Headlines

The Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile, Simon Ekpa, has announced the date for the Restoration of the Independence State of Biafra.

The Finland-based lawyer and separatist Ekpa disclosed in a statement on Monday that the Biafra Declaration convention would kick off in October/November 2024 in Finland.

According to him, BRGIE inaugurated committees on Sunday towards a successful declaration of the Restoration of the Independence State of Biafra in October/November.

“The Biafra Government had its first cabinet meeting of the year 2024 yesterday (Sunday), a committee for the Convention was formed yesterday(Sunday), and the Declaration of the Restoration of the Independence State of Biafra will happen in Oct/Nov 2023, it is official!

“All roads lead to Finland. Start your preparation for the second Convention and be part of the history.

“The registration and accreditation link will open soon,” he said.

Earlier, BRGIE had announced recruitment for Biafra Liberation.

In October last year, the Biafra Republic Government in Exile unveiled plans to host Igbos worldwide in a three-day extraordinary conference in Finland to achieve the Biafra referendum.

A fresh political crisis seems to be brewing in Ondo State following an allegation of certificate forgery against Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

A social-political group, the Ondo State Redemption Initiative (OSRI), has accused the Governor Aiyedatiwa, of certificate forgery, adding that he is unfit to lead the state.

This was contained in a statement by its president, Adebayo Ogunsanmi; secretary, Jide Oriola; and publicity secretary, Sunday Ayeni; on Monday.

The group alleged that Aiyedatiwa’s educational claims have been exposed as fraudulent.

According to the group, Aiyedatiwa’s curriculum vitae indicated that he obtained an Advanced Diploma in Business Administration from the University of Ibadan in 2001.

However, their investigation revealed that such a diploma was not available at the University of Ibadan in 2001.

The group presented Aiyedatiwa’s academic records, stating that his educational journey commenced at Saint Peter’s UNA (now FAC) Primary School in Obe Nla/Obe Adun, Ilaje Local Government Area (LGA), Ondo State, from 1970 to 1976.

“He pursued his secondary education at Ikosi High School in Ketu, Lagos State, completing it in 1982,” the group said.

“In 1986, Aiyedatiwa achieved his Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) in Economics and Government at Lagos State College of Education (now known as Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education) located in Ijanikin, Lagos.

“He claimed to have earned an Advanced Diploma in Business Administration from the University of Ibadan in 2001, after which he claimed to have become an alumnus of Lagos Business School – Pan Atlantic University, situated in Lekki, Lagos, though year and course of study were not included,” the group announced.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has invited the suspended Minister of humanitarian affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, to its headquarters for questioning over an alleged payment of N585.189 million grant meant for vulnerable groups in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ogun and Lagos states into a private account.

President Bola Tinubu had announced Mrs Edu’s immediate suspension from office through his Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale following reports of financial improprieties in her ministry.

An explosion at an illegal used engine oil modular refinery located in a densely populated area in Kano metropolis killed one person and injured several others on Monday.

LEADING REPORTERS reports that several houses were razed in the incident, which occurred at Katango area of Wailari, located along Ring Road Bypass, opposite Maryam Shekarau Estate, in Kano.

It was gathered that the fire started around 09:50 am.

It took about three hours for men of the Kano State Fire Service, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and fire workers from Salbas Petrol Station to bring the fire under control.

A dead body which was burnt beyond recognition, was later recovered from the debris.

The deceased was identified as Aminu, the driver of a truck conveying drums of used engine oil.

An eyewitness, Ahmad Umar Gaya, a personnel of the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), said he was on duty along the road when he heard an explosion.

Narrating what happened, Gaya said, “I immediately called the attention of the Kano Fire Service and directed them to the location.

“The place, which is located in the midst of residential houses at Katango in Wailari, is used to stock scraps of trucks and trailers and also to refine used engine oil for other purposes.

“No one can tell what exactly happened that led to the explosion. The trailer carrying drums of the used engine oil was gutted by the fire in which the driver was trapped and burnt beyond recognition.

“Close to the location were residential houses with women and children, and about five houses were gutted by the inferno.

“An old lady who could not walk was rescued from one of the houses and two kids were also rescued from another house when their mother ran out and left them inside, all through humanitarian efforts by onlookers. The fire incident took about three hours before it was put out.”

Governor Yahaya Bello has dissolved his entire cabinet and appointed caretaker chairmen to head the 21 local government councils.

Bello also deposed the Ohimege Igu, the paramount ruler of Koton Karfe, along with two other first-class chiefs. He has appointed the Ohinoyi of Ebira land and the Maigari of Lokoja.

More to follow…

Doyin Okupe, former head of the Labour Party’s presidential campaign, has resigned from the party, citing ideological differences that emerged after the 2023 elections.

In a letter made available on Monday, Okupe explained that his lifelong alignment with right-wing and liberal democratic principles clashed with Labour’s left-of-center ideology, making continued membership untenable.

The letter reads, “I submit herewith my letter of resignation from the Labour Party with effect from today. You will recall that our flagbearer, Mr Peter Obi, myself and others left the PDP abruptly and had to look for a Special Purpose Vehicle in which to contest the 2023 Presidential Elections.

“The Labour Party, your good self, and other members of your executives provided us with this veritable platform with no burdensomeness whatsoever and for which we were extremely grateful.

“We did contest the election on the platform of the Labour Party and lost. This makes it exceedingly difficult for me to continue to stay in the Labour Party which is ideologically rooted in the left of the center.

“I have been a rightist and a Liberal Democrat all my entire life. It is therefore this ideological conflict that makes me seek an exit so that I may continue my political activities with liberalism, sincerity and freedom.

“I wish to thank you in particular and other members of the leadership of the party for the cordiality and respect accorded to me as the Director General of the Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Organization.

“I wish you and the party success in your future endeavors. Long live the Labour Party. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Your brother, friend and compatriot, Omooba (Dr Doyin Okupe, Former Director General Obi-Datti Campaign Organization.”

The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has banned invitation of and preaching by preachers, speakers and ministers who are not members of the church.

The information is contained in a memo titled ‘Invitation of Guest Ministers in RCCG’ dated January 5, 2024, which was signed by the Special Assistant to the General Overseer (Admin), Pastor Oladele Balogun and sent to continental overseers, deputy continental overseers, assistant continental overseers/pastors l/c of regions/provinces (worldwide).

The church which has Pastor Enoch Adeboye as its General Overseer warned that anyone intending to invite a guest minister, speaker or preacher to their parish must ensure that the individual being invited is a recognized member of the church and that any leader of the church who violates the directive will be severely sanctioned.

The memo read, “We refer to our memo dated 14th December, 2023 with Ref: RCCG/ADM/OAB/JP/MEMO/14/12/2023 on the above subject matter, and wish to inform you that the General Overseer has issued a further directive that no external preacher, speaker or minister should be permitted on any of our altars or platforms.

“Anyone intending to invite a guest minister, speaker or preacher to their parish must ensure that the individual is a recognized member of RCCG.

“We wish to reiterate that any minister(s) who violate the above directives will face severe disciplinary measures and may be relieved of their ministerial duties in the Mission.

“Kindly inform all and sundry of the above directives which takes immediate effect.”

The Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal against the election of Governor Hycinth Alia of Benue State.

This development follows the withdrawal of the appeal by counsel to Mr Titus Uba of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sebastian Hon, on Monday.

Uba had challenged the victory of Governor Hyacinth Alia of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Recall that the Election Petitions Tribunal and the Court of Appeal Abuja, had affirmed Alia’s election as governor of Benue State, following his declararion by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the winner of the March 18 governorship election.

The court said it was a pre-election matter and that it lacks the jurisdiction to hear the petition.