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Herdsmen’s Killings: Group Threaten to Drag Buhari, Osinbanjo to International Criminal Court
A Non-Governmental Organisation, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has threatened to drag President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo before the International Criminal Court (ICC) over herdsmen’s killings across the country.
HURIWA also lambasted the Osibanjo-led committee on the herdsmen killings for recommending dialogue with Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders of Nigeria.
The group said it would amount to a treasonable felony to dialogue with alleged sponsors of the mass killings allegedly perpetrated by armed Fulani herdsmen.
The rights group said: “What a sane administration in a properly administered constitutional democracy ought to do is to enforce the relevant laws by arresting, prosecuting and legally sanctioning the leadership of Miyetti Allah cattle owners’ association who were clearly seen addressing media conferences and threatening fire and brimstone just few days before each of the deadly attacks targeting farming communities which escalated in the last three years.”
The rights group said it had instructed its legal team to file additional material evidences to the ICC in The Hague, Netherlands to reinforce an earlier petition it sent to the same global crimes court on the incessant Fulani herdsmen’s terrorism all over Nigeria with the renewed mandate to list Osinbanjo and his committee dialoguing with Miyetti Allah as defendants.
In a media statement, HURIWA’s National coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko and its National Media Affairs Director, Miss Zainab Yusuf carpeted the Presidency for persistently deploying armed security forces only after innocent Nigerians were massacred by armed Fulani marauders.
HURIWA criticised the Directorate of Public Relations at the Nigerian Defence Headquarters “for insisting that it wouldn’t deploy soldiers to protect farmers coming under attacks from armed Fulani herdsmen, but only to hurriedly despatch military troops soon after the dastardly criminal act of mob killing of seven suspected Hausa/Fulani travellers by some unruly mob in Gboko, Benue State as if the military of Nigeria has become the official Hausa/Fulani police under President Muhammadu Buhari.”
HURIWA warned the Buhari administration to stop stoking the fire of mutual suspicions through its preferences for nepotism in appointments of strategic security chiefs and favouritism in the selective deployment of armed soldiers only to chase after cattle rustlers and to protect Hausa/Fulani herdsmen from possible reprisals after every violent attacks of farming communities by armed Fulani herdsmen.
“May we remind President Muhammadu Buhari of the time tested facts that the ongoing executive lawlessness which has made most other communities outside of Hausa/Fulani to live in fear will precipitate a long drawn out civil unrest in the nearest future unless the government addressed the lopsided appointments of defence chiefs, which favours Hausa/Fulani and balance the composition to have semblance of federal character in line with extant constitutional provisions.
“Impunity truly makes key government officials who constitute the cabal in the Presidency to commit lawless activities such as condoning armed Fulani attacks because they share ethno-religious affiliations with the armed Fulani herdsmen and these criminal act of impunity is being carried out because these officials feel protected by Buhari.
“Let the President be reminded that his discriminatory policies in matters of national security is a danger to the continuous existence of Nigeria.
“The heightened manifestations of abuse of power by Buhari and his officials, the oppressive deployment of soldiers to crush the Indigenous People of Biafra, the decimination of the mechanisms of Rule of Law and above all, the twin evil of the applications of tribalism and nepotism in national security affairs are grave threats to national peace and inter-ethnic harmony.”
The group condemned the President “for abysmally failing to discharge his primary constitutional duty, which is to provide security to all Nigerians irrespective of ethnicity or religious persuasions and also for adopting discriminatory policies both in appointment of heads of security forces in a pattern that shows clear biases against other ethno-religious communities outside of his Hausa/Fulani cleavages.
“The decision by the presidency to set up the Prof. Osinbanjo-led committee on the incessant armed Fulani attacks amounts to grave compromise of Nigeria’s national security interest. Why handle the grave security threats posed by armed Fulani terrorists like a village engagements when there are laws against mass murders? This amounts to desecration of our constitution.”
HURIWA also condemned the refusal of the National Assembly to employ the constitutional powers of impeachment against President Buhari, who, in its view, not only flagrantly violated the federal character principle in appointments of heads of national security team, but is now holding dialogue sessions with alleged sponsors of genocide which undermines constitutional democracy.
Digital solutions provider, Globacom, has congratulated Christians in Nigeria on this year’s Easter celebration, and urged them to emulate the noble qualities of Jesus Christ.
The company, in a goodwill message to the Christian faithful in the country, lauded their perseverance through the Lenten period which preceded Easter. It enjoined them to always promote the ideals of selflessness, love and peace among all as a way of demonstrating the virtues of the exemplary life of Jesus Christ.
“Peace, love and sacrifice are the central message of Easter. Christ offered himself in atonement for the sins of the world and he lived a life which made Him an eternal symbol of peace and goodwill for mankind”, Globacom added.
The company enjoined all Nigerians to share in the lessons of promoting selflessness, a necessary ingredient in the growth and development of every society. It also enjoined all Nigerians to join hands to make Nigeria a better place for all.
Easter is celebrated yearly at the end of the Lenten season of fasting and prayer considered as a ritual of purification for the Christian faithful. It also precedes the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ on Good Friday and His eventual resurrection on Easter Sunday.
The company assured its customers of seamless voice, data and Short Messaging Service (SMS) during and after the Easter celebrations, while urging them to avail themselves of the various data and voice offerings on the network.
The Guild of Private Broadcast Managers has extended its heartfelt congratulations to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) as it celebrates its 70th Anniversary.
In a congratulatory message signed by the Guild’s National President, Ambassador Patrick Uzoyi-Peters, JP MNGRM, the guild described the milestone as a testament to the NUJ’s unwavering commitment to upholding press freedom, journalistic integrity, and the advancement of democracy in Nigeria.
“For seven decades, the NUJ has played a pivotal role in shaping the media landscape, advocating for the rights and welfare of journalists, and ensuring that the voice of the people remains strong and unyielding. Your resilience, professionalism, and dedication to ethical journalism have been instrumental in fostering transparency, accountability, and national development”.
Celebrating this historic achievement, the Guild’s President, Uzoyi-Peters recognized the sacrifices and contributions of journalists across the nation who work tirelessly to inform, educate, and empower society.
The Guild reiterated it commitment towards collaborating with the NUJ in promoting responsible journalism and strengthening the media industry for the greater good.
While wishing the NUJ continued success, growth, and greater impact in the years ahead, President Uzoyi-Peters prayed that the anniversary serve as a renewed call to uphold the principles of truth, fairness, and press freedom in our collective pursuit of a more informed and just society.
News
Family Marks one-year Memorial of Late APC Chieftain, Ojougboh with Charity Outreach
By Ikenna Oluka
The family of the late chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, led by his wife, Mrs. Bose Ojougboh, marked his one-year memorial anniversary with a series of charitable initiatives aimed at honoring his legacy of philanthropy and service to society.
The memorial activities included the donation of school books and bags to pupils of Erigbe Primary School, in Agbor within the Ika South Local Government Area (LGA) of Delta State, where Dr. Ojougboh had received his early education.
The outreach also included extension of financial assistance to patients at Central Hospital, Agbor, and the provision of toiletries, cash, and food items to children at the Salve Regina Children’s Home, Agbor.
The outreach was carried out under the ‘Dr. Cairo Ojougboh Foundation’, a family-led initiative established to immortalise him and continue his lifelong commitment to education, healthcare, and social welfare.
Speaking during the event which took place recently, Mrs. Ojougboh reaffirmed the family’s dedication to sustaining the ideals of the late APC chieftain, describing him as a man who strongly believed in education and giving back to society.
“We are here to celebrate the life of my husband, Late Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, who passed on a year ago. In his honour, we decided to give back to society. He was a man who valued education and was always willing to help others. It is only fitting that we continue his legacy through acts of generosity,” she stated.
Honouring his passion for education
The first visit was to Erigbe Primary School, where Dr. Ojougboh had received his early education. The Foundation distributed school bags, writing materials, and food packs to the pupils. The family encouraged the pupils to take their education seriously and strive to become responsible citizens.
Supporting patients at Central Hospital, Agbor
At Central Hospital, Agbor, Mrs. Ojougboh and her entourage moved through the medical wards, offering financial support to patients to assist with their treatment costs. The hospital staff and beneficiaries responded with prayers and words of gratitude for the kind gesture.
Reaching out to orphaned children
The outreach team also visited Salve Regina Children’s Home in Agbor where they donated cash, food items, and toiletries to the children.
The Matron of the home expressed her deep appreciation to the Ojougboh family, commending their commitment to sustaining the late politician’s legacy of compassion and social impact.
Dr. Cairo Ojougboh’s enduring legacy
Reflecting on her late husband’s contributions to society, Mrs. Ojougboh emphasised that his legacy of generosity and service to humanity would not be forgotten.
“Dr. Cairo was a selfless man who touched many lives. His contributions to the Nigerian political landscape, his mark in Agbor Kingdom, Delta State, and the country at large, will always be remembered. He may be gone, but his impact will continue to be felt for generations,” she said.
The Dr. Cairo Ojougboh Foundation has pledged to continue supporting education, healthcare, and social welfare initiatives in his memory, ensuring that his vision for a better society lives on.
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