News
Ndigbo calls for unification of new yam celebration in Igbo nation
By Chinelo Kodilichukwu Enugu
The umbrella organization for all the Ozo title holders in Igbo land, Nzuko Ozo Ndi Igbo Nigeria (NONIN) has called for “the unification of new yam festival in all parts of Igbo land”.
The NONIN urges all the Igbo traditional rulers and community leaders to adopt one day or a period for the new yam festival across the entire Igbo land.
The call was contained in a welcome speech made by the National President of the NONIN, Professor Ike Oluka at the 2024 Ili-ji (new yam celebration) which took place on Saturday, September 28, 2024 at the Enugu Sports Club, Gulf Section, Enugu. According to Prof Oluka,
unification of the celebration of Iliji Ndi Igbo has the potential to strengthen Igbo unity and socio-cultural identity as well as reposition the Igbo nation on a bigger national and international visibility.
He reiterated the need for all hands to be on deck to make the unification of the Iliji celebration a reality and admonished that all the Igbo leaders in authority should strive to reposition the Igbo identity, authenticity and social order.
The New Yam festival is rooted in the ancient Igbo cosmology which prescribes that the Supreme Being (Chi-Ukwu) is the source of life and every other creation that compliments the world we live in. The Igbo, like the Greeks, believe that to access the Supreme Being for a particular purpose, one must pass through a specific cosmic messenger or a god in charge of such constituency.
For instance, to access God for bountiful agricultural yields, one should plead the Ahajioku. Specifically, one should invoke Njoku, the god of yam for bumper harvests; the Amadioha, the god of thunder and lightning; Ala, the earth goddess; Ikenga, for strength and valour; Agwu for health and divination, Idemili, the god of sea and river; Anyanwu for Sun; etc.
The New yam festival is the Igbo expression of gratitude to the Almighty God for sparing our lives from one farming season to the other, for bumper harvests, and also a supplication for more lives and prosperity. The use of yam to symbolize all other crops is because the Igbo regard yam as the king of all crops.
It is heartwarming that new yam festival is one of the Igbo culture that has survived the erosion of indigenous culture by the Western civilization. In other words, almost every community in Igbo land and in the Diaspora celebrates new yam every year. The NONIN is of the opinion that since the new yam celebration has come to stay amongst the Igbo, it is only necessary that a day or period be set aside for the celebration of new yam Igbo land.
In his contribution, the guest speaker at the event, Rev. Fr. Professor Nnamdi Nwankwo, the Rector Enugu State Polytechnic Iwollo, in line with the theme of the event, canvassed “for a universal celebration of ili-ji Ndigbo on a day recognized as a public holiday for the entire Igboland and the Diaspora. Prof Nwankwo argued that if the Igbo in the Diaspora can centralize the new yam in their respective countries of abode, in spite of their diverse cultural backgrounds, it is therefore very imperative for the Igbo to adopt the unification of new yam festival in Igbo land.
Prof. Nwankwo further stated that, in the Christendom, Christmas is celebrated on the same day. “My question is, why can’t New Yam Festival (Ili Ji) enjoy what Christmas has been enjoying for the past 2000 years? If the Church can do it, the Igbos can do it as well. The Nzuko Ozo Ndi Igbo can do it also”. Nwankwo asserted that “we have so much in the life of the Igboman that suggest unity but nothing can unify us better than the food that sustained our ancestors ab initio”
In his own contribution, His Royal Highness, Igwe Engr. (Dr) Michael Uzoigwe, the Chinenyeze ii of Uwani Amokwe and the Chairman of the event, explained that New Yam celebration is one festival that is common to all parts of Igbo land and that the unification of New yam celebration is one of the easiest ways to mobilize the entire Igbo land towards a consensus.
Others at the event who lent supports to the unification of new yam festival in Igbo land include, Prince Emeka Onyesoh, Oba Agbalanze of Nri and the National Leader of NONIN, Ozo Ramsy Onyia (Nnabu Odii of Ngwo), Ozo Prof. Chike Anibeze (Ijele Ezeagu), Prof. CJC Akubilo (Ozo Madukanaya), Ozo Prof. Chris Ogwugwuam Ezeagwu – the Onu-Obi of Ezi Kingdom, Delta State, Ozo Johnbosco Offorbuike (Osisioma Achi), Ozo Donatus Oguejiofor (Omenihe of Eke), Ozo Joel Eke (Ozo Okedinachi of Okpogho), Ozo Chief Emma Ugwu (Enyidiru), Barr Emeka Odenigwe (Ozo Nnanyelugo), among others.
The group resolved to take the new yam unification advocacy to the South East Governors, traditional rulers, town union presidents, Churches and other opinion molders.
News
Group calls for overhauling of EFCC, says it’s an institution operating on illegalities
By Mark Akudu, Kogi
A group, Movement for true federalism has called for the scrapping of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, (EFCC) claiming the institution was founded on illegality and for long being used to legally fight illegality.
Spokesperson of the group, Abdullahi Sanusi in a statement on Friday noted that the anti-graft agency has been operating on illegality since the agency was established in 2004 with the aim to mitigate corruption.
He recalled that the EFCC which is an act was enacted pursuant to a treaty known as United Nations convention against corruption ( UNCAC) which was brought into force by the United Nations General Assembly resolution 58/4 of 31st of October, 2003.
Sanusi, who has vast knowledge of the Nigeria Constitution asserted that Kofi Anan the then United Nations Secretary General at the said convention noted that the convention introduces a comprehensive set of standards, measures and rules that all countries can apply in order to strengthen their legal and regulatory regime to fight corruption.
Making reference to the constitution, Sanusi said “Section 12 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended which is the Apex Law of the land provides; No treaty between the Federation and any other country shall have the force of the law except to the extent to which any such treaty has been enacted into law by the National Assembly.
” Section 12 (2) states that the National Assembly may make laws for the Federation or any part thereof with respect to matters not included in the Exclusive Legislative List for the purpose of implementing a treaty.
“SECTION 12 (3)A bill for an Act of the National Assembly passed pursuant to the provision of subsection (2) of this section shall not be presented to the President for assent and shall not be enacted unless it is ratified by a majority of all the Houses of Assembly in the Federation,Our emphasis here is subsection (3) as underlined.
“I have carried a background check and have consulted various statute books and gazette and have not found where and when the majority of all the Houses of Assembly ratified the ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL CRIMES COMMISSION (ESTABLISHMENT BILL) prior to when same was presented to the President who signed same into law as EFCC Act, 2004 within the contemplation and intendment Section 12 (3) of the Constitution.
“If my finding is true and correct, which I reasonably believed to be true and correct, then it’s high time our judiciary rose up to the occasion to scrap and disband EFCC now and save this nation a sure to happen National embarrassment or disaster in the future”.
He called on the Federal Government led by Bola Ahmed Tinubu to leave the above board and do the needful to put an end to what he described as national embarrassment occasioned by the operation of EFCC without a constitutional validity for over 20 years .
“I am fortified by this clarion call on the Federal Government of Nigeria to either overhaul, scrap and or disband EFCC by the extant principle of Nigeria Constitutional jurisprudence that all laws must take its validity from the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended.
He added that ” corruption and crime are not on the exclusive legislative list and as such the majority of the house of assemblies should have been made to back the EFCC bill before it’s enactment by the National Assembly in line with section 12 of the constitution a process not done making establishment of EFCC , a moral institution to be founded on illegality to chase illegality “
The spokesperson of the group also went further to state that since the constitution backs the House of Assembly to make laws regarding taxations, charges and finances of all states , the assemblies also should have superior power regarding investigation, conviction and punishment of diversion of such funds.
He urged the House of Assembly across the Country to rise up to their legislative duties to avoid duplication of functions by the EFCC.
News
Ebonyi: Go back to site, support gov Nwifuru by delivering quality jobs – Obichukwu tells contractors
By Uchenna Okeh, Abakaliki
Ebonyi state commissioner for aviation and transport technology, Mrs. Ngozi Obichukwu has tasked contractors handling various projects at the Chuba Okadigbo international airport to go back to site, and should support governor Francis Nwifuru’s administration by delivering quality projects in the state.
The Nations News Nigeria reports that the commissioner, Obichukwu inaugurated a 5-man committee led by the permanent secretary, Mrs. Linda Alo to inspect and scrutinize the quality of work done by the contractors at the airport.
Obichukwu who spoke to newsmen shortly after a close door meeting with the contractors at her office located at the Chuba Okadigbo Airport, Onueke Ezza South LGA, however gave ultimatum of 30th October, 2024
for all contractors to submit a letter/proof of award of contract to them by the state government.
She further urged the contractors to be patient and should give maximum support to the governor, Nwifuru, to succeed in his administration, just as she assured them of the government’s readiness to pay them funds owed to them by the previous administration.
According to her: “Airport management is not like other transport services, there are aspects of it that will last many years. Some of the contractors had an agreement with the state government that will last for five to ten years.
“And now that Chuba Okadigbo airport is ready, we wait for the approval to commence flight operation. We invited the contractors we engaged, and we want them to go back to site and complete what they had a contextual agreement with the state government to complete, especially the airfield lightning to enable flight to land at night. We want them to complete the air-condition installation, solar panel installation, and others.
Obichukwu however reiterated the committed efforts of the governor, Nwifuru to complete and put the Chuba Okadigbo airport in perfect use; “The governor, Francis Nwifuru wants the Airport to be of good international standard, and so, we are pleading with the contractors to go back to site, and complete what they had an agreement with the former governor to complete. They will equally be paid the balances owed to them by the previous administration.
She noted further: “the fear that the governor may terminate their jobs, this is one year and four months, the governor will not terminate their jobs, he is equally interested in them to complete their jobs. But they have to show proof that contracts were actually awarded to them, and that they are real contractors that should be trusted. They should work hard at the same pace as the governor, who wants all the jobs to be done perfectly well” she stressed.
Earlier in an acceptance speech, the permanent secretary, Mrs Linda Alo vowed not to leave any stone unturned in ensuring that quality jobs are done at the airport by the contractors.
According to her: “we were charged to come up with a reason and need to pay the contractors balances who did different projects at the Chuba Okadigbo’s airport.
“We are going to interface with the contractors and they have to bring all the necessary documents beginning from the bill of quantity, stages of payments etc, and we will represent the governor to ensure that quality of work is delivered by the contractors at the airport” she said.
News
Crisis: Olumba Obu assures Gov Fubara of peace in Rivers State
From Ene Asuquo, Calabar
Following the sociopolitical crises that have bedeviled Rivers State in recent times, the spiritual leader of Brotherhood of the Cross and Star, His Holiness Olumba Olumba Obu has assured Governor Sim Fubara of protection, restoration of peace and success of his administration.
To this end, the spiritual leader has ordered his teeming faithful to converge in Port Harcourt, capital of Rivers State for what he described as Peace and Unity Feast, which one week activity commenced last Monday in the state.
It is billed to climax on Saturday 12 October 2024 with a 3-hour procession round the city centre with prayers to avert further untoward developments.
It is learnt that the spiritual leader despatched a delegation from the headquarters of his organisation in Calabar led by Patriarch Amah William’s who is spokesman of the organisation as well as the administrator of the fold Rivers state, Archbishop Amaewhule Ogwutum to visit Governor Fubara
Secretary to the State Government, Tammy Danagogo received the delegation on behalf of the governor.
Addressing the governor, Amah Williams stressed the importance of global peace, particularly in the state and why all should sheath their swords, reminding that the spiritual leader had declared Port Harcourt as the port of peace.
He assured that the pronouncement still stands, emphasizing that Peace will certainly return.
He also assured that their organization as a development partner in peace-building and sustainable projects, will work to enthroned peace in the state.
Also speaking, the administrator of the organization in the state, Archbishop Amaewhule expressed gratitude for the governor’s warm reception.
He said the Peace and Unity feast is an annual event by the organisation but that this year’s celebration will bring about spiritual intervention in the State.
Secretary to the State Government, Danagogo regretted the unavoidable absence of the Governor and expressed gratitude for spiritual interventions of BCS in the state and assurances of peace and protection.
“The assurances of peace, unity and protection of the governor and safety in Rivers State are heart warming. The assurances from the influential spiritual leader are very important to the Governor at this moment in the State.” he stated.
News
Kogi speaker,Umar speaks on boosting security in Assembly complex
By Mark Akudu, Kogi
The management of Dangote Cement Plant ,Obajana has handed over a Security House worth millions of Naira to Kogi State House of Assembly as a way to prevent insecurity in the area..
Speaking during the handing over of the Security House, the Speaker ,Kogi State House of Assembly, Yusuf Umar appreciated the gesture and described the fire incident that previously razed down the assembly complex as unfortunate.
The Speaker who stressed the importance of security to lives and properties , said the gesture would go down well in history, saying the company has written its name in gold in the anal of Kogi State.
While stating that the facility would go a long way to enhance the security of the assembly complex, he said the gesture would not be taken for granted.
Responding, the Plant Director of Dangote Cement Plant Obajana ,Hazard Nawabudeen who was represented by the General Manager Human Assets, Mr Adeniyi Azeez, described the gesture as one of the corporate/ social responsibilities of the company towards host communities.
He also stressed the importance of security, pointing out that interacting with a porous organisation is not safe .
Nawabudeen assured that this gesture was not the end as he assured of more cooperations and support for Kogi State and the state assembly in particular.
He added that this gesture would engender a robust relationship between the company and Kogi Assembly.
In a remark, the Clerk and Head of Legislative Service of Kogi Assembly, Alh Chogudo Sule Ahmed reiterated the appreciation of staff and management but requested for furniture and office facilities for the security house.
He said the requests were urgently needed , saying they are needed to enhance the jobs of the security men.
News
Bauchi govt. Vows to fund Education, projects through taxes, other IGR
By: Ajiya Ayuba, Bauchi
The Bauchi State Deputy Governor, Mohammed Auwal Jatau has said that taxation is the backbone of the government’s ability to provide essential services, infrastructure, and support for citizens.
He noted further that it is through the revenue generated from taxes that the government can fund education, healthcare, and development projects that benefit all citizens in the country.
Jatau made this known during an interaction with FIRS officials from Bauchi office of the service who paid him an advocacy visit as part of the celebration of the 2024 FIRS Customer Service Week.
He noted that the advocacy visit is not only timely, but also crucial “as we work together to enhance tax compliance in our state,”
“We appreciate the efforts of the FIRS in improving customer service and simplifying tax processes. These initiatives not only ease the burden on taxpayers but also promote a sense of trust and accountability between the government and the governed. I assure you that the Bauchi State Government is prepared to support these initiatives and provide any necessary support to enhance tax compliance.”
He applauded the Federal Inland Revenue Service for initiating the Customer Service Week, saying it would serve as a reminder of the vital role that effective communication and customer service play in tax administration and, by extension, in the socio-economic development of Bauchi State.
Jatau assured the visitors that Governor Bala Mohammed is fully committed to fostering a culture of tax compliance among the citizens through working closely with the FIRS to ensure that citizens understand the importance of their contributions and the positive impact it has on the state’s economic growth.
The deputy governor of the state, Mohammed Auwal Jatau said that “As we celebrate Customer Service Week, let us remember that our mutual goal is to create a fair and efficient tax system that serves the interests of our citizens. I encourage us to engage with our communities, listen to their concerns, and to educate them on their rights and responsibilities regarding tax payments.”
In his part, Sani Dahiru who is the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) incharge of Bauchi, Borno and Yobe states expressed his appreciation to the state government for supporting the service to deliver on its assigned responsibilities effectively in the state.