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Ohanaeze directs Ndigbo not to join ‘hardship’ protest

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11 months ago

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Ohanaeze directs Ndigbo not to join ‘hardship’ protest

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo has directed the Igbos all over the country not to join the ongoing protests against hardship.

Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, in a statement titled “Message to all Igbos Worldwide,”  urged the Igbos to show their support for President Bola Tinubu. Noting that the hardship faced by Nigerians will soon be a thing of the past.

The statement from Ohanaeze’s president Partly, reads, “I write as your leader at this critical period in our country, Nigeria.

“Events in Nigeria today are no doubt very disturbing. The economy has turned very bad, and a sense of frustration is everywhere.

“I have received many entreaties from many parts of the country requesting me to call Igbos to join in demonstrations and violent action in the country against the government.

“As your leader, I am directing that no Igbo group or community in Nigeria or the Diaspora should join in this action.

“I am still studying the situation. I have asked Nigerians who approached me the following questions: What did they do when the past government disfranchised Igbo land?”

Speaking on the alleged marginalization of the Igbos in the country, the Ohanaeze threatened to take legal action if steps were not taken to correct the “injustice” meted out to the Igbos.

Iwuanyanwu said, “Most of the Igbo are in the South East, and the South East is very sadly marginalized in all ramifications.

“We are the only geopolitical zone that has only five (5) states. This situation has cost us billions of dollars in financial losses. It has also cost us losses in both political appointments and legislative representations.

“In 2005 and 2014, we raised this issue at various political conferences. All men of goodwill at the conference agreed that it was unfair for the Southeast to have only five states and recommended that an additional state be created in the Southeast, but up until today, this has not been done.

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“I have severally drawn the attention of the federal government to this injustice against the Southeast.”

“This statement should serve as a notice that if no step is taken by the federal government and the National Assembly towards the creation of an additional state in the Southeast, I will have no choice but to go to court.

“In the 1999 Constitution as amended, we all endorsed a federal character. Igbos, by nature, would have preferred the free competitive process rather than a federal character paradigm.

“But we realized that Nigeria is a federation comprising so many ethnic nationalities, and as part of our sacrifice towards the unity of Nigeria, we accepted the federal character option, but unfortunately, it has been used to maneuver the Igbo out of most critical positions in government.

“For example, the former President Muhammadu Buhari openly confessed that he didn’t give us our due because we didn’t vote for him.”

Calling for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, Ohanaeze noted that “youths all over the world are very restive and sensitive to any issue affecting their future. In Nigeria, Igbo youths and youths from other tribes at various times expressed their dissatisfaction with events in the country.

“It is clear to us that when youths from other tribes of the country are involved, they are reprimanded and forgiven, but when the Igbo youths are involved, they are arrested, incarcerated, and even charged for serious offenses.

“For example, the arrest and detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu generated a lot of problems for the Igbos.

“Many Igbos, including governors, members of the National Assembly, religious leaders, traditional rulers, and business leaders, pleaded with Mr. President for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, but without success.”

He added that Igbo monarchs are not being spared in the alleged injustice. “Also, there are many Igbo youths detained in various correctional centers for flimsy excuses. For example, there is the case of Eze Fredrick Nwajiagu, who has been in detention in Lagos without any justifiable reason.

“Since the 2023 general election, Igbos have been victimized over the failure of the APC to win in Lagos and Abuja.

“It has been brought to my attention that there is a conspiracy to cripple Igbo business enterprises in Lagos, Abuja, and other parts of Nigeria. All these are aimed at incapacitating the Igbos from all future political activities.

“In some parts of Nigeria, Igbos who answer Igbo names and who are raised in Igbo culture and tradition continue to deny their Igbo heritage.

“This is because some people outside Eastern Nigeria who assume the monopoly of political power have continued to brainwash this set of people and turned their minds against their kit and kin, the Igbos.

“For example, after the Civil War, which was fought by the entire Eastern Nigeria, this group of people profiled it as if it were a war by a few Igbos, and they influenced our kit and kin in Rivers State to seize our assets in the name of abandoned property.

“Remarkably, the end of the Civil War was based on the 3 Rs: reconciliation, rehabilitation, and reconstruction. Most unfortunately, the 3Rs were never implemented in the war-torn areas.

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“History will always record the contributions of General Yakubu Gowon, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, and General Obasanjo towards the peaceful conclusion of the Civil War based on no victor, no vanquished.

“It is regrettable that up until today, despite the efforts of Igbos to demonstrate their commitment to one united Nigeria, Igbos are victimized in many parts of the country, and people profile them wrongly at various times.

“It is clear to me that Igbos must work hard to succeed in Nigeria. It is no secret that most contracts executed by Igbo businessmen in Nigeria are bought from their original awardees.

“In terms of political power, the Presidency of Nigeria was zoned to rotate between the North and the South. We accepted it.

“The last election was a defining moment in the country when, in fact, Igbos generally believed it was their turn to produce a president, but some groups in Nigeria ganged up against Igbos, and we failed in this quest.

“We once again thank all Nigerians who have shown their patriotism and love for one united Nigeria by supporting a very credible Igbo candidate, Mr. Peter Obi.

“These Nigerian leaders are too numerous to mention, but we cannot fail to express our thanks to Chief Dr. Edwin Clark, the leader of the South-South region; Pa Ayo Adebanjo, the leader of Afenifere; and Dr. Bitrus Pogu, the leader of the Middle Belt Forum, for their courage in supporting an Igbo candidate.

“It is important to remind all Igbos that the 2023 presidential electoral matter has reached the Nigerian Supreme Court, where they declared President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR the winner.

“We don’t have any personal issues with him. As governor of Lagos State, he was good and charitable to Igbos.

“We have therefore decided to support him. We expect him to reciprocate this gesture by giving us what is due to the federation. We are not asking for another person’s position.

“The economic crisis in Nigeria is very unfortunate. Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide intends to convene a meeting of Igbo top economists and experts in diverse fields to strategize on how to overcome the hardships.

“We will also offer advice to President Tinubu on the economy. It is important to note that the best thing for us as Igbos is to rally around President Tinubu and do what we can to enable him to complete his tenure. Igbos are opposed to military rule. We prefer a democratic government where we can express our views.”

Ohanaeze directs Ndigbo not to join ‘hardship’ protest

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Nigerians in diaspora fume over Trump birthright citizenship policy

Published

13 hours ago

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January 23, 2025

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Donald Trump

Nigerians in diaspora fume over Trump birthright citizenship policy

Nigerians in diaspora have condemned the move by President Donald Trump to cancel citizens by birth as guaranteed in the American constitution, saying an executive order alone was not enough to amend a constitutional provision.

They argued that in the end, it would be up to the US courts and the Supreme Court to decide on the legality or otherwise of Trump’s move.

President Trump had signed an executive order on assumption of office, Monday, seeking to end the age-long citizenship by birth among many other orders that aimed to reverse the President Biden-policy era.

The executive order seeks to stop automatic U.S. citizenship for children born on American soil to parents who are in the country unlawfully or on temporary stay.

The Executive Order states that the federal government will no longer issue documents recognizing U.S. citizenship to children born to parents who are in the country unlawfully or temporarily. The order specifies that it will apply to children born in the U.S. after 30 days from the date of the order.

The order has drawn immediate legal suits with 22 Democratic states and some civil rights groups filing court actions to stop the implementation.

However, reacting to the development, Mr. Ralu Ajekwe, who resides in the USA, said though the move might have been contrived to protect the national interest, the key thing to be considered was the legality of the order.

“Is it in line with extant laws? Is an executive order enough to amend a constitutional issue? One thing I will tell you though is that a government exists to protect the national interest of the state, both in local and international relations.

”This means that it has to take a stand that aligns with its goals, values, and objectives. If Trump has banned citizenship by birth, the questions should be: What are his goals and objectives?; Does it align with the interests and values of the American people?

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” Are Americans happy with the policy? Does it lead to the greatest happiness of the greatest numbers?. If all the above is yes, then he is doing the right thing.  Another thing I think we should look at is the legality of the policy,” he stated.

Speaking in the same vein, a diaspora Nigerian and a legal practitioner based in Canada, who declined to be named, dismissed the move, describing it simply as showmanship.

“There are two things with Trump: One is grandstanding or showmanship for his base or supporters and another is what would be legal. There is a limit to executive orders,” he said.

Citing a deviation from the 14th Amendment, he asserted that what Trump was trying to do was to introduce the concept of a parent’s temporary status or lack of permanent residency as qualification for US citizenship.

He stated that the US constitution used the wording: “All persons born… in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.”  Can children of temporary residents not be subject to the jurisdiction of the US?

“There is an exception though. The children of people on the diplomatic mission are not usually citizens of the US (and Canada) due to their diplomatic immunity, privileges, conventions and practices.

“I think that executive order will be challenged. It will be up to the US courts or Supreme Court to determine. If the court determines against Trump, those who lost their citizenship while the policy is in force will regain their citizenship.

“Judiciary will have a final say and as such, there is no full details on that immigration policy till the legal challenges are decisively determined by the courts. Anything else would likely be posturing and grandstanding.

“Now, as to the illegal migrants or undocumented migrants, which is also mentioned in the order, the constitution did not say their children can not be citizens. The overarching phrase: All persons born may work in their favour as well.

“Come to think of it, most of the undocumented migrants are trying hard to be subject to the jurisdiction of the US through their action to or inaction to stay in the US albeit illegally. Most are pleading with the US to grant them a stay.  Can one safely argue that the undocumented migrants are not subject to the jurisdiction? He stated.

Peter Obiora, online editor at InvestAdvocate, who lives in the United States, said: “It cannot work that way except they change the constitution on that. The constitution supersedes any other executive order. So, before that can happen, it has to be changed in the constitution.

“There would be a barrage of lawsuits on this. He touted that idea the first time he came in and it was shot down, this time around, he’s back with it. But there’s no way Trump can stop birthright citizenship except through constitutional amendment.  I don’t see him actualising this until his tenure ends.”

Johnpaul Nwafidelie, who is resident in Canada, explained it was a way to control immigration into the United States.

He explained that Canada was also working on a similar policy action but was going through the parliament.

He advised Nigerians who want dual citizenship for their children to go through the right channel, given the current order in place.

“My point is that Nigerians took advantage of birthright citizenship while it lasted. So, now that it has changed, people should follow the current policy to get it if they so desire.

”It worked good for foreign nationals but is no longer working because it gives citizenship to the wrong people who shouldn’t have been allowed to stay in the country due to crime and terrorism.

“So, it’s a way they want to control the immigrants into the country. Like I always said, no door is shut, it’s just a change in process. So, whoever wants it should be patient enough to go through the right path and still get it,” he said.

 

Nigerians in diaspora fume over Trump birthright citizenship policy

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Abuja-Kaduna road: Infiouest not Infoquest awarded contract, active, says Minister Umahi

Published

2 days ago

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January 22, 2025

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Abuja-Kaduna road: Infiouest not Infoquest awarded contract, active, says Minister Umahi

Minister of Works, David Umahi, has clarified that the contract for Section 2 of the Abuja-Kaduna highway was awarded to Infiouest International Limited, not Infoquest Nigeria Limited as stated in a Daily Trust report of Tuesday.

The minister stated this at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, stressing that the contractor given the project had the capacity to deliver.

Daily Trust had published the status of Infoquest generated at 22:21 (Monday, January 20, 2025) as showing inactive.

The firm was reported to have got “No objection” from the
Bureau of Public Procurement ( BPP)
for the rehabilitation of a section of the
road at N252.89 billion.

It reported a source familiar with the procedures and operations of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, as well as extant laws governing awards of contracts, as saying Infoquest had never paid tax and hurriedly registered as a tax-paying entity in the early hours of Tuesday.

“As of yesterday (Monday), there was no record. It was registered today (Tuesday) with all the details,” the source said.

But the minister also in a statement issued by his media aide, Orji Kalu Orji, said the ministry had no business relationship with Infoquest Nigeria Ltd, but has a contractual relationship with Infiouest International Limited.

He said Infiouest International Limited was “corporately active and is absolutely in compliance with all legal requirements and regulations set by the Companies and Allied Matters Act.”

The statement described the Daily Trust report of Tuesday as “mischievous”.

It said it was a deliberate orchestration to malign the ministry and undermine the efforts of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration in revolutionising road infrastructure development, and to “demarket the company that has proven capacity in road construction.”

It demanded a public apology to be published in at least five national dailies “for unjustifiably publishing falsehoods against the Ministry of Works.”

The statement said that the ministry was facing a coordinated onslaught of “falsehood, blackmail, and gang-up by adversaries to the policy of the government because of the ministry’s insistence on a new order of value for money, quality assurance, and best practices in project pricing and execution.”

He urged the public and the media to join in what he called “a desirable fight against national sabotage by some contractors”.

During his press conference, the minister described Infiouest International Limited as capable of completing the Abuja-Kaduna highway as the company had conducted several projects in the country.

“Some of its equipment is leased to Julius Berger Construction Company,” Umahi added.

“We want the public to know that we are facing a backlash. Corruption is fighting back.

“ut I want the public to know that our hands are very clean and those who are demarketing us, we have not collected any kobo from anybody, we are insisting that the taxpayers should have value for their money,” he said.

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Avoid confrontation with Trump, Bolaji Akinyemi tells Tinubu

Published

3 days ago

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January 21, 2025

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Avoid confrontation with Trump, Bolaji Akinyemi tells Tinubu

 

A former Nigeria’s Minister of External Affairs, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, has advised President Bola Tinubu to avoid confrontation with Donald Trump, the newly inaugurated 47th president of the United States.

He also said Nigeria is not part of the focus of the 78-year-old most powerful president and that the country should not expect anything extraordinary from the Trump presidency.

Akinyemi spoke Monday night on a Channels Television programme, Politics Today, on how to relate with the US president.

The former minister said Tinubu should devise means of dealing with Trump “even if he does things that annoy or step on the interests of Nigeria”.

“If I were President Tinubu, I would try to steer clear of antagonising him because there is nothing a bully likes better than taking on people who are not strong enough to resist him,” Akinyemi said on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Monday.

“You know there is that African proverb that if you are not strong enough to take on a bully and you take him on, you are just even going to suffer more for it.

“That’s the advice I will give President Tinubu: try and avoid having a confrontation with him even if that means that he does things that annoy or does things that step on the interests of Nigeria. There are ways in which you could address his reaction without confrontation,” he said.

Prof Akinyemi faulted the inaugural speech of Trump as uninspiring, “shocking and depressing”.

The octogenarian said rather than rallying the world for peace, Trump took time to threaten the rest of the world with a bouquet of hostile policies including tacking back Panama Canal, renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America, tariff wars, and others.

Akinyemi said the US president would “soon learn that there are repercussions to policies, to jingoism”, adding that the world is “in for a rough ride for four years” of the Trump presidency.

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