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IPOB, Igbo Lawyers List Ways To End Insecurity In S’East

Published

3 years ago

April 9, 2022

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and a group of Igbo lawyers have listed ways of ending the current security challenges plaguing the South-East region.

In its view, IPOB said a collaboration between the body and the governors of the five South East states could bring an end to the insecurity in the zone.

Recent security challenges in the area include attacks at Nnewi in Anambra State, torching of the palace of traditional rulers, killing of six women at Owerriebieri and the destruction of the country home of President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Professor George Obiozor, among others.

IPOB denied involvement in the incidents and accused politicians of being behind the atrocities. The group vowed to hunt down and name the sponsors of the criminal acts.

This was contained in a statement released by the media and publicity secretary of the group, Emma Powerful in Owerri on Friday.

It reads: “We wish to reiterate once again to Biafrans, friends of Biafra and lovers of freedom, that IPOB has no hands in the criminality and insecurity being perpetrated in Biafra territory by imported hoodlums, dissidents and wicked politicians. Those behind this barbarity are not IPOB members or ESN operatives.

“These atrocities are witnessed more in the region where politicians are fighting themselves for selfish reasons.

“IPOB has been pursuing the freedom for the people of former Eastern region and Midwestern regions since nine years without involving in any act of criminality but some people in their desperation to blackmail IPOB and Nnamdi Kanu, these dissidents and unfortunate people claiming they are working for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu emerged with their evil agenda and their emergence of these criminals has turned our region into a very dangerous situation because some unscrupulous politicians are behind and sponsoring them.

“We also condemn the numerous abductions, car snatching, raping and attacks on so many institutions in our land. We strongly condemn the recent attacks on Nnewi South LGA, the burning of the country home of Ohaneze Ndigbo President, Professor George Obiozor in Awo mmamma Imo State and the attack on the palace of HRH Igwe Anayo Obika of Ezinfite Nnewi South. Those behind these devilish acts will regret their actions.

“We are urging the governors and other politicians to join hands with IPOB under Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to stop the unnecessary waste of lives in our region because it might turn against you tomorrow.

“IPOB has no business with unknown gunmen, and we will soon expose those behind the monster. We will expose those behind the killings in the whole land of Biafra in no distance future.”

Meanwhile the Igbo Lawyers Association (ILA) counselled members of IPOB to embrace peace and dialogue and end any form of skirmishes in the South East in the interest of their people.

ILA also urged them to reconsider their stance on the renewed enforcement of the Monday sit-at- home aimed at drawing international attention to the plight of the Igbo nation in Nigeria. They noted that the situation, with its attendant wave of destruction of infrastructure across the zone, was destroying the economy.

Muoma, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) told Saturday Sun that supporters of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu should accept the offer by Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, to grant amnesty to those involved in destruction of lives and property generally called “unknown gunmen.”

He further urged them to embrace the peace panel set up by the governor, made up of eminent Igbo sons and daughters, to discuss with the aggrieved groups and individuals with a view to finding lasting solutions to the problems.

He noted that war and acrimony, were never better ways of settling disputes and commended the group for calling for a referendum over the Biafran question.

But, Mouma expressed sadness on the serious threat that the sit-at-home enforcement which had been hijacked by hoodlums and miscreants, was posing to the social and economic well-being of the people of the region.

“Sit-at-home is no longer necessary as the group had made its desire to see Nnamdi Kanu released and marginalisation of Ndigbo in Nigeria, known to the outside world.

“They should allow people to move about freely to do their businesses on Mondays, in order to feed their families.”

The elder statesman posited that there were more than 30 pro-Biafra groups beside the IPOB, across the South-East zone, adding that the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), led by Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, had remained steadfast in maintaining its non-violence stance, while continuing to represent the Igbo Biafra cause in the United Nations nativity events.

He urged IPOB members to toe the line of non-violence in its efforts to achieve set goals of helping to set Ndigbo free from marginalisation.

“I advise our young men in the IPOB to eschew violence and uphold the tenets the group was known for in the past – that of non violence.

“Our people now live in fear as we hear of destruction of lives and property in one location or another daily, while we are not free to go out to fend for our families, due to conflicting sit-at-home enforcement directives and their being cancelled or renewals.

“They are affecting the economy negatively and people are suffering. So, I plead with them to see reason and embrace peace, for our people to live without fear,” he said.

But elder statesman and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Mike Ahamba was not too sure the security challenge would end anytime soon.

“Until those behind this ungodly activity of cutting our noses to spite our faces realise that these criminal acts are hurtful to Ndigbo and no one else, an end is not in sight,” he declared.

News

Tinubu Appoints New Heads For Key Agencies

Published

2 hours ago

October 1, 2025

Editor

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of new leaders for three federal agencies, in a move the Presidency says is aimed at strengthening critical institutions and boosting service delivery.

The announcement was contained in a statement on Tuesday by Segun Imohiosen, the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

At the National Biosafety Management Agency, the President appointed Bello Bwari from Niger State as the new Director-General.

His tenure, which is for an initial four years, took effect from September 18, 2025, in line with Section 5 of the NBMA Act, 2015.

The agency plays a crucial role in ensuring that modern biotechnology products, such as genetically modified crops, are safe for Nigerians and the environment.

Bwari, a trained town planner and former lawmaker, studied Geography and Urban & Regional Planning at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

He once served in the House of Representatives for Suleja/Gurara/Tafa Federal Constituency of Niger State, where he rose to become Chief Whip. He has also worked as a planning officer in the Niger State civil service and in private practice as a consultant.

In the financial sector, a former Attorney-General of Zamfara State, Barrister Aminu Junaidu was named the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Investment and Securities Tribunal.

He is to serve for five years, also effective from September 18, 2025.

The tribunal is responsible for resolving disputes in the capital market, giving investors confidence that their grievances can be addressed fairly and quickly.

For the tourism industry, lecturer and former Deputy Provost at the Federal College of Freshwater Fisheries Technology, Baga, Olayiwola Awakan was appointed as the Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation.

His four-year tenure started on September 2, 2025.

The NTDC is saddled with promoting the country’s cultural heritage and tourist destinations.

Speaking on the new appointments, Imohiosen said: “These appointments underscore President Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening key sectors and institutions in Nigeria.”

He added that the President has directed the appointees to justify the confidence reposed in them.

“The President tasks the appointees to contribute their expertise in the development of the agencies for the good of the nation,” the statement read.

News

The End Of Infertility? Skin Cells Used To Create Fertilizable Human Eggs

Published

3 hours ago

October 1, 2025

Editor

Scientists said Tuesday they have turned human skin cells into eggs and fertilised them with sperm in the lab for the first time — a breakthrough that is hoped to one day let infertile people have children.

The technology is still years away from potentially becoming available to aspiring parents, the US-led team of scientists warned.

But outside experts said the proof-of-concept research could eventually change the meaning of infertility, which affects one in six people worldwide.

If successful, the technology called in-vitro gametogenesis (IVG) would allow older women or women who lack eggs for other reasons to genetically reproduce, Paula Amato, the co-author of a new study announcing the achievement, told AFP.

“It also would allow same-sex couples to have a child genetically related to both partners,” said Amato, a researcher at the Oregon Health & Science University in the United States.

Scientists have been making significant advances in this field in recent years, with Japanese researchers announcing in July they had created mice with two biological fathers.

But the new study, published in the journal Nature Communications, marks a major advance by using DNA from humans, rather than mice.

The scientists first removed the nucleus from normal skin cells and transferred them into a donor egg which had its nucleus removed. This technique, called somatic cell nuclear transfer, was used to clone Dolly the sheep in 1996.

However a problem still had to be overcome: skin cells have 46 chromosomes, but eggs have 23.

The scientists managed to remove these extra chromosomes using a process they are calling “mitomeiosis”, which mimics how cells normally divide.

They created 82 developing eggs called oocytes, which were then fertilised by sperm via in vitro fertilisation (IVF).

After six days, less than nine percent of the embryos developed to the point that they could hypothetically be transferred to the uterus for a standard IVF process.

However the embryos displayed a range of abnormalities, and the experiment was ended.

While the nine-percent rate was low, the researchers noted that during natural reproduction only around a third of embryos make it to the IVF-ready “blastocyst” stage.

Amato estimated the technology was at least a decade away from becoming widely available.

“The biggest hurdle is trying to achieve genetically normal eggs with the correct number and complement of chromosomes,” she said.

Breakthrough

Ying Cheong, a reproductive medicine researcher at the UK’s University of Southampton, hailed the “exciting” breakthrough.

“For the first time, scientists have shown that DNA from ordinary body cells can be placed into an egg, activated, and made to halve its chromosomes, mimicking the special steps that normally create eggs and sperm,” she said.

“While this is still very early laboratory work, in the future it could transform how we understand infertility and miscarriage, and perhaps one day open the door to creating egg- or sperm-like cells for those who have no other options.”

Other researchers trying to create eggs in the lab are using a different technique. It involves reprogramming skin cells into what are called induced pluripotent stem cells — which have the potential to develop into any cell in the body — then turning those into eggs.

“It’s too early to tell which method will be more successful,” Amato said. “Either way, we are still many years away.”
The researchers followed existing US ethical guidelines regulating the use of embryos, the study said.
(GUARDIAN)

News

Why We Named Mandy Kiss Anti-drug Abuse Ambassador – Lagos Commissioner

Published

4 hours ago

September 30, 2025

Editor

Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, has explained the rationale behind the appointment of popular content creator, Ayomiposi Oluwadahunsi, known as Mandy Kiss, as an ambassador for the Lagos State Kicks Against Drug Abuse initiative.

Ogunlende, in a viral video on Tuesday, conferred the ambassadorship on Mandy Kiss.

He said, “We’re here with Mandy Kiss, and you know, she’s actually agreed to become one of our LASKADA brand ambassadors, Lagos State Kicks Against Drug Abuse.”

Describing drug abuse as a pandemic, the Commissioner said, “We must work in collaboration with those that can reach as many people as possible, and we know Mandy Kiss has a large followership, 402,000. We’ve had conversations, and we’re trying to do things differently.

“With the powers conferred on me, I make her one of our brand ambassadors. So, say no to drugs. Say what? Say no to drugs.”

The decision comes after a 25-year-old influencer publicly announced plans to pursue a controversial Guinness World Record attempt to sleep with 100 men, which had raised concerns over its alignment with societal values.

Taking to his social media accounts on Tuesday, Ogunlende shared pictures of Mandy Kiss’s unveiling in a post titled “A society thrives when it listens, engages, and redirects its future with compassion and purpose.”

He justified the appointment, stating that the content creator wields significant influence among our youth, our future leaders, and it’s vital that she be guided rather than dismissed.

Ogunlende’s post read, “With the Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led administration being responsive and responsible, earlier today, I had the privilege of meeting with Ayomiposi Oluwadahunsi, popularly known as Mandykiss, a prominent content creator, following her public announcement of plans to pursue a Guinness World Record in a pursuit that didn’t align with our societal values or reflect the standards we uphold as a people and State.

“Mandykiss had initially declared her intent to attempt this record, but as a government that listens, we heard her subsequent expressions and responded swiftly with empathy.

“In an atmosphere of understanding and responsibility, we engaged in candid discussions, critically assessed the situation, and explored healthier, more constructive paths forward.

“We recognise the importance of mental health and emotional wellness, and we’re steadfast in our commitment to promoting these and crafting inclusive interventions that uplift and safeguard our citizens.”

The Lagos Commissioner added, “Mandykiss wields significant influence among young people, our future leaders, and it’s vital that she be guided rather than dismissed. What was slated to be the start of her controversial record attempt has instead become a pivotal moment of redirection.

“She has now embraced a purpose-driven cause, standing for something greater than herself. Mandykiss has been appointed an Ambassador of LASKADA (Lagos State Kicks Against Drug Abuse), partnering with us in combating drug abuse and substance misuse among youths in Lagos.”

He said the influencer’s “journey reflects transformation rather than cancellation, a powerful illustration of what is achievable when young individuals are met with love, guidance, and opportunities for positive growth.

“Mandykiss’s story underscores the impact of compassion and purposeful engagement. It is a testament to redirecting potential towards meaningful impact.”

Recall that this appointment comes after Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo, in August, announced plans to engage Fuji star, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1, as an ambassador for proper airport security protocol, after controversy over his alleged misconduct at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.