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Ukhomunyio Youth Association denounces Okpella protests

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***Urges security agencies to fish out masterminds

A protest in the Okpella community last month which led to the death of two youths and injuries on others has been roundly condemned by the Ukhomunyio Youth Association (UYA)

The Association in a statement signed by its National President, Omoalu Merry and General Secretary, Afiabor God’sluck Sunday, however called on the security agencies to fish out the organizers of the protest to face the full wrath of the law.

The association dissociated itself from the protest and lamented that all entreaties to dissuade the organizers from going ahead with the unfortunate action fell on deaf ears.

“We vehemently condemn it and call on the security agencies to come against the culprit,” the UYA said.

The UYA statement titled: “Our position on the violence of 28th day of June 2023 in Okpella and the need to bring culprits to book” reads:

“We the undersigned, Youth Leaders of Ukhomunyio Community, have reassessed the unfortunate and avoidable crises of 28 day of June 2023, which can only be best described as unfortunate and have decided to issue this press statement.

“The unfortunate protest cut short the lives of two vibrant young men and left few others with various degrees of injuries.

“We make bold to state that the said protest should have remained a myth than a reality if the organizers had listened to the voice of reason.

“We are peace loving people and as such will not subscribe to unnecessary youth unrest in our community.

“We understand and encourage peaceful protest of any form; borne out of genuine interest and intention, especially for the betterment of our community.

“But we must state unequivocally that we condemn any form of rascality under the guise of protest, which we undeniably saw on the 28 day of June, 2023.

“Protests do not just happen as a matter of leisure. They happen out of genuine interest. They come up only if and when peaceful engagements have been made with interested parties. It doesn’t take the form of ‘cult regroupings’ or strength showmanship.

“It’s a serious business and as such has rules and regulations. For avoidance of doubt, when the news of the intended protest filtered into our ears, we quickly called the organizers and asked them to stop it immediately as indications pointed that it had no genuine formation and character.

“We distanced ourselves from it as a community. But unfortunately, the organizers went ahead to put the entire community in a state of topsy-turvy and hullabaloo which it will take a very long time to recover from.

“Our old mothers and aged fathers were at the receiving end of the actions and reactions therefrom. It was definitely an eye-sore. We vehemently condemn it and call on the security agencies to come against the culprit.

“It was not an Ukhomunyio affair in any form and shape. As a matter of fact, they brought us disgrace and made us vulnerable to the Nigerian Army’s reaction.”

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Deji Adeyanju fires back at Wike over Comments, Labels Him a “Bully and a Coward”

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Deji Adeyanju and Nyesom Wike

Human rights activist and lawyer Deji Adeyanju has issued a scathing response to comments made against him by Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister and former Rivers State governor. Wike had recently accused Adeyanju of being jobless, noting that the activist once sought his support in a bid to become the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national publicity secretary.

During a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, Adeyanju didn’t hold back, describing Wike as “a bully and a coward.”
He went on to criticize Wike’s character and political approach, saying, “Wike has never worked anywhere in his life. He is a serial betrayer. The only difference between Wike and Portable is that Portable does not betray people who have helped him.”

Adeyanju praised Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara for his recent actions against Wike, saying, “I commend Governor Fubara for dealing decisively with him. That’s how to deal with tyrants. Wike is nothing without politics.”

He further expressed his concerns over Wike’s influence, stating, “The reason why he is making so much noise and constituting a nuisance all over the place is because of our political patrimony that he loots. Clowns and charlatans like Nyesom Wike will open their mouths and criticize true activists.”

Adeyanju also highlighted the importance of citizens participating in politics, saying, “Wike wants everyone to leave politics to rogues like him. His idea of nation-building is where people like him control everything. All citizens of conscience should get involved in politics.”

The back-and-forth between Adeyanju and Wike highlights ongoing tensions within Nigerian political circles and has sparked discussions about the role of activists and the nature of leadership in the country.

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Late COAS Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja Laid to Rest in Abuja Amid Tears, Tributes

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***Emotional Farewell as Nigeria Mourns a Dedicated Military Leader

Amid deep sorrow and heartfelt tributes, the late Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, was laid to rest on Friday at the National Cemetery in Abuja.
His burial concluded two days of solemn funeral rites that began in Lagos, marking the end of an impactful military career.

The casket bearing Lagbaja, draped in Nigeria’s green and white, arrived at the cemetery around 3 pm following a funeral service at the National Christian Centre in Abuja.
His body was lowered into the earth at 4:41 pm after a ceremony lasting over two hours.

The event was attended by numerous dignitaries, including President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Acting Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa, Defence Minister Abubakar Badaru, and other high-ranking officials.

President Tinubu, paying tribute, called Lagbaja’s appointment one of his most significant decisions and announced a posthumous national honor of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) for the late COAS. He urged the military not to lose hope: “Please, do not let death defeat us, and as Commander-in-Chief, I renew my pledge that the country will always support you and your families.”
General Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff, echoed this sentiment, calling Lagbaja’s passing a call to strengthen the military’s resolve.
“Let us ensure his sacrifice continues to guide us as we defend this nation. We are resolved to defeat all enemies of the state, whether within or outside,” he stated.
Acting COAS Oluyede expressed personal gratitude for Lagbaja’s mentorship, sharing that he had nominated him for a national honor even while facing illness.

Lagbaja’s funeral rites began with a service of songs at the Army Headquarters Garrison Parade Ground, Mogadishu Cantonment, on Thursday, following the arrival of his body at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport from Lagos.

Lt. General Lagbaja, born on February 28, 1968, served as Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff for over a year, having been appointed by President Tinubu in June 2023. He passed away on November 5 after a brief illness, leaving a legacy of dedication and patriotism.

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Group Raises Alarm Over Lagos Task Force’s Invasion of Ex-Minister’s Lekki Property

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A civil society group, Good Governance Alliance – Nigeria (GGA-N), has condemned the Lagos State government following an alleged invasion of former Transportation Minister Admiral Festus Porbeni’s Lekki property by state officials on Friday morning.
They called for immediate action against alleged breach of court order on Admiral Festus Porbeni’s property.

According to the group, the invasion is in direct violation of a Federal High Court order and sets a dangerous precedent for lawlessness.

In a statement issued by GGA-N representative Nathaniel Obasi, the group reported that officials from the Lagos State Special Task Force forcefully entered Admiral Porbeni’s property at Wole Olateju Crescent around 7:30 am, accompanied by heavily-armed mobile policemen.
Obasi noted that the task force allegedly beat, arrested, and detained several individuals on the premises, placing them in a police vehicle known as ‘Black Maria.’

The statement emphasized that this raid contradicts a Federal High Court injunction prohibiting any disruption at the property and disregards a recent Supreme Court ruling granting federal control over inland waterways and adjacent lands within 100 meters.
Despite Porbeni’s possession of a Federal Certificate of Occupancy, the Lagos State Task Force allegedly threatened to bulldoze structures on the property, sparking concerns over escalating conflicts between state and federal jurisdiction.

GGA-N therefore urged the Chief Justice of Nigeria, the Inspector-General of Police, Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and federal agencies overseeing waterways to intervene, asserting that the Lagos State government’s actions could lead to “lawlessness and chaos.”

According to him, the disputed property was previously invaded in 2021.

Obasi claimed that at about 7:30am this Friday, officials from the Lagos State Special Task Force, illegally forced their way into Admiral Porbeni’s property at Wole Olateju Crescent, Lekki, despite the Federal High Court order, which barred any agent from entering the premises or harassing any person at the premises.

It added the Lagos State Special Task Force accompanied by heavily-armed mobile policemen, beat up, arrested and threw staff and other people met on the property into a police vehicle called ‘Black Maria’, which they brought “for the illegal raid”.
“The officials who cordoned off the area are now threatening to bulldoze all structures on the property, in brazen breach of the Federal High Court order (FHC/L/CS/1384/21).

“The actions of the Task Force is also in disregard of the landmark ruling of the Supreme Court in January which affirmed the federal government’s exclusive control of the country’s inland waterways and all lands within 100 meters of all declared federal waterways in Nigeria.

“The question is despite Admiral Porbeni being in possession of a Federal Certificate of Occupancy (CofO), how is the Lagos State Government allowed to flout not only an injunction from the Federal High Court but also a ruling from the Supreme Court?

“The Lagos state government’s brazen disobedience of court orders is a recipe for lawlessness and chaos. We draw the urgent attention of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Inspector General of Police, the Governor of Lagos State and relevant federal government agencies in charge of federal waterways in the country to the illegal raid and occupation by the Lagos State Special Task Force,” Obasi stated

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