The prominent issues in major Nigerian newspapers today November 9, range from the struggle for the actualisation of Biafra Republic; Presdient Buhari’s admonitions to the would-be ministers, the tragedy that trailed the ruling of the tribunal on ‘Mama Taraba’ to the victory recorded by the Golden Eaglets.
The on going struggle for the actualization of the republic has assumed a new dimension as South-East governors appear divided over the struggle.
Vanguard reports that Imo and Ebonyi states have condemned the protests, Abia state remained neutral while Anambra state is keeping abreast with the development to take a position.
The governors and leaders of the South-East geo-political zone including Rochas Okorocha, Imo state governor as well as the leadership of the umbrella body of Igbo socio-cultural organisations, Ohanaeze Ndigbo have distanced themselves from the struggle and the protest that trailed the agitation for Biafra Republic in Rivers, Anambra and Delta.
”The ugly development is highly regrettable especially when it is clear that such violent protests in the name of Biafra wouldn’t add any value to the development of the South-East and the progress of the people of the area.”
”If a section of the people in the South-East or even the whole people in the geo-political zone protest over the bad shape of the federal roads in the area or protest over the total neglect of the geo-political zone, every governor and leader in the area would support that but not to protest over an issue that is neither here nor there”
”Those behind the campaign for Biafra have their ulterior motive, which has nothing to do with corporate interest of Ndi-Igbo in Nigeria of our collective dream”, Okorocha said.
According to the report, the Biafra protests continued yesterday, November 8, in Aba, Enugu and Port-Harcourt.
Ohanaeze alleged some corrupt Igbo politicians are sponsoring the latest agitation for the creation of the state of Biafra in order to avoid prosecution for their alleged crimes.
Reacting to Obasanjo’s comment on the group, former Biafran leader and Ikemba of Asaba, Delta State, Joseph Achuzia, berated the former president and described him as a kettle calling the pot black.
”This is a question of the kettle calling pot black. The ex- President, Olusegun Obasanjo, is a friend and I have the greatest respect for him, but unfortunately, half or most of the times, he, out of arrogance becomes careless in the words he uses.” he fumed.
Hundreds of Pro-Biafra supporters stormed Enugu metropolis at the wee hours of yesterday, protested the continued detention of the leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu and demanded urgent recognition of the Sovereign State of Biafra.
The factional director of information, MASSOB, Uchenna Madu said they are in full support of the ongoing massive demonstration against the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu by the DSS.
“Our factional members are part of the ground breaking protest and will continue with IPOB till our demand for Nnamdi Kanu’s release is achieved. For the sake of Biafra, love for our fatherland and the spirit of brotherhood, MASSOB shall continue to identify with genuine, selfless Biafra agitation as showcased with Nnamdi Kanu.”
“We warn the Federal Government to immediately release Nnamdi now or before Wednesday or face a severe action that will bring Nigeria to her knees. Ndigbo, South-south geopolitical zone are wiser, united and hungry for Biafra now. Only some few disgruntled elements and Abuja errand boys from eastern region are always against Biafra.” a text message sent to Vanguard by Madu reads.
Nnamdi’s lawyer, Vincent Obetta claimed his clients has met bail conditions but still in custody in spite of four court orders instructing DSS to release him.
”DSS has not given any reason for his continued detention. We have fulfilled his bail conditions. To worsen the matter,he is being detained in DSS facility instead of prison custody with access to his lawyer and personal physician. Nnamdi is being detained by an executive order. Its is a clash between judiciary and executive.’‘ he said.
Ebere Amaraizu, the police public relations officer, via a text message to Vanguard said that,”MASSOB declared a non-violent protest in Enugu. Security operatives are monitoring closely to ward-off violence and suspected cashes in the protest”.
Meanwhile, the tension and suspense as regard President Muhammadu Buhari’s ministers will be finally laid to rest as his cabinet would be unveiled and inaugurated on Wednesday, November 11.
Buhari has made it known that each minister-designate can only be accompanied by two guests to the inauguration, Punch reports.
A statement released on Sunday by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina stated that the president will inaugurate his ministers and administer oaths of office on the National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu as well as INEC’s five national commissioners on Monday (today).
“Before the commencement of the inaugural session of the council, the ministers-designate will take their oaths of office in the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa.
“The swearing-in ceremony will begin promptly at 10:00 Hours and the ministers-designate are expected to be seated in the Council Chambers by 09:30 Hours at the latest.” it reads.
The Nations’ version of the report states the president has restricted ministers’ foreign travels to “essential ones”. An indication that the days of jamborees are over.
At the retreat organised for the would-be ministers last weekend, President Buhari clarified that such travels must be “duty-related’’
He directed them to adhere to rules and also cautioned against flamboyance in their conduct or spending.
Permanent secretaries are said to be making moves to ensure that ministers appoint their special advisers and special assistants from Ministries, Departments and Agencies( MDAs).
The permanent secretaries argued that the civil service has many untapped talents who can provide technical assistance for the new ministers.
In thesame vein, the president was reported to have listed about 11 key things the ministers must abide by to fit into his cabinet.
The dos and don’ts were listed in a document obtained by the Nation.
”Foreign travels must be duty-related; ministers must operate within lean resources; no more flamboyance; strict adherence to the rule of law; compliance to Civil Service Rules; living above board; cooperation with Permanent Secretaries; no more rancour between ministers and ministers of State; appointment of some aides should be from the civil service; drastic reduction of vehicles in convoys; and all decisions must lead to change.” The Nation reports.
A source in the presidency also told the medium that the minsters-elect are expected to reduce the vehicles in their convoys to a reasonable level to save cost.
”The ministers are to do things differently in view of the lean resources at their disposal. Flamboyance and extravagance by cabinet members are gone.”
“The Ministers have been given copies of the Civil Service Rules and Regulations. The President wants compliance with the document. He also warned against conflict with Permanent Secretaries.’’
“On the relationship between ministers and ministers of state, some guidelines have also been provided with a caveat that the President will not tolerate any rift or rancour.” the source said.
Meanwhile, the emergence of Aisha Jummai Alhassan as the governor of Taraba state has triggered wide jubilation in the state.
However, no fewer than 30 people were yesterday reportedly killed in Wukari Local Council of Taraba State in upheavals that have trailed Saturday’s ruling of the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja, Guardian reports.
The tribunal sacked Governor Darius Ishaku of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and declared the All Progressives Congress’ (APC’s) Aisha Alhassan winner of April 11, 2015 poll.
But Nigerians had another reason to jubilate as the U-17 national team, the Golden Eaglets, early this morning at the Estadio Sausalito, Vina del Mar, Chile defeated Mali’s Les Aiglonnets by two goals to emerge world champions for a record fifth time, the Sun reports.
Second half strikes from Victor Osimhen (56th minute) and Funsho Bamgboye (59th minute) helped the team defended the title which they won two years ago in United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The Golden Eaglet defeated Mali by 2:0. Nigeria won the trophy in 1993 (Japan), 2007 (Korea) and 2013 in UAE.
President Muhammadu Buhari had before the final match called the Golden Eaglets via Skype and urged the team to do the country proud.
Buhari commended the fighting spirit and determination of the players while the coach of the team, Emanuel Amunike promised to the team would do the country proud.
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