What Buhari told Igbo leaders about Nnamdi Kanu, insecurity – Presidency.

‘‘I have listened carefully to the various appeals from the elders to the traditional leaders regarding a wide range of options..." President Muhammadu Buhari Friday told Igbo leaders that he would not order the release of Nnamdi Kanu and would allow the courts to decide the faith of the separatist. Mr Buhari said this at a meeting with Igbo leaders in Ebonyi State. PREMIUM TIMES reported that the meeting with the Igbo leaders was part of Mr Buhari’s itinerary during his ongoing official visit to Ebonyi State. Details of the meeting were contained in a statement by Mr Buhari’s spokesperson, Femi Adesina. Responding to appeals by traditional, religious and political leaders in the region for the release of the detained leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, the president said: ‘‘I have listened carefully to the various appeals from the elders to the traditional leaders regarding a wide range of options, and as I have said previously this matter remains in the full purview of the courts where it will be properly adjudicated.” Read the full statement by Mr Adesina below. President Muhammadu Buhari Friday in Abakiliki pledged that the Federal Government would deploy its strength to protect innocent and hardworking Nigerians from terrorists and those causing break down of law and order in the South East region. Speaking at a meeting with South-East leaders, during his two-day State visit to Ebonyi, the president expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation in the region, reiterating his directive to security agencies to ‘‘flush out’’ those perpetrating violence in the land. ‘‘I must register my deep and grave concern with regards to the deteriorating state of security affairs in this region. ‘‘In the last 48 hours, I have been informed of the latest in the round of brutal actions carried out by gun-wielding terrorists, who prey on innocent and hardworking citizens, unfortunately, these barbaric acts were visited upon those who have committed their lives to protect their fellow citizens,’’ he said. The president paid tribute to members of the Nigerian armed forces who recently lost their lives in the region. Responding to appeals by traditional, religious and political leaders in the region for the release of the detained leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, the president said: ‘‘I have listened carefully to the various appeals from the elders to the traditional leaders regarding a wide range of options, and as I have said previously this matter remains in the full purview of the courts where it will be properly adjudicated. ‘‘My worry is for our hardworking and innocent civilians, for whom life is already tough and would like to earn a decent and honest living. ‘‘There are many that fit this profile and the government owes them that obligation to protect lives and property. ‘‘I will once again repeat, no one has the right to carry an AK-47, and anyone seen in any part of the country doing so and is not a law enforcement officer is a threat to our peaceful coexistence and should be treated as such,’’ he said. On infrastructure, the president highlighted some of his government’s achievements in the region, dismissing those peddling false narratives of lack of care and consideration for the people of the South-east by this administration The president said he was proud of the reconstruction of the runway of the Akanu Ibiam International airport and ongoing work upgrade of the International Terminal Building, assuring Ndigbo that the N200 billion Second Niger Bridge and 10km six-lane expressway in Onitsha and Asaba will be completed before the end of the year. He added that the 5.5 million dollars Diagnostic Centre in Umuahia is already operational. In his remarks, Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi said President Buhari would be remembered as a man who did not use the plight of the people of the South-east to play politics but came to their rescue severally. The Governor urged Southern leaders to work towards finding a political solution in resolving some challenging issues, warning that the region is at ‘‘crossroads.’’ ‘‘On this issue of a political solution, I have never believed in IPOB’s method of operation. I disagree with them but we have gotten ourselves to a very terrible and pitiable solution. ‘‘Some of us warned that we will get to this situation and some were playing politics with it. “Mr President, we are at crossroads. I have been to you and I have begged you for a political solution. Surprisingly and graciously you granted that. You said our people should initiate that and at the forefront is Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer.” The governor, therefore, urged the President of Ohaneze Ndigbo to meet with elder statesman, Mbazuluike Amaechi, the Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), South-east, the Chairman of South-east Traditional Rulers Council, Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer and few others to initiate the political solution. On the 2023 elections, the governor said he believed strongly in the demand for the presidency to be zoned to the South-east region on the basis of fairness, equity, justice and morality. Mr Umahi, who is also a presidential aspirant, commended some leaders from outside the region for expressing their support for the next president of Nigeria to emerge from the South East. The Chairman of South-east Traditional Rulers, Charles Mkpuma and CAN Chairman, South-east, Abraham Nwali, also spoke in favour of the President of Nigeria of South-east extraction come 2023. The leaders while expressing support for a united Nigeria, appealed to the president to grant pardon and release the IPOB leader, urging other agitators to cease all forms of hostilities. Femi Adesina Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity)

What Buhari told Igbo leaders about Nnamdi Kanu, insecurity – Presidency

‘‘I have listened carefully to the various appeals from the elders to the traditional leaders regarding a wide range of options..." ByPremium Times May 6, 2022 3 min read President Muhammadu Buhari Friday told Igbo leaders that he would not order the release of Nnamdi Kanu and would allow the courts to decide the faith of the separatist. Mr Buhari said this at a meeting with Igbo leaders in Ebonyi State. PREMIUM TIMES reported that the meeting with the Igbo leaders was part of Mr Buhari’s itinerary during his ongoing official visit to Ebonyi State. Details of the meeting were contained in a statement by Mr Buhari’s spokesperson, Femi Adesina. Responding to appeals by traditional, religious and political leaders in the region for the release of the detained leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, the president said: ‘‘I have listened carefully to the various appeals from the elders to the traditional leaders regarding a wide range of options, and as I have said previously this matter remains in the full purview of the courts where it will be properly adjudicated.” Read the full statement by Mr Adesina below. President Muhammadu Buhari Friday in Abakiliki pledged that the Federal Government would deploy its strength to protect innocent and hardworking Nigerians from terrorists and those causing break down of law and order in the South East region. Speaking at a meeting with South-East leaders, during his two-day State visit to Ebonyi, the president expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation in the region, reiterating his directive to security agencies to ‘‘flush out’’ those perpetrating violence in the land. ‘‘I must register my deep and grave concern with regards to the deteriorating state of security affairs in this region. ‘‘In the last 48 hours, I have been informed of the latest in the round of brutal actions carried out by gun-wielding terrorists, who prey on innocent and hardworking citizens, unfortunately, these barbaric acts were visited upon those who have committed their lives to protect their fellow citizens,’’ he said. The president paid tribute to members of the Nigerian armed forces who recently lost their lives in the region. Responding to appeals by traditional, religious and political leaders in the region for the release of the detained leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, the president said: ‘‘I have listened carefully to the various appeals from the elders to the traditional leaders regarding a wide range of options, and as I have said previously this matter remains in the full purview of the courts where it will be properly adjudicated. ‘‘My worry is for our hardworking and innocent civilians, for whom life is already tough and would like to earn a decent and honest living. ‘‘There are many that fit this profile and the government owes them that obligation to protect lives and property. ‘‘I will once again repeat, no one has the right to carry an AK-47, and anyone seen in any part of the country doing so and is not a law enforcement officer is a threat to our peaceful coexistence and should be treated as such,’’ he said. On infrastructure, the president highlighted some of his government’s achievements in the region, dismissing those peddling false narratives of lack of care and consideration for the people of the South-east by this administration The president said he was proud of the reconstruction of the runway of the Akanu Ibiam International airport and ongoing work upgrade of the International Terminal Building, assuring Ndigbo that the N200 billion Second Niger Bridge and 10km six-lane expressway in Onitsha and Asaba will be completed before the end of the year. He added that the 5.5 million dollars Diagnostic Centre in Umuahia is already operational. In his remarks, Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi said President Buhari would be remembered as a man who did not use the plight of the people of the South-east to play politics but came to their rescue severally. The Governor urged Southern leaders to work towards finding a political solution in resolving some challenging issues, warning that the region is at ‘‘crossroads.’’ ‘‘On this issue of a political solution, I have never believed in IPOB’s method of operation. I disagree with them but we have gotten ourselves to a very terrible and pitiable solution. ‘‘Some of us warned that we will get to this situation and some were playing politics with it. “Mr President, we are at crossroads. I have been to you and I have begged you for a political solution. Surprisingly and graciously you granted that. You said our people should initiate that and at the forefront is Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer.” The governor, therefore, urged the President of Ohaneze Ndigbo to meet with elder statesman, Mbazuluike Amaechi, the Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), South-east, the Chairman of South-east Traditional Rulers Council, Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer and few others to initiate the political solution. On the 2023 elections, the governor said he believed strongly in the demand for the presidency to be zoned to the South-east region on the basis of fairness, equity, justice and morality. Mr Umahi, who is also a presidential aspirant, commended some leaders from outside the region for expressing their support for the next president of Nigeria to emerge from the South East. The Chairman of South-east Traditional Rulers, Charles Mkpuma and CAN Chairman, South-east, Abraham Nwali, also spoke in favour of the President of Nigeria of South-east extraction come 2023. The leaders while expressing support for a united Nigeria, appealed to the president to grant pardon and release the IPOB leader, urging other agitators to cease all forms of hostilities. Femi Adesina Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity)

Nigerian airline operators shut down operations from Monday By Kazie Uko

The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has announced imminent shutdown of operations from Monday due to the high cost of aviation fuel. The cost of aviation fuel, also known as Jet-A1, had steadily risen from N190/litre in January this year to N607/litre in March. The product now reportedly sells for about N700/litre. In a letter sent to the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, by its President, Abdulmunaf Yunusa Sarina, the AON expressed its unwillingness to pass the cost down to its customers, who, according to it, were already experiencing a lot of difficulties. The letter read: “It is with a great sense of responsibility and patriotism that the Airline Operators of Nigeria have carried on deploying and subsidising their services to our highly esteemed Nigerian flying public in the last four months despite the steady and astronomical hike in the price of Jet-A1 and other operating costs. “Overtime, aviation fuel price has risen from N190 per litre to N700 currently. No airline in the world can absorb this kind of sudden shock from such an astronomical rise over a short period. “While aviation fuel worldwide is said to cost about 40 per cent of an airline’s operating cost globally, the present hike has shut up Nigeria’s operating cost to about 95 per cent. “In the face of this, airlines have engaged the Federal Government, the National Assembly, NNPC and Oil Marketers with the view to bringing the cost of Jet-A1 down which has currently made the unit cost per seat for a one-hour flight in Nigeria today to an average of N120,000. READ: One-way ticket for local air travel may hit N120,000 “The latter cannot be fully passed to passengers who are already experiencing a lot of difficulties. “While AON appreciates the efforts of the current government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure air transport in Nigeria grows, unfortunately, the cost of aviation fuel has continued to rise unabated thereby creating huge pressure on the sustainability of operations and financial viability of the airlines. This is unsustainable and the airlines can no longer absorb the pressure. “To this end therefore, the Airline Operators of Nigeria, hereby, wishes to regrettably inform the general public that member airlines will discontinue operations nationwide with effect from Monday May 9, 2022, until further notice. “AON uses this medium to humbly state that we regret any inconveniences this very difficult decision might cause and appeal to travellers to kindly reconsider their travel itinerary and make alternative arrangements.”