Ohanaeze to Nnamdi Kanu: You may descend from hero to villain - Newstrends
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Ohanaeze to Nnamdi Kanu: You may descend from hero to villain

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The Ohanaeze Ndigbo has warned the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra to be watchful so he does not descend from being a hero to a villain.

The President General of the group, Prof. George Obiozor, gave the warning ahead of the Igbo Day celebrations.

In a statement on Monday ahead of the celebrations scheduled for September 29, 2021, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, condemned the tension that had pervaded the South East in recent times and called on the governors of the zone to immediately inaugurate the regional security outfit codenamed Ebubeagu.

It also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to quickly initiate the process of national dialogue.

Obiozor said in the statement: “Today, what we are seeing in Igbo land is not liberation but Ala-Igbo destruction and devastation. It is a national tragedy for Igbo. The liberty and freedom of Ndigbo are threatened internally and externally. I call on IPOB leaders to reassert the authority and control of the organization.

“To our son Nnamdi Kanu himself, what good is it to have the greatest dream in the world, if others reap the benefit and glory. In history, there is only a thin line between a hero and a villain. The greatest tragedy for any leader in history is to end up from a hero to a villain. Ndigbo must think again which way forward. Our anger and disgust must be directed at leaders and fellow citizens, who do not want Ndigbo to become emancipated like themselves as Nigerian citizens.

“What Ndigbo want is that we should become a light unto the world, like all good people in the world ought to be. That was precisely part of my critical message to His Excellency President Muhammed Buhari during his official visit to Imo State. For Ndigbo, the President and Federal Government, there must be evidence of increasing sense of belonging, equity, and justice for Ndigbo.

“We repeat our preference for dialogue instead of violence or military solutions to national problems. The dialogue should not be delayed further. For Ndigbo, the demand is simple, that the Nigerian Federation should be sustained and have a sense of stability; it must be a union of equals and the composite units must have the ability to survive without begging the centre.

“We must tell ourselves the truth or keep deceiving ourselves by ignoring the calls for decentralization and devolution of power in Nigeria. Ironically, in history, societies where truth comes last, tragedy comes first. We must learn the lessons of history, particularly our own Nigerian history on how the story began. Nigeria must avoid being a failed state.

“To the South-East Governors, the delay in launching Ebubeagu security outfit is an embarrassment. I strongly appeal to the Governors without further hesitation to consolidate and launch Ebubeagu security architecture, in the South-East. The security situation in the South-East makes this call urgent and imperative. Our people must have a security networking agency that is under their control and capable of identifying both internal and external security threats in Igbo land.”

The Eagle Online

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Sanwo-Olu Approves N50,000 Wage Award for Lagos Workers

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Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu

Sanwo-Olu Approves N50,000 Wage Award for Lagos Workers

Babajide Sanwo-Olu has approved a N50,000 wage award for public sector workers in Lagos State as part of efforts to cushion the impact of rising living costs.

The announcement was made on Friday during the 2026 International Workers’ Day celebration held at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos, where the governor was represented by his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat.

According to the state government, the wage award will apply specifically to the month of May and will be paid to all categories of workers across board, irrespective of grade level.

Speaking at the event, Sanwo-Olu acknowledged the prevailing economic challenges facing workers, including rising fuel prices and broader economic pressures. He said the temporary wage support was designed to provide immediate relief during a period of financial strain.

“For the month of May, Lagos State Government has approved an additional N50,000 for all workers,” the governor stated, noting that the decision reflects his administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare amid ongoing economic difficulties.

He further emphasized the critical role of workers in the development of Lagos State, describing them as the backbone of governance and economic growth. The governor commended their dedication and resilience, highlighting contributions from civil servants, teachers, healthcare personnel, and artisans in sustaining the state’s progress.

The Lagos State Government also indicated that the measure aligns with broader efforts to mitigate the effects of inflation and improve workers’ living conditions. Authorities acknowledged ongoing challenges such as transportation and housing, noting that additional policies are being implemented to address these concerns.

The latest wage award follows earlier interventions by the state government aimed at enhancing workers’ welfare, including previous allowances and bonus packages introduced in response to economic pressures.

Labour stakeholders are expected to monitor the implementation of the wage award, while discussions on longer-term salary adjustments and welfare improvements continue at both state and national levels.

Sanwo-Olu Approves N50,000 Wage Award for Lagos Workers

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Tinubu Nominates Tegbe as Minister of Power, Seeks Senate Confirmation

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Tinubu Nominates Tegbe as Minister of Power, Seeks Senate Confirmation

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated Mr Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe as the new Minister of Power, subject to confirmation by the Senate.

The nomination, contained in a State House press release issued on Thursday, has been formally transmitted to the National Assembly in line with constitutional provisions requiring legislative screening and approval of ministerial appointments.

Mr Tegbe’s nomination follows the resignation of the former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, who stepped down from office to pursue elective political ambitions.

According to the Presidency, the nominee is a seasoned fiscal and economic reform expert with more than 35 years of experience across both public and private sectors. He previously served as Senior Partner and Head of Advisory Services at KPMG Africa, where he led major initiatives in fiscal policy reform, institutional restructuring, and governance.

The statement also highlighted Tegbe’s advisory roles to key government institutions and private sector organisations, particularly in the areas of regulatory frameworks, strategic reforms, and investment structuring.

Currently, Tegbe serves as Director General and Global Liaison for the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP), where he oversees efforts to deepen development cooperation between Nigeria and the People’s Republic of China. His role includes coordinating engagements with public sector stakeholders to advance economic and social development objectives aligned with the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

In the power sector, Tegbe is said to have participated in several reform-driven engagements involving agencies such as the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NBET), focusing on regulatory and institutional improvements.

The Presidency expressed confidence that, if confirmed, Tegbe would strengthen ongoing efforts to reform Nigeria’s power sector, improve grid stability, and attract sustainable investment in line with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

President Tinubu also urged the minister-designate to deploy his extensive expertise toward delivering measurable improvements in electricity supply and overall sector performance for Nigerians.

Tinubu Nominates Tegbe as Minister of Power, Seeks Senate Confirmation

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Tinubu Orders Crackdown on Plateau Killers, Approves ₦2bn Relief Package

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Tinubu Orders Crackdown on Plateau Killers, Approves ₦2bn Relief Package

President Bola Tinubu has pledged to deploy the full instruments of federal authority against individuals and groups responsible for the recurring violence in Plateau State, warning that those identified as instigators or sponsors of unrest will face decisive government action.

The President made the declaration on Tuesday evening during a high-level meeting with Plateau State leaders and stakeholders at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where he also approved a ₦2 billion humanitarian relief package for victims of the March 29 attack in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area.

The meeting, which lasted several hours and ended around 8 p.m., brought together Governor Caleb Mutfwang, all living former governors of Plateau State, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and political stakeholders, including the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda.

According to the Presidency, Tinubu told the delegation that his administration would no longer tolerate cycles of violence, urging leaders in the state to take responsibility in identifying those fueling conflict.

“No protocols, no obstacles; we are here to speak our minds and find a permanent solution to a recurring conflict and chaos,” the President said.

He stressed that tolerance, unity, and accountability among leaders were essential to ending decades of recurring communal clashes in the state.

Tinubu also issued a strong directive to state authorities to identify individuals allegedly responsible for instigating violence, warning that they would face firm government action.

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“If you identify and you know the names of troublemakers, agents provocateurs who want to continue killing or instigate killing, let us know. We will use the instrument of office to deal with them,” he warned.

The President added that anyone found to be recruiting or inciting violence would face the full weight of federal power.

He further called for fairness, justice, and ethnic inclusiveness in governance, insisting that peace-building efforts must be rooted in equity and mutual respect among communities.

At the meeting, the Federal Government approved ₦2 billion in humanitarian assistance for victims of the March 29 attack in Angwan Rukuba, where over 27 people were reportedly killed in a violent assault on returning worshippers.

The funds, according to officials, will be used to support displaced families, rebuild damaged property, and provide emergency relief to affected communities through the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction.

The approval follows Tinubu’s earlier promise during his visit to Jos on April 2, shortly after the incident.

Tinubu reiterated his support for the establishment of state police, describing it as a necessary reform to address Plateau’s persistent security challenges.

He urged federal lawmakers present at the meeting to work toward constitutional backing for decentralized policing, arguing that local security structures would improve response times and enforcement.

The President also directed the newly constituted Plateau peace committee—made up of all living former governors of the state—to review existing white papers on past conflict resolutions and present consolidated recommendations.

He encouraged flexibility in restructuring previous peace frameworks, stressing that ineffective committees should be dissolved or merged for better results.

“Forget those committees you mentioned to me; if it’s not working, it’s not working. Consider this group as the committee until we find a lasting solution,” he said.

The Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba, urged the Federal Government to strengthen security deployments in the state, noting that existing forces were overstretched and required better equipment and manpower.

He also reiterated the need for the promised installation of thousands of AI-enabled surveillance cameras across Plateau State to enhance monitoring and early warning systems.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang described the meeting as historic, noting that it was the first time all living former governors of Plateau State were gathered together in a unified peace initiative.

He pledged full cooperation with the Federal Government’s peace efforts and emphasized the need to rebuild trust across ethnic and religious divides.

Former Deputy Speaker Idris Wase also highlighted drug abuse as a growing driver of insecurity in the state, calling for stronger enforcement measures.

Tinubu concluded the meeting by urging stakeholders to prioritize unity, warning that continued violence would only deepen poverty and instability in the region.

He also proposed expanded inclusion of non-indigenous communities in governance structures as part of broader reconciliation efforts.

The President reaffirmed that his administration is committed to ending violence in Plateau State and across Nigeria, stressing that peace and stability remain central to national development.

Tinubu Orders Crackdown on Plateau Killers, Approves ₦2bn Relief Package

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