. Say order is shutting down South East economy
.Uzodinma warns petroleum marketers to stop punishing Imo residents
.It’s against Igbo interest -Nnamani
.As IPOB calls on Int’l community to prevail on Nigeria, Cameroon to allow Biafra conduct referendum
Governors of the south east have urged the people of the region to ignore the sit-at-home rumour and go about their normal businesses, saying that those behind the order and rumours have been identified and will soon be arrested and arraigned.
They also warned that continuous obedience to the sit at home order which has been lifted by IPOB will certainly waned down the south east economy.
They called on the people of the region to go about their various activities as, they will continue to ensure the protection of lives and properties in the region.
In the same vein ,the Anambra State Government has directed banks, traders, transporters, other groups and individuals to resume full economic activity in the state throughout the week with effect from Monday, September 13, 2021.
It assured that adequate arrangements have been made with all security and intelligence agencies to provide adequate security for the people of the state, noting that all dark spots in the state have been identified and far-reaching measures taken to end the blights.
The state Governor, Willie Obiano had on Friday held a meeting between heads of security agencies and bank executives in the state, including those from the Awka branch of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
The governor personally held frank and rewarding discussions with a large spectrum of leaders of the transport union and market association in Anambra State on why they had for the past five weeks been shutting down their businesses every Monday
A statement by the state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, C Don Adinuba said, “Following the directive yesterday by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Solo Chukwulobelu, to banks to operate fully on every working day throughout the state,
“It has become necessary to explain to the people of Anambra State that the order also affects other sectors of our people’s socioeconomic life. All markets as well as motor parks and commercial vehicles are henceforth to operate fully every Monday and any other week day except any day declared work-free by the appropriate authorities.
“The transporters, for instance, attributed their action to the inability of commuters to come out for regular business owing to fear of attacks by unknown gunmen men while traders explained that without banks opening on any day it was difficult to keep proceeds of the day in a safe place. The bankers, on their part, argued that without markets opening and people going about their normal business, there was no need to open their doors to the public.
“It is axiomatic that the good people of Anambra State and, indeed, the Southeast have for the past five weeks been grappling with a vicious cycle on a grand scale. Some pupils have missed terminal examinations, with all the grave implications for the competitiveness of the youngsters and for the future of our state.
“A number of small-scale restaurateurs have had their entire investments destroyed by these non-state actors for coming out to pursue their legitimate business, through which they feed their families, pay house rents, pay for the education of their children and take care of friends, relatives, associates and other dependents. Some have lost their cars and motorcycles, their sole means of livelihood, to these non-state actors. The less lucky ones have lost their limbs and even lives most gruesomely in other parts of the Southeast.
“Since no responsible government can stand akimbo while the future of its people is destroyed gratuitously, Governor Obiano held useful discussions in the last couple of days with relevant groups with a view to freeing members to pursue their legitimate businesses. After all, the leadership of the organization Before Governor Willie Obiano led a meeting yesterday between heads of security agencies and bank executives in the state, including those from the Awka branch of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
“Before Governor Willie Obiano led a meeting yesterday between heads of security agencies and bank executives in the state, including those from the Awka branch of the Central Bank of Nigeria, he had personally held frank and rewarding discussions with a large spectrum of leaders of the transport union and market association in Anambra State on why they had for the past five weeks been shutting down their businesses every Monday of leaders of the transport union and market association in Anambra State on why they had for the past five weeks been shutting down their businesses every Monday whose instructions some persons claim to enforce the stay-at-home order, which has since been rescinded.
“Any person who observes any action that can lead to a breach of security is advised to immediately contact the Anambra State Police Control Room, regardless of the time of the day, on 07039194332. The Police Control Room is open 24 hours of the day and responds swiftly to every call. Ours is a state governed by the rule of law, order and civilized values
Speaking at the government house chapel on Sunday, the Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma thanked the good people of Imo State who supported and contributed to the successful hosting of President Muhammadu Buhari last week when he visited Imo State.
To those who worked to sabotage the visit, the Governor wished them well but urged all to “search their consciences in whatever they do.”
Addressing the hardship Imo people and residents are being subjected to by the oil marketers, the Governor requested the petroleum marketers to immediately revert to normal price for petroleum products in the State, “as government will not continue to fold its arms and watch them mete out hardship on the people while they sell their products as black market.”
The Governor warned that henceforth, “any filling station caught selling their products in black market will not only be sealed” but will “make sure the licenses of such filling stations are revoked.”
Governor Uzodimma added that government had set-up a Taskforce to go round the State to identify and not only seal all filling stations cut in the act, but to arrest and make them face the full weight of the law.
He emphasized that “government cannot be complacent while her citizens suffer unwarranted and untold hardship.”
Governor Uzodimma seized the opportunity to explain that those who escaped from the jail break earlier this year are on the prowl again, now resorting to kidnapping.
He informed that government and the security agencies are on top of the matter, assuring that soon those involved in the nefarious activities will be brought to book.
The governor reiterated his firm believe in doing the right thing based on the vow he has taken before his Creator (God Almighty).
To that effect, the Governor noted that he has come to serve and do things that are for the betterment of Imo people and not to share Imo patrimony with few friends and cronies, no matter how close.
His words: “There is no need pretending, or eye-service. Hypocrisy is very bad and mediocrity is even worse.”
He said he will be only disposed to doing the right thing at all times.
He warned that everything is not politics, “If we drag politics into some institutions like education and health they are bound to suffer. The overall objective of his administration is anchored on opportunity cost and scale of preference, as the State must be rescued.”
Present at the service were the Deputy Governor, Prof Placid Njoku, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon .Paul Emeziem and Rt. Hon Amara Iwuanyanwu, the Senator representing Imo North at the National Assembly, Senator Frank Ibezim, former Deputy Governor of Imo State, Engr Ebere Udeagu, members of the State Expanded Executive Council, traditional rulers and other dignitaries from In State.
Sit-at-home, against Igbo interest, says Nnamani
Sen. Chimaroke Nnamani, (PDP-Enugu), Chairman, Senate Committee on Cooperation and Integration in Africa, has called for an end to the ‘sit-at-home’ order, by the proscribed IPOB in the South East.
Nnamani, who made the call in a statement he issued to newsmen, on Sunday, in Abuja, noted that the order had brought the economy and social life in the region to its knees.
The one time governor of Enugu, also condemned the attack on citizens who went about their legitimate businesses, on account of the sit -at- home order.
The lawmaker said the trinity of the Igbo character was defined by hard work, adding that the sit-at-home was antithetical to this trait and a betrayal of Igbo interest.
He then called on those behind the order to discontinue forthwith, following the continuous damage to the economy and psyche of the Igbo people.
”Most of our people live on daily income. Think of the market women who depend on daily earnings to feed their families. Think of students writing external examinations being denied access to the venues.
”How does enslaving our people, denial of means of livelihood, add value to our quest for equity and justice? If others reject us, should we also reject ourselves?
”It stands to reason that this sit-at-home cannot be a way forward .We cannot abandon ourselves.
”In our struggle for equity and justice in the Nigerian federation, we cannot inadvertently inflict more injuries on ourselves by this sit-at-home order,” he stated.
Nnamani, therefore, urged all men and women of goodwill to prevail on the protagonists of the sit-at-home order, to restore normalcy in the region.
He added that with tenacity of purpose and determination, the quest for equity and justice would be realised and not with violence.
. IPOB calls on International community to prevail on Nigeria, Cameroon to allow Biafra, Cameroun conduct referendum
The Indegenous People of Biafra, IPOB global movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has called on world leaders and the international community, especially America, Israel, European Union and civilized nations across the globe to prevail on Nigeria and Cameroon to allow Biafra and Ambazonia to conduct their referendum to decide their fate.
The group said that the independence of Biafra and Ambazonia and Biafra are the only thing that can guarantee peace in the gulf of Guinea and the African sub-region.
A statement signed by IPOB media and publicity secretary, Emma Powerful said, “We signed MOU for collaboration in our struggle for independence. We shall continue to work together as brothers and the oppressors understand our resolve to synergise, hence their morbid fear and anxiety.
“The agreement and MOU have come to stay and nothing can change it.”
IPOB said it is aware of the security and border meeting in Abuja between the two oppressive and terror sympathising countries, Nigeria and Cameroon.
“We are aware that both countries enjoy the spilling of the blood of their innocent citizens by both terrorists and security agents pretending to be combating insurgency.
“The meeting in Abuja between both countries shows the fear of the agreement Biafra and Ambazonia. The agreement between the two emerging nations has become a nightmare to Nigeria and Cameroon but unfortunately, there is nothing they can do to stop their emergence.
“If Biafra was able to survive the 1967-1970 civil war and genocide by Nigeria supported by Cameroon, West African countries like Ghana and its security agents that we shall also triumph over whatever plot they hacth against us now. Biafra and Ambazonia have been divinely ordained to come, and they are at the threshold.
“No antics of Nigeria and her partner in crime can stop Biafran and Ambazonia actualisation.
“The Nigerian President Muhamnadu Buhari, and Paul Biya of Cameroon should be held responsible for whatever happens to Biafrans and the good people of Ambazonia and Biafra”, IPOB added.
