The Nation Newspaper

Category: Niger Delta

  • For healthy living in Niger Delta

    As part of its corporate social responsibilities, Total Exploration and Production (E&P) Nigeria Limited organised a week-long free health programme for Opobo community and its environs. SOUTHSOUTH BUREAU CHIEF BISI OLANIYI reports that the event which took place at Opobo General Hospital on Wednesday had far-reaching benefits to the people.

    Until late last year, travelling to Opobo Kingdom, the coastal ancient domain of the great King Jaja of Opobo, which is also the headquarters of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State, had always been by boat; from Kono-Ogoni Waterside in Khana Local Government Area.

    The journey of about 20 minutes from Kono-Ogoni to Opobo had always been risky and dangerous. Passengers had been attacked by armed sea pirates, who rob them of their money, mobile phones and other valuables. The pirates also seized boat operators’ expensive engines and paddles with which they (pirates) move the boats to the shore.

    Aside this, some female passengers were also raped inside the boats, even as passengers who had no money or any valuables must have been seriously beaten.

    Quite unfortunately, after stealing the boat’s engine which costs about N500, 000, the criminals would sell it cheaply to ready buyers. The attacks continued unbridled, despite regular patrol of the waterways by security personnel.

    With the Ogoni-Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro Unity Road nearing completion, criminal activities on the Kono-Opobo route may be history; and soon too.

    Vehicles easily drive into Opobo. Passengers seldom patronise boat operators as travelling by river is becoming less attractive. As a result of this, boat operators have begun to lament the prospect of being out of business, even as the pirates are said to have started relocating to other parts of the oil and gas-rich Niger Delta.

    The strategic road, linking Khana, Andoni and Opobo/Nkoro local government areas of Rivers State, was initiated by the then Rivers Governor, Dr. Peter Odili (1999-2007), whose deputy, Sir Gabriel Toby, is indigenous to Opobo.

    The project was adequately supported by the administration of Rotimi Amaechi (2007-2015), now Transportation Minister, whose Commissioner for Works, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, currently the Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), also hails from Opobo.

    The present administration of Chief Nyesom Wike (from 2015) is almost completing the road despite its swampy terrain. The original soil was excavated and evacuated then sand-filled to enable it to last longer.

    In its resolve to reach out to the people of its host communities and their environs, Total Exploration and Production (E&P) Nigeria Limited has organised one-week free health programme at Opobo General Hospital as part of its Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR). The event took place on Wednesday.

    In his goodwill message, the Chairman of Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, His Royal Majesty King Dandeson Douglas-Jaja, who is also the Amanyanabo of Opobo Kingdom, urged the people to take issues of their health serious.

    The first-class monarch, who was represented by the Vice-Chairman of Opobo Council of Traditional Rulers, HRH Alabo Princewill Dappa, stated that health should be taken seriously by the people to enable them to live longer.

    The monarch also urged the oil giant to extend the programme to other communities in the area, even as he praised the firm for the initiative. He thanked the volunteers for attending to the people, saying many people had benefited from the programme.

    Also speaking, the Women Leader of Opobo, Mrs. Felicia Pepple said she was excited to be part of the programme, even as she commended Total for the gesture. “Health is better than wealth,” she said.

    Pepple noted that if health is lost, everything is lost, but when wealth is lost, all things are not lost. She urged the oil company to make the programme a regular one.

    “Things are very hard. No money to access quality health care. You can see the crowd here,” she said.

    One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Rosemary Wilcox said: “The free health programme is very encouraging. It is timely and good for many of us who do not have money to go to the hospitals for checkups or treatments of various ailments. But here, we are being treated free and given free drugs, including surgeries for critical cases.”

    Another beneficiary, Miss Ibelema Oko-Jaja, praised Total for the programme which she described as so beneficial to the less privileged individuals.

    In his welcome address, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Community Representative, Alabo Godwin Bupo revealed that many development projects by Total were ongoing in the area. He expressed gratitude to the oil giant for the gesture.

    The Programme Facilitator, Dr. Daniel Onyetulem, stated that he had passion for saving lives and medical missions.

    Onyetulem said: “One of the major reasons people don’t go to hospitals for treatments is lack of money to settle hospital bills. The Opobo medical mission is coming at the right time, as the patients are leaving happier than they came.

    “Unwanted pregnancies, rape cases and substance abuse are rampant in this area and other parts of Rivers State, and they must be quickly addressed, especially by creating awareness through continuous campaigns.”

    The medic also praised the oil giant for the initiative, even as he praised the people of Opobo for their co-operation and warm reception.

    Chairman of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, Eugene Joseph Oko-Jaja pleaded with Total to consider some qualified youths of the area who are currently jobless for employment opportunities.

    Oko-Jaja, who was represented by a top official of the council, Francis Allison, called on Total to make the free health programme an annual event, while assuring that he was ready for synergy with development agencies, to move the LGA forward.

    In his keynote address at the third day of the week-long free medical service for Opobo and Nkoro communities, the Deputy Managing Director, Port Harcourt District of Total, Mr. Francois Le-Cocq revealed that it was the first time the life-saving medical outreach was holding in the LGA.

    Le-Cocq, who was represented by Total’s Community Affairs Manager, Offshore and Port Harcourt, Okechukwu Obara said: “As a company, Total E&P Nigeria Limited believes in the universal saying that healthy people make a wealthy nation.

    “We are sustaining the noble efforts of the joint venture to reach out to the critical needs of our people and support both preventive and curative health care delivery policies and programmes of government, despite the challenging business environment.

    “After two days of this programme, available statistics indicate that 450 patients have so far been attended to. Eighty-five were pediatric cases, 112 ophthalmological, four ante-natal cases, while four patients have already undergone successful surgeries. Others are awaiting further review, preparatory for surgery.

    “The figures will rise as the days go by, which is a testimony that the programme is very popular and it is highly patronised by the people.

    “The project has helped a lot of individuals and families who could not afford the cost of health care in our private clinics, against the backdrop of the current challenges facing public health sector of our states.”

    The Deputy Managing Director also hailed the joint venture partner, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), for the continuous support. He also thanked the Rivers State government for approving the team of medical personnel and volunteering its facility for the programme. He also commended other partners for the success of the event.

    In order to have healthy citizen, other oil companies, multinationals and other critical stakeholders should emulate Total to make health care accessible and affordable for the poor.

  • Praises as station marks first anniversary

    It was an unbridled outpouring of encomiums as a private radio station in Calabar, the Cross River State capital; Sparkling 92.3 FM marked its first year anniversary.

    Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade, who spoke during the station’s inaugural lecture to mark the anniversary in Calabar, said the station added a new vista to broadcasting in the state.

    Ayade commended the station, saying they have maintained a high standard in terms of content.

    The governor, who spoke through the Permanent Secretary, Dr Aye Henshaw Jnr, said Sparkling FM has also improved the electronic media architecture in the state and created employment for the people.

    He said people of Cross River State are beneficiaries and are better off for the station has broadened perspective and it is good people always get all the perspectives they can at all times for development of the society.

    The governor praised the station for adding value to the ability of the people to access information, adding that under his administration, private stations have been sprouting, exemplifying the practicing democracy, as it should be.

    While wishing them well, he urged the managers of the station to step up and expand their capacity.

    Managing Director of the radio station, Mr. Innocent Idiongette, said they had, in the last one year, established themselves as a brand that delivers on the core tenets of broadcasting and journalism.

    “This is reflected in our ranking as one of the best radio stations in Cross River State and in just one year as evidenced in the awards and recognitions that we have received from various organisations.

    “Interestingly, the journey has just begun and the target is that our station will grow to be a major contributor to policy permutation and implementation, and social trends at all levels in the society,” he said.

    In a keynote address by a former Head of Civil Service in the state, Chief Wilfred Inah, it was pointed out that there is no profession without inherent risks in its practice, but the hazards of journalism are immense.

    Inah urged that in spite of all odds, the mass media should go ahead and play its role as the Fourth Estate of the Realm and complement the three arms of government, by identifying topical areas and focusing on them as its contribution to governance.

    The guest lecturer, Prof. Offiong Ani Offiong, who spoke on the role of the media in national economic development with focus on Cross River, said media stations have strong roles to play in nation-building, even as he called for establishment of more private media outfits. He also urged them to start having television stations in addition to their radio stations.

    He noted that before the advent of new private broadcasting stations in the state, development strives were very slow and the government was more lackadaisical, adding that the station has done a lot in checkmating the excesses of government.

    Ani said Sparkling FM has won awards in the past one year; showing their dexterous capability in the area of national development using their informative and entertainment skills.

    “Just one year after establishing the station, they have been named the radio station of the year in the South-South zone of the country and just two weeks after as the campus choice of the year. They have done well,” he said.

    He said the state government and its citizens have been able to benefit from very good broadcasters and journalists working in various media organisations.

    General Manager of Sparkling 92.3 FM in Calabar, Mr. Effiong Nyong, said the lecture, which was part of activities to mark the anniversary would continue annually and would be focused on looking at different aspects of society.

    He said the maiden edition was focused on the role of the media in national economic development using Cross River State as a case study.

    “The essence of this lecture is to help the government and other business stakeholders explore the potential in the media to attain economic prosperity. For anything the government wants to do, the people need to know and understand. But we have a peculiar situation in Nigeria where every other activities of the government are secret.

    “Because there is no openness, we have a situation where much of what government achieves is not known by the people. What thrive in the public space are rumours,” he said.

    Among other events to mark the anniversary, he said, were a Disc Jockey festival; separate novelty football matches between old boys and current students of Hope Waddell Training Institute and St Patrick’s College; and a visit to the orphanage.

     

  • PIND’s CAPABLE: Building capacities for Niger Delta Development

    South-south Regional Editor, Shola O’Neil, writes on how an PIND’s capacity building training workshops for CSOs, developmental agencies, and individuals are helping them get access to multimillion naira funding, bridge knowledge gaps, improved yields for farmers and lifting Niger Delta families out of poverty.

    In 2018 the Ondo State ministry of agriculture created the Agro Women Initiative, as a special budgetary line to address the needs of smallholder women farmers. Stakeholders and development agencies hailed the initiative as an innovative way of ensuring that women have access to funds and agro-machinery with the aim of improving their livelihood and income.

    The laudable move is hyped as the first of its kind in Nigeria, as it ensures that fund is allocated directly to women farmers yearly, irrespective of other allocations that could benefit them in the sector. This positive step was the fruit of a partnership between the Partnership Initiative for Niger Delta’s Capacity Building for Local Empowerment (CAPABLE) Project and an Akure-based Life and Peace Development Organisation (LAPDO).

    While there is no shortage of nongovernmental organizations working for the poor and vulnerable in the Niger Delta region, their capacity to engage governments arms to push for legislations and actions that would make their jobs easier have been uncertain.

    LAPDO, Executive Director, Mr. Franklin Oloniju, told our reporter the organization “advocates for laws, policies and structure that support provision of quality life and peace.”

    But it was barely making impacts, because of capacity deficiency, which affected funding and results. “For instance, there is a way of writing proposal to meet the modern trend and allowed us to reach out to other places to source for money and other critical intervention.”

    Then in 2013, LAPDO met the Partnership Initiative for the Niger Delta and the union changed everything and turned the obscured developmental organization into one that is making impacts and transforming lives.

    “PIND built our capacity and those of other NGOs in the Niger Delta and has enabled us to mobilize resources independently, provided us access to international funds and increase our service delivery to our targets: the disadvantaged and underserviced in the society such as women, aged, orphans and vulnerable children, youths, girl child, people living with HIV (PLWHA), children in conflict with the law and the physically challenged.”

    Oloniju and other beneficiaries of PIND’s investments in capacity building through the CAPABLE project told Niger Delta Report that the trainings have been invaluable and help uplift their level, knowledge and capacity to properly advocate and engage governments, exemplified by the agro-women initiative victory in Ondo.

    Our finding revealed that capacity building programme commenced in 2010. It featured structured systems and training that elevate the skills of NGOs to attract governments’ attention and also training on proposal writing to get local and international funding needed for them to reach wider targets.

    A PIND source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, jokingly told our reporter that prior to the training, some NGOs were “noisemakers, protesters who didn’t know how to advocate, and so were not getting governments’ attention.”

    Working with the United State of Agency for International Development (USAID), and United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID), PIND designed training on how CSOs can successfully engage government organs to achieved desired result.

    The identified CSOs were trained on advocacy, and skills needed to push for certain bills to be passed, how to mobilise and promote legislations for actions from wards and communities to get things done, especially issues concerning Sustainable Development Goals and basic SDGs like clean and safe water, among others.

    PIND’s CAPABLE Project Manager, Blessing Allen-Adebayo, told NDR  “What we did with the NGOs, apart from core trainings, we had specialized trainings for targeted groups.”

    She explained that apart from building much-needed skills in the various sector, PIND, through the trainings, ensure that by the time it withdraws from any intervention, there would be trained and motivated players to ensure there isn’t a vacuum.

    “For instance, our MD (Market Development) Team don’t do direct implementation, the approach is by working with market actors and service providers. So, we have specialized training for targeted NGOs working on those similar projects to what we are doing. We fund and train them on how to replicate our projects,” she said.

    The above description is best understood along how PIND worked with Kara Foundation, which supports key players in the cassava value chain, to teach farmers new and improved method of farming the essential crop. KARA was the face of the collaboration in bringing together farmers, agro dealers, and input companies and stimulating each of the key players to do what they should do and make the market work for them.

    Kara Foundation’s Nnennaya Enyinna-Eneremadu told our reporter that if PIND had given her organization money, the impact couldn’t match the amazing results an initial three-month intensive training programme and subsequent ones PIND facilitated had wrought for her.

    “From a small developmental organisation that operated only within Imo state just two years ago, we have covered all states of the Niger Delta, except Rivers. This was inconceivable before we met PIND in 2017.”

    “When we started we couldn’t go beyond Imo and barely got into Abia, but today we have reached as far as Ondo and our coverage has increased. We have met more people and we have understood the grant reimbursement process better. We are doing more than we were doing so that we can better integrate other community.”

    “There have be quite a lot of improvement for Kara Foundation because we have been equipped better. Why do I say this? We have gone through several trainings in good agronomic practices in cassava value chains and we know how relationship should be built so that result we want can happen.”

    Kara Foundation has become a co-facilitator of PIND’s work in the cassava sector.  The foundation studies identified that small-scale farmers face low yields because they lack best agronomic skills in cassava production and non-use of certain products to help them get good yields.”

    Working as PIND’s co-facilitator, Kara has helped create demo farms that are used to train farmers and to practically demonstrate the benefits in using best agro-management practice and improved, modern methods.

    It liaises with agro dealers who sell products like fertilizers, herbicides and advanced cassava stems, on the need to teach farmers adoption of their products.

    “The farmers are the people that need and should buy these agro-products, but they do not know. So we were able to convince dealers that if they teach farmers, it will help increase their (dealers’) sales.

    We link them to farmers who can buy products from them and we integrate them on the demo farm project as people who train these farmers.

    “So, you see, it is a win-win situation for everybody, but someone has to bridge the divide”, she said, explaining that, “Input companies are there producing; agro dealers get products from them and give to farmers. Farmers experience better yields, they see the need to expand, agro dealers sell more and producers increase capacity and all these create jobs.”

    Enyinna-Eneremadu further unraveled the link between the cassava value chain interventions that Kara is doing, with its other areas of its interests and how they work together to improve lives and standard of living.

    “In terms of platform, we (Kara) have better and bigger platform than we had before working with PIND. So we are doing more than we were doing so that we can better integrate other communities. ”

    “In the area of our health activities: as we are spreading; we are having wider reach to talk to women of reproductive age about the need to use the hospital, why they should practice breastfeeding, nutrition and feeding and other practices that enhanced life quality.”

    “We are also better able to monitor the progress of our activities. We define what result we want and we are look for result that are coming out,” she added.

    Nevertheless, our findings show that PIND’s CAPABLE does more than training NGOs, CSOs and developmental agencies. It extends bridging skill gaps in development agencies,professional bodies such the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), National Association of Women Jounalists (NAWOJ), the Niger Delta Development Commission and state-funded agencies saddled with task of developing oil-bearing communities.  Such trainings are to ensure that funds allotted to them for development are put to best use from conception, planning through to execution.

    Allen-Adebayo confirmed that PIND’s advocacy unit domiciled with CAPABLE meets with government bodies and agencies and assist them in drawing up the plans, while also identifying their skills gaps. It trains professionals in various fields: accountants, journalists. In July 2018, this report was one of several journalists trained at Capable Solutions Journalism training held at the EDC, Egbokodo-Itsekiri.

    “When skills gaps are identified, CAPABLE builds design modules and courses to address these skills gap and implement the training for them. For instance we have partnership with the Ondo state government to help OSOPADEC for instance to spend properly the money they are given properly within a plan in a sustainable manner,” she added.

    Another part of the capacity building project is the gender aspect of PIND, which CAPABLE handles. It acts to ensure that the organization looks through the gender lens in its activities. This led to a four-year plan on all of the gender matrixes, plans and actions that PIND wants to see within the organisation and projects, which are now being implemented.

    It also celebrates the International Women’s Day and pick a major topic that is implemented throughout the year as Post-IWD Actions.  For 2019 it adopted one of the Chorkor Oven, a female-friendly Alternative Technology sponsored by the Economic Development Project – Chorkor Oven. The oven is used for fish-smoking, a trade dominated by women in the region.

    The CAPABLE Manager said her team gave a chorkor oven demonstration to show women how it works and how it suits their lifestyle. Showed it ensures cleaner, better product because using the oven does not expose them to smoke and gives longer shelf-life.

    “After that a lot of people said they want to put chorkor oven in these communities and helped women with grants to adopt chorkor oven. Our Post-IWD action is to pursue following up and to help them implement that.

    “We also are working with OSOPADEC, which want to give over 100 in Ondo state. “

    “We wanted to be able to get sponsor for several chorkor ovens. The ones that we did with PIND we did it with 50percent grant system, because we have a Technology Adoption Grant that if a woman has half of the money, PIND covers the other half.

    “We have given about 100-chorkor ovens in Ondo, Delta,” Allen-Adebayo added.

  • Meet Bayelsa-born talent who produces chandeliers, lamp holders with sawdust

    Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information and Orientation Daniel Iworiso-Markson is encouraging talents in the oil-rich state as a strategy to curb crime among the youth, MIKE ODIEGWU reports

    Amabebe Richard, a talented Bayelsa State-born youth, never anticipated an official visit by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Daniel Iworiso-Markson.

    The struggling Richard, whose craft is said to be unique, was only a caller in a live programme anchored by a radio station in Yenagoa.

    Iworiso-Markson was a guest on the programme. Richard called and appealed to the state government to support the talents of those indigenous to the state.

    Richard uses sawdust to fabricate fanciful lamp holders. He also uses it to screed walls. During the phone-in programme, the young entrepreneur pleaded with government to assist in developing budding talents.

    The young man was surprised when the commissioner paid him a visit at his workplace in Yenagoa. The commissioner was accompanied by another aide of the state governor, Osaanya B. Osaanya. He never expected that the commissioner would locate his workshop to see things for himself. The 31-year-old entrepreneur was elated to receive his stately visitor.

    But it was not the first time the commissioner was paying such unscheduled visit to progressive people in the state. Some weeks ago, Iworiso-Markson followed a seven-year-old girl, Miss Ebiladei Mike home to see her mother and discuss the future of the young talent.

    The commissioner had visited a venue of a skill acquisition programme organised by Girl Preneur 9ja (GP9ja) and saw the child among adults learning skills. He engaged the young girl and later stunned her mother with a visit accompanied by the girl. It was a morale booster for the humble family.

    Therefore, encouraging the youth to grow and develop their potential has become part of the commissioner viewed by many people as a passionate apostle of the Restoration Government and the most outstanding aide of Governor Seriake Dickson.

    Iworiso-Markson told Richard that the Governor Seriake Dickson-led administration would continue to support young people who are interested in entrepreneurship by creating the right environment for them and also providing seed capital to grow their businesses.

    Assessing the work of Richard, the commissioner was stunned that the young man could use sawdust to fabricate lamp holders and screed walls. He promised the entrepreneur that the government, through the relevant agencies, would give him the opportunity to be more established; a situation that will enable him to export his products.

    Iworiso-Markson, who was filled with excitement, said Bayelsa has abundant talents ready to rule their world if given the opportunity. He called on some individuals who have the penchants for criminality to emulate serious-minded people such as Amabebe so that they will be useful to themselves and the society.

    He said: “Skill acquisition and entrepreneurship are often acquired through mentorship or training but I am surprised that this is not the case for this young man. He didn’t have any formal or informal training on this. That shows the raw talent deposited in him.

    “I am overwhelmed, especially with the fact that he is a Bayelsan who hails from Southern Ijaw Local Government Area. Personally, I will patronise him and the Restoration Government of His Excellency will do everything to make sure he succeeds in his chosen field. We will not relent in providing the needed environment and funding for him and others.

    “Let me use this opportunity to call on our young people who are engaged in petty and violent crimes to desist from them. Everyone has a talent and if you discover yours, you will be the next big thing. Crime does not pay in anyway but with your talent, be rest assured that you will never go hungry,” he said.

    Responding, Amabebe said he invented the products after many years of practice.

    “I have been practising to fine-tune my invention. I discovered many ways of making many products using sawdust. I reasoned that apart from the use of piles and wood, sawdust could also be useful”, he said.

    He said his handiwork had demonstrated to the world that sawdust could be used to produce fittings, wall brackets, chandelier, lamp holders, plastering, flower vase, ceiling boards, doors and other items.

  • Obaseki’s gains, losses in education

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has been battling to keep faith with his electoral promise to revolutionise education to meet the world’s standard of basic, secondary and tertiary education for his people.

    Instead of praises, there are mounting criticisms by the opposition and civil rights groups who maintain that his style has literally destroyed education than fix the rot in the system.

    One of the governor’s education enhancers and Chairman of the Edo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Dr. Joan Oviawe has reeled off achievements of the governor to include 20,000 new registration of pupils in public schools who were originally of school age but out of school.

    In a chat with reporters a few weeks ago during  the celebration of one year of its special intervention programme in primary education known as EdoBest (Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation), Dr Joan Oviawe said so far, 7,000 out of the 11,117 primary school teachers have been trained and provided with tablets on modern teaching techniques. She also said they use the process to get feedback on the performance or otherwise of the teachers in terms of regularity in teaching and punctuality in class.

    Oviawe said another set of 615 teachers are currently undergoing training while she said no fewer than 800,000 free text books have been distributed to primary schools. She said the board has introduced electronic record for pupils with their data and those of their parents and guardians captured to monitor movement of pupils from one school to another and keep their proper records, including academic performances.

    She also told reporters that 232 public schools are being rehabilitated across the state with 56 of this number undergoing complete reconstruction.

    “All these are being done in line with the vision of Governor Godwin Obaseki who is determined to take the standard of education, particularly primary education, to a very high level so that any pupil leaving primary six will be well equipped to even teach. This is being done at no cost to the pupil because primary education is completely free,” she said.

    To check cases of vandalism of school facilities, she said School Board Management Committees (SBMC) have been established to take ownership of the facilities and help protect them just as she said the recent re-introduction of subvention to the schools is to provide needed funding to maintain the facilities being produced by the government. She said Open Day which enables parents to visit schools and see how their children were being taught has also been introduced and would hold twice in a term.

    Investigation has shown that in spite of government’s genuine efforts at providing unfettered access to a compulsory Universal Basic Education (UBE) for all school age children as a bridge to future socio-economic development, that milestone is yet to be realised in the short period of Governor Obaseki’s years in office.

    Also, the promised to establish and maintain quality and standards through enhanced, relevant and competence-based curricula and effective quality control and monitoring at both public and private levels is still far between.

    It has been revealed that strengthening Edo State’s technological and scientific foundation by rejigging technical, vocational and entrepreneurial education formats and objectives in the state government style may yet bring about actual development in the educational sector. Added to that will be making optimal use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to meet the state’s manpower needs in commerce and industry and other core areas as being provided by the state government.

    It’s universally agreed that education flourishes only when enabling environment that stimulates active participation of the private sector, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) is provided However, the state government has been applauded by the people for  enhancing the resourcefulness, competencies and efficiency of teachers, instructors, especially lecturers and members of staff of Edo State Polytechnic, Usen through capacity building, training and other motivational platforms.

    According to Miss Magdalene Okhaide, an HND 1 Public Administration student of the institution, the appointment of Prof. Abiodun Falodun of the University of Benin as the Rector of Edo State Polytechnic, Usen on April 2, last year has been the turning point for the visible restructuring and repositioning of the institution.

    Miss Okafor Syvia and Mr. Moses Omofese, both students of the polytechnic were elated for the reduction of the school fees cumulatively from N120, 000 to N45, 000 for students of Social Science and N50,000 for Science students respectively.

    Lecturers, members of management staff and students attested to Governor Obaseki’s and the Rector’s tireless commitment to make Usen Polytechnic unbeatable across Sub-Sahara African countries.

    “We’re happy that several months’ salary arrears and all the overdrafts loans taken by the former Rector which are unaccounted for have been paid by Prof. Abiodun Falodun”, the Dean of Students Affairs, Mr. Usman Osarenren said.

    On tour on campus with students and members of staff, the achievements of the present Rector were visible in every corner of the institution. They include the establishment of a functional health care centre within the premises of the polytechnic, establishment of Centre for Geospatial Information Science (CGIS), establishment of Edo Poly Table Water, establishment of a functional Palm Oil Milling Factory, establishment of the Polytechnic environment through the bring back our environment campaign, the ongoing Radio/TV studio project, the  development of school mobile App by the students, numerous TETFUND projects under construction, and many more within the short period Prof Falodun assumed duty at the institution.

    It’s also to the credit of Prof. Falodun that first convocation ceremony was held on December 1, last year since the establishment of the polytechnic on December 19, 2002 by Governor Lucky Igbinedion administration.

    Under Governor Obaseki’s administration, College of Education, Abudu in Orhionmwon Local Government Area is growing in leaps and bounds. At the last count, more than 12 existing dilapidated buildings have been renovated and completed for use by students and members of management staff.

    These include 95 hostel rooms with ultra-modern toilet facilities with separate kitchens, built separately to accommodate both male and female students, four large lecture halls with additional 12 classrooms on both sides each, administrative building along with ICT building, quarters for members of staff and interlinking roads within the campus earmarked for construction.

    However, the Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Chris Nehikhare perforates claims by the SUBEB Chairman, Dr. Joan Oviawe and Governor Obaseki’s government that educational re-engineering has taken firm foothold in the state.

    “The enthronement of the Obaseki government exposed the lack of depth of the APC government Education Policy in the state. The primary and secondary schools are unfunded, no subventions from government, inadequate teachers, equipment, learning aides or teaching aides. There hasn’t been a proper student census to determine number of pupils in schools and therefore proper arrangements cannot be made to cater for them.

    “The cosmetic renovations of “along the road” schools have “faded” and the school buildings are once again become eyesores! The Obaseki government has closed down functional schools for renovation and revamping only for him to shift position once he has achieved his sinister motive of closing down.

    “As we speak, students of the Colleges of Education Ekiadolor, College of Agriculture, Ogieriki and others, along with their academic and non-academic members of staff are in limbo as there are no clear-cut policy positions of government on their fate. Only sound bites and empty promises. Obviously, the position of government is frowned at by all Edo as schools should be opening and not shutting down”, Chris said.

    Human rights activist and social crusader, Maxist Kola Edokpaye loses brain cells on hearing that Governor Obaseki has achieved milestone in educational development.

    “Governor Obaseki is a curse rather than a blessing to educational development in Edo State on the grounds that virtually all the state-owned tertiary institutions are shut down by the state government, thereby exacerbating the under-development of the state-owned tertiary institutions.

    “In neighbouring states such as Kogi, Delta, Ondo and other states, the governors are paying bursaries to their students while Edo State Governor’s heart is hardened like Pharaoh Ramses towards the payment of bursaries to the indigent Edo students schooling in Edo State.

    “The All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government under Obaseki is leading in denial. The civil society organisations in Edo have written to the state governor and the parliament to ascertain why the schools are shut down and the need for the schools to be re-opened for academic activities but no responses have been received from them. Some of our comrades have had meeting with the Chief of Staff on the matter but all to no avail.

    “We’re set to expose and disgrace them in our planned protests in coming days. Our messages are very clear. Open our schools now,” Kola said.

    Edokpaye said: “At this juncture, we can’t afford to allow lecturers, members of management staff as well as the students’ fate to be dangling in the balance while jesters and blusters in government house ride the roughshod.”

    Two principals of the same secondary school- senior and junior in the same premises in Edo State (name withheld) chastised the state government for misinforming the public about its achievements in the education sector.

    “Since November last year, we have not received one kobo from the state government as subvention. Besides, we only have one teacher each for English language and Mathematics, teaching over 3,000 students in the entire school.

    “The governor should employ Science teachers since older ones have all retired. After all, Governor Obaseki promised 200, 000 jobs to Edo people in each of his four years in office”, one of the principals said.

    A visit to Colleges of Agriculture Iguoriakhi and Ekiadolor, now Tayo Akpata University, invokes unrestraining anger over the closure of the schools without adequate explanations beyond renovations or restructuring twitches from the government, while existing structures are allowed to be vandalised and degraded.

     

    • Erasmus Ikhide writes from Lagos, Nigeria. Email: ikhideerasmus@gmail.com

  • How I made Ambrose Alli best state varsity in Nigeria, by VC

    The Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, founded 34 years ago has always been in the news for wrong reasons. It is an institution whose lecture rooms used to be called ‘poultry houses’.

    Before now, the school is known as advanced secondary school because of infrastructure deficit in the school. The administrative building of the school that was started over 15 years ago is yet to be completed even as the institution still battles to pay salaries.

    During the last strike action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the university management had to force lecturers to return to work as the school was going broke because it relied mainly on school fees to be able to pay salaries. Last year, Governor Godwin Obaseki described the AAU as an institution that is still crawling and heavily politicised.

    Governor Obaseki, who spoke while inaugurating the Governing Council of the institution headed by Mr. Lawson Omokhodion, said it was worrisome that AAU was reduced to an institution driven by pure political agenda.

    He said: “We have reduced our premier university to one driven by pure political agenda. That cannot be the fate of our ivory tower.

    “We spend over N300 million monthly on the university and we are ready to put more money on infrastructure but we will not do so until we are convinced that government’s arrangement for the university is the right one that can properly manage the resources.

    “One of the first things you will do is to work with us to set up a visitation panel to review and understand what went wrong in the university. As a government, we will give you all the support that is required. We spend N300 million every month on that university. They claim they have more than 20,000 students. We have invested on infrastructure and we will do more but I believe the faculty and the people responsible for managing the university should do more.

    “I have confidence that this new board can turn around the the fortunes of the university. The government is ready to spend more money on infrastructure but we will not until we are sure that the resources we put in will be well utilised.”

    Earlier this year,  Chairman of AAU-ASUU, Mr. Monday Igbafen, an Associate Professor in the Department of Philosophy, asked the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ignatius Onimawo, to account for the about N5.5 billion received from TETFUND and NEEDS Assessment intervention funds.

    Prof. Igbafen alleged that the university has received more than N3.4 billion from TETFUND and N1.2 billion from NEEDS Assessment.

    But Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Ignatius Onimawo, in a chat to mark his three years in office said he has changed the narratives of AAU. He said he has made AAU the best state university in the country based on his vision and mission.

    Prof. Onimawo said his deployment of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) helped to stop issues of sorting, missing script, non-payment of school fees as well as crisis arising from the conduct of Student Union Election.

    Prof. Onimawo, who debunked reports that he told Governor Obaseki that he could run the school without subvention said there are so many things he wants to use money for.

    “How can I tell the state government that I have enough money? It is not true. I cannot say that. Do you think I am happy using this office? The state government is aware we have been requesting for more subvention. I live in my personal house because we don’t have a Vice-Chancellor Lodge. We need a lot of things. We need a lot of money; I could not have said the state government should not fund us. If I get more funding, I will build a stadium and tar roads.

    “When I was appointed, I made up my mind on what I want to achieve. I have my vision and mission ready. I have achieved my mission of making AAU the best state university in the country.

    “We introduced computer-based test for 100 and 200 level students and that eliminated the issue of missing results. Sorting and payment for marks stopped and it brought sanity to the system. No state or federal university has been able to do that.

    “In the past, it was difficult to collect school fees in this school. This method has helped us to collect school fees as the examination portal will not open without school fees receipt. ICT also helped us to have seamless presentation of results.

    On the allegation by Igbafen on the use of TETFUND and NEEDs Assessment, the V-C  said he had executed over 33 projects with the funds within the last three years. He stated that he put an end to “poultry houses” in the institution by accessing intervention funds that has been lying fallow for three years.

    “AAU has suffered infrastructure gap here. Many of the buildings were called “poultry houses.” There is no V-C Lodge and my office is not befitting. Any blue roof you see here was built by my administration. For the projects I helped to complete, I did not use blue roof.

    “In terms of infrastructure, we have changed the face of AAU and we are still working. Many buildings here used to be called “poultry houses” but we have put an end to that. It is through the grace of God that we are succeeding. If you put God first, everything will work out,” he said.

    Prof. Onimawo also debunked reports that he is running from the police authorities over a petition written by Prof. Igbafen who was suspended in February over alleged sexual harassment.

    The V-C said there was no truth in the allegations that he refused to honour police invitation because he could not produce copies of the petition upon which Igbafen was suspended and therefore should be arrested for forgery.

    He said: “Igbafe is saying the police is after me. I laughed when I read about it that we should be arrested for forgery. I went to the Commissioner of Police when I was informed about the petition. I showed the Commissioner the letter written by one Engineer. In the letter, they accused me of covering up the report that indicted Prof. Igbafen. It threatened to drag me to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Allied Offenses Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). I had to minute on the letter to Igbafen and he replied that something like that happened many years ago and the matter was concluded. He said he believed that the people that wrote the letter were after me.

    “The Registrar brought the report and he was indicted. The report recommended that he should be arraigned before the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee for further disciplinary actions. He was accused of sexual harassment. The panel found him culpable and they said he was accused of gross misconduct and abuse of office.

    “We wrote back to him to debunk his allegation. We placed him on suspension until he is cleared and hell was let loose. He went online and all media to castigate me and my family. He dragged my wife into the matter; saying I promoted her from a typist to lecturer I.

    “The police have concluded their report. The girl and the mother testified before the police. The girl said she lost job opportunities for five years. Igbafen locked up this girl’s result in his locker and travelled abroad. We have been keeping quiet. Since he wants to dance naked, we will let the world know what happened.

    “A first letter that came from one lawyer said they didn’t send anybody to write the first letter but that does not exonerate Igbafen. This matter is no longer between the family and Igbafen. It is now between the university and Igbafen because it is against our ethics. Igbafen was given fair hearing. “

  • Niger Delta youths trained in poultry, fishing

    A total of 154 youths from the Niger Delta completed a two-week training and empowerment in poultry and fishing at the First Technical University (Tech U), Ibadan at the weekend.

    The intensive training which was aimed to make them self-reliant was organised and sponsored by the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs with Tech U providing the training in partnership with Dosmark/CJ Oil Limited.

    At the closing ceremony of the training at the weekend, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Usani Uguru Usani, emphasised the need for the beneficiaries to leverage on the knowledge and skills acquired to start their farms and create wealth for themselves.

    Usani, who was represented by the Director, Economic Empowerment Unit of the ministry, Mr. Ibrahim Akanya, urged them to value the new knowledge and skills more than any other resources because they stay with them forever.

    The minister pointed out that one of the best programmes ever introduced by the ministry was the empowerment of Niger Delta people, stressing that building of bridges, roads and other infrastructure would mean nothing if the people are unable to eke out decent living through utilisation of their skills and competencies.

    He added that they were also given little capital to enable them to begin their businesses at a little level in order not to waste the knowledge acquired in the training. He also advised them to develop themselves further to the level that they can become consultants for the ministry like some of their predecessors.

    “Money can finish but no one can take this knowledge away from you. With the stipend start-up capital, you can start something from your backyard,” he said.

    The minister also stated that the training exposed them to the entire value chain business aspects of poultry and fisheries which opened a world of new opportunities for them to explore. He added that they could apply for support loan from the Bank of Agriculture to further expand their business operations.

    Addressing the beneficiaries, the Vice-Chancellor of Tech University, Prof. Ayobami Salami, revealed that the training was facilitated by the Centre for Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training (TVET).

    Salami further explained that the Youth Empowerment Programme was the institution’s flagship intervention aimed at tackling unemployment in the country. He said the programme helps in bridging skill gaps and also helps in generating self-employment among youths.

    His words: “For us at Nigeria’s premier and only Technical University, First Technical University, the Youth Empowerment Programme is one of our flagship interventions aimed at fighting frontally the rising scourge of unemployment in our country. As implemented by the University’s Centre for Technical, Vocational Entrepreneurship Training (TVET), it is devoted to equipping individuals with skills and entrepreneurship training in carefully-selected areas of needs in the larger society. Aside commitment to bridging the yawning skills gap, the programme is focused on generating self-employment among the teeming youths of the country.

    “Tech-U holds the conviction that a truly productive country must necessarily be pivoted on sustained and strategic investment in human capital development. Therefore, this programme, in addition to the other unique offerings anchored on the innovative model of education we are known for, as a socially responsive corporate entity, reflects our avowed commitment to making Nigeria work by getting her young people empowered for wealth creation.”

    Salami revealed that about 350 youths have been trained through the programme in diverse skills out of the 1,000 target at the end of the year.

    “We are on a mission to spearheading a silent revolution that would ultimately disrupt Nigeria’s economy for good. We, therefore, call on other well-meaning citizens and agencies to work with us as we seek to create a brighter future for our nation,” he said.

    He conferred on the beneficiaries the status of TVET alumni of Tech U but noted that the status places a huge responsibility on them to live worthy of the reputation of the university.

    Salami also urged them to work hard to create wealth and become employers of labour within the shortest possible time.

    The Chief Executive Officer of Dosmark and CJ Oil, Mr. Segun Osobajo commended the beneficiaries for their exemplary performance in the course of the training. He noted that the idea was to raise movers and shakers of the Nigerian economy through the empowerment programme. He pledged his continuous supports to the participants as they build thriving business along the poultry and fisheries value chains.

    Representatives of the participants, Amadi Adiele and Excel Evelyn, expressed gratitude to the government, the Tech U and other stakeholders for the opportunity to gain skills that will make them useful participants in the Nigerian economy.

  • Lawmaker: why I’m empowering my people in Etsako

    No fewer than 800 residents of Etsako East, Etsako West and c local government areas have benefited from an empowerment programme organised by the lawmaker representing the areas at the House of Representatives, Hon. Johnson Oghuma. The event held on Saturday. The beneficiaries were trained in fishery, tailoring, welding, solar power repairs and installation, cosmetology, CCTV installation and repairs as well as aluminium fabrication. Petty traders also received N10, 000 each to boost their businesses.

    Items given out to the constituents were mobile fish ponds, sewing machines, motorcycles and welding machines, among others.

    Oghuma was elected to the House of Representatives in 2017 after Hon. Philip Shaibu was elected Deputy Governor of Edo State. He won re-election to the National Assembly in last year’s general election. Oghuma said he resisted pressure to provide the empowerment packages before the general elections because he didn’t want the electorate to misconstrue the gesture as inducement for the people’s votes.

    He told reporters that he planned the empowerment package to be different from what the people were used to by training the beneficiaries in various aspects of available skills before providing them with the appropriate tools.

    Hon. Oghuma, who promised to support them with cash grants to kick-start their trades said he has attracted many capital projects to the three local government areas.

    His words: “My purpose in life as well as in politics, is to provide opportunities for my people; giving hope to the hopeless. My people just re-elected me and I will do more for them. As you can see, I made sure they were trained so that they would value what was given to them.

    “Those that have been trained on fishery will get the empowerment items as well as 500 fingerlings and a token to start up their businesses. The same will go for others that we have trained.

    “Similarly, about 200 market women will get N10, 000 each to boost their businesses, while 160 farmers will get sprayers and other items to improve their yields.”

    Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Estako West Local Government Area, Alhaji Abubakar Akokhia, hailed the lawmaker for achieving so much within two years in office, even as he cautioned the beneficiaries against selling the tools given to them.

    He said: “We believe Oghuma will do more in his second term. Those that did not get anything now will get something in the next empowerment phase.”

    Some of the beneficiaries said it was the first time they would benefit from such programme in their constituency.

  • Chevron facility fire: Delta community vows not to cede its land to Ondo

    Polobubo (Tsekelewu) community in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State has vowed to resist alleged schemes by Chevron Nigeria Limited to cede parts of their land to their Ilaje neighbours in Ondo State.

    The community made its position known on Monday during a meeting organised by the Delta State government among leaders and elders of the community on one side and representatives of Chevron on the other side. They gathered to discuss ongoing faceoff between the two sides over a facility location and an inferno raging on it.

    Recall that fire had broken out on an oil-well in the area since April 18. However, the situation had also sparked a heated disagreement between Polobubo leadership and the oil multinational, over the designation of the facility on fire; while the community identified it as Ikpalapkala-Bou oil-well, located in their Ijaw community in Delta State, Chevron has insisted that the facility is Ojumale oil-well, located in Ondo State.

    The community was represented by the hierarchy of the Polobubo (Tsekelewu) National Council (PNC) , including its National President, Mr. Ebilate Mac-Yoroki; the General Secretary, Mr. Midwest Kukuru; former President, Mr. Edmund Tiemo; one of the clan heads of Egbema, Chief Matthew E. O. Tiemo and Hon. Dickson Asoki, among others.

    Chevron’s management was also represented at the meeting, which held at the Delta State Government House (Annex), Warri, by Mr. Tony Emegere and Mr. Happy Appai, both of the Policy Government and Public Affairs (PGPA) Department.

    Presenting the community’s position at the meeting, Mac-Yoroki expressed sadness over the unpleasant and provocative positions that Chevron’s operations and recent actions had put the people trough, urging the Delta State government to step in and defend the position of its people by prevailing on the company to take steps to remedy every wrong done to the community since it commenced operations in the area.

    “The oil multinational had continued feeding the mass media and other agencies that the incident occurred in Ondo State. This is unacceptable and we will not succumb to such reckless and unsubstantiated claims.

    “Your Excellency sir, the aspiration of Ondo State government to have our community under its control could be traced back to the mid-70s, resulting in the boundary disputes between Delta and Ondo states, which final decisions were made in favour of Delta State. This is a re-enactment of the past, of which we are calling on Your Excellency to passionately wade into it, as a matter of urgency to checkmate the antics of the Ondo State government.

    “It will interest Your Excellency to note that your predecessors, be they military or democratically elected governments, fought relentlessly to maintain the status quo ante. On our part, it has not been without a price being paid for this struggle. Many of our patriots are martyred for this cause. We are still resolute to this day.

    “Our governor, we are not safe at this point in time when our health and environment are compromised by spontaneous fire incidents, coupled with our land being threatened. The entire area here in question is christened Tsekelewu field in NNPC’s data base. See the federal oil map, there is nothing like Ojumole Oil Field”, Mac-Yoroki said.

    He, however, pleaded with the state governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, who was represented at the meeting by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Peter Mrakpor, and the  Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the governor on Intelligence Gathering and Community Development, Captain Smart Yomi Asekutu, to, among other things, prevail on Chevron to immediately end the inferno on the facility, evaluate the level of health and environmental damage the fire had done to the community and commence immediate remediation, even as he asked for an urgent delineation of the boundaries with Ondo State to forestall border crisis.

    Responding on behalf of Chevron, Mr. Emegere said the company, in a bid not to ignite communal crisis between the Ijaw of Polobubo in Delta State and Ilaje of Ondo State had been playing safe, dealing with both sides equally, adding that it would not be the duty of Chevron to determine who owns the land on which the facility is located.

    Although he initially denied reports that his company had allocated the land in question to Ondo State, he was immediately called to order by leaders of the community, citing media reports that quoted a department of the company, categorically zoning the land to Ondo State.

    The representative of the governor in the meeting, Mr. Mrakpor had tried to persuade the representatives of the company to see to it that immediate measures were taken to ease the negative effect of the fire on the environment and the health of the people. He, however, said he would take the message back to the governor for appropriate actions.

  • PIND moves to save Niger Delta with technology

    The Foundation for Partnership Initiative in the Niger Delta (PIND) has received accolades for its efforts in uplifting the poorest and most vulnerable in the  region. In this report, Shola O’Neil and Bolaji Ogundele examine the new frontier in the foundation’s war on poverty – using simple, affordable technologies to address primal challenges.

    In 2015, PIND Foundation made a bold statement on its intent to help tackle global warming with the inauguration of the Appropriate Technology Enabled Development (ATED) Centre in Egbokodo-Itsekiri, Warri Delta State.

    Then ATED Programme Manager, Nancy Gilbert explained at the unveiling ceremony what drove the construction: “They say a picture is worth a thousand words. And I would venture to add – an experience is worth a few thousand more! Being able to see, learn, and experience innovations will hopefully lead to interest, knowledge, and change.”

    The assertion aptly described ATED Centre, constructed by the Foundation for Partnership Initiative in the Niger Delta (PIND). She said PIND hoped “this building can in some small way help raise awareness of the challenges we face, and suggest solutions.”

    Nearly four years later, when a team of Niger Delta Report visited the centre, the ATED dream to use “appropriate technology – that makes sense in the Niger Delta” was in full bloom. The PIND centre has become a Mecca of sort of researchers, universities and those driven by the curiosity of what the ATED Building is all about.

    Last month PIND signed a partnership with the Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, Edo state, allowing the university access to its knowledge resources on appropriate technology. According to the foundation’s statement, the collaboration is aimed at promoting ATs as economic enablers in the region.

    The PIND Foundation has become one of the most innovative and forward-thinking nongovernment organisations because of its efforts to find a solution to the age-long conundrum of living in penury amidst plenty. Founded in the USA in 2010 by Chevron Nigeria Limited, PIND radical approach is encapsulated in the parable of teaching people to fish rather than giving them fish.

    The ATED Project follows the curve: although not deliberately established to address economic, health and other challenges, its works and innovations and training of ‘facilitators’ to provide useful services with ATs has not only found solutions to these problems but in doing so is imparting knowledge and creating employment through value chains.

    The idea to construct a house to communicate the diverse uses Appropriate Technologies could be put – to tackle global warming, drive attitudinal changes on how exhaustible resources are used, at the same time help the poor, lift millions out of extreme poverty and save lives in the Niger Delta – not a few sniggered.

    But the ATED team has delivered on those lofty targets.

    A cursory glimpse of the simple ATED Center from outside piques the imagination; it is captivating and demanding of a second glance. Its attractions are apparent despite its simple, and subdued elegance amidst other towering edifices in the neighbourhood, The ATED Building is alluring and captivating, not because of its simplicity, but in spite of it. From the brown brick walls to its high roof, and almost floor to roof window, everything about the building seems different.

    Adroit combination of local materials to supports the dream of energy-efficiency (using less than 75percent of a normal similar building), ensures a low maintenance house. Every material was carefully chosen to leverage on the environment, use minimal energy for cooling, cooking and lighting.

    For a nation battling with epileptic power supply, these are irresistible features and it is no wonder that pilgrims are searching it out. ATED Project Manager, Dr Teslim Giwa, an internationally certified architect and renewables expert, told Niger Delta Report that the centre is the hub for everything the ATED team does. Giwa, an advocate for sustainable environment through ATs, glows when he talked about the building and ATED projects and what they portend for the future.

    “The ATED Centre is where everything crystalizes. The vision at the beginning is that this is a centre where you go to and find all these soft knowledge, just the same way when you come to the Economic Development Centre should have experts to answer questions like what they should be investing in.”

    The building houses a library with over 1,500 materials and works on appropriate technology, yet it doesn’t just answer questions on economic and sustainable development issues; it is by itself a fountain of knowledge and empirical evidence of the numerous use of ATs.

    ATED Centre Manager, Florence Agbejule, who took our reporters and other visitors on a tour of the centre a fortnight ago, spoke about it as a loving mother would about a prodigious child.

    She explained how the choice of materials worked towards achieving its set goal. From the use of hydraform interlocking blocks moulded from laterite, ubiquitous building materials, to minimal use of cement both in moulding and erection of the walls. But in spite of using less cement, she explained that the compressed earth from which the bricks were constructed make them stronger and more resilient.

    “If you get tired of the house and feel like moving away, you can pull it down by block by block removal,” she said, stressing that the detached units could be used to build anywhere the owner chooses.

    The use of timber along with the hydroform blocks, double-glazed window panes etc. reduces heat and eliminates the need for constant use of Air Conditioners to a minimum. The compressed earth brick ensures that heat is kept out, while the use of two-layered timber roof instead of conventional ceiling boards create a buffer from heat generated by the sun beating down on the roof.

    The roof extends several feet from the external walls, this protects the wall from direct sunlight and raindrops and splashes, thereby ensuring the walls remain clean, while also keeping the heat at bay.

    Floor-to-ceiling size, the double-glazed window makes the rooms soundproof; it also helps conserve energy as coolness from just a few hours use of air-conditioner is protected from going out. This is because while the chill is trapped inside, the hot air can’t find a way through the multilayer window glass.

    The larger-than-normal windows ensure that the innermost space receives sunlight from dawn to dusk, minimizing the need for electric illuminations.

    WASTE-TO-GAS – BIO-DIGESTER

    The most astounding technology on display at the futuristic ATED Centre is the Bio-digester that converts human and food wastes to clean gas, used for cooking and powering a rarely used standby generator.

    The bio-digester provides clean and very safe energy for cooking and similarly eliminates the issue of waste management. Unlike conventional houses where the problem of filled up septic tank gives residents cause for concerns, the waste tank is tapped and then emptied for use as gas.

    It is not only human wastes that are not allowed to go to waste in this innovative building, but rainwater is also harvested and used to flush toilet and for other hygienic use. This is achieved through the connection of drain that channels every drop of rain that hits the aluminium roof into two gigantic plastic tanks. The water is then piped back into the restrooms. Agbejule said rainwater harvested into two megaliter plastic tanks lasts the all-year round.

    W.A.S.H – Bio-sand water filter

    For about six million (6,000,000) in the Niger Delta, especially inhabitants of rural communities, the dilemma that compelled the sailor in Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s “Rime of The Ancient Mariner” to cry out “Water, water everywhere nor any drop to drink” is a sad reality. Several government agencies and NGOs have made efforts to address this problem – from solar-powered water to sinking hundreds of boreholes, which mostly dry up as soon as they are ‘commissioned’ – with fanfare. Safe and accessible water remains a pipedream.

    It is against this background the PIND introduced a very simple and effective technique known as the bio-sand filter. It was first displayed in Amatu Community in Bayelsa. The apparatus, like others pioneered by ATED is so simple that it so easily undervalues its impact and importance. It is comprised of commonplace materials like a plastic bucket, pipes, pebbles/gravel and sand. The apparatus uses a very simple filtration system, which purifies the water through the biological and physical system.

    The head of ATED’s Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Project, John Nwamuo, told our reporter that PIND’s takes special interests on WASH because of its impact on hygiene, health and wellbeing of rural community dwellers. He explained that when water-borne diseases infect them, it exerts a huge toll on finances of sufferers and put their dependents at risk.

    Nwomua said the bio-sand filter takes 21 days for the process to reach t maturity after being newly constructed, stressing, “If it is constructed today, every day you pour at least 20 litres of water until 21 days and after that, the water is safe for drinking.”

    Buoyed the acceptance and success of the bio-sand filter, PIND is now working with Bayelsa state Rotary Club to install seven of the facilities in 10 primary and secondary schools in the state.

    The foundation is also working with several other organizations to implement the programme in 30 schools in rural areas. At the time our reporter visited PIND, it had reached 17 schools and benefited more than 14,000 pupils/students.

    Chorkor Oven: Fish smoking made easy

    The Chorkor oven is a fish drying technology, which was fallout from PIND’s intervention in the aquaculture value chain. In our earlier report on fish farming, operators said increased yields from the adoption of best management practices led to a glut in the market, which put them at the mercy of fish trader after every harvest.

    Chorkor Oven, which can be constructed using local materials like clay bricks, cement blocks, burnt bricks and compressed earth, dries fish faster and more efficiently. Dryers who use chorkor oven smoke as much as 200kg of fish and they get more even toned end product as heat is evenly spread.

    Besides, the technology uses less wood, as the materials and its construction ensure that heat is retained and put to maximum use.