Indigenous Peoples’ Day: IPOB-CG, MOBIN, BHRI celebrates International Year of Indigenous Languages in Enugu

...As Emekesiri makes case for Igbo language to attain international status

By Chukwuemeka Chimerue - 

ENUGU— Every year, August 9th commemorates the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. It is celebrated all around the world and marks the date of the first meeting of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in 1982.

As the United Nations proclaimed 2019 as the International Year of Indigenous Languages, the Customary Government of the Indigenous People of Biafra, the Movement of Biafrans In Nigeria, MOBIN, and the Bilie Human Rights Initiative, BHRI, yesterday, came under one roof to commemorate the auspicious day in the coal city state of Enugu.

In his keynote address to mark the International Year of Indigenous Languages Day, Chairman of the pro-independence indigenous groups, Barrister Emeka John Chigozie Emekesiri noted that the aforementioned groups were registered in the United Nations as Indigenous Peoples Organization, IPO, regretting that the people have abandoned their language and culture to adopt that of the Europeans even as he pointed out that language is an essential element of people’s culture and tradition.

“We are one of the civil society organizations in the United Nations system. We are registered with the United Nations as Indigenous Peoples Organization (IPO) and have attained the ECOSOC status with three seats.

“With great pleasure we celebrate this Annual Event in which the United Nations accord respect to all indigenous languages in the world and encourages all people to develop and speak their native languages. 

“Language is an essential element of culture. It is undisputable that when a people lose their language they will eventually lose their culture. Similarly, as can be evidenced by our colonial experience, when a people impose their language on others, they introduce their culture to the others through their language. Today, we have imbibed foreign cultures from the Europeans and the Americans because of their languages imposed upon us.

“But can we really say that the colonial masters imposed their languages upon us? No, we cannot say that. Rather, it is fair to say that the colonial masters introduced their languages to us and we loved their languages more than our own native languages. Today, some of us in the Igbo Nation find it difficult to speak fluently in Igbo Language and prefer to communicate more in English Language. This trend must stop,” Emekesiri posited.

Taking a stroll down memory lane, the pro-Biafra activist blamed the nonchalant attitude towards Igbo language on his school days’ teachers who shunned or punished pupils for speaking their indigenous languages in schools, saying the attitude misled and destroyed their love for the Igbo language.

According to Emekesiri, “I remember in the early 60s and 70s when we were in the schools and were forbidden by our teachers to speak in Igbo Language in the classrooms!  Anyone speaking Igbo in the class was penalised and treated as a fool and unintelligent. With such mind-set, we grew up and taught our own children to speak English at home. So, right from our homes in the villages, our children grew up speaking English rather than Igbo Language. Those teachers in the 60s and 70s misled us and destroyed our love for the Igbo Language. 

“Fortunately, the United Nations want all the indigenous languages of the peoples to be revived. It is the responsibility of the owners of the language to develop their language to international standard. Today, there are two major international languages recognised by the United Nations, namely, English and French, for business contracts and diplomatic negotiations. Other countries are working hard to get their own languages into the mainstream of the league of international languages. The Chinese, the Germans, the Arabians, the Russians, etc, are working hard to export their languages to the whole world.”

He, however, said that the Igbo-speaking people are at an advantage to revive and elevate the Igbo language to an international status as they live in virtually all the countries of the world, adding that the change in psychology must begin with making their indigenous names as first names before the English name.

“The Igbo people are at a vantage position to make the Igbo Language an international language because the Ibos live in all parts of the world. It is our responsibility to develop the Igbo Language. You must have noticed that I use the words, “Igbo” and “Ibos”, in different context, one an adjective and the other a noun. In Chapter 4 of my book, “Biafra or Nigerian Presidency- What the Ibos Want”, I explained the etymology and etiology of the Igbo Language and would like to refer you to the work already done on that subject.

“We must start from the roots. We must start giving our children only Igbo Names as First Names to change the psychological imbalance and confusion created by our colonial masters who imposed Foreign Names on us as First Names. Today, in the Igbo Nation, it is common to find such names as Mr John Chukwuma Njoku, Mr Oliver Chikere Okonkwo, Mrs Rose Oluchi Dike, Miss Justina Ifeoma Igbokwe, etc, always having the foreign names as first names. I recommend this to change immediately so that the Igbo Names shall be the First Names even if you want to retain your foreign names. Those names should therefore be transposed as Mr Chukwuma John Njoku, Mr Chikere Oliver Okonkwo, Mrs Oluchi Rose Dike and Miss Ifeoma Justina Igbokwe, etc, putting the Igbo Names as First Names. This has some powerful psychological effects on our indigenous identity.

“We are glad to hear that some State Governments in the Igbo Nation have made the Igbo Language compulsory in their schools. This is commendable and we request all other Governments in our land to do the same. We are everywhere in the world and can make the Igbo Language an international language if we work hard.

“The Igbo Language is our Indigenous Language being celebrated today by the United Nations along with other indigenous languages in the world. I call upon Igbo scholars to establish more NGOs to champion the development of the Igbo Language to international standard. Yes, we can do it,” the chairman concluded.

EFCC Arrests Atiku’s Lawyer, Son-in-law

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commissionhas arrested two persons close to Nigerian opposition leader, Atiku Abubakar.

Uyi Giwa Osagie, a longtime legal adviser to Mr Abuakar, and Abdullahi Babalele, the former vice-president’s son in-law, were taken into custody on Thursday evening, according to multiple sources familiar with the development.

They were arrested after honouring an EFCC invitation in Lagos, sources said.
A spokesperson for the EFCC, Tony Orilade, told Primum Times  he needed additional time to give official comments about the arrest.

But our source learnt the commission was set to arraign Mr Giwa-Osagie for alleged money laundering.

The charges against Mr Giwa-Osagie are as follows:


COUNT 1

That you UYIEKPEN GlWA-OSAGIE and ERHUNSE GlWA-OSAGIE, sometimes in February, 2019 in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired to commit an offence to wit: making cash payment of the sum of $2,000,000.00 (Two Million United State Dollars) without going through financial institution which sum exceeded the amount authorized by Law and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a), and 1(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under Section 16(2)(b) of the same Act.

COUNT 2

That you UYIEKPEN GIWA-OSAGIE on or before the 12th day of February,2019 in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, procured ERHUNSE GIWAOSAGIE to make cash payment of the sum of $2,000,000.00 (Two Million United State Dollars) without going through financial institution, which sum exceeded the amount authorized by Law and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(c) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under Section 16(2)(b) of the same Act.

COUNT 3

That you ERHUNSE GlWA-OSAGIE sometimes in February, 2019 In Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court made the payment of the sum of $2,000,000.00 (Two Million United State Dollars) without going through financial institution, which sum exceeded the amount authorized by Law and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Sections 1(a). & 16(1).(d) of the Money Laundering(Prohibition) Act, 2011 (As Amended) and Punishable under section 16 of the Same Act.
It came about five months after Messrs Babalele and Giwa-Osagie were detained for several days while being questioned in a multi-million dollar money laundering probe.

He was reportedly arrested after a bureau de change operative allegedly identified him as the owner of $2 million found in its possession. The commission alleged the money was to be used for the 2019 elections.
The duo denied the allegations, and critics saw the probe as politically-motivated, especially as it came during the hotly-contested presidential election.

Source Primum Times

Man Discovers His Penis Turning To BONE When Doctors X-ray His Hips After A Fall

A man who went into hospital for knee X-ray got the shock of his life when doctors discovered his penis was turning to bone.

The 63-year-old had taken himself to A&E after he fell over in the street and landed on his behind.

Despite not hitting his head and being able to get up and keep walking without any help, he was worried that his knee had started hurting.

While he was being checked over, doctors X-rayed his pelvis to check there were no broken bones but found something stranger than they'd bargained for.

They told the man that bone cells were forming inside his penis, at which point he got up and left the hospital, ignoring the advice of doctors and never going back. 

The unidentified man, who walked with a cane, was seen by medics at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx area of New York City.

He said that, when he fell over, he fell onto his buttocks and didn't hit his head or pass out.

And when in the emergency room, besides pain in his knee, he also had some pain in his penis but no other symptoms suggesting an STI, such as discharge or swelling.

Doctors decided to do an X-ray to check he hadn't broken any bones in the fall but found 'an extensive, plaque-like calcification along the expected distribution of the penis'.

They diagnosed him with an ossification – essentially a body part slowly turning into bone.

Apparently unhappy with the diagnosis, the man left the hospital and didn't return for treatment or any investigations to get to the root of the problem.

In a case report the doctors, led by Georges El Hasbani from the American University of Beirut, said the condition is 'exceedingly rare'.

'Penile ossification remains a relatively rare condition being mentioned in very few journals, with less than 40 published case reports,' they wrote.

They said ossification in the penis is normally a consequence of Peyronie's disease, which causes the sex organ to bend sharply in one direction.

And tissue may turn to bone when calcium salts build up in a specific area over time as a result of conditions such as cancer, thyroid problems or kidney disease.

The team added: 'We couldn't assess the [causes] since our patient decided to leave against medical advice'.

They said treatment could involve using painkillers, 'stretching' or vacuum devices, shockwave therapy or surgery.

Source: Journal Urology Case Reports.

C. Ronaldo Sells His Mansion To Pepe

Juventus forward, Cristiano Ronaldo, has taken a £1.25million loss selling his mansion in Portugal to teammate, Pepe.

Hidden away by vast woodland and situated in Geres, the mansion, which includes a landing pad for a helicopter, was purchased for close to £3.5m seven years ago.

It boasts an area of around 800 square meters and includes a stunning view of the picturesque Cavado River.

Acording to Corriero da Manha, the deal between Ronaldo and Pepe was said to have been agreed while the national team was playing at the inaugural UEFA Nations League title.

Pepe, who played alongside Ronaldo at Real Madrid, is now back in his home country with Porto, after leaving Turkish side Besiktas.

DP

Ihedioha And The Burden Of History ~ Ike C. Ibe

While I was campaigning to be governor of Imo state across the 305 wards, one recurring statement I made was that ‘any governor who takes over from Rochas Okorocha will go through hell and must find a way to create a new economy and finds fresh resources to rebuild Imo state’. It is no longer news that 2011 to 2019 witnessed the saddest chapter in Imo economy. We have all dwelt enough on that. The current debate is focused on Governor Emeka Ihedioha coming out of the hell created in the last 8 years and finding ways to create a new IMO Economy. To do this, the governor must not just think outside the box, but go as far away from the box as possible to be able to think well and recreate our economy.

IMO was turned into a cesspool of corruption and needs practical and professional actions and activities to develop new pathways to prosperity. In the first 70 days or so of Ihedioha administration, objectively speaking, I think he has taken several steps to start charting the desired course. The average citizen may not be immediately applauding because they have not seen usual ‘new roads’ or spontaneous projects springing up in their communities, but which responsible governor will invest heavily on roads during the rains? The best thing is palliative patch work till the rains are over. These are currently going on while major roads crying for major construction or reconstruction are being identified. I have heard recent government announcements of several of these roads waiting to kick off post rains.

To it’s credit, Ihedioha has empaneled many committees charged with different functions and tasks directly related to reviving the economy. Some have called Ihedioha a Committee Governor in criticism. They say he’s acting as if he is still doing legislative work. But I think those criticisms are ill conceived because the man adopted a most efficient way of engaging competent usually expensive professionals for targeted short-term  immediate assignments at little or no cost to the government. This modus I believe, was adopted because the new government inherited a state that is terribly disorganized with totally collapsed infrastructure and projects. Many of these committees have impressively turned in their reports within allotted time and these reports form the fulcrum of the efforts to make policies that will begin the economic recreation process of IMO state. For Ihedioha to prune the unwieldy and unviable 31 ministries into 18 trim and carefully realigned ministries shows a shrewd and genuine effort at policy engineering. Recently, Commissioners were appointed to run these ministries. The balancing act of party political patronage with the need for competent hands was effectively achieved.

IMO probably has set a high standard in putting many square pegs in square holes. Professor Viola Onwuliri who once recently worked as Education Minister, Foreign Affairs Minister etc is heading Imo state ministry of education. While some were shocked at her decision to be a commissioner after being a minister, Onwuliri at her level doesn’t seem to have the hunger of stomach but the hunger to render radical services for the redemption of IMO her dear state at this critical time. I imagine that there is hardly any local and international agency that will not open doors for her in the quest to find fresh resources for IMO. Professor Joseph Uwaleke, the finance commissioner, was head of department of banking and finance at Nassarawa state university, a chief economist at Security and Exchange Commission, an examiner of senior bankers among other local and international theoretical and practical experiences. He brings credibility and professionalism into Imo finances. Reginald Ihebuzor the Budget and Planning Commissioner is an accomplished senior banker, fiscal consultant and budget specialist whose leverage and experience will no doubt be key to producing balanced and financed but frugal budgeting and planning. Ben Ekwueme of the Works ministry is an accomplishment chartered engineer who has successfully plied his trade both in Nigeria and United States and should be able to deliver sustainable and enduring public works projects especially roads unlike what happened in the last eight years. Dr. Vincent Udokwu for health, Chuma Nnaji in public utilities, ICT guru Mekam Mgbemelu in science and technology and several other professionals and competent technocrats including a thoroughbred Senior Advocate of Nigeria Mr. Ugochukwu Nnawuchi as the Attorney General all bring renewed zeal and great expectations to Ihedioha cabinet. This team with earlier appointed Special Advisers and Assistants have their work cut out for them.

One thing is clear. These men and women have the discipline and reputation not to be sycophants. They can look the Governor in the eye and tell him when he is wrong. Most especially I think most of them have to trainings and competences to design programs and services that will recreate and rebuild IMO state.

The government however, must also keep an eagle eye over what goes on in the 27 local governments areas. They have direct access to joint minimum average of 2.7 billion naira every month. If these monies are committed into strategic development projects across the LGs then there will be reduced pressure on the state with development spreading everywhere. The Governor must have the political lever to stop usual little Hitlers from overrunning the commonwealth of the local governments.

While not being a fan of the traditional 100 days in office rituals, I see that the government has already kickstarted great ideas and programs. It has effectively re-engaged international development partner’s fulfilling obligations that will significantly lift IMO economy, assembled competent working teams, engaged pro bono and passionately committed professionals etc. Though it’s still a long way and just at the beginning, IMO people are reputed to be impatient with their leaders. They also keep stones and flowers in the homes waiting for tenures to end before deciding which one to give to their leaders. I urge Ihedioha not to have anything to do with bootlickers. If he continues on the trajectory of the first 70 days I believe he will get flowers from IMO people at the end of his tenure. Until then, he has a huge burden of history. For the sake of Imo people, he has our support and prayers.

Ike C. Ibe 

Syndicated Columnist. 
Ikeibe2@yahoo.com

Murder Of Enugu Priest: Arrest, Disarm Miyetti Allah Now Or Else... ~ Nnia Nwodo fumes

•Says self-defense, a legitimate instrument of law
•RUGA will be over our dead bodies

By Chukwuemeka Chimerue 
ENUGU— President-General of apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nnia Nwodo has asked the Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government to immediately arrest and disarm Fulani herdsmen in the South East region or face retaliatory measures.

Nwodo who was visibly outraged over the brutal murder of Enugu Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Paul Offu who was shot dead Thursday evening by suspected Fulani herdsmen along Ihe-Agbudu road in Awgu Local Government Area by suspected Fulani herdsmen said Ndigbo will no longer tolerate such heinous act again.

Speaking to Journalist101 correspondent at the end of the monthly Igbo interactive programme ‘Nkata Umu Ibe’ held at Enugu Sports Club, the Igbo leader who roared against the proposal of Ruga settlement policy insisted that government cannot dictate to the indigenes of the land what they will do on their lands.

According to Nwodo, “We’re all very angry and flustered, this is not the first time. Militant Fulani herdsmen went to a church in session in Benue state and attacked the church, killed two priests there and all the members of the choir. They took over their uniforms, wore them and danced hilariously in jubilation of their dastardly act. They were photographed and the video went viral in Nigeria.

“The faces of the herdsmen in the video were not hidden but not one person was arrested. This is about the third priest murdered in Enugu state. I knew about three that has been kidnapped and released after payment of ransom.

“I’ve said it today that if the FG does not arrest Miyetti Allah people, disarm them and stop them from the licentiousness they have encouraged them to enjoy, we’ll begin to retaliate because self-defense is a legal and legitimate instrument of law. We’ll never accept this again.”

Earlier in the programme, the Ohanaeze President has rejected moves by the Federal government to set up Ruga settlements in parts of the country, saying it was against the people’s wish.

“We’re called a federation but what we practice in practical terms is unitary system of government where a president will be in Abuja and tell us we must give up our land for some foreigners that have so many similarities with him without minding how the owners of the land will feel. That will be over our dead bodies,” he hollered.

The murdered Rev. Fr. Offu hailed from Okpatu in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu state and until his death, was the parish priest of St. James the Greater Parish, Ugbawka.