Setting records straight over purported first republic Igbo dominance - ITREALMS

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A scripted deception has been circulating all over social media, including WhatsApp groups, suggesting that Igbos, despite being dominant in Tafawa Balewa's government, went ahead to kill him. Nothing can be farther from the truth. This script has turned history on its head. The narrative is designed to present Igbos as disloyal power grabbers and confuse gullible readers, obfuscate the past and promote national discord.

Let us set the records straight; Igbos played no dominant role in Balewa's cabinet. The outline below will help demonstrate this.

Nigeria hands over to Guinea @WATRA chair, lists achievements - ITREALMS

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Nigeria has handed over the chairmanship of the West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA) to the Republic of Guinea, reports ITREALMS.

This is coming as the Nigeria's flagbearer at WATRA, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta also listed the achievement of his tenure.

Danbatta reels out achievements as Nigeria hands over WATRA chairmanship to Republic of Guinea - ITREALMS

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…Tasks member states on increased collaboration


Having successfully piloted the affairs of the West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA) as Chairman in the last one year, Nigeria has handed over the mantle of leadership of the Assembly to the Republic of Guinea.

Prof. Umar Danbatta, the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), who served Nigeria's tenure as the Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria's national telecommunications regulatory authority, handed over to the newly elected Chairman of the Assembly, Sekou Oumar Barry, of tge Republuc of Guinea.

PhotoNews: Oguntuase delivers letter of credence to Benin Republic

ITREALMS:

1. President of Benin Republic Mr Patrice Athanese Talon, right, receiving the Letters of Credence from the new Nigerian Ambassador HE Emmanuel Kayode Oguntuase, at the Presidential Palace at the weekend.

2. Nigerian Ambassador to Benin Republic Emmanuel Kayode Oguntuase, and wife, Helen, with the President of Benin Republic Mr Patrice Athanese Talon (middle), after the Ambassador's presentation of his letters of credence, at the weekend.

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Biafra Republic near - Kanu

Commentary@ITRealms:

Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu has said realisation of a Biafra republic is near.

He spoke against the backdrop of the sit-at-home on Tuesday, May 30, 2017 in the South East and some parts of the South South.

Also, Kanu and founder of Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike have also commended Ndigbo for the success of the sit-at-home.

Kanu also commended Biafrans, friends of Biafra World over for the success and total compliance of sit-at-home order declared to honour fallen heroes who died in the civil war between 1967 and 1970. Speaking through IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, Kanu said he was encouraged by the compliance and vowed that he would stop at nothing in ensuring that the South East is liberated from the stranglehold of their oppressors.

He thanked “friends of Biafra and lovers of freedom all over the world for their tenacious efforts that made our heroes day sit-at-home order a resounding success.

“I will not fail to thank road transport workers, teachers, civil servants, market leaders, artisans, clergymen, businessmen, traders, Okada/tricycle drivers, school children, parents, transport owners, women organisations, community leaders, youth leaders in every community, wheel barrow/truck pushers, politicians and all Biafraland, who defied every odd and pressure from Aso Rock to make our sit-at-home order a memorable and resounding historical event.

“In line with this remarkable sit-at-home held on Tuesday, I will not hesitate to congratulate the people of Abia, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, Rivers states including the good people of Igbanke in Edo State, Igala clan in Kogi State and Idoma/Igede/Agatu in Benue State for sending a clear and unmistakable message to the world that this Biafra self-determination effort driven by IPOB is uncompromising. The fact that our people obeyed the order to sit at home is confirmation that IPOB, which I lead has the mandate of all Biafrans to spearhead the ongoing Biafra restoration effort. Special thanks goes to my deputy, Mazi Uche Mefor, our Directorate of State, led by Mazi Chika Edoziem and the indescribably incredible IPOB family all over the world.

“I thank those in the Diaspora who poured themselves into the streets in distant and foreign lands in more than 98 countries of the world to honour and remember our fallen heroes and heroines who paid the ultimate price during the genocidal war against our people between 1967 and 1970. I appreciate your enormous work because IPOB has made it possible in less than four years for every president and head of state around the world to know about Biafra.

“Biafra restoration is a priority to all and sundry and I promise never to let Biafra down even upon the pain of death because you never let me down. I also wish to acknowledge and appreciate the presence of international observers and foreign journalists who were on ground to monitor this epic historical event. It demonstrates that the unique formula adopted by IPOB to restore Biafra is working. By the grace of Almighty God, (Chukwu Okike Abiama), IPOB, under our divine leadership, will restore Biafra in no distant future.”

On his part, Uwazuruike said the major aim is the independent state of Biafra and freedom for the entire people of former eastern region. He said this in Owerri, capital of Imo State, yesterday, when he briefed newsmen in his residence, where he disclosed that the first sit -at – home ordered by the pro-Biafra group was in 2004.

“There is nothing else that we are agitating for, except for Biafra independence and until that is achieved, we will not chicken out of the struggle for Biafra freedom.”

He revealed that his “major aim of starting MASSOB is not to become the president” and urged all pro-Biafra groups to “focus on the main objective which is the actualisation of the sovereign state of Biafra.”

IPOB leader dares court on bail conditions
For the second time in three days, Kanu has violated the conditions of the bail granted to him.
Part of his bail conditions was that he would not grant media interviews and to avoid being seen in a crowd of more than 10 people.

But, last Saturday, Kanu addressed a crowd of supporters, numbering more than 10, at his father’s palace in Abia State.

Kanu’s father is the traditional ruler of Isiama Afara, a community in Umuahia, capital of Abia. Three days after addressing his supporters, Al Jazeera published an interview where Kanu was quoted as saying the bail conditions were too stringent. Asked if the interview could get him into trouble, he was quoted to have said: “I don’t care.”

He also lamented the effect of the restrictions imposed on him.

“It’s like asking me not to breathe. I can’t go outside to call for a press conference. I can’t go on Biafra Radio to broadcast. I can’t allow large groups of people to basically congregate outside to see me.”

Meanwhile, the South East Peoples Assembly (SEPA) has called on the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to revoke the bail granted to leader of IPOB, Kanu. Justice Binta Nyako had, on April 25, 2017 admitted Kanu to bail on health grounds.

In her ruling, Justice Nyako said Kanu must not hold rallies, grant interviews or be in a crowd of more than 10 people.

The judge, however, refused bail to the three other defendants standing trial for treasonable felony and other sundry offences with Kanu, namely Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi.

However, in a May 31, 2017 letter to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, signed by SEPA president, Prince Chukwuemeka Okorie, the group said “Kanu has continued to conduct himself in a manner we consider totally at variance with the terms and conditions of the bail.”

In a related development, Anglican Bishop, Diocese of Okigwe South, Rt. Rev. David Onuoha has called on the Federal Government to dialogue with pro – Biafra groups, saying it will enable government to understand why after 47 years of the end of the civil war, the idea and glamour for the state of Biafra seems to be gaining fresh momentum. The prelate stated this yesterday while delivering his address at the Third Session of the Eighth Synod of the Diocese held at St. Stephens Church, Umuduruegwelle, Ehime Mbano Local Council of Imo State, recently.

He said dialogue would be a better approach to addressing the obvious injustice, marginalisation, suffering and hardship the South East geo-political zone.

Courtesy: The Sun
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CTO, Fiji Republic partner on cybersecurity

ITRealms:

The Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) and the Republic of Fiji are partnering for the development of a cybersecurity strategy for Fiji which could be used as a model framework for other Pacific island nations, reports ITRealms.

This was part of the outcome of the CTO Forum 2015 held in Nairobi, Kenya on 14 - 16 September 2015.

ITRealms reports that the growth of cyber criminality and cyberterrorism has become a major concern for the global community, and countries are adopting different strategies to address this, just as Nigeria last May 15, signed its Cybercrime Law into effect.

Honourable Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, the Attorney-General and Minister for Communications Fiji Republic, noted that they are committed to doing their part to ensure a safer cyberspace for all.

“Working with the CTO will assist us in establishing the right national frameworks and in allocating the right level of resources to address criminal activities in cyberspace that originate in our country and collaborate with the international community as needed,” he said.

Sayed-Khaiyum further reiterated that as the regional hub for Information and Communication Technology (ICTs) in the South Pacific, it was important for Fiji to share its experiences and knowledge with its neighbours to help build regional capacity in cybersecurity.

ITRealms reports that CTO has been assisting other Commonwealth countries such as Botswana and Cameroon in adopting their national cybersecurity strategy. 

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South-East Traders protest: Soldiers now man Ekwulobia Prisons, MASSOB may join campaign

ITRealms:

Solders have taken over the security in the Ekwulobia Prisons, following the protest by the South-East Traders over the relocation of Boko Haram convicts, even as its anticipated that Movement for the Actualization of Republic of Biafra (MASSOB) may join the campaign, reports ITRealms.

This development is coming a few days after the Anambra State Amalgamated Traders Association (AMATAS) shut down all markets in the State to protest the relocation of Boko Haram convicts to Ekwulobia Prisons, traders from the entire South-East region showed solidarity to the cause by staging a 7-hour protest in Ekwulobia, to demand that the prisoners be moved back to the North.

ITRealms recalls that these spade of protests is on the heels of the relocation of 47 members of the dreaded Islamic sect who were moved to Ekwulobia prisons in Aguata Local Government Area last weekend, which led to Governor Obiano’s emergency visit to President Muhammadu  Buhari on the issue.

Also, ITRealms gathered that the South-East traders comprising traders from Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu and Anambra States during the solidarity protest marched around major roads in Ekwulobia urban, chanting anti-Boko Haram songs and calling on the Federal Government to withdraw the terrorists from the area and any other part of Igboland.

Some of the placards during the protest read: “No Place for Boko Haram in Igboland.’’ “Buhari, return Boko Haram Prisoners to the North,” “Boko Haram Prisoners are Not Our Share of Democracy Dividends,” among others.

+Remmy Nweke (ITRealms) 
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Pic: President Buhari

Curse on Igbos: Catholic Church cautions Oba Akiolu, insists Nigeria a Republic, not Monarchy

ITRealms:

The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has cautioned Oba of Lagos, His Royal Majesty, Oba Rilwanu Akiolu, over the threat he handed down to Igbos in Lagos, insisting that Nigeria is a republic and not a monarchy, reports ITRealms.

The Catholics through the office of the Executive Secretary Caritas Foundation Nigeria and Justice, Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), Rev. Fr. Evaristus Bassey, gave this note of warning in a press statement made available to ITRealms, raising credibility of the Oba for acting god.

While condemning the threat handed down by the Oba of Lagos to the Igbos in Lagos that they should vote for the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode, or else perish in the lagoon, Catholic Church advised the Monarch to withdraw his curse with immediate effect.

They noted that the Royal Father is "missing the point that Nigeria is a Republic and a Democracy and not a Monarchy."

According to Rev. Fr. Bassey, denounced Akiolu's comments which, saying such amounted to threat and intimidation of bonafide citizens of this country, Nigeria. Stressing that Lagos has grown into one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Africa for decades, and "any citizen contributing to its economy and politics can be a bonafide resident."

Further the Catholic Church wonder “why single out a particular ethnic group for this curse? Does it mean a Yoruba or Hausa person living in Lagos who votes for Jimi Agbaje will go scot-free but any Igbo who votes for Agbaje will drown in the Lagoon? Does it mean that people should vote out of fear and not their consciences? Would such an election be free and fair, where people have to vote out of intimidation?

This, Catholic Church said amounts to voters intimidation.

Listen to the hate speech threatening Igbos in Lagos by Oba Akiolu:

Chuks Egbuna +Remmy Nweke (ITRealms)
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