society

LAGOS, MY LAGOS! BY FFK

Published

2 years ago

March 12, 2023

Sahara Weekly

LAGOS, MY LAGOS! BY FFK

I make no apology for saying the following.

Lagos is NOT no-man’s land. It belongs to the Yoruba. Other than winning the Presidency, the most important thing for the Yoruba to do today is to ensure that Babajide Sanwo-Olu is re-elected as Governor of Lagos state.

Outside of that we are finished as a race and as a people.

The Labour Party candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, whose mother and wife are Igbo and who is running a patently anti-Yoruba and pro-Igbo campaign, is one of those that burnt properties and buses during the Endsars riots.

He is also in bed with IPOB and is hell bent on imposing an unashamedly Igbo agenda on the people of Lagos state including removing all our Yoruba traditional rulers and imposing Igbo ones.

Would the Igbo allow any Yoruba man to do such a thing in the east?

Our liberalism and willingness to accommodate others has become our biggest albatross.

We gave them land, food and shelter and now they want to take everything from us and rule over us.

They have even infiltrated our Churches and introduced a brand of religious intolerance which is alien to us.

They want to deny us that which our forefathers built, fought and died for and they want to decimate our identity and redefine who we are!

Please take this very seriously and take note that it is beyond politics.

Lagos is for Lagosians and Lagosians are YORUBA!

We welcome visitors and strangers with love, kindness and open arms because that is our nature but we will never let them rule over us in our fathers land, take our land and territory and deprive us of our patrimony, heritage and ancestry.

Anything short of this would be an abomination and would attract the wrath and curse of God.

We know who we are and we know what is ours. Nothing and nobody will take that from us.

It is time to reclaim Lagos and the first step to doing that is to vote for Jide in the Governorship election on Saturday.

I call on all sons and daughters of the West and all true friends of Lagos and the West to come out and vote for Jide and the APC on that day.

Permit me to add the following.

I have spoken up for the Ibo probably more than any other non-Ibo in my generation over the years and in the recent past and I did so when most people remained silent and watched them suffer the most extreme form of persecution, wickedness and barbarity.

I am also one of those that believes strongly in the ‘handshake across the Niger’ and I enunciated my position boldly and clearly at the famous Enugu conference in 2018 when others were scared to speak.

Finally my belief in the concepts of restructuring, self-determination, equity and justice remain unshakable.

I also remain a strong advocate of the unity and indissolable fabric of our rainbow coalition and beautiful union and our quest to establish an exemplary and enviable multi-racial, multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-religious nation where every individual, regardless of tribe or faith, finds a place under the sun.

That is the sacred vision of our forefathers and it is for that vision and preservation of the unity of that unique and marvellous rainbow coalition and great nation of bright and beautiful ethnic nationalities that millions of people died during our civil war.

A heavy price was paid for our unity and the butchers bill for the preservation of our union was very high.

That is all the more reason why we should preserve it at all costs so as not to belittle and mock the sacrifices made by so many and the oceans of blood that was shed to keep us one.

Nigeria is a great, powerful and beautiful nation with so much potential and we shall do all we can to make her even greater and better by striving to live in pace and unity with one another.

However this does not mean that we can take each other for granted or treat one another with contempt.

This does not mean that we must indulge in grabbing the land and coveting the homes of others in the name unity.

This does not mean that we are a nation of anything goes where only the loudest, strongest and most aggressive have their way or where anarchy, ignorance, fascism, ethnic nationalism, racial hegemony, primitive irredentism and barefaced domination reigns supreme.

This does not mean that we will tolerate and allow others to re-echo the expansionist dreams and divisive and weighty words of the late jurist, mamber of the Legislative Council and Ibo nationalist Charles Daddy Onyeama (the distinguished and respected father of our Foreign Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama) in 1945 when he told the Ibo State Union at the Island Club in Lagos that “the Ibo domination of Nigeria is only a matter of time” .

The angst and fears of the Yorubas, Hausa Fulani, Ijaw and other non-Ibos that heard those words at that time were further fuelled and re-kindled four years later in 1949 when, again in Lagos, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe himself, the Ibo leader of the NCNC, a great nationalist and the man who was almost elected Premier of the old Western Region and was later elected Premier of the old Eastern Region said,

“it would appear that the God of Africa has specially created the Ibo nation to lead the children of Africa from the bondage of the ages”.

I guess little has changed over the last 78 years when it comes to the desire of some to want to dominate others, lead them by force and take over their land and all that is theirs.

How sad that is.

Finally this does not mean that I will sit by silently or idly and accept the absurd notion, emotional blackmail and intellectual tomfoolery of those that say that Lagos, my Lagos, the city that I come from, that I was born in, that I grew up in, that I lived in for most of my life, that my parents and grandparents were buried in and that God-willing, when my time comes, I shall also be buried in, is a ‘no man’s land’ .

Lagos may be an increasingly racial and cultural melting pot but she is NOT a no man’s land.

The history is clear. Lagos is Yoruba territory and she constitutes a vital and integral part of the South Western states of Nigeria and the Yoruba nation.

Whether anyone likes to hear it or not this is an incontrovertible fact.

As Yorubas she is our pride and joy, our shining city on a hill, our New Jerusalem and a stellar example and reflection of our liberal, cosmopolitan, civil, accommodating and generous disposition to strangers and outsiders who, over the last few decades, have made her their home.

Yet no matter how kind and accommodating we Yorubas are as a people and no matter how many non-Yorubas we integrate with, we shall NEVER conceed one inch of our territory to them or allow them to claim our land, culture, values, patrimony and heritage as their own.

The day I, as a Yoruba man, can claim that Enugu belongs to me or that I can safely open a stall in Enugu market or that I can become Governor of Enugu state is the day that I shall review my position. Until then I will not do so.

Permit me to conclude with the following.

I am a proud father of 9 children, 6 of whom have mothers that are not Yoruba and 3 of whom have a mother that is only half Yoruba.

This proves that I am an intergrationist and I believe in building bridges and creating a society which allows for and encourages the mixing of ethnic bloodlines, racial tolerance and peaceful co-existence.

l am a liberal and I do not believe that it is right or proper for one race or ethnic nationality to look down on or discriminate against another. In my view we are all one, regardless of which ethnic nationality you come from or which faith you espouse.

However this does not mean that I am prepared to sacrifice my racial and cultural identity on the alter of historical revisionism. The history is clear and the facts speak for themselves.

For a non-Yoruba and particularly an Ibo to claim that Lagos belongs to them or that she is a ‘no man’s land’ is not only absurd but also deeply insulting.

Each time they say it they are slapping us in the face and spitting on the graves of our reverred forefathers.

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society

NCS, JBPT Intercept Six Pump-Action Rifles and 1,125 Live Cartridges in Oyo State By Ifeoma Ikem

Published

2 hours ago

December 8, 2024

Sahara Weekly

NCS, JBPT Intercept Six Pump-Action Rifles and 1,125 Live Cartridges in Oyo State

By Ifeoma Ikem

The Joint Border Patrol Team (JBPT), Sector 2, South West Zone of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has intercepted six pump-action rifles and 1,125 live cartridges in Oyo State.

Addressing journalists, the Coordinator of JBPT Sector 2, Mohammed Shuaibu, stated that the unit also arrested 1,507 irregular immigrants between 2019 and 2024. He noted that the briefing marked the conclusion of the ad-hoc unit’s operations since its inception. During this period, the unit seized contraband goods valued at N36.7 billion.

Shuaibu disclosed that the live cartridges were concealed inside sacks containing cassava flakes.

“On December 3, 2024, a patrol team spotted a man fleeing from a stationary Toyota Camry along the Okerete-Odo bush path in Oyo State. The suspicious behavior led to an inspection of the abandoned vehicle. Upon searching the car, six pump-action rifles with the following serial numbers were discovered: 602-H22YT-641, 602-H22YT-397, 602-H22YT-623, 22-MT-0238, P537916, and T051084. Additionally, 1,125 live cartridges were found concealed in sacks containing cassava flakes,” Shuaibu said.

Seizures and Accomplishments

Other notable seizures made by JBPT Sector 2 between August 20, 2019, and December 2024 include:

130,954 bags of foreign rice (50kg each): Equivalent to 218 truckloads.
7,200 kilograms of pangolin scales.
5,575,020 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
11,322 cartons of foreign frozen products.
4,124 bales of used clothing.
4,057 kegs of vegetable oil.
15 pump-action rifles.
280 suspected cases of human trafficking.
480 vehicles.
1,190 modes of conveyance used in smuggling activities.

Shuaibu emphasized that the sector’s efforts also bolstered the Federal Government’s revenue, with N1.140 billion remitted into the Federation Account through the auction of seized petroleum products.

Enhancing National Security

He highlighted that the unit’s activities disrupted the supply chains of illicit goods, thereby enhancing national security by addressing concerns linked to cross-border crimes. Shuaibu acknowledged that JBPT Sector 2 faced several operational challenges. However, he credited the successes to collaboration with critical stakeholders, innovative problem-solving approaches, and effective leadership.

Appreciation and Commendations

Shuaibu commended the dedication of JBPT Sector 2 officers, personnel from component security agencies, and patriotic citizens who contributed to combating cross-border crimes.

“I am privileged to lead a courageous and determined team committed to our nation’s safety and security. Your dedication, bravery, and perseverance have been instrumental to the successes recorded by the team. The tireless efforts towards securing our borders, suppressing smuggling, and intercepting illegal immigrants have not gone unnoticed,” he said.

He expressed gratitude to God, noting that no lives were lost during “Operation Swift Response.”

society

Ewekoro Local Government Strengthens Ties with Community and Celebrates Unity at Recent Events

Published

13 hours ago

December 7, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Ewekoro Local Government Strengthens Ties with Community and Celebrates Unity at Recent Events

Ewekoro, Ogun State – December 7, 2024

In a series of significant events underscoring the commitment to community welfare and development, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Ewekoro Division, led by Division Officer Mrs. Oyebade Folukemi, paid a congratulatory visit to the newly elected Chairman of Ewekoro Local Government Council, Hon. Adesina Sikiru Adisa. This visit, which took place on December 2, 2024, marked a crucial step towards strengthening collaboration between the NSCDC and local government officials, aimed at enhancing the safety and security of the Ewekoro community.

Mrs. Oyebade expressed her congratulations to Hon. Adesina, emphasizing the NSCDC’s commitment to supporting local governance and ensuring a secure environment for residents. The visit served as a platform to discuss strategies for improving safety measures in the area, illustrating the proactive approach of the NSCDC in fostering a safe community for all.

In another notable event, market women from Ewekoro Local Government paid a visit to Hon. Adesina to express their gratitude for his administration’s efforts in empowering local traders. Under his leadership, significant projects have been implemented, including the construction of modern market facilities, such as the 183 lock-up shops at Arigbajo Market. These developments have greatly enhanced the socio-economic activities of market women, contributing positively to their livelihoods and the overall well-being of the community.

Led by Alhaja Ejire, the head of market women, the delegation thanked Hon. Adesina for his unwavering support and commitment to their cause. The discussions during the visit focused on exploring further collaboration to address the challenges faced by market women, reinforcing the administration’s dedication to people-oriented projects that uplift the community.

The strong presence of local leaders during this visit, including Vice-chairman Alhaja Abisola Nuratu Aliyu and other key administration officials, highlighted the unified effort to promote the welfare of Ewekoro’s residents. The Chairman’s administration has earned recognition for its initiatives that significantly impact the lives of market women and the broader community.

Additionally, the recent Obada Day 2024 celebration, held on December 1 at Owiwi Primary School in Obada Ward 10, showcased the unity and love within the communities of Obada Town. Hon. Sikiru Adesina joined dignitaries such as HRM Oba Olufemi Solaja, the Olu of Obada Town, and HRH Oba Kasimawo Ogundare, the Olu of Opelifa, to celebrate this significant event. The celebration emphasized the importance of love, unity, and progress in Ewekoro Local Government, Ogun State, and Nigeria as a whole.

In a related announcement, the Ewekoro Local Government has informed all revenue consultants that the 2025 Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) Sales of Form will commence on December 2 and close on December 13, 2024. Those interested in securing a position are encouraged to purchase the form during this period.

These recent engagements and celebrations reflect Hon. Adesina Sikiru Adisa’s commitment to fostering community spirit, enhancing local governance, and promoting economic growth in Ewekoro Local Government. As the administration continues to work hand-in-hand with various stakeholders, there is a renewed sense of optimism for the future development of the community.

society

FG Issues Alert on New COVID-19 Variant XEC Found in 29 Countries

Published

1 day ago

December 7, 2024

Sahara Weekly

FG Issues Alert on New COVID-19 Variant XEC Found in 29 Countries

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has raised an alert on the new XEC COVID-19 variant, urging heightened surveillance across Nigeria’s healthcare facilities.

The XEC variant, first identified in Australia, has now been detected in 29 countries and is showing a growth advantage over existing strains. Health experts are concerned about its potential impact on public health.

The warning was conveyed in a letter dated December 5, addressed to the Committee of Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. O.N. Anuma.

“I am directed to inform you of the newly detected XEC COVID-19 variant which has already spread to 29 countries globally. This variant has shown a growth advantage over other circulating strains, raising concerns about its potential impact on public health,” the letter read.

Call to Action

Dr. Anuma emphasized the need for immediate vigilance in hospitals nationwide.

“Alert systems should be activated immediately for a high index of suspicion in patients presenting with COVID-like symptoms,” he said.

The ministry also stressed the importance of collaboration among health institutions to monitor the variant and share critical data.

“We urge you to work with relevant stakeholders to implement enhanced monitoring protocols and ensure timely information sharing with the Federal Ministry of Health for effective response strategies.”

Global Spread and Implications

First identified in Germany in June, the XEC variant has since been reported in France, the United States, the UK, Denmark, and other countries. Over 600 cases have been recorded globally, with scientists noting that while the variant has mutations that may aid its spread, vaccines are expected to remain effective in preventing severe cases.