News

Ijaw Not Biafra, Count Us Out Of Your Planned Attack Military, INC Warns IPOB

Published

2 years ago

March 29, 2024

The apex socio-cultural organisation of Ijaw worldwide, the Ijaw National Congress, INC, has warned pro Biafran group, the Indigenous People of Biafra, to desist from dragging Ijaw nation into its alleged plan to attack military formations in Bayelsa and Delta states over the Okuama and Igbomotoru invasion.

The INC handed down the warning while reacting to an alleged plan by the Simon Ekpa led faction of the IPOB to attack military personnel and declare a sit-at-home in Delta and Bayelsa States over what they termed ‘targeted ethnic’ cleansing in both states by the Army.

Ekpa in a trending video, had directed that all roads leading to Delta and Bayelsa States be shutdown to mourn those allegedly killed by the Army at Okuama and Igbomotoru communities in Delta and Bayelsa respectively.

He stated that IPOB will avenge the alleged killing of innocent people of Biafra in the aforementioned states, and declared that nobody in military uniform should be in Biafra region, as they should be considered as terrorists.

But President of the INC, Prof Benjamin Okaba who spoke with Vanguard on Friday in Yenagoa said there was no time Ijaw ethnic nationality consented to be part of Biafra Republic and dissociated the Ijaw from the planned attack by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.

He said the INC had earlier made known its position on the unfortunate incidents that occured in Okuama, Delta State and the invasion of Igbomotoru in Bayelsa and that the military authorities should be allowed to conduct a thorough investigation into the sordid incidents.

Prof Okaba described as unacceptable the threat by IPOB at this time while efforts are on to unravel the perpetrators.

His words, “The INC has severally condemned the killing of the 17 military officers in Okuama and we have also cautioned the invasion of Okuama and Igbomotoru communities as well as decried the deaths of innocent citizens in these communities.

“We are particularly concerned about the IPOB reference of these affected communities as part of Biafra and that they are coming to avenge the invasion of these communities because they are part of them.

“We wish to emphasize that these communities are ljaw communities and we disassociate ourselves from the planned attack on the military authorities in the region.

“This nefarious plan is not in our interest as a people. The ljaw nation has not solicited the support of IPOB and any other group whatsoever to address its cause for self determination.

“The Federal Government should take serious note of our position and deal decisively with any group that is planning to turn our environment into a battlefield.

“Finally, we are calling on Ijaw all over to remain calm, vigilant and focused.”

News

Insecurity: Former NYSC Director Tasks Corps Members On Self, Environmental Consciousness

Published

2 hours ago

December 1, 2025

Editor

A retired Director, Information and Public Relations, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Directorate Headquarters, Eddy Megwa, has called on all corps members serving in the country to take their personal security seriously, always be self and environmental conscious.

The former Director made the call at the Bauchi NYSC permanent orientation camp, Wailo, Ganjuwa Local Government Area of the state on Monday.

He warned that the times were evil, therefore vigilance, self consciousness and consciousness of the environment were of paramount importance.

He also called on them to serve the nation with loyalty, commitment and zeal for patriotism, adding that no nation grew without the selfless service of the citizens and called on the corps members to rise up and make the desired change.

“I want to urge you all to deliberately work towards building a great nation of our collective dreams.

“This is because if we have a country that is working very well, the youths will not be desperate about relocating to other countries of the world for greener pastures,” he said.

Megwa further discouraged the youth from illegal migration, describing it as a suicide mission as many of such ‘desperate people’ ended up losing their lives in the Sahara desert in the most gruesome manner.

The former NYSC Spokesman encouraged the corps members to strive for excellence in all they do and achieve even what their forebears could not achieve.

“There are a whole lot of opportunities you have now and can leverage on which the older generation never had.”

He told his audience not to put their names and their families into disrepute by getting themselves involved in crimes and other unwholesome activities.

“The Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme of the NYSC is the panacea to graduate unemployment.

“I want to, therefore, advise you to take advantage of the programme by learning skills that will be useful to you in the future.”

Earlier, Mr Umoren Kufre, the state’s Coordinator of NYSC, appreciated the retired Director for the visit and words of motivation to both camp officials and corps members.

He described the former Director as a living legend that shaped the NYSC Public Relations Unit to what it is today and left his footprints boldly.

News

NiMet Predicts Three-day Sunshine, Cloudiness From Monday

Published

3 hours ago

December 1, 2025

Editor

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted sunshine and haziness from Monday to Wednesday across the country.‎

NiMet’s weather outlook released on Sunday in Abuja envisaged sunny skies over the entire northern region throughout the forecast period on Monday.‎

It envisaged ‎sunny skies with patches of clouds over the entire central region.‎”For the southern region, ‎cloudy atmosphere with sunshine intervals is anticipated over the region with slim chances of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, and Cross River during the afternoon to evening hours,” it said‎According to NiMet, dust haze is anticipated over Kebbi, Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, Borno, and Yobe on Tuesday throughout the forecast period.‎It anticipated sunny skies with cloud patches over the entire central region.

“For ‎southern region, ‎cloudy skies are expected over the region with slim prospects of isolated thunderstorms over parts of ‎Cross River during morning hours.‎” Isolated thunderstorms are anticipated over parts of Delta, Ogun, Ondo, Lagos, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River later in the day,” it said.‎

The agency predicted dust haze over the northern region throughout the forecast period on Wednesday.‎NiMet anticipated a sunny and hazy atmosphere over the entire central region.‎”For the southern region, cloudy atmosphere are over the region in the morning hours.‎

“Later in the day, isolated thunderstorms with moderate rains are anticipated over parts of Lagos, Ondo, Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ekiti, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers ” it said.

NiMet urged the public to drive under the rain with caution and to take necessary precautions as ‎dust particles would be in suspension over the northern region.

NiMet advised people with asthmatic health conditions and other respiratory issues to be cautious of the present weather ‎conditions.

‎”Airline operators are advised to get airport-specific weather reports (flight documentation) from NiMet for effective planning in their operations.‎” Residents are advised to stay informed through weather updates from NiMet – visit our website – www.nimet.gov.ng.

News

MOWAA: Why I Will Not Appear Before Edo Assembly Panel — Obaseki

Published

3 hours ago

December 1, 2025

Editor

The immediate past governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has given reasons he would not appear before the Edo State House of Assembly Ad-hoc Committee set up to investigate funding and ownership of the Museum of West African Arts (MOWAA) and the Radisson Blu Hotel.

The Edo Assembly set up the panel following a request by Governor Monday Okpebholo that the Assembly should probe funding and ownership of the projects.

Amongst what the governor requested the Assembly to investigate is the state government’s N3.8bn investment in the MOWAA and N28bn in Radisson Hotel.

Former Governor Obaseki is scheduled to appear before the Committee on Thursday, December 4th, 2025.

The Committee, had in a letter signed by its Secretary, Bekisu Oshone Wilson, said attendance by Obaseki and others were required as part of the committee’s investigation.

Obaseki, who spoke through his media adviser, Crusoe Osagie, said it was offensive and laughable for the Assembly to invite him over a matter that was already in court.

He said the Edo Assembly should learn to know how the law works.

The former Edo Governor said he could not be subjected to answering separately on the same issue.

“It is subjudice for the former Governor to appear before the Edo Assembly in a matter already in court.

“Why subject him to another round of questioning on the same issues?”

Management of MOWAA had also refused to appear before the Edo Assembly Ad Hoc Committee.

Its Counsel, Olayiwola Afolabi, said the Assembly could only make recommendations but that the Court would make the final decision on the issues.