had the photo of the governor printed on it with some words that were supposed to project the provision of quality education in the state.
However, the words written on the cover of the notebook failed to project quality education due to the fact that there were massive errors printed on the cover.
It could not however be confirmed if the notebook was authorized from the office of the Katsina state government or maybe it was just the work of an entrepreneur trying to make a living with the governor’s photo.
Nigerians react to grammatical errors printed in Governor Masari’s book
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Nigerians on Facebook were furious to see the errors printed on the notebook that had a photo of a government official on the cover.
They expressed that the notebook was evidence that there is decay in the Nigerian educational system.
ZENITHBLOG.com gathered some of the comments below:
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Masari, who was the speaker of the House of Representatives from 2003 to 2007, became the governor of Katsina state in April, 2015.
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A member of the House of Representatives, representing Sumaila/Takai federal constituency of Kano State, Garba Durbunde has been reportedly kidnapped
He was kidnapped while driving to Kano from Abuja
He was kidnapped while driving to Kano from Abuja
ZENITHBLOG.com gathered that Mr. Durbunde who was driving alone got kidnapped on his way to Kano from Abuja on Tuesday, May 30th 5pm along Kaduna- Jere road.
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However, Abdulrazak Namdas, the spokesman of the House of Representatives,claimed ignorance of the incident.
“I am not aware of this but I was told some papers have carried it,” he told Premium Times.
But a lawmaker, who asked not to be named, confirmed was said to have confirmed the incident.
ZENITHBLOG.com had reported that a human rights group, Committee for the Defense of Human Rights, has said that until politicians empower youths who they use for political thuggery, ballot box snatching and other anti-political behaviours during elections, cultism, kidnapping and robbery will continue to thrive in the country.
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Former president of the group, Sunny Enenuwedia, in an interview with ZENITHBLOG.com in Asaba, told our reporter that kidnapping and cultism are the products of politicians who fail to empower youths in their constituencies after election, thereby prompting the youths to resort to armed robbery, kidnapping and cult related activities.
Meanwhile, our ZENITHBLOG.com team has given us reasons why you cannot take your life for no just reasons. Watch the video.
– The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu on Wednesday, May 31, celebrated the success of the sit-at-home protest ordered by the group
– Kanu celebrated the success of the protest with a Biafra themed cake
– He said in the long history of the agitation for Biafra, such victory has never been witnessed
The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu on Wednesday, May 31, celebrated the success of the sit-at-home protest ordered by the group.
ZENITHBLOG.com gathered that the event which took place in his hometown Isiama Afara Ukwu, Umuahia in Abia state was aimed at celebrating the success of the protest yesterday.
READ ALSO: After sit-at-home protest, Nnamdi Kanu sends POWERFUL message to school children, others
The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu on Wednesday, May 31, celebrated the success of the sit-at-home protest ordered by the group
The celebration was held by the IPOB leader with a cake cutting session, ZENITHBLOG.com gathered.
A source within the Kanu’s family told ZENITHBLOG.com that the IPOB leader was filled with joy at the level of compliance to the protest.
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The source said: “He said this is the best thing that has happened in history, in fact, he called it epic and historic.”
Also in a short piece forwarded to ZENITHBLOG.com, Kanu was quoted saying: “God bless you all. This is your victory!”
“It is the victory of the cause of freedom in every land. In all our long history we have never seen a greater day than this. Everyone, man or woman, has done their best.
Kanu said in the long history of the agitation for Biafra, such victory has never been witnessed
Everyone has tried. Neither the long years, nor the dangers, nor the fierce attacks of the enemy, have in any way weakened the unbending resolve of the Biafra nation. God bless you all.”I celebrate this day with you all,” Kanu said.
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ZENITHBLOG.com had earlier reported that major states in Nigeria were like graveyards following the sit-at-home protests observed by Biafra supporters.
Also, the IPOB claimed that 75 countries around the world joined Biafra supporters to observe the sit-at-home protest.
Watch this ZENITHBLOG.com video of Nigerians reacting to the possibility of achieving Biafra freedom:
