Tag Archives: October 1

Declare Niger Delta Republic And Face Treason – Police Tell Militants

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The Police have warned the Niger Delta Avengers against its planned secession from Nigeria, saying it is a treasonable offence.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Donald Awunah, stated that the security agencies would not allow any action that might lead to a breakdown of law and order in any part of the country.

He advised the militant group against daring the might of the Federal Government, describing their reported plan to declare a Niger Delta republic on October 1 as provocative.

Awunah admonished the militants to channel their grievances through legal means, insisting that the
police and other security agencies would not condone any act of lawlessness in the region.

He said, “I believe they (militants) know that it is a treasonable felony to declare a republic. The police and other security agencies will not allow any treasonable action to be perpetrated in any part of the country. They have been warned.”

The Niger Delta Avengers on Thursday threatened that it will declare a Niger Delta Republic on October 1, should President Muhammadu Buhari fails to restructure the country.

It also said the group was praying for the Buhari-led Federal Government to discover oil in commercial quantity in the northern part of the country so as to free the people of the Niger Delta from her oppressive tendency.

The NDA had claimed responsibility for major attacks on oil facilities in the region in recent past, vowing not to relent until the nation’s economy was completely crippled.

The group’s spokesman, Mudoch Agbinibo, stated this on Thursday in reaction to President Buhari’s order directing the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation to increase the tempo on oil exploration in the North-East.

The group said that once oil in commercial quantity is discovered in the North, its people would appreciate what the people of the Niger Delta have been experiencing in the hands of the Nigerian government.

The NDA re-emphasized that the country was in dire need of restructuring to possibly save the country from doom, accusing the present government of dividing the country through her ‘misdirected policies.’

The NDA said, “Our prayer for Buhari and the Northern hypocrites (the Northern governors) is that oil should be found in commercial quantity in the North so that they can let the Niger Delta go.

“The Buhari-led government has failed Nigerians with its misdirected policies that have divided the country. As such, nobody wants to be part of that failed state; not even the Niger Delta.”

The statement added further, “The October 1 declaration of independence is still sacrosanct, if the Nigerian government fails to retrace its step by restructuring this country.

“We want to warn the general public that those using the NDA to defraud the  people, the days of reckoning are close-by.”

No Going Back On Niger Delta Republic, NDA Stresses October 1 Deadline

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The Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), yesterday, said the October 1 dealine for the  declaration of the region as an independent state remains sacrosanct.
Reaffirming its commitment to the date in a press statement signed by its spokesman, Brig. Gen Mudoch Agbinibo, yesterday, the group expressed lack of confidence in the ability of President Muhammadu
Buhari to address some of the critical issues facing the nation, especially the restructuring of the country.
The NDA statement read: “The Buhari-led government has fail Nigerians with their misdirected policies that has divide the country, as such nobody wants to be part of that failed state not even the Niger Delta.”
“The October 1st, declaration of independence is still sacrosanct.  If the Nigeria government fails to retrace its step by restructuring this country”, the group said.
It further urged the federal government to intensify its search for oil in commercial quantity in the northern region as that would be the only basis the north would agree to restructuring that would guaranty the freedom of the Niger-Delta region.
The statement read: “Our prayer for Buhari and the Northern hypocrites (Northern Governors) is for oil to be found in commercial quantity in the North, so they can let the Niger Delta go.”
Meanwhile, the group also warned individuals or groups parading themselves as their appointed agents “to defraud innocent members of the public, especially multi-national oil companies within the region”
to desist or be prepared to face the consequences.
The group said it has received reports on how some persons and groups have approached private individuals and corporate bodies for financial and material support on its behalf.
While dissociating itself from such dubious act, the group noted that it had started compiling such fraudulent cases and would come out with a clear cut decision to how to deal with those involved in such acts,
stressing that; “we want to inform the general public that the day of reckoning for those using NDA to defraud the people is close.”
Another group, Adaka Boro Avengers (ABA) had threatened to declare Niger Delta Republic at Kaiama, Kolokuma/ Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State on August 1, but shelved the plan after the Federal Government deployed troops to the community.
The group claimed that former President Goodluck Jonathan, foremost Ijaw leader, Chief  Edwin Clark, King Diete-Spiff and other prominent Niger Deltans prevailed on them to drop the idea.

Read More:

http://sunnewsonline.com/niger-delta-republic-no-going-back-on-october-1-nda/

Speed-limiting Device Policy To Begin October 1- FRSC

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The Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, on Wednesday said it would commence implementation of speed-limiting device on commercial vehicles in the country.

The announcement was made on Wednesday at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.

Boboye Oyeyemi, the Corps Marshal of the FRSC, said he was happy to formally announce the commencement despite numerous obstacles faced by officials while analysing the technology and trying to convince Nigerians about the benefits of its acceptance.

Mr. Oyeyemi said the obstacles forced the agency to shift the launching date from initial June 1, 2015, schedule to the new date.

“The final directive from the presidency is clear; the enforcement date for the implementation of the speed limiting device is on Oct. 1 and we have had series of stakeholders meeting,” Mr. Oyeyemi said.

“The essence of today’s meeting is to finally convey the directive of the federal government to the stakeholders that with effect from Oct. 1, the implementation and enforcement would commence.”

Mr. Oyeyemi said a platform that will serve as monitoring system for total compliance of the policy had been put in place as well as punitive measures for errant drivers.

Read More:

http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/208414-speed-limiting-device-policy-begin-october-1-frsc.html

I Sold Car Used For October 1 Bombing, Witness Tells Court

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Trial of the alleged mastermind of the 2010 Independence Day bomb blast that killed twelve persons at the Eagle Square in Abuja, Mr. Charles Okah?, resumed yesterday, with one of the witnesses, Ishaka Abba, admitting that he was the one that sold the car that was used ?for the terrorist act. ?

Abba who made the disclosure before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, testified as the eleventh prosecution witness. He was bought before the court by the federal government which is prosecuting Okah alongside his alleged accomplice, Obi Nwabueze.

Abba who could only speak pidgin-English, gave his Evidence-in-Chief through an interpreter. Narrating how the transaction took place, the witness, said it was the 2nd accused person, Nwabueze, that persuaded him to sale the Mazda 626 Saloon car to him. Abba told the court that ?he is an automobile electrician based at Oshodi in Lagos. He also identified the 2nd defendant in the dock, saying he had also disclosed the transaction to the Department of State Service via a statement he made on March 19, 2011.

Noting that the 2nd defendant firstly approached him on October 15, 2010, the witness said the transaction was however perfected two days later. He told the court that Nwabueze used the first visit to inspect the car? which he said was given to him sale by one of his customers.

However, while being cross-examined by the defence team led by Mr. Samuel Zibiri and Oghenovo Otemu, said he never had any encounter with Okah. Following an application by the prosecuting counsel, Dr. Alex Iziyon, SAN, trial Justice Gabriel Kolawole, yesterday, moved the court outside to inspect the charred car. Meanwhile, when the witness was shown the car, he said he could not recollect if it was the same one he sold to the 2nd defendant. Earlier, a Chief consultant Pathologist at the National Hospital, Dr. Jubrin Paul, told the court that he was the one that conducted autopsy on seven persons that died as a result of the bombing. Paul further tendered several documents before the court among which included list of the deceased victims and their autopsy reports. Justice Kolawole has adjourned further hearing on the matter till Monday.

It will be recalled that one of Okah’s alleged accomplice, Mr. Osvwo Tekemfa Francis, a.k.a ‘General-Gbokos’, died in prison custody, even as the high court in a separate judgment, jailed the 3rd accused person, Edmund Ebiware, to life imprisonment. The accused persons were initially arraigned before the High Court on December 7, 2010 and subsequently re-arraigned on January 12, 2011.

Okah and Nwabueze were said to have superintended over varying terrorist activities that hitherto took place within the oil rich Niger Delta region of the country, including the bomb explosion that rocked a post amnesty programme that was organised in Warri, Delta State. FG alleged that they endangered the life of President Goodluck Jonathan while Nigeria celebrated its 50th independence anniversary in Abuja.

They were said to have conspired with Henry Okah and one Emmanuel Allison to make a direct attempt to endanger the life of President Jonathan by seeking to drive two motor vehicles wired with time-regulated explosive devices to the Eagle Square where the Independence celebration was taking place.

Credit: vanguardngr

Nigeria marks International Day for elderly persons

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Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity has that said it will be collaborating with the International Federation on Ageing, Nigeria chapter, to mark the 25th International Day for the Elderly on Thursday, October 1, 2015.

In a goodwill message, Mrs Mojisola Sonubi, Director, Social Security/Cooperative Development Department, in the ministry, commended the immense contributions of retirees and elderly to national development.

She called on all Nigerians to celebrate the International Day for Older Persons with senior citizens in their families and environments through telephone conversation or visitation.

She said in view of the immense contributions of the elderly to the development of human society, the General Assembly of the UN has designated Oct. 1 of every year for the celebration.

According to her, the International Day of the older persons is observed for the first time throughout the World on Oct. 1, 1991 and ever since many countries and organisations celebrate it every year.

“To this end, the International Federation on Ageing, Nigeria chapter is collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity to mark the International Day for the Elderly on 1st October, 2015.

“The objective of the celebration is to raise awareness on the impact of an ageing population.

“There is need to ensure that people grow old with dignity and continue to participate in the society as citizens with full rights, ”she said.

The theme for the celebration is “Sustainability and Age Inclusiveness in the Urban environment”.

(NAN)