WASHINGTON Washington on Wednesday removed Nigeria from its list of countries with religious freedom concerns, just a day before Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrives in the country as part of a tour of Africa.
The omission drew a sharp rebuke from a U.S. government commission that had recommended the Biden administration keep Nigeria as a so-called country of particular concern for engaging in or tolerating violations of religious freedom.
Blinken made an annual announcement on Wednesday of the countries on the list, naming Myanmar, China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan as countries of particular concern. He also placed Algeria, Comoros, Cuba and Nicaragua on a watch list for religious freedom, and designated armed groups, including Islamic State and several of its affiliates, as entities of concern.
But Nigeria, which was added to the list for the first time in 2020, was not redesignated.
Blinken is expected to arrive in Abuja on Thursday, where he is set to meet with officials including President Muhammadu Buhari and deliver a speech on U.S. Africa policy.
The State Department did not respond to a request for comment, and it was unclear if the designation was related to the secretary’s travel.
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) in April recommended that Nigeria remain on the list, citing “violence by militant Islamists and other non-state armed actors, as well as discrimination, arbitrary detentions, and capital blasphemy sentences by state authorities” in the country.
The commission, which had also recommended that India, Syria and Vietnam be designated as countries of concern, said in a statement that it was “appalled” by the removal of Nigeria.
“We urge the State Department to reconsider its designations based on facts presented in its own reporting,” Chair Nadine Maenza said, referring to the department’s report on international religious freedom in May, which cited religious freedom concerns in Nigeria.
Gov Akeredolu and Son Babajide during a Party activity
Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has appointed his son, Babajide Akeredolu, as the Director-General of the state’s Performance and Project Implementation Monitoring Unit (PPIMU).
This appointment is coming at a time when the dust over the alleged financial appropriation of Babajide is yet to settle.
Jide and wife Mary
Agboola Ajayi, immediate past deputy governor of Ondo State, has alleged that Governor Rotimi Akereolu’s son, Babajide, made a whopping sum of N433m from the N4.3bn stashed in a secret account of the state government. These allegations have neither been denied or accepted by the governor’s son but supporters of the incumbents dismissed the allegations as a figment of the imaginations of the erstwhile deputy who lost out with his boss due to his aroggance and insurbordination.
The opposition party in the State has further taken the government to the mud insisting Ondo is about to be reaped-off by a desperate and unpopular government.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo state has described the appointment of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s son Babajide Akeredolu as the DG of Ondo State Performance and Project Implementation Monitoring Unit, as a flagrant abuse of office.
Babajide was appointed as head of the agency on Tuesday, November 16, 2021.
Reacting to the development, the PDP in a statement by its spokesperson, Kennedy Peretei on Wednesday said, Babajide’s appointment was part of the grand design to finally empty the state’s treasury.
The statement reads in part, “The recent appointment of Babajide Akeredolu, a biological son of Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN as the Director-General of Performance and Project Implementation Monitoring Unit (PPMIU) is a flagrant abuse of office and affront on the people of Ondo State.
Babajide Ayotola Akeredolu, the last son of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State and Mary Oghenetega Edwin from Delta State.
“The name Babajide Akeredolu became known in Ondo state when the State’s funds were used to procure a marriage for him in Colorado, USA, after the same marriage was consummated in Owo, his father’s birthplace. He has since assumed authority as part of the triad of the reign of father, wife and son.
“The appointment as DG of PPMIU for Babajide, a young man who carries on as though he was the person voted for as Governor, is part of the grand design to finally empty the treasury of the State before Akeredolu returns to Ibadan.”
The party also said governor Akeredolu and his immediate family are bent on living fat on the lean resources of the people of Ondo state.
“There is no further proof of Akeredolu’s insensitivity to the plight of the people, when within two years of tenure, he organized three lavish weddings for his children, all in foreign lands — In Mauritius, Canada, and Colorado, USA”, the party said.
The party urged the Akeredolus to beware that they’ll account for the “resources they are wasting in this reckless manner” on the day of reckoning.
Ndigbo in Lagos APC pledges support to newly elected state executives as Florence Nwobu becomes Woman Leader
The Igbo and South East members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State have pledged their total support to the newly elected Hon Cornelius Ojelabi led State Executives of the party.
In statement by Mr Opeyemi Eniola, Special Assistant to the to the APC State Chairman on Media and Communication, said the group led by Mr Uche Ubochi, made the commitments during a courtesy visit to the State Chairman in Lagos.
Mrs Florence Nwobu (L) , Chief Peter Arah (M) and an Exco
Ubochi, said in the statement: “I want to assure you of our unflinching supports to your leadership of this great party.
“We are throwing our weights right behind you and the Governor of this great state, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu. We will give you all the supports you need to succeed.
“Whatever it requires, we are going to give you the maximum support and we are also determined at correcting every mistake,” he said.
Ubochi said that the leadership of Ndigbo was working hard to right the wrongs of electioneering, especially the voting pattern of ethnic groups.
According to him, this is to ensure that the Ojo Federal Constituency and the entire Badagry Division deliver its mandate to APC.
Also, another group, Mr Raphael Asemor, the Chairman, South-South People in Ajeromi-Ifelodun area in Lagos, said that they were working assiduously for the success of the party and the state government.
“We appreciate the show of love and we identify with you; this is where we belong.
“It is no longer a hidden fact that various groups across the state have continually pledged their supports for the state government and the APC since your emergence as the Chairman-elect.
“Such overwhelming support is a proof of how popular your executives have become and the efforts put in to unify and strengthen the ties across the political divides,” Asemor said in the statement.
Members of the Newly elected Executivs
Responding, Ojelabi lauded the ethnic groups in Lagos for their cooperation and supports for the ruling party toward ensuring the development of the state.
He commended the visitors for maintaining a peaceful co-existence, promising all the ethnic groups that the party would appreciate their gestures.
“Igbos must speak with one voice and settle all their differences to attract the much needed development in their area.
“Mobilise your members to register for the continuous Permanent Voters Cards.
Barr Princess Oby Onu, State Woman Leader ( In Black)
“The Lagos State Government is committed to making life comfortable for everyone and we must embrace this with all sincerity,” Ojelabi said.
In similar vein, the South East Community / Ndigbo in Ikorodu Local Government were agog as members of the region in the APC came out enmasse to inaugurate their new executives amongst whom is Mrs Florence Nwobu, an experienced educationist, feminist advocate and established politician who in the last 21 years has been actively involved in the socio-political movements, development and reorientation of women in Lagos State.
Barr Princess Oby Onu, State Woman Leader (L) and Mrs Florence Nwobu, Ikorodu Woman Leader ( R)
Mrs Nwobu who before now have held various party positions from the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) to the APC was the cynosure of the days event held at Ikorodu Local Government Secretariat November 11, 2021.
Nwobu who was elected as Woman Leader expressed delight that more Igbo groups in Lagos were fusing into Ndigbo in Lagos APC.
In her appreciation remarks she said “I am completely overwhelmed with joy on today’s occasion. I welcome everyone from Our Apex Leader, Hon. Chief Joe Igbokwe and the entire members of the Board of Trustees, my State Woman Leader, my mentor Barr.Oby Onu and all the State Excos”. “On the home front, I want to salute and appreciate my father, leader of leaders and a former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, an eminent member of the GAC. My boss, Better Pikin Hon Babajimi Adegoke Benson MHR, Chairman House Committee on Defence, the LG Chairman, Vice & Councillors and the entire members of Ndigbo in APC Ikorodu Local Government I salute you too” – Nwobu said.
Commenting further with Push News International Nwobu said the group (Ndigbo) pledged their unalloyed support for the leadership of the National Leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and Governor Sanwo-Olu and therefore, urged members to be committed to the objectives of the group, saying, “that is the only way to make APC a stronger party in the state.”
Sisi Pelebe (meaning Slim lady on Yoruba) as she is fondly called said that Sanwo-Olu-led administration was keeping his electoral promises to improve a lot of residents economic reliance, adding “the group is impressed with the performance of the governor.”
She, therefore, called for the unity of all Ndigbo in Ikorodu Local Government and Lagos APC and the accommodation of all tendencies in their fold while calling for total discipline among its members and commitment to its ideals.
Cross Section of Ndigbo
South East / Ndigbo in APC in Ikorodu Local Government who were inaugurated includes:
Comrade Chief Arah Peter JP – Chairman.
Chief Lolo Ngozi Ede – Vice Chairman.
Chief Comrade Mgbeafulu O.S. – Gen. Secretary.
Chief Joseph Ekwenugo – Ass. Secretary.
Mrs Nwobu Florence – Woman Leader.
Nwankwo Clement – Ass. Legal Adviser.
Juliet Onuigbo – Ass. Welfare Officer.
Franca Ugbo – Ass. Publicity Sec.
Mrs Erunse Rita – Ass. Woman Leader.
Kpajie Peter – Youth Leader.
Mr Iruka Micheal – Financial Sec.
Mrs Esther Ali – Treasurer.
Mrs Chinyere Okafor – Member.
Mrs Eni Rejoice – Member.
Push News 24 International can confirm the presence of notable leaders of Ndigbo in APC Lagos State who witnessed the inauguration, these are Chief Eze Uche Dimba, State Coordinator, Barr. Princess Oby Onu, State Woman Leader, Chief Uche Babatata, BoT member, Barr. Uche Ubochi, BoT member, Hon Nwaocha Kelvin, Lagos East Senatorial leader, Hon Chief Goodhope Anoske, Lagos Central Senatorial leader, Hon Chief Engene Ezenwa, Lagos West Senatorial Leader and Hon George Emenalo, Lagos West Senatorial Leader.
