Connect with us

News

“The decision to prosecute the Biafra civil war was never born out of hatred” – Gowon

Published

on

563 Views

……He described the civil war as the most difficult period of his life.

“The Biafra civil war was never my choice”, the Former military Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon has declared.

Recall that Gowon was presiding over the affairs of Nigeria during the civil war from July 6, 1967 to January 15, 1970.

The former ruler spoke after he was honoured with a Life Time Integrity and Achievement Award at the 5th Convention of the Christian Men’s Fellowship, Abuja Anglican Diocese on Saturday in Abuja.

Gowon explained that he prosecuted the civil war due to the urgency to preserve national unity.

The former ruler called for forgiveness, reconciliation and unity across faiths and ethnicities.

He said: “I always remember the civil war. It was the most difficult period of my life.

“It was not my choice, but I had to be there, and had to do what I did in order to keep this country together.

“It was never a hatred against any people, I can assure you.”

Reflecting on life after that period, the former Head of State stressed that his decisions had often been guided by prayers and a desire to act with integrity and compassion.

“As far as this heart is concerned, everything that I do, it is through prayers.

“I ask God to help me to do the right thing the way He thinks it should be done, with love and respect for all the people.

“That is why at the end, what do we have to say? As they say: no victor, no vanquished,” he added.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Lagos increases BRT fares by 13%

In a statement by LAMATA’s Head of Corporate Communication, Kolawole Ojelabi, the revised fare structure will take effect from Monday, March 2, 2026.

Published

on

By

3 Views

The Lagos State Government has approved a 13 percent increase in fares across all services under the Bus Reform Initiative, which includes the Bus Rapid Transit system and standard bus routes throughout the state.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu granted the approval after receiving a passionate appeal from regulated public transport operators.

He highlighted the mounting challenges facing the long-term viability of their operations in Nigeria’s current economic climate.

In a statement by LAMATA’s Head of Corporate Communication, Kolawole Ojelabi, the revised fare structure will take effect from Monday, March 2, 2026.

“The adjustment is designed to help offset the severe impact of ongoing economic pressures on public transport providers.

It also aligns with the state’s previously established annual fare review mechanism. The urgency of the measure is driven by persistent inflationary trends.

The statement added that bus operating companies have been contending with sharply rising expenses in several key areas, including vehicle maintenance and repairs, imported spare parts, and staff salaries, particularly following the rollout of the new national minimum wage.“

In addition, operators are committing significant resources to fleet renewal, procuring newer, cleaner, and more fuel-efficient buses to boost passenger comfort, maintain high service standards, and advance environmental sustainability goals in Lagos.

It also aligns with the state’s previously established annual fare review mechanism. The urgency of the measure is driven by persistent inflationary trends.

Continue Reading

News

Fire Engulfs MMIA Terminal One, but no casualties

Eyewitnesses said that the blaze started on one of the affected floors before spreading to adjoining sections of the terminal.

Published

on

By

3 Views

Photo credit: Lagos State Fire Service

A fire has broken out on parts of the fourth and fifth floors of Terminal One at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, triggering an emergency response and temporary disruption of flight operations.

Eyewitnesses said that the blaze started on one of the affected floors before spreading to adjoining sections of the terminal.

The impacted areas have since been evacuated as a precautionary measure.

Air Traffic Controllers stationed in the control tower were alerted to the incident and are reported to be safe, though closely monitoring the situation as emergency teams work to bring the fire under control.

As a result of the development, inbound flights to Lagos from other airports have been instructed to delay departure until the situation stabilises.

Aircraft already approaching Lagos may be required to remain airborne until clearance is given to land.

Fire and rescue officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) are currently battling the blaze and intensifying efforts to contain it.

FAAN has confirmed that no casualties have been recorded at this time. Authorities say further updates will be provided as more details emerge.

Continue Reading

News

El-Rufai takes ICPC to court, demands N1bn compensation over ‘unlawful invasion of residence’

El-Rufai urged the court to declare that the search warrant was “null and void for lack of particularity, material drafting errors, ambiguity in execution parameters, overbreadth, and absence of probable cause, thereby constituting an unlawful and unreasonable search in violation of Section 37 of the Constitution.

Published

on

By

6 Views

Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has filed a N1 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit at the Federal High Court Abuja , against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Enforcement Commissions (ICPC) over alleged unlawful invasion of his Abuja residence.

El-Rufai, through his team of lawyers led by Oluwole Iyamu, SAN, prayed the court to declare that the search warrant issued on February 4 by the Chief Magistrate, Magistrate’s Court of the FCT (2nd respondent), authorising the search and seizure at his residence was invalid, null and void.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the former governor had, in the originating motion on notice marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026, sued ICPC as 1st respondent

.El-Rufai named the Chief Magistrate, Magistrate’s Court of the FCT, Abuja Magisterial District; I-G and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) as the 2nd to 4th respondents respectively

El-Rufai urged the court to declare that the search warrant was “null and void for lack of particularity, material drafting errors, ambiguity in execution parameters, overbreadth, and absence of probable cause, thereby constituting an unlawful and unreasonable search in violation of Section 37 of the Constitution.”

He urged the court to declare that “any evidence obtained pursuant to the aforesaid invalid warrant and unlawful search is inadmissible in any proceedings against the applicant, as it was procured in breach of constitutional safeguards.

El-Rufai, therefore, sought an order of injunction restraining the respondents and their agents from further relying on, using, or tendering any evidence or items seized during the unlawful search in any investigation, prosecution, or proceedings involving him.“

An order directing the Ist and 3rd respondents (ICPC and I-G) to forthwith return all items seized from the applicant’s premises during the unlawful search, together with a detailed inventory thereof.

“An order awarding the sum of N1,000,000,000.00 (One Billion Naira) as general, exemplary, and aggravated damages against the respondents jointly and severally for the violations of the applicant’s fundamental rights, including trespass, unlawful seizure, and the resultant psychological trauma, humiliation, distress, infringement of privacy, and reputational harm.”

Continue Reading

Trending