By Anthony Okoye, Anambra

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), under the supreme leadership of Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, on Tuesday issued an urgent and resolute statement in response to the declarations of Bishop Godfrey Onah, saying that his courageous intervention reinforces its longstanding position that Britain’s enduring colonial legacy and subsequent diplomatic posture have profoundly contributed to the structural imbalances.

It also cited historic injustices inflicted upon Biafra and its people, including the continuing persecution of its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

The group in a statement by its media and publicity, Secretary, Emma Powerful said that the veil has completely fallen, and the architecture of oppression is laid bare:

The statement read in part, “The Shadow of British Legacy, Legal Subversion, and Algorithmic Warfare: We blame Britain alone for complicity in the criminal abduction of Onyendu in Kenya and his extraordinary rendition to Nigeria, the blatant disregard for United Nations calls for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s release, the brazen disobedience of appellate court discharges, the legally impossible conviction on repealed laws, and the reliance on harsh legal measures.

“These actions reflect a direct continuity of British geopolitical strategies born out of the 1967 civil war era—where foreign economic interests prioritized state survival over justice.

“Furthermore, Britain’s complicity extends into digital and media warfare: a simple search for “Nnamdi Kanu” on global search engines like Google reveals an overwhelming dominance of biased, anti-Nnamdi Kanu propaganda generated by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and Western allies, systematically burying the truth, silencing the atrocities against Biafrans, and shaping a false public narrative to justify his unlawful treatment.

“The Sokoto Transfer and the Failed Political Mind Games: The political maneuvering surrounding Onyendu’s trial, sentencing, and subsequent transfer to Sokoto Prison was a calculated Yoruba led-APC ploy to deliver our leader to the Caliphate as an ethnic trophy in a desperate bid to secure Northern votes against candidates like Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.”

IPOB however stressed that the strategy has backfired spectacularly, noting that discerning Fulani leaders and the Northern populace are deeply incensed, openly rejecting being used as props in such childish, desperate political mind games while the economy and nation collapse.

While exposing Judicial Compromise and the Omotosho Precedent, IPOB said that though respected figures like Bishop Onah have rightly diagnosed the historic scale of foreign exploitation, that blockade, and military violence have kept the South-East region and by implication entire Nigeria subjugated.

It urged the public to recognize the biased judicial narrative.

The group added, “Justice Omotosho’s courtroom claims that Onyendu “hates the North with a passion” are deliberate distortions. Any person intimate with Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s broadcasts will testify that he does not hate any ethnic group; he fights strictly against a corrupt, neo-colonial structure designed to trade the blood and resources of the masses for elite political survival.

“Our Stand: The courage demonstrated by Bishop Onah represents just the tip of the iceberg in terms of the overwhelming groundswell of support for the peaceful emancipation of Biafra, championed tirelessly by Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

“To make matters worse, despite Onyendu holding British citizenship, the British government has chosen a path of active media suppression, diplomatic silence, and inaction, effectively looking away while his fundamental rights are ignored. No amount of search engine manipulation, judicial blackmail, political horse-trading, or international collusion will stop the ultimate triumph of justice.”

By George Mgbeleke

The Senate on Tuesday at plenary declared a donation of N100 million to Nigeria’s Under-17 women’s national football team, the Flamingos, following their historic victory at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Rabat, Morocco.

The Senate President announced the donation while presiding over a motion moved by Sen. Abdul Ningi ( ADC Bauchi Central) on the need to congratulate the team on its achievement.

Ningi described the victory as historic, noting that the young players had achieved what several other Nigerian national teams had struggled to accomplish.

He said the team’s triumph was particularly remarkable, given the limited expectations surrounding the players before the competition.

The senator expressed concern that the achievement had not received adequate publicity and national recognition, adding that the players deserved to be celebrated for bringing honour to Nigeria and Africa.

He also expressed concern that the team did not receive sufficient official recognition upon its arrival in the country.

Seconding the motion,
Sen. Adams Oshiomhole (APC Edo North) commended the team for defeating Japan in the final, describing the victory as evidence of the potential and determination of Nigerian youths.

Oshiomhole urged Nigerians to appreciate the country’s achievements rather than constantly focus on its challenges.

He also appealed to the Senate leadership to make a donation to the team to support the players’ educational needs alongside their sporting careers.

The Senate thereafter adopted Ningi’s prayers congratulating President Bola Tinubu for his support for sports development, Nigerians on the historic victory, and the leadership of the National Sports Commission, particularly its Chairman, Shehu Dikko.

It also urged the federal government to provide adequate compensation and rewards for the players in recognition of their achievement.

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, in his remarks, said the victory was a significant achievement for Nigeria and Africa, particularly as the Flamingos defeated football nations, including Brazil and Japan.

Akpabio urged the federal government to adequately reward the players and called on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to sustain the team and continue developing the players for future competitions.

The Senate President also appealed to wealthy and sports-loving Nigerians to support the players and encourage other young people to participate in sports.

He noted that the N100 million donation by the National Assembly was intended to recognise the players’ achievement and encourage them to continue bringing honour to the country.

“I want to commend the Flamingos, the Under-17 youth team of Nigeria, for defeating major countries such as Brazil and Japan to win the Under-17 World Cup for Africa for the first time and for Nigeria.

“We also urged, and we pray that the federal government will recognise these children accordingly and give them adequate rewards.

“The Nigerian Football Federation, under its leadership, should see the need to keep these children together and develop them further,” Akpabio said.

He congratulated the players, the Senate Committee on Sports and all Nigerians on the historic victory.

By George Mgbeleke

The Senate has raised serious concerns over the growing practice of suspending commercial aircraft landings and restricting airport operations to accommodate movements of Very Important Personalities (VIPs), warning that the practice could trigger an avoidable aviation disaster if urgent measures are not taken.

The upper chamber expressed concern that commercial aircraft, some of which have already taken off and are approaching their destinations, are sometimes forced to remain airborne for extended periods because of VIP movements and security-related restrictions.

Lawmakers warned that keeping passenger aircraft in holding patterns for up to an hour or longer could expose passengers and crew members to unnecessary risks, including fuel depletion, adverse weather conditions, air traffic congestion and other operational emergencies.

The concerns formed the basis of an urgent motion moved by Senator Jibrin Isa, Kogi East which subsequently called for improved coordination among aviation regulatory agencies and security authorities to prevent commercial aircraft from being exposed to avoidable risks.

The Senate acknowledged the importance of security arrangements for the President and other designated public officials but insisted that such privileges must not be exercised at the expense of passenger safety.

As part of its resolutions, the Senate urged the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to ensure proper advance coordination and notification of planned airspace restrictions to airline operators.

It further directed that where such restrictions are unavoidable, aircraft yet to depart should be held on the ground, while departure schedules and flight sequencing should be adjusted accordingly, rather than allowing aircraft to take off only to be kept circling in the air.

The Senate also mandated its Committee on Aviation to engage the relevant aviation authorities to ensure strict compliance and report back to the chamber within two weeks.

Contributing to the debate, Senator Dike Plang, representing Plateau Central, drew from his professional experience in the aviation industry to explain the dangers associated with poor flight scheduling and airspace management.

Plang disclosed that he worked with Kabo Air in 1996 as a station manager in Kano and Saudi Arabia, where he received training in ground operations.

He explained that aviation operations depend heavily on accurate timing and coordination, stressing that airlines and airport authorities should be adequately informed about planned VIP movements before commercial flights are cleared for departure.

According to him, it amounts to poor operational management to allow an aircraft to take off for a particular destination when authorities already know that another movement will prevent it from landing at the scheduled time.

He maintained that flight departures and arrivals must be properly coordinated to avoid unnecessary delays and potential emergencies.

The senator also noted that although aircraft are required to carry sufficient fuel to reach alternative airports in emergencies, such provisions should not become an excuse for poor planning by aviation authorities.

He warned that the growing number of private and government aircraft operating within the country’s airspace makes effective coordination even more important.

Plang called on the NCAA and FAAN to take decisive steps towards ensuring proper management of airport operations and airspace usage.

Senator Abdul Ningi, representing Bauchi Central, expressed frustration over what he described as the persistent failure of aviation authorities to protect the interests of ordinary air travellers.

Ningi declared that Nigeria was increasingly operating like a lawless country, arguing that passengers had become accustomed to unexplained flight delays and disruptions associated with VIP movements.

Recounting a personal experience, the senator disclosed that he recently boarded a flight from Kano that was scheduled to last approximately 40 minutes but ended up spending about two and a half hours in the air because of VIP-related restrictions.

He said the experience was particularly disturbing because passengers were left frustrated and angry, with many directing their complaints at the government and the National Assembly.

Ningi argued that responsibility should not rest solely with the NCAA, NAMA and FAAN, insisting that the National Assembly must also accept responsibility for failing to adequately supervise the agencies.

He criticised the aviation regulators, alleging that their effectiveness was more visible in official statements and on paper than in the actual experiences of passengers.

The senator also condemned the disparity in the treatment of airlines and passengers, observing that travellers could be denied boarding for arriving just a minute late, while airlines could keep passengers waiting for five or seven hours without adequate explanations or apologies.

Expressing concern over the approaching harmattan season, Ningi warned that poor coordination and prolonged delays could increase the risk of an aviation emergency.

He therefore called for the heads of NCAA, NAMA and FAAN to appear before the Senate Committee on Aviation, insisting that the leadership of the Senate should also be involved in the engagement.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio whose contribution centred on his personal experience as an air traveller, narrated how passengers were once stranded inside a bus for approximately three hours because of VIP movements.

Akpabio disclosed that passengers had already been transported from the airport terminal towards their aircraft when the bus was suddenly stopped, leaving them sweating inside for hours.

He said that, being a former governor himself, he had to conceal his identity and avoid eye contact with other passengers who were expressing anger and raining abuses on government officials over the delay.

He also raised concerns about what he described as poor coordination between airport authorities and the Presidency during presidential movements.

According to him, airports and airspace are sometimes restricted long before the President actually departs, resulting in prolonged disruptions to commercial flight operations.

He suggested that the President might not even be aware of the extent of the disruption caused to other travellers by the security arrangements.

In describing the vulnerability of air travellers, he reportedly referred to an aircraft as a “flying coffin”, stressing that passengers and crew members remain exposed to danger until the aircraft safely lands.

He further explained that commercial aircraft are expected to carry adequate reserve fuel to enable them to divert to alternative airports when landing at their intended destinations becomes impossible.

However, he raised concerns about allegations that some airline operators compromise on fuel requirements in an attempt to maximise passenger capacity.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio also recalled an aviation disaster allegedly linked to fuel exhaustion following a prolonged inability to land because of VIP-related restrictions.

He argued that the circumstances surrounding such incidents must be carefully examined to prevent a recurrence.

While acknowledging the need for presidential security, he maintained that airport closures should be properly timed and coordinated, rather than imposed unnecessarily long before the movement takes place.

He also called for all relevant authorities to sit together and develop a workable arrangement that protects both VIP security and the safety of commercial passengers.

In a further contribution, Senator Neda Emasuen, representing Edo South, introduced an amendment seeking to strengthen the Senate’s position on the management of commercial aircraft during unavoidable airspace restrictions.

Emasuen urged the NCAA, NAMA, FAAN and other relevant authorities to ensure that aircraft operators make adequate arrangements for alternative airports where emergency diversion becomes necessary.

His position was that commercial aircraft that have already taken off should not be left circling in the air indefinitely while waiting for restricted airspace to reopen.

Instead, such aircraft should be directed to suitable alternative airports where they can land safely and await clearance to continue their journeys.

The amendment, which was seconded by Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, representing Borno Central, was incorporated into the Senate’s deliberations.

The proposal reinforces the need for aviation authorities and airline operators to prioritise safe diversion procedures whenever the intended destination becomes temporarily inaccessible.

Ruling on the matter, Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the situation as a serious safety concern that required immediate collective intervention.

He warned that failure to address the problem could result in what he described as an “avoidable accident that is waiting to happen if nothing is done.”

Akpabio observed that the matter would be better resolved through a coordinated meeting involving all relevant stakeholders rather than relying solely on general directives.

He consequently directed the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation to immediately convene a meeting with the relevant aviation authorities to examine the situation and agree on practical solutions.

The Senate President also called for clarification on the number of VIP movements for which airports and airspace are routinely restricted.

He observed that, apart from the President, the Senate was not aware of any other category of VIPs entitled to such extensive airport restrictions, adding that Nigerians deserved to know if the practice had been extended to other public officials.

During the deliberations, however, a senator pointed out that the Vice-President was also entitled to similar privileges under the relevant presidential security arrangements.

Akpabio stressed the need for the proposed engagement to establish clear operational guidelines and ensure that VIP movements no longer create unnecessary risks for commercial aviation.

Senate Seeks Lasting Solution

At the end of deliberations, the Senate called for an urgent meeting involving the NCAA, NAMA, FAAN and other relevant stakeholders to address the challenges surrounding VIP movements and commercial flight operations.

The proposed engagement is expected to examine advance notification of airspace restrictions, improved flight scheduling, ground delays for aircraft yet to depart and the diversion of aircraft already airborne when necessary.

The Senate’s intervention has brought renewed attention to the balance between official security requirements and the fundamental responsibility of aviation authorities to protect the lives of passengers and crew members.

For millions of Nigerians who depend on air transportation, the central question remains whether government officials’ movements should continue to disrupt commercial flight schedules and expose passengers to unnecessary uncertainty.

The Senate has now called for a coordinated solution, warning that the consequences of failing to address the situation could be disastrous.