Month: July 2024

The Council of South-East Traditional Rulers has appealed to the Federal Government to release Nnamdi Kanu, and expressed optimism that his freedom would reduce tension in that geopolitical zone.

The Chairman of the Council, Igwe Samuel Asadu, made the call when he featured at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja on Sunday.

Asadu said that the council was in support of stakeholders’ call for Kanu’s release.

‘Governors in the five states of the South-East have called for his release. Our lawmakers have done same. That is the position of everyone in the South-East,’ he said.

Asadu spoke further: ‘He is our son. He has been there for a long time.

‘Of course, we back the Governors Forum and other stakeholders’ call for his release so that tension will be reduced.

‘Before that, the government will do its due diligence to guarantee that his release won’t cause anything unexpected. There should be some form of measures, a deal to be made.’

Asadu said that the eventual release of Kanu would, to a la
rge extent, usher in relative calmness and evoke joy to the people of the zone.

‘If the president looks into that and gives him a pardon, we will be excited. It is affecting our area because some of the people are his die hard fans.

‘Who will want to have his son locked up for a long time? We are praying every day, all the traditional rulers are praying for Nnamdi Kanu to be released.

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‘We feel his pains and the pain of his family. It will be a gift, if the President does that. We will come back to thank him in a big way.’

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Council of Traditional Rulers in the South East has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to consider the request for creation of additional two states in the zone.

Speaking at the Forum of News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, Chairman of the Council, Igwe Samuel Asadu, said the request was part of decision reached by the council at its last meeting.

According to him, the request for additional two states is to address the imbalance in state creation, as the south east zone had only five states.

He said: ‘at a meeting, which was well attended by the traditional rulers in the zone, we agreed that we will accept any state creation from any part of the eastern states.

‘We are united in this struggle. We have five states in south east, so we need to have two more states to be even.

‘But whatever we get, we thank the president. We are at his mercy and God bless him for that.

‘So when the state is given to us, we will endorse it. It does not matter where it comes from, it does not matter whose lawmaker spon
sored the bill.’

On the clamour for constitutional roles for the traditional institutions, Asadu said: ‘we want to have some constitutional relevance, some constitutional powers.

‘ Our monthly release of five per cent of the local government allocation to traditional rulers in the state have not been given by state governments.

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‘Traditional rulers play an important role in communicating government policies and programmes to members of the community,,’ he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Igwe Samuel Asadu, Chairman, South-East Traditional Rulers Council, says the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) is a game changer for the development of the zone.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Bola Tinubu signed the bill seeking the creation of the commission into law on July 24.

Asadu, who said this at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) forum in Abuja on Sunday, said the council was excited over the establishment of the commission.

Asadu, who is also the traditional ruler of Edem-Ani Ogwugwu Kingdom, Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, said that the establishment of SEDC after several failed attempts, validates the policy of the three ‘Rs’ as conceived after the civil war.

The three Rs – Reconciliation, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction – were conceived as a deliberate policy to shore up development after the 1967 to 1970 civil war ravaged most parts of the South-East.

‘We are excited. It is a game changer, we love the president for that. It is kind of him.

‘Every
one knew that after the civil war, we felt alienated from the country for political reasons. The SEDC has been delayed for long.

‘With the SEDC, we can do better; this President saw the value, the benefit in it and the development coming with it.

‘So, we thank Tinubu, all the Senators and members of the House of Representatives led by the Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu.

‘We give kudos to them for the astute support they gave to the passage of the bill into law,’ he said.

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He said the entire south-east zone was so excited over the commission, saying that it would further serve as a veritable platform for productive engagement of youths in the zone.

‘We are happy and loyal to president Tinubu; we have never had it better than this, so we are in support of those policies that have an impact on people,’ he said.

He emphasised the need to ensure the appointment of persons of integrity to drive activities of the commission to enable it realise
its full mandate

Asadu also urged a background check on the team to pilot the commission, adding that they should be people with proven character and integrity.

‘We have been through a lot, so I am sure that the government would be very wise enough to pick the right people to run the affairs of the commission,’ he said.

NAN reports that SEDC is expected to manage funds allocated from the Federation Account for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads and other infrastructural deficits suffered by the region due to age-long neglect.

It will also tackle ecological problems and related environmental challenges that had devastated the South-East for decades.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Ming Dynasty, from 1368 A.D. to 1644 A.D., is deemed a flourishing period of economy, culture and technology. And the prosperity is brought back from thousands of years ago.

The 2024 Ming Dynasty Culture Forum, which highlights the artistry, traditions, and daily life of the period, invites audiences worldwide to explore the rich heritages of one of China’s most influential dynasties.

American Vlogger Jack Klumpp is thinking of taking part into the ancient memories. Putting on the Ming Dynasty armor, he turns himself into a soldier of that time. Through a talk with the arts and crafts master Li Hui, Jack learns the meticulous process of crafting armor and its function. The story reaches a climax as Jack participates in a ceremonial reenactment at Juyong Pass wearing the handmade replica.

The elegance of Ming Dynasty Hanfu, or Chinese costume, is showcased by Marina, a journalist and vlogger who tries on two styles of female clothing. Engaging with Hanfu expert Cai Zehong, she unravels details of the well-d
esigned garments, like the horse-face skirt and the long robe.

The majestic court music of the Ming Dynasty, or Zhonghe Shaoyue in Chinese, is introduced by Ekaterina Kaligaeva, an internet influencer. This ceremonial music, by blending ritual, song, and dance, through performances on 14 traditional instruments, including the sheng and chime bells. Kaligaeva even plays ‘Ode to Joy’ on the chime bells, adding a modern touch.

In the Great Archery Ceremony, Jack Klumpp returns to explore the Ming Dynasty archery ritual. He acquires the skills of shoot arrows in rhythm with music. Historically, winners earned the honor of standing beside the emperor in ceremonial events.

By presenting various ancient events and rituals to the modern audience, the 2024 Ming Dynasty Culture Forum connects past and present, fostering a deeper appreciation of China’s cultural heritage. Through engaging storytelling and reenactments, the forum brings the splendor of the Ming Dynasty to the audience world-wide and celebrate its cult
ural achievements.

Contact: Wang Yueer

Tel:008610-68996566

E-mail:[email protected]

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The North-East Leaders of Thought (NELT), has appealed to youths to shelve the planned nationwide protest and give the government a chance.

The Chairman of NELT, retired Maj.-Gen. IBM Haruna, made the appeal at a news conference to mark his 84th birthday on Thursday in Abuja.

According to Haruna, a lot of sacrifices have been made for the nation to stand .

‘I grew up joining the military not for the fun of it, but with the determination to ensure that the unity and stability of the country remains indissoluble.

‘When the civil war broke out, we all had no other options than to make all the sacrifices to keep Nigeria one. By the grace of God, this was done.

‘We have remained together for the last 63 years as a nation.

‘Let me use the occasion of the celebration of my birthday to appeal to our youths, who are planning some protests around the country, to give the government a chance to settle down to work,’ he said.

According to Haruna, the government has just spent one year in office.

‘Hopefully, when
it gets its acts together, it should be able to improve the living conditions of the people.’

He said that efforts had been made to send some palliatives to all the states of the federation.

The chairman said that there were many other measures which the government had mapped out to address the challenges confronting the nation.

‘ It is my hope that those responsible for carrying out government tasks will take their assignments with all the seriousness they deserve.

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‘Let me also call on the government of the day to give a human face to all its programmes and activities that are being undertaken.

‘The basis on which this government was voted into office in 2023 was for the renewed hope agenda of the President.

‘By implication, it means Nigerians had lost hope and the administration promised to reset the hopeless situation with a renewed hope,” he said

Haruna said that things got worse with the immediate withdrawal
of subsidy, hike in electricity tariff, currency devaluation, and expensive transportation system.

He added that the deepening economic crisis was getting out of hand.

Haruna reminded the government that the security and welfare of the people was the primary purpose of its existence.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Igwe Samuel Asadu, Chairman, South-East Traditional Rulers Council, has called on privileged Nigerians to invest in human development to reduce agitation by the youths and other unemployed persons.

Asadu, Chairman, Enugu State Traditional Rulers’ Council and Edem Ani of Ogwugwu community, Nsukka area of Enugu State, made the call at a forum with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.

He said that helping in the development of human beings was an important avenue to tackle socio-economic challenges in every society.

‘I am a compulsive philanthropist, my wife and I gave N63 million to the youths this year, tarred a road in my community and built eight houses for indigent persons in my community.

‘I have also reticulated water in my town and empowered 25 youths who I brought to Abuja in May.

”I challenge privileged Nigerians and the government to look into the development of the youths because we cannot do much if they are not adequately empowered.

‘Nigerians need to wake up and engage the y
ouths because they are the leaders of tomorrow,” he said.

Asadu, who had travelled far and wide, said that Nigeria is one of the top 10 countries blessed with the population of between 20 and 50 years old.

The professional nurse-turned-traditional ruler harped on the need for the Federal Government to factor in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and climate change in her development plans.

Asadu, who derives joy in assisting the people, said that more than 250 persons feed daily from a food bank in his palace in the past five years.

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He listed other humanitarian gestures done by him to include the building of a 20-bed hospital worth N70 million in 2018.

Asadu said that the health facility provides free services to the public.

He advised youths seeking divine upliftment to always tell God what they would do in return, if He uplifts them.

The traditional ruler advised people against making promises they cannot fulfil as God detests such.

‘I see the world
as a football field where one plays and scores goals and if you fail to put your eyes on the ball, you can’t achieve much,’ he said.

Asadu said that humanitarian gestures, apart from its spiritual gains, had the potential to reduce socio-economic challenges, insecurity and help in all-round development.

He advised the youths to respect their parents and constituted authorities, noting that respect for parents is the only commandment of God that has blessing attached to it.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria