Tuesday 30 May 2017

The Biafran Movement In Review!

May 30th, marks the anniversary of the once existence the Biafran Nation, officially known as the Republic of Biafra. Bordered by the lower part of the River-Niger on the west and the Republic of Cameron on the east, Biafra was made up of the then eastern Region of Nigeria.




The name Biafra was derived from its southern Atlantic bay- "Bright of Biafra". History has it that the Biafran secession, which lasted between 30th of May, 1967, to January 1970, came about as a result of ethnic, cultural, religious and economic tensions across Nigeria. The Biafran story is, to some extent, known by almost every Nigerian through: personal experience, handed-down tales, or from history classes. 
 
The aim of this piece, is not to go into History, but to take a glimpse at the noble aim of the ideologists in the vanguard of the Biafran movement. They were the un-sung 'Nigerian' men and women who joined not only in the Biafran struggle, but in the struggle for Liberation, Unity and Development of the African State. 

The impact of these (mostly unacknowledged) youths, who traveled the length and breadth of Africa, Asia, and the United States of America; in search of allies in the campaign for the liberation of African, can not be over-emphasized. Men and women in their prime, from all walks of life, some of whom have had the privilege of being mentored by some of Africa's finest. The likes the Kwame Nkrumah, and Kenneth Kaunda of blessed memoriesto mention a few. Then were times when noble ideologies informed the struggle for emancipation. 

The liberation struggle cuts across continents, and has overtime produced greatness in the persons of: Nelson Mandela, Kenneth Kaunda, Steve Biko, Julius Kambarage Nyerere, Kwame Nkrumah, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Ahmed Sekou Toure, Haile Selassie, Marcus Garvey, Malcom X, Mohammed Ali, William Edward Burghardt, Martin Luther King, to list goes on.

In Nigeria,  they were the: Mary Nzimiros, and dozens of inspired young men and women, among whom was my late Uncle, Comrade Chinye Prince Ononye, a member of the Afro-Asian Movement. Young and Old, in their out-standing qualities, were all in the front-line of the Biafran-movement, through their various organizations.

Regrettably, along the line, this noble struggle for a holistic Pan-African economic freedom, slowly slid into the monstrous grips of anti-socialists "ti'gbuo-zo'gbuo" movement we currently witness. 
 
A situation where guerrilla combat is employed, for a share in the natural resources, using ethic-emancipation as camouflage. Killings, kidnappings, the hustle for Oil allocations, became the order of the day. Albeit, can the nobility which informed the Biafran crusade be revived, the answer is up to us. 

The actualization of a true 'Biafran State' entails that the movement be examined within the spotlight of African freedom; embodied in specific program. As Comrade Chinye Ononye, in one of his letters, during the unset of the civil war in 1968, suggested: "The (Biafran) struggle should be transformed from that of mere emotional tribal nationalism, varying on chauvinism, into a Pan- African Economic and Political Liberation struggle". 
 
I think the above suggestion is necessary, particularly in the on-going feud across the nation. Otherwise, if left unchecked, might result in a situation where the wronged, and currently un-organised masses of the Biafran territory, may suffer yet more unnecessary hardship; because of the reactionary policy of the current propagandists. 

For the progress and triumph of the much talked about Biafran Revolution, late Comrade Ononye suggested, that instead of the resources serving just a few cabals incumbent in corridors of power, the wealth should instead, serve for the economic development of the Biafran Region (as against the existing condition), the country as a whole, and possibly, seek ways of attaining a truly United, and developed Africa. The Biafran movement needs to champion an integral cause, without which the struggle is impractical. The ultimate destiny of the Biafran revolution should be philosophical consciensicm, or the blood of our heroes past, have been shed in vein. 



Obianuju Mbanusi writes.






Monday 29 May 2017

Nigeria Soars by S$500m And US$87m In Sovereign Wealth And Excess Crude Accounts Respectively!

Nigeria's Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo reiterated the Government's commitment to actualise President Muhammadu Buhari's vision of the NigerDelta environmental clean-up beginning with Ogoniland. What is termed a long over-due step to ensure that the "wealth of many will no longer be stolen by or reserved for a few", in order words, to guarantee that the people from the NigerDelta region benefits fully from the Nation's wealth.  



In addition, the vision includes making certain that the impunity of corruption , be it in the public or private sectors , will no longer be standard operating practice; and the vision of a Nigeria devoid of "bandits and terrorists".

In a speech to mark the 2nd anniversary since the Muhammadu Buhari led administration, the Acting President mentioned some key areas the Nigerian government is focused on, they include: 

  • Bringing accused corrupt persons to Justice
  • Working on strategies to deal with Headsmen/ Farmers clash 
  • Saving and Investing to Nigeria's future
  • Creating an enabling environment for Small and Medium scale businesses across the countries through soft loans  among others.
Prof. Yemi Osinbajo further disclosed that this administration has in the last two years, added the sum of US$500m to Nigeria's Sovereign Wealth Fund and US$87m to the Excess Crude Account. As against the situation before now, when according to the Acting President, "rising oil prices failed to translate to rising levels of savings and investment".

Prof. Osinbajo ended his speech by imploring for continual prayers for the restoration to full health, strength and the safe return of President Muhammadu Buhari who is currently in London on medical grounds.

Nigeria returned to democratic rule on May 29, 1999, after thirty -three years of chiefly Military regimes. 




Saturday 27 May 2017

Attention LASEPA, Ilaje Bus-Stop Is In A Mess!

Pictures below taken on Saturday, May 27th, 2017, show the messy current state of Ilaje bus-stop at Ajah area of Lekki - Peninsula, Lagos state, Nigeria







Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) Ilaje bus-stop and Ilaje community environment is in a sorry state and needs swift attention.

Appeal To Intensify The Campaign Against Child Abuse In Our Communities!

On 20th May, 2017, the down-heartening news of how a 7-year-old boy was reportedly killed by his father in Port-Harcourt, Rivers state, Nigeria, filtered in. People wondered why a father could be that cruel to his own blood. The death of George Tamunoibuemie, was the climax of a supposed prolonged inhuman treatment meted out by a man he called "father".

late George Tamunoibuemie
The sad story of late master Tamunoibuemie who before his cruel death reportedly lived with his father and step mother, was first brought to public knowledge by a concerned neighbour via an Instagram handle @srigeorgeom. who shared the story thus: 
"Just this week, I saw this little boy at a shop, people gathered around him. He stole a doughnut and everyone was blaming his father, saying he wasn’t giving  him food and that, that was  why the boy stole. They said   the father and the boy’s   step mum maltreated   him. I saw scar all over his body. The people he stole the doughnuts from even gave him more doughnuts and soft drink. I took the little boy to my house and interviewed him. He was an intelligent boy. He told me the same thing and even asked me to give him a pencil to school which I did. I also bought biscuits for him, took photograph of him   before he left. I promised to see his father but couldn’t due to my tight schedule this (last week)." 

A couple of days later, the concerned neighbour sent out the following message:

"This morning, I woke up to   hear that his father has killed him. The father beat him to death. The father  is at the Amadi police station now   while the little boy’s  body has been taken to the mogue. I saw the father briefly being held  at the station as he was claiming that he only beat him small”. 

Report has it that the incident happened on Saturday, May 20, 2017, around 12:30am, at Amadi-Ama area of Port Harcourt. 

Varying reports made the round, howbeit, Rivers state Police account through its Public Relations Officer, Nnamdi Omoni, has it that the father, simply identified as Amadi, stated that he (father), had a misunderstanding with his son, and he beat the boy. 

Excuse me...what kind of "misunderstanding" would a grown man have had with his "7-year-old son, that would warrant him beating the son to a pulp...until the child stopped breathing?.

The deed has been done and no amount of "trying to figure out what really happened" will bring back the child. Our concern should be more on: 

...How many children are still out there living under the cruel condition, synonymous to that of late George in his father's house, or with guardians. 

...Are there Policies or Laws already in place to protect the innocents in our society?

...Are there places concerned neighbours, Heads of schools, teachers, good Samaritans etc...can report to, when they notice symptoms of abuse on children, without being tagged "busy bodies"...watin concern you...shebi nah him "papa"...or "mama" or "relation"...leave them now. In order to avoid such occurrence(s) in the future.

...What penalties awaits such accused?

Like many cases, the story of late George Tamunoibuemie might be forgotten with time (if not almost), and the accused freed without duly paying the full consequence(s) of his irrational action. 

As we celebrate Children today (May 27th), this publication appeals to relevant authorities especially across Nigeria and other parts of Africa, to see that adequate measures are put in place to protect children in our communities, and to see that perpetrators are aptly brought to book. 

More so, the face of late George Tamunoibuemie should peharps flag off a campaign against Child abuse and inhuman treatment of any form.





Friday 19 May 2017

Nigerian Government Signs Order To Support Local Contents In Public Procurement, Promote Transparency And Efficiency!

  1. "Promotion of transparency and efficiency in the business environment designed to facilitate the ease of doing business in Nigeria
  2. Timely submission of annual budgetary estimate by all statutory and non-statutory agencies, including companies owned by the Federal Government..and
  3.  Support for local contents in public procurement by the Federal Government"... are the thrust of the three executive orders recently signed by Nigeria's Acting President, Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, on Thursday, May 18th, 2017. 


It is believed that the Executive Order, will significantly change some governmental business and operations in Nigeria.

Present at the event was government officials: Ministers,Permanent Secretaries, Heads of Departments and Agencies among others.



Ambode Bridging Gaps To Boost Lagos Economy!

To further boost socio-economic activities around Lagos metropolis, the Abule-Egba bridge was also recently commissioned by Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, on Wednesday, may 17th, 2017. 


Pictures below: 



View of the recently commissioned Abule-Egba Bridge


Find link to our previous story on Abule-Egba bridge below: 
http://rovinginformant.blogspot.com.ng/2016/08/photo-speaks-lagos-state-embarks-on-fly.html

Wednesday 17 May 2017

Governor Ambode Commissions "Jubilee Bridge"!

After about a year and four months of construction, Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday, May 17th, 2017, commissioned the Lekki/ Ajah Flyover Bridge, called the "Jubilee Bridge".







According to the Lagos State Government, the Jubilee Bridge, a 160 metres long dual carriageway and total length of 620 metres ramp with service lanes on either side, was constructed not only to ease traffic but also to make Lekki-Epe axis more attractive for investment.



Visit links below to see our follow-up on the project:

http://rovinginformant.blogspot.com.ng/2016/01/alaswork-commenced-on-construction-of.html

http://rovinginformant.blogspot.com.ng/2016/11/ajah-fly-over-bridge-update.html

http://rovinginformant.blogspot.com.ng/2016/04/oby-denis-pictures.html

Saturday 13 May 2017

Pedestrians Gambling Away Their Lives!

The picture below, as seen recently at Jakande, Pedestrian bridge, along Lekki express way, Lagos - Nigeria, is a common sight at foot bridges across Lagos metropolis, pedestrians prefer gambling with their lives, crossing express-ways right under a 'pedestrian bridge' .


They forget that life has no duplicate. Caution should be the watch word.

Yan With Me!

As I dey live my life dey go so...
I dey learn plenty things...
Some of dem be say:





Every situation no be watin we think say e'be...

(e good to reason well before we decide)

No be every 'thin' be sickness...
(sometimes we dey shed things 'toxins' wey we no need comot)

No be every 'fat' be healthy...(some things just dey swell)
No be every 'lowly' position be say "dem don tie you"...
(sometimes nah there we supposed dey at dat time...so that we go learn)

No be every 'high' position be 'say you don hammar'...
(sometimes nah watin Oyibo call "the more you look the less you see...wash-wash")

People go enter, come commot for your life
(nah their time to enter and commot be dat)

Sometimes you go dey wonder whether nah so your life go take end, because all the things wey you bin expect to happen at certain times 'never' happen
(my person...no be only you dey feel that way sometimes)

So tey some go begin paint some kain 'picture' for the world...make dem for feel better...
(no need for dat...make you just shed some things/people wey dey put you for that kain pressure comot)

Dat thing wey dey make you happy...
(make you dey do more of dem)
Make you no fear say nah 'only you wan do...or stand for something' wey you believe say nah watin God want make you do...
(no follow crowd waka go enter ......no-where, you no be sheep)

The moment wey you decide, come take the first waka...to do the thing wey 'Right' (before God)...nah so the 'Right' doors dem go dey open.

Make una jolly for this weekend, make me sef go find watin I wan do today...

We go yan later.

Monday 8 May 2017

"No Cause For Concern, Nigeria Will Continue To Function Normally" - Buhari Re-Assures!

As news about his trip back to the United Kingdom a few weeks after his return from a medical concern trip in London make the rounds, Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari, has assured that "Nigeria will continue to function normally under the able leadership of the Vice President", Prof. Yemi Osinbajo. 

Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari (Left) and Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (right). 

As hinted after his return in March, 2017, that "there might be need to return soon for a (medical) follow-up", President Muhammadu Buhari will Monday evening, May 8th, 2017 embark on another trip to London, United Kingdom, for  "follow -up medical consultation with his doctors". 

Information given by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, states that President Buhari planned to leave Sunday afternoon, but waited to receive the 82 released Chibok school girls from their boko-haram insurgency group captors. 

The duration of President Buhari's visit was not specified as information released stated "that will be determined by the doctors". 

Muhamadu Buhari expressed gratitude for prayers and good wishes, and urged Nigerians to continue in prayers for peace and unity of the Nation.


Sunday 7 May 2017

A Batch Of 82 Released Chibok Girls Received In Abuja!

A batch of 82 of Nigeria's kidnapped school girls from Chibok school in Chibok town, Borno state, norther-east Nigeria were recently released under what is reported to be a 'swap' condition for the release of an undisclosed number of boko-haram extremist group prisoners. 



The girls were brought into Maiduguri from Banki near the Cameroon border, and received in Abuja, Nigeria's capital city, by Chief of Staff, Alhaji Abba Kyari on Sunday, May 7, 2017. 


The girls  met with Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari later Sunday evening, May 7, 2017.


82 rescued Chibok girls pose with President Muhammadu Buhari

About 276 girls were abducted from their Government Secondary school, Chibok, hostel in 2014. Amidst reports that some of the girls escaped from their captors, 21 of the kidnapped girls, including a baby delivered by one of the girls were released to the Nigerian authority on Thursday, October 13th, October, 2016. Link to story below: 
http://rovinginformant.blogspot.com.ng/2016/10/nigerian-government-debunks-swap-rumour.html

There are varying reports of the actual number of girls still in captivity, but over hundred of the girls are believed to still be out there. One of the released girls is reportedly using crutches and another with wounds on her body.

The Nigeria government is working to ensure the full recovery and rehabilitation and re-socialisation of released girls.

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