Headline

Ohanaeze Defends US-based Prof., Anya Over Comment On Queen Elizabeth

Published

2 years ago

September 9, 2022

Editor

Apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has called for understanding over a post by Prof. Uju Anya a few hours before the passing on of the Queen of England, Elizabeth II.

Anya, a Nigerian-born US Professor, had tweeted that she wished the Queen “excruciating pain.”

The tweet, which has long been deleted for being offensive, is generating controversies.

Apart from Carnegie Mellon University in the United States where she teaches, the world’s second richest man, Jeff Bezos has also attacked the tweet.

Bezos wrote: “This is someone who is supposedly working to make the world better? I don’t think so. Wow!”

Bashir Ahmad, an aide to President Muhammadu Buhari, did not also spare her.

“I don’t know that Uju Anya until I saw some of her tweets for the first time on my timeline this evening. Her tweets about the late queen Elizabeth were so unfortunately unnecessary,” Ahmad tweeted.

However, Prof. Anya has also gone further to justify her tweet.

“If anyone expects me to express anything but disdain for the monarch who supervised a government that sponsored the genocide that massacred and displaced half my family and the consequences of which those alive today are still trying to overcome, you can keep wishing upon a star,” she alleged in another tweet.

Reacting to the controversies, the National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike urged those attacking the Professor to understand that she spoke with emotions.

“We deeply commiserate with the entire people of Britain on the passage of their Monarch, the Queen of England, just as we congratulate the new monarch, King Charles III,” he said.

Okwu said though Ndigbo do not wish anyone death, “it will be difficult for the people to forget the civil war massacre.”

He said, “Anya’s choice of words was one fueled by emotion, similar to that of millions of Ndigbo who are yet to recover from the effects of the civil war and the accompanying genocide.

“It is a known fact that Ndigbo do not wish anyone evil, let alone death, and this is why we are highly forgiving and accommodating.

“But the fact is Ndigbo are yet to recover from the civil war experience, as they still face visible marginalization and exclusion in every segment of the country’s life.

“We, therefore, urge those calling for Prof. Anya’s head to exercise restraint as we join to mourn the departure of the Great Queen Elizabeth II.”

Related Topics:Prof Anya Uju Queen Elizabeth

Up Next

Photos From King Charles’ Proclamation

Don't Miss

Nigerian Flags To Fly Half-mast For Queen Elizabeth

Comments

Headline

Five-year-old Boy Shot Dead By Hijackers In South Africa

Published

57 mins ago

May 13, 2024

Editor

A 5-year-old boy, Ditebogo Junior, was shot dead after his father’s Toyota Hilux was hijacked outside their home in Soshanguve, in the north of Gauteng, South Africa.

Police spokesperson, Lt-Col Mavela Masondo said that the child had gone out to welcome his father, Ditebogo Phalane, when he arrived home around 10:30pm on Friday, May 10, 2024.

“An unconfirmed number of armed suspects allegedly hijacked the father’s White Toyota bakkie and shot the five-year-old boy who later died in hospital,” Masondo said.

Phalane’s cousin, Gift Makoti took to X to share the heartbreaking news about the boy’s passing.

“My cousin was Hijacked hours ago in Soshanguve block Uu, they took his Bakkie. He was with his son, they shot the 5yr old boy!! He didn’t make it!! What has this country come to now!!!!!???! That’s a CHILD man!!!!!!” he wrote

He posted photos of the young boy, Ditebogo Phalane Jnr, with his father smiling and looking happy. He said that the boy’s father was inconsolable.

“He and his son had a strong bond. His son was always out and about with him, keeping him company. I don’t know how he is going to live without his son,” he said

The tragic incident has left social media users shocked and angry.

Many have made contributions to help erect a tombstone for the boy.

Headline

American Comedian, James Gregory Is Dead

Published

2 hours ago

May 12, 2024

Editor

American comedian, James Gregory, known for calling himself “The Funniest Man in America” has passed on at the age of 78.

Gregory’s family said he died on Thursday, May 9, from cardiac complications.

James took up comedy in the early ’80s when he was 36 after years of working as a salesman, and, he became the first comedian to take the stage at the legendary Punchline club in Atlanta.

While he was known as a Southern comedian, he traveled all across the country performing shows for the next four decades.

His biggest claim to fame came when he dubbed himself “The Funniest Man in America” in the ’80s, and, later he took the URL domain “funniestman.com”, cementing himself in his fans’ minds as the funniest man.

He is survived by his three nieces and other extended family.

Headline

JUST-IN: 34 Dead, 16 Missing In Indonesia Floods

Published

12 hours ago

May 12, 2024

Editor

At least 34 people have died and 16 more were missing after floods on Sumatra island in western Indonesia, the spokesperson for the West Sumatra disaster mitigation agency said Sunday.

“Until now our data shows that 34 people died: 16 in Agam and 18 in Tanah Datar. At least 18 others are injured. We are also still searching for 16 other people,” Ilham Wahab told AFP, referring to two districts in West Sumatra province.

Details later…

AFP