Nigeria, Biafra Civil War - Obasanjo, Kukah, Others to Speak At Confab

 

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Rev. Matthew Kukah, and others are expected to gather this week to discuss the events surrounding the Nigerian-Biafra Civil war.

The conference titled, "Never again Conference: 51 years after the Nigerian-Biafra civil war" which would hold virtually will examine the issues and circumstances that led to the Civil War and take a position on how to unite the nation.

Addressing a virtual press conference on Sunday, the Chairman Conference Planning Committee, Prof. Pat Utomi, said prominent personalities such as the First Republic Minister, Chief Mbazulike Amaechi; Tanko Yakasai,; Mr. Peter Obi; Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed; Senator Shehu Sani; Lady Onyeka Onwenu; Amb. Godknows Igali; Alhaji Ahmed Joda, Prof Ladi Hammalai and Mrs. Charity Shekari would be part of the conference.

Utomi said the forum would initiate a roadmap for national development by dissecting the challenge of nation-building 51 years after the civil war as well as the much canvassed restructuring, marginalization, equity, fairness and justice in the country.

"The conference is also aimed to underscore the lessons of the civil war and more especially to promote nation building, forgiveness, healing, reintegration, stability, and national cohesion. We also want to use the occasion to call for national reflection and encourage bridge building among Nigeria's racial groups.

"We believe that the time has come for a robust interrogation of the causes of the Nigerian-Biafran War in order to identify the fault lines that have retarded national cohesion and growth.

"The "Never Again Conference" is the brainchild of Nzuko Umunna, a pan-Igbo socio-cultural organization with members spread across all corners of the world. This year, Nzuko Umunna is collaborating with Njenje Media to deliver the conference.

"The conference is a sequel to the highly successful 'Handshake Across the Niger' conference which celebrated the many shared but often ignored values and interests between Nigeria's racial groups as epitomised by their age-long peaceful coexistence and robust relationships," he said.

Veteran Nollywood actor, Dan Nkoloagu is dead

 

Veteran Nollywood actor, Dan Nkoloagu is dead.

The news of his death was announced by his son, Dan Nkoloagu Jnr on Facebook.

According to his son who broke the news, Nkoloagu died on Friday, January 22, 2021.

Until his death, Dan Nkoloagu had starred in several Nigerian movies alongside Nkem Owoh and the likes.

He was popularly known for his Chief Priest cum Native Doctor movie roles

Why my relationship with Mercy Eke crashed – Ike

 Big Brother Naija, BBNaija 2019 reality star, Ike Onyema has revealed why his relationship with Mercy Eke crashed.

Recall that Ike and Mercy, BBNaija 2019 winner started romantic relationship on the reality show.

The relationship became stronger up until sometime in later part of 2020.

There were rumors that the lovebirds broke up after the couple engaged in an argument.

However, Ike, finally confirming their break up, took to Twitter revealing why the relationship did not last.

He wrote: “I am single because I showed more love in 2020 than I ever got back and I’m alright with that.”

Abuja orphanage home, kidnap 7 orphans, others

 Suspected gunmen have invaded Rachael’s Orphanage Home opposite UBE Junior Secondary School in Naharati, Abaji Area Council, Abuja, and abducted seven orphans.

According to Daily Trust, three persons, which consists two housewives, Rukaiyyat Salihu, Suwaiba Momoh and Momoh Jomih, who reside behind the orphanage home were also abducted by the gunmen.

The names of the kidnapped orphans were give as Elizabeth Andrew, Dayo Udeh, Jacob Ukpas, Melody Ijeh, Benard Itim, Issac Mathew and Laruba Emmanuel, and the security guard of the home, Joseph Mathew.

A resident of the area, who preferred anonymity, said the gunmen, who came in large numbers, stormed the orphanage home on Saturday around 1:am.

He said the gunmen suspected to be kidnappers forced the main gate opened and went straight into the orphans’ rooms and whisked seven of them alongside the guard at gunpoint.

“The gunmen came in large numbers, heavily armed, even though they did not shoot as they carried out the operation quietly before they proceeded to neighbours houses,” he added.

A man, Mohammed Nurudeen, whose wife, Rukaiyyat Salihu, was kidnapped by the gunmen, said the gunmen forcefully opened the door and whisked his wife away at gunpoint.

During the operation, he was shot by one of the Kidnappers.

The FCT police command spokesperson, ASP Maryam Yusuf, who confirmed the incident, said that only six persons were kidnapped while one person has been rescued.

She assured that men of the force have been deployed to the forest to ensure the remaining victims’ safe return

Chelsea hero reveals Jorginho’s replacement at Stamford Bridge

 

Chelsea hero, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, has identified midfielder, Jorginho’s replacement at Stamford Bridge.

Hasselbaink believes Billy Gilmour will replace Jorginho at Chelsea, adding that the 19-year-old Scottish will prove to be ‘better’ than the Italy international.

He said this after Chelsea defeated Luton Town 3-1 in the FA Cup fourth round tie on Sunday at Stamford Bridge, thanks to three goals from Tammy Abraham.

“I like him [Billy Gilmour] – he handles the ball really well,” Hasselbaink told the BBC.

“Chelsea bought Jorginho a few years ago, but they have this boy coming through. I think he will take Jorginho’s place and become more than Jorginho.

“I think he is a really good talent.”

He added, “If you can handle the ball, if you can compose and play forward and make a difference, then it doesn’t matter how big you are. He’s playing like a ‘big man’.”

Fani-Kayode attacks Yoruba leaders eyeing 2023 presidency

 

Former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, has lampooned some Yoruba leaders for being silent on herdsmen killings in the region.

He said the individuals were sitting on the fence because they want to be president in 2023.

On Sunday, the former presidential aide stated that the constitution does not grant the Fulani or anyone else the right to commit murder or turn the South-West into killing fields.

He added that the constitution also does not regard Yoruba blood as being cheaper than others and neither does it prescribe that the people are to be treated like sacrificial lamb and killed at will.

“Some Yoruba leaders want to be President or Vice President in 2023 and are therefore prepared to keep quiet and tolerate this rubbish that is being done to our people. I am not one of those leaders.”

The government critic expressed regret that influential Yorubas had betrayed their people for Northerners’ support and acceptance.

He commended Sunday Igboho, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, Professor Banji Akintoye, Nnamdi Kanu, Afenifere, SOKAPU, Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) and all others that have spoken out against killer herdsmen.

Fani-Kayode noted that those who have supported or attempted to rationalise the criminal behaviour of the killers in the name of political correctness or political expediency are treacherous and shameless.

“If you are a Yoruba man and you want to be President or Vice President, I wonder whose affairs will you be presiding over and who will you lead or represent at the national level if all your people have been killed? Soon we shall start calling the collaborators and coward’s out by name”, he added.

Nigerian Army and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) security outfit in Okporo Orlu in Imo State.

 

ONE person was feared dead while scores were wounded in a clash between Nigerian Army and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)  security outfit in Okporo Orlu in Imo State.

It was gathered that the soldiers who were in military operation in the area stormed the community suspected to be the operational base of the IPOB newly formed Eastern Security Network (ESN).

A resident in the area told The Nation that there was a shootout between soldiers and IPOB men and several people were wounded.

According to him, about five people were injured while one person was killed.

Also, about five buildings, including a church, Blessed Holy Trinity Sabbath Mission, in Orlu Local Government Area, were said to have been allegedly set ablaze by “some armed security operatives” who invaded the area.

The incident, according to a source, happened around 6am on Friday.

“The burning of the church was carried out by those masked security agents and the church that was burnt was the Holy Trinity Sabbath Mission in Orlu Local Government Area.

“About five buildings were burnt and only one person was killed and the person was killed at the market square. I want to tell you that the incident happened on Friday early morning.”

The IPOB Media and Publicity Secretary told our correspondent that the soldiers are killing civilians.

“The soldiers have been killing civilians since this week in the area.”

“How did we attack them first, did we go to their base and attack them first or did they come to attack us in a bush where we normally stay and work. We are not on the streets or roads; we pursue terrorists in the bush and forest,” he stated.