Dr. Oluronbi Odunubi, whose tenure as the Medical Director, National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, ends next week, spoke with journalists on the journey so far as head of the institution, why Nigerians should access orthopaedic hospitals rather than traditional bone setters, and what government should do for better running of the hospital. He also spoke on other sundry issues. Martins Ifijeh brings excerpts
Compt. Mohammed Garba, Controller, Federal Operations Unit, FOU, Zone A, Ikeja, of the Nigeria Customs Service, who by any matrix, can be called an anti-smuggling czar, has vowed not to relent in the national assignment of ridding the country of contraband items, describing smugglers as economic saboteurs who are bent on circumventing the law. Interestingly, he has an unending catalogue of seizures and arrests made within his zone.
He has always held on to the philosophy that you can never succeed as an anti-smuggling officer by mere saying smuggling is bad and smugglers are dangerous to our national economic growth. You must try to show example by fighting it head-on and putting your life on the line to show that you can die for this course. This anti-smuggling czar whose antecedents are record breaking at Federal Operations Unit, FOU, Zone A, Ikeja when it comes to customs operations wondered aloud that while a good number of well meaning Nigerians are appreciative of government efforts to rid the nation of corruption in all its ramifications, some smugglers are unrepentantly bent on circumventing the lofty mission for their selfish interest. A believer in optimum delivery wherever he serves. Compt. Mohammed Garba, enumerated the obvious consequences of smuggling to the nation’s economy and her citizenry especially when it has brought unspeakable grief and sorrows to those caught and members of their families.
He described the seizures made by the eagle-eyed officers of the unit under the recently introduced new operational policy of the service led by Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd), Comptroller General, NCS to maximize revenue generation for the nation and also ensure a stronger, more oriented, vibrant and efficient customs service as gallantry. While the government is putting all the necessary measures in place to sanitise the nation’s export market, Compt. Garba appears to have found an answer to the rot at the ports in Lagos and the land border stations in the south west geopolitical region. Compt.Mohammed Garba, who has shut the door against corrupt Customs officers and agents has deployed fierce looking officers to the re-invigorated roving team of the Command.
The FOU, Zone “A” roving team, which is now being headed by a seasoned anti- smuggle czar CSC.Okpabi Charles Jack, a Chief Superintendent of Customs who is regarded in agents’ circle as a “mad dog” because of his insistence that the right thing must be done , has done a similar job when he was the officer in charge of Customs Patrol Team at Eleme- Akpajo axis, Port–Harcourt under FOU, Zone “C”, Owerri. Infact, when CSC. Jack Okpabi was at FOU Zone “C”, Eleme- Akpajo axis as Patrol head, Jack and his men put on tough look in dealing with the dubious agents and their importers ,a lot of seizures was made by his team then . So the Grassroots Publishers online are not surprise that since he mounted the saddle, the Benue -born senior officer has moved in full swing with his men to sanitise the sea ports, airport and land border stations under FOU, Zone “A”.
This proactive team had a rough battle with agents in its strive to clear the mess at the seaport, airport and land border station. Two weeks ago one of the warehouses used in stocking second hand clothing was sealed by the team in Lagos. One of the suspects was said to have reached out to his contacts in the Presidency to intimidate the team but was disappointed. The suspect who had the mistaken impression that Jack, the head of the roving team would be hiding his identity from public view when he reached out to some top government functionaries was surprised when the tough talking officer showed him his name tag on his uniform. It was then, it dawned on him that there must be a big masquerade beating the drum for the roving team and indeed, Hameed Ali, a retired Colonel and Comptroller General, NCS, is the big masquerade that is beating the drum for Compt. Mohammed Garba, and his men. The FOU, Zone “A” Customs boss, praised his men for a major seizure that had been made by the team in the recent time which was a lexus jeep of a travelling big fish. The journey was terminated by Jack’s men because the man could not produce the necessary Customs papers. He had protested that he bought the jeep from COSCHARIS but that was how far he could go. Compt. Mohammed Garba, has matched his words with action going by the directive to his proactive roving team of Jack and his men to work towards crippling smugglers and getting them out of the illegitimate business. The team had latched on the Comptroller’s directive to impound of recent six, “40” containers carrying different goods ranging from used tyres, used tubes, iron folding chairs, wooding cabinets, Nati cheese, Chocolate water biscuits, packages of theatre seats, mould plastics to wooden chair legs. The items were imported in commercial quantities. The Duty paid on the containerised cargoes was put at about N450 million while the DPV of the goods, as assessed by the Valuation Department was put at N1.6 billion. The teams have not allowed any of their suspects to escape. This is evident going by the arrest of 17 of them. Of the 17 suspects, seven who were said to be carrying general goods, had been firmed released on bail and another four who were involved in vehicle imports also granted bail. This brought the total number of suspects granted bail to 11. Despite granting bail to some of the suspects, six of them who had case to answer are still in detention pending the determination of their case in court. The setting up of this roving team headed by CSC. Jack by the comptroller has paid off as some released cargoes have been impounded for circumventing the government fiscal policy. Some dubious agents think that the visit of ANLCA officials to Compt. Mohammed Garba would slow down the activities of roving team personnels but unfortunately they have to do a rethink because CSC. Jack Okpabi that the Grassroots Publishers Online know very well at Customs Patrol, Eleme-Akpajo axis has no room for compromise as he has flung his door open to the public to avoid being accused of holding secret discussion with any importer or agent. Presently, some dubious agents have resorted to blackmail against the officials of Zone “A” and sending threat text messages to them for serving this nation. We appeal to our proactive Compt. Mohammed Garba, and his men not to relent in the national assignment of ridding the country of contraband items, describing smugglers as economic saboteurs who are bent on circumventing the law .
The Police in Imo State have confirmed the kidnap and subsequent murder of a Catholic priest. Reverend Father Cyriacus Onunkwo was allegedly snatched from his vehicle in Orlu town in Orlu Local Government Area on Friday morning by gunmen.
The Commissioner of Police in Imo State, Chris Ezike, confirm that following a manhunt, a body was discovered in the bush Omuma Village in Oru East Local Government Area on Saturday.The corpse has been identified as that of father Onunkwo, while investigations are still on to unveil his killers.
Police say the late cleric’s car was discovered intact, with nothing removed from it.Also, his body did not bear any gunshot or stab wounds, leading to speculations that he may have been strangled. No arrests have so far been made, but the police commissioner says that the police are still working to find the abductors of the priest.
The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’ Ikeja, Lagos led by Comptroller Mohammed Uba Garba cannot stop the unending onslaught against dubious Clearing agents with their Importers as FOU, Zone ‘A’ will continue to frustrate their illegal activities.
Mohammed Garba, Controller, Federal Operations Unit, FOU, Zone A, appears to have entered into the bad book of importers with their clearing agents and officers at the ports and the land border areas in the south west geo-political region. This is because of his continuous exposition of the rot and gross inefficiency of the Customs officers at the ports and the border stations over their inability to control what goes out.
Since Mohammed Garba assumed office as the Controller of FOU, Zone A, smugglers and perpetrators of unlawful importation into the country have never had it so bad in their business where released and exited cargoes or truck -laden goods end up at the Federal Operations , Zone , A, for another round of clearing on the trump up charge of under declaration, wrong Classification and Concealment. The seizures may have forced smugglers and perpetrators to see Garba, the FOU, Zone A, Customs boss as an enemy who is all out to kill their business while some dubious officers see him as one working to end their career in Customs.
Garba had justified the close watch at the activities at the ports and the land border areas to the mandate given to him to curb smuggling and block areas of revenue leakages. He disclosed that the Command through its anti-smuggling drive has somewhat succeeded in blocking area of revenue leakage of other area Commands .
Between, August 9 and 25, the Command was said to have recovered N252.17 million from duty payments and Demand Invoices on general goods taken delivery by agents who tried to cheat the government at the seaports, airport and land border stations through wrong classification, transfer of value and under payment of import duty. This is in addition to N303.261 million revenue generated from intercepted Contrabands ranging from rice, poultry products, India Hemp, medicaments , used tyres, and various merchandise. This brings the cumulative revenue generated within the period to N783.65 Million.
The seized India Hemp and the medicaments, according to the FOU, Zone A, Customs boss had been handed over to the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration, NAFDAC for further Investigation.
Perhaps one major interception by the Command anti-smuggling officers that gladdens Garba’s mind is the interception of 27 assorted vehicles with a Duty Paid Value, DPV, of N228.22 million. He confirmed that the vehicles which fell into the waiting hands of his men were smuggled into the country through the land border.
He disclosed that five of the vehicles had been seized outright in accordance with the Customs and Excise Management Act, CT while 22 are still been detained. The detained and seized vehicles which were smuggled into the country include Toyota Prado Jeep, Toyota Hilux, Toyota Highlander, Mercedes Benz among others.
“For avoidance of doubt, the Federal Government policies banning the importation of rice and vehicles through the land borders are still in force.“And the Nigerian Custom Service still remains tenacious in its determination to enforce these policies”, the FOU Boss stated,by tasking the media to continue to enlighten Nigerians, particularly as we enter the ’ember months’, with their attendant boost in economic activities and boom.
Garba added that the command’s success in prosecuting its anti smuggling battle is being made possible by the full support it enjoys from the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) and the entire Management team of the Nigeria Customs Service, who according to him has equipped and motivated the customs personnel to bring out the best in them.
He also frowned at the die hard persistence of smugglers and dubious Importers in the face of unrelenting and uncompromising customs enforcement and prosecution. He assured that officers and men of the service with the continued support and motivation of the Comptroller-General are now fully equipped, better informed and trained to meet challenges thrown up by the excesses of the smugglers, adding that the NCS would continue to fashion out result oriented strategies and systems that would make smuggling a thing of the past in the country.
He condemned the vice of smuggling as an act that directly attacks the nation’s economy, promote joblessness and enrich other countries and smugglers who do not mean well for Nigeria.
Compt. Garba sent a warning message to smugglers wishing to use South west zone to desist from such illegal trade as his men are well equipped with all necessary arsenal to crippled smugglers and send them out of their illegitimate businesses. “He urge all compliant traders not to exercise fear while embarking on their legitimate businesses but to be honest in their declarations because as one of the enforcement agencies of government, they will continue to work towards supporting compliance with all extant laws governing imports and exports in Nigeria and advised agents and Importers to stop raising false alarm, but ensure that their members do genuine declaration to stop having problem with his men .
By : GRASSROOTS PUBLISHERS
Some of the arrested suspected killers of the priest paraded by the Imo state police command
Imo State Commissioner of Police, Chris Ezike has explained how officers of the state police command arrested six suspects in connection to the gruesome murder of Rev. Fr. Cyriacus Onunkwo, a Priest of the Orlu Catholic Diocese.
According to the CP, “The investigating team using forensic technology and backed up by hard work, commitment, passion and hunger for success arrested ex-corporal Jude Madu who was found in possession of late Rev Fr Onunkwo’s Infinix telephone handset.”
“The ex-corporal was a member of the armed robbery/kidnapping syndicate and took part in the operation. He holds a National Diploma from Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, and was arrested on September 5, at control post in Owerri in possession of the deceased’s phone. He has confessed to the crime”, CP Ezike said.
Other suspects are: Izuchukwu Okafor, 28, from Ukwukwa in Azia in Anambra state; Cyril Onyema, 29, from Okwelle in Imo state; Emmanuel Ozuigbo, 29, Ezeagu in Enugu state; Victor Ikechukwu, 33, from Obowo in Imo state; and Ifechukwu Nwosu, 28, a native of Azia in Ihiala Local Government Area.
Recall that Rev. Fr. Onunkwo was kidnapped and murdered by the hoodlums in Orlu.
The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris had on the heels of his death, ordered the Imo State Police to find and arrest the murderers. Governor Rochas Okorocha had while addressing newsmen on Wednesday at the Government House in Owerri, assured residents that the government was working hard to ensure the security of lives and property.
Also paraded were four kidnappers that kidnapped Chinedu Nwadike,the popular Gospel musician.
COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF THE KIDNAP GANG THAT KIDNAPPED AND KILLED REV CYRIACUS ONUNKWO IN IMO State
1. IZUCHUKWU OKAFOR aka SMALL(28YRS) he was arrested on the 6th sept 2017 at Hotel Presidential Port Harcourt where he fled after the incident. He hails from Ukwukwa Village in Azia of Anambra State but resident at Rukpoku Rivers State. He confessed to the heinous crimes.
2. ONYEMA CYRIL M ( 29YRS)
He was arrested on the 6th of Sept 2017 at Control post here in owerri. He hails from Umuaro Village , Okwelle in Onuimo LGA of Imo State. He holds National Diploma in Public Admin from Federal Poly Nek Imo State. He was the driver of the Tayota Avalon ash colour saloon car used in the crime. He equally confessed to the crime before us.
3. EMMANUEL OZUIGBO M (29YRS)
He was arrested on 6th of sept 2017 at NNPC Mega Station by control post area here in Owerri.. He holds WASC. He hails from Mgbagbuowa in Ezeagu LGA of Enugu State. He resides at Ama Hausa in Owerri. the wrist watch of the deceased Rev Fr was recovered from him and he also confessed to the crime.
4. VICTOR IKECHUKWU IROAKANZI M (33YRS), He hails from Umuchukwu Umuagu, Obowo LGA Imo State and was arrested on the 6th of Sept 2017 at Mpama Egbu. He holds Bsc in Management Tech from FUTO. He is the owner of the Tayota Avalon car used in the commission of the crime. though NOT one of them.
4. IFECHUKWU NWOSU M (28YRS), He was arrested on 7th of sept, 2017. He hails from Azia in Ihialla LGA of Amambra State. He confessed to the crime.
5. EX-CORPORAL JUDE MADU M (32YRS)
He hails from Umukishi Amuze Ahiazu Mbaise of Imo State. He is a member of armed robbery /kidnapping syndicate and took part in the operation. He hold ND from Abia Poly. He was arrested on 5th of Sept 2017 at Control Post Ow in possession of the infinix cell phone of the Deceased. He did confessed to the crime.
Meanwhile, according to the police commissioner in the state who addressed newsmen at the command headquarters disclosed that this investigation is 5 days old and that the investigators transversed three states of Imo, Abia and River to achieve this wonderful results.
The Police Commissioner however thanked the Imo State Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha for his numerous support to them and the federal government whistle blowing policy in the country which actually helped them to achieve this fit.
He equally thanked media men in the state for their information dissemination while assuring Imolites of a crime free yuletide this year.
[dropcap]A[/dropcap]t least five members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, have been allegedly shot dead in Asaba Delta State?.In a statement sent to searchlight News on Sunday, IPOB spokesman, Emma Powerful claimed that military men stormed a gathering of the pro-Biafra group and shot members on target on May 30 2016.
The statement, which he emailed to Newsmen read:
“HAPPENING NOW!!! ALERT THE WORLD
ANOTHER NIGERIAN ARMY MASSACRE GOING ON NOW AT IPOB FAMILY MEETING AT OKWE PRIMARY SCHOOL, OSHIMILI SOUTH LGA, ASABA DELTA STATE.
The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and its leadership worldwide condemn the attack on our members at Asaba in DELTA state.Hausa Fulani people living near the primary school called their Islamic brothers in the Nigerian Army who came and opened fire on another IPOB peaceful assembly yet again.
However, when contacted by our correspondent, the Delta State Police Spokesman, DSP, Andrew Aniamaka said he was not yet aware of the incident. He promised to investigate and get back.our reporter has revealed how extrajudicial execution and torture by Nigeria security forces, especially the Nigerian Army, led to the death of at least 150 pro-Biafra protesters across Nigeria’s south-east, between August 2015 and August 2016.
The report titled: “Bullets Were Raining Everywhere”: Deadly Repression of Pro-Biafra Activists,released on Thursday relied on the analysis of 87 videos, 122 photographs and 146 eye witness testimonies that revealed soldiers of the Nigeria military firing live ammunition to disperse protesters, most of them members of the separatist group, Indigenous People of the Biafra (IPOB), without warning.
According to our reporter, at least 60 defenceless IPOB protesters were shot dead within two days leading to the Biafra Remembrance Day of May 30 2016.Our reporters investigations carry out shows the vicious clampdown and wanton executions of members of IPOB by soldiers of the Nigeria Army, the police and operatives of the Nigeria’s secret police, the State Security Services (SSS).
IPOB, which was formed by Nnamdi Kanu, seeks the restoration of breakaway sovereign state of Republic of Biafra from Nigeria. Biafra was a secessionist state in the south-east region of Nigeria that existed from May 30, 1967 to January 1970. The secession of Biafra was the main cause of the Nigeria Civil War. Over 1 million people died in the war.
Mr. Kanu was arrested on October 14, and is being tried for treason. There has been an increase in the agitation of pro-Biafra activists since his arrest.
President Muhammadu Buhari is strongly opposed to the creation of Biafra. In May 2016 during a visit to the palace of the Emir of Katsina, Mr. Buhari suggested that it is better for Nigerians to commit mass suicide than for the actualization of the breakaway state of Biafra.“We will not let that happen. For Nigeria to divide now, it is better for all of us to jump into the sea and get drowned,” he said.
Extrajudicial Killings
our reporter revealed that the largest number of IPOB members were killed during the Biafra Remembrance Day of May 30, 2016. It stated that as over 1,000 members of the group gathered for a rally in Asaba, Delta State, security forces swooped on their homes and a church where they were sleeping.
“On Remembrance Day itself, the security forces shot people in several locations. Amnesty International has not been able to verify the exact number of extrajudicial executions, but estimates that at least 60 people were killed and 70 injured in these two days. The real number is likely to be higher,” the organisation revealed in a statement accompanying the report.
Recounting some of the chilling incidents that happened on the day, our reporter spoke to a woman named simply as Ngozi Chidi, the 28-year-sister of one of the slain members of IPOB.
Ngozi told our reporter that her brother Chukwu Chidi called her shortly after he left for work in the morning that soldiers have shot him in his abdomen. He said he was in a military vehicle with six others, four of whom were already dead.“He started whispering and said they just stopped [the vehicle]. He was scared they would kill the remaining three of them that were alive… He paused and told me they were coming closer. I heard gunshots and I did not hear a word from him after that.”
The next day after searching for her brother, Ngozi found his body in a nearby mortuary in Issele -uku. The attendants at the mortuary told her that the military had brought him and six others. She said he had three gunshot wounds one in his abdomen and two in his chest, which confirmed that the military had executed him.Similarly, Chukwuemeka , a 25-year-old trader, told our reporter that he was shot and taken together with corpses to the barracks.
“They dumped us on the ground beside a pit. There were two soldiers beside the pit. The pit was very big and so many dead people were inside the pit. I cannot estimate the number of people in the grave. … We were dumped on the ground.”He said that he escaped and hid in the bushes.
According to our reporter a peaceful gathering of IPOB members at Aba National High School on February 9. The Nigerian military surrounded the group and then opened fire on everyone in sight without any warning.
Many of the protesters were then rounded up and taken away. Four days later, 13 corpses including some of the men taken away were found near the Aba Highway.
According to our reporter, the military took the bodies of people killed and injured in Onitsha and Asaba to the military barracks in Onitsha. Video footage shows soldiers loading dead and wounded people into their Hilux van.
“Initially, when they were still dumping corpses, I could see 10 to 12 lifeless bodies. That was in the morning. In the evening, there were more but I could not estimate,” A man who was detained in the barracks and who saw the corpses dumped in front of the military mortuary said.
Torture
The report also revealed the disturbing use of widespread torture and ill-treatment of those arrested by the military.
Vincent Ogbodo (not his real name), a 26-year-old trader, said he was shot on May30, 2016 in Nkpor and hid in a gutter. He said when soldiers found him they poured acid on him.
“I covered my face. I would have been blind by now. He poured acid on my hands. My hands and body started burning. The flesh was burning… They dragged me out of the gutter. They said I’ll die slowly.”
A man detained at the Onitsha Barracks revealed that “those in the guard room were flogged every morning. The soldiers tagged it ‘Morning Tea’.”
“This deadly repression of pro-Biafra activists is further stoking tensions in the south east of Nigeria. This reckless and trigger-happy approach to crowd control has caused at least 150 deaths and we fear the actual total might be far higher,” said Makmid Kamara, Interim Director of Amnesty International Nigeria.
“The Nigerian government’s decision to send in the military to respond to pro-Biafra events seems to be in large part to blame for this excessive bloodshed. The authorities must immediately launch an impartial investigation and bring the perpetrators to book.”
“It is chilling to see how these soldiers gunned down peaceful IPOB members. The video evidence shows that this was a military operation with intent to kill and injure,”
our reporter stated that most IPOB protests have been largely peaceful. It however, added that on occasions, protesters hurled stones, burned tyres and in one case shot a police officer.
“Regardless, these acts of violence and disorder did not justify the level of force used against the whole assembly,” AI stated.
Impunity
our reporter stated that despite overwhelming evidence detailing the extrajudicial killings and torture of protesters, no action has been taken by Nigerian authorities to investigate them or punish perpetrators.It stated that this lack of accountability for human rights violations by the military is similar to documented cases in other parts of the country especially in the country’s north-east region where the military fights a war against Boko Haram.
“Amnesty International has repeatedly called on the government of Nigeria to initiate independent investigations into evidence of crimes under international law, and President Buhari has repeatedly promised that Amnesty International’s reports would be looked into. However, no concrete steps have been taken,.
Amnesty International stated that the “Nigerian government must ensure adequate reparations for the victims, including the families. They should end all use of military in policing demonstrations and ensure the police are adequately instructed, trained and equipped to deal with crowd-control situations in line with international law and standards. In particular, firearms must never be used as a tool for crowd control.”
[dropcap]A[/dropcap]biriba Kingdom in Ohafia Local Government area origin hosted the Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu who is PDP Guber Candidate seeking for re-election in the forthcoming general election.
At the meeting hosted by Abiriba PDP leader, Chief Mba Okoronkwo also known as Mba Afro, the candidate laid bare his plans for the development of Abiriba , the small London of Nigeria and highlighted his plans to aggressively support further infrastructural development at Abiriba and surrounding communities. He assured his hosts that he will ensure that all needed infrastructure are put in place at Abiriba to enable all residents excel in their chosen occupations.
He said “Abiriba men and women have contributed immensely to the growth and development of Abia state and the minimum any government can do is to provide the resources required for them to smoothly engage in their lawful businesses and help position Abiriba as the commercial and entrepreneurship hub of Africa”. According to him, the desired model for economic growth of Abiribais one driven by the private sector with support from the government to ensure that all obstacles to growth and development are proactively dealt with.
Dr. Ikpeazu noted that good road network that will attract investors from all parts of the world, to transact business under a conducive and secure environment requires urgent attention in the Enyimba city. He promised to introduce an Information Communication Technology driven Education Curriculum that will place Abia in the global Education map as the number one information technology hub in Africa, as well as re-engineer government intervention in environmental sanitation from primary to tertiary levels through a scheme that will deliver wealth to Abians from wastes.
Dr Ikpeazu however called on the people of Abiriba to ensure they obtain their Permanent Voter Cards and come out
en masse on election days to vote massively for Peoples Democratic Party candidates at the elections, while assuring his hosts that every vote to him is an investment in a more prosperous Abia that will emerge from the foundation already laid by his administration Responding,the former President General ,Abiriba Communal Improvement Union and former Managing Director of the defunct Manny Bank Chief (Dr)Jona Ndukwe Anagha Ezikpe, assured the PDP flag bearer that Abiriba Kingdom will vote massively for him because of his well known pedigree and achievements in private and public service.
Chief Ezikpe stated that “no other candidate understands and can better handle the issues at Aba and Abiriba better than Dr Okezie who has been with us all these years”. He also reiterated the cordial relationship between the community and former Governor T. A. Orji that helped in ensuring peace and stability within the Kingdom as well as the appointment of many Abiriba sons and daughters to various positions by the incumbent. He promised to consult extensively and mobilize all PDP members at Abiriba, including aggrieved members, to welcome the candidate at Abiriba on the designated campaign date to reaffirm that Abiriba remains a PDP Kingdom.He also extolled the wonderful virtues of Dr Okezie Ikpeazu whom he described as “a humble man and fellow teacher” and prayed for his success at the polls. According to him, Dr Ikpeazu’s re-election as Governor will not only settle the equity question in Abia state but also ensure that a man who lives and breathes Aba will supervise the giant regeneration effort required to return the town to glory after the violence of the recent past that almost totally paralyzed the town and forced many of the leading lights of the town to relocate to safer climes. He urged the PDP candidate to use his tenure in office to ensure the construction of key internal roads at Abiriba as well as the provision of adequate teaching materials and manpower for the public schools at the kingdom.
The reasons for private participation in the establishment of school at whatever levels of the educational system in Nigeria are not farfetched. The fact that qualitative education is important and should not be compromised prompted the need for private schools in Nigerian educational system. Issues that affect the performance of education are issues of concern to families, communities, local, states and federal governments.
Governments at all levels in Nigeria are seen to be helplessly watching public structures and institutions collapsing and some in a dangerous state of coma with little or no hope of being revived. Some of the reasons for the creation of private schools are: providing admissions to many teeming applicants seeking admissions on a yearly basis (many Nigerians who can afford the fees they charge have been relieved in the areas); restoring and sustaining quality (not because they have qualified staff in the right proportions but that they ensure what is to be done rightly at the right time); restoring and sustaining discipline (among staff and students because they have the will power to do so added to the fact that they do not want their investment to collapse); effective monitoring and supervision of academic activities (the presence of the proprietor is regularly felt); running stable academic calendar as they rarely go on strike; staff dedication and seriousness to duties; producing students that are globally competitive, etc. All these have contributed to the failure of public schools in Nigeria. The roles that private schools play in rescuing the battered image of education in Nigeria are very highly commendable but there are some issues that are really retarding or staining these good efforts and these issues need to be addressed. One of the major challenges is the issue of exorbitant school fees and regular upward review of fees. Some private schools have taken the advantage to be extorting people in the name of school fees without giving quality service to complement the school fees. Another issue is proliferation of substandard institutions, promotion of class consciousness and distinctions. The use of unqualified teachers and administrative staff is another area to look at as well as inadequate provision of infrastructural facilities and examination malpractice.
Education is a critical sector that needs maximum attention in every society. Training and nurturing of children are major challenges that must be addressed keenly. Training every child and family is different. Each child has his or her potentials and that is why children should not be treated the same way. Child comparism is a taboo in education and that is why it is important for every parent to understand their children.
It is important to give your child praise and positive feedback because children especially young ones measure their worth and achievements by what you think. But be realistic in your praise. If a child fails at something or shows no talent at a particular skill, praise the effort but don’t unrealistically praise the results. Reassure your child that it is fine not to be able to do everything perfectly. Tell him that some things take repeated effort and practice and sometimes it is fine to move on after you have given your best effort. Self-confident children are willing to try new things without fear of failure. With younger children, you will need to supervise from the sidelines. Set up situations where she can do things for herself and make sure the situation is safe but then give her space. For example, demonstrate how to make a sandwich and then let her try it on her own, without your hovering or intervening. Encourage exploration, whether it is a trip to a new park or new foods at mealtime. Day trips and outings, new hobbies, vacations, trips with teammates or schoolmates can all expand your child’s horizons and build confidence in her ability to handle new situations.
By: Maduike Ifeoma
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Igbo is one of the three major tribes occupying the south-eastern geopolitical zone of Nigeria. They have cultural traditions and customs, which help in maintaining their society. Just like the belief systems of other cultural groups; man has designed various institutions and webs of customs that regulate and order his social life. Hunter and Whitten (1976:294) note that “belief systems deal with everything man can imagine.”
A traditional priest who could be a witch doctor who cures those who have been be-witched.A herbalist who knows the powers of many roots and herbs.A diviner who tells fortune, he is consulted before any sacrifice is offered.The chief priest (Eze mmuo)- He is an official servant of a deity or oracle, who offers sacrifice to the spirits and generally ministers at the shrine.
The coming of Islam and Christianity into Africa had much influence on the African traditional religion in its entirety. The coming of Christianity into Igbo land in 1846 altered the act of living sacrifice most especially the human sacrifice. The Christian Missionaries were able to stop the burying of chiefs with living beings and the act of using human beings as scapegoats. Although some people still offer sacrifices but it’s no longer being celebrated as in the past.Another form of human living sacrifice is the Osu caste system among the Igbo where a human being is consecrated to a deity or shrine and his generation automatically belong to the deity. This group was set aside, isolated or confined to specific areas in the community. It was a taboo to have any social interaction with an Osu. Generally, deities and spirits represent an important aspect of traditional religion in virtually all African societies.
Although the names of these deities and spirits, their method and time of worship vary from society to society, their
significance and relevance in traditional observances cut across all the cultural contexts of Africa. The names and
worship patterns in any given African society are basically dictated by the culture of the given society. the worship of
deities and spirits, hierarchy in the cultural context of Abiriba in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State,
south-East Nigeria. Abiriba, like any other traditional African society has no classical work or records about her
religious practices.
Therefore, the research relied mostly on oral interviews,direct observations, group discussions, and interactive sessions with elders and traditionalists for data collections,analysis and inferences. In adapting this approach, we were able to ascertain the names of these deities and spirits, their individual and collective roles, the hierarchical organization, as well as the worship methods as strictly adhered to by the practitioners. According to the people of Abiriba, deities are god’s representatives on earth and sacrifices and prayers are offered to God through them.“God is the Supreme Spirit, the Creator of everything… but this Supreme Spirit has made many inferior spirits who are nearer to man and through whom man normally offers his worship to Him.” As regards the spirits,it is believed that they are of many different types populating the universe In all African traditional settings, the people recognize the existence of the Supreme God,called deities and spirits.The worshiping of deities and spirits in Abiriba community has gotten to the climax that even the government cannot protect it citizens against this evil ancient traditional practice.
Abia State government has practically admitted the helplessness situation of the government over the deity and circumcises rites,a traditional practice in Eastern Part of Nigeria, a traditional practice in Abiriba community whereby pre-teenage or teenage female children are ‘chosen’ to serve the Chief Priest as heir apparent to the traditional throne and the forceful circumcision rites as customs demand as the Child Chief Priest.The failure of the Nigeria Police Force to protect victims of the traditional practice remains a contradiction and a huge challenge “you may look at this from the perspective of clash of modernity and ancient practice.
When the Grassroots Publishers contacted the Police Chief in Abiriba about the wanted circular dated 23rd october 2015 from Abiriba Communal Improvement Union signed by the former President General Chief (Dr)Jonah Ndukwe Ezikpe Anagha and secretary declaring a teenager Miss Esther Onyekachi from Abiriba community and her family wanted defiling their customs and gods of Abiriba Community and demanded her father to hand over his only daughter for circumcises rites and sacrifice as customs demands and that for disobeying the gods of Abiriba land the entire Abiriba Communal Improvement Union declared the entire family of Esther Onyekachi dead or alive to the extend that the community issued a circular on 23rd october,2015 to all Abiriba sons and daughters in Nigeria to hunt for Esther Onyekachi and her parent for defiling their customs and traditions of their land and that she has put the wellbeing and lives of Abiriba people in jeopardy and that their gods will not rest until the Abiriba land is appeased with their blood.
When Grassroots Publishers confided to the Police Chief in Abia State was speaking from both side of his mouth on this saga and he responded ; we have an obligation to cultivate and maintain cordial relationship with the traditional rulers but also protect the human rights of citizens. It is obvious that the law takes precedence over traditional practices and we are therefore obliged to step in when any law is contravened. The challenge is that so far no victim has managed to show evidence of any law being broken”Confronted with the recent and specific cases of Miss Esther Onyekachi who were sought after for the traditional ritual but their parents, who are known staunch Christians, resisted strongly leading to all manner of torture, the Abia State Police chief declined to comment, saying “the Nigerian Police Force does not comment on individual cases but I can assure you that all matters in the nature that you have described are investigated in collaboration and consultation with the traditional rulers and if anyone is found to have contravened the law, actions will be taken” Asked how many cases his Command has prosecuted since inception or at least under his watch, the Police Boss declined to provide details. Meanwhile information available to us has it that apart from the notorious Miss Esther Onyekachi saga, there are over the past 10 years no less than 12 reported incidents, one of which resulting in the death of the 9 year old sister of the child Chief Priest due to complications from the gruesome circumcision she was put through. The child Chief Priest disappeared two years later, unknown today whether he is dead or still alive hence the hunt for a new one.
The Miss Esther Onyekachi case is said to be complicated by two factors. Firstly the child’s uncle,who is a High Chief
is a member of the community Traditional Ruling Council and by implication, one of the custodians of the age long practice. He is suspected to have given his tacit approval and suspected to regard the choice of his grand-niece as an honour. The parents of the teenage child Esther Onyekachi are known serious Christian believers. Indeed her mother who had announced that she is resolved to confront such practices against children and the girl child. Her husband resisting the abduction of the child Chief Priest led to his torture and release to enable him produce the child for consummation of the traditional ritual. When he absconded and would not produce the child on the appointed date, a delegation was sent to Lagos, their base and all over the world to fetch them. The Onyekachi’s are said to have escaped out of the country, possibly to the America.
All efforts to trace them have so far failed. The uncle of Esther Onyekachi could not be reached for an interview after initially agreeing to one but would not honour the appointments made.
By: Grassroots Publishers (www.grassrootspublishers.com)
9
The All Progressives Congress (APC) primary appeal committee which would decide the fate of Tony Nwoye who emerged as the party’s standard bearer for the Anambra State governorship election began sitting in Abuja yesterday.The party’s primary has been marred by allegations of irregularities and imposition especially from one of the aspirants, Senator Andy Uba, who wrote a petition to the Hassan Lawal-led Appeal Committee.
Senator Uba was not seen at the venue of the sitting yesterday, but Nwoye was sighted around 1.00pm. He was drilled by members of the committee for 45 minutes, after which he told newsmen that he had confidence in whatever report the committee would come up with.When asked if he has reached out to other aspirants who contested against him, he said that all other aspirants except Senator Uba were on the same page with him. He said that efforts to reach out to Senator Uba after his emergence as the party’s candidate for dialogue and reconciliation was rebuffed, by the lawmaker.
“Andy Uba is the only aspirant who refused to talk to me. I called him, I sent an SMS to him, I even got to his house but he refused to open his gate. As for the other aspirants, I have met with all of them.“I came here with all the wards and local government party chairmen and secretaries from Anambra State who came to support me while I appear before the Appeal Panel. At the hearing, I was asked if it was true that members of NANS beat up delegates, but I told them it was not true because no member of NANS, former or current, was part of the primary. I told them that all the delegates that voted were delegates statutorily expected to vote.
“My mandate comes from God and should be left alone. It is not about Tony Nwoye but about these people who suffered all the night to vote for me. I felt for them and I have no fears that the panel will nullify the primary,” Nwoye said.While explaining the position of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) regarding the primary, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Bolaji Abdullahi, said that the report of the panel would be the final determinant.
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