Gunmen invade ABS Onitsha, burn vehicles, buildings – ITREALMS

ITREALMS ... making leadership SENSE with digital news!

Suspected gunmen in the early hours of Monday, May 20, 2022 invaded the premises of the Anambra State Broadcasting Service (ABS) at Awada-Onitsha, reports ITREALMS

The invaders were believed to be part of those rampaging in the state and terrorizing some parts of Anambra in recent times.

Horrific! 60 toll-gates to Onitsha - ITREALMS

Features@ITREALMS:

Preamble:
It has become a reoccurring decimal to hear people especially easterners complaining about how tough it has become to travel during festive periods, especially the yuletide, which includes Christmas and New Year.

For the records, yuletide often occurs between December 22 and January 2 of the next year. This has been described by industry observers as the period that records most heavy traffic for the travelling public, despite the mode of transportation.

Import duties on your rice:

Last year it was reportedly gang-up to demand for ‘import’ duties of foreign rice bags being transported to the eastern part of the country both in commercial transport and private vehicles. This year, this may sound less attractive because of the closure of borders at Contonou and widely opened in Katsina border towns like Daura and lately as bags of rice were being transported with security operational vehicles on brazen convey, which was evident in a recent trending video, with of course the security personnel caught in camera shooting sporadically into the air to disperse onlookers as they drove by, thus leaving more questions than answers on whose interest is border closure.

Onyima’s travelogue:

However, the travelogue by a former Commissioner for Information in Anambra State, Chief Tony Onyima, detailing his first-hand experience along the Lagos-Onitsha route, leaves one with perplexity behind the over 60 security checking points which some travelers on that route have since tagged ‘collection points.’

For Chief Onyima, the 60 security tollgates as he named were routinely shared among the Nigerian Police, Customs, Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC) and Army; at some spots supported by local vigilantes, who invariably stood in the gap in case of any monitoring team.

60 tollgates to Onitsha:

His travelogue penultimate November 27, 2019, from Lagos enroute Onitsha in the South-Eastern part of the country, encountered 60 tollgates. According to him, Lagos to Ore - 24 (Police 17; Customs 2, Army 2; combined operations-3) Ore to Benin-20 (Police 12, Army 3, Customs 1; combined operations 5; Benin Bye-Pass to Onitsha: 14 ( Police 9, Army 2, Customs 2; combined 1). FRSC was advertently missed in the equation, invariably because they were too focused on controlling traffic than any other activities.

Equally, he noted that the soldiers cause the least offence apart from elongating the traffic snarl. The policemen particularly enjoy it when they seize the car documents and the victims would be following them up and down the road, pleading.

What offences please?

Many of them could not tell because what Policemen at Point A would ask is quite different from what the Policemen 200 meters down the road would ask. Onyima did not share any thought on the amount on exchange for travelers freedom of movement per security agencies; either he did not partake in the settling of the men in black or simply did not want to reckon with that aspect of his travelogue, thereby missed out in capturing the amount extorted from the different drivers.

For another enthused eastern traveler, Ichie Ik Muo, who made his trip precisely on August 8, 2019, informed “we encountered more than 50 checkpoints between Ijebu-Ode and Benin.”

He decried that this will no doubt send wrong signals to some of the Easterners who desire homeward-bound for this Christmas and New Year season, wondering what exactly may have been the sins of the Easterners to be subjected to all manner of humiliation in the name of security checking points, moreso every Yuletide season.

Widespread corruption on our roads:

Human Rights Watch (HRW) had in its 2010 study suggested that everyone is involved in corrupt practices amongst the security agencies, alluding that the widespread of corruption in the Nigeria fuel abuses against ordinary citizens and severely undermined the rule of law, which is an indication that complexity was due to lack of budgetary transparency in the police, whose primary role is to protect the citizens, coupled with inability to investigate and bring to justice security officers at all levels implicated in corrupt practices, mostly on Nigerian roads.

For instance, the 102-page report entitled "‘Everyone's in on the Game': Corruption and Human Rights Abuses by the Nigeria Police Force," recorded myriad forms of police corruption in Nigeria, which further showed how institutionalized extortion, a profound lack of political will to reform the force, alongside other security agencies and impunity combined which have made corruption an entrenched problem.

There have been excuses that they are on the road to checkmate the attacks and kidnaps by suspected herdsmen, which is partly excusable, but the way and manner exhibited by the security agencies showed they are on the road for different purpose entirely, after all ‘body no be firewood’ some may say.

Just as the Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, Senator Uche Ekwunife had lamented incessant establishment of security checkpoints on Nigerian roads, particularly the roads in the Southeast, which she said is frustrating commuters.

Recounting her personal ordeal, Ekwunife said the number of checkspoints within Awka-Enugu, Awka-Onitsha and Onitsha-Owerri Expressways are numerous and pointless, stressing "The frustrating thing is that these checkpoints have not abated the rising security challenges in the southeast or the localities where these checkpoints are established".

She called on the Senate to urge the heads of the various security agencies to withdraw some of these checkpoints in order to ease the mobility of commuters on the highway.

1.6m vehicles on Lagos roads:

The Lagos State government recently proclaimed that 1.6 million vehicles ply Lagos roads daily. If going by the estimated 60 tollgates along Lagos to Onitsha, and an average collection point takes N100 per approximated 100,000 vehicles per day would give about N10,000,000 per day for illegal tollgates. Observers noted that in some instances, some motorists pay higher than N100 when caught with oblivious traffic offences.

When N10,000,000 is multiplied for some 20 days; which accumulated from 15 days (December 16) to end of year (December 31) when anticipated traffic will double and some five days into the new year, that is till (January 5) when most traffic back to Lagos are expected to take place. This will leave us with some N200,000,000. No heart attack intended, but this is what is lost to corruption and illegal tollgates based on estimation.

Dehumanising Easterners:

As the countdown commenced for most easterners with the Christmas and New Year dates drawing closer, its important that all well-meaning Igbo and south east organisations should cry out from their enclaves on this annual ritual of injustice and dehumanization of easterners at this Yuletide seasons, especially the Ohaneze Ndigbo led Dr. Nnia Nwodo alongside the conglomeration of states town unions to condemn this undue extortion and exploitation of potential Christmas travelers.

Beckons on IG Police:

Except the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, takes a keenly step by declaring ‘no checking point’ aka ‘collection point’ in preferences to stop and search routine alongside other options, the tollgates may actually increase. This could mean many families and travelers being stranded on the roads.

Equally, the governors of the South-East and South-South could send a delegation to the Presidency to get this anomaly of security tamed if not changeable despite the change we expect since 2015.

Sanity demands:

Therefore, it is very worrisome that a journey ordinarily of 451 kilometres, that is, from Oshodi Underbridge in Lagos State to Onitsha BridgeHead in Anambra State, should take some 14 hours instead of 7 hours 16 minutes. We must work on the political will to address this issue permanently, whatever may be the political interest, the peoples’ interest should matter most and should come first.

The time to start the sanity most needed on Lagos-Onitsha road is now. Happy Christmas and New Year in advance.

*Remmy Nweke/DoP

*JOIN our alert's group | Share stories with us | Advert placement: WhatsApp | SMS: +2348033592762 *Twitter: @ITREALMS *Email: itrealms.dsa@gmail.com*

Agbalanze Onitsha Cultural Association: Origin & Developments - ITREALMS

BookReview@ITREALMS: 

Agbalanze! Ogbuevi Ogbuevi nu o!

Onye na nk’ie, Onye na nk’ie o!

Nke onye chi, nya ze kw’oo!


[PROTOCOLS]

Title: Agbalanze Onitsha Cultural Association: Origin and

Developments

Published: 2019

Publishers: Agbalanze Onitsha Cultural Association

Consultant/Author: Chinyelugo Osita Anionwu

Research Assistant: Ugokwe Tobechukwu Etukokwu

Editors: Zelugo Joe Bel-Molokwu & Nnabuenyi Chiedu Ofodile

Contents: 211 pages; 17 chapters



This seminal work is at once many things rolled into one – an educative narrative, a historical record, an academically authoritative output, an essential routine reading material, and a cultural vade mecum for every Onitsha person, and for all who have interest in the essence of Onitsha, this enigmatic city on the eastern bank of the Niger. It is also eloquent testimony to the intellectual potency and cultural depth of Agbalanze Onitsha, a unique component of Onitsha society, and its membership. Agbalanze Onitsha has drawn its membership over time from the crème de la crème of Onitsha. From Zik to Professor Chike Obi. From Justice Louis Mbanefo to Chief Modebe. From Engr. Willie Achukwu to P. N. C. Molokwu, MBE. From Justice Emmanuel Araka to Justice Omenye Nwokedi. From R. M. C. Chukwurah to Ajie Ukpabi Asika. From the lowest to the highest.



Conceived, planned, researched, written, edited, proof read and produced by components of Agbalanze Onitsha, this book is one to be proud of. That it took time in coming is well justified by its presentation to the world today. It answers virtually all questions there are about the mystique of Agbalanze Onitsha as a revered institution, misunderstood by many, viewed with suspicion by some, reviled by others – but respected by ALL.



Prior to this book, there have been numerous works that touched – albeit tangentially - on Agbalanze Onitsha and what is stands for. Indeed, there is hardly any work that has ever been written about Onitsha that does not talk about Agbalanze Onitsha and Ichi Ozo Onitsha. But none has dwelt on the institution as its sole theme; none has been as well researched as this; none has traced the history of Agbalanze Onitsha in as much painstaking depth; and, above all, none has had the imprimatur of Agbalanze Onitsha Cultural Association. This feat is to the credit of the leadership of Nnabuenyi Uchenna Mbanefo, under whose presidency this initiative was actualized. It is also to the credit of Chinyelugo Dr. Osita Anionwu that he was able to put so much time and energy into bringing forth this legacy of a book.



Prior to this, there was the production of a video documentary under the presidency of Nwakibie Dr. Henry Molokwu, a project directed by Akunnia Col. George Molokwu. There have also been individual efforts here and there to unravel the innards of Agbalanze Onitsha, so to say.



The positioning of the book under review today is elevated with the inspiring Foreword by none other than the Obi of Onitsha himself, His Majesty Alfred N. Achebe, mni, cfr, whose voice captured the all-importance of a book of this seriousness and breadth. This is in line with his vision of the emergence of a neo-modern society out of the rich traditional setting of Onitsha. The Agbalanze President, Nnabuenyi Mbanefo, also highlights the critical purpose of this work in his Preface, with the words: “…that the values and integrity of Ozo and Agbalanze in Onitsha will continue to rise to greater levels.”



Agbalanze Onitsha Cultural Association: Origin and Developments is a blend of quite a rich repertoire. It is well written and is complete with referencing, making it as useful for scholarly work, as it is for casual or inquiring reading. It seamlessly migrates from its deep effort to locate the origin of Ozo title taking in Onitsha, to identification of landmarks in Ozo title taking, to detailed description of sequences, paraphernalia, processes, songs and chants, protocols, ceremonies, regalia and the structure of the association.



Works of scholars like anthropologist Dr. Richard Henderson, who did and continues to research into Onitsha and its people since 1961, his wife and fellow researcher Helen, Ojinnaka R. I. Chukwurah, Jerry Orakwue, Dr. Chudi Okwechime, Onuora Nzekwu are among the sources of back-grounding.



This work traces the growth of Agbalanze Onitsha from its roots that date to the 16th Century exodus from the Benin Kingdom (or maybe even earlier) when it had no specific name beyond the description of “ichi Ozo”, through to the beginning of the 20th Century wherein it is captured from research that there were “about 200” members, on to modern times. Indeed, today, Agbalanze, now well structured as a registered trustee association, has between 800 and 900 members in all parts of the world. From the primordial ichi Ozo within small family units, there are today 37 Agbalanze Ozo kindred units, and the number most likely could have exceeded that, but for initiatives to minimize further splintering of Ozo units.



In 211 pages broken into 17 chapters, the book does a jolly good job in marshaling out the significance of Ozo and its spirituality, as it does with its treatment of the meaning of Agbalanze, Ozo titles and names, rites of passage, administration of the association through a seven-man Executive Council, the processes leading to the development of a Constitution, interviews, and the opening of a befitting headquarters. The book is also well illustrated with photographs, which apparently took great effort to assemble. It also has a chapter on suggestions!



One high point of the book is the rich essay on Ugo, the Eagle, the regal bird, around which Ozo title taking revolves. The eagle’s feather is a sine qua non in the entire process and significance of Agbalanze Onitsha. There is a nostalgic reference to the early days when the Ugo (the feather) was daintily stuck into a specially grown tuft of hair on an initiate’s head. This with time gave way to sticking the Ugo in gold or silver wire thread embroidered caps that we know today.



In all, this work has done justice to the concept of Ichi Ozo Onitsha, something that has continued to confound non-members and non-Onitsha indigenes at large.



Is Agbalanze Onitsha a cult? Is it a cabal? Is it a religious sect? Is it a coven (okwu alusi)? Is it an exclusive club for millionaires? Is it a segregated society? Is it a political pressure group? Is it a power bloc?



Or, is Agbalanze Onitsha a sacred institution founded and operating on lofty principles of honour, dignity, pride and incorruptibility? Is it a deep-rooted ancestral institution that promotes high values and moral principles? Is it an organization that dwells on the elevation of moral standards, social ethics and clean living?



Will the “outside” find answers to these posers in this rich book?



My answer is:



Icho ima ife di n’Ozo, bia chi e l’anyi Ozo!







Dr. Joe Bel-Molokwu

Zelugo

November 16, 2019





*JOIN our alert's group | Share stories with us | Advert placement: WhatsApp | SMS: +2348033592762 *Twitter: @ITREALMS *Email: itrealms.dsa@gmail.com*

EFCC docks three varsity students for Internet fraud

ITREALMS:

The Economic and Financial CrimesCommission (EFCC), has docked three university students for Internet fraud in Onitsha, Anambra State, reports ITRealms.

The arraignment, which ITRealms gathered took place on January 16, 2018 involved the trio of Precious Onyemaeme , Peter Avwaruroro and Nzekwe Chibuzo Colins before Justice Ike Agu of the State High Court, Onitsha on a cumulative 13- count charge of conspiracy and stealing to the tune of N841,000 (Eight Hundred and Forty One Naira).

ITRealms also gathered that the offence contravenes Section 342 of Criminal Code Law of Anambra State and punishable under Section 343 (i) of the same law.

The defendants, (one of whom was a staff of Moonwalker Connect Ltd, a franchise outlet of MTN, were final year students of Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State) connived with others at large on April 18, 2017 in Onitsha by using some software originating from some Google sites to send phishing mails with the aim of scamming unsuspecting victims who innocently fill forms purportedly from their banks which they use in activating a transfer code on the scammer’s phone.

According to the petitioner whose names were withheld, reported to MTN about his phone which was tossed and they assured him it was to be rectified. He further alleged that it was later restored only for him to be called consistently by a private number who told him to put off his phone that he was being trailed and that it was during the course of this persistent call that he started receiving debit alert on his phone.

In addition, investigation revealed that Peter Avwaruroro, had used his knowledge of telecommunications to effect a “Welcomed Back Package” of the petitioner (victim) who was at Onitsha even while he was at Ugheli and used same to obtain the necessary information required to carry out the crime, just as the trio pleaded not guilty to the charge.

O.J Anagoba, I. Igbinigie and Azubuike Anazor representing first, second and third defendants respectively prayed the court to admit their clients to bail, which was not opposed by I. I Mbachie, the prosecuting counsel, who rather, urged the court to verify whomsoever would stand surety for the defendants.

The judge, thereafter, granted bail to the defendants in the sum of N1million (One Million Naira) each with one surety in like sum who must also be a relative to the defendants and a resident within the jurisdiction of the court.

He further ordered the defendants to submit three years tax clearance of their tax certificate and both the defendants and their sureties must deposit two recent passports to the court.

The judge directed prosecution team to verify the home address of the defendants and surties before they are allowed to leave the custody of the Commission.

The case has been adjourned to April 26 for hearing.

Uboshe Uboshe/GEE

ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!

IPOB condemns Onitsha killings

ITRealms:

The Supreme Council of Elders of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has condemned the recent killings of some Biafrans who were on peaceful protest for the Independence of Biafra in Onitsha, reports ITRealms.

In a petition to the Federal Government of Nigeria, IPOB in a press statement made available to ITRealms endorsed by the Secretary-General, Brig Gen Joe Achuzia (rtd) and Public Relations Officer, Eze Iheanyi Nwokenna, said protesters were killed and massacred by the agents of the Nigerian Government, the Defendants in the on-going case in Suit No FHC/OW/CS/192/2013 between Biafra and Nigeria in the Federal High Court Owerri.

IPOB quoted an eye-witness who survived the massacre who testified as follows: “As we were walking towards the bridge, giving people our flyers, we heard gunshots and people started falling down. That was when I realised they were shooting at us. Many of us ran for our lives, and when the sound of the gunshots subsided, we went back to help those that sustained serious bullet wounds. Three of our comrades were confirmed dead on the spot and over thirty people sustained serious wounds. This morning I woke up to hear that four more have died in the hospital”. 

IPOB, therefore, strongly condemned the gruesome murder of the unarmed children of Biafra by the Nigerian Government.

“We are surprised that the Defendants could exhibit such barbaric and despicable act of human rights violation against the children of the Claimants. We have noted that the children were misguided by the operators of the pirate Radio Biafra into protesting on the street for secession of Biafra without the approval of the Supreme Council of Elders of Indigenous People of Biafra instead of following the due process of law for self-determination going on in the Federal High Court Owerri,” they group said.

They also asserted strongly, that the Defendants had no right to take the laws into their hands and kill the children of the Claimants even if misguided by the Director of Radio Biafra whom we have ostracised from the Biafra Independence Movement.

“As the Governing Council constituting the Customary Government of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), we now put the Defendants on NOTICE that we hold them responsible for the murder and or the extrajudicial killing of our children and shall in due course commence proceedings in the appropriate Court against the Nigerian Government for redress,” IPOB said.

Recalling that the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) are in Court with Nigeria in a representative capacity by the agency of a human rights organization called Bilie Human Rights Initiative seeking to exercise their rights to self-determination as guaranteed by law. 

As said by IPOB, the law protects them to seek for independence by the rule of law based on both the Nigerian law and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples 2007.They insisted that the legal right to self-determination is different from the call for secession by violence being preached by the operators of Radio Biafra. 

The Leader of Indigenous People of Biafra is His Royal Majesty, His Lordship, the Honourable Justice Eze Ozobu OFR, while the Deputy Leader is Dr Dozie Ikedife OON, JP, both of whom were Past Presidents of Ohaneze Ndigbo.

 
ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!
Pix: Courtesy: Odogwublog.com