The Nation Newspaper

Category: Niger delta

  • Omo-Agege: we will make healthcare, education accessible, affordable

    Omo-Agege: we will make healthcare, education accessible, affordable

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Delta State Ovie Omo-Agege has assured he will make quality healthcare and education accessible and affordable to Deltans if elected.

    He also promised to invest in security architecture to protect lives and properties in the State for it to become investment-friendly and generate jobs for teaming unemployed youths. 

    Omo-Agege gave the assurance on Monday during at town Hall meeting with the Private School Owners of Nigeria (PSON), and Members of various healthcare associations in Delta State.

    Addressing the school owners in Ekpan, Uvwie local government area, the Deputy Senate President said that investment in education was very important adding that it was the bedrock of development.

    Omo-Agege noted that a country was as good as the product of her education and assured that he would address the needs of the private school owners when he emerged as governor.

    The APC Governorship candidate decried the hardship retirees had gone through over the years in the state noting that some had died without getting their gratuities and promising to address the anomalies.

    He expressed displeasure over the level of underdevelopment in Warri and pledged to embark on mass urban renewal in the Warri metropolis.

    “Unemployment is key to us and we have it in our blueprint.

    “We will dredge the Warri River to allow vessels to navigate into our ports and by implication create jobs for our people.

    Read Also: Omo-Agege promises downward review of educational levies, fees

    “We will also ensure multinationals operating in Delta relocate their headquarters to the state,” he said.

    Omo-Agege urged the people to vote for all the APC candidates in the forthcoming general elections.

    PSON bemoaned the exorbitant enrolment levies, license renewal and other taxes being paid to the state government.

    They decried being exploited by the state government despite their contribution to addressing unemployment in the state.

    The school owners consequently urged senator Omo-Agege to address the challenges when he emerged as governor of the state.

    Mr Lucky Ovwigho who presented an address on behalf of the PSON said that the group meticulously examined all the political candidates vying for the various political offices in the state and made its choice. 

    According to him, among all the gubernatorial candidates in Delta, senator Omo-Agege was the most qualified.

    “He has the zeal and feeling of the people of Delta to our much-craved political eldorado, economic freedom, empowerment, and job creation that have been elusive over the years. 

    “We have longed for an egalitarian society, a state of our own, where equity, fairness and justice shall be the symbol of the citizens and government, irrespective of origin or zonal backgrounds.

    “Sir, we are highly endeared to the capacity, personality and proven track records of your stewardship to the people of Delta Central in particular, Delta and Nigeria in general. 

    “You have indeed brought light to your people through your qualitative and quantitative representation which we tagged the first of its kind

    “To this end sir, PSON is prepared to deliver on your mandate by involving all our executive members, private school owners, teaching and non-teaching staff, our esteemed parents and everyone on the street of Delta, “

    he assured.

    Ovwigho, however, listed some of the group’s needs to include reduction in the schools’ yearly renewal fees, provision of grants and others.

    The APC campaign train later moved to Effurun where they held another town hall meeting with the Medical Associations in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area. 

    Addressing the healthcare workers, Omo-Agege said that healthcare delivery should be a right for everyone, not a privilege.

    The lawmaker while assuring adequate training and retraining of healthcare workers also promised to upgrade the existing healthcare facilities and also built first-class health facilities in each of the senatorial districts.

    Responding to questions from the health workers, Omo-Agege said that he would have a quarterly interactive session with the health workers to discuss ways to move the sector forward.

    The Governorship candidate said that he would make the needed investment in public healthcare to reduce the overburden in the tertiary healthcare system.

    He also said that his administration would ensure Public Private Partnership (PPP) in the healthcare management system to reduce the child mortality rate.

    Speaking further, Omo-Agege said that he would partner with the Local Government authority to strengthen primary healthcare in the state.

    He also said that his government would ensure a robust and effective working relationship between the healthcare workers and security agencies in the state to ensure effective service delivery.

    Various health workers who spoke at the meeting charged Omo-Agege to ensure that he restores sanity to the employment and promotion of health workers, noting that a situation where ethnic consideration is placed above competence will not promote quality healthcare delivery in the state.

    Among the Medical Associations were: Medical and Dental Consultant Association of Nigeria; Association of Resident Doctors (DELSU) branch; Association of National Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria, others were: the Association of Nurses and Midwifery (DELSU) branch, Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria and Pharmacy Society of Nigeria.

  • Dickson breaking new grounds at 57

    Dickson breaking new grounds at 57

    A viral video of former Bayelsa Governor, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, swimming in the famous River Forcados located around his country home of Toru-Orua in Sagbama Local Government Area, surfaced on the internet recently.

    In the video, Senator Dickson, who was at home for the usual Christmas and New Year festivities took a deep dive, swam to a point in the river and made a detour, to the delight of his aides, kinsmen and some journalists, who had come to honour a scheduled interview appointment with him.

    He showed his usual ancestral dexterity in the river just as he will do on the wrestling turf, displaying the traditional skills of the true Ijaw man. It was surprising for many onlookers as they never believed he will take to swimming in a river polluted by oil spills.

    Dickson knows this much and so he used the opportunity of having his friends from the media to quickly and once again make a statement, drawing the attention of the federal government and Multinational oil companies to the pollution caused by oil exploration activities in the Niger Delta.

    He said: “I call on oil companies to redouble their efforts by observing international best practices. This is as result of the oil exploration activities and the activities of misguided young people involved in illegal bunkering has resulted in the depletion of the ecosystem of the Niger Delta.

    “I am urging the oil companies to respect the environmental rights of the Ijaw people. The ethos of the Ijaw people revolves around the Rivers which is a source of livelihood to the people.

    “I call on those involved in illegal refining of crude oil to desist from the act as it affects the ecology of the Niger Delta”.

    Dickson’s renewed call on the issue gives hope to people of the region, particularly those from the Ijaw Ethnic Nationality that there is still a strong voice that is always ready to speak truth to power on what directly and indirectly affects them.

    This particular character trait of Dickson has undoubtedly, made him one of the most respected leaders of the Ijaw Nation;

    At no time will he shy away from raising his voice against acts of oppression and subjugation against his people. He has sustained his relentless activism for the socio-economic emancipation of the Niger Delta.

    Having been part of the Ijaw struggle for years with the Ijaw National Congress (INC) as a platform, Senator Dickson has made profound statements and carried out series of protests that triggered a u-turn of some of those policies considered to be anti-people especially of the Niger Delta.

    As governor of Bayelsa, he established for the first time the Ministry of Ijaw National Affairs to identify the issues of the people and make a case for them. The ministry became a rallying point for all leaders on the issue of ijaw interest and development till this date.

    Today, serving the people of Bayelsa West at the Senate, the former governor has at several occasions spoke against what in his view were things that were and are still not right and against the general interest of the people of his Senatorial District, Bayelsa state and Nigerians in general.

    Not minding whose ox is gored, the ebullient lawmaker as he does as duty calls recently kicked against the “take a bow” directive by the Senate leadership for two senior executive directors of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) whose names were sent for screening and confirmation for purpose of reappointment.

    He opined that with the suffocating situation of the economy it was wrong not to properly interrogate those in charge but rather provide a soft landing for them. According to him the event was happening at a time the apex bank was pursuing a “strange” cashless policy.

    “We are not here playing, this country is going through a very terrible situation and circumstances, and if at this point in time with the outcry in this country, we have nominees of Mr President, who have been managing the economy in such a way that people are not too satisfied. And we’re talking about screening excercise and people just say take a bow and go, I think that was not enough.

    “And that was the point I was trying to make, I disagree on record and let it be said that I am not in support of the timing of the report of this cashless policy so called. This central bank governor and this president has been in office for 7 years almost 8 years. You can’t be introducing this in the twilight of an administration. I think these are fundamental issues in my view

    “For the national interest, that should be left for the next administration, it can be introduced and we can debate it, but not to rush this country into this cashless policy when you have a national outcry.

    “I think that we need to re-examine this and the senate committee which I’m a part, should have more deliberately questioned the CBN nominees on policy and the readiness of our institutions, readiness of our economy, readiness of all the local people who are doing small small businesses, who are under-banked or un-banked, and then introducing this at a time that we’re preparing for a national election, a time that we have serious security challenges.

    “I think that this policy needed more interrogation by this committee of which I’m a part and unfortunately the chairman ruled that they should take a bow, but I have a duty to my conscience and duties to this country to make my views known for posterity, that I feel that more caution should be exercised, by the regulators of our economy especially the central bank and other institutions, they should not hurry into the implementation of this policy”, Dickson said.

    He had his say, even though his colleagues had their way. It was vintage Dickson. History will always be kind to men like him for his indefatigable effort to make society better at every opportunity through selfless service anchored on peaceful dialogue, strong personal values and calm understanding.

    As members of his extended family, we are grateful to God Almighty for the rare gift of him. It is a privilege to be his siblings. Every step of the way he has guided us to always do things right to the glory of God.

    As he clocks 57 today, we look forward to many more years of his astuteness of the political turf and wish him great and sound health as well as the bravery to continue to do his best for humanity.

    We are optimistic that with the massive support he enjoys, his re-election into the Senate on February 25, 2023 will not only be seamless but produce a result that will reflect and reaffairm his wide acceptance among our people.

    Happy birthday dearly beloved brother, turned father.

    By Moses Oruaze Dickson

  • We’ll resist fresh loan request by Okowa, says group

    We’ll resist fresh loan request by Okowa, says group

    Students and former student leaders forum in Delta State has vowed to use all lawful mean to resist the move by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to secure another N120billion loan barely four months to the end of his tenure.

    The Forum said unlike in the past when it took a passive posture when Okowa went on loan shopping, it will not stand aloof and watch the outgoing Governor plunge the State into further debt trap.

    A whistleblower, Fejiro Oliver on Thursday, alleged of a move by Okowa, the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) vice presidential candidate to obtain a fresh N120bn loan.

    The facility, according to the report, if approved will balloon the state debt profile to over N480bn, a move that has generated reaction amongst critical stakeholders across Delta.

    Reacting to the development in a statement by the group’s Publicity Secretary, Comrade Godfrey Regha, the forum called on Governor Okowa to recede the decision to procure fresh loans in the interest of Deltans and generation unborn who will bear the burden of paying back.

    The forum also urged the members of the Delta Assembly, to prove Deltans wrong that they are not ‘figureheads and rubber stamp’ by rejecting the fresh loan request by Okowa.

    “We are calling on all well-meaning Deltans in the circle of Governor Okowa to appeal to his conscience to recede his ill-advised decision to take a whooping N120b loan in the twilight of his administration.

    “If Okowa fails to heed our appeal, we will mobilise Delta Students and youths in the mother of all protest to occupy the Delta Government House at Asaba, we will not sit aloof and watch Governor Okowa for his selfish political ambition mortgage our collective commonwealth to feather the political next of Atiku.

    “We are not unmindful that the leadership of the Delta Assembly led by our brother, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori who also seeks to govern the state will as usual say the ‘Ayes’ have it, we, however, want to put him on notice that if they don’t act in the best interest of Deltans, they will be stoned when they visit their constituency.

    “Delta state is bleeding and is in an intensive care unit due to the huge debt burden hanging on our nick, no thanks to Governor Okowa but we will not allow him to take another loan to our detriment. We will resist it with every lawful means necessary including blacklisting any bank that goes ahead to grant him more loans,” the statement added.

  • Forum lashes Melaye over attack on Omo-Agege

    Forum lashes Melaye over attack on Omo-Agege

    Students & former student leaders Forum in Delta State has described the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign spokesman, Senator Dino Melaye as a court jester and a misfit who should be not the face of any serious party in a saner clime. 

    It stated adding since PDP is in disarray, the party has gone for the worse of Nigeria to market a bad product.

    The group called on Deltans to ignore Melaye’s ranting noting that Deltans won’t be distracted by the antics of those who cannot successfully manage a home and have continuously displayed a maladjusted personality.   

    Describing Melaye as a failed politician for not securing a senatorial ticket in Kogi West, the group said he wants remain relevant by calling Delta governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Ovie Omo-Agege names.

    The Forum in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Comrade Godfrey Regha while reacting to a comment credited to Dino Melaye on Tuesday during the PDP presidential campaign rally at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, said that no one takes him seriously. 

    Read Also: Don’t vote for those who will sell Nigeria, Omo-Agege warns

    It added, his view will not change Deltans’ determination to vote out the PDP.

    The forum demanded answers on how the N4.2 trillion which accrued to the State in the past seven and half years was spent without visible projects. 

    “PDP should be ashamed of parading a man like Melaye as his image maker. It shows the quality of people Atiku will recruit to run Nigeria if voted as President, but our people a wiser now, with Melaye, Atiku will turn governance into a circuit.

    “Melaye should go back to Kogi State and clear his name of how he diverted items meant for Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, in the North West to his home town in Ayetoro-Gbede, according to the then Kogi state chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, Mr Toufiq Isah.

    “A fugitive of the law, who was crying like a bush baby on national television to evade police arrest for culpable homicide and for giving Police False Information should be kept in solitary conferment in a saner clime but Atiku wants to rehabilitate him by making him the face of its campaign.

    “It is obvious that PDP is in disarray and the gale of defection that has hit them in recent times has made them more confused. Deltans has made up their mind to vote out Okowa and his group of borrowers. Let them tell us what they used our N4.7 trillion for.

    “Attacking Ovie Omo-Agege will not change Deltans mind about voting out the PDP, Deltans are tired of being in bondage,” the statement reads.

  • GEIL implements Host Community Development Trust in three communities

    GEIL implements Host Community Development Trust in three communities

    The Otakikpo Joint Venture, consisting of Green Energy International Limited (GEIL) and Lekoil Oil & Gas Investment Limited have inaugurated the Host Community Development Trust (HCDT), for Ugama Ekede, Ayama Ekede, Asukama and Asukoyet communities in Rivers State.

    This is in accordance with section 235 of the Petroleum Industry Act which was signed into law in August 2021, by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Speaking at the inauguration in Port Harcourt, the Director, GEIL, HRH David Serena Dokubo Spiff noted that since inception, Green Energy International Limited (GEIL) and LekOil Joint Venture has continuously recognized its responsibility to create prosperity and have made consistent efforts to build trust, confidence and promote social development initiatives in the host communities.

    “Over the years, we have ensured that our core thematic areas are geared towards providing direct social investment programmes to address development deficits through empowerment of women and youths, capacity building and skill acquisition, health outreaches, scholarships, direct community contracts, infrastructures and promotion of poverty alleviation programmes and other sustainable development initiatives, even before the PIA was signed into law.”

    Read Also: How GEIL is changing Ikuru town through meaningful community projects

    The Otakikpo Joint Venture moved into action as soon as the PIA was signed into Law to document key legal provisions required for the establishment of Host Community Development Trust (HCDT).

    This, Dokubo said was followed through with a grassroot mobilization and sensitization programme to advance understanding of the legal provisions towards the establishment of the Host Community Development Trust (HCDT).

    He added that GEIL has engaged the people of Ugama Ekede, Ayama Ekede, Asukama and Asukoyet communities at the grassroot level to galvanize support to conduct needs assessment that metamorphosed into a community Development Plan (CDP), which was carefully validated by members of the communities.

    He said the establishment of the HCDT was only possible through the engagement of community stakeholders, approvals by the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and a formal registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission “CAC” under the name “Ugama Ekede, Ayama Ekede, Asukama, Asukoyet Host Community Development Trust’’

    “With the support our host communities, Green Energy International Limited has clearly set the pace for other E&P companies by being one of the first to fulfill all requirements for the establishment of the HCDT” he concluded.

    Also commenting, the representatives of the communities, Chief. (Hon) Gad Harry Ekprikpo expressed their satisfaction with the company. According to him, GEIL has demonstrated its genuine love for the communities over the years through sustainable development programs that have positively impacted the lives of its dwellers and entire indigens.

    He added that with the inauguration of the HCDT for the communities, there is no doubt that meaningful projects designed to resolve the immediate socio-economic challenges confronting the host communities will be implemented without delay.

  • Wayles splashes millions at book launch

    Wayles splashes millions at book launch

    Delta-born business mogul, High Chief Emonena Victor Wayles Egukawhore JP, has splashed multi-million at the launch of three books at the weekend in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

    The launch was part of occasion marking the retirement ceremony of the Bayelsa State Chief Judge, Justice Kate Abiri, which culminated a week-long activities.

    Chief Egukawhore, chief launcher of the books and who is often referred to as the Marine Oxygen, lauded the authors for their initiatives and expressed the confidence that the books would enrich knowledge and enhance understanding of their projects.

    He expressed appreciation for the honour given him to launch the books as he acknowledged the obvious efforts that went into bringing the books to fruition, stressing that he wished them well in their future endeavours.

    He donated $100, 000 and N20 million naira for the books.

    In the same vein, the Rivers and Bayelsa State Governments made very significant donations along with a plethora of donors.

    The three books unveiled included Kate Abiri: Footprints on the Bench, Judges and Judging in Nigeria and Bayelsa State Law Reports: Volume One.

    Bayelsa gyovernor, Sen. Douye Diri, who is the Chief host, hailed Justice Abiri for her outstanding achievements, noting that she swore in three Governors during her 15-year term as Chief Judge and one Governor in Rivers State.

    They included Chief Timipre Sylva (2008); Sen. Seriake Dickson (2012); Sen. Douye Diri (2020) and Nyesom Wike (2015).

    He described Justice Abiri as a legal icon who rendered unblemished and meritorious services in three decades of legal practice, stressing “Bayelsa State will still require her services due to her commitment and wealth of experience”.
    Read Also : ActionAid, others lift households affected by flood in Bayelsa State

    The chairman, the Body of Benchers, Chief Wole Olanikpekun (SAN), who is chairman of the occasion, described Justice Abiri as an elegant, brilliant and hardworking jurist, who he said represented the best in the legal profession. He also lauded Sen. Diri’s administration for supporting the judiciary.

    Justice Abiri expressed appreciation to the Bayelsa governor for his support and encouragement to the judiciary owing to the financial autonomy given the third arm of government in the state.

    She said: “The state judiciary now executes quality projects without external supervision or stifling of funds”.

    Dignitaries at the colourful event included Bayelsa Deputy Governor, Sen. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo; wife of former President, Dame Patience Jonathan; Justice Chima Centus Nweze; Justice Gabriel Kolawole, HRM (Justice) Francis Tabai, JSC (rtd), legal icons/luminaries and a host of others.

  • Waive has done well, he will do better as a ranking member – Omo-Agege, Igbuya

    Waive has done well, he will do better as a ranking member – Omo-Agege, Igbuya

    Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege, former Delta Speaker Monday Igbuya and Delta Chairman of the All Progressives Congress(APC), Elder Omeni Sobotie have charged the people of Ughelli North, South and Udu federal constituency to vote for Hon. Francis Ejiroghene Waive to make him a ranking member of the House of Representatives.

    The three APC leaders said that Waive has done well as a first timer but will do better if reelected as a ranking member of the House of Reps because he will have more privileged to head committees.

    DSP Omo-Agege while addressing mammoth crowd of supporters who received him in continuation of the party’s ward-to-ward campaign at Iyara and Oviri Olomu in Ughelli South local government areas of the State commended Hon. Waive for not disappointing him and other party leaders who supported him.

    He urged the people of Ughelli North, South and Udu federal constituency to return him, saying that one good turn deserves another.

    Igbuya appealed to voters in Ughelli North, South and Udu federal constituency to vote Waive back, noting that as a ranking member of the House of Reps, he will perform better.

    “So, we’ve come to plead with you to vote Waive back. If he returns for his second tenure, he will do projects that will leave your mouth gaping. By that time, he will become a ranking member with more privileges,” he said.

    Sobotie said Waive
    has no competitor in the race because PDP candidature is still a subject of litigation, adding that Waive will be returned unopposed.

    “Who is their candidate? I am told that their candidate for the House of Representatives are still in court. But because I don’t want to run foul of the law, I don’t know who their candidate is. But as soon as we know their candidate, we will unmask him.

    Read Also: Omo Agege consults Delta Catholic Priests, PFN

    “So, for the House of Representatives vote Waive, and since PDP don’t even have a candidate, I think we may return Waive unopposed,” he added.

    Waive, after receiving the party flag, dedicated it to God. He called on the electorates in the constituency to come out en mass and vote all APC candidates 5/5.

    According to him: “The period of election is now, please vote for APC, vote for Ovie Omo-Agege, because it is someone who is familiar with a road track that is usually sent on an errand to ply the road. Like I said previously in my speech, we should vote the ‘broom’ symbol for the Presidential, Senatorial and House of Representatives election as it falls on the same day March 25th 2023.

    “So, let’s all come together people of APC, Christians, people of Ughievwie because on the day of the election, you won’t see the picture of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Ede Dafinone and neither will you see my picture on the ballot papers.

    “The only indication for you to know you are on the right track is to thumbprint on the portion where you have broom on the ballot paper.

    “When you see the symbol of the APC broom held in hand on the election day, for the Presidency, Senate and House of Representatives, vote for it.

    “Two weeks after the Presidential, Senate and House of Representatives elections come the Governorship and State House of Assembly elections which is the ‘mega moment’. Because that is when we can vote on who will represent Ughievwie and Urhobo at large.

    “On that same day is for my boss. The one that paved way for me and held me in hand to Abuja is the one who vying for the position of Governor in Delta State.

    “I dedicate this flag handed to me today to God Almighty and to the people of Ughelli North Ughelli South Udu Federal Constituency.
    As I was first a timer in the House of Representatives, my record proves that I have worked tirelessly for God and my people.
    Going to the House as a ranking member means a lot of goodies for my people. Nothing but the best! Four more years of impactful representation.”

  • Don’t scrap Amnesty Programme, Itsekiri leader tells govt

    Don’t scrap Amnesty Programme, Itsekiri leader tells govt

    The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) is a great initiative and should not be scrapped, Niger Delta activist and frontline Itsekiri leader Chief Rita Lori-Ogbebor has said.

    He believes PAP requires reform and honest and competent administrators who can steer it to its full potential.

    There was recently talk that the Federal Government was considering ending the 13-year scheme, on the ground, among others, that it had outlived its usefulness.

    But Lori-Ogbebor, who spoke with reporters in Lagos, reasoned that scrapping the programme might precipitate a crisis, engineered by corrupt persons unlawfully benefitting from the scheme.

    She offered instead that the Federal Government should find selfless persons to run the PAP so that it can be properly implemented and have the desired effects on ex-militants and other beneficiaries.

    The PAP, led by Interim Administrator, Maj.-Gen. Barry Ndiomu (retd), announced in November that auditors uncovered a massive payroll fraud in the programme.

    It said about 513 persons were linked to multiple payments, adding that the Ndiomu management immediately initiated verification of all beneficiaries of the programme as part of the investigation.

    Commenting on the feasibility of the PAP, Lori-Ogbebor said: “The idea is good, but like what Jesus Christ said, the harvest is big but the labourers are few; the men who administer the laudable programme are not there.

    Read Also: How PAP will continue to meet training needs of ex-agitators, by Ndiomu

    “If you cancel it, there will be trouble and it is those few administrators that will engineer the crisis in the region if it is cancelled.

    “They will tell the youths that their problem is with the Federal Government for cancelling the programme.

    “So, where do we now find the labourers, the selfless men? That is the big problem. As a mother, all I can say is for us to search for good men to continue with the programme.

    “But, we should all know that the bad Niger Delta men are in the federal setup.

    “They are now holding the governors responsible for what is happening. But, what of the Niger Delta men at the top, who are causing trouble?”

    Commenting on the state of the nation ahead of this year’s general elections, the elder stateswoman advised Nigerians to consider the candidates’ vision and competence before making a choice.

    “The leader that Nigeria needs at the moment is the man who has a holistic idea of how to move the country forward,” Lori-Ogbebor said.

  • Ondo stakeholders ask court to stop NDDC board inauguration

    Ondo stakeholders ask court to stop NDDC board inauguration

    Stakeholders in the Ilaje Local Government Area (LGA) of Ondo State have asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to stop President Muhammadu Buhari from inaugurating the governing board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) pending the hearing and determination of their suit.

    The plaintiffs in the case former Clerk of the National Assembly and Chairman Board of Trustees of Ugboland Development Congress, Asiwaju Oluyemi Ogunyomi, the trustee Mr. Adebowale Karaki and Secretary Dr. Mann Ali.

    The other plaintiffs are Incorporated Trustees of Ilaje Advancement Forum, Mr. Idowu Mafimisebi, Mr. Olaniran Obele and Mr. Ige Asemudara, all lawyers representing Ilaje Lawyers Forum.

    They filed the suit on Tuesday at the Abuja headquarters of the Federal High Court through their counsel Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN).

    According to a statement by Adegboruwa, the Ppaintiffs are seeking, among others, an order of injunction to restrain the President from inaugurating, recognising or dealing with Mr. Charles B. Ogunmola as the Executive Director, Projects of the NDDC, arguing that he he is from Owo in the northern axis of Ondo State and not an indigene of the oil producing area of the state.

    The other defendants in the suit are the National Assembly, the Senate, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Mr. Charles B. Ogunmola.

    Read Also: The matter of NDDC appointees

    Adegboruwa said: “Specifically, the Plaintiffs are seeking AN ORDER OF INTERLOCUTORY INJUNCTION restraining the 1st – 4th Respondents whether by themselves, their servants or agents and/ or privies from taking any step or further step in treating and/ or dealing with or in any manner according the 5th Respondent the status of Executive Director of Projects of the Niger-Delta Development Commission, pending the hearing and final determination of the Originating Summons.

    “AN ORDER OF INTERLOCUTORY INJUNCTION restraining the 5th Respondent from presenting himself out or in any manner parading himself or performing the functions and duties of Executive Director of Projects of the Niger-Delta Development Commission, pending the hearing and final determination of the Originating Summons herein.

    “AN ORDER directing the parties herein, whether by themselves, their agents, servants or otherwise howsoever to maintain the status quo ante bellum in respect of the exercise of the statutory duties of the 1st and 3rd Respondents in appointment of an Executive Director of Projects of the Niger-Delta Development Commission, pending the hearing and final determination of the Originating Summons filed herein.

    “AN ORDER OF INTERLOCUTORY INJUNCTION restraining the Respondents, whether by themselves, their servants or agents and/ or privies from taking any step(s) in relation to or that may jeopardize, affect, ridicule the fair and just determination of the subject matter and issues surrounding the substantive matter, pending the hearing and final determination of the Originating Summons herein.

    “In the main Originating Summons, the Plaintiffs are challenging the appointment of Mr. Charles B. Ogunmola on the ground that it is in violation of section 12 (1) of the NDDC Act wherein it is specifically stated that the Managing Director and the Executive Directors of the NDDC must be indigenes of the oil producing areas.

    “No date has been assigned for the hearing of the suit, which has been served upon the President and the Attorney-General of the Federation.”

  • PANDEF endorses Peter Obi

    PANDEF endorses Peter Obi

    The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has formerly endorsed Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

    Its leader, Chief Edwin Clark, announced the choice at a press conference on Tuesday in Abuja.

    This is coming two days after former President Obasanjo endorsed Obi

    Read Also: Obasanjo’s endorsement of Peter Obi worthless, says APC-PCC

    Clark said the support for Obi was based on justice following eight years of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    He believes power should shift not just to the South, but to the Southeast.

    Details soon