News
Nnamdi Kanu: MASSOB leader dissociates self from IPOB, Dokubo’s face-off
The head of Biafra Independence Movement and Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, has disassociated himself from the conflict between the Indigenous people of Biafra and Alhaji Mujahid Asari Dokubo, the former head of the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force, on Friday.
According to a statement made on his behalf by Mazi Chris Mocha, his Director of Information and Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Uwazuruike is only concerned with how IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, can be freed from the Department of State Services prison, not what Asari Dokubo said on social media.
Uwazuruike said those accusing him of conniving with Dokubo should go and verify from Dokubo if both of them had spoken as friends for the past three years.
He recalled how he visited Dokubo in 2002 in Port-Harcourt when the former militant leader told him that the issue of Biafra was not one to be achieved through non-violence, stressing that violence was the only language that the Federal Government understood.
He said, “I do not even have Asari Dokubo’s phone number, let alone talking with him on the phone. It has gotten to about three years now since we last talked, either on the phone or in a friendly conversation.
“If you had a problem with Asari Dokubo, you should better clarify that with him and not drag Ralph Uwazuruike into the matter.
“I am a non-violent crusader, known all over the world and everyone should fight his own battles, carry the cross and not call me to do that for you.
“So Asari had never worked with me on the path of non-violence struggles, and when he was championing the cause for Niger Delta people, he took up arms and ammunition against the Federal Government, which everyone could testify to.”
Uwazuruike described Dokubo as a man who matches his words with action and urged those who are insulting him on social media platforms to go and face him squarely.
He added that Dokubo’s comments asking the Federal Government not to release Nnamdi Kanu were his personal opinion, as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution as amended.
He noted that his opinion cannot override those of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisations, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and South-East Governors Forum, among others, that have been demanding his release.
Uwazuruike said he is only preoccupied with the process that will lead to the release of the leader of IPOB from DSS custody, not talking about irrelevant matters about who said what and who said the other.
He urged the Federal Government to release Kanu because it is against the rule of law that one should be held incommunicado for this long in a DSS facility, even after several courts of competent jurisdiction had ordered his immediate release.
News
MARKETING EDGE publisher John Ajayi dies at 62
A visionary entrepreneur, Ajayi was widely acknowledged as a pioneer of brand journalism in Nigeria.
• Mr John Ajayi
The Founder and Publisher of Marketing Edge magazine, Mr John Ajayi, has died.
He was 62.
His demise has thrown the brand and marketing communications industry into mourning.
Ajayi was a respected journalist and one of the foremost voices in the nation’s integrated marketing communications space.
He left behind a legacy that profoundly shaped, and will continue to shape, the industry he passionately served.
A visionary entrepreneur, Ajayi was widely acknowledged as a pioneer of brand journalism in Nigeria.
Through MARKETING EDGE, he championed ethical practice, elevated professional standards, and built a respected platform that provided insight, analysis and thought leadership for practitioners and institutions within the sector.
Under his stewardship, the publication grew into an authoritative voice, shaping discourse and spotlighting excellence and innovation across the marketing communications ecosystem.
The MARKETING EDGE family described his demise as a devastating loss to the organisation and the wider industry.
(The Nation)
News
President Tinubu to NEC: You’re too Slow on Livestock Reforms
Tinubu asked Vice President Kashim Shettima to get the National Economic Council to identify grazing reserves that can be rehabilitated into ranches or livestock settlements.
President Bola Tinubu during today’s Federal Executive Council meeting, expressed frustration with the National Economic Council’s slow pace on livestock reforms and urging members (Governors) to carry out their constitutional responsibility.
Emphasising on the livestock reforms, he insisted that the NEC must revive grazing reserves or ranches across the country.
Tinubu asked Vice President Kashim Shettima to get the National Economic Council to identify grazing reserves that can be rehabilitated into ranches or livestock settlements.
He said that conflict prone areas should be converted into opportunities for economic development and long-term prosperity.
Regarding the withdrawal of VIP police escorts , President Tinubu directed ministers and other VIPs who still require security cover for their official assignments to route such requests through the inspector-general of police and obtain his personal clearance.
He asked the minister of interior to work with the IGP and the civil defence corps to replace police officers currently deployed on special duties.
He also instructed the NSA and the DSS to set up a committee to review existing security arrangements, noting that the country faces persistent threats from kidnapping and terrorism and must maximise all available security assets.
News
Double Voices As Senate Seeks Exemption from Withdrawal of VIP Police Escorts
The push for possible exemption for Senators followed a Point of Order by Senator, Abdul Ningi, (PDP, Bauchi Central), who lamented the withdrawal of his lone police orderly in compliance with the directive of the President
The Nigerian Senate has expressed serious concerns over the withdrawal of Police orderlies attached to senators, worried that the move could expose members to unnecessary danger.
Worried about the situation, Deputy President of the Senate , Barau Jibrin disclosed that the leadership of the Senate held an emergency meeting on the issue on Tuesday, with the hope of positive feedback as it seeks to secure
exemption for lawmakers from the Presidential directive.
President Bola Tinubu had on the 23rd of November issued a stern directive calling for the withdrawal of Police officers attached to “Very Important Persons”, VIPs in the country to make available more hands to tackle Nigeria’s internal security challenges.
About 11, 000 police officers are currently engaged on such assignments across the country.
The push for possible exemption for Senators followed a Point of Order by Senator, Abdul Ningi, (PDP, Bauchi Central), who lamented the withdrawal of his lone police orderly in compliance with the directive of the President.
Ningi said while he has no issues with the withdrawal , he expressed disappointment at the manner the directive of the President is being flouted and called for a strict compliance with the directive starting from the Presidency, the Office of the Vice President , and Federal Ministers.
The Bauchi Senator said while his own police orderly has been withdrawn, he continues to see some businessmen including Chinese citizens and celebrity singers being escorted by contingents of police officers in brazen disregard to the directive of the President.
Based on the revelations by Senator Ningi, the Senate mandated its Committee on Police Affairs to immediately conduct a thorough investigation into the alleged disregard of the President’s directive .
The Committee has 4 weeks to complete the assignment and revert to senate at plenary.
MARKETING EDGE publisher John Ajayi dies at 62
President Tinubu to NEC: You’re too Slow on Livestock Reforms
Double Voices As Senate Seeks Exemption from Withdrawal of VIP Police Escorts
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