The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine

Category: News

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  • First Batch Of Nigerian Evacuees From Sudan Arrive Abuja

    The Air Peace flight carrying over 270 Nigerian students from the Aswan Airport in Egypt has landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

    Departed from Egypt, Nigerian evacuees arrive on board an Air Peace plane after fleeing conflict-torn Sudan.

    The NAF C-130H jet also conveying about 80 persons also touched down moments later.

    After over a week of assurances by the Federal Government, the Nigerian evacuees were finally airlifted home, escaping the deadly conflict in Sudan.

    Since April 15, Sudan has been plunged into armed conflict with clashes between rival factions of the North African nation’s military government breaking out in western Sudan, in the capital city of Khartoum, and in the Darfur region.

    Hundreds have since been killed while thousands of others have suffered injuries.

    For nearly two weeks, the Nigerian government assured concerned citizens of evacuation plans, ultimately facilitating buses to convey Nigerians out of Sudan with a Nigerian Air Force plane deployed for the operation.

    The evacuees arrived at the airport in the midst of heavy security presence, including mostly wingmen of the Nigerian Air Force.

    The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Sadiya Farouk; the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa; and the Director General of the National Management Emergency Agency (NEMA), Ahmed Mustapha, were at the airport to receive the students.

    Farouk said the returnees would be given N100,000 each to enable them settle in, adding that a full press briefing on the issues surrounding the evacuation had been scheduled for later on Thursday.

    The NEMA boss also noted that four aircraft were expected to arrive on Thursday, adding that they would convey almost 400 persons. According to him, Azman Air has joined Air Peace in the evacuation effort.

    During their ordeal, three Nigerian students trapped in Sudan, Lukman Abdulhayatu, Bilyaminu Muhammad and Bashiru Achida, shared their experiences, describing the situation as catastrophic.

    Speaking to Channels Television last week, Abdulhayatu said he woke up on the morning of Saturday, April 22 to “heavy bombings and fire everywhere”, adding that “it is catastrophic”.

    Muhammad, who stated that he had been in his room for three days, disclosed he had never heard the sound of a gun in his life until the experience in Sudan.

    “This is my first experience,” he said. “I had only seen it in the movies.”

    Bus Mishap And Discrimination Claims

    On Monday, there were reports that one of the buses conveying the Nigerians from Khartoum suffered a burst tyre on its way to Port Sudan.

    Confirming the incident, NIDCOM’s Head, Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, said, “It was a tyre that got burst. No bus caught fire.”

    All nine Nigerian students on the bus were confirmed to have arrived in Port Sudan on Tuesday.

    According to a source from the Sudan evacuees’ situation room, the students joined another bus sent by the transport company.

    In a separate incident, a viral video of a man claimed that the Nigerian Embassy in Khartoum, Sudan had refused to evacuate people of Igbo extraction from Sudan.

    In response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, upon investigation, there was “no truth whatsoever” to the allegation.

    “The Nigerian Embassy in Khartoum confirmed that evacuees of Igbo extraction were among the first batch of 637 Nigerians evacuated to Aswan Border, Egypt where they are presently awaiting their eventual return to Nigeria,” it said.

    “In addition, the Embassy noted that before the commencement of the movement of buses deployed for the evacuation exercise in Khartoum, there were scuffles between the students and other Nigerian residents due to the limited number of buses.

    “However, more buses were made available to accommodate every Nigerian national in Sudan who indicated interest to be evacuated.”

    Channels TV
  • Nigerian Senate Joins Calls To UK For Clemency on Ekweremadu

    Nigerian Senate Joins Calls To UK For Clemency on Ekweremadu

    The Nigerian Senate has begged the United Kingdom authorities for clemency over the sentencing of its former deputy president, Ike Ekweremadu, and his wife.

    According to the Senate, both Ekweremadu and his wife are first offenders, adding that in as much as it was not appealing the sentencing, that it was only asking for clemency.

    Ekweremadu is due for sentencing in a day time following his conviction by a UK court over organ harvesting involving a 21-year-old David Nwamini Ukpo who is from Ebonyi State.

    The Senate resolution was sequel to the adoption of a motion of privilege sponsored by Senator Chukwuka Utazi (PDP-Enugu) at plenary on Wednesday.

    Utazi in his presentation told the Senate that although the sentencing of the Ekweremadus was shifted to May 6, there was the need for clemency, given the good standing account of Ekweremadu.

    He said Ekweremadu, who is a former Deputy Senate President for 12 years, and former Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament, had made enormous contributions in the development of democracy in Nigeria, West Africa and beyond.

    Utazi said: “Whereas they are seen as a first offenders and they do not have any previous criminal records, considering that Ekweremadu was ignorant of seeking out a kidney donor to come to the United Kingdom and even applying to the British Government in Abuja for a visa for the donor.

    “Whereas the Senate is not happy with the conviction of the Ekweremadus’ and ignorance of the law is not an excuse , but they were faced with these circumstances in a bid to save their dying daughter Sonia.

    “This Senate is not in any way appealing to the conviction of the Ekweremadus’, nevertheless it is joining them in their plea by asking for clemency in the coming sentencing two days away.

    “That clemency may be extended to the Ekweremadus’ considering that all of the convicts are first offenders.

    “That since the matter was in the United Kingdom, that a novel approach in sentencing of the convicts be adopted by tempering justice with mercy, as the publicity already given to the trial was enough warning to the would-be offenders in the future.

    “That considering the long history of good relationship existing between Nigeria and the British government and considering that this is the first time that the Senate is making this kind of plea on the British government to yield to our request for clemency for the Ekweremadus’ in their sentencing.”

    President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, in his remarks said: “Distinguished Senator Ike Ekweremadu served for 12 years as Deputy Senate President and he put in so much effort to the development of the Parliament across Africa, and in the world.

    “He was not found wanting and so what has happened is very unfortunate.

    “I have written a letter to the British judicial authorities about three weeks ago on behalf of the Senate seeking Clemency, given the history of Senator Ekweremadu.

    “We are now using this particular intervention, to seek for clemency in the sentencing , the conviction has been done, but we are seeking clemency because this is the first time, our colleague,a patriot,a leader, a great leader, a very peaceful man is getting involved in this kind of thing.

    “Had we all known that this would be the case, certainly we would not have gone into that kind of situation.

    “Because we are law abiding citizens and we respect our country and its laws and laws of other countries,” Lawan stated.

    Leadership

  • Dons Udeh: Community of slain politician protest killing of their son, as Enugu governor places N5m bounty on Udeh’s killers

    …Releases another N5m to five communities in Ozalla for investigations

    Chetanne Chinelo, Enugu

    Bearing various placards, men, women and youths from Ozalla Community in Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu state have protested the heinous killing of their son, Engr. Dons Udeh.

    Led by the President General of Ozalla Development Union, Barr. Charles Nwa gbara, the protesters who kicked off from the popular Okpara Square in the Independence Layout axis of the state, Wednesday, May 3, 2023, called on security agents to bring the perpetrators of the act to book.

    Adorned with black-all-through garments, the protesters made a stop at the state government house to demand for justice and appeal to the governor for further intervention in the matter.

    Addressing them, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State announced a cash reward of N5 million for any person or group that provides information to the Nigeria Police that would lead to the arrest of those involved in the murder of the former State Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the 2023 general election, Engr. Dons Udeh.

    Governor Ugwuanyi also approved the release of another N5million, one million naira each, to the five communities in Ozalla, Nkanu West Local Government Area where the late Udeh hailed from, to assist them in their separate and collective investigations towards unraveling those behind the death of their son.

    Expressing deep concern over the matter, the governor commiserated with the family of late Engr. Udeh and the entire people of Ozalla, describing Udeh’s death as painful and a great loss not only to his family and community but also to the entire state.

    Governor Ugwuanyi, therefore, disclosed that the N5million bounty will be made available to the Nigeria Police, Enugu State Command, while the other N5million will be released to the five communities in Ozalla.

    The governor disclosed that he had detailed the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, CP Ahmed Ammani and the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of State Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department, DCP Fidelis Ogarabe to carry out thorough investigation into the matter to unravel the culprits and bring them to justice, stressing that he wants to get to the root of the matter to serve as deterrent to others, and enhance the status of the state as one of the safest and most peaceful states in the country.

    Governor Ugwuanyi pointed out that the death of Engr. Udeh is even more painful to him and the state government than his community, revealing his closeness to the deceased and his meritorious service to the state.

    Some of the placards which the protesters bore read:

    “Ozalla bleeds! #JusticeForDons!”

    “Police and DSS can help stop the terrorism in Ozalla” .

    “Save Ozalla from Abductors and Killers!”

    “Stop Kidnappings and Killings of Ozallans! Enough is Enough!”

    “Our Government can save us! PLEASE HELP!”

    Recall that Udeh, a former secretary of the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was noted to be missing when he left his house since Saturday, 22nd April, 2023, neither returned nor answered calls made by his wife to his phone, raising fears that he may have been kidnapped.

    His telephone was later found by the wall of the Ogui police station confirming fears that he could have run into trouble. His wife who had been trying the line was later informed that the phone was found.

    She was said to have reported at the station where she narrated that she had been trying to reach him without success.

    The lifeless and decomposing body of the victim was found in a bush at 9th Mile Bypass in Udi Local Government Area, on April 25, 2023 with marks of violence, which strongly suggested that he was murdered.

  • Northern Elders Forum congratulate new Ohanaeze Boss, Iwuanyanwu

    Northern Elders Forum congratulate new Ohanaeze Boss, Iwuanyanwu

    The Northern Elders Forum, NEF, has extended its congratulations to the new President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, CFR.

    NEF in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday by its Director, Publicity and Advocacy, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, charged Iwuanyanwu on meaningful engagements to deal with salient issues in the region.

    The statement read: “Northern Elders Forum wishes to congratulate Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, CFR, as President-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide.

    “The Forum notes that he steps into shoes left by another distinguished Igbo leader, late Ambassador George Obiorzor, under whose leadership a number of engagements between the North and the East on a variety of key national issues were being discussed, with some promises of success.

    “We look forward to continuing these engagements in the interests of the nation, on the unvarying principle that no part of the country shall ask or receive what is unjust, unfair or illegitimate.

    “The Forum further notes that Chief Iwuananyanwu is a distinguished and accomplished Nigerian whose tunure, hopefully, will mark a significant improvement in elite cohesion and national concensus that should see the country through the difficult stages it is going through.

    “We at the Forum believe that an opportunity should be created where fundamental issues about our past and defining decisions regarding our future should be discussed as dispassionately as possible, and solutions found to them.

    “We see Chief Iwuwanyanwu as leading Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide successfully through these discussions, in which the North will play its roles without preconditions or prejudice. The Forum wishes the new President a successful and productive leadership.”

    Vanguard

  • Buhari Departs Nigeria for UK Wednesday, For Coronation Of King Charles III On Saturday

    President Muhammadu Buhari will depart for London, the United Kingdom later on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, to join other world leaders invited to attend the coronation of Charles III and his wife, Camilla, as His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort of the United Kingdom, respectively.

    According to a release issued by Media Adviser to the President, Femi Adesina, the coronation will take place on Saturday, May 6.

    Ahead of the coronation, the Commonwealth Secretariat will take advantage of the gathering of leaders in London to host a Commonwealth Summit for Presidents and Heads of Government of Commonwealth countries on Friday, May 5.

    President Buhari is billed to participate in the Summit which will deliberate on the Future of the Commonwealth and the Role of the Youth.

    The President will be accompanied by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Major General Babagana Monguno (rtd); the Director General, National Intelligence Agency, (NIA), Ambassador Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, the Chairperson/Chief Executive Officer of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa and other senior government officials.

    Arise News

  • World should prepare for El Nino, new record temperatures – UN

    World should prepare for El Nino, new record temperatures – UN

    The United Nations warned Wednesday of a growing likelihood the weather phenomenon El Nino will develop in coming months, fuelling higher global temperatures and possibly new heat records.

    The UN’s World Meteorological Organization said it now estimated there was a 60-percent chance that El Nino would develop by the end of July, and an 80-percent chance it would do so by the end of September.

    El Nino is a naturally occurring climate pattern, typically associated with increased heat worldwide as well as drought in some parts of the world and heavy rains elsewhere
    El Nino is a naturally occurring climate pattern, typically associated with increased heat worldwide as well as drought in some parts of the world and heavy rains elsewhere – Copyright AFP/File – Nina LARSON

    “This will change the weather and climate patterns worldwide,” Wilfran Moufouma Okia, head of WMO’s regional climate prediction services division, told reporters in Geneva.

    El Nino, which is a naturally occurring climate pattern typically associated with increased heat worldwide, as well as drought in some parts of the world and heavy rains elsewhere, last occurred in 2018-19.

    Since 2020 though, the world has been hit with an exceptionally long La Nina — El Nino’s cooling opposite — which ended earlier this year, ceding way to the current neutral conditions.

    And yet, the UN has said the last eight years were the warmest ever recorded, despite La Nina’s cooling effect stretching over nearly half that period.

    Without that weather phenomenon, the warming situation could have been even worse.

    Global heating spikes likely

    La Nina “acted as a temporary brake on global temperature increase”, WMO chief Petteri Taalas said in a statement.

    Now, he said, “the world should prepare for the development of El Nino.”

    The expected arrival of the warming climate pattern, he said, “will most likely lead to a new spike in global heating and increase the chance of breaking temperature records”.

    At this stage, there is no indication of the strength or duration of the looming El Nino.

    The last one was considered very weak, but the one before that, between 2014 and 2016, was considered among the strongest ever, with dire consequences.

    WMO pointed out that 2016 was “the warmest year on record because of the ‘double whammy’ of a very powerful El Nino event and human-induced warming from greenhouse gases”.

    Since the El Nino effect on global temperatures usually plays out the year after it emerges, the impact will likely be most apparent in 2024, it said.

    “We are expecting in the coming two years to have a serious increase in the global temperatures,” Okia said.

    ‘More extreme weather’ 

    Taalas highlighted that the expected arrival of El Nino could have some positive effects, pointing out that it “might bring respite from the drought in the Horn of Africa and other La Nina-related impacts”.

    But it “could also trigger more extreme weather and climate events” he said, stressing the need for effective early warning systems “to keep people safe”.

    No two El Nino events are the same and their effects depend, in part, on the time of year, WMO said, adding that it and national meteorological services would be closely monitoring developments.

    The climate pattern occurs on average every two to seven years, and usually lasts nine to 12 months.

    It is typically associated with warming ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.

    Increased rainfall is usually seen in parts of southern South America, the southern United States, the Horn of Africa and central Asia, while severe droughts can occur over Australia, Indonesia and parts of southern Asia.

    During summer in the northern hemisphere, El Nino’s warm water can also fuel hurricanes in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, while hindering hurricane formations in the Atlantic Basin, WMO said.

    AFP

  • Clashes rock Sudan truce as top UN official arrives

    Clashes rock Sudan truce as top UN official arrives

    Persistent fighting between Sudan’s rival generals undermined efforts to firm up a truce Wednesday, as a senior UN official arrived for talks on providing relief to millions of trapped civilians.

    The visit by top UN humanitarian official Martin Griffiths comes one day after neighbouring South Sudan announced that the warring sides had agreed “in principle” to a seven-day ceasefire.

    Deadly violence broke out on April 15 between Sudan’s de facto leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who commands the regular army, and his deputy turned rival Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

    At least 550 people have been killed and 4,926 wounded, according to the latest health ministry figures Wednesday, which are likely to be incomplete.

    Tens of thousands of Sudanese have fled to neighbouring countries in an exodus that has sparked warnings of a humanitarian “catastrophe” with implications for the entire region.

    On Wednesday, Griffiths arrived in Port Sudan on the Red Sea coast on an urgent mission to find ways to bring relief to the millions of Sudanese who are unable to flee.

    “Just arrived in Port Sudan to reaffirm the UN’s commitment to the Sudanese people,” he said on Twitter.

    Earlier, the foreign ministry of neighbouring South Sudan announced that Burhan and Daglo “have agreed in principle for a seven-day truce from May 4th to 11th”.

    The two sides have yet to formally confirm the new ceasefire.

    The two men have agreed multiple truces since the fighting began but none has effectively taken hold. The current truce was extended on Sunday by a further 72 hours and is due to expire on Wednesday at 2200 GMT.

    Mounting condemnation

    Despite the truce efforts, witnesses reported warplanes over north Khartoum on Wednesday and fierce clashes near the state broadcaster’s headquarters in the capital’s twin city of Omdurman.

    “We heard again loud gunfire and anti-aircraft firing at a fighter jet this morning,” a resident of south Khartoum said.

    Multiple hospitals have been hit, humanitarian facilities looted and foreign aid groups forced to suspend most of their operations.

    Saudi Arabia said the premises of its cultural centre in Khartoum were attacked on Tuesday “by an armed group which damaged equipment, cameras and seized some of the mission’s property”.

    The kingdom condemned the raid, calling for de-escalation and an end to the violence.

    Video posted by the RSF showed damage inside the premises of the presidential palace in Khartoum.

    More than 430,000 civilians have fled their homes, the United Nations said, including 100,000 who have sought refuge in neighbouring countries.

    Only 16 percent of Khartoum’s hospitals remain fully functional, the UN added.

    The failure of the warring generals to abide by their commitments in efforts to end nearly three weeks of fighting has drawn mounting international criticism.

    “The two generals, even though they accept the ceasefire, at the same time they continue fighting and shelling the city,” complained Ismail Wais of East African regional bloc IGAD.

    He said the persistent fighting “compounds and complicates the political, security and humanitarian situation on the ground making it harder to resolve.”

    Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi warned on Tuesday that the fighting in neighbouring Sudan was affecting “the entire region”.

    Griffiths had earlier called for civilians and aid workers to be protected.

    “Ensure safe passage for civilians fleeing areas of hostilities. Respect humanitarian workers and assets,” he said on Twitter.

    Violence has also engulfed the Darfur region, with at least 99 people killed in fighting, according to Sudan’s doctors union.

    Of the more than 330,000 people displaced inside Sudan, over 70 percent were reported to be from West and South Darfur states, according to the International Organization for Migration.

    Darfur is still scarred by a war that erupted in 2003 when then-strongman Omar al-Bashir unleashed the Janjaweed militia, mainly recruited from Arab pastoralist tribes, against ethnic minority rebels.

    AFP

  • Implicated indomie flavor not registered by NAFDAC – DG

    The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Professor Mojisola Adeyeye Tuesday spoke further on the ban on Indomie instant noodles.

    She said the implicated brand, ‘Special Chicken Flavour’ was not registered by the NAFDAC for sale in Nigeria.

    She said the NAFDAC had commenced investigations on indomie noodles (including the seasoning) for the presence of ethylene oxide as well as other brands of instant noodles offered for sale to Nigerians.

    The NAFDAC DG, in a statement, said this followed the recall of indomie instant noodles special chicken flavour by the Ministries of Health in Malaysia and Taiwan on account of the alleged presence of ethylene oxide, a compound associated with an increased risk of cancer.

    She stated: “NAFDAC, as a responsible and responsive regulator, is taking swift actions to carry out random sampling and analysis of Indomie noodles (including the seasoning) for the presence of ethylene oxide, as well as extending the investigation to other brands of instant noodles offered for sale to Nigerians.”

    She assured the public that thorough investigation of the products would be conducted both at the factory and market levels and that the findings would be communicated.

    According to her, noodles are on the Import Prohibition List of the Federal Government of Nigeria and are therefore not permitted for importation to Nigeria.

    “Further, the Indomie instant noodles products (and other brands of noodles) registered by NAFDAC for sale in the Nigerian market are manufactured in Nigeria and are only granted NAFDAC registration status following a strict regulatory regime covering all aspects of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP).”

    She said the Ports Inspection Directorate was also on the heightened alert to guard against the importation of the implicated product into Nigeria.

    Daily Trust

  • Sudan: Nigerian Evacuees to Start Arriving Country Wednesday

    Sudan: Nigerian Evacuees to Start Arriving Country Wednesday

    A large number of Nigerians stranded in Sudan are expected back in Nigeria on Wednesday as the bottleneck that made it impossible for passage into Cairo, Egypt may have been solved with many of them allowed to cross into Egypt.

    They are expected to board flights that have been waiting to fly them into the country on Wednesday morning.

    The flights have been waiting for the evacuees for few days now at an Egyptian Airport as the Nigerian government continued to battle its Egyptian counterpart to allow the stranded citizens to gain entrance into Egypt.

    According to findings, the Nigerian Embassy in Egypt has successfully moved the evacuees from the Sudanese side to the Egyptian side of the Arqeel.

    Already, Nigeria Airforce planes and Air Peace are on ground to airlift them to Abuja on Wednesday after necessary documentation.

    Nigerian Ambassador to Egypt, Nura Abba Rimi confirmed the arrival of Air Peace.

    He said: “The students are now being prepared for their departure to Abuja through Aswan Airport. With the arrival of Air Peace and the NAF Plane , the onward journey home begins soon after necessary documentation.”

    No fewer than 637 Nigerians are expected to be airlifted as the flight to Nigeria is expected to commence on Wednesday morning.

    It was learnt that some Nigerians in Arqeel are also being processed as Egypt has insisted that only those the aircraft can lift should be brought to Egypt.

    Officials said the team at Abusimbel will be evacuating the Wadi Halfa group on Wednesday morning

    Our correspondent was told those in Port Sudan border, who are the third group would be evacuated last because they just arrived on Tuesday as the two other groups who had been in waiting for about six days at the two borders get priority.

    Arise News

  • Ekweremadu: ECOWAS parliament seeks pardon, says he’s a major asset to the region, as Reps plead with UK govt

    The Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, parliament pleaded with a UK court to show mercy to Ike Ekweremadu and his wife.

    In a letter addressed to the chief clerk of the central criminal court, Old Bailey, London, the speaker of the parliament, Sidie Tunis, said Ekweremadu made immeasurable contributions to the ECOWAS parliament while he was the speaker of the third legislature.

    Describing Ekweremadu as “a major asset to the ECOWAS region”, the speaker said: “His long absence owing to his circumstance since June 2022 has denied us his invaluable service.

    “It remains dreadful if he faces a long prison sentence in the present circumstance,” he said.

    Tunis added that Sonia, the ailing daughter of the senator, cannot survive the absence of her parents in her present health condition.

    “I wish to state that it is a common feeling among parents, especially in Africa, not to bury or survive his or her child.

    “As a father, therefore, I can easily relate to the pains, dilemma, and crossroads of the senator and his wife over the health condition of their ailing daughter, who must still undergo a kidney transplant to stand a chance of surviving to fulfil her destiny.

    “Who else could foot the bills better and also provide that morale support for the daughter? It still remains Senator and Mrs Ekweremadu. It is certain that Sonia cannot survive the absence of her parents in her present health condition.

    “At this juncture, I wish to add that I totally stand against the crime for which the senator and his spouse have been convicted. The community parliament also stands against it.

    “We do not support organ harvesting in any way and by any method. Nevertheless, we believe that lessons have been learnt, not only by Ekweremadu but by everybody.

    “In view of all these, therefore, I wish to fervently appeal to the honourable court, on behalf of the ECOWAS parliament, for leniency in meting out justice to the couple.

    “We understand the position of the law, but only appeal that the honourable court puts on a human face in this circumstance and temper justice with mercy, especially considering his good behaviour and contributions to the good of the society, the less privileged, and democracy.

    “Importantly, the typical Ekweremadu, being one, who is given to charity work and experienced in lawmaking in Nigeria and internationally, could also be very useful to the Nigerian and international community in public enlightenment and legal reforms campaigns on organ trafficking to curtail such incidents drawing from his personal experience.”

    Temper justice with mercy, Reps plead with UK govt

    The House of Representatives has appealed and urged the Central Criminal Court and the government of the United Kingdom to temper justice with mercy in sentencing the former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, his wife, Mrs Beatrice Ekweremadu, and Dr Obinna Obeta who have been found guilty of organ harvesting.

    The appeal came on the heels of a motion titled “Motion on the Need for Clemency for Senator Ike Ekweremadu” moved at Tuesday’s plenary by the deputy minority leader of the House, Toby Okechukwu under a matter of urgent public importance.

    His sentencing will be announced on May 5.

    Presenting the motion, Okechukwu said that Ekweremadu acted based on his limited knowledge of the UK laws, stressing that he must have learnt their bitter lessons.

    He said: “Senator Ike Ekweremadu, a Nigerian Citizen, serving Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, former Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate, and former Deputy Speaker and Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament and his wife, Mrs. Beatrice Ekweremadu, were tried and convicted by the Central Criminal Court, London, the United Kingdom (UK) for offences relating to the breach of the novel Modern Slavery Act 2015.

    “The sentencing of the couple is scheduled for May 5, 2023.

    “Senator Ike Ekweremadu acted within his limited knowledge of the UK laws and did write to the UK High Commission to support the medical visa application for the potential donor and did declare the purpose of the trip.

    “Senator Ekweremadu and Mrs. Beatrice acted under the instincts of parents to save an ailing daughter, and not for commercial purposes.

    “It is a common practice in international relations for nations, including the UK, to seek relief for their citizens involved in situations such as that of the Ekweremadus.

    “The House is also aware of the longstanding history and cordial ties between Nigeria and the UK.

    “Elder statesmen such as former Military Head of State and President, Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, have made a passionate plea for clemency, testifying also to Senator Ekweremadu’s character as a patriot, god-fearing, philanthropic and progressive citizen, who has served Nigeria and West Africa as former three-term Deputy President of the Senate as well as Deputy Speaker and Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament.

    “Several Nigerian national dailies have also joined the call for clemency for the Ekweremadus through their editorials.

    “The predicament of Ekweremadu’s ailing daughter, who needs financial support and parental love of her parents to scale through her dire health challenge.

    “The Ekweremadus must have learnt their lessons”.

    Adopting the motion, the House urged the federal government of Nigeria to take all diplomatic steps and other necessary interventions regarding the travails of the Ekwermadu family.

    Vanguard

  • Kano: New emirates have come to stay – Ganduje to Kwankwaso

    Kano: New emirates have come to stay – Ganduje to Kwankwaso

    Kano state governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has said that the four new emirates created by his administration have come to stay.

    Speaking during the Workers’ Day celebrations held at Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano, Ganduje said God will not bring any body that will destroy them.

    The governor had split the Kano emirates into five and subsequently dethroned the then Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi.

    But in a viral video last week, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, leader of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), said the incoming government of Engr Abba Kabir Yusuf, would review the dethronement and balkanisation of the emirate.

    However, while concluding his speech at the Workers’ Day celebration, Ganduje said the four new emirates are a symbol of unity, progress and well-being of the people.

    “Any of you that visits the headquarters of these new emirates will believe me that we have brought development to these places. These emirates were created for unity, progress, history, and also for the recovery of the reputation of the traditional institutions. We created them to honor the people of these regions.”

    “I want to assure you that these emirates are permanent, they have come to stay. And anybody that will destroy them, God Almighty will not bring him to Kano state. We assure you that these emirates were created because of you, because of your progress.

    “Even if we are not in government, we are praying and we will keep praying for God to protect these emirates from all evils. I thank you all,” Ganduje said.

    Daily Trust

  • FG Confirms Egypt Has Opened Border To Nigerians Fleeing Sudan

    FG Confirms Egypt Has Opened Border To Nigerians Fleeing Sudan

    The Federal Government says Egypt has opened its borders to Nigerians fleeing conflict-hit Sudan.

    In an update shared on Twitter, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) on Monday said an Air Force plane was already on the ground in Aswan, Egypt, adding that the processing of the first set of evacuees would begin.

    “With the intervention of President Buhari, Egypt has finally opened its border to Nigerians fleeing Sudan,” the commission tweeted.

    The development comes six hours after an 8:15 am tweet by NIDCOM, saying the Egyptian border was “still not opened for our students”.

    It however stated that the Nigeria Air Force “is ready” with the NAF C 130 having landed at Aswan Airport, “and they say ‘We will not leave without our students’”.

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