…Says his appointment will bring about the needed opportunity for Nigeria to lend a voice in the debate for reparations

By Henry Umoru

THE United Igbo Elders Council, Worldwide, UIECW has described the appointment of Senator Ned Nwoko, PDP, Delta North as the pioneer Chairman, Senate Committee on Reparation is indeed, a round peg in a right hole.

In a statement on Saturday by UIECW Director, Media and Publicity, Professor Obasi Igwe, appointment of Nwoko the chair the newly created Committee in the Senate will bring about the needed opportunity for Nigeria to lend a voice in the debate for reparations.

According to Igwe, the Senator  last year made a demand for $5 trillion reparations, apology from Colonial masters for slavery and other injustices on the African continent and exploitation of African resources.

Professor Igwe’s statement read, “The issue of reparations for colonialism and the historical injustices inflicted upon colonized nations is a complex and ongoing debate.

“It is expected that for moral justification, Britain and other Colonial masters pay reparations for atrocities committed.

“Reparations would involve a national apology, financial payment, social service benefits, and much more. 

“Senator Nwoko last year made a demand for $5 trillion reparations, apology from Colonial masters for slavery and other injustices on the African continent and exploitation of African resources.

“It’s expected that distinguished senator Ned Nwoko’s appointment as Chairman Senate Committee on reparations and repatriations will bring about the needed opportunity for Nigeria to lend a voice in the debate for reparations. 

“Thank You Sen. Ned Nwoko for bringing up this awareness in the first place.

“This is just as Sen Ned was able to make the Paris Club refund fund possible. History is about to be made again.

“The appointment is well deserving and with the enviable antecedent of the capacity imbued, committed, result oriented, highly experienced and patriotic Senator Ned Nwoko especially in that field and if, given all the needed necessary assistance by the committee in carrying out the onerous national task then, Federal government and Nigerians will achieve the objectives of creating the unique committee in no time.  

“The appointment of Senator Ned Nwoko as, the Senate Committee Chairman on Reparation and Repatriation is indeed, a round peg in a right hole.”

Recall that the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio had on Wednesday  announced Senator Nwoko as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Reparation and Repatriation.

Akpabio had also announced has announced Senator Musa Mustapha APC, Yobe East  as the Chairman, Senate Committee on Livestock Development.

The President of the Senate announced  the elevation of Senator  Mohammed Monguno (APC-Borno North to the position of the Majority Whip of the Senate, his Committee on Judiciary Human Rights and Legal Matters will now be chaired by Senator Adegbonmire Adeniyi (SAN), APC, Ondo Central. 

Other appointments included that of Senator  Ali Ndume, APC-Borno South as Chairman Senate Committee on Tourism while Senator Anthony Ani, APC-Ebonyi South becomes deputy chairman of the committee.

The Deputy Chairman Senate Committee on Appropriations lies with Sen. Mohammed Monguno in addition to being the Chief Whip of the Senate”.

Senator Simon Lalong, APC-Plateau South chairs the Senate Committee on Agricultural Institutions, just as Senator Abdul Ningi, PDP-Bauchi Central retained his position as Chairman Senate Committee on National Identity and Population.