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Category: Niger Delta

Suffering amid abundance …Rivers kingdom tells sad tales

Kula Kingdom in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State has in the last seven months occupied SHELL oil and gas station (OML 24/25) in Belema community over alleged neglect and impoverishment of the communities in the area.

Kula is one of the major producers of oil and gas in the state. Unconfirmed report puts production in the area at over 45,000 barrels of crude oil per day. It is a riverine area whose only means of accessibility is by water.

In this kingdom, there is nothing to show that the area is part of the modern world. It is bereft of any form of amenities. From Boro to Ofoin-ama to Belema and other smaller communities, there are no roads, electricity, hospital of any sort, or school of any level.

The area shares boundary with Bayelsa State in North and Abua in the East; these neighbours are however only accessible by water.

Kula is about 2 hours on speed boat from Abonnema jetty (Akuku-toru headquarter).

The environment is devastated. According to the people, life was good before the advent of oil.

The effects of oil exploration has dealt heavy blow on them, but no one takes responsibility; neither the multinational companies that operate in the areas nor the Federal Government which operates the joint venture (JV) agreement.

A delegation of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), – a socio-political group of the region, being led by Chief Edwin Clark accompanied by the media, recently went on a tour of the area to ascertain the cause of the problems between them and SHELL.

From Boro to Ofoin-ama to Belema, the stories were the same; cries of woes, impoverishment, hunger and total devastation, to say the least.

Residents live in squalors. The communities are devoid of good houses. At Belema community, the main host to the oil and gas station, the only source of drinking water is an ancient pond.

“Our sources of living, farmland and rivers have been destroyed by oil. We do not have the money to send our children to good schools. As you can see, there is no form of school in these whole communities, those that are managing to go to school cross the river every day to attend school in our neighbouring kingdoms in Abonnema, and Bayelsa State. We do not receive scholarship from SHELL, no employment, no meaningful contracts to empower us despite all efforts to make SHELL see reasons to develop and empower us (the people of the area) and the communities where they operate,” their spokesperson said.

According to them, their inability to convince SHELL to improve their standard of living apparently triggered the move by their women to take over the flow station since August 11, 2017, sacking SHELL workers.

However, SHELL had, since the illegal occupation of the station, insisted that it held host communities in high esteem and had never relented in carrying out its corporate social responsibilities and executing the agreements reached with the communities in their Group Memorandum of Understanding (GMOU).

The protesters told the PANDEF delegation that the oil giant must give way to an indigenous company. They were of the view that an indigenous operator would be able to easily understand their difficulties, feel the pulse of the indigenes, their pains and suffering and quickly come to their assistance.

Although SHELL has since the problem pulled out of the facility, it has shown indication to return. Heavy presence of the military was noticed at the facility.

At Boro, the residents decried very poor living condition and lack of electricity, despite being half a pole away from one f SPDC’s facilities in the area that is fully electrified.

Like other riverine dwellers, the people are fishermen. They lamented extinction of fish from the sea, following oil spill resulting from exploration activities.

They people relieved how lack of health care facility has often led to the death of pregnant women and children.

At Ofoin-Ama community, the visitors were greeted with huge protests by members of the community, who took turn to outline the barrage of problems facing them. They insisted that SHELL must leave their community for good and divest the investments to the company of their choice.

Although a water facility was noticed in the community, the residents said it is a mono borehole, but complained that the water is not very clear and also has taste, but “we have no choice, because that is what we have.” It was a joint effort between UNICEF, the state government and the community.

Addressing the visitors, spokesman of the community, Prince Datoru Sokubo, said: “I want to tell the world at large that Offoinama community has been under harsh and devastated condition for over 40 years that SPDC has been operating here. As you can see, there is nothing to show that SPDC operated here.

“We don’t have good health care facility, we don’t have good water or even good link roads. There is no meaningful infrastructure to show that SPDC operated here. That is why we totally reject and said SPDC should not operate here again.

“As you are seeing, the community is lacking basic infrastructure, no good pipe borne water, no good road, no good shelter; even when it rains, our people suffer. So we no longer need SPDC here.

“It may be difficult to do major road to Kula or Offoinama, but at least do internal roads that will link us to other villages. Looking at the other side, you will see that the bridge that linked to the other villages where the children go to school has collapsed and it has been like that for very long time now. Totally, we have nothing to show that SPDC ever operated in this area.

”We want an indigenous company. BelemaOil is there, we have numerous contractors within this terrain. BelemaOil and Gas has done well within the short period they came. They have disengaged our youths from criminality and crisis.”

High Chief Ibosiya Nathaniel Sukubo, the paramount ruler of the community, expressed lack of Federal Government’s presence in the area, despite being one of the highest contributors to the national economy.

He called on the government to map out a realistic framework to develop the area.

Speaking on neglect of the community by the state government, he said the community was not reflected in the state government’s N510 billion budget for 2018 and called for a change.

He said: “Offoinama is a co- host to the Belema flow station. The community also hosts the gas injection plant and its booster stations.

“Offoinama belly the 6 & 8” pipeline, delivery link, Eastern gathering line and the Trans Niger Delta/Nembe trunk pipeline

“Unfortunately, even though we are a contributor to the over 45000 barrels of oil produced in Kula daily, the community was not captured anywhere in the N510billion 2018 Appropriation bill presented to the state Lawmakers by Governor Ezenwo Nyesom Wike.

”We equally contribute 150, 000, 000 scuff of gas, even though we contribute the over 200, 000 barrels of oil produced by the entire Kula community, we are living in squalor.“

Also speaking, an influential voice in Belema community, Walter Oputuboye, said: “Belema community has played host to OML 25 Belema Flow Station. As you can see for yourself, for over 37 years, Belema community has been hosting Shell facility with nothing to show for it.”

Addressing the indigenes of Ofoiama, the leader of the delegation, Ogoriba commiserated with the communities and assured them that help would come their way soon, adding that PANDEF was concerned by the happenings in the area and that the outcome of the visit would end the decades of suffering.

”If you are getting about 45,000 barrels from here per day, that translates to about $3.1milion; that comes to about N1bilion per day from this community. Why would you not take care of the people in the community?

“You cannot ask for amenities. They should give it to you because of what they are receiving from here.”

SPDC expressed commitment the continuous improvement of the lives of the communities where they operate. It said the company has faithfully implemented the Group Memorandum of Understanding (GMOU) entered into with the communities, but however blamed part of the problems on issues yet to be resolved in court.

”SPDC JV is committed to the development of host communities, we did not neglect Kula, Belema communities. We have implemented a Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) in the area that led to a wide variety of social investment projects including university scholarships awards.”

February 16, 2018
Don Waney again
The House of Representatives was on fire on Tuesday. The fire was ignited by a dead man, Don Waney. It took Speaker Yakubu Dogara to act as the fire service and put out the inferno before it could consume the green chamber.

It all started when a motion on the “alleged amnesty by Governor of Imo State Rochas Okorocha to persons who had been declared wanted by the River State Security Council” was introduced. Before Betty Apiafi (PDP Rivers), who presented the motion could catch her breath, a Rivers State versus Imo State face-off had ensued. It soon became an All Progressives Congress (APC) against Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) tussle.

Deputy Minority Leader Onyeama Chukwukah (PDP Anambra) was pissed off with House Leader Femi Gbajabiamila. For two minutes, he gave it to the Lagos man. Speaker Yakubu Dogara’s plea fell on deaf ears.

Apiafi, while moving the motion, said: “With concern to the recent grant of amnesty to some persons who had been declared wanted by the Rivers State Security Council consisting of the governor, Commissioner of Police, Heads of Army, Navy, Air Force and the Security and Civil Defence Corps in the State.

“Aware of the deadly attacks carried out by the notorious Don Wanny ( now deceased) led criminal gang in Omoku Town, Rivers State on January 1, 2018, leading to the death of about 23 innocent citizens who were returning home from cross over night service.

“Also notes that following the dastardly attack, the Rivers State Government and the State Security Council acting on security reports on or about the 8th day January 2018 declared 30 persons suspected to be part of a criminal gang that has been terrorising the state wanted, with a monetary sum of N20 million ransom placed on each of them.”

Her colleague from Imo PDP, Nnana Igbokwe, saw no sense in her motion and raised a point of order. In his thinking, it was a dispute between two states, which only the Supreme Court could resolve.

His submission triggered a heated debate on whether it was right or wrong for a governor of one state to pardon a crime committed in another state.

Gbajabiamila did not think it was a matter for the House and he incurred Chukwukah’s wrath.

“What transpired in the last few minutes show there is a dispute. Where is the proper forum for its resolution?” He asked and answered: “The Supreme Court is the right place.”

Chukwukah jumped to his feet and said it was indecent to throw legislative boulders in the path of an issue that had to do with the loss of lives.

Orker Jev (APC Benue), Johnson Ogbuma ( Edo APC), Tajudeen Yusuf, Bashir Babale (APC Kano), Uzoma Anonta ( Abia PDP), Uche Nnam-Obi ( PDP Rivers) and Zakari Mohammed (APC Kwara) were also in the thick of the debacle.

Dogara wriggled out by referring the motion to the committees on Justice, Ethics and Privileges, National Intelligence and Public Safety for advice. He gave them one week to report back for further legislative action.

But who the hell was this Don Waney who wanted to burn the red chamber? Waney and his men shot dead some 20 innocent people on New Year’s Eve. He was killed later by the military, who also later fell his younger brother.

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

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 late dreaded militant, Johnson Igwedibia, aka Don Waney. He led the men who surrendered arms to security operatives in 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. He perhaps feels they should continue to enjoy the blood money in their kitty. No. No sir.

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.

Okorocha called them “our brothers and sisters”. He was kind enough to admit that they stayed in the creeks and forest “perpetuating all kinds of evil, killing and maiming human beings”.

He added that “our children have decided on their own to come back to the society and be part of the society. They are doing so on their own, surrendering arms which they have used in committing criminal activities for what they called expression of grievances of different sorts”.

Okorocha was glad that “the lives of these boys have not been left in the hands of the military and police who would have wasted them but today they are been reintegrated into our society to become good citizens”.

The governor did not end without declaring the clincher: “The state has forgiven them and will subsequently give their names to the Federal Government for amnesty.”

For some reasons, I do not trust these men. I strongly feel that the weapons they submitted are just a fraction of what they have in their arsenal.

These guys do not deserve to be called human-beings. How can anyone who killed people who did not offend him be regarded as human-being? How can someone who killed just to score a point be regarded as human-being? I think we should cut them with knife and see if blood will come out. I have this feeling blood does not flow in their veins.

We were all in joyous mood that the New Year was here. Then Waney in his evil enclave told Scorpion and others to go to Rivers, his home state where he was even a titled chief, and kill fathers, mothers and children. And they obeyed. By the time they were through, not less than 30 people were dead. Before then, these evil men were known to have killed people and cut off their heads, which they obviously took away as evidence for their masters.

I concur with those who think that these men shed innocent blood in Rivers and if for anything they are to be considered for amnesty, it is Rivers’ business. Not Imo’s. Yes, they have camps in Imo from where they wreaked havoc on the two states, but the last offence for which they are wanted was committed in Rivers. What Imo is trying to do in this respect is nothing but playing the meddlesome interloper.

As pointed out by the Rivers State government, Section 212 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), does not give the Imo governor the power to grant amnesty to any person for an offence committed in Rivers State. May be Okorocha can grant them amnesty for the offences they committed in Imo State and pass them to Rivers to decide what to do with them.

My final take: Amnesty should not be for every Tom, Dick and Harry. The beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, launched under the late Umaru Musa Ya’Adua, were not known to have with impunity opened fire on innocent citizens like Waney and his men did on New Year’s Eve. These guys deserve to face the law and serve their time.
- Part of this piece appeared on this space last week.
February 16, 2018
With oil comes chaos
Ndokwa East is a local government area in Delta State, with its headquarters in Aboh, a sleepy town on the bank of River Niger. It has an area of 1,617 km² and a population of 103,171 at the 2006 census.

The recent crisis in Obalutchi land, comprising some close-knit communities in the area, goes against the culture of the people, who are agrarian, peace-loving and welcoming. The people had lived in peace and harmony for centuries. The crisis has at its core the discovery of oil in a piece of land, reportedly belonging to Obeche Utchi, one of the villages in the community.

The discovery of oil should ordinarily bring prosperity and wellbeing to the community, but in this case, the reverse is the case. With the discovery came chaos and mayhem. Since the discovery, lives have been lost, properties worth millions of Naira destroyed, and people displaced from their ancestral homes.

According to investigations, the problem started long before the discovery of oil. There was a dispute over the ownership of a farmland between Obeche and Oboma. In order to make the case for their ownership, Obeche enlisted the help of a man from Oboma, whose testimony proved to be crucial in winning the dispute. As compensation, Obeche carved out a portion of the previously disputed land and gifted it to the Oboma man. When oil was eventually discovered on the land, the man was approached by Obeche to renegotiate the gifted land in view of the new value of the land on account of the discovery of oil. The man went to his kinsmen, Oboma and asked them to help fight off Obeche who are bent on taking his land. Things quickly escalated from here. It became a dispute between Obeche and Oboma, instead of a dispute between Obeche and a man from Oboma. Skirmishes between the two villages began in 2015.

On Sunday, November 12, 2017, Oboma launched an attack on Obeche. A young Obeche man, was killed. Many people sustained gunshot wounds, women and children were injured, property destroyed. Another young man was captured and taken to Oboma, and was subsequently beheaded. This was followed by a spate of daily attacks on Obeche.

On November 21, 2017, Oboma launched another attack on Obeche. This time, however, they were repelled and chased out of Obeche, and pursued to Oboma, where the head of Dakota was recovered from a shrine in Oboma. His body remains unaccounted for. As result of the continued raids on Obeche, most of the villagers have had to flee to neighbouring towns and villages, where they fear they might still be attacked by gangs from Oboma. For now, the village remains virtually a ghost town.
- Chukwuji, a novelist and advertising practitioner, sent this piece from Lagos.
February 16, 2018
Buhari support group promises to empower Bayelsa residents

The National Committee on Buhari Support Groups (NCBSG) has opened an office in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, with a promise to empower residents in the state. The office is on the Isaac Boro Expressway.

Niger Delta Report gathered that the office would be run by members selected within the state with a mandate to ensure that people in the rural areas feel the impact of all the programmes designed to lift them out of poverty.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Eta Enang, declared the office open amidst fanfare and great expectations. Some of the leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state like the former Acting Governor in the state, Chief Werinipre Seibarugu, attended the brief ceremony.

Ena congratulated Bayelsa for producing the immediate past democratically elected President, a feat he said was made possible through the cooperation of the entire country. He said the office was established to empower people despite their political affiliations.

“We’re here to also ask Bayelsa State and the people of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and all political parties to give great support to the government of President Muhammad Buhari in his first term and the second coming in 2019 elections”, he said.

The Presidential adviser said the Bayelsa office was inaugurated to build the confidence of all organisations and carry them along in all future projects of Buhari.

He said the President had shown enough commitment in tackling the country’s challenges including the herdsmen’s crisis.

He said: “I’m sure most of you listened to the security summit and heard what the President through the Vice-President said about the herdsmen crisis and what is being done to resolve the situation.

“I pray that that should address all your fears that there is no effort by the Federal Government to colonise any part or take anybody’s land for any purpose because land in any state is vested in the governor of that state and not in the President”.

Also speaking the groups’ Chairman, Board of Trustees, Senator Abu Ibrahim, insisted that the office would roll out women and youth development programmes for everybody despite their political leanings.

“It is wide open for everybody to benefit from and for development, it is open to every local government area in the state including non-indigenes. It is the local leadership that will handle the running, we have done our part by bringing the office”, he said.

He said the office would be opened in all the state adding that Port Harcourt, Rivers State would be next after Bayelsa. Ibrahim said the administration of Buhari had done well in creating jobs for the youths through loans and other empowerment programmes.

February 16, 2018
Amaechi and power rotation in rivers
In Nigeria, only very few sincere and God- fearing politicians will dare to say what the majority of the people believe is the truth.

When such majority view is wrong, some persons, for the fear of verbal attacks, will succumb to pressure and kill the truth. This act of suppressing the truth just to save one’s head may sometimes cause devastating damage to mankind and society.

For such fellows, the act of following the bandwagon becomes preferable in the face of intimidating opposition. To crush this fear, however, one requires boldness and fearlessness to speak the truth no matter whose ox is gored.

These two qualities of outspokenness and fearlessness are principles inherent in Tansportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi.

Although from a far distance, Amaechi may seem unapproachable but a closer look at him tells how simplified and approachable a gentleman he is. Those who wish to know should not assess Amaechi from the typical Nigerian political perspective. Amaechi abhors lies and deceit, bribery and corruption and would not have a common pass in that view.

The kind of politics Amaechi practises clearly defines his personality. That kind of straight forward politics with truth as bedrock. A kind of political game which constantly puts the interest of the people first and openly declares black for black and white for white. Without qualms, that is what Chibuike Amaechi represents.

Surprisingly, this quality of a gentleman, which is openly displayed by Amaechi, seems to be the reasons Amaechi’s political allies are deserting him. Those who take delight in cheating and commiting all manners of nefarious acts against their fellow human beings may never find home in the Amaechi Camp and align with his course and vision.

Amaechi’s case with his betrayers is like that of light and darkness that can never come together.

Every sound and unbiased political mind in Rivers State will not hesitate to give a pat on Amaechi’s back for the struggle to emancipate the minority from the use of undue advantage of game of numbers during elections.

Amaechi’s argument is that every tribe in Rivers State, be it small or big in numbers, black or white, rich or poor, should have the opportunity of ruling the state. A situation where the position of the governor of the State repeatedly emerges from one ethnic group is what Amaechi detest and consequently fighting against and wants to correct. Rivers State as presently structured is divided into upland and riverine parts and for the purposes of fairness and equity, every sections of the state deserve to have a taste of the power at the centre.

This was Amaechi’s intention and reason for relinquished power to the riverine part when he was leaving office as governor but the overbearing influence of the previous administration of Presidnt Goodlluck Jonathan demonstrated by his wife “Her Imperial Majesty”, Patience scuttled the plan by endorsing another upland politician to vie for the governorship race in the People Democratic Party (PDP).

Amaechi, who is the leader of the All Progressives Congress in the state, had set this agenda in the spirit of openness and unity for the interest of the overall Rivers people , and, this to me and many others who do have the interest of Rivers State at heart, should without delay key into this nobble course which preaches inclusiveness.

Amaechi’s agenda is also basically to serve the interest of the generality of the good people of Rivers State. I dare to predict that if this agenda of Amaechi is not pursued vigorously by the young politicians and political elites of the state would spare doom for other ethnic groups in the state, as such implication is that a particular group could decide to hold unto power for as long as they want.

Another implication therefore is that any young generation of politicians aspiring to be the chief tenant of Brick House will meet the brick wall except by hook or crook. This Amaechi’s perfect idea could also be a panacea to ending the political killings and abracadabra that always characterised Rivers elections.

Those party men and women, who have drawn the battle line with the leadership of the party headed by Amaechi in contrast to the party’s agenda, are enemies of the party and should be treated as such.

It is important to note that while Amaechi himself is not a determinant factor for anybody’s political future, I don’t think he is also perturbed about anybody’s political pursuit. So, anyone who seems to be in total disregard of the party’s agenda, in my opinion should humbly exit or be shown the red card.

This is so even as political permutations in recent times in the party by a tiny few suggest clearly that they are only in the party to cause a break up or get the party’s gubernatorial ticket at all cost and in the end bring Amaechi, the leader to ridicule.

For Amaechi, the battle of political struggle is not new and he is not threatened whatsoever that those whom he clothed and fed are backstabbing him. Amaechi has always been resolute and firm and he is determined to pursue vigorously the agenda of power rotation in the state whether the devil likes it or not.

Amaechi believes in power rotation,he preaches power rotation, the party has keyed into it and by God’s grace would achieve it.

At a gathering where he addressed Chiefs and Traditional Rulers in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Amaechi told them to strengthen their mobilisation bid to vote out bad governance in the state.

Going down memory lane, Amaechi agreed that the Ikwerre ethic group, at a time, had no place in Rivers politics, including at the centre for what he called “ use of undue advantage of number” by the riverines before the creation of Bayelsa State.

Although, after the creation of Bayelsa State out of Rivers, statistics has shown that the Ikwerre ethnic group has been a big issue in both state and national politics as it can now pull a total of 1.1 million votes out of the 2.5 million votes in the state.

This analysis was also corroborated by the minister during his address to the Chiefs recently in Port Harcourt.

Amaechi said: “Of 2.5 million votes in Rivers State, the Ikwerre ethnic group have 1.1million votes and the rest of the other nineteen local government areas share the remaining. So, Ikwerre people will continue to be an issue, they won’t take us for granted. But now that we know that we have the population and the votes we must not allow ourselves to do to others what the Ijaws did to us when we were in the old Rivers State.

“They cheated us out of government because they said they had the population and we could not become governor,now that we have served as governor for eight years and we are greatful to God for Dr. Peter Odili, and we are still serving another four years making it twelve years,it is time to move power from Ikwerre people to somewhere else.

“Let me tell you why you should not be afraid, if we move power to anybody and he begins to behave the way we don’t like we can always take it back. The Federal Government is putting in place an electoral system that guarantees electronic voting, so all those stage of writing results are over.

“So power has shifted from the police and INEC to the people and if that is so, it means that any day the people want to take back their power they will always get it back. So, nothing to fear, absolutely nothing to fear. So to show that we are one state, let us allow our brothers to hold unto power. We will cause tension in the politics of Rivers State if we continue to deny one set of people the chance to get to power. It is total cheating and Ikwerre people should not stand and watch people been cheated,” Amaechi explained.

Corroborating Amaechi’s idea is the distinguished Senator Andrew Igbonule Uchendu. Uchendu, who represents the good people of Rivers East at the red chambers, also told supporters of his party (APC) at a rally in Bori, headquarters of Khana Local Government Area that the Ikwerres have had their fair share.

Uchendu said he would stand with the transportation minister and leader of his party to actualise the power rotation agenda and enjoined others to do same.
- Okpara, an aide of the transportation minister, wrote from Abuja.
February 16, 2018
Youth parliament seeks partnership for peace, jobs in Bayelsa

The Bayelsa State chapter of the Nigerian Youth Parliament (NYP) is disturbed by myriads of challenges facing the youths in the state. NYP is sad that the sorry state of affairs is compounded by the youths themselves. There is disunity even among major youth organisation like the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide.

Following such disunity, youths speak in discordant tunes and fail to command deserved respect from other members of the society. The group is also bothered by increasing level of unemployment arising from lack of job opportunities in the state.

Besides, the group wants youths and women to participate actively in politics. It believes that their participation will help solve some of their problems especially when they are elected into positions of authority. These issues topped the agenda when the NYP met separately with the Secretary-General of IYC, Mr. Alfred Kemepado and a member of the state House of Assembly, Mr. Daniel Igali.

The state leaders of NYP, Mr. Atti Moses, Mr. Nicole Modu-Spiff and Mr. Timbiri Ebitimi, told Kemepado that IYC should seek ways to create job opportunities for the youths. He said empowering the youths and engaging them in meaningful ventures would address the problems of crimes in the state.

Moses lamented armed robberies in the state saying that hoodlums had overran the streets. “Hoodlums are robbing people of their belongings especially in partnership with commercial tricyclists,” he said.

He complained that instead of addressing the problems, the police were in the habit of indiscriminately arresting people in Yenagoa. He asked IYC to stop the police from brutalising members of the public especially the youths.

Moses further appealed to IYC to lead the vanguard for youth participation in politics ahead of the forthcoming elections.

“We want to urge you to use your good office to motivate women to come out for elective positions”, he said, adding that Kemepado had made the youths proud through his leadership qualities.

Also in his speech, Modu-Spiff, urged IYC to resolve its differences and embrace unity. He said the Ijaw was in need of unity and peace to ensure progress and development.

“We the Ijaws, we ought to love one another. We need to look out for one another. But we notice that when it comes to politics, we go to the extreme

“When it comes to political affairs, we go to the extreme. We may have a friend in another political party, but when it comes to political affairs, we forget our relationship with that person. We should remove party colouration to our relationship and daily affairs so that after politics we may still come together and do our business”.

But Ebitimi complained bitterly about the absence of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) projects in the state.

He said: “We believe that NDDC is seen to be one of the basic Federal Government intervention agency in the Niger Delta.

“As a matter of fact, Bayelsa is the heart and centre of Ijaw nation, but we could hardly see visible NDDC project in Bayelsa State. If at all NDDC has approved 100 per cent of their project, it’s only 30 per cent we can visibly see. I want to call on the leadership of IYC to take up the responsibility in terms of monitoring their projects programmes in Bayelsa.

“I use this medium to seek your appeal on Job creation. All multinationals operating in the South-South region, have their headquarters out of the South-South region and that is what the ijaw youths have been advocating against. All multinationals operating within Nigeria should move their base to the south south. I don’t think we have achieved more on that note.”

The youths also took their advocacy to Igali, a member of the state House of Assembly. The youth leaders told Igali, who is the President of Nigerian Wrestling Federation (NWF), to facilitate a meeting between them and the Speaker of the House, Mr. Kombowei Benson.

Igali, who represents Southern Ijaw Constituency III, promised to pass their message to the speaker.

February 16, 2018
Frank talks as herders, govt, others search for peace in Delta

The Delta State government is worried about insecurity in its domain. So, it convened a stakeholder’s summit on the promotion of peaceful co-existence among pastoralists, farmers and host communities in Asaba, the state capital.

The summit, which attracted critical stakeholders, was chaired by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

Participants included members of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, members of the legislature, traditional rulers, Non-governmental organisations, farmers and host communities.

The objective of the stakeholders summit was to aggregate the views of critical stakeholders with a view to finding lasting solutions to the lingering crisis between pastoralists and farmers.

Although discussions were largely conducted in a peaceful atmosphere, the meeting, at times, threatened to boil over as many speakers spoke with emotions.

The ball was set rolling by the Ovie of Mosogar, Udurhie 1, who commended the state government for organising the summit, stressing that but for the peace advocacy of the Delta State Government, the situation would have been worse.

He pleaded with the Hausa/Fulani leadership to reciprocate the gesture of the government by supporting the administration’s efforts at finding a peaceful solution to the clashes between herders and farmers.

The monarch pointed out that the proactive measures of the Hausa/Fulani leadership in his domain have helped quelled frayed nerves in his domain

His words: “I will like to say here that some of the leaders of the Hausa/Fulani community have been very helpful. As a matter of fact, in my kingdom, we have some of them who even assist in arresting some of their members who cause trouble in our farms. Only last week, with the help of some of the Hausa/ Fulani man, we were able to arrest Fulani man who macheted an elderly man in his farm, the man is still hospitalised”.

The royal father maintained that finding an amicable solution was the responsibility of the security agencies, traditional rulers, government and the Hausa/Fulani leadership.

On the way forward, the monarch suggested a synergy between the police, the local government council and the government and urged that the monthly security meeting at the local council chairmen be revived with the active participation of the Hausa/Fulani community.

The Delta State Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Chairman, Rev. Gideon Oyibo, lamented that a similar summit was held in 2014, adding that for another meeting to be holding was indicative that much work needed to be done in addressing the scourge.

He said: “Everybody is making efforts and yet the efforts do not seem to produce the needed results. It is when there are cases of raping, killing that we sit together and talk of dialogue. The thousands of people that have been sacked in many communities, we do not know the statistics.We have serious issues before us and these issues have to do with freedom.”

Quoting copiously from the Holy Book, Rev. Oyibo observed that the exercise of one’s right should not violate the rights of others.

According to him, “Roman 14.21says it is better for me not to eat meat or drink wine that will cause my brother to stumble”, and 1st Corinthians 9.13 says “Be careful that the exercise of your rights or freedom do not cause your brother to fall. And if the eating of meat will cause my brother to stumble I will rather not eat meat”.

He suggested a complete separation of the activities of herders and farmers, stressing that “experience has shown that the two parties cannot cohabit because their operations are parallel. The only solution is to separate them completely, that they do not have opportunity to come across themselves and interfere with each other’s source of livelihood. My freedom should not bring pains, tears, death, and poverty to other people’s live.”

A member of the Arewa Community, Mustafa Musa, urged dialogue, and suggested the formation of a committee made up of community youths, members of the Miyetti Allah group and government agencies to lead the dialogue with the herders.

He said in the event of a crisis between herders and farmers; it was usually the Miyetti Allah that often mediated.

His words: “The issue of Fulani herdsmen is a general one. Delta is a peaceful state. If Delta indigenes do not like us we will face serious problems. If Miyetti Allah members say they do not know the killer herdsmen, then it is a lie. If a cow is killed or if a herdsman has a problem, is it not the Miyetti Allah that help him solve the problem. I can remember in Ukwuani L.G.A a few years ago, a Fulani man killed someone; we helped to apprehend the culprit. If a man can speak Fulfude language, and you go and meet these herdsmen, they will listen to you .He cannot shoot you. So the talk that Miyetti Allah is helpless is not true. If we know that there are strange herdsmen in any bush, let us form a committee made up of youths, members of Miyetti Allah and government agencies to dialogue with them. I suggest that we all should come together in one accord to help solve this crisis.”

Another participant, Ebruke Esike, Executive Director, Global Peace Movement and convener, Delta State Conflict Management Alliance (DSCMA), disagreed with the claims that the herders were unknown to the Miyetti Allah, while suggesting an inclusive community surveillance approach.

According to him illegal firearms in the hands of herders should be mopped up.

He said: “I want to say that the Miyetti Allah knows the herders in the bush. Practical engagement with the herders, farmers, communities reveal that even when there are destructions the Miyetti Allah have joined us to do investigations in communities. Even when there were robbery cases in Olloa Ossissa we also saw evidence that the Miyetti Allah know majority of them, however, there are intruders…A clear evidence is the incident that happened in Alloa community. A major factor that creates insecurity and economic disempowerment of our people is because of their arms. Even if there is going to be settlement and co-existence, peace building is about human security. The arms must be mopped up, when the arms are mopped up, then we need to do strategic engagement with the herdsmen and communities and the L.G.As.”

President General, Isoko Development Union, Iduh Amadhe, slammed the Inspector-General of Police for ordering the disarming of vigilance groups in communities across the state without a corresponding order to do same with the herders.

He suggested reviving monthly security at the local government level that includes all stakeholders.

The lawmaker representing Ethiope East constituency, Mr. Evance Ivwurie, lamented that between 2015 to 2017, 11 uninvestigated homicides were recorded, and urged for a proactive approach to tackling the scourge.

He offered to mobilise his constituents with the security agencies to comb the bushes to distinguish between genuine herders and the killer herders, adding that the troublemakers in their midst be asked to leave the community.

His words: “Ethiope East in the last two year have had eleven uninvestigated homicides and not one person was arrested for the death of 11 of my constituents, but when they alleged that one Fulani herdsman was killed, they invaded my village and even had the guts to say they wanted to arrest my King, how dare you! What is going on is a special war, it is not a joke. The approach of the Delta State government has been preventive, because this is a well-organised and orchestrated, systemised action that is going on in our nation.”

Okowa decried the inability of the Federal Government to disarm Hausa/Fulani herdsmen.

He urged the Federal Government to come up with a clear cut policy direction on the issue.

As part of interim measures to address the perennial clash amongst herdsmen, farmers and host communities, Okowa urged chairmen of local government councils to set up special task force on security comprising all interest groups within one week.

He expressed concern over the fact that large cow herds are led by minors who are unable to take right decisions.

Okowa said: “Some of those who are also looking after the cows are so young that most times, they are not able to take decisions concerning the cows, as long as they carry arms and ammunitions, there is a major security issues at stake.”

He said Delta State has no land for the Federal Government’s proposed cattle colonies, disclosing that most Deltans were moving to neighbouring Edo State to farm because of inadequate land in the state.

His words: “In the next one week, we need to have an interventionist committee on security in all the local government areas of the state while we await a definite policy direction from the Federal Government. Chairmen of the local government areas must ensure that names of members of the committee gets to the office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) who is the Chairman of the Central Coordinating Committee and ensure that minutes of their inaugural meetings are also, sent to the SSG,” the Governor said, noting that it was wrong for anybody to hide under the guise of herdsmen to perpetuate crime in the state.”

Okowa urged the Police and security agencies not to be compromised in ensuring justice for all.

Delta Commissioner of Police Muhammadu Mustapha assured Deltans that their security would not be compromised in ensuring peaceful co-existence in the state.

February 16, 2018
100 new stars from the Niger Delta

Aztech Arcum Event Centre on Ken Saro-Wiwa Road, Port Harcourt in Rivers State hosted eminent personalities on February 3. That day 100 new stars were unleashed on the Niger Delta. The event was the 6th graduation of 100 beneficiaries of the Empowerment Support Initiative (ESI)/Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Entrepreneurial and Skills’ Acquisition.

The Non-Governmental Organisation, NGO (ESI), which was started on October 16, 2008, has as President/Founder, Dame Judith Amaechi, who is the wife of the Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, a former governor of Rivers state.

The 100 beneficiaries, who had colourful procession into the venue in coveralls and protective helmets, later changed into academic gowns, to the admiration of their parents, guardians, other family members, friends and well-wishers, with the legendary and award-winning gospel artiste, Frank Edwards, and others entertaining the guests.

The intensive training for four weeks by mostly foreigners, made the beneficiaries to become specialists in screeding, carpentry, plumbing, Plaster Of Paris (POP) ceiling installation, floor tiling, electrical wiring and decoration.

During the graduation, each of the beneficiaries received N150,000 as business investment capital support and starter pack, to start them off in the right direction, as well as presenting all of them with certificates of participation.

Chairman of the Central Planning Committee (CPC) of the graduation, Dame Maureen Tamuno, in her welcome address, insisted that the NGO had done well in the last ten years.

Tamuno stressed that the founder of ESI (Dame Judith) had positively been impacting the lives of many women, youths and children in the Niger Delta and beyond.

The Chairman, Board of Trustees of ESI, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, who is also the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), in his address, stated that giving youths hand-outs would not be sustainable, while pointing out that giving the young ones qualitative education and skills would ensure a brighter future.

Peterside said: “We at ESI are arming our people with skills that are sustainable and that will make them to employ more persons, while some politicians are arming the youths with guns and giving them hand-outs, which should be discouraged.”

Chairman of the ESI’s board of trustees also assured that the NGO would continue to make Niger Deltans and other Nigerians proud.

The guest speaker, Sanjeev Ohri, who is the Chief Officer, Business Development, Dudley Worldwide, United Kingdom, stated that his institution/organisation was proud of the partnership with ESI, to empower the youths.

Another guest speaker, Kunle Awobodu, who is the First Vice President of the Nigeria Institute of Building, noted that efforts must always be made to address the skills’ gap in Nigeria, through empowerment of the youths.

Awobodu pointed out that there is future in Nigeria, in terms of skills’ acquisition, while lauding ESI for its activities and efforts.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs, stated that equipping the youths, women and children to survive in the 21st century had been the passion of Amaechi’s wife, who was described as a prayerful and supportive woman.

Lulu-Briggs maintained that Dame Judith, as Rivers First Lady, was a delight, while referring to the founder of ESI as an amazing woman, who should always be celebrated worldwide.

The representative of Rivers East Senatorial District, Senator Andrew Uchendu, stated that Dame Judith had done well with her NGO, stressing that the energies of the youths must be harnessed for productive purposes, with a solid foundation laid for the young ones, which he said ESI was addressing.

Minister of Niger Delta Affairs Pastor Usani Usani noted that ESI had got the best in global standard, while the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, admonished the beneficiaries, drawn from the nine states of the Niger Delta, to effectively utilise the opportunities.

The graduation, which had as theme: “Home Finishing Skills, a Pathway to Empowerment and Sustainable Livelihood.” was also attended by the Deputy National Secretary of the APC, Chief Victor Giadom; a former Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG), Dame Aleruchi Cookey-Gam; the Chief Medical Director of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Prof.Henry Ugboma; and a former member of the House of Representatives, Dr. Dawari George; among others.

The founder of ESI, in her address, solicited the support of all stakeholders, especially with ESI engaging mostly foreign trainers, stressing that sustainability was key, if the back of the scourge of endemic poverty must be broken.

Former Rivers First Lady said: “The training was kicked off on January 10, 2018. ESI is proud to collaborate with Her Excellency, Hajia Aisha Buhari’s Future Assured Initiative, which is very actively advocating the health and well-being of women, children and other vulnerable groups, through community mobilisation and health promotion.

“For the modest successes we have jointly achieved at ESI, more of which we will, hopefully, attain in the future, I humbly give thanks and all the glory to God Almighty, who has made everything possible.

“For over a decade, ESI has aggressively engaged in many children, women and youth educational and vocational activities, including capacity building, both on the national and international stages.

“The mission of ESI is to tackle endemic poverty head on, develop a skill force that enables our citizens to be employable and self-employed, thereby reversing youth unemployment, eliminate social vices and temper restiveness in our region (Niger Delta) and country by empowering and securing opportunities for the sustainable of livelihood of our youths and women.”

Mrs Amaechi also revealed that ESI’s flagship was the entrepreneurial development and skills’ acquisition programme, which she said was conceived at a time when the skills gap in the Niger Delta was a daunting challenge, but recognised that the region’s potential for sustainable inter-personal growth was severely stunted.

Dame Judith noted that since 2008, when ESI started, it had provided various training programmes in vocational skills and entrepreneurial development, including capacity building to over 3,000 beneficiaries in Nigeria.

The president of ESI disclosed that the NGO was making efforts to evolve a culture of self-employability in Nigeria, thereby focusing on entrepreneurial, vocational and leadership value enhancement, described as a key to finally and completely unlock the potential and myriad of possibilities open to the people, in a pragmatically achievable and sustainable manner.

The Managing Director of NDDC, Mr. Nsima Ekere, described the graduation as a great milestone to transform the Niger Delta, stressing that NDDC was re-writing the history of the Niger Delta through massive infrastructural development and empowerment of the people.

He noted that the partnership between NDDC and ESI showed what could be achieved, while working together, with the energies of the youths to be directed to productive ventures.

Ekere disclosed that between 2003 and 2017, NDDC trained and built the capacity of 22,612 youths and women of the Niger Delta in vocational skills, while revealing that training of 5,000 more youths of the region, rich in crude oil and gas, was being processed and would commence as soon as the commission’s budget was approved.

NDDC’s managing director said: “Nine thousand applicants showed interest in the ESI/NDDC Entrepreneurial and Skills’ Acquisition programme, but only 100 were selected to participate,” adding that the mandate of the Federal Government’s interventionist agency went beyond physical infrastructure.

Ekere also lauded President Buhari for his commitment and attention to Niger Delta matters, putting Nigeria on the path of sustainable development, while making the Niger Delta and other parts of Nigeria better places for all.

Minister of Information and Culture Alhaji Lai Mohammed stated that Nigerians are extremely resourceful and creative, stressing that all citizens have roles to play, in order to ensure a better Nigeria.

Mohammed urged the ESI’s graduands to take advantage of the life-changing opportunities, not only to ensure better life for themselves and their families, but to endeavour to employ others.

He noted that the ESI was complementing the efforts of the government to empower Nigerians, particularly the youths, women and children.

The information minister said: “Jobs are not created only when you advertise, neither are jobs created when it is white collar jobs. Before this government came in, the nation had 5 million of rice growers. Today, we have 12.2 million rice growers.

“So, that is an extra of more than 7 million jobs in the agric sector alone. This is not fiction, but facts and this was corroborated by the chairman of the Rice Growers Association a few days ago. Not only government creates jobs. Every individual and NGO should help to create new jobs.

“200,000 jobs have been created directly by the N-Power programme. Another 12,000 jobs will be created in the second phase and the Government Inter-Temporary and Empowerment Programme has created another 500,000 direct and indirect jobs.

“Through the school feeding programme; government has created 61,000 new jobs, just for schools. So, job creation is not just the job of government alone. We are to provide the enabling environment through programmes and activities.”

The information minister also stated that the ESI was a well-thought-out and beautiful initiative, having tallied with what government had started doing.

The wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, Hajia Aisha, disclosed that she was proud of the founder of ESI, in view of her laudable works through the NGO.

The President’s wife, who was represented by the wife of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mrs. Gimbiya Yakubu-Dogara, urged Nigerian youths, especially those of the Niger Delta, to remain focused and to continually contribute to societal development.

Dogara’s wife said: “The wife of the President is proud of you (Dame Judith) for all the laudable works you are doing. I want to thank the Minister of Transportation (Amaechi) for giving Dame Judith the opportunity to realise her dream. Madam, you had a dream and you pursued it, you followed it and it has come to fruition. All Nigerian women are proud of you.

“To the celebrants (graduands), you have been given an opportunity to be what you are. You had a vision and this woman (Dame Judith) has given you everything she can give you. You have to talk to yourselves, encourage yourselves, push forward and keep moving, you will be what you desire to be. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a step. This is the right step to achieving your goal.

“The challenge is that people will castigate you, close your ears and continue to move, you will achieve. I beg of you that Dame Judith’s efforts must not be in vain. It is in your hands to push it and to continue to move forward. That people will see and say of a truth, you have given this woman a reason to smile.

“I want to thank the NDDC for believing in this woman (Dame Judith) and for giving her the opportunity to be what she wants to be. I call on other women and other philanthropists to support and give her everything that she needs to move forward.

“If her husband had not pushed her, if he had not talked to her and encouraged her, she will not be what she is today. We are very proud of you (Dame Judith). To whom much is given, much is required. The people of Rivers State and other Niger Deltans are very proud of you for supporting her (Dame Judith)”

The spokesman of the beneficiaries, Nwonodi Wosu, while showing appreciation to ESI, NDDC and others, stated that the 100 graduands were glad with the capacity building and acquisition of skills, reiterating that the future of Niger Delta and Nigeria lied in the youths.

Wosu, who disclosed that the beneficiaries had rigorous training for four weeks, lauded the president of ESI and NDDC for believing in them, for the support and opportunities given to them, while assuring that they would not abuse the privilege.

February 9, 2018
Delta governor drops two commissioners

Delta Governor Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa yesterday made a minor cabinet reshuffle dropping two commissioners and reassigning four others.

The two commissioners who were dropped are Dr. Nicholas Azinge (Health) and Dan Okenyi (Culture & Tourism), while those reassigned are Mr. Asupa Forteta, formerly of the Directorate of Youths Development, now heads the Urban Renewal Directorate; while Karo Ilolo, formerly of Directorate of Urban Renewal Directorate now takes charge of the Youths Development Directorate.

Others are Hon. Bright Edejewhro, formerly of Local Government Affairs Directorate now heads Ministry of Science and Technology and Hon Joyce Overah, of the Ministry of The Science and Technology now moves to Local Government Affairs Directorate.

The statement said the decision to reshuffle the cabinet is in line with the state government’s desire to re-energise the machinery of government and bring new impetus into service delivery.

Okowa, in a statement by the Secretary to State Government, Hon. Ovie Agas, thanked the two commissioners sacked for their commitment and contributions to the SMART Agenda and wished them success in their future endeavours.

Okenyi, who was dropped as Commissioner of Culture and Tourism, was removed from the Ministry of Lands and Survey last year following minor cabinet reshuffle.

According to the statement the cabinet reshuffle takes effect from February 8, 2018.

Okowa has forwarded a nominee, Dr. Mordi Ononye, for appointment as commissioner and member of the State Executive Council to the Delta State House of Assembly.

The letter from the governor conveying the name of the nominee was read at plenary, by Speaker Sheriff Oborevwori.

The governor sought for the screening and confirmation of the nominee by the house.

February 9, 2018
Why Emmanuel deserves second term, by CPS

The Chief Press Secretary(CPS) and Special Assistant to Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel, Mr. Ekerete Udoh, has listed reasons why his principal deserves a second term.

Speaking with the executive members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom council yesterday, Udoh argued that Emmanuel has done well in road construction and industrialisation.

He enjoined reporters to engage professionalism in their reportage , describing the media as the most powerful institution in the world.

He advised reporters to always propagate issues that would unite the people of the state rather than embarking on needless blackmail and provocative analysis capable of creating tension and ethnic crisis.

Udoh said: “I cannot say you should not criticise the governor or his policies and programs in the state. If you think that governor Emmanuel has done well you should forget partisanship and state the obvious. I will be the last person to tell you that you should jettison your professional ethic to satisfy my boss but when someone is doing well tell the world the truth.

“Criticism is a democratic tool,democracy strives on voice engagement of leaders by the media. The media shapes opinion of in the society. You should make sure that the corporate existence of the country comes first in your mind. You cannot practice journalism when the country is in ruins”.

Udoh appealed to reporters to partner with the state government by highlighting the activities of the government in the areas job creation, Industrialization and infrastructural development.

The chairman, Correspondent Chapel, Comrade Aniefiok Udonquak, told the Chief Press Secretary that they were in his office to introduce the newly constituted leadership of the chapel.

He solicited the cooperation of the state government in providing enabling working environment for journalists in the state.

February 9, 2018