News
Biafra: FG warns International Community to steer clear Nigeria’s internal problem
The Federal Government has warned the International Community against interfering in Nigeria ‘s internal problem.
This warning follows the ongoing battle by the government to flush out the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) from the South East.
Senior Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Prosecution, Barrister Okoi Obono-Obla gave the order on
Saturday when he spoke to DAILY POST on telephone.
He said that other countries including Iraq have their problems and it was their governments that dealt with them.
“International Community cannot interfere with our internal affairs, every country has the right to control its internal affairs. In Iraq there is a problem there, the government is dealing with it, in Syria, the government is dealing with their problem and in the United States, there are problems which the US government is dealing with, so they cannot tell us how to deal with our own internal affairs,” Obla said.
He further said, “There is nothing like international community, it is a propaganda. If anything happens in Nigeria, the whole West African community will be destabilised. If the South East desire peace, they will have peace, the people should come out and condemn in totality what these miscreants called IPOB are doing, they should excommunicate them, we don’t need it.”
On the invasion of military in Aba, Obono-Obla said “The Military did not invade Aba, I disagree with you, and the President has the constitutional power to deploy the military to anywhere there is security reports of possible break down of law and order.
“The military’s job is to protect the territorial integrity of Nigeria and also to ensure that there is no internal break down of law and order. These people have been threatening and declared Cross River, Kogi, Benue, Rivers, Balyelsa, Akwa Ibom, Abia, Imo, and Anambra states as so called Republic of Biafra.”
“And they have been recruiting Biafra National Guards, recruiting Biafra security service and the President of the Country who has taken oath of office, who has swore by the constitution to defend the constitution, to defend Nigeria’s territorial integrity cannot fold his arms, so why do you call it an invasion, it is not, so if the military moves to Cross River to maintain law and order you call that an invasion, it is not please.”
“The action of IPOB is condemnable, it is stupid. For instance, I am from Cross River state; how can they declare Cross River state as part of the republic of Biafra without the consent of the people of the state, how can they declare Akwa Ibom as Biafra State,Delta, Edo, Kogi, Benue, as Biafra states, how can they declare any part of Nigeria as Biafra state? It is impossible and provocative,” he said.
The Special Adviser noted that, “They went ahead to form security forces, Biafra security forces, Biafra National Guard which is unconstitutional. The only approved security forces in Nigeria is the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Police, DSS, Civil Defence, you cannot form a militia group and say it’s your army, it is wrong, no nation can tolerate that.”
He said that the President has been very calm over this provocative act by IPOB , saying he has been very patient in the past two years. ”They have been blocking roads, collecting taxes, extorting money from people, flying Biafran flag all over the place, I mean these are all provocative act.
“They have been burning houses, burning police stations, attacking innocent Nigerians living in the South South and South East, these acts are tantamount to declaring war on the Federal Government. International community cannot interfere with our internal affairs, every country has the right to control its internal affairs,” he stressed.
US car giant Ford on Wednesday announced 4,000 more job cuts in Europe, mostly in Germany and Britain, in the latest blow to the continent’s beleaguered car industry.
“The company has incurred significant losses in recent years,” Ford said in a statement, blaming “the industry shift to electrified vehicles and new competition”.
The move will affect 2,900 jobs in Germany, 800 in the UK and 300 in western Europe by the end of 2027, a Ford spokesman told AFP.
“It is critical to take difficult but decisive action to ensure Ford’s future competitiveness in Europe,” said Dave Johnston, Ford’s European vice-president in the statement.
The company also said it was adjusting the production of its Explorer and Capri models, resulting in reduced hours at its Cologne plant in the first quarter of 2025.
Europe’s car industry has been plunged into crisis by high manufacturing costs, a stuttering switch to electric vehicles and increased competition in key market China.
Germany’s Volkswagen has been among those hardest hit, announcing in September that it was considering the unprecedented move of closing some factories in Germany.
“The European automotive industry is in a very demanding and serious situation,” Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume said at the time.
Ford had already announced in February 2023 that it was planning to cut 3,800 jobs in Europe, including 2,300 in Germany and 1,300 in Britain.
The company said then it was planning to reduce the number of models developed for Europe, concentrate on the profitable van segment and speed up the transition to electric vehicles.
Ford currently has around 28,000 employees in Europe with 15,000 in Germany, according to the company’s works council.
President Bola Tinubu has approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, and the removal of the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, and Registrar, Mrs. Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike.
The council, chaired by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, comprised five other members: Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin.
A statement released on Wednesday by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, revealed that the council was dissolved following reports of procedural violations in appointing the vice-chancellor.
According to the statement, the council had allegedly appointed an unqualified candidate, disregarding due process, which triggered tensions between the university’s Senate and the council.
The Federal Government expressed dismay over the council’s actions, emphasizing the need for adherence to the university’s governing laws in decision-making.
“The council’s disregard for established rules necessitated the government’s intervention to restore order to the 33-year-old institution,” the statement noted.
In a related development, President Tinubu also approved the dismissal of Engr. Ohieku Muhammed Salami, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State.
Salami was accused of suspending the university’s Vice-Chancellor without following the prescribed procedures, a move the Federal Ministry of Education had previously directed him to reverse.
Despite the Ministry’s directives, Salami reportedly refused to comply and resorted to issuing threats and abusive remarks towards the Ministry’s officials, including the Permanent Secretary.
The Federal Government reiterated that the primary role of university councils is to ensure the smooth operation of academic activities, strictly adhering to the laws establishing each institution.
Tinubu warned university councils against engaging in actions that could destabilize their institutions, as his administration remains committed to enhancing the nation’s education system.
The Ekiti State Government has reached an agreement with labour leaders in the state, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the payment of the N70,000 minimum wage approved by the Federal Government.
Addressing journalists at a brief ceremony in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, the Head of Service (HoS), Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, announced that the payment would commence immediately.
She lauded Governor Biodun Oyebanji for prioritizing the welfare of workers despite the state’s limited resources.
“This development demonstrates the governor’s commitment to improving the livelihood of our workers,” Dr. Olomojobi stated, highlighting the proactive measures taken by the administration to ensure prompt implementation.
In their remarks, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman, Comrade Sola Adigun, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman, Comrade Olatunde Kolapo, expressed their appreciation to Governor Oyebanji for fulfilling his promises to workers.
They confirmed that the new minimum wage would apply to all cadres, including employees in ministries, parastatals, agencies, and pensioners.
The Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC), Comrade Femi Ajoloko, described the implementation as a fair and commendable adjustment.
“This decision reflects the governor’s magnanimity and his dedication to fostering a productive workforce in Ekiti State,” he said.
-
Politics6 days agoOyo Rep. Member, Akinmoyede Appoints Three More Aides
-
Crime & Court1 week ago
EFCC Chair Raises Alarm on Rampant Fraud in Nigeria’s Electricity Sector
-
Health7 days ago
Oyo: Tragedy As Bride-to-Be Among Four Dead in Suspected Lassa Fever Outbreak
-
Politics5 days ago
#OndoDecides2024: Rep Oseni Hails Aiyedatiwa’s Victory, Commends Residents for Peaceful Polls
