- Biafra-sit-at-home call by by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) was successful in the South-east
- The massive compliance with the sit-at-home directive shows the increasing popularity of the quest for Biafra that began 50 years ago
- The order was also, largely complied with in Enugu, as schools, banks, markets and other commercial activities were paralysed
The newspaper headlines on Wednesday, May 31, have focused on the Biafra-sit-at-home call by by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to mark the 50th anniversary of the declaration of the defunct Republic of Biafra and honour heroes and heroines of the struggle amongst other top stories.
Punch reports that the Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), has asked the Federal Government to obey court orders regarding the detention of embattled former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.); and the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky.
Sagay said this during an interview with The PUNCH while reacting to calls by the Nigerian Bar Association for the release of Dasuki and El-Zakzaky.
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The senior advocate advised the Federal Government to either obey the court order by immediately releasing them or to appeal the orders.
Biafra sit-at-home: Total shutdown in S-East
The Guardian on the other hand focused on the sit-at-home directive issued by agitators in honour of their colleagues killed in the struggle for the realisation of Biafra Republic recorded a huge success in the South East and parts of South South regions yesterday.
In Enugu, human, vehicular and economic activities were at a standstill with many residents remaining indoors.
The massive compliance with the sit-at-home directive shows the increasing popularity of the quest for Biafra that began 50 years ago. What is needed to stop the agitation is not force that would lead to the loss of more lives and property but the tackling of the injustice and inequality that gave birth to it.
Biafra sit-at-home: Total shutdown in S-East
Similarly, Vanguard reports that the sit-at-home order by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, to mark the 50th anniversary of the declaration of the defunct Republic of Biafra and honour heroes and heroines of the struggle, was complied with in the five states of the South East, yesterday.
Outside the S-East, the directive was partly complied with in Port Harcourt, Asaba and Bayelsa but ignored in Uyo. Most markets, banks and schools in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states, including those in the rural areas, were closed and the roads were totally deserted in the early hours of the morning.
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The order was also, largely complied with in Enugu, as schools, banks, markets and other commercial activities were paralysed, with police helicopters hovering around Enugu metropolis
Biafra sit-at-home: Total shutdown in S-East
Meanwhile, Thisday reported that acting President Yemi Osinbajo Tuesday inaugurated the Nigeria Industrial Policy and Competitiveness Advisory Council, which will spearhead the industrial agenda that will boost the contribution of manufacturing to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 250 per cent over a five-year period.
The ambitious agenda will make Nigeria a manufacturing hub for West Africa and diversify the economy from its over-dependence on oil.
The council is made up of leaders in the private and public sectors and will be chaired by Osinbajo, while the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah, and President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, will serve as vice-chairmen, representing the public and private sectors, respectively.
The alternate vice-chairmen of the council are the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Ms. Aisha Abubakar and Chairman of ANAP Business Jets Limited, Mr. Atedo Peterside.
Other members of the council from the private sector include Mr. Kola Jamodu, Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu, Mr. Innocent Ifediaso Chukwuma, Mr. Rahuk Savara, Mr. John Coumantarous, Mrs. Stella Okoli, Mr. Makul Mathur, Mr. Obi Ezeude, Mr. Fidelis Ayebea, Mr. Lazarus Angbazo and Mrs. Juliet Anamah.
Biafra sit-at-home: Total shutdown in S-East
The Nation who also have the pictures of the sit-at-home protest on their front page led with with an interview with AGF.
Their “agitation” and “provocative rhetorics” cannot achieve their dream, Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami (SAN) said.
He warned those behind the quest for restructuring to avoid demonstrations because “it is a complex process.”
He said although Nigeria’s federal system had been experiencing challenges, its reforms could not be done in one fell swoop.
Besides, democratic means should be deployed to reform the federal system, according to Malami.
In his view, the abolishment of states through restructuring will have multiplier effects on the nation.
Such effects, according to him, include downsizing of the National Assembly and abolishing State Houses of Assembly.
Malami made the submissions in an address at a one-day think tank conference in Abuja , which was organised by the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS).
The theme of the conference was “Federalism and the challenges of dynamic equilibrium in Nigeria: towards a national strategy”.
Biafra sit-at-home: Total shutdown in S-East
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