IPOB calls for ‘Biafrexit’ vote, urges Britain support

ITRealms:

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has called for the ‘BIAFRAEXIT VOTE’ from Nigeria and invited the British government to support this call in line with the recent Brexit, asserting that the time has come for BIAFREXIT and Britain must support it, reports ITRealms.

In a press statement, endorsed by both spokespersons of IPOB, Barrister Emma Nmezu and Dr. Clifford Chukwuemeka Iroanya, and made available to ITRealms, the group urged the British Government which is allegedly the closest ally of the Nigerian Government must, as a mark of exemplary leadership, guide President Muhammadu Buhari and his colleagues to organize a BIAFREXIT akin to the recently organized BREXIT.

While commending the government and people of Britain for organizing the BREXIT vote and applauding the British Government for respecting the wishes of her citizens, IPOB, however, said it smacks of hypocrisy that the same David Cameron that initiated the BREXIT vote has been propping up the Buhari‘s government in their murderous acts of suppressing the quest by Biafrans to exit from Nigeria.

“This leaves Biafrans to ask if David Cameron’s hypocrisy is because Biafrans are blacks and if black Africans are inferior to white British people,” IPOB asked.

The group went on to ask why David Cameron thinks that what is good for the white British people is not good for the black people of Africa, especially Biafrans, stressing that Mr. David Cameron, in organizing BREXIT is taking advantage of the rights of people to make their choice.

“But in denying Biafrans the right to choose their own nation, David Cameron is telling Biafrans that they are inferior because of the colour of their skin. David Cameron is directly telling Biafrans that because they come from an inferior race, they do not deserve to exist as a nation of their own choice,” IPOB alleged.

According to the spoke-persons, there are indications that Scotland will restart their agitation for separation from Britain and both David Cameron and his would-be successor will not stop them nor will they roll out tanks and other lethal weapons to mow down the Scots like the British-supported Nigeria has been doing to Biafrans.

“We have to re-emphasize here that self-determination is a right that must be exercised by all free people. Even Donald Trump, the presidential candidate of the Republican Party in the USA tweeted on the 24th of June, 2016 that 'Self-determination is the sacred right of all free peoples,'” the duo spokespersons said.

By blocking the self-determination efforts of Biafrans through overt and covert supports to the killer leadership in Nigeria, IPOB said, David Cameron is telling the world that Biafrans are still in slavery despite the abolition of slavery in 1833.

IPOB have also observed with keen interest the consistent British Government’s official policy of not supporting any Christian nation that needs support for independence or that is going through any form of internal or external aggression.

“On the other hand, the British Government has always supported a Muslim nation against a Christian nation in any conflict just as they supported the Muslim-dominated Nigeria to carry out genocide against a Christian Biafran nation between 1967 and 1970. While IPOB is not against the religious inclinations of any nation, we do note with concern the British Government’s penchant for supporting Muslim nation against a Christian nation,” IPOB said.

Also, IPOB noted that the faulty argument by David Cameron and the British Government that they do not want to alter the pre-independence territorial integrity of Nigeria; pointing out that the same territorial integrity of Nigeria was tampered with by the ceding of Bakassi to Cameroun.

IPOB further recalled that in 1982 Britain went to war with Argentina over the Falkland Islands but this same Britain never supported Nigeria to prevent the ceding of Bakassi to Cameroun and this distortion of the pre-independence territorial integrity of Nigeria is the same excuse used by Britain to continue to keep Biafra under Nigeria.

The group emphasized that from the success of BREXIT, IPOB calls upon the incoming Prime Minister to work with Buhari to speedily organize BIAFREXIT, besides warning the incoming Prime Minister on the failure to probe the criminality of Buhari against the Biafrans which if not carried out, will make Britain culpable in the re-enacted 21st century Biafran genocide.

“It is unfair and hypocritical that the British Government will allow free expression of the wishes of her citizens while on the other hand supporting Buhari in his brutal mass-murder of Biafrans who are exercising their God-given freedom to determine their nationality. We believe that the days of slavery are gone and the black race should not be treated as an inferior and expendable race,” IPOB said, insisting “The time has come for BIAFREXIT and Britain must support it.”

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ALAC accredits 200th organization as At-Large Structures

ITRealms:

The At-Large Advisory Committee (ALAC) has accredited the 200^th organization as an At-Large Structure (ALS), reports ITRealms.

Director at the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) Policy unit for At-Large Community, Ms Heidi Ullrich, said history was made with this record on Thursday, June 23, 2016.

“On 23 June 2016, we celebrate an exciting milestone in history of At-Large Community,”  she said.

According to Ullrich from the Arctic to the Cook Islands, ALSes form the basis of the At-Large community, which represents the best interests of Internet users in ICANN’s multistakeholder model. 

“Across the world’s five geographic regions, 92 countries and territories now have ALSes, with 42 ALSes in Africa, 44 in Asia Pacific, 37 in Europe, 50 in Latin America and the Caribbean Islands, and 27 in North America,” she said.

ITRealms reports that since September 2003 when the first ALS, the Internet Society Italy Chapter, was accredited, the At-Large Community has seen a steady increase of ALSes.

“In the past five years, the At-Large Community has gained approximately 14 ALSes each year,” she disclosed emphasizing that an ALS is a wholly independent organization from ICANN, whether it is an Internet-related consumer rights groups or an academic organization, ALSes share the passion in furthering the development of Information and Communication Technologies and contributing to policy activities that influence the technical coordination of the Domain Name Systems.

“In fact, about 33% ALSes are Internet Society Chapters,” she declared.

Further, she pointed out that the ALS accreditation process recognizes that these groups meet ICANN’s criteria for involving individual Internet users at the local or issue level, as well as for promoting individuals’ understanding of and participation in ICANN.

“Within ICANN, they actively contribute to policy advice development activities and play a key role in ICANN’s regional outreach strategies and civil society engagement. They work to ensure that the Internet continues to serve the global public interest,” the director said.

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Telecom regulations: NCC needs Reps’ cooperation - Danbatta

ITRealms:

For effective telecommunications regulations in the industry, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), needs the cooperation of the members of the House of Representatives, says, the Executive Vice Chairman, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, reports ITRealms.

Speaking during an oversight visit of the members of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Communications, yesterday in Abuja, Danbatta stressed the need for striking a balance in satisfying diverse stakeholders in the industry the Commission regulates.

“We will still use this opportunity to seek you cooperation and understanding of delicate balance existing between the functions of regulators, and its many publics and stakeholders, including the legislature.

“These stakeholders have diverse but very important interest, which the regulator must satisfy. In the course of achieving an effective regulation for the benefit of all and in creating an enabling environment for growth, issues and challenges are bound to arise,” he explained.

As said by the Special Assistant on Media to the EVC, Yakubu Musa, the NCC boss also told members of the Committee that the Commission had recently won a European Award for Best Practices, in addition to emerging African Regulator of the Year at regional level.

Responding, Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Shaheed Fijabi, who said they were at the headquarters of the NCC to exercise their oversight duty, also commended the strides of Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) in the country.

Earlier, the Director Public Affairs of the commission, Mr. Tony Ojobo, said that Commission has always enjoyed fruitful relationship with the committee, commended members for “the very matured way” they have handled it affairs.

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ICT4D: NPF will not be left behind

ITRealms:

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has expressed determination not to be left behind in the scheme of things as far as Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D) is concerned, reports ITRealms.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) of Police, represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) and DC in charge of CIID Zone 2, Onikan, Lagos, Mr. Isaac Akinmoyede, gave this assurance at the commencement of Computer Acquisition Programme (CAP) by the NPF Microfinance in conjunction with the Intel West Africa and Airtel Nigeria on Wednesday.

He also listed some advantages of acquiring Personal Computers (PC) by men and women of the Police force, stressing that “if you want an album, the PC could be used to create one; typing of documents and online transactions, depending on your needs.”

He also said that even as a senior officer, bulk of his documents are typed by himself, even as such documents could be transferred from mobile device like phones to PC.

He advised them to first think of the benefits the PC and what the acquisition programme could offer them rather than looking at the cost.

“You can also do online transaction, so the benefit of ICT cannot be over emphasis,” he said.

 

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DSO: Lai Mohammed in Beijing, says African nations united on digital broadcasting

ITRealms:

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said that African nations have agreed to work together in their quest to successfully transit from Analogue to Digital broadcasting, reports ITRealms.

Speaking at the 6th African Digital TV Development Seminar in Beijing, China, on Thursday, the Minister said the decision to engage in shared experiences and synergy on a continental level was reached by the African Ministers in charge of Information and Communication, who attended the 3rd Forum on China-Africa Media Cooperation also in Beijing, which preceded the Seminar.

 

‘’It is indeed worrisome that so far, only two African nations have successfully transited to Digital broadcasting. Others are in various stages of transition. It is therefore imperative that we all work together to achieve our set goal.

‘’In this regard, let me formally announce that the African Ministers in charge of Information and Communication who are attending this Seminar have agreed on the need for all African nations to jointly face the transition challenge, with a view to enhancing their success in meeting the deadline. 

‘’I am happy to inform this audience that the Ministers held an exploratory meeting here in Beijing on Tuesday - on the sidelines of the 3rd Forum on China-Africa Media Cooperation - in furtherance of this agreement,’’ he said.

Alhaji Mohammed expressed gratitude to his fellow African Ministers for their ‘’Pan African solidarity’’, saying he had no doubt that working together on this digitalization process ‘’will not only improve our chances of achieving a successful transition, but will also open a new vista of cooperation in other areas, for the benefit of all our peoples’’.

He commended the organizers of the Seminar for continuing their tradition of providing a forum for advancing the cause of digital television development in Africa. 

The Minister said in spite of the challenges faced by Nigeria in its efforts to transit from Analogue to Digital broadcasting, the country is confident of meeting the June 2017 deadline to switch off Analogue broadcasting, especially as it has successfully launched the pilot phase.

‘’We are confident because we, as a government, have the political will to drive the transition process. Also, all the stakeholders have demonstrated uncommon passion, patriotism and dedication to the cause of digitalization,’’ he said.

 

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Commentary: Possible exit of Britain from European Union and Lessons for Nigeria

Commentary@ITRealms:

Over many years, the Scottish people were unhappy to belong to the United Kingdom (UK) and there were agitations to break up the union so that the Scots could go their own way as a separate and independent Nation. 

A couple of Parties emerged calling for what I may call Scottexit from the UK. There were heated and rancorous debates all over the UK which tended to divide the Nation. To determine if this was truly the desire of the majority of the Scottish people or just the opinion of some of the Politicians or a minority vocal protesters, a referendum was conducted last year in Scotland.

The Majority of the Scots voted against leaving the UK, preferring the semi-autonomous status that gave them opportunity to have greater say in how they were governed. The agitation ended, at least, for now.

No bullets were fired and The UK avoided reliving the experience of the violence that engulfed the Nation for several years as Irish People of Northern Island sought self-determination and self-rule. The Scots are at peace right now still part of the UK and they live at peace with their independent neighbor, Northern Island.

Similarly, in the last couple of years, there has been a growing dissent among many British People regarding Britain’s stay in the European Union (EU). This has led to stiff political debates that divided the Nation. To stop the debate degenerating into violence, the civilized political leadership of The UK decided to hold a referendum to decide, if it is really true that the majority of the British people want to exit the EU. In the last couple of months, the debate has become intensive with Prime Minister David Cameron leading the campaign to Stay while the former London Mayor Boris Johnson is leading those who want to exit. 

Last week, MP Jo Cox was murdered on the streets of Northern England as she campaigned for Britain to stay in the EU. And on June 23 this year, a few days hence, the people of the United Kingdom will March out to the pools to freely express their desire. Who knows what the majority may desire. But what a civilized way to end disputes relating to self -determination and sovereignty.

Are there lessons for Nigeria from these two examples related above? Between 1967-1970, Nigeria fought a bitter civil war in an effort to prevent the people of Biafra from leaving Nigeria. At that time the slogan was: “To keep Nigeria one was a task that must be done.” 

Well, we succeeded or did we? After the loss of nearly three million people, not to talk of morbidities (we still have an army of disabled ex-Biafra soldiers left to die by installment) loss of material resources of unquantifiable value and at least a three-year delay in the development trajectory of Nigeria, it is surprising that we are where we are today.

Main crude oil pipelines blown up by NDA & militant fighters explode into huge fireballs and disrupt supply to export terminals on the coast

All over Nigeria, there are agitations for self-determination while some are asking for sovereignty. Currently the most prominent are the agitations for Biafra by MASSOB & the IPOD, with their horde of supporters. There is the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) with their variants asking for the Republic of Niger Delta and whatever is left after all the oil wells and pipelines have been bombed or ruined. 

There is another group which seems to be an amalgamation of the two tendencies called the Lower Nigeria Congress (LNC) whose geographical territory extends to the Middle-belt of Nigeria. This group is speaking essentially about self-determination which does not necessarily mean secession. In the South West and middle belt, there are dormant volcanoes which can become active anytime. I do not quite know if the technical defeat of Boko Haram is the end of that chapter.

All over Nigeria, there have been increasing and strident calls for restructuring Nigeria. NADECO which included Balarabe Musa (Northwest), Tony Enahoro (Southsouth), Wole Soyinka (Southwest), Bola Ahmed Tinubu (Southwest), Ndubuisi Kanu (South East) and a host of others started this campaign in the early 90’s, especially after the June 12 debacle. 

They asked for a National Sovereign Conference to restructure the Country.  This cry remained which compelled Olusegun Obasanjo to set up the National Political reform conference in 2005 that made far reaching suggestions on how to restructure the Country to create stability. Not much came out of this effort as the report was jettisoned at the National Assembly along with the third term agenda. Despite palliative efforts by Obasanjo, Yar’adua and Jonathan to calm agitations, through all kinds of “bribery” and hand twisting including the amnesty program, the call remained disconcerting forcing Jonathan to call for another National Conference in 2014. 

This conference is said to have come up with suggestions on critical things that need to be done to bring peace and stability to our beleaguered nation.

So far, it looks to me that this government thinks there is no form of justification for any of the agitations and protests. In fact, they seem to treat every agitation, armed or unarmed, peaceful or violent as criminal activity, which must be crushed with brutal force. I see that the mentality of 1967 still persists: To keep Nigeria one at all costs, so nobody would be allowed to say or do anything that that seems to threaten the current lopsided, unstable Nigerian political structure. 

If you ask me, my preference is to restructure this nation and restore stability. My preference is for the leadership of our Country to invest serious effort in making our country united with happy and contented citizens in every part of Nigeria. Of course if this becomes impossible, I will naturally consider other options.

Movement for New Nigeria (MNN) agreed to above map to be future federations for a devolved Nigeria.

But it will be foolhardy to assume that is everybody’s preference. That’s why Prime Minister David Cameron is not assuming that his preference of Keeping UK in the EU is everybody’s preference. And since some British people have agitated for a Britexit, he decided to call for a referendum. My wish is that Britain remains in the EU. And eventually that might be what the majority of British people want and if that happens, that will quieten the current rancorous agitation and if the people prefer to leave, that will be it.

Everybody will have had their say but the majority would have their way and life continues. That is called self-determination. So, to keep Britain in the EU is desirable but not a task that must be done by all means. If the British got us into one Nigeria, we need to learn a few things on how to resolve major national issues. The way of referendum seems to be the preferred option even to agree to adopt or reject the report or recommendations of the last National conference.

That to me will be cheaper than arming the Nigerian army to kill Nigerians as we see all over Nigeria today in the bid to quell protests and agitations. And it may resolve matters faster and we may surprise ourselves to realize that there is more that unites us than divides us.

May God help our leaders.

Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, OFR

 

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UNICEF responds to IDPs in Bama, Borno State, says 15,000 children involved

ITRealms:

Over 25,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Bama, Borno State, including 15,000 children are now accessing humanitarian assistance from the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), reports ITRealms.

The assistance, which commenced since March 2016, according to Chief of Communication at UNICEF Nigeria, Doune Porter, saw to the partnership on ground, which has been working in Bama since then, primarily in the IDP camp in the town that houses approximately 25,000 people who have been displaced by the conflict, among which are 15,000 children.

UNICEF, Porter also said, have provided health and nutrition support for approximately 19,000 people and since May, the UN arm and the Borno State Primary Health Care Development Agency have had a permanent primary health care presence in Bama. 

“We are seeing an average of 140 outpatients a day; providing treatment primarily for malaria, respiratory infections and diarrhoea; screening for malnutrition and treating severely malnourished children, as well as providing Vitamin A, micronutrient supplements and deworming tablets,” she said. 

Based on the most recent data available, she said the team on the ground has discovered that they do not have regular means of communication, show that during the period 3 April – 31 May 2016, 323 children were admitted for treatment for Severe Acute Malnutrition – an average of 6 new cases per day.

Additionally, we have repaired and upgraded five boreholes in Bama, providing 10-12 litres of water per day per person in the IDP camp. In the following days, construction work is due to begin on 150 latrines. We have also identified three thousand children who have become separated from their families and have started to register children with the aim of trying to trace their families.

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