Biafra: I’ll lead negotiation with agitators – Okorie *Warns against force

 

Presidential candidate of the United Progressives Party (UPP), Chief Chekwas Okorie has opted to lead the way in any move to prevent the current protest of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) from boiling over.

But that is on the condition that the Federal Government must not only take the initiative of inviting him into the matter, but show its readiness for a negotiated settlement of the agitation of the group seeking for the carving out of a separate state of Biafra, from Nigeria, and willingness to give Ndigbo a chance to be Nigerians.

The fact that Okorie was not only a very close ally of the late Ikemba Nnewi, Chief Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, who led the original Biafra to a 30-month civil war with Nigeria, but also the founder of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), which the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu was the London branch chairman, could give him the platform to effectively undertake the mission of engaging the leaders of the group.

Okorie, in an exclusive interview with Whirlwindnews.com, warned that the Federal Government must not make the same mistake it did in dismissing Boko Haram at its embryo stage as inconsequential until it blossomed to its current uncontrollable stage.

Besides, he argued that if the same government was now chasing after the terrorist group with a proposal to reach a truce, there was no reason it should not sit down and prevent a different fire from being ignited somewhere else in the country.

Arguing that it would be foolhardy to allow the IPOB agitation to boil over in the belief that it would be crushed as the Nigerian Army threatened recently, Okorie reasoned that it would be far costlier to engage in the anticipated wastage of human and material resources than to contain it now through dialogue.

Apart from leading to the massive spilling of blood of Nigerians on both sides, it could also lead to the crippling of the economy, by preventing the production of oil from the Niger Delta, part of which has also joined in the agitation.

Okorie, who said any such raproachment must commence immediately, argued that even though the agitation had remained peaceful so far, there was a thin line between the ongoing protests and violence, which would only take a single incident to ignite, which must never be allowed.

Asked if he was in touch with the agitators, Okorie answered in the negative, but added if asked to do so, he was likely to succeed since he had earned enough respect in Igboland, including the youth that they were likely to listen to him.

Hear him: Not at the moment when the situation is still very dicey, because the government is busy looking for who are the leaders behind the agitation instead of addressing the issue at hand. I have received some calls, perhaps not founded, to distance myself from the agitation so that I don’t become a suspect when my real intention is to bring peace to the country. But if the leadership finds me legitimate enough to broker peace, I believe, without being immodest that I have earned enough respect among my people that if I call these young men to a meeting, they can oblige me with their presence. So, if the government engages me to play a mediatory role, I think I can do it very effectively and I believe I will get result for everybody.”

Okorie

Warning that the situation must not be allowed to fester, he added: “When Boko Haram started, nobody thought it was going to degenerate into war. They thought it was just skirmishes of some few disgruntled persons. But it has grown into a full-scale war. And the reason why Nigeria has survived and is even talking about defeating Boko Haram, is because there is no single resource that Nigeria is dependent on that is coming from the North East.

“But if you have such a thing in the South East, which will immediately extend to the South South, Nigeria will not survive three months of it. Six months will be like eternity. The reason is that Nigeria’s lifeline is dependent on what comes from that area. If the oil workers vacate and you cannot even drill, not to talk of exporting, how will Nigeria survive? Right now, there is so much hunger. You are talking about bail out, that time who will bail out the other? So, Nigeria leaders should immediately stem this thing and not allow it blow over and then they will start looking for people to come out.

“If they are looking for Boko Haram leaders to negotiate with in spite of the damage that Boko Haram has caused and they can’t find anybody to negotiate with, now that these people have leaders that are identifiable, including the one they are holding, is it not easier to engage them in discussion and then leaders like us can come and tell them, well, you have achieved a great thing for everybody because now your grievances are being looked into and when all these things are achieved, everybody will benefit. Who wouldn’t like to ride on a good road, who wouldn’t want the erosion menace changed and many other things? Who wouldn’t want these young people to be gainfully employed to make the environment safer? If all these things are agreed upon through negotiation, it will be good for everybody.”

The former presidential hopeful, while expressing delight that many Nigerians outside Igboland were already speaking out about the lot of the Igbo people, Okorie detested the attitude of the Nigerian Army, in thinking that the agitation is something they could easily contain, adding that they should take the Boko Haram situation as an eye opener.

“Even the many of the Nigerian soldiers are believed to be sympathetic to Boko Haram. Many of them have been court-marshalled for the haphazard manner they were prosecuting the war. Did former President Jonathan not tell us that Boko Haram members were in his government? So, if they allow the same thing to occur in the South East and South South, who says there will not be division, disloyalty and suspicion in the army?  You cannot recruit Southern soldiers to go and be shooting down their people and you expect 100 per cent loyalty. You cannot also withdraw them from action and send only Northern soldiers to go and fight. It will be read as genocide.

“So, it is a tricky situation that ought not be allowed to happen. And given that the resources are on the other side, it is a recipe for the disintegration of the country. I don’t belive that President Muhammadu Buhari is silent. I believe he is studying the situation keenly. It is nothing he will wish away. I believe that he will do something that will show that he is a father and leader of the whole country. But sometimes the quality of advice is critical. If the advice is the type that I heard Obasanjo mouth that these are miscreants or that other people who want to write off these gentlemen as dropouts and people who are looking, well it will be unfortunate, because this is the time the saying of making hay while the sun shines is relevant,” he said.

Ohanaeze disowns Radio Biafra Director, condemns medium’s hate

No successful dialogue with Kanu in detention –MASSOB
Rivers govt bans pro Biafra protest
Njiko Igbo urges Buhari to release detained Biafran agitators
Ohanaeze disowns Radio Biafra Director, condemns medium’s hate speeches

By Emeka Mamah,   Jimitota Onoyume,  Vincent Ujumadu & Chimaobi Nwaiwu

There were indications yesterday that lingering rift within the leadership of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo and that of the South-East Governors’ Forum may be hampering opportunities for Igbo leaders to take a collective position on the recent wave of pro-Biafra protests taking place in parts of the area.

Moreover, according to competent sources, Igbo leaders are also said to be in a fix on what to do about millions of the youths from the South-East agitating for a sovereign state of Biafra following what they described as marginalization and discrimination by “the owners of Nigeria.”

The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo is enmeshed in crises, with Enwo Igariway and Ralph Obioha leading different factions of the group.

Also, the South-East Governors’ Forum, which met frequently when Mr. Peter Obi and Chief Theodore Orji, former governors of Anambra and Abia states held sway as chairmen at different periods, appear to be in limbo.

The governors, who had been  at logger-heads over where the forum should hold its meetings, with Okorocha insisting on Owerri while his colleagues argue that Enugu remains the headquarters of the South-East and should serve as venue.

It was also gathered that the governors with the exception of Willie Obiano of Anambra State, had been bogged down with court cases challenging the validity of their elections, thus preventing them from taking special interest in the affairs of the forum and Ndigbo in general.

Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr Joe Nwaorgu, declined comments on the issue when Vanguard cornered him at the national secretariat of the association in Enugu, yesterday.

However, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has not met for a long time to discuss issues of marginalization, appointment of ministers and other officials of the Federal Government, among others, as Igariway, from Ebonyi State, who had since completed his tenure, was accused of still clinging to the position instead of giving way for Enugu State to produce the next president of the association, based on the group’s rotation of offices sharing formula.

Biafra protesters

In an apparent move to give a semblance of existence of leadership for the Igbo, a former National Secretary of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Professor Ben Nwabueze, had since formed the Igbo Leaders of Thought, who met in Enugu recently.

Some members of the Nwabueze- led Leaders of Thought include Professor Lawrence Ocho, Col. Hyacinth Chukwuka (rtd), Major Goddy Onyefuru, Chief N. O. Izuako and Col. Ben Gbulie (rtd).

Others include Chief Chris Okoye, Professor Ike Oluka, Bishop Obi Onubogu, Professor Chiweyite Ejike, Justice G. U. Oniniba, Professor Chukwuemeka Ike, Senator Anyim Ude, Evangelist Elliot Uko, Prince Emeka Onyesoh and Chief Enechi Onyia, SAN, among others.

Nwabueze’s group blames the crises facing the country on lack of what he described as true federalism and marginalization, and not corruption or Boko Haram, among others.

A former Minister from the South-East, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described marginalization of Ndigbo in the security forces, Police, Customs and Immigration, among others, as main reasons for the agitation.

However, the President of Igbo Youths Movement, IYM, Evangelist Elliot Ukoh, who spoke on the issue, attributed agitation for Biafra to what he called unfair treatment of Ndigbo.

According to him, “the feeling among our youths is that Nigeria has been unfair to the Igbo and Ndigbo believe that they will never get justice in Nigeria.

“They believe for example that the JAMB cut-off marks are skewed against them because they get higher marks and, get dropped for northerners who score lower grades in the name of federal character.

“They have no jobs because of quota system which ensures that people are given jobs because of where they come from and not based on merit or competence.

“They are frustrated and therefore, the agitation for Biafra becomes an option. The older ones are more cautious.

“The military leaders like Generals Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Muhammadu Buhari, among others, who designed Nigeria want the country to remain the same.

… No successful dialogue with Kanu in detention —MASSOB

A faction of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, said yesterday that the much- publicized meeting scheduled to take place in Owerri, Imo State, could not hold because of the continued detention of the director of Radio Biafra, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu.

Director of information of the faction, Mr. Uchenna Madu, in a statement, yesterday, said  the continued protests by pro-Biafra groups in some cities in the South East and South –South did not create a conducive atmosphere for such a meeting to take place.

Madu’s statement read: “We support the meeting of the South East governors and Ohanaeze Ndigbo, with pro-Biafra groups to douse the tension, but we believe that such a meeting cannot take place while Nnamdi Kanu is still in detention.

…Rivers govt bans pro-Biafra protests, gatherings

Meantime,Governor Nyesom Wike in a state wide broadcast, Tuesday night, said the state cannot continue to remain a ground for the illegitimate demand by the pro-Biafra agitators, stressing that he took an oath to defend the sovereignty and unity of Nigeria, which he will not compromise.

The governor also alleged in his broadcast that most of those that protested in the state under the aegis of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, were mainly from neighbouring states.

“While individuals and groups are free to exercise their freedom of expression, they must do so peacefully and strictly within the bounds of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. No individual or group has the right, whatsoever, to disturb public peace and order, threaten the safety of the public and create fear and an atmosphere of insecurity in the state or any part thereof.

“Consequently, after due consultations with the members of the State Security Council, and in exercise of my constitutional responsibility to preserve the safety, security and corporate integrity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, it is hereby ordered that all forms of street protests, demonstrations, rallies or unlawful gatherings associated with the agitations for the secession of any group from the Federal Republic of Nigeria are banned in Rivers State.”, he said,

…Army/Police take over Gambia Bus Stop Area of Mile Two

To drive home his point, soldiers were deployed yesterday morning to maintain peace around Gambia Bus stop area of Ikwerre Road.

At about  10a.m.  the fierce looking soldiers positioned their patrol vehicles on Gambia street and other streets connecting Ikwerre road in the area. Vehicles were seen driving slowly through the Gambia Bus stop portion of Ikwerre road while pedestrians raised their hands in surrendering position as they walked past the soldiers.

Police Public Relations Officer, DSP, Ahmad Muhammad  had not been responded to the text message sent to him  at the   time of filing this report.

But the Chairman of Arewa Consultstive Forum in the state, Usman Ibrahim Tudawanda alleged yesterday  that the pro- Biafra protesters attacked Hausa in Eleme and Gambia Street in Diobu area of the state.

…Group calls on Buhari to release detained Biafra agitators

In another development, Igbo leaders under the aegis of Njiko Igbo Forum, NIF, yesterday, asked the Federal Government to release all detained Biafran agitators including Nnamdi Kanu and Benjamoin Onwuka immediately and unconditionally.

However, former Chief Judge of Enugu State and one time President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, who is also being presumed to be the founder of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Justice Eze Ozobu has denied knowing or ever seeing the Director of Radion Biafra, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu.

Eze Ozobu who was reacting to the IPOB constant protest in the South East and South South Geo-political zones said that  the incarcerated Radio Biafra Director is not known to him.

Also reacting, the Director General of Igbo Mandate Congress, IMC, Rev Obinna Akukwe,condemned the hate speeches associated with Radio Biafra, saying it promotes hatred and is not good for a developing nation like Nigeria.

The Biafrans who still dream of leaving Nigeria

In a quiet, dusty and fairly secluded corner of Enugu city, south-eastern Nigeria, a group of men unfurled a homemade flag and then sang.

“Biafra will live forever. Nothing will stop us,” was the gist of their anthem in the Igbo language.

They were not exactly belting it out and instead of hoisting the flag up a pole, it was tied to a metal gate. But there is good reason for discretion – in the eyes of the authorities the gathering is illegal.

On 5 November, 100 men and women were arrested as they marched peacefully through the city’s streets after raising the Biafran flag.

They were all imprisoned and accused of treason but then released when the charges were dropped. It appears the government is determined to ensure any agitation for secession is not allowed to gather momentum.

Forty-two years after the end of the devastating civil war in which government troops fought and defeated Biafran secessionists, the dream of independence has not completely died.

“No amount of threats or arrests will stop us from pursuing our freedom – self-determination for Biafrans,” said Edeson Samuel, national chairman of the Biafran Zionist Movement (BZM).

Image caption Igwe Anthony Ojukwu says the Igbo people feared being wiped out

“We were forced into this unholy marriage but we don’t have the same culture as the northerners. Our religion and culture are quite different from the northerners,” he told the BBC.

The group broke away from the better-known Movement For The Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (Massob).

The 1967-70 civil war threatened to tear apart the young Nigerian nation. Ethnic tensions were high in the mid 1960s. The military had seized power and economic hardship was biting.

With the perception that they were pushing to dominate all sectors of society – from business to the civil service – and while they were prominent in the military, the Igbo people were attacked.

Thousands were killed, especially during the clashes between northerners, who are mostly Muslim, and Igbos. To save their lives, Igbos fled en masse back “home” to the east.

“People used to meet fuel tanker drivers who allowed them to hide inside the tankers – some survived that way,” remembers Igwe Anthony Ojukwu, the traditional ruler of Ogui Nike in Enugu State.

“As we were licking our wounds… it dawned on us that we could not just stay at home as they would come and fight us and that would mean… extinction,” he said, adding that this prompted the move to declare Biafra independent.

Image caption Those who surrendered were issued with cards saying “defunct Biafra”

Today on the streets of Enugu you can hear songs about the war. Booming out from a stall selling CDs and DVDs I heard a song praising the late Chief Emeka Ojukwu – the man who raised the Biafran flag in 1967 and was the leader of the breakaway nation that existed for 31 troubled months.

“It was very terrifying. In the market place you hear a bang and you find limbs flying, people lying dead and others running helter-skelter,” said war veteran Chief Nduka Eya, recalling the aerial bombardment by the Nigerian forces.

At his home he showed me the small card he was given after the Biafrans surrendered. It reads: “Clearance certificate for members of armed forces of defunct Biafra.”

“Naturally when you lose a war it can be very depressing but what can you do? We took it. But history shows Biafra is defunct out of surrender,” said Chief Nduka Eya who is now the secretary general of Ohaneze Ndigbo, an umbrella group representing Igbos around the world.

In the bottom right-hand corner of the card is Olusegun Obasanjo’s signature. The man who later became the president of Nigeria played a major role in the civil war, fighting on the federal government side.

If you think education is expensive try ignorance. Ignorance is a very damaging disease. Our boys and girls need to know what actually happened

Chief Nduka Eya

Although no-one knows the true number, more than one million people died in the war – some from the fighting but many more from the resulting famine in the east.

In an effort to repair the bruised nation, the Nigerian head of state General Yakubu Gowan spoke of “No Victor, No Vanquished” and also promoted a policy of Reconciliation, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation.

‘Willing to fight’

But to this day, many Igbos complain that they were punished economically after the war and still speak of being marginalised. The fact that no Nigerian president has come from the east is a source of much rancour.

The prospect of an independent Igboland now seems impossible, especially as secessionists would want the area’s lucrative oil fields.

While those publicly clamouring for independence are a very small minority, it is not hard to find young people who feel they would be better off as a separate nation. This ought to be of great concern to the government of Nigeria.

“If this present government does not have the solution for us upcoming youth here, I’d rather the nation breaks,” said one young man playing football in Enugu near a statue referred to as “The Unknown Soldier” holding a gun aloft.

“We are willing to fight for our rights. Without sacrifice there will be nothing like freedom. We have to pay the price if we want independence and we are ready to do that again,” he added.

“Islams (sic) don’t want the east to rule the country and our opportunities and rights are denied so we are better off as an independent Biafra sovereign nation. Nothing is impossible,” another man in his 20s added.

Biafran War 1967-1970

• 1960: Nigeria gains independence from the UK
• 1967: South-eastern portion of Nigeria secedes as Republic of Biafra on 30 May
• Biafra dominated by Igbo ethnic group
• Home to much of Nigeria’s oil
• Nigerian army blockades Biafra and more than a million people die through famine, disease and fighting
• 1970: Biafran government surrenders

The renowned Nigerian author Chinua Achebe recently released his memoirs of the war entitled “There Was a Country.” The book includes an insight into what life was like for his family fleeing the city of Lagos and heading east.

His account has angered some – especially non-Igbos – and has caused a stir in the Nigerian media as well as on the internet where there are plenty of reminders that ethnic divisions still run deep.

Towards the end of his book Achebe asks: “Why has the war not been discussed, or taught to the young, over 40 years after its end?

“Are we perpetually doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past because we are too stubborn to learn from them?”

Today Nigeria faces massive security challenges – top of the list being the Islamist insurgency in the north that many Nigerians believe is being fuelled by politicians.

Many would argue that some of the root causes of the civil war were also triggers of the rebellion in the north as well as the militancy in the Niger Delta.

“Three words – injustice, inequality and unfair play,” says Chief Nduka Eya who, like Achebe, believes it is essential for young Nigerians to learn about the war.

“If you think education is expensive try ignorance,” he says.

“Ignorance is a very damaging disease. Our boys and girls need to know what actually happened. ‘Why did my father go to war?’ Someone in the north will ask: ‘Why did we go to fight them?'”

Image caption A new beer called “Hero” with a rising sun on the label echoes Biafran nationalist sentiment

Sitting on his throne and holding his ox tail staff of office, Igwe Anthony Ojukwu calls for the war to be studied in schools.

“The experience of Biafra should be shared so that people outside Biafra will know when they are cheated and when they should start to fight for their own destiny,” says the traditional ruler.

“The risk of not studying Biafra is that we will continue to subdue the subdueables no matter how justified they are in their demands. We will continue to live a life where the stronger animal kills the other,” he says, although he stresses that he is against further efforts to secede.

“I think it is important that Nigeria stays together. Those who are singing for disintegration are doing so for selfish ends.”

Forty-two years after the war, a beer has just been launched in eastern Nigeria. The choice of name, “Hero”, and the logo on the bottle of a rising sun similar to the one on the Biafran flag were no accident.

These days “Bring me a Hero” is a popular call in the bars of Enugu where people have not entirely given up on the dream of raising a glass to “independence”

The Paramount King of Kano, Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II,

“The Igbo people of Nigeria have made a mark in the history of this nation. They led the first successful military coup which eliminated the Military and Political leaders of other regions while letting off Igbo leaders. Nwafor Orizu, then Senate President, in consultation with President Azikiwe, subverted the constitution and handed over power to Aguiyi-Ironsi. Subsequent developments, including attempts at humiliating other peoples, led to the counter-coup and later the civil war. The Igbos themselves must acknowledge that they have a large part of the blame for shattering the unity of this country.
Having said that, this nation must realise that Igbos have more than paid for their foolishness. They have been defeated in war, rendered paupers by monetary policy fiat, their properties declared abandoned and confiscated, kept out of strategic public sector appointments and deprived of public services. The rest of the country forced them to remain in Nigeria and has continued to deny them equity.
The Northern Bourgeoisie and the Yoruba Bourgeoisie have conspired to keep the Igbo out of the scheme of things. In the recent transition when the Igbo solidly supported the PDP in the hope of an Ekwueme presidency, the North and South-West treated this as a Biafra agenda. Every rule set for the primaries, every gentleman´s agreement was set aside to ensure that Obasanjo, not Ekwueme emerged as the candidate. Things went as far as getting the Federal Government to hurriedly gazette a pardon. Now, with this government, the marginalistion of the Igbo is more complete than ever before. The Igbos have taken all these quietly because, they reason, they brought it upon themselves. But the nation is sitting on a time-bomb.
After the First World War, the victors treated Germany with the same contempt Nigeria is treating Igbos. Two decades later, there was a Second World War, far costlier than the first. Germany was again defeated, but this time, they won a more honourable peace. Our present political leaders have no sense of History. There is a new Igbo man, who was not born in 1966 and neither knows nor cares about Nzeogwu and Ojukwu. There are Igbo men on the street who were never Biafrans. They were born Nigerians, are Nigerians, but suffer because of actions of earlier generations. They will soon decide that it is better to fight their own war, and may be find an honourable peace, than to remain in this contemptible state in perpetuity.
The Northern Bourgeoisie and the Yoruba Bourgeoisie have exacted their pound of flesh from the Igbos. For one Sardauna, one Tafawa Balewa, one Akintola and one Okotie-Eboh, hundreds of thousands have died and suffered.
If this issue is not addressed immediately, no conference will solve Nigeria´s problems.”

Revealed: Why We Want Biafra – IPOB

A BBC report yesterday quoted an IPOB leader, Uchenna Madu,

as saying that the group was fighting against the “injustice and inequality: ethnic Igbos faced in Nigeria.

“We believe in Nigeria, we have businesses everywhere in the country but we are getting nothing apart from political and social marginalisation,” he reportedly told BBC.

“Our lives and properties are not secured, we want to live on our own,” he added.

Hundreds of people in southern Nigeria have been protesting about the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu, an activist who supports the creation of a breakaway state of Biafra.

The director of banned Radio Biafra was arrested last month and is still being held despite a court order to free him, his mainly ethnic Igbo supporters say.

There are reports of violence during a protest in Port Harcourt.

Biafran secessionists fought a three-year civil war that ended in 1970.

More than one million people lost their lives before the uprising was eventually quelled by the military.

Secessionist groups have attracted the support of many young people in the South-East in recent years.

The BBC’s Abdussalam Ahmed in the south-eastern city of Enugu says in reality they do not want a repeat of the civil war but are keen to draw the attention of the central government to some developmental challenges the region faces.

Activists told the BBC that five people were killed and several others injured after police fired shots and teargas to disperse the protesters in Port Harcourt – the largest city in the region.

But police spokesman Ahmad Muhammad said this was untrue.

“Measures have been put in place to handle the situation in such a way that public peace is not disrupted and to ensure life and property are protected,” he told the AFP news agency.

Protests were also held on Tuesday in the city of Owerri in Imo State, a day after the region’s biggest market in the city of Aba was reportedly shut down by protesters.

The protests started peacefully on Friday in the oil-rich Delta State and have since taken place in five other major cities in the region.

The demonstrators are mostly young men holding Biafra flags and banners with pictures of Mr Kanu, who is also a leader in the secessionist Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Culled from BBC

SHOOTING UNARMED PROTESTERS IS A DECLARATION OF WAR AGAINST CITIZENS AND A VIOLATION OF DEMOCRACY!.

Josh Amaezechi

The primary responsibility of government is the protection of lives of its citizens. Protests and demonstrations are lawful in a democracy. Bullets of Nigerian soldiers should be directed to Boko Haram and not to unarmed innocent civilians exercising their legitimate rights. Shooting unarmed Biafran citizens? Seriously? Is Nigeria in the 21st century or the 18th Century?

BIAFRA IS NOT A DREAM!!!Asari

Biafra which is corrupted from the KALABARI(Ijaw) word biafulo meaning undone(not well cooked) soup….The Ijaws of Kula named the estuary of Santa Barbara River BIAFULO because of the constant turbulence of the spot…In that context it means unruly or dangerous sea.The Spanish and Portuguese corrupted Biafulo to Biafra and first named the estuary Biafra later THE WHOLE COASTLINE STRETCHING FROM THE CAMEROON TO LAGOS WAS CHRISTEN THE BRIGHT OF BIAFRA.After the genocidal war the name Bright of Biafra was vindictively changed to Bright of Benin.
Therefore Biafra belong to all the people of the former independent state of Biafra and now the people of defunct BENIN REPUBLIC,WHICH IS TODAY EDO AND DELTA STATE.The march 28th voting clearly showed where we belong.

IGBO-NIGERIA POLITICIANS CAN NOT SPEAK FOR BIAFRANS By Ibeh Gift Amarachi

(For  Family Writers)
A lot of speculations and statements from various individuals have been made as regards to the approval and support of Igbo-Nigeria politicians and Leaders towards the quest for the restoration of Biafra,perhaps due to ignorance of the Truth. It must be corrected that Biafra restoration is not an Igbo quest,thus anybody engulfed in the false notion of the restoration of Biafra as an Igbo-Nigeria quest,should have a total rethink,as such idea only exist in an ignorant and demented mindset. The agitation and struggle towards the restoration of Biafra,is a quest for Freedom from the British forceful colonisation and amalgamation of the Islamic contraption called Nigeria,restoration of Sanity, Elimination of Public Treasury/Fund Looters,restoration of accountable leadership and the restoration of Biafra as a Nation. Igbo-Nigeria Leaders and Politicians are not Biafra representatives or leaders,they are Nigeria Islamic leaders and the slaves of the Hausa/­Fulani and Yoruba Politicians,who take orders from their Islamic Masters for their selfish reasons and aswell stop the restoration of Biafra. Biafrans are struggling to secede and restore Biafra from the contraption called Nigeria,concocted by the British for their own amusement and Igbo-Nigeria Leaders are not an exemption,as Biafrans and the World at large know that they are Nigeria Corrupt,Looting,Terrorist,M­urderers and Mayhem bringers. We are whiter than white and whiter than snow and as such,despise any association with Igbo-Nigeria Politicians,as they are Communicable and Contagious disease that can contaminate the restoration of Biafra. We are Biafrans and Igbo-Nigeria leaders are Nigerians. Seeking for the consent and support of an Igbo-Nigeria Islamic Politician whose Brain cells has been eaten up by corruption,is seeking for the consent of the Devil to make Heaven. Biafrans are not flabaggasted over the close relationship between the Chief Sponsor/General of Biafra Genocide by name Yakubu Gowon with his Slave genocidal associates called Igbo-Nigeria Islamic leaders,as birds of thesame feather flocks together. Murderer Yakubu Gowon is an Islamic Murderer and the Chief Sponsor of 1967-1970 Biafra Genocide. He subjugated Biafrans to servitude,mayhem and death and that outrageous act can never leave the memories of Biafrans. He was the Man who trampled on the ABURI ACCORD with made at Aburi with Dim Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu and has been in a Life time quest to stop the restoration of Biafra,by devising various devilish tactics to actualise his evil quest. Igbo-Nigeria Politicians were all rigged into power by the Islamic masters,inother to help propagate the gospel of Islam,aswell as stop the restoration of Biafra,by subjugating and subjecting Biafrans to unbearable and perpetual poverty,aswell as bringing death to Biafrans. They all live luxurious Lifes,at the expense of Biafran treasury and livelihood. Rochas Okorocha the Islamic Governor of Imo State,have been stealing huge amount of Money that is capable of causing tsunami to the ears,from the public treasury for his selfish gains and amusement. This very Igbo-Nigeria Governor,recently beat his wife to pulp for giving him a piece of advice to pay State Government workers Salaries and Pensioners aswell. Rochas Okorocha who has subjected Biafrans to poverty by refusing to pay their Salaries,recently built a Multi-Billion Naira Mosque at Owerri the State capital of Imo State and aswell ordered for the continous arrest and detention of Biafra restoration agitators and Biafrans listening to Radio Biafra,a Biafra Radio station. Willie Obiano the Igbo-Nigeria Governor of Anambra State,ordered for the sporadic shooting of Biafrans peacefully evangelising and propagating the gospel of the restoration of Biafrans,which left three Biafrans dead and several others severely injured on the 30 of August,2015,an unforgetable day Biafrans tag “BLACK SUNDAY”. After the unlawful detention of the Leader of the Indigenous People Of Biafra Mazi Nnamdi Kanu,Willie Obiano ordered for the shooting and arrest of Biafra Women peacefully protesting for the unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and this very slave of Hausa/Fulani has kept to his promise towards the continous arrest of Biafrans agitating for the restoration of Biafran. His predecessor Peter Obi the former Igbo-Nigeria Governor of Anambra State had aswell ordered for the killing of Biafrans during his tenure. On the 11 of May,2006 under the Presidency of Olusegun Obasanjo Peter Obi deployed over 200 Islamic Troops whom were Hausa/Fulani tribes to Onitsha and issued a shoot-at-sight order to them. A lot of Biafrans were killed,including a pregnant Woman. Okezie Ikpeazu the Islamic Abia State Governor and other Igbo-Nigeria Islamic Politicians and leaders made similar orders. We urge World Leaders,Human Activists and every individual to desist from consulting and seeking for the consent and approval of Igbo-Nigeria Politicians and leaders towards the restoration of Biafra,as they are not representatives of the indigenous People Of Biafra,they are contagious and communicable diseases to Biafra restoration,Enemies of Biafra and Slaves to Hausa/Fulani and Yorubas. We are the Indigenous People Of Biafra,we represent ourselves.

Anambra State and Her Towns Nnewi City

Anambra State and Her Towns

Nnewi City

Nnewi is the second largest city in Anambra State in southeastern Nigeria. Nnewi as a metropolitan city encompasses 4 local government areas, Nnewi North, Nnewi South, Ekwusigo and Ihiala Local Government; Nnewi North is commonly referred to as Nnewi central, and comprises four autonomous quarters: Otolo, Uruagu, Umudim, and Nnewichi. Nnewi North also includes Ichi, an autonomous neighbouring town. The first indigenous car manufacturing plant in Nigeria is located in the city while the first wholly made-in-Nigeria motorcycle, the ‘NASENI M1’ was manufactured in Nnewi.

As of 2006, Nnewi has an estimated population of 391,227 according to the Nigerian census. The city spans over 1,076.9 square miles (2,789 km2) in Anambra State. Nnewi Metropolitan Area and its satellite towns is home to nearly 2.5 million residents As of 2005. Dimensionally, Nnewi has an edge over all other units, being recognized by the 1953 census figures as the largest inland town of all others in the Eastern states of Nigeria.

History

In Nnewi oral history and mythology, the ‘ewi’ (Igbo: bush rat) played a great role in saving the founders of Nnewi during wars. Throughout its history, Nnewi has used its military might to maintain its borders and because of this, the killing or eating of ewi in Nnewi is forbidden to the present day. Nnewi existed as an independent kingdom from the 15th century to 1904, when British colonial administration occupied the kingdom.

Nnewi kingdom was founded on four quarters (large villages), namely Otolo, Uruagu, Umudim, and Nnewichi. Each village was divided into family units called ‘umunna’. Each umunna had a first family known as the ‘obi’.

These four quarters were these original names of the Sons of Edo: Otolo being the eldest and Nnewichi being the youngest of the sons Obi of Nnewi

The Place of Nnewi in Igbo History
Originally when the Igbos or Ibos settled in the present day Eastern Nigeria, they arrived with three leader two were spiritual leaders and the youngest of the three a hereditary King known as Obi a King by birthright. The first was the Eze Nri of Awka a Priest King, the second the Eze Aro of Arochukwu a Priest King and the third the Obi of Nnewi a political and war ruler. The Obi Nnewi enthroned the Obi of Onitsha as an Obi an upgrade from is former title Eze of Onitsha in the 1740s. The Obi of Onitsha was well qualified to become an Obi being disputably the first among the two sons of the Oba of Benin. The Onitsha people are visitors and later settlers in Igbo land. The Aros know this history (Nnewi being a relation and a leader among the Igbos) and this part of the reason there are no Aro settlements in Nnewi. The Obi of Nnewi Obi Okoli in1780s lost his stool when inside palace politics that hinged on tradition edged him out. Traditional royal law had it that the Crown Prince must perform the funeral rights of the late Obi before he can be crowned, Obi Okoli was absent and arrived home only after the late Obi Okoli 1st was buried. His Uncle (The late Obi Okoli the 1st younger brother) performed the funeral rights in his stead and took over as Igwe Nnewi he could not be enthroned as an Obi (which means the first son). The Obi Okoli royal linage was forced into exile, they got refuge at Umune-Alam in Umudim, Nnewi where they still are to this day. The Obi Okoli family still bears the Ofor Nnewi till this day.

Edo is the supreme deity of all the Alusi (Igbo: deity) in the Anaedo country. The central shrine of this unifying Alusi is at Nkwo Nnewi, the central Market. There are four other deities in Nnewi: Ana, Ezemewi, Eze and Ele. Christianity was introduced by the Europeans in 1885 and many Nnewi people now practice Christianity.

Nnewi, Ichi and Oraifite made up the Anaedo state. Anaedo communities have common ancestries, beliefs and traditional value systems. Nnewi is a major trading and manufacturing center in Nigeria. Due to its high commercial activities, the city has attracted millions of migrants from other states and countries.

The Ofala Nnewi is a cultural festival held every year to celebrate the coronation of the Igwe of Nnewi. Afiaolu (New yam festival) and Ikwuaru are also among traditional festivals held annually in Nnewi. Nnewi Kingdom is also known as Anaedo meaning the Land of Gold (The supreme deity and goddess of Nnewi).

Geography

Geographically, Nnewi falls within the tropical rain forest region of Nigeria. Though it suffers from soil leaching and erosion which has reduced the soil in some areas to a porous sandy terrain, it remains an area of rich agricultural produce and the epicenter of business trade. The city is located east of the Niger River, and about 22 kilometers south east of Onitsha in Anambra State, Nigeria.

Government

The traditional monarch of Nnewi is called the Igwe. The Igweship in Nnewi kingdom predates the arrival of Europeans, making it a unique monarchy in Igbo land. The Igbos are known for not having kings, hence the popular Igbo saying Igbo é nwě Eze’, meaning ‘the Igbos have no king’. In other Igbo clans, the British colonial administrators created warrant chiefs who then assumed the office and title of Igwe and are elected to this day. In Nnewi, the Igwe is the isi obi (head of the Obis) and hence the Igwe, which literally translates as the heavenly one or highness as he is the holder of the Ofo, the religious and political symbol. He is born and not made or elected, and the institution of inheritance is the traditional right and privilege. The position is neither transferable nor negotiable. He is also an Obi. Obi is the title held by ruling chiefs; it is the equivalent of a duke in the nobility.

The 20th Obi of Otolo and Igwe (King) of Nnewi Kingdom, His Royal Highness Igwe Kenneth Onyeneke Orizu III
The present reigning monarch is His Royal Highness Igwe Kenneth Onyeneke Orizu III; he is the longest serving monarch in Nigeria [11] and he is currently the 20th monarch in the Nnofo Royal lineage. Igwe Kenneth Orizu III is the first class chief in Anambra state from Nnewi as well as the vice Chairman of the Anambra State House of Chiefs.

The traditional rulers of Nnewi
There are Obis in the four clans that make up Nnewi. The highest and the most senior obi is the Obi of Otolo, who is also the Igwe of Nnewi. Chief Nnamdi Obi, Obi Bennett Okafor and Obi George Onyekaba are the current obis of Uruagu, Umudim, and Nnewichi, respectively. These three obis with Igwe Orizu, III as chairman constitute the Igwe-in-Council and they deliberate on the spiritual, traditional, and communal matters, in Nnewi.

There is also an active town union called the Nzuko-Ora Nnewi. It is a forum through which adult Nnewi indigenes (18 years or older) can contribute to the development of Nnewi. This union was set up to encourage and promote the establishment of structures and facilities that will promote and improve the quality of life of people resident at Nnewi people.

Legal system
The ancient legal system of Nnewi was not based upon a written law. It was purely a natural law, involving custom, tradition, and civil and criminal cases. The legal process in Nnewi passed through the labyrinth of extended family system. A report against an offender or a criminal in the first instance, had to be made to the head of his family at his ancestral home known as obi. The head of the family would invite elders and minor obis from his extended family unit to sit in judgment, while the complainant would also invite the elders and minor obis from his extended family side, if both of them were not from the same family. This obi would serve as the court of the first instance, depending, of course, on the nature of the offense or crime allegedly committed. The trial might end here, if both the complainant and the accused were satisfied with the judgment given, or they might take the case to the next senior obi of the same extended’ family, in ascending order, until, probably, the matter got to the highest obi in the lineage. If the complainant was not satisfied at this point, he would appeal to the obi of the quarter and the leaders of his family could be summoned to defend their judgment.

Through this legal procedure, guilt or innocence could easily be established, as the decision was based purely on natural justice. Punishments for offenses and criminal acts were given in relation to their gravity. A man who was found guilty of a serious crime might have no option than to be sold into slavery or expelled from the community for life. He would not be killed because the killing of human beings was against the injunction of Edo Goddess. The judicial system in Nnewi seems to have recognized three classes of cases, the minor offenses, the true criminal case, and the civil suits of debt, bride price and land. The breaking of by-laws was really an offence against some particular juju and as such was to be expiated by a sacrifice. It was, for example, forbidden to kill an “eke” snake, a type of python, or to eat “ewi,” rodent of rabbit family. It is probable these laws were never broken willingly and if broken by accident, the offender would automatically perform a sacrifice without any form of judicial trial being held. The criminal code, with regard to serious crimes, appears to have been more developed in Nnewi than elsewhere in Igboland. There were seven main classes of offences, which were known as “ori-obi,” offenses against the obi, as their investigation was always carried out in the obi of the quarter.

Politics Edit
Nnewi has contributed its fair share of key players in Nigerian politics. A. A. Nwafor Orizu; president of the Nigerian Senate in the First Republic and later, the Acting President before the first coup d’etat of 1966, M.C.K. Ajuluchukwu; a nationalist, anti-colonialist and first republic law-maker, Chief Z.C. Obi (Onunekwuluigbo Igbo); First republic politician, Sir Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu, OBE, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu (Ikemba Nnewi); former military Governor of defunct Eastern Nigeria and President of defunct Republic of Biafra, Comrade Dr. Edward Ikem Okeke; Deputy President of the PRP and Special Adviser to the President (Second Republic), Mr. F. C. Nwokedi; the first Nigerian Permanent Secretary, Dr. Dozie Ikedife (Ikenga Nnewi); former President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Professor A. B. C. Nwosu; Former Health Commissioner in East Central state and Anambra state, respectively, Dr. Chu Okongwu; Former Minister of Finance;Dr David Bennet Anagwu Ofomata;The first Indigenous Medical Director, Nigerian Railway Corporation, First CEO/Chairman Anambra Health Management Board & Chairman old Nnewi LGA;

Economy

Agbo Edo, a forest land which belonged to Edo Nnewi deity, was cleared to make way for a new market called Nkwo Nnewi market. The development of this market propelled the fast development of the local economy.

As a fast developing city and a major industrial and commercial hub in Africa, Nnewi experiences voluminous financial activities, therefore hosts major banks, and other financial institutions. Industries are dotted around the city and adjoining towns. Palm oil, cosmetics, motor, and motorcycle spare parts, books, and stationery, textiles, electric cables, and so on are produced in commercial quantity in the area. Its main trading centers include Nkwo Nnewi market (the largest spare parts market in west Africa) and Nwafor market, Eke Amaobi market, Eke Ochie, Eke Ichi Market, Orie otube Market, etc.

Agriculture and forestry
The main occupation of Nnewi people is trading and farming, therefore they depend mainly on agriculture and commerce for their daily livelihood. Most Nnewian have mbubo (home gardens) and ubi (out-station gardens) were they usually cultivate their farm products. These crops when they are harvested are usually taken to the market for sale. Most of the prime cash crops include oil palm, raffia palm, groundnut, melon, cotton, cocoa, rubber, maize, et cetera. Food crops such as yam, cassava, cocoyam, breadfruit, and three-leaf yam are also produced in large quantities. The location of Nnewi within the tropical rainforest gives it the ecological basis for production of a wide range of tropical agriculture crops with widespread potential for industrial convention.

Industries
Nnewi is home to many major indigenous manufacturing industries including Ibeto Group of Companies, Cutix and ADswitch, Uru Industries Ltd, Omata Holdings Ltd, Cento Group of Companies, Coscharis of Companies Group, Innoson Group of Companies, Ebunso Nig. Ltd, John White Industries, Ejiamatu Group of Companies, Chicason Group, Louis Carter Group, etc. The great majority of industrialists in the cluster of spare parts factories in Nnewi are also traders, and most of these traders are producing one or more of the products they specialize in marketing as traders (usually motor vehicle parts), and most began by distributing their products through their preexisting distribution networks. Nnewi is part of eastern Nigeria’s industrial axis. The town has through culturally grounded institutions that act as sophisticated networks expanded to include an international dimension through trading relations with exporters from Asia. Over the last decade, the town of Nnewi has experienced relatively rapid industrialization. In excess of 20 medium-to-large-scale industries have been established across a variety of sectors. Since 1970, Nnewi residents have controlled approximately 80 to 90 percent of the motor-parts trade in Nigeria. Nkwo Nnewi Market is the major import and wholesale point for motor spare parts in Nigeria. The industrialists of Nnewi are adapting foreign technology to local needs, providing employment to thousands, and making available goods and services which are relevant actual needs of the Nigerian citizens. The first indigenous car manufacturing plant is located in the city, while the first wholly Made-in-Nigeria motorcycle was manufactured in Nnewi by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI).

Auto parts
Nnewi is known for the vibrant auto industry in the city, the first Igbo man to own and drive a car was HRH Igwe. Orizu I (Eze Ugbo Onya Mba) in 1912. By 1940, Nnewi residents were at the center of an international trading network that dominated the supply of motor spare parts in Nigeria. The town subsequently became a center for commerce and industry, and has one of the largest automotive parts markets in Africa. Nnewi Township is an authentic “manufacturing miracle.” Small and medium-sized industries have set up in the town and are producing not only for the Nigeria markets but – albeit still to a limited extent – for markets abroad.

Industrialization of the town began around 1970 when Nnewi motor parts traders began marketing their own brand name products instead of the reproductions of “original” parts. There are a several auto and motorcycle spare parts dealers in Nnewi; the Nnewi Motorcycle spare parts market is well known throughout West Africa. There is also new auto plant, the first of its kind in Nigeria, owned by an Nnewi businessman, Innocent Chukwuma, Oon and a Chinese auto Company.

Culture

Nnewi, as a historical city, has many cultural events and places adorned with festivities and cultural monuments, including Edo Na Ezemewi shrine, Udoogwugwu shrine (Ichi), Kamanu shrine (Ichi), and many other shrines dotted across all sections of Nnewi city. Nnewi host many festivals, notably amongst them is the New yam (Afiolu, also known as Ifejioku festival) which all parts of the city participates and masquerades from all federating towns participates in. The festival attracts all sorts of activities and celebrations of which all Nnewi residents’ holds to the highest esteem.

In average home of any Nnewi citizen, they usually keep kola nuts, garden egg and peanut butter in their refrigerator should in case of any stranger or visitor to their home. Every visitation to their home begins with the offering of the kola nuts to the visitor. The kola nut is indicating that the visitor is very much welcomed. The ritual of the offering of kola nut is inspired with the giving in prayers and blessing or lobby to the supreme God and other deities, for the protection of the visitor and the host. Its seems to be a custom to the people of Nnewi in any of their traditional ceremony.

Arts and crafts
Local artists thrive in this municipal rural communities. Works of art produced in the area comprises, carved doors, walking sticks of different designs, sculptures, flutes, wooden mortars and pestles, gongs, and the famous talking drums. Metal works and various types of productions are locally fashioned.

Music
The Nnewi people, just like every other Igbo group, have a musical style into which they incorporate various percussion instruments: the udu, which is essentially designed from a clay jug; an ekwe, which is formed from a hollowed log; and the ogene, a hand bell designed from forged iron. Other instruments include opi, a wind instrument similar to the flute, igba, and ichaka.

Traditional marriage
There are three types of marriages in Nnewi as also practiced across the Nigerian society: the traditional marriage held in the house of the woman; the official wedding, held in a registry office and which allows only one wife; and the religious marriage.

The official marriage ceremony is called “Igbankwu”, which is the Igbo word for the traditional marriage ceremony. Nnewi do not have an “engagement” ceremony. Rather, the Igbankwu is preceded by a series of events during which the potential bride’s and groom’s families engage each other to discuss the terms of the marriage. Perhaps this can be characterized as an engagement.. Please note that Nigeria has 250 ethnic groups and each varies on marriage traditions. Further, within groups there can be even greater differentiation.

Cultural attire
The traditional attire for the men is an overflowing jumper or a long-sleeved shirt worn over the gooji wrapper, which is tied around the waist, curving down to the ankles. This dress is matched with a cap and a walking stick, which aids as an instrument of support and defense. The traditional wear for the women is a blouse, worn over a loin cloth. This female attire goes with a head-tie ear rings and necklaces or traditional necklaces.

New Yam Festival
New Yam Festival of the Igbo
In Nnewi, the occasion of Iri-ji ohuu (new-yam eating) is a cultural festival because of its significance. Nnewi people celebrate their new yam festival usually at the end of August during which assortment of festivities mark the eating of new yam. These festivities normally include a lot of variety entertainment including performance of ceremonial rites by the Igwe (King), cultural dances by Igbo men, women and their children as well as a display of Igbo cultural activities in the form of contemporary shows, masquerade dance, and feasting at a grand scale on a wide variety of food making up the menu of the Igbos.

The first day of the festival the Igwe of Nnewi will officiate the Harvest thanksgiving ceremony at his palace where the yams are offered to gods and ancestors first before distributing them to the villagers. After the prayer of thanksgiving to god, The Igwe eats the first yam because it is believed that his position gives him the privilege of being intermediaries between Nnewi communities and the gods of the land. The rituals involved in the new yam eating are meant to express the community’s appreciation to the gods for making the harvest of their yams possible. This therefore explains the three aspect of Igbo worldview, that they are pragmatic, religious and appreciative. This ceremony has been celebrated for centuries and as has always presented the right conditions for all and sundry, family and friends to come together to demonstrate their commitment and solidarity to their local community. Due to this fact, the Igbos every where in the world do celebrate this event in a highly captivating manner in order to protect and celebrate the enriched cultural heritage of her people

Health
Nnewi hosts a number of institutions and places of learning and healing, which include Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH) and a number of international agencies. The Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, is in the forefront of providing excellent health services to the nation. The hospital and its annexes since inception had provided specialized and comprehensive medical care to the immediate community and beyond. Its mandate also includes undergraduate and postgraduate medical and paramedical training as well as research. These services had grown from strength to strength through the years fueled by comprehensive annual plans approved by the Federal Government.

Education
The ancient city of Nnewi hosts a number of traditional and formal learning institutions and places of learning, which include a Medical University: Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH) Government secondary schools: Okongwu Memorial Grammar School, Maria Regina Secondary School, Nnewi High School, Ichi Technical School (Ichi Community), Ichi Girls, Akoboezemu Community Secondary School, Anglican Girls Secondary School, Nnewi-Ichi Community Secondary School e.t.c. Private schools: Summit International School, The Good Shepherd School, New Era School, Dr. Alutu’s College of Excellence School e.t.c. ,

Crime
Crime rates are low[clarification needed] but civil disputes such as land ownership and family inheritance exist. In more recent times, the market square and banks have experienced well publicized and organized criminal attacks that have been allegedly linked to the local police. There are now open debates on reinstating a local vigilante crime fighting group called the Bakkassi Boys,[15] who had a multi-year stint in Nnewi in the late 1990s when crime was on the increase. This group had a modus operandi that many considered barbaric but necessary – convicted thieves were killed in public by dismembering their body parts with a sharp machete and burning them alive. The activities of this group of men which had permission of the Governor of the state was seen by the Human rights activists and civil right movement as a violation of human rights and campaigned against their practices. Recently, Nnewi is relatively peaceful except for isolated occurrences of kidnapping of prominent local citizens for large ransoms.

Transportation

Nnewi is well known as the home of several transport and logistics businesses since the end of the second world war. Philip Odumegwu Ojukwu was one of Nigeria’s first transporters and since then, many more transporters have emerged from Nnewi. Some of the Nnewi owned transport firms in Nigeria are:

Chi Di Ebere Transport Ltd
Ekene Dili Chukwu Nig. Ltd.
Ijeoma Motors Nig. Ltd.
Ekeson Motors Ltd
Izuchukwu Nig. Ltd.
Nsoedo Transport Ltd
Orizu Transport Limited
Bluebase Transport Solutions
Izu Okaka Anaedo Ltd

Hotels
Nnewi is also prominent in the hospitality industry with modern hotels that include;

Beverly Hills Hotel
Calido Fine Hotel
Hotel De Universe
Jideofo Hotel
King’s Palace Hotel
Regent Hotel
Sabena Hotel
Twin Towers Hotel
Con-vAj

People

Nnewi is the ancestral home of prominent Nigerians, including:

Igwe Orizu I (Eze Ugbonyamba) ; 18th Igwe Nnewi and the first Igbo person to own and drive a car

Sir Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu, OBE ; First Nigerian multimillionaire and father of General Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu

General Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu (Ikemba Nnewi) ; First University graduate in the Nigerian Army, former military Governor of defunct Eastern Nigeria and first
President of defunct Republic of Biafra

Dr. Edward Ikem Okeke ; Former Deputy President of the PRP Political Party

Dr. Chu Okongwu ; Former Minister of Finance, Federal Republic of Nigeria

Prof. A.B.C Nwosu; Former Anambra State Commissioner of Health & Minister of Health, Federal Republic of Nigeria

HRH Prince Nwafor Orizu ; Aristocrat, Educationist, 2nd Senate President of Nigeria (16, 1960 to January 15, 1966) and Acting President of Nigeria (1965–1966)

M.C.K Ajuluchukwu, Nigerian Journalist ; Nationalist, Anti-colonialist and first republic law-maker, uncle of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu

Dr. Dozie Ikedife (Ikenga Nnewi) ; former President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo

Dr. (Chief) Edwin Leonard Anazor (Ononenyi); St. Anthony’s Hospital Otolo Nnewi

Joseph N.C. Egemonye (Abianaomume Nnewi) ; Businessman, Journalist and Writer, founder of The Nigeria Monitor Newspaper, Co-founder of The Winston-Salem Chronicle Newspaper.

Felix Ezejiofor Okonkwo (Okonkwo-Kano);Prominent Igbo leader in Northern Nigeria (1960s).

Cletus Ibeto, CON ; Industrialist and Philanthropist

Senator Onyeabo Obi (Oso-Oji Nnewi) ; Second Republic Senator

Senator Ikechukwu Obiorah ; Nigerian Politician

Gabriel Chukwuma ; Businessman and Founder of Beverly Hills Resort & Hotel, Nnewi and Gabros International F.C., Nnewi

Late Chief. Augustine Ejikeme Ilodibe (Onwa na-etili Ora Nnewi) ; Philanthropist and Founder of Ekenedilichukwu Motors Nigeria Limited

Late Chief D.C. Ubajaka MFR (Okaka Anaedo) Epulepu Nnewi; Astute Transporter and Founder of Izuchukwu Transport Nig. Ltd

Late Dr (Chief) David Bennet Anagwu Ofomata (Atuma Nnewi); Former Chairman, Old Nnewi LGA and First Medical Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation

Mr. Innocent Chukwuma, OON ; Businessman & Founder of Innoson Group

L. Amazu (Eze Afojulu Nnewi) ; Founder of Chi di Ebele Transport Limited and Amazu Oil

Chief C.C. Obienugh JP (Okputolokpu Nnewi) ; founder African Pioneer Company

Senator Z.C. Obi (Eze-Onunekwulu-Igbo Na Okemili Nnewi) ; First indigenous east Niger produce Manager of UAC[disambiguation needed], President of the Igbo State Union & appointed Senator in the First Republic.

Criminologist K.C. Okafor-Igwe ; Philosopher & Poet

Late Chief. Onuzulike Daniel Okonkwo (Ozuome-Nnewi) ; Diplomat, Educator and Writer.

Francis Christian Nnodumene Agbasi (Omenka Nnewi) ; Engineer and Founding Partner, Frank Agbasi & Partners.

Samuel Chukwurah ; Industrialist and Founder of the now defunct Chukwurah agricultural industry

Late Issiah Nwafor (Udumotari) ; Businessman & Philanthropist

Benson Egemonye ; Nigerian professional Basketball Player

Evangelist. Cosmas Maduka ; Founder of Coscharis Group

Dame Virginia Etiaba ; First Nigerian Female Governor. Former Governor & Deputy Governor of Anambra state.

Mr. Louis Onwugbenu (Louis Carter) ; Industrialist & Philanthropist

HRH Late Prince. Sunny Obi (Igiligi Nnewi) ; Aristocrat, Businessman & Philanthropist

Engr. Obiajulu Uzodike ; Industrialist and founder of Cutix Nigeria Plc.

Chika Okafor ; Industrialist and founder of Chikason Group

Ifeanyi Uba ; Philanthropist and founder of Capital oil and Gas Ind. Ltd.

Engr. Ebele Okeke ; Head of the Civil Services of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from July 2007 to 2008

Humphrey Obimma ; Business tycoon and founder of El-nac International Ltd. Also a Philanthropis

NIGERIA IS BROKE| Federal Government Earns N980.48 Billion in 3 Months

Nigeria earned a total sum of N980.48bn from taxes between July and September this, figures obtained from the Federal Inland Revenue Service have revealed.

The tax figures for the third quarter obtained by our correspondent on Friday in Abuja were prepared by the Planning, Reporting and Statistics Department of the FIRS.

The document however stated that the N980.48bn was N162.52bn lower than the quarterly target of N1.14tn set by the Federal Government in the 2015 fiscal period.

The N980.48bn tax collected for the three months showed that N654.61bn, representing 66.76 per cent, was generated from non-oil taxes while the balance of N325.86bn or 33.24 per cent was earned through the Petroleum Profit Tax.

A breakdown of the tax revenue showed that the sum of N250.25bn was earned in September.

This shows a decline of N130.76bn when compared to the monthly target of N381.01bn for 2015.

In terms of tax collection according to types, the document said that in the month of September, the country earned N111.96bn from the PPT, representing 44.74 per cent of the entire collection for the month.

Others are Company Income Tax, N65.28bn representing 26.09 per cent; gas income, N826m or 0.33 per cent; capital gains tax, N263m or 0.11 per cent; and stamp duty, N766m or 0.31 per cent.

Similarly, the Value Added Tax generated N56.39bn or 22.54 per cent; education tax, N10.26bn or 4.1 per cent and Nigerian Information Technology Development Fund, N84m or 0.03 per cent.

The Acting FIRS Executive Chairman, Mr. Babatunde Fowler, had said the agency would soon carry out a special audit of all companies operating in the country in order to increase the level of compliance with the relevant tax law.

“We have a duty to advise taxpayers; we equally have an obligation to government in ensuring an increase in revenue collection.

“It’s time to stop all forms of unwholesome practices in tax-related issues because Nigerians need us at this critical time to re-position the country for more resources.

“We don’t have all the answers; we need to re-position the entire process. All we are asking for is cooperation to move the nation’s tax system to another level.”

The audit exercise, according to him, will be carried out within 30 days and will take into consideration the various year ends and peak points of activities of the various companies.

Fowler said the FIRS had entered into collaboration with the professional service providers, states board of internal revenue, noting that this would mark a turning point for taxation as well as reduce the country’s reliance on oil

Mr. Babatunde Fowler said the focus of the service now was to expand the nation’s tax net, build capacity of tax administration and share information that would promote voluntary compliance.

In the area of tax evasion, he said the FIRS would go after multinational companies, individuals and other corporate organisations that were evading the payment of taxes in the country.

Statistics obtained from the service revealed that out of the 450,000 companies in Nigeria, only 125,000 representing 27.7 per cent pay taxes and that 325,000 companies are evading tax, thus denying the government of huge revenue annually.

Babatunde Fowler said his administration would not take the issue of tax evasion lightly as he was aware that some foreign companies operating in Nigeria were being investigated in England for evading taxes.

He said with the renewed effort to strengthen tax administration, the era where companies kept three types of accounts – one for the banks, one for shareholders and another for tax administrators – was over.