The Nation Newspaper

Category: Niger delta

  • PIND celebrates a decade of peace-building, capacity development

    PIND celebrates a decade of peace-building, capacity development

    The Partnership for Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND), a non-governmental organisation committed to peace-building and capacity development in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region, is set to mark its 10th year of operation in the region.

    Since its establishment in 2010 with initial funding from Chevron Corporation, PIND has been promoting peace and equitable economic growth in the Niger Delta region by forging multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder partnerships at the regional, national, and international levels.

    “The themes of our anniversary celebration align with our programmatic goals and successes since 2010,” said PIND’s Executive Director Tunji Idowu.

    “They are reducing poverty, powering coastal communities, nurturing employment and exclusivity—especially women and youths, fostering stability and conflict resolution, and enabling market development for local organizations.”

    Nigeria-based PIND and its operating partner, U.S.-based NDPI, have had a major impact on Nigeria’s Niger Delta over the last decade–including over USD 100 million in additional investments from government entities, the private sector, and donor agencies into the region.

    READ ALSO: Access to land a big issue for Niger Delta farmers – PIND

    “Our major program areas are the sustainable reduction of poverty and conflict,” said PIND’s immediate past Executive Director Dr Dara Akala.

    “Economic growth, peacebuilding, and stability work together in a clear hierarchy of cause and effect that include enablers, outputs, systemic outcomes, improved institutional performance, and impact.”

    PIND has trained and built the capacity of more than 10,000 peace actors and mitigated nearly 900 emerging conflicts through the Partners for Peace (P4P) program.

    PIND Board of Trustees Chairperson Rick Kennedy said: “In 2010, PIND was simply an ambitious vision designed to foster peace, create jobs, and raise incomes—with no clarity on how we could actualize it.

    “So, together with partners and collaborators, we co-created, co-designed, co-implemented, and co-owned pioneering programs that tackled multiple problems on multiple fronts.”

    PIND and NDPI will complete their third phase of development in 2024 and are looking ahead into the fourth phase (2025-2029) to surpass programming goals for the residents and communities of the Niger Delta.

  • Victims of failed MBA Forex investment disagrees with CBN on probe outcome

    Victims of failed MBA Forex investment disagrees with CBN on probe outcome

    Aggrieved investors of failed MBA Forex ponzi scheme have disagreed with representatives of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State following the bank’s claims that multiple litigations stopped its investigations on the matter.

    The investors had requested for the outcome of the investigation on MBA Trading and Capital Investment Limited accounts said to have received over 171bn from Nigerian investors.

    The CBN representative, in the meeting with MBA investors’ representatives, assured the victims that CBN would do everything possible to return the money to the investors.

    The CBN representative was quoted as saying: “It is true that the order granted by the court to investigate MBA finances for 180 days elapsed on the 11th August 2021 but the case is in court and more Investors are suing the CBN and MBA.

    “The legal department of the Apex bank has confirmed that the investigation hasn’t been concluded so far as a result of the ongoing litigations otherwise the apex bank would have concluded its investigation without these numerous litigations from interested parties.

    “The apex bank cannot preempt the court, it is the court that would give the final direction. The decision of unfreezing and payment would commence once these cases are settled, investors will definitely here from CBN”.

    READ ALSO: Ponzi schemes and their preys

    Speaking on behalf of the aggrieved investors, Mr. Henry Senibo, said the apex bank only approached the Federal High Court for an interim court order to stop all debit transactions from MBA accounts for 180 days pending the outcome of the said investigation.

    He said: “CBN did not sue MBA in and so CBN cannot say it has not concluded its investigation as a result of numerous litigations from investors, MBA Investors are in a deplorable condition some Investors have lost their lives as a result of this pending issue”.

    He said persons, who took the CBN gave N220m as the amount frozen by the bank wonder why the apex bank, could not conclude its investigation within the stipulated timeframe granted by the court.

    He said: “The MBA investors have decided to carry out a non-stop protest to the CBN nationwide until the bank makes its investigation known to Nigerian Investors

    “We enjoin Investors to cease litigations so we don’t compound the already complex issues on ground as advised by the legal department of the apex bank”.

  • The hand of God was on Captain Hosa – Chief Meme Brown

    The hand of God was on Captain Hosa – Chief Meme Brown

    It was another night filled with glowing tributes, wonderful speeches and fond recollections of the memory of the recently departed Captain Idahosa Okunbo in Benin City, Edo State.

    The event, one in a line of many leading up to the final internment of the great billionaire businessman and exceptional philanthropist, was held by the family and attracted a wide array of close family, friends, business associates and distinguished dignitaries who came from far and near to grace the occasion.

    The esteemed royal houses of the Bini and Warri Kingdom were also ably represented by a coterie of royal high chiefs. Incidentally, the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, who is married to the first child of the deceased, had a powerful delegation whose spokesman Chief Mene Brown, the Ogwa-Olusan of Warri kingdom paid effusive tributes to the memory of Captain Hosa.

    READ ALSO: Captain Hosa’s service of songs: A testament to family’s bond

    He said it was obvious the hand of God was upon his life.

    Mene recounted his warm interactions with Captain Hosa years earlier when he was sent as a royal emissary to negotiate the hand of his daughter in marriage and how he was struck by the blessed and kind nature of Captain Hosa.

    He prayed for the repose of his soul and fortitude for the family to bear the loss of their patriarch.
  • Vigilante shot dead in Delta bye-election

    Vigilante shot dead in Delta bye-election

    By Elo Edremoda, Warri

    A vigilante member has been reportedly shot dead in Irri, one of the communities where a by-election held for Isoko South Constituency in Delta State on Saturday.

    Though circumstances surrounding the shooting were sketchy as at press time, it was gathered that arm-wielding hoodlums stormed the Irri ward 10, unit 5 at around 3:15 pm to snatch ballot papers.

    They reportedly shot sporadically into the air to scare away voters before gunning down the victim and carting away electoral materials.

    When contacted, the Delta State Police spokesman, DSP Bright Edafe could not confirm if the victim died or survived the incident.

    Read Also; Police rescue eight kidnap victims in Rivers

    He disclosed that it was a stray bullet that struck the victim, adding that where the bullet came from was yet to be ascertained.

    It will be noted that the exercise had been relatively peaceful across polling units until the unfortunate incident.

    The people of Isoko South Constituency 1 had turned out in their numbers to vote for their in the bye-election to fill the vacant seat in the House of Assembly.

    The seat became vacant following the sudden death of Kenneth Ogba, the member representing the Constituency, in June.

    The election was keenly contested among candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC) and Social Democratic Party (SDP).

  • DESOPADEC commissioner Akozor dies

    DESOPADEC commissioner Akozor dies

    A serving commissioner on the board of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) Mr. Ikechukwu Akozor has died.

    His death was announced on the Facebook page of an aide to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Ossai Ovie Success on Thursday evening.

    “Sad one. We just lost DESOPADEC Commissioner representing Ndokwa Ethnic Nationality Mr. Ikechukwu Akozor.

    Read Also: Legendary ‘Guitar Boy’ Victor Uwaifo dies at 80

    “His death is a sad one to Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) and Ndokwa Nation,” the post reads.

    Though details surrounding the death of the commissioner are yet to emerge, reports claimed he died Thursday morning at a hospital in Asaba, the state capital.

    He hailed from Aboh in Ndokwa East Local Government Area.

    Akozor represented Ndokwa ethnic nationality on the board of DESOPADEC.

  • Pemu commends Okowa over anti-grazing bill

    Pemu commends Okowa over anti-grazing bill

    Youth Activist and ECOWAS Youth Council Ambassador Prayer Pemu has commended Delta Governor Ifeanyi Okowa over the signing of the anti-grazing bill into law.

    Pemu, in a statement, said the signing of the bill will arrest the herder/farmers clashes that have bedevilled some parts of the state and the nation.

    He stated Delta State is a home of peace and has welcomed millions of visitors with its hospitable nature.

    It assured attempts by a group of persons would not ruin the peace enjoyed in the State.

    READ ALSO: Herders in Oyo reject anti-grazing bill

    While urging the law enforcement agencies to be proactive in their duties, the Special Assistant charged residents to report any untoward or suspected movement to the police.

    He said: “The signing of the anti-grazing bill into law will forestall a whole lot and avert any impending crisis in future.

    “I commend the State Governor for the bold state, and also appreciate the state house of assembly for taking a stand to stamp out the issue in the State.”

  • Capt Hosa Farewell

    Capt Hosa Farewell

    Our Reporter

    For our Lord is a God of knowledge who knows our end from our genesis. The darkness has fallen upon Benin City and my condolences to Omo N’oba and the Okunbo family. The pride of the city has departed like it was when Archbishop Prof Idahosa was called home at age 59. I am gravely pained that the worthy man of the city, my neighbour has departed. Sorrow has engulfed our hearts. The mighty has fallen.

    When in the last Christmas season his usual celebrations did not Blossom, his neighbours on Aiguobasimwin became troubled. With a foreknowledge that he was ill, we ceaselessly prayed for his death to be averted. God the owner of breath decided otherwise. An amiable gentleman has fallen. Calamity has befallen the people of Edo. The friend of the poor and needy has departed. We will greatly miss him in Aiguobasimwin.

    I have in the quietness of my mind realised again that all the labour of man is vanity. If death had a price, Hosa would have raised the funds. We shall all face death. If only in this world we have hope in Christ we are of all men most miserable. Do the good that you can on earth.

    For Captain, the journey has ended. Let us reciprocate the love he shared to humanity to his wife, children, mother and siblings.

    Rev Dr Peter Obadan

    Prime Deputy Governor

  • Nigeria facing multiple, concurrent disease outbreaks, says NCDC

    Nigeria facing multiple, concurrent disease outbreaks, says NCDC

    The Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu has advised States to invest more on health infrastructure to be well-prepared for outbreaks of multiple and concurrent diseases.

    Ihekweazu gave the advice during the Nigerian Conference of Applied and Field Epidemiology (NiCAFE) conference in Abuja.

    He stated the advice became necessary because Nigeria faces concurrent and multiple disease outbreaks even in the face of a threatening COVID-19 pandemic.

    He noted with increasing COVID-19 infections and deaths, the country is yet to see the worst of the pandemic.

    He said: “In the last one month alone, we have been responding to an increasing number of COVID-19 cases, an outbreak of cholera in several states, panic associated with the detection of a monkeypox case in the US with travel history from Nigeria.

    READ ALSO: ‘Nigeria facing multiple disease outbreaks’

    “Every week, we detect cases of yellow fever, Lassa fever, measles and other infectious diseases that are endemic in Nigeria. That is our reality – our tropical climate, population density, and poor socioeconomic factors leave us at risk of annual, multiple, concurrent disease outbreaks in Nigeria. Therefore, we must be one step ahead of these pathogens,” he stated.

    Dr Ihekweazu said Nigeria must begin to pay premium priority and attention to public health challenges, even as the population growth increases, thereby burdening the health system infrastructure.

    This year’s Nigeria Conference of Applied and Field Epidemiology, NiCAFE, officially opened with a pledge by the Nigerian government to be more prepared for disease outbreaks in the country.

    Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, said: “Despite the pandemic, we have not stopped recording other infectious disease outbreaks.

    “In the last one month, we have been responding to an outbreak of cholera across states, an increasing number of Lassa fever cases, a recent monkeypox case reported in the US with travel history from Nigeria, as well as weekly reports of yellow fever and measles cases.”

  • PANDEF backs Dikio’s vision of turning ex-agitators to entrepreneurs

    PANDEF backs Dikio’s vision of turning ex-agitators to entrepreneurs

    By Mike Odiegwu, Port Harcourt

    The Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has thrown its weight behind all the reforms in the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) especially the new vision of PAP’s Interim Administrator, Col. Milland Dixon Dikio (rtd) of transforming the ex-agitators to entrepreneurs.

    Appraising the administrative style of Dikio since his assumption of office, the forum observed the beneficiaries of the programme and other critical stakeholders in the Niger Delta region had continued to speak well of his performance and visionary leadership.

    A statement on Wednesday by Dikio’s Special Adviser on Media, Neotaobase Egbe, said PANDEF spoke when its executive members led by its National Chairman and former Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Emmanuel Essien, paid a courtesy visit to the amnesty boss in Abuja.

    Essien, who read the position of PANDEF, particularly commended Dikio’s new vision of transforming ex-agitators and beneficiaries of the programme into entrepreneurs and employable citizens to make them contributors to the economy of the region and the nation.

    He said to actualise the vision, Dikio introduced a new model of train, employ and mentor and the concept of constituting ex-agitators into cooperatives in the areas of maritime security, food security and maritime transport.

    Essien said the new approach would help the ex-agitators break away from the fetters of dependency and crime, adding that PANDEF was happy that the administrator recently engaged some beneficiaries into the workforce of PAP.

    Describing the development as exemplary, Essien said it would help to allay the fears over the employability and demeanour of ex-agitators and encourage other agencies and departments of government as well as the private sector to employ the beneficiaries.

    He said PANDEF also applauded Dikio’s idea to set up the Strategic Communication Committee (SCC) to address issues of misinformation about the programme and the region.

    He appealed to the amnesty boss to consider setting up a proper monitoring and evaluation structure to validate the progress of the beneficiaries, projects and programmes of PAP.

    Addressing Dikio, Essien said: “Your assignment is of great importance to the Niger Delta. Whatever happens here has a huge ripple effect on the region and would help to either sustain or hamper the relative peace in the region.

    “Fortunately, as we stated in our letter to you, we are pleased with the report of a paradigm shift in the administration and operations of the Presidential Amnesty Programme since you took over.

    READ ALSO:

    “Your strategy of regular engagement with the ex-agitators and beneficiaries of the programme is commendable.

    “We are aware that the PAP’s administrators before you never had such robust engagement with the boys. And perhaps more appreciable for obvious reasons, is the regular and timely payment of the monthly stipends.”

    While calling on Dikio to address the delay in payments of local schools and institutions participating in the training of beneficiaries, Essien called on all stakeholders in the Niger Delta to support the good work of the amnesty boss.

    He said PANDEF had in the last four years continued to stimulate efforts to sustain the relative peace in the region through various interventions and engagements with stakeholders.

    Dikio harped on the needs for partnership saying more positive results would be achieved if all stakeholders worked as a team.

    He said the conversation on the Niger Delta Recovery Plan must be broadened and that other aspects of the training must be explored, especially in the oil and gas sector, food and agriculture, maritime security and marine transport.

    He also stressed that delegates needed to be strategically empowered with authentic certifications to enable them compete with counterparts in other parts of the country.

  • Akwa-Ibom #ENDSARS panel submits report to Emmanuel

    Akwa-Ibom #ENDSARS panel submits report to Emmanuel

    Our Reporter

    Akwa Ibom Judicial panel to review cases of police brutality popularly referred to as ENDSARS Panel has submitted its report to Governor Udom Emmanuel.

    The panel, which was headed by Justice Ifiok Ukana(Rtd), thanked the Governor for the opportunity to serve.

    He recounted the procedure adopted by the panel in the discharge of their responsibilities and stated that every police officer(serving or retired) who was petitioned, was served the petition and given time and facility to enter their defence, in order to grant them fair hearing.

    He said that their work is documented in a 4 volume report, which he presented to the Governor.

    akwa-ibom-endsars-panel-submits-report-to-emmanuel

    He appreciated the Governor for the quality selection of members, who according to him, have made their mark in their different callings.

    He highlighted some of the recommendations made by the panel, which he admonished should be implemented to forestall a reoccurrence of such civil unrest.

    READ ALSO: COVID-19: ExxonMobil yet to support Akwa-Ibom

    He further appreciated the Governor for the support given the panel all through their work.

    Emmanuel appreciated the intellectual industry and physical energy invested in the production of the report. He expressed the deep gratitude of the entire government to the Justice Ukana-led panel for the excellent work done by them.

    He promised to pass on the report to the National Economic Council for implementation.