BRITAIN has said it does not support the agitation for the creation of a
Biafran nation from Nigeria.
In a statement issued yesterday and made avaliable to Daily Sun, the
British High Commission, Abuja, explained that the position of the UK
government during the civil war was a matter of historical record. "The
UK Government's position, which reflected the Charter of the
Organization of African Unity, was to recognise the borders laid down at
Independence," the High Commission's Press & Public Affairs Officer, Joe
Abuku said.
"The Biafran War caused great suffering and the UK supported the
reconciliation work that followed the conflict. The UK supports the
territorial integrity of Nigeria and President Buhari's commitment to
work for a secure and prosperous Nigeria for all Nigerians," he added.
Campaigners for Biafra have been staging protests over the arrest and
detention of Radio Biafra host, Nnamdi Kanu by the authorities in Abuja.
Kanu is a dual citizen of both the UK and Nigeria. Commenting on his
detention, Abuku said the UK High Commission has a standing position
stating thus: "The British government only provides consular assistance to
dual nationals in the country of their other nationality in exceptional
circumstances.
"If the High Commission is approached for consular assistance by a
British National in Nigeria who also holds a Nigerian passport, the level
of support that could be offered in their case would be discussed with
the individual concerned."
Meanwhile, agency reports said the expressed position of the British
High commission tallies with a widely-circulated letter written by UK
Minister of State, Grant Shapps, affirming a similar position concerning
Biafra agitation. That letter was written in response to MP Micheal
Meacher, following an inquiry by one of Mr. Meacher's constituents who
had written to inquire about the detention of Radio Biafra host, Nnamdi
Kanu.
Mr. Shapps wrote the letter to an MP, Micheal Meacher, in response to
an inquiry by one of Mr. Meacher's constituents who had written to
inquire about the detention of Kanu. "We are not aware of any
institutionalized persecution of any people by the Nigerian authorities,"
he declared. "The position of the British Government during the Biafran
War is a matter of historical record," he recalled. "Our position, which
reflected the Charter of the Organization of African Unity, was to
recognise the borders laid down at Independence. There is no question
that the Biafran War caused great suffering and the UK supported the reconciliation work that followed the conflict and
continues to support efforts to reduce violence in Nigeria today."
According to Mr. Shapps, "The UK fully supports the territorial integrity of Nigeria and President Buhari's commitment
to work for a secure and prosperous Nigeria for all Nigerians. We share the concern of President Buhari and all
Nigerians about threats to Nigeria's stability and are working with Nigeria to help tackle these threats, including Boko
Haram. Reports quoted Abuku as saying he could not confirm the authenticity of the Hon. Grant Shapps letter as it is not
their practice to confirm or deny the authenticity of leaked documents.
AT least 16 people died in the Pakistani city of Lahore after a factory under construction collapsed.
Reports said emergency services were worried that as many as 150 workers could be trapped under the rubble. Cries
for help from under the debris at the factory were heard at the site, officials told The Express Tribune.
Two floors were operational while a third was being built, according to reports. The factory used to make shopping bags
is located in the Sundar Industrial Estate on the outskirts of the city. The Dawn newspaper reported that some under-age
workers were employed there although this was not officially confirmed.

Biafra!

Hope the slavemasters know the sufferings still persist. No year goes in zoogeria without massive Ethnoreligious riots and killings in zoogeria thanks to them.