Palace responds to Meghan racism claims: "Issues taken seriously"

 

The race concerns posed by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are "concerning," according to Buckingham Palace, and will be handled privately by the family.

Prince Harry with Meghan Markel during the interview with Oprah Winfrey. Photo: CBS

The Palace said in a statement that recollections could differ but the statements made in their interview with Oprah Winfrey were "taken very seriously."

According to the Palace, the Royal Family is "saddened" to hear about the couple's difficulties in recent years.

Prince William defends royal family, says hasn't talked to Harry yet

"The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan," te statement read.

"The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning. Whilst some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately," added the palace.

It further noted that Harry, Meghan and their son Archie will always be much loved family members.

The statement came a day and a half after the interview was first broadcasted in the United States (US).

Buckingham Palace's response came after senior royals held crisis meetings in the aftermath of the Sussexes' intensely personal interview, in which they discussed prejudice, mental health, the media, and other members of the Royal Family.

After Meghan, the first mixed-race member of the modern Royal Family disclosed the remarks regarding their son's skin colour, pressure was mounting on Buckingham Palace to react.

Piers Morgan's wife speaks on Meghan Markle's interview, describes it as a performance

The duchess admitted that there were moments when she "did not want to be alive any longer" because royal life was too difficult. She said she asked the Palace for assistance but received none.

Conversations about Archie's skin colour when he was born happened "in tandem" with debates about why he wouldn't be granted a royal title or police protection, Meghan said.

However, an African man corrected the nine mistakes in the British Royal Family's statement on Meghan's claims.

Mwalimu Joshua Njenga has poked holes in the Buckingham Palace statement issued on Tuesday, March 9 with regard to Prince Harry and Meghan interview with Oprah.

Buratai unveils new book about his life's journey, advises Nigerian youths

 

The immediate past Chief of Army Staff, COAS, and Ambassador-Designate Lt-Gen Tukur Buratai (rtd), on Friday, March 12 unveiled a new book titled, “The Legend of Buratai” volume 2 at the Nigerian Army Resouce Centre in Abuja.

The book, co-authored by a seasoned journalist and essayist, Dr. Abubakar Sani, is a true-life story of Buratai about his journey through life.

While speaking at the event, Buratai said that showing respect for elders was one of the pillars that propelled him to prominence in life and reach the top in his military career.

He also urged young ones to always keep fit, saying that fitness was a very important aspect of life that many youths had not taken seriously.

Buratai also enjoined the youths to be religious by being devoted to God and had the fear of God.

Several young Nigerians from various schools were sighted among the audience at the event.

Buratai poses for a photograph with some of the kids at the event. Photo credit: @skusman

The former army chief recalled how he almost got drowned in a pond and other encounters like terrorists’ attacks, which he titled, “miraculous escape” in the book.

He also thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for the opportunity to serve the country at a higher level and others who had supported him to succeed.

Earlier, a former member of the British Parliament, George Galloway, delivered a keynote address virtually from the United Kingdom.

He also noted that the country is in dire need of nationalists like Buratai who he praised for his commitment to Nigeria and its unity.Galloway emphasised that Nigerians must do everything possible to keep their country united.

Galloway also described the former army chief as a gallant general who had dedicated his life to service having commanded one of the largest armies in the world.

He commended Buratai for his role in ensuring that the Nigerian national unity was protected during his time as the COAS, adding that the Borno-born retired general is an asset to Nigeria and the world.

The chairman of the occasion and member representing Yola North federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Jafaru Ribadu, commended Buratai for his wisdom and efforts to document a thorough account of his journey.

Ribadu said that the book would help the general public to understand the critical and often selfless roles played by the military in ensuring peace and security of the nation.

 Major Daniel Banjo (rtd.), a former coursemate of Buratai,  disclosed that the former COAS was ambushed three times while battling Boko Haram insurgents.

Banjo made the revelation at an interfaith prayer organised for Buratai by the Olowu of Kuta, Oba Adekunle Oyelude.

On his part, the book reviewer and co-author, Dr Sani, said the book would serve as a role model for young people who want to aspire higher in life.

Meanwhile, Lt-Gen Buratai (rtd) recently stated that there are  many ungovernable spaces in Nigeria.

He disclosed this while being screened at the National Assembly for an ambassadorial position, adding that terrorists have permeated the Nigerian society and won several communities to their side.

Former Emir of Kano, Sanusi gets another huge appointment a year after dethronement

 

A former Emir of Kano and past governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Muhammadu Sanusi II has been appointed as the leader of the Tijjaniya sect in Nigeria.

Sanusi's appointment was announced in Sokoto state at the ongoing conference of the sect.

His nomination takes effect one year after he was dethroned by Abdullahi Ganduje, governor of Kano state.

The former Emir of Kano. Photo credit: @MSII_dynasty

The sect has not appointed any leader since the death of Sheikh Khalifa Isyaku Rabiu back in 2018.

It was gathered that Sanusi’s late grandfather, the Emir of Kano Muhammad Sanusi I, was a leader of Tijjaniyah, a Sufi order.

Nasir El-Rufai, the governor of Kaduna state, confirmed Sanusi’s appointment at the formal inauguration of the KADIPA board on Thursday, March 4.This development is coming after the former monarch was appointed as the vice-chairman of the Kaduna Investment Promotion Agency (KADIPA).

The governor thanked the former emir for accepting to serve the people of the state. He also urged the board, chaired by Hadiza Balarabe, his deputy, to double its efforts in making the state the topmost investment destination in Nigeria.

Muhammadu Sanusi offered fellowship programme at Oxford University

Meanwhile. Sanusi reportedly went back to school after he was offered a fellowship programme at Oxford University.

The development was announced by the varsity's management committee of the African studies after the former emir's request was granted.

Sanusi resumed for the 2020-2021 academic year and use the period to write a book based on his experience as a banker, public analyst, economy expert, and former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor.

Wakili: Detained OPC members finally leave police custody

 

The police command in Oyo on Tuesday, March 9, released Dauda Kazeem, Awodele Adedigba, and Ramon Hassan, all of whom were members of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) who were earlier detained over the arrest of Iskilu Wakili.

The trio was released at the Iyaganku police station in the state.

The OPC members were Dauda Kazeem, Awodele Adedigba, and Ramon Hassan (Photo: The Nation)

The release of Kazeem, Adedigba, and Hassan was witnessed by the coordinator of the OPC in Oyo, Comrade Rotimi Oguntunde alongside Ademola Akeem, the special adviser to the state governor on culture and tourism.

During interrogation by officers of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Iyaganku, Ibadan, on Tuesday, March 9, Wakili said he has spent not less than 20 years in Ibarapa without being linked with any case of kidnapping until his arrest by members of the OPC.Meanwhile, Wakili had denied being involved in any form of crime all through his stay in the area.

The embattled herder said on the ill-fated day he was picked up by members of the OPC, one of the occupants of his house, Tande, was killed, admitting also that he has many cows which sometimes find their way into the farmlands of Ibarapa natives.

Wakili said:

“I am not a criminal, my children are not criminals. I don’t know anything about kidnapping or any crime.

"I have many cows and I know they stray into farms at times but I don’t have criminal records anywhere and this can be investigated. After they took me away from my home, a woman, Tande."

In fact, the northerner said that in 2020, he paid ransoms to abductors who kidnapped two of his children. 

Apapa gridlock finally disappears after removal of trucks - presidency

The presidency on Tuesday, March 2, gave great news to pedestrians and motorists who make use of the road close to Apapa port in Lagos state.

One of President Muhammadu Buhari's media aides, Lauretta Onochie, announced that the gridlock that has bedevilled the road has finally disappeared.

Onochie said this came after the trucks which usually caused the traumatising congestion have been removed.

On her Twitter page on Tuesday, the presidential media aide shared an aerial view of the road's new look.

Onochie used the development inspire hope in Nigeria by saying that nothing is impossible to achieve if there is a will to go for it.

"The trucks that caused the Apapa gridlock, creating chaos are all gone.She wrote:

"We can do anything we set our hearts to do. What some of us lack is the political power to act and stand our grounds when wailers mobilise hatred.

"Congratulations Nigerians.".    

Lauretta Onochie said nothing is impossible when there is a determination to achieve success (Photo: @Laurestar)

Meanwhile, the executive vice-chairman of the Presidential Task Team on the Restoration of Law and Order in Apapa Port (PTT-RLO), Comrade Kayode Opeifa had said that the team restored sanity on the roads leading to the nation's busiest port.

Opeifa, a former Lagos state commissioner for transportation, made the comment as the Lagos state government moved to formally take over traffic management in Apapa.

He said the presidency which supervised the entire initiative via the vice president's office had done a great job in ridding the nation of the big shame that the Apapa Port had become, praising the efforts of all the stakeholders for the far-reaching gains and successes recorded by the team.

Group to Ebonyi govt: Compensate residents affected by cargo airport construction

 

The Association of Ebonyi State Indigenes in the Diaspora (AESID) has called for the relocation of those displaced due to the construction of a cargo airport in Ebonyi state.

The group made the demand in a statement sent by its president, Ambassador Pascal Oluchchukwu on Tuesday, March 9.

The AESID lamented that those affected have remained displaced from their ancestral homes since February 2020 due to the construction of the airport.

The AESID further called for the immediate release of a detained lawyer, Ifeanyi Nworie from Abakaliki prison.

The AESID also congratulated the boss of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, saying:

“The commission under the former leader has been foot-dragging in probing several petitions emanating from Ebonyi state pending before it to the surprise and chagrin of many.

“We, however, appreciate the efforts of the commission in inviting the immediate-past Coordinators of Development Centres under the platform of G-64 for interactions towards uncovering the whole truth on the allegation of misappropriation of statutory allocations.

“AESID, therefore, urges the new anti-graft czar, Bawa and the ICPC to beam their searchlights on these and many more petitions.”

Recall that the AESID had earlier called on the security agencies in Nigeria to probe some political office holders in Ebonyi over the recent communal clashes witnessed in some areas of the state.

Governor Akeredolu orders indefinite suspension of NURTW activities

 

The Ondo state governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has announced the indefinite suspension of all activities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) across the state.

The suspension was imposed on Tuesday, March 9, following a violent clash between the factions of the Ondo state chapter of the union, The Nation reported.

The government described the clash as unruly and uncultured behaviour of the union leaders which resulted in violent attacks on members and innocent citizens.

According to a spokesperson for the governor, Doyin Odebowale, all NURTW members are to immediately vacate all motor parks across the state, our source gathered.

Odebowale, however, clarified that the indefinite suspension would not affect RTEAN.

The business activities were on Tuesday, March 9, paralysed at the busy Oba Adesida road of Akure, Ondo state due to a violent clash between two factions of the NURTW.

According to our source, while the armed union members attacked each other, residents and traders in the popular area ran for their lives leaving business activities paralysed. Vehicles were also vandalised by the fighters during the clash.

In another report by The Cable, an unidentified man was reportedly killed during the clash that occurred around Benin/Ado garage along Ilesha/Owo expressway.