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12 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 2021 :Vanguard News :@vanguardnews :@vanguardnews NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058 VISIT: Delta State Head of Service, Mr. Reginald Bayoko (middle); Chairman of Association of Delta State Public Officers Loan Scheme Operators, Prince Edwin Ozoma (2nd left) with other members of the association moments after the group paid a courtesy visit on the Head of Service, Asaba, Delta State. ALLEGATIONS OF ABUSE OF OFFICE: Emami to appear before disciplinary c'ttee of Warri Council of Chiefs today By Jimitota Onoyume WARRI— Chief Ayiri Emami is to appear before a disciplinary committee of the Warri Council of Chiefs today, over allegations of abuse of office as Ologbotsere of Warri Kingdom. It will be recalled that the Regent of the kingdom, Prince Emmanuel Okotie- Eboh, at a recent press briefing in front of the palace of the Olu of Warri on Ajamimogha Road, Warri South Local Government Area, Delta State, had announced the suspension of Chief Ayiri as the Ologbotsere of the kingdom over allegations of abuse of office. Meanwhile, Secretary of the Disciplinary Committee, Chief Robinson Ariyo, the Egogo of Warri Kingdom, in a statement, said others to appear before it at a later date are Chiefs Richmond Mcgray and Samuel Omamuli. He said the committee would afford them the opportunity to respond to the various allegations levied against them. He said: “The committee was established in accordance with the Code of Ethics and Conduct of the Chiefs of Warri Kingdom. The Itsekiris are a very lawabiding people, each of the chefs involved will be given adequate opportunity and time to respond to the allegations in line with the principle of fair hearing and each allegation will be determined on its merit.” He said some of the allegations against Emami were that at a time, he wore an attire with the inscription “I am the King” that went viral on social media. He said: “Chief Emami at the material time, proceeded to attire himself in a wear on which the inscription, “I am the King” was boldly made and published on the social media, to his shredding of a letter sent to him by Ruling House and delivered to him personally, which letter was entitled 'Re: Nomination and Transmission of Prince Utieyinoritsetsola Emiko (Omoba) as the successor to the Ancient Throne of the Olu of Warri'. “Others to appear before the committee on a separate date, include Chief Richmond Mcgray, who is alleged to have caused the publication and postings of messages (written and audio), on the WhatsApp group of the Warri Council of Chiefs, the contents of which publication are now circulating on the social media, wherein, Chief Mcgray made very derogatory remarks about the council and his fellow chiefs; thereby, allegedly bringing the Warri Council of Chiefs and the Olu Advisory Council to disrepute. “Also, to appear before the committee on similar allegations is Chief Samuel Omamuli. The later chiefs are to appear on April 28, 2021.” Insecurity: Onuesoke berates Buhari, says Nigeria hanging on a thread By Festus Ahon ASABA— A former Delta State governorship aspirant and chieftain ofPeoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Sunny Onuesoke, has berated President Muhammadu Buhari over the high rate of insecurity, unemployment and disregard for Nigeria’s constitution, lamenting that Nigeria is hanging on a thread. Onuesoke, in a chat with newsmen at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, said Nigeria is at crossroads. He said: “The worsening security situation, hypergeometric inflation rate, free fall of the naira, capital flight, quadruple-rising unemployment rate, FDI shortfall, flagrant disregard for the constitution and brazen corruption by the Buhari-led government has become the new normal in our national life. “Lack of focus and policy flipflops have put our economy in jeopardy and in a state of comatose. Failure by the Buhariled government to curb and tackle the security situation in the country has led to desolation, despair and fear among citizens who can no longer sleep with their two eyes closed since the government has become helpless in securing their lives and property. “This government has polarized Nigeria along ethnic and religious line; never has this country been so divided across ethnic and religious line like we have today under this government built on nepotism and ethnicism, not forgetting that we currently have a known terrorist apologist as a member of the federal cabinet as the head of a very sensitive government office. “It is not surprising that Nigeria has become the world headquarters for extreme poverty and the country with the highest unemployment population within a space of five years of this government, whose only aspiration and agenda are to pursue and encourage policies and programmes that tend to divide us as a people. “The economy has been so bastardized to the point that we have resorted to the printing of naira notes to augment government expense. “We are in a much worse situation, and you can see today that ordinary Nigerians are bearing the brunt in form of high price for even the smallest of the commodity." Land disputes: No land is worth blood of any Deltan — Okowa By Festus Ahon AIfeanyi SABA—GOVERNOR Okowa of Delta State, yesterday, said no land is worth the blood of any Deltan and charged communities against taking up arms when there are land disputes. Okowa, who gave the warning in Asaba, while receiving the report of the Judicial Commission of Enquiry into the boundary dispute between Ozoro and Oleh communities in Isoko North and Isoko South Local Government Areas of the state, insisted that no land “should actually lead to the death of any person whether the person is from Oleh, Ozoro or any other part of the state.” Assuring that the commission’s report would be processed with a view to raising a White Paper that would permanently resolve the boundary dispute between the feuding communities, he said: “We will process both the findings and recommendations through the normal processes that it has to go and we will be able to come out with a white paper as quickly as possible. “We want to assure you of that because the only way we can truly say thank you is to ensure that the work you have brought forth and spent your time to present the report today translates to peace among our people of Ozoro and Oleh communities.” He acknowledged that there were many boundary disputes in parts of the state and country, adding: “By the grace of God, we have continued to tackle issues concerning boundaries with a lot of tact and a lot of appeals. We do this by ensuring that we follow through with the processing integrity to ensure that we are able to resolve as many boundary disputes as possible. Meanwhile, the State Executive Council, yesterday approved N221 million for the enhancement of cassava production. Edo spends N6bn on primary education infrastructure By Ozioruva Aliu BENIN CITY – AS part of its efforts to improve primary education, the administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, said no fewer than N6 billion, including counterpart funding, had been spent in providing infrastructure for public primary schools in the state in the last three years. Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr Joan Oviawe, who made the disclosure, yesterday, at an interaction with newsmen to mark the third anniversary of the launch of EdoBEST (Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation), said not less than seven million education materials, including textbooks and others had been distributed to pupils. She said of the 1,046 public primary schools in the state, only 186 have not been linked to the EdoBEST, which efforts she said was slowed down by the COVID-19 but assured that all the schools would become part of the transformation programme before the end of the year. She said: “What has been put into the reform efforts by the Governor Obaseki administration is unquantifiable in terms of human and material resources but the key thing is the effort that has been put in because the governor is a data-driven decision-maker, so every decision that is taken is backed by facts. “In the area of infrastructure, I will say at least N6 bilion in state and counterpart funding had been expended in infrastructure. We already know the cost of having every child in the classroom, including the training of the teachers, the smartphones that the headteachers use to sync with the tablet of the teachers, the textbooks and other educational materials are there." Nembe lawyers seek end to armed agitation in N-Delta By Samuel Oyadongha & Emem Idio YENAGOA –Lawyers of Nembe extraction in Bayelsa State under the aegis of Nembe Se Lawyers Forum have called for an end to violent agitation as a means of attracting attention to the underdevelopment in the oil and gas-rich Niger Delta. Speaking at a virtual conference, a traditional ruler in Nembe, His Royal Highness, King Serena Dokubo-Spiff, said the lawyers in the area were committed to the enthronement of lawful means of conflict resolution. Dokubo-Spiff, who is also a leader of the forum noted that given the rich natural endowment of oil, gas and maritime potentials, the people would reap immense benefits if the resources were harnessed in an atmosphere of peace. According to him, there are so many opportunities in the economic activities in the area but noted with regret the dearth of capacity on the part of legal practitioners to leverage on them. He said the Nembe Se Forum had concluded plans to build the capacity of lawyers to drive the development of Niger Delta and reposition the area to attract more investments. Dokubo-Spiff said the forum had scheduled a professional development and networking session for May 3, 2021, with the theme: Law Practice in Contemporary Times,” to enhance the skills and preparedness of lawyers in the emerging environment. In his remarks, Mr Iniruo Wills, who is the Planning Team Lead for the event noted, that the Nembe Se Lawyers Forum was working to harness the expertise of professional groups from the area to drive the process of development. PDP youths stop screening of supervisory councillors in Isoko North By Festus Ahon & Ochuko Akuopha OZORO— THE internal wrangling rocking the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Isoko North Local Government Area, Delta State, degenerated, yesterday, following the disruption of the proposed screening of Supervisory Councillors by aggrieved youths of the party. The protesting youths from the 13 wards of the council stormed the Isoko North secretariat, disrupted official activities and the proposed sitting by the council’s legislative arm to screen the selected supervisory councillors. The youths kicked against the selection process of the supervisory councillors, which they alleged was carried out by few leaders in the council. One of the leaders of the protesters, Joseph Owhologbo, from Ellu Ward said: “We are protesting the wrong selection of supervisory councillors, they are supposed to be screened today, being done by the council chairman, Christian Iteire; Isoko North PDP Chairman, Prince Godwin Ogorugba and a few other leaders. “They selected the supervisory councillors without consulting other leaders such as Elder Emmanuel Ogidi, Chief Ovuozourie Macaulay, Jude Ogbimi, Chief Kome Okpobor, Chief Philip Adheke, Dr Nelson Ejakpovi and other leaders from the 13 wards in Isoko North council. This is wrong, we cannot fold our hands to watch this insolence being done.
Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 2021 — 13 By Anayo Okoli, Chinonso Alozie, Chimaobi Nwaiwu,Chinedu Adonu & Ugochukwu Alaribe THE FEDERAL Government yesterday expressed angst over the decision of the United Kingdom to offer asylum to 'persecuted' member of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB. The UK Visas and Immigration had released new guildelines to its decision makers on how to consider and grant asylum applications by members of Biafran secessionist groups, according to online platform, TheCable. Asylum is to be granted to ‘persecuted‘ members of the Indigenous People of Biafra,IPOB, which has been designated as a terrorist organisation by the Nigerian government and the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB). IPOB was formed in 2012 by Nnamdi Kanu and is believed to be an offshoot of MASSOB, which was founded in 1999 by Ralph Uwazuruike. Both are campaigning for the secession of mainly the South East but also several other ethnic nationalities from Nigeria. In the just-released ‘Country Policy and Information Note Nigeria: Biafran secessionist groups’ seen by TheCable, the UKVI, a division of the Home Office, directed its decision makers to consider if a person “who actively and openly supports IPOB is likely to be at risk of arrest and detention and ill-treatment which is likely to amount to :Vanguard News :@vanguardnews :@vanguardnews NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058 FG fumes as UK offers asylum to IPOB, MASSOB members •UK to grant asylum to persecuted IPOB, MASSOB members •UK disrespectful, sabotaging terrorism fight, says FG •What Biafrans need, cherish most is referendum —IPOB •Ohanaeze Ndigbo tasks Buhari to embrace dialogue •UK wants to pacify Igbos —INC •President Muhammadu Buhari persecution”. According to the guidelines, the decision makers “must also consider if the Nigerian government’s actions are acts of prosecution or not persecution. Those fleeing prosecution or punishment for a criminal offence are not normally refugees. Prosecution may, however, amount to persecution if it involves victimisation in its application by the authorities”. An example of persecution, the UKVI said, is “if it is the vehicle or excuse for or if only certain groups are prosecuted for a particular offence and the consequences of that discrimination are sufficiently severe. Punishment which is cruel, inhuman or degrading, including punishment which is out of all proportion to the offence committed, may also amount to persecution”. They are also to “consider each case on its facts to determine if the person is likely to be of interest to the Nigerian government and whether this is for the legitimate grounds of prosecution which is proportionate and nondiscriminatory.” The onus is on the applicants to demonstrate that they will be “at risk of persecution or serious harm” in Nigeria, according to the guidelines. In particular, the decision makers are to consider each case on its facts, taking into account: profile, size and organisation of the group/ organisation to which the person belongs and its activities; whether a person in the UK would wish to continue their activism if returned to Nigeria (if not, why not); whether the group/ organisation has a presence in Nigeria as well as outside of the country and any evidence that it is being monitored by the •Boris Johnson, UK Prime Minister government; person’s profile and political activities (including those online) and relevant documentary or other evidence; profile and activities of family members and past treatment. The UK acknowledged that the Nigerian government has a responsibility to maintain law and order, “to prevent and protect the public against acts of violence.” It said where supporters or members of MASSOB or IPOB have incited or used violence to disrupt public order, the government may have legitimate grounds to arrest and prosecute those people. “However, where the government has arrested and detained persons who, for example, peacefully participate in demonstrations and has then charged them with treason or the person is subjected to periods of detention in degrading or inhuman conditions, such treatment is unlikely to be fair or proportionate, and is likely to amount to persecution,” the guidelines noted. The UK defined ‘Biafra’ as an area “in the south-east of Nigeria that comprises the states of Abia, Imo, Ebonyi, Enugu and Anambra. The area is inhabited principally by Igbo (Ibo) people who are one of the country’s three largest ethnic groups”. The UK, which is a signatory to several human rights and refugee conventions, believes Biafran secessionist agitations are covered by one or more of the following policies: A person is reasonably likely to face a real risk of persecution or serious harm; The general humanitarian situation is so severe as to breach Article 15(b) of European Council Directive 2004/83/EC (the Qualification Directive)/ Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights as transposed in paragraph 339C and 339CA(iii) of the Immigration Rules; The security situation presents a real risk to a civilian’s life or person such that it would breach Article 15(c) of the Qualification Directive as transposed in paragraph 339C and 339CA(iv) of the Immigration Rules; A person is able to obtain protection from the state (or quasi state bodies); A person is reasonably able to relocate within a country or territory; A claim is likely to justify granting asylum, humanitarian protection or other form of leave and; If a claim is refused, it is likely or unlikely to be certifiable as ‘clearly unfounded’ under section 94 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002. However, decision makers are directly to still consider all claims on an individual basis, taking into account each case’s specific facts. UK disrespectful, sabotaging terrorism fight, says FG Irked by the decision of the United Kingdom, the Federal Government described it as disrespectful of Nigeria as a nation. The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said that the decision amounted to sabotaging the fight against terrorism and generally undermining Nigeria’s security. Fielding questions at a News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) flagship interview programme, NAN Forum, yesterday in Abuja, Mohammed said the decision is unacceptable to Nigeria. “Let me say straightaway that this issue is within the purview of the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs and I am sure he will handle it appropriately. But as the spokesman for the Federal Government of Nigeria, I will say that if indeed the report that the UK will grant asylum to supposedly persecuted IPOB and MASSOB members is true, then something is wrong somewhere. “Against the background of the fact that IPOB is not only proscribed but also designated as a terrorist organisation here in Nigeria, the UK’s decision is disrespectful of Nigeria as a nation. The decision amounts to sabotaging the fight against terrorism and generally undermining Nigeria’s security. It is not only unconscionable, it is inexplicable,’’ he said. The minister said that there had recently been heightened attacks against security agencies in the South East Zone. He said IPOB had been fingered as being behind the attacks inspite of its denials. “For the UK to choose this time to give succour to IPOB beggars belief and calls to question the UK’s real intention. If we could go down the memory lane, what the UK has done is like Nigeria offering asylum to members of the IRA before the 1998 Good Friday Peace Agreement,’’ he said. What Biafrans need, cherish most is referendum, not UK asylum —IPOB In its reaction, the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, in a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma powerful said that what they need is referendum and not asulum. IPOB's statement entitled, "We need Referendum not Asylum, IPOB tells UK Government" however commended the United Kingdom for what it called their bold initiative and thanked them most graciously. IPOB's statement read in part: "We, the global family of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, ably led by our great and indomitable leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has noted with satisfaction the news that the United Kingdom has agreed to grant asylum to persecuted Biafra agitators resident in the UK. "While we commend them for this bold initiative, we wish to most graciously remind them that what we Biafrans need and cherish the most is referendum and not asylum in the UK. "We are tired of living in bondage in the devilish contraption called Nigeria they single-handedly created. We would not wish our children, now and generations unborn, to share the same geo-political space with those that reward terrorists and criminalize law abiding citizens. "We particularly thank the UK government for confirming what the rest of the civilized world already know that the great IPOB worldwide family are not TERRORISTS but peaceful agitators and freedom fighters. "That Nigeria is a country run by terrorists for the benefit of terrorists has been confirmed by this noble move by the United Kingdom. "Aso Rock, the seat of power in Nigeria is a terrorist haven with serving ministers who are openly sympathetic to terrorists and their activities coming and going as they please, while freedom fighters are languishing in jail. We want freedom, not asylum." UK wants to pacify Igbos —INC Also reacting, the Igbo National Council, INC, yesterday said the United Kingdom wants to pacify the Igbo people over the wrongs did to them. INC President, Chilos Godsent argued that it was part of the move by UK to address the anomalies which they had supported in Nigeria. But however, the INC said that it believed that the UK was not sincere in their move for asylum. According to INC President, "the only thing is that the UK is trying to address some of the anomalies targeted on the Igbo nation. They want the Igbo to feel pacified and believe that the UK is in for social justice. "The UK wants to redeem its image. In the history of Nigeria, the UK has not shown any support for the Igbo nation. They know that things have fallen apart in Nigeria. "The damage has been done. It cannot be cleaned. They just want to pacify the Igbos. The UK government is not sincere and genuine in their move." Ohanaeze tasks Buhari to embrace dialogue Following the government's condemnation of the asylum proposal, apex Igbo socio cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has tasked President Muhammadu Buhari to change his style of dealing with issues concerning the South East and the agitation for an independent state of Biafra. Secretary General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo , Engr. Chidi Ibeh faction, said Buhari should embrace dialogue in dealing with secessionist threats rather than resorting to " an eye for an eye". “What's good for the goose is also good for the gander. It's not fair to use carrot and stick policy for bandits and Boko Haram members in the north and use brutal force against secessionist groups in the south. “Negotiations are the best approach for rebuilding trust and confidence amongst secessionist groups. Incarceration and military actions are outdated weapons used to win the battle against secessionist threats.” Also reacting, Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, rejected the offer of asylum from Britain for its members being persecuted by the Nigerian Government, saying the offer is an arrangement with President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government to divert the attention of the people of Biafra He commended the UK and other western nations for accepting to grant asylum to persecuted Biafran agitators.
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