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Biafra Day: IPOB claims 88 Countries, territories to participate in rallies, prayers worldwide
BY: Ikenna Oluka
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has said that all IPOB family units outside Biafraland, in over 88 countries and territories around the world would partake in street demonstrations, rallies, lectures and prayers as part of the remembrance of the fallen heroes and heroines on May 30, 2019.
The group said that while there would be total lockdown with schools, markets closed and vehicular and human movements in all the Biafraland and elsewhere other Biafrans outside the country would organise rallies and demonstrations.
The IPOB Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful in a statement said that this year’s event would go down in history as one of the greatest events of all time, declaring that it would use the event to conclusively prove to the whole world that they were ready for the upcoming referendum for Biafra sovereignty.
“We commend IPOB families in the UK, Europe, Asia, Middle East, USA and many other places across the world that have managed to secure marching permits from their relevant authorities because of this historic May 30 event. The leadership of IPOB are also aware that almost all countries where IPOB has a presence, including Angola, Mozambique, Congo DRC, Namibia, Ghana and Tanzania have respectfully perfected their own arrangements to honour our heroes and heroines on that particular day.
“IPOB family members in the UK have secured their venue at Trafalgar Square, London, for a rally. It is however interesting to note that when the Deputy National Coordinator of IPOB, UK, contacted the British Metropolitan Police for permission to march on Trafalgar Square on the May 30, 2019, they were informed by the officer responsible for issuing permits that since 2014 IPOB started its street protests in London, there had never been any breach of public peace compared to similar protests by others groups that have always degenerated into scuffles and altercations with law enforcement agencies in the London area.
“Britain having recognised the very civil approach of IPOB, granted permission to the UK IPOB family to proceed with the rally without undergoing the tedious application process for a permit which groups are normally subjected to. No other liberation movement in the world can boast of the pedigree, presence or respect IPOB enjoys across civilised nations of the world.
“There will be a complete lockdown of Biafraland and major cities where Biafrans have a significant population concentration like Sabon Gari in Kano, Lagos, Kaduna, Zaria and Abuja.
“We would like to remind certain criminally-minded individuals, DSS informants, traitors and Biafra-for-hire groups that hiding under the banner of Biafra agitation to serve Miyetti Allah agenda through Al Mustapha will only bring them shame and ridicule. I line with tradition, Biafraland will be locked down on the May 30.
“These shadowy elements that only exist on the pages of newspapers – without any significant presence on the ground in Biafraland or anywhere else around the world, should retrace their steps before they are all consumed in the upcoming inferno of rage against traitors. Any attempt to discourage our people from honouring their heroes or bring ridicule to the memory of our own Biafran activists that died in the course of Biafra restoration will be calamitous for the said traitor or his group.
“These shadowy groups must know that collecting money from their Fulani sponsors in order to disrespect our heroes that fought and died for us is not something we will tolerate. These charlatans without shame or honour have forgotten that some of their members died at the hands of the same people they have gone to collect money from to stop a remembrance that includes honouring those members of theirs that died in service to Biafra. This is the height of evil and betrayal of the very worst kind.
“To shamefully make such open and unguarded statements concerning the remembrance day celebration of our fallen heroes and heroines who died that we may live is indicative of the hopelessness and criminal mindset of these Nigeria-sponsored criminals masquerading as Biafrans. Only informants, traitors and saboteurs will dream stepping outside on the May 30 and if they do, they will only have themselves to blame,” Powerful warned.
Source: The Sun
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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