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American Veterans of Igbo descent demand Nnamdi Kanu’s release
The American Military Veterans of Igbo Descent, AVID, have again demanded the release of leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
The group said Kanu should be released for peace to reign in the South East.
In a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, the American Military Veterans of Igbo Descent expressed optimism that Kanu’s release would reduce the crime rate by 95 percent in the region.
The statement was signed by Dr. Sylvester Onyia, AVID President and the Secretary, Dr. Godson Obiagwu on behalf of the group.
Parts of the statement read, “Mazi Nnamdi Kanu remains a brother, son, and father to many Igbos and non-Igbos who have associated with him and seen his positive vision for everyone.
“His popularity has multiplied over the past years, as has his unshakeable stand on our collective conviction as a people. His nonviolent approach makes him more likeable.
“The reason Mazi Nnamdi Kanu must be released immediately and unconditionally now rather than later is to distinguish between apples and oranges.
“We believe that if Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is freed today crimes will go down up to 95%, whoever questions this maybe discreetly supporting and sponsoring insecurity in Southeast
and blaming it on Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
“For those opposing his release are simply making money with his infamous and illegal detention. American Military Veterans of Igbo Descent, (AVID) as a body maintains that there is more to gain than to lose when he gets freed.
“Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo of Anambra State, who previously stated that releasing Mazi Nnamdi Kanu would reduce crime in the southeast, should be aware that nothing has changed.
“While we still believe in his initial position, we strongly disagree with him now that his release will not reduce crime in the southeast. If this is his new position, it means that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is not the cause of insecurity in the Southeast.
“We also agree with Governor Soludo that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s name is being used in committing crimes.
“The initial thought by the previous administration was that his incarceration will end the agitation and having kept him for this long and nothing has changed, isn’t it better to free him now and engage him for a better future for all of us.
“American Military Veterans of Igbo Descent stand that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu must be released. A fight between evil and good.”
The wife of Senator Isah Jibrin (Echocho), Hajia Aishat has offered cash and food items worth millions of naira to widows and vulnerable women across Dekina local government Councils, promises to take similar gesture across the nine local government in Kogi East.
The exercise which was tagged: “Widows Empowerment”, saw the Senator’s wife distributing cash and food items to cushion the effect of Ramadan.
Items distributed are bags of rice bags of salt, cartons of seasoning, maggi etc, which were evenly distributed to widows and vulnerable women across party lines.
A beneficiary who spoke with our correspondent at Odu in Dekina Local Government Council, Hon Fitumi thanked Hajia for her continuous effort in coming through for widows and vulnerable regularly.
She acknowledged similar gesture by Senator Isah Jibrin (Echocho), a fortnight ago at Ankpa when youths in their numbers from three Local Government Areas were trained in Agriculture and empowered, stressing that people are now living testimony to the effort of the lawmaker.
“”We are aware of several intervention projects, empowerment and developmental projects of Senator Echocho and we are not surprised seeing Hajia toeing the similar path.
“The distribution of food items and cash today is not only a rekindling of hope to the beneficiaries, but an encouragement that despite their condition, they were not forgotten.
Hajia Labran, and other APC Women leaders who spoke on behalf of women, applauded Hajia Aisha Echocho and pray Allah to strengthen her to carry on, urged others to emulate her sustainable initiatives.
The women advised other political office holders to emulate what is good and just, which they believed would strengthen the party.
As part of the activities to celebrate the golden anniversary of the University of Calabar, the wife of the President of the Senate, Mrs Ekaette Unoma Godswill Akpabio was on Saturday, March 22, 2025 conferred with an honorary doctorate degree in Education Management.
The ceremony held at the main campus of the institution in Calabar, Cross River State also saw the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike awarded the honorary doctorate degree in Law.
Other awardees included Major General Moses Bisong Obi (rtd) (Doctor of Peace and Conflict Studies) and Supreme Court Justice, Emmanuel Akomaye Obi (Doctor of Law).
In her acceptance speech after the conferment by the 15th Emir of Kano and Chancellor of the University, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, the wife of the Senate President, Mrs Akpabio thanked the Governing Council and Management of the University for finding her worthy of the honour.
A statement by the Special Assistant on Media/communication to the President of the Senate, Anietie Ekong quoted Mrs Akpabio as saying “I am happy to be honoured with this award from the prestigious University of Calabar that I have heard so much about from my dear husband, an alumnus of this great institution.
“I was wondering when I will join him as a great Malabress and that day has come and I am grateful to the University for this honour,” she said.
Mrs Akpabio promised to work with other awardees especially the Minister of the FCT to provide infrastructural assistance to the university.
In a citation the University extolled Mrs Akpabio for her philanthropic and humanitarian efforts towards uplifting the lives of women and the vulnerable of the society through her non governmental organisation, the Family Life Enhancement Initiative.
She was also recognized as a Champion of women’s rights and as one who used her position as the First Lady of Akwa Ibom State to fight for the inclusion of more women in governance.
On his part, Chief Wike said he was honoured to be among the recipients of award. He extolled the Visitor of the University, President Bola Tinubu for working tirelessly to promote tertiary education in the country.
Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed disappointment over the declaration of State of emergency in Rivers State, saying it discredits Nigeria’s image.
The declaration by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sent Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara packing for six months, while the elected members of the State House of Assembly have also been suspended.
Jonathan stated this while speaking as the Chairman at the Haske Satumari Foundation Colloquium in Abuja on Saturday.
He said elected officials have been removed from office in a very disappointing manner.
Contrary to Jonathan’s view however, the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, expressed support for Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers.
The party said no responsible government will allow a situation to deteriorate before taking decisive action in the best interest of its citizens.
NNPP National Chairman, Dr. Agbo Major, told newsmen: “President Tinubu is the Chief Security Officer of Nigeria.
“The information available to him as president from intelligence sources may not be in the public purview.
“The government in Rivers was suspended and no one can actually say what would have happened by now, judging from the deepening crisis.
“The crisis was further compounded by some leaders who, instead of offering advice or promoting peace during the turmoil, allowed it to escalate before later stepping in to criticize.”
But for President Jonathan, “These actions by key actors in the executive and legislative arms of government paint the country in a negative light.”
He said it was not the norm for former presidents to comment on issues, so as not to heat up the polity.
However, Jonathan said, his comment became necessary after calls from many Nigerians, urging him to speak on the events in Rivers State.
He added that the image of the country and how much investments a country attracts is dependent on the actions of the executive, legislature and judiciary of that country.
Goodluck Jonathan faulted the situation where an individual can dictate to the judiciary, noting that it makes it difficult for anyone to have faith in the judiciary.
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