I never ordered military to kill Igbos in Oyigbo – WIKE – Newstrends
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I never ordered military to kill Igbos in Oyigbo – WIKE

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Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has refuted the allegation that he ordered the Nigerian Army to kill Igbos in Oyigbo Local Government Area.

He said the allegation was a politically motivated falsehood.

He maintained that curfew was imposed in Oyigbo to restore calm after members of proscribed Indigenous Peoples Organisations of Biafra (IPOB) killed six soldiers, four policemen and destroyed all police stations and court buildings there.

Governor Wike gave the explanation on a live television programme in Port Harcourt on Monday.

He said the narrative that Igbos were being killed by the military is intended to shift attention from the despicable activities of IPOB in Oyigbo, which is a boundary area adjoining Abia State.

“I know that this is not the first time, IPOB has used Oyigbo as launching ground. The security agencies are aware. IPOB added a new dimension this time. They killed six army officers and burnt one. They killed four Police Officers. They destroyed all the Police Stations and Court Buildings. What offense did we commit as a state?

“I imposed curfew to restore calm. I proscribed IPOB activities anywhere in the state. Don’t forget that the Federal Government had declared them a terrorist group. It is not the entire Igbos that believes in IPOB activities.

“So, it’s not true that I order the military to kill Igbos in Oyigbo. When did I become a friend to the military? So what about the Igbos living elsewhere in the state are they also being killed?”

He further said, “I have no relationship with the army or the police, I do not command them. They change Commissioner of Police every time. How will I begin to direct the Army that I do not give instruction”?

The governor bemoaned IPOB’s effrontery to rename a local government in the State and hoist its flag in a public school in Komkom Town.

“I will not fold my arms and watch criminals destroy my state, if those few criminals are Igbos then they should know that I will not allow them. They made attempt to rename a local government in my state. That alone is a signal. I will not agree to that. I know who is doing all these; who has told them to rise, protest against Wike.”

The governor stated that the State government has no regret against its stance on IPOB, already designated as a terrorist organisation by the Federal Government. According to him, even the South-East Governors have never supported IPOB and wondered why a governor from the Niger Delta should tolerate the group.

He revealed that security agencies during their search of some residents in Oyigbo, saw shrines with IPOB flags and Nnamdi Kanu’s picture. He maintained that if IPOB is allowed to operate from Oyigbo, they will soon overrun the State.

The governor said the government has commenced moves to replace all the property destroyed by the group during the protest, regretting that the damage have left huge financial burden on the state. In addition, he said the State has decided to compensate each family of the killed security personnel with N20 million to cater to for the welfare of the bereaved widows and their children.

He further said that the EndSARS protest and its aftermath would have been averted if the Federal Government had not dismissed the alarmed he earlier raised on the activities of SARS to mere politics.

“These loses of the aftermath of the protest are unfortunate. Recall that we started the cry against operations of SARS. We asked for reform. But they politicised the issue because they use it to kill and intimidate us.

“Here, the minister always used SARS to cause mayhem under the leadership of Akin Fakorede. We suffered a great deal. At a time, the entire National Assembly Election was cancelled. But we put faith in God who owns the state. We triumphed eventually,” he said.

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Nigeria ranks 36th on most corrupt countries’ list (full list)

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Nigeria ranks 36th on most corrupt countries’ list (full list)

Transparency International, a global coalition against corruption, has ranked Nigeria as the 36th most corrupt country in the world, according to the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) released on Tuesday.

Nigeria shares the 36th position with Uganda, Mexico, Madagascar, Iraq and Cameroon, each scoring 26 points on the corruption index.

Denmark retained its position as the least corrupt country in the world with 90 points, followed by Finland with 88 points and Singapore with 84 points. The top 10 least corrupt nations were predominantly European, with no African country making the list.

However, Cape Verde emerged as the least corrupt country in Africa, ranking 35th globally with 62 points.

At the other end of the spectrum, South Sudan, Somalia and Venezuela were named the most corrupt countries in the world for the year under review.

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Commenting on the report, Francois Valeria, Chair of Transparency International, emphasised the widespread threat of corruption and its impact on global challenges such as climate change.

“The 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) shows that corruption is a dangerous problem in every part of the world, but change for the better is happening in many countries,” Valeria said.

“Research also reveals that corruption is a major threat to climate action. It hinders progress in reducing emissions and adapting to the unavoidable effects of global heating.”

The CPI ranks 180 countries and territories worldwide based on perceived levels of public sector corruption, using a scale from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean).

While 32 countries have significantly reduced corruption levels since 2012, Transparency International noted that 148 countries have either stagnated or worsened in the same period.

“The global average of 43 has also stood still for years, while over two-thirds of countries score below 50. Billions of people live in countries where corruption destroys lives and undermines human rights,” Valeria added.

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Nigeria commiserates with Namibia on death of ex-President Nujoma 

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Nigeria commiserates with Namibia on death of ex-President Nujoma

 

The Federal Government has commiserated with the government and people of the Republic of Namibia on the passing of their first President, Dr. Sam Nujoma.

Nujoma, the founding president of Namibia died at the weekend at the age of 95 years.

The revolutionary leader, who served as Namibia’s first president for 15 years, died on Saturday night in the nation’s capital, Windhoek.

Namibian President Nangolo Mbumba said Nujoma died from an illness after being hospitalised in the capital, Windhoek.

A statement by Acting Spokesperson for Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, described the departed leader as a visionary and a pan-Africanist.

The statement read, “The departed elder statesman was a visionary leader, a pan-Africanist and a relentless freedom fighter, who dedicated his life to the emancipation of Namibia from colonial rule.

“His unwavering commitment to justice, equality and self-determination not only shaped the destiny of Namibia but also inspired generations of Africans in the fight against oppression and injustice.

“As the pioneer President, Dr. Nujoma laid the foundation for a nation built on the principles of democracy, reconciliation, and development.

“His leadership set the country on a path of peace and progress, earning him the respect and admiration of the international community.

“Nigeria shares in the grief of our Namibian brothers and sisters at this moment of profound loss. We remember Dr. Nujoma as a true friend of Nigeria and a steadfast ally in pursuing African solidarity and cooperation.

“His legacy as a freedom fighter and statesman will forever remain a source of inspiration for the continent.

“Therefore, in this time of mourning, Nigeria stands in solidarity with the people of Namibia and reaffirms our commitment to strengthening the bonds of friendship and partnership between our two nations. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”

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Obasanjo: Leaders have to step on toes, I sacked my daughter for coming late 

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Obasanjo: Leaders have to step on toes, I sacked my daughter for coming late 

 

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo says all political of note have had to take difficult decisions including stepping on big toes.

He recalled how he had to sack his daughter from his farm on account of late coming to work.

According to Obasanjo, that action had a major effect on all his employees and they said, “if Baba could do this to his daughter, who are we?”

The former President made the disclosure while hosting the new Chairman, Board of Management of Federal Medical Centre Idi-Aba in Abeokuta, Dr Dayo Israel, who was on courtesy visit to him the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

He told his visitor to prepare for the challenges ahead and be ready to step on toes, if necessary, for a successful tenure of office.

He said, “No leader of note I ever come across achieved without stepping on toes.”

Dr Israel was in company of the FMC, Abeokuta Medical Director, Prof. Adewale Musa-Olomu, and members of his management team.

The former President, according to a statement by the hospital’s Head of Public Relations, Dr Segun Orisajo said: “If you’re doing a job and you’re not stepping on toes, then you’re not effective.

“Shortly after I left office as Head of State, my first daughter, then at University of Ibadan, studying Veterinary Medicine was engaged on my farm to gain some practical experience during long vacation”.

“On day one, she resumed a quarter past seven in the morning as against the usual 7 o’clock. I warned her, reminding her that she has an obligation to be of good example to other workers. I told her I will not hesitate to wield the big stick should the same be repeated going forward.

“To my amazement, the following day, she was late to work again. I did not hesitate to send her back right from the gate.”

“Not surprisingly, this had an indescribable effect on all my employees, saying “if Baba could do this to his daughter, who are we?”

Earlier, the FMCA Board Chairman, Dr Israel, described Obasanjo as an international colossus, full of wisdom and wits.

Israel said: “Meeting Baba Obasanjo is always so much fun. As we begin this journey of transformation at FMC Abeokuta, Baba’s wisdom and experience are invaluable.”

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