The Nation Newspaper

Category: Niger Delta

  • Infrastructural development in Akwa Ibom on the upbeat

    •Constructs 1,700kms of roads in 3 years

    Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel has constructed 1,700 kilometres of roads in the past three years, Commissioner for Works, Mr. Ephraim Inyangeyen has said.

    Inyangeyen said this during an online interview programme “Footprints of Development”, anchored by the State Directorate of Brand Management.

    He said some of the roads were Federal Government roads which it has not rehabilitated.

    “I want to say that His Excellency, Governor Udom Emmanuel has done more roads than the Federal Government of Nigeria in the last three years. And I challenge anyone to come with a data contrary to what I have and we would be able to sit with him in public and add up

    the figures.

    “I believe that every road in this state belong to Akwa Ibom State government, previously constructed by the government of former Governor Godswill Akpabio. Federal Government has

    not paid a dime, and the one we are currently trying to complete such as the Uyo-Ikot Ekpene Road, which we took over from the previous administration, is solely funded by the state government.

    “You can’t own a property like this. It’s like you giving birth to children; you say they are my sons, and the mother struggles to train the children singlehandedly. When they are grown, they will not call you father.

    “So, in Akwa Ibom State, virtually all our roads are constructed and maintained by the state, exclusively. Even projects by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) are our rights, not a privilege,” he said

    Inyangeyen said 27 out of the 31 local government areas have been covered, even as he said the state has set out modalities to touch the remaining four before the end of its first tenure in office.

    “There are too many of them to count. There is massive re-ordering in terms of infrastructure. If we sit down and painstakingly add up the roads, it would be more than 1,700kms.

    Let’s look at the dual carriageway roads because the road structures that we have are in three segments. We have the dual carriageways that we called the trunk roads that open up the state, then we have what we call opening up of the rural areas, going to every local government areas to do a 10km, 15km, 20km  roads in virtually all the local governments areas.

    “Currently, 27 local government areas have been covered; remaining just four that are being worked on currently. And then we have what we call “the intervention”. If you go all over Uyo you will see them.

    “For example, at this Wellington Bassey that we are now, if you go to the left hand side, the entire Asutan area has been turned around.

    “They used to be forgotten areas; such are all over the place. But let’s start with the dual carriageways. If you go to the airport, we used to have a single-lane road leading to Oron, but today, the road has been transformed into a dual carriageway. That, when completed, the entire stretch from the airport to Okopedi, to Uya Oron, will be 28 kilometers altogether”.

  • INTELS provides computers, ICT training for less privileged children

    The management of Nigeria’s oil and gas logistics giant, INTELS Nigeria Limited, has again demonstrated its caring and compassionate side as it has reached out, once more, to less privileged children in the society.

    The beneficiaries were the children of the Compassion Centre, Port Harcourt, Rivers State who have received 12 fully operational computer systems with access to broadband internet.

    Some of the children of the Centre are also currently undergoing training on Information Communication Technology (ICT) courtesy of INTELS Nigeria Limited to prepare them for a well-rounded future.

    The Centre, which has received series of support from INTELS in more than three decades, was established and managed by the Religious Sisters of Charity. It was set up as a home to support, educate and rehabilitate physically challenged children in the society.

    “We have successfully started the ICT training at the Compassion Centre. The management of the home have been expressing their heart-felt gratitude to INTELS. They are full of thanks for this social service rendered by our company and have promised to ensure that all their pupils take full advantage of this unique opportunity,” says Ngozi Kingsley-Opara, ICT Training Specialist at INTELS Training Academy.

    Kingsley-Opara said while INTELS has been consistent in supporting the children home over the years, the latest donation of computers and free ICT training is a sure way of preparing the less privileged children for a brighter future.

    She said in addition to the computers and the ICT training, INTELS has also provided internet services at the Centre because “the internet today has undoubtedly become a huge part of our lives and we cannot afford to leave these precious children behind”.

    She said the children stand to benefit tremendously from the new computer centre and the knowledge of ICT in the course of their studies because the world of computers is packed full of useful information and new knowledge.

    Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Kingsley-Opara said, is important in a child’s educational pursuit because studies have shown that it enables children gain knowledge faster and attain learning independence.

    She said, “Students all over the world now use computers and the internet as source of education. These days, there are several online programs and learning packages available to students to aid their study and learn more about their world right in the comfort of their homes. Our desire is to bring online libraries and other global learning resources at the disposal of the children. It is our belief that their physical challenges or humble backgrounds should not deprive them of readily available learning resources. They should not be deprived, by any means, of the opportunity to belong to the future.”

    She added that INTELS is holding the ICT training twice a month to cover all classes and children at the home.

    “We run two sessions of training, morning and afternoon, each training day so as to be able to cover much ground. The primary six pupils have only this term remaining to stay in the Centre so we have decided to pay more attention to them to enable them gain more computer skills before they finish,” she said.

  • To Mr. President

    Your Excellency, I have absolutely no doubt that your hands are full and your ears occupied by all manner of matters. But, please pardon my overzealousness and create a few minutes to attend to me.

    Sorry I didn’t ask about Yusuf and his siblings and Auty Aisha. I thank God for Yusuf’s recovery and pray that the First Family will no longer see such scary moment again sir.

    And that brings me to a scary matter in Rivers State, especially Port Harcourt, which I passed through some weeks back on my way to Yenagoa.

    Your Excellency, residents of Port Harcourt are dying slowly. It is true the late crook called Don Waney gave them bloody nose as New Year gift.

    The late Waney and his men shot dead some 20 innocent people on New Year’s Eve. He was killed later by the military, which also felled his younger brother later.

    Afraid that time was running out of them, his number 4 and some others sought refuge in Imo State whose governor graciously held a show for them and announced his plan to recommend them to the Federal Government for amnesty.

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha said he forgave them. They submitted weapons. Yes, weapons of mass destruction. They said they had turned a new leaf.  They were dancing. To them, it was a dance of penitence. To me, it was like they were celebrating the fact that they could enjoy VIP treatment after shedding innocent blood.

    Emenike Agamu, aka General Red Scorpion, was fourth in command to the late dreaded militant, Johnson Igwedibia, aka Don Waney. He led the men who surrendered arms to security operatives in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

    As at the time Red Scorpion and his gang of evil men held their show of shame in Owerri, Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike was still looking for them. He had released a list containing their names.

    Speaking at the Owerri circus, Scorpion confessed that the militant group led by the late Waney killed plenty people and blew up many oil pipelines. He said they were driven into crime by unemployment and poverty. Okorocha believed them. I do not. He thinks they deserve forgiveness and even amnesty. I disagree.

    Your Excellency, the governor called them activists. I say they are criminals. He said: “Their surrendering arms will end the security challenges we have in the Ohaji/Egbema, Awara and the rest of the areas where people have been on self-exile for many years”. I do not share his optimism. These boys will go back to the creeks and use their hidden weapons once they cannot get free cash again.

    But my main concern today sir is not Waney or his boys or robbers’ and assassins’ attacks but the pollution of Rivers’ environment by black soot.

    Regularly, the air is fouled by a dense smell. I understand this smell rudely greets residents as they step out of their homes. The smell is choking. It has been traced to a cocktail of diesel, kerosene and other hydrocarbon products. Those who have spoken or written about it say it is bad for respiration because the respiratory system is burdened by an elaborate and complex search for clean air in a fouled environment.

    Often sir, cars and other valuables left outside are invaded by black particles. These particles make these valuables their homes when they become too heavy for the wind to bear.

    Sir, it is believed that this soot comes from the activities of the hydrocarbon industry and the many illegal refineries in the creeks. This is a challenge that must be confronted head-on.

    I need to say this sir; the soot is never comfortable staying outdoors. Any small opening is enough for it to invade bedrooms, living rooms and offices. You know, as I do, that in our country where adequate supply of electricity is a major challenge, there is no way windows can remain permanently shut. Even in homes and offices where they can afford to power air conditioning systems through electricity generating sets, these particles force their way through the vents of the air conditioner and any other available opening.

    With this situation, people easily go down with nasal infections and respiratory problems.

    Sir, it has always not been this way. The first major case was reported a year and some months ago.  Residents of Port Harcourt noticed black particles on exposed items, such as floors, cars, food items, clothes hung outside and so on. This soot, scientists have established, has harmful effects once they penetrate the lungs.

    While I will not bother you with scientific jargons, I will point out the fact that the World Health Organisation’s guidelines on this soot show that residents of Port Harcourt are being killed softly.

    I am sure you will wonder why I am writing you on a local matter; the reason is that the matter is beyond the Rivers State government. This is because the matter has been linked largely to the way the military indiscriminately pollute the air in trying to curb illegal oil refining. They simply set fire on crude oil and release the fumes into the environment and eventually they settle on anything possible on their return journey. The people are the worst for it.

    As you know sir, Governor Nyesom Wike cannot order the military to stop this practice. He can only advise. They take orders from you as the Commander-in-Chief.

    This is the time for a decisive action to end this menace. Let it not be said that the Federal Government turned a deaf ear to the people’s cries.

    The Federal Government-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) that has a 55 per cent stake in the Joint Venture deals with the oil giants must also be involved in ensuring the partners do not pollute the air. The oil facilities must be protected to block the source of raw materials for the illegal refiners. This is where the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) comes in. Sir, so far, I think the DPR has failed to prevent the bad boys from stealing crude to refine or is there collusion?

    Sir, another agency under your grip, which has not been able to help the people in their hour of need, is NOSDRA.

    Your Excellency, it will be unpatriotic of me to end this letter without pointing your attention to a belief in Rivers. Many residents believe that the increase in the activities of illegal refiners is not unconnected with the support they enjoy from security agents. Please, look into this sir. The concern of many is that the state’s land and waterways are heavily policed by security agents. So, how do the bad boys seem to have their ways?

    Sir, I need not remind you of Rivers’ importance in the creation of the wealth our country depends on. Please, force all these agencies to end the soot killing the people slowly.

    In many creeks, the people never see night. The multinationals operating in these areas have their flow stations so close to homes and send out gas flares throughout the day. So, the only way to differentiate between night and day is to check their wrist watches.

    Sir, away from Rivers, let me also bring to your attention the fact that in many places in the Niger Delta, oil pipelines are not underground. They are in the open. And often they burst or are burst and soils and existence are damaged in the process.

    The people have shouted, protested and threatened violence over their fate, yet change has refused to come. It is as if the multinationals also have another licence: to send them all to their early graves so that their leaders can have all the wealth for themselves, including the little they manage to spend on basic amenities. This environmental genocide, as some have called it, is having serious effects on the people. Strange diseases are killing the people. Expectant mothers are developing strange allergies. Yet, health centres are ill-equipped to take care of their health needs. They have several people with aggravated asthma; there are increases in respiratory symptoms, such as coughing and difficult or painful breathing, chronic bronchitis and decreased lung function. Premature death is not uncommon.

    The truth is, the oil majors are more interested in the oil than in the people’s well-being. They can die for all they care. Oil is more important than man; that seems to be their mantra.

    Agriculture, which has the potential to help our country, has no breathing space in the Niger Delta. The soils are polluted and where they are not, the people are not properly motivated. Everybody is just waiting for handout.

    Significantly, Brass, Forcados, Ogulagha and Bonny are a few of the Niger Delta settlements where Nigeria draws financial strength, yet they are only accessible by road. It took an offer by the Nigeria LNG Limited for the Bonny-Bodo Road to be on the front-burner.

    Don’t let me take more of your time sir. Please, say me well to Auty Aisha and the kids.

    All the best sir.

  • Ini Women’s Day: Mrs. Emmanuel promises empowerment for women

    Wife of the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel has promised to empower women through provision of robust opportunities in political, social and economic spheres.

    She made the pledge at Odoro Ikpe, headquarters of Ini Local Government Area during the maiden edition of Ini Women’s Day celebration whose theme was “Women Empowerment Leads to Equality”.

    She said women should strive towards attaining gender equality, economic and social empowerment, even as she urged men to support women in achieving their potential.

    Mrs. Emmanuel further said the advocacy for gender equality, political and economic empowerment does not translate to a competition among women and men but to inspire a healthy relationship that will facilitate improved opportunities for women.

    According to her, the empowerment of women opens a window of prosperity to the entire family. She explained that once a woman in a family is empowered, she will invest the money in a way that will bring prosperity to the entire family.

    On this premise, Mrs. Emmanuel said her husband’s administration was running a gender- friendly government. She appreciated the governor for making history as the first governor in Nigeria to have a female Commissioner as the Dean, College of Commissioners and Special Advisers in the state in the person of Dr (Mrs.) Glory Edet.

    Mrs. Emmanuel revealed that through her pet project, FeyRep, she was going to crash the price of garri by setting up garri processing factory and make women distributors of the product.

    Speaking during the event, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare Dr Glory Edet, who is also the Dean, College of Commissioners and Special Advisers in Akwa Ibom State, emphasised the need for women to be empowered socially and academically.

    She further explained that women are life wire of the family, adding that where there is adequate empowerment for women, the family will experience tremendous growth.

    The commissioner hinted that the celebration was preceded by week-long activities which included thanksgiving service at Methodist Church, Nigeria, Mbiabong Ikot Udofia, novelty football match between women in Ini zone A and women in Ini zone B.

    Dr Edet thanked Governor Emmanuel for championing the course of women and for giving women the opportunity to serve and pursuing programmes that have impacted on the lives of women.

    Presenting a keynote address on the theme “Women Empowerment Leads to Equality”, Dr Ukpong Udo, Director of Gender Studies, University of Uyo, said to achieve their goal of gender equality, women must endeavour to be politically sensitive, vote for themselves during elections, show love to one another and educate the girl child.

    Highlights of the event were inauguration of a council building, presentation of gift items to women, dance competition, news presentation by women and marchpast.

  • Centre trains Bayelsa youths on leadership

    It The Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD) has organised a leadership workshop for youths of Bayelsa State. The aim of the workshop was to imbue i the youth principles and tenets of leadershio in order to make them contribute their quota to leadership in the country. It also was aimed at active participants in the electoral process that enable them to become political actors and vie for any elective position. Facilitators of the programme noted that youths should become the kind of leaders they want in the society, even as they said they should no longer sit in the fence and expect things to change for good.

    The centre, in a three-day capacity summit held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, insisted that youths should make a bold statement to correct the ills in the society and evolve the type of local government areas, states and country they desire.

    Youths from various walks of life and different political leanings attended the interactive workshop. The centre mobilised experienced resource persons and facilitators to re-awaken the political consciousness of the youth and teach them how to actualise their ambitions.

    The Bayelsa programme was localised for youths from the state. About 80 people participated in the workshop designed to cover other Niger Delta states such as Edo and Delta.

    Speaking during the opening ceremony of the workshop, the Executive Director (Centre LSD), Dr. Otive Igbuzor, said the workshop was in line with the vision of the centre. He said the centre strives to build strategic leadership for sustainable development in Africa.

    On the significance of the programme in the Niger Delta, Igbuzor, who was represented by Monday Osasah said: “Therefore, it is necessary to focus on youth development, including building their capacities to participate in political processes so that they become productive and contribute to the development of society.

    “Some of the processes that can contribute to participatory governance include effective political party policies, good candidates for elections, participatory budgetary process and effective legislative oversight. All these processes are almost absent in the Niger Delta region.

    “It is in recognition of the need to build the capacity of the youth to engage and participate in elective and appointive positions that the Centre LSD is focusing on the project to build the capacity of youths interested in political offices in the three states of Edo, Delta and Bayelsa.

    “This project is unique in the Nigerian context in many ways. There are many youth programmes in Nigeria but there are none known to us that focused specifically on building the capacity of young persons interested in elective office targeted at the youth in the Niger Delta.

    “This project has been carefully organised to meet the needs of young persons interested in political office to prepare them to assert their voice in the region’s decision-making process by developing their skills and knowledge required to be effective and confident leaders.

    “We hope to build the capacity of at least 240 youths in the three states of Edo, Delta and Bayelsa, 80 youths in each of the three states to prepare them to contest elections in the 2019 general elections and beyond.”

    He said the workshop prepared the participants on leadership, political parties and elective offices; managing the electoral process and election observation; introduction to politics, democracy and party organisation.

    Others, according to him, were campaign planning and message development; election campaign framework, campaign finances and public speaking. He said the resource persons were carefully chosen to have a blend of scholars, development experts and experienced political actors.

    Addressing the participants, he said: “You are here because you are below 34 years of age and you are interested in contesting for elective offices. This training has transformed you to become more effective political actors that will be beneficial to society.

    On the activities of the centre, Igbuzor, who was represented by Monday Osasah said: “The vision of Centre LSD is an African  society with strategic leadership and sustainable development.

    “The Centre’s mission is to work with forces of positive change to empower citizens to transform society. The centre is guided by the values of transparency and accountability; integrity; feminism; diversity; dignity of the human person and Pan-Africanism”.

    He said the centre had so far graduated 588 people from its leadership school. He said they centre addressed key challenges of development such as elections, natural resource governance, inclusive and responsive budgeting, environment and sustainable livelihoods by building dynamic and visionary leaders and active citizens.

    On the importance of youths to societal development, he said: “It is clear to us that political leadership is a huge challenge in Nigeria. The challenge for the future is even greater as there is increasing marginalisation of the youth in politics. In the past, young people occupied important positions in the political arena, including Matthew Mbu and Anthony Enahoro in their 20s.

    “The youth constitutes the backbone and future of any nation. It is in recognition of this fact that the African Union developed the African Youth Charter, where it prescribed responsibilities to Member States for the development of youth.

    “The prescription is borne out of the belief that Africa’s renaissance cannot be realised if adequate investment is not made in the youth who constitute about 40 per cent of the African population.

    “The key objective of the Charter is to ensure the constructive involvement of youth in the development agenda of Africa and their effective participation in the debates, politics and decision-making processes in the development of the continent”.

    One of the facilitators and Executive Director, Mac-Jim Foundation, Godson Jim-Dorgu, urged the youth to leverage on the training to participate actively in politics in the forthcoming general elections. He said youths should not be used for thuggery, hooliganism and other untoward practices during the elections.

    Also, another resource person, Dr. Ejori Osioma, said the strength of the youth is their advantage and urged them to use their strength to advance their political interests. Those who participated in the workshop said they had acquired enough experience to enable them to realise their political ambitions.

  • 81 trained in skills, get starter packs in Delta

    Determined to alleviate the sufferings of the people which resulted from lack of employment, especially for its youths and graduates, the Delta State government established the Skills Training Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP), which serves as the state’s job creation agency.

    Since its inception, the agency has trained many youths and graduates in various skills such as welding and fabrication, fashion design and tailoring and interlocking, among others.

    In the circumstances, 81 unemployed youths who underwent some trainings in various vocations were, penultimate week, presented with starter packs to begin and manage their own businesses.

    Clad in sky-blue coloured baseball cap and T-shirts and jeans trousers to match, 81 youths waited patiently for the arrival of the wife of Delta State Governor, Mrs. Edith Okowa for the formal presentation of starter packs to the beneficiaries who had undergone a month refresher course in their respective skills.

    However, there were some beneficiaries who had already undergone vocational skills training on their own volition but were selected through “completion or refresher” skills training and entrepreneurship training in order to qualify them for the starter packs to either begin or enhance their individual enterprises. They are in the category known as the “Brown STEP” training category.

    Out of a total of 582 STEP trainees, there were 209 beneficiaries who were trained in skills such as welding and fabrication, fashion design and tailoring and interlocking.

    Delta State Chief Job Creation Officer, Prof. Eric Eboh, who presided over the event in Asaba, the Delta State capital, said the Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP) and Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurship Programme (YAGEP) currently running its third cycle, have empowered over 3,069 beneficiaries.

    He said the two schemes are transforming lives, creating livelihood and building better future for Delta State youths, even as they are changing the landscape of youth empowerment and stimulating economic diversification.

    He said the programmes have achieved significant successes so much so that many states of the federation are adopting the Delta State model of job creation through youth training and empowerment for self-sustenance.

    According to Eboh, the World Bank and the European Union are providing financial support to STEP and YAGEP, that are the state’s vehicle for job creation, through the SEEFOR project.

    Eboh added that the distribution of starter packs to successful trainees is an important milestone in every programme cycle in line with the vision and determination of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

    Mrs. Okowa enjoined the beneficiaries to deploy the skills acquired to enhance their economic well-being, in order to contribute to the local economy.

    She praised the youth who, having graduated from the university, decided to get trained in a vocation instead of engaging in anti-social behaviour.

    Her words: “You put away pride and learnt a vocational skill. I praise your courage. Anything that you do and it pays your bills is good enough. This reveals that there are still Nigerians who are determined to develop this country. We cannot sit at home and expect good things without working.

    “You took the bulls by the horn and acquired requisite skills to become self-sufficient. You must not miss this opportunity to become self- sufficient. The equipment presented to you will help you achieve your desired goals in life”.

    A beneficiary, Ogwezi Joshua, 26, from Oleh, Isoko Local Government Area and an OND holder who studied Electrical Engineering and trained as interlocking tiler said the equipment presented by government will boost his business, stressing that in the last two years, the major hindrance to his small=scale business has been his inability to raise enough money to buy equipment.

    He said: “When I finished learning the trade, my boss said I will have to wait until he can raise the funds with which to buy equipment. So, I am so grateful to the state government for providing me with the equipment free.

    “I advise youths to keep on striving hard to get a better tomorrow. They should not sit at home and wait for mummy’s food. They should go into the streets to see what they can get for themselves.”

    Another beneficiary, Mrs. Voke Egwede, a fashion designer from Ughelli North Local Government Area said she learnt to become a seamstress from a fashion house in Ughelli two years ago, but she could not get the funds to enable her to establish her own business.

    Mrs. Egwede, a mother of three, praised Delta State government for giving youths a new lease of life by teaching them skills.

    Another beneficiary, Awhotu Akpotu, 33-year-old welder and fabricator commended the state government for assisting him with the equipment for his business.

    According to him, he chose to learn a trade because there are no white collar jobs any more in the country, adding that he was unable to find a job since leaving the university in 2011.

    He said: “I have been welding in the last seven years, but to survive, I have had to work with my friend who owns a welding workshop. Getting this equipment from Governor Okowa, I am fulfilled. “As soon as I leave this venue, I am going to set up my own workshop and start my life. I have been looking for a job since I graduated from the Department of Public Administration of the University of Benin.”

  • Who ends human trafficking in Edo: Benin monarch, govt. or the church?

    Bothered by the negative image trafficking in persons has brought to the country, the Federal Government, in 2003, enacted the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in a bid to address the scourge. Despite the enactment, it continues to thrive. OSAGIE OTABOR reports that, angered by a BBC report that Edo State is the hub of human trafficking in Nigeria, Benin monarch, Oba Ewuare II and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) have placed curses on perpetrators of the evil act.

    last week, the Edo State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria woke up from its slumber in the fight against human trafficking. For the first time in 30 years during which the business of human trafficking has thrived, CAN lend its voice by placing a curse on pastors aiding perpetrators of the inhuman act.

    The business of trafficking young girls to Europe began in the 1990s by those regarded as Italian Madams, even though some males were involved. It was seen as an easy way to make quick money as the supposed victims were made to pay thrice the amount spent to sponsor them to Europe.

    Many parents allegedly pledged their properties for their sons or daughters to be taken abroad without asking what jobs were available for them. The business blossomed so much so that it was a thing of pride to be called ‘oversea sponsor’.

    Those who have nothing to use as collateral for their children to be ‘sponsored’ abroad had to resort to oath-taking at various shrines. The oath-taking involved taking various parts of the prospective victim’s body such as pubic hair, finger nails, toe nails and hairs, among others. These are collected by the native doctor with a threat that doom awaits any girl that refuses to pay.

    It was during the administration of Lucky Igbinedion that the fight against human trafficking actually began when his wife Eki took up the campaign to stop girls from being trafficked abroad for prostitution.

    In 2003, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) was established by the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act 2003. The Agency was part of the Federal Government’s response towards addressing the scourge of trafficking in persons.

    However, as NAPTIP fought to end the menace, some pastors and native doctors backed human traffickers with prayers charms. In some churches, pants, bras, special anointing oils, bathing soaps were sold to parents to send to their children to enable them to get good clients. This made business of human trafficking to continue to thrive despite measures put in place by NAPTIP.

    It was learnt that a news report by the BBC in March, depicting Edo State as the hub of human trafficking peeved the Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II.

    On March 9, Oba Ewuare II summoned traditional priests, priestesses and native doctors from various shrines such as the Ohen Okhuae, Ohen Ovia, Ohen Noriyekeogba, Ohen Ake, Ohen Niwuo, native doctors, Ohen Sango, Odionwere, Iwueki and the  Enigies (dukes) to his palace.

    At the palace, the Oba brought out some ancient juju which, according to the Esogban of Benin, Chief David Edebiri, has not seen sunlight for over 800 years and began invoking curses on human traffickers, robbers, kidnappers and their collaborators.

    Oba Ewuare II said the essence of the curse was that he wants to sustain the positive stories emanating from the state, even as he warned those aiding and abetting human trafficking through the use of black magic and subjecting them to the oath of secrecy to desist from the act or face the wrath of the gods.

    He noted that the interest of the palace was to work for the development and progress of the state. He urged all his subjects to work towards that direction by doing what is right.

    His words: “From today we end all the oaths and it will not affect those placed on the oath. Those who walk on Edo land and eat the food cooked with salt and oil will die if they continue to do things that will bring shame to the land.

    “Henceforth, the juju will kill those that want to engage in human trafficking. Even those that go to other places to perform juju will also die. Native doctors should not force girls again and they should return the things they collected from the girls. Native doctors whose businesses are to subject people to the oath of secrecy and encouraging this evil act on the land, you have to repent, stop doing it. This is not a joking matter and if you do not repent, you have to wait for the repercussion.

    “The palace is not against those who are native doctors but those who use their position to perpetrate evil in the land through aiding and abetting human trafficking.

    “We want to tell those who are under any oath of secrecy that they are now free. We revoke the oath today.

    “What the palace stands for is peace and the development of the state. I want to tell you that the palace seriously frowns at the act of using charms to aid trafficking.

    “We want us to join hands together to fight human trafficking in the land”, he said.

    The event received applause when the monarch  declared that those under oath of secrecy have been set free and at liberty to air their views as well as reveal their sponsors without fear of any harm from their sponsors.

    The native doctors were later asked to parade the streets of Benin-City to invoke curses on human traffickers.

    Two days after the Oba placed the curse; videos were seen online of trafficked girls who cried out that their madams were still asking them to pay money.

    Many girls are still trapped in Libya because their various madams have stopped sending feeding money because of the curse.

    A source in Italy said some madams freed their girls immediately after the curse while some madams are still adamant that the Oba did not ask the girls not to pay.

    The source said: “Obaseki should go and rescue those girls in Libya because their madams have stopped sending them money. The situation in Italy here is very tough since the curse was proclaimed.

    “Some girls were already in Libya before the curse and no madam wants to pay to cross any girl again after the curse. Many of the girls do not have anybody in Europe. It was the madams who send them money.”

    A Benin Chief who pleaded anonymity said no native doctor would want to go against the Oba’s directive because the Oba owns all the shrines from where the native doctors derived their powers.

    One month later, leaders of the Christian body in the state followed the footsteps of Oba Ewuare II by placing a curse on pastors and prophets who are aiding as well as providing prayers for human traffickers.

    President of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Rev. Felix Omobude, who spoke at the event tagged CAN Intervention on Human Trafficking, urged CAN to publicly disown any pastor supporting human traffickers.

    Rev. Omobude asked God to take care of such pastors, adding that the church must stand firm and strong against the menace of human trafficking.

    His words: “We must take a stand as a church that what is wrong is wrong. We must educate our people and take a strong stand. We are going to pray that the heavens should take care of any pastor who will bring disgrace to us.

    “Whatever we bind on heaven is bind here on earth. Grace will run out of any pastor that supports human traffickers. He will not live to reap the reward of his work.

    “None of our pastors should deceive the people or give them false hope.”

    State Chairman of CAN, Bishop Oyonude Kure, described as ‘little pastors’ those who offered prayers and support trafficked girls for prostitution in Europe. He said they should be prosecuted.

    Kure said: “Any pastor involved in this inhuman and nefarious activity must repent and stop this evil act. Anyone who refuses to stop and is caught, the Church of Jesus Christ in Edo State and Nigeria will deny the person and ensure that the authorities arrest, prosecute and punish the person.

    “Whatever is the rationale for this evil act is unjustifiable in its entirety and is against the tenets of true religion.

    Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) which guarantees the right to every Nigerian is being violated by this inhuman activity.”

    State Coordinator of NAPTIP, Mr. Nduka Nwanwenne, told Niger Delta Report that more victims are now willing to testify in courts since the Benin monarch’s pronouncement.

    “Everybody is joining the fight; we are arraigning more people in court. More victims are being rescued. The fight has intensified“.

  • Voter registration: Praise for Dickson’s aide

    There are conscious efforts to create a leadership rebirth in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. Former President Goodluck Jonathan hails from Ogbia, an oil-rich council which has remained poor and underdeveloped.

    The council has suffered from prolonged leadership defects. Most of the known Ogbia leaders saw the council as their conquered territory. They lord it over their people and derived pleasure in keeping the masses in perpetual penury. Therefore, while the masses remained poor and hungry, the leaders blossomed. They derive joy in their personal estates.

    Besides keeping the people in destitution, they ensured that the people are also denied political awareness.

    But there is an effort for a paradigm shift. Many Ogbia citizens are seeking ways to dispense with the old order. Political awareness is massively being created in the council and Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, is leading the campaign.

    As part of his efforts to politically reposition the council, Iworiso-Markson embarked on Operation Get Your Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC). As a result of his logistics support, officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) relocated to the council during the continuous voter registration exercise to register eligible voters.

    To ascertain the progress of the registration, the commissioner recently visited his community in Opume. He was impressed by the turnout of people for the exercise. Youths and women turned out en masse to receive their proud son. They thanked him for all his people-oriented initiatives in the council. They described him as the light at the end of the tunnel.

    Iworiso-Markson said the INEC officials were moving round various communities and wards to mobilise people for the exercise. He said they left Otuoke for his communities to enable them to go around and present people the opportunity to register.

    The commissioner said he decided to drive the process because it was in line with Governor Seriake Dickson’s principles of political inclusion. He said the main objective was to mobilise the people and give them the opportunities to support the tendencies of Dickson in raising the new leadership for the state.

    He said: “This is the Restoration Government led by Governor Seriake Dickson. We want to see the sustenance of this government’s legacy. We want to be part of those that will bring in the new government not just by saying so.

    “We want to ensure we do that through our actions. We are determined to ensure that the tendencies that the incumbent governor supports for the next line of leadership are the tendencies that will emerge at the end of the day.

    “We are not going to do that by violence, snatching ballot boxes. But we will do that by mobilising our people and the records of the governor will speak for him.

    “People have seen these records and they want to see a continuation of that legacy. That is why we are mobilising our people to get their PVCs and cast their votes when it is most needed.”

    Besides, Iworiso-Markson argued that Ogbia had fallen in the pecking order of number of voters in the state. He also said Ogbia used to be number two in the state but fell to number five. According to him, it was time Ogbia regained its former position or even surpass it.

  • ‘We’re gathering data for robust health care delivery in Ogoni’

    •15,000 benefit from HYPREP’s outreach

    As part of activities to mark the implementation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Report on Ogoni land, the Federal Government, through, the Hydro-Carbon Pollution and Remediation Programme (HYPREP), has embarked on health care delivery exercise in the four local government areas of Ogoni. The four local government areas are Khana, Gokana, Tai and Eleme.

    No fewer than 15,000 people are expected to benefit from the yet-to-be concluded exercise which began barely there weeks ago. Communities visited are Taaba, Bori, Nonwa and Kpite while the ongoing Ogali exercise is for all surgery cases identified during the two-week outpatient exercise.

    The programme is the second phase of the free medical outreach for the people. The first phase was held towards the end of last year during which over 6,000 people were said to have been treated and 65 surgery cases conducted.

    Provision of health care and potable water is some of the critical emergency measures recommended in the UNEP Report as part of the critical programmes towards the clean-up exercise.

    However, the essence of the health care programme, according to the Technical Assistant to the Minister of State for Environment, Dr.  Ishiyaku Molid, is to generate data to design robust health care programme for the people of the oil-rich areas of Ogoni in particular and the Niger Delta in general.

    Molid reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government in cleaning up Ogoni land, assuring that it would be evident before the end of the third quarter of this year.

    “For now, we are in the process of collecting data from patients that live in Ogoni land, but the analysis is still ongoing. We can now see directly what the impact of hydrocarbon has done in the health of residents of the polluted Ogoni land.  But be that as it may, the proper clean-up is being accelerated and before the third quarter of this year, there will be tangible results.

    “The essence of the health care exercise is also to gather reliable information on the health of the people of the area, with the view of designing a robust health care programme for the people of Ogoni land.” he said.

    After going round the various departments, Molid said:  “From the first phase of the medical outreach and the report that was generated by HYPREP indicating that over 6,000 people were treated and over 65 surgeries conducted, impressed the Minister and the Vice-President who is the chairman of the Committee on Niger Delta and who approves the second phase of the programme so as to cover more people. This is because access to health care is one of the ancillary supports for the overall cleaning of Ogoni land.

    “What I see in this venue is a lot of enthusiasm by all the health personnel in the field as well as the patients who have come out en masse to take advantage of the exercise.”

    The programme attracted huge crowd.  Beneficiaries were treated and they did not hide their feelings about the exercise.

    Lady Charity Melele Wibiabubari appreciated the free medical treatment, but the need to clean up the environment for fresh breathe should not be compromised;  at least not with the prevalent cases of black soot in the area.

    “I’m happy to have benefited from this exercise. I came here for routine check-up and noticed that the exercise was on. I have to take the advantage to do my body checks and get drugs free.

    “However, HYPREP and the Federal Government should hasten the clean-up exercise. Things are getting worse here every passing day.  The pollution is spreading and now black soot is taking its toll on the lands. We need the clean-up now than ever before,” she insisted.

    Another beneficiary, Johnson Zua Kimbe said: “I have been feeling very sick but with the help of the drugs, I strongly believe that I will be well.

    “That the Federal Government organised the free medical programme indicates that it will certainly clean up oil-impacted sites in Ogoni land as it has promised.”

    Meanwhile, many of the beneficiaries called on the Federal Government to provide potable water for the people of Ogoni as part of the directives by the UNEP Report.

    They complained about lack of drinking water, describing it as one of the most essential needs of the communities.

    “Our rivers have been destroyed by oil, we do not have drinking water here. We are calling on the Federal Government to provide us with potable water.

    “We have been taken from one process to the other to  ensure we are properly checked and right drugs given to us,  but if at the end of the day,  we use the same polluted water to take the drugs, then the aim is defeated,  and the drugs will not have the expected effects on our health.  Potable water is of paramount importance to us in Ogoni land.  Our rivers have been completely destroyed by oil, we need clean water to be alive,” the people said.

    In a chat with reporters , head of the medical team, Dr  Vetty Agala and President-elect Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria,  Rivers State branch said:  “There are over 140 medical personnel participating in the outreach. There are 35 doctors, 30 nurses, 15 pharmacists, 25 laboratory scientists and 30 data collectors.

    “The last group is important to us because it is what will help HYPREP to be accurate in carrying out their health impact assessment, which is the main reason for the exercise.

    On the cases prevalent in the area she said: “We are seeing cases rangingfrom malaria, hypertension, diabetes, a lot of arthritis and a lot of HIV here,  but the good thing is that some of them know their status and have been on their medication,  while some others did not know. So, we did the needful by way of counselling them and later refer them to the appropriate hospital where they can be placed on medical care to manage their new health status.”

    Continuing, Dr. Agala said:  “We have some eye conditions mostly glaucoma, cataract and refractive errors. Eye glasses were invented to the last category of patients to help them manage the situation if not corrected.  Those whose cataracts are complicated were referred for surgery. Also a lot of patients visited the dental department for various dental cares ranging from washing and scraping, infilling and extraction, among others.”

    For the HYPREP Coordinator,  Dr.  Marvin Dekil, the enormous crowd witnessed in each of the programme venues shows the commitment of the Federal Government and the Minister of Environment towards ensuring that the clean-up exercise was done well.

    “There is no doubt about the sincerity of the government and the principle actors in the clean-up process. We are re-affirming the commitment of the Federal Government that the process is real and the process for remediation is on. This is only an aspect of the implementation of the health care.

    “The clean-up proper will take off  soon,  and we assure that it will be a transparent process; the advertisement for competent contractors is on. We are calling on local, national and international companies to come forward and take advantage of the opportunity the exercise is providing to showcase the capability in handling pollution on environment.

  • Why we passed confidence vote on Dickson, by Ijaw youths

    The just-concluded congress of the Ijaw youths at Oyakiri Clan, Aleibiri in Ekeremor Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, came as a surprise to many people. Most people had expected to hear sounds of gunshots. They wanted to read tales of violence and bloodshed which used to characterise such

    gatherings of youths.

    But such sordid narrative did not emerge during the congress. Hundreds of the Ijaw youths, who travelled to Aleibiri on different vehicles remained peaceful throughout the exercise. Without objections, they adhered strictly to the instructions given to them by their leader and Central Zone Chairman, Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Mr. Tare Porri.

    Porri commanded the respect of the youth. He showed understanding but remained firm and decisive.

    Coordinating Ijaw youths in any programme is not a tea party. It requires high level of tact, strength and power. It is not a job for a gentle and soft-spoken person. The leader must shout most of the times. Porri exhibited all these.

    Why Aleibiri? The riverside community is many kilometres away from Yenagoa. Porri hails from the community. It is the first time in the history of Bayelsa that people can travel by road to the community. Hitherto, it could only be accessed by water transport amid constant attacks by pirates and sea robbers, including rampant boat mishaps.

    But vehicles can now get to Aleibiri. Governor Seriake Dickson made it possible through the construction of the Western Senatorial Road. The road, which is supposed to terminate at Agge, was on a drawing board for over 50 years. People had lost hope that it could never be constructed.

    But Dickson proved them wrong. He took the difficult terrain, bulldozing forest and sand-filling mangroves to Aleibiri, a community in Ekeremor. Though the asphalt has not been laid, the road is good enough for all kinds of vehicles to ply.

    Perhaps, Porri wanted the youth to see what their governor had done. Indeed, most of the youth stood in awe and in reverence to their governor when they drove through the road. Little wonder it was easy for them to pass a confidence vote on Dickson as part of their resolutions at the congress.

    It was a stormy deliberation. But the confidence vote was unanimous and resounding with voice votes. Porri, who emerged after hours of deliberations, said the youth, on their own, included the confidence vote in the agenda. He said they were surprised at the progress of the Sagbama-Ekeremor-Agge Road, adding that it was unbelievable that vehicles could get to Aleibiri by road.

    He said they were convinced that the governor had performed beyond expectations.

    “What he needs is our support and that is what we have assured him. We will work with him to ensure that this state doesn’t return to that era when people cornered all the resources, shared them among themselves without doing anything about development”, he said.

    Porri was flanked by some senior members of the zonal IYC. The youth leaders present at the congress were the Chairman, Bayelsa Volunteers, Prince Douye Koroye; IYC Secretary-General, Alfred Kemepado and former IYC Spokesman, Jeremaiah Owoupele.

    He said: “A governor had challenges of recession that was the worst in the history of the country; political attacks that took him to the Supreme Court where he emerged victorious and over-bloated wage bill, yet he prioritised development. He took up such massive projects. That’s Governor Dickson for you. We are proud of him.

    “The governor has well so much so that the entire youths of the Ijaw nation are behind him. For the first time in the history of the Nigerian state and that of the Ijaw nation, the road conceived over 56 years ago that we hitherto felt was impossible, the governor of Bayelsa State is constructing and taking it to Agge.

    “Today, the road has gotten to the venue of this congress. It, therefore, means that the governor meant well for the Ijaw nation and we resolved that, in order to further encourage the governor, there is need for us to stand by him”.

    Besides the Ekeremor Road, he said Dickson was also constructing a road to Oporoma and undertaking other massive projects despite the recession. He asked the Federal Government to support the efforts of the governor by assisting the state to complete some of the road projects in Bayelsa where it had been taking crude oil for many years.

    He said Dickson, who he referred to as the Governor-General of the Ijaw Nation, created opportunities for the youth. He said the governor appointed many youths into his government, adding that those who attended the congress were impressed at the number representing them in Dickson’s cabinet.

    Porri said Dickson also formulated policies to create job opportunities for the youth, even as he called on the youth to take advantage of the opportunities.

    On other national issues affecting the Ijaw people, especially the much-talked about restructuring, the youth said they decided to back the governor’s position. Reiterating his position, he they resolved that the 2019 election would be a referendum on restructuring.

    Therefore, Porri said Ijaw youths would shoot down the 2019 presidential aspirations of candidates opposed to restructuring. He advised such candidates not to campaign on Ijaw soil.

    Porri said: “In the congress, issues arising from the 2019 general elections were raised, and Ijaw youths unanimously resolved that we are standing with our governor, who is the Governor-General of the Ijaw nation and that of the leaders of the Ijaw extraction.

    “We have concluded that the 2019 general elections should be a referendum on restructuring. Any presidential candidate must first and foremost realise that Ijaw people will not support any candidate unless that candidate believes in restructuring.”

    Furthermore, the youth said they were not happy at the way Ijaw people were being treated in the oil and gas sector. They dismissed the controversies surrounding the Malabu Oil deal, saying it was persecution against the Ijaw. After deliberating on the matter, they threw their weight behind Dan Etete.

    Stating their position on the matter, Porri said: “The Federal Government should stop persecuting Ijaw people who are in the oil and gas sector and any further attempt to silence the Ijaw people in the oil and gas industry, Ijaw youths will make sure that they don’t take oil from our environment.”

    Also speaking, Koroye said the youth were proud of how the governor had conducted the national affairs of the Ijaw people, especially his uncompromising position on restructuring.

    He insisted that only presidential candidates, whose manifestoes are in line with Dickson’s position on restructuring, would be supported in 2019.

    “He has shown leadership capacity and it is only natural for us to support him. Restructuring is in the best interest of not just the Ijaw people but also the entire country. We will only support candidates with such agenda”, he said.