The Nation Newspaper

Category: Niger Delta

  • Colours, voices at June 12 celebration in Niger Delta

    Prominent individuals from the Niger Delta converged on the highbrow Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital to celebrate June 12 and the winner of the 1993 presidential election, Chief MKO Abiola. BISI OLANIYI, Southsouth Bureau Chief, reports that the participants maintained that what the country sorely needs is good governance for development.

    After two decades and six years of struggle by pro-democracy activists for successive administrations to recognise June 12 as the authentic Democracy Day, President Muhammadu Buhari, has signed into law the bill which legalises the day.

    The country celebrated her maiden June 12 Democracy Day penultimate Wednesday – in recognition of the June 12, 1993 election – Nigeria’s freest and fairest ever. The election was won by frontline businessman Moshood Abiola, who died in a bid to claim his mandate.

    In the Niger Delta, a group known as the Unity House Foundation and the Garden City Leadership Initiative organised a lecture to mark the day. It was the second edition of the event since the group’s inception last year.

    During the celebration, which featured lectures and other events, the Chairman, Board of Trustees of Unity House Foundation, Kingsley Wali averred that corruption is Nigeria’s greatest problem, even as he added that good governance must be the fulcrum of our democratic experiment.

    The lecture was aimed at celebrating the historic day of freedom from oppression and dictatorship and the winner of the fairest, freest and the most credible presidential election ever held in the history of Nigeria, the late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola.

    It is generally agreed that Abiola laid down his life for the survival of democracy in Nigeria. Any wonder President Buhari shifted Democracy Day celebration to June 12 from May 29.

    This year’s June 12 lecture, which took place at the highbrow Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, had as its theme “National Security: Beyond Power, Passion and Politics.”

    The guest speaker was the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Okada in Edo State, Prof. Eghosa Osaghae, while the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), Prof. Ndowa Lale, was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Hakeem Fewehinmi.

    Panelists at the lecture included Prof. Eme Ekekwe of UNIPORT; a frontline activist, Elder Timi Ogoriba and an Abuja-based lawyer, Ibiba Okunye; while topic of the lecture was: “Insecurity – Bigger than Recession and a Bigger Threat to Democracy.”

    Also present at the event was the Deputy Commandant and Head of Private Guard Company (PGC) Department of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Rivers State Command, Claire Nnenna Okpo.

    The guest lecturer, Prof. Osaghae expressed his optimism that Nigeria would soon be a country where people would live in peace and be secure.

    He said: “There is hope for Nigeria. There cannot be absolute security. Security is relative. There is as much insecurity in Nigeria, as in the United States of America, United Kingdom and other developed countries of the world. Insecurity makes Nigerians to look for alternative security, such as vigilance groups, militants or cult groups, which leads to greater insecurity.

    “Hunger can provoke someone to abnormal behaviour. Food security and the security of tenure/work are very important. Corruption is provoked by insecurity. Humankind is the essence of security. If there is no humankind, we cannot talk of recession and democracy. We must first be alive, before being democratic. Intelligence gathering thrives on volunteerism to get reliable, timely and useful information.

    “Government has fund, but it is unable to deliver on security. The current federal system is dysfunctional, because it is highly centralised. It must be decentralised in order to move forward. Nigerians need to specially consider community and state policing, which must be tailored to our peculiarities, with adequate checks and balances to avoid abuse.

    “Insecurity in Nigeria must be frontally tackled to pave way for peace and development. If a state/country cannot deliver on security, the state/country has failed.”

    Prof. Osaghae, who now teaches at the University of Ibadan (UI) Oyo State, also stated that providing adequate security should not be left for the Federal Government alone, stressing that the state and local governments must be involved. He added that hunger and unemployment must be tackled adequately in order to ensure safety of lives and property.

    The don noted that the two fundamental responsibilities of any government are provision of adequate security and caring for the welfare of the citizens, which he said should be taken very seriously to ensure peace.

    He said: “Nigeria will get better. It has taken longer to get to the point of having Democracy Day on June 12, but reconceptualisation through rethinking is very important. We also need value reorientation.

    “Security is accountability. We must hold our leaders accountable. We cannot continue to allow the state and its officials to misbehave. One person’s insecurity is our collective insecurity. Security is a collective responsibility.”

    The guest speaker also advised all Nigerians to continue to contribute to societal development, stressing that generations unborn would appreciate their efforts.

    While speaking at the event, one of the panelists, Prof. Ekekwe noted that part of the problems in Nigeria was that the people do not know their history; a situation he described as unfortunate. He insisted that leaders must be able to take constructive criticisms and that the ruling class should not be myopic.

    Ekekwe also stated that Nigeria’s military deserved more than they were currently getting from Nigerians and the government at all levels.

    He said: “In Nigeria, truth is very costly. There should be adequate training and retraining of the security personnel, especially in the area of intelligence gathering. The security agencies should also be adequately equipped and funded.

    In her remarks, Ibiba Okunye described insecurity as a threat to Nigeria’s democracy, adding that some politicians and top government officials had been encouraging insecurity.

    The Abuja-based lawyer noted that no country could flourish with poverty and insecurity, stressing that most government officials and politicians had failed, making most young people to lose hope in Nigeria.

    Also speaking, Elder Ogoriba stressed that when criminals were not adequately punished as a result of weak judicial system, crimes would flourish. He urged Wali and other organisers of the event to sustain the June 12 lecture initiative.

    He noted that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was not being properly funded by the Federal Government, stressing that the June 25, 2009 offer of amnesty to repentant Niger Delta militants was because the Federal Government was only interested in the crude oil and gas available in the region.

    The frontline activist reiterated that Abiola died while pushing to be president to make Nigeria better, declaring that the late business mogul sacrificed his life for Nigeria’s democracy. He wondered why the youth preferred to be thugs to politicians whose children would be in the best schools overseas. He added that the government must be responsive and responsible.

    In his address on the occasion, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai stated that the Nigerian Army had restored normalcy to the creeks of the hitherto volatile Niger Delta, thereby increasing the level of socio-economic activities in the region.

    He also assured that the Nigerian Army was poised to live to its constitutional responsibility by ensuring that all threats to the country’s national security were nipped in the bud.

    Buratai, who was represented by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) six Division, Nigerian Army Maj.-Gen. Jamil Sarham described Nigeria as a blessed country.

    Buratai, who spoke as a special guest of honour reiterated that Nigeria was passing through a difficult period of its history.

    He said: “The topic of the lecture is very contemporary and very relevant, as we mark the first Democracy Day on June 12. The security challenges facing the country at the moment have stretched the police and the military and, indeed, other security agencies in personnel and resources.

    “The Army, whose primary role is the defence of the territorial integrity of the country, is currently deployed in the 36 states of the federation and Abuja, on the secondary role of ‘Aid to Civil Authority.’ This reality is, by no means strange, as other great nations have passed through similar experiences in their history.

    “A lot of progress has been made in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency, which hopefully is at its last stage. The main efforts have been achieved as the insurgents’ capacity to hold territories have been greatly degraded.

    “The Nigerian Army is at the stage of conducting stabilisation operations, which will ensure that the civil populace in the Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDPs’) camps returns to their homes for socio-economic activities to thrive in their communities.”

    He also stated that crimes such as pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft, sea piracy and kidnapping had been reduced to the barest minimum, while assuring that the Nigerian Army would ensure that the criminals are brought to justice.

    Buratai praised members of the Unity House Foundation and Garden City Leadership Initiative for putting together the lecture, stressing that the initiative proved that the next generations were ready to take over the mantle of leadership of the country and tackle the challenges of their time.

    He said: “I wish to encourage you to continue in this stride, as there can be no progress without a vision. It is through visions that we can take the country to its full potential.

    “The biggest resource any country can have is its human capital, which, when harnessed, can take any country to greater heights.”

    The Chief of Army Staff also urged members of the public to always volunteer useful and timely information to the Nigerian Army and other security agencies, assuring that their identities would be protected.

  • Cross River development agency enriches lives at the grassroots

    Determined to improve lives at the grassroots, Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade has disbursed over N360 million to support 69 community development plans. NICHOLAS KALU reports that beneficiaries of the programme have pleaded with the government to extend its services to other communities.

    The Cross River State Community and Social Development Agency (CRSCSDA) established by the State House of Assembly to implement the Community and Social Development Project (CSDP), a World Bank-assisted project has, since 2009, been providing services that ensure poverty reduction and human development.

    The CSDP utilises the community-driven development (CDD) approach, a bottom-up development strategy, which lays emphasis on beneficiaries as the fulcrum of development by giving them a voice in decision-making in the area of development.

    In essence, the various communities that require any kind of intervention decide what they need and apply to the agency and provide a 10 per cent counterpart funding while the agency provides the remaining 90 per cent.

    Also the communities provide direct labour that makes sure that such projects are completed. The overall effect is that they are wont to own and protect the projects more as they feel they directly contributed to the establishment of the projects. Interventions by the agency cover areas of education, health, water, transport, rural electrification, community housing, natural resources/environmental and provision of infrastructure to improve the social and economic well-being of members of the communities.

    As the programme closes next year, the various communities that benefited from the programme have pleaded with the state government and other relevant organisations to extend it, given the impact it has had in the lives of the people at the grassroots.

    With projects in the nook and cranny of the 18 local government areas of Cross River State, these communities feel the model should even be adopted by governments and interventionist agencies in providing projects for the people.

    At the Stella Maris Seminary in Uyanga, Akamkpa Local Government Area, where the hostel accommodation for the students was renovated by the agency, the School Prefect, Anthony Ignatius was grateful to the agency for the gesture, saying it had made them more comfortable.

    “The ceilings were leaking. It was generally in poor condition, but it is better now. Now we no longer have leaking roofs and it has added more beauty to the school than the dilapidated state it was before. Now our hostels are more secure and it has improved our academic performance. We are grateful to the agency. The students are grateful and urge the agency to continue to do more,” he said.

    Rev. Fr Francis Okon, who is in charge of academics in the institution, said the renovated structure has provided comfort for the students because the hostel has good ventilation. “It has helped the students a great deal,” he said.

    In Anung Bahumono community in Abi Local Government Area, Biology, Physics and Chemistry laboratories were provided for the community secondary school in the area. Culvert and drainage were also provided.

    The traditional ruler of Anung Bahumono, Abi Local Government Area, His Royal Highness (HRH) Amos Ukomi, an Engineer, said the projects had greatly improved the lives of the people.

    “The agency has done a lot to empower the future leaders within this community and beyond. The people have done well to co-operate with the agency in terms of funding and provision of the required labour.

    “At present, we have one of the best science laboratories in Abi Local Government Area with complete science equipment. We are grateful to God and to the agency. Before now, its condition was abysmal. We normally went somewhere else to borrow materials for our children who are studying science subjects.

    “We could not continue like that and had to pool our resources and applied to the agency to come to our aid. Also here we used to have flooding problems. People could not cook or sleep in peace because of flood. Now we don’t have such problems anymore. The flood has been diverted and we are grateful for this,” he said.

    The Principal, Community Secondary School Abi Elder Philip Ezong Elemi, said: “The construction of the science laboratories has resulted in more students registering science subjects and we are making use of it very well. The provision of the laboratory has helped the students to cope better in terms of learning the sciences.”

    Miss Angela Ndem Moses, an SS2 student and the School Prefect (girls) said they were grateful to the agency for the laboratories, which have helped them in learning the sciences.

    “We are really grateful to the agency for the provision of the laboratories which have helped us a lot as science students. We are seeing most of the equipment in the laboratories for the first time; although we have heard about them before. We are really excited about the laboratories and they have helped us in our learning process,” she said.

    Also at the Government Secondary School, Akam, Ikom Local Government Area where an examination hall and science laboratories were also constructed, the students were also appreciative of the agency’s gesture.

    One of the teachers in the school, Mr. Edward Agbor said: “Before, we did not have an examination hall, but now that we do, the West African Examination Council (WAEC) has approved our school as a centre for their examinations. Also with the complete science laboratories, learning has improved as we have practical examination instead of just theory. It has also improved enrolment in the school.

    The Chairman of the community, Harding Njor said: “We executed the project with our counterpart funding. The whole money was pushed to us by the agency. We co-operated very well and the agency helped us to achieve these. The government should promote and support the agency to continue helping communities in the state.”

    Still in Akam community, where a health post was built for the community, a village head, HH Ovat Alfred Aluche said it had helped in reducing mortality rate in the area.

    “Before, it was difficult to transport someone in emergency to Ikom. So, anytime there is an emergency, it is treated here. The health post has been very efficient. It has improved the general health of the community and we are grateful. We pray that the agency be supported to do more,” he said.

    At Ajassor Market in Etung Local Government Area where open stalls, toilets and a mini-bridge were constructed, the Clan Head of Ajassor, HRH Anthony Ntui Etta II, said the people were grateful.

    “These have greatly improved the economy of this area. It has helped the farmers as more of their produces are being sold. The farmers are happy. They produce more and sell more. The bridge has helped us to connect communities and farmlands. Before, it was impassable. Now vehicles can easily move farm produces.

    Now, our entire farm produces pass through here. Life has been made easier for us,” he said.

    In Obanlikwu Local Government Area where a classroom blocks was constructed at Government Primary School in Omale community.

    The Head teacher, Abe Ignatius said: “This has helped us greatly more than ever before. In the past, students sat under the tree to learn. This was very inconvenient, especially when it rained. Then, whenever it rained, we would pack everyone into the one available classroom. Now they all have their own classrooms and it has helped to increase the population of the pupils. Most parents that took their children to private schools are now bringing them back. We pray they continue so that other communities would benefit from the programme as we have benefitted.”

    Still in Omale, where another mini-bridge was constructed, Village Head Begiayem, Omale, Bendi South, HH Ugbe Gregory Unimke, said: ‘We are grateful to the agency for the bridge it constructed in our community because, before now, it was very difficult to transport farm produces from our community.

    “It was in 2017 that we applied to the agency and it approved and constructed the bridge. Since then, our lives have been made easier. These days, vehicles are passing through here and we can transport our products such as cocoa, banana and plantain and so on conveniently. It has also increased farming activities and generally the economy of the community.”

    In Obanlikwu Community, Bayayam, where a solar-powered borehole was provided, with five per cent counterpart funding by the Bisu Divine Vulnerable Group, an elderly Paulina Eleshi, said for a long time they did not have water.

    “We used to go under the mountain. But now right here in our community, we can fetch water freely and as much as we want for various uses,” she said.

    In Busi II, Ijua Community still in Obanlikwu, where a mini-bridge was constructed, Chairman of the Community, Sunday Ochukware, said: “The bridge has helped us a lot. Before now, we suffered a great deal while crossing the stream to our farms and other communities. But we appealed to the agency and they came to our aid by constructing the bridge for us. Our people can now go to the farm with ease and farming activities have also improved. We have had cases where people even lost their lives here in the stream but it is no longer the case.”

    At Gakem Community in Bekwarra Local Government Area, Multi-purpose Business and Skills Acquisition Centre was built for physically challenged people, with five per cent counterpart funding, to help them raise fund for their upkeep.

    Mr. Mathias Atenanyi said the agency assisted them last year. “They helped us with money to start the business centre. They gave us money to build the skills acquisition centre, which we completed in February this year. They also sank a borehole for us at Abuochichie, which we are using now. We appreciate them for fulfilling their promise to us.”

    Egbung Angela said: “We have computer centre, tailoring and barbing centres, among others. Whatever we get from there we use to help and empower ourselves and others. We thought we had been forgotten but they showed us we have not been forgotten. We thank the agency for helping us. There are many others that also need this kind of support. They should continue doing this to make lives better.”

    In Afrike Okpeche Community still in Bekwarra where living quarters were constructed next to the health centre for members of staff of the health facility, Mr Joe Ekpang said: “This health centre has been here for some time but the workers had no accommodation. They always came from far and it was not the best in terms of delivering health service.

    “Sometimes there may be emergencies in the night and there would be no health worker available. With the provision of accommodation by the agency, we have the health workers in the premises at all times and it has really improved health care delivery in the community. We urge that the agency still be given the resources to do more because it has been of great assistance to the community. The services they render have impacted very much on the rural communities.”

    At Mary Knoll College in Okuku in Yala Local Government Area where a hostel was renovated, the Principal, Rev. Father U. Emmanuel said “The students now live in a more decent environment. We are grateful to the agency, even as we plead that it should continue to do more.”

    At Arkwa Community, Yala, where a solar water project and classroom blocks were provided at the Community Primary School, the Head of Itega Ekpudu Clan, HRH Ogam Odey, said “The project so far has affected us positively. The water project has helped us a lot. Before now, there was no potable water. Now that we have clean water to drink, we no longer suffer ailments as before.

    “For the classrooms, we now have a modern structure with zinc and we are grateful. Now our children are learning under more comfortable environment.”

    In Okuku, Yala where a skills acquisition centre known as God’s Favour Group Development Plan was established for the vulnerable groups, the Treasurer of the group, Gabriel Ogbudu said they came together to build the structure with the support of the agency. He said the centre which consists of a barbershop, a computer centre, shoemaking, tailoring and tricycle business, among others is to generate money for their upkeep.

    “We use the proceeds as the less privileged to help ourselves. We appreciate the agency for the gesture,” he said.

    In Yahe community in Yala where an electricity project was carried out, a community member, Odey Julius said: “We had long expected such project. We never had electricity. So, last year the agency approved this project. We have light now and the people are happy. People are now acquiring electronics. We can now have cold drinks. So, many businesses have sprout in the area because of the availability of electricity.”

    Speaking on their scorecard since 2015, the General Manager of the Agency, Pastor Victor Ovat, said increasing access of the poor and vulnerable people to improved social and natural resource infrastructure services in a sustainable manner throughout the state has been their focus.

    He said using the CDD model which puts the beneficiaries on the driver’s seat of their development and with the support of Governor Ben Ayade, who disbursed over N360 million to support 69 community development plans comprising 168 micro-projects out of which 92 in multi-sectors have been completed and put to use.

    Ovat also said N16 million has been disbursed as grants to vulnerable interest groups in support of five needs-based group development plans out of the 23 in the focal local government areas.

  • Aspirant donates computers to education trust fund

    A governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Reuben Okoya, has donated 15 computers to the Board of Bayelsa State Education Trust Fund (BSETF).

    Okoya’s gesture was in fulfilment of a promise he made when Governor Seriake Dickson and former President Goodluck Jonathan inaugurated the board in Yenagoa recently.

    While announcing the donation at the launch of the fund, Okoya promised to give the board 15 computers for some of the schools in the state.

    Speaking while redeeming his promise at the Education House in Yenagoa, Okoya described BSETF as a welcome development.

    He said: “Two weeks ago, the board had launched the education trust fund where they asked for contributions and pledges from people across the country. So, I am here to redeem my pledge today. I have decided to bring computers, the tools, which students use for learning on a daily basis.

    “The world is going technological. I am confident the board will distribute these computers to the areas where they are needed the most and to ensure that the students utilise them for learning”.

    He commended Governor Dickson for starting a revolution in education, insisting that the governor recorded huge successes in the sector. Apart from education, he said Dickson also succeeded in the health sector.

    He said: “l am particularly glad that Bayelsa State has started a revolution already, that revolution is being carried on by Governor Dickson. Whether you like it or not, we are making tremendous success in education, the boarding schools are there and the health facilities are there.

    “Therefore, private citizens like me, who understand the value of education, want to make their little contribution to assist government because the governor can’t do it all alone. The beneficiaries are the children of Bayelsa State and all the children are our children.

    “So, we have to do our best to ensure that we contribute to the success of our state. I encourage all Bayelsans do something no matter how small, because the beneficiaries are our children and the children are the future leaders.

    “If we do not raise them right, if we do not educate them properly then society is doomed and I am here to make my little contribution to ensure that the future of Bayelsa is safe and assured. I pledge to do more if called upon.

    “I will encourage friends to also contribute. The board is doing very well because l have been to some of the schools. I have seen students there in the boarding schools, a nice serene environment. We pray for good things in Bayelsa State”.

    In his welcome address, Executive Secretary of the board, Alice Atuwo said the board received quick responses from people who made pledges during the launch, adding that Okoya’s donation was one of them.

    She said: “On May 24, the Bayelsa State government launched the education development trust fund and so many people came and made pledges in cash and kind.

    “It is very heartwarming that after the launch, we have received quick responses from those who pledged and today is another occasion for that. Okoya pledged to donate computers to our schools and we are here to receive these computers. Others, who pledged cash, somehow responded immediately after the occasion.

    “We thank Bayelsans and others that have contributed towards development of education  the state. The computers will be of immense benefits to the schools we are going to send them to. It is your contribution and it is for the Bayelsa child.”

  • How to identify, avoid fake news, by expert

    The Founder/Director of The Journalism Clinic, Mr. Taiwo Obe, who was the resource person/facilitator at a Polaris Bank-sponsored training for journalists in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, on June 3, advised media professionals against fake news, in order not to lose respect of readers/listeners/viewers of the media houses and to be taken seriously.

    The media capacity building training, which took place at Jevenik Place, Tombia Street, Government Reservation Area (GRA), Phase 2had as its theme “Online Journalism in the Era of Fake News,” had in attendance Polaris Bank’s Head, Corporate Communication, Rasheed Bolarinwa, from Lagos head office; and the bank’s Relationship Officer of Olu Obasanjo Branch in Port Harcourt, Mrs. Ogonnaya Smart.

    The resource person, who has been in journalism since 1978, stated that the tool needed in today’s journalism must be eternal vigilance. While urging the media professionals to train themselves to be suspicious of everything, thereby avoiding litigation or libel suits.

    He noted that journalists must be over-vigilance in today’s world, in order to avoid ridicule or embarrassment before members of the public. He described fake news as made-up stuff, masterfully put together to look like credible journalistic reports, which are easily spread online to a large audience.

    The facilitator said: “The tool needed in today’s journalism is eternal vigilance. Check, double check and be suspicious of even yourself. First, doubt the news materials/stories and photographs, so as to be on the safe side, because there are enemies of progress who want your media houses to die early and they will send to you, fake news materials and photographs.

    “Journalism nowadays is about providing the hard evidence. Journalists must write authoritatively and their reports must be reliable and credible. It is important to have deep knowledge of what you intend to share. Journalists must always update their knowledge and widely read books, in order to grow, improve and be relevant.

    “A good journalist should not lie. He must always stand by the truth and report objectively. If he is in doubt of the information, he should leave it out. Always consult experts to authenticate stories, especially breaking news.

    “Trust should be upheld by journalists. Make efforts to verify information, for credibility of your medium and for peace of the society.”

    Obe also described social media, particularly WhatsApp, as the breeding ground for fake news.

    Polaris (formerly Skye) Bank’s  Head, Strategic Brand Management, Nduneche Ezurike, from the bank’s head office on Victoria Island, Lagos, in admonished media professionals to always place emphasis on investigative journalism, professionalism and doing basic checks, to detect fake news, which he described as real, intense and would continue to consume careless reporters.

    Ezurike also urged journalists to always be ahead and not to get tired of acquiring knowledge, with all the barriers already broken, while insisting that media professionals must never be seen as nuisance.

    The Group Head of Polaris Bank in Port Harcourt, Raphael Abiaziem, noted that the financial institution appreciated the media as partners in progress.

    Abiaziem, who was represented by the Business Development Manager of Olu Obasanjo, Port Harcourt branch of the bank, George Gabriel-Whyte, described the media capacity building training as part of the core values of Polaris Bank, which he identified as continuous training, stressing that it would ensure responsive journalism, while calling for continuous support of the bank.

    While responding on behalf of the participants, the Chairman of Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Rivers State, Chief Ernest Chinwo of ThisDay Newspaper, hailed Polaris Bank for the opportunity and the initiative. He called on the bank to organise the training, retraining regularly and accommodate more media professionals.

  • Community leader to Obaseki: complete Okpekpe road

    The President, Okpekpe Clan Development Union (OCDU), Rotarian Abubakar Shaibu, has called on the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki to complete the Okpekpe Road that his predecessor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole couldn’t complete.

    Okpekpe Kingdom which is now known for the annual Okpekpe International 10 Kilometer Road Race is in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State.

    In a chat with Niger Delta Report during the 7th Okpekpe International 10 Kilometer Road Race, Rotarian Shaibu praised the former governor, even as he urged the current governor to emulate him by constructing the remaining 12-kilometer Okpekpe Road which crisscrossed  communities such as Ebelle, Ukhomedokha to Ivioghe of Wanno Clan and Agenebode.

    A ride to the local government headquarter in Agenebode, which ordinarily should be 30 minutes, lasts for hours because the road that links Agenebode to Okpekpe is impassable. The agrarian community of the kingdom whose farm produce sustains the entire clan has been cut off from other communities due to the bad condition of the road.

    But for the magnanimity of Oshiomhole, Rotarian Shaibu said, the entire clan would have been difficult to access. The former governor constructed the road on which athletes now compete for honours.

    Rotarian Shaibu, said: “I call on the current Governor, Godwin Obaseki to use this event (road race) as a reminder that he needs to construct and tar the other part of the road that leads to other communities such as Ebelle and Ukhomedokha of the clan that Oshiomhole could not complete.

    Read Also: Obaseki must go, forum insists

    “I want to use this medium to appeal to Governor Obaseki to come to our aid by linking the communities to the headquarters of the kingdom and that of the local government area.”

    He commended the Onwueweko of Okpekpe Kingdom, His Royal Highness Peter Abalumhe Osigbemeh. He added that his reign has brought many developments in the community.

    He commended the organisers of the road race and urged them to consider building a mini-stadium for the competition.

  • College graduates 25 natural medicine practitioners in Bayelsa

    A new set of trained traditional and natural medicine practitioners has emerged in Bayelsa State. About 25 of them graduated and were issued certificates to practice natural medicine by the National College of Natural Medicine (NCNM). They were immediately inducted into the Nigerian Council of Physicians of Natural Medicine (NCPNM).

    The set, when added to over 80 practitioners that graduated last year, increased the number of certified herbal doctors operating in Bayelsa. The NCPNM, coordinated in the state by Dr. Ruth Okeima has been at the forefront of ensuring best practice and eliminating quackery in the natural medicine sub-sector.

    The graduation ceremony was a memorable one. It had all the trappings of convocation of a typical higher institution.  The graduates were adorned in flowing gowns and headgears. The best student among them gave a valedictory speech.

    Okeima said the professional certificates issued to the graduates would enable them to practice natural medicine. She said they were also inducted into the council of physicians of natural medicine, adding that their activities would henceforth be monitored by the regulatory body.

    She said: “Nigeria Council of Physicians of Natural Medicine is the regulatory body that controls, trains and standardises the practice of natural medicine, alternative medicine and complementary medicine in the country”.

    She further said the graduates hail from different parts of the state, noting that they were happy to be counted among qualified traditional medicine practitioners. She said from last year when the first graduates emerged, the council has been in partnership with government agencies, including ministries of health as well as women and children.

    She said: “We want the government to help its citizens by training them. The number of graduates reduced this time because of economic downturn. Most of them, who are willing to come for the training, could not do so because they lacked the wherewithal.

    “So, they are still practising the crude way in their natural medicine practice. But this set of graduates has been taught the scientific method of carrying out their practice and that is the reason they are happy”.

    Okeima advised the graduates to refine their practice using knowledge they garnered at the training, adding that they should never resort to the crude method of practising natural medicine.

    She said: “In the case of massaging, we have taught them that they should not massage from the heart but should start from the feet towards the heart because blood flows towards the heart and any form of obstruction in that process can cause harm.

    “So, we have taught them the proper method and scientific method of doing things. We expect them to do the same. The task force and I will be going round to make sure that they do their job and that they are practising according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) standards”

    Okeima said the council was already warming up for another batch of students in August. She appealed to people in Bayelsa and Southsouth geo-political zone to embrace the coming training. She said forms were on sale for professional bachelor degree, diploma and certificate courses.

    Read Also: Sylva faults Bayelsa on N120bn loan claims

    In his remarks, the Southsouth Coordinator, NCPNM, Dr. Joseph Akpile, said the council has taken steps to ensure a permanent place for natural medicine in the country. He said countries such as China and India were making use of natural medicine to tackle different ailments.

    He said: “Natural medicine is very recognised by the country. The importance and the contribution of natural medicine cannot be swept under the carpet. Don’t look at it with disdain. A good number of people rely on it unofficially for their health remedies.

    “These graduates will be able to provide basic natural health care services. From this training, these students will be able to perform first aid if there is an emergency and provide natural diagnosis where they will be able to read and interpret medical conditions.

    “They will also be able to apply the knowledge that they have acquired to help thousands of people and by so doing the gap between the medical practitioners and the population will be bridged because right now, we have a medical doctor to 3,000 citizens and the gap is expanding.

    “I am so glad to see that in Bayelsa State natural medicine has taken a new order. It is a good participation from the government sector. I also pray government will give more attention to these natural medicines”.

    Speaking on the training, the acting Provost of the National College of Natural Medicine established by NCPNM, Prof. Ezengige Gilbert said the college embarked on training of traditional medical practitioners involved in all forms of natural medicine.

    “So, we are in Bayelsa and we started with a certificate course in natural medicine. We gave them training for the first step and after this, they are expected to go for diploma in natural medicine followed by higher diploma in natural medicine and after that those that are suitably qualified can go for their professional bachelor’s degree in natural medicine.

    “It’s been a good experience here in Bayelsa and we are happy that the Bayelsa State government is highly welcoming. We have been to the Ministry of Health; we have been to the Ministry of Labour and Productivity.

    “The graduates should stick to what they have been taught. They should not go beyond the scope of their training. We have taught them all the knowledge that they really required to make good practice as long as they follow our teaching and as long as they follow natural love.

    “We made them realise that one cannot talk about natural medicine without one talking about God that created nature. As long as one does things rightly, one will not have any problem. We have inducted them into our council,” he said.

    Also the Acting President, Council of Physicians and Natural Medicine, Prof. Bade Adewale, said awards of excellence were also given to individuals in the state for their contributions to the growth and development of natural medicine.

  • President Buhari’s next cabinet

    With the swearing-in of President Muhammadu Buhari for a second term tenure, the next great expectations from Nigerians will be to see the characters that will constitute the cabinet of the president for the next four years.

    Already, the President has assured that unlike what happened during his first tenure, Nigerians will not have to wait six months this time around to see the list of his cabinet members. While the President will be expected to keep to his promise on the early appointment of the ministers, the quality, virtues and moral standing of those to be appointed, especially as related to the character of the government itself must be important considerations in making that decision.

    Of course, the issue of competence cannot also be waived aside. Many Nigerians believed that some of the ministers in the first term cabinet of the President were not only ‘deadwood’ in terms of performance, but in character and moral standing, were the very antithesis of the anti-corruption stance of the administration, and dark stains on the widely acknowledged integrity of the President himself.

    Certainly, the linkage of some members of the outgone cabinet to National Youth Service Corps Certificate scandal, allegations of corruption and ego-driven political struggles back in their homes state to the detriment of their duties in Abuja were definitely out of sync with all the anti-corruption and purposeful bent of the Buhari administration.

    There are already suggestions in the public space on how the President should choose his next set of ministers. To ensure that the country is availed the opportunity of using its vast and rich human resources for its development without limitations of political affiliations, some have argued that the President should look beyond his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in constituting his cabinet this time around.

    But some have also argued that the President cannot shut out party chieftains who traversed the nooks and crannies of the country to ensure he was re-elected for a second term.  Indeed, chieftains of All Progressives Congress, APC, are already positioning themselves for appointment into the cabinet, using different subterfuges.

    But even at that,  the onus on patriotic members of the ruling party who understand what their party stands for to as much as possible help the President make the right choices. It is in this vein that I viewed the recent intervention by a pro- Buhari leadership and integrity advocacy group on the kind of person(s) that should represent Akwa Ibom in the President’s new cabinet as commendable.

    The group, Akwa Ibom Integrity and Servant Leadership Culture Initiative had in a letter to the President, dated May 24, cautioned him against appointing Senator Godswill Akpabio or any other personality with corruption charges into his cabinet for the second term.

    In the letter, entitled “Ministerial Appointments: Why Appointing Akpabio May be Counter Productive”, signed by its national coordinator, Dr. Asuquo  Edidem  Etim, the group had warned the President on why the former governor should not be on his list of consideration for appointment as minister.  The group cited the profligacy with which the former Governor ran Akwa Ibom State for eight years as one of the reasons for the warning.

    It also rightly warned that the former governor’s “corruption case with the EFCC has the potential of exploding into national embarrassment and credibility question for your government, should he be made a minister in a government that prides itself as anti-graft champion. We wish to remind you of your famous words, that ‘if we don’t kill corruption, corruption will kill us’.”

    The group, which seems to be aligned to the APC, also spoke about the potential of Akpabio to become even a more destabilising factor, especially, to the Akwa Ibom chapter of the ruling party if he is more empowered with a ministerial position.

    It’s also apt to acknowledge that the State Working Committee of the APC Akwa Ibom State has disowned the group and its leader which it accused of engaging in “disparaging campaign against l Akpabio and “evil fireworks meant to generate bad blood and disaffection in the party. In the same vein, a chieftain of Akwa Ibom APC,  Mr Umana Okon Umana, who is also the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority, has also disowned the group as well as their recommendation that he should be appointed as minister to represent the state in President Buhari’s new cabinet.

    But the group’s assertion of the need for Buhari, the ‘African anti-corruption champion’ to keep off the former governor is one that cannot be faulted. This is more so given the speculations that Akpabio’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the APC last year was inspired by the former governor’s bid to escape the searchlight of the anti-graft agency. The former Governor has been under the searchlight of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) since he left office after serving as governor of Akwa Ibom State in 2015.

    Read Also: Why Buhari should intervene in Oshiomhole, Oyegun’s feud, by Kalu

    He was first quizzed by operatives of the anti-graft agency a few months after he left office following a petition by a lawyer who is also an activist.

    It can also be recalled that the former Akwa Ibom governor had during his defection to APC claimed that he was no longer under investigation. But this was swiftly denied by a former spokesman for the EFCC, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, who in a text message to journalists emphatically stated that Akpabio corruption’s case was still ongoing. “EFCC does not close cases or give clearance to anybody,” Wilson said.

    It’s true that the former governor has not been taken through the judicial process, much less, declared guilty of the allegations.

    But one of the grounds frequently used to dismiss the anti-corruption war of the Buhari administration in the past four years was that it was more or less aimed at ‘persecuting’ politicians in opposition or with opposing views. The inference was that the anti-graft agencies usually become powerless once any top politician under their searchlight identifies with the ruling party. There is the need to put an end to this perception of the noble efforts of the President to fight corruption.

    Therefore, as one of the admirers of Buhari, I believe that the opportunity of the second term should be used by the President to indeed take anti-graft war to the next level with actions aimed at dispelling such insinuations.

    The President can do this by ensuring that actions and initiatives that raise doubt about the intentions of his government on the anti-corruption war are given wide berth. And that take off point should be by ensuring that persons with corruption cases dangling on their necks like gory necklaces are not part of his cabinet. That’s why the President should heed the advice of the Akwa Ibom APC group on Akpabio.

    After all, the Akwa Ibom chapter of APC has in its ranks persons who are not just even more qualified in terms of experience, academic attainments than the former governor but have also worked tirelessly to sustain the party in the state in the past four years.

    • Nkereuweme-Ndiana wrote from Lagos.

  • I sold pepper, tomatoes, onions to pay school fees, says ex-Bayelsa Speaker

    Not all successful men were born with silver spoon in their mouths. Some struggled to become prominent in their lives. One of them is former Bayelsa State House of Assembly Speaker Kombowei Benson, who rose to prominence after selling pepper, onions and tomatoes to pay his school fees. MIKE ODIEGWU met him.

    Most people believe that the immediate past Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Hon. Kombowei Benson was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. But Benson came from a humble background. He walked the creeks, paddled canoes, working and sweating profusely to rise to prominence.

    Born in far-flung Korokorosie in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Benson weathered the storms, overcame challenges and obstacles thrown at him by life. First, his survival instinct made him realise the importance of healthy competition to progressive living.

    “I did not just come into the office of the Speaker without paying many prices. From my youth and after my secondary school education in Government Secondary School Okubie, I knew the importance of competitive lifestyle. I was a football player in my secondary school days and after my secondary education, I was involved in communal and inter-communal football matches.

    “So, I was a frontline player, one of the 11 players of my community called the Olode Lions. The spirit of sportsmanship in football is always exhibited in whatever I am doing.

    In fact, after his secondary school, Benson, who shared his experience with the Niger Delta Report said life became tougher.

    He recalled: “Even after my secondary school, there was nobody that was willing to train me. I remained in the village. I was only employed in 1983 where I worked for only one month because of the fraud in the Ministry of Education for which I was dropped.

    “I stayed in the village doing all kinds of menial jobs. I engaged in many menial jobs such as cutting of woods and oil palm milling (because we had agric. palm plantation). So, I did that to feed my wife and the family. Again, there was a kind of contribution five of my brothers did. Each contributed N200 to raise the sum of N1, 000 for me. I had to use that N1, 000 to travel to Warri in Delta State on a big wooden boat, sleeping two nights on the river; going one night and coming back another night.

    “Between 1989 and 1991, I went there to buy garri, pepper, onions and other things that the table could accommodate. I will then sell to the villagers. I was and is still a trader”.

    Indeed, Benson’s engagements in football competition, his trading finesse and social interactions made him a household name in Southern Ijaw. He owned a shop at Oporoma, the headquarters of the local government area, which was also the meeting point of political and community leaders. Little wonder he rose to occupy his first political office.

    “I became a councillor in 1992”, he said. He tried two times before he was able to emerge victorious in the councillorship polls. His victory was a product of doggedness and never-say-die spirit. After his councillorship experience, Benson reverted to his buying and selling business.

    Recalling one of his business trips, he said: “There were many businesses I did after my councillorship experience. They included selling of ogbono which I took to Kano without knowing anybody in Kano.

    “I had to come back the same day after the business trip. We had to stand from Kano to Onitsha as there was no seat except what they called attachment. That was how I managed until I came to Agbor. It was in Agbor I had a seat, but we were already close to Yenagoa.

    But Benson’s performance as a councillor catapulted him to a higher political office. He was elected the Chairman of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.

    On how he achieved that feat, he said: “I became a full time trader after being in office as a councillor until another election period. I contested from the GDM and won the election as the Executive Chairman of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area. I stayed in office until General Sani Abacha died. We were thrown out of office and I decided to relocate to Yenagoa. So, since 1998, I have been in Yenagoa.

    “When I came to Yenagoa, I went into trading again. I was one of the earliest petroleum dealers because as at then there was no petrol station in the area until one Sobaz established a filling station at Ekeki and so the petroleum market was no longer favourable. I tried as much as possible to raise a filling station. The filling station got to a particular level and I became insolvent. Therefore, the trading business became something else. I was off and on”.

    But Benson’s dream to own a filling station became a reality later. With determination, he was able to build his first filling station along the Isaac Boro Expressway. Despite the challenges and having won all his two elective positions with his school certificate, the former Speaker’s still longed for education. This compelled him to return to school. In fact, going back to school was a tough decision.

    Benson said: “My academic life was very rough and taxing. Even after my local government chairmanship, I still did not have the wherewithal. I was already training my younger ones in school. But I said, ‘now that my younger brothers are going to school, if I don’t do anything now that I am ageing, anything can happen and I may not have the opportunity to go to school again’.

    “There were schools that offer distance learning courses. I had to enroll in one of them. It was my uncle that also persuaded me to go back to school. He even bought the forms for me. I started going to the distance learning classes in the University of Calabar. So, we were made to write some of the examinations here and then we were also made to go to the main campus to write other examinations.

    “Thereafter, I enrolled at the Akwa Ibom Polytechnics that had come to open a branch at Biogbolo in Yenagoa. So, I earned my Higher National Diploma (HND) in Public Administration. I did not stop there. There was another institution that was here, the Institute of Public Administration and Management from the Obafemi Awolowo University. I had to write that examination for my Post-graduate Diploma PGD and that was the year I was already elected into the office as a member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly.

    “After my PGD in 2007, I began planning for my doctorate degree programme. I wanted to be addressed as ‘Doctor Benson’. So, I enrolled for my Master’s degree in Public Administration at the Delta State University. Thereafter, I had to pursue the PhD programme at the Imo State University (IMSU).  I studied hard and attended lectures for all my certificates because I know I will do a disservice to myself if I can’t defend my certificates.

    “By God’s grace, I was awarded the PhD degree. But it was not easy going back to school. I recall that in my HND before I was elected into the House of Assembly, I had a very serious challenge in terms of payment of school fees. This is the reason why I try to support school children. I feel their pains because I passed through that process.

    “I had the problem of paying my school fees during my secondary education. During my HND programme, two of my younger brothers and one of my sisters were in the university and all of them were under my care. So, I could not meet up with payment of my school fees at a time we were writing examinations and I was sent out of the examination hall.

    “Maka Yoros, who was also a member of the civil service commission and I stayed outside. They asked us to leave the examination hall; we waited until those who had paid their school fees finished writing their examinations. When they were about closing, the examiner called us and said we could go in to write for thirty minutes. So, we had 10 minutes to answer each question. It was very challenging. But by God’s grace, I didn’t have any carry over. It was my greatest challenge while in school.”

    Indeed, while pursuing his academic interests, Benson also followed up his political ambition. Following his grassroots political experience; having served as a councillor and as an executive chairman, he was elected to represent the Southern Ijaw Constituency 4 in the state Assembly.

    He remained in that position till the last general elections when he contested the Southern Ijaw Federal Constituency and lost to his rival at the All Progressives Congress (APC) in an alleged controversial circumstance. Believing that his mandate was stolen, Benson had since filed a suit at the tribunal to retrieve his mandate.

  • Lawmaker builds ICT, skill acquisition centre for constituents

    The lawmaker representing Ikpoba-Okha/Egor in the House of Representatives, Hon. Ehiozuwa Agbonyinma, has inaugurated a skill acquisition centre and an Information and Communication Technology centre for the people of Egor Local Government Area.

    Edo State Deputy Governor, Hon Philip Shaibu, who inaugurated the projects said some lawmakers would rather line their pockets instead attracting projects that will enhance the well-being of members of their constituencies.

    Shaibu said the projects were in line with the vision of the Edo State government to build skilled work force.

    He said the 200,000 jobs promised by the All Progressives Congress (APC) under Governor Godwin Obaseki were to be achieved by providing skills for youths and not through the civil service.

    He said: “We are creating job opportunities for our youths. It is only when labour are skilled that they can become self-employed. We are driving an economy that is private-sector driven.

    “The only way is when we have skilled man power. People trained here will be employers of labour. This project is in line with our vision. We urged other lawmakers to build same for their constituencies.”

    Agbonyinma said he has attracted projects that his constituents are happy about.

    He assured that he would reclaim his mandate at the tribunal because those that rigged him out have been charged to court.

    His words: “In the last election, they voted for me. Whatever happened, the end will justify the means. We are at the tribunal. The mandate stolen by some people will be retrieved.

    It is not only physical infrastructure I attracted; I have bills and motions I sponsored that helped to move the country forward. The bills helped to return stolen money back to the country.

    “I sponsored the Money Laundering Bill, the NNPC Motion on crude oil that left the shores of the country. Nigeria’s undeclared crude oil was taken to 41 countries. $18 billion worth of crude oil was taken to the United States. I went to the US Customs and they provided comprehensive details of what came to their country through the back door.

    “The issue of gas flaring and payment to host communities by the Federal Government was also achieved. I moved the motion for oil leakages. Is it Abacha loot? The PENCOM probe I investigated uncovered missing $33billion. “

  • Cross River, PIND unveil 30-year development plan

    When Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade assumed duty in 2015, he said his priority was to ensure that the state pursued governance that is not totally dependent on allocations from the Federation Account.  This he sought to realise by an aggressive industrialisation drive and being on the lookout for investors the world over.

    A boost to the governor’s drive is the collaboration with the Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND Foundation).

    PIND Foundation, a Nigerian non-profit organisation established by Chevron Corporation to build partnerships and equitable development in the Niger Delta, believes that no single organisation can solve the complex and interconnected challenges in the Niger Delta region alone, hence the need for collaboration.

    According to the Executive Director of the Foundation, Dr. Dara Akala, they adopted the partnership approach based on the fact that it enables organisations to combine resources, capabilities, and technical expertise with others for greater collective impact.

    Akala, who says their programme areas cover economic development, peace building, capacity building, and analysis and advocacy, revealed that under their economic development programme, they have facilitated the creation of over 12,501 jobs in the aquaculture, cassava, palm oil and business linkages sectors.

    Their interventions, which sp-an across the nine states of the Niger Delta, in the agriculture sub-sectors and through business linkages for Small and Medium Enterpris-es (SMEs) have also increased the productivity of up to 72,801 farmers. Additionally, PIND Foundation helped leverage over N3.1 billion in new investments through fostered partnerships.

    Akala said: “Through our economic development interventions in Cross River State, we have helped to create additional jobs and income for farmers; adopting best farm management approaches and improved fish pond practices.

    For example, last year alone, we reached out to 1,047 farmers and SMEs in Cross River State, recorded an increase of over N240 million in incomes for farmers and created 592 additional jobs.”

    PIND’s partnership with the state began in 2016 and was codified by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support the state in her development effort, part of which was support to provide technical assistance in the development of the 30-year Growth and Development Str-ategy (GDS) for the state.

    Taking the partnership to the next level between them was the recent launch of the GDS in Calabar, which was created through an inclusive and participatory approach with stakeholders and partners.

    Speaking during the launch of the International Collaboration and Investors’ Summit, Akala, who was represented by the Deputy Executive Director, Tunji Idowu, said with state governments, the organisation supports strategic and regulatory reform through things like facilitating investment reports to aid the ease of doing business.

    Additionally, providing technical assistance through the production of sector-specific strategies and agriculture policies, reforming ministries, departments and agencies through organisational assessments to improve performance and helping develop long-term development plans.

    Akala called for legislative backing for the GDS document so that successive administrations can continue to build on its foundations and creation of a robust monitoring and evaluation framework to ensure the strategy effectively delivers on its vision.

    The Foundation described the summit as a significant milestone in the transformation of the state’s economy.

    “The Niger Delta needs new approaches and platforms such as this summit for setting strategic directions and working smarter together towards attracting the much-needed investments for development and wealth creation in the region,” he said.

    According to him, the Cross River International Collaboration and Investors’ Summit was designed to develop business partnerships between bilateral and multilateral development partners, investors and the government of Cross River State in the fields of infrastructure, agriculture, health, education, gover-nance and finance.

    The GDS aids this by giving investors and development partners a blueprint for the state because it is a long-term strategic plan with 10 thematic areas around the economic pillars of agriculture, infrastructure, energy and tourism. Implementation of the plan will address current and future financial pressure on the state’s ability to deliver service and sustain the confidence of its people through advanced strategies and tactics.

    After the launch of the GDS, Idowu, who, along with other dignitaries participated in a panel discussion with the theme “Partnerships and Inclusive Gr-owth Opportunities for Cross River State,” promoted inter-state integration within the Niger Delta region for economic development.

    During the session, which focused on how to ensure transportation linkages through waterways, rail connectivity and exploration of deep-sea potential, he urged that for inclusive growth, there was need for commitment, active collaboration and synergy among all stakeholders across every stratum of governance in formulating and implementing development plans.

    Governor  Ayade, who performed the launch, said his administration was committed to changing the notion that the state was civil service-oriented and was actively working to instill spirit of enterprise.

    Ayade, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Tina Agbor, said he was committed to creating public wealth and an atmosphere conducive to business.

    Presenting the Growth and Development Strategy, the Chief Economic Adviser to the Governor, Dr. Fra-ncis Ntamu said the state government has deliberately articulated and implemented business-friendly policies and measures designed to attract investors into the state.

    In his remarks, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea Major-General Lee In-Tae, said the state was not just home to many tourist sites and a great place to visit, but also a land with great opportunity and economic potential, rich in natural and human resources.

    He exalted Cross River State as a place with the promise for growth, as there were great investment opportunities. He added that he would encourage Korean companies to seek more ventures in the state.

    “I will bring Korea investments to the state to strengthen our collective growth trajectory. Korea will always be your friend in your times of need and will continue efforts to strengthen our bilateral relat-ionships,” he said.

    Also, the Ambassador, Royal Norwegian Embassy of Nigeria, Jens-Petter Kjemprud, said the potential of the state were enormous, even as it has a governor who has vision.

    The two-day International Collaboration and Investors’ Summit drew participants from renowned insti-tutions such as the World Bank Group, United Nations, McKinsey and Company, Infrastructure Bank PLC, Deloitte Consulting LLP, Royal Norwegian Embassy and German Co-operation (GIZ).

    Others were the United States Consulate – Lagos, Nigerian Sovereign Wealth Fund, Embassy of the Republic of Korea, African Development Bank (AfDB) United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), International Committee of Red Cross, Embassy of the United Arab Emirates, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta, Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning, Abuja and Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, Abuja.