Media entrepreneur and publisher of Ovation International, Dele Momodu, has joined growing calls for the release of detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

In a post shared on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday, the former presidential aspirant urged the Federal Government to address the root causes of separatist agitations in Nigeria’s South-East.

Momodu accompanied his post with a clip from one of Kanu’s previous broadcasts, recorded shortly before his controversial repatriation from Kenya by Nigerian security operatives.

He argued that the Biafra movement stemmed from what he described as “decades of marginalisation and deprivation” experienced by the Igbo people.

“Shortly before his abduction from Kenya by the Nigerian government, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu made this thought-provoking broadcast in which he philosophised about the reasons he and his supporters became radicalised,” Momodu wrote.

The veteran journalist criticised those who condemn Kanu and his supporters without, in his view, understanding the historical and political factors driving the agitation.

“I have taken time to listen to his critics and discovered that most of them jumped to conclusions without proper analysis of why the agitation for Biafra became reignited and attractive after the pogroms that claimed millions of lives and destroyed properties in the 1960s and ’70s,” he said.

Momodu also quoted Kanu as saying that the “continuing marginalisation of the Igbo and deprivation accorded some of the most energetic and vibrant brains in Africa and globally rekindled the Biafra sentiment.”

He warned that any attempt to silence or eliminate Kanu would not end the separatist movement, stressing that the crisis required political rather than legal or military intervention.

“Attempts by enemies of Kanu, including his own kinsmen, to exterminate him will never solve the problem. The Igbo struggle goes beyond legalese, it requires serious political reconfiguration, and urgently too,” he stated.

While clarifying that he does not condone violence, Momodu advised the government to meaningfully engage the South-East through inclusion and opportunity.

“I will never support violence. But any sensible government will keep the geniuses of the South-East very busy with productive engagements, instead of this rabid hatred,” he added.

Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has regained his freedom after spending four days in Kuje Prison, Abuja.

His release followed the fulfilment of bail conditions imposed by a Magistrate Court in Kuje.

Sowore announced his release on Monday via his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle, writing:

“HAPPENING NOW: Leaving Kuje Prison in Abuja after being detained there illegally for four days. #FreeNnamdiKanuNow.”

The activist was detained alongside Aloy Ejimakor, Special Counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu, as well as Emmanuel Kanu, Nnamdi Kanu’s younger brother, and eleven other demonstrators.

They were arrested last week by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force during a #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest in Abuja.

Last Friday, they were arraigned before Magistrate Abubakar Sai’id of the Kuje Magistrate Court on charges of unlawful assembly and disturbance of public peace.

Each of the 14 defendants was granted bail in the sum of ₦500,000, with conditions that included Submission of a verified National Identification Number (NIN), Presentation of a three-year tax clearance certificate, and Deposit of their international passports.

After meeting these requirements, Sowore and the other detainees were released on Monday.

Following his release, Sowore criticized the Nigeria Police Force, describing it as an “irresponsible organisation” that habitually acts beyond its constitutional powers.

He argued that the police overstepped their legal boundaries by enforcing a court order in which they had a vested interest.

“If a court issues an order and it’s violated, you return to that court to lodge a complaint. It is not the duty of the police to enforce a court order that affects them directly,” Sowore said.

He further maintained that neither he nor the other defendants were ever served with any restraining order before their arrest.

“I can guarantee you that those court orders were never served on us. Even if they were, our courts understand there are limits you cannot cross when it concerns fundamental human rights,” he added.

The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not represent the views or position of DAILY GAZETTE or its editorial team.

Alan Kay, a famous American computer scientist, said that the best way to predict the future is to create it, validating the slogan of Dr Peter Mbah’s administration, “Tomorrow is Here,” which describes the governor’s unquenchable innovative intuition and creative administrative acumen.

Gov Mbah’s efforts to pull Enugu State out of economic doldrums and development deficit through a multi dimensional approach is a perfect reflection of good governance which is no doubt an antidote to poverty and under development as rightly stated by the former United Nations Secretary General, Mr Kofi Annan when linking governance with development.

Governor Mbah’s administration actually embarked on a multifaceted development strategy to accelerate growth and progress in Enugu State.

This approach encompasses various sectors, including infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, and economic empowerment.

It is implicitly clear that by adopting a holistic development framework, Gov Mbah aims to create a more prosperous, equitable, and sustainable future for the people of Enugu State.

Apparently, one of the critical areas of focus for Gov Mbah’s administration is infrastructure development.

The government has invested heavily in road construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance, improving connectivity and facilitating economic activity.

This includes the construction of new roads such as the Enugu- Owo to Oboollo dual carriage way, rehabilitation of existing ones like being witnessed across the state, and upgrading of key infrastructure such as bridges and drainage systems etc.

It is also a well-known fact that better infrastructure reduces travel times, increases access to markets, and enhances the overall business environment.

Furthermore, Gov Mbah’s administration recognizes the importance of education in driving development.

Hence, the government has implemented various initiatives to improve the quality of education, including training for teachers, provision of educational materials, and infrastructure upgrades like the smart initiative.

Additionally, the administration has introduced scholarship programmes and other forms of support to encourage students to pursue higher education.

These efforts aim to equip the youth of Enugu with the skills and knowledge necessary to compete in the 21st century global economy.

Equally, Peter Mbah’s administration has prioritized healthcare, investing in the construction and renovation of healthcare facilities across the state, provision of medical equipment, and training of healthcare professionals.

These efforts have improved access to quality healthcare services, reduced mortality rates, and enhanced the overall well-being of the people of Enugu State.

The regime’s focus on preventive care and health education has also helped to promote healthy lifestyles and reduce the burden on the healthcare system.

The construction of Type 2 health centres in all the 260 political wards of Enugu State will no doubt reduce mortality rate among the rural dwellers and the most vulnerable in the society.

The International Hospital, under construction in Independence Layout, is another landmark health facility by the Mbah administration, which will halt medical tourism abroad by Ndi Enugu and save hard currency for the people of the state and other Nigerians.

Also, agriculture is another significant sector in Enugu’s economy that Gov Mba’s administration has prioritized through implementing various initiatives to support farmers and promote their development.

These include the provision of farm inputs, mechanization, and policy to establish farm estates and access to markets.

The government has also established programmes to promote entrepreneurship and value addition in the agricultural sector, creating opportunities for economic growth and job creation.

Above all, to stimulate economic growth and create jobs, Gov Mba’s administration has launched various initiatives, including entrepreneurship training, access to finance, and business incubation programmes. These efforts aim to empower young entrepreneurs and small business owners, promoting innovation and job creation.

The government has also established partnerships with the private sector to attract investments and stimulate economic activity.

In conclusion, Gov Peter Mba’s multiple development approach is accelerating development in Enugu and transforming the lives of its citizens.

By adopting a holistic development framework, the government has created opportunities for economic growth, improved access to basic services, and enhanced the overall quality of life for the people of Enugu.

As the state continues to grow and develop, it is essential to sustain this momentum and build on the progress made so far by supporting and encouraging the governor rather than distracting him through sponsored campaigns of calumny.

Indeed, Tomorrow is Here.