Former Nigeria Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu Speakes On His Ordeal In The Hands Of IPOB Members ln Germany

Former Nigeria Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu Speakes On His Ordeal In The Hands Of IPOB Members ln Germany

Francis Tayor

The immediate past Deputy President of the Senate, Sen.Ike Ekweremadu has confirmed a physical assault on him by some members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, in Nuremberg, Germany, on Saturday.

Sen.Ekweremadu confirmed the attack in a statement released by his Media Assistant, Uche Anichukwu in Abuja.

At first it was not clear who or why the Nigerians attacked the Senator. However, it was later confirmed that the attackers were members of IPOB who has sworn to continue attacking ‘corrupt Nigerian leaders’ whenever they are seen in Western countries.

In one of the viral videos on the social media , Ekweremadu was seen being violently questioned over his alleged conspiracy with the Federal Government of Nigeria to proscribe the IPOB in the South East and killing several of its followers.

The Senator who also gave account of the event on his social media handle @ iamekweremadu, however, assured that he was safe. He condemned the attack and said he had immediately reported it to the Nigerian Ambassador to Germany, Mr Yusuf Tuggar.

He said: “I attended the Second Annual Cultural Festival and Convention organised by Ndi-Igbo Germany in Nuremberg today where I was billed to give a keynote address along with the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, who, however could not make it eventually.

“I was given a resounding welcome by Ndigbo in Germany and everything went smoothly until some men, who identified themselves as IPOB members stormed the venue and began to complain about the killings in the South East, stressing that there would be no Igbo event at the venue.

“I tried to engage them, but when they became unruly, I had to leave the venue. The organisers also invited the police and I was accompanied out of the venue.
“Much as I am disappointed in their conduct, especially as I am one of the persons, who have spoken up on justice for Ndigbo, the Python Dance, judicial killings in Igbo land and elsewhere both on the floor of the Senate and in my written and personal engagements with the Presidency and the media as well as rallied the South East Senate Caucus to secure Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s release with Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe taking him on bail to douse tension in the South East, I nevertheless do not hold this to heart against them, for they know not what they do.

“I have received thousands of solidarity calls and messages from well meaning Ndigbo. I want to assure them that I am hail and hearty. I have also spoken with the Nigerian Ambassador to Germany, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar.”

Siasia Speaks On FIFA Ban, Tells Fans To Keep Calm, Says The Matter Is Currently Being Handled By My Lawyer

Siasia Speaks On FIFA Ban, Tells Fans To Keep Calm, Says The Matter Is Currently Being Handled By My Lawyer

Francis Tayor

Abuja____Former Super Eagles Coach Samson Siasia on Saturday has appealed for calm over his life ban by the World Football Governing body, FIFA, on Friday.

Siasia was banned for life from the game following a match-fixing probe by FIFA.

Siasia, who spoke in Abuja through an associate, Opukiri Jones-Ere, at the main bowl of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, said the matter was currently being looked into by his lawyer.
The former Super Eagles forward said he was hopeful of a positive conclusion of the matter.

“We want to please plead with everyone to be calm as the issue has been handed over to a lawyer and he is looking at the case.

“So, at this moment, Siasia will be unavailable to speak to the press.

“I want to also appeal to you all to be patient with us, considering the fact that he is already going through so much stress with regards to his mother’s kidnap which we are dealing with at the moment.

“We appreciate you all for your concerns and solidarity messages which have received from the onset of this situation.
“So, my kind appeal is that you all give us some time for the lawyer to look into the case and as soon as possible, hopefully by next week, we will come up with our position and further action to be taken on the issue.

“On behalf of the family of Siasia, we want to once again thank you for your concerns and we pray that this will end well,” he said.
FIFA had said in a statement on Friday that the adjudicatory chamber of their independent Ethics Committee found the 51-year-old Siasia guilty.
He was “guilty of having accepted that he will receive bribes in relation to manipulation of matches in violation of FIFA Code of Ethics.”

Siasia played 51 times as a striker for the Nigerian national team and later coached various national youth sides before his first spell as senior coach in 2010.

His case is the latest to emerge from FIFA’s long-running investigation into the activities of Singaporean Wilson Raj Perumal, who FIFA has called a “known match fixer”.
He has admitted such activity in several interviews.
FIFA said Siasia was banned for life “from all football-related activities (administrative, sports or any other) at both national and international levels.”
Siasia was also fined CHF 50,000 (N18.6 million).

The former Nigerian international was appointed Super Eagles head coach from 2010 to Oct. 2011 and he was reappointed in 2016.

Amnesty: South-South Ijaw Youths To Dokubo, Your Time Is Over, Stop Hiring Crumb Eaters To Sing Praises On Social Media For Your Retainment In Office

Amnesty: South-South Ijaw Youths To Dokubo, Your Time Is Over, Stop Hiring Crumb Eaters To Sing Praises On Social Media For Your Retainment In Office

Urges President Buhari To Appoint Delta Ijaw To Succeed Dokubo

Francis Tayor

Warri ____ The South-South Ijaw Political Youth Forum SSIPYF, has tell the Coordinator of Presidential Amnesty Office, Prof.Charles Quaker Dokubo to stop hiring youths to protest in order to deceive President Muhammadu Buhari to retain him in office for another term.

The youths stressed that Charles Dokubo has failed the people of Niger Delta and that there is no amount of hiring journalists to sing praises for him on the social media will save him from vacating that office.It is the turn of Delta Ijaw to produce the next Amnesty Coordinator.

Addressing the Press in Warri, the National President of South-South Ijaw Youth Political Forum, Amb.Goddey Tam Arerebo said; " Prof Charles Dokubo has not just ridiculed his personality but has abuse humanity by capitalizing on the low mindedness and emptiness of stomach of some group of greenhorns to extol his vain worthiness when he was in office has the coordinator of the amnesty program through protest and frequent media show up in the praise singing style.

Because of his desperation to retain the office as the Amnesty boss and also to hoax  President Buhari to reappoint him as the Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Program, Dokubo has  resulted to buying bags of rice when it's not even Christmas and paying huge amount of money to some government agencies in a bid to retain his office and was openly disgrace by some of the agencies when they refused his offer and ordered him to come carry his bags of rice because they where aware of his mission."

"Amb Tam reiterated that the desperate desire of Dokubo to retain office has made him a roaring lion walking about seeking whom he may use, and has so' capitalized on the empty stomach of some ignorant group of greenhorns (crumb eaters) to march out in protest and continuous Media Press publications.

It is disturbing to see how desperate Dokubo has become just to retain office when he knows his hour has long past and it's the turn of the delta ljaws.

It's on this note we want to advice prof Charles Dokubo that, people has also occupied that seat as coordinator in that office and wasn't given a second chance not minding how credible their services was. This was so as to give other deserving person an opportunity to serve
just as he was given the opportunity by others so he had to give someone else the opportunity to serve as well."

" We also want to advice Dokubo to stop hiring helpless people to defend his greed on the social media and street protest.

We therefore, uses this medium to call on His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari to ignore the fake and deceitful images played before him by Prof Charles Dokubo and go ahead on his quest to appoint another ljaw patriot from Delta State to take over from him.

Charles Dokubo has nothing new to offer this program, rather he sees the office as a means to accrue wealth for himself and family."

1200 Ijaw/Itsekiri Youths Engaged In The 2019 Comrade Mulade Sheriff Peace & Unity Cup Competition, As Nwaomucha, Areyenka, Ojogun, Opudu, Others Head Committees

1200 Ijaw/Itsekiri Youths Engaged In The
2019 Comrade Mulade Sheriff Peace & Unity Cup Competition, As Nwaomucha, Areyenka, Ojogun, Opudu, Others Head Committees

Francis Tayor

Warri____ The Ijaw/Itsekiri Peace and Unity Cup Tournament also known as Comrade Mulade Sheriff Peace and Unity Cup has engaged and empowered over 1, 200 youths across Ijaw and Itsekiri communities from the inception of the competition in 2017 till date.

The organiser of the football tournament, Comrade Sheriff Mulade disclosed this during the inauguration of the Local Organizing Committee, LOC, for the second edition of the football competition at CEPEJ headquarters at Ugolo Okpe near Osubi Airport, Warri.

Comrade Mulade, National Coordinator of Center for Peace and Environmental Justice, CEPEJ, said the event is part of efforts to foster peace and unity among the people of Warri South-West, as well as
help participants to be more congruous in doing things and explore new frontiers of life.

He expressed joy about the success stories of the competition among Ijaw and Itsekiri ethnic groups of Warri South West LGA, noting that the tournament was initiated to promote peaceful coexistence and build bridges of unity among the diverse ethnic nationalities, as well as discover football talents at the grassroot level in Warri Area and other parts of Delta State.

Comrade Sheriff Mulade, a peace, human rights and environment activist said the 2019 biennial football event would commence from November 16 to November 30, 2019 in two centres, Ugborodo (Itsekiri) and Benikrukru (Ijaw).

The LOC which will coordinate and run the football tournament, had Mr. Kenneth Nwaomucha as chairman, Barr Val Ada Arenyeka, vice chairman, and Chief Jeffrey Ojogun, secretary.

The Security sub committee of the LOC has Chief Boro Opudu as chairman and Hon. Emiko Odin Etuwewe as secretary. Its Contact and Engagement sub Committee is chaired by Michael Ikeogwu, while Hon Emma Adun is secretary.

The Technical sub committee has Coach Esu Godfrey as chairman and Lucky Sunday as secretary, the Transport and Logistics sub committee is chaired by Aboyewa Ikpotor, while Present Ipopo is secretary.

The Welfare sub  Committee's chairman is Hon Bethus Ayetan, its secretary is Miss Omotsone Loveth, with Happiness Afuegbe, Omoboye Abosode and Seiyefa Aganbi as members.

The chairman of the Media and Publicity sub committee is Comrade Azuka Chiemaka with Alloyouis Okereke as secretary.

The Ugborodo centre will be coordinated by Hon. Paul Kirifede, Akanbe Augustine is the centre's deputy coordinator, while Wisdom Pori is the secretary.

The centre at Benkrukru is to be coordinated by Wilson Eje, his deputy is Bright Tortor, and Charles Ogbodowa is secretary.

Shortly after their inauguration, Comrade Mulade charged the LOC and the various sub committees to put in their best for a successful hosting of the football fiesta initiated by the Center For Peace and Environmental Justice,  CEPEJ.

Warri Peace, Unity Cup: Amb.Mulade Inaugurates Local Organising Committee Ahead November, Urges Committee Members To Run A Transparent Tournament

Warri Peace, Unity Cup: Amb.Mulade Inaugurates Local Organising Committee Ahead November, Urges Committee Members To Run A Transparent Tournament

Francis Tayor

Warri ____ In his efforts to ensure sustainable peaceful coexistence among the ljaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo ethnic groups in the three Warri Local Government Areas and its environ, the Gbaramantu born global peace advocate and the National Coordinator, Center for Peace and Environmental Justice, Comrade Sheriff Mulade, has inaugurated the Local Organizing Committee LOC, to kick start the second edition of the Ijaw/Itsekiri Peace and Unity Cup competition slated for November this year.

According to the sponsor of the tournament, Amb. Mulade said the 2019 edition of the Peace and Unity Football competition would commenced from 16th to 30th of November, 2019 with participants and players drawn across from the Itsekiri and Ijaw ethnic group that make up the LOC.

The Local Organising Committee members were inaugurated yesterday 15th August, 2019 at the Africa For Peace Centre Headquarters Ugolo, along Osubi near Warri in Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State.

The Various positions of responsibility and members inaugurated includes; Mr.Kenneth Nwobocha-Chairman, Mr. Val Ada Arenyeka-Vice Chairman and Chief.Jeffrey Ojogun as Secretary.

SUB COMMITTEE :

Security: Chief.Boro Opudu-Chairman, Hon. Emiko Etuwewe-  Secretary.

Contact/Engagement:
Mr.Michael Ikeogwe- Chairman, Hon.Emma Adun, Secretary.

Technical Committee: Coach Esu-Chairman and Lucky Sunday Secretary.

Transport/Logistic: Mr. Aboyewa-Chairman and Ikpotor Secretary.

Welfare Committee:
Hon Bethus Ayetan, Chairman and Miss Omotsone Loveth, Secretary. Happiness Afuegbe, Omoboye Abosode, Seiyefa Aganbi as members.

Media and Publicity: Comrade Azuka Chiemaka, Chairman and Alloyouis Okereke, Secretary.

Ugborodo Centre:
Hon Paul Kirifede- Coordinator, Akanbe Augustine-deputy Coordinator and Wisdom Pori Secretary.

Benikrukru Centre:
Wilson Eje-Coordinator, Bright Tortor-deputy Coordinator and Charles Ogbodowa-Secretary.

The competition which was tagged, 'Comrade Mulade Sheriff Peace & Unity Cup' was planned to promote peaceful coexistence between the Ijaw and Itsekiri nationalities.

The various committees is to help in the selection process, preparation, planning, rules and regulations, as well as organize all the activities of the event from the beginning to the closing ceremony.

Addressing the Press shortly after setting up the committee, the sponsor of the tournament, Comrade Sheriff Mulade said "This tournament was initiated to promote peaceful coexistence and build bridges of unity among the diverse ethnic nationalities, as well as discover football talents at the grassroot level in Warri Area and its environs of Delta State".

"Since the maiden edition of this tournament in 2017, more than 1,200 Ijaw and Itsekiri youths have been engaged. Many youths in the riverine communities of Warri South-West Local Government Area have been empowered, and their psycho-social well-being, resilience and self-esteem have been enhanced".

Sheriff Mulade urged the committee members to use their experiences and knowledge in sports to run the programme successfully with the support of the NGO's where necessary.He expressed optimism that the purpose of organising the tournament will be achieved with the support of the LOC, the statement adds.

Revealed : Okowa To Party Faithfuls, My Appointments Is Based On Those Who Sacrifice Time, Money, Energy For My Reelection

Revealed : Okowa To Party Faithfuls, My Appointments Is Based On Those Who Sacrifice Time, Money, Energy For My Reelection

...Charges Party Ward Leaders To Plant In Winter Season A head Summer

Francis Tayor

Asaba____ The Executive Governor of Delta State, His Excellency, Senator Dr.Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa has tell agrrieved party faithfuls that his political appointments is based on those who sacrifice their time, money and energy to ensure his reelection for second term in office.

Governor Okowa made the statement today at Asaba, the Delta State Capital while addressing some aggreievd party faithfuls who paid him a courtesy call from Bomadi, Patani, Burutu, Warri North and Isoko South respectively.

The governor stressed that those party faithfuls who does not sow during raining season are expecting output during harvest is ridiculous.

According to Okowa said ; " l know those who commits time, energy and money to work for me and our party. Those who contribute personal resources without relying on disbursement of party funds are my people. You can't reap where you did not sow. It is a simple logic. For those who are sponsoring community youths to protest against my prerogative powers to appoint who l want are waisting their time. I advice every party ward leaders to henceforth be more selfless and sacrifice personal resources to play politics during elections rather than relying on party funds, Okowa stated  "

However, speaking on behalf of the delegates, Chief.Emotonghan Akenge from Bomadi LGA, thank governor Okowa for his magnanimity for appointing three illustrious sons from Bomadi local government into his cabinet.

He further appealed to governor Okowa to have a human face and remember Egbema, Diebiri, Ngbilebiri, Tuomo and Ogbe-Ijoh people in his next appointments, Chief Akenge asserted.

Meanwhile, governor Okowa has charged party ward leaders who intends to be a true politician to be selfless and contribute financially in promoting party affairs, rather than accruing funds made for empowerment of the masses to themselves and family members, the statement adds.

Pipeline Surveillance Job: We're Running Out Of Patience, N'Delta Ex-Agitators Tells Buhari, Dokubo

Pipeline Surveillance Job: We're Running Out Of Patience, N'Delta Ex-Agitators Tells Buhari, Dokubo

...Appeals To FG To Immediately Implements The Agreement

Francis Tayor

Following peace meetings held by relevant stakeholders and ex-agitators in the Niger Delta to persuade the boys to lay down their arms for smooth production of oil and gas in the region for the past three years during the era of Brig.General Paul Boroh no implementation of the said agreement reached till date.

According to the ex-agitators, the pipeline jobs agreed upon to be given to them after laying down their arms which will be included in  the  expanded presidential Amnesty Programme to embrace peace in order for free flow of oil and gas production, have not come to them hence they are running out of patience and are appealing to the federal government and the Amnesty Coordinator, relevant Security Agencies to  intervene to urge the government to do the needful as quickly as possible.

A leader of Peretorogbene Community in Bayelsa State, Comrade Bossman Abodedike, who stood in  among the mediators, said Brig.Gen.Paul Boroh then Amnesty Coordinator to President Buhari while meeting with the ex-agitators in the creeks of the region, "said the unemployment in the Niger Delta is a serious concern to the Federal government, that it was revealed in a security meeting noting that the intention of the federal administration to engage our youths on pipeline surveillance job, adding that each community will be responsible for the provision of pipeline security in their community" .

Comrade Abodedike disclosed that after the assurance by federal government through Brig Boroh that they were told to submit names and passports across the Niger Delta communities to the Amnesty Coordinator's Office in Abuja.

He pointed out that based on the federal government intervention there are relative peace which have led to cease fire and no hostilities in the Niger Delta.

The Peretorogbene community leader called on the country's Vice President, Prof.Yemi Osinbajo, Professor Charles Dokubo and other relevant stakeholders who have been involved in sustaining peace and harmonious relationship between the Niger Delta Agitators with oil and gas companies operating in the Niger Delta to act fast in order to rekindle the hearts of the youth in the area and fulfill their agreement reached before now for progress and trust.