Our Reporter 

Gov. Alex Otti of Abia on Tuesday  urged Igbo people to preserve their history while continuously renewing institutions created to advance their collective interests.

 Otti gave the advice on Monday  at the public presentation of a book: Ohanaeze at 50: The Burden of Memory, The Politics of Relevance.

It was authored by Mr Kalu Onuma.

Otti served as the event’s chief host.

He said the 50th anniversary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo provided an opportunity not only to celebrate its longevity but also to examine its relevance to present and future generations.

 He said the book’s emphasis on memory and relevance was  significant because institutions must learn from their history while adapting to changing social realities.

 “Memory tells us where we are coming from. Relevance challenges us to ask where we are going.

 “An organisation that forgets its history will struggle to understand its present, but an organisation that becomes too attached to its history without responding to the demands of the present may gradually loses its relevance,” Otti said.

 He said Ohanaeze emerged in 1976 from the need to provide a platform for Igbo people at a difficult period in Nigeria’s history.

He said that the circumstances that produced the organisation had changed significantly.

 Otti said the new realities required institutions representing Igbo people to create a greater space for young people, women, professionals and the growing Igbo diaspora.

 He commended Onuma for undertaking what he described as an important examination of the history, experiences and future of Ohanaeze.

 The governor urged members of the public to read the book, saying that its value would  be measured by the conversations and actions it would generate.

 “You cannot correct what you refuse to acknowledge. You cannot improve what you refuse to examine, and you cannot build the future if you are afraid to learn from the past,” he said.

 The author, Onuma, said the book was not written to praise or condemn Ohanaeze, but to examine what the organisation had achieved, where it had struggled and what it could become in the next 50 years.

Onuma said the book was an independent work and not a commissioned history of Ohanaeze.

 He said: “If it provokes questions, then it has done something useful.

“If it generates debate, then the conversation has begun.

“If the conversation leads to renewal, then the purpose of the book would have been achieved.”

The royal father of the occasion and Obi of Onitsha and Agbogidi,  Nnaemeka Achebe, performed the traditional breaking of Kola at the event.

Achebe said the breaking of Kola symbolised fellowship and goodwill, urging Igbo people to strengthen their bonds while preserving their cultural heritage.

 The reviewer of the book, Prof. Okey Anueyiagu,  described the publication as an attempt to interrogate an institution rather than merely celebrate its 50th anniversary.

 Anueyiagu said the book examined Ohanaeze’s history, leadership, internal dynamics and relevance to contemporary society.

He urged the public to read the book critically and note the questions it raised about the future of the organisation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that  Ohanaeze Ndigbo, established in 1976, is an apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation representing the collective interests, unity and cultural heritage of Igbo  people.

 The organisation emerged six years after the Nigerian Civil War in an effort to rebuild Igbo communal institutions and provide a platform for collective representation.

 NAN reports that the book examined five decades of the organisation’s evolution and pointed out the challenges and possibilities ahead. (NAN)

Abubakar Umar 

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has inaugurated a 10-member Independent Investigative Committee to probe the reported deaths of 37 persons held in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Niger State Command, giving the panel two weeks to establish the truth surrounding the incident.

Tunji-Ojo, who inaugurated the committee on Tuesday, also vowed that no officer, regardless of his or her position, would be shielded if found culpable in the deaths, stressing that the government owed Nigerians the truth.

The minister further warned that any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation would be treated as a serious offence.

According to him, the 37 persons were reportedly arrested and detained on suspicion of illegal mining before their deaths in NSCDC custody on Thursday, September 17.

He said the Federal Government had directed a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation into the incident, adding that he had already ordered the immediate suspension of the Niger State Commandant of the Corps and all officers who were on duty covering arrest, investigation, legal, station and guard duties between September 15 and 17.

The suspended officers, he said, would remain out of duty pending the outcome of the investigation, while the committee would establish the identities of the deceased and investigate and document the circumstances surrounding their arrest and detention.

Tunji-Ojo said the committee would also establish, through appropriate medical and forensic examination, the cause and manner of the deaths, determine whether negligence, misconduct, complicity or any breach of duty occurred, and recommend appropriate disciplinary action, compensation where applicable, as well as measures to prevent a recurrence.

He said the membership of the committee was carefully selected to guarantee independence, credibility and professionalism, with Mr. Jonathan Kure, a retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, serving as chairman, and Prof. Isa Chiroma, former Director-General of the Nigeria Law School, as secretary.

Other members are retired AIG Hosea Hassan Karma; Prof. Olayinka Buhari, Professor of Histopathology and former Chief Medical Director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital; a representative of the Minna Emirate Council; a representative of the Niger State Government; and Alhaji Liman Sulaiman, National Secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria.

Also on the committee are Mr. Deji Adeyanju, lawyer and human rights activist; Mrs. Zainab Suleiman Okino of Blueprint Newspaper; and Dr. George Agbakahi, Public Affairs Analyst.

The minister gave the committee full authority to co-opt relevant experts, access all facilities and request memoranda from members of the public, while directing the NSCDC leadership and all relevant officers to cooperate fully with the investigation and ensure that all records and material evidence connected to the incident were preserved and made available.

Tunji-Ojo said, “No life should be lost in the custody of the State. This is not who we are. This is not what President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stands for. This administration was elected on the promise that every Nigerian life matters, and that security must be provided with humanity, professionalism and respect for human rights.” He added, “We owe you the truth. This Committee will give you the truth. No officer, no matter how highly placed, will be shielded if found culpable.”

Speaking on behalf of the committee, its Chairman, Jonathan Kure, described the assignment as a call to national service, pledging that members would protect their integrity while carrying out the investigation. 

“this is a privilege and we do not see it as an appointment but a call to national service. Some of us have had the opportunity serve this nation for 35 years and even in retirement, we are always willing to answer this type of call on the premise that my name, my integrity will not in any way be toyed with.” Kure said

He said he had accepted the assignment after seeking an assurance from the minister that his reputation and integrity would be protected, adding that other members of the committee shared the same commitment. 

According to him, “When the Minister called me, I said Hon. Minister, on one condition – you know who I am. And he said that was precisely why he was calling me and I believe it is so with all members of this committee.”

Kure assured Nigerians that the committee would approach the investigation with open minds and would not be influenced by sentiments or media reports, promising to submit its report without compromising its integrity. 

“We shall ensure justice by going to the field with open minds. We want to give this assurance to Nigerians. We are not swayed by sentiments or media hypes that might have been given. We will come back with our report and our integrity intact. We must give hope to this country.” He said.

Ukpono Ukpong 

The General Manager, Olam Nigeria Limited, Mrs Morenike Alayerogun, has sought the support of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to strengthen aquaculture development and promote youth empowerment in the country.

Alayerogun made the request when she led a delegation of the company on a courtesy visit to the NYSC National Headquarters in Abuja.

She disclosed that about 200 Corps Members were currently serving with the organisation in various fields, adding that Olam was committed to supporting the Federal Government’s efforts in nation-building, youth development, and Corps Members’ mentorship.

The General Manager stated that, as part of its expansion drive, Olam had completed what she described as the biggest research and development institute for aquaculture in Ilorin, Kwara State, and was currently constructing another factory in Asaba, Delta State.

She further disclosed that the company had established extensive partnerships with universities across the country to strengthen aquaculture development.

According to her, the company planned to bring specialists from universities to Ilorin for a one-year training programme, after which they would be attached to farmers across the country.

She said providing farmers with adequate theoretical and practical knowledge would enhance the productivity and sustainability of their aquaculture businesses.

Alayerogun therefore requested the deployment of more Corps Members to strengthen Olam’s farm operations, particularly in Kwara State.

She added that Olam was ready to support the Federal Government’s agenda of growing the economy to a one-trillion-dollar economy.

“We will accommodate and feed them, and after one year, we will attach them to our farmers all over the nation,” she said.

She further proposed a partnership with NYSC to train more Corps Members who could subsequently be supported by the Bank of Industry (BoI) to establish their own businesses.

In his remarks, the NYSC Director General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, said unemployment was a global challenge affecting young people.

He noted that agribusiness remained a major component of the Nigerian economy, adding that this further underscored the relevance of Olam’s agricultural activities.

Nafiu commended Olam for its contributions to the Nigerian economy, particularly its efforts to empower Corps Members.

He said NYSC Management frowned at the misuse and underutilisation of Corps Members and urged Corps Employers to continue to add value to the Corps Members deployed to their organisations.

“We want to thank you for the value addition to our Corps Members,” the Director General stated.

Nafiu disclosed that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) would be required to define the responsibilities of both parties, stressing that the Scheme considered the security and welfare of Corps Members a top priority.