Nigeria’ll Implode Without Restructuring, Monarch Warns


The Paramount Ruler-elect of Calabar South local government area of Cross River state and the Muri Munene-elect of Efut nation, HRM Maurice Okon Eyo 1, has warned that recent socio-economic and political upheavals in the country were indicators that Nigeria could implode if something is not done urgent to restructure the country.

Speaking in Calabar during a chat with our reporter, weekend, the Monarch advised that the country either restructures or returns to the era of regionalism, allowing each region to control its natural resources and using such resources to develop itself, saying the center was too strong for a federal system.


While warning political leaders not to continue to pretend as if all was well with the country, the Royal father also made a case for constitutional roles for traditional leaders since, according to him, they know the dynamics of their respective communities and domain to be able to handle the challenge of insecurity.

He said: “to avoid implosion, it has become imperative that the country be restructured. Insecurity and all other things happening across the country are ominous signs that Nigeria is on the precipice.

“And what is restructuring, to me it means true federalism and regionalism. The centre is too strong and too powerful. Let’s go back and empower our regions or we empower adequately the 36 states. I call it the United States of Nigeria. Either you create more States to add to the 36 or you allow it to remain the way it is, and then, the government should allow these states to be self-sufficient so as to be able to determine their own destiny.



“If you are copying the United States of America federal system, let us practice exactly what the Americans are practicing. You cannot just pick a system and then select what you think suits you from it and dump the rest. In America, the states are very independent. A good percentage of power has to leave the centre because there is too much concentration of power there, the states must be able to control their resources and plan their future. This would give them an additional sense of belonging.”

Describing as ‘a mistake’ the total prohibition of traditional leaders from interference in political matters in their respective domains, the Royal father it was regrettable that the fathers and real owners of the land were rendered voiceless.

“Our political leaders should realize that they cannot rule the country without the traditional rulers. You cannot do without them because the chiefs and other traditional leaders know their area well and know their people better than even the local government chairman which the constitution has so empowered to oversee the security of the council area.

“The fathers, the owners of the land who understand the dynamic, the set up and the terrain are neglected. Today, we have no voice over the things happening in our local domains. We have been left behind in governance and have no say in whatever is going in Nigeria. This is sad. Government should consider re-establishing a federal House of Chief as was before and restructure the country as well,” he stated,

Muri Eyo I also appealed to Governor Ben Ayade to apply wisdom in settling the stalemate in the Cross River state judiciary which, since September 2, 2020, had not been able to produce a Chief Judge, either substantive or acting.

He said: “I appeal to our dynamic Governor, Prof Ben Ayade, to seriously look into this matter and use his good office to bring this embarrassing situation to an end. It is embarrassing to all of us and it is embarrassing to the state. The Governor has all the powers to stop this embarrassment.”


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Defection Rumor: Umahi Still Flying The Flag Of The PDP- Media Aide


Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State has denied the media report that he signed from PDP and joined the All progressive Congress, (APC).
News from some quarter on Saturday have it that the Umahi defected to APC.


The report credited to the house of reps member Representing Ezza South/ Ikwo federal constitutency Hon. Chinedu Ogah, commending the governor for taking such bold step , urged other south east governor’s to join the ruling party.


Hon. Ogah the only APC rep member in Ebonyi was quoted saying, “Yes, Governor Umahi’s defection to our great party, APC is a step in the right direction. We cannot afford to remain in opposition. We must join the ruling party to continue to reap the dividends of democracy.
I am calling on other Governor in south east to toe the line of Governor Umahi and join APC. We have to be at the center, we have to join mainstream politics for overall development of our zone and the country in general.
“President Muhammadu Buhari has done well. Everybody should join the APC to encourage him”, Ogah said.


But the Gov in a statement from his special assistant on media and publicity Mr Francis Nweze, denied the report describing it as fake.
The statement read, “My attention has been drawn to the news making round in some quarters of the media, alleging that the Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. David Umahi has defected to the All Progressive Congress (APC).


“The news is a product of a figment of imagination on the part of the carriers as Governor Umahi was, is, and is still flying the flag of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“It is, however, difficult to observe how people are easily persuaded to believe in fake dummies in the name of rumours.


“If for any reason, Governor Umahi wishes to leave People Democratic Party (PDP), it will be officially communicated and can never be a product from rumour mongers.
“The general public is advised to jettison such unfounded rumour.#

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Igbo Already Projecting For Actualisation Of Igbo Presidency In 2023 — Ezeife



Dr Chukwuemeke Ezeife, a former Governor of old Anambra, has said that the people of the eastern region were already projecting some persons for the actualisation of an Igbo president in 2023.

He said this at a news conference on Sunday in Abuja while speaking on the need to have an Igbo president in 2023 which he said was long overdue.

The conference was organised by the Global Movement for Igbo President in 2023.


Ezeife said it was not true that having an Igbo president might remain a mirage because the people were not united as was being speculated.

He added that contrary to the speculation, the Igbo were the most united among other erthnic groups in the country.

“The Igbo are prominent people, individualistic and not under the command of any traditional ruler, but we are more united than any other ethnic group in Nigeria.

“We have been out of central power for decades, not being President or Vice President, but if something is required, we can easily come together as one to speak,” he said.

He said he was happy that the issue of Igbo presidency was being raised.

Ezeife added that although the Igbo were united on the issue of presidency, some persons were sell out and not Igbo enough to represent the region.

“We don’t want ‘sellable’ people, we don’t want people who can sell their country for money, we don’t want people who are too selfish to help others.

“If you mention some names, they are not Igbo enough and are not acceptable to us because we know they will sell out.

“So we will bring somebody who will show love to all, show love to Hausa, Yoruba and to his Igbo brothers and to all Nigerians.

“It is too early to name names, but we are projecting some people already,” he said.

On the need to restructure the country, the former governor said if Nigeria was well organised, everybody would be happy.

He added that Nigerians of Igbo extraction would be the happiest because they want the largest market possible to trade in.

Also speaking, Mr Godfrey Azu, Media Officer of the Global Movement for Igbo President in 2023, maintained that the eastern region was long overdue to produce a president for the country.

He added that leaders of the region would use as a scapegoat, any politician from the region who betrays the people in 2023.

He further added that leaders of the region were ready to go after any Igbo politician that disrupts the political waters come 2023.



According to him, some politicians take joy in disrupting political waters and stiring it so nobody will drink from it.

“We have told them, we know them, many people we spoke to told us that the biggest problem of Ndi-Igbo is Ndi-Igbo.

“We are saying to Ndi-Igbo wherever they are both in the Diaspora and in Nigeria that we have begun this discourse and have progressed with this dialogue and getting to the point of reaching an answerable report.

“We will not want to find any man among them that goes to stir the waters.

“We are sending the message also to our brothers and sisters in the North and in the South-West, we call upon the Kaduna and Lantang elite, the Caliphates and those in Katsina and the Lion of Boadilon road.

“We call upon everyone of them, they know what their plans are and their secrets, but we are saying enough is enough,” Azu said.

He noted that Igbo were so engrossed with their businesses, going after making money, building the best mansion, estates and hotels every where in the country and across Africa.

He added that they, however, forgot that money without political power was a waste of time in the journey of life.

This, he said, was the reason he was calling upon them not to only be regional politicians, but to begin to understand national politics.

Azu added that politicians of Igbo extraction should begin to play key and pivotal role in national politics if they still believed they were part of the country.

“The issue is believing you are still part of this Nigeria and acting to play a key role in deciding the faith of Ndi-Igbo within the country’s national politics.

“We can’t be part of the tripod that formed Nigeria at independence and two of the tripod are deciding the faith of everybody in this country.

“Two of the tripod decide what economy we make and what social life we leave and who becomes who in the politics.

“We are saying in the Diaspora that enough is enough and we are telling our brothers to rise to this challenge,” he stressed.

He added that he was happy that Nigerian youths were beginning rise, haven watched their #endsars protest on television in the last few days.

He noted that if the youth in the country were beginning to realise their place in the society and in the political space, it was therefore the right time we began to understand what it meant to organise a peaceful revolution.

According to him, revolution was what made Tunisia and Egypt what they are today as a country.

“We have come of age to have an Igbo president after 50 years of sacrifice, the only way we can kill the spirit of succession in the country is to give Igbo man the presidency in 2023,” he said.(NAN)

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#endsars Protest: NECO Reschedules 2020 SSCE Computer Paper


The National Examination Council (NECO) has rescheduled its Oct. 19, Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations (SSCE) following #endsars protest.

Mr Azeez Sani, Head, Information and Public Relations Division, NECO said this in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja.

“This is to inform the general public and especially candidates that the NECO has been constrained to reschedule the Paper one Computer Studies Practicals earlier scheduled to take place on Oct. 19, to Nov. 16.




​”This unforeseen incident has been caused by the #endsars protest that blocked the free movement of transport at the City entrance gate Benin.

“The NECO delivery truck had left its take off point well in advance on Friday, Oct. 16, earlier to deliver examination materials to some states and has been held up in the blockage since then.

“The Council wishes to assure all stakeholders and the general public that the affected examination materials have been retrieved and are intact.”

​The council, however, regretted any inconveniences the reschedule may cause stakeholders, adding that the council had taken the decision in order to maintain the integrity and security of its examinations procedures. (NAN)

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Flooding: Bayelsa Govt Closes Schools, Distributes Palliatives To Victims


Following the devastation caused by flood, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa has directed the immediate closure of all primary and secondary schools across the state.

In a statement obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, said the directive takes effect from Monday, October 19.The statement said Governor Diri’s decision was taken to avert further danger to lives.

It said the governor gave the directive after leading a team of his cabinet members and other government officials on an on-the-spot visit to some of the flooded communities in Yenagoa and Southern Ijaw local government areas on Saturday.


He visited other affected local government areas on Sunday.The governor, who lamented the devastating effect of the flooding on the people and communities, said his administration will not abandon them at this time of need.

He stated that as a concerned government, palliatives will be sent to victims of the disaster as a temporary measure.



His words: “Due to the devastating effect of the flooding that I have seen, I hereby direct the Commissioner for Education to immediately close all secondary and primary schools until the floods recede.“Painfully, we have to take this decision because the schools were just resuming from COVID-19 closure and here we have another natural challenge arising from flooding.“I will continue with this visit to empathise and sympathise with our brothers and sisters. Let me assure all of them that as a state we are with them,” he said.

Diri called on Federal Agencies, particularly the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), to come to the aid of the government and people of the state.

“We also appeal to Mr President to immediately come to our aid, particularly with respect to the ecological fund and all other funds available to ensure that our people are not neglected.”Diri equally directed the Vice Chancellor of the Niger Delta University to immediately explore and ensure that a department be created for erosion control in the institution.

He emphasised the need for a permanent solution to the annual flooding challenge, saying the people have suffered enough.The governor had a brief stop over at the palaces of the Amananaowei of Amassoma Community and Ebenibe of Epie Kingdom.In separate interviews with journalists, the Amananaowei of Amasoma Community, Chief Graham Naingba, and the Ebenibe of Epie Kingdom, King Malla Sasime, thanked the governor for his concern towards the plight of the people.

They called on the Federal Government to join efforts with the state government to address the challenges associated with floods.Areas visited by the Governor included the Amassoma, Agudama-Ekpetiama and Igbogene communities as well as some parts of the state capital. (NAN)

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Police Commence Training For SWATS Personnel Monday


The Inspector General of Police (I-G), Mr Mohammed Adamu, says training for the new police tactical team, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) of the Nigeria Police will commence on Monday.

The Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Mr Frank Mba disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

Adamu said the new team would operate within very high professional and ethical standards, rule of law and dictates of best international policing practices.He said the training for SWAT personnel was being organised in partnership with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and other Development Partners. The police boss said the training would hold at the Police Mobile Force (PMF) Training School, Ila Oragun, Osun and the PMF Training School, Ende Hills, Nasarawa State.


According to him, no personnel of the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) will be a member of the new tactical team.

“The officers selected for the training are young, smart and energetic officers who have acquired not less than seven years working experience with clean service records.“No pending disciplinary matters, no record of violation of rights of citizens or misuse of firearms and are physically fit to withstand the rigour of SWAT Training and Operations.

The selected officers shall be subjected to physical fitness test, medical and toxicology screening and those found to be unsuitable shall be discharged,” he said.He said the ICRC, an independent International human rights and humanitarian support organization with over 71 years experience in humanitarian services and institutional support and development, would provide resource persons.



Adamu said the body would also provide materials to handle the human rights components of the training program.“Specifically, they will handle topics touching on humanitarian laws, police conduct in conflict situation, human rights standard especially in the use of force and firearms, arrest and detention amongst others.“Other areas of the training programme will include modern day police ethics and values, Intelligence led policing, Operation planning/Tactical decision making processes and hostage rescue tactics and operation.

“It will also cover weapon handling, first aid/basic life saving skills, stress/fear management, police-citizens relations and emotional intelligence,” he added.

Adamu said the training modules would be handled by other carefully selected development partners, security experts as well as veterans from the civil society and human rights community.

The police boss called on the training coordinators to ensure a diligent and timely delivery of the Tactical Team.

He said the necessity for the immediate establishment of a new Tactical Team was in view of the need to fill voids created by the dissolution of the defunct Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS).

He said the idea was to ensure adequate security during the “EMBER Month” traditionally characterized with upsurge in armed robbery and other violent crimes in the country.

Adamu called for the cooperation of Nigerians in the ongoing development drive for a new and reformed Nigeria Police Force.He enjoined citizens to be patient and believe in the reform processes which were all directed at ensuring the security, safety and rights of all. (NAN).

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*DOMINION MANDATE DAILY DEVOTION*

MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2020

*SHUN BUSTERS, HOLD ON TO BOOSTERS*

*BIBLE READING: PROVERBS 13:20*

*“The man of too many friends [chosen indiscriminately] will be broken in pieces and come to ruin, But there is a [true, loving] friend who [is reliable and] sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs‬ ‭18:24‬ ‭(AMP).*

Isolation leads to destruction and to go far in life, we have to go together in unity with friendships and relationships that matter. Today however, we are going to look at one of the things we must give attention to, that affects our productivity.

In life, we meet and associate with a lot of people. The choice of who to bring into close relationship with us is very crucial because it will determine to a large extent, our success or failure in life. The person you are today is a sum total of the three closest relationships in your life. A wise man once said “show me your friend and I will tell you who you are.” All the people in your life can be separated into two broad categories. You have the “Boosters” and the “Busters”.

A booster is a person who edifies and uplifts you. When you are down, the person helps to raise you up to stand on your feet. When you go wrong, they point it out to you in love and will help to stabilise you on the right path. They boost you and help you become a better version of yourself amidst glaring obstacles. The person who is a booster is the one who will pray with you, for you, encourage you, and help you develop capacity so you can attain and become the person God created you to be by ordination. Jonathan was a booster to David when he was facing trials and persecution from king Saul, he helped to shield David, swore a covenant with David which he kept by hiding him and helping him to escape king Saul. (1 Samuel 18:3).

Busters on the other hand, are people who prevent you from becoming who God has destined you to be directly or indirectly. They help waste your time, resources and your life. They never have anything good or positive to say about you or others. If you have friends whose only interests are having fun, going on the next shopping spree or hitting the clubs every weekend, then they are busters. If you have friends who always discourage you, talk down your ideas and deride you, friends who make you feel less than worthy and make you think that you will amount to nothing, and that your dreams will never happen, you have found a buster. They are the ones who will give you counsel that will destroy you and even help you on the path of destruction. In Scripture, 55⁵Amnon David’s first son had such a friend; his name was Jonadab. You can find the story in 2 Samuel 13. He gave Amnon the counsel that led him to rape his half-sister Tamar and this eventually led to his death at the hands of Absalom. Another buster identified in the scripture is recorded in the story of the old prophet in Bethel who lied and deceived the young man of God from Judah, that led to his untimely death. (1 Kings 13:11-25).

Examine the relationships in your life today, are there boosters you have been taking for granted, draw them closer to you. You need such friends to attain your full potentials and exercise dominion in your sphere. However, cut off the busters today and see your life move on to the next level.

*PRAYER
Father, I thank You because You have made great plans for my life. I pray that You order my steps to become friends with people who would challenge me to be all that You have planned that I should be. I ask for the Spirit of discernment to know my friends and the courage to separate myself from destructive relationships in Jesus’ Name.

Just curious as to why we can't hear the President speak?