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Frank asks Buhari to Sack NDDC board before he leaves over infighting, corruption allegations

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***Urges EFCC, ICPC to wade in to the matter

A political activist and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the Board and current management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) without further delay
This he said is instructive over the various accusations and counter accusations of corruption fying within the Commission.

Frank said these counter allegations and infighting between the Management team and the Chairman of the Board of NDDC has once again opened up the ugly chapter of the past, where the infighting ended up in derailing the overall performances of the Commission thereby short-changing the people of the Niger Delta, yet enriching some with personal gains.

In a statement released to newsmen Monday in Abuja, the Bayelsa born political activist also called on the anti-corruption agencies to quickly intervene and launch probe into some of the revelations of corruption allegations made by the Board against the Commission’s Managing Director.

According to Frank, the inability to properly defend the 2021, 2022 & 2023 budget in unison at the Senate is a clear testament to the fact that the board lacks the basic prerequisites to oversee the affairs of the NDDC.

He said the people of Nigeria Delta had hoped that the new board would grow to become the hope and fresh air to the region, “but alas we’re confronted with the same dilemma of corruption allegations and counter accusations by those responsible in managing the resources of the people.

“It is clear from the foregoing that the inability to work in unison for the overall good of the people will render the activities of the Commission in jeopardy.”

The statement added that the people of the Niger Delta are tired of being the scape goats whenever these infighting arises because of greed and selfishness.

“Following recent revelations of corruption in the NDDC and counter accusations of mismanagement between the recently inaugurated board and management of the commission at the Senate, it will be safe to conclude that the primary objective of piloting the affairs of the commission has suffered yet another setback in the twilight of this new management board.

“Furthermore, the fact that this expose, is coming at a time when all hands are supposed to be on deck in midwifing the rebirth of a new NDDC is very worrisome and embarrassing.

“Instead of harmonizing the blueprint for building a sustainable commission saddled with the responsibility of delivering first class interventions to the people of the Niger Delta, the NDDC is rather confronted yet again with weighty allegations of corruption by members of its own board whose tenure only began less than 5 months ago.

“The startling revelations by the Chairwoman and counter accusations by the Managing Director and his team has once again left a sour taste in the minds of all genuine stakeholders in the Niger Delta project.

“Most shocking is the allegation of inflating the MD’s imprest and the operation of several accounts as confirmed by the Executive Director Finance & Admin rather than maintaining a single account as stipulated by the Federal Government under the Treasury Single Account (TSA).

“Going by these embarrassing scenarios of distrust and the inability to properly harmonize working relationships between the board and its members, it will be safe to recommend a total dissolution of the board to give way for a more proactive and people’s oriented board to midwife the NDDC into a world class intervention agency.

“It is noteworthy that even after a forensic audit was carried out by the FG, paving the way for the smooth operations of the Incoming board, we’re still confronted with the same quagmire bedeviling the commission.”

Frank, who is the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), Ambassador to East Africa and Middle East, called on the National Assembly, EFCC and other anti-corruption agencies to thoroughly investigate the accusations.

“I’m therefore calling on the National Assembly and the EFCC to urgently investigate these accusations of corruption in the NDDC by the board and come up with its findings for a proper recommendation to the Federal Government.

“We have had enough of these embarrassing situations in the NDDC and the Niger Delta at large and every stakeholder has a responsibility in speaking out at this time whilst ensuring that the proper image of the Commission is maintained in delivering the dividends of the region to the people.”

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‘Listing Simon Ekpa among wanted persons by Nigeria military is rascality, intimidation’

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The recent listing of the Biafra Prime Minister Simon Ekpas’ name among wanted individuals by the Nigerian government and military has been condemned by The Biafra Republic Government in Exile.

Chief of staff to chief Ekpa, Dr. Ngozi Orabueze in a statement said the declaration is an indication of the highest form of rascality,  irresponsibility and intimidation that can not be found in a true democracy

She said the Nigeria government and military were looking for a foithold to suppress the basic and inalienable rights of the Biafra people to chose their leader and discuss who they are as a people hence they came up with the declaration
“Prime Minister His Excellency Simon Ekpa is a Self Determination Leader who can never be a wanted individual. 

Dr. Orabueze indicated that the declaration by the Director, Defence Media Operation Maj. Gen. Edward Buba is a show of the highest form of rascality,  irresponsibility and intimidation. 
“It is also a ploy by the Nigeria government and military to suppress the basic and inalienable rights of the Biafra people to chose their leader and discuss who they are as a people.” 
The chief of staff in the statement called for the immediate withdrawal of the Biafra Government the Nigeria government.

She also demanded an apology from Major General Buba to the Biafra people whose rights and image  has been trampled upon with such fallacy and publication. 
In her statement, Dr Orabueze explained that the continuous use of intimidation, suppression, killings and disrespect for the right of over 70 million Biafrans scattered all over the world and inside Nigeria can no longer go without a measurable action.

“The call for Self Determination, Self Referendum and Redeclaration  of Biafra as a Sovereign state is a task geared towards the security of lives and property of indigenous Nigerians in Biafra territory, and must be achieved for peace and reduction in terrorism in that part of the world. 
“The 40 United States of Biafra currently under the leadership of Biafra Republic government in Exile headed by Prime Minister Simon Ekpa is the wish of Biafra people. Such wish must be respected. 
“The inclusion of the distinguished Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic government in Exile’s name Simon Ekpa among the list of wanted individuals in Nigeria is the same thing Nigeria government and military did to the current Biafra leader leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who is currently being held in Nigeria DSS detention center despite repeated legal rulings to free him.
“The United Nations has also called for the release of Nnamdi Kanu but the Nigeria military and government has refused.
“Nigeria is currently in a military rule disguised with President Tinubu as a civilian stooge. 
“With this publication, the Nigeria military and  government has once again proven to the world that it is a government that uses its power militarily to intimidate, suppress, kill and maim innocent citizens. “Thousands of innocent Nigerians have been killed this year alone by government sponsored terrorists. 
“The Nigeria military and government runs a  policy to reintegrate and rehabilitate known terrorists. This  policy has cause more deaths to indigenous Nigeria citizens compared to Boko Haram.
“Last Christmas, over 300 indigenous citizens were murdered same day by government sponsored and reintegrated terrorists. 
“The only crime of Simon Ekpa is to speak against these killings and encourage Biafrans to defend themselves against invading terrorists.”

She described the Nigeria government and military romance/sympathy with terrorist leaders such as Hamas that recently visited Nigeria and welcomed in over 3 news media controlled by the Nigeria government as a grave concern.
“Such action validates the connivance of the current Nigeria  government and military with terrorists.”
Dr. Orabueze therefore called on the Nigeria government to not only withdraw the Biafra Prime Ministers name from their purported wanted list but to respect the wishes of the Biafra people and peacefully start discussion towards the exit of Biafra from Nigeria
The Chief of staff noted that she will be open for such discussion any day

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Youth leader on marathon trek for Jarigbe arrives Abuja after 5 days

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A prominent youth leader in Cross River North Senatorial District Aruku Richard Monkom had made 474.9km long trek from Obudu to Abuja in honour of Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe

The young man who arrived Abuja on Saturday morning had flagged off his marathon walk at Federal Goverent College Obudu on March 19.
He arrived Abuja at about 11.45 am on Saturday to a warm welcomed by Distinguished Jarigbe and other supporters.

He said, “I trekked day and night and thank God I was able to make it here after, and embarked on the long walk as my only way to appreciate the quality representation our Distinguished Senator has given the Cross River North in the Senate.
“But did vidoe of myself in every popular locations on my way down here starting from the Federal Government College Obudu, down to Makurdi, Akwanga, keffi, mararaba and finally Abuja.”
Richard who is the coordinator of PDP youth movement in Cross River told journalist that he was in Abuja to present award to Senator Jarigbe and to encourage him to continue with his good work for the zone.
According to him, “I have only met Distinguidhed Senator once and this is my first time of coming closer to him and embarking on the long walk was the only way I felt I could honour him for standing with our people.

According to him, the lawmaker has become a model for everyone in the society due to his standout legislative performance which is basically on Human Capital and Infrastructural Development in the zone
Speaking when he received the youth man and other youths in his official home Sen Jarigbe thanked Mr Richard for his amazing show of solidarity . Senator Jarigbe who is the chairman Senate Committee on Gas said the action of Mr Richard will rather spur into more work fir his people .

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Tension persists in Warri, as thugs attack sympathisers of Chief Emami

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Barely two weeks after residents of Okere Community in Warri South local government area of Delta state suffered sporadic gun shots from unidentified military men, tension has again gripped the community again as thugs attacked innocent indigenes who were just returning to the city after the last ugly incidents.
Findings revealed that those targeted in the attacks were loyalists of the prominent Warri businessman and philanthropist, Chief Ayiri Emami.
Chief Emami had recently while offering prayer at the community shrine sought divine intervention on the stool of Warri, a supplication which courted the anger of the incumbent Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III.
The victims of Thursday attacks included David Iwere and Philip Awani, among others. They had earlier been granted bail from Police custody among other innocent victims of March 2 attack before they were physically assaulted again.

Narrating his experience in a chat with newsmen, Mr. David Iwere, claimed that the reason for the persistent assaults on him and others was their support for Chief Ayiri Emami, over his insistence on the edict as regards succession to the throne of Olu of Warri and the preservation of Itsekiri custom and tradition, “which the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, is bent on desecrating with oily substance as displayed in Okere Community Ogwa ( town hall) on Saturday March 2 this year and similar exercise earlier at Ogbowuru hall in Ode – Itsekiri and Ugborodo.”
“We will not succumb to the continued attacks, the Inspector – General of Police, should take note of the lawless and destruction being carried out by thugs acting on the behest of the Olu of Warri.”
Further checks revealed that the police in Delta State have reportedly invited those fingered as threats to the peace of the Okere community.

In the letter signed by Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP Abubakar, Warri Area Command headquarters of the Nigerian Police Force, Warri, Delta state aides of Olu of Warri was allegedly listed among those constituting threats to peace.

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