A former Senator representing Rivers East at the National Assembly, Sen. John Mbata, has emerged the new President-General of the Igbo Apex Socio-Cultural Organisation, Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide.

Mbata was elected at the Ohanaeze Ndigbo General Assembly meeting held at the Old Government Lodge, Enugu on Friday.

With the election, Mbata would succeed Nze Ozichukwu Chukwu, who was appointed to complete the tenure of the late Chief Emmanuel lwuanyanwu from Imo State.

He was elected by consensus in the election which was witnessed by the Governors of Enugu, Imo and Anambra States, as well as Senators Chris Ngige, Ben Obi, Victor Umeh and other Igbo dignitaries.

Prince Okey Nwadinobi from Abia was elected the National Deputy President while Chief Emeka Sibeidu from Anambra State is the new Secretary General of the Igbo group.

Chidera Anieke from Enugu State was elected National Treasurer, Ezechukwu Ezechi from Imo State was elected National Publicity Secretary while Okey Ugwu from Ebonyi State was elected National Legal Adviser.

The Position of the Deputy Secretary General goes to Delta State and others.

Speaking on behalf of the newly executive, Mbata thanked the outgoing President-General for his leadership style and his ability to handover and organise elections for the new executives.

While pledging to lead by example, Mbata called on the governors in the states that made up Ohanaeze Worldwide for support and collaboration to move the organisation forward.

(NAN)

In a move aimed at resolving the ongoing controversy surrounding the detention of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Senators from the South East region of Nigeria have held a meeting with the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN.

The meeting, which took place on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, was convened to demand the release of Kanu, who has been in detention since his arrest in Kenya in June 2021. The Senators, who represent the interests of the South East region, argued that Kanu’s continued detention was unlawful and a violation of his fundamental human rights.

According to sources familiar with the meeting, the Senators presented a strong case for Kanu’s release, citing the need for peace and stability in the region. They also expressed concerns about the potential consequences of Kanu’s continued detention on the security and economic well-being of the South East region.

READ ALSO

• WC Qualifiers: Super Eagles Under Pressure as South Africa, Benin Secure Wins
• Photos: Mr Eazi and Temi Otedola Celebrate Lavish Multi-Continent Wedding
• EFCC declares Sujimoto boss Olasijibomi Ogundele wanted over alleged fraud in Enugu contract
• Eid-ul-Mawlid: Uphold Hon. Lucky Otuo in your prayers, Ima-owaji Shedrack Urges non indigenes in ANOLGA
• Missing Odera Mbadiwe Found in Mile 2, Says Lagos Police

In response, the Attorney-General, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, assured the Senators that the Federal Government was committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that justice was served in the case. He, however, noted that the matter was currently before the courts and that the government could not interfere with the judicial process.

The meeting ended with a resolution to continue engaging with relevant stakeholders to find a peaceful resolution to the crisis. The Senators vowed to continue pushing for Kanu’s release, while the Attorney-General promised to keep the Senators informed of any developments in the case.

The meeting is seen as a significant step towards resolving the crisis surrounding Kanu’s detention and the agitation for the independence of the South East region. It is hoped that the dialogue will continue and lead to a peaceful resolution that will benefit all parties involved.

Yesterday South East Governors’ forum revealed plan to meet with president Bola Ahmed Tinubu to seek for the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPO), Nnamdi Kanu. The forum made this known in Enugu after their meeting.

In a communiqué issued on July 2, 2024, the South East Governors’ Forum announced its plan to meet with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to discuss pressing issues affecting the region, including the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The forum, comprising Governors Hope Uzodinma (Imo), Alex Otti (Abia), Chukwuma Soludo (Anambra), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), and Peter Mbah (Enugu), met in Enugu to address various matters affecting the South East region.

In the communiqué, the forum expressed condolences to the government and people of Abia, Ebonyi, Imo, and the South East region, as well as the family of former Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, who recently passed away.

READ ALSO

• WC Qualifiers: Super Eagles Under Pressure as South Africa, Benin Secure Wins
• Photos: Mr Eazi and Temi Otedola Celebrate Lavish Multi-Continent Wedding
• EFCC declares Sujimoto boss Olasijibomi Ogundele wanted over alleged fraud in Enugu contract
• Eid-ul-Mawlid: Uphold Hon. Lucky Otuo in your prayers, Ima-owaji Shedrack Urges non indigenes in ANOLGA
• Missing Odera Mbadiwe Found in Mile 2, Says Lagos Police

The forum also received a delegation led by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, and His Royal Majesty Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, Obi of Onitsha, who paid a solidarity visit.

Key resolutions from the meeting include:

• Implementing aspects of the South East Security and Economic Summit report pertaining to security and economic integration
• Visiting President Tinubu to discuss pressing regional issues
• Interfacing with the Federal Government to secure Nnamdi Kanu’s release

This move by the South East Governors’ Forum signals a renewed effort to address the region’s challenges and promote economic and security integration. The meeting with President Tinubu is expected to yield positive outcomes for the region and its people.

The South East Governors’ Forum has condemned Thursday morning attack which left two soldiers dead at a checkpoint at Aba in Abia State.

The attack, which occurred at Obikabia junction in Ogbor Hill, Aba, was reportedly carried out by suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, who were believed to be enforcing the May 30th Sit-At-Home.

They also burnt down security patrol vehicles while enforcing the sit-at-home directive meant to commemorate Biafra Day.

READ ALSO

• WC Qualifiers: Super Eagles Under Pressure as South Africa, Benin Secure Wins
• Photos: Mr Eazi and Temi Otedola Celebrate Lavish Multi-Continent Wedding
• EFCC declares Sujimoto boss Olasijibomi Ogundele wanted over alleged fraud in Enugu contract
• Eid-ul-Mawlid: Uphold Hon. Lucky Otuo in your prayers, Ima-owaji Shedrack Urges non indigenes in ANOLGA
• Missing Odera Mbadiwe Found in Mile 2, Says Lagos Police

Addressing newsmen in Owerri on Thursday, Chairman of the Forum, and IMO Governor, Hope Uzodimma, described the attack as “unfortunate”.

“On behalf of my brother governors in the South East Governors’ Forum, I condemn that incident and loss of the lives of soldiers who were on their duty posts.

“Without any provocation, they were attacked by the men of the underworld.

“The unfortunate thing is that it is going to act as a major setback to the peace process being pursued by the governors from the zone with the Federal Government, security agencies and other critical stakeholders on how best to resolve the problem of security in the region,” he said.

According to him, the incident will also portray our people in a bad light, as if we do not have sympathy for human beings.

The governor condoled the Chief of Army Staff and the families of soldiers, who lost their lives in the unfortunate incident.

“We here in the South East will ensure that we leave no stone unturned to ensure peace in the region needed for development,” he added.

Uzodimma urged security agencies to go all out to ensure that those behind the dastardly act were caught and prosecuted.

He noted that people of the South East, out of fear of the unknown and memories of the past, obeyed the directive of the proscribed group.

He urged them, particularly those in Imo, to find courage and understand that a lot had gone into providing security for them.

“We have peace in Imo; I want people to go about their businesses without fear of being molested by anyone.

“We are after the perpetrators. Those who think we shouldn’t live should not live,” he emphasised.

The Labour Party (LP) has called on the Federal Government to tackle the rising spate of insecurity in the South-East part of the country.

The party made the call in reaction to the killing of about eight soldiers, policemen and operatives of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) by yet to be identified gunmen in the Umualumaku community, Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of the state.

While expressing sadness over the killing of the security agents, the spokesman of the party, Obiora Ifoh, in a statement on Tuesday night, said the attack by the gunmen was a sad reminder of the security situation in Imo State in particular and the South East where efforts of the state governments appeared to be insignificant and ineffective.

READ ALSO

• WC Qualifiers: Super Eagles Under Pressure as South Africa, Benin Secure Wins
• Photos: Mr Eazi and Temi Otedola Celebrate Lavish Multi-Continent Wedding
• EFCC declares Sujimoto boss Olasijibomi Ogundele wanted over alleged fraud in Enugu contract
• Eid-ul-Mawlid: Uphold Hon. Lucky Otuo in your prayers, Ima-owaji Shedrack Urges non indigenes in ANOLGA
• Missing Odera Mbadiwe Found in Mile 2, Says Lagos Police

“Our heart goes out to these gallant fallen heroes who paid the ultimate price in ensuring that insecurity is fought to a standstill. We also condole with their families and pray that God grants them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

“When we thought things were getting better, today’s attack has clearly obliterated the gains of the past, and we sincerely fear a resumption of a militarised zone.

“We are much more concerned that the governorship election in Imo State will be coming up in a few weeks and the campaigns are currently heating up. We know that insecurity is a major campaign issue however, we urge the present government to raise its game to ensure that the exploits of these hoodlums are completely checked,” Ifoh said.

The LP spokesman further stated that no election is worth the blood of any Nigerian thus the party urged the presidency to take strong security action against the resurging onslaught and ensure that politicians do not leverage the insecurity to frustrate the Imo State governorship election coming up in November.