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    By Ifeoma Ejiofor Religious, Political Leaders Come Under Hammer As CENSTLEYO Holds Training Workshop In Awka Religious and political leaders in Nigeria have been accused of deliberately closing up the spaces meant for the youths to operate. The founder and CEO of CENSTLEYO, Mr Imah Felix Emeka made this accusation at Kenneth Dike Library Hall, Awka during a training workshop of the group. Mr Emeka noted that the growth and development of the country is being retarded by the leadership of the nation who deliberately close up spaces and structures meant for youths to actualize their dreams and aspirations. He said emphatically that things cannot go well with Nigeria until deliberate attempts are made by the youths to create a nitche for themselves. "It is really unfortunate that we have been told that we are leaders of tomorrow since we were in primary school but the reality on ground today is that the so much talked about tomorrow may never come until something...

    By Ifeoma Ejiofor The CMAC of NAUTH, Dr Ugboaja Joe Celebrates Igwe Nnewi At 95 The Chairman Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC) of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH) Nnewi, Dr Ugboaja Joe has congratulated the Nnewi paramount monarch, Igwe Dr KON Orizu 111 on the occasion of his 95th birthday. Dr Ugboaja in his congratulatory message to the highly revered monarch made available to journalists said Igwe Nnewi's approach to life and issues has made him a distinguished royal father not just in Nigeria but in the entire Africa. "Igwe Nnewi is blessed with uncommon wisdom, energy and  unique ideals that has created the environment for  the  transformation of  the industrial town. "Igwe Dr KON Orizu has carried himself as father to everyone in Nnewi irrespective of where they come from, this of course has provided the needed  atmosphere and leverage for all to contribute to the development of the town as well as actualize thei...

   By Ifeoma Ejiofor WAFAI  Sets To Hold Mass Wedding Again The Women And Family Advancement Initiative (WAFAI) has concluded arrangements to do mass wedding for one hundred and fifteen couples. The church wedding for the couples would hold at Ihiala in Ihiala local government area of Anambra State on 18th December and the Catholic bishop of Umuahia in Abia State would officiate during the mass wedding. This fact was disclosed by the Founder and President of WAFAI, Lady Uche Fransisca Obi PhD during an interaction with journalists in Nnewi. Lady Obi pointed out that her philanthropic group is fully registered at Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Abuja, State Ministry of Women Affairs in Anambra State, Imo State and equally have chapters in all the thirty six states of the federation. She noted that one hundred and thirty couples got wedded in the first edition of the group's mass wedding which held at Ihiala in 2012 while the second edition was held at Ozubul...

By Princess Anukwu The Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Mr John Abang has paraded hoodlums suspected to be responsible for the attacks on police formations and other government offices in various parts of the state. "Gentlemen of the Press. It is with mixed feelings that I welcome you to this press briefing to update you on the unfortunate incidents which took place in this Command in the last few days. "It is now common knowledge that hoodlums acting under the guise of "ENDSARS" protest attacked Police Stations in some parts of the State which resulted into loss of lives, looting and wanton destruction of properties. The hoodlums set ablaze eleven (11) Police Stations; burnt over twenty (20) vehicles including patrol & exhibit vehicles and an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC). They also vandalized six (6) other Police Stations and carted away motorcycles kept as exhibits. The Police also lost some rifles during the attacks. "In the course o...

PDP Urges Youths To Discontinue Protest The Anambra State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has appealed to the youths in the state to discontinue the ongoing protest. The appeal was contained in a press release signed by the Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Nnamdi Nwangwu made available to journalists in Awka. He said that the need to discontinue the ongoing protest has become imperative because of the fact that some unscrupulous persons have hijacked the hitherto peaceful demonstrations. Mr Nwangwu noted that the PDP in Anambra State is very proud of the youths who decided to take their destiny into their own hands and confronted the inglorious activities of a department in the police force. He pointed out that the #EndSARS protest has actually exposed the rot in the nation's security apparatus and other departments of government. The PDP image maker however insisted that the protests cannot and should not be allowed to continue because of ...

By Isaac Ojo The Vice-Presidential candidate of the PDP in the 2019 elections, Mr. Peter Obi, has again appealed to the youth across the country, including the youth from the South-East, particularly those from Anambra  State, to go off the streets in order not to allow their well thought-out protest which has been supported by people that have the good of the country at heart, to be hijacked by forces of darkness. The appeal was made known in a Release to the press today, personally signed by Mr. Peter Obi. Recalling his various tweets and statements thus far on the protest, Obi said it was pertinent at this time to continue to remind Nigerian youths that they have done very well commencing the process of extricating their future from those who do not care about them. “Your message is taken seriously by Nigerians and the international community when disseminated through peaceful means or in an environment where peace reigns, which is what the bad eggs who have infiltrated the prot...

By Princess Anukwu Curfew Eased To 6pm-6am In Anambra State The Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano has announced that the 24-hour curfew in the state has been eased.  “The curfew in Anambra State has been eased and now commences from 6pm to 6am daily. This is to enable our people to gradually get back to their normal lives after the unrests recorded in some parts of the state these past days”.  Continuing, Governor Obiano reiterated his earlier call on youths of Anambra state to unite and guard their communities, saying that the security agencies have been strengthened and will continue to maintain peace and order in Anambra state.  “Intelligence at our disposal shows that those that have been causing trouble these past days in the state are from neighbouring states. We will not allow them to destroy our infrastructure, including police stations and other government facilities, some of which we built through self-help and community efforts”.  Governor Obi...

Use Legitimate Means To Reclaim The Public Space, IGP Orders Police Officers • Says Enough is Enough  The Inspector-General of Police, IGP M.A Adamu, NPM, mni has ordered the immediate mobilization of all police operational assets and resources to bring an end to the wanton violence, killings, looting and destruction of public and private property, and reclaim the public space from criminal elements masquerading as protesters in some parts of the country.  The IGP gave the order to all Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs), Commissioners of Police (CPs), Heads of Police Operational Units, Squadron and Base Commanders in charge of Zonal/State/FCT Commands, the Police Mobile Force, Counter Terrorism Unit and the Special Protection Unit, today 24th October, 2020. In addition, CPs/ Heads of Police Formations in the various states have also been charged to mobilize their men and work in sync with the Command CPs in the areas where they are domiciled, to dominate the public ...

    By Ifeoma Ejiofor Nnewi CENSTLEYO Mobilizes Nnewi South Youths For Leadership The Center For Strategic Leadership and Youth Orientation (CENSTLEYO) has mobilized youths in Nnewi South local government area of Anambra State in a one day seminar to strategize on how to be relevant in the scheme of things in the country. The one day seminar was held at  Super Royal Hotel, Amichi with the theme 'Transformation of Leadership' In her welcome address, the Nnewi South Local Government Coordinator of CENSTLEYO, Adinnu Ebere said that the aim of the one day seminar was to activate critical mass thinking that can lead to actualization of young people's initiated agenda. She noted that the seminar is structured to redirect young people's minds to sustainable future as well as enable them to become more and super successful. The Nnewi South Local Government Area Coordinator recalled with pride that CENSTLEYO on 24th September 2020 empowered forty youths w...

By Remi Ojo  The Kwara State governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq has declared 24 hours curfew in Ilorin metropolis. Gov AbdulRasaq stated this in a radio broadcast. He said he had consulted with the traditional rulers, religious leaders, students union and youth bodies as well as other stakeholders. The Kwara State governor stated emphatically that the kind of looting and vandalization perpetrated in Ilorin the state capital can not be said to be a protest. He said that the government has a responsibility of protecting lives and properties and as such cannot afford to stand akimbo while hoodlums are running rings round the city. Gov AbdulRasaq ordered security operatives to ensure compliance even as he urged law-abiding persons to stay at home.

ANAMBRA STATE POLICE COMMAND DIARY UPDATE ON ATTACKS BY HOODLUMS ON POLICE FORMATIONS IN ANAMBRA STATE On the 23/10/2020 between 8:30am and 6:30pm, hoodlums in large numbers under the guise of "END SARS" protesters attacked Amichi,Osumeyi,Ezinifite and  Ukpor Divisions all under Nnewi South LGA of Anambra State. Suspects also attacked Oraifite Area Command/ Division, vandalized and set the facilities ablaze carting away  exhibits but NOT Arms and ammunition. Meanwhile, the DPO Osumeyi Division and two others were fatally wounded during the attack.The injured police officers were rushed to the hospital for medical attention after which the DPO and the Station officer Osumeyi were confirmed dead by the medical Doctor while the other police Constable is responding to treatment.Corpses photographed and deposited at the morgue for autopsy.  Consequently, the hoodlums equally torched part of Awgbu Division but were later repelled by the police in  collaboration with member...

By Isaac Ojo  AZUBOGU BEMOANS VIOLENCE IN PARTS OF ANAMBRA ...Appeals for calm; says you don't destroy your house because you are angry Engr. Chris Emeka Azubogu has bemoaned the spate of violence that erupted in parts of Anambra state which has regrettably led to loss of lives and destruction of properties in the affected areas, including parts of the federal constituency he represents. In a statement released through his media office this morning, the federal lawmaker, who likened the reported destruction of lives and property by citizens to someone destroying his or her home in exhibition of anger’, appealed for calm, especially now that government, at various levels, have expressed preparedness to address key demands raised by #EndSars protesters.  "I am not comfortable with the spate of violence that erupted in parts of Anambra State in the last two days. We cannot classify wanton destruction of lives and properties as protest, or counter protest. Resorting to violence is...

*NDIGBO LAGOS* *PRESS STATEMENT* *Lagos. 22 OCTOBER 2020* *For Immediate Release* Ndigbo Lagos associates itself with the demands of the ENDSARS protests across the nation of Nigeria. It is regrettable that miscreants hijacked the genuine protests resulting in destruction of lives and properties and looting of shops in several cities in Nigeria, especially in Lagos. It is equally regrettable and condemnable that inappropriate use of force was applied against the genuine protesting youths on October 20th, 2020 at Lekki Toll Gate Lagos with the unfortunate results of fatalities and gunshot injuries. May the souls of the departed rest in perfect peace. We equally condemn the attacks of hoodlums on the Palace of Oba of Lagos, taking away his staff of office and leaving behind them flames of fire on the Palace. This amounts to mindless desecration of the exalted throne of the Oba and the traditions of the land. Further to the above developments, Ndigbo Lagos notes with displeasure, a malici...

#EndSARS: Buhari’s Speech Is Empty, Failed Empathy Test Says PDP The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the long-awaited address by President Muhammadu Buhari on the protests rocking the nation, as disappointing and completely disconnected from the realities of the tragic occurrences in our country in the last two weeks. The party however appeals to Nigerians, particularly the youth, to remain calm and allow a return to normal life in the collective quest for peaceful co-existence in the overall interest of our nation. Mr. President’s address, in the face of the turmoil witnessed, the unrests as well as the killing of young Nigerians, is to say the least, depressing and failing in empathy test. Our party and, indeed, all lovers of peace in our country, were shocked that Mr. President glossed over the immediate trigger of violent protests - the widely condemned killing at the Lekki Toll Gate by security operatives, a situation which created a global concern and drew the attent...

ADDRESS TO THE NATION BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON THE ENDSARS PROTESTS, 22ND OCTOBER, 2020        Fellow Nigerians,   It has become necessary for me to address you having heard from many concerned Nigerians and having concluded a meeting with all the Security Chiefs.   2. I must warn those who have hijacked and misdirected the initial, genuine and well - intended protest of some of our youths in parts of the country, against the excesses of some members of the now disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).   3. On Monday 12th October, I acknowledged the genuine concerns and agitations of members of the public regarding the excessive use of force by some members of SARS.   4. The choice to demonstrate peacefully is a fundamental right of citizens as enshrined in Section 40 of our Constitution and other enactments; but this right to protest also imposes on the demonstrators the responsibilit...

EndSARS Protests: Archbishop Ibezim Asks President Buhari To Address The Nation -------says shooting protesters not the best The Archbishop Ecclesiastical Province of the Niger, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Reverend Alexander Chibuzor Ibezim, PhD, JP yesterday asked President Mohammed Buhari to urgently address the nation on the ongoing EndSARS protests which has turned bloody. Archbishop Ibezim's message was contained in a press release signed by thee Director Media, Communication, Research and Public Relations, Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu PhD.  He frowned at the shooting of protesters, insisting it’s not the best option and not at the interest of the country. Archbishop Ibezim who is also the Anglican Bishop of Awka Diocese pointed out that shooting and killing of youths in peaceful protest would rather worsen the crisis and make dialogue almost impossible. He as well appealed to the protesting youths to give peace a chance and  desist from further destruction...

By Ifeoma Ejiofor Gov Obiano Declares 24 - Hour Curfew  A twenty four - hour curfew has been declared in Anambra state beginning 8pm today, Thursday, October 22nd, 2020. Governor Willie Obiano made the announcement during a statewide broadcast. According to the Governor, the curfew has become neccessary due to unpleasant incidents recorded so far, as well as rising tension in the land. While describing the anger of the #EndSars protesters as justifiable, Governor Obiano declared that all schools and markets in the state have been closed down, stressing that all large gatherings in any form are banned. He said that the security agencies are on notice to do the needful, asking them to resist all efforts to provoke them to the use of extreme force. The Governor called on stakeholders including the clergy, traditional rulers, youth leaders, among others, to lend their voices and help address the escalating situation, adding that the sum of two hundred million naira has been approved to...

By Princess Anukwu Police station burnt in Nnewi, 2 Dead The industrial town of Nnewi has been thrown into a pensive mood as the Central Police Station (CPS)in the town was burnt down by suspected arsonists and two people allegedly died in the inferno. The police station was burnt down around 11pm on Wednesday. Sources said that the arsonists after burning down the CPS proceeded to the Police Area Command where they were repelled by the officers on duty. People according to another source are not happy with the police officers in the town because of the activities of Anti-cult unit housed also at CPS. "The CPS has become notorious over the years, the traffic unit has always been extorting the unsuspecting members of the public by making frivolous arrest of private and commercial motorcyclists.  "To make matters worse, the a unit of police Anti-cult unit was recently housed at the same station. The anticult squad has not been professional in their conduct. They go to people...

By Chuks Collins Awka 12 eye NANS Presidency, as Rivers, Imo, jostle to host Convention Barring any last minute changes, this year's National Convention of the National Association of Nigerian Students(NANS) would kick off December 10-13, 2020 at any of the three favorite venues already pencilled down for final consideration by the Convention Planning committee(CPC). According to a communique issued at the end of a meeting of the CPC at Awka, the Anambra state capital, and signed by the Chairman -Comrade Patrick Afubera and Secretary -Comrade Charles Christopher pointed out that the road was still open for wide consultation across board for choice of the hosting venue.  But that Rivers, Imo and the FCT were the hot favorite, out of which they would choose one. Afubera in his opening remarks reminded all the CPC members, the aspirants and other students of the enormous task ahead for a successful convention. He emphasized on transparency and dedication so as to ensure a sm...

   By Princess Anukwu    Mr Emeka Obidike C, LUPAN     Executive Secretary LUPAN Protests Arbitrary Increase Of Administrative Charge On Base Oil The Lubricant Producers Association of Nigeria (LUPAN), has expressed their distress and disapproval of the propensity of the Petroleum Product Pricing Agency [PPPRA] to arbitrarily inflate its unwarranted charges from N0.10Kobo to N1.23Kobo per litre of base oil imported.  This protest was contained in a press release signed by the Executive Secretary, LUPAN, Mr Emeka Obidike C, made available to journalists. The Executive Secretary LUPAN expressed worry that PPPRA has always insisted on the registration of operators already licensed by the Department of Petroleum Resources [DPR] to import base oil, despite being shown a genuine DPR license.  "Over time the Association has been besieged by complaints from operators of being tasked with the payment of dues, charges, levies and/or compell...

*ENDSARS PROTEST: A CRY FOR JUSTICE AND PEACE IN NIGERIA* (A press release of the President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), Archbishop Augustine Obiora Akubeze on the EndSARS protest in Nigeria)   Addressed to all Catholic Bishops, Priests, Consecrated Persons, Lay Faithful, all Nigerian Youths, and Fellow Nigerians. Dear fellow Catholics and Nigerians, 1. I send you greetings from the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) on this occasion of the widespread protest calling for an end to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigeria Police Force. It is remarkable and quite commendable that this protest is being led by the youths of Nigeria who are tired of suffering from the brutality and injustices perpetrated by officers of the SARS and the Nigeria Police Force as a whole.  There is hardly any Nigerian who has not directly or indirectly encountered the crude and inhuman manner the SARS officials deal with citizens of this country. The yout...

PRESS RELEASE  NIGERIAN ARMY SETS TO COMMENCE EXERCISE CROCODILE SMILE V1 NATION WIDE 1. The Nigerian Army is set to start its annual Exercise CROCODILE SMILE which is traditionally conducted in the last quarter of the year. This year's Exercise CROCODILE SMILE V1 is scheduled to commence from the 20th of October to the 31st of December 2020. 2. The Exercise is deliberately intended to be all encompassing to include cyber warfare exercises designed to identify, track and counter negative propaganda in the social media and across the cyberspace. This is the first ever Cyberwarfare exercise to be conducted in the history of the African Armed Forces. Accordingly, the exercise will also include positive identification component aimed at identifying Boko Haram terrorists fleeing from the North East and other parts of the country as a result of the ongoing operations in the various theatres of operations especially in the Northeast, North Central and North Western parts of Nigeria. ...

VICE PRESIDENT YEMI OSINBAJO SPEAKS Dear Nigerians, I know that many of you are angry, and understandably so. We could’ve moved faster and for this we are sorry. I fully understand how many young people feel. Many feel that we have been too silent and have simply not done enough. These feelings of frustration are justified. There are far too many people who have been brutalised at the hands of the police and this is unacceptable. We must take responsibility for protecting young people, even sometimes from those who are paid to protect them. Over the past week, we have been following the protests, and I have had a number of discussions with key people in the administration that you deserve to be informed about. Transparency, after all, is a key tenet of government. Several meetings have been held with: the Senate President Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, Speaker of the House Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Chairman of the Police Service Commiss...

*Federal Government Says No Going Back; Churches And Other Religious Bodies Must Start Submitting Details Of Their Income And Expenses*   Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has said that there will be no going back on the new Company and Allied Matters Act (CAMA).  CAC said the new act has come to stay in the country despite the public outcry that has greeted it. The Commission said it was only waiting for the legislature to gazette it for immediate implementation of the law. The CAMA bill was recently signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari, and was included in his list of achievements for the last one year. The Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN), had recently described CAMA as satanic, demanding that the President halts the implementation of “the obnoxious and ungodly law until religious institutions are exempted from it.” The CAC Registrar-General, Alhaji Garba Abubakar, while speaking to Commerce Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CICAN) in Abuja yester...

By Isaac Ojo Cleric Prays For Trump's Re-election To Actualize Biafra     A fiery cleric and the General Overseer of Mount Zion Faith Global Liberation Ministries Inc., Nnewi, Anambra State, Bishop Abraham Chris Udeh has warned Americans not to allow Democrats to win the seating President, Donald Trump in the coming November Presidential election in that country. The Bishop said his Church had since embarked on 40 days and 40 nights fasting and prayers to back up Trump spiritually for the battle ahead and also for God to grant the actualization of Biafra in Nigeria. Bishop Udeh disclosed this after yesterday's Sunday service. He said his Church decided to embark on the spiritual warfare to ensure that the candidate of the Democrats, Joe Biden did not achieve any success in the forthcoming American Presidential election. Bishop Udeh accused Biden and former American President, Barack Obama of being agents and promoters of Antichrist whose agenda he alleged would be to jointly w...

By Isaac Ojo Journalist, 10 Others Ordained At Messianic Faith Assembly Int'l Nnewi It was a solemn and reflection time at  Messianic Faith Assembly Int'l Nnewi, Anambra State as a veteran journalist, Mr Patrick Ikedigwe and ten others were on Saturday consecrated and ordained into the various offices of ministration of Yaweh. In his sermon at the occasion, Pastor BKC Yakike charged the ordinands to live life styles that will glorify Yaweh. He said that the need for the ordained to show forth fruit of righteousness has become imperative because many pastors in the country are competing with politicians on who lies and deceives the most. Pastor Yakike reminded the ordained persons that their ordination is a great responsibility and not for worldly show off but a great call into the life of soul winning. The General Overseer, Messianic Faith Assembly Int'l Nnewi, Amb-Archbishop Ignitus Orizu (JP) said that the ordained have different times expressed th...

2021 BUDGET SPEECH: Budget of Economic Recovery and Resilience  Delivered By: His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari President, Federal Republic of Nigeria At the Joint Session of the National Assembly, Abuja Thursday, 8th October 2020 PROTOCOLS 1.  It is with pleasure that I present the 2021 Federal Budget Proposals to this Joint Session of the National Assembly. 2.  Distinguished and Honourable Leaders, and Members of the National Assembly, at this juncture, I wish to commend your tremendous efforts in approving the revision of the 2020 – 2022 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper, and passage of the 2020 Appropriation (Repeal and Amendment) Act, in response to the Coronavirus Pandemic. 3.  Today marks an important occasion in our quest to accord the federal budget process the seriousness it deserves. In line with our commitment, we have worked extra hard to ensure early submission of the 2021 –2023 Medium-term Expenditure Framework and Fi...