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 Anyaoku, Ambode, Obi, others eulogise Ekwueme

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Former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, and a former presidential aspirant, Prof. Pat Utomi, were among prominent Nigerians who paid tribute to late Dr. Alex Ekwueme at the Evening of Tributes and Music organised in his honour in Lagos on Friday.

Ekwueme, who was the first Nigerian elected Vice-President, died on November 19, 2017, at the age of 85.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ambode described the late Ekwueme as a thinker, an incorruptible politician and a leader who carried himself with dignity and exuded knowledge, experience and maturity.

At the ceremony, which was preceded by a commendation service at the Cathedral Church of Christ in Marina, Ambode, in a speech read by the moderator, Mr. Bisi Olatilo, added, “It is to his credit that the idea of six geopolitical zones has been informally embraced and today it informs aspects of governance in the country. In this respect, his contribution to the country’s political evolution has an enduring quality.”

Also, a former Governor of Lagos State and Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, described the late Ekwueme as a true gentleman who exhibited high level of integrity. He said Nigeria should pray to have “many politicians in the frame of Alex Ekwueme.”

While Obi described the late Ekwueme as a model that today’s politicians ought to pattern their lives after, Anyaoku, in the recorded tributes, described him as an unusual Nigerian politician and a “role model in integrity and patriotism” to all Nigerians.

Also in attendance were Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State; former governor of Ekiti State and Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; former governors of Ogun and Abia states, Olusegun Osoba and Orji Kalu respectively and the founder of First City Monument Bank, Otunba Subomi Balogun.

Others were a former deputy governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Sarah Sosan,  Alhaji Femi Okunnu (SAN), entrepreneur, Tony Elumelu, and billionaire businesswoman, Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija, who noted that late Ekwueme loved to dance.

The Bishop of Lagos and Dean Emeritus, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Revd. Adebola Ademowo, said, “He was a great, gentle and soft-spoken man; I wonder how he got into politics.”

Balogun, said the ex-VP “opened the door for me in self-actualisation when perceived doors were close.” (credit: Punch)

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IPOB Declares May 30th As Sit-at-home Day Across The Southern East States To Honour Biafran Fallen Heroes

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The Indigenous People of Biafra has declared May 30, 2024, as a sit-at-home day across the South-East to celebrate Biafran soldiers.

The pro-Biafran group said that day is set aside annually to celebrate the men and women who died in the Biafran war between 1967 and 1970 and beyond and even until now.

This was made known in a press statement by the group’s spokesman, Emma Powerful, on Thursday, adding that every Biafran in the South-East is expected to sit at home and reflect on the war.

He cautioned South-East residents to avoid loitering about on this day, adding that those who intend to travel to and fro Biafra land must do so before the evening of May 29.

The IPOB statement also directed that all the residents of “Biafra Land” are to stay indoors from 6 am to 6 pm on May 30, 2024.

He also called on christians and traditionalists to pray to Chukwu okike abiama for the fallen heroes, And also for the independence of Biafra from Nigeria.

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Anambra State Government Arrests Man For Marrying Off His Underage Daughter

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The Anambra State Government has arrested one Uzochukwu Okoli, for marrying off his underaged daughter.

Okoli was apprehended after his daughter reported to the State Ministry of Women and Social Welfare about the alleged ill-treatment being meted out to her by her father and the man he forced her to marry.

The daughter, Chioma Okoli, who is currently 16 years old, said after the death of her mother, her father took her and her sister out of Edo state and brought them to Anambra.

She alleged that she was first forced to live with a 70-plus-year-old man at the age of 14 but after some time, she ran back to her father’s house before he finally gave her out to a 34-year-old Chinedu Nweke as husband.

Chioma who was in the company of her sister, explained that life with Chinedu has been a living hell because he allegedly beats her and sometimes pees in her mouth.

She said this act made her run away with their 9-month-old baby. Her father, Uzochukwu Okoli, on the other hand, claimed her daughter is 18 years old and, at some point, said she is 20 years old.

After he was handcuffed, Mr Okoli threatened to deal with the daughters if he made it out of prison. He also urged Chioma and her sister to pray he dies in prison because he would make life more miserable for them.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Hon Ify Obinabo, has instructed that the case be charged to court so that the girl can get justice.

Both Mr Okoli and Chinedu Nweke were arrested and will be arraigned in court.

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Nigerians Seek Woman Who Spoke Out Eloquently Against Fuel Scarcity In Viral 1994 TV Clip

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April 30th 1994, 30 Years Ago, And Till Today Nothing Has Really Changed.

Netizens have gone in search of a beautiful and well-spoken woman who spoke out against fuel scarcity 30 Years Ago.

A user on X.com, Jackie, who identifies as #JWEZEE had shared the video yesterday with the caption, “On this day April 30 1994, same day same time, only difference 30years ago.

“Nigerians in long fuel queues lamenting, 30years later they are still lamenting. And In another 30years will still lament, why? Because patterns don’t lie.”

In the video, which has since gone viral, Nigerians were seen queuing to purchase fuel and lamenting their predicament as citizens waiting in long queues with their gallons to buy fuel.

The woman passionately addressed the unfairness of soldiers skipping queues to resell fuel, highlighting a longstanding problem.

She said in part, “You have the soldiers that come, they buy petrol, they put it in jerry cans they sell it right in front of these people, it’s ridiculous.

“They get the fuel themselves, why do they have to come here, they don’t join the queue, they just buy and they sell right in front of people, it’s ridiculous. Something has to happen.”

The 30-year-old video which recently surfaced coincides with the current fuel price hike across the country.

Here is the viral video from 30 years back.

Currently, the country is facing fuel scarcity and price hike, with fuel being sold at N900 per litre in some states. This has affected the price of goods in the nation.

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