Skip to content Skip to left sidebar Skip to right sidebar Skip to footer

Day: 21 May 2025

Wari-Seniapu (Elders) of Buoye-Omuso Royal Group of Houses Respond to Bonny Titled Citizens Assembly (TCA) in Defiant Press Statement

By Engr Tamunofiniarisa Brown | Finima, Nigeria

In a bold and detailed press statement, the Wari-Seniapu—accredited representatives and heads of the various nucleus family units (Burusu) within the Buoye Omuso Brown Group of Houses of Finima—have issued a strong rebuttal to what they describe as a misleading and biased publication by the Tittle Citizens Assembly (TCA) of Grand Bonny Kingdom. Their release, issued under the title “That We May Preserve the Sanctity of Our Time-Honoured Unique Traditional Institution,” seeks to clarify their position regarding the recent formalisation of chieftaincy (Alawari) titles across Finima’s traditional family units.

At the heart of the statement is a critique of the TCA’s narrative, which the Wari-Seniapu claim has been shaped by subservience to the Amanyanabo-in-Council. They argue that the TCA has failed to live up to its constitutional and traditional responsibilities, having lost credibility and influence among the wider Ibani community. According to them, this failure is manifest in the TCA’s silence in the face of numerous anomalies and deviations from traditional norms within the Kingdom.

They allege that the TCA has become little more than a mouthpiece for the kingdom’s power brokers, providing justification for decisions made by the Amanyanabo-in-Council rather than representing the true interests of the people. The Wari-Seniapu refer to the abandonment of the TCA by prominent figures such as the late Amaopusenibo Aseme Frazer Dublin-Green, who reportedly distanced himself due to the assembly’s perceived failure to meet its objectives.

The statement commends the swift and intelligent responses of Finima’s Asawo and Ogbobiri-Asawo to the initial communique issued by the Bonny Kingdom Ogbobiri-Asawo and the Bonny Youth Federation. These rebuttals are described as both articulate and necessary and indicative of a conscious effort to educate the youth of Finima on their cultural and historical identity.

Regarding the formalisation of the chieftaincy status of Finima’s family units, which took place on 25th and 26th April 2025, the Wari-Seniapu insist the process is deeply rooted in historical precedent. They cite numerous examples within Bonny Kingdom’s history, including the 1942 declaration of independence by a faction of the Manilla Pepple House, noting that these events occurred without similar backlash. The reaction to the Finima initiative, they argue, reveals a short-sighted and narrow understanding of the Kingdom’s historical dynamics.

They further explain that Bonny Kingdom is a confederation of semi-autonomous communities and chieftaincy houses, each with sovereignty over its own lands and institutions. The monarch serves primarily a ceremonial role. Finima, they argue, entered into this union as a matter of convenience, not subordination, and its rights and distinctiveness must be respected.

The Wari-Seniapu raise legal concerns about attempts to redefine Bonny as a singular “Kingdom Community,” particularly in the context of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). They point out that Finima is recognised by law and judicial pronouncements as a host community entitled to direct benefits from International Oil Companies (IOCs). According to them, efforts to collapse Finima’s identity within a larger kingdom narrative are deliberate attempts to divert these resources unfairly.

An important section of the release is devoted to correcting the “erroneous” characterisation of the Buoye Omuso Brown Major House as being factionalised. They clarify that no such division existed prior to the installation and coronation of HRH Aseme Alabo Engr. (Dr) Dagogo Lambert Brown as Chief and Head of the House. It was only after this event, they allege, that the Amanyanabo-in-Council sought to create a rival leadership by installing Evans Brown as a parallel chief in Bonny town.

This move is labelled by the Wari-Seniapu as “abominable” and contrary to Ibani customs and traditions. They express disappointment that the TCA did not act to halt or condemn this alleged breach of protocol, calling it a missed opportunity for the Assembly to fulfil its advisory role.

They argue that the phrase “faction of Buoye Omuso Brown Major House” is a political construct aimed at justifying continued control over Finima and its resources by the central Bonny traditional leadership. In their words, “the faction… only ends with them in Perekule Palace at Okoloama and not in Finima.”

The Wari-Seniapu also raise alarm over what they describe as a centralised oligarchy of chiefs and traditional heads within the kingdom. They allege that many of these leaders have abandoned the governance of their individual houses in favour of consolidating power through a central council, from which they attempt to control other communities such as Finima, Kurama, Deghma, Oguede, Kalaibiama, and the Jumbo Major House.

Nevertheless, the statement strikes a tone of resilience and readiness. The leadership of the Buoye Omuso Brown Group of Houses, the Wari-Seniapu state, is fully aware of these manoeuvres and has the capability to resist them effectively. They express appreciation for the more balanced approach taken by the Okoloama Ikpangi, whose publication called for both sides to be heard without being judgemental.

In closing, the Wari-Seniapu extend an olive branch to members of the TCA who have opted to reach out for genuine dialogue rather than propagate division. They reaffirm Finima’s commitment to preserving its cultural integrity, asserting that political expediency will not be allowed to undermine its identity.

The release concludes with solemn blessings and affirmations in Ibani, encapsulating the spiritual and cultural depth of their message.

Signed by the undersigned Wari-Seniapu of the Buoye Omuso Brown Major House of Finima:

  1. Wari-Senibo Owuna Fenibo Esq.
    Owupele Chieftaincy House of Finima
  2. Wari-Senibo Sonny Jack Brown
    Abobo Chieftaincy House of Finima
  3. Wari-Senibo Henry Loving Brown
    Abobo Chieftaincy House of Finima
  4. Wari-Senibo Igbiwari Prince Brown
    Owupele Chieftaincy House of Finima
  5. Wari-Senibo Young Christopher Brown
    Goni Chieftaincy House of Finima
  6. Wari-Senibo Josiah Sonye Brown
    Owari Chieftaincy House of Finima
  7. Wari-Senibo Adaigbi Gabriel Brown
    Papanye Chieftaincy House of Finima
  8. Wari-Senibo Ernest Doughbo Brown
    Papanye Chieftaincy House of Finima
  9. Wari-Senibo John O. Brown
    Owari Chieftaincy House of Finima
  10. Wari-Senibo Philip Samuel Brown
    Atamunotorudiari (Dupoyo) Chieftaincy House of Finima
  11. Wari-Senibo Dr. Ibianga Philip Brown
    Atamunotorudiari (Dupuyo) Chieftaincy House of Finima

Finima Tamuno bara imim.
Ori Obu se wapiri gbamsobiem.
Pighi wamina ironapu bara bie wa duapamabo samangba.
Akimu besa besa la. Amen.

PRESS RELEASE BY CONCERNED WARI-SENIAPU-BOBHDOWNLOAD

Lagos ramps up safety protocols ahead of Detty December

The Lagos State Government has announced heightened safety measures to prevent stage collapses and crowd-related incidents during Detty December festivities. The decision followed lessons from the overwhelming influx of attendees and a near-tragic incident in 2024.

The Director-General of Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr Lanre Omojola, made this known at the ongoing Lagos State 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing in Ikeja.

The briefing was for the Lagos State Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations to give an account of its stewardship in the past year, in commemoration of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second year of second term in office.

“We had an influx of people from overseas. It was beyond our imagination.

“The commission was literally all out, day and night, ensuring that people could come back from overseas, have fun and be safe,” he said.

Omojola confirmed that a stage collapse was recorded during one of the high-profile events.

“However, our guys were on the ground that day. In spite of the pressure, a swift response from emergency personnel helped to avert serious injuries,” he said.

The director-general said that the state was introducing an initiative aimed at pre-emptive protection to ensure stronger safety assurance this December.

“What we want to have is what we call tourism safety marshals. Experts have already developed a strategic safety plan.

“This enhanced focus on safety aims to provide both locals and visitors with a secure environment for celebration, reflecting the state’s commitment to public welfare during one of the busiest periods of the year,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Detty December in Nigeria refers to the festive period from mid-December to early January, characterised by vibrant celebrations, social gatherings and parties.

It is a time when many Nigerians, including those in the diaspora, return home to celebrate with family and friends, and the cities experience a surge in tourism and economic activities. (NAN)
The post Lagos ramps up safety protocols ahead of Detty December appeared first on Vanguard News.

Find Relevant Videos:Search for ‘Nigeria’ videos on YouTube

To embed a video, find its URL (e.g., from YouTube) and use WordPress’s oEmbed feature by pasting the URL directly into the post editor on a new line, or use the video block.

Visa applications for some nationalities could be restricted

Visa applications for some nationalities could be restricted

Visa applications from nationalities thought most likely to overstay and claim asylum in the UK could be restricted under a new government crackdown. Under Home Office plans, first reported in the Times, people from countries such as Pakistan, Nigeria and Sri Lanka may find it more difficult to come to the UK to work and study. Ministers believe there is a particular problem with those who come to the UK legally on work or study visas and then lodge a claim for asylum – which if granted, would allow them to stay in the country permanently.

A Home Office spokesperson said: “Our upcoming Immigration White Paper will set out a comprehensive plan to restore order to our broken immigration system.” It is not clear which nationalities are most likely to overstay their visas as the Home Office has not published statistics on exit checks since 2020, due to a review into the accuracy of the figures. Many exits from the UK can go unrecorded, meaning those without a departure record were not necessarily still in the country.

Prof Jonathan Portes, a senior fellow at the academic think tank UK in a Changing Europe, said the impact that restricting visas would have on the number of asylum applications was “likely to be quite small”. “I think the impact here is not designed primarily to be about numbers overall, it’s designed to be about reducing asylum claims which are perceived to be abusive,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. “When you have someone who comes here ostensibly as a student and then switches quickly to the asylum route… that is an abuse of the system – the government is trying to reduce that.”

Latest Home Office figures show that more than 108,000 people claimed asylum in the UK last year – the highest level since records began in 1979. In total, 10,542 Pakistani nationals claimed asylum – the most of any nationality. Some 2,862 Sri Lankan nationals and 2,841 Nigerian nationals claimed asylum in the same period.

Latest figures for 2023/24 also show there were 732,285 international students in the UK, with most coming from India (107,480) and China (98,400). The number of UK work and study visas dropped in 2024, compared to the year before.

Since becoming prime minister last year, Sir Keir Starmer has promised to reduce both illegal and legal migration – but has previously declined to offer a net migration target, saying an “arbitrary cap” has had no impact in the past. Labour’s plans to reduce migration include making it a criminal offence to endanger the lives of others at sea, to target small boat crossings, and cutting demand for overseas hires by developing training plans for sectors that are currently reliant on migrant workers.

Sir Keir has criticised the previous Conservative government, saying it failed to deliver lower net migration numbers “by design, not accident”. Net migration – the number of people coming to the UK, minus the number leaving – hit a record 906,000 in the year to June 2023, and then fell to 728,000 in the year to June 2024. New rules introduced by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in a bid to reduce migration levels appear to have contributed to the fall.

The previous Conservative government increased the minimum salary for skilled overseas workers wanting to come to the UK from £26,200 to £38,700 and banned care workers from bringing family dependants to the UK. Labour was already under pressure to make changes to the immigration system – but that pressure may have grown after Reform UK’s successes in last week’s local elections.

Reform won 677 of around 1,600 seats contested on Thursday across a clutch of mainly Tory-held councils last contested in 2021.

In its general election manifesto, Reform said it would implement a freeze on non-essential immigration. Those with certain skills – for example in healthcare – would still be allowed to come to the UK.

Reacting to the results last week, Sir Keir said he shared the “sharp edge of fury” felt by voters leaning away from the major parties, arguing that it would spur him on to “go further and faster” in delivering Labour’s promised changes to immigration and public services.

Enver Solomon, chief executive of the Refugee Council, said that “some people on work or study visas may find their lives at risk because the political situation in their home country has changed”, adding that it was right they were “protected from harm and given a fair hearing in the asylum system”.

Plans to tackle overstaying were already being worked on before the local elections.