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Reps Deputy Speaker Make Moves for Kanu’s Release
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu has given indication that a political solution may be in the offing for the eventual release of the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
The Deputy Speaker said he was in discussion with the President for a possible political solution, saying that while the court processes are ongoing, political solutions are being worked out.
Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker, Levinus Nwabughiogu who disclosed this in a statement, said Kalu was speaking at the special edition of “The Ben Kalu’s Mandate”, a radio programme on FLO FM, Umuahia, Abia State on Monday.
There have been insinuations that despite the launch of the Peace In South East Project (PISE-P), Kanu may have been abandoned to his fate.
But the Deputy Speaker, who said he can never abandon the IPOB leader, also gave indication that Igbo leaders will soon meet with the President to discuss a number of issues, including the release of Nnamdi Kanu.
He said: “The Peace in South East Project (PISE-P) has reconcilation in the mix of what we are trying to achieve. We recognize the importance of our brother, Nnamdi Kanu in the peace agenda we are pushing. That’s the truth.
“I have been very vocal about it. I am not hiding it. I have always told people that I will never deny Nnamdi Kanu. He’s my brother. We come from the same place and I will never be happy having him incarcerated when we can have him out and increase our pursuit towards peace.
“But we may not advance all the things we are doing backdoor but I can assure you that all the powers-that-be in this country know that people like us are not sitting on the fence. I don’t know about the next person but I am talking about Benjamin Okezie Kalu. I am not sitting on the fence about it. I am lobbying.
“We cannot go about this before the court. I am more interested in using a political solution towards resolving this. So, I am asking for one or two things from the federal government.
“The last time I was with Mr. President, I discussed with Mr. President on the need for the elders of Igbo land to come, sit and engage with him. And I know that one of the topics that will come up there is this our brother and also SEDC. We will also thank him for all the good things, the appointments he has been giving to Igbo people.
“So, while the court is doing what they are doing, I will not truncate legal processes but some of us are not afraid to identify with him and to ask for him to be released. Any other thing can follow up after that.
“So, that is what is going on at the moment and those who are close to him will assure you we are working closely on this mandate. Is it achievable? The answer is yes
“And I am happy with the statement that he made the last time he was in court. He said all those who are causing violence are not IPOB people, that anybody who is using his name to be causing violence is a hater of Ndi Igbo.
“Look, Igbos are not known for violence. We are known for trade, being creative. Call it Nollywood, we are the engine room that started the creative industry. We are not thieves, not known for violence. We put our energy towards creating wealth.
“We are not life killers and anybody coming now to introduce what is strange to us, it’s either the person is not an Igbo man or we should question where he is coming from.
“Burning things down is not how we show our strength. How we show our strength is that when we enter your community, we make wealth to better our lives. That’s our strength.
“I am happy he sounded that warning. I am happy we are coming together to achieve it. And I want to thank the people. Since we launched this programme about 4 months now, there is a little bit of peace and it is the combined effort of everyone coming together, understanding that it is true we need peace.
“Let’s be calm. Let’s support this government. And I want to thank the people of the south east for not joining the protest. The I want to thank Ohaneze Ndi Igbo for sending out messages and saying no, we should not protest too. Number one reason: The President from the south. He didn’t create the problem. He’s also giving us appointments. So, we must give him the support.
“As we are asking Mr. President to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu for us and giving us South East Development Commission, we must on the other show him loyalty by making sure that there is peace in our area. No violence, support his government.”
Speaking on the state of the South East Development Commission Bill, Kalu said that the piece of legislation is at the conference committee stage where some issues regarding the confirmation of the commissioners are being resolved.”
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Nigerian Military Declares Nigerien Terrorist, Halilu Buzu Wanted
The Nigerian Military has declared Halilu Buzu, a national of Buzu in Republic of Niger wanted for terrorising Nigerian territory, particularly Zamfara.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, made the announcement on Thursday in Abuja, at a media briefing on the operations of the military.
Buba said the notorious suspected terrorist leader settled in Subbubu Forest in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara.
He said that Buzu had a camp for illegal gold mining located at Kawayi, in Anka Local Government Area of the state, and had lots of boys working for him.
According to Buba, the terrorist is also a prominent cattle rustler.
He said that the Buzu’s group had in the last week killed 19 villagers at Farar Kasa.
”He is a High Value Target and we hereby declare him wanted.
”Furthermore, he is a major arms supplier, trusted by arms dealers supplying arms from Libya.
”We have been on his trail and whenever we close in on him, he bolts across the border into Republic of Niger for refuge.
”At this time, we are through appropriate channels calling on the Nigerien authorities, regional and international bodies to support in effecting his arrest to hold him accountable for his atrocities,” he said. (NAN)
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Cooperatives Capable of Boosting Inclusive Growth, Eradicating Poverty-Shettima
Vice -President Kashim Shettima, says cooperative initiatives have what it takes to boost inclusive growth, development and end poverty in the country.
Shettima said this at the 2nd Abuja Cooperative Summit organised by the National Cooperatives Agency of Nigeria (CFAN) in Abuja on Wednesday.
Shettima, represented by Dr Nurudeen Zauro, the Technical Adviser to the President on Financial Inclusion, said the role of cooperatives in facilitating economic activities was key to the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
He said that Tinubu’s administration had signed the Student Loan Act, set up the Credit Corp to enhance access to consumer credit.
The vice-president said the recent signing of Aso Accord on Economic and Financial Inclusion was also a commitment to support economic and financial inclusion which cooperatives played significant roles in achieving.
”This administration is mindful of the fact that over 30 million of our people do not have access to a broad range of affordable financial services to enable them to fulfill their economic potential.
”A major reason for that is low income.
”This is not just an economic problem but might further lead to insecurity, this is the reason why the conversation on economic inclusion, financial inclusion, and insecurity is of high priority to this administration today.
”This administration believes a strategic approach is important to address the subject of economic and financial inclusion, and as such has elevated the subject to the agenda of the National Economic Council, ” he said.
Ms Nkem Chime, the Head, Strategy Coordination Office, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), said that 74 per cent of the populace was financially included while 26 per cent was excluded.
Chime said the CBN would continue to pave the way for innovative programmes to encourage cooperatives.
The Executive Secretary of CFAN, Mr Emmanuel Atama, said the summit was geared toward activating the Cooperative Development Fund.
Atama said the summit was also to have a robust discussion on cooperatives resilience in the face of diverse economic challenges.
He said the agency had also partnered with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Department of Science, Technology and Innovation to build the entrepreneurial capacity of cooperative members.
The Director, FCT Department of Science Technology and Innovation, Mr Olobashola Kolawole, said that cooperatives were the backbone of entrepreneurship.
He said the department would continue to collaborate with cooperatives to establish youths for the development of the country.
Reports says that cooperatives’ members from different states attended the summit. (NAN)
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Edo Guber: Labour Party Unveils Campaign Council
The Labour Party (LP) in Edo on Saturday, announced its campaign council for the upcoming governorship election scheduled for Sept. 21.
The council, led by Rev. Sam Omede as Director-General and Dr Ehikioya Agboga as Deputy, will be inaugurated on May 13.
Other members of the council are Sen.
Ned Imasuen (Edo South) Reps Esosa Iyawe and Murphy Osaro Omoruyi (Oredo and Egor/Ikpoba Okha) federal constituencies respectively.Mr Kelly Ogbaloi, State Chairman of the party unveiled the members of the campaign council while addressing journalists at the party’s secretariat in Benin.
This was after a stakeholders’ meeting of the State Working Committee with senatorial, local government leaders and executives across the 18 local government areas of the state.
Ogbaloi said: ” in preparation for the upcoming election, we have meticulously selected individuals of impeccable character to lead the State Campaign Council and local government campaign committees
He also appealed to members to leverage the forthcoming new voters’ registration exercise to expand the voter’s base as well as ensure broader participation in the electoral process.
“A robust membership drive shall be launched to attract new members and reconcile with disenchanted individuals who have legitimate grievances,” he added.
The LP chairman said that Ken Omusi the party’s youth leader had been suspended from the party for anti-party activities, announcing Dan Ero from Oredo local government as his replacement
He added that the suspension on some members, excluding Ken Omusi, had been lifted.
According to him, a reconciliation committee will be set up to ensure peace among aggrieved party members ahead of the election. (NAN)