There is a petition by Benson Olugbo and Company against Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), Chang’an University, Xi’an, China, and Chinese Police, for gross human rights violation and unlawful deportation of eight (8) Nigerian students from China.

According to the petitioner, the Honourable Minister of Transport has stated in a meeting, that everything possible should be done to ensure the affected students graduate with their mates by June, 2024, and do not suffer further hardship as a result of their deportation from China. The Honourable Minister also emphasized that the five students who had completed their course work successfully, with only the final project pending, must be accorded unfetterd access to submit and defend their project online for possible graduation by June, 2024.

For the only student with deficiency in internship grade and project defense, the Minister emphasized the need for CCECC to arrange for the student to do his internship in CCECC and the report sent to Chang’an University, Xi’an for grading, prelude to his online project submission and defense, for possible graduation in June, 2024. The Minister also stated that CCECC should facilitate the online examination for the two students with deficiencies in some courses, as well as online project submission and defense for possible graduation in June, 2024.

The Honourable Minister also directed that the Parmanent Secretary, Minister of Transport should write to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and request for a statu report in respect to two detained students in China, namely: Muhammad Sani Auwal (Sani), Male, Nigerian, Undergradudate, Major in Rail Transportation, 2020 cohort. And Chimeka Chinyere (Chinyere) Male, Nigerian, Undergraudate, Major in Civil Engineering, 202 cohort. The Minister requested regular updates on the status of the detained students. He also directed the Permanent Secretary, Minister of Transport to write to the Nigerian Embassy in China, through the Minisrty of Foreign Affairs and request for the results of the drug tests carried out on the students while in China.

The Minister reiterated that the issue of visa cancellation can only be further discussed when the allegation of drug abuse against the students is resolved. He directed CCECC to pay the withheld and continue paying monthly stipends of the students in local currency until they graduate, to enable them continue with seamless project preparation.

The Minister directed that a WhatsApp platform be published to accommodate parents/students/CCECC and Minister of Transport staff to coordinate and monitor responses in compliance with resolutions passed during 3rd April, 2024 meeting at the Minister of Transport’s conference room.

According to the petitioner, the deported students were allowed to write the outstanding examinations online, complete their internships and defend their projects. Five of the students successfully graduated on Saturday, 22nd June, 2024, while the remaining three have some outstanding examinations and will hopefully graduate during the next academic session. The students wers also paid their outstanding allowances as directed by the Honourable Minister of Transport.

However, the two students from the same cohort noted above (Sani and Chinyere) are still detained in China and under investigation for alleged crime of money laundering. And the Nigerian embassy in Beijing has been granted access to them.

However, due to the circumstances surrounding this case, the petitioner pleaded with the Committee to intervene and seek for the return of the students to Nigeria, as was the case with their counterparts who were deported to Nigeria.

Base on the above, the petitioner requested for the intervention of the Committee on the following demands on behalf of the victims:

That the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Nigerian embassy in Beijing, should pursue a diplomatic solution to this issue, as the students have been in China since 2019, and their status as students is currently in jeopardy due to the allegations levelled against them.

Secondly, there is need to ascertain the status of the students, as most of their colleagues have graduated, and their academic pursuits are currently in limbo.

Thirdly, that both CCECC and Chang’an University, Xi’an should ensure that the students graduate from their studies, as was done with their classmates.

The petitioner concluded in pleading with the Committee for quick intervention in the cause of the victims, because of the current uncertainty surrounding their academic pursuits.

Federal Ministry Of Foreign Affairs

Federal Ministry Of Transport, Nigeria

The Regional Government House in Orlu is actually a topic of discussion lately.

There have been rumors that Governor Uzodinma plans to relocate the Government House to Orlu.

Additionally, there’s a bill proposing the creation of Orlu State, which has passed its first reading in the House of Representatives .

This proposed state would be carved out from Imo, Abia, and Anambra.

Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has publicly declared her commitment to advocating for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Speaking at the 13th memorial anniversary of her late husband, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, held in Owerri, Ambassador Ojukwu emphasized that she would take every necessary measure to appeal to President Bola Tinubu to grant Kanu’s release.

During her address, Ambassador Ojukwu voiced her belief that President Tinubu understands the importance of Kanu’s release in promoting peace and stability in the Southeast. She argued that freeing Kanu could help expose the criminal elements who have exploited his detention to sow chaos in the region. These individuals, she claimed, use Kanu’s cause as a shield for their actions, which include various violent crimes and disturbances that have disrupted communities across the Southeast.

Her speech, titled “Unifying the Igbo Race,” centered on the urgent need to end violence in the region, emphasizing that the Igbo people are historically characterized by unity and mutual respect rather than internal conflicts. Ambassador Ojukwu called for collective efforts to restore peace, asserting that only through unity could the Southeast overcome its current challenges and secure a future of stability and cooperation.

“The release of Nnamdi Kanu,” she stated, “is critical in distinguishing genuine freedom fighters from those criminals who hide behind his cause to incite violence in the Southeast. Our people are facing severe threats, and it’s essential that we take the necessary steps to restore peace to our communities.”

Reflecting on the legacy of her late husband, Dim Ojukwu, who was a prominent advocate for the Igbo people, Ambassador Ojukwu expressed sorrow over the current state of the Southeast. She lamented that, years after his passing, the region has descended into violence, forcing many families to abandon their homes and communities.

“Our communities are emptying out. Our best and brightest are fleeing, and kidnapping for ransom has become commonplace. This is not the vision Dim Ojukwu had for our people,” she noted with regret, highlighting the tragic shift in the region’s social fabric.

Ambassador Ojukwu underscored the significance of President Tinubu’s role in this issue, arguing that by granting Kanu’s release, the President would be facilitating efforts to identify and address those who are responsible for perpetuating violence in the Southeast under the guise of self-determination. “President Tinubu is aware of the impact that Kanu’s release could have,” she said, “as it would expose those who are masquerading as IPOB members while committing violent acts. This action would mark a step towards restoring law and order in the region.”

She also spoke out against the violent “sit-at-home” orders frequently imposed in the Southeast, pointing out that such measures contradict the ideals of self-determination and have severely disrupted the region’s economic and social life. The Igbo, she reminded her audience, are known for their enterprising spirit and strong communal bonds, values that are currently under threat due to ongoing instability.

“It’s time for us to reclaim our land and reassert the values that Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu upheld,” she added, emphasizing the need for the Igbo people to stand together and reject the violence that has undermined their communities.

Ambassador Ojukwu’s appeal aligns with the growing calls for Nnamdi Kanu’s release, as many believe it could be instrumental in curbing insecurity in the Southeast and promoting regional unity. As she continues her advocacy, her voice joins those who see Kanu’s freedom as a potential turning point for restoring peace and progress in the Southeast.