By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives Committee on the South East Development Commission (SEDC) has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take decisive action in facilitating the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

The committee chairman, Rep. Hris Nkwonta, who stated this at its inaugural meeting on Wednesday in Abuja, said this was a crucial step toward fostering lasting peace and progress in the region.

Rep. Nkwonta emphasised the persistent security challenges in the Southeast, and the urgent need for resolution.

He said: “The continued detention of Kanu has fueled tensions, deepened grievances, and hindered the region’s stability”.

Rep. Nkwonta stated that the SEDC was established to address developmental disparities in the region, adding that sustainable progress can only be achieved in an atmosphere of peace and inclusivity.

He linked the Commission’s creation to the federal government’s broader agenda of Reintegration, Reconstruction, and Reconciliation (RRR), which is aimed at healing historical wounds, in particular those from the Nigerian Civil War.

“The establishment of the South East Development Commission, 54 years after the civil war, is a monumental achievement. However, true reconciliation requires more than infrastructural development—it demands addressing historical grievances and ensuring justice for all,” he added.

The chairman further noted that despite the Southeast’s entrepreneurial resilience, the region continues to grapple with challenges such as infrastructural decay, economic underdevelopment, poor healthcare services, human capital flight, and escalating insecurity.

He argued that Kanu’s detention remains a key factor in the unrest, discouraging investments and impeding development efforts, and urged the federal government to prioritize dialogue over prolonged legal confrontations, stressing that national unity requires political will and decisive action.

While reaffirming the committee’s oversight role, the Committee Chairman assured that the SEDC would focus on impactful, long-term projects rather than short-lived initiatives. He pledged to uphold accountability and transparency in all Commission activities.

Nkwonta therefore called on President Tinubu to demonstrate leadership by initiating the process for Kanu’s release and reintegration into society.

“Together, let us seize this opportunity to make history. Let us transform challenges into opportunities and build a South East region that is not only resilient but also thriving and prosperous,” he stated.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, in his iinaugural speech, described the SEDC as a critical step toward addressing the Southeast’s developmental needs.

Represented by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Abbas eemphasised he committee’s role in driving investment and strategic initiatives for the region’s advancement.

“The inauguration of this committee is not just a formality. It is the beginning of a renewed effort to unlock the full potential of the Southeast, a region known for its resilience, industry, and entrepreneurial spirit,” he stated.

He noted that the Commission was created in response to long-standing issues such as gully erosion, infrastructural decline, economic stagnation, youth unemployment, and security challenges.

According to him, the Commission will serve as a vehicle for recovery, modernization, and economic revitalization, positioning the Southeast as a hub for innovation, commerce, and industrial growth.

“The role of this committee is to provide legislative oversight, monitor the implementation of policies, and ensure that the Commission fulfills its mandate with efficiency, transparency, and accountability,” Abbas added.

Acknowledging the Southeast’s historical significance as a center of trade, education, and enterprise, he lamented its struggles with inadequate infrastructure, minimal federal presence, and restricted access to development opportunities.

He urged the committee to prioritize infrastructure, industrial growth, human capital development, and security enhancement.

“This is not just about policy monitoring; it is also about improving the lives of millions of people who look to us for leadership and solutions,” he said.

Speaker Abbas charged members of the committee to approach their responsibilities with dedication and patriotism, stressing that their performance would shape the Commission’s legacy.

“The foundation you lay, and the impact you make, will be a significant stamp in the annals of the history of the Commission.

“Development is not about politics. It is about people. We must ensure that every policy, every project, and every decision taken by the commission serves the greater good of the region and contributes to national development,” he said.

The Speaker assured the committee of full support from his office and the House of Representatives, pledging collaboration to ensure the Commission meets its objectives and serves as a model for regional growth.

“This is our opportunity to turn aspirations into realities, to uplift communities, and to build a Southeast that is prosperous, stable, and thriving for generations to come,” he said.

“May your efforts bring about meaningful progress, and may this initiative serve as a lasting legacy in our shared vision for a stronger and more united Nigeria,” he asserted.

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The monarch of Orile Ifo, Oba Abdulsemiu Ogunjobi, has been remanded at the Ilaro Correctional Centre in Ogun State after failing to fulfill his bail conditions.

The spokesperson for the correctional facility, Yinka Odukoya, confirmed that Oba Ogunjobi having failed to meet his bail conditions has remained in the custody of the Correctional Service.

Odukoya stated, “Yes, he is in our custody, which means he has been unable to meet the bail conditions granted by the court yesterday. However, as soon as he does, he will be released.”

The charges against Ogunjobi stemmed from a viral video showing him assaulting 73-year-old Abraham Areola.

The Ogun State Police Command had charged Ogunjobi with conspiracy, assault, and behavior likely to cause a breach of the peace. The charge sheet specifies that the incident occurred on January 21, 2025, at Sojuolu Street in the Ifo Magisterial District, where Ogunjobi allegedly conspired with others to assault Areola by slapping him on the face and ear.

Additionally, the charges accuse him of causing a public disturbance by forcing Areola to kneel and assaulting him in front of others

The charge states, “That Abdul-Semiu ‘m’ and others at large, on 21st January 2025, at about 1100 hrs at Sojuolu Street, Ifo Magisterial District, did conspire to commit a misdemeanour, to wit: assault and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 517 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State of Nigeria, 2006.”

It further reads, “That you, Abdul-Semiu ‘m’, and others now at large, on the same date, time, and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did unlawfully assault one Areola Abraham by slapping him on the face and ear, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 351 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State of Nigeria, 2006.”

In addition, the charges state, “That you, Abdul-Semiu ‘m’, and others at large, on the same date, time, and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did conduct yourselves in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace by forcing one Areola Abraham ‘m’ to kneel down and assaulting him in public, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 249 (d) of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State of Nigeria, 2006.”

Oba Ogunjobi appeared before Magistrate F A Iroko and pleaded not guilty to the charges and was admitted to bail. Among the conditions for bail, Oba Ogunjobi was to provide two sureties, each in the sum of ₦5 million, who must reside within the court’s jurisdiction. The case has been adjourned to March 6 for a hearing.

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

A tragic incident occurred in the Ukubie community of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, last Monday, when a woman, identified as Madam Stella, drowned her six-year-old daughter, Rachael, in a moment of uncontrollable anger.

According to eyewitnesses, the incident happened after Rachael repeatedly ignored her mother’s warnings to stay away from the river. Despite previous scoldings, the child ventured to the waterfront again, prompting Stella to confront her. In a fit of rage, she allegedly grabbed her daughter and threw her into the river twice, leading to her untimely death.

The shocking event left the community in disbelief. Confronted by residents, Stella admitted to the act, expressing deep remorse.

“I regret my actions. I never knew it would happen this way,” she pleaded.

A relative, Jeph Nation, described the tragedy as particularly painful.

“I have already recorded two deaths in my paternal family in Ukubie this year. Each one has been heartbreaking, but this is the most devastating,” he lamented.

Viral Videos Capture the Aftermath
Videos circulating online show Stella surrounded by an angry crowd, speaking in the Ijaw language and confessing to the act. Another clip captures her sitting in a boat beside her daughter’s lifeless body as it is being transported away.

Despite the public outcry, Bayelsa State Police Public Relations Officer, Musa Mohammed, stated that the authorities had not yet received an official report on the incident. However, it is expected that law enforcement will investigate the matter thoroughly

This heartbreaking event has sparked conversations about parental discipline, anger management, and child safety, with many calling for greater awareness and support systems to prevent such tragedies in the future.