YAKUBU REFUSES INTERROGATION BY EFCC

The Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara has stated in clear terms that he cannot be interrogated or investigated by any law enforcement agency over the allegation of his involvement in the padding of the 2016 budget.

He said he was acting under extant laws that gave him and other house members the privilege to carry out his legislative duties without fear of arrest or intimidation.

The Speaker who was speaking to civil societies and journalists in Abuja in an interactive session to commemorate the one year assessment of the house of representatives legislative agenda said he has refused to be interrogated by the police special investigation panel over the allegation because no agency of government has the power or right to pry into the activities of the House. “Most of the things we do in the National Assembly are privileged”, he said.

He described the 2016 budget as a controversial document that would not have seen the light of the day if not for the maturity, and the democratic mechanism of dialogue, negotiation and consensus employed by the House and Senate.

He cited the Lagos-Calabar Rail project and the paltry budget of N250 a day for prisoners as sections of the budget that were tinkered and inserted into the budget.

“The worst thing that can happen is that if anyone disagrees with the law, he takes it before the courts. That is the beauty of separation of powers”.

BIAFRA-A MIRAGE OR REALITY

BY NWOSU HAPPINESS

Persecution of the Igbos

From June through October 1966, pogroms in the North killed tens of thousands of Igbos and caused millions to flee to the Eastern Region. 29 September 1966, was considered the worst day.  The massacres were led by the Nigerian army. Before, during and after the slaughter, Col. Gowon could be heard over the radio issuing 'guarantees of safety' to all Easterners, all citizens of Nigeria, but the intent of the soldiers, the only power that counts in Nigeria now or then, was painfully clear.

Breakaway

On 27 May 1967, Gowon proclaimed the division of Nigeria into twelve states. This decree carved the Eastern Region in three parts: South Eastern State, Rivers State, and East Central State.

On 30 May 1967, Ojukwu Declared Independence of The republic of Biafra.

The Federal Military Government immediately placed an embargo on all shipping to and from Biafra—but not on oil tankers. Biafra quickly moved to collect oil royalties from oil companies doing business within its borders. When Shell-BP acquiesced to this request at the end of June, the Federal Government extended its blockade to include oil. The blockade, which most foreign actors accepted, played a decisive role in putting Biafra at a disadvantage from the beginning

War

Shortly after extending its blockade to include oil, the Nigerian government launched a "police action" to retake the secessionist territory. The war began on 6 July 1967 when Nigerian Federal troops advanced in two columns into Biafra. The Nigerian Army offensive was through the north of Biafra led by Colonel Mohammed Shuwa and the local military units were formed as the 1st Infantry Division. The division was led mostly by northern officers. After facing unexpectedly fierce resistance and high casualties, the right-hand Nigerian column advanced on the town of Nsukka which fell on 14 July, while the left-hand column made for Garkem, which was captured on 12 July.

Biafran Offensive

The Biafrans responded with an offensive of their own when, on 9 August, the Biafran forces moved west into the Mid-Western Nigerian region across the Niger river, passing through Benin City, until they were stopped at Ore (in present day Ondo State) just over the state boundary on 21 August, just 130 miles east of the Nigerian capital of Lagos. The Biafran attack was led by Lt. Col. Banjo, a Yoruba, with the Biafran rank of brigadier. The attack met little resistance and the Mid-West was easily taken over.

General Gowon responded by asking Colonel Murtala Mohammed (who later became head of state in 1975) to form another division (the 2nd Infantry Division) to expel the Biafrans from the Mid-West, as well as defend the West side and attack Biafra from the West as well. As Nigerian forces retook the Mid-West, the Biafran military administrator declared the Republic of Benin on 19 September, though it ceased to exist the next day. (The present country of Benin, west of Nigeria, was still named Dahomey at that time.)

Although Benin City was retaken by the Nigerians on 22 September, the Biafrans succeeded in their primary objective by tying down as many Nigerian Federal troops as they could. Gen. Gowon also launched an offensive into Biafra south from the Niger Delta to the riverine area using the bulk of the Lagos Garrison command under Colonel Benjamin Adekunle (called the Black Scorpion) to form the 3rd Infantry Division (which was later renamed as the 3rd Marine Commando). As the war continued, the Nigerian Army recruited amongst a wider area, including the Yoruba, Itshekiri, Urhobo, Edo, Ijaw, etc.

Nigerian Offensive

Four battalions of the Nigerian 2nd Infantry Division were needed to drive the Biafrans back and eliminate their territorial gains made during the offensive. Nigerian soldiers under Murtala Mohammed carried out a mass killing of 700 civilians when they captured Asaba on the River Niger. The Nigerians were repulsed three times as they attempted to cross the River Niger during October, resulting in the loss of thousands of troops, dozens of tanks and equipment. The first attempt by the 2nd Infantry Division on 12 October to cross the Niger from the town of Asaba to the Biafran city of Onitsha cost the Nigerian Federal Army over 5,000 soldiers killed, wounded, captured or missing. Operation Tiger Claw (17–20 October 1967) was a military conflict between Nigerian and Biafran military forces. On 17 October 1967 Nigerians invaded Calabar led by the "Black Scorpion", Benjamin Adekunle while the Biafrans were led by Col. Ogbu Ogi, who was responsible for controlling the area between Calabar and Opobo, and Lynn Garrison a foreign mercenary. The Biafrans came under immediate fire from the water and the air. For the next two days Biafran stations and military supplies were bombarded by the Nigerian air force. That same day Lynn Garrison reached Calabar but came under immediate fire by federal troops. By 20 October, Garrison's forces withdrew from the battle while Col. Ogi officially surrendered to Gen. Adekunle.

Control over Oil Production

Control over petroleum in the Niger Delta was a paramount military objective during the war. Towards the end of July 1967, Nigerian federal troops and marines captured Bonny Island in the Niger Delta, thereby taking control of vital Shell-BP facilities. Operations began again in May 1968, when Nigeria captured Port Harcourt. The royalties enabled Nigeria to buy more weapons, hire mercenaries, etc. Biafra proved unable to compete on this economic level.

End of the war

With increased British support the Nigerian federal forces launched their final offensive against the Biafrans once again on 23 December 1969 with a major thrust by the 3rd Marine Commando Division the division was commanded by Col. Olusegun Obasanjo (who later became president twice) which succeeded in splitting the Biafran enclave into two by the end of the year. The final Nigerian offensive, named "Operation Tail-Wind", launched on 7 January 1970 with the 3rd Marine Commando Division attacking, and supported by the 1st Infantry division to the north and the 2nd Infantry division to the south. The Biafran town of Owerri fell on 9 January, and Uli fell on 11 January. Only a few days earlier, Ojukwu fled into exile by flying by plane to the Ivory Coast, leaving his deputy Philip Effiong to handle the details of the surrender to General Yakubu Gowon of the federal army on 13 January 1970. The war finally ended a few days later with the Nigerian forces advancing in the remaining Biafran held territories with little opposition.

After the war Gowon said, "The tragic chapter of violence is just ended. We are at the dawn of national reconciliation. Once again we have an opportunity to build a new nation. My dear compatriots, we must pay homage to the fallen, to the heroes who have made the supreme sacrifice that we may be able to build a nation, great in justice, fair trade, and industry.

The independence of Biafra is achievable?  Remember united we stand divided we fall

BIAFRA- A MIRAGE OR REALITY

By Happiness Nwosu

M

r Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra is answering to a six count treason charge alongside two other pro-Biafra agitators, David Nwawusi and Benjamin Madubugwu. Kanu who was hitherto the Director of Radio Biafra and Television, has been in detention since October 14 2015, when he was arrested by security operatives upon his arrival to Nigeria from his base in the United Kingdom.

Trial Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court in Abuja had on January 20,ordered that the defendants should be remanded in prison custody, pending the determination of the case against them. Meanwhile, briefing journalists in Abuja on Friday, Kanu through his lawyer, Mr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor, denied having any links with the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND.

“In the past few days, the media was awash with news on negotiation going on between the Federal Government and the members of MEND, where our clients name (Nnamdi Kanu) conspicuously featured. We wish to inform the general public that Nnamdi has no connection with MEND”. 

A journey into the Civil War

The Nigerian Civil War, also known as the Biafran War (6 July 1967-15 January 1970), was a war fought to counter the secession of Biafra from Nigeria. Biafra represented nationalist aspiration of the Igbo people whose leadership felt they could no longer coexist with the Northern-dominated federal government. The conflict resulted from political, economic, ethnic, cultural and religious tensions which preceded formal decolonisation of Nigeria from 1960-1963. Immediate causes of the war in 1966 included a military coup, a counter-coup, persecution of Igbos living in the North and control over oil production in the Niger Deltan area.

Ethnic division

Nigeria consists of over 350 ethnic groups, three are more predominant-the Igbo, which formed 60-70% of the population in the Southeast, the Hausa-Fulani, which formed 65% of the people in the northern part of Nigeria and the Yoruba, which formed about 75% of the population in the southwestern part? Although these groups have their own homelands, by the 1960s they were dispersed across Nigeria, with all three ethnic groups represented substantially in major cities. When the war broke out in 1967, there was still 5000 Igbos in lagos.

The semi-feudal and Islamic Hausa-Fulani in the North were traditionally ruled by a fedual conservative Islamic hierarchy consisting of Emirs who in turn owed their allegiance to a supreme Sultan. This Sultan was regarded as the source of all political power and religious authority.

The Yoruba political system consisted of a series of monarchs, the Oba. But theirs was less autocratic than that of the North, and it allowed for greater upward mobility based on acquired rather than inherited wealth and title.

The Igbos lived mostly in autonomous democratically organised communities; decisions among them were made by a general assembly in which men could participate.

The differing political system among these three tribes reflected and produced divergent customs and values.

Come Sept . 10, My victory is certain- Edo state PDP Governorship aspirant Ize Iyamu

By Happiness Nwosu

The Edo state PDP governorship aspirant in the person of Osagie Ize Iyamu is sure he is more than capable to occupy the governorship position. He points out his capability in an interview conducted on him recently.

He is coming up against the present APC governor Oshimole and he believes he is the man for the job

“I honestly believe by the grace of God if we have free and fair election, PDP will win this state”  He stressed that the present APC government in  Edo has not done well in her last tenure. According to him eight years is something to prove your ability but Oshimole failed and I will be the man to make things right.

Edo state has been lacking in many areas. Pensions of civil servants are not being paid, the masses are not well treated, finance is being mis-managed, unemployment is rampant. The people are not happy with these happenings and will welcome any avenue of transformation.

“With the failure of APC’s Oshimole to deliver, come September 10,I am sure to win”

Military Readies Major Offensive Against N’Delta Militants if Talks Fail

by Happiness Nwosu

Baring any major progress in the ongoing dialogue between the federal government and stakeholders in the Niger Delta to end the attacks on oil and gas installations, the Nigerian military is in process of wrapping up plans to launch a major offensive against the militants sabotaging facilities in the oil-rich region.

Despite the attempt at a détente, reliable sources informed THISDAY that the federal government was losing patience with the militants whose activities have disrupted oil and gas output and in turn revenue accruable to the government.However, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) confirmed yesterday that the federal government was in dialogue with militants, not criminals in the region, through oil companies and the law enforcement agencies.

It was on this basis that the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Dr. Maikanti Baru, met with the Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonishakin, and other top brass in the military last Thursday and appealed for their assistance in securing and safeguarding oil and gas assets in the region.

The NNPC boss warned that the country was in danger of not being able to execute the 2016 budget if the oil losses brought on by the militancy are not nipped in the bud.

In response to the visit, Defence Headquarters (DHQ) spokesman, Brig-Gen. Rabe Abubakar, told THISDAY yesterday that the military and other security agencies were leaving no stone unturned at maintaining security across the nation, including the Niger Delta.

Abubakar vowed that the military “shall continue to operate within our rules of engagement to deny the any group freedom of movement and action in order to curtail their excesses for the national interest of our country”.

He however stated that the military was going to be patient until the outcome of the ongoing negotiations with the militants and various stakeholders in the region before taking any major operational steps.

“We are not going to be pushed to respond to their criminal activities, as negotiations with our political leaders are ongoing. However, that doesn’t mean that we have shut our eyes to the ongoing sabotage in the region.

“We are mindful of our roles of maintaining security and protecting our strategic infrastructure and assets in that general area. We will maintain a higher level of professional presence to thwart any wanton activities.”

In the same vein, a senior military officer told THISDAY after the meeting with the NNPC that the military was preparing and ready for a major onslaught against the militants.

The officer said even though more resources and equipment would be needed, especially for the Nigerian Navy, the time being used for the dialogue would provide them the opportunity to gather intelligence and fine-tune strategies with other security agencies on how to tackle the menacing militants.

“I think we are ready to move and gather more intelligence so that whether it is an all out offensive or surgical operation, we will be able to hit them hard with minimal collateral damage.