Professor Wole Soyinka has asked the government of the Republic of Benin to release Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, because he has committed no offence.
He also warned President Muhammadu Buhari to stop attempting to impose grazing routes on Nigerians and undermine freedom of speech and of the press.
Speaking with newsmen in Lagos on Friday during an interactive session titled ‘Sanctions on the Loose: Chasing the Gnat with a Sledgehammer’, Soyinka said Benin Republic was wrong to keep Igboho in jail.
“I refuse to accept that Igboho committed any offence except agitating against Fulani tyranny against his people. He peacefully demonstrated his position. I can’t consider that to be a crime. Agitating for secession is not a criminal act as long as it is done peacefully. You don’t have to criminalise that.
“What crime did he commit against you (Benin Republic) to be in your jail?
“The Benin Republic should release this man. Please, rectify this error by releasing Igboho,” he said.
Soyinka also deplored what he called President Muhammadu Buhari’s obsession with imposing cattle routes, reserves and open grazing on Nigerians.
“He doesn’t seem to hear things… Is there an agenda we don’t yet know about? Eleyi koja oju lasan (this is more than ordinary),” he said.
He added that conspiracy theories abound where the leader embarks on actions such as Buhari’s order on his agents to retrieve grazing routes and reserves that did not exist.
On the recent query issued to Channels Television by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), the playwright, who tore a copy of the query on camera, said “there is no place for Decree 4 in a democracy.”
He asked Nigerians to prepare to wage a media war against the government if it persists in attacking freedom of the press.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Friday said he once refused to use government’s fund to complete a Christian Association of Nigeria building in Abuja.
Obasanjo spoke during the Book Launch and 85th Birthday of Eminence Prelate Sunday Mbang of the Methodist Church Nigeria held at the Admiralty Centre, Naval Dockyard, Victoria Island, Lagos State.
The former President, who was the Convener of the programme in honour of Mbang, described the former President of the Christian Association of Nigeria as a lover of Nigeria. The book, a memoir, chronicling the journey of the octogenarian, is titled, ‘My Life and Times.’
Obasanjo, 84, was Nigeria’s president between May 1999 and May 2007. He was also a military head of state from February 1976 to October 1979.
The former President recalled, “He (Mbang) asked me in his capacity as the head of the Christian Association in Nigeria that I should bring money to complete the Ecumenical Centre as they called it then, now it is known as National Christian Centre. I said, ‘No, I don’t have; I won’t put government money into that type of thing because if I do it for Christians, I have to do it for Muslims, I have to do it for Babalawo (traditionalist), I have to do it for Sango worshippers. No.
“But he insisted. Again, persistence. I had no choice to agree to now become a fundraiser for the completion of the National Christian Centre and I did. I got people together –the rich, the not-so rich, the poor, the not-so poor and we raised money to complete the National Christian Centre. I don’t believe he has been given credit for that work because if he had not gone the way he did, may be that centre will still remain uncompleted till today.”
At the programme, he reminisced how “pressure” was mounted on him in 1999 to contest as president after he was released from prison.
Obasanjo recalled how he met the cleric before his election in 1999, saying, “I came out of prison and pressure was mounted on me to contest election as president. Initially, I resisted and I said how many presidents do you want to make out of me but the pressure continued to mount.
“Then, I caved in. When I caved in, I decided to go round and one of those I visited was the Prelate of the Methodist Church in Nigeria, Sunday Mbang. I haven’t met him before but I made a courtesy call and I said, ‘Sir, I have come to see you’ but before I finished, he said, ‘I will not vote for you and I don’t know what you come here for’.”
He said though the cleric might not had voted for him but he won the election.
“As the President of CAN and me, a Christian, he then became my boss religiously and I became his boss politically and of necessity, we had to work together. Somehow, interest started developing. This man who will say it as it is a man that you need to have around you so that you can say it as it is,” he said.
Despite the resounding secessionist agitations as well as many local and international predictions that Nigeria is close to becoming a failed state and will soon break up, Obasanjo said Nigeria would continue to exist no matter what happens.
The former President noted that the enemies of the West African nation with over 200 million people won’t win in their agenda to see the breakup of the country.
He also said the cost of staying together as a nation was cheaper than the cost of dividing Nigeria.
Obasanjo said he would continue to work for the peace and progress of a united Nigeria, adding that the “many enemies” who don’t want to see the country’s continued co-existence would fail.
The former head of state made the statement at a time when secessionists’ agitations, fuelled by perceived injustice and worsening security situation, have increased across the country especially in Southern Nigeria.
The regime of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has been battling with secession groups including the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra led by detained Nnamdi Kanu; including the Yoruba Nation separatist group spearheaded by Prof Banji Akintoye and embattled Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho.
Speaking directly to the celebrant, the ex-President assured the Christian leader that the enemies of Nigeria won’t win.
Obasanjo said, “We are here to honour somebody we should honour, and learn from him (Mbang), to show that we genuinely love and appreciate him for the service he has rendered to the Christian community in this country and world over. And to assure him that whatever happens, we will continue to work for unity, peace, security and progress of this country.
“I know that these are things that are dear to his heart. We want to assure you that Nigeria will continue to exist because the cost for Nigeria not to continue to exist is much more than the cost for us to make Nigeria to continue to exist.
“There are many people –high and low – who can be described as enemies of Nigeria but they will not win over those who are friends of Nigeria.”
Also at the event was the Akwa Ibom State Governor and Chairman on the occasion, Udom Emmanuel, as well as dignitaries from all walks of life.
Mbang spoke about how he became friends with Obasanjo, adding that, “since then “we have become brothers, but of different mothers.” He thanked the former head of state as well as other dignitaries present for the honour.
Emmanuel thanked Obasanjo and Mbang for keeping together over the years, assuring that they would remain his fathers.
Repentant bandits were pivotal to the release of 18 students and staff of the College of Agricultural and Animal Sciences in Bakura, Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State has disclosed.
“As we all know, my administration initiated peace and reconciliation with the bandits as part of the measures to address security challenges facing the state.
“We used the dialogue through the repentant bandits and rescued this staff and students”, Mr Matawalle said on Friday as he received the released students.
Bandits had on August 16, abducted students and staff of the College in Bakura Local Government Area of the state.
Presenting the released abductees to Mr Matawalle, at the Government House, Gusau, on Friday, the State Commissioner of Police, Ayuba Elkana, reiterated that the victims were rescued through dialogue initiated by the state government.
“We may recall that the students were abducted and kept with the bandits 12 days ago.
“They were rescued through the peace dialogue initiated by Governor Bello Matawalle, without paying any kobo as ransom.
“I am happy to hand over the released students and staff to his Excellency, the governor, today,” the Commissioner said.
Mr Elkana commended all stakeholders who assisted in the rescue of the students.
Mr Matawalle commended the state peace and reconciliation committee for achieving the success.
“We thank Allah the almighty, for having this staff and students back,” he said.
He said the released abductees will undergo medical checkup before they are handed over to their families.
The Plateau State House of Assembly has given Governor Simon Lalong two weeks to address the security challenges bedeviling the state.
Philip Dasun, Chairman, House Committee on Information, conveyed the position of the legislators when he briefed reporters in Jos.
Mr Dasun said that the assembly would know the next line of action after the two-week ultimatum.
“As an assembly with people at heart, we call on Plateau citizens to have confidence in us with renewed commitment.
“We have given two weeks to the governor to take action on the resolutions the House has forwarded on security matters and how to restore peace.
“We call on the Governor Simon Bako Lalong to come up with a statement defending us as a people and to bring back renewed commitment to the cause of Plateau.
“We strongly call on Plateau people to practically stand up and defend themselves and their communities, as the conventional security design is no longer guaranteeing our safety as a people,” he said.
The committee chairman also called on traditional rulers to look inward and release the local security design to protect Plateau people as well as reinforce the vigilance, hunters and local wise men to defend the people.
He said that as a sign of commitment to the urgent need for the people to protect themselves, the Plateau State House of Assembly had directed all local government Chairmen to suspend their planned recruitment of Adhoc teachers, and instead, recruit 200 vigilante personnel in each local government area to boost and augment local intelligence gathering.
The legislator called on security operatives to fish out the perpetrators of the mayhem and be punished according to the law.
“On behalf of the Assembly, I wish to sympathise with the government and Plateau people on the barbaric and dastardly killings that have been taking place in different communities in the state.
“I sympathise with communities in Bassa, Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, Jos North, Jos South, Mangu, Riyom, University of Jos community and recently that of Yelwa Zangam.
“The House condemns all these killings in totality, all these killings are unacceptable and condemnable.
“We commiserate with the families of all those who lost their loved ones during these attacks,” he said.
Nanbol Daniel, Chairman, House Committee on Health in his contribution urged the people to protect themselves but should not go against the law.
Mr Daniel said that the assembly had resolved that the Plateau government should compensate victims of the attacks.
The health committee chairman said that legislators would continue to update the people on their efforts to restore peace in the state.
Plateau has come under renewed inter-ethnic violence after palpable peace in recent years.
Scores of farmers and residents have been killed around villages around the Miango Chiefdom by suspected Fulani herdsmen since the onslaught began. Farms and properties were also destroyed.
Irigwe Development Association claims many have been killed while at least 250 houses have been burnt by the marauders.
In an apparent reprisal, no fewer than 20 Muslims returning from an Islamic programme in Bauchi were ambushed and killed along Rukuba road in Jos North Local Government Area.
Miango Youths claims Fulani militia has been pillaging communities, killing villagers ever since.
Citizens have accused Governor Lalong of being docile in the face of the escalating killing of his people.
According to Sahara Reporters, troops of the Nigerian Army and military aircraft searching for Major Christopher Datong, abducted by bandits during an attack on the Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna State, are reportedly having a tough time.
It was learnt that apart from the unfriendly weather which makes the terrain difficult for the military Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance aircraft, the bandits are reportedly to be firing at approaching military aircraft.
“Of course, there are several groups of bandits, and no one is 100 per cent sure which group is holding the Major. You cannot bomb them because you want to ensure you do not destroy the victim with the suspects. The weather is also not helpful. They shoot at military aircraft if you fly too low. They shot at our aircraft, including these ones conducting the search. So, the guys searching from air are not able to search all day,” one of the sources said.
When asked if the military was negotiating the payment of ransoms, another source said, “That is unconfirmed. No bandit can approach the military for ransom. That is the height of death. We cannot think it not to talk of paying ransom,” he replied.
It was reported on Wednesday that the Defence Headquarters, Abuja was coordinating a search and rescue operation for Major Datong.
The DHQ, in a release by Maj Gen Benjamin Sawyer, the Director, Defence Information, had stated this.
“Let me use this opportunity, to reiterate that the NDA authorities, acting on the directive of the Chief of Defence Staff has constituted a board of enquiry to ascertain the remote and immediate cause(s) of the breach of security with a view to sanction any personnel found culpable and also prevent future occurrence.
“Let me also assure that we shall continue to update the general public as events unfold as we are all aware the search and rescue of the abducted officer is still on. Troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria will continue with its operations to ensure all those involved in the dastardly act are brought to justice,” he had said.
Datong is still alive, according to a family source.
A family member of the officer had told reporters on Wednesday that contrary to reports, he had not been killed and he was still alive.
“He is still alive. I can confirm it to you,” reporters were told.
The Nigerian Defence Academy, the military’s foremost training institution in the country, had confirmed that gunmen, believed to be bandits, invaded the facility, killed two officers and abducted one other.
The NDA Spokesman, Major Bashir Jajira, in a release, had noted that the Nigerian Army and Air Training Command as well as other security agencies in Kaduna state had commenced a “pursuit of the unknown gunmen within the general area.”
Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige
The Federal Government has promised to clear arrears on the consequential adjustment of the minimum wage owed to members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, NASU, by the end of October.
Minister for Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, disclosed this at the end of a meeting between the Federal Government and the Joint Action Committee, JAC, of the two unions convened to examine the level of implementation of the Memorandum of Action, MoA, it signed with the unions in February 2021.
Ngige commended the unions for their understanding and maturity in cooperating with government to resolve their issues, emphasizing that government did not take them for granted.
The Minister disclosed that the meeting was a continuation of an earlier one held on 25th February 2021 at his instance, and at which agreements were reached on various issues concerning members of the unions.
He stated that the meeting agreed that the payment of the arrears be fast-tracked between now and the end of October, adding that arrears in salary and promotion had been captured in the 2021 Supplementary Budget.
Ngige stated that it was not Government’s intention to owe that payment, but that the delay was caused by the difficulty in getting the actual number of people qualified for the arrears, adding that a lot of people had joined the Service from 2020 up, while the period of the arrears spanned 19th April – 31st December, 2019.
On Earned Allowances by relevant organizations (universities, polytechnics, colleges of education), Ngige said the JAC would update the National Universities Commission, NUC, on the outstanding amount owed its members, while the NUC was given two weeks to do the appropriate reconciliation.
The meeting agreed to correct the anomalies in the payment of Hazard allowance, caused by an error in printing, which had seen all members collecting the same sum of money across board, with no distinction between senior and junior.
Regarding the Responsibility Allowance, where Heads of Unit were omitted, Ngige disclosed that their employers had been given two weeks to rectify the anomalies to enable the affected people get the appropriate allowance due to them.
On the issue of Renegotiation of FGN/SSANU/NASU 2009 Agreement, Ngige stated that the unions and NUC would agree on a date to meet, as the Secretariat of the Renegotiation Committee was ready.
The Minister stated that as the Visitation Panels for Universities, constituted by government, had finished their work and would present their reports next week, the meeting agreed that Government should, as soon as possible, issue the appropriate White Paper for implementation.
He also stated that the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation reported that out of 293 claims received, all had been processed with 273 paid, and the 20 outstanding would be paid as soon as possible.
The Minister disclosed that the meeting stepped down some issues billed for discussion because of the unavoidable absence of the relevant officers –Inconsistencies in IPPIS payments, and update on Teaching staff usurping headship of non-teaching units in clear violation if condition service and establishment procedures.
He said the meeting was adjourned to the end of October, adding that meanwhile, all the complaints would continue to be handled administratively, as timelines had been put on some of the outstanding issues.
Spokesperson of JAC, Comrade Peters Adeyemi, described the meeting as fruitful, and their interactions with government as a work in progress, which would continue till the agreements are fully implemented.
Prince Adeyemi said the meeting was essentially to take stock of the implementation of the agreements the unions signed with the Federal Government on 25th February, 2021.
Peters said that the issues they raised at the meeting were being looked into.
Present at the meeting were the President of SSANU, Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, the President of NASU, some officers of the two unions as well as government representatives.
United States President, Joe Biden, has promised to hunt down and destroy the ISIS-K terrorists who killed 13 American service personnel and dozens of Afghans in a double suicide attack on Kabul airport.
He made the promise on Thursday, August 26, as he joined United Kingdom Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, in vowing to continue the evacuation efforts in Afghanistan despite a “continued” risk of further bombings by the terrorist group.
The ISIS-K, a terrorist group which is an enemy of the Taliban who are in control of the country, is an off-shoot of the terrorist organisation Islamic State (IS).
Last night, August 26, ISIS-K claimed responsibility for the double bombing, which is believed to have killed at least 90 people and injured more than 150 others.
About 11 U.S. Marines, a US Navy medic and another US service member screening evacuees at the airport gates were among the casualties.
The two locations targeted in the bombings were the Abbey Gate of Hamid Karzai International Airport, where US troops were screening Afghans for evacuation, and the nearby Baron Hotel, where thousands including Afghans, Britons and Americans, were told to gather in recent days before heading to the airport for evacuation.
Biden paid tribute to the “selfless heroes” who died helping the Afghan people to safety.
The Pentagon warned there is still an imminent threat of attack at the airport and have now been told to draw up strike plans to hit ISIS-K assets and leadership, despite being in the process of withdrawing all its forces from Afghanistan.
“For those who carried out this attack, as well as anyone who wishes America harm, know this: We will not forgive, we will not forget,: Biden said in an address at the White House.
He added: “We will hunt you down and make you pay.”
The UK Prime Minister also condemned yesterday’s terror attack, which is not believed to have claimed the lives of any British troops or officials.
He also vowed to continue the rescue effort at Kabul airport, where last night brave British troops were seen sweeping the perimeter following the double bombing.
Legendary Nollywood actress, Rachel Oniga, has been buried in Lagos. The actress died from heart-related issues on July 30 at the age of 64.
A lying-in-state ceremony had earlier been held for the actress at the Catholic Church of Resurrection, Magodo Estate, Lagos.
Her remains were later committed to mother earth at a private cemetery in Lagos.
Oniga began her career in 1993, starring in the blockbuster movie, Onome. In the Yoruba sector of Nollywood, the actress starred in the hit movie, Owo Blow.
The recent movies she starred in include The Wedding Party, The Royal Hibiscus Hotel, 30 Days in Atlanta, Sango, Out of Bounds, among others.
See photos from her burial below (Credit: Bimpe Olajiga).
Pallbearers carrying the casket containing Rachel Oniga’s remainsPallbearers carrying the casket containing Rachel Oniga’s remainsA priest officiating the ceremony at Rachel Oniga’s burial
Spokesman to President Muhammadu Buhari, Femi Adesina, has said the media and haters of his principal portray the bandits’ attack on Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna as failure of the President’s regime.
Mr Adesina, in an article on Thursday, said the media slanted the attack on NDA that left at least two dead and one abducted to portray Mr Buhari as a failure.
“It is both sad and disheartening to observe the construct that some people try to give certain developments in the country. And that came out in bold relief in this week’s attack on the officers’ quarters of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), in which two people were killed, and one abducted.
“The news headlines, the slant of the stories, the analyses and discussions, all tended to paint a narrative of the humiliation of our military, the failure of government, and the fact that anarchy had been unleashed on the land,” Mr Adesina.
The polity has been awash with escalating concerns and rebuke of government’s security structure since bandits freely invaded Nigeria’s foremost military training institute to wreak havoc on Tuesday.
A former military intelligence chief, Kunle Olawunmi, who spoke on Channels TV in the aftermath of the attack, said the Buhari regime has been lethargic in going after insurgents because their sponsors are known top functionaries in Aso Villa while some are even governors and senators.
But Mr Adesina reckons that the reactions that greeted the NDA attack shows that the country is filled with “haters of government and humanity.”
“Watching, listening to and reading all the deliberate obfuscation of the matter reinforces the conviction once again that our country is filled with haters of government, of humanity, of good, and even of God. They deliberately muddy the waters, rejoice at evil and all forms of iniquity,” Mr Adesina said.
Blaming citizens for raising the alarm on increasing insecurity under Mr Buhari’s watch, Mr Adesina said, “What kind of people are we, really? Instead of rallying our military, encouraging them and spurring the government further into action, they say the foulest things that can come from the nether region. Government is incompetent.
“The military is no good. They’ve been humiliated, and they only stop short of doing a jig on television, spewing expletives and concocting conspiracy theories. They simply forget where we were coming from, and where we now are. Ungrateful. Unthankful. Ungracious,” he added.
Bandits attack on NDA comes barely two weeks after Mr Adesina claimed that insecurity is being played up to rubbish Mr Buhari’s achievements.
Peoples Gazette had reported that close to 50 peoples were killed across the country barely 74 hours after Mr Adesina claimed insecurity is being “played up.”
In order to allow for detailed work on sections of the project, Messrs Julius Berger Plc will commence a major road diversion on the Lagos-Shagamu Expressway on Monday.
According to the project team in charge, there will be traffic diversion at two locations of the expressway for the continuation of the ongoing bridge works at Eldorado and Lotto Junctions.
This will take place between July 26, 2021, and July 30, 2021, for the installation of cross beams on both sides of the expressway, after which both sides of the expressway will be reopened to traffic.
In addition, beginning from August 9, 2021, through to November 9, 2021, Phase 2 of the diversion will be implemented for the installation of deck slabs, parapets and hand railings on both sides of the Eldorado flyover.
Also, from July 30, 2021, Lagos bound traffic will be diverted to the Ibadan bound carriageway, from a section before Lotto Junction to a section at Deeper Life Conference Centre with two lanes each in opposite direction using temporary median dividers. The purpose of the diversion is to allow for the safe installation of cross beams, bridge deck slabs and parapets on the ongoing bridge work on the Ibadan bound carriageway, which will last for 12 weeks.
According to the Head of Media Relations Office of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, the LSE Project Team, Prince Moses Duku, being conscious of the road traffic implications, has finalised plans to put mitigating measures in place ahead of the commencement of works.
Duku further stated that they would provide flagmen and suitable illuminated diversion points at night, including flashing lights and sufficient reflective road signs.
An emergency response crew will be on standby for emergency response services with well-established lines of communication between various agencies including the Police, FRSC, TRACE and other relevant stakeholders that have emergency response teams.
