Good evening.

Here are the top 5 stories that drove conversation today:

What would have happened without the military’s Operation Python Dance II in the South-East? Well, Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, believes Nigeria would have been in a state of turmoil if President Muhammadu Buhari had not deployed troops to the South-East.

He said, “… it is within the rights of individuals or groups to seek self-determination. But this pursuit has to be non-violent. Where any group crosses the line by engaging in violence, it risks being cut to size. And that’s exactly what has happened to IPOB.”

“All I know is that IPOB has engaged in terrorist activities, viz: setting up parallel military and paramilitary organisations, clashing with the national army and attempting to seize rifles from soldiers, using weapons such as machetes, … and mounting roadblocks to extort money from people, among others,” he added. “Which national army will look the other way when it is being attacked by a band of thugs?”

_____

The Joint Health Sector Union, JOHESU, on Wednesday declared a nationwide indefinite strike, during a media briefing in Ilorin.

The health workers had issued a 30-day ultimatum to the Federal Government which expired on September 13. Another seven-day ultimatum was also issued on September 14.

The union’s spokesperson, Biobelemoye Josiah, said the “lackadaisical attitude of the government has necessitated the resolve of JOHESU to call out all our members nationwide to withdraw their services and stay at home with effect from midnight of today (Wednesday) even after waiting patiently till this hour on the approval for adjustments of CONHESS.”

_____

The eighth out of the nine counts of $1.6bn crude oil fraud instituted against Former Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Alison-Madueke, Businessman, Jide Omokore, and four others was struck out on Wednesday by a Federal High Court in Abuja.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had alleged that the six defendants diverted about $1.6bn proceeds of sales of petroleum products belonging to the Federal Government and preferred nine charges against them.

Diezani who was also indicted had filed an application, claiming that she was not given the opportunity to defend herself.

_____

Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha said today in Owerri that other ethnic groups no longer need the help of the Igbos to win elections.

He said Igbos have to change their strategy to remain relevant in Nigerian politics. “Quote me anywhere, Igbo play the worst politics in Nigeria,” he added.

He went on to talk about how the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) could have approached politics differently without having to ask for secession. He opined that “IPOB activities have created fears in the minds of Hausa and other ethnic nationalities in the country, that, once Igbo becomes president, they would secede.”

_____

Congratulations were in order from the office of Senate President Bukola Saraki to Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) for successfully reopening the university after his ” intervention.”

He wrote in a tweet, “Glad that after our intervention, #LAUTECH students will be returning back to school. Kudos to the @oyostategovt and @StateofOsun!”

However, the crisis is LAUTECH is, in fact, far from resolved. An analysis by our reporter looks into the intricacies surrounding the ongoing LAUTECH crisis just as the Western Regional Zonal coordinator, of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Dr. Ade Adejumo said the announcement of a resumption date by the institution’s authority was geared towards causing public disaffection against the lecturers.