Metro

Letter from Biafran agitator, Kanu calling for end to sit-at-home in Nigeria’s South-East surfaces

Published

1 year ago

July 29, 2023

Incarcerated leader of one of Nigeria’s frontline and now proscribed secessionist groups, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has reportedly written a personal letter to Finland-based agitator, Simon Ekpa, ordering him to end the sit-at-home in the South-East region of the country.

Kanu’s strongly-worded letter came as a result of Ekpa’s regular orders for the people of the region to observe a sit-at-home protest every Monday which has not only disrupted commercial activities but has led to violence, killings and destruction of properties in the five states that make up the geopolitical zone.

In the handwritten letter addressed to Ekpa on Friday, Kanu, who is currently being detained by the Department of State Services (DSS), directed Ekpa to desist from giving out the sit-at-home orders, as well as stop antagonising governors and politicians from the region.

Nnamdi Kanu also said anyone enforcing sit-at-home in the southeast was not his disciple and should be made to face the wrath of the law.

Kanu’s letter, delivered through his Special Counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, reads:

“Simon, this is a direct order from me. I hereby instruct you to desist from calling for any sit-at-home henceforth.

“Equally, refrain from antagonising governors or persons in political positions because you are not in a position to know what they are doing on my behalf.

“I am ordering you to make a public announcement to the effect that you are in receipt of a direct order from me to cancel any pending sit-at-home in place at the moment.

“I embarked on this movement to liberate our people, not to enslave them. I despise and will despise any person or entity that wishes to inflict unnecessary hardship on our people.

“I have authorised Aloy to issue a press statement if you fail to make this announcement on your platform.

“Anybody still engaging in sit-at-home is not my disciple. Haters of Biafra and mindless murderers in uniform are hiding under the cover of combating enforcers of sit-at-home to unleash mayhem against the same people we swore to defend.

“I have sent countless messages to those purportedly enforcing sit-at-home that they are not doing so in my name. I am not begging anybody to release me, just that Nigeria should have the decency to obey their own laws.”

Ekpa has however disowned the letter. Reacting via his Twitter handle, he dismissed the letter as a fake, a concoction of the government, insisting on continuing his struggle.

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Metro

World Bank pledges $3b to support Zambia’s development goals

Published

49 minutes ago

November 14, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The World Bank Group has pledged to avail Zambia with approximately $3 billion to support the country’s development goals under the new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for 2025-2029, with nearly half of the funds already disbursed.

World Bank Country Manager, Achim Fock, who made this known at the CPF launch at the Mulungushi Conference Centre in Lusaka on Wednesday, outlined the global lender’s focus areas, which included enhancing jobs, human capital, and climate resilience.

Fock highlighted that $200 million had been approved to strengthen Zambia’s social protection programs, including the Refugee and Host Community Project.

He also expressed optimism for upcoming approvals, including the Climate and Economic Resilience Financing and the Zambia-Tanzania Interconnector.

Zambia’s Finance and National Planning Minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane, who also spoke at the event, noted that 2.3 million Zambian households have so far benefited from social protection interventions such as the Cash for Work Programme, emphasizing the government’s commitment to safeguarding lives amid crises like the recent drought.

Musokotwane further reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting lives during times of crises such as the recent drought.

“More than two thirds of the Zambian population was affected by the drought. It was the government’s view that the first priority was to save lives,” Musokotwane stated.

Metro

Chinese mining giant CNMC set for $1.6 billion investment in Zambia

Published

23 hours ago

November 13, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A Chinese mining giant, China Nonferrous Metal Mining Company (CNMC), has announced the investment of over $1.6 billion in Zambia, following successful discussions with President Hakainde Hichilema at the State House on Tuesday.

CNMC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Wen Gang, who held the discussions with Hichilema along with the Chinese Ambassador to Zambia, Han Jing, confirmed the company’s commitment to furthering Zambia’s economic development.

“We are actively investing in critical sectors of Zambia’s economy,” Gang said after the meeting.

He noted that CNMC was currently pumping water from Shaft 28 at Luanshya Copper Mine, where 29.9 million cubic liters have been cleared as part of intensified dewatering efforts, adding that the company plans to inject an additional $200 million to develop a greenfield mine on the Copperbelt.

President Hichilema who welcomed CNMC’s commitment, highlighted the potential economic impact of the firm’s investment which will include job opportunities for Zambians.

“This $1.6billion investment, alongside advanced technology and expansion, will extend operations and create more jobs and opportunities for Zambians, especially in mining contracting and supply,” the President said.

He also expressed gratitude to Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Chinese government for their shared commitment to fostering growth and cooperation between the two countries.