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Ondo Govt Pledges Ongoing Support To Families Of Owo Attack Victims

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The Ondo State Government has expressed its commitment to providing ongoing support to the families affected by the tragic gunmen attack that took place on June 5, 2022, at St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo which resulted in the loss of 41 lives and numerous injuries.

 

In remembrance of the victims who lost their lives within the church premises, a memorial park was inaugurated.

 

On Saturday, the State’s Deputy Governor, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, along with other members of the state executive council, attended a memorial mass held at the church in Owo.

 

During the service, Aiyedatiwa acknowledged that the day held a mix of emotions, as people still vividly recalled the loss of their friends and loved ones during the attack.

 

He further stated that the incident marked a somber and tragic day for the people of Ondo State and Nigeria as a whole.

 

In his address, the State’s Deputy Governor, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, expressed gratitude towards Governor Rotimi Akeredolu for his unwavering support and efforts on behalf of the victims and survivors.

 

Aiyedatiwa shared that each survivor had received a total of N500,000, distributed in two installments.

 

He emphasized that the Ondo State Government had taken care of all the medical expenses incurred by the injured individuals, expressing his gratitude to all those who contributed and donated in various ways to support the victims during their recovery.

 

He said “It was indeed a black Sunday for us in Ondo State. The unfortunate incident happened when they were doing one of the things the Lord has mandated us to do – worship him.

 

“We commiserate with those that have lost their loved ones. They are saints of the Lord now.  We need to get closer to God and fulfill His purpose.

 

“Ondo Government since this incident happened have done so much in a way to support the families of those who have lost their loved ones. We appreciate the governor for all he has done on this disaster”, he added.

 

Aiyedatiwa assured the public that the state government would remain dedicated to safeguarding and supporting all individuals, regardless of their tribe or religion, emphasizing that the government valued and prioritized the lives and dignity of every human being.

 

During his homily, Most Rev. Jude Arogundade, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ondo, conveyed that the purpose of the gathering was not to rekindle anger but to demonstrate to the world how the victims had found healing through their faith in Christ.

 

Arogundade urged the government to fulfill its responsibilities by taking decisive action against the perpetrators of the heinous act.

 

He also emphasized the need for introspection and self-reflection as a means to advance the progress of Nigeria as a nation.

 

The bishop reaffirmed that the unwavering love of Christ would prevail over any malicious intentions, emphasizing that the Ondo State Government had fulfilled its duty towards the victims, just as any responsible government would have done in a similar situation.

 

He appealed to the Federal Government to ensure that the culprits responsible for the attack were identified and held accountable.

 

Mrs. Jumoke Veronica, who tragically lost her mother in the attack, shared that life had drastically changed for her since the incident occurred.

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Senator Ifeanyi Ubah Laid To Rest In Nnewi Amidst Tight Security

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On Friday, November 22, 2024, the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah was laid to rest in his hometown of Nnewi, Anambra State.

The funeral, held at his residence in Umuanuka, Otolo Nnewi, was attended by a multitude of mourners, including political figures, business associates, and community members, all paying their final respects to the esteemed businessman and politician.

The burial proceedings commenced with a funeral mass at 10:00 a.m., followed by condolence visits and other funeral activities. The ceremonies are scheduled to continue through the weekend, culminating in a Thanksgiving Mass and Outing Service on Sunday, November 24, at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church in Otolo Nnewi.

READ MORE: JUST IN: Anambra Senator, Ubah, Dies In London

In light of security concerns, Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, ordered the closure of schools in Nnewi for a week. This decision followed threats from separatist elements who vowed to attack those attending the burial. A circular from the state Ministry of Education directed school principals to inform parents and ensure students remained at home during this period.

The Anambra State Police Command addressed an incident that occurred on Wednesday night, clarifying that it was not related to the burial. According to the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the incident involved security operatives mistakenly engaging police personnel, leading to an exchange of gunfire. The situation has since been brought under control.

Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who represented Anambra South Senatorial District, passed away in London in July 2024 at the age of 52. His death was met with an outpouring of grief from across the nation, with many acknowledging his significant contributions to the development of Anambra State and Nigeria.

As the community of Nnewi and the nation at large bid farewell to Senator Ubah, his legacy as a philanthropist, businessman, and public servant continues to resonate, leaving an indelible mark on those he served and inspired.

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Simon Ekpa’s Arrest Will Restore Peace In South East, Says Enugu Gov’t

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The Enugu State Government has commended the Republic of Finland for the arrest of Simon Ekpa, a Finland-based leader of the proscribed separatist group, Autopilots.

Ekpa has been accused of orchestrating violence and chaos in Nigeria’s South East region.

In a statement issued on Friday by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, the government described Ekpa as a “common criminal, con man, and terrorist” who has exploited the Igbo people while claiming to represent their interests.

RELATED NEWS: Finnish Police Arrest Simon Ekpa Over Terror-Related Allegations

“The Enugu State Government welcomes the arrest of the Finland-based terrorist, Simon Ekpa,” the statement read.

“His arrest and trial will no doubt go a long way in strengthening peace, security, and stability in all parts of the South East.”

The state government accused Ekpa of sponsoring violent activities that have resulted in the loss of lives, destruction of property, and disruption of the region’s economic activities.

It stated that Ekpa’s actions were driven by personal greed and not genuine concern for the Igbo people.

Onyia said, “Ekpa is a murderer and fraudster who delights in killing his people and living large off their misery.

“He thrives on manipulating, exploiting, and extorting the people on the pretext of fighting for their interest and for the restoration of Biafra.”

The government emphasized its readiness to provide evidence of Ekpa’s alleged crimes to support his prosecution, whether in Finland or Nigeria.

“This arrest is in line with the demand of the Governor Peter Mbah Administration, which has repeatedly made it known that Ekpa is a megalomaniac, common criminal, murderer, and fraudster who takes joy in feeding fat on the manipulated emotions of Ndigbo and inflicting misery on the South East region,” the statement added.

The government further criticized Ekpa for fostering a climate of fear and insecurity that has harmed the entrepreneurial spirit and economic growth of the Igbo people.

“Ekpa has for long, and unfortunately from Finland, made a living by creating a siege climate and mentality in the South East, destroying lives, property, and the Igbo trademark of entrepreneurship and hard work,” Onyia said.

The Enugu State Government expressed optimism that Ekpa’s arrest would mark a turning point in the quest for peace and stability in the South East, urging residents to remain vigilant and supportive of ongoing efforts to restore normalcy in the region.

 

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JUST IN: COP29 Proposes $250bn Annual Climate Finance Target For Developing Nations

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The COP29 presidency has unveiled an ambitious climate finance plan, calling on developed nations to provide $250 billion annually to developing countries by 2035.

The proposal, part of a broader initiative to mobilize $1.3 trillion from public and private sources each year, seeks to address the mounting challenges posed by climate change.

The five-page draft text, released on Friday, emphasizes the need for developed nations to lead the charge in financing climate action.

RELATED NEWS: COP29: Climate Summit Faces Deadlock Over Vague Funding Proposals For Vulnerable Nations

According to the document, this financial commitment is seen as a critical step toward combating the climate crisis and fostering sustainable development globally.

“In this context, it is decided to set a goal in extension of the goal referred to in paragraph 53 of decision 1/CP.21, with developed country Parties taking the lead, to USD 250 billion per year by 2035 for developing country Parties for climate action,” the draft states.

The announcement follows the release of an earlier 10-page draft on Thursday, which drew significant criticism from Global South delegations.

Many expressed frustration that the document lacked clear financial commitments from wealthier nations, falling short of expectations to support adaptation and mitigation efforts.

“There is a clear need to address the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, especially given the diverse circumstances shaping national priorities,” a negotiator from a developing country delegation remarked.

The updated proposal aims to address some of these concerns by outlining more specific targets. However, skepticism remains among some negotiators, who feel the revisions still fail to adequately address their demands.

Meanwhile, developed countries have raised their own reservations about the proposed plan.

A European negotiator, speaking to Reuters, described the $250 billion annual target as unrealistic and criticized the lack of measures to expand the pool of contributing countries.

“No one is comfortable with the number because it’s high, and there’s almost nothing on broadening the contributor base,” the negotiator said.

The mixed reactions underscore the persistent divide between developed and developing nations in climate negotiations.

While the draft text aims to reconcile these differences, the gap between expectations and commitments remains a significant hurdle.

 

 

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