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BIAFRA: IPoB gives FG conditions <strong>for</strong> dialogue •Demands nullification of proscription, apology, others By Chimaobi Nwaiwu mid growing calls <strong>for</strong> a Adialogue between the Federal Government and Indigenous People of Biafra, IPoB, by some eminent <strong>Nigeria</strong>ns, the pro-Biafra group has given conditions under which it would interface with government. In a seven-point demand, the self-determination body particularly requested the restoration of its status prior to the August 30, 2017, proscription by South-East governors. Specifically, lawyers, human right groups, international organisations and political office holders, had called <strong>for</strong> a talk as a way of ending the current security problem in the South-East. Ebonyi State governor and Chairman of South-East Governors Forum, Chief Dave Umahi, recently added his voice to the growing list of those calling <strong>for</strong> dialogue. Legitimate He said most of the demands of certain people in the South- East are legitimate, saying government must discuss with them. Also, a <strong>for</strong>mer governor of Abia State, Senator Theodore Orji, said there was a need <strong>for</strong> federal government to dialogue with the leadership of the IPoB. Speaking with journalists in Abuja as part of activities to mark his 70th birthday celebration, Orji said dialogue with the dissident voices, including the IPoB, remained one of the best ways to achieve peace in the South-East geopolitical zone. He noted that the Igbo, who have been crying of marginalisation over the years, deserved a listening ear rather than the use of <strong>for</strong>ce. Similarly, a <strong>for</strong>mer presidential <strong>can</strong>didate, Prof. Kingsley Moghalu, urged government to dialogue with IPoB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, and the promoter of Oduduwa nation, Sunday Igboho. Moghalu, a <strong>for</strong>mer Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of <strong>Nigeria</strong> ,CBN, said such a discussion would address the root causes of their agitations and help douse tensions in <strong>Nigeria</strong>. Conditions Ef<strong>for</strong>ts by Sunday Vanguard ef<strong>for</strong>ts to know From left: Oba Olusegun Adeyemi Ajasa, Awuse of Onigbongbo Kingdom; Mrs Mofoluke Oluwasanmi of the Lagos State Council <strong>for</strong> Arts and Culture; Hon. Olufunke Rekiya Hassan of Onigbongbo Local Council Development Authority and Mrs Osayande Osaro of the Centre <strong>for</strong> Black Afri<strong>can</strong> Art and Civilization, during the Language Arts and Culture Day at Chrisland Schools, held on Friday in Lagos. whether IPoB is disposed to the idea of dialogue yielded results as its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, said the group may accept dialogue on certain conditions. IPoB made its position known in a statement exclusively made available to Sunday Vanguard by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, on behalf of Kanu. In the statement titled: “The Dialogue: It Is Very Simple, “ Kanu said: “The world must note that what is being offered is not a new dialogue but a resumption of the dialogue that ended on August 30, 2017. Based on this premise, the points <strong>for</strong> resumption of the dialogue should naturally comprise the following: “IPoB must be restored to its legal status as of August 30, 2017, either its status be<strong>for</strong>e it was proscribed by South- East governors. “It follows there<strong>for</strong>e that once its legal status is restored, the subsequent proscription by the federal government/ listing as the only recognised “terrorist” group will be judicially reversed and gazetted as such. Provisions <strong>for</strong> doing that are contained in the Terrorism Prevention Act. Immediate discontinuance of all outstanding criminal prosecutions/arrests of all IPoB members. Immediate discontinuation of the ongoing so-called Operation Restore Peace. Apology “Federal and state judicial commissions of inquiry into the arrests, detentions, torture and killings of IPoB members starting from August 2014, when the killings started and ending with the killings that are currently ongoing this period. “Formal apology from the federal and state governments and reparations must be in purview. There shall also be a consideration of truth and reconciliation. Decriminalizing any peaceful marches or <strong>protest</strong>s done by IPOB going <strong>for</strong>ward. Referendum “In the course of meeting these conditions, there shall be constituted a highpowered committee that will work out the details <strong>for</strong> a referendum on Biafra. The committee must comprise an equal number of members nominated by the federal government and IPoB High Command and an ‘observer’, United Nations representative from the UN office that oversees such things as was in Sudan, Kosovo, Ethiopia.” Recall that IPoB was proscribed by South-East governors on August 30, 2017, while the Federal High Court in Abuja, labelled the group as a terrorist organisation on September 18, 2017. The body has been serially BOKO HARAM: Thousands of sol<strong>die</strong>rs maimed – Army By Henry Umoru HE Senate was told Tyesterday by the <strong>Nigeria</strong> Army that thousands of sol<strong>die</strong>rs and their counterparts in sister security agencies have been maimed in the fight against Boko Haram insurgency. Briefing the Senate delegation on the challenges facing a 600 - bed military hospital, the acting Chief Medical Director, 44 <strong>Nigeria</strong>n Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna, Colonel Stephen Onuchukwu, explained that some of the wounded sol<strong>die</strong>rs are maimed <strong>for</strong> life and required cutting edge medical facilities to keep them alive. Meanwhile, Senate President Ahman Lawan, who led the delegation, noted that the visit was to show empathy and made a donation of N10million to some of the wounded sol<strong>die</strong>rs in action ( WIA) undergoing treatment at the hospital. Lawan, who lamented that after the civil war, there was no time in the nation’s history that the military had faced warfare except now, assured that the legislature would work with the executive to ensure that the armed <strong>for</strong>ces were properly motivated. Speaking further, Onuchukwu who is an orthopaedic consultant, declared that at the 44 Army Reference Hospital alone, a total of 7, 403 wounded sol<strong>die</strong>rs in action had been received , treated and some undergoing treatment. He said, “ Since the war against insurgency stated, about 7, 403 wounded in action military personnel have been evacuated to this hospital <strong>for</strong> very urgent medical attention. “While some of such wounded personnel got treated and discharged with different <strong>for</strong>ms of de<strong>for</strong>mities , some are maimed <strong>for</strong> life. “Those in this category are the ones with spinal cord injury being assisted with urethral implant <strong>for</strong> them to urinate. “Some also have their legs and hands cut off as a result of <strong>can</strong>cerous injuries sustained at the battle front. “ These are aside others being rehabilitated from physical, emotional and psychological injuries.” accused of masterminding recent attacks on security agents and <strong>for</strong>mations in the region, an allegation it denied. IMO KILLINGS: Uzodinma to set up Commission of Inquiry Governor Hope Uzodinma is set to probe killings in Imo State. To that effect, the governor has promised to set up a Commission of Inquiry. He dropped the hint yesterday when he met with Imo leaders at the Banquet Hall, Government House Owerri as part of activities to mark the 2021 Democracy Day. Earlier in the day, Uzodinma had in a statewide broadcast, followed by his appearanece at the Imo State Broadcasting Corporation (IBC) <strong>for</strong> a phone-in programmme that lasted on hour, told his listeners that a Commission of Inquiry had become necessary so that Imo people will have a clearer picture of what happened when lives were lost as a result of fight against insecurity in the state. The governor told Imo stakeholders that, in the next two weeks, the Commission would be set up and members inaugurated with the task of establishing the immediate and remote causes of the lives lost in the state and what should be done by government. SUNDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 13, 2021, PAGE 5 2021 Hajj: Saudi Arabia stops <strong>Nigeria</strong>, others’ pilgrims •Restricts rites to 60,000 locals By Haroon Ishola-Balogun with agency report audi Arabia has said it Swill limit registration <strong>for</strong> this year’s Hajj pilgrimage to citizens and residents of the Kingdom in light of the coronavirus pandemic. According to Haramain, and Arab News plat<strong>for</strong>ms, the Ministries of Health and Hajj announced, yesterday, that a total of 60,000 pilgrims will be allowed to per<strong>for</strong>m the pilgrimage this year. The Hajj begins mid-July. It stressed that those wishing to per<strong>for</strong>m the Hajj must be free of chronic diseases, and to be within the ages from 18 to 65 years <strong>for</strong> those vaccinated against the virus according to the kingdom’s vaccination measures. Hajj pilgrims should be fully vaccinated, or those who How Caleb University owner supported my PhD programme — Otobo By Adesina Wahab he Head of Public and TCommunity Relations at Caleb University, Imota, Lagos State, Dr Elvis Otobo, has related how the founder of the university, Dr Ola Adebogun, was very instrumental to him completing his doctorate degree programme among other support he got from Adebogun. Otobo, in a tribute and show of appreciation to Adebogun, said God used the university founder to adopt him as his own son and encourage him to face the challenges of life. Otobo recently completed his PhD stu<strong>die</strong>s in In<strong>for</strong>mation Resources Management at Babcock University. “I met Dr. Ola Adebogun in 2014. At that time life was at its lowest ebb, but he gave me a chance and encouraged me massively all the way as a father would do to his biological son. He kept encouraging me all the way as mentor and father. First, by his kind and motivating words any time l have the rare opportunity to see him personally or talk with him on the phone.” RESUMPTION: Auchi Poly Rector charges students on morals FIRST year remem brance service <strong>for</strong> Sir Michael Eleonu Anwuri, who <strong>die</strong>d on June 3, 2020, at the age of 65, holds today at St. John’s Angli<strong>can</strong> Church, Ndele, Emuoha Local Council of Rivers State at 10.00a.m. He is survived by his wife, took one dose of the COVID- 19 vaccine at least 14 days be<strong>for</strong>e, or those who are vaccinated after recovering from coronavirus infection. The decision is “based on the kingdom’s constant keenness to enable the guests and visitors at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque to per<strong>for</strong>m the rituals of Hajj and Umrah,” the ministry said. “The Kingdom puts human health and safety first.” A deputy to the Hajj minister meanwhile said that Saudi Arabia found great understanding from Muslim countries over the decision to limit this year’s pilgrimage participants. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation has welcomed Saudi Arabia’s decision to limit Hajj2021 to pilgrims from within the kingdom. he Acting Rector, Auchi TPolytechnic, Edo State, Engr. M. A. Zubair has urged returning students of the institution to observe good morals and adhere to the rules and regulations of the college as the new academic session begins. The Registrar, Dr. Godwin Ihionkhan, in a statement, stated that the academic board has approved Tuesday, June 15, 2021 as commencement date <strong>for</strong> the new academic session <strong>for</strong> both new and returning students of the institution. According to him, new students are expected to begin registration immediately while old students are also to commence registration on Monday, June 28, 2021. The Acting Rector, while wishing all the new and returning students peaceful and fruitful academic session, prayed <strong>for</strong> their journey mercies. Family, friends remember Michael Anwuri Dr. (Mrs.) Adesuwa Anwuri, children and grandchildren. DEMOCRACY DAY: Amechi congratulates Ndokwa nation By Tunde Oso he Chief Executive Offic Ter, Tony Amechi foundation (TAF) yesterday congratulated every Ndokwa son and daughters <strong>for</strong> witnessing another democracy day. Amechi, in a statement issued in Asaba, Delta State capital on Saturday said though the people of Ndokwa have been marginalised over the years, they have reasons to celebrate this day. “A peaceful and hardworking people, Ndokwa nation,” according to him, “is a work in progress <strong>for</strong> God and the time it noted has come to put partisan politics apart <strong>for</strong> the people to foster stronger unity and be more <strong>for</strong>midable in order to achieve greatness saying, the most important thing is that Ndokwa nation is undergoing a revolution of positive change and accelerated development and this calls <strong>for</strong> celebration.” The statement however, expressed regrets that the nation was celebrating democracy as she bleeds from insecurity, inflation, poverty and marginalization but was quick to express hope that with the unfolding developments in Ndokwa nation there are reasons to celebrate.
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