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IPOB tackles Ohanaeze President, Gov. Umahi, others over Biafra Sit-At-Home order
BY: Ikenna Oluka
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has taken a swipe at the duo of Ohanaeze President, Chief Nnia Nwodo and Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, for not appreciating the symbolism of honouring those unjustly killed in the struggle for Biafra liberation.
The group regretted that the duo have come out yet again, to lead the effort to discredit and dishonour the spirit of 3.5million victims of genocide.
IPOB described their action as inexcusable, saying that the act of equating the momentous and solemn remembrance of 3.5million victims of genocide with twelve hours of economic activity is an unpardonable crime both before God and man.
A statement on Sunday by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, reads in part: “It has been brought to our attention that the usual suspects are it once again in their bid to undermine the collective will of all patriotic and genuine children of Biafra to honour those that died for us and 3.5million victims of the second largest holocaust in modern history.
“Rather than anger, we feel pity for this collection of desperados who through their hatred for freedom and historical ignorance are canvassing that 12 hours of buying and selling is more important than honouring the brave men and women that fought they may live.
“It is the height of ingratitude, treachery and exhibition of crass ignorance that those who claim to be educated in this day and age do not understand the significance nor appreciate the symbolism of honouring those unjustly killed.
“That Nnia Nwodo’s Ohanaeze and Dave Umahi have come out yet again to lead the effort to discredit and dishonour the spirit of 3.5million victims of genocide is inexcusable to say the least.”
IPOB insisted that equating the momentous and solemn remembrance of 3.5 million victims of genocide with twelve hours of economic activity is an unpardonable crime both before God and man.
The statement further said, “These Fulani slaves in Igboland bore witness to the recent visit of Osinbajo the Nigerian vice president to Rwanda to remember the 150,000 victims of genocide. Why didn’t Nnia Nwodo’s treacherous Ohaneze and the Fulani herdsmen loving Dave Umahi issue a statement condemning Yemi Osinbajo for attending the memorial in Rwanda.
“What Nnia Nwodo and Dave Umahi is saying in essence is that 150,000 Rwandan genocide victims is more important than 3.5 million of their own people (Biafrans) slaughtered in similar circumstances between 1967 to 1970.
“Any leader worth his salt would canvass for Nigeria to understand the need to declare May 30th a national public holiday but not these traitors. All they care about is their little competition to see who among them will win their coveted Best Fulani Slave in the South East and South South Award 2019.
“Leaders who claim to be educated and whose education should have taught them the historic importance, symbolism and essence of remembering victims of an unjust war are the ones trying their desperate best to discourage their people from observing a day of prayers and reflection.”
The group observed that Israel only a few days ago observed the annual Jewish holocaust memorial noting that the event has been running for over 70 years.
It added that world leaders in November attended the Armistice Day commemoration in Paris to remember those that fell in the First World War noting that the remembrance has been running for over 100 years.
Continuing, the statement says: “Britain that created Nigeria observes the same annual 11th minute of the 11th hour of the 11th month at the Cenotaph in London every year without fail. Only those with a history of colluding with the enemy like Ohanaeze and Igbo governors can come out against honoring the memory of their own people.
“We know we live in an era of betrayal when mouthing nonsense against IPOB is considered a lucrative business because it attracts the attention of Aso Rock which often leads to financial reward. All inconsequential mushroom groups in the name of Biafra or Igbo hoping to attract favours from Aso Rock by issuing anti-May 30th sit at home statements will have themselves to blame in the future. Every year they come up with their usual nonsense against our sit at home order but in the end they start making comments in the hope of sharing in the glory of 100% compliance.
“These Nigeria by day and Biafra at night mushroom groups without presence or followership in Biafraland have failed in the past and will fail again because as usual, there will be total compliance with the sit-at-home order come May 30th because IPOB is the people and the people is IPOB.
“Unscrupulous individuals, groups and politicians particularly some Igbo governors and Ohanaeze Ndigbo can rant all they like on the pages of newspapers, we IPOB must remember our fallen heroes and heroines who paid the ultimate price that our generation to be alive today.”
IPOB urged Biafrans, friends of Biafra and lovers of freedom across the globe to heed this patriotic and candid call for Biafra freedom and ignore all traitors and caliphate slaves within.
It said that IPOB must remain undeterred irrespective of the renewed sponsored media attacks, false propaganda, arrest and torture by the Nigerian Government and her security operatives, “supported by David Umahi of Ebonyi, Willie Obiano of Anambra, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia and Nnia Nwodo’s Ohanaeze Ndigbo. In the end they will be held accountable for their actions because in the end IPOB always win.”
The Enugu State government has inaugurated a steering committee to eliminate Gender-Based Violence, GBV, in the state, declaring zero tolerance for the social malaise.
The inauguration took place at the Government House Enugu.
The panel, which is chaired by the Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Ngozi Enih, draws its membership from the Nigeria Police Force, Ministry of Agriculture and Agro Industrialisation, Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ministry of Human Development and Poverty Reduction, Ministry of Trade, Investment and Industry, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education as well as the Civil Society.
Inaugurating the panel known as the Steering Committee for Strengthening Institutional and Community Responses to End Gender-Based Violence/Domestication of Enugu State Gender Policy using the Oputa Panel approach, Governor Peter Mbah restated his administration’s commitment to not bringing perpetrators of GBV to book, but also putting in place proactive measures – activities, infrastructure, and systems in place to prevent them.
Mbah, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, said, “We take gender-based violence seriously. We have zero tolerance for it, and in Enugu State, we are ready to go the extra mile to deal with it.
“If you notice, the government has selected people that are very committed to this goal. This is not an activity where we just want to check-off the list. We will track this. We will monitor this, and we will have quarterly engagements on the successes that this particular committee has achieved in terms of reference that we are going to send.
“We will tighten those terms of reference indicators, so that we monitor what we are doing both in terms of cost input and the value added. It’s very important to us. Many people will be involved – civil society, the police and various ministries.”
He however, said that the effort was to protect everyone, men and women alike, as GBV was not restricted to any gender.
“The whole idea is to hold people responsible that are involved in matters relating to gender violence and deter people that by culture or by association get involved in that, protect women, protect our children, and in the case of violence against men, protect our men because most times we misconstrue gender violence to mean women, but it can also be men too.
“We encourage our men to speak out and to make sure they understand that the policy that Enugu State is soon going to domesticate is for everyone, and not only for the female gender,” he stated.
In her remark, Mrs. Enih, explained that the Oputa Panel approach was inspired by the need to cover all local peculiarities in domesticating the policy on GBV, restarting government’s confidence in the members of the panel.
“The approach we are going to use is the Oputa Panel approach, and in the Oputa Panel approach, we are going to tour the 17 Local Government Areas to get firsthand information about what our people are going through because policy is meant for the people, and a policy should suit the people.
“Again, every community has its peculiar problems, so that’s why the government decided that if we have to domesticate the gender policy, we have to hear from the people who own the policy and know the changes that they desire to see. That is the reason we are using this approach.
“The committee members are to also serve as judges. As we gather this information from our people, we will come back to tailor it in a way to suit the people of Enugu State, and then our policy is ready.
“We want the people to know that there is a gender policy for them. I can assure you that when the people are aware that there is such a policy, they will seek for the enforcement of that policy. So, this is not going to be one of those policies that will just lie on the shelf,” she said.
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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