…reiterates call for proactive approach in management of communal crisis

Engr. Chris Emeka Azubogu* has sued for peace and understanding between Aguleri and Umueri communities in Anambra East LGA of Anambra State.

The Lawmaker representing Nnewi North/Nnewi South/Ekwusigo Federal Constituency, who has been on statewide engagement on the ‘future of Anambra state development’, made his opinion on Aguleri/Umueri communal unrest known after his engagement in Ihiala earlier today and reported by his office.

While emphasizing that destruction of lives and properties as a result of land disputes do not define our humanity, the Federal lawmaker said:

“We are a republican people by nature who resolve disputes through community meetings; not war. Killings and destruction of properties reduces our humanity and going forward, we should shun both as means of conflict resolution” he said.

Azubogu observed that further escalation of the crisis will disrupt the farming seasons and 2021 economic projections of the state, which will have dire consequences.

“No part of our state should be allowed to be engulfed in avoidable strife at a time we should be evolving strategies to keep our post COVID-19 economy afloat, that will be too unfortunate. Incidentally, we are about to enter farming season and crisis like this can only be an invitation to hunger” he said.

The lawmaker worried by the growing communal crisis in the state within the last six months which saw various communities like; Odekpe and Allah N’ Onugwa communities in Anambra West LGA; Urum and Achalla in Awka North LGA; Umumbo/Omor in Ayamelum LGA and now Aguleri/Umueri in Anambra East LGA of the state involved in communal clashes that left horrendous destruction in its trail.

Concluding, Azubogu advised the state government to evolve and adopt a proactive approach that will nip such crisis in the bud instead of resorting to reactive measures after the damage are done. His words:

“I am so worried that within the space of six months, we have recorded so many communities in Anambra State enmeshed in a bloody crisis resulting from land dispute. And today, we are talking about disquiet in two other communities in Anambra East LGA due to same land dispute. It is sad that all the communities involved are mostly food baskets which roles in the food supply chain of the state cannot be overemphasized” Azubogu bemoaned.

Azubogu Media Office
16th January, 2021

ARMED FORCES REMEMBRANCE DAY CELEBRATION: PRESIDENT BUHARI, OTHERS LAY WREATH IN HONOUR OF FALLEN HEROES

President Muhammadu Bihari has today 15 January 2021 laid wreath in honour of past and present military heroes who paid the ultimate price for the peace and unity of Nigeria to commemorate the Armed Forces Rememberance Day Celebration (ARDC) at the National Memorial Arcade, Abuja.

President Buhari who was the Special Guest of Honour and Reviewing Officer, earlier inspected a guard of honour mounted by the Nigerian Army, Navy, Airforce as well as members of the Nigerian Legion. He also signed the AFRDC Register and released symbolic pigeons climaxing the end of the 2021 AFRDC.

The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President, Dr Ahmed Lawan, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Femi Gbajabiamiala, Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tanko, Minister of Defence and his FCT counterpart, Mallam Mohammed Bello equally laid wreaths at the tomb of the unknown soldiers.

Others include the Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin, Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Yusufu Buratai, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas, Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar and the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu. Also, the Chairman, Major General Jones Akpa (rtd) representatives of the diplomatic corps and the widows of fallen heroes lay wreaths.

Being Covid-19 protocols complaince, the occasion was graced by few top government functionaries, senior military, police and paramilitary officers as well as members of the diplomatic corps.

Members of the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA), Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA), Nigerian Navy Officers’ Wives Association (NOWA), and Nigerian Air Force Officers’ Wives Association (NAFOWA) were equally in attendance.

Other activities that featured during the Anniversary were the bagel of the last post, artillery gun salute, one minute silence, firing of 3 volleys and reveille.

The AFRDC is an annual event to commemorate the end of the Nigerian Civil War which ended on 15 January 1970.

After 7 Months of Illegal Detention, Lance Corporal Martins Granted Bail

According to human rights lawyer Tope Akinyode, the soldier who was abducted, tortured and illegally detained by the Nigerian army after he made the news in a viral video almost a year ago has been granted bail.

Corporal Martins in a video published on social media, criticized President Muhammadu Buhari and the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai’s handling of the Boko Haram crisis.

He alleged that they both failed to provide adequate resources to soldiers fighting Boko Haram. After the video was released, he was arrested and detained in Abuja without access to families and lawyers

The legal rep to the abused soldier broke the news via his official Twitter handle just few hours ago.

The court sitting in Sokoto made the order today after I argued the bail application. Idakpini was arrested for criticising army authorities. He’s been detained for 7 months without access to his Family.

BREAKING: Court Martial grants bail to Lance Corporal Martins Idakpini. The court sitting in Sokoto made the order today after I argued the bail application. Idakpini was arrested for criticising army authorities. He's been detained for 7 months without access to his family.

— Tope Akinyode (@TopeAkinyode) January 14, 2021