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Afenifere Condemns Ultimatum for Igbos to Leave South-West And Affirms Safety of Residents
Afenifere, the prominent pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and political organization, has firmly denounced the recent demands by some Yoruba extremists for the expulsion of Igbo individuals from the South-West region of Nigeria.
The organization has reassured all Nigerians residing legally in any part of Yoruba land that their safety and security are guaranteed, and they should not fear any forced relocation or eviction.
This response came in reaction to a controversial social media post by an obscure handle known as ‘LagosPedia,’ which has been spreading a viral message.
The post, which caused considerable anxiety across Lagos and other parts of the southwest, issued a one-month ultimatum for Igbo residents and business owners to vacate the region.
It further advocated for Yorubas living in the South-East to return to their ancestral homes.
The message, accompanied by the hashtag #Igbomustgo, suggested that a large-scale protest would be organized from August 20th to August 30th, demanding the removal of Igbo people from all South-West states and the relocation of their businesses.
Afenifere has strongly rejected these inflammatory and divisive calls, asserting that the motives behind such campaigns are to create discord between the Igbo and Yoruba communities.
The organization emphasized that there are no plans or intentions to expel any group of people who are lawfully engaged in their activities within the South-West.
Instead, Afenifere clarified that the only individuals being targeted are the unscrupulous herders who have been disrupting the lives of local farmers and rural women.
Therefore, Afenifere’s message to the Igbo community residing in Lagos and the broader South-West region is one of solidarity and reassurance, affirming that they should not be concerned about any threats of expulsion.
The organization underscored the unity of Nigerians and their collective right to live and work anywhere in the country.
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“You Can Still Have Subsidy Without Long Queues” — Rufai Oseni Speaks On Subsidy
TV anchor Rufai Oseni makes headlines as he speaks on fuel subsidy in Nigeria. He shared that Nigeria can have fuel subsidy without the long queues at filling stations.
“When we were still paying subsidies, there were no long queues. We were subsidising. So you can still have a subsidy regime going on, and there will be no long queues because production was close by. Dangote had it. That’s just it. That argument also falls flat.
“The biggest beneficiaries of subsidy are not Nigerians. They are crony capitalists that have big infrastructure, and they do contracts. They have been the biggest beneficiaries of the subsidy,” he said.
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Sanwo-Olu Speaks on Lagos’ Power Challenges and the Need for Change
Lagos State Governor, Sanwo-Olu, speaks to those in the electricity sector about the usual blackouts in the state.
He speaks on ways things can change in the state and how electricity can be provided.
“We need to drop corporate egos, abandon long-standing excuses, and confront the harsh realities obstructing progress in the power sector.”
“We, state governments, used to give excuses that everything is centralised, so the Federal Government has unbundled it now. What have we done in a year and a half?” Sanwo-Olu asked.
“We take two steps forward, we go five steps backward,” he said.
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Sanwo-Olu Declares August 20 Public Holiday in Lagos for Isese Festival
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has declared Thursday, August 20, a work-free day for public servants in the state to mark the Isese Festival.
Speaking on the celebration, he said “Ìṣẹ̀ṣe is not a relic. It is a living expression of our traditions and a celebration of Yoruba spirituality as an important part of Nigeria’s cultural and religious landscape,” he said.
He added “When the drums sound in Lagos on Thursday, they answer drums in Havana, in Salvador, in Port of Spain. Fifty-five million people and counting. Lagos is not observing a local holiday. Lagos is standing at the centre of a global heritage,” Aregbe said.
