UEFA has revealed that there will be a reduction in the maximum amount clubs can charge for away tickets in Europe’s three men’s club competitions this season.

The new price caps for away tickets are as follows: Champions League games will be capped at 60 euros, the Europa League at 40 euros, and the Conference League at 20 euros. It’s important to note that these caps apply only to visiting fans and not to home supporters.

From next season, the maximum price for Champions League away tickets will be further reduced to 50 euros, and the Europa League to 35 euros. These changes come as part of UEFA’s efforts to enhance the matchday experience for all fans and to keep football an inclusive sport, valuing and recognizing the contributions of travelling supporters who follow their teams across Europe.

Note that this is not the first time price caps have been introduced. In the 2019-2020 season, the maximum prices were set at 70 euros for the Champions League and 45 euros for the Europa League. These adjustments are a response to incidents in previous seasons where fans protested against high away ticket prices.

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin emphasized that these changes mark another important step in enhancing the fan experience, reaffirming UEFA’s commitment to making football more fan-friendly.

He said: “This marks another key step in reaffirming Uefa’s commitment to enhancing the matchday experience for all fans.

“By introducing more fan-friendly policies, we continue our mission to keep football as an inclusive sport, where supporters who travel across Europe to follow their teams are valued and recognised.”

[NaijaNews]

The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Debt Management Office (DMO), has opened offers for subscription to Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) savings bonds for September 2024.  

According to a statement by the DMO, the subscription period will last for five days, starting from September 2nd. 

The statement indicates that the two-year savings bonds, maturing on September 11, 2026, are offered at an interest rate of 17.202%, while the three-year savings bonds are available at 18.202%. 

Each unit of the bond is priced at N1,000, with a minimum subscription requirement of N5,000 and subsequent multiples of N1,000. The maximum allowable subscription is N50,000,000.  Interest payments on FGN bonds are made quarterly (four times a year).  

The subscription period for these bonds commenced on September 2, 2024, and will remain open until September 6, 2024, according to an announcement by the DMO.  

Settlement is planned for September 11, 2024, with quarterly coupon payments scheduled for December 11, March 11, June 11, and September 11. 

Increased interest rate 

The interest rate of 18.202% on FGN savings bonds stands as one of the highest in recent times and reflects the prevalent high-interest rate environment in the country. In the same month of last year, the interest rate on FGN savings bonds for September 2023 was offered at an interest rate of 12.031% representing an increase of 6.17 percentage points in one year. 

The increase in interest rate for FGN bonds is due to the actions of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) since February when it began its rising interest rate to stem inflation and stabilize the forex market by attracting Foreign Capital Investments (FPIs). 

The apex bank over four Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meetings has raised interest rates by 800 basis points to control inflation. This has resulted in significant interest in the FGN savings bonds offer.  

Result of FGN bond auction for August 

• In August, the Federal Government of Nigeria raised N374.751 billion through its FGN bond auction, demonstrating continued strong investor interest in longer-term securities. 
• The auction featured three distinct bonds with tenors of 5 years, 7 years, and 9 years, marking a crucial step in Nigeria’s efforts to secure funding for ongoing national projects. 
• The 9-year bond stood out as the favourite among investors, with an impressive subscription of N375.083 billion, far exceeding the offered amount of N50 billion. The bond was allotted N314.213 billion at a marginal rate of 21.50%, indicating a substantial oversubscription of 650.17%.  

[Nairametrics]

The Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Suleiman Abubakar, has expressed deep concern over statements credited to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, threatening to incite political crisis in states where their governors were allegedly interfering in Rivers State political crisis.

Rt. Hon. Abubakar, who’s the immediate-past chairman of the Conference of Nigerian Speakers Forum, in a statement made available to journalists, described Wike’s remarks as ‘reckless’ and ‘unbecoming’ of a leader, emphasising that such rhetoric endanger not only the unity of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) but also the stability of the entire nation.

He also called on the PDP leadership and the national security agencies to take immediate action to address ‘Wike’s excesses’ .

“The PDP was founded on the principles of democracy, mutual respect, and the rule of law. It is not the personal fiefdom of any individual, regardless of their past accomplishments or current position.

“Mr. Wike’s attempt to use his influence as a tool of intimidation against other states within the federation is a gross misuse of power and a direct violation of the values upon which our party stands.

“As the Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, I cannot remain silent in the face of such threats. Mr. Wike’s audacious warning that Bauchi State could face political turmoil simply because we stand for what is right is unacceptable.

“More over, Mr Wike’s continues public outburst do a disservice to the PDP and betray the trust that the people of Rivers state and the broadens Nigerian populace have placed on him . It is the responsibility of the National Security Adviser and the media to ensure that individuals who make such inflammatory statements are held accountable. We cannot allow a situation where one man’s ego and thirst for power jeopardize the peace and unity of our nation,” he stated.

He added that Bauchi State like any other state will not be intimidated with Wike’s threats of political turmoil while reaffirming the state’s commitment to upholding justice, peace and rule of law even as he insisted that any attempt to disrupt the peace of Bauchi State will be met with the full force of the law.

[Leadership]

Nigerians are willing to manipulate their identity to gain access, employment, hospital, power, and access to those who are incharge of resources and authority in the country.

Executive Director of the Kukah Centre (TKC), Fr. Atta Barkindo, said this in Abuja at the public presentation of the 26-page project impact report on ‘Strengthening Social Cohesion in Lagos’, and policy brief on the project with support from MacArthur Foundation.

“Number one, it means people are willing to manipulate any identity, as long as it gives them employment, access to hospital, access to power, access to those who are in charge of the resources and the authority in this country.

“And it also shows that we really have a lot of work to do to convince people about why we need to build social cohesion, national identity, common citizenship, and to see Nigeria as a country that belongs to all of us and where we prioritize meritocracy competence, over and above where you come from, or where you belong to or what your political affiliation is.

“And I think that is why the Kukah center went to Lagos. We all knew what happened in Lagos during the 2023 general elections, and maybe that of Lagos has been amplified because Lagos with lots of infrastructure, the media is there, so we can easily hear what happened in Lagos, and probably, in other places, things may have happened that has been worse than what has happened in Lagos,” Barkindo said.

He said in Europe, it is about where someone live.

He said, “That is why you belong. It is about where you are born that matters, not your own state of origin. So somebody was born in Kano, lives in Kano for 40 years, and when it is time to vote, they ask you to go back to your state of origin, not the state that you were born.”

He said that Lagos was a pilot phase, adding that their intention is to go to almost every state across the country and to try and bring people together to have the conversations.

The ‘Strengthening Social Cohesion in Lagos Project’ is a 12-month project conceived in response to the social unrest and electoral violence that erupted during the 2023 general elections.

The report said that over the years, ethnic and regional divides, including issues of indigenes and settlers have combined to reinforce a sense of mutual distrust and suspicion, to a point that identity politics have become a meal ticket for politicians to garner votes.

“During the 2023 general elections, the impact of these divisions played out and led to massive electoral violence, particularly in Lagos state. This necessitated the intervention, particularly as, the aftermath of the elections seemed to have reinforced religious and ethnic disharmony, asNigerians became angrier, more fearful, and less trusting of one another,” the report said.

On what can drive sustainability to strengthen social cohesion, the report recommended continuous community engagement, youth-centred initiatives, fair and just systems, inclusive governance, quality education; and cultural awareness and sensitization among others.

[DailyTrust]

The Nigeria Police have placed a N20 million bounty on a British national, Andrew Wynne, and a Nigerian, Lucky Ehims, who were declared wanted on Monday for allegedly attempting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu.

In a statement on Monday afternoon, the police said a reward sum of N10,000,000 awaits any person(s) with information leading to the arrest of each of them.

DAILY POST recalls how the Police had launched a comprehensive investigation into the activities of foreign national and subversive elements plotting to undermine the democratically elected government in Nigeria through unconstitutional regime change and orchestrating violence across the country.

According to the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyuwa Adejobi, following extensive intelligence gathering and collaboration with other security agencies, nine suspects have been arrested, who received substantial financial backing from foreign sources to destabilize the country.

He said that preliminary findings revealed they orchestrated and funded violent protests by disseminating false information and engaging in other unlawful activities to create anarchy and justify their illegal plot to overthrow the democratically elected government.

“Investigations have identified a foreign mercenary, Andrew Wynne (also known as Andrew Povich or Drew Povey), a British national, who built a network of sleeper cells to topple the government and plunge the nation into chaos.

“He rented a space at Labour House, Abuja, for an ‘Iva Valley Bookshop’ and established ‘STARS of Nations Schools’ as a cover for his subversive activities,” he said.

The Police, therefore, called on the public to assist in any useful information that would help their investigations, saying if Andrew Wynne and Lucky Ehims are seen, they should be arrested and handed over to the nearest Police Station.

[DailyPost]

Several demonstrators hit the streets of Abuja to demand the immediate dismissal of the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Limited, Mele Kyari, over the lingering fuel scarcity.

The protest came out on the heels of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited’s confession that its substantial debt to suppliers was endangering the sustainable fuel supply.

Among other things, the corporation highlighted the financial strain was placing significant pressure on its operations and threatening the stability of fuel supplies.

Chanting solidarity songs, they displayed several banners such as: ‘We are tired of fuel scarcity and stories on why refineries are not working, ‘No direction under Kyari’ and ‘We want accountability in the affairs of NNPCL’. 

Addressing reporters on Monday at Unity Fountain after the rally in Abuja, Convener of the Coalition of Concerned Civil Society Organizations, Aminu Abbas wondered why a nation blessed with oil like Nigeria should continue to suffer acute petrol scarcity.

He said: “To President Ahmed Bola Tinubu and all those in positions of power, we say the time to act is now. Show us that you stand with the people, not those who profit from our misery. Mr Kyari must be shown the way out, and the NNPCL must be reformed to serve the interests of all Nigerians. We will not be silenced.

 “The fuel scarcity we endure today is not just a mere inconvenience; it is a calculated perpetuation of suffering. Under Mr Kyari’s leadership, the situation has gone from bad to worse, with no end in sight. What has he done to alleviate this crisis? It is clear he seems intent on maintaining a status quo that benefits only a select few while the masses suffer.

“Why do we, the people, have to endure endless queues, inflated prices, and the daily uncertainty of whether we can fuel our vehicles or power our homes? The answer lies in the gross incompetence and mismanagement that have become the hallmarks of Mr. Kyari’s leadership.”

A British national wanted by the police, Andrew Wynne, also known as Drew Povey, has said the government was unsettled by the EndBadgovernance protest held across the country.

Wynne expressed regret that the government has been suppressing the protesters instead of responding to the citizens’ demands.

This is as he called on the Nigeria Labour Congress to protect the general public as it did to its President, Joe Ajaero when the police invited him.

Wynne stated this in a statement on Monday titled “Protests, not treason.”

It read, “The mass protests over #EndBadGovernance and #EndHunger frightened the government. However, the government turned to repression rather than addressing the people’s demands. Perhaps 40 people were murdered by the police and other security forces, thousands were arrested, and many remain in captivity.

“In Abuja, the authorities have attacked the so-called leaders and organisers of the protests. Ten people face ridiculous charges including treason, mutiny and levying war against the state.”

Wynne noted that the first person arrested by the police, Eleojo Opaluwa, was a former colleague of the Nigeria Labour Congress President, Joe Ajaero and the Vice Chairman of the Union in Kogi State.

He said, “The first person to be arrested in this case was Eleojo Opaluwa. He is a former colleague of Joe Ajaero, who works for NUEE, the electricians’ union, as an organiser in Abuja.

“He is also the Vice Chair of the NLC in Kogi State. He has now been detained for over four weeks with no tangible evidence. His family was told that he had received a WhatsApp message from one of the other alleged leaders. This was after Eleojo had been detained.”

Wynne stated that the ten individuals arraigned for organising the protests hardly knew one another.

He said, “The ten detainees have been accused of conspiracy to commit a range of serious crimes. However, they barely know each other. Five of them may have been members of a WhatsApp group set up to organise the protests in Abuja.

“But the other five are unknown to these comrades. They may be a few of the flag-waving protesters from Kano who were added to extend the range of the organizers to cover the main protests from Sokoto to Maiduguri. “

Wynne said the police investigating the suspects and the government are not on the same page on the matter.

He said, “There appears to be a conflict between the government and the police investigating this case. The head of the Intelligence Response Team told the detainees’ lawyers that he would have released them but that he had orders from above not to set them free. So the police have developed what appears to be a ridiculous case involving the owner of Iva Valley Books.”

Wynne noted that the claim that he had left the country was not true.

“They are claiming that I travelled under the name of Andrew Povich, a Russian-sounding name and that I have now left Nigeria for Russia. Neither of these claims are true. Yomi, who works for Iva Valley Books, has, like the other detainees, been treated in a terribly
inhumane manner.

“He was arrested in front of his wife and three-year-old daughter. The police confiscated all their phones. This was despite appeals from his wife that they needed a phone to get money for food. He was then imprisoned illegally and held in chains, beaten and
tortured for three days. His only involvement was to design flyers for the protests.”

He, however, called on the NLC to protect the general public as it has done to its president.

Wynne said, “The NLC has shown that it has the power to protect its President. It now needs to extend this action to protect its other officers, its members and the general public.”

The NLC had promised a general strike to protect Ajaero from arrest and detention in relation to similar charges.

Despite the flimsy nature of the evidence against the detainees, they face long years in prison unless the trade union movement is prepared to protect them.

On August 7, the NLC said it “condemns in the strongest terms the human rights violations perpetrated by security forces against peaceful protesters.”

[Punch]

“Corruption remains one of the most significant obstacles to the progress and prosperity of our nations. It undermines the very fabric of our societies, erodes public trust, and impedes equitable distribution of resources”  —  President Bola Tinubu in an address to ECOWAS leaders

A senior cousin of mine died recently, aged 96. During the condolence visit to his family, the wife, aged 89, kept repeating to every visitor: “The wicked have done their worst”.

To me, it was absolutely hilarious. But, none of us, younger, was so uncouth as to laugh in my auntie’s face. On many occasions, our refusal to face the truth staring us in the face is also a form of corruption. We thereby avoid having to take the difficult decisions required to make real progress.

Dangote Refinery is the most obvious case study. But, it is not the only one. Permit me to make a categorical statement which anybody not self-delusional should be able to figure out for themselves; anybody includes Alhaji Aliko Dangote.

The refinery will not receive 650,000 barrels of crude from Nigeria for a long time to come – if ever. The reasons are so clear that only corruption of thought prevents the Federal Government, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL and Dangote, as well as his supporters, from admitting the truth.

Crude production and commitments make it impossible

“Producers decline sale of 460,000bpd to Dangote, others”  – News  Report, August 21, 2024

If Dangote wants to know who “the wicked who have done their worst” are, he would have to start from the Presidency, to the Ministry of Petroleum Resources to NNPCL. In one way or another, they delivered the dagger thrusts in the back to Dangote, despite his generous contributions to their campaigns. Self-righteous Obasanjo, as usual, established the template fusing the office of President with that of Minister of Petroleum Resources. He performed woefully on both and left a great legacy of corruption in the two roles. One of the precedents he left behind, making it impossible for Dangote Refinery to ever receive 650,000bpd of crude from Nigeria’s production was the mandatory allocation of crude oil to NNPC’s four refineries as the table below clearly indicates.

Those in government were already aware that 445,000 bpd was already committed to the four scraps we call refineries when Dangote went to discuss with them about his refinery needing 650,000 bdp.

January – July crude oil production

“Oil production fell in Q2 – NBS” – News report, August 28, 2024

The report informed those who want facts instead of fiction, that “The nation in the second quarter of 2024 recorded an average daily production of 1.41 million barrels per day (mbpd)”. In the first quarter, the production was 1.57 mbpd.

Several questions arise. First, with a firm commitment to refineries of 445,000 bpd, how much will be left for the FG, if 650,000 bpd is allocated to the Dangote Refinery? Furthermore, with several other Nigerian refineries springing up, and just as entitled to Nigerian crude, how many more thousands of crude would eventually be allocated to domestic refineries? Remember that 1.095mbpd would have been committed to meet the requirements of just NNPC and Dangote refineries – leaving only 315,000 bpd. Would the 315,000 enough for the FG to export and earn badly needed foreign exchange? The clear answer is NO; and the FG, NNPCL and Dangote are aware of this.

To start with, not all the 1.41mbpd belongs to the FG or NNPCL. In fact, less than half is theirs. So, all that the Dangote Refinery could have legitimately counted on receiving, if it started operations in December 2023, as previously advertised, would have been less than 300,000bpd. Unfortunately, even that volume would not be consistently delivered to the refinery. Here is why.

Dangote swindled by Buhari and NNPCL

“It was beautiful and simple; as all truly great swindles are”  –  O Henry, 1862-1910. VBQ p 239

Alhaji Dangote is no fool; otherwise he could not have become the richest man in Africa for years. But, even the best in every game sometimes blunder.

Dangote consulted with all the people that mattered in the Buhari government before embarking on the project. The most important individual was the Minister for Petroleum Resources; who also was the President – Buhari. He must have been assured of supply of 650,000bpd before proceeding. He believed them. That might turn out to be his greatest mistake in an otherwise string of astonishing successful decisions.

He was probably assured that Nigeria would be producing two million barrels per day by the time the refinery was ready for supplies. He believed them. Deliberately, it was not disclosed that 400,000bpd was being stolen and there was no respite in sight. They also “forgot” to tell him about 445,000bpd committed to NNPCL refineries. Furthermore, the Buhari administration had borrowed huge amounts of money, undisclosed to Nigerians, using future crude oil supply as collateral. Reliable insiders inform me that nearly 300,000bpd is involved in those deals.

Finally, as pointed out before, less than half of crude produced in Nigeria belongs to the FG. So, even if the country produces 2mbpd, only 1mbpd belongs to the FG. Add up all the commitments and it should be clear that, had the FG been an individual it stands accused of 419. Yet, Dangote believed them even as he was being serially swindled.  

“Producers decline sale of 460,000bpd crude to Dangote” – News report, August 21, 2024

So, where will 650,000bpd come from to supply Dangote?

Unforeseen problems

Dangote must have dismissed the possibility of competitors once his giant refinery was approved. The assumption was understandable. With a refinery holding 650,000bpd of crude oil processing capacity, and the crude oil supply guaranteed, there would be no need for another refinery. At any rate, there would be no domestic crude for any challenger to process. Well, that has turned out to be a wrong assumption. At least four other refineries would be ready to come up; and they also are requesting for crude supply from the FG as a matter of right. The FG/NNPCL has a whale of a problem on their hands regarding finding the crude to supply the new refineries.

NNPCL has also taken loans, using future crude as collateral. That will not be available for allocation to Dangote refinery.    Virtually all the independent crude producers operate with loans to be repaid with future crude production. The FG cannot compel any of them to breach their contracts, just to supply Dangote refinery.  

Just in case you don’t know where I am going; let me tell you; Dangote Refinery might never receive 650,000bpd of crude from Nigeria.

ADEYEMI Abayomi Abiodun is a respectful, hard-working and dedicated youth. At 6pm Monday August 26, 2024, he was picked up by the Nigeria Police Force, NPF. He is a staff of the Iva Valley Bookshop located in the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, headquarters. His employment by the bookshop means he is guilty by association.

The police had raided the bookshop in the night of August 7, 2024 in search of Drew Povey, the bookshop owner. The NPF claims that Povey, a Briton, is the prime suspect “in numerous criminal activities across Nigeria and other African countries.”

Apparently, Abayomi could not help the police in their investigations nor implicate himself as a sponsor of protests in the country. Those who saw him three days later in police custody said he was in chains and had evidently been badly tortured.

Povey had returned to the United Kingdom on a scheduled trip three days before the police raid, so there was no way Abayomi could produce him.

Povey’s immediate family was in a similar dilemma. So members have suffered visitations by security agents. These include visits to the Stars of Nations Schools which the family runs and where Povey’s wife, Helen Batubo, is principal. On August 21, 2024, her home at Serenity Estate, Karshi, in Nasarawa State was raided.

Povey also claims the police raided his personal home: “The police smashed in the front gate and the back door of my house. They turned everything upside down and stole our television and my granddaughter’s bike. They then left the house unlocked for anyone to enter. Later, police were seen returning to try and trap my family.” He also claimed that in the various raids, the NPF had seized his books, photocopier and car.

Ms Batubo herself was invited and interrogated by the NPF on allegations of “criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cyber crime.” These allegations carry life sentence.

The interrogations reveal that the main claim against Povey is that he is one of the foreign sponsors of protests in the country. Snippets also indicate that he is suspected of sponsoring the on-going civil war in Sudan which has claimed some 15, 000 lives, 33,000 injured with at least 10 million persons displaced or becoming refugees.

When in a phone interview, the National Record Newspapers asked Povey on the allegation of sponsoring the Sudanese conflict, he responded: “It is true that I worked as a secondary school teacher in what is now Sudan for a year. But this was 45 years ago and I have not visited the country since then.”

Povey has lived on and off Nigeria for about a quarter of a century now and what struck me about him is that he seems a conscientious investor who is committed to Nigeria. I reached this conclusion based on his investment in education, marriage to a Nigerian which technically should earn him citizenship, and of course, in running the Iva Valley Bookshop and Business Centre.

I am not surprised he is of interest to the security services given the fact that he is an enthusiastic leftist with an undisguised aversion to international agencies like the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. These agencies have, since 1986, virtually dictated the economic direction of the country. This may make Povey appear like an enemy of the state.

I also find interesting the fact that he named his seven-year bookshop, Iva Valley. That is the coal mine where on Friday, November 18, 1949, British colonialists opened fire on striking coal miners. Twenty-one miners were killed and 51 others injured in the shootings. This became known as the Iva Valley Massacre. Apart from the international outcry it elicited, that event became the rallying point for nationalists.

Since independence, the political elites have tried to downplay that massacre and its significance in the anti-colonial struggles. Comrade Ola Oni, an outstanding radical, mentor of youths and conscientious intellectual, had tried to keep it alive by naming his popular bookshop in Bodija, Ibadan, Iva Valey Bookshop. But that seems to have collapsed after he passed away on December 22,1999.

The last time I met Povey and Abayomi at a public function was on July 19, 2024 when the proactive Political Science Department of the Bingham University organised a symposium to commemorate 50 years of the famous book, How Europe Underdeveloped Africa, written by the intellectual giant and political activist, Walter Rodney.

A salutary contribution by the duo at that occasion was to make the book available to all those who wanted copies. The price was low, as are most books the bookshop sells.

Let me add that it is not just Povey, Batubo and Abayomi that are being accused of these serious crimes. Others, like Comrade Joe Ajaero, President of the NLC, are similarly accused. Also, six Polish students and a lecturer were arrested for allegedly taking part in the ‘End Hunger Protests’ in Kano and waving Russian flags while doing so. I felt ashamed that our security agents do not have the most basic knowledge of international relations. If their leaders do, they would have known how weird it is to accuse the Polish of carrying Russian flags. Good sense prevailed and the Polish were released after some weeks.

This liberal democratisation of these crimes remind me of the Abacha junta. In those days, any seeming dissident earned you an allegation of being “an accessory after the fact of treason”, and you are off to life jail. When the then Publisher of the The Sunday Magazine, TSM, said she doubted the veracity of an alleged coup by Colonel Lawan Gwadabe, she was sentenced to life.

When TheNews magazine reported that the Military Tribunal was setting some of the accused coup plotters free, one of its Editors, Kunle Ajibade, was tried as an accessory and received life sentence. Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti, the leader of the Pro-Democracy Movement was suspected of being in possession of the defence statement of coup suspect, Colonel Bello Fadile. For this, he was tried as an accessory to treason and sentenced to life.

The security agencies should not return the country to those Babangida and Abacha junta days. They need to concentrate on the rampant cases of banditry, terrorism and kidnappings that have seized the country. They also need to win the trust of the citizenry, especially the youths, who can assist in fighting the true enemies of the state and ensure the protection of the country.

Let me draw the government’s attention to a reality. While it is dissipating energy searching universities, bookshops and bus stops, and, accusing Poles, Britons, Nigeriens and Nigerians in Diaspora of sponsoring the protests, hunger, the real sponsor, is hiding in plain sight.

A Caribbean, Freda Paulino Sideroff, who was conferred with the chieftaincy title of Nneora Abagana (Mother of All) in Anambra State has described her visit to Nigeria as homecoming, saying that her DNA shows that she is a true Igbo person.

Her visit to Nigeria was facilitated by the traditional prime minister of Abagana, Dr. Nwachukwu Anakwenze who is an American- based surgeon and former President of Anambra State Association in USA ( ASA-USA).

Freda, who is a descendant of the survivors from the genocide that was the largest in the Caribbean, was born in the country of Belize, the only English – speaking country in Latin America.

Speaking after the colourful ceremony performed by the traditional ruler of Abagana, Igwe Patrick Mbamalu Okeke, Freda said the culture of the people of Belize, her country, is the same as that of the Igbo.

“In my place, we eat cassava, yam, okro. Don’t I look like you?  I will like to come and build a house here because this is my root”, she said.

She said her tribe, Garifuna, is a marriage of cultures of West Africans who intermarried with Amerindians, specifically the Arawak and Carib Indians of the Amazon basin in South America. She added that they are also known in history books as the Black Caribs.

The Royal Father, who spoke through the Secretary of Abagana Royal Cabinet, Clems Ofoedu said: “Historically, culturally, and traditionally, Abagana has by this chieftaincy title, cemented cordial relationship with Nneora Queen Mother Freda Paulino Sideroff.

“The Abagana Royal Council is grateful to Onowu Abagana, Chief Dr Nwachukwu Anakwenze, the Traditional Prime Minister, for his dogged efforts in championing the course of Igbo nation globally.

“Nneora is now a bona fide citizen of Abagana. Abagana will continue to tap from your wealth of experience in cultures and traditions of Igbos scattered around the globe. More cooperation will be explored between Abagana and Garifuna in future.

“It is important to note that Freda’s Paulin ancestors did not experience slavery due to their resistance. Freda’s ancestors about 5000 people were banished/exiled to the desolate Island of Baliceaux abandoned and were left to die.

“Approximately 2500 resilient ancestors survived and were once again exiled, this perilous journey being abandoned on the coast of Roatan in Honduras.

“The mother of Freda’s grandfather, Henrietta Enriquez is Igbo, the father of her mother Rosenda Castillo is Felipa Castillo, while the mother of Freda’s mother Rosenda is Tikar. Freda’s father, Guadalupe Paulino is Akan.”

“Historically, culturally, and traditionally Abagana has cemented cordial relationship with Nneora Queen Mother Freda Paulino Sideroff. The Abagana Royal Council is grateful to Onowu Abagana, Chief Dr Nwachukwu Anakwenze, the Traditional Prime Minister, for his dogged efforts in championing the course of Igbo nation globally.

“Nneora is now a bona fide citizen of Abagana. Abagana will continue to tap from your wealth of experience in cultures and traditions of Igbos scattered around the globe. More cooperation will be explored between Abagana and Garifuna in future.

[Vanguard]