First Republic Minister of Aviation, Chief Mbazulike Amechi, has lamented that the actions of some leaders of the Indigenous People of Biafra are endangering the ongoing discussion and negotiation for the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu. This came as masked men suspected to be members of IPOB allegedly enforcing the suspended Monday sit-at-home order attacked traders at Obollo-Afor town in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State for disobeying the order on Monday. Amechi had led Igbo leaders to the President Muhammadu Buhari in November 2021 to demand the unconditional release of the IPOB leader. Speaking in a chat with The PUNCH on Monday, he lamented that the sit-at-home order is destroying the South-East economy and also hampering discussions for Kanu’s release. Amechi said, “I discussed with the Presidency and Mr President himself on two subjects – the Igbo situation in Nigeria and Nnamdi Kanu. And our discussion was very good and friendly but the sit-at-home order IPOB is dishing out in the South-East is embarrassing the whole thing. I don’t know the leaders of IPOB and who they are. “Kanu is in detention although the Presidency arranged for me to go and see him and I went and saw him and we discussed. “So, I just told their lawyer, he is in a better position to contact them, to stop the Monday to Thursday sit-at-home. I told him that it is too much and is ruining the economy of the South-East but he told me that they had already issued a statement that IPOB had never said that. “They must stop their actions which make the release of their leader more difficult. If they don’t, I will withdraw my own efforts”, he said.

The Founder of the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force, Asari Dokubo has been accused of working with the federal government to kill Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra. IPOB accused Dokubo of also planning with the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government to kill Biafra separatist agitators in the South-East and South-South regions of the country. The group alleged that Dokubo was recruiting cult members to work against IPOB members and other agitators loyal to Nnamdi Kanu. According to IPOB, the youth being recruited by Dokubo are to be paid N150,000 per month. In a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, on Monday, IPOB said, “We are the global movement and family of the Indigenous People of Biafra under the command and leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Quote “We wish to remind Biafrans and the people living in the coastal region of Biafraland which Nigeria falsely called South-South or Niger Delta, that it has come to the knowledge and attention of the global family of IPOB how Asari Dokubo and his co-travellers are recruiting cultists and some deluded and gullible Niger Delta militants to fight against the Biafran cause. “We don’t want to dignify Asari and his criminal recruits with a response but for clarity sake we decided to make this public so that people should not blame us if anything happens. “Biafrans living in both coastal area and hinterland are all part of our great nation. They must understand that Asari and his few traitors are trying to create confusion between Igbo Biafra and Izon Biafra but we are waiting for his recruited boys. He should not think that we are cowards. Let him venture and see what we are capable of doing. “IPOB intelligence unit uncovered plan about how Asari is moving around coastal areas of Biafra land recruiting cultists and demented fellows to join the wicked Nigeria security forces, evil politicians including some governors in the South-East region to attack people and blame it on IPOB and ESN operatives. The public should know about this wicked plot in the coastal areas of Biafra by few enemies of Biafra restoration. “Asari Dokubo has sealed his contract with the Nigeria Government and some South-East politicians in recruiting Ijaw youth to fight Biafra agitators in Biafra hinterland precisely IPOB and ESN operatives. “Currently, they have opened two camps in Bayelsa and one in Igweocha. Some of the youths they approached refused the offer while some of them accepted the proposed salary of N150,000 monthly. “Their plan is to merge these Ijaw militant youths with Nigeria military and JTF. They will have military uniforms and work with other security operatives to kill those agitating for the restoration of Biafra. “IPOB members worldwide and ESN should take preventive measures very quickly to avert this evil plans by these murderous agents and their evil plans against Biafra restoration. “We should not hesitate to officially notify the public and Biafrans through this press release especially PANDEF, Ijaw Youth Council, Elders and Traditional rulers of Izon and Ohaneze Ndigbo leaders including all other tribal leaders across coastal land of Biafra to call Asari to order because we are ready for them at any time they may come. We are aware of the amount paid to him by Hope Uzodinma, Nyesom Wike and Fulani people thinking that they can stop IPOB and ESN. We will disgrace him and his boys. “IPOB members worldwide should take note of this treachery by Asari Dokubo and his partners in crime. They must know how some evil political and traditional leaders across mainland are colluding with the enemies to fight against the struggle. “We want to alert Biafrans that Asari Dokubo is colluding with Fulani security forces and presidency to cause chaos and anarchy in Biafraland. They should never take us for granted. If Asari tries this evil agenda, we will smoke him out from Cotonou in Benin Republic where he has been hiding.”

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has stated that there is a need to review the minimum educational requirement for intending officeholders to meet current standards. Gbajabiamila said this on Monday at the 52nd Convocation Lecture of the University of Lagos, where he delivered the Convocation Lecture titled, ‘Building Back Better: Creating a New Framework for Tertiary Education in Nigeria in the 21st Century.’ The Speaker noted that the current requirement for elected public servants only reflected the era it was introduced and not the present in Nigeria. He said, “I also believe that the time has come for us to agree to review section 131 (d) of the 1999 constitution to increase the minimum educational qualification for persons aspiring to political office in Nigeria. “The constitution requires a secondary school certificate or equivalent as the minimum academic qualification for high political office. “This is the requirement for qualification to contest election for Governor, the national assembly, and president. Ladies and gentlemen, this provision is the product of a different time and reflects the reality of that time. “It is time to take another look at that position as part of the ongoing effort to reform our electoral system and establish a fully participatory democracy providing the capable leadership our country needs.” Gbajabiamila stated that the reduction in the age of eligibility for officeholders should be enough reason for an increment in the educational requirement. He added an increase in the educational requirement would help in reforming Nigeria’s electoral system and provide strong leadership for the country. “As we have reduced the age for eligibility to contest those offices so also we should increase the minimum educational requirements. “It will be another step in reforming our electoral system and providing strong leadership for the country. Let us lift our gaze from consideration of small things to focus on the pursuit and achievement of grand ambitions that lift us all and save the future,” he added.

Messaging app, Whatsapp, has celebrated late US civil rights leader, Martin Luther King Jr, saying he fought for equality and civil liberty. In a tweet on Monday, in commemoration of MLK Day, WhatsApp also celebrated Coretta Scott King, an American author, activist and civil rights leader, who was the wife of Martin Luther King Jr. “This #MLKDay, we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Coretta Scott King –– trailblazers, who fought for equality and civil liberty, who exemplify the power of voice, belief, and compassion,” the tweet read. Here are some of the most memorable quotes of the civil rights leader known for his soaring rhetoric: On racism “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” – August 23, 1968 at the “March on Washington” On the Vietnam War “I oppose the war in Vietnam because I love America. I speak out against this war, not in anger, but with anxiety and sorrow in my heart, and, above all, with a passionate desire to see our beloved country stand as the moral example of the world. I speak out against this war because I am disappointed with America. And there can be no great disappointment where there is not great love.” – April 30, 1967, Riverside Church, New York On his legacy “Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice. Say that I was a drum major for peace. I was a drum major for righteousness. And all of the other shallow things will not matter.” February 4, 1968, Ebenezer Baptist Church, Atlanta, Georgia “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of convenience and comfort, but where he stands in moments of challenge and controversy.” – King’s 1963 book “Strength to Love” On good and evil “I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant.” – December 10, 1964, Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech, Oslo, Norway His final speech Well, I don’t know what will happen now; we’ve got some difficult days ahead. But it really doesn’t matter with me now. Because I’ve been to the mountaintop. I don’t mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people will get to the promised land. So I’m happy, tonight. I’m not worried about anything. I’m not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.” – April 3, 1968, Bishop Charles Mason Temple, Memphis, Tennessee AFP