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Biafra: Sentence Ekpa, release Nnamdi Kanu – Southeast stakeholders

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The recent arrest of Simon Ekpa, the self-proclaimed Prime Minister of Biafra, has sparked mixed reactions, particularly among Southeast indigenes, many of whom are calling for his prosecution and sentencing in Finland.

Ekpa was arrested last Thursday by Finnish authorities alongside four others. They were subsequently detained by the Päijät-Häme District Court for allegedly “spreading terrorist propaganda on social media.” The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) disclosed that Ekpa, a dual citizen of Finland and Nigeria, faces charges of inciting public offenses with terrorist intent and financing terrorism.

Chief Inspector Otto Hiltunen, leading the investigation, accused Ekpa of using social media to incite violence against civilians and public authorities in Southeastern Nigeria. “From Finland, the suspect has orchestrated efforts resulting in violence and crimes in Southeast Nigeria,” Hiltunen stated.

Ekpa’s arrest coincides with escalating insecurity in Nigeria’s Southeast, where armed groups have been enforcing violent sit-at-home orders, initially introduced by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to demand the release of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu. Despite IPOB suspending the sit-at-home directive, Ekpa and his supporters have continued to propagate violence, a stance IPOB has consistently disavowed.

Voices from the Southeast

Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe, representing Abia South, suggested that releasing Nnamdi Kanu would better address insecurity in the region than Ekpa’s arrest. He argued that Kanu’s release would differentiate genuine agitators from criminals exploiting the situation. “You cannot achieve Biafra by killing fellow Biafrans or creating chaos,” Abaribe remarked. “When Kanu is released, we can identify the true agitators from those using his incarceration as an excuse for violence.”

A retired U.S. Army Captain and strategist, Bishop Johnson, stressed that the Finnish government’s handling of Ekpa’s case would determine its impact on the Southeast. He noted that holding Ekpa accountable in Finland could disrupt his influence and stop his sponsors. However, he cautioned that extraditing Ekpa to Nigeria could escalate violence, especially if due process is not followed.

Call for Accountability

Osita Okechukwu, former Director General of Voice of Nigeria (VON) and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), lauded Ekpa’s arrest, calling it overdue. He criticized Ekpa’s violent methods, saying, “He has caused untold harm to Ndigbo, grounding the Southeast economy and leading to countless deaths. His strategy is criminal and unjustifiable.” Okechukwu urged for Ekpa’s sentencing, either in Finland or Nigeria, emphasizing that justice must be served for his actions.

A Path to Peace

Experts and stakeholders have argued that a combination of Ekpa’s prosecution and Kanu’s release would help restore peace in the Southeast. Johnson observed, “Releasing Kanu would remove the pretext used by criminals masquerading as agitators, while prosecuting Ekpa would curtail external incitement.”

As investigations and legal proceedings continue, the Southeast looks to these developments as potential turning points in resolving the region’s prolonged insecurity and violence.

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CBN And Bank of Industry Partner With CEAN To Stabilise Nigeria’s Creative Sector Post-COVID

For more than a decade, CEAN has played a vital role in connecting Nigeria’s informal creative workforce to structured policy, funding, and formal economic opportunities.

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September 12, 2022, Lagos, Nigeria

In a bold and strategic move to rescue Nigeria’s creative industries from the lingering economic shocks of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Bank of Industry (BOI) partnered with the Creative Entrepreneurs Association of Nigeria (CEAN) to design and implement a nationwide intervention targeting vulnerable creative businesses.

The collaboration, launched in mid-2022, marks a milestone in the recognition of Nigeria’s creative economy as a critical pillar of national development—and affirms CEAN’s position as a trusted stakeholder in industry policy and infrastructure development.

Responding to a Sector in Crisis

The partnership was galvanized by CEAN’s early post-pandemic white paper, “Creating Through Crisis: The Future of Nigerian Creativity Post-COVID.

It presented compelling data and policy recommendations that influenced federal strategy.

While other sectors received initial support under the government’s economic recovery plans, it was CEAN’s persistent advocacy and detailed sector mapping that brought national attention to the creative industries’ urgent needs.

CEAN’s nationwide rollout had seen the training of over 2,000 creative entrepreneurs, advisory support to more than 500 micro-businesses, and the establishment of regional Creative Recovery Hubs in Lagos, Abuja, and Enugu.

“From day one of the pandemic, we understood that Nigeria’s cultural workforce—millions strong—was at risk of collapse,” said Adebowale Ewedemi, CEAN founding executive and veteran media entrepreneur.

“We didn’t just lobby for change; we brought the tools, the structure, and the roadmap,” said Ewedemi.

From Blueprint to Implementation

The result was a landmark intervention program backed by BOI and regulated by CBN, with CEAN serving as the official implementation partner.

The program delivers targeted support to struggling sub-sectors including independent film, performance art, fashion, radio, music, design, and digital content production.

Highlights of the program include:

• Access to low-interest working capital for creative entrepreneurs

• Training grants and accelerator programs for skill development

• Support for studio and performance infrastructure

• Technical assistance for digital transformation and business retooling.

CEAN’s nationwide rollout had seen the training of over 2,000 creative entrepreneurs, advisory support to more than 500 micro-businesses, and the establishment of regional Creative Recovery Hubs in Lagos, Abuja, and Enugu.

Sustained Leadership in Nigeria’s Creative Economy

This intervention is only the latest in CEAN’s long record of national impact. During the peak of the COVID-19 lockdowns, the association served as a frontline support system—offering emergency relief, transitioning training programs online, and shaping portions of the Federal Government’s Survival Fund.

For more than a decade, CEAN has played a vital role in connecting Nigeria’s informal creative workforce to structured policy, funding, and formal economic opportunities.

Through this work, the association—under Ewedemi’s leadership—has consistently introduced original models, innovative frameworks, and institutional partnerships that define sustainable creative sector governance in Africa.

Architects of a New Creative Economy

This partnership with CBN and BOI reflects a broader understanding that Nigeria’s future is tied to the creative ingenuity of its people—and that long-term development requires strategic institutions with deep insight, trust, and capacity.

“We’re proud to move beyond advocacy into implementation. This is not a moment—it’s a movement. We are helping to reshape the creative industry into a nationally recognized economic force, ”said Ewedemi.

As the creative sector continues to recover and rebuild, CEAN remains committed to ensuring that no artist, content creator, or cultural innovator is left behind.

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President Tinubu congratulates Governor Okpebholo on Supreme Court Victory

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Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State on the affirmation of his election by the Supreme Court.

The Edo State governorship election took place in September 2024, and Governor Okpebholo was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The Supreme Court, as the final arbiter, upheld the election of the governor today.

According to the press statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy), President Tinubu encourages Governor Okpebholo to be magnanimous in victory and rally the citizens of Edo across divides towards a singular vision of advancing the state’s development.

The President advises that now that the governor has cleared the legal hurdles, it is time for him to accelerate the delivery of exceptional services and good governance to the people of Edo State, which he has already begun to do.

President Tinubu also congratulates the leadership and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State and calls for cohesion and dedication in effectively discharging the mandate given by the people.

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Senate Launches Investigation Into Ponzi Schemes

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The Senate has mandated a joint committee to investigate the alarming rise of Ponzi schemes across the country, following the collapse of the Crypto Bullion Exchange (CBEX), which has reportedly defrauded investors of over ₦1.3 trillion.

The decision followed a motion sponsored by Senator Adetokunbo Abiru (Lagos East).

In a motion, the lawmaker expressed deep concern over the unchecked spread of fraudulent investment schemes, including the infamous MMM Nigeria (2016), MBA Forex (2020), and most recently CBEX, which lured millions of Nigerians with promises of high returns on digital assets.

Lawmakers in a debate warned that CBEX’s collapse had devastating financial and psychological consequences, pushing victims into depression, family breakdowns, and in some tragic cases, suicide.

The Senate expressed shock that CBEX operated unchecked for months despite its large-scale activities and online visibility, with no timely intervention from regulatory agencies such as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) or the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The joint committee is expected to hold a public hearing in the coming weeks and submit its findings within one month.

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