30m Biafrans votes for Biafra self-referendum- BRGIE

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May 31, 2024

The Prime Minister of Biafra Republic Government in Exile, Simon Ekpa says over 30 million Biafrans have voted for self-referendum.

Ekpa disclosed this in a statement through his official account handle on Thursday, noting that the flare with which Biafrans embraced its E-voting and physical voting showed their enthusiasm for liberation.

According to him, the number of Biafrans who have voted for self-referendum in the last four months surpassed the number of voters in the 2023 Nigerian presidential election which stood at 25,286,616.

He noted that voting which kicks off in February ends in May and the next stages two and three of Biafra Libration will commence in June and last till November 28th, 2024.

BRGIE had cited marginalization, underdevelopment, insecurity and poverty in the southeast region as justification for self-referendum.

“Biafra Self Referendum has recorded over 30 million votes on the last day of the stage one”, he stated.

BRGIE earlier stated that it is clear that Biafrans are ready to exit Nigeria after decades of marginalization.

“It is clear that Biafrans are ready to go. The first stage of the E-voting and physical voting ends in May 2024. There are three stages.

“Stage one will(Which commenced February 1, 2024, with the E-voting) end in May 30th, stage two start in June 1st and end in August, stage 3 starts in September and end on November 28th, 2024″ Indeed, we are on the verge of achieving liberation”, he said.

Recall that BRGIE declared May 29 to 31st, 2024 as Sit-at-home in honour of the slayed Biafran heroes of the 1967-1970 Civil War in Nigeria.

Stop using force, threats, engage Finland to mediate between us – BRGIE to Nigerian govt

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May 29, 2024

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The Biafra Republic Government In-Exile, BRGIE, has urged the federal government of Nigeria to engage its Finland counterpart for mediation to end the conflict in Biafraland.

BRGIE’s prime minister, Simon Ekpa in a statement on Tuesday while expressing concerns over the battle between the Biafra Liberation Army (Biafra defence forces) and the Nigerian army in the region.

Some stakeholders had continuously called on the Nigerian government to collaborate with the Finnish Government to extradite Ekpa, a pro-Biafran agitator who is a citizen of Finland and doubled as Prime Minister of Biafra government in Exile.

Recall that the Nigerian Senate in July, 2023 asked the FG to facilitate the extradition of the BRGIE’s prime minister for prosecution.

But Ekpa in his statement on Tuesday, opt for dialogue, saying everything is not by the “use of force and threats”.

Part of the statement reads, “You should engage Finland to be a mediator in the conflict and also mediate the peaceful exit of Biafra.

“I am standing very tall on our rights to self defence. Finland played a key role in the Namibia and South Africa conflict.

“But of course, you think everything is by the use of force and threats”.

Nigeria showcases digital social investments at APRA 2024

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May 26, 2024

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Various digital social investments in Nigeria, through the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) were on showcase at the just-concluded 35th annual conference of the African Public Relations Association, APRA, in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

Through a presentation by the Head of Media Management Relations at the NCC, Dr. Omoniyi Ibietan, who later emerged as the Secretary-General of APRA after an election at the event which took place from 13th to 17th May, 2024, participants had a glean into some of the digital social investments and infrastructure expansion happening in Nigeria, through regulatory efficiency of the Commission.

In his presentation with the title: “Digital Inclusion as Arbiter of Accessible PR: A Case of the Nigerian Communications Commission,” Ibietan highlighted some 36 initiatives of the Commission within and beyond its immediate regulatory mandate, implemented to promote infrastructure expansion, support SMEs, empower educational institutions, advance innovation and promote digital up-skilling of Nigerian youths.

These include the Advanced Digital Awareness Programme for Tertiary Institutions (ADAPTI); Campus Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIEP) programme; e-PAD project for 232 institutions; Digital Appreciation Project (DAP) for 247 secondary schools; Digital Literacy Training for Teachers (DLT); Digital Integration Programme (DIP) for MSMEs; and the E-Accessibility programme targeted at persons with disabilities.

Others include the Nigerian Girls Can Code Competition; the Build A-Thon, aimed at enabling young persons to pitch and enhance their skills and new learning experience; Tertiary Institutions Digital Centre (TIDC) for 250 institutions; 2,291 Digital Nigeria Centers (DNC) online/offline educational resources; Local Application and Content Deployment programme; and up to 72 Rural Broadband Initiative projects, among others.

According to him, the NCC through its component special purpose vehicle, the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) has undertaken several digital infrastructure projects, programmes and collaborative activities with stakeholders.

“These interventions have caused a shift in digital literacy, fundamentally shrank the digital divide and opened the floodgates of participation in political, economic and social processes, and enabled accessible digital public relations in Nigeria,” he said.

While over 20 papers were presented at the APRA Conference to expound its thematic focus of “One Africa, One Voice: Bridging Africa’s Communication Divide”, Ibietan’s paper was the only presentation that showcased digital infrastructure investments by any African country, even though many papers advocated the centrality of adequate broadband infrastructure in enhancing digital culture on the continent.

Ibietan emphasised that digital inclusion is the ability of individuals and groups to access and fully participate in the digital society, particularly in the use of information and communication technologies, ICTs, such as the internet, computers, and mobile devices.

He submitted that digital inclusion encompasses not only access to digital technologies but also the skills, knowledge, and resources needed to effectively utilize them.

He also emphasised that the phenomenon of digital inclusion is desirable for economies that aspire to grow and develop in remarkable and measurable sense.

He said: “This is because digital inclusion promotes social and economic opportunities, enhances civic engagement and participation, supports education and lifelong learning, fosters digital literacy and skills development, encourages innovation and entrepreneurship, and helps to bridge the digital divide and reduce inequalities.”

He referenced that the COVID-19 pandemic and its fallouts proved the significance of digital infrastructure to the economy.

Luckily, he said: “Nigeria’s investment in broadband infrastructure partly explained why the nation was able to cope with the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus because availability of digital infrastructure helped individuals, businesses and the government to migrate their social and economic activities to digital platforms in order to mitigate the devastating effect of the Pandemic.”

He recommended constant and seamless communication among stakeholders to ensure efficiency in the management and proper harvest of derivable benefits social investment and infrastructural projects.

Why Corruption, Cybercrime Flourish in Nigeria- ICPC Chairman Aliyu

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May 26, 2024

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The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN has blamed the high incidence of corruption and cybercrimes in Nigeria on weak system in governance.

The ICPC Boss stated this on thursday in a paper presented at the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council First Half meeting held in Abuja.

He decried that decision-making process in the country have become unaccountable and access to decision-makers “is now dependent on restricted social networks, where earning does not correspond with the basic needs of life, and where government control and enforcement of the existing laws are weak.”

Dr. Aliyu also harped on the importance of strong religious institutions where the fight against corruption would be prioritized.

“First assumption is that anti-corruption efforts can be more effective when they are communicated and conducted through religious organizations or leaders. This implies that these religious entities have a significant influence on their followers and can thus play a crucial role in spreading anti-corruption messages.”

The ICPC Chairman stressed further that fight against corruption and cybercrime was not limited to any single faith adding that it was a collective responsibility that transcends religious boundaries.

“Religious leaders from different faiths can collaborate on interfaith initiatives that promote accountability and combat corruption and cybercrime. This unity sends a powerful message that these issues are universally condemned and that religious communities stand together in their commitment to ethical conduct.” he said.

He charged Nigerians to be guided by faith and dedication to justice saying “we must not forget that our role is not passive, we are active participants, supporting our religious leaders in the fight against corruption and cybercrime, and setting a standard for society to emulate. Together, our concerted efforts have the power to forge a brighter, more ethical, and secure future for all Nigerians.”

“Let us heed the call to action, drawing inspiration from our religious teachings and committing ourselves to the noble cause of combating corruption and cybercrime. With unwavering resolve and collaboration, we can realize a Nigeria where honesty, integrity, and transparency reign supreme, ensuring a prosperous and harmonious society for future generations”.

BRGIE drags Nigerian govt to AU over Nnamdi Kanu’s detention, Biafra referedum

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May 24, 2024

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Biafra Republic Government In Exile, BRGIE, has petitioned the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, an organ of the African Union in Banjul, Gambia, over the continued detention by the Nigerian government of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB and the declaration of the Restoration of independence state of Biafra.

Jonathan Levy, a BRGIE attorney and international legal consultant, made this known in a statement he issued on Friday during an online international press briefing.

In the letter, BRGIE, headed by Simon Ekpa, requested that the Commission appoint a Special Rapporteur to address alleged economic and human rights abuses in the Southeastern region.

BRGIE demands rectification of the ongoing Biafra Self Referendum to avoid the calamity that may befall Nigeria.

The Commission acknowledged the petition in a letter dated May 23, 2024, addressed to BRGIE by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the ACHPR) in Banjul, Gambia.

“The Commission is asked to take jurisdiction over the matter of Biafra on an urgent basis owing to the state of near armed conflict in the region; the BRGIE Sit at Home civil disobedience campaign and the continued unlawful detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and pro-Biafra supporters. The BRGIE also informed the Commission of the ongoing Biafra Referendum, due to conclude at the end of November 2024, which is expected to result in the declaration of the restoration of Biafra’s independence and the need for a swift governance transition.

“The BRGIE has advised the Commission and Nigeria that despite its best efforts to prevent civil strife and bloodshed, the legitimate rights of the Biafran people to self-determination shall no longer be thwarted by Nigeria’s security operatives.

Nigerian Newssphere recalls that BRGIE, in a statement on May 8, condemned the alleged attack on the Igga community in the Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State by security operatives, where several persons were reported killed.

The statement followed a report by an online news platform alleging that a combined security operatives led by the Nigeria Police Force burnt down the community, killing some villagers.

According to the report, the attack followed the killing of two policemen and three members of the Enugu State Neighbourhood Watch Group by hoodlums in the area.

Reacting, BRGIE, in a statement issued on Tuesday by its Prime Minister, Ekpa, described the development as an act of terrorism and human rights abuses.

Biafra Day: Why every Biafrans should honour May 29-31st sit-at-home- BRGIE

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May 22, 2024

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Biafra Republic Government In-Exile has explained that it is the duty of all Igbos and lovers of the Southeast to honour its May 29 to 31st, 2024 Sit-at-home in honour of slayed Biafran heroes of the 1967-1970 Civil War in Nigeria. Simon Ekpa, the prime Minister of BRGIE, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.

He said the sit-at-home is necessary to enable Biafrans to vote for the Libration of Biafra.

BRGIE’s prime Minister stressed that Biafra Independent is a price every Igbos should sacrifice to actualise.

“The sit-at-home in Biafraland on the following dates to enable Biafrans to vote in the last phase of stage one self-referendum voting.

“29th May, 2024 sit at home and vote; 30th May, 2024 Biafra Day sit at home and vote; 31st May, 2024 sit at home vote.

“In addition, the Biafra Republic Government in Exile is not a political pressure group, unlike others who only agreed to sit at home on May 30. BRGIE is very proactive, and we channel all our efforts towards the Liberation of Biafra by every means necessary, so you are not just sitting at home on the 30th but using that to cast your vote.

“The Civil War only ended on pages of newspapers but have not ended physically, militarily, politically and structurally.

“I urge Biafrans across Southeast, South-South to vote for Biafra Liberation and observe the sit-at-home.

“Biafra Self referendum has three stages. The last stage will end in November 2024 while the Declaration convention will start on 29th November and end on 3rd of December 2024”

“Over Five Million Biafrans have voted in the ongoing self referendum.

“Both online and in the homeland from thousands of polling unit across the 40 states”, he stated.

Nigerian striker Lookman fires Atalanta to first ever Europa League glory

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May 22, 2024

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Nigerian International, Ademola Lookman bagged a hat-trick as Atalanta defeated Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 in the final of the Europa League.

Lookman made history as the first African player to score three goals in the final of a major UEFA competition.

It was Bayer Leverkusen’s first defeat in 52 games across all competitions this season.

It was the first time Atalanta will be winning an European title.

They also become the first Italian side to win the Europa League.

Lookman opened scoring for Atalanta in the 12th mAdemola Lookman bagged a hat-trick as Atalanta defeated Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 in the final of the Europa League.

Lookman made history as the first African player to score three goals in the final of a major UEFA competition.

It was Bayer Leverkusen’s first defeat in 52 games across all competitions this season.

It was the first time Atalanta will be winning an European title.

They also become the first Italian side to win the Europa League.

Lookman opened scoring for Atalanta in the 12th minute after he was teed up by Davide Zappacosta.

The winger doubled the lead with a sublime finish 12 minutes later.

The Nigeria international scored the third with anotAdemola Lookman bagged a hat-trick as Atalanta defeated Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 in the final of the Europa League.

Lookman made history as the first African player to score three goals in the final of a major UEFA competition.

It was Bayer Leverkusen’s first defeat in 52 games across all competitions this season.

It was the first time Atalanta will be winning an European title.

They also become the first Italian side to win the Europa League.

Lookman opened scoring for Atalanta in the 12th minute after he was teed up by Davide Zappacosta.

The winger doubled the lead with a sublime finish 12 minutes later.
Ademola Lookman bagged a hat-trick as Atalanta defeated Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 in the final of the Europa League.