The ICON celebrates at 3, launches Foundation

The ICON Publications, publishers of The ICON and The ICON Online, will be rolling out the drums to mark its third anniversary in grand style on Sunday, 30th October 2016. 

According to the managing director of The ICON Publications, Mr. Julius Akpovire-Enyeh, some of the highlights of the event billed to take place at 10 Degrees Event Centre, Ikeja, Lagos are the launching of The ICON Foundation and the unveiling of The ICON's special edition.

“Three years ago, we began a journey which we knew would re-order the shape of Nigerian journalism and reportage in a positive way. We set out with a mission to affect our society with a balanced view in all our news items.

“Our professionalism has led us this far, and The ICON now bestrides the newsstands as a colossus,” Mr Akpovire-Enyeh said about the publication.

The special guest of honour for the event is His Excellency, Sen. (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa, executive governor of Delta State, while the chairman of the occasion is Prof. Osasere Faradey Orumwense, the vice chancellor of University of Benin. Dr Abraham Nwankwo, the director-general of the Debt Management Office (DMO) is expected to be the guest of honour. 

The event will be anchored by comedian Okey Bakassi and MC Danni B.

The ICON Foundation is a non-governmental initiative aimed at giving back to the society through reaching out to the less-privileged. The foundation intends to support this set of people academically through the provision of necessary materials and finance to facilitate their education.

The ICON special edition which will be available on the newsstands after the event is an all-gloss, all-colour publication with a potpourri of society, human angle, political and entertainment stories, most of which are not found anywhere else.

The ICON and The ICON Online, www.theicon.ng are currently leading credible Nigerian media platforms with the mission of bringing its readers accurate and reliable information without bias, about happenings within the nation and abroad.

NOLLYWOOD STARS STORM ABIA FOR BON CELEBRITY READING

As part of events leading up to the Best of Nollywood Awards 2016, some of Nigeria’s revered and renowned actors would storm Umuahia, the Abia State capital, Monday, October 24^th, for a reading and mentoring session with secondary school students. In the stellar line up of celebrity readers are Segun Arinze, Daniel K Daniel, Queen Nwokoye, Belinda Effiah, Saheed Balogun and Okey Bakassi. Others are Bimbo Akintola, Junior Pope, Fathia Balogun and Kannywood finest, Ali Nuhu. This year’s BON Awards is hosted by the Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu led-Abia State government. 

Aside the reading proper, to be led by the First Lady, Mrs. Nkechi Ikpeazu, the executive producer, BON awards, Seun Oloketuyi, said, there would be inspirational talks, photo ops and an autograph-signing session. “We look forward to an exciting time with the kids,” Oloketuyi quipped, adding, “As you well know, the celebrity reading session with secondary school students is the first of a variety of activities preceding the BON awards proper in December. The chosen celebrities are past winners and nominees of the BON awards. What we promise the lucky students is a life-changing opportunity to meet with their role models and favourite celebrities and hear directly from them time-tested success nuggets, tips they need to be better individuals.” Continuing, Oloketuyi said, more than anything else, he is always thrilled and humbled when celebrities leave all they are doing to be a part of the mentoring and reading session. 

For Nwokoye, a multiple BON awards recipient, “It’s always a thing of joy for me to talk to young people seeking direction in life. I believe that only the foolish would think that wisdom is something to keep locked in a drawer and only the fearful would feel empowerment is something best kept to oneself, or the few, and not shared with all. I don’t have the opportunity to do this all the time so, the BON celebrity reading offers just the right platform.”

Similarly, Arinze, who was appointed artistic director for the BON awards last year, said, “As a leader in my field, I hold fervently to the belief that leaders should influence others in such a way that it builds people up, encourages and edifies them so they can duplicate this attitude in others. What we would be doing on the 24^th in Abia goes beyond just reading, it is a character development session for the kids.”

Official Statement From Lai Muhammed On The Release Of Chibok Girls

TEXT OF A WORLD PRESS CONFERENCE ADDRESSED BY THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND CULTURE, ALHAJI LAI MOHAMMED, ON THE RELEASE OF 21 CHIBOK GIRLS, ON THURSDAY, OCT. 13TH 2016, AT THE OBASANJO HALL, FEDERAL SECRETARIAT, ABUJA.

Gentlemen of the press, good afternoon. We have called this press conference at a very short notice to brief you on the latest development in the saga of the abducted Chibok Girls.

2. We can confirm that 21 of the girls were released, safely, to us by 5.30 this Thursday morning and they were flown to Kaduna from the location of their release. This is the most glaring manifestation to date of the unwavering commitment of Mr. President to secure the safe release of the girls and reunite them with their families. It is also a result of the round-the-clock efforts by the Administration to put a closure to the sad issue of the kidnap of the girls.

3. We expect the released girls to land in Abuja shortly. Ahead of their arrival, we have assembled a team of medical doctors, psychologists, social workers, trauma experts, etc to properly examine the girls, especially because they have been in captivity for so long. They will also be adequately debriefed. We have the list of the 21 girls but we are now contacting their parents as part of the necessary verification exercise. As soon as that is concluded, we will release the names to the public.

4. Gentlemen, as we have always said, we have been working on the safe release of the girls and following all the leads available. In this instance, the moment we had a credible lead, Mr President gave the green-light to the DSS to pursue it. We can confirm that the DSS pursued the lead in collaboration with a friendly European country and a renowned international humanitarian organization. The DSS was supported by the military.

5. As soon as the necessary confidence was built on both sides, the parties agreed on the date and the location of the release of the 21 girls. Please note that this is not a swap. It is a release, the product of painstaking negotiations and trust on both sides.

6. We see this as a credible first step in the eventual release of all the Chibok Girls in captivity. It is also a major step in confidence-building between us as a government and the Boko Haram leadership on the issue of the Chibok Girls.

7. We want to thank all Nigerians for their support and for never losing confidence in the ability of Mr. President to secure the safe release of our Chibok Girls.

8. Gentlemen of the press, I thank you all for your kind attention

Segun Adeyemi
SA to Hon Minister of Information and Culture
Abuja
Oct. 13th 2016

Official Statement From Lai Muhammed On The Release Of Chibok Girls

TEXT OF A WORLD PRESS CONFERENCE ADDRESSED BY THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND CULTURE, ALHAJI LAI MOHAMMED, ON THE RELEASE OF 21 CHIBOK GIRLS, ON THURSDAY, OCT. 13TH 2016, AT THE OBASANJO HALL, FEDERAL SECRETARIAT, ABUJA.

Gentlemen of the press, good afternoon. We have called this press conference at a very short notice to brief you on the latest development in the saga of the abducted Chibok Girls.

2. We can confirm that 21 of the girls were released, safely, to us by 5.30 this Thursday morning and they were flown to Kaduna from the location of their release. This is the most glaring manifestation to date of the unwavering commitment of Mr. President to secure the safe release of the girls and reunite them with their families. It is also a result of the round-the-clock efforts by the Administration to put a closure to the sad issue of the kidnap of the girls.

3. We expect the released girls to land in Abuja shortly. Ahead of their arrival, we have assembled a team of medical doctors, psychologists, social workers, trauma experts, etc to properly examine the girls, especially because they have been in captivity for so long. They will also be adequately debriefed. We have the list of the 21 girls but we are now contacting their parents as part of the necessary verification exercise. As soon as that is concluded, we will release the names to the public.

4. Gentlemen, as we have always said, we have been working on the safe release of the girls and following all the leads available. In this instance, the moment we had a credible lead, Mr President gave the green-light to the DSS to pursue it. We can confirm that the DSS pursued the lead in collaboration with a friendly European country and a renowned international humanitarian organization. The DSS was supported by the military.

5. As soon as the necessary confidence was built on both sides, the parties agreed on the date and the location of the release of the 21 girls. Please note that this is not a swap. It is a release, the product of painstaking negotiations and trust on both sides.

6. We see this as a credible first step in the eventual release of all the Chibok Girls in captivity. It is also a major step in confidence-building between us as a government and the Boko Haram leadership on the issue of the Chibok Girls.

7. We want to thank all Nigerians for their support and for never losing confidence in the ability of Mr. President to secure the safe release of our Chibok Girls.

8. Gentlemen of the press, I thank you all for your kind attention

Segun Adeyemi
SA to Hon Minister of Information and Culture
Abuja
Oct. 13th 2016

Aso Rock Confirms Release of 21 Chibok Girls

STATE HOUSE STATEMENT ON THE RELEASE OF 21 CHIBOK GIRLS

It is confirmed that 21 of the missing Chibok Girls have been released and are in the custody of the Department of State Services, DSS. The Director-General of the DSS, Malam Lawal Daura has just briefed President Muhammadu Buhari on the matter. 

The release of the girls, in a limited number, is the outcome of negotiations between the administration and Boko Haram, brokered by the International Red Cross and the Swiss government. The negotiations will continue.

MEMBERS OF IMN KILLED IN KADUNA AND FUNTUA

Today Wednesday 10th Muharram, 1438 (12/10/16) was commemorated as Ashura in major cities across Nigeria by the Islamic Movement, but was however attacked by a combined force of security agents and some others dressed as hoodlums as well as paid thugs escorting them, resulting in  deaths in Funtua, Sokoto and Kaduna of at least 13.

The procession of the martyrdom of Imam Husain started in Funtua, Katsina state peacefully, but was later stopped by a team of policemen who were drafted to the scene to forcibly stop the march. After firing teargas canisters on the procession, the police opened fire with live bullets killing nine instantly and injuring about 20 others. There are reports that they went with some victims.

In Kaduna, the peaceful Ashura procession was concluded without any incident. However,  armed paid thugs attacked some members of IMN on their way to their various homes injuring them. This was followed by torching of Islamic Centre of IMN at Tudun wada Kaduna and subsequent demolition  by a combined team of policemen and the Army. Three members of the Movement were killed there. 

The story was similar in Jos, Plateau state, where armed soldiers brutally attacked the Ashura procession, then proceeded to invade the Islamic Centre belonging to IMN, making some arrests while threatening to demolish the worship complex.

Nevertheless, peaceful Ashura processions were conducted in Katsina, Yola, Potiskum,  Suleja, Bauchi, Gombe, Lafia and Kano among many towns. In Kano though, the police arrested some Musulim sisters of IMN on their way to their various homes. These have been taken to Bompai police headquarters. A number of arrests were also made in Kaduna and were arraigned before the Shariah Court Daura road. These were sent to prison. 

We are following developments and Will update as appropriate.

SIGNED BY
IBRAHIM MUSA 
PRESIDENT MEDIA FORUM OF IMN 

NINE KIDNAPERS OF CBN GOVERNOR’S WIFE ARRESTED AND LOOT RECOVERED

The Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim K. Idris NMP, mni, is committed in ensuring that all forms of crime, fear of crime and particularly kidnap for ransom and other violent crimes are brought to the lowest ebb throughout the country.

Similarly, the IGP is determined in making sure that all those who are engaged in kidnappings, abductions and armed criminal activities will not escape Justice. To this end, the Nigeria Police will galvanize all available resources at its disposal to make sure miscreants, hoodlums and deviants have their day with the law.

Against this background, the IGP had ordered the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) and other tactical teams to swing into action to rescue Mrs. Margret Emiefele, the wife of the Central Bank Governor unhurt and apprehend all those remotely or directly responsible for the dastardly act.

It will be recalled that Mrs Margret Emiefele and three of her aides were abducted on 29/9/2016 at Oquneki Hills along Benin-Agbor road, in Delta State.

Consequent upon deployment of Intelligence Platform, Mrs. Emiefele and her aides were rescued on 30/9/ 2016 unhurt and they have since been reunited with their families after debriefing.

Subsequently the following suspects were arrested and exhibits listed were recovered from them

SUSPECTS:

i.             Lance Corporal  Musa Maidabra ‘M’ 28 years

ii.           Lance corporal Edwin George ‘M’

iii.         Ernest Anthony Uduefe ‘M’ 32 years (dismissed Soldier)

iv.         Mohammed Abubakar A.K.A Dogo ‘M’ 29 years (Gang leader)

v.           Mohammed Musa ‘M’ 26 years

vi.         Mohammed Sule ‘M’ 26 years

vii.        Ibrahim Abdullahi ‘M’ 30 years

viii.      Aliyu Musa ‘M’ 30 years

ix.         Mohammed Yusuf ‘M’ 36 years

 

EXHIBIT:

i.              Fourteen million seven hundred and twenty five thousand naira (# 14, 725,000)

ii.           Three Vehicles (Two Honda cars and an Audi car).

iii.         1 AK 47 magazine and two cartridges

 

i.             NA/65/7115 LANCE CORPORAL MUSA MAIDABARA: The suspect is a   30 year old native of Katau Village in Billiri LGA of Gombe State. A Lance corporal with the Nigerian Army serving at 122D30 Regiment in Maiduguri, Borno State, he was arrested for the active role he played in the kidnap. Upon his arrest, he made a confessional statement to the Police admitting to be part of the gang that kidnapped and collected ransom from the victim’s family. In the course of investigation into the crime, a Jeep worth one million five hundred thousand naira and a sum of four million naira which was his own share of the ransom money was recovered from his possession. It was also discovered that he, in company of NA/65/6582 Lance Corporal Edwin George and one Ernest Anthony Uduefe, a dismissed soldier, while dressed in Army Uniform, escorted some of the kidnappers and the ransom money in a maroon colour Audi car out of the forest where they had kept the victim, to Benin City, Edo State.

ii.           NA/65/6582 LANCE CORPORAL EDWIN GEAORGE: A native of Otukpo town, Otukpo LGA of Benue State. He is personnel of the Nigerian Army serving at 122D Regiment in Maiduguri, Borno State. As earlier mentioned, he was part of the trio that escorted the ransom money to Benin City Edo State. A Honda car worth one million one hundred thousand naira (1,100,000) which he used part of his loot to purchase was recovered from him. The suspect was arrested on 05/10/2016 at about 1300hrs in his home town.

iii.         ERNEST ANTHONY UDUEFE:  The suspect is 32 years old, he is a native of Igbuku village, Ndokwa East LGA of Delta State. He also volunteered a confessional statement to his involvement in the crime. Investigation revealed that he also bought a Honda car worth one million five hundred thousand naira (1,500,000) and furnished an apartment in Benin City Edo State within 48hrs of the kidnap incident. The sum of one million five hundred thousand naira in cash and the said Honda car was recovered from him.

iv.         MOHAMMED ABUBAKAR A.K.A DOGO: The suspect is 30 years of age. He is a native of Mubi town, in Mubi LGA of Adamawa State and the leader of the group. He confessed to the crime and admitted that he received the sum of eleven million naira (11,000,000) in cash from the ransom paid. The suspect however, claimed to have given one Danjuma who is presently on the run, the said sum to keep for him.

v.           MOHAMMED MUSA: The suspect is 26 years old and hails from Yabo LGA of Sokoto State. He also volunteered a confessional statement admitting that he is a member of the gang and also, that he received the sum of ten million naira (10,000,000) from the ransom paid. He sustained bullet wounds after a gun duel with the Police while trying to leave the forest where they had kept the victim. The cash sum of seven million seven hundred thousand naira (7, 700,000) was recovered from him. Useful information was gotten from him that led to the arrest of other gang members.

vi.         MOHAMMED SULE: He is 26 years old and a native of Awe village in Awe LGA of Nasarawa State. The suspect confessed to have received ten million naira (10,000,000) in cash as part of his share of ransom paid and claimed a soldier and a gang leader escaped with the loot.

vii.        IBRAHIM ABDULLAHI: He is a 30 year old native of Fondogeri LGA of Niger State. He admitted to have received ten million naira (10,000,000) in cash as part of his share of the ransom money.

viii.      ALIYU MUSA AND MOHAMMED YUSUF: 29 year old Aliyu Musa and 36 year old Mohammed Yusuf were arrested for their involvement in the kidnap incident based on information availed the Police by Mohammed Musa one of the aforementioned suspects. They are being investigated further on the roles played by the two in the commission of the crime.

The Nigeria Police Force will continue to limit the capacity of kidnappers and other criminals to disrupt the quality of life of Nigerians by the deployment of adequate manpower and resources in crime reduction, detection and effective prosecution of offenders in courts of competent jurisdiction.

The curtailment of the activities of kidnappers in our communities will be ultimately successful through the cooperation and collaboration of all stakeholders. There must be collective ownership of law enforcement.

It is instructive to mention that money or ‘ransom’ is sometimes used as a bait or bargaining chip to save the lives of the victims of crime which is primary to security operatives.

It is also absolutely important to mention that the Police do not and will not encourage payment of ransom. The relatives of victims of kidnap for ransom are strongly advised to exercise considerable caution to succumb in payment of ransom. It is inherently counterproductive. At all times of kidnap scenario, it is pertinent the Police are involved and trusted.

KIDNAPPERS OF SOME RESIDENTS OF ISHERI, LAGOS STATE ARRESTED.

IGP Reads Riot Act to Kidnappers

The invigorated Intelligence Response Team (IRT) under the auspices of the office of the Inspector General of Police launched a massive onslaught on the kidnappers of some residents of an estate in Isheri area of Lagos state. This yielded prompt result as the hoodlums were eventually arrested.

This feat was achieved as a result of due diligence and intelligence led policing exhibited by members of the Force and the zeal shown by public spirited citizens to rid our society of crime.

It will be recalled that some residents of an Estate in Isheri area of Lagos state were kidnapped on 27/09/2016 and were subsequently released by their abductors.  The following suspects were arrested by the team:

i.             Natei Okunna ‘M’ (gang leader)

ii.            James Kegbe ‘M’ a.k.a JJ

iii.           ThankGod Segede ‘M’

iv.            Trust Bourdilon ‘M’.

The suspects were arrested at different locations where they had gone to spend their share of the ransom. They, in the course of investigation, volunteered confessional statements admitting their involvement in the kidnap incident.

The Inspector General of Police wishes to restate the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to fight crime, especially the prevalent scourge of kidnapping to a bearable and tolerable state. He urges Nigerians to always be law abiding and to see themselves as stakeholders in this noble cause.

CNS VISIT TO NAVAL OUT POST LAKE CHAD

The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral IE Ibas undertook an on the spotassessment on the ground at the Naval Out Post Lake Chad (NOP) situated on theoutskirts of Baga Town.

The CNS inspected the temporary, accommodation site at the College ofFresh Water Fisheries at Baga as well as facilities at the temporary site at the FishDam some 8km North East of the College.

On arrival at Baga the Chief of the Naval Staff was received by the GOC 8Div Brig Gen Nani as well as the Commander 7 Special Task Force Brigade, BrigGen   Saram.   The   CNS   was  briefed  on   current   activities   in  the   general  area   ofoperation by the  Commander Special  Task Force Brigade as well as the  ComdNaval Out Post Lake Chad Navy Captain DD Dangwel.

The CNS was informed that the BHT had been routed out of their last stronghold of Malamfatori while pockets of their elements were said to be on isolatedislands on the Lake Chad.

At the NOP site the Chief of the Naval Staff was received by Alhaji ModuAlhaji Musa who is the Chief of Staff to His Excellency Alhaji Kassim Shettimathe Executive Governor of Borno State. The Chief of Staff informed the Chief ofthe Naval Staff that the area used to be a trading base with links to Chad wereseveral forms of commodities were traded. He  on behalf of the state and local community welcomed the Navy to the community and was hopeful that in synergywith other security agencies that the Nigerian Navy would eliminate the reminantsof the BHT on the Islands and restore it to its former position as a cross bordertrading post.

The   Commander   Naval   Out   Post   Lake   Chad,   Captain   Dangwell   alsoinformed   the   CNS of   the wanton destruction that had taken  place   in   the arearesulting to the disruption of not only essential support facilities but also all formsof telecommunications.7. The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral IE Ibas noted that the approachto the Naval Out Post was challenged by very sandy terrain and requested the stateto   kindly   assist   in   making   it   motorable.   The   Chief   of   the   Naval   Staff furtherensured the community that the NN would help improve security as well as providecertain immediate reliefs including medical care. Having had a successful tour ofthe area the CNS in company of the Theatre Commander, OPERATION LAFIADOLE Maj Gen LEO Irabor departed the Baga area by helicopter at about 1230hrsfor Maiduguri.

Earlier on the CNS had been briefed by the Comd OPERATION LAFIADOLE on the general security challenges in the North East. The CNS also paidcourtesy calls on the State Government and the Shehu of Borno.      

Obiora 2016: Chidoka Urges Ndi Igbo to be Proud of their Culture

…Calls for Synchronization of New Yam Festivalcelebration.

Former Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC and Ex-Aviation Minister, Chief Osita Chidoka has called on Igbo people across the globe to be proud of their cultural heritage and join hands for its promotion as well as development of Igbo land.

Chidoka made the call last Sunday during the Obiorah Ike Obsi ceremony, a feasting event that heralds the New Yam Festival of the Obosi people. It was at that ceremony that Chidoka fed 5000 children, in a dramatic ceremony in line with the customs of the Obosi people.

Boys and girls, men and women, even spirits, in the form of masquerades came to partake in the feasts.

According to Chidoka who spoke with journalists, the Igwe Obosi, who is the king had held his own Obiora the previous day, to give leeway to citizens of the community to celebrate. Hear him; "In the community, Obiora Igwe happens on Saturday, and the following date, the Ndi Ichie hold theirs in their various families. So it’s our cultural arrangement. So if you go round Obosi today, the various Ndi Ichie are at home holding their Obiora”.

Explaining further about the importance of the festival,Chidoka revealed; "Yam is at the centre of Igbo economy. The Igbo economy was at one time defined by yam, so every man that is strong is known by the size of his barn. So you hear the story from Chinua Achebe's 'Things fall Apart', so you hear the story of Unoka as the lazy man who did not go out to tend to his farm.

He continued; "We remember Okonkwo starting off his life, and the first gift he got was seedlings from his uncle so that he can become a farmer. And when he borrowed those seedlings there was a great famine in the town and he lost a lot of yam that year. 

So yam has always been a defining ingredient between the rich and the poor, the hard-working and the strong. Yam is so essential in the quality of igbo life, it made it possible that Igbo people learnt to be industrious very early, because to plant yam, you need to plant at the right time. 

"You need to dig, and put a stick to manage the tendrils to grow well. When it's time for harvesting, you need to be patient. You have to harvest it gently in order to bring it out from the ground. Any attempt at being fast, lazy or doing it haphazardly will lead to breaking the yam. So the process of yam farming ensures that Igbo people have a natural instinct to industriousness, and that is the reason why during the slave trade era, many Igbos were taken to those colonies where they planted tobacco. Tobacco planting is almost like yam planting. It's something you have to tend very gently. 

"So you find that the Igbo slaves were very adept at the plantations. So if you go through Virginia, South Carolina, Igbo slaves abounded. This was because they were found to be the people who had the temperament, the industry and the hard working ability to manage the tobacco crop. So yam has always been a defining crop for the Igbo. It is our estimation of wealth, and in today's world, yam still symbolizes our hard work, our industry and our attitude to agriculture". He said.

Although the New Yam festival is celebrated in every community of the Igbo nation, each community has it’s unique qualities that stands it out from the other. 

The Obosi for instance, celebrate children, and after cutting roasted yam brought to him, with red palm oil garnished with pepper, ukpaka, dry fish and other delicious delicacies of the Igbo people, Chidoka set to work.

Ike Obosi (strength of Obosi) as he is fondly called by his people then invited all the children present to feed them. This act is reminiscent of the feeding of the 5000 by Jesus Christ, because, as soon as that call was made, thousands of children flooded the podium.

It took the joint effort of some able bodied young men to organize them and compel them to stand in three lines and wait to receive the piece of yam dipped in palm oil. Each took his and ate with delight as he or she walked away. 

The other teeming guests, who are in consonance with the tradition waited until the kids have eaten.

After the feeding of the children, different types of delicacies were served and everyone began to eat. Chidoka also showed his dancing abilities as he stood up several times and danced with the different masquerade and dance groups.

The Igba Araba and Ajugwu musical groups featured prominently among those who played. Great masquerades like the Ajo Ofia, from whose head fire burned was also among the entertainers that thrilled.

Speaking on the importance of the event, an elated Chidoka who was sweating as well as he was happy said; "Every human being has an identity, and once you have an identity, you have a culture. I am first and foremost an Obosi man, an Igbo man and a Nigerian. All of these are what I call our various categories and I make sure that every time in my life, I affirm my own identity and my consciousness. So as an Igbo man, I am very proud and happy to be Igbo. I want to be able to accentuate and project all that is positive about Igbo. In our interactions with the rest of the country, I feel a certain generational burden to reinterpret Nigerians to Ndi Igbo, and interpret Ndi Igbo to Nigerians. This is because there are lots of misconceptions about who we are, and why we are the way we are. But understanding our history and culture will enable people understand us and build a better Nigeria". 

He also threw more light on the history of his town; "Obosi has an old traditional institution. When the Eze Chima clan migrated from Asaba down to Onicha, part of then came into Obosi, and founded the traditional institution that we have today that its over 400 years old. So the first Eze in Obosi, Eze Shine was the first Obosi man to rule the land and that was about 400 years ago. This is the history of our people and ndi ichiec which is a significant aspect of our culture".

"Ndi ichie represents families and quarters in the cabinet of the Eze Obosi. So, the new yam festival is when we consider our harvest season. We consider it the New Yam festival. When we bring the mind of the whole community together, when we forgive our enemies, when we remove all forms of violent and regenerate ourselves for the next planting season. So it is called Obiora in Obosi because it is just the iwa ji that is the significant thing there, it is the period of regeneration which is the significant thing in our culture".

The former Minister of Aviation offered advice on how Igbo culture can be advanced; "I think that the whole idea of culture and tourism is something that we are taking for granted in South East. I think that Anambra state can actually restructure the new yam festival and synchronize it as something that happens simultaneously within the period of one month so that people who visit Anambra during this period will know that they will see masqueradeand new yam festival at least for four weekends beginning from September all through October. 

State Government should work towards establishing that event as a significant portion of our culture. So you know that if you are in Anambra this time, it will be a time to celebrate and visit various towns. Visiting home must not be during burials only, so when the new yam festival is synchronized we will have a whole month of celebration in the state, he added.

"Tourism is critical to every society, society itself needs to improve to offer something to the tourist".

The new yam festival however turned political, whengroups and stakeholders in attendance called on Chidoka to join the race for Anambra State governorship position in 2017 so as to fix the state from what they called its present state of underdevelopment.

Speakers who made remarks at the event insisted that Chidoka was ripe for the governorship of the state and that he should not deny the state of his sterling performance.

A political organization, G32 first caused a stir when they stormed the arena with a banner announcing the entrance of the former FRSC boss in the Anambra governorship race, and was applauded by all.

Another group, Dozie Anambra Initiative who were also at the event announced that no time was better for Chidoka to join the race than now that the state needed to be salvaged from bad leadership.

The secretary of the group, Mr Obi Okpala in an interview with journalists said the group was at the event to persuade Chidoka to reconsider his hard stance and join the race to salvage Anambra with his Midas touch.

Okpala said Chidoka has proven his leadership capacity both at FRSC and as the minister of Aviation, and that he should be given the chance to fix the state once and for all. He said some of Chidoka’s advantages over other contenders is that he is young, and has proven himself beyond doubt to be an achiever.

Earlier in an interview, Chidoka admitted that Anambra State needed a fresh hand to steer the state off the hard times being experienced in the country today.

He however admitted that he has severally been prodded by various stakeholders in the state to join the race with a view to giving it purposeful leadership, while admitting that he was waiting for God to direct his steps and would not hold back if urged to.