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‘Allow Igbo to have their Biafra Republic’ – Nigerian Youths begs Acting President, Osinbajo

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The Coalition of Northern Youths have written a letter to the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, begging him to allow  Ndigbo to go and have their Biafra Republic. The group said though they laud the peace and conflict resolution moves being done by the Acting President, they however doubt the efficacy of it in bringing a lasting solution to the problem in question rocking the nation at present. In the letter signed by Ambassador Shettima Yerima, Joshua Viashman, Aminu Adam, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman and Nastura Ashir Sharif, the Northern group however argued that the principle of self-determination has since world war II become a part of the United Nations Charter, which states in Article 1(2) that one of the purposes of the UN is “to develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples”. They said: “Though we do not doubt Your Excellency’s bona fide concerns for the peaceful resolution of the crises, we nevertheless have reservations as to the efficacy of this approach in ensuring lasting solutions.

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“Our doubts are informed by the following historical antecedents that have characterized the behavior and conduct of the Igbo in Nigeria and previous efforts at containing them. “The Igbo of Eastern Nigeria manifested their hatred for Nigeria’s unity barely five years after we gained our independence from the British when on January 15, 1966, their army officers carried out the first-ever mutiny that marked the beginning of a series of crisis which has profoundly altered the course of Nigeria’s history. “By that ill motivated cowardly and deliberate action, the Igbo killed many northern officers from the rank of lieutenant colonel upwards and also decapitated the Prime Minister and the political leadership of the Northern and Western regions but left the zenith of Igbo leadership at the Federal level and the Eastern region intact. “In line with the Igbo plan, General Aguiyi-Ironsi took advantage of the vacuum and, instead of returning power to the remnants of the First Republic government, he appropriated the coup and attempted to consolidate it for his people. “Army officers of the Northern Region were eventually compelled to execute a counter coup on July 29, 1966 following a coordinated series of brazen provocations from the Igbo who taunting northerners on northern streets by mocking the way leaders of the region were slain by the Igbo. This unfortunately resulted in mob action which resulted in the death of many Igbos. “And when Lt. Col. Yakubu Gowon, from the North took over as Head of State following the counter coup, the Igbo through Lt. Col. Ojukwu, characteristically refused to recognize Gowon. Ojukwu declared the secession of the Igbo people from Nigeria and the formation of the republic of Biafra on May 30, 1967 resulting in a civil war that led to the tragic deaths of more than 2 million Nigerians”. “Concerned by the fact that the Biafrans have confessed to arming themselves for a violent breakup, we feel that it is risky for the rest of the country particularly the North to go on pretending that it is safe for us to co habitate with the Igbos given how deeply they are entrenched in our societies .

“And since evidently the Igbo have not been sufficiently humbled by their self imposed bloody civil violence of 1966, we are strongly concerned that nothing short of granting their Biafran dream will suffice. “And since the Igbo have virtually infiltrated every nook and cranny of Northern Nigeria where they have been received with open arms as fellow compatriots, we strongly believe that the region is no longer safe and secure in the light of the unfolding threats and the fact that for a long time, the Igbo have gone to extra ordinary lengths to ensure that in their domain in the South East, Northerners and Westerners are as much as possible disenfranchised from owning any businesses whereas in Kano alone, they own not less than 100, 000 shops across all the business districts. “That since the younger generation of Nigerians makes up for more than 60 per cent of the nation’s population, it is our hope that they inherit this country in better shape so that they can build a much better future for themselves and their offsprings in an atmosphere that is devoid of anarchy, hate, suspicion and negativity that characterize the polarized, and clearly irreconcilable differences forced on us by the Biafran Igbos”. “As the Igbo agitations persist and assume threatening dimensions, we submit that there is need to ensure that they are given the opportunity to exercise the right to self-determination as entrenched under the aforementioned international statutes to which Nigeria is a signatory. “Aware that the right of self-determination in international law is the legal right for a “people” that allows them to attain a certain degree of autonomy from a sovereign state through a legitimate political process, we strongly demand for a referendum to take place in a politically sane atmosphere where all parties will have a democratic voice over their future and the future of the nation. “The Igbo from all over the country and in the Diaspora should be advised to converge in their region in the South-East for a plesbisite to be organized and conducted by the United Nations and other regional bodies for them to categorically to decide between remaining part of Nigeria or having their separate country. “That government should at the end of the plesbite implement whatever is agreed and resolved in order to finally put this matter to rest.

“Lastly, we pray His Excellency to study the references forwarded with this letter dispassionately and decide who is more in the wrong between those who openly pledge allegiance to a country other than Nigeria backing it up with persistent threats of war and those of us whose allegiance remains with the Nigerian state but simply urge that the secessionists be allowed to actualize their dream peacefully throw universally entrenched democratic options”.

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Aviation Minister Explores Partnerships at Future Aviation Forum in Riyadh

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Aviation Minister Explores Partnerships at Future Aviation Forum in Riyadh

 

 

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The Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN CON FCIarb (UK), is actively engaging with Middle East aviation leaders at the ongoing Future Aviation Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Hosted at the prestigious King Abdulaziz International Conference Center (KAICC), the forum marks a pivotal moment for global aviation collaboration.

At the behest of His Excellency Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti, Minister of Transport of the State of Qatar, and His Excellency Saleh Al-Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistics of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Aviation Minister convened on the sidelines to deepen ties between Nigeria and the Middle East in the realm of air transportation and logistics.

The third edition of the Future Aviation Forum, themed “Elevating Global Connectivity,” underscores the importance of fostering innovation, sustainable air travel, and cultural exchange. By bringing together leaders from the aviation sector and adjacent industries, the forum serves as a catalyst for knowledge exchange and business opportunities in a dynamic economic sector.

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Keyamo expressed gratitude to Minister Al-Sulaiti for his keen interest in Nigeria, affirming Nigeria’s openness to investment in civil aviation and other sectors of the economy. Emphasizing the importance of learning from Qatar’s success in airline operations, particularly exemplified by the global acclaim of Qatar Airways, the Minister sought collaboration to enhance Nigeria’s aviation sector.

A key proposal made by the Nigeria Aviation Minister involves encouraging Qatar Airways to patronize local catering services on its return trips to Doha from Nigeria. This initiative aligns with the principles of reciprocity outlined in the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) and aims to stimulate Nigeria’s local economy.

As the Future Aviation Forum continues until May 22, 2024, the Minister remains committed to forging strategic partnerships that will elevate Nigeria’s aviation industry on the global stage.

 

Aviation Minister Explores Partnerships at Future Aviation Forum in Riyadh

Tunde Moshood
SA Media and Communications to the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development

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Abba Yusuf and His Misadventure in Kano* By Aliyu Maina

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*Abba Yusuf and His Misadventure in Kano*

By Aliyu Maina

Oh, our majestic Kano! A land renowned for its rich history, resilient hustle, and unwavering hope. Alas, a dark and foreboding shadow has descended upon our beloved city, casting a pall of despair over its inhabitants. This ominous shadow is the result of a man’s broken promises and misguided leadership, a man who pledged to usher in an era of prosperity but instead unleashed unmitigated chaos upon us.

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This individual, Abba Yusuf, our governor, a stranger in our midst, callously disregards the plight of our city as it burns, his actions a stark betrayal of the trust placed in him. For the sons and daughters of Kano, the past few years have been an interminable ordeal of suffering and shattered dreams, a direct consequence of Abba Yusuf’s governance. Our once-thriving metropolis, teeming with life and commerce, has been reduced to a desolate ghost town, a mere shadow of its former vibrant self.

Abba Yusuf, a man who professed to bring prosperity, has instead inflicted upon us a reign of unrelenting hardship. He dons the guise of a leader, but beneath this façade lies a puppet manipulated by invisible forces, ensnared in a sinister political game of power and control. His actions have brought our city to its knees, leaving its people to suffer the consequences of his misguided leadership.

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As a Kano indigene, I am compelled to express my deep disappointment and anguish at the actions of Governor Abba Yusuf, who has utterly failed to prioritize the welfare of the poor masses in our beloved state. His tenure has been marked by a series of misguided decisions that have inflicted immense suffering on the very people he swore to protect.

You see, I have lived in Kano for over 50 years. I’ve seen governors come and go, each with their own vision for our beloved city. But Abba Yusuf? He’s a different breed altogether. He came in with a broom, they said, sweeping away corruption. But instead of sweeping away the dirt, he ended up uprooting the very foundations of our lives.

The first blow came barely a week into his tenure as Governor when he revoked the certificate of occupancy of several properties, claiming they had been acquired illegally from the previous administration. With nary a thought for the countless families who called these properties home, he ordered their demolition. The dust had barely settled when he delivered yet another blow – the suspension of thousands of civil servants employed by his predecessor, Gadunje, on the shaky premise of false recruitment allegations. Which has left countless families without a breadwinner. Thousands of families left jobless overnight. How do you explain that to a man who just put his children through school, hoping for a brighter future, only to see it snatched away by the stroke of a vindictive pen? This callous move has exacerbated poverty and hardship, pushing many to the brink of despair.

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The actions of Abba Yusuf have not gone unnoticed. The Federal High Court, first in Abuja and then in Kano, ordered the Kano State Government to pay hefty sums in compensation for the unlawful demolition of properties, further proving the government’s egregious violation of fundamental rights. But has he paid? Not a kobo. Court orders? Pah! Yusuf cared little for the law.

However, these court orders represent a hollow victory for the victims. They are but a small salve on the deep wound inflicted by a ruler who has lost touch with the people he promised to serve. Rather than uplift our city to the heights of prosperity he promised, Abba Yusuf has left Kano in ruins. The rubble of demolished buildings is a stark reminder of the homes and livelihoods that have been lost. People who’d saved for years, invested their life savings – their dreams turned to dust. The man who promised to clean up Kano has become the biggest stain on our city’s reputation. Thousands have been directly and indirectly affected by his actions, their lives upturned without warning or justice. Tears flow in the streets of Kano, a once proud city brought to its knees by a man lost in the labyrinth of political games. The cries of the poor and disenfranchised echo through the city, a haunting reminder of the promise of prosperity that was but a fleeting illusion.

It is a bitter pill to swallow, realizing that the man at the helm of our city’s destiny is far removed from the realities on ground. Instead of using the opportunity God has given him to guide Kano towards a brighter future, Abba Yusuf seems set on a course that only deepens our despair. In the face of this adversity, the spirit of Kano remains unbroken. Instead of using the state’s resources for the good of the people, Abba Yusuf has been busy gallivanting around, using the state’s funds to hunt down political oppositions and past administration leaders.

This, my friends, is not the Kano we know. The Kano we know, is the city that embraced all, and gave opportunities to those who strived. Yusuf has turned it into a place of fear, a place where the powerful prey on the weak. We, the ordinary people, the ones who make Kano tick – we are the ones suffering. Yusuf, blinded by his vendetta, has forgotten his duty. He’s become a puppet in a political play, more interested in settling scores than serving the people. He promised prosperity, but delivered misery. Promised hope, but brought despair.

We are a resilient people, forged in the crucible of hardship but never bowed. We continue to hope for a leader who will truly serve the interests of the masses, a leader who will lead us out of this darkness and into the light of a prosperous future. Until then, we bear witness to the misadventure of Abba Yusuf, a man clearly lost in the intricate web of politics, using his position to punish the very people he swore to serve. In the end, we, the people of Kano, are the true custodians of our city’s destiny. We will rise from these ruins, stronger and more united than ever, holding onto the hope that one day, justice will be served. Until then, we stand firm, refusing to be silenced, our voices echoing through the heart of Kano, a testament to our resilience in the face of adversity.

As a Kano person, I have witnessed firsthand the anguish and despair that Abba Yusuf’s actions have caused. His policies have punished the poor, rewarding only his political allies. We, the people of Kano, won’t stay silent. We will raise our voices, louder than the roar of the bulldozers. We will not let him turn our city into rubble. We will fight for the Kano we know and love, the Kano that gave us a future.

On behalf of the thousands of Kano people who have suffered this hardship, I say, “enough is enough”. We demand justice and an end to this misadventure, lest our beloved Kano be reduced to nothing but rubble and tears. This is our story. The story of a city betrayed. The story of a people yearning for a leader, not a destroyer. The story of Kano, waiting to rise from the ashes.

Maina, an anthropologist wrote this piece from Gidan Kofar, Kano.

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RTEAN Boss, Dr. Musa Maitakobi Acquires 25 Hectares “Maitakobi Emirates” At Lekki Aviation Town Estate

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RTEAN Boss, Dr. Musa Maitakobi Acquires 25 Hectares "Maitakobi Emirates" At Lekki Aviation Town Estate

RTEAN Boss, Dr. Musa Maitakobi Acquires 25 Hectares “Maitakobi Emirates” At Lekki Aviation Town Estate

 

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The National President of Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Alhaji Dr. Musa Muhammad Maitakobi, has sealed a substantial deal to acquire 25 hectares of land within the prestigious Lekki Aviation Town Estate, located in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos. This acquisition aims to create a legacy estate where members of the association and his associates can build their homes in Lagos State, with the option to pay in installments. This landmark agreement was signed with Harmony Gardens and Estate Development LTD, led by Hon. Dr. Audullahi Saheed Mosadoluwa (Mr. Ibile).

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RTEAN Boss, Dr. Musa Maitakobi Acquires 25 Hectares "Maitakobi Emirates" At Lekki Aviation Town Estate

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This strategic move marks a significant step for Alhaji Dr. Musa Muhammad Maitakobi, a prominent figure in Nigeria’s transportation industry, into the realm of real estate ownership. The acquisition of the Maitakobi Emirate within the Lekki Aviation Town Estate from Harmony Gardens is a milestone in his service to humanity, highlighting the company’s impressive achievements in developing multiple estates simultaneously. Harmony Gardens’ projects are highly visible and top-notch, making them a trusted partner.

Lekki Aviation Town Estate, a 167-hectare development within the Yegunda Government Resettlement Scheme along Lekki-Epe International Airport, is renowned for its luxurious amenities and prime location. This estate has become a coveted destination for investors and homeowners due to its proximity to key infrastructure developments and its serene environment, offering a blend of sophistication and comfort ideal for discerning individuals seeking premium residential options.

Under the astute leadership of Hon. Dr. Audullahi Saheed Mosadoluwa, Harmony Gardens and Estate Development LTD has solidified its position as a leading player in the real estate sector. This collaboration with Alhaji Dr. Musa Muhammad Maitakobi is not their first; ongoing negotiations include partnerships with notable entities such as the celebrity fashion designer Seyi Vodi for Vodi Brickbarn and Nancy Isime for NancyVille Estate, underscoring a mutual commitment to excellence and innovation.

Hon. Dr. Audullahi Saheed Mosadoluwa expressed his gratitude for the collaboration, extending his warmest congratulations to Alhaji Dr. Musa Muhammad Maitakobi. He emphasized Harmony Gardens’ commitment to delivering exceptional service and unparalleled value to its clients, ensuring a seamless experience throughout the acquisition and development process. The unveiling of Maitakobi Emirate will coincide with the Lekki Aviation Town seminar aimed at addressing Nigeria’s housing deficit, showcasing the company’s dedication to infrastructural excellence.

This move signifies a new chapter of success and prosperity for both parties. As the Maitakobi Emirates project embarks on this venture into real estate ownership, offering easy home ownership for RTEAN members through installment payments, the partnership with Harmony Gardens and Estate Development LTD promises to set new standards of excellence in the industry.

 

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