The Anambra State governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo has vowed that his government will go after cultists whose clash caused the deaths of at least 13 people in Nibo Community of Anamabra State.

The victims were said to have lost their lives on Sunday when two rival cults clashed in the community located in Awka South Local Government Area of the state.

Soludo said, “Every avoidable loss of life in Anambra shatters my heart, especially when young lives are cut short. The mindless violence between rival cults in our communities is heartbreaking.

“Yesterday’s tragic incident in Nibo, where young lives were lost, is unacceptable. We have an anti-cultism law in place, and I have ordered immediate action against those involved.

“But laws alone aren’t enough. Parents and community leaders, let’s join forces to protect our youth! We can’t sit back while our children destroy themselves.

“Let’s take action at home and in our communities to end cultism. We will continue to pray for the lost souls and work towards a safer Anambra where people will live by the law and draw lessons from this avoidable tragedy.”

Prof. Saawua Gabriel Nyityo, Worldwide President of the University of Ibadan Alumni Association (UIAA), says the death of Senator (Prof.) Jonathan Silas Zwingina, a member of the UIAA Board of Trustee (BoT), is shocking and devastating.

Nyityo stated this yesterday in Abuja, at the Night of Tribute in honour of the distinguished Nigerian, statesman and former representative of the good people of the Southern Senatorial District of Adamawa State, who was confirmed dead on Wednesday, 2nd October 2024 at the age of 70.

Noting that Zwingina’s remarkable contributions to UIAA will forever embody his memory in his condolences, the UIAA Worldwide President stated that the late politician has left a great void in the Advisory of UIAA and the political structure of Adamawa State.

Commiserating with the late politician’s spouse, Dr. Christy Zwingina, Nyityo asserted that “The deceased Patriarch was an epitome of humility and wisdom who dedicated his life to the service of God and humanity having had a very successful career in politics as a Distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. UIAA is indeed proud of him for upholding the University of Ibadan (UI) tradition of excellence and for his invaluable contributions to the Association as a member of Board of Trustees. His legacy of integrity, courage and abiding faith in God are the torch that he lit while on earth with us.

“We also would like to acknowledge the important role he played in his service to the nation at large. We pray that the Almighty God will grant the entire Zwingina family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. May the good Lord grant his soul eternal rest.”

Sen Zwingina’s contribution to Nigeria’s development spans across several sectors of our nation’s life: He was a Scholar, Technocrat, Public Servant and Politician of high repute, who left an indelible mark on our nation’s history.

He was a leading voice in the struggle for democracy, and was the Director General of the late MKO Abiola’s Hope 93 Campaign Organization during the iconic June 12th 1993
Presidential Election.

His intellectual depth, eloquence and unwavering commitment to democratic ideals resonated deeply with Nigerians.

While in the Senate, he was a vocal advocate of due process, promoter of national development priorities with particular emphasis on policy, good governance, the oversight role of the parliament in government accountability to the people, among others.

Prior to his time in the National Assembly, Zwingina played a pivotal role in shaping
national discourse as a Director of the Mass Mobilization for Social Justice, Self-Reliance, and Economic Recovery (MAMSER) program during the President Ibrahim Babaginda military administration.

Nigerian lawyer and human rights activist from Anambra State, Chukwudi Onyejekwe, is currently on the run over threat to his life by unknown persons allegedly suspected to be working for government officials in the country.

Chukwudi Onyejekwe, a human rights defender and advocate of good governance, is known to be involved in human rights activities over the years.

It was revealed that, in October 2020, Chukwudi Onyejekwe, along with other human rights activists were alleged to be involved in the ill-fated “End SARS” protest that almost crippled the country.

There were reported cases in the media that, the renowned legal practitioner has been leading protest against bad government right from his days as law student.

It, was suspected as revealed by sources that, unknown gunmen are after his life for his recent role in mobilizing citizens to protest against bad governance in August and October this year.

There are feelers that, his anti government protests is defaming the authority and the government is no longer comfortable with his freedom hence the alleged threat to his life.

It is believed by pundits that, the Nigeria government is jailing activists and suppressing protests of any kind against her. In carrying out their legitimate activities in advocating for the rights of citizens, human rights activists and organisations faces threats and attacks, either directly or in the digital sphere.

It was reported that, all efforts made to trace the whereabouts of the radical lawyer have not been successful and his wife and kids are also nowhere to be found.

Calls to the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO) to ascertain the whereabouts of the lawyer turned activist was unsuccessful as his phone number was not connecting as at the time of filing this report.

Further investigation to follow

Lagos State boosts workers’ income as Governor Sanwo-Olu approves N85,000 minimum wage for civil servants, exceeding federal standards.

Sanwo-Olu announced his government’s readiness to pay a new minimum wage of N85,000 to workers in the state on Wednesday while featuring on Politics Today, an interactive program on Channels TV.

According to Sanwo-Olu, “I’m glad to let you know that the minimum wage for Lagos, which we have discussed with our union, is N85,000 today.

“It is not a competition. I am not going to say that we are paying more than some people, it is a function of affordability and capacity.

“We know too well that when people live in Lagos, Lagos has a premium in terms of the cost of living. We are fully aware.

“We also increased our salary earlier in the year. I will want to come back in January and say that I have been able to increase the minimum wage of Lagos to N100,000, not because I want to make anybody look bad, but because I want my people to have a decent living wage.”

Lucky Tubotu, an indigene of Bilabiri 1 & 2 Communities has described his purported banishment from the community as laughable,accusing the elders and Chiefs of turning blind eyes to those with questionable character and criminal records.

Tubotu in a statement released in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State titled “My Purported Banishment From Bilabiri Communities Is Highly Laughable, Banish Those With Questionable Character And Criminal Records” said it was sad that elders and Chiefs who ought to speak the truth no matter whose ox is gored can no longer be trusted because of bread and butter.

“My attention has been drawn to an online platform of one Kelvin James on the 28th September 2024 stating that I have been banished from Bilabiri 1 Community, removal of Yerin Johnbo as Tantita Coordinator as well as removal of Captain Joshua Oropere as BOT Member/Chairman from Bilabiri Community”.

“It is most shameful that Bilabiri elders and Chiefs are playing the ostrich,they know who killed Frank B. Seide and yet have kept quiet,why not banish Ebimene Abaka and Tekena Abaka for their criminal activities.”

“The big question is who Killed Frank B.Seide at the concrete jetty? Bilabiri Elders and Chiefs should come out and tell the world.Why not banish the known killer and criminal gangs in the community? You prefer to stay with a viper and banish a dove?

“To me my purported banishment is null and void because I have not done anything sacrilegious to deserve such treatment, people are banished for evil deeds against the community.Bilabiri tell the world what I did?

“If Bilabiri community can accommodate a known killer and declare that I lucky Tubotu should not step into my community for fighting against criminal elements, then the world should know that these people are working for a known killer and have banished an innocent persons”.

“It is a known fact in Bilabiri 1 Community,the elders,women and youths know how close i was with Late Frank B. Seide,his death will not be in vain, until his killer is brought to book I will not rest,his blood is crying “.

“I wish to state categorically that my publications are not sponsored by Yerin Johnbo, Captain Joshua Oropere or any other person .It is my earnest desire since the death of Frank B Seide to sanitize Bilabiri 1 Community of notorious criminals and killer gangs”.

On the issue of removing Yerin Johnbo as the Coordinator, it is again very obvious that these people are fighting for Ebimene Abaka and his gangs. Ebimene Abaka has announced himself as the Coordinator for Bilabiri 1 Community in several places.He has been envious and not happy with Yerin Johnbo from the day he was appointed as the Coordinator Tantita Security Service Nigeria Limited (TSSNL).

“Ebimene Abaka is highly interested in being the Tantita Coordinator, the purported removal of Yerin Johnbo is to give room to Ebimene Abaka, but they forget to know that Tantita Coordinator is not nominated and appointed through the community approval.It is mere foolishness coupled with ignorance

” I can say without mincing words that Yerin Johnbo is a peaceful man,calm, bold and development oriented leadership.He has contributed significantly to the development of the Bilabiri 1 Community”

“Yerin Johnbo has bought and distributed foodstuffs worth millions of naira from his hard earned income, bought school uniforms and writing materials for pupils of Bilabiri 1 Community, paid school fees among other community development efforts,yet what he gets from the community as appreciation is by planning to remove him as the Coordinator of Tantita, so that criminal gangs can parade as themselves as gods in Bilabiri 1 Community”.

“I call on the security agencies to investigate what led to the death of Frank B.Seide and bring the culprits to book in order to avoid a reoccurrence as the Bilabiri community moves toward another change of government in the community in December 2024”

“Tension is already brewing in the Bilabiri 1 community as Tekena Abaka has been boasting that nobody can remove him from the office as CDC Chairman, even though his tenure is expiring by December 2024.I do not want innocent Bilabiri indigenes to die in the hands of the notorious and power drunk Ebimene Abaka and Tekena Abaka .My life is at risk for fighting against evil in our beloved community”.

“The people making publication on my purported banishment and the removal of Mr Yerin Johnbo as Tantita coordinator. You really need to ask questions because you don’t know, my great grandfather, Late chief (Ekiriyan) who happens to be the grandfather of Yerin Johnbo fought for what you are enjoying today.When the school came to Bilabiri community, my great grandfather’s house was used as classrooms”.