Author: The Nation

The Ijaw National Congress (INC) has condoled with the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, following the demise of his father, Pa Abraham Diri.

The delegation led by the president, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, was at the Sampou community home of the governor yesterday.

Prof. Okaba said Pa Diri’s death was not only a loss to the governor but also the entire Ijaw nation being its Governor General.

The INC President noted that it was proper to solidarise and identify with one of their own in his moment of grief and to support him in the planning of the burial process.

He stated that Pa Diri died a great man, stressing that the Ijaws would miss his fatherly advice.

Okaba also expressed delight that the late octogenarian raised a son that is a pride of the Ijaws and promised that the INC will continue to support the governor to remain focused despite the demise of his father.

He said: “The governor of Bayelsa State is also the Governor General of the Ijaw nation. So the loss is not only for the governor but the entire Ijaw nation. “We came to solidarise with him in this moment of grief and assure him that we remain solid with him. We will support him all through the burial process and do everything possible to ensure that the processes are smooth.”

Similarly, a delegation of the Delta State Ijaw Traditional Rulers Forum led by King Joseph Timiyan also commiserated with the governor.

King Timiyan, who is the paramount ruler of Ogulagha Kingdom, stressed that Delta and Bayelsa states were one hence the need to register their presence at this time of mourning.

Responding, Governor Diri thanked the INC and the monarchs for the visit and for showing love towards him and his family.

• As staff demand 10 months’ salary arrears

There is tension in Imo State over the alleged relocation of Imo Zoological Garden to Jos zoo in Plateau State, investigation can reveal.

The Nation learnt on Saturday that the few remaining animals in the zoo located at Nekede in Owerri West Local Government Area of the state were evacuated to Jos zoo.

The staff of the zoo had staged a protest blocking the animal trapping trucks not minding the heavy police visibility in the area.

The workers numbering over 15 were seen at the gate refusing to allow the trucks out of the garden.

They demanded 10 months’ salary arrears, but administrators from Jos zoo refused the demand for inventories and picture evidence.

One of the workers, who pleaded anonymity for fear of being victimised, said “some trucks used to trap animals have arrived at the Imo State Zoological Garden to evacuate the animals to Jos zoo in Plateau State. We are saying that our 10 months’ salary arrears they are owing us will be paid to us before they can relocate the zoo.”

Sources disclosed that the government had for long planned to relocate the only zoo in the entire southeast.

He disclosed that the purpose is likely to be for the conversion of the zoo land into an estate.

“Sadly, Imo state zoo, being the only surviving zoo in the entire South-East is gone,” he lamented.

The commissioner for Tourism, Jerry Egemba has yet to respond to the matter as of the time of filing this report.

The public relations officer of the Ministry of Tourism, Ben Uwakwe told newsmen that he could not comment on the development since he has no brief on the matter.

More communities in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have endorsed the Social Democratic Party (SDP), candidate for Ogbia Federal Constituency, Daniel Iworiso-Markson.

Receiving the SDP candidate and his campaign team in their communities, the people declared that on February 25, they would come out en masse to cast their votes for him and ensure that he emerges as the winner of the election.

Explaining their unanimous decision, they stressed that Iworiso-Markson represents a breath of fresh air and the new Ogbia they have envisioned for a long time.

Reiterating their support for the former Commissioner for Information and Orientation in the state, the people lamented that those jostling for the position with him had failed them in the past and could not be trusted again.

Those who spoke on behalf of the communities, stated that even as Chief Press Secretary to the Governor and later Commissioner, Iworiso-Markson did not disappoint them as he was not only accessible but carried out a lot of philanthropy across Ogbia.

Speaking during the community to community campaign in all the communities in constituency 1, Iworiso-Markson thanked the people for the overwhelming show of love and support.

While emphasising his New Deal agenda, the SDP flagbearer said he would ensure that Ogbia Federal Constituency becomes a reference point for other constituencies in the country when elected.

In an interview with journalists, he said: “You can see for yourself the massive endorsement given to my candidacy. The people are yearning for change. They are tired of the failed promises of candidates of the two big parties in the state.”

The Abia State Command of NSCDC has successfully trained another batch of her personnel on Light Arms and Weapons Handling.

The training our correspondent gathered became necessary largely due to the command’s determination to continue to effectively respond to the prevailing security challenges confronting the nation and the increasing demand for the corps’ security services in the state and as well as the pressure from the forthcoming 2023 general elections.

The State Commandant of NSCDC, Muhammad Hassan Sanyinna while congratulating the personnel of the batch “D” codenamed “DRAGON SQUAD” for their successful completion of the training and the range classifications exercise said the decision of the corps to embark on the training was taken after securing the approval and support of the Commandant General of the Corps, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi

In his words “I want to sincerely thank our most amiable Commandant General for his unreserved commitment towards transforming the Corps to effectively tackle 21st century security challenges confronting our country, Nigeria.

“Your penchant for regular training/manpower development and staff welfare is quite unprecedented.

“Beyond your kind approval for the training, the Command appreciates your timely interventions and support which have been instrumental to the great feat we have so far recorded in fulfilling our mandates.”

Addressing the personnel on their arrival at the Command Headquarters, Umuahia after a successful Range Classifications Exercise at 5 Battalion, 145 Artillery Regiment, Elele, Rivers State, Sanyinna while thanking God that no life was lost throughout the period the exercise lasted said “I want to congratulate you on your successful completion of your training on Light Arms and Weapons Handling as well as the Range Classifications Exercise.

“Now that you have by this training joined the noble but highly tasking league of Arm Bearers, I charge you to remain humane in dealing with law abiding citizens, patriotic in the service to your fatherland and diligent in putting to practice those things you have learned in the course of your training.”

The Nigerian Navy (NN) has expressed readiness to support the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to conduct peaceful elections across the country from next week.

This is just as the Navy assured that it is ready to provide security to all Nigerians, before, during and after the elections.

Besides, the Navy also promised to escort election materials in the creeks of the Niger Delta region in order to ensure that no one is disenfranchised in the exercise.

The Executive Officer Nigerian Navy Ships (NNS), Pathfinder, Captain Stanley Umeh, said this during the first quarter Route March exercise of the Navy in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, yesterday.

Umeh said the exercise which is a show of force as it regards the next week’s general elections in the country is a nationwide activity by all naval formations in the country.

He said it was a sign of readiness for navy personnel ahead of the elections.

Ume said, “Route march is a sign of readiness for us. Route March is a routine exercise in the military. This is the first quarter route March for 2023 and it’s done across all Naval formations across the country.

“Route march is a way of enforcing confidence in the general public with a view to assure members of the community that the Nigerian Navy and the Armed Forces at large, are always ready to be out there in the discharge of our constitutional responsibility to safeguard lives and property.

“We’re not contending with anybody, but the show of force is in the direction of protecting the general populace from vandals, miscreants and to build confidence in the populace that they are safe.

“It’s also part of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo’s strategic imperatives that the Nigerian Navy supports INEC in every way possible in reaching out to the creeks  and ensure election materials get to the coastal communities safely and that elections are conducted there without rancour.

“So the Nigerian Navy is very much ready with our boats and personnel, we are going to escort election materials to the creeks and make sure everybody is able to exercise their franchise,” he insisted.

The exercise which kicked off from the NNS-PathFinder Base, Akar Road, in Rumuenimini community, of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state, saw the officers and men marched through the major streets and roads in the area through to the popular Agip junctions in Mile 4 area of the state and back to the Base.

By Polycarp Orosevwotu, Ughelli

Delta State gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Chief Great Ogboru has charged Deltans to vote for All Progressive Grand Alliance, saying the appointed time to take over government house has come.

Ogboru said the chances of winning the March 11 governorship election in the state are brighter with the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS by INEC, saying that the era of manoeuvering is over.

The governorship hopeful gave the assurance during the party’s campaign flag -off in Delta Central Senatorial District held at Ughelli North Local Government Area.

Chief Great Ogboru also known as the People’s General while defining his  Jubilee Agenda as a sustainable development plan in health, education, rural development and  conducive environment, stressed that he will win the forthcoming governorship election  as there is no more room for manipulation.

He further disclosed that his manifesto meets the sustainable goals of the United Nations, adding that if elected the next governor of Delta State unemployment will be a thing of the past.

Ogboru re-emphasised that if elected he will give equal opportunities to all Local Government council for development by providing N200 million monthly to the   local government for development purposes.

Delta State Chairman APGA Elder Afamefume Enemokwu thanked the party faithful for their support, tasking them to do more to ensure victory for party in forthcoming elections.

Also, Director-General APGA Jubilee Campaign Council, Dr Chris Edeme, Director of Women Affairs, Dr Janet Oyubu, Director of Youth Affairs chief Lawrence Esiso said the party was in the race to win the elections and urged all members of the party to solicit for votes from the electorates. 

For his part, Chairman of the party’s campaign council, Prince Emma Okotie-Eboh, advised the people against voting for recycled politicians.