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IPOB Alleges Killings of Biafrians in Benue
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has alleged that Biafrans of Igbo extraction in Benue State have been abandoned and rendered defenseless in what it described as a pogrom by Fulani Islamic Jihadists.
In a statement made available to journalists on Friday in Awka by IPOB Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, the group described the situation as heart-breaking.
IPOB said important questions must be asked as to why governors Dave Umahi, Rochas Okorocha, Okezie Ikpeazu, Willie Obiano and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi with the support of Ohaneze Ndigbo President-General, Chief Nnia Nwodo, “publicly and illegally announced the proscription of IPOB when they knew the threat Biafran communities in Benue faced from Fulani terrorists.”
The statement reads: “There are four local government areas in Benue State namely, Ado, Oju, Okpoku and Obi that is quintessentially Biafra, of pure Igbo extraction.
“No Igbo politician, Ohaneze Ndigbo or governor has ever fought for these communities, they surrendered to the North after the war, to be reintegrated with Enugu or Ebonyi State as it should be.
“They (Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Igbo political class) are afraid of offending their Hausa Fulani masters that gerrymandered our people away from the East and made them Northerners overnight by placing them in Benue State. Today these Igbo communities, Ukum local government, Obi local government, Ogu local government and Okpokwu local government areas are being hunted like wild beasts by Fulani terrorists in their Igbo ancestral lands with nobody rising to their defence.
“The proscription of IPOB by the Hausa-Fulani slaves in red caps and their active support for Operation Python Dance was what gave impetus to Fulani terrorists disguised as herdsmen to attack Biafran communities in Benue with such ferocity and impunity.
“Knowing fully well that only IPOB had and still has the capability to checkmate these bands of marauding killers from the Sahel, why did Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Igbo governors proscribed IPOB activities in the manner they did? It is clear whose interest they were serving when they banned IPOB activities across Igboland.”
IPOB further called on Ebonyi State Governor and his Enugu counterpart as well as the Ohanaeze President-General not to openly or covertly sabotage ongoing efforts by IPOB to protect indigenous Igbo Biafrans in Benue State.
The group noted that if they do, it will confirm to the world that they are helping the Fulani caliphate consolidate their stranglehold on Igboland in particular and Biafraland in general.
Continuing, the statement said: “Should Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Igbo governors in any way undermine our efforts to defend our people in Benue, it would be confirmation that they have outlived their usefulness and must be proscribed because their continued existence is putting our survival as a race in jeopardy.
“Those we are defending are ethnic Igbo people they Ohanaeze Ndigbo wrongfully allowed to be carved into Benue State. These indigenous communities in Benue State are known as the Umuezeokoha people.
“In the past, some misinformed people sponsored by Arewa Consultative Forum/Northern Elders Forum like Paul Unongo ignorantly spoke about IPOB trying to annex other people’s land in Benue State. Both him and his controllers from the Sahel failed to recognise the sizable amount of Igbo land that were cut off from the East and placed in the North as northern communities.
“IPOB will not abandon or surrender any single Biafran community in Benue State as was the case in the past. Idoma, Igede and Umuezeokoha people are all Biafrans and deserve our protection.”
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.
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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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