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Police, DSS foil pro-Biafran group bid to takeover Enugu Govt House
An attempt by the members of the Biafran Zionists Federation to invade and take over the Enugu State Government House was foiled by a combined team of security agencies in the early hours of Wednesday.
Our correspondent in Enugu observed that there was partial compliance with the sit-at-home protest ordered by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra to mark the ‘Biafra Day’ on May 30, the date the breakaway state declared independence from Nigeria in 1967.
BZF, a pro-Biafran group led by Benjamin Onwuka, a lawyer, had earlier announced plans to commemorate the Biafra Day by raising the flag of the defunct Republic of Biafra at the Government House.
Having vowed that ‘not even fighter jets’ would stop him from going ahead with the plan, Onwuka and a band of his followers made for the Government House around 7 am.
However, the Zionists, who were carrying Biafran flags and musical instruments, which were to be used to celebrate the anticipated success of the mission, were rounded up before they could reach the gates of the Government House by a team of security operatives, including the men of the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services.
It was gathered that Onwuka and about 15 other members of the group were arrested during the encounter.
But several others escaped.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Enugu State Police Command, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, who confirmed the development, told our correspondent that Onwuka and some of his members were in custody.
Amaraizu added that the BZF leader would, once again, be arraigned, and prosecuted, for the latest offence.
“He is in custody, he will be arraigned,” Amaraizu said, in response to enquiries by our correspondent.
The Biafra Zionists Federation had attempted to declare the independence of Biafra in the past.
Onwuka was detained, and tried for treason, after leading some members of the BZF to invade the studios of the Enugu State Broadcasting Service in a failed bid to announce the secession of Biafra on June 5, 2014.
A policeman was killed during the incident.
Meanwhile, the Deputy leader of the Biafran Zionists Federation, Mazi Ambrose Ugwu, has demanded the release of Onwuka and about 21 members of the group who were arrested during an attempt to take over Enugu State Government House on Wednesday.
Reacting to Onwuka’s arrest, Ugwu, who blamed the governors of the South-East states for the development, warned that the governors would face the wrath of the United States and other ‘international allies’ of the pro-Biafran group, if Onwuka was not released immediately.
He said, “Peace-loving Zionists were today treated like common criminals by the police, who were doing the bidding of the South-East governors. They beat our members, including our commander, like criminals.
“What happened today is very condemnable. We hold South-East governors responsible. There is collaboration among the five of them to crush the pro-Biafran agitators. But we are not going be cowed. We are giving them an ultimatum to release them immediately.
“Failure to do so, they will have the United States and our other international allies to contend with.”
In a related development, the sit-at-home protest recorded partial compliance in Enugu on Wednesday.
Unlike the 2017 edition, which grounded commercial and social activities in Enugu metropolis, many residents went about their normal engagements on Wednesday.
Our correspondent observed that most shops and offices opened for business, and commercial transit buses and tricycle riders took passengers to various destinations.
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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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