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PMB: Peace Must Return To Plateau, As Stakeholders Interrogate The FG Over Nation’s Maladies

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President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday urged all parties in the intractable conflict that engulfed Plateau state recently to sheathe their swords and let peace reign in the interest of all.
 
President Buhari made the call in Jos, Plateau state at a dialogue forum organized by the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) in conjunction with the Federal government and the country’s governors to discuss how to resolve the Jos crises and show concern over the unfortunate events that occurred in parts of the Plateau recently..
 
Stakeholders at the gathering also interfaced on peace on the Plateau and how to forge ahead by deepening peace building process taking cognizance of what has been happening in the past. push({});
 
Às contained in a release by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to governor Tambuwal, Muhammad Bello, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr  Boss Gida Mustapha, the President while conveying his heartfelt condolence to the state government, the victims and their families, pledges to mobilize all resources to bring the perpetrators to book.
 
According to him, the current security situation in the entire country  calls for constant dialogue and the strategy for overcoming such problems should be all inclusive. 
 
He admonished NIREC, community leaders and religious leaders to sustain their current intervention as government alone cannot succeed in the fight against crimes and criminalities without the cooperation of the people. 
 
Stating that the “task of this meeting is to build upon what has been raised in order to halt the circle of violence,” in the state and beyond, President Buhari said the federal government will continue to collaborate at all levels to ensure that peace returns to the Plateau and other parts of the country, further assuring that: “peace must return to the Plateau. That is our prayer.”
 
The co-Chairman of NIREC, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar who narrated that he was at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies in Kuru, Jos when he became a monarch, expressed gratitude to the Federal government and the incumbent Governor of Plateau for keeping the peace. 
 
He affirmed his belief that the Governor should be encouraged to do more, indicating that the meeting was not a jamboree but a concerted effort to make the state remain as part of the nation.
 
“Plateau people should know they’re part of Nigeria. The whole country is here to talk to ourselves about how this came about. While the two religions enjoin brotherly love, why have politicians divided the people? Is killing people a religious revelation by God?, the Sultan asked, posing that: “If the evil being perpetrated isn’t nipped in the bud it will further escalate.”
 
The monarch, who is also the Chairman of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), also encouraged Gov. Lalong to continue with the good work he is doing, stressing that “unless government wakes up, these crises won’t end.”
 
“It hurts when we hear things being said on the pulpits-either as Christians or Muslims; and we allow it. We’re in a very bad situation but we have hope. Only Nigerians can stabilize the country not anyone from abroad, the Sultan emphasized, further stressing that the earlier the government address the many problematic issues bedeviling the country, including the resolution of the industrial action by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) and other negative things, the better for all.
 
He urged politicians to close ranks and put politics in the background until electioneering campaign begins; and tasked Nigerians to have patience. “We cannot continue killing one another in the name of religion or ethnicity,” he submitted.
 
Corroborating the Sultan, himself also a co-Chairman of NIREC, Olasupo Ayokunle, said those involved in the killings on the Plateau are Muslims and Christians, to whom he appealed that they should allow dialogue to prevail, failing which the government should come in.
 
“Nobody has the monopoly of violence. If you get advantage today don’t assume same it will be the situation tomorrow. God is love because he gives man free will and the opportunity to live. To know God, you must love your neighbor,” he said, asking Nigerians and the law enforcement agents to ensure that peace reigns. 
 
He also said for peace to become a reality justice should not be delayed and efforts should be made by the federal government to ensure that modern technology is deployed in fighting against the unfolding criminality, which is itself sophisticated in nature.
 
“Government should react to the plight of victims of conflicts. The people of Plateau who have witnessed the mayhems for so long should speak out with love about the causes- remote and immediate,” he advised, observing that Nigeria can’t develop with shameful and embarrassing conflicts ravaging it.
 
The Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) Chairman, Kayode Fayemi who led his counterparts from Sokoto and Niger states to the meeting said they were in Jos to physically demonstrate concern of the governors to the government and people of the state.
 
“We’re experiencing challenging times. But we can draw lessons from the adversities. Plateau has learnt a lot. 
 
“The work of the state PEACE COMMISSION has been remarkable. The government of Plateau should not  be distracted from the pursuit of peace and good governance,” he said.
 
He said the Forum have irrefutable values intended to strengthen the unity of the country. “Whatever stands in the way should be addressed. As residents you know that Jos is a globe that binds as many Nigerians have lived here for over a century,” he explained.
 
Applauding Gov. Lalong for doing his best to keep the peace and bond between Nigerians, he said his colleagues, the governors, will not fail in associating  fully with community and religious leaders who have shown commitment in difficult times.
 
In his remarks, Gov. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto state, noted that all the Nigerian governors are worried about the latest ugly trend of violence in the Plateau.
 
He recalled that in March 2017 his entire cabinet, 
along with the Sultan and other prominent citizens of the state, came to Plateau for a  retreat. “This was to demonstrate to the world that peace has returned to the Plateau back then. It was to prove to the world that Sokoto people, like other Nigerians, were at home in Plateau. 
 
“We must continue to live together as brothers and sisters. None of the two major religions encourages killing. Why are we pretending to be killing in the name of religion or ethnicity?,” he indicated.
 
“Why can’t we follow the trajectory of what gives us peace? Nobody will  come to Nigeria to invest when there’s no peace. It is in our collective interests to live in peace. Security agents can’t help if we are not working together, he said while appealing to Nigerians to embrace the real teachings of our religions.
 
Pointing out that the monumental loses occasioned by conflicts over the years have shown that violence is counter-productive, Gov. Tambuwal, who is also the Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party- Governors’ Forum (PDP-GF) admonished religious leaders to step up their efforts in this regard.
 
Gov. Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger state, 
who recalled with nostalgia his fond memories of Jos, which we use to know was a peaceful place, “with warm and friendly people…like London,” have suddenly changed over the years.
 
“It is saddening that all that have changed. There is no need for religious animosity because we are all who we are in terms of religion by accident of birth. What should matter now is that characters must blend for people to live together. Plateau is an economically viable state with a large tourism potentials.
 
Gov. Bello, who is also the Chairman of the North Central Governors Forum, observed that if not for the orgies of violence being expressed across the country, “by now we should be way ahead of where we are at the moment. We should continue to talk about peace and avoid conflicts.

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Abdulrahman Obaje
Abdulrahman Obaje
Prince Abdulrahman Obaje is a Media and ICT Consultant, Journalist, online marketer, social media strategist, Mathematician and Computer Scientist based in Abuja, Nigeria. He is the Founder and the Publisher of The Informavores!. You can reach me on +234 805 939 5252 or send i-witness report directly to me on news@informavores.com.ng.
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Organ Trafficking: Ekweremadu, Wife, Doctor Sentenced To Various Prison Terms

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1 month ago

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May 6, 2023

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The duo of Ekweremadu, former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, his wife Beatrice, and Doctor Obinna Obeta has been senenced to various jail terms for bringing a 21-year-old Lagos street trader to London to exploit him for his kidney.

A judge at The Central Criminal Court, [ Old Bailey], announced the sentence friday.

At a sentencing hearing on Friday, Ekweremadu was jailed for nine years and eight months, his wife Beatrice was sentenced to four years and six months imprisonment while Obeta received a 10-year prison term.

The sentencing follows their conviction in March for organ trafficking, The Ekweremadus’sick daughter, Sonia was cleared of any wrongdoing.

1rem;">The three were found guilty after arranging or facilitating a young Nigerian man’s travel into the United Kingdom in a bid to obtain his kidney on behalf of Sonia.
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The jury said Ekweremadu, his wife and their doctor criminally conspired to bring the 21-year-old Lagos street trader to London to exploit him for his kidney.

The conviction is the first under the UK’s Modern Slavery Act 2015.

The sentencing comes after pleas from multiple prominent personalities and institutions, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

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Other petitioners included both chambers of the National Assembly, the Chairman/CEO, Nigeria in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Erewa Dabiri, and the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC).

The charges were preferred on the Ekweremadus on June 23, 2022, when their arrest was announced. Obeta was later arraigned on July 13, 2022. While his wife was granted bail, the senator was refused.

After months of a pre-trial, the trial commenced on January 31, 2023 and lasted about six weeks, culminating in a guilty verdict against Ekweremadu, Beatrice, and Obeta.

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Reps Seek UK Government Clemency for Ekweremadu

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1 month ago

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May 3, 2023

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The House of Representatives  has write to the government of the United Kingdom seeking mercy in sentencing the embattled Ike Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice.

This is contained in a resolution reached following a motion moved by Toby Okechukwu, a lawmaker from Enugu State.

A UK court found the duo guilty of conspiracy of organ harvesting of another Nigerian. The Ekweremadu couple will be sentenced in the coming days.

Moving the motion, Okechukwu said diplomatic intervention in this kind of case is normal.

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“It is a common practice in international relations for nations, including the UK, to seek relief for their citizens involved in situations such as that of the Ekweremadus,” he said.

Speaking on the motion, Femi Gbajabiamila, the Speaker of the House, said intervention by the House is not a justification for the charges against the Ekweremadus. He urged the UK government to consider Ekweremadu’s years of public service.

Consequently, the House resolved to urge the UK government and the court to temper justice with mercy in sentencing Ekweremadu, his wife and the doctor.

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Also, they urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to take all diplomatic steps and other necessary interventions regarding the travails of the Ekweremadu family.

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Abdulrahman Obaje
Abdulrahman Obaje
Prince Abdulrahman Obaje is a Media and ICT Consultant, Journalist, online marketer, social media strategist, Mathematician and Computer Scientist based in Abuja, Nigeria. He is the Founder and the Publisher of The Informavores!. You can reach me on +234 805 939 5252 or send i-witness report directly to me on news@informavores.com.ng.
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HYPPDEC Donates Food Stuff, Clothing to Locals in Kogi to Tackle Cashless Policy Effect

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3 months ago

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March 8, 2023

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By Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

The Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPDEC), on Tuesday, donated 400 bags of rice, 250 gallons of vegetable oil and some packaged women rappers to ten Local Government Areas in Kogi State under the agency to cushion the effect associated with the new cashless policy.

Making the presentation to Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State at the Lugard House, Lokoja on Tuesday, a Board Member of HYPPDEC, Alhaji Isah Ozi Salami, said that the gesture is part of the agency’s intervention in times of natural disaster or any hardship situation on citizens.

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Salami expressed the commitment of HYPPDEC in tackling the prevailing economic hardship on Nigerians as a result of the Cashless Policy.

“We owe it as a duty to take adquate care of the people in the 10 Local Government Areas belonging to HYPPDEC communities in Kogi

“Our concern under the present economic hardship is to alleviate the sufferings of the people within HYPPDEC communities in Kogi” Ozi Salami told Governor Bello.

He commended Governor Yahaya Bello for the provision of logistic supports that have facilitated smooth operation of the agency in Kogi.

He also told the Governor that HYPPDEC will soon begin the construction of 50 housing units in Kogi for resettlement of last year’s flood victims in riverine communities.

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“I appreciate Governor Bello’s magnanimity in providing land for the housing project. The Governor is expected to perform the foundation laying ceremony of the project” Ozi Salami disclosed.

The Chief of Staff to Governor Bello, Jamiu Asuku who received the food stuff on behalf of his boss, hinted that Kogi will key into HYPPDEC’s intervention initiative in the areas of provision of food and security of lives and property for citizens.

Governor Yahaya Bello appealed to HYPPDEC to focus more on Ibaji Local Government Area in its intervention programme as a result of the bad terrain of the area.

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