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May 2017
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May 28, 2017

A pro-democracy group known as Concerned Nigerians, has warned the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Ibrahim Idris, against unleashing anger on pro-Biafra agitators, the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, as they mark the May 30 Biafra remembrance day.

The group threatened to drag the IGP to the International Criminal Court, ICC, over his directive to Police Commissioners in the South-eastern states to be strict and firm in dealing with pro-Biafra agitators during their events.

The group disclosed this in a statement signed by Deji Adeyanju and John Danfulani, Convener and Secretary respectively.

The group was responding to a statement signed by Force Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood conveying the IGP’s directive to officers in various police commands in the South-East to deal decisively with members of IPOB who have planned a series of protests in celebration of the Biafra Remembrance Day.

The group argued that the Police have no justification to want to stop the celebration because the Biafra Remembrance Day has huge significance for the Igbo who experienced huge losses during the Nigerian Civil War.

The statement continues, “We do not see any justification whatsoever for the police to prevent the celebration of Biafra Day. In fact, the attempt by the Police to stop the celebration is a provocation in itself.

“This directive contravenes the right to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, freedom of association and freedom of movement as enshrined and guaranteed in the Nigerian constitution.”

The group further disclosed that late last week it contacted the Chief Prosecutor of the ICC, Fatou Bensouda, on the violations of IPOB members’ rights, including the killing of over 150 of them by security agents. The ICC Chief Prosecutor, added the group, promised that action will be taken.

The group added, “Since a clear threat has been issued by the Inspector- General of Police vowing to deal decisively with the IPOB members, we wish to draw the attention of the Nigerian Police to the fact that protest is a human right and it must be respected.

It also argued that the issues being raised by the IPOB, Biafran Independence Movement (BIM) and the Movement of the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) were subjects of intellectual debate.

“Nations do not kill their citizens when issues of self-determination or referendums are raised. They engage them in an intellectual debate where reasoning and superior arguments prevail as in the case of leave or stay in the UK and Brexit,” the group stated.

It called on IPOB, BIM and MASSOB members to be law abiding in the exercise of their rights of assembly, movement and protest on Biafra Remembrance Day.

“Their approach should remain non-violent resistance even in the face of harassment and intimidation.

“If any Biafran is killed on May 30th, it will be as a result of the directive given to all police commissioners and formations nationwide and we will drag the Inspector General of Police to the International Criminal Court,” the group concluded.

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May 28, 2017 ,

In the 15th century papal bulls promoted and provided legal justification for the conquest and theft of indigenous peoples’ lands and resources worldwide - the consequences of which are still being felt today. The right to conquest in one such bull, the Romanus Pontifex, issued in the 1450s when Nicholas V was the Pope, was granted in perpetuity.

How times have changed. Last week, over 560 years later, Francis, the first Pope from Latin America, struck a rather different note - for indigenous peoples around the world, for land rights, for better environmental stewardship. He said publicly that indigenous peoples have the right to “prior and informed consent.” In other words, nothing should happen on - or impact - their land, territories and resources unless they agree to it.

“I believe that the central issue is how to reconcile the right to development, both social and cultural, with the protection of the particular characteristics of indigenous peoples and their territories,” said Francis, according to an English version of his speech released by the Vatican’s press office.

“This is especially clear when planning economic activities which may interfere with indigenous cultures and their ancestral relationship to the earth,” Francis went on. “In this regard, the right to prior and informed consent should always prevail, as foreseen in Article 32 of the [UN] Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Only then is it possible to guarantee peaceful cooperation between governing authorities and indigenous peoples, overcoming confrontation and conflict.”

Francis was speaking to numerous indigenous representatives in Rome at the conclusion of the third Indigenous Peoples’ Forum held by the UN’s International Fund for Agricultural Development.

The UN’s Declaration - non-legally-binding - was adopted 10 years ago. Article 32 says “states shall consult and cooperate in good faith with the indigenous peoples concerned through their own representative institutions in order to obtain their free and informed consent prior to the approval of any project affecting their lands or territories and other resources, particularly in connection with the development, utilization or exploitation of mineral, water or other resources.”

Francis also told his audience “humanity is committing a grave sin in not caring for the earth”, and urged them to resist new technologies which “destroy the earth, which destroy the environment and the ecological balance, and which end up destroying the wisdom of peoples.” He called on governments to enable indigenous peoples to fully participate in developing “guidelines and projects”, both locally and nationally.

Various mainstream media including the BBC, The Independent and the Washington Post interpreted Francis’s speech as a comment, or an apparent comment, on the current Dakota Access Pipeline conflict in the US - almost as if that was the only conflict over indigenous peoples’ land they were aware of. But what about everyone and everywhere else? Such interpretations were swiftly rejected by a Vatican spokesperson, who was reported as saying “there’s no element in his words that would give us a clue to know if he was talking about any specific cases.”

So what do some of those who were with Francis that day think of his speech? How significant was it?

Myrna Cunningham, a Miskita activist from Nicaragua and former Chairperson of the UN’s Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, says the Pope was sending several main messages. These included the “need to reconcile the right to development with indigenous peoples’ spiritual and cultural specificities and territories”, and the importance of the UN Declaration and consent which was, she says, “in a way a response to indigenous demands.”

“I expected a strong message but his position exceeded my expectations,” Cunningham told the Guardian. “He is truly clear about the struggles of our people and an important voice to make our demands be heard.”

Elifuraha Laltaika, from the Association for Law and Advocacy for Pastoralists in Tanzania, says it was a “timely wake-up call to governments.”

“[His comments] come at time when, instead of scaling up, governments increasingly violate and look with suspicion at the minimum standards in the UN Declaration,” he told the Guardian. “Without heeding Pope Francis’s call, life would undoubtedly become more miserable for indigenous peoples than ever before. Greed towards extraction of hydrocarbons and minerals will open up additional fault-lines, heightening indigenous peoples’ poverty and inability to deal with impacts of climate change and a myriad of other challenges.”

For Alvaro Pop, a Maya Q’eqchi man from Guatemala, Francis’s remarks demonstrate his ongoing commitment to indigenous peoples’ rights.

“Indigenous peoples have been the guardians of their resources for centuries,” says Pop, another former Chairperson of the UN’s Permanent Forum. “Free, prior and informed consent is one of the most important issues of the 21st century. The Pope’s comments are truly significant.”

Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, a Kankanaey Igorot woman from the Philippines and now the UN’s Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, says Francis’s comments illustrate his “understanding of the importance” of implementing the UN Declaration.

“His view that a bigger chance of overcoming confrontation and conflict between indigenous peoples and governing authorities can be achieved if prior and informed consent is respected echoes what many indigenous peoples have always stated,” Tauli-Corpuz told the Guardian.

Les Malezer, from Australia, describes it as “gratifying” that the Pope took such a “strong stance” on the need to respect indigenous peoples’ rights, and says he took the opportunity to raise with him the “Doctrine of Discovery” - the international legal concept grounded in the 15th century papal bulls.

“Each person in our audience had the opportunity to say a very few words to the Pope as he came around the room,” Malezer, from Queensland, told the Guardian. “I asked the Pope to continue to review the Doctrine of Discovery which was followed by many instances of genocide of indigenous peoples and the taking of their lands. Also I requested the Catholic Church seek to raise awareness worldwide of the situation and rights of indigenous peoples.”

In asserting indigenous peoples’ right to consent, Francis was echoing - and giving sustenance to - a growing body of international law and jurisprudence binding on governments, and guidelines, principles or operating procedures adopted by some financial institutions, UN agencies and private sector groups. According to a 2013 report by UN-REDD on the international legal basis for what is known as “FPIC” - free, prior and informed consent - “More than 200 States have ratified numerous international and regional treaties and covenants that expressly provide for, or are now interpreted to recognise, a State duty and obligation to obtain FPIC where the circumstances so warrant.”

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May 27, 2017 ,

Legal practitioner, Ebun-olu Adegboruwa, has warned the Nigeria Police Force against stopping the May 30 protest by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the Biafran Independence Movement (BIM) and the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB).

This is contained in a statement he made available to DAILY POST Saturday morning.

Adegboruwa said after he read the statement by police spokesperson that the sit-at-home protest to celebrate the state of Biafra was illegal, he was glad that the police could not cite any law to back up its statement.

He said: “Under and by virtue of section 39 of the 1999 Constitution, every citizen has the freedom of expression. Sit at home, is a form of peaceful disobedience, recognized worldwide and employed as peaceful protest. It is meant to express dissatisfaction, in a peaceful manner.

“Under and by virtue of section 38 of the self same Constitution, every citizen has the freedom of movement, which includes freedom not to move. As government and the police cannot restrain movement, they cannot also compel movement. A citizen of Nigeria has absolute right to decide to move or not to move and this cannot amount to a crime under any law, to warrant the threat by the police.

“On May 29, 2015, General Buhari and his Vice, took a solemn oath to defend the Constitution and they cannot now seek to renege on that oath, by purporting to declare the Biafra sit at home illegal.

“I’m therefore calling on the President and the Vice President, to defend the constitution, by calling the Inspector General of Police to order. Let no Nigerian be harassed, molested, intimidated, arrested or detained, merely for daring to exercise his or her constitutional rights.

“I support the Biafra sit at home and urge the leadership of IPOB to cooperate with the law enforcement agencies to ensure that it is peaceful and well coordinated. I urge all lawyers, activists and the good people of Nigeria, to join and support the Biafra sit at home and to resist the illegal attempt by the police to declare the exercise of a legal right, as illegal.

“To this extent, the threat by the police is illegal and unconstitutional and should be withdrawn. We are not under military rule but operating a democracy, propelled by the rule of law”.

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May 26, 2017



On the 30th May 1967, Biafra declaration was made by our Late Hero, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu who saw the perpetual subjugation of his people, those who were unjustly massacred, maimed and imprisoned in the Northern part of Nigeria. 

After the Declaration of the sovereign state of Biafra, the Northern elites and Yoruba Oligarchy led by Gen. Yakubu Gowon orchestrated an unprepared war against Biafrans as advised by their colonial master, Britain. It was a bitter and horrible experience. The cruelty of the genocide which was executed by the Northerners is an unforgettable memory.

3.5 million Biafrans were killed as a result of starvation, kwashiorkor, and brutalization. Our women were raped and their husbands killed. Our young youths were imprisoned just for demanding the freedom of their unborn generation. 

The war was executed for 3 years after which there was no compensation nor justice for the war crimes committed by the savages in Nigerian army. The world kept mute. They ridiculed our heroes who were trying to resist the sufferings in their own God-given land. There was never in the history of this chequered country where they were honoured or remembered these great heroes/heroines. Their aggrieved spirits were snubbed and swept under the carpet; they waited until we emerged to speak on their behalf.

After the great genocide, there was never a day in Nigeria that Biafrans have experienced peace. Daily we are being humiliated and killed by the Hausa-Fulani cattle herders and the Nigerian armed forces. They have molested our children and women. We left our own land and scattered all over the world, all in the name of seeking for asylum.

We have been subjugated in all aspects of life. Now we have decided to go our separate way and build our own nation; the same agitation which our forefathers embarked upon and were sent to their untimely death, yet they would not let us. Our lives are not safe in Nigeria, but yet they won't let us go, why? 

 We came out to protest against the marginalization, and the perpetual agony we are going through in our own land, and we were brutally massacred, maimed and arrested. Our brothers are languishing in prisons, many have been killed in secret cells and detention camps. When we protested against the unlawful incarceration of our leader Nnamdi Kanu who was held extrajudicially, we were shot at with live bullets and many were killed and the wounded were forcefully removed from the hospitals and secretly executed by the Nigerian agents.

On the 30th of May 2016, when we were gathering to honour our Heroes and Heroines neglected for decades by the Nigerian Government and the world at large, it was a bitter scenario; a gory experience which can never be forgotten or forgiven in our lifetime. Many were killed and corpses of dead ones were taken away to conceal evidence; many are still in detention and some are still in hospitals across Biafra land. Some were doused with acid and still in agony and pain.

We have now decided to honour them in our own way by sitting and praying for their souls in our various homes, yet the Nigerian government still has the audacity to issue threats against those who have decided to observe the sit-at-home command issued by the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Isn't it laughable and crystal clear that we are not free as a people and not wanted in our own land? Is it not evident enough that we are not and can never be part of the "One Nigeria" slogan?

Despite all of this, we have remained strong and survived as a people under harsh conditions. We want to make it clear to the Nigerian government one more time again that we are not born to be ruled with intimidation by Hausa-Fulani and Yoruba forever. For all the sufferings and pains we have been going through in this concocted entity called Nigeria, we are prepared and ready to violate your threats by sitting at home on 30th May. Never shall we abandoned or fail to give honour to whom honour is due as far as Biafra is concerned.

We are tired of Nigeria using our blood to water its fraudulent foundation. We are also tired of seeing same blood flow in Biafraland simply because we asked to be free and given our heritage as the U.N Charter permits. Therefore, we make bold to reiterate that for the ultimate price paid by our fallen Heroes, we must honour. Everywhere in Biafraland must be locked down. We have come to die for what we believe in and that is Biafra.

Intimidation or threat is meant for cowards, gullible and feeble minded individuals only and not for the hardcore Biafrans. Our fallen heroes will be paid their dues on 30th May 2017 and that is sacrosanct.

By Prisca Chiamaka Abel

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May 26, 2017


Report by Kings Jv Chibizor
For Family Writers

Today being 25th of May 2017, not less than 10 IPOB family members on 30th May sensitization rally were arrested by the Nigerian combined military forces in Ogbete Main Market Enugu. The combined military forces that embarked on this arrest spree includes Enugu SARS, Police from State CID Enugu and the murderous agents of Enugu state government with the name ANTI-COURT FORCE. The molestation, intimidation and arrest took place in the afternoon today at Ogbete Main Market Enugu, during a sensitization rally inside the market.

The sensitization rally was  to give first hand information to all Biafrans in the market on the importance of observing the upcoming 30th May SIT AT HOME that was declared by IPOB leadership which Biafrans in every corner of Biafra land must adhere to. Many gadgets of Biafra media correspondents were destroyed when trying to capture the event live during the molestation of Biafrans by the SARS and other military forces. They also whisked away some members of IPOB of which their whereabout is yet unknown when filing this report.

Every person is entitled to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression as enshrined in the UNITED NATION CHARTER ON THE RIGHT OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE which every Indigenous population around the globe are entitled to. IPOB as a peaceful organization that was endorsed by the United Nation as Indigenous People and was also declared a legal organization by Justice Binta Nyako in her ruling on the 1st of March at Nigerian Federal High Court, Abuja.

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Nigeria combined security agents recent clampdown on IPOB members in Ogbete Main Market Enugu under the command of her government is nothing but a breach to the freedom of expression and assembly of Biafrans. The Nigeria government with her murderous agents are molesting and harassing Biafrans thereby pushing us to the wall and this military rascality must be fiercely resisted because their aim is to push us into violence with the glaring fact that we have extremely suffered and  endured the killings and arrest of our people by the Nigeria security.

We urge the Enugu state government, in the person of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to immediately secure the unconditional release of all  IPOB members arrested in Enugu today because they have not committed any crime against anybody or the Nigerian state rather acting within the confines of democratical dispensation.

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May 24, 2017
The former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has rebuked those saying ex-President, Goodluck Jonathan did nothing for the Ijaw nation.

This statement is coming after the Governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson recently claimed that the Ijaws did not benefit anything during Goodluck Jonathan’s regime.

Reacting to the statement, Kayode stressed that those making such comments are suffering from “delusion and madness.”
In a series of tweet on his twitter page he wrote: “May God grant us victory at the Supreme Court this morning. May we take our party back from the coupists and usurpers that highjacked it.
“Those that say that @GEJonathan did nothing for the Ijaws and the Nigerian people are suffering from a rare form of delusion and madness.”

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May 24, 2017

The Indigenous people of Biafra IPOB orlu chapter paid a solidarity visit to the leader of IPOB Mazi Nnamdi Kanu on Sunday 21/05/2017 at umuahia, Abia state.

The visitation is a welcome visit to Nnamdi Kanu since he was released from kuje prison Abuja. Not less than 8 buses fully loaded with IPOB Orlu chapter visited him. During the visitation, IPOB Orlu chapter lead by Chidi Nwachukwu expressed their happiness to be among those following the moving train to Biafra restoration. They also promised to implementing all their best to making sure that 30th May that was declared SIT-AT-HOME in Biafra land by highest command of IPOB will be a successful one in Imo State Biafra land.

The leader of Indigenous People Of Biafra Nnamdi Kanu joyfully accepted the Orlu IPOB members. He blessed them and also urge them to work very hard without relenting in making sure that the Gospel of Chukwu Okike Biafra (THE CREATOR) will be spread in every corner of Imo State and urged them to secure the observation of SIT-AT-HOME in Imo State Biafra land.

Signed: Chidi Nwachukwu
Orlu senatorial Coordinator

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May 21, 2017

The leadership of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign state of Biafra (MASSOB) has stated tha the FG will not stop them from observing their May 30 heroes day.

MASSOB further stated that the FG cannot stop what they did not establish rather their duty is to watch and observe the sympathetic reactions of the international communities towards Biafra restoration

MASSOB in a statement by its leader, Comrade Uchenna Madu asked its teeming members to shun the May 22 celebration and brace up for the main event slated for May 30, which is Biafra Remembrance Day.

He called on supporters of the movement not to give up as the birth of Biafra was already in sight.

The statement reads in full.

“We have reiterated our solemn oath taking for actualization and restoration of an independent Republic of Biafra, we reassure the people of Biafra that actualization and restoration of Biafra is sacrosanct and sacred.

“Every aspect of Biafra struggle must abhor deceit, self glorification, tribal/religious sentiments and love for mundane things.

“MASSOB declares full and total support for sit at home exercise for all Biafrans on 30th May, 2017 as a mark of respect and honour to our gallant Biafra soldiers and civilians that sacrificed their precious lives for establishment of Biafra during the bloody genocidal war against the people of Biafra in 1967–1970.

“We must continue to remember, honour and celebrate the gallantry and braveness of Biafra soldiers whom the whole world was astonished for their military exploits during Nigeria Biafra war. Their bravery, military excellencies, consistency, technological exploits and intelligences can never be forgotten or silenced.

“MASSOB wishes to inform the people of Biafra that we don’t have any Biafra anniversary program on 22 May, 2017. Our Biafra anniversary program is on 30th May, 2017 which is Biafra day.

“The sit at home exercise calls for sober reflection on the way forward, it calls for individual and family prayers for speedy actualization and restoration of Biafra, it will also reflect on building synergy and cohesion among the Pro Biafra groups for the preparation for the coming referendum.

“MASSOB also reiterates our earlier position that we are not attached to any group called Biafra Independent Movement (BIM), MASSOB is not BIM, also the so called BIM can never be MASSOB. MASSOB collaborates and work with other genuine pro “Biafra groups like IPOB, Lower Niger Congress, Eastern Peoples Congress, Biafra Peoples National Council, Joint Revolutionary Council and AFRA Descendants. The people of Biafra should disregard the false information that MASSOB will observe Biafra day on May 22, 2017.

“The golden jubilee celebration of Biafra declaration anniversary will be golden and superlative. It will be a moment of sober reflection among the Biafra agitators.

“The commemoration of the anniversary celebration will bring more unifying forces of non violence for speedy actualization and restoration of Biafra. Different activities of all pro Biafra groups that will recharge the consciousness of Biafra must be channeled towards popular civil disobedience program that will immensely attract the attention of the international communities towards Biafra actualization and restoration.

“We are aware that Nigeria security agents are not comfortable about the coming anniversary. MASSOB is also aware that security agents will exhibit their jittery and fears mostly the overzealous ones that love operating the trigger in a cowardice manner against non violence Biafra agitators. The threat and presence of Nigeria security agents will not deter us from exercising our fundamental indigenous right.

“We the people of Biafra will never relent in promoting, projecting and upholding all the legacies of General Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, the supreme leader and Commander of Biafra Nation. Whatever measure or approach of security agents against the celebration of Biafra declaration anniversary day can never subdue or subject us from observing the independence declaration of Biafra by Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.

“We’re not seeing the Federal government stopping or challenging the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Biafra declaration. The Federal government cannot stop what they didn’t established or instituted. Their duty is to watch and observe the sympathetic reactions of the international communities towards Biafra restoration.

“Sit at home exercise has been a recycling program of civil disobedience that ultimately promotes and re echoed the consciousness of Biafra reality. No military or spiritual powers can stop the collective will of the people.”

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May 21, 2017

Bayelsa State Governor, Henry Seriake Dickson, has appealed to the people of Biogbolo Community in Yenagoa to sheath their swords and maintain a cordial relationship with their Igbo tenants.
According to him, government will arrest and prosecute the suspect who murdered a teenage girl in the community.
Dickson made the call at the weekend while addressing representatives of Biogbolo and Igbo communities at a closed-door meeting in Government House, Yenagoa, the state capital.
He said that although the unfortunate incident occurred when he was on a working visit to the United States, directives were immediately given to the police and other security agencies to apprehend the suspect and all who might have played any role in the act.
Dickson, however, warned those who are cashing in on the situation to disrupt peace and socio-economic activities such as harassing Igbo traders in the community to stop forthwith or face the wrath of government.
He urged the people of Biogbolo community to allow Igbo traders reopen their shops for business on Monday as the alleged crime was committed by an individual and not all the Igbos, who he noted, have been peaceful and law abiding.
While commending the leadership of the Biogbolo community for their show of understanding and maturity, Dickson stressed the need for them to sensitise their people on the dangers of taking the law into their hands.

Speaking on the outcome of the meeting, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Asuquo Amba, described the deliberation as fruitful, saying efforts were on top gear to ensure the arrest of the suspect in no distant time.
Also speaking, the Caretaker Chairman of the Yenagoa LG Council, Oboku Oforji expressed gratitude to the Governor for the measures put in place to achieve lasting peace between the people of Biogolo, the Igbo and other residents in the area.
He described the Governor’s directive on the reopening of shops owned by Ibos in as timely, well thought out and in the best interest of both Biogbolo and Igbo communities.
In their separate remarks, President of Ohaeneze, Bayelsa State chapter, Chief Amaka Maurice and his Unified Traders Association counterpart, Chief Ukachukwu Ohaeri, also thanked the Governor for his efforts at tackling the problem and pledged to cooperate with security agencies.
Although the paramount ruler of Biogbolo was said to be unavoidably absent at the meeting, representatives of the community including Hon. Longlife Gilbert, also applauded Dickson’s directive and assured the state government of the community’s readiness to abide by it.
Those who were present at the meeting include the Chief of Staff, Government House, Rt Hon Talford Ongolo, his deputy, Mrs Ebizi Ndiomu-Brown, Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Hon. Jonathan Obuebite, Special Adviser on Security Matters, Chief Boma Spero-Jack and a representative of the State Director of DSS.
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May 21, 2017
A political interest group, Southwest Progressive Youths and Peoples Movement (SWYPM), has demanded the unconditional release of some All Progressives Congress (APC) members in Ekiti State who are being detained in Federal Prisons, Ado-Ekiti on alleged trumped-up charges.
Apart from the APC members, the group also deplored the arrest of those they referred to as progressive youths across the state.
Rising from its meeting held in Ado Ekiti at the weekend, the youths urged the Attorney General of the Federation, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), National Judicial Council (NJC), and the Police to launch an investigation into why the APC members ‎had been “perpetually kept behind bars.”

Prominent APC members being detained in Ekiti include a youth leader, Sola Adenijo; Odua Peoples Congress (OPC) leader, Adeniyi Adedipe; former Road Transport Employers Association (RTEAN) chairmen, Rotimi Olanbiwonnu and Adebayo Aderiye; Sola Durodola, Ajayi Kayode and Oso Farotimi.
According to the communique signed by SWYPM National Coordinator, Taiwo Ajayi, and other exco members, the youths said they have commenced aggressive mobilization of young people to ensure the installation of a progressive government “that will return Ekiti to the good old days.”
It urged the youths to be creative and self-reliant rather than depending on government for all their needs at all times, saying this ‎will build their confidence and help maximize their potentials.
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May 21, 2017
Senator representing Kaduna Central and the Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign and Local Debts, Shehu Sani, has revealed why 5 members of Boko Haram, were swapped with 82 of the abducted Chibok girls.
Sani said it was the best option since the terrorists would purchase more weapons with heavy amount of monetary ransom.
The Senator, who is one of the negotiators, said the swap deal was not a bad decision on the part of government.
“What we need to understand is the fact that we are dealing with a hostile situation and the priority is the freedom of the hostage”, he said.
“The negotiators were faced with two options: To pay heavy ransom to secure the release of the girls or use the insurgents who are captives as a bargaining chip.
“It was arrived at that of the two options it was better to swap the girls with the insurgents, there are consequences for both.

“If you give the insurgents heavy amount of money, they will use it to purchase arms, regroup, arm themselves and fight to regain their lost territories.
“But going by the fact that the sustained military campaign has dislodged them from their base and have pushed them to the edge, the release of their members in detention will not change the military balance on the ground; so it is the better of the two options.
“Again, we should look at it that swapping of prisoners with is not new in the world. America, some few years ago swapped some Guantanamo detainees with some American captives, they swapped them with Talibans.
“And Israel has most times swapped captured Israeli soldiers with Palestinian prisoners of the Hamas faction. Nigeria is simply doing what others are doing.
“And we should understand that we cannot continue to leave these girls in captivity of Boko Haram because we have fear of exchanging them with the insurgents.
“And it was 5 members of the insurgents that were swapped with the 82 Chibok girls.”
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May 21, 2017


Worried by late implementation of capital projects due to late commencements, Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has issued a presidential directive, which will henceforth (until a constitutional amendment) mandate the executive to submit budgetary proposals to the National Assembly latest by September of every year.
This move is sequel to the realisation that capital votes’ components of budgets, which have an over-bearing impact on the citizenry, normally get the least implemented percentage due to weather conditions like rains, which hampers earth moving equipment during road construction, while the recurrent portion of budgets, which entails spending on government personnel always get 100 per cent implementation.
Also under the new vista, which comes into force with the 2017 budget, no locally made goods/services substitutes shall any longer be imported into the country as part of measures to check graft in procurement in public service, as well as, boost revenue diversification sources locally and create employment opportunities.
All these are coming on the heels of the cloud of uncertainty that envelope the recently passed 2017 fiscal plan, which assent and implementation still remain a subject of controversy.
In a chat, the Director General of Budget Office of the Federation, Ben Akabueze, said the issue of faithfully implementing the budget can only come up after a careful perusal of the document.
“We can only say if the budget is implementable after a careful scrutiny of it. We are going to take our time and go through the document. How long this is going to take, I can’t tell you. This is dependent on the volume of intervention by the National Assembly.”
He added that work on the 2018 budget has already commenced with the call on MDAs to submit their personnel emolument requirements for 2018.However, after the National Assembly Presidential Liaison Aide, Senator Ita Enang, and Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, last week contradicted themselves on who would assent to the budget, the Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Acting President, Laolu Akande, informed that his principal would sign the budget, hence there was no need for apprehension.
Two days latter, Osinbajo followed up with the issuance of three Executive Orders (Presidential Orders), two of which have to do with budget preparations and procurement, fast-tracking budget implementation, guarding against graft as well as saving funds for implementation of government plans and programmes.
The orders according to Osinbajo are in line with the authority vested in him as the acting president, said a release by Akande.On budget, the order directed as follows: “All agencies, whether or not listed in the Fiscal Responsibility Act, shall, on or before the end May every year, cause to be prepared and submitted to the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Budget and National Planning, their schedule of revenue and expenditure estimates for the next three financial years.
“All agencies shall, on or before the end of July every year, cause to be prepared and submitted to the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Budget and National Planning, their annual budget estimates, which shall be derived from the estimates of revenue and expenditure as projected in their three-year schedule.
“A joint committee of the ministries of finance, and the budget and national planning shall review such estimates and ensure their conformity with the national plan and the financial and budgetary regulations before processing them for approval and early transmission to the National Assembly,” the order stated adding, “supervising ministers and heads of agencies as well as the chief executive officers of government owned companies shall verify that the process of preparation, harmonisation and collation of budget estimates are as stipulated in relevant laws and guidelines, as well as, ensure strict compliance with this Executive Order.”
Meanwhile, joining the ongoing debate on who would assent to the 2017 fiscal plan, Abuja-based Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Ade Okeaya-Inneh said: “My view is that once you write a letter in accordance with section 145 of the 1999 Constitution, automatically, the vice president becomes the acting president. It doesn’t matter what word is used. If they are trying to introduce all kinds of things, then there is a major constitutional crisis looming,” he warned.
For Managing partner, Bank Oki, Oyesanya and Co. Adekunle Oyesanya (SAN): “If he (Osinbajo) is acting as the president, then there is nothing he cannot do, including signing the budget. It doesn’t look as if they are even coordinated. What does the constitution even say about the office of the acting president? Does the constitution say that an acting president cannot do certain things? The opinion of the cabal is immaterial. What matters is what the law says.”
If the grundnorm, the fundamental law of the land says an acting president can do everything that a president can do, then what are they saying?” Constitutional lawyer, Mike Ozekhome (SAN) on his part said Osinbajo cannot only sign the budget, but can deploy armed forces and declare a war. There is nothing, according to him, he cannot do, stressing that the budget is a small thing among the things he can do.

His words: “Osinbajo as the acting president is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as it stands today, under Section 5 and 145 of the 1999 Constitution. So taking the budget to London for Mr. President to sign is unconstitutional. It is an aberration and it constitutes a legal and constitutional anathema.
“There can’t be two obas in one palace or two emirs in one palace. There can’t be two popes in the world. Having transmitted a letter to the senate that he was traveling abroad on health ground under Section 145, the vice president automatically assumes power of the acting president. Section 145 says that the vice president will act in that capacity for as long as the president is away. Until then, Osinbajo remains the acting president that has all the power to do anything that the president can do. And that includes signing the budget, it includes declaration of war, it includes deployment of the armed forces to ward off external aggression.
“It includes presiding over the Federal Executive Council and the Council of States meeting and giving instructions to the ministers. That includes controlling the entire apparatus of government under section 153 to 159 of the Constitution. That includes exercising all powers of the president under section 5 of the 1999 Constitution. So, it does not therefore matter whether the letter was written as coordinator.”
According to him, even if the letter had referred to Osinbajo as sweeper of Aso Villa or cook in chief of Aso kitchen or messenger in Aso villa, the nomenclature or description does not matter at all. “So, all the noise being made by the shenanigans, the cabals and the lurking hawks, all go to no issue at all, as far as this constitutional matter is concerned,” he insisted.
Similarly, a constitutional lawyer, Sebastine Hon (SAN) said vice president Osinbajo is Nigeria’s acting president, even though a letter was sent to the national assembly saying he will coordinate affairs of government pursuant to section 145 of the 1999 Constitution.
According to Hon, since it was written pursuant to section 145, the provisions of section 145 becomes applicable automatically. “The National Assembly noticed that slight error. I prefer to call it slight error even though there may be more to it, and it addressed it by confirming him as acting president. So, any interpretation that is otherwise, that is contrary to the spirit and letter of the Constitution is void. He can sign the budget,” he stated.
In his own view, Samuel Zibiri (SAN) said Osinbajo is acting and therefore can sign the budget. “Acting means that he is stepping into the shoes of the president,” he argued.
In a related development, two members of the House of Representatives, Messrs Olajide Olatubosun, and Ossai Nicholas Ossai have reiterated the need to the reform the country’s budgeting process.
The duo, who spoke separately argued that the measure would surely curb the recurring problem of delays in budget passage.Ossai who is the chairman of the House committee on Ethics and Privileges said: “The delay is coming from the executive. It is expected that the budget would be committed in the first week of October to the National assembly. If it takes the executive the whole year to prepare a budget, do you expect the National Assembly to pass the budget within two weeks?
The lawmaker who represents Ndokwa Federal Constituency of Delta State continued: “It is not possible because in passing the budget, you must take into cognizance the performance of the past budget and you must be able to reach out to all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to make sure you scrutinise them and determine the performance of the previous budget before you are able to address the future budget.
Olatubosun, who is a member of the House Committee on Appropriation, expressed doubts if the delay in the passage of the 2017 budget impacted negatively on the economy.
According to him: “If you recollect the last budget was signed into law on the May 5, 2016 and it was stated in the Act that the capital component of the budget was for one fiscal year. That means it won’t expire until the midnight of May 4 2017. So, what that means is that from January to that day, there was a budget that was running. Most Nigerians thought it was from January to December 2016. The capital component of the budget was being implemented, funds were being released and if you go round the country you see some projects that are being executed.”
However, “I won’t say that the delay in the passage of the budget has not got any impact considering the fact that in Nigeria, the government is the major spender. But what I have just said is that if you are talking of any delay, the only period that we did not have a capital budget now is between May 6 and today (last Friday) and that is just about twelve days. So it is not like we don’t have budgets in January. No. The Appropriation Act for last year covered the period from May 6, 2016 to May 5 of 2017.”
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May 21, 2017
The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of Jema’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III has declared street begging by children, popularly known as Almajiri, unIslamic.
He has therefore charged the government, particularly at the state level to rise to their responsibilities of ensuring welfare of every citizen.
The Sultan stated these in Kaduna on Sunday while presiding over the pre-Ramadan meeting of JNI’s Central Committee, held at the JNI headquarters.
The event is an annual meeting meant to set modalities and guidelines for moon sighting and general muslims conduct in the holy month.
Delivering his opening remarks, the Sultan said, the meeting would be discussing issues that affect Muslims and Islam in Nigeria and other parts of the world.
While disclosing that, the issue of Almajiri would be among the challenges to address at the meeting, the Sultan said, “Almajiri does not represent Islam, but hunger and poverty”.

According to him, “Almajiri system of begging is not representing Islam and must therefore be distinguished from Islam. Islam encourages scholarship and entrepreneurship and frowns at laziness and idleness as exemplified by itinerant Almajiri.
“Therefore attempt, must be made to stop the practice Almajiri system of begging among Muslim faithfuls,” he said.
While noting that hunger and poverty were responsible for children begging on the streets, the Sultan charged the government, particularly at the state level to prioritise welfare of their citizens to address hunger and poverty.
He also charged the state governments to strengthen institution of ‘Zakkat’ and endowment to address wanton poverty.
Prominent traditional rulers and Islamic scholars were in attendance at the meeting.
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May 21, 2017
Except the global community intervenes, the lives of over two million Nigerians living in the Republic of Cameroon would be in danger following the ongoing agitation for independence by Southern Cameroon.
This was the position of representatives of Southern Cameroonians resident in Nigeria through a press statement in Jos, the Plateau State capital, on Saturday.
They noted that their demand for the restoration of their sovereignty from the Republic of Cameroon became necessary in the interest of peace, equity, justice and fairplay.
It has been estimated that there are six million registered Nigerians in north Cameroon, while about two million of them in the English-speaking Southern Cameroon would be at risk with the impending crisis.
The group said the restoration of Southern Cameroon’s sovereignty would bring an end to the instability in the Bakassi Peninsula and the entire Eastern Marine Border Frontier which, it said, was in many ways, critical to the stability and economic development of Nigeria.
The text of the statement entitled: “About two million Nigerians at risk in neighbouring Cameroon”, was jointly signed by their coordinator, Dr Cornelius Kwanga; spokesperson, Sisiku Ayuk-Tabe and chief strategist, Dr Fidelis Nde-Che.
They alleged that there was a plan by the Republic of Cameroun to carry out a full-scale genocide in Southern Cameroun.
They also alleged that the government of former President Ahmadou Ahidjo imposed a federal constitution on the people of Southern Cameroun.
The Southern Cameroonians further claimed that over seven million people would settle in Nigeria as refugees in case of an outbreak of conflict.
 They therefore urged the international community to immediately intervene for the restoration of sovereignty to Southern Cameroon.
Part of the statement read, “It is our contention that liberty has no prize and the blood of our population already slain by the forces of La Republique du Cameroun cannot go in vain.
“Our population has become very restive and we call on the international community to hold the government of La Republique du Cameroun fully responsible for any outbreak of violence due to their continued provocation of our people and pillage of our resources.
“We seem to have no choice than to take up our responsibilities and defend our native land accordingly. Nigeria should also intervene because should there be an outbreak of crisis, over two million Nigerians will be at risk.”
They therefore called on African Union, United Nations as well as the Economic Community of West African States to intervene in order to restore normalcy to the area.
The renewed agitation for sovereignty according to them came 56 years after a referendum and plebiscite was conducted for the English-speaking Southern Cameroon to join others to form the nation of Cameroun.
The referendum held on February 11, 1961 they added, was for the Southern Cameroun to decide whether to join the former British colony of Nigeria or the former French colony of Cameroun.
The referendum through a UN resolution 1608 enacted a two-nation-state, where the Southern Cameroun and the La Rèpublique du Cameroun existed side by side.
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May 21, 2017

Suspected Boko Haram jihadists killed six people fighting alongside the military in two separate incidents in Borno, vigilantes told AFP Sunday.
Four of the slain vigilantes were hunting in the bush near a camp for internally displaced people on the outskirts of the city of Maiduguri when they were seized in a daytime attack.
Vigilante Musa Ari said the attackers were riding motorcycles when they seized six people. Four were later found with their “throats slit”.
“Four of our colleagues were killed yesterday (Saturday) by Boko Haram gunmen while they were hunting. Two others are missing and we believe they were taken away by the terrorists,” added vigilante Babakura Kolo, speaking from Maiduguri.
In a separate suspected Boko Haram attack on Saturday night, two other vigilantes died after two female suicide bombers detonated explosives in the town of Konduga.
“One of the bombers detonated her explosives close to a group of vigilantes… after they were asked to identify themselves,” said vigilante Ibrahim Liman.

“A dusk to dawn curfew has been placed on women in the town following a spate of suicide bombings,” he said.
The attacks underline the vulnerability of rural communities in northeast Nigeria at a time when authorities are encouraging people displaced by the Boko Haram conflict to return to their homes and try to rebuild their lives.
On Monday Boko Haram gunmen on motorcycles killed six farmers who were working on their land in Amarwa village near Maiduguri in preparation for the rainy season.
The Islamists have in recent weeks intensified suicide bombings in and around Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state and birthplace of Boko Haram, with the university campus repeatedly attacked in recent days.
The eight-year Boko Haram conflict has killed 20,000 people and displaced millions from their homes, triggering a food crisis in the ravaged region.
Although Boko Haram has been substantially weakened by the Nigerian military, the group is still capable of launching deadly raids and suicide bombings, putting many people still at risk.
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May 21, 2017
North Korea has fired an unidentified projectile, South Korea’s military said, a week after its latest missile launch.
South Korea’s Office of Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement that the projectile took off Sunday afternoon from a location near Pukchang.
There was no further information given about the nature of the projectile.
Last week Pyongyang launched an intermediate-range missile named the Hwasong-12 its longest-range missile yet, according to analysts.

It was its 10th launch this year, after dozens in 2016, as it accelerates efforts to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of delivering a nuclear warhead to the continental United States – something US President Donald Trump has vowed “won’t happen”.
Pyongyang has long had missiles that can reach targets across the South and Japan.
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May 21, 2017
On his first foreign trip as United States President, Donald Trump showed his excitement, as he visited the Gulf country, Saudi Arabia.
His excitment was very evident in the speech he delivered there.
Read full speech below:
 
I want to thank King Salman for his extraordinary words, and the magnificent Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for hosting today’s summit. I am honored to be received by such gracious hosts. I have always heard about the splendor of your country and the kindness of your citizens, but words do not do justice to the grandeur of this remarkable place and the incredible hospitality you have shown us from the moment we arrived.
You also hosted me in the treasured home of King Abdulaziz, the founder of the Kingdom who united your great people. Working alongside another beloved leader – American President Franklin Roosevelt – King Abdulaziz began the enduring partnership between our two countries. King Salman: your father would be so proud to see that you are continuing his legacy – and just as he opened the first chapter in our partnership, today we begin a new chapter that will bring lasting benefits to our citizens.
Let me now also extend my deep and heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of the distinguished heads of state who made this journey here today. You greatly honor us with your presence, and I send the warmest regards from my country to yours. I know that our time together will bring many blessings to both your people and mine.
I stand before you as a representative of the American People, to deliver a message of friendship and hope. That is why I chose to make my first foreign visit a trip to the heart of the Muslim world, to the nation that serves as custodian of the two holiest sites in the Islamic Faith.
 
In my inaugural address to the American People, I pledged to strengthen America’s oldest friendships, and to build new partnerships in pursuit of peace. I also promised that America will not seek to impose our way of life on others, but to outstretch our hands in the spirit of cooperation and trust.
Our vision is one of peace, security, and prosperity—in this region, and in the world.
Our goal is a coalition of nations who share the aim of stamping out extremism and providing our children a hopeful future that does honor to God.
And so this historic and unprecedented gathering of leaders—unique in the history of nations—is a symbol to the world of our shared resolve and our mutual respect. To the leaders and citizens of every country assembled here today, I want you to know that the United States is eager to form closer bonds of friendship, security, culture and commerce.
For Americans, this is an exciting time. A new spirit of optimism is sweeping our country: in just a few months, we have created almost a million new jobs, added over 3 trillion dollars of new value, lifted the burdens on American industry, and made record investments in our military that will protect the safety of our people and enhance the security of our wonderful friends and allies – many of whom are here today.
Now, there is even more blessed news I am pleased to share with you. My meetings with King Salman, the Crown Prince, and the Deputy Crown Prince, have been filled with great warmth, good will, and tremendous cooperation. Yesterday, we signed historic agreements with the Kingdom that will invest almost $400 billion in our two countries and create many thousands of jobs in America and Saudi Arabia.
This landmark agreement includes the announcement of a $110 billion Saudi-funded defense purchase – and we will be sure to help our Saudi friends to get a good deal from our great American defense companies. This agreement will help the Saudi military to take a greater role in security operations.
We have also started discussions with many of the countries present today on strengthening partnerships, and forming new ones, to advance security and stability across the Middle East and beyond.
Later today, we will make history again with the opening of a new Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology – located right here, in this central part of the Islamic World.
This groundbreaking new center represents a clear declaration that Muslim-majority countries must take the lead in combatting radicalization, and I want to express our gratitude to King Salman for this strong demonstration of leadership.
I have had the pleasure of welcoming several of the leaders present today to the White House, and I look forward to working with all of you.
America is a sovereign nation and our first priority is always the safety and security of our citizens. We are not here to lecture—we are not here to tell other people how to live, what to do, who to be, or how to worship. Instead, we are here to offer partnership – based on shared interests and values – to pursue a better future for us all.
Here at this summit we will discuss many interests we share together. But above all we must be united in pursuing the one goal that transcends every other consideration. That goal is to meet history’s great test—to conquer extremism and vanquish the forces of terrorism.
Young Muslim boys and girls should be able to grow up free from fear, safe from violence, and innocent of hatred. And young Muslim men and women should have the chance to build a new era of prosperity for themselves and their peoples.
With God’s help, this summit will mark the beginning of the end for those who practice terror and spread its vile creed. At the same time, we pray this special gathering may someday be remembered as the beginning of peace in the Middle East – and maybe, even all over the world.
But this future can only be achieved through defeating terrorism and the ideology that drives it.
Few nations have been spared its violent reach.
America has suffered repeated barbaric attacks – from the atrocities of September 11th to the devastation of the Boston Bombing, to the horrible killings in San Bernardino and Orlando.
The nations of Europe have also endured unspeakable horror. So too have the nations of Africa and even South America. India, Russia, China and Australia have been victims.
But, in sheer numbers, the deadliest toll has been exacted on the innocent people of Arab, Muslim and Middle Eastern nations. They have borne the brunt of the killings and the worst of the destruction in this wave of fanatical violence.
Some estimates hold that more than 95 percent of the victims of terrorism are themselves Muslim.
We now face a humanitarian and security disaster in this region that is spreading across the planet. It is a tragedy of epic proportions. No description of the suffering and depravity can begin to capture its full measure.
The true toll of ISIS, Al Qaeda, Hezbollah, Hamas, and so many others, must be counted not only in the number of dead. It must also be counted in generations of vanished dreams.
The Middle East is rich with natural beauty, vibrant cultures, and massive amounts of historic treasures. It should increasingly become one of the great global centers of commerce and opportunity.
This region should not be a place from which refugees flee, but to which newcomers flock.
Saudi Arabia is home to the holiest sites in one of the world’s great faiths. Each year millions of Muslims come from around the world to Saudi Arabia to take part in the Hajj. In addition to ancient wonders, this country is also home to modern ones—including soaring achievements in architecture.
Egypt was a thriving center of learning and achievement thousands of years before other parts of the world. The wonders of Giza, Luxor and Alexandria are proud monuments to that ancient heritage.
All over the world, people dream of walking through the ruins of Petra in Jordan. Iraq was the cradle of civilization and is a land of natural beauty. And the United Arab Emirates has reached incredible heights with glass and steel, and turned earth and water into spectacular works of art.
The entire region is at the center of the key shipping lanes of the Suez Canal, the Red Sea, and the Straits of Hormuz. The potential of this region has never been greater. 65 percent of its population is under the age of 30. Like all young men and women, they seek great futures to build, great national projects to join, and a place for their families to call home.
But this untapped potential, this tremendous cause for optimism, is held at bay by bloodshed and terror. There can be no coexistence with this violence. There can be no tolerating it, no accepting it, no excusing it, and no ignoring it.
Every time a terrorist murders an innocent person, and falsely invokes the name of God, it should be an insult to every person of faith.
Terrorists do not worship God, they worship death.
If we do not act against this organized terror, then we know what will happen. Terrorism’s devastation of life will continue to spread. Peaceful societies will become engulfed by violence. And the futures of many generations will be sadly squandered.
If we do not stand in uniform condemnation of this killing—then not only will we be judged by our people, not only will we be judged by history, but we will be judged by God.
This is not a battle between different faiths, different sects, or different civilizations.
This is a battle between barbaric criminals who seek to obliterate human life, and decent people of all religions who seek to protect it.
This is a battle between Good and Evil.
When we see the scenes of destruction in the wake of terror, we see no signs that those murdered were Jewish or Christian, Shia or Sunni. When we look upon the streams of innocent blood soaked into the ancient ground, we cannot see the faith or sect or tribe of the victims – we see only that they were Children of God whose deaths are an insult to all that is holy.
But we can only overcome this evil if the forces of good are united and strong – and if everyone in this room does their fair share and fulfills their part of the burden.
Terrorism has spread across the world. But the path to peace begins right here, on this ancient soil, in this sacred land.
America is prepared to stand with you – in pursuit of shared interests and common security.
But the nations of the Middle East cannot wait for American power to crush this enemy for them. The nations of the Middle East will have to decide what kind of future they want for themselves, for their countries, and for their children.
It is a choice between two futures – and it is a choice America CANNOT make for you.
A better future is only possible if your nations drive out the terrorists and extremists. Drive. Them. Out.
DRIVE THEM OUT of your places of worship.
DRIVE THEM OUT of your communities.
DRIVE THEM OUT of your holy land, and
DRIVE THEM OUT OF THIS EARTH.
For our part, America is committed to adjusting our strategies to meet evolving threats and new facts. We will discard those strategies that have not worked—and will apply new approaches informed by experience and judgment. We are adopting a Principled Realism, rooted in common values and shared interests.
Our friends will never question our support, and our enemies will never doubt our determination. Our partnerships will advance security through stability, not through radical disruption. We will make decisions based on real-world outcomes – not inflexible ideology. We will be guided by the lessons of experience, not the confines of rigid thinking. And, wherever possible, we will seek gradual reforms – not sudden intervention.
We must seek partners, not perfection—and to make allies of all who share our goals.
Above all, America seeks peace – not war.
Muslim nations must be willing to take on the burden, if we are going to defeat terrorism and send its wicked ideology into oblivion.
The first task in this joint effort is for your nations to deny all territory to the foot soldiers of evil. Every country in the region has an absolute duty to ensure that terrorists find no sanctuary on their soil.
Many are already making significant contributions to regional security: Jordanian pilots are crucial partners against ISIS in Syria and Iraq. Saudi Arabia and a regional coalition have taken strong action against Houthi militants in Yemen. The Lebanese Army is hunting ISIS operatives who try to infiltrate their territory. Emirati troops are supporting our Afghan partners. In Mosul, American troops are supporting Kurds, Sunnis and Shias fighting together for their homeland. Qatar, which hosts the U.S. Central Command, is a crucial strategic partner. Our longstanding partnership with Kuwait and Bahrain continue to enhance security in the region. And courageous Afghan soldiers are making tremendous sacrifices in the fight against the Taliban, and others, in the fight for their country.
As we deny terrorist organizations control of territory and populations, we must also strip them of their access to funds. We must cut off the financial channels that let ISIS sell oil, let extremists pay their fighters, and help terrorists smuggle their reinforcements.
I am proud to announce that the nations here today will be signing an agreement to prevent the financing of terrorism, called the Terrorist Financing Targeting Center – co-chaired by the United States and Saudi Arabia, and joined by every member of the Gulf Cooperation Council. It is another historic step in a day that will be long remembered.
I also applaud the Gulf Cooperation Council for blocking funders from using their countries as a financial base for terror, and designating Hezbollah as a terrorist organization last year. Saudi Arabia also joined us this week in placing sanctions on one of the most senior leaders of Hezbollah.
Of course, there is still much work to do.
That means honestly confronting the crisis of Islamist extremism and the Islamist terror groups it inspires. And it means standing together against the murder of innocent Muslims, the oppression of women, the persecution of Jews, and the slaughter of Christians.
Religious leaders must make this absolutely clear: Barbarism will deliver you no glory – piety to evil will bring you no dignity. If you choose the path of terror, your life will be empty, your life will be brief, and YOUR SOUL WILL BE CONDEMNED.
And political leaders must speak out to affirm the same idea: heroes don’t kill innocents; they save them. Many nations here today have taken important steps to raise up that message. Saudi Arabia’s Vision for 2030 is an important and encouraging statement of tolerance, respect, empowering women, and economic development.
The United Arab Emirates has also engaged in the battle for hearts and souls—and with the U.S., launched a center to counter the online spread of hate. Bahrain too is working to undermine recruitment and radicalism.
I also applaud Jordan, Turkey and Lebanon for their role in hosting refugees. The surge of migrants and refugees leaving the Middle East depletes the human capital needed to build stable societies and economies. Instead of depriving this region of so much human potential, Middle Eastern countries can give young people hope for a brighter future in their home nations and regions.
That means promoting the aspirations and dreams of all citizens who seek a better life – including women, children, and followers of all faiths. Numerous Arab and Islamic scholars have eloquently argued that protecting equality strengthens Arab and Muslim communities.
For many centuries the Middle East has been home to Christians, Muslims and Jews living side-by-side. We must practice tolerance and respect for each other once again—and make this region a place where every man and woman, no matter their faith or ethnicity, can enjoy a life of dignity and hope.
In that spirit, after concluding my visit in Riyadh, I will travel to Jerusalem and Bethlehem, and then to the Vatican – visiting many of the holiest places in the three Abrahamic Faiths. If these three faiths can join together in cooperation, then peace in this world is possible – including peace between Israelis and Palestinians. I will be meeting with both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
Starving terrorists of their territory, their funding, and the false allure of their craven ideology, will be the basis for defeating them.
But no discussion of stamping out this threat would be complete without mentioning the government that gives terrorists all three—safe harbor, financial backing, and the social standing needed for recruitment. It is a regime that is responsible for so much instability in the region. I am speaking of course of Iran.
From Lebanon to Iraq to Yemen, Iran funds, arms, and trains terrorists, militias, and other extremist groups that spread destruction and chaos across the region. For decades, Iran has fueled the fires of sectarian conflict and terror.
It is a government that speaks openly of mass murder, vowing the destruction of Israel, death to America, and ruin for many leaders and nations in this room.
Among Iran’s most tragic and destabilizing interventions have been in Syria. Bolstered by Iran, Assad has committed unspeakable crimes, and the United States has taken firm action in response to the use of banned chemical weapons by the Assad Regime – launching 59 tomahawk missiles at the Syrian air base from where that murderous attack originated.
Responsible nations must work together to end the humanitarian crisis in Syria, eradicate ISIS, and restore stability to the region. The Iranian regime’s longest-suffering victims are its own people. Iran has a rich history and culture, but the people of Iran have endured hardship and despair under their leaders’ reckless pursuit of conflict and terror.
Until the Iranian regime is willing to be a partner for peace, all nations of conscience must work together to isolate Iran, deny it funding for terrorism, and pray for the day when the Iranian people have the just and righteous government they deserve.
The decisions we make will affect countless lives.
King Salman, I thank you for the creation of this great moment in history, and for your massive investment in America, its industry and its jobs. I also thank you for investing in the future of this part of the world.
This fertile region has all the ingredients for extraordinary success – a rich history and culture, a young and vibrant people, a thriving spirit of enterprise. But you can only unlock this future if the citizens of the Middle East are freed from extremism, terror and violence.
We in this room are the leaders of our peoples. They look to us for answers, and for action. And when we look back at their faces, behind every pair of eyes is a soul that yearns for justice.
Today, billions of faces are now looking at us, waiting for us to act on the great question of our time.
Will we be indifferent in the presence of evil? Will we protect our citizens from its violent ideology? Will we let its venom spread through our societies? Will we let it destroy the most holy sites on earth? If we do not confront this deadly terror, we know what the future will bring—more suffering and despair. But if we act—if we leave this magnificent room unified and determined to do what it takes to destroy the terror that threatens the world—then there is no limit to the great future our citizens will have.
The birthplace of civilization is waiting to begin a new renaissance. Just imagine what tomorrow could bring.
Glorious wonders of science, art, medicine and commerce to inspire humankind. Great cities built on the ruins of shattered towns. New jobs and industries that will lift up millions of people. Parents who no longer worry for their children, families who no longer mourn for their loved ones, and the faithful who finally worship without fear.
These are the blessings of prosperity and peace. These are the desires that burn with a righteous flame in every human heart. And these are the just demands of our beloved peoples.
I ask you to join me, to join together, to work together, and to FIGHT together— BECAUSE UNITED, WE WILL NOT FAIL.
Thank you. God Bless You. God Bless Your Countries. And God Bless the United States of America.
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May 21, 2017
Donald Trump has likened the fight against Islamic extremism to a battle between “good and evil” and not different faiths.
Speaking to leaders from more than 50 Muslim-majority countries in Saudi Arabia, the President attacked militants as “barbaric criminals who seek to obliterate human life”.
The US leader urge the nations to “confront Islamic terror of all kinds”, deny sanctuary to extremists and stand together against the murder of innocent Muslims by groups like Islamic State.
According to Mr Trump, “95% of the victims of terrorist attacks are themselves Muslims”.
He said America was seeking a “coalition of nations” in the Middle East with the aim of “stamping out extremism”.
He said the countries “cannot wait for American power to crush this enemy for them”.
Striking a conciliatory line, his comments marked a change in tone for Mr Trump after his remarks during his US presidential campaign where he said: “Islam hates us.

Addressing the Arab-Islamic American Summit in Riyadh, he said: “We now face a humanitarian and security disaster in this region that is spreading.”
Mr Trump told leaders at the meeting that he brought “a message of friendship and hope and love”, and urged Muslim countries to ensure “terrorists find no sanctuary on their soil”.
He announced a deal with Gulf countries to crackdown on the funding of extremists.
The President also hit out at Iran, accusing Tehran of “fuelling the fires of sectarian conflict”.
He said among Iran’s destabilising interventions was in Syria, where President Bashar al Assad has “committed unspeakable crimes”.
“From Lebanon to Iraq to Yemen, Iran funds, arms and trains terrorists, militias and other extremist groups that spread destruction and chaos across the region,” Mr Trump said.
He also called upon countries around the world to work together to end the humanitarian crisis in Syria.
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May 21, 2017
Nigerians have been urged to shun any act capable of truncating the nation’s democracy, and that any attempt to topple the Government of President Muhammadu Bubari would not be tolerated under any guise.
The call was made in Lagos by Supreme Head of the Cherubim & Seraphim Unification Church of Nigeria, His Most Eminence Solomon Alao, in a release made available to newsmen.
Alao was apparently reacting to alleged attempt by some sections in the Nigerian Army to truncate the current democratic experience ostensibly on account t of the ill-health of the President who is currently on medical follow-up in London.
 
 
Rather, Alao advised religious leaders and all Nigerians to continue to pray for quick recovery of the president and also pray for Acting President Yemi Osinbajo to be guided the wisdom of God while he stirs the affairs of the state in the absence of his boss.
“The rumoured attempt by some soldiers to do the unthinkable in this day and time in Nigeria will not be tolerated, but will be massively resisted. Nigerians cannot be taken for a ride any longer. We urged the Army authorities to remain committed to the ideals of democracy and shun any act capable of dragging the nation backwards.”

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