Former Spokesperson of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chuks Ibegbu has challenged the governors of Northern states in the country to condemn the activities of herdsmen in the South.

Ibegbu claimed that the governors and personalities from the North are maintaining silence on the situation in some Southern States.

While not supporting the jungle killing of Northerners in Edo State in March, the former Ohanaeze Ndigbo Spokesperson expressed surprise that Northern Governors and notable personalities from the area have not spoken up about the situation in Ondo, Enugu, Ebonyi and some other Southern States where farmers were reportedly killed in their farms by suspected herdsmen.

“The Northern Governors and their notable people should also show concern when killer herdsmen commit atrocities in the South and other parts of the country.

“We cannot build the nation of our dream with this mindset”, Ibegbu said.

He called on President Tinubu to stop his frequent junketing abroad and sit at home to solve Nigeria’s terrible economic conditions and hardships.

The Ohanaeze chieftain also advised President Tinubu against appointing anybody with financial crime case as Nigeria’s ambassador, warning that such appointments would have negative effects on Nigerian youths whom Ibegbu said “will now see looting and corruption as ladder for future promotion”.

‘Youths need capital not N10,000 freebies’
President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina, has expressed concerns over the migration phenomenon known as ‘Japa’ in Nigeria, saying that Nigeria and the African continent are the biggest losers to the ‘Japa’ trend.

Adesina, who spoke yesterday, in an interview on Channels Television, said youths in Nigeria and other 51 countries in Africa do not need freebies under the guise of empowerment schemes but capital to fund their ideas and translate the same into enduring wealth.

The former Nigeria’s Agriculture Minister said Africa’s youth swelling is a demographic asset that has to become an economic asset through rigorous investment in human capital development and financing.

According to him, Africa’s youth population was not a problem for the continent because India and China’s population have not been a problem for them; it is what you do with your population and how you skill them up that matters.

The AfDB boss said that if young people in Africa are skilled and have good jobs and social protection, these would turn to prosperity for the continent because the demography has high purchasing power. He said that in a world of rising tariffs, it is important for Africa to build consumption as part of its gross domestic product.

“In the case of young people and the Japa syndrome, it’s a big loss for us. Young people don’t need freebies; they don’t need people.

“They have skills, they know, they have entrepreneurship capacity, and they want to turn their ideas into great businesses. What young people need is not those empowerment programmes; they need capital, they need you to put your money at risk on their behalf.

“We have over 465 million young people between the ages of 15 and 35. Africa should not turn what should be its demographic asset into somebody else’s problem due to the inability to believe in young people and invest in their ideas for continental prosperity.

“I do not believe that the future of our young people lies in Europe; it doesn’t lie in America, it doesn’t lie in Canada, Japan, or China; it should lie in Africa growing well, growing robustly and able to create quality jobs for our young people,” he said.

The AfDB boss said that the financial system in Africa was not designed to support young people on the continent.
Adesina said to support young people in Africa, the AfDB created the Youth Entrepreneurship Development Bank to support their business plans and to address institutional failure around financing.

He said the AfDB just approved $100 million to set up the Nigerian Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Bank to “mobilise $2 billion of investment for more than 38,000 businesses of young people in Africa.”

“They don’t need N5,000, N10,000. You want to create youth-based wealth. If you don’t, who are the people who will pay the taxes in the future? Where are you going to get the capital mobilisation in the future? You have to therefore, invest in the same demographic so that you can reap in the future,” he added.

The decision follows what the association describes as the unconstitutional governance structure currently in place in Rivers State.

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has officially announced that its 2025 Annual General Conference (AGC) will no longer be held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, but has been relocated to Enugu, the capital of Enugu State.

The decision follows what the association describes as the unconstitutional governance structure currently in place in Rivers State.

In a joint statement issued on Thursday and signed by Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN (President), Dr. Mobolaji Ojibara (General Secretary), and Emeka Obegolu, SAN (Chairman, AGC Planning Committee), the NBA said the relocation was necessitated by the prevailing state of emergency and the unconstitutional appointment of a Sole Administrator in Rivers State.

“The voices of our members, particularly those calling for a change of venue, grew stronger over time,” the statement read.

“We convened meetings with the Chairmen of NBA branches in Rivers State and held an emergency session of the National Executive Council (NEC) on the 27th of March, 2025.

“The overwhelming consensus was that the NBA could not, in good conscience, proceed with the AGC in a state governed unconstitutionally by a Sole Administrator.”

The association expressed deep concern over the appointment of a retired military officer as Sole Administrator of Rivers State, noting that the official has shown disregard for constitutional provisions, court decisions, and pending litigation.

“Though clad in civilian attire, he governs as though the state is under military rule,” the statement declared.

“His actions have undermined democratic institutions and processes, flouting the rule of law with impunity.”

The NBA’s NEC further described the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18, 2025, as a violation of Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution.

It criticised the National Assembly’s ratification of the emergency via voice vote, noting that it fell short of the constitutionally required two-thirds majority, amounting to “a grave constitutional subversion.”

“Even if the proper procedure had been followed, it would not legitimise an unconstitutional proclamation,” the NEC noted.

Prior to the emergency declaration, registration for the conference had soared, reflecting the eagerness of members to attend the Port Harcourt event.

However, the political instability in Rivers State halted preparations and sparked wide calls for the NBA to reconsider its position.

“To hold our flagship event in such circumstances would amount to a tacit endorsement of constitutional violations and subversion of the rule of law,” the NBA said.

Following a decisive NEC resolution and consultations with its members, the NBA announced Enugu as the new host city for the 2025 AGC.

The association cited Enugu’s historical significance, available infrastructure, and commitment to democratic governance as reasons for the choice.

“We are pleased to announce that the 2025 Annual General Conference will now be held in the historic Coal City of Enugu,” the statement said.

“We call on all members and stakeholders to lend their full support as we embark on this new path. With unity, diligence, and a shared commitment to our values, we will make this transition a resounding success.”

The NBA emphasised its commitment to constitutional order and democratic values, stating that its decision underscores the legal profession’s role in defending the rule of law.

“May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the statement added.