Encomium
RELEASE NNAMDI KANU, FFK, SAMBO DASUKI – BUHARI URGED
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has asked the president to release all political prisoners including Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). HURIWA also stated the future of Buhari’s administration to respect due process of the law in the cases involving Olisa Metuh, Femi Fani-Kayode, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd).
HURIWA said it considers Kanu as well as other named detainees as political prisoner who should be released soon. It maintained that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights guarantees the rights to freedom of speech including the right to agitate for separate statehood.
PRO-BIAFRA ACTIVISTS CLASH WITH NIGERIAN TROOPS IN ONITSHA
Reports have emerged of a military shooting of unarmed protesters at a church in Onitsha, as a signal from the Nigerian military claims that the Nigerian security are battling with Pro-Biafra agitators in part of Anambra state, especially Onitsha.
The signal which was sent to several unit commanders to be on standby in case of a breakdown of law and order as Pro-Biafra agitators embark on street protests in the South East.
HOW JONATHAN SHOCKED ME DURING 2015 ELECTION – BUHARI
President Muhammadu Buhari has said he was shocked when former President Goodluck Jonathan, called him to concede defeats while vote were still being counted during the 2015 election. Mr. Buhari made the disclosure on Monday at the presidential Banquet hall, Aso Villa, Abuja when he hosted the state house press corps to a lunch as part of activities marking this year’s democracy day.
Mr. President said he was shocked for Jonathan’s great sense and patriotism. He also spoke briefly about his inability to release the list of those who looted the nation’s treasury. He however, called for improved working conditions for reporters covering the state house.
SOLDIERS INVADE CATHOLIC CHURCH, PEOPLE KILLED
Soldiers have reportedly invaded a Catholic church in Nkpor, near Onitsha, Anambra state. The invasion was said to have taken place earlier yesterday when people were participating in the mass.
The mission of the soldiers is yet unknown. Reports from the area said several worshippers were shot dead but a source said only two people appeared to have been killed in the shooting. The Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman when contacted, has not respond yet to confirm the incident.
I WILL NEVER ALLOW FAYOSE BECOME VICE PRESIDENT, HE HAS NO RESPECT – SHERIFF
Senator Ali Modu Sheriff has explained that the party’s governors are behind his alleged removal from office. Sheriff who was ousted over a week ago and replaced by a caretaker national chairman, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, said all the excuses being given by the Governors as reason behind his removal were laughable and lack of any common sense.
He however, denied telling anybody that he wants to be president in 2019, adding that, he could not have offered vice presidential slot to Ayodele Fayose, because he was familiar with the Ekiti State Governor’s antecedents and characters.
BUHARI APPEALS TO NASS ON MONEY LAUNDERING BILLS, OTHERS
President Muhammadu Buhari has appealed to the National Assembly to give considerations and passage of the money laundering and prevention bill of 2016, bill for acts for domestication of agreements for double taxation between Nigeria and South Korea, Spain and Sweden respectively, mutual legal assistance in criminal matters bill, 2016, the Federal Capital Territory Appropriation bill, 2016 and statutory budget of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), 2016.
The president commended the lawmakers for painstakingly working in concensus with the execution in passing the 2016 Appropriation act. The president also said the several bills passed have enabled government function according to the law.
I PITY LAI MOHAMMED – BUHARI
President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday, May 30, said one of the ministers he feels pity for, is the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed. His reason is because Mohammed was saddled with the responsibility of explaining government’s progress or lack of it to the people.
Speaking at the presidential villa in Abuja, while hosting state house correspondents, Buhari stated that, everyday he is on TV explaining government’s action and inaction. The president expressed optimism that his administration had to reduce the number of ministries from 42 to 24 to cut down the cost of governance.
BOYLOAF SLAMS THE NIGER DELTA AVENGERS
The former militant, Victor Ben Ebikamobowei has condemned the actions of the Niger Delta avengers. Victor Ben popularly known as Boyloaf was a commander of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND). He said the group should be addressed as the Niger Delta NIMASA and not the avengers.
He said they are a group of criminals running away from facing disciplinary actions for several offences committed during the Goodluck Jonathan-led administration. He accused them of plans to distract the government from getting prosecuted for their crimes. However, Boyloaf fingered government Ekpemupolo also known as Tompolo as the leader of the ongoing crisis in the Niger Delta.
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO ENCOURAGE LOCAL MANUFACTURING
Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, the Minister of Science and Technology, has announced the government’s plan to encourage domestic manufacturing to boost nation’s economy. It is very important because that is the only way we can ever become a producer nation. We cannot continue to be a consumer nation alone, it wouldn’t help us, he stated.
The minister assured Nigerians that the government would ensure that vehicle manufacturers in the country maintained the minimum standard obtainable anywhere in the world.
NO LAND FOR GRAZING RESERVES – MIMIKO
Ondo state governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko has bared his mind on the issue of grazing reserves in the state. Mimiko who was speaking at a public lecture at the weekend organized by members of pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, to mark the 90th birthday of their leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, declared that his government would not support the establishment of grazing reserve areas in the state.
The governor expressed his opinion that the grazing reserve bill might not see the light of the day because the Nigeria’s constitution empowers state governors to allocate land or revoke same. Meanwhile the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, praised Afenifere, for throwing its weight behind Fayose’s decision.
