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Kanu’s Release Tops Agenda As Obasanjo Meets Ohanaeze Leaders

Published

2 years ago

January 7, 2024

Editor

Talks about the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu; insecurity in the South-East region, amongst others, topped the agenda of the meeting held between former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, and some leaders of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.

The Secretary-General of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Chief Okey Emuchay, had, on Friday, disclosed that Obasanjo was in a closed-door meeting with the President of the group, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, in his Owerri, Imo State home.

Emuchay, in a statement made available on Saturday, noted that Obasanjo discussed issues of ‘mutual interest’ with the Ohanaeze chieftains at the meeting which lasted several hours.

He also described the meeting as ‘very symbolic and crucial’, adding that the deliberations were fruitful.

He further noted that the outcome of the meeting would soon manifest and would be appreciated by Igbo people worldwide.

The statement titled, “Issues of mutual interest were discussed”, read in part, “Our president-general informed Chief Obasanjo that Nigeria should erect monuments in his (Obasanjo’s) name for the sacrifices he has made.

“He recalled Obasanjo’s role in ending the civil war with the slogan ‘no victor, no vanquished’.

“Iwuanyanwu lauded Obasanjo’s patriotic and diplomatic initiatives as president that resulted in the country’s debt cancellation and his administration’s rejuvenation of the economy.

“He assured the former president that the Igbo people would bestow a befitting honour on him at an appropriate time for his love for the region.

“Remember that when Chief Obasanjo was president, he appointed several Igbo sons and daughters into high positions in his cabinet. A sense of belonging was provided to the Igbo nation during that time.”

Meanwhile, a source, who was present at the meeting with the former President, revealed to our correspondent that Kanu’s release and issues of insecurity plaguing the region were ‘thoroughly’ discussed.

“After deliberations on some matters of mutual interests, the leaders of Ohanaeze in their wisdom brought up Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s matter. He is our son. We will not deny him. Obasanjo and Ohanaeze discussed the matter thoroughly and assurances were given. That is all I can say right now but I am sure that the leadership of Ohanaeze will make more details known in due time,” the source, a member of the executive of Ohanaeze, said.

It was also learnt that Obasanjo was accompanied on the visit by the Asiwaju of Owo Kingdom, Otunba Oyewole Fasawe.

Also at the meeting were some Igbo leaders and Ohanaeze chieftains, including Emuchay; former Minister for Aviation, Ambassador Kema Chikwe, Bishop Sunday Onuoha of Methodist Church Nigeria; Former National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (South-East), Chief Fidelis Ozichukwu; former Abia State Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the PDP, Chief Tony Ukasanya.

Iwuanyanwu has persistently called for an end to the alleged marginalisation of the region and Kanu’s unconditional release from detention.

On Tuesday, June 29, 2021, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, announced in a press conference in Abuja that Kanu had been arrested and extradited to Nigeria from Kenya, after being intercepted in the East African country on Sunday, June 26, 2021, by Interpol.

He added that Kanu was brought back to Nigeria to face trial for charges bordering on treasonable felony instituted against him at the Federal High Court in Abuja, in response to years of separatist agitation for an independent Republic of Biafra through IPOB.

He had since then been going to court from the custody of the Department of State Services.

News

Nigeria Faces Breakup Without True Federalism, Nwodo Warns

Published

22 minutes ago

August 7, 2025

Editor

A former Minister of Information and past President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, John Nwodo

A former Minister of Information and past President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, John Nwodo, has raised fresh concerns over Nigeria’s future, warning that the country could break apart before the 2027 general elections if sweeping constitutional reforms are not urgently implemented.

Delivering a keynote address at the launch of two books authored by veteran journalist Ike Abonyi in Abuja, Nwodo said Nigeria’s current system of governance was deeply flawed.

“What we practice today is not federalism but a unitary constitution in disguise,” he said.

Nwodo emphasised that the structure of power must be revisited to allow regions greater control over their resources and internal affairs.

“Let each region manage its resources and development, while contributing taxes to fund essential federal responsibilities like external defence, foreign affairs, customs, and immigration.”

He warned that failing to restructure before the next national election could have grave consequences.

“If we head into 2027 without addressing these structural imbalances, there may be no election—and worse still, no country.”

Citing Nigeria’s economic woes, Nwodo highlighted the alarming state of public infrastructure and declining quality of life.

“We are bleeding billions annually due to poor infrastructure. Life expectancy is now one of the lowest globally. Our youth are unemployed and frustrated. Something must give.”

Calling for bold reforms, he stressed the need to prioritise education, digital skills, and agricultural development as tools for economic revival.

“The future lies in education that meets today’s realities. Every Nigerian child should be digitally literate. We must return to agriculture and vocational training.”

The event drew political figures, scholars, and civil society actors, many of whom echoed the call for urgent restructuring as a path to national stability and growth.

News

FG Shortlists Candidates For Civil Service Jobs

Published

2 hours ago

August 7, 2025

Editor

The Federal Government has shortlisted candidates for the ongoing recruitment into the Federal Civil Service.

In January 2025, the Federal Civil Service Commission announced vacancies for over 70 positions across various government agencies.

The announcement, contained in a newspaper advertorial signed by the Director of Recruitment and Appointment, Ogaba Ede, listed several roles.

Some of the listed positions include: Administrative Officer, Planning Officer, Programme Analyst, Procurement Officer, Senior Computer Engineer, Dentist/Dental Officer, Population Programme Officer, Medical Laboratory Scientist, Education Officer, and Senior Youth Development Officer.

Also on the list of positions are Psychologist, Biomedical Engineer, Surveyor, Aerodrome Engineer, Computer Engineer, Geologist, Programme Analyst, Statistician, and Foreign Affairs Officer.

Applications were submitted through the official recruitment portal, which many applicants reported was difficult to access during the registration period.

The deadline, initially fixed for March 10, was later extended to March 17.

The Head of Press and Public Relations at the FCSC, Taiwo Hassan, in an interview with our correspondent, denied insinuations that the process had been abandoned.

He stated that the screening process had progressed, with some applicants already shortlisted.

“We have not been quiet and we have not abandoned the exercise. As a matter of fact, work has been ongoing on the recruitment exercise.

“Candidates have been shortlisted. Those shortlisted have been sent an email on their preferred location for their Computer-Based Test among other details.

“It is not correct to say those who applied have not been contacted. We have picked from those who submitted their applications. These are the ones that will sit for the CBT,” he said.

Although he did not provide specific figures, it was previously reported that applicants were vying for 2,130 available positions in the federal civil service.

News

WAEC Under Fire As Results Portal Goes Down

Published

3 hours ago

August 7, 2025

Editor

The West African Examinations Council has come under renewed fire following the temporary shutdown of its result checker portal on Wednesday evening, a move it attributed to “technical issues.”

The announcement, posted via WAEC’s official X handle, @waecnigeria, sparked fresh criticism as many Nigerians continue to express outrage over the poor performance recorded in the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination, particularly in English Language.

“WAEC hereby informs the general public that the result checker portal @waecdirect.org is temporarily shut down due to technical issues.

“However, the Council is working assiduously to ensure that candidates are able to access their results in the next 24 hours. We apologise for any inconvenience this might have caused you,” the notice read.

Wednesday’s notice has further fuelled speculation and public discontent over the examination body’s credibility, especially after Monday’s announcement that only 38.32 per cent of the 1,969,313 candidates who sat the 2025 WASSCE obtained credits and above in five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics, the worst performance recorded in a decade.

Across social media platforms, many candidates and concerned Nigerians pointed fingers at WAEC’s logistics failures, especially the delayed conduct of the English Language paper, which reportedly held late into the night at many centres on May 28.

On X (formerly Twitter), several users shared screenshots of results showing credit passes in other subjects but failure in English, calling for a comprehensive review of the English Language scripts.

Tweeting at @sikimark, Mark Imohi wrote, “It is concerning that the English exam, which was delayed at centres nationwide, is now resulting in widespread failures. If JAMB could make amends, we hope you (WAEC) will take steps to rectify the situation. It was a national disgrace.”

Another user, @_samad1, lamented, “We wrote exams at 8 pm. We were given one hour or 30 minutes to answer questions that should last two and a half hours. There was no light, and everyone was in a hurry to leave. Please rethink.”

Some candidates expressed optimism that once the portal is reopened, there could be changes in the scores.

“When the portal is reopened, you will see magic,” tweeted Daniel Ebitimi (@ebitimi_da15726).

Others alleged deliberate manipulation and revenue generation motives behind the poor grading.

“Just like JAMB, WAEC is gambling with the future of Nigerians. If the majority of the D’s, E’s and F8’s awarded in English are rechecked, WAEC will pay dearly,” @JayTrezy posted.

Parents also joined the chorus of displeasure, expressing confusion over how students who excelled in other subjects could have failed English.

“My daughter got five A1 and two B2, only to get D7 in English and Physics (withheld),” tweeted a parent, @Johnway11145073.

Another user, @DEYHOT_official, pleaded, “WAEC, please I am begging, help us check the English Language exam again. I can’t accept this result. I struggled so hard to get money and pay for this exam, and now you failed me. This result is affecting my future.”

Some went as far as demanding a total recall of the 2025 results.

“We reject this year’s results, particularly the English and Maths. WAEC, please do the needful to avoid mass protests,” @pastorbtdaniels posted.

The Teacher, @MarquizDejavex wrote, “Students wrote English paper in the mid night and yet WAEC failed them.”

King Jeporphs, @e_okwori tweeted, “The students who were robbed and given abysmal grades in English should tag presidency, Minister of education to have an external body revise the whole exam process.”

WAEC has yet to issue any further clarification on the English Language grading or respond to the growing demands for a review of the affected scripts.