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Shonekan: Nigeria’s Leader Overthrown Without Resistance

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Abbas Yushau Yusuf

With the announcement of the death of the first and only Nigeria’s interim leader ,Chief Ernest Shonekan on 11 January 2022 at a Lagos Hospital after a brief illness ,a cross section of Nigerians may not be aware of the peaceful life lived by the Late Chief Ernest Shonekan.

Shonekan will go down memory lane as the first and only interim civilian leader Nigeria had since independence considering the circumstances which he emerge Nigerias leader.

When General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida annulled the June 12 1993 Presidential election won by Late Chief MKO Abiola , General Babangida had no option than to handover power ,the first reason was that since 1990 General Babangida has been shifting goal post ,so when finally Abiola’s election was cancelled by him Nigeria was thrown into serious political turmoil.The political elites were seriously divided and there was crack in the military,there are some military officers that have the notion of maintaining General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida as the commander in chief beyond August 26 1993, the day set for handing over to civilians,while others nursed the idea of violently toppling General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida and install Chief MKO Abiola as the President and commander in chief.

Breaking:Former Head Of Interim Govt Chief Ernest Shonekan Is Dead

Since the handover is going to take place on the appointed date and Abiola’s election was annulled, Babangida has no option than to voluntarily handover the reins of government since extension of his tenure will be illegal.

With the seeming crisis General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida settled for the chairman of Nigerias Transition committee Chief Ernest Shonekan.

To appease south west whose son won the election in a landslide, Shonekan like Chief MKO Abiola is from the South West and Ogun state, therefore handing over to him is the natural thing to do.

On the D-Day , August 26 1993 ,General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida in his white robe at the council chambers of the Aso Rock Presidential Villa handed over power to Shonekan in a low key event and went straight to Minna the capital city of Niger state and his home town.

But when Babangida was leaving , Shonekan’s hand was tied as all the members of the interim Government was appointed Babangida including ministers ,and from day one Shonekan started with the crisis of loyalty.

The Secretary of Defence General Sani Abacha was the first military officer to become a full general like the sitting President General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida,so in the ensuing political scenario General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida while handing over to Shonekan retired with Military officers who are Junior in Rank to General Sani Abacha and left General Sani Abacha to secure the interim Government.

So when Late Chief Ernest Shonekan settled for another transition to civil rule,issues that seems to render him incompetent in the eyes of Nigerians appeared like fuel Scarcity,Tanker drivers strike and increment in fuel price.

Another blow to Late Chief Ernest Shonekan’s government was the hijack of Nigerian airways plane and taken to Niger Republic,after that a Lagos high court declared his government illegal.

The Late business tycoon also battled with disloyalty among his cabinet as some ministers are not standing to honour him when he enter the council chamber to preside over meetings.

People like Chief MKO Abiola who won the June 12 election and members of NADECO started to agitate for military take over.

The political atmosphere become hazy and on the night of 17 November ,83 days after the assumption of Late Chief Ernest Shonekan as Head of interim National government,the secretary of Defense General Sani Abacha accompanied by Lt.Gen. Aliyu Muhammad Gusau,Lt.Gen Oladipo Diya and others stormed the presidential villa in Abuja.

They condoned the seat of power with battle ready armoured tanks,they were welcomed by Chief Ernest Shonekan to the President’s office,they sat together with Late Chief Shonekan, they reviewed the country’s political situation from the day Shonekan was appointed Head of state and to the day they entered his office.

General Sani Abacha and his colleagues demanded that the Head of the interim National government Chief Ernest Shonekan should resign .

Without hesitation chief Shonekan resigned as Head of the interim National government on November 17 1993 and General Sani Abacha and his fellow coupist offer to take Shonekan to his home town by air which he refused.

Late Chief Ernest Shonekan left for Abeokuta by road on that night and retired to his home peacefully without resisting the offer of resignation by the military led by General Sani Abacha.

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NUJ Online Chapel Inaugurated In Enugu

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New exceutives

 

Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Enugu state Council has inaugurated a new Chapel; Corporate Online Chapel, bringing to Eleven, the number of Chapels in the Council.

Performing the inauguration of the newest chapel which has Comrade Clinton Umeh, Publisher of Journalist101 as the Chairman, on Thursday at the Rt. Hon.(Dr.) Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi NUJ Press Center, Enugu, the Council Chairman, Comrade Sam Udekwe said the election of the Executive members of the chapel in their last Congress, marked the beginning of the Online Chapel.

He urged the Executives “to ensure that the members of the chapel comply with what we believe in as members of this profession’”

Comrade Udekwe further said, “this is a very promising chapel. You have your membership now I want to assure you that more members will come in. You know what it takes to be qualified to be a member and we expect you to take this to heart while admitting new members because It is not open to just anybody . It is not open to all bloggers , that’s why we say it is Corporate Online. It’s for online practitioners that are Journalists.

There are online publishers that are not Journalists. That’s why we want you to make a difference. So, we want you to show the society that there are online practitioners, the ones that are members of NUJ,” he said.

He charged the executives to take care of their members in line with the tenets of the NUJ profession and maintain peace between themselves anf other members including the NUJ.

Responding on behalf of other members, the Chairman of the Online Chapel, Comrade Clinton Umeh thanked the President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Comrade Chris Isiguzo for their foresight in creating the Online chapel.

He assured that “members of the Chapel will live up to expectations and work in accordance with what the Constitution says.

This Chapel is a new dawn in online practice and will provide a platform for us to unite all that are qualified under one umbrella to ensure professionalism in the discharge of our duties as Journalists.”

He also thanked the chairman of the state council and members of his executive for their guidance and direction to help the chapel see the light of the day.

The newly inaugurated executive members are:
Comrade Clinton Umeh Chairman,
Comrade Jonathan Emmanuel Ikechukwu (First News)— ViceChairman
Comrade Odomero Igbodo (Dome TV)—Secretary
Comrade Christian Nwangene ( Aproko Republic)— Assistant Secretary
Comrade Maureen Ikpeama ( Newsline Global)—Treasurer
Comrade Sebastine Okafor— (Journalist 101) Internal Auditor
Comrade Emmanuel Terwase ( Afriquecast)—Financial Secretary.

The event was witnessed by the Vice Chairman of NUJ, Comrade Regis Anikworji, the Secretary, Comrade Ifeoma Amuta, Comrade and among other members.

Journalist 101

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Defence Headquarters Declares 8 Wanted Over Killing Of Soldiers

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The Nigerian Defence Headquarters has issued a declaration naming 8 individuals wanted in connection with the heinous killing of Late Lt. Col. AH Ali and 16 other troops in Okuama, Delta State, on March 14, 2024.

The announcement was made via the verified Defence Headquarters’ X handle on Thursday.

The wanted persons are identified as:

1. Akevwru Daniel Omotegbono (Amagbem)

2. Prof. Ekpokpo Arthur

3. Andaowei Denis Bakriri

4. Igoli Ebi

5. Akata Malawa David Sinclair Okili

6. Clement Ikolo Oghenerukvwe

7. Reuben Baru

It could be recalls  that the 17 fallen heroes were laid to rest at the National Military Cemetery, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu honoring their memory.

 

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President Tinubu Attends Burial of Slain Soldiers, Offers Scholarships to Families

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President Bola Ahmad Tinubu paying his respect to Slain Soldiers

 

President Bola Tinubu says the federal government will provide scholarships up to the university level for all the children, including the unborn, of the Nigerian Army personnel killed in action at Okuama community in Delta State.

The President, who announced this at the funeral of the personnel at the National Military Cemetery, Abuja, on Wednesday, directed the military authorities to ensure that the benefits of the departed are paid to their families within 90 days.

The President also declared that the federal government would provide a house in any part of the nation to each of the families of the four officers and thirteen soldiers.

At the solemn event attended by some state governors, the military hierarchy, and families of the deceased, the President bestowed posthumous National Honours on the 17 fallen heroes.

Lt Col Ali, Major D.E Obi, Major S.D. Ashafa, and Captain U. Zakari were given the honour of Member of the Order of Niger (MON).

Staff Sergeant Yahaya Saidu, Corporal Danbaba Yahaya, Corporal Kabir Bashir, Lance Corporals Abdullahi Ibrahim, Bulus Haruna, Sole Opeyemi, Bello Anas, Private Alhaji Isah, Clement Francis, Abubakar Ali, Adamu Ibrahim, Hamman Peter, and Ibrahim Adamu were awarded Federal Republic Medals.

“On the 14th day of March, Lt. Colonel A. H. Ali, the Commanding Officer of 181 Amphibious Battalion, led three other officers and 13 soldiers to the Okuama Community to mediate in the lingering dispute with Okoloba Community.

“They went as peacemakers and peacekeepers respectfully seeking to bring an end to the hostilities between the two communities.

“They did not go with tanks, machine guns, and other weapons. They were on a mission of peace.

“Before the dastardly attack, Lt. Colonel Ali, as the Chief of Army Staff narrated to me, achieved great operational exploits; fighting terrorists and insurgents in the North East and North West before his deployment to the Niger Delta.

“Ali kept faith with his military calling until the end.

“On behalf of a grateful nation, we honour the sacrifice of Ali and the other gallant patriots who died that day. They will forever be remembered as heroes who answered the call of duty and paid the ultimate price,” the President said.

Reaffirming government’s commitment to justice, President Tinubu vowed to bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to account.

While commending the military for not embarking on a reprisal attack on the community, the President declared: “I want to make it clear, once more, that those who committed this heinous crime will not go unpunished. We will find them, and our departed heroes will get justice.

“The elders and chiefs of Okuama also must help the military in fishing out the gunmen who committed the barbaric crime against our men.

“I wish to commend our Armed Forces for their restraint in choosing not to carry out any reprisal attacks on Okuama or its neighbouring communities. We must all ensure that the innocent people of Okuama are not made to bear the punishment of the guilty and wicked among them,” the President stated.

President Tinubu, while commiserating with the families of the fallen heroes and the entire Armed Forces, prayed God Almighty to comfort the bereaved.

“It is worth restating the debt of gratitude we owe these valiant soldiers and their families.

“As Commander-In-Chief, I do not take the contributions of members of our Armed Forces for granted. I recognize your valour and bravery. I honour your unflinching commitment to making our country safe from criminals, bandits, kidnappers, and insurrectionists.

“While we continue to grieve for the courageous men we lost that day, let us also, on this solemn occasion, be reminded of the unfinished business of working for peace and harmony in our communities. We must begin to rebuild our communities and make them into places where love, tolerance, and harmony will reign.

‘‘Leaders at all levels, especially community leaders and traditional rulers, must work to strengthen the bonds that unite us. We must end the cycle of violence and bloodletting,” the President said.

President Tinubu urged the Armed Forces not to be discouraged by the death of their fellow compatriots but to honour their memory by rededicating themselves to the service and defence of the nation.

“As the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I have a message for you: Do not let the death of your compatriots discourage you.

‘‘There is no higher honour than the vocation you have chosen to pursue. We cherish you. We cherish your labour of love. We salute your daily sacrifice in protecting your fellow citizens from danger. We acknowledge your sacrifices to defend our nation,” the Commander-in-Chief affirmed.

 

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