Metro

Biafran agitator Simon Ekpa declares Nigeria’s President Tinubu, other officials wanted

Published

8 months ago

March 25, 2024

Two days after he was declared wanted by the Nigerian government on account of terrorism, self-styled Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government in-Exile (BRGIE), Simon Ekpa, has also declared Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima as wanted persons in the South-East.

In a list he released on Sunday via his verified X account, the controversial Biafra agitator also declared wanted the governors of Imo, Anambra and Enugu States, Hope Uzodinma, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo and Peter Mbah, respectively, as sponsors of terrorism in the region.

Also included in Ekpa’s list are “all South East Senators and House of representatives members, except Chief Chinyelugo Imo, all GOCs of Nigeria within Biafra territory, and all CPs within Biafra territory.”

The Nigerian Army Defence Headquarters (DHQ) had, on Friday, declared Ekpa alongside 96 other persons as wanted for their alleged roles in terrorism and violent crimes in the country.

A list of names and pictures of those declared wanted released by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.Gen. Edward Buba, had included Ekpa, as well as another factional leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Chika Edoziem, amongst others.

But while reacting to his being declared wanted, the Finland-based Ekpa took to his official X account to also declare Tinubu, Shettima and the others wanted.

In his post, Ekpa stated that Tinubu and Shettima the others he listed are behind the insecurity in the South-East region and as such, are persona non-grata in the zone.

He added that the inclusion of his name in the terror list released by DHQ was dead on arrival as he has nothing to do with Nigeria.

“The Biafra Government hereby declare the following terrorists and sponsors of terrorism as a persona non grata in Biafra territory until declaration and beyond.

“They are:

1. Hope Uzodinma of Imo state

2. Soludo of Anambra State

3. Mbah of Enugu State

4. All Service Chiefs

5. Illegitimate President Tinubu

6. All South East Senators and House of representatives members, except Chief “Chinyelugo Imo”

7. All GOCs of Nigeria within Biafra territory

8 All CPs within Biafra territory.

9. Illegitimate VP Shettima

“The above sponsors of terrorism, ethnic cleansing, killing and wanton destruction of lives and properties of Biafrans must be arrested anywhere you see them within Biafra territory.

“A more detailed names of the sponsors of terrorism in Biafraland and their accomplices will be released soon.”

In other posts, Ekpa said:

“The declaration of Simon Ekpa wanted by @HQNigerianArmy is dead on arrival like Dodo. I call on Biafra Defence forces to intensify their defence against terrorism in Biafraland,” he wrote.

“The Biafra government will not challenge the declaration of the Prime Minister of Biafra Simon Ekpa wanted by @HQNigerianArmy in any Nigeria court.

“There is no court of competent jurisdiction for the Biafra government to challenge such frivolous declaration.

“We are not part of Nigeria by all ramifications and therefore will not validate any of their nonsense in any Nigeria law court.

“The declaration of Simon Ekpa wanted was because BRGIE had set a date for the Biafra declaration of the restoration of the independent state of Biafra on 2nd December,” he added

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Metro

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

Published

50 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.