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Coalition Of Igbo Political, Socio-Cultural Groups Urges Igbos In Lagos To Shun Protest

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The Coalition of Igbo Political, Social, and Cultural Groups has urged Igbos of all backgrounds, stakeholders, residents, traders, and industry captains in Lagos not to participate in the planned August 1 protest.

In a press conference in Ikeja, Lagos, the coalition stated, “We are distancing ourselves and the entire Ndigbo in Lagos from the planned protest by some unscrupulous faceless elements, who are partly using Igbo nomenclatures to fan the embers of unsound agitation.

“Nigerians should cultivate a culture of dialogue with the government and provide constructive criticism rather than resorting to unnecessary provocative protest and violence.”

The details of the press statement…

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After conducting an empirical analysis and overview of Nigeria’s current economic situation, we as a group agree that the country is experiencing hardship.

However, the current economic downturn is not limited to Nigeria; other developed and developing nations are in a similar situation.

It is therefore imperative to note that the current economic situation confronting our country is not the fault of the current government led by President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Rather, it is a cumulative effect and result of previous bad governance, which cannot be logically and sensibly attributed to the current administration of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who has only been in office for a year.

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In light of the foregoing, we believe that a national protest at this time, when the federal government is attempting to revitalise the economy, will be counterproductive and therefore unwise.

As a result, we are distancing ourselves and the entire Ndigbo community in Lagos from the planned protest by some unscrupulous faceless individuals who are using Igbo nomenclature to fan the flames of unsound agitation.

Nigerians should cultivate a culture of dialogue with the government and offer constructive criticism rather than resorting to unnecessary provocative protest and violence.

In this regard, we urge all Igbos of all ethnicities, stakeholders, residents, traders, and industry leaders not to participate in the protest.

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Lagos state is a Yoruba land, and Ndigbo residents have made significant contributions to its development, so they cannot be used or coerced in any way to destroy assets.

We are not destructive, and we cannot be among those who seek to destroy what we have contributed to and built together. Ndigbo are not wired for destruction, but rather for development wherever we live.

Let it be known that, according to all intelligence gatherings, the faceless organisers of this planned protest are unknown to us, are not Igbos, and are simply hiding under Ndigbo names, dropping Igbo names to cause confusion and gain credibility.

We are also taking this opportunity to thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the South East Development Commission and for deeming it appropriate to appoint an Igbo illustrious son as Chief of Naval Staff, thereby giving the Igbo ethnic group a say in the national security structure. We would be grateful if the President would make the Commission rewarding and beneficial to Ndigbo in general, affecting the lives of people in that zone.

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In light of Our President’s strong relationship with the people of the South – East, we urge him, as a gentleman Democrat, to expedite action on Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s release through a political process rather than a judicial one, as many prominent Ndigbo leaders have recently done.

This coalition is made up of sixteen large groups, including The Council of Ndieze in Lagos state, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos, South-East Forum, Lagos, Igbo Mandate, Seven Igbo Town Unions, Igbo Speaking Community, Igbo Vision APC Lagos, Igbo Market Men and Women Associations and Leaders, and Ndigbo In APC (authentic).

Signed: Anatuanatu Coordinator, High Chief Anselm Njoku.
Eze Dr. Uche Dimgba, Eze Ndigbo Ikeja, and BOT Chairman of the Council of Ndieze, Lagos State.
Eze Chris Offia, Chairman of the Council of Ndieze, Lagos State.
Chief Chris Ekeocha is the chairman and president of seven Igbo town unions in Lagos state.
Hon. Nelly Okafor, President, Market Women
Chief Sunday Eze is the President-General of the Igbo Speaking Community in Lagos State.
Chief Sunday Ossia, President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Lagos State.

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Immigration raises alarm over high number of irregular migration in Nigeria

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The Edo State Controller of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Martins Moye, has raised the alarm over the increasing number of irregular migrants entering Nigeria.

Moye raised the alarm at the 2024 Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, enlightenment campaign against irregular migration in Benin, Edo State capital.

He underscored the need for public awareness to curb irregular migration.

A facilitator from NIS headquarters in Abuja, David Amanahu, highlighted Edo State’s historical role in irregular migration.

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According to him, due to recent efforts by the Edo State Command, the state has improved in the national ranking on irregular migration.

“The positive news is that Edo State is no longer ranked number one in irregular migration.

“Credit goes to the dedicated team in Edo who worked tirelessly to improve the situation,” Amanahu stated.

Amanahu, while delivering a message from the Controller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap, noted that the NIS is now more focused than ever on border management and migration issues.

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Boundary disputes responsible for insecurity in coastal states – Oborevwori

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Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta has said that boundary disputes were also responsible for the rising spate of insecurity, deaths, violence and retarded progress in the country.

The governor stated this while addressing an audience at a one-day workshop for the creation of a platform for Nigeria’s coastal states and local government areas, held at the Government House, Asaba.

The workshop has the theme, “Towards a Secure, Peaceful and Prosperous Borders,” the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

There are many crises in the country over border issues, with Delta State having its fair share.

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The boundary crisis between the Okuama community in the Ughelli South Local Government Area and the Okoloba community in the Bomadi Local Government Area, which had claimed many lives, is being resolved by the government.

Speaking at the workshop, the governor said so many lives had been lost to boundary disputes as he called on the National Boundary Commission and other stakeholders to work assiduously in resolving such disputes in the country.

He described the theme as apt, adding that boundary dispute was an ancient and modern disease of humanity.

He said right from the colonial days, Nigeria had been plagued by boundary disputes, which had disastrous and destabilising consequences for the people.

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“There is scarcely any state in Nigeria that has not been involved in a boundary dispute with its neighbours, which often results in displacement, death, and destruction.

“Reports indicate that between January 2018 and August 2022; 676 people were killed in various communal and boundary clashes in Nigeria.

“The causes of these disputes are traceable to land ownership, community pride, ancient or colonial boundaries, and socio-cultural factors.

“In Delta State, it is safe to say that at least 80 per cent of boundary disputes revolve around land use, either for farming, mining, and other purposes of economic significance.

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“The resultant clashes often leave in their trail a chunk of internally displaced persons with the implication this has for their safety and wellbeing.

“As we all know, the living conditions in IDP camps are unsanitary and inevitably constitute environmental hazards,” he said.

Oborevwori charged the National Boundary Commission to work harder in resolving boundary disputes across the country.

“As the body responsible for resolving boundary disputes in Nigeria, the National Boundary Commission is critical to the peace, security, and prosperity of our communities.

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“It is incumbent on it to embark on enlightenment and sensitisation programmes to educate the people on the importance of respecting boundaries.

“It must also properly investigate cases of boundary disputes. In discharging this vital responsibility, officials of the Commission must demonstrate the highest levels of objectivity, neutrality, and integrity to instil confidence and elicit the goodwill of the people.

“Conversations break down fast once there is a perception of favouritism or nepotism on the part of those who are supposed to be impartial arbiters,” he said.

He added, “It goes without saying that an effective conflict resolution mechanism is critical for maintaining national security.

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“Hence, there is a need for strong political will on the part of the government to implement recommendations that will resolve disputes amicably, and prevent future border disputes.

“With enhanced peace and security at the core of our MORE agenda, we are committed to partnering with the Commission to discharge its functions effectively for a secure, peaceful, and prosperous Nigeria.”

In his welcome remarks, the Deputy Governor, Monday Onyeme, expressed delight that the African Union Border Governance Strategy would look into good border governance and the attainment of sustainable development.

Onyeme, who doubles as the Chairman of the State Boundary Commission, urged the African Union to sustain the tempo to ensure the harmonisation of all grey areas along the boundary communities.

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He observed that the European colonisers arbitrarily, without due regard to the ethnic homogeneity of many African groups, forced Africans to belong to different nations, while diverse heterogeneous communities were hurriedly bundled into a single nation with distinct boundaries.

On their part, the deputy governors of Bayelsa and Rivers states, Lawrence Egwhrudjakpor and Prof Ngozi Odu, respectively, called on relevant authorities to discuss boundary issues often, to enthrone peace in the country.

Earlier, the Director-General of the National Boundaries Commission, Mr Adamu Adaji, said the workshop was primarily designed to engage Nigeria’s coastal states, local government areas and traditional rulers on effective border governance in Nigeria.

The NAN reports that stakeholders, including some traditional rulers from the South-West and South-South states, attended the event.

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Obaseki embarks on post-tenure medical vacation

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The immediate-past governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has proceeded on vacation.

This is for him to rest and undergo a medical check-up, after a successful two-term as governor of the state.

This was disclosed in a statement by his media adviser, Crusoe Osagie, on Wednesday.

The former governor completed his two-term administration on November 11, 2024, and a new governor, Monday Okpebholo, was sworn in on Tuesday, November 12, 2024.

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Osagie said, “Following the completion of his second term, a former Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has proceeded on vacation to rest and undergo a medical check-up.

“Obaseki, once again, expressed his appreciation to God Almighty, the people of Edo State and Nigeria for the opportunity to serve.

“He urged all Edo people both at home and in the diaspora to continue to be hopeful and pray for the peace, progress and prosperity of our state and Nigeria.”

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