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The Police have stationed armed operatives at the secretariats of four local government councils in Rivers State following the expiration of the tenure of LG chairmen in the state.
DAILY POST reports that police vans are currently positioned at the entrances of Port Harcourt City, Obio/Akpor, Ahoada East and Ogu/Bolo LGAs.
Earlier, youths in Degema and Asari/Toru LGAs occupied their respective council secretariats in protest against the extension of the tenure of the LG chairmen.
The youths were seen in viral videos on social media chanting solidarity songs in support of those Governor Siminalayi Fubara is expected to appoint to manage the local councils on a temporary basis.
The outgoing LG chairmen, who are loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, had their tenure extended by an amended Local Government Law Number 5 of 2018 by the faction of the State House of Assembly headed by Martins Amaewhule.
However, the extension was nullified by a Rivers State High Court ruling on May 21, 2024, which declared the Local Government Law No. 2 of 2024 as inconsistent with the 1999 Constitution.
Despite the court’s ruling, the chairman of Ikwerre LGA, Samuel Nwanosike, has vowed to remain in office.
Two LG chairmen from Bonny and Opobo/Nkoro, who are loyal to Fubara, celebrated the expiration of their tenures with a thanksgiving service on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Fubara has yet to release an official list of Caretaker Committee Chairmen to manage the affairs of the various LGAs following the tenure expiration.
[DailyPost]
The presidential candidate of Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi said the spate of kidnapping and demand for ransoms in foreign currency has allegedly worsened socio-economic implications for the country.
Obi stated this in a statement via his X handle on Sunday.
He also expressed sadness over the kidnap of the Managing Director of Fouani Company, Mohamed Fouani, alongside other three Lebanese, in Lagos.
Obi lamented that insecurity had continued to rage through the country, causing severe economic instability and threatening the national existence.
He also condemned the reported attack on Dudun Doki village of Gwadabawa local government area of Sokoto State, where gunmen killed over ten people and abducted many.
The former Anambra State Governor said the country must strive to put an end to the terror attacks and the attendant loss of lives.
Obi said, “Again, insecurity has continued to rage through the country, causing severe economic instability and threatening our national existence.
“I was saddened to hear about the kidnap of the Managing Director of Fouani Company, Mohamed Fouani, alongside other three Lebanese, in Lagos.
“The use of boats for kidnap, and demand for ransoms in foreign currency, marks a new and more ugly dimension to the heightened insecurity we are combatting with, and have worsening socio-economic implications.
“Similarly, today, which is supposed to be a holy day, it was also reported that gunmen attacked Dudun Doki village of Gwadabawa local government area of Sokoto State, killing over ten people and abducting many.
“We must strive to put an end to these terror attacks and the attendant loss of lives. I continue to urge that more concerted efforts be made to safely rescue Mr Fouani and other many abductees, from the hands of their captors.
“I also encourage the government, and the security agencies, to employ more stringent measures against insecurity in our country. May Almighty Allah accept our prayers for our nation on this day, show us mercy and intervene in our situation.”
[EagleOnline]
Although the Lagos State government is making efforts to encourage investment in real estate and improve the ease of doing business in that sector, investors are still uncomfortable with the multiple requirements that the state demands for registering property.
When, in January this year, the state launched a land administration portal, some of the reasons for that initiative, according to Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the state governor, were to improve the ease of doing business, fast-track property registering process, reduce corruption in the process and ensure security of titles and operations.
But with 17 steps for registering property which involves multiple agencies of government, some of which are new additions, real estate developers are saying the state is not only discouraging investment but also hurting investors and “making ease of doing business in the state uneasy.”
According to the investors, these 17 different steps contrast with what obtains in mature property markets like London where a developer has only 9 steps to go through and does so from the comfort of his office or home. This ensures minimal or no interface with state officials.
“Nigeria needs to cut down on the bottlenecks in giving approvals to developers, especially as it concerns the requirements to meet for planning, thereby fostering diaspora investment,” Gbenga Olaniyan, chairman of Estate Links, said in Lagos recently.
The 2023 Nigeria Subnational Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) Report has shed light on the varying degrees of business-friendliness across different states in the country. The report’s indicators and data collection methods and metrics were clearly defined within six indicators, including infrastructure, transparency and accessibility of information, skills and labour, secure and stable environment, regulatory environment, and economic opportunity.
According to the report compiled by Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), “overall EoDB satisfaction in Nigeria has seen marginal improvement, but dissatisfaction remains.”
Gboyega Familehin, the founding partner of Diya, Fatimilehin & Co, believes that Nigeria has the potential to be a global leader but challenges like corruption, poor infrastructure, security concerns, and limited economic diversification are hindering the country’s progress.
Using London as a case study, Olaniyan said: “You have nine different requirements. So, you conceptualise your drawings, pay a fee online, the local authorities will acknowledge, register and it goes all the way to discharging conditions. But in Lagos, we have 17 different steps, which is almost double those of London.”
In Lagos, he said, there are several agencies that a developer has to see for approvals, including the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority otherwise known as Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA); Lagos State Safety Commission (LSSC); Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development (MPPUD); Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory (LSMTL) and Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA).
There are also other agencies such as Lagos State Fire Service (LSFS) (for a building that is just being constructed); Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON); Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA); Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission (LSWRC); Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS).
“Very recently, another law came up that even for the signage in front of your property, showing who all the consultants are, you have to go to Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA), pay some money and get your permit to put up the signage,” Olaniyan noted.
He cited what happens in London where developers put together all their documents and submit them online, pay online and they go through his paperwork, and if everything is in order, he gets an email that he can start his construction.
“But if you’ve got problems, they come back to you, and inform you of the changes that you need to make, and then you send a mail back to them when you’re ready, and they come for inspection,” he said.
Experts are of the view that the cumbersome processes that define property registration in many states of Nigeria affect not only the economy of the respective states, but also that the country as a whole. This bellies all the claims by politicians across the country on the dividends of democracy.
“Our economic trajectory has been disturbing. As at 1962, our GDP was $4.91 billion which was more than the GDP of South Korea which stood at $2.24 billion at that time. While we are still hovering around $400 billion, South Korea is now around $1.7 trillion with a per capita income of $33,170 compared with our own $1,700,” according to Olusegun Mimiko, former governor of Ondo State.
Mimiko, who was once a minister of Housing and Urban Development, said Nigeria is plagued with capacity and financial deficits hindering its development as a nation, noting that economic development can only be possible when there is security of lives and property, attributing the low investment in the country to rising insecurity, among other things.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South-South region has urged President Bola Tinubu to recontest in the 2027 presidential election.
The party praised Tinubu for his policies, projects and programs, maintaining that his policies were targeted at repositioning the country.
This was contained in a communiqué jointly signed by the APC South-South Zonal Executives after a meeting in Calabar, Cross Rivers, on Sunday.
The party reaffirmed its unwavering support for the policies and programs of the Tinubu administration in areas of good governance, economic reforms, national security and infrastructural development.
They also praised the president for his commitment to the coastal road project, and the commencement of the construction from both ends of the project.
The committee said it has resolved to set up a reconciliation committee in the South-South region, to be headed by the Coordinator of the South-South geo-political zone, Sen Bassey Otu.
They said that the move is meant to bridge any existing gap, foster collaboration and work towards a common goal of strengthening the party’s presence and influence in the region.
It also resolved to mobilise available party assets towards winning more states; particularly using the forthcoming elections in Edo State as a test case.
The Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, yesterday, insisted that Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State lacks the power to crown the new Olubadan of Ibadan land.
He also dismissed insinuations that Governor Makinde deliberately delayed the coronation of a new Olubadan to target him.
Recall that Makinde had announced that he would crown the new Olubadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin when he is medically fit.
Ladoja said this while speaking with journalists at his Ibadan residence during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
The former governor maintained that there is a cordial relationship between him and Governor Makinde.
His words: “I am not the target of Governor Seyi Makinde. He is not delaying the coronation because of me. The governor sent a huge cow and many bags of rice to me for the Sallah. He had called to greet me for the festival.
“It is the people of Ibadan land who will crown the new Olubadan, and the governor’s role is only to present the staff and instrument of office to the new monarch.
“It is the Oluwo of Ibadan land who crowns a new Olubadan and not the governor.
“The Olubadan will be crowned at lle Ose-Meji, from where he will go to Mapo for the governor to present him the staff and instrument of office.”
On the health condition of the Olubadan-designate, Ladoja said: “To me, the new Olubadan is fit. He had been on the journey of becoming the Olubadan since 1983. The new Olubadan is fit, but only old.”
Abia State government has warned citizens against unhealthy hygiene following an alert from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on the increasing incidence of cholera cases nationwide.
The government through the State Ministry of Health in a statement said a total of 109 suspected cases of cholera have been reported in the state from January to June 2024, across six local government areas.
According to the ministry Ohafia recorded one case, Ikwuano: 9 cases, Osisioma 1 case, Bende 17 cases, Umunneochi 39 cases and Arochukwu 42 cases.
The ministry further stated that only two of the samples collected tested positive using rapid diagnostic testing (RDT), adding that both samples were sent to the National Reference Lab in Abuja, and were confirmed negative for cholera.
“The Abia State Ministry of Health emphasizes that Abia State has not recorded any confirmed positive case of cholera within the period under review.
“Nevertheless, in light of the ongoing outbreak reported in some states, the Ministry has instituted response measures towards prevention and identification of any suspected cases, and appropriate treatment.
” As part of the intervention, citizens are advised to continue to observe preventive measures to stay safe.
“Preventive measures include ensuring access to safe drinking water, practicing sanitation including proper hand washing and maintaining personal hygiene, handling food safely and washing fruits and vegetables properly before consumption.
“The Ministry of Health urges citizens to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to prevent the spread of cholera. Further updates will be provided as necessary” the release said.
Governor Abba Yusuf has explained why he ordered arrest of deposed emir of Kano, Aminu Bayero, for which the court awarded N10 million damages to the monarch.
Speaking through his spokesman, Sunusi Bature, the Governor said he called for Bayero‘s arrest because he (Bayero) returned into two days after his dethronement to reclaim the palace, creating unrest in the state.
Bature was reacting to an article: ‘A Rendezvous with Recklessness and Executive Rascality,’ by Bala Ibrahim who accused Governor Yusuf of rascality and recklessness in power.
The Federal High Court in Kano recently ordered the state government to pay Bayero the sum of N10 million for breaching his fundamental rights, personal liberty and freedom of movement.
Citing Sections 35(1) and 41(1) of the 1999 Constitution, the court, presided by Justice Simon Amobeda, held that it was wrong for Yusuf to order Bayero’s arrest without lawful justification, which he said forced the applicant into house arrest for fear of been arrested.
Bala Ibrahim had used the ruling to mock and criticise the governor of being power drunk and taking reckless decisions, including demolition of buildings and the order to arrest Bayero in which the court granted compensations to all the applicants.
But Bature said: “Does Bala Ibrahim actually understand the workings of government and governance?
“I do not want to go into judicial pronouncements, but the point I want to make clear is that the issue of Kano Emirship is straightforward with the repeal of the Kano Emirate Law (2019) and enactment of Kano Emirate Law (2024), which gave Governor Yusuf the power to abolish the five emirates and return Kano to its glorious and historic position of one emirate.
“This is the wish of the people of Kano state.
“The reappointment of Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II did not also come to anyone as a surprise, because his dethronement and consequent banishment by Abdullahi Ganduje and his co-travellers was done out of malice.
“Now, calling for the arrest of dethroned Emir Aminu Bayero was only done for public good as his entrance into Kano, shortly after his dethronement posed a serious security threat which is being managed up till today.
“Governor Abba Yusuf remains the Chief Security Officer of Kano state, and no sane leader would fold his arms and watch Kano snowballs into a state of anarchy without taking action.”
On demolition, the governor said: “Again, the demolition of buildings and structures illegally acquired by former governor Ganduje, his family and friends, was an exercise carried out in good faith.
“It was an exercise pegged on the efforts to recover public property from the hands of very few individuals who believed they could pocket public funds, structures and resources and get away with them without giving a wink.
“We will not be deterred by propagandists like Bala Ibrahim doing the bidding of their paymasters, at the detriment of the welfare of the good people of Kano state and the socio-economic development of our dear state.”
[TheNation]
Following the expiration of the tenure of the local government chairmen in Rivers State, some youths in the Degema Local Government Area of the state on Monday took over the council headquarters.
This came as LG chairmen in the state under the aegis of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria have vowed to remain in office, citing the Local Government Amendment Law by the Martin Amaewhule-led 27 House of Assembly members empowering them to extend their tenure by six months.
The state ALGON Chairman, Allwell Ihunda, who is the Chairman of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, insisted that the law by the House of Assembly empowers them to remain in office.
Recall that the law by the lawmakers loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, empowers the council chairmen to remain in office over the alleged failure of Governor Siminalayi Fubara to conduct local government elections.
Fubara, at an event in Port Harcourt, the state capital, warned the LG chairmen not to do anything that would truncate the peace of the state, saying they had a few days to leave office.
Amaewhule, at a news briefing last week, warned the governor against setting up caretaker committees to fill vacant positions in the 23 LGs of the state, saying the lawmakers would not accept such a move.
The council chairmen who were elected during the tenure of Wike as governor have been having a running battle with Fubara following the disagreement between the two political leaders.
Meanwhile, it was gathered that youths in Degema occupied the council secretariat early on Monday and locked the entrance.
The youth who were seen singing war songs appeared battle-ready as they insisted that they would not allow the LG chairmen to remain in office after serving out their tenure, saying they would remain there to ensure the outgoing LG chairman does not return to the council.
The same scenario is playing out in the Asari-Toru Local Government Area, where youths stormed the council headquarters in Degema and occupied the facility.
Many of the youth were seen in different groups in front of the secretariat and the entire stretch of the road leading to the entrance, even as some could be heard saying, ‘Asawana’ a popular slang among the Ijaws which signifies solidarity, even as others arrive the scene in droves.
The youth said they would remain until Wednesday when work resumes and dared the council chairmen to come to the secretariat.
However, there is a huge security presence in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area and Obio/Akpor LG to prevent security breaches.
Our correspondent spotted over six police patrol vans in front of the secretariat’s closed entrance on Monday morning.
The patrol vans were manned by fierce-looking security operatives, although the movements of people were not restricted.
Meanwhile, the outgoing chairman of Eleme LG, Obarilomate Ollor, has warned those eager to throw him out of office not to come close to the council, saying they will be resisted.
Ollor, addressing stakeholders at the first Annual General Meeting of the Aleto Clan Association held in Port Harcourt, said he had gotten wind of plans to invade the council on June 17.
He urged those who do not have legitimate businesses at the council headquarters not to come close, pointing out that the LG council is neither a community town hall nor a students’ union facility.
Ollor stated, “Some people are ganging up, they want to use force to enter into the local government. Let me tell you, the local government is not a community town hall or students union secretariat.
“That is a government facility. So stay away from there, except the law permits you to go there. If you go there against the law, what you will see, you will not believe it. You will see your forefathers’ earlier than you expected.
“So don’t go there if you are not meant to go there. You can stay in a hotel and make noise, but don’t go there.”
Our correspondent, who is monitoring the situation, reports that the occupation of some LG secretariats is already creating tension in the state as it is likely to spread to other LG.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, said the police are on top of the situation, saying, “Our men were on a show of strength this morning. We are still monitoring the situation, and we want to urge everyone to maintain peace in the state.”
[Punch]
The Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) says Hauwa’u Abdulkarim, provost of the Federal College of Education (Technical) in Gusau, Zamfara state, has refused to vacate office despite the forgery allegation against her.
Smart Olugbeko, the president of COEASU, also alleged that Abdulkarim forged the promotion documents that qualified her to be appointed as the provost of the college by the federal government.
In a statement sent to TheCable, Olugbeko said the education ministry has failed to enforce Abdulkarim’s resignation for over six months since the allegation came to the fore.
Daily Trust had reported that a December 2023 letter from the education ministry pointed out that one of the “cardinal eligibility criteria” for being appointed as a provost is that an academic must have served as a college “chief lecturer” for a cumulative period of five years.
The letter was quoted to have stated that Abdulkarim had not served the stipulated period at the time of her application for the post.
“FME investigative committee’s finding that you only got your promotion to the post of chief lecturer in 2023, contrary to your representation to the college’s council selection board that you got the said promotion in 2017,” the letter partly read.
“This fact/finding was equally corroborated by your (former) employer, Shehu Shagari College of Education vide your records of service made available to the committee.”
Olugbeko said Abdulkarim has refused to vacate office as provost despite the misrepresentation alleged by the education ministry.
The COEASU president said the ministry has “condoned” her continued stay in office “in defiance of the resignation order” of 2023.
“The ministry’s directive for her resignation was on the premise that she forged her letter of promotion for her to be qualified to be appointed the provost,” Olugbeko said.
“Six months after the directive, she has neither resigned nor vacated her office. She continued to superintend over the institution, taking critical decisions as provost.
“The union is worried that the ministry’s obvious inaction on the matter, which has emboldened the woman to hang on to office, portends grave implications on not only the education of the students but also their ethical training.”
Olugbeko called on Tahir Mamman, the minister of education, to intervene.
“It is imperative that appointments within our educational institutions are based on merit, competency, and adherence to established qualifications criteria,” he added.
“We trust that the honourable minister will act swiftly and decisively to rectify this situation and uphold the integrity of the college of education system.”
[TheCable]
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has reiterated that President Bola Tinubu means well for Nigeria and is passionate about making the country better.
Umahi made the submission on Sunday when he inspected some ongoing federal government projects in Enugu and neighbouring states.
According to him, the President is committed to revolutionizing the economy through road infrastructure development.
A statement by the minister’s Special Adviser on Media, Uchenna Orji, reads in part: “The administration of Mr President thought it expedient, in keeping with his agenda of robust economic revolution for a sustainable future of our country, to construct for Enugu State a mega twin flyover that will beat the elegance and utility of all flyovers ever built in the South East.
“This flyover, when completed, will change the face of Enugu State, attract trade and investment to the State, reduce accident and insecurity, improve safety and increase patronage to the economic facilities, including Airports in Enugu and Ebonyi States and that of other neighbouring states.
“Mr President means well for Nigeria and is determined to revolutionize the economy through road infrastructure development.
“The Honourable Minister has this as a task that must be accomplished. He knows the job. His passion to deliver is unequalled.”
During the visit, Umahi visited the ongoing reconstruction of the collapsed New Artisan Bridge at Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway and also the ongoing construction of a 23-span mega twin flyover bridge at Emene in Enugu State.
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Former President Muhammadu Buhari has advised Nigerians to keep growing their own foods and control population growth.
The former President expressed satisfaction that a considerable number of Nigerians have embraced farming once again.
Buhari, however, expressed deep concern over the unchecked rise in population within the nation, saying the situation now calls for immediate attention.
He spoke to journalists after participating in the Kofor Arewa Eid prayer in Katsina on Sunday, in light of the current conditions in the nation.
“The need for greater discussion and awareness about this problem, (uncontrolled population growth) as well as a need to invest more in education and health.
“Let us grow our own food. We have shown that we can do it. This is not the time to relent when we see prices going up. Let us buy what is produced in the country.
“The foundation of a prosperous and stable country has been laid by successive governments, and I encourage our youth, in particular, to continue to play an active role in various nation-building efforts,” he said.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has voiced disappointment regarding the composition of the newly constituted governing councils for federal universities across Nigeria.
ASUU’s national president, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke, expressed these concerns in a recent interview with the Nigerian Tribune, highlighting a worrying trend in the appointment process.
According to Prof Osodeke, the new list of council members is dominated by retired politicians rather than experts in academia or relevant fields.
“Most of them are retired politicians. They are honourable this and honourable that,” Osodeke remarked, questioning the suitability of such appointments for the strategic development of higher education institutions in the country.
Prof Osodeke further criticized the new list as being worse than its predecessor, indicating a regression rather than progress in the appointment policies.
“Go and look at the list again, you will see that most of them are retired politicians. That is how terrible the thing has become,” he lamented.
ASUU also raised issues beyond the qualifications of the appointed individuals. The union pointed out that the formation of new councils was procedurally flawed and possibly illegal.
The Federal Government had dissolved the previous councils over ten months ago before their tenures had expired, contrary to the stipulations of the University Act.
ASUU argued that these members should have been allowed to complete their terms instead of assembling a new council, which seems to overlook legal frameworks.
The union emphasized that university education should not be subject to partisan politics if Nigeria aspires to achieve real educational quality that can lead to economic prosperity.
“We can’t run our universities like this if we truly want genuine development to take place,” Prof Osodeke stated, urging a reevaluation of how university councils are constituted.
The lawmaker representing Ekiti Central senatorial district and Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, on Sunday, pleaded with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), to accept whatever the federal government offered them above ₦60,000 as the new minimum wage.
Bamidele urged organised labour to toe the path of dialogue and peace in the negotiation for a new minimum wage, for which President Bola Tinubu had promised to send a bill to the National Assembly.
He reiterated the need for Nigerians to demonstrate more patriotic spirit and oneness in their daily activities as the nation journeys through its socio-political trajectory towards the promised land.
Bamidele, who made the call in his Eid-el-Kabir message yesterday, said: “The federal government has conceded to N60,000, which translates to a 100 per cent increase. But both NLC and TUC turned down this offer, leading to a two-day industrial action.
“The federal government has promised to make more concessions in this respect. As the federal government reveals its new offer, I plead with organised labour to accept it in the national interest.
“The economy will remain in this condition. Collectively, we are taking multi-pronged measures to reverse disturbing economic indicators.”
Naija News reports that labour had vowed to reject the ₦62,000 offered by President Tinubu-led government.
President Bola Tinubu has been appealed to by the leader of the Ijaw nation, Edwin Clark, to direct the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, to file a nolle prosequi for the release of the leader of the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
Clark urged Tinubu to ask the Attorney General of the Federation to file a nolle prosequi to release the detained IPOB leader, noting that his (Kanu’s) freedom on political grounds was long overdue.
This was contained in a second letter to the President on Sunday, following a first in which the elder statesman urged the President not to tow the path of his predecessor, President Muhammadu Buhari, who marginalised and subjugated the Igbos, by exempting them from certain appointments.
He said, “The release of Nnamdi Kanu by Mr President on political grounds is overdue as earlier explained. Mr President should direct the Attorney General to enter a nolle prosequi to free Nnamdi Kanu who has shown his intention to work with the Federal Government, to bring peace and stability in the South-East and to Nigerians as a whole, as it has been recently done in similar cases of treasonable felony as in the case of Miyetti Allah president, Abdullahi Bello Bodejo of Nasarawa state.”
In his letter, Clark said the move would complete the reconciliation of Nigeria and end the sit-at-home order in the Southeast.
He said the IPOB had “fashioned a place for itself” in the hearts and minds of young people, because of the short-changing of Igbos from the South East over the years while urging the use of the “carrot and stick approach”, rather than military force, in addressing the agitations in the region.
“Apart from demanding the restructuring of Nigeria, the political freedom of Nnamdi Kanu will no doubt complete the reconciliation of Nigeria and bring an end to the needless Monday sit-at-home order, which has disturbed businesses and civil activities in the South-East.
“The short-changing of the Igbos of the South East over the years is the reason why IPOB has fashioned a place for itself in the hearts and minds of the young people in the Southeast with its demand for self-determination. I have physically seen these IPOB boys in action, at the Ekwueme Square in Awka, Anambra State, when I attended a meeting of the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum there.
“None of these youths witnessed the civil war and are, definitely, not abreast with the history of the war and its full ramifications. I advise, therefore, that rather than the use of military force which has already proved counter-productive, they should be carefully treated with the “carrot and stick approach”, in the interest of the peace, stability, and progress of Nigeria as a whole and the Southeast zone in particular.”
Clark further emphasised the importance of reintegrating the Igbos into the mainstream of Nigeria, in which their region would be equal with other regions in the country, noting that anything short of that would not be in the interest of the country.
“Let me re-emphasize the importance and urgency of reintegrating the Igbos into the mainstream of Nigeria where their region will be equal with other regions in all ramifications, meaning that they should be fully and unconditionally united or be admitted into the Union of Nigeria as it was before the civil war.
“Anything short of that is not in the interest of a united Nigeria and there may be no end to the insecurity in Nigeria.”
He also called for the restructuring of Nigeria, of which he said the President had also been a principal advocate before becoming Senator and the Governor of Lagos state, adding that restructuring the country “will be one of your most enduring legacies when you leave office”.
“Mr President you have always been the principal advocate of restructuring even before you became Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Governor of Lagos State.
“During your time, you passionately advocated for a Sovereign National Conference, which was even more inclusive than the current restructuring we are demanding, in Nigeria. Undoubtedly, this pursuit of restructuring will be one of your most enduring legacies when you leave office,” he added.