Project 1000 Condemns ongoing Bloodbath in Izzi and Ipollo Communities

We the members of Project 1000 condemn in its entirety, the ongoing war/communal clash between the Izzi community of Ebonyi state and the Ipollo community of Cross River State that has claimed many lives including those of innocent travelers.

We call on both sides to drop their armaments and have a round table discussion as only a dialogue can proffer long lasting solution to this unreasonable war that has lasted for over 13 years.

We believe that in battles, only survivors tell the tales and not who was right or wrong. We also believe that resources voted to prosecute wars and losses incurred during this period should rather be deployed into meaningful developmental projects of human capacity as well as infrastructure as both serves as solutions to conflicts. 

We humbly call on all well meaning sons and daughters of both sides to stay their hands and dialogue to ensure the peace, intermarriage and intercultural heritage shared by both communities is restored. Nobody should be on the sidelines in these matters. Real people are dying, people with their unique stories, with families, with aspirations, dreams and great futuristic plans.

As we call on the National Emergency Management Agency to quickly mobilize relief items to those communities before the crisis of hunger shelter and health cascade to other communities and become too difficult to manage, we indulge the indigenes of both communities and state to move in to lend a helping hand to consolidate the efforts of the government.

We appreciate the visits governments of both states to these communities and motions raised by our leaders in the Senate and the House of Representatives to dialogue with leaders of both communities to put an end to the carnage going on at this moment. Thank you for raising to the occasion and for caring for Nigerians.

The Project 1000 with the Afrika Youth Movement, and Diplomacy Opp is putting together a PEACE and CONFLICT RESOLUTION Scheme to seek a long term peaceful sustainance in both communities and calls on Nigerians to join in as deem fit.

We also pray the top brass of our security agencies for speedy interventions going forward as they are the resort of the common man in security issues.

We call on the Federal Government to erect a national monument, a school or barracks on this boundary just the way there's a barracks demarcating Ogoja from Yala. While that is on, Traditional Rulers and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) of these two communities should be required to maintain the peace in their communities/jurisdiction or pay for any life lost to any violence.

One DEATH is ONE too MANY!!!

Stop the killing!
Stop the bloodbath!!
Stop the War!!!
#IzziAndIpolloMustHavePeace

Signed:
Ebriku Friday
Communications Director
For: Project 1000.

GOVERNOR'S DIRECTIVES!
Governor Ben Ayade has ordered the immediate deployment of troops from Brigadier General G. G. Ally Barracks , Ogoja to Quell the Boundary crisis which has erupted into a full blown war this morning between the Abonkib community in Obudu town and Mgbazerem Community in Vandeikya Local Government in Benue state.

Trucks of Armed Soldiers have already arrived the war zone couple of hours ago to stop the crisis and the operation is being coordinated by the office of the State Security Adviser to the governor, Mr. Jude Ngaji.

The crisis which is centered on claims to land between the Boundary area of Cross River and Benue had been on for many years erupting into frequent exchange of gun fire or communal war between the two communities.
The SSA Mr. Jude Ngaji has asked Cross River indigents traveling from the Northern parts of the country to Cross River through Vandeikya in Benue state to take caution  or suspend their journey  until there is calm so as not to fall victims of the crisis.

Mr. Ngaji, however, assured that the Cross River  government is top of the situation and would do it utmost best to protect the citizens of state while appealing to the Benue state government to put counter measures that will return immediate peace to the Boundary area.

Mr Bartholomew Ibu Adoga is a true son of Wogada - Ebo in Yala LGA of Cross River State. He is a father to many, very  resourceful and accommodating to all Yala Youth especially Students in Calabar.

Mr Bartholomew is a veterinarian. He is gladly married to Mrs Janet Adoga and are blessed with sons and daughters.

Mr Bartholomew is the Current Chairman Yala progressive Union YPU, Calabar Chapter.

The Community Builder Award giving to Mr Bartholomew Adoga by the Institute of Human and Natural Resources, didn't come as a surprise to many simply because Mr Bartholomew has been a Pillar and resourceful personality to the development of entire Cross River State. Mr Bartholomew has been a key figure to the settlement of diverse crisis across Yala LGA, particularly Ebo Community.

As Chairman, YPU Calabar chapter, Mr Bartholomew channeled and still channeling enormous resources towards Community Development.

The Award of Community Builder to Mr Bartholomew is well deserved and commendable.

This Award will go a long way in reorientating the people on the need to Build a Peaceful harmonious Community across the State.

Once again congratulations to Mr Bartholomew Ibu Adoga, my own Uncle and mentor.

Supporters of President Muhammadu Buhari at the North Central zone have appealed to him to stop alleged planned redeployment of the Commander of Operation Safe Haven, Major General Anthony Atolagbe, from the state.


They claimed that if the redeployment was carried out now,it would further fuel the beliefs in some quarters that the killings especially the latest ones in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of the state, were orchestrated by people loyal to the presidency and the Apc.

The group’s appeal to the president was in reaction to social media reports which quoted some indigenes of Plateau State alleging that the commander of the military task force  has been penciled down for imminent  transfer from the state for daring to arrest some herdsmen who participated in recent killings in the state.

Some indigenes of the state, according to the reports, had claimed that President Buhari was peeved by the arrest of the herdsmen by the Major Atolagbe-led Operation Safe Haven in the state and had directed the Defence Headquarters to immediately transfer him out of Plateau State.


But reacting to the alleged planned transfer,  the Buhari supporters under the aegis of Buhari Tazarce  Vanguard BTV 2019, in a statement yesterday,said the allegation was a figment of imagination of enemies of the president even as they asked the president not to contemplate any such decision.

In the statement signed by the National Chairman of the Buhari Tazarce  Vanguard, Alhaji  Garba Mohammed Bida ,the group said having appraise the security situation in Plateau  State, the transfer of Atolagbe if carried out, "would turn out to be the worst decision of government and outrightly counter productive in the peace efforts being put in place by the government of Nigeria and people of Plateau  State." 

"For the past two days,  some online media have been awash with the rumor of plots to transfer the Commander of the special military task force in Jos (OPSH) and our inquiry into some high privileged source confirmed that they maybe such intention. hence we  are constrain to make this emergency press statement, "it said.

The group which recalled that Operation Safe Haven was set up by the federal government to curtail the activities of the herdsmen, cow rustling, insurgents and other uprisings in Plateau State, said so far, the task force has lived up to expectations in spite of some setbacks in the peace efforts being championed by the military outfit.

The statement said:"Major General  Anthony Atolagbe from what we gathered from state coordinator , has demonstrated tremendous tact and professionalism as well as commitment to duty.


 "His efforts in reducing to the barest minimum incidences of security breaches on the Plateau  are  glaring and  commendable.

" This,  the much has been reflected in the various recognitions and testimonials from various quarters  as well as the attestation of the state government and her people .

" In recent times,  just after the unfortunate incident of loss of lives and property that occurred in certain areas of the state,  the commander,  in his usual decisive manner,  moved his operational base into the most heated flash point of the crisis prone areas,  Barkin Ladi local government Council which we all commended.

"Of course,  this act alone in our mind restored confidence in the community and hearts of the people.

  "His love for peace has overwhelmed the privileges of the pleasures of a comfortable office. Indeed,  his decision to take the battle to the doorsteps of the country's enemies has yielded fruits,  this is manifested in the arrests  so far made in connection with the killings that have so much destabilize the emotions of Nigerians."

Going further, the Buhari support group said:"Of course, we learnt  a lot of useful confessions have been made  and high profile  past and present public office holders from the  state and outside have been indicted.


"This vindicated our stands that President Mohammed Buhari  is a peaceful and laws abiding man who can never have hand in the killing of Nigeria's under any guise.  How can a president who want the vote of his people now encourage his alleged kinsmen to kill Nigerians?.


"Going forward, and consequently on the above,  it is expected that the powerful politicians who are former and present office holders who are most likely to be affected  by further investigation would want to stage a protest by frustrating the efforts of the commander operation safe Haven jos (OPSH).


"Clearly,  the attempt to transfer Major General Anthony Atolagbe at this auspicious time as reported by some online blogs will  not be only be misplaced but may be misinterpreted that the Federal Government has a hand in the misfortune of the people as erroneously peddled  by mischief makers and the opposition party.

"We are mindful and determined as patriotic citizens and core supporters of President Buhari and we call on the president, His Excellency,  Muhammadu Buhari to distance himself from any such plans if any.

"As his core supporters, we appeal to him to direct the Chief of Defence   and Army Staff  to rather give full support to OPSH so as to vindicate our stand that  this so called herdsmen are only criminals who are out to tarnish the President and our party APC hard earned reputation.

"It is very important to note that,  should the commander be transferred at this very critical time,  when he made this unusual feat,  it will give credence to the unfounded blackmail against the Government of APC  that they are truly behind the herdsmen.

 "The  commander should be allowed to continue to unravel  the criminals and their sponsors.

" The sponsors of this dastard act against humanity should not be allowed to have their way through the process of ensuring that the Commander  of Operation  Safe  Haven Jos (OPSH)  is transferred in order to cover the tracks of their sins. This is their greatest desire now.

 "The president is urged to be resolute and focused to ensure that  their evil plan does not find a place.  This will enable the perpetrators to be prosecuted according to the law."


It noted that "President Buhari has in the last three years,  shown tremendous commitment to providing security to lives and property,  and this milestone development should not be sacrificed."

It added:"The plot by some politicians to rubbish the president and his government and accused them of insecurity in the country should not be allowed to materialise through this evil plan to transfer the commander out of Jos at this critical period that this criminals are being exposed  and they have no link to our party."

"We strongly commend the doggedness of the commander of OPSH and we encourage  other security chiefs in the crisis to clamp down on these criminals killing Nigerians  in the name of herdsmen, "the group further said.

It stressed:" We are very mindful of the fact that the sponsors of these  killings only found herdsmen as a means to cover up their evil political machinations and hence the arrest of the suspects would expose them,  it is expected that they will fight back.


" The lobby for the transfer of Major  General  Anthony Atolagbe is therefore clearly a plot by some politicians to destroy the security legacy of the president and bring to ridicule his government.


"Our appeal to the president therefore is for him to keep his eyes peeled and open against vampires who wouldn't rest until their evil plans are executed.


These politicians because of the high positions  they have occupied in the past have contacts everywhere even among the President kinsmen, we learnt  will stop at nothing to get the commander out of Plateau  State to pave way for the cover up."

The group claimed that "though most of the suspected  criminals arrested are allegedly Fulani but we wish to make it clear that they are common  criminals working  for their  paymasters, who are not happy with the peace efforts of the Plateau State  Governor,   Barrister  Simon Lalong in the last three years."

   

It hailed both the Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.General Tukur Buratai, for what it referred to as "their commitment to the values of peace and security in line with President Buhari’s  administration's policy direction."


"We urge the Commander  of Operation  Safe  Haven (OPSH)  to also continue to focus more on his mandate, even as detractors continue to plot evil against Nigerians.


"We have absolute confidence in the president and his Service  Chiefs,  and we are very hopeful that  their decisions would continue to reflect the views of Nigerians in the best interest of the country.


"We are determined as always to be supportive of the federal government and the administration of Mr President  and we are more inclined to offer advice on areas that would further promote peace and conflict resolution as well as guarantee protection of lives and property of Nigerians, it further said.

   


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Arsenal confirm €30m signing of Torreira from Sampdoria
The Uruguayan becomes the club's fourth signing of the summer and will reinforce Unai Emery's midfield at the Emirates Stadium
Arsenal have confirmed the signing of midfielder Lucas Torreira from Sampdoria.
The Uruguay international has completed his move to the Premier League club following the end of his involvement at the 2018 World Cup, where his country reached the quarter-finals.
Goal understands that the Gunners have paid £26 million (€30m/$34m) for the 22-year-old, who becomes the club's fourth signing of the summer, following the arrivals of Sokratis Papastathopoulos ,
Bernd Leno and Stephan Lichtsteiner .
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Head coach Unai Emery told the club's official website : “In Lucas Torreira, we have signed a young player who is a very bright talent in the game. A midfielder with great quality, I have enjoyed watching his performances for Sampdoria in the past two seasons, and we all saw him do very well for Uruguay in the World Cup.
"He is a young player already with good experience, but who wants to keep on growing.
"We welcome Lucas to Arsenal and look forward to him joining us soon for pre-season.”
Torreira, who has only won eight caps for his country, featured in every game as Oscar Tabarez's side reached the quarter-finals, where they were beaten 2-0 by semi-finalists France.
The midfielder made a total of 74 appearances for the Serie A side, scoring four goals.
He will wear the No.11 shirt in north London, and will link up with his new team-mates following a post-World Cup break.
Torreira is unlikely to be the Gunners' final signing of the summer, with the club also pursuing a deal for Lorient's Matteo Guendouzi .
Guendouzi is able to play in a defensive midfield role and made 18 appearances in Ligue 2 last season, while the fee is likely to surpass €8m (£7m/$9.4m) plus bonuses.

Real Madrid will try to sign Romelu Lukaku from Manchester United after Cristiano Ronaldo joined Juventus, Don Balon claims .
The European champions lost Ronaldo to Juve in a deal worth at least €100 million (£88m/$117m), meaning they will have to reinvest in their attack.
The club could turn to Lukaku to strengthen Julen Lopetegui's team, but the Belgian would likely knock Karim Benzema out of his position.

Sergio Ramos has sent a message of support to Cristiano Ronaldo following the 33-year-old’s decision to leave Real Madrid for Juventus.
Madrid have accepted a €105 million (£92.7m) offer from the Serie A champions, while Ronaldo has agreed a contract worth €30m (£26.4m) per season with the Italian club.
Ronaldo leaves Madrid after winning 15 titles in nine years at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The forward has also cemented his place as Madrid’s all-time leading scorer with 451 goals in 438 games.
Madrid captain Ramos has played alongside Ronaldo throughout that time and has paid a special tribute ahead of his move to Juventus.
‘Cristiano, your goals, your numbers and everything we’ve won together speak for themselves,’ Ramos said.

Real Madrid on Tuesday announced the transfer of Cristiano Ronaldo to Italy ’ s Juventus , with the Portuguese superstar saying the time had come “ for a new stage ” in his life.
“ Today Real Madrid wants to give thanks to a player who has demonstrated he is the best in the world and who marked one of the most brilliant periods in the history of our club and world football , ” the club said in a statement .
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It did not give any details as to the amount of the transfer but Spanish media reports have said it could reach 105 million euros ( $ 120 million) , with the 33- year - old signing a four - year contract worth 30 million euros per season.
In a letter posted on Real Madrid’ s website , the multiple Ballon d ’ Or winner said his time in Madrid had been one of the happiest in his life.
“ I only have feelings of huge thanks for this club , for the fans and for this city , ” he said .
“ But I think the time has come to open a new stage in my life and that ’ s why I asked the club to accept to transfer me .
“ I ask everyone , and especially our supporters , to please understand me .”
Ronaldo, whose Portugal were knocked out of the World Cup last 16 by Uruguay , hinted after May’ s Champions League victory against Liverpool that he was considering leaving the Santiago Bernabeu .
“ It was very nice to be in Madrid, ” he said at the time , using the past- tense. He later played down the statement , but doubts over his future at Madrid lingered .
Real Madrid has won the La Liga twice and the Champions league four times since Ronaldo moved there from Manchester United in 2009.

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY YOUR EXCELLENCY, SEN LIYEL IMOKE

On behalf of the good people of Cross River North and my family, I join Cross Riverians and indeed Nigerians, admirers, teaming  supporters and the family of our dear former Governor, His Excellency, Senator Liyel Imoke to celebrate him on another milestone of his birthday.

You have been a role model, an example of selfless service to humanity, an enigma, a strategist and a leader per excellence worthy of emulation.

May this special day of your birth bring fun memories of God's mercy, goodness and providence. May your light continue to shine Your Excellency.

Once again congratulations!!!

CELEBRATING HIS EXCELLENCY, SENATOR LIYEL IMOKE @ 57

It is said that the mark of a true visionary is his ability to imagine the future and act on it, yielding great results in the process and then  using this success for the benefit of others.

In the light of the foregoing, it is with great pleasure that i wish to say a happy birthday to the one and only political avatar of Cross River State, my political mentor and compassionate nationalist, a leader par excellence, a dependable and resourceful personality who have the midas touch to transform vision to developmental and sustainable reality; His Excellency, Senator Liyel Imoke.

You have used your good offices to empower and positioned so many young people in the country. You have always been there for me in my political sojourn. I recall vividly how you ensured i emerged as the Organising Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, appointed me as a Deputy Chief of Staff in your administration,  elevated me to the strategic position of Chief of Staff and later recommended me for appointment as State Security Adviser to His Excellency, Senator (Prof) Ayade Benedict.

Your mentorship is so dear to me and i will always cherish and pray God to grant you sound health and the grace to continue your humanitarian gestures to the betterment of humanity. You are a great leader, a peace loving husband, an advocate of youth inclusiveness in government, a believer in the development of future leaders and a politician of repute whose devotion to the cause of our State and Nation is legendary.

Your Excellency, you have been steadfast in defending the gains of our successful struggle to attain the best economy in the country today, thereby paving the way for the socio-economic and political development of our dear state. The State on which you have reposed so much responsibility and trust values the great contributions that you have made towards economically empowering the people through your various policies and programs as governor.

I will continue to value your courage and efforts at repositioning Cross River State for economic self reliance and making sure that it becomes one of the most developed states in Nigeria, and continue to have global recognition in terms of the available resources in the state such as Agriculture, Tourism, infrastructural initiatives etc.

To your adorable wife, Her Excellency Mrs Obioma Liyel Imoke, I want to specially express my profound gratitude and appreciation for her love and care. I remain eternally grateful to her motherly advice, counseling and support at all times. Thank you so much Ma and your entire family for all the love, affection and goodwill shown to me.

As you celebrate another milestone,  i identify with your strong will to drive progress in our great party, the PDP in delivering on your assignment as the Chairman of the Contact and Mobilization Committee which has been negotiating with the  30 political parties to form a coalition ahead of the 2019 general elections.

I have always believed in you. I have always believed in your leadership and the ability to steer and mentor youths into great leaders. I still believe a lot more can be done,
a lot more will be done and a lot more has to be done as the country hungers for selfless leaders like you with the passion to steer it to stardom.

On this special day of your birth, i join your family, friends and well wishers to thank the  Almighty God who never sleeps nor slumbers for strengthening you with more wisdom and robust health, and more years of fruitful leadership so that Nigerians can indeed rejoice in the light of your good works. May He continue to direct you in the right path to enable you continue with your great works for the nation.

Congratulations and happy 57th birthday.

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