The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has threatened to shut down Nigeria’s health sector in the next two weeks if the Federal Government fails to address its demands including a 200 percent salary increment for doctors.
The body also demanded “immediate withdrawal and jettisoning” of the bill which seeks to prevent Nigerian-trained medical doctors from being issued full practicing licenses or allowed to travel abroad for five years.
NARD President, Dr Emeka Innocent, handed down the warning in Abeokuta, Ogun State, while reading the communique issued at the end of the Extra-Ordinary National Executive Council Meeting of the association.
Innocent flanked by other leaders of the body expressed concern that “despite several engagements by NARD with government on the need to upwardly review the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) which was last reviewed over ten years ago, government has neither called NARD to the negotiation table nor taken any tangible step in addressing the issue.”
He recalled that there had been previous ultimatums issued to the government by NARD on account of this problem of the review of the CONMESS salary structure.
The NARD President said the body also frowned at “the deliberate refusal by the government to pay the salary arrears of 2014,2015 and 2016 to our members as well as the arrears of the consequential adjustment of minimum wage.”
He said many state governors “are yet to implement the appropriate CONMESS structure, domesticate the medical residency training act (MRTA) or improve on the hazard allowance paid to NARD members.”
In the nine-point resolutions, the body demanded an “immediate increment in the CONMESS salary structure to the tune of 200% of the current gross salary of doctors in addition to the new allowances included in the letter written by NARD to the Honorable Minister of Health on the 7th of July 2022 for the review of CONMESS.”
Other demands are”Commencement of payment of all salary arrears owed our members including the 2014, 2015 and 2016 salary arrears as well as areas of the consequential adjustment of the minimum wage.
“Immediate massive recruitment of clinical staff in the hospitals and complete abolishment of bureaucratic limitations to the immediate replacement of doctors who leave the system.
“NEC demands immediate commencement of payment of all salary arrears owed our members by the various state governments, notorious amongst which is the Abia State government.
“NEC resolved to issue a two week ultimatum beginning today, 29th April 2023, to resolve all these demands, following the expiration of which on the 13th May 2023, we may not be able to guarantee industrial harmony in the sector nationwide.”
A building apartment inside the palace of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, was late Friday gutted by fire.
The incident, said to have occurred around 11:30p.m., did not spread to other sections of the palace as the fire was successfully extinguished.
It was gathered that the fire started after electricity supply was restored into the palace.
Ooni’s spokesperson, Moses Olafare, while confirming the incident, disclosed that the fire was triggered by power surge, which made electrical appliances to explode.
Olafare, in a statement, said the fire incident affected only a building within the courtyard and was quickly put out by the combined efforts of the State Fire Service Department and that of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ile.
The statement read: “A building apartment within the courtyard of the Palace of the Ooni Of Ife was, at about 11:30p.m. yesterday (Friday), engulfed in flames triggered by power surge which exploded through electrical appliances in the affected apartment.
“The inferno did not spread beyond the affected building located at a section of the palace premises.
“It was swiftly put out through the combined efforts of the Government Fire Service, OAU Fire Service and Palace Emergency Control Unit.
“No casualties or injuries were recorded, and no cultural items was lost. Thanks to the Almighty Olodumare.”
The Federal Government has explained why it negotiated the sum of $1.2 million for the buses hired to evacuate Nigerians from Sudan.
Recalls that the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, said that the Federal Government spent $1.2m to deploy 40 buses to evacuate at least 2,400 stranded Nigerians out of Sudan.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development in a joint statement issued on Saturday that the amount in question was negotiated in a “condition of war”.
The statement was signed by the Director overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, MFA, Amb. Janet Olisa, and Permanent Secretary, FMHADMSD, Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo.
“The general public is also advised to discountenance unverified information being circulated on social media as some of them are either due to ignorance or sheer mischief. The outcry over the negotiated sum of $1.2 million for the buses hired for the exercise, is uncalled for.
“The amount in question was negotiated in a condition of war and where there are competing demands for the same bus services by other countries also trying to evacuate their citizens. Therefore, cooperation and understanding of all and sundry are required to complement ongoing efforts aimed at ensuring the safe return of every Nigerian trapped in Sudan,” the statement clarified.
Indofood, makers of Indomie instant noodles, has reacted to a recall of its products in Taiwan and Malaysia over an increased cancer risk.
Health officials in Malaysia and Taiwan said they had detected ethylene oxide, a compound, in Indomie’s “special chicken” flavor noodles.
Ethylene oxide is a colourless, odourless gas that is used to sterilise medical devices and spices and has been associated as a cancer causing chemical.
The ministry of health in Malaysia said it had examined 36 samples of instant noodles from different brands since 2022 and found that 11 samples contained ethylene oxide.
The ministry said it had taken enforcement actions and recalled the affected products. It is unclear if other brands were implicated.
The development came hours after the department of health in Taipei, Taiwan’s capital, said it detected ethylene oxide in two types of instant noodles, including the Indomie chicken flavor, following random inspections.
“The detection of ethylene oxide in the product did not comply with [standards],” the department said in a statement.
“Businesses have been ordered to immediately remove them from their shelves.”
‘OUR NOODLES ARE PRODUCED ACCORDING TO SAFETY STANDARDS’
Reacting to the allegations in a statement on Friday, Taufik Wiraatmadja, a member of the board of directors at Indofoods, defended the safety of the noodles.
Wiraatmadja said the noodles have received standard certifications and have been produced in compliance with international food safety regulations.
“Following the media reports in Taiwan on 24 April 2023 regarding the detection of ethylene oxide (“EtO”) in the Ah Lai White Curry Noodles from Malaysia and seasoning of Indomie Special Chicken Flavour, PT Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur Tbk (“ICBP” or the “Company”) as a subsdiary of PT Indofood Sukses Makmur Tbk wishes to provide explanation regarding Indomie, as follows,” the statement reads.
“All instant noodles produced by ICBP in Indonesia are processed in compliance with the food safety standards from the Codex Standard for Instant Noodles and standards set by the Indonesian National Agency for Drug and Food Control (“BPOM RI”). Our instant noodles have received Indonesian National Standard Certification (SNI), and are produced in certified production facilities based on international standards.
“ICBP has exported instant noodles to various countries around the world for more than 30 years. The Company continuously ensures that all of its products are in compliance with the applicable food safety regulations and guidelines in Indonesia as well as other countries where ICBP’s instant noodles are marketed.
“We would like to emphasize that in accordance with the statement released by BPOM RI, our Indomie instant noodles are safe for consumption.”
Nigeria is one of the highest consumers of the Indomie instant noodles.
[TheCable]
Three Nigerians who were allegedly involved in a “multimillion-dollar inheritance fraud” targeted at elderly Americans have been extradited to the US.
The US department of justice (DoJ), who announced the development in a statement on Friday, identified the suspects as Kennedy Ikponmwosa, Iheanyichukwu Jonathan Abraham and Jerry Chucks Ozor.
The DoJ said Ikponmwosa was extradited to the country from Spain, while Abraham and Ozor were extradited from the United Kingdom.
The justice department also disclosed that six Nigerians have been indicted over the alleged inheritance fraud scheme.
The other suspects are Ezennia Peter Neboh, Prince Amos Okey Ezemma, and Emmanuel Samuel.
The justice department said the six suspects are expected to face federal charges in Miami, Florida.
According to the US justice department, the suspects allegedly sent personalised letters to elderly Americans, falsely claiming that they were representatives of a bank in Spain.
The suspects were said to have informed the recipients of the letters that they are “entitled to receive a multimillion-dollar inheritance left for the recipient by a family member who purportedly had died years before in Spain”.
“Victims were told that, before they could receive their purported inheritance, they were required to send money for delivery fees, taxes, and payments to avoid questioning from government authorities,” the US DoJ said.
“Victims sent money to the defendants through a complex web of U.S.-based former victims, whom the defendants convinced to serve as money mules. According to the indictment, victims who sent money never received their purported inheritance funds.
“The defendants are all charged with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, as well as mail fraud and wire fraud. Neboh and Samuel were both extradited earlier this year. If convicted, Ikponmwosa, Abraham, and Ozor each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison per count.
“A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.”
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has countered the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and a PDP chieftain, Senator Dino Melaye, a suit seeking an order of mandamus to compel the anti-narcotics agency to arrest and prosecute the President-Elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In its notice of preliminary objection filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, NDLEA submitted that the application by the PDP is incompetent and that the court lacks the jurisdiction to entertain it and as such, should be struck out.
The main opposition party had filed a suit seeking NDLEA to arrest and prosecute Tinubu over the alleged forfeiture of some funds in his bank accounts over two decades ago in the United States.
Listing its grounds for the objection, the NDLEA said both PDP and Dino Melaye “do not have a locus standi, they do not possess an interest peculiar to them and above the interests of all other Nigerians, the only underlying specific interest of the 1st Applicant then becomes political in nature”, adding that the investigation and prosecution of Tinubu was targeted at removing him as a bona-fide candidate in the February 25th 2023 presidential election.
The Agency argued that “Order of mandamus is an equitable remedy and should only be applied for in good faith and should not produce an indirect or underlying result. The Doctrine of Judicial Self-restraint precludes this Honourable Court from delving into matters with political colouration or matters aimed at getting direct or indirect political goals.
While noting that the foundation of the PDP application was the proceeding of the US District Court of the Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division in the US, “the judgment in the said proceeding was given “with prejudice”, adding that “the said proceedings and judgment have no judicial value”, and as such “the supposed cause of action of this suit as constituted is baseless and legally unsustainable.”
In a sworn affidavit in support of the Agency’s preliminary objection, a litigation officer attached to its Directorate of Prosecution and Legal Services, Chia Cosmas Depunn said that
as an independent agency of government saddled with the responsibility to investigate, arrest and prosecute persons involved in drug trafficking and other related offences in Nigeria, the NDLEA has a healthy relationship with the government of the United States of America, the name of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu “by whatever acronyms or combination of names has never featured in the exchanges we had with the United States of America.”
He further claimed that the name of Tinubu has also not featured in the radar and data base of the Agency as a person arrested, investigated or prosecuted in connection with drug or other related offences.
While noting that though NDLEA relies on intelligence and information from foreign and domestic partners as well as public spirited individuals, both PDP and Melaye have never for once since the establishment of the Agency in 1990 made or forwarded any complaint, information and/or intelligence on Tinubu or any other person in Nigeria or outside the country relating to illicit activities on drug matters until 17th January 2023.
To further justify the position of the Agency, the litigation officer in the sworn affidavit also made the following submissions:
“That this suit as presently constituted does not confer the Court with jurisdiction.
“That the 1st Applicant does not have locus standi to institute this suit as it does not possess interest peculiar to it and above the interests of all other Nigerians.
“That the only peculiar interest of the 1st Applicant is to get rid of the 6th Respondent as a candidate of a rival political party.
“That the interest of the 1st Applicant is political in nature.
“That the 3rd Respondent is an independent Government Agency that has no political colouration or affiliation.
“That the Court has a duty to insulate the 3rd Respondent from political controversies.
“That the suit is baseless, frivolous and brought in bad faith with the sole aim of achieving a political objective using the instrumentality of the Court process.
“That the facts and circumstances of the case require the Court to apply the doctrine of judicial self-restraint.
“That the 2nd Applicant is not an officer or executive or management committee of the 1st Applicant.
“That the 2nd Applicant has no locus standi to institute this suit as he does not possess any interest peculiar to him and above the interests of all other Nigerians
“That an Order of Mandamus is an equitable remedy.
“That the Order of Mandamus must be applied in good faith to promote the public interest.
“That the Order of Mandamus should not produce an indirect or underlying result.
“That he has gone through the supporting judicial proceedings and noted as follows:
“That the matter was a civil forfeiture proceeding in rem brought by the United States of America as plaintiff against certain accounts held in the name of the 6th Respondent.
“That the object of the suit was to forfeit the funds or a certain part thereof in the said accounts as proceeds of illicit traffic in drugs.
“That the suit was not taken out against the person of the 6th Respondent.
“That the suit was not a criminal indictment or charge.
“That the standard of proof in civil forfeiture is based on the balance of probabilities.
“That the standard of proof in a criminal indictment, charges and proceedings is proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
“That the burden of proof in criminal procedure is much higher than that of civil procedure.
“That the Orders of the United States District Court of Illinois delivered by Magistrate Judge John A Nordberg in Suit No. 9C4483 relating to the release of the funds held in Citi Bank N.A. and Citi Bank International which funds were the 2nd and 3rd Defendants in the suit were made “with prejudice”.
“That the Orders of the District Court in the Citibank Accounts places a barrier on any further proceedings relating to the Account.
“That only the Orders relating to the funds held in Heritage Bank where the sum of $460, 000.00 was forfeited was made simpliciter and without a caveat.
“That the Orders made by the US District Court of Illinois were made to incorporate “the stipulation and Compromise Settlement of Claims to the Funds Held by Heritage Bank and Citibank” earlier filed by the parties in Court.
“That the judgment of the US District Court of Illinois put to an end to issues relating to the forfeiture and release of funds as contained in the Settlement Agreement.
“That the cause of action for mandamus requesting the 3rd Respondent to investigate and prosecute the 6th Respondent is founded on the judgment of the District Court of Illinois which has put the matter to rest.
“That the cause of action of the Applicants is dead and legally unsustainable.
“That it is in the interest of justice to dismiss this suit with substantial cost.”
74 abducted persons who were kidnapped by bandits in Wanzamai Village of Tsafe local government area of Zamfara State have regained their freedom.
It was gathered that the abductees who were abducted when fetching firewood were released on Friday after the payment of six million naira ransom.
Recall, 85 people were abducted in the village about three weeks, while one of the victims escaped, but the police had dismissed the figure insisting that only nine people were abducted.
However, a community leader, Abubakar Na’Allah in an interview disagreed with the police figure, saying the bandits had reached out to them and were demanding N1.7m from the captives.
Na’allah had said the bandits were demanding N20,000 for each victim.
However, a resident of the troubled village told newsmen that the abductors had released 74 out of 85 captives.
He added, that two of the captives were killed while 9 captives are still under the terrorist’s den.
It was gathered that the freed kidnapped victims are currently receiving treatment in a private hospital in the state.
At the time of filling the report, there was no statement from the police and state government.
The former Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), Andrew Yakubu, has asked the Federal High Court Abuja to compel the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and two other defendants to release his $9.8 million withheld despite an earlier judgment ordering release of the money.
Yakubu sued the EFCC, Central Bank of Nigeria and Guaranty Trust Bank for their failure to release the money after a court acquitted him of money laundering charges filed against him by the anti-graft agency.
The Central Bank of Nigeria and Guaranty Trust Bank were listed as co-defendants in the case .
THE WHISTLER reported that the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on March 31, 2022 had quashed the money laundering charges instituted against Yakubu after the EFCC discovered $9, 772, 800 (9.7 million dollars) and £74, 000 from an apartment linked to him in 2017.
The EFCC had urged Justice A.R Mohammed to convict Yakubu.
But his lawyer, Ahmed Raji SAN, raised an objection with Yakubu testifying before the judge that the monies found in his house were gifts from friends and associates.
The judge had agreed with the defendant’s submissions, acquitted him and ordered the release of his money.
But Yakubu’s lawyer approached the court saying the monies had not been released as directed.
By way of originating summons, he urged the court to order the release of his money or in the alternative, direct that the money be deposited with the FHC registrar pending the determination of the suit.
But the EFCC, through its lawyer, Faruk Abdullah, raised objection to the application saying appeals have been entered before the court above.
He urged the court to strike out the case for being an abuse of court process.
On its part, GTB sought time to file their response.
Subsequently, Justice Inyang Ekwo adjourned the matter to May 18 for hearing.
Mr Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, has called for a new Nigeria ‘where sons on nobody would be great’. He however regretted that the system is fraught with factors against attaining such dream.
Obi spoke in Enugu Friday night at the second edition of the Handshake Across Nigeria. The event has the theme, ‘Building Bridges for a New Nigeria’, and was organised by Nzukọ Umunna, an Igbo socio-cultural group.
Obi said, “We need a new Nigeria; a Nigeria where people who are sons of nobody would be great, live well, have a job, and earn a living. That is all we want, and I am sure Nzuko Umunna on their own will play their part. We would continue to play our part.”
He nonetheless said this would be difficult to achieve because ‘those holding the country down won’t let go easily’.
The keynote speaker at the event, Chief Mike Ozeokhome (SAN), called for investment in skills, advancement of technology, the establishment of pilot projects, and involvement of international agencies amongst others if the handshake must happen.
Speaking at the event, Senator Shehu Sani, who represented Kaduna Central Senatorial District in the 8th National Assembly, thanked Nzuko Umunna for creating the platform for unity in Nigeria, urging the body to continue to ‘build bridges until the whole of Nigeria believe that each and every part of Nigeria and any person in Nigeria has the right to lead this country’.
Tor Tiv, Prof James Ayatse, appreciated host governor Chief Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State for being ‘a good neighbour of the Tiv nation’.
The event witnessed the formal presentation of a book, “Nzuko Umunna Chronicles” as well as the inauguration of new executives of the body under the leadership of Prof Chinedu Nebo, former minister of power.
Nigerian businesswoman, Maureen Esisi has issued a warning to other women.
She insinuated that men who insist on celibacy before marriage may actually not be interested in women.
The businesswoman then advised women to run from such men.
She wrote: "Avoid those church boys who play the 'no sex before marriage' card and gets you thinking God has done it for you... No sis!!! Nahhhh!!!
"It's the devil who did that!!! Your gender ain't his type. Run."
Maureen was married to actor Blossom Chukwujekwu but their union ended in divorce. Blossom has now remarried.
More...
Popular Nollywood thespian, Yetunde Bakare has opined that It’s harder to retain real love after you discover it than to find it in the first place.
In a recent interview with Punch Saturday Beats, she discussed this and gave her views.
She claimed that individuals frequently determine their current relationships in light of their prior experiences, and when anything negative occurs, they quickly retreat in order to maintain their mental stability.
In her words,
“Finding true love is harder than keeping it. It is more complicated nowadays, because a lot of people have had bad experiences and they tend to withdraw easily in order to protect their peace and sanity.
I believe one needs to love, value and discover oneself before thinking of a healthy relationship.”
Speaking on people equating fame to happiness, she stated that it was not true because the rich also cry.
She said;
“That is not totally true, because the rich also cry. If one is a people pleaser, one will have a lot of breakdowns keeping up with fame.
When one is famous, the expectations from the public will be on the high side. People will hardly understand that one is human too.”
The Middle Belt Forum, MBF, has described the President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent remark on relocating to Niger Republic after the May 29 handing-over as an indication that the President was not committed to Nigeria.
The MBF assertion was coming on the heels of the comment of Buhari that he “can’t wait to go home to Daura” and “if they make any noise to disturb me in Daura, I will leave for the Niger Republic.”
The comment, which was made during a Sallah homage to him by FCT residents led by the Minister, Mohammed Bello, has sparked a flurry of reactions from Nigerians.
The President’s comment has been interpreted by many as evidence of the President’s disinterest in the country’s current state of insecurity, economic decline, and widespread corruption.
On its part, the Middle Belt Forum, MBF, described as unfortunate President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent statement where he said he would retire to Daura after leaving office on May 29 but could cross over to Niger Republic if disturbed.
The MBF maintained the comment simply showed that the President had never been committed to Nigeria in the first place.
The National President of the MBF, Dr Bitrus Pogu said, “Yes he has to retire after May 29 because it is a constitutional provision that after his tenure he has to leave office for a new president to come in. But to say that if things become unpleasant he would move to Niger Republic is unfortunate. That is to say that he had never been committed to Nigeria in the first place.
“A Nigerian president, who has served this country, should be here to die with Nigeria and Nigerians if he believed in Nigeria when he was president.
“So for him to make that statement it may just mean that he didn’t believe in Nigeria in the first place. And it is unfortunate for him to have made that statement.
“We pray that we will have a President who believes in Nigeria, who will die with Nigeria and who will die for Nigeria. Not somebody who if he finds things tough will run away from Nigeria to a safer heaven.
“So it is an unfortunate statement, I don’t know why he made that statement and I don’t know how his thoughts go but a person who believes in his country wouldn’t make such a statement because this is the only country that made him President and he should never back out whether he is serving or not; he should never back out from his country and her problems.”
Recall that in recent years, insecurity has continued to ravage different parts of the country, with banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism spreading rampantly.
The economy has been in a state of decline for years, with high inflation rates, high unemployment numbers, and lack of basic amenities badly affecting lives and increasing the numbers of those desperate to leave the country for survival and no greener pastures.
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the postponement of the 2023 Population and Housing Census, earlier scheduled for 3-7 May 2023, to a date to be determined by the incoming Administration.
The President gave the approval after meeting with some members of the Federal Executive Council and the Chairman of the National Population Commission and his team at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Friday (28 April 2023).
In arriving at the decision to postpone the Census, the meeting reiterated the critical need for the conduct of a Population and Housing Census, 17 years after the last Census, to collect up-to-date data that will drive the developmental goals of the country and improve the living standard of the Nigerian people.
The President noted that with the completion of the Enumeration Area Demarcation of the country, conduct of first and second pretests, the recruitment and training of adhoc workers, procurement of Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) and ICT infrastructures, appreciable progress has been made in the implementation of the 2023 Population and Housing Census.
He also commended the methodology being put in place by the Commission to conduct accurate and reliable Census, especially the massive deployment of technology that is capable of delivering world class Census and laying a sustainable basis for future censuses
The President further directed the Commission to continue with preparations for the conduct of the 2023 Population and Housing Census in order to sustain the gains already recorded and provide the basis for the incoming administration to consolidate these achievements.
The meeting was attended by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami; the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed; the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; the Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Mr Clem Agba and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha.
Alhaji Lai Mohammed
Honourable Minister of Information and Culture
Abuja
29th April 2023.
Presidential candiadate of the Labour Party in the last general election, Peter Obi has declared that they want a better Nigeria where our children will not have regrets.
This is even as human Rights activist, Chief Mike Ozekhome, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to order immediate release of the incarcerated leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
They spoke at the Handshake Across The Niger 2, a project of Nzuko Umunna in Enugu on Friday.
Ozekhone expressed sadness that a Nigerian court ordered the release of Kanu but the federal government filed for a stay of that.
Ozekhome, who is the lead counsel for the IPOB leader,. insisted that Kanu never jumped bail as was erroneously bandied by the federal government.
He said, Kanu rather escaped to save his life, which was heavily under threat during the invasion of his home by the armed soldiers.
He said, “We are telling the federal government that this is not proper. Set this man free. Nnamdi Kanu is not well. He has ear pains. The DSS doctors have confirmed that he is not doing well, health wise.
“But they would still not allow him access to his own private doctor.
“We have told the Supreme Court to do the needful. The case has been adjourned till 11th of May.
“Please sir, on my bended knees, you can order the release of Nnamdi Kanu today. You can do it through the Attorney General of the Federation, who has the power to discontinue the case.
“You don’t have to wait for the Supreme Court decision before you do the right thing.
“For the information of those harbouring the thought that it was an illegality or unconstitutionality, his self determination agitation, is in line with the Article 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948); African Charter of Human and People’s Rights; Article 3&4 of United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous People (2007) among others”.
The presidential candidate of Labour Party in the last general elections, Peter Obi, commended the Nzuko Umunna headed by former minister of power, Prof. Chinedum Nebo, for their initiate in trying to engineer good governance and ensure peaceful and harmonious coexist between the Igbo and other Nigerians.
“All we want is a better Nigeria, where our children will live without regrets, where son of nobody will rise to any position he worked for on merits.
“We must continue to work until Nigeria becomes what all of us want if not, if we don’t do something, it will consume all of us. Anarchy knows no class. Once it sets in, it will consume everybody”, Obi said.
The Tor Tiv and chairman of the Benue State Council of Traditional Rulers, His Royal Majesty, Orchivirigh Prof. James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse said the Handshake Across The Niger by Nzuko Umunna is what Nigeria everywhere needs to do.
He said, “The challenge of Nigeria is the failure to build bridges. Nzuko Umunna is drawing us to something very important that we have failed to do overtime”.
He called for self examination, justice, equity and fairness in trying to build bridges of peace across the country, calling upon all people of goodwill to support what the group is doing because Nigeria needs it.
Newly inaugurated president of Nzuko Umunna, Prof Nebo explained that the group’s major focus will be the Economic Integration of the Southeast and Igbo speaking areas.
“We will work with Ohanaeze Ndigbo to provide channels for cohesive engagement. We will do our best to do heavy lifting in areas of Economic Integration, Health and Education advocacy and sustaining National alliance with our partners
“Handshakes Across Nigeria is a channel for the continuous engagement of our partners in the New Nigeria project and we shall continue to oil this vehicle”, he said