NIGERIA IS AT WAR

By Uchendu Precious Onuoha (Special Correspondent Spain)

NIGERIA IS AT WAR

Nigeria is at war, and there is blood flowing in the land unknown to many, because the societal watch dogs are not blowing the alarm as supposed. Some have a false notion that it involves only a segment of the country, a dangerous and myopic impression. The Government's approach has been in-active, a mockery to its pledge and responsibility to protect the lives, welfare and security of her citizens. My colleagues in pen (the press) has not fared better either, as they have resorted to a journalism of convenience and have refrained from giving adequate coverage and meaningful on the scene report of the war. But I quiet understand their plights. He who plays the piper dictates the tune.  How will they go except they are sent? As they are under the apron strings of their publishers and owners.  And are afraid to report stories that would cost them their jobs even lives.  

A colleague in Nigeria told me in response to my question, why is there no accurate report in the Nigerian media about the Nigeria-Boko Haram war? For any journalist to do that, he must have written his will because the forces that is, will not let you do that he said. Journalism profession stands on a threshold in Nigeria. But for me, knowing that death must come at best postponed,  I have  no property to will and write, my most precious property is my pen and paper which is for my daughter if I am killed or die in the cause of my job. Rather than writing a will, I have already bought my flight ticket to a destination unknown because I don’t know where I am going to after death. If it is heaven so be it, then I will fly in first class to take the front seat as to cover the event of the judgment day. Because for me to live is to write and to die is gain.

According to Lanre Idowu , Editor in chief of the Media review, talking about the Nigerian press reporting on the Boko Haram insurgents said, “No medium invests enough resources to report stories beyond the relative comforts of urban centers”. The media is indispensable in spreading information in a war situation; therefore the Nigerian press should arise to this challenge.

The Nigerian military like the Government seem to have something to hide as they have not shown enough seriousness to their avowed responsibility to protect the lives of all Nigerians and defend their territorial integrity from internal and external threats. Few Nigerians in low and high places have spoken out and expressed their reservations  on the way the Government is going about this war and are not happy the manner our military that is acclaimed to be the best in Africa is losing grounds to the Boko Haram insurgents on daily basis.

General Gowon, the former military head of state in his message to the soldiers during the armed forces remembrance day said, “the Government recently acquired a loan of $1 billion for fighting the insurgency, make demand for equipment from it… I have not lost confidence in our armed forces. I want you to restore your honor by reversing some of these lapses into success, losses into victories; negative opinions into positive opinions. I charge you to go all out to flush those insurgents out of our territories, all the way back to where they came from”.

To the rest of the world, irrespective of race, color country or continent, the war against terrorism is a war for all and goes beyond religious affiliations. It is a war against humanity; it’s a war against a peaceful existence of our world. If Europe, America and the rest of the world should react to the Boko Haram massacre of people in Nigeria on daily bases like they reacted to the terrorists killing of twelve people in France recently, Boko Haram would be put to rest. According to John Dunn, “any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee”. Nigeria, Africa, America, Europe and humanity the death of thousands of Nigerians that have been killed together with the Chibok girls that have been forgotten, tolls for you.

The war against Boko Haram is not just for the North, if truly we are one Nigeria, what affects the North affects the south, west and east. The children, women, youths and elderly ones that are been killed in thousands in the Northern region are our brothers and sisters and fellow Nigerians if truly we claim to be one nation. I believe that Nigeria has all it takes to deal with the Boko Haram insurgents if they really want to. If they could react to the Boko Haram challenge the way they reacted to Ebola, the insurgents would be flushed out. Nobody played politics with Ebola because it was a matter of life and death, and has no respect for the leaders and their followers, rich and poor it had no boundary. All government arms, functionaries became very active and functional because nobody wanted to die.

If the Chibok girls, who today have been forgotten and left to their own perils were the daughters of the President, Senators, Inspector general of police, Chief of army staff, Governors and Ministers, among others, Nigerian government would have found immediate solution overnight and win the victory over Boko Haram. Nigeria is at war, unless all and sundry show true commitment towards that, soon or later, the Boko Haram fire will engulf the whole nation, Africa and the world at large.

OHANAEZE NDIGBO YOUTH COUNCIL (OYC) SPAIN TO HELP IGBO YOUTHS OBTAIN SPANISH RESIDENT PERMITS

By Uchendu Precious Onuoha (Special Correspondent)

OHANAEZE NDIGBO YOUTH COUNCIL (OYC) SPAIN, TO HELP IGBO YOUTHS OBTAIN SPANISH RESIDENT PERMITS.

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council (OYC) Spain, the apex Igbo youth organization in Spain has called on all Igbo youths in the Spanish territory to identify and register with the youth organization in Spain as to facilitate the legalization of their stay and integration into the Spanish system, especially those without resident permits. Speaking to Igbo youths in a meeting held recently in Madrid, the President Hon. Uchendu Precious Onuoha said that the organization has decided to adopt this measure considering the difficulties and dangers of residing in a foreign land like Spain without having a resident permit, as those without a legitimate permit cannot integrate into the system or pursue any meaningful purpose. As an organization, our objective is to liase with the Nigerian embassy and all appropriate agencies to protect the interest and welfare of Igbo and Nigerian youths in Spain.

Uchendu stated that, OYC as a registered and legitimate organization, having met and obtained all the requirements demanded by the Spanish authorities to operate as an organization in the kingdom of Spain will help Igbo youths to integrate meaningfully into the Spanish system. Therefore all members of the organization will be issued an identity card bearing the identification number assigned to OYC by the Spanish Ministry of Internal Affairs and a membership registration number attached after registering with the organization. The President reiterated that as Spanish regularization process demands that an immigrant must present a proof of his period of stay and activities in Spain prior to residence permit granted, it therefore becomes necessary that all Igbo youths without resident permits should identify and register with OYC, as that would be a proof to help them pursue their resident permits in Spain. Also the organization will help them source for companies that would offer pre-contracts to enable them obtain their papers.

The President also informed that as part of the programs mapped out for the year, OYC will organize and carry out an elaborate enlightenment campaign programs in the media, institutions, and churches, at home and abroad to inform the youths of the dangers of embarking on suicidal immigration adventures to Europe through the deserts and waters as the benefits are not worth the risks involved. For further information contact; email: oycspain@yahoo.com phone: 0034 632971388, 632242303, 632813183

OHANAEZE NDIGBO YOUTH COUNCIL (OYC) SPAIN CALLS ON JONATHAN TO EXTEND AMNESTY PROGRAMS TO IGBO YOUTHS

By Uchendu Precious Onuoha (Special Correspondent Spain)

OHANAEZE NDIGBO YOUTH COUNCIL (OYC) SPAIN CALLS ON JONATHAN TO EXTEND THE NIGER-DELTA AMNESTY PROGRAMS TO IGBO YOUTHS

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Spain (OYC) has called on President Jonathan to extend the Niger Delta amnesty programs and benefits to the nonviolent Igbo Youths of the South Eastern states as they are among the oil states of the Niger Delta region. Speaking at the December 10, 2014 end of year  meeting held in Madrid by the organization, the leader Hon. Uchendu Precious Onuoha highlighted on the youth empowerment packages and programs mapped out for the Niger Delta Youths by the president which  include employment by international firms operating in the region, Education Scholarship, special vocational training, and skill acquisition schemes to the youths of the region both home and abroad, and the payment of monthly allowance among others.

The leader lamented that Igbo youths who are among the oil producing states of the Niger Delta are benefiting little or nothing from the President’s amnesty programs to empower the youths to pursue a meaningful life and steer them away from restiveness, crime and violence. Among the packages and incentives given to the youths of the oil producing states, Igbo youths are not benefiting and are not carried along in the scheme of things. He reiterated that while the youths of the Niger Delta states like Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Delta are placed on monthly allowances and are been trained abroad on various skills and professions, their Igbo counterparts are left out. He stated that the non-violent posture of Igbo youths from the oil producing states not to take to arms and violence to disrupt oil explorations and exploitation in their regions should not be taken for granted. The government should implement developmental projects to offer gainful employments to the teeming population of unemployed youths in the region. The leader reiterated that government should not wait until youths take to violent acts before proffering solutions. 

Onuoha stated that about 16,000 ex-militants youths of Niger Delta are currently been trained on various vocations abroad till 2015 while the nonviolent youths spread across Igbo land who are not among these lot  are suffering and roaming the streets without employment. He pointed out that there are oil wells located, and exploited in Abia, Imo, Ebonyi and other states of the South East region. Empowering nonviolent Igbo youths like their counterparts in other states will bring about equity and fairness in the region. The leader therefore called on the special adviser to the President on Niger Delta Hon. Kinglsey Kuku to enlist Igbo youths to benefit from the President’s Amnesty programs as to empower the youths in the region, as that will help to keep the local youths away from crime. Stating that what is good for the goose is good for the gander.

The youths who were in high spirit, commended the leader for his visionary leadership and fighting spirit for the cause of Igbo youths both in Diaspora and at home. And they resolved to raise a communique to all the five Igbo state governors appealing to them to tender their demands to the president. We are not asking for the moon, all we are saying is that what is good for our counterparts in other states is good for us.

WE ARE THIEVES FROM NIGERIA, DRAMA AT LONDON HEATHROW AIRPORT

By Uchendu Precious Onuoha (Special Correspondent Spain)

WE ARE THIEVES FROM NIGERIA, DRAMA AT LONDON HEATHROW AIRPORT

A man sometimes is ensnared by the words of his mouth. Differences in tongues, mispronunciations and misunderstanding of the similarities of certain words have landed people into trouble in the past and continues unto present time. In the Holy book, the mispronunciations of the word “Shibboleth” as “Sibboleth” costed the lives of 42,000 Ephraimites. (Judges 12:6) refer. Not quite long ago, a group of travelers from Nigeria who identified themselves as Tivs from Nigeria at the busy London Heathrow Airport were mistaken as thieves from Nigeria by the Heathrow airport immigration officers. 

The incident which looked like a pelicula started when the passengers who were traveling as a group for an event in London arrived at the immigration control and was asked for identity. The leader of the group responding said, we are Tivs from Nigeria and we are going for an event in London. The immigration officer who was startled asked, you are thieves from Nigeria? And they responded in affirmative. Immediately their travel documents were collected from them and they were taken in for further interrogation.

The immigration officers wasted no time to contact the Nigerian Embassy in London informing them that they have in detention a group of thieves from Nigeria and they should come and take custody of them for appropriate measures to be taken. The embassy officials arrived, but to their amazement discovered that the detained travelers were free and innocent citizens of Nigeria from the Tivi clan of the Northern region of Nigeria. And the British immigration officers were meant to understand at last that they were not thieves but Tivs.

Such drama or incidents may occur due to words classified as, Homophones by linguistic scholars. Homophones are words that have different spellings, different meanings, but the same pronunciation. It is well known that several people, tribe and nations cannot pronounce certain letters. The sound and letter ‘R’ cannot be pronounced the same, but is pronounced as ‘L’ by certain people and that could cause embarrassment or problems especially to some travelers who pass through the eye of the niddle at foreign immigration control points. The group of Tivs from Nigeria was not thieves. But the Holy book says, “For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned”. (Mt.12:37) Refer.

THE SAVE AFRICAN YOUTH FOUNDATION (SAY-F) EXPRESSES SYMPATHY OVER THE DEATH OF A SPANISH POLICE

By Uchendu Precious Onuoha (Special Correspondent Spain)

THE SAVE AFRICAN YOUTH FOUNDATION (SAY-F) EXPRESSES SYMPATHY OVER THE DEATH OF A SPANISH POLICE.

“Any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee” (John Dunn).  

Truly the recent bell toll of the death incident of a Spanish police officer caused by an African immigrant tolls for all of us. The Save African Youth Foundation (SAY-F) has condemned the death of the Spanish police officer, Francisco Javier Ortega who died after he was pushed down to a train track by Ali Raba Yode, a delinquent African immigrant from Ivory Coast. The incident which was widely reported by the Spanish television and papers occurred in Madrid on December 2, 2015. 

According to the report, the ugly incident occurred when the security agent was investigating the documents of the African immigrant who was purported to have had records of various criminal antecedents before with the authorities. The Ivorian who struggled to resist control by the police, pushed down the security agent on the railway track where he was hit by a moving train which led to his death. The assailant who equally fall down with him remains in a critical condition in the hospital.

The President of the Foundation, Hon.Uchendu Precious Onuoha lamented over the incident and the bad image it may portray African immigrants before their host. On behalf of the Save African Youth Foundation (SAY-F) an organization which was formed to save vulnerable African youths and steer them away from violence and crime, he expressed his sympathy to the Spanish government and the family of the deceased police officer.  He said, it is not only when it affects us as immigrants that we should raise our voice, in incident like this, we should equally rise and condemn unruly and violent acts by our citizens towards their host community as to enjoy a peaceful relationship with them. He called on African youths and immigrants in Spain to always respect and obey the laws of the land as to enable them enjoy the peace and security many of them were denied in their home countries.

OHANAEZE NDIGBO YOUTH COUNCIL (OYC) SPAIN CALLS ON JONATHAN TO EXTEND THE NIGER-DELTA AMNESTY PROGRAMS TO IGBO YOUTHS

OHANAEZE NDIGBO YOUTH COUNCIL (OYC) SPAIN CALLS ON JONATHAN TO EXTEND THE NIGER-DELTA AMNESTY PROGRAMS TO IGBO YOUTHS

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Spain (OYC) has called on President Jonathan to extend the Niger Delta amnesty programs and benefits to the nonviolent Igbo Youths of the South Eastern states as they are among the oil states of the Niger Delta region. Speaking at the December 10, 2014 end of year  meeting held in Madrid by the organization, the leader Hon. Uchendu Precious Onuoha highlighted on the youth empowerment package and programs mapped out for the Niger Delta Youths by the president which  include employment by international firms operating in the region, Education Scholarship, special vocational training, and skill acquisition schemes to the youths of the region both home and abroad, and the payment of monthly allowance among others.

The leader lamented that Igbo youths who are among the oil producing states of the Niger Delta are benefiting little or nothing from the President’s amnesty programs to empower the youths to pursue a meaningful life and steer them away from restiveness, crime and violence. Among the packages and incentives given to the youths of the oil producing states, Igbo youths are not benefiting and are not carried along in the scheme of things. He reiterated that while the youths of the Niger Delta states like Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Delta are placed on monthly allowance and are been trained abroad on various skills and professions, their Igbo counterparts are left out.

Onuoha stated that about 16,000 ex-militants youths of Niger Delta are currently been trained on various vocations abroad till 2015 while the nonviolent youths spread across Igbo land who are not among these lot  are suffering and roaming the streets without employment. He pointed out that there are oil wells located, and exploited in Abia, Imo, Ebonyi and other states of the South East region. Empowering nonviolent Igbo youths like their counterparts in other states will bring about equity and fairness in the region. The leader therefore called on the special adviser to the President on Niger Delta hon. Kinglsey Kuku to enlist Igbo youths to benefit from the President’s Amnesty programs as to empower the youths in the region, as that will help to keep the local youths away from crime. Stating that what is good for the goose is good for the gander.

The youths who were in high spirit, commended the leader for his visionary leadership and fighting spirit for the cause of Igbo youths both in Diaspora and at home. And they resolved to raise a communique to all the five Igbo governors appealing to them to tender their demands to the president. We are not asking for the moon, all we are saying is that what is good for our counterparts in other states is good for us.

ALEX OTI SENT BY GOD TO RESCUE ABIA

By Uchendu Precious Onuoha (Special correspondent Spain)

ALEX OTI SENT BY GOD TO RESCUE ABIA.

Who will believe my report and in whose eye was the vision and plan of God for his people revealed? As a writer, journalist, societal watchdog, a watchman, like a priest in the old testament of the bible called and anointed right from the womb to keep the watch and shine the light for others to see. My calling and vocation entrusts me with a great charge of balancing truth and conveying the message and popular opinion to the society. For Ndigbo, and to my kinsmen of Abia, I am your brother and son, keeping watch over my people. And in my watch, I was meant to see a vision of the sufferings that my people of Abia, God’s own state has patiently been enduring. While at the island of Las Palmas Spain, I remembered Umuogele Nvosi my village, Aba and Abia, and as a young man I had a vision and not a dream, as dreams belong to our aged parents at home.

“And it shall come to pass afterwards, that I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions” Joel 2: 28. I am not a dreamer rather I have and believe in vision as vision keeps you focused. And according to K. Ferlick, a vision is accompanied by a knowing that what is seen is a real possibility if there is the willingness to do what is necessary to create it.  Waking up early morning to watch the beauty of creation at the seaside in the beautiful Island of Las Palmas, the spirit of God took control of me and I was shown a vision like John in the island of Patmos, and there was a voice saying to me write down what you see, and send the message to the Abians.

This is the message from he that makes to be, the king of kings, and he that the earth and all that dwell in it belong to, saying to Abia God’s own state; I know your troubles; I know that you are poor when really you are supposed to be rich. I know the things done against you by those who claim to be leaders but are not by their works. Let not your heart fail you, because your redemption is near through him that is coming.

I know your labour; I know how hard you have toiled in vain and how patient you have been. I know that you cannot tolerate vindictive people anymore, and you have tested those who say they are rulers but are not, and you have found them wanting. Remember how Aba town used to be in the past and how far it has fallen from grace to grass and has degenerated to a city of slump. The time has come for the city to be restored back to its former glory even better by him whom I send.

I have seen the oppression my people are being treated in Abia, I have heard their cry out to be rescued and bring them out from Egypt and restored to God’s own state, a gracious land, fertile, rich, and flowing with oil. I have indeed heard the cry of Abians, my own people and I see how the taskmasters are oppressing you. Now I am sending you my servant who will, like Moses rescue you from bondage and lead you to your promised land. For I have no other one naturally minded, who will affectionately care for my people of Abia state like him. For all before him seek their own and not the things which are for the welfare of my people.

After that I saw myself in the midst of the council of departed elders of Ndigbo and Abia, and there were, Akanu Ibiam, M.I. Okpara, Ururuka, Sam Mbakwe, Nwanyimma Okezie, K.O. Mbadiwe, Nnamdi Azikiwe, and others too numerous to mention. The elders were on a tour of their home states and the entire Igbo land. They nodded their heads with satisfaction as they traversed the streets of Anambra, Enugu and Imo. But as they arrived Aba to enter Abia state, lo and behold, there was pandemonium, confusion, riot and dejection all over them, as their countenance and demeanor changed to that of disappointment. 

Immediately Nwanyimma Okezie did not waste any time to call Aba and Abia women to riot just like she did in 1929 to protest against arbitrary rule in the land. Sam Mbakwe was crying uncontrollably like a weeping governor, and refused to be consoled when he saw the state of decay and abandon of the Aba shopping center, Enyimba hotels, Aba roads, rural electrification, projects he put on ground for Abians before his departure which has become abandoned. Akanu Ibiam, Okpara, Ururuka, Zik, and Mbadiwe lamented that what they saw was beyond their comprehension and not befitting for a God’s own state as it did not show the fruits of their labour for the state they diligently worked and laid foundation for.

Like Ebola, they were all scared to enter Aba as to avoid dying a second death which may cost them the resurrection of the dead which all of them are waiting for to come back to finish their good works for Ndigbo. As the elders were consulting among themselves and lamenting on what to do about the condition of Abia state, there was a loud voice saying, whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then a voice replied and said, here I am send me. And immediately, there was a rousing ovation joy and hope among the council of elders and crowd of witnesses as Odumegwu Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, the late Eze Igbo Gburugburu, Ochiagha Ndigbo, Ezedioramma Ndigbo appeared at the stage leading a young man with the name boldly written ALEX OTI, and said Aba, Abia, here is your beloved son in whom I am well pleased, follow him, as he will do for Abia the good works my other disciples and his fellow brothers before him did and are doing in Anambra state. And at that point the vision vanished.

Now, hear you Precious voice, Abians Alex Oti has been sent like Moses to deliver you from the state of bondage, backwardness and take you forward to the height destined by God for you. Your redemption is very near, and your salvation lies in your own hands. Today, he stands at your door knocking for your support, if only you would hear his knock and his voice to  open your door and usher in the man whom God and the twenty four elders of Ndigbo in heaven has given the key to lead Abia to the promised land, then it will be well with you. He is the man Abians has been waiting for. Remember as God’s own state, you cannot continue to suffer lack in the midst of plenty; “Nwa eze anaghi ario nri” 

Power belongs to you, and with your vote you can say no to suffering and secure the future of your children. Stand firm and resist any attempt to sell your conscience for a morsel of bread and checkmate your votes to be rigged. While I commend the serving governor for offering his best to the people, at this dispensation, Abians should be allowed according to Igbo adage;  Were onu ha kporo onye akidi; meaning to use their mouth to call their own beans ball seller.

Therefore, I call on Aba people and the entire Abians, to awaken from slumber and face the realities of your situation and possess your possession. Remember nobody will do it for you better than you ought to. You have all it takes to greatness, but you have been ignorant and blind about using your resources, talents, and civic rights to better your own lot. The time has come when you should no longer stand as onlookers and watch someone crack your kernels and decide your fate for you. Regardless of the damage and failures and disappointments of the past, a new dawn has come, don’t remain passive. God has sent you a leader, an astute resource manager, tested and proven, and above all one with fear of God who will not deviate from the Godly virtues imparted to him right from childhood by his God fearing parents. Abians, you cannot go back to start a new beginning, but with Alex Oti you can start today to make a change for a new ending.