The Nation Newspaper

Category: Niger Delta

  • Cross River and Ayade’s referendum victory

    Leadership is not a tea party. This is why in a competitive, participatory democracy like ours, leaders with stellar leadership qualities, and not empty rhetorics and bare-faced lies, easily sway the led and stir them into unquestionable acceptance of, and unalloyed loyalty and support  to their leader.

    In Cross River State, we are lucky to have such a leader in Professor Ben Ayade. And he has never hidden he too is equally lucky to have appreciative followership.

    Three years ago Ayade entered into a social contract with the people of the state when he sought for their vote to become governor in return for purposeful and people oriented governance. Professor Ayade has kept faith. The people have also kept faith.

    It has been a rock-solid symbiotic relationship that pernicious propaganda has failed to break. While Governor Ayade clinically delivers on the social contract in the mold of good governance, the people in turn, at every juncture, reciprocate by showing unwavering support to him.

    Last week, Cross Riverians again, via the Peoples Democratic Party’s landslide victory in the Obudu state constituency bye- election, emphatically and loudly stated their readiness to swim or sink with Ayade in appreciation of his magical re- making of the state for the better. Stakeholders, including Ayade, an indigene of Obudu himself, agree the bye-election was a sort of a vote of confidence, a referendum.

    Hear Ayade: “The election was more of a referendum on my acceptability and stewardship to my people. There couldn’t be any more resounding affirmation from my people than this. Basically, it is more or less like a referendum… it is a validation of my own service. I am a member of the PDP and definitely I am happy the party won”

    Indeed, the bye- election and a similar one held in Yakurr Local Government  Area of the state in 2016 which the PDP also won, were a referendum, not only on the popularity of Professor Ayade but also on his performance as governor since taking office. The two electoral victories by the PDP have confirmed the opposition only has a feathery presence in the state and has therefore been overrating itself. But of course, talk is cheap.

    The opposition’s emptiness in the state was rudely exposed by the outcome of these bye-elections. Of course; the PDP had no problem handing a crushing defeat to them, a glaring product of Ayade’s state wide acceptance.

    When a leader puts the people first by working for them and giving them a new lease of life, when a leader displays a deep sense of justice and fair play, followers naturally queue behind him. This can be gleaned from the nomination and victory of Mrs Abbey Ukpukpen, widow of late Hon. Steven Ukpukpen, former occupant of the seat, in the Obudu state constituency bye- election into the Cross River state House of Assembly.

    Many politicians had opposed her candidacy on the ground that she is not from Obudu, her husband’s local government but Ayade’s sense of justice prevailed over parochial sentiments. He insisted on Mrs. Ukpukpen based on justice and compassion rather than political calculations.

    The PDP/ Mrs.Ukpukpen’s victory of course means heartache for the opposition. But for Ayade, it bears quantum testimony to the fact that performance is a sure elixir that easily stirs the people towards positive direction.

    All fair minded Cross Riverians attest to Ayade’s people-oriented achievements. His projects speak for him and like a gold fish, Professor Ayade’s unprecedented strides in all sectors of the Cross River economy are difficult to hide hence his sterling performance in Cross River continues to attract effusive praises, support and accolades to him.

    Just last week, traders in Watts, the biggest market in Calabar, the Cross River state capital, endorsed him for second term and requested to be included in his re-election campaign team.

    The over 7,000 traders, under the aegis of Capital Traders Umbrella Association, CATU, said their endorsement was based on Ayade’s commendable achievements in various sectors of the economy including the revolution in agriculture, education, industrial sector, job creation, infrastructure as well as creation of a business-friendly environment in the state which has positively impacted on their various businesses.

    Under Ayade, Cross River State has emerged as the most improved state in Health in the South South geo-political zone and in recognition of his intervention in the sector; the Governor has been adjudged one of the six best performing governors in Health in Nigeria by the World Bank and the Federal Government.

    This recognition comes on the heels of  the Best Performing Governor on Agriculture Award which BusinessDay Newspaper recently conferred on Professor Ayade.

    Essentially, under the Ayade-led administration, Cross River has attained several milestones in the health sector, including the significant reduction in maternal mortality. The state also has the highest child survival rate in Nigeria just as it is the first state to have its local government areas declared open defecation free in West Africa.

    Professor Ayade has built and completed the Calabar Pharmaceutical Company and is building three ultra-modern referral hospitals, one in each senatorial district.

    Under him, Cross River is on the verge of achieving HIV goal 90 90 90 with Calabar municipality being the first local government in Nigeria to achieve this.

    The launch of the universal Health Insurance Scheme known as Ayadecare, to ensure universal health coverage in the state irrespective of economic status, is yet another milestone in the health sector undertaken by the Ayade administration. Ayadecare provides free healthcare for pregnant women, children, refugees and IDPs in addition to the building and/ or equipping of over 50 Primary and Secondary Health Facilities in the state.

    Many visitors to Cross River and the teeming population of the state, who continue to marvel at how Ayade is able to accomplish so much within three years with meager financial inflow, have dubbed him a poster boy of performance and a case study of how a leader can strike a delicate but workable balance between social welfare, industrialization, infrastructural and economic development and in the face limited resource.

    No wonder a presidential aspirant of the PDP, Kabiru Taminu Saraki recently advised leaders to emulate Ayade.This too explains why the people of Cross River are ecstatic about their governor.

    • Ita is media aide to Ayade

  • Cancer foundation to immortalise Bayelsa governor’s mother

    Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson yesterday promised to establish a cancer foundation in memory of his late mother, Gold Coast Dickson.

    Dickson underscored the need for all to join in creating the necessary awareness about cancer that had ravaged many lives.

    Dickson made the call when the State Executive Council members led by the Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral John Jonah (Rtd), paid him a condolence visit at his country home, Toru Orua in Sagbama local government area.

    He said the foundation would principally screen people and create greater awareness on the dangers associated with the scourge, among others.

    A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Francis Ottah Agbo, quoted Dickson as saying that, friends and other well-meaning individuals would be invited to support the worthy cause.

    Dickson said he lost his mother to cancer and expressed sadness over her departure, describing her as her confidant, whose supportive role particularly in his upbringing and political life would remain indelible.

    He referred to his mother as a humble, kind hearted, prayerful and an unseen major force, that saw him through many political battles.

    She noted that her death created a major vacuum in the Dickson family, the Toru Orua, Angiama communities and the state at large.

    The governor also expressed gratitude to his deputy and the entire members of the executive council for their support in keeping the forte in his period of trial.

    He said: “It’s clearly a trying time for me, the Toru Orua, Angiama communities and all those who came across her. My mum was not just a mother; she was my elder sister, confidant, and biggest cheer leader.

    “At the end of every morning devotion, she gave me a motherly hug and pronounced blessings morning after morning. I have been through many political battles and no one has had tougher political battles than me in this state.

    “My mum has been an unseen major force that has helped me through such battles. Her sudden departure has clearly left a major vacuum in my family, the Toru Orua community where she lived for well over 60 years. The community will miss her as we mourn her passing.”

    In his remarks, Jonah said they were in Dickson’s hometown to identify with him in his moment of grief, describing the death of one’s parent as a major loss.

    He said God blessed Mrs. Dickson because she produced the governor of the state, who made tremendous impact, not only in the state, but the Ijaw nation and Nigeria as a whole.

    He also acknowledged Dickson’s exemplary leadership qualities and the significant contributions and positive impact he has made both at state and national levels.

    A minute silence was observed in honour of late Mrs. Goldcoast Dickson.

    Other sympathizers, who also paid condolence visit to Governor Dickson in Toru Orua were, members of the State House of Assembly, the Governing Council of the Niger Delta University, Amassoma among others.

  • Delta govt increases jurisdiction of magistrates

    Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has ordered the increase of civil and criminal jurisdiction of magistrates in the state.

    Mr Timothy Agbaragu, the Head, Public Relations/Protocol Department, Delta High Court, in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Asaba,said the order took effect from Aug. 20, adding that the order was in exercise of the powers conferred on him by Section 24 (1) of the Magistrate Court Law, Cap M1, Vol. 3, Laws of Delta State, 2006.

    The law empowers the governor to increase the jurisdiction of magistrates in civil and criminal matters.

    By the order, the maximum monetary limits of Chief Magistrates (Special Grade), Chief Magistrate Grade 1 and Chief Magistrate Grade 2, has been increased to N10 million, N8 million and N5 million, respectively.

    “Senior Magistrate Grade 1 and Senior Magistrate Grade 2 now have jurisdiction on matters within N3 million and N2 million.

    “Magistrate Grade 1 and Grade 2 shall have jurisdiction on matters within in N1 million and N500, 000,” he stated.

    The governor said that the order followed the recommendation of the state Chief Judge, Justice Marshal Umukoro.

    The recommendation provides that in all actions relating to landlord and tenant, the claimant may in addition claim arrears of rent and the profits.

    This is irrespective of the fact that the total claim exceeds the amount assigned to the cadre of magistrate concerned.

    Okowa also increased the criminal jurisdiction of magistrate courts to Chief Magistrate Special Grade.

    The governor said that Chief Magistrate Grade 1 and Grade 2 were now empowered by the order to impose sentences/fines of 14 years or fine not less than N250, 000.

    He said they now had powers to impose sentences of 10 years or fines not less than N200, 000 and six years imprisonment or fine not less than N150, 000.

    The governor said these were applicable where the law creating the offences did not make any specific provisions.

    Similarly, Senior Magistrate Grade 1 and 2 can now sentence convicts to four years and three years, while their criminal jurisdiction has been expanded to sentence convicts to two years and one year.

  • Okpella…Search for growth, devt

    Strewn across a vast, verdant and undulating landmass in the far northern fringes of Edo State, Okpella is a fascinating topography dotted with an array of mountainous ranges and rolling rocks. The land is rich, with luxuriant vegetation, fertile fields, plains and valleys. Thus, Okpella is noted to be a major producer of very high quality agricultural crops notably plantain, groundnut, garri among others.

    Okpella soil is also richly endowed with solid mineral deposits. Fondly regarded as the “Home of Cement”, it is the host of the defunct Edo cement factory and Bua Cement Company Limited, currently under full production. Dangote Group has also just performed a ground breaking ceremony for the establishment of an ultra modern cement factory in Okpella.

    In addition to its natural endowments, Okpella Clan is the third most populated community in Edo State, coming only after Benin City and Uromi. This population is made up mainly of dynamic, resourceful and adventurous youths.

    The clan is also strategically located. It is one of the major gateways between the North and the Southern part of Nigeria. Thus, Okpella is not only a community with serious mining and other solid minerals exploratory activities, it is also a centre of commerce and a potential industrial nerve centre in Edo State and even in Nigeria at large.

    Unfortunately, despite her enormous human and natural endowments, Okpella has remained grossly under-developed. There is high rate of poverty, unemployment and near total absence of social amenities like roads, portable drinking water, good schools, healthcare facilities among others. For example, there is neither a public hospital nor a tertiary institution in Okpella. The Clan has been in abyssal darkness since its electricity was unjustifiably disconnected by Edo Electricity Distribution Company in December, 2017.

    On the political front, Okpella which is a key player in the determination of where the pendulum of electoral victory swings in Edo State, has paradoxically remained in the reserve bench of political representation. Communities with lower electoral value continually ride on her back to acquire political power while Okpella sits back to scramble for the crumbs that fall from their vault of political fortune. Apart from Senator Franca Afegbua who was elected into the Senate in 1983, the highest political office any son or daughter of Okpella has ever attained is membership of State House of Assembly.

    It is in the light of the foregoing that Okpella Unity and Peace Initiative recently had a conference with the theme “Repositioning Okpella for Growth and Development”. The conference which was well attended by prominent sons and daughters of Okpella from across the country examined the various challenges facing the community and proffered far-reaching recommendations for surmounting these numerous challenges.

    In his keynote address at the Conference, Professor Abraham Imogie, a former Honourable Minister for Education and former Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Benin, decried the high dearth of infrastructure in Okpella, despite its enormous human and material resources. He pointed out that Okpella has no public hospital, Bank, School with standard learning facilities, no institution of higher learning, no portable drinking water, no electricity supply, no good inter and intra village roads, no standard general market and so on.

    He lamented that the mineral deposits with which the clan is endowed are at the whims and caprices of foreigners and non-indigenes of Okpella who exploit the community and give only menial jobs of security, cleaning, clerical duties to the indigenes. Professor Imogie submitted that in order to reposition Okpella for growth and development, there is the need for a leadership that is responsive, revered, wise, respectful, respectable, honest, truthful and visionary. He averred that “community development efforts must always genuinely search for change and explore it as an opportunity to bring growth and development.

    Stressing the need for a platform for resolving community disputes as a means of forging unity and peace necessary for the growth and development of Okpella clan, Dr Ayuba Giwa in his paper, on Alternative Disputes Resolution stated that Okpella people are from the same ancestral root and therefore must remain as one. He called for all sons and daughters of Okpella to return to the traditional cultural values of Okpella community. He said that before the advent of colonialism, Okpella people have always had their own way of settling communal disputes through traditional method. He submitted that for the Traditional Institutions to have the required respect, and command followership, the Institutions must be fair, just, neutral and seen to be above board.

    Presenting a paper on The Rising Trend Of Insecurity In Okpella, Mr Paul Ofemile averred that the current state of insecurity in the land which manifests in Kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and gansterism, vandalism, youth restiveness among others, are a result of the idleness of the youth, the get rich quick syndrome, the screening of perpetrators of crime by political god-fathers, among others. He stressed that for there to be adequate security in Okpella, all abandoned murder cases in the court of law should be re-opened; parents and siblings of escapee murderers should be banished from the clan, until the culprits are brought to book. He recommended the reinvigoration and strengthening of Okpella vigilante group, with central command and effective policing as a way of effectively dealing with the security situation in the community.

    The high point of the conference were presentations made by Honourable Godwin Eshieshi, former chairman Etsako East Local Government Area and Barrister Danco Anamelo, a Senatorial hopeful for Edo North Senatorial District in the forthcoming 2019 General Election. Barrister Anamelo pointed out that Okpella has not been able to leverage its numerical strength to political advantage because most Okpella Politicians are selfish, egoistic and lack community spirit. He noted that for Okpella to reposition itself politically, the people must consciously build broad base unity, foster love and understanding as these are the conditions for peace, progress and sustainable development.

    Godwin Eshieshi, who corroborated the views of Anamelo, said Okpella was central in Etsako and Edo politics in the past. He said that during the Second Republic, Okpella was adequately represented in the political affairs of Edo state, under the administration of Professor Ambrose Ali as Governor because Okpella people were united. He submitted that even in 1983, when majority of Okpella people were in the Unity Party of Nigeria, they voted overwhelmingly for Senator Franca Afebua of the National Party of Nigeria who is from Okpella. Tracing the involvement of Okpella in Political affairs in Nigeria from 1944, 1951and 1979, he said that the likes of Chief J.O.Y Abekhe, Chief Jack Oba, Barrister Charles Adoga, senator Franca Afebua and so on were prominent in Edo and Nigerian Politics because Okpella people could speak with one voice. He recommended that for Okpella people to restore its lost glory, they must come together and fight a common front.

    The conference, which was well attended by prominent sons and daughters of Okpella from all over Nigeria, adopted a communiqué which formed a blueprint on critical actions to be taken in order for Okpella to regain its lost socio-political glory and reposition itself for sustainable economic development. One of the critical recommendations reached at the conference was that Okpella people must all come together and push for Sunday Dance Anomale and Mr. Abu Abdulganiyu who are currently vying for Senatorial and Edo State House of Assembly seats respectively.

    • Adewole is a public affairs analyst

  • Tears as Dickson’s delegation visits mother’s ancestral home

    Residents of Angiama, the ancestral home of the late Gold Coast, the mother of Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, shed tears uncontrollably when they were formally notified of their daughter’s death.

    A delegation of leaders of the Kpadia Royal family to which the Dickson family is a part and the Toru Orua community of Sagbama Local Government Area were in Angiama with the sad message.

    The high powered delegation was led to the Angiama community of Patani Local Government Area of Delta State by the Kpadia Royal family.

    The messengers included a full community delegation from Toru- Orua and Bulou-Orua, with Chief Accra Odogu as leader.

    The delegation included the Chairman of the Kpadia family, Chief Joshua Ogoezi and Dr. Seiyefa Koroye.

    The Governor of Bayelsa State who was the first son of the late Mrs Gold Coast Dickson, his friends and associates, National and state legislators, government operatives, youth leaders also formed part of the delegation.

    The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media Relations, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei, stated in a statement on Wednesday that the visit was in adherence to the age long tradition of the Ijaw people to formally inform the deceased family in the event of death.

    The delegation was received by the three paramount rulers in the area, the Amananaowei òf Angiama 1, Delta State, Chief Frank Ayakoroma, the Amananaowei of Angiama 2, Chief Bruce Ogbo, and the Amananaowei of Bolou Angiama, Chief Forward Osuobeni.

    The Head of the Akpe family of the late Mrs. Dickson, Mr. Salami Akpe, a maternal uncle to Governor Dickson and his siblings, and other prominent members of the area also received the delegation.

    The late Mrs. Goldcoast Dickson died in August 18, 2018 at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Centre, Houston, Texas where she was receiving treatment.

    Governor Dickson who returned to the country after the death of the matriarch on Monday said during a church service held in memory of his late mother that she was a mother who displayed unique qualities and virtues which shaped the lives of her children and those who came across her in her lifetime.

    “My mother has been an integral part of my journey, she was not just my mother, she was my elder sister, she was my rock, my counselor, and because of her subtle style, people might not know the level of her influence,” he said.

    Dickson said that his mother complained of some pain in the leg in January which was later discovered by medical experts at the Bayelsa Diagnostic Centre to be cancer.

    He recounted the last moment he had with his late mother who passed on in his presence in the US.

    He recalled that his mother told him some people dressed in white had come to take her home before she passed unto glory.

    “One thing that happened before she passed on, is that she said that people dressed in white had come to take her home”, he said.

    He described his mother as a warm, witty and charming personality who love humanity and was loved my many including the medical experts at the Cancer Centre where she died.

    The governor urged the people to pray against untimely death especially the rampant incidence of cancer related deaths in the society.

  • ‘Wike’s administration is only window dressing’

    Mr. Henry Odili, a lawyer in Rivers State and member of the All Progressive Congress, spoke with Shola O’Neil on politics and more

    Definitely, we are not only poised to match the PDP in Rivers state, but to overtake them and I think this applies to all genuine APC members. We know now that we have the capacity and even if there may have been an insignificant number of faint hearts, the impetus brought by the new state chairman, Hon. Ojukaye Flag-Amachree, has totally rejuvenated everyone in the state, and PDP is jittery. Yes there is a strong feeling of resurgence and ascendancy amongst APC members in Rivers State.

    The current leadership of the Minister of Transportation and Ojukaye is just the tonic the doctor ordered for the APC in Rivers state. It doesn’t matter that none of them is on the ballot, capable men and women will emerge as flag-bearers of the party, given the assurances that there will be free and fair primaries devoid of the impositions of past eras.

     

     Senator Magnus Abe

    I think the senator is wiser than that. He must have read the developments carefully, besides his interest is to fly the governorship flag of the APC in Rivers State. In any case, he has always reiterated his desire to remain in APC.

    Despite whatever differences may appear in public, it is clear that the vast majority of APC members in Rivers state have but one goal, which is to remove the bad government that has taken our state ages back in terms of governance. In that regard, I strongly believe that APC will go into the 2019 elections united and with one voice and one goal.

     

    The division over wards, LGAs and state congresses in Rivers state        

    APC members participated in the congress. Those in courts may be spoilers or fifth columnists sponsored by the PDP and Governor Wike in the state. APC in Rivers state is not in any crisis, we are on course and by the grace of God and the support of Rivers people, we shall win the elections in 2019.

    Some have even seen the hand of our opponents fuelling the little disorder that some of our members are exhibiting now, that is proof that they know that their time is up. How can we be in crisis and yet every day, we are receiving defectors in droves from PDP into APC Rivers state. We are expecting many more, including House of Assembly members, Wike’s commissioners and advisers. We are not in crisis but rather growing stronger by the day in APC Rivers state.

     

    Rivers people and Wike

    First, the people know that the PDP had been in power for 16 years at the centre and the country lost resources, opportunities and corruption was institutionalised, so the people rejected them and chose the APC. The APC is still in the business of recovering our lost heritage and resources. Therefore, the people will not reverse the wheel of progress.

    Wike’s administration is only window dressing and the gullible are applauding. Sit back and do an appraisal, check the value and impact of the projects. When a government invites people from all around, at public cost, to commission glorified council projects, do you think he will be retained? A government says it has put billions of naira in the budget for the youths, for women and yet nobody can assess the budget. You erect a roundabout on an existing road and spend more to commission it. Your people will speak when it’s time.

    You see, historically, Rivers people had always aligned with the center politically. We go with the majority for obvious reasons. However, in 2015 we were manipulated and we got into this uncomfortable opposition state. The effects of that include the recklessness and expensive governance we see today.

    Youth engagement is when the state government deliberately creates situations to stimulate young people into action. For instance, protests, one billion-man match and crowd renting, as we saw in the anti-SARS protests, etc. What the youths get at the end of the process is a plate of rice, a little stipend, and a t-shirt. On the other hand, youth employment is the deliberate formulation of pragmatic investor-friendly policies that trigger sustainable job creation. A progressive government will move away from the medieval era of eye-service projects. The governor should know that he is bequeathing a huge debt portfolio, therefore he should think of growing and expanding the economy of the state.

     

    APC, Wike

    The APC in Rivers state is blessed with an array of brilliant administrators, technocrats and business moguls who are all capable of doing a better job of governance. We have men and women, who can continue the legacies of our leader, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi. You are aware that between 2015 and now we have three of their former governorship aspirants with us. We also have our last gubernatorial candidate, whom we have heard is also interested and with the capacity and administrative acumen he has exhibited at NIMASA, he has shown that he, as well as any other that may emerge, has what it takes to knock Wike off his pedestal and bring Rivers s back on track as a state jealously looked at by its neighbours, instead of a state that is clearly now looking rudderless. You are aware that we have aspirants already bubbling and preparing for the primaries of the party. That tells you that the party is set for victory.

    Also, the senator (Abe) has a right to aspire like anyone else. The important thing is that the party is progressive and yet democratic. We play according to the rules and will at the appointed time elect our flag-bearer.

     

  • How l became rich through amnesty programme, by ex-agitator

    In 2016, the Office of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) distributed empowerment kits to 50 trained ex-militant leaders. One Mr. Gabriel Amadi from Rivers State was one of the beneficiaries.

    Prior to the training, Amadi had no means of survival apart from the approved monthly stipends for ex-militants. But Amadi and others were trained on fish farming. Tanks and other materials were among the starter-packs given to them by the office. While Amadi is now an established fish farmer, others have nothing to show for their trainings and empowerment.

    “Through this programme, I have become a successful man”, he said recently in Kaiama, Kolokuma-Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

    He spoke at the Amnesty Office complex located in Boroh Town during a brief ceremony to empower 150 fresh graduates of the scheme. The Presidential Adviser and Coordinator of PAP, Prof. Charles Dokubo and his team brought Amadi to encourage the new trainees by sharing his experience.

    It was a happy occasion. Youths, men and women defiled downpour of that day to receive Dokubo. They welcomed him with drums and dancers. It was obvious that Dokubo has distinguished himself within a short period in office.

    The coordinator, an author of many books, knows the significance of Kaiama. It is where all the struggles for emancipation of the Ijaw and the Niger Delta started. The late Major Adaka Boroh, who hailed from Kaiama laid the foundation for the struggle and later aggrieved youths gathered in the town to make declarations for resource control and self-determinism encapsulated in the famous Kaiama Declaration.

    Little wonder, the crowd came out en masse to receive the coordinator of a programme that was birthed by the Ijaw struggle. Dokubo was impressed at the experience of Gabriel. He was happy that some lives had been touched by the amnesty vision.

    Gabriel said: “l was empowered in 2016 as a fish farmer. The amnesty programme gave me two tanks as starter packs. But today, l have about 12 tanks. I can hatch. l produce fingerlings. I sell to individuals that are farmers like me.

    “Through this programme my family and l will never be poor. With the knowledge l have on agriculture, I diversified to poultry and l have 300 layers and before the end of the year they will start laying eggs”.

    However, Dokubo was touched when Gabriel lamented that out of 50 of his colleagues, he was the only successful person. “We were about 50 when they empowered us in 2016 but out of the number l am the only successful person because l took it seriously”, he said.

    What then happened to 49 others? The new coordinator has since identified the bane of the programme. No wonder he declared when he paid a courtesy visit to the Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral John Jonah (retd) in Government House immediately he arrived Bayelsa that the empowerment phase of the programme had not produced expected results.

    He insisted that the people of the Niger Delta would not have been suffering if the scheme had lived up to expectations. He said his regime studied the failures in implementations of the programme and took a decision to refocus the scheme.

    He told the deputy governor: “The amnesty programme has taken a new turn. Amnesty has been here for a very long time, but those of us from this state have not gained it effectively. If we have most of our people will not be suffering”.

    Dokubo said his administration was focusing on the reintegration phase of the programme adding that President Muhammadu Buhari was interested in the scheme reaching rural communities.

    “The people of the Niger Delta for a long time have been marginalised,  ostracised and oppressed. But now we have come to a position where we can focus.

    “I believe that this system has changed.  The objective of the government clearly states that they want to nurse back communities to health in such a way that they will be part of the bigger picture”.

    Obviously, the 49 others empowered alongside Gabriel squandered their opportunities. Most of them sold their starter packs and wasted the money on frivolities. Others could not manage their business because when the training lasted they paid no attention. Therefore, they acquired no skills to effectively manage their business.

    But Dokubo has a new vision to compel trainees to make use of their starter packs and help in lifting the region from the throes of poverty. In the new dawn, all empowered trainees in each area will be located in yards owned by the amnesty office.

    They will be allocated business spaces in the yard with their starter packs. The trainees will run their business there supervised by the amnesty office for a period of time. The office will monitor and offer professional business advice to them until their businesses grow and multiply.

    Addressing the trainees, Dokubo said: “Any Niger Deltan, who doesn’t know Kaiama is not a true son of the Niger Delta. We have fought and won. We have battled and supposed to be empowered.

    “Empowerment is the last stage of the process of peacemaking. I came to flag off this event so that our people will be empowered. Every person entitled to have this empowerment programme will be empowered. Nobody will be left behind.

    “I also remember the history, the Kaiama Declaration, the crisis in the Niger Delta and now we have come of age. You are going to work tall and compete with others no matter where they come from. Niger Delta people are not lazy. We only need opportunities and this is the opportunity we have”.

    While lamenting that many of the trained youths remained unemployed, Dokubo said to achieve lasting peace in the region, all stakeholders must work together to provide employment and empowerment opportunities. Insisting that such opportunities should be created for youths not captured in the amnesty programme, Dokubo noted that the region was relatively peaceful and ready to attract investors.

    He called on potential investors not to focus only in the oil and gas sector but to also integrate other agro-allied businesses. Dokubo said: “Under our great leader, President Muhammadu Buhari, the Nigerian government has made the region conducive for investments.

    “The new investments would stimulate the economies of states in this region and employment opportunities for several of the youths that have been offered skills under the amnesty programme.

    “The fastest and easiest way to guarantee lasting peace in the Niger Delta and the Gulf of Guinea is the provision of gainful employment for the teeming population of youths and women of the Niger Delta”.

     

     

     

     

     

  • NGO partners MSF to stop drug abuse, illicit sex in schools

    A non-governmental organisation, Bridge the Gap Initiative (BGI), and the Medecins Sans Fronteres(MSF), (a. k. a Doctors without Borders),  are collaborating to end drug abuse and illicit sex in schools in Rivers State.

    The founder and Executive Director of the group, Mrs. Favour Eva Amado, said the group would continue to create awareness among the youths to end these practices.

    The group visited Saint Andrews Primary school,  Rumubiakani and Bishop Crowder Memorial Senior Secondary School(Boys) to educate the pupils.  The group also visited community primary and secondary schools in Oropotoma axis of Obio/Akpor.

    Mrs. Amadi said: “Bridge the GAP” as a community health and education initiative established to activate intervention in the society was established to help provide intervention in the areas of education and health to communities in the state compliment the efforts of other NGO and the governments.

    “The organisation was borne out of the passion to intervene in addressing some social indulgences bedevilling the society.

    “These indulgences are everywhere around the homes, schools and communities. They are things that  are either being deliberately neglected or we are incapacitated to face and address as such and for the long time of this careless approach, has gradually ruined the lives of the youths. “These are issues ranging from drugs abuse, cultism, violent crime, to issues of sexual harassment, rape on both gendre among others. There is also the issue of mental health with its resultant effects of suicide and insanity.

    “These, sometimes, are traced to hard drug intake, abuse as well as things they were exposed to and probably either warned or threatened not to speak out which they harboured overtime and could no longer carry on with life,  so they resort into suicide or even madness.”

    Ataisi Ijeh, Vice Principal of Government Secondary School Rumuomasi, expressed gratitude to the group for the awareness being created on the issues.

    Ijeh said:  “I love what Bridge the Gap NGO has done in this school today.  It us the first of its kind in my mire than one decade stay in this school,  I wish they can increase the visit to at least ones every term, especially in September when new set of students will be resuming, it would do us lot better.”

     

  • Succour for 15 communities as Obaseki awards road construct

    Magdalene Ekpo was eight months pregnant when she decided to visit her sister who lives in Avbiama community in Ikpoba-Okha local government area. She lives in neighbouring Umelu community and decided to take the Saint Saviour road, a road she thought would be a short route but she was mistaken. Before she got to her destination, Magdalene was forced into labour due to jerking up and down of the tricycle she boarded.

    Magdalene told our reporter that, “When I got to the hospital, the doctor asked where I went to. I had a forced delivery when my baby was eight months old because of this bad road. I didn’t know riding on a road as this is bad for pregnant women.”

    “If I wanted to take a longer route to see my sister, I would have passed through Upper Sokponba”.

    The St Saviour road which links over 10 communities from the Third Junction in Oredo local government to the Bénin Bye pass has been in a terrible state for over 20 years.  Communities along the road include Ihinmwin, Umelu, Ebvologun, Avbiama, Oba, Obadolovbiyeyi, Obazagbon amongst others. It is also a short route to Egba village where the state government is constructing 1800 housing units. There are several burrow pits where sand excavation is carried out in communities along the road.

    The bad condition of the St Saviour road has however destroyed economic activities of the various communities. There is little or no vehicular movement on the road especially during the rainy season.

    Several landlords have packed out of their houses in some sections of the road that have been ravaged by flood while transportation fares have tripled over 200 percent as residents living in the communities now pass through Upper Sokponbo and had to board tricycles to their houses.

    Contract for the construction of the road to Ihinmwin community was awarded during the administration of Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor but the road later collapsed due to what many residents termed ‘poor job’. Work was also done on the road by Adams Oshiomhole and the road collapsed again. The succour appeared to have come for landlords and business owners along St Saviour road as Governor Godwin Obaseki last week awarded the contract for the construction of the 15km road project at a cost of N3. 55bn.

    The construction work, according to the state government, would include, St. Saviour (4.4km); Oba Community – Obazagbon Community – Obadoloibiyeyi Community to Idogbo/Agbor road Bypass (10.92km).

    Besides the St Saviour road, Governor Obaseki also awarded contract for the construction of the 10.78 kilometres road spanning through the popular PZ road-Ehioghae-Okabere-Oka Market Road, linking Sapele Road and Upper Sokponba Road valued at N1.9bn.

    Obaseki who spoke through his Special Adviser on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said the contracts were strategic as it would enhance human and vehicular movement. He noted that it would be a source of relief for residents of St. Saviour and environs as well as people in Sapele road area that have been grappling with the heavy vehicular traffic which often result in terrible congestion.

    According to Obaseki, “When completed the roads would not only ease human and vehicle movement in the metropolis, but decongest Upper Sokponba and Sapele roads, and provide alternative route to residents who want to connect the Bypass.

    “We invested in making necessary infrastructure available to make life comfortable for Edo people and residents. More efforts will be committed to building critical roads and other support structures to not only improve the ease of doing business but also impact on the lives of the people.”

    The news of the road contract award was however received with mixed feelings by commercial drivers, landlords, tricycle owners, and business owners operating along the St Savour road. Some said Governor Obaseki will be their best Governor because their years of suffering due to the deplorable road will end while others dismissed the project as another lie to win votes in next year’s election.

    A bus driver plying the road, Mr Ogbe Amadin, said he has been driving on the road for the past 15 years. Ogbe said they were supposed to take passengers to the Bénin bye-pass but could not do so due to the bad road.

    His words, “We have heard many times that the government wants to construct the road but nothing happens. This road used to be good but the tipper drivers and bad construction made it bad.

    “The government should do palliative work first to make life easy for us before full construction work will begin.

    “I simply cannot tell you how happy I am about the news, I spent so much to keep my bus in good shape because of the state of the road. I visit mechanic almost on a daily basis,” he said.

    Mr. Friday Eze who is a tricycle operator said people would not understand their sufferings because of the road.

    Eze said the deplorable state of the road made them to increase their charges from N50 to N100 and N200 when it rains.

    “According to him,”You may not understand what people have gone through on this road. Many have lost their valuables simply because of this road.

    “You can see some of my colleagues (Tricyclists), fixing a portion of the road just to make it passable to us. We go to the mechanic workshop every day.

    To Madam Marcelena Igbens, “The people will be happy if the road is constructed. I have been resident here for over 30 years and as such, am in pole position to tell anyone about the road and what the people have suffered as a result.

    “Many of the residents have had to relocate from here because of the road, but I can’t do that because this is my house.

    “My late husband was a staff of the state ministry of works and he, on several occasions, while alive, used his influence to do palliative work on the road. The people still pray from him till date over it.

    A pharmacist, Mr Victor Idemudia and Mrs. Blessing Osas who owns stores along the road said customers hardly come to their shops whenever it rains.

    They said their shops have been flooded several times in the past.

    According to Mrs Igbens, we have severally heard this news of the road contract been awarded and it never came to past. We will wait and see what happens this time around.”

    Victor said, “The road has been like this for over ten years. Obaseki will be our best governor if he constructs the road. We have many burrow pits in this area. The contractor should know what to do to make the job solid.

    A chieftain of the APC, Mrs. Patience Osunde, who live in the area, said they have been celebrating since they heard about the contract award.

    “I wanted to bring a bottle of wine to this place for us to drink. For a long time, my relatives could not visit me because of the road. It was difficult to talk to people of my Ward but now the story has changed.

    “I am indeed very grateful. Every day, we sent representatives to the state government and they assured us something will be done. If I am going out of my house, I have to have N1000 for transport. You will have to pay because you will even pity the bus drivers.”

     

  • Urhobo community decries land encroachment

    President General of Urhobo Progressive Union (UPU) Olorogun Moses Taiga has said the Southsouth will continue to agitate for better Nigeria to ensure equity.

    Addressing reporters in Lagos, on the ‘’Current Situation of Urhobo Nation in Nigeria Affairs’’ he said the position of Pan Niger Delta Peoples Forum (PANDEF) on the 16 point demand by the people should be implemented.

    He said discussion and contribution by various communities on the need to restructure indicate the urgency of the matter, adding that Urhobo position was clear on restructuring.

    Taiga urged the Federal Government to honour the principle of federal character which respects the unique needs of Nigerian people.

    He said: “We fear that the principle of federal character has not been fairly applied to the Urhobo people. For instance, we think it wholly unfair that the government of more than 30 ministries, there is no single Urhobo appointee as a Minister.

    “This is despite the fact that Urhobo must be counted as one of the principal ethnic nationalities of Nigeria, in term of its contributions in scholarship, commerce, industry, sports and entertainment.

    “We believe we have excellent candidates who can who will serve faithfully and competently in government as minister. We urge the government to consider this matter urgently.”

    The high chief further noted that Urhoboland is a major contributor to the economic progress of the country, stressing that government should consider the plight of the people to mitigate their sufferings.

    He said it was disturbing that Urhobo people were under represented at the Federal House of Representatives, urging government to address the imbalance in by ensuring fairness and equity through restructuring.

    “In comparison with other constituencies in the Eastern and Western Niger Delta, Urhobo representation by three members is unfair. Urhobo should be represented by not less than six members of the House of Representatives.

    “We understand that the President cannot change this by himself, but we urged him to take this imbalance into account in addressing the ills against the Urhobo nation and in allocating resources.”

    Taiga called on those encroaching on Urhoboland to deviate from it, stressing that the unused lands allocated to the armed forces by the community were under siege.

    He lamented that the matter compounded by the sacking of local farmers from their land by herdsmen.

    “Urhobo people have been generous in allocating lands for use by the Nigeria Armed Forces, particularly at Uvwie Okpe and Oggara kingdoms. We understand that in many instances parcels of land allocated to the armed forces have now been converted to private use.

    “We believe that this is wrong practice, we urge that any unused land should be returned to the community which was by the people. We await the immediate intervention of the President in this matter.

    “We wish to make it clear that the livelihood of our farmers are now under threat from the uncontrolled grazing that involved the deliberate killings of farmers, who have done nothing wrong, but to go to their farms. It is the obligation of government to protect farmers who ply their livelihood in farms from armed killers,” he said.