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Owo Massacre: Buhari Under Fire For Cover Up, Hastily Naming ISWAP As Attackers

Published

2 years ago

June 19, 2022

Editor

Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, has said that terrorists responsible for the deadly terror attack targeted at worshippers at the Catholic church In Owo, Ondo State, may never be arrested by the Federal Government.

HURIWA alleged a cover-up by President Muhammadu Buhari’s government which had come out to blame ISWAP for the attack in a clear contradiction to claims by some of the survivors who had pointed to Fulani terrorists as the masterminds.

HURIWA also condemned the President for failing to visit the scene of the Catholic church attack in Ondo State and particularly for not honouring the victims with his presence at their burial a few hours back.

It stated that the fact that the dominant members of the Security Council under the Buhari administration are Muslims and the unfortunate fact that one hundred percent of the heads of internal security institutions such as Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Immigration, Nigeria Customs Service, Department of State Services and the Nigeria Intelligence Agency are Muslim Northerners and mostly Fulanis, makes it practically impossible for this government to be transparent and accountable.

HURIWA said the government was also involved in a cover-up of the armed herdsmen that attacked and killed many Benue State and Southern Kaduna people over the past 7 years.

HURIWA in a statement by its National Coordinator Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko said the attack at the Catholic Church in Owo is only one out of the over three dozen of such incidents.

The group said the fact that the Ondo State Governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, rejected the claim by the Federal Government that the Islamic State West African Province is responsible for the terrorists attack clearly shows that Buhari’s government was involved in a cover-up gambit.

The rights group asked Nigerians to demand accountability from the Federal Government on why it has failed woefully to protect innocent Nigerians and especially Christians.

“The citizens must demand to know why there are no efforts by the Central government to punish terrorists but each time these terrorists attack soft targets, the Federal Government will go on overdrive attempting to spread confusion and lies so as to hide the identity of the killers,” the group said.

“We must bear in mind that the Ondo State Governor Mr. Akeredolu, who noted that the Federal Government’s conclusion was too hasty, said he took the conclusion with a pinch of salt, adding that ISWAP members were known to take responsibility for their attacks.

“The Governor is such a meticulous person that also gets first-hand security reports and so what all these shenanigans by the Federal Government demonstrate is a government bent on masking the real perpetrators of this crime against humanity who were hitherto identified by the victims who survived the horrendous attacks as Fulanis, the same ethnicity as President Muhammadu Buhari.

“The painful reality is that the President has a notoriety for shielding his kinsmen from all sorts of accusations even without any forensic investigation to back up the claims by the Federal Government.

“President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration has backed Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association when the Ondo State Governor expelled armed Fulani terrorists from Ondo Forests and Miyetti said it won’t respect the State government and the government in Abuja backed Miyetti. So why is this same Presidency playing hide-and-seek when those attacked but survived mentioned the Ethnicity of their attackers and one of the eye witnesses even interacted with one of them who spared her life miraculously?”

HURIWA said the only way to combat these terrorists is for President Muhammadu Buhari to rejig the service Chiefs and especially the heads of the internal security institutions to balance up the character of the holders to change from the Northern Fulani Moslem character to Federal Character.

HURIWA said it is illogical to expect that a national security Council made up almost entirely of Northern Moslems could be trusted by others, especially from the South, to be truthful with information like that of the attackers at the Catholic Church in Owo Ondo State.

News

Coastal Highway: DStv, GOtv Customers To Experience Service Disruptions

Published

7 hours ago

May 5, 2024

Editor

DStv and GOtv customers in Nigeria have been notified to expect disruption in service from Sunday, May 5, to Tuesday, May 7, due to the ongoing construction project on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.

In a notice shared on social media on Friday, DStv assured customers that its technical team will be working to relocate its facility and minimise service disruptions during the process.

The statement read, “Our uplink facility will be impacted by the ongoing Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road construction project. As a result, we are forced to relocate.

“From Sunday, May 5, 2024 to Tuesday May 7, 2024, our technical team will be working tirelessly to relocate and minimise disruptions during the exercise.

“We appreciate your patience and understanding during this period and remain dedicated to delivering the quality service and support you expect from DStv and GOtv.”

The PUNCH reports that demolition for the 700km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway commenced on Monday.

According to the Minister of Works, David Umahi, the duration of the construction is eight years, and it will be constructed for N15trn.

News

12 Years After: Ex-Eagles, Fans Celebrate Late Yekini

Published

7 hours ago

May 5, 2024

Editor

Former Super Eagles players and football enthusiasts on Saturday paid tribute to Nigeria’s all-time top scorer, Rashidi Yekini, 12 years after he passed on at 48 after a protracted illness, The PUNCH reports.

The late Yekini was reportedly kidnapped shortly before he passed away, and the cause of his death is still unclear.

Despite his sad ending over a decade ago, there is pride in the achievements of the 1993 African Footballer of the Year, yet sadness at his death and anger at the way he had been treated by the government and football authorities.

Super Eagles coach George Finidi, who made an assist for the late Yekini to score against Bulgaria at the 1994 World Cup in the USA, Nigeria’s first goal in the history of the tournament, said he still feels sad over his untimely death.

“His passing was sad for everyone,” Finidi said in an exclusive chat with Sunday Punch.

“Over the years, I have spoken about him, our connection on the field, and what he did for Nigeria as a player. May his soul rest in peace.”

Former Eagles coach and captain, Sunday Oliseh, a teammate of Yekini, also said his legacies will always be a benchmark for emerging Nigerian players.

“The late Yekini deserves to always be remembered for all he did for our country,” Oliseh told The PUNCH.

“He gave his all to our country, and his exploits are there for us all to see for others to emulate and learn from. May his soul continue to rest.”

“Yekini is definitely one of the best African players and legends to ever walk this earth. Rashidi was full of pace, had a superb shot, could jump very high, and was calm in front of goal. Above all, he was a very loveable person once you got to know and understand him.”

Ace journalist Oluwashina Okeleji also took to his X handle to eulogise the former Victoria Setubal striker.

“Today (Saturday) marks the 12th anniversary of Rashidi Yekini’s death.

“Football lost 1993 African Footballer of the Year Rashidi Yekini at the age of 48. He was Nigeria’s top scorer with 37 goals in 58 games. There was pride in his achievements, sadness at his death, and anger at the way he was treated by some.”

His former club, Gateway United, also joined other Nigerians in celebrating the legacy of Yekini.

Reflecting on Yekini’s illustrious career and his brief stint with Gateway United in 2005, the club’s acting general manager, Niyi Soleye, said, “Rashidi Yekini was not only a prolific goal scorer but also a gentleman that was respected by teammates and opponents alike. His 37 goals for Nigeria remain unmatched, a testament to his talent and dedication.”

Soleye fondly recalled Yekini’s time at Gateway United, describing it as a pivotal moment for the club and their supporters.

“I vividly remember his arrival like it was yesterday. As club secretary then, it was an honour to witness such a calibre of player joining us. He seamlessly adapted to our style, boosting morale both on and off the pitch.”

“While his passing in 2012 under controversial circumstances was tragic, his legacy continues to inspire future Nigerian footballers.”

News

We’ve Earmarked N1bn Naira Monthly To Feed Edo People – Obaseki

Published

12 hours ago

May 5, 2024

Editor

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, says his administration has earmarked nothing less than N1bn Naira monthly to feed vulnerable Christians in the state in the next three months.

This is as he said a similar programme has been mapped out for people in the Muslim faith in the state.

Obaseki disclosed this during the official flag-off of phase one of Edo State Food Support Programme also known as Christian Feeding Programme in Benin City.

The Governor, who said he was worried by the rising number of people who cannot afford a square meal in a day in the state, said he had to call Christian leaders in the state on how best to address the alarming situation.

Obaseki said in order not to make it look political, he decided not to involve political office holders, but Christian leaders in reaching out to vulnerable Christians in the state.

The Governor who added that the state government already had data of the vulnerable in the state database, said the means of reaching out to them maximally was the issue, hence using churches to reach out to them.

He said: “I was worried by the rising number of people who cannot afford a square meal in a day. So, I thought to myself how do we solve this problem. This is not politics I told myself.

“I then called the chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and some of the blockheads to a meeting and explained to them what I intended to do. So, that’s how we put our heads together to come up with this programme.”

Obaseki added: “I told them this is the amount of money I will be giving you every month. I’ll give you a billionaire monthly for three months first. At least, Let us try this for the first three months.”

The governor said the programme was not just to feed the vulnerable, but also together more data about people in the state on how the government can create employment for them and how the government can render help where necessary.

Earlier, in his remarks, Chairman of the Organising Committee who also doubles as the Chairman, CAN,
Apostle Irekpono Omoike, while thanking the governor for the initiative, said 10kg of 60,000 bags of rice have been purchased for onward distribution to the three senatorial districts in the state.

According to him, 27,000 bags of the 10kg would be distributed to the seven local government areas in Edo South, 15 bags to Edo Central and 18 bags to Edo North.

Further giving the breakdown, Omoike said 3, 000 bags would be distributed to each local government across the 18 local government areas, summing upto 54,000 bags, while the remaining 6,000 bags would be distributed to churches not captured under CAN.