The Nation Newspaper

Category: Niger Delta

  • Day Ogbe-Ijoh lit up

    Day Ogbe-Ijoh lit up

    It was meant to be just a New Year party hosted by Chief Favour Izoukumor for indigenes of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom, but it turned into a carnival that left a mark in land and lasting impressions on the minds of inhabitants of the Ijaw community.

    Izoukumor pulled a surprise on his people with the introduction of competitions such as Bible recitation, folklore and native Ijaw (Owigiri) dance competition among others and rewarded winners with gifts and cash donations that set off their 2018 in a grand style.

    Speaking with Niger Delta Report  Izoukumor, who is the Commissioner Representing the Ijaw ethnic nationality on the board of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), said it was a way to heal the wounds of the past year and to set the tone for what he hoped would be a better year for his kinsmen.

    He said the state governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, and his deputy, Dcn Kingsley Otuaro, were determined to make the Ijaw oil-bearing areas of the state benefit from their contributions to the state’s coffer and called for peace and support for the government.

    On the purpose of the party, he said, “Few days to the end of the year 2017, we unanimously agreed that it was important to come together to celebrate, because we have so many reasons to do so. Our people faced challenges in 2017; but we were kept alive by the grace of God,” he stated.

    There was no doubt that the business mogul turned politician was alluding to the fratricidal conflict between his people of Ogbe-Ijoh and Aladja. The crisis has cost dozens of lives and affected relationship between the two age-long neighbours, who are now at daggers drawn. The past year saw the escalation of the crisis with huge human and material costs.

    Nobody is caught in the middle more than Izoukumor, who is paternally from Ogbe-Ijoh and maternally from Aladja (Urhobo). The circumstance of his birth has not only thrust him in the middle, but made him a key player in the search for elusive peace between the two communities.

    He appealed to Ogbe-Ijoh leaders to use the occasion of the yuletide festivity to become more united, stressing, “Our coming together is a show of love to one another. Let us use the occasion to become stronger in unity as we share, we eat and drink together.”

    Speaking in the same vein, Chief Frank Omare, a former Commissioner of Environment in the state and current adviser to Governor Okowa, assured that people of the continued support of the government. He and Izoukumor appealed for unflinching support for the PDPD-led government.

    Guests included members of the Ogbe-Ijoh Traditional Council: Chief Korebo Hitler, Postman Okiri, Friday Deingha, Simeon Igbomene, along with members of the Oil and Gas Host Communities in Ijaw land, and Chief Joel Ogbonna, SSA on political matters to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

    Notable Ijaw leaders Captain Joseph Zico, commended Izoukumor, who is the Fiye-Owei (Spokesperson) of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri kingdom, “for his gesture to the people, for his kindness and genuine intentions to his people.”

    The highpoint of the ceremony was the presentation of cash award to the winners of the Bible verse recitation contests and winners of the dancing contests. Cash gift ranging from N10,000 to N50,000 were received by the lucky winners. Clevis Kuku, the only male participant also went home with N50,000, described the prize as surprising.

    ”We came here to enjoy ourselves, eat and drink in the spirit of the season and now we are leaving with so much more. What a way to start the New Year!”

    Pastor Moses Couple, who coordinated the kids for the bible contest, described it and the cash reward for winners as very encouraging, stressing that it would spur more children to seek knowledge of God’s word, adding, “this will lead to a better society”.

     

  • MSMEs as panacea to youth unemployment: Delta’s example

    Last week, over 400 trained youths participated in a Products Exhibition and Business Fair which held in Asaba, the Delta State capital. The crowd of youthful exhibitors, beneficiaries of the Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP) and Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurs Programme (YAGEP) designed by the Okowa-led administration to help achieve its twin goals of tackling unemployment and nurturing Micro, Small and medium scale Enterprises (MSME’s), filled the cenotaph.

    A morning haze, which was tempered by a cool breeze, hung over the venue of the event.  Loud contemporary Nigerian music thrilled the audience -creating a carnival atmosphere .The mood was buoyant and the crowd expectant.

    Gaily dressed women, mostly PDP faithful, filled the terraces adding colour and drama to the event.

    Hundreds of excited youths, clad in sky-blue vests and base -ball caps, jeans trousers manned colourful booths- exhibiting their creative and productive potentials in a variety of goods and services. The exhibitors were some of the graduates of the Okowa administration’s Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP) and Youth Agricultural Entrepreneur Programme (YAGEP) schemes.

    Business was brisk at the fair. Rows of food vendors, mainly products of the scheme’s catering and confectionary programme, offered both Nigerian, Foreign and local delicacies to the teeming crowd. Sizzling hot barbecued catfish, roasted ham, bacon and chicken were on display on locally fabricated ovens –an inviting aroma hung over the grounds. Many seized the opportunity provided by the business fair to shop for the yuletide.

    The art of weaving of the local fabric (Akwa-Ocha) received a boost with the display of modern Akwa-Ocha machines, to improve productivity and reduce production times.

    Akwa-Ocha, a local fabric, literally means white cloth. It is a symbol of the cultural heritage of the Anioma people.

    The well-apportioned booths brimmed with a variety of goods and services including ICT, hair dressing and makeover, catering and confectionary, cosmetology, craft/home care products ,decoration and event management ,electrical installation and repairs ,fashion design and tailoring ,shoe-making upholstery ,welding and Fabrication and auto mechanic works.

    The agricultural enterprises covered aquaculture, crop production, agro-processing and piggery.

    Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, who declared the Product Exhibition and Business Fair open, was accompanied to the event by Ex-Governor James Ibori and Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal and several top functionaries.   Other include wife of the Governor of Delta State, Edith Okowa, Deputy Governor of Delta State, Kingsley Otuaro and his wife, Ebi.

    Okowa noted that his administration recognition that certain economic sectors and activities hold the highest potentials for job and wealth creation for the economy ,adding that this informed the need by his  government to spend more on these sectors knowing it is cost effective and go a long way to reduce youth unemployment and poverty

    His words, “Globally, it has been established that certain economic sectors and activities hold the highest potentials for job and wealth creation for the economy; these are agriculture, agribusiness, agro-based industries, vocational skills-based micro enterprises, cottage enterprises, small and medium scale enterprises as well as public works such as environmental sanitation, housing and road construction; in fact, interventions in these sectors are generally cost-effective and go a long way to reduce youth unemployment and poverty, while ensuring social inclusion, positive economic growth and sustainable development as has been observed in many countries in South Asia, South East Asia and Latin America.”

    Through our flagship Skill Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP) and Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurs Programme (YAGEP), we have achieved what many thought was unthinkable; after two programme cycles, two thousand, three hundred and twenty four (2,324) previously unemployed youths are now small business owners and employers of labour.”

    Okowa lauded the Products Exhibition and Business Fair organised by the beneficiaries of Job Creation Scheme of his administration.

  • War-weary Akwa Ibom community seeks peace

    War-weary Akwa Ibom community seeks peace

    War-weary people of Obot Itu in Itu Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom have indicated their willingness to live in peace with the Obodio community in Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State.

    Clan Head of Itu, Chief Nyong Inyang, stated this during a sensitisation exercise by the National Boundary Commission (NBC) to pave way for final demarcation of the boundary communities.

    Obot Itu Clan is one of the communities in Itu that has been in boundary conflict with Ikot Offiong in Cross River State.

    Inyang said the people of Obot Itu and Obodio had been living together for centuries.

    He noted that since 1914 when the crisis began, the people of Obot Itu had been deprived of their means of livelihood.

    He said all the court judgments given from 1914 till date between Itu and Obodio communities had always been in favour of Itu people.

    “The Obot Itu and Obodio are people of the same kindred and had been living together for ages.

    “We urge government to intervene for peace to reign in the area. Let justice and equity reign in the boundary communities.

    “The people are molesting our women and our farmlands taken away from us,” Inyang said.

    The Clan Head also appealed to the state government to repair the road in the community because of its deplorable condition, adding that the road would revive the economy of the area.

    In his remarks, Akwa Ibom State Deputy Governor, Mr Moses Ekpo, said the Federal Government is set to finally put to rest the boundary dispute among communities in Akwa Ibom and Cross River states by placing a demarcation mark on the boundary.

    Ekpo, who was represented by a Permanent Secretary in his office Mr Nkopuruk Ekaiko, said on July 11, this year, there was a joint meeting between the warring communities of Akwa Ibom and Cross River states in order to sensitise members of the boundary communities to final boundary demarcation arrangements.

    He said government would not rest on its oars until all neighbouring communities live in peace.

    He appealed to the people of Obot Itu Clan and other boundary communities to remain calm and eschew violence.

    “The boundary demarcation is not meant to divide communities that have been living together for decades but for administrative purposes.

    “You must co-operate with government in its efforts to ensure peace and bring development to your communities’’, Ekpo said.

    Ekpo assured the people that government remains committed, firm and just in

    the demarcation exercise without ceding communities to one another.

    The Deputy Governor, who is also the Chairman of the State Boundary Committee warned youths not to allow anyone to use them to foment trouble.

    He urged the women to advise their children to desist from acts capable of disrupting the peace during the demarcation exercise.

    Earlier, Mr Marcel Ukweni, Zonal Liaison Officer, South-South zone of the National Boundary Commission (NBC) said the purpose of the commission was to preach peace, as it was the only condition that guarantees meaningful development.

    Ukweni reiterated the commission’s mandate to ensure that peace reigns in all boundary communities of the federation.

    He said: “Boundary is an imaginary line not to demarcate people, not a wall but a mark on the ground for the administrative convenience of both Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.”

    In his remark, Akwa Ibom State Chief Resident Surveyor, Mr Bala Ipalibo said a boundary was not intended to restrict movement or hinder means of livelihood.

    He urged the Obot Itu Clan to co-operate with government in the demarcation exercise as it would bring meaningful development to the area.

  • X-raying Amaechi in 2017

    Leadership comes with lot of tasks and challenges, and so, a good leader must be able to demonstrate good leadership traits to confront these challenges which are mostly visible in the life of the people that they lead.

    Minister of Transportation Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi’s quest to better the lots of Nigerians with the position he occupies presently has endeared him to pursue massive infrastructural development particularly in the Rail sector to alleviate the suffering of the people, and good enough, the people are now reaping the benefits.

    For Amaechi, 2017 is a year to be reckoned with in terms of his concrete achievements as the Minister of Transportation. Last week in Lagos, Amaechi briefed the media and reeled out his achievements. The end of year parley, no doubt, exposed some of the feats recorded by the minister. According to him, some of these achievements are the commencement of work on the Itakpe-Warri rail line, which is expected to be completed in June, 2018 and ongoing Reforms in the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), which undoubtedly has resulted in the agency generating N20b for government this year. Others are the award of the Lagos-Ibadan Rail line contract and the eventual commencement of work just to mention a few.

    The media parley came after Amaechi had taken a two-hour ride aboard the train from Lagos to Papalanto Community in Ogun State. Amaechi, in company of some top shots of the Ministry, inspected the ongoing construction of the Lagos-Ibadan rail line. The trip did not only provide Amaechi and others the opportunity to see things for themselves, it also gave Amaechi the opportunity to reassure Nigerians about the good intentions of the present administration.

    Inspecting the rail lines that passes through Itoro, Awowo and Wasimi communities in Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State, Amaechi directed the construction firm, (CCECC) to demolish the dilapidated primary school at Itori and construct a new one that would be equipped to improve learning standard of the pupils, this according to Amaechi is part of the social responsibility of the company to the community.

    After the project inspection, Amaechi met with the Project Steering Committee members of the Lagos -Ibadan rail project for hours, deliberating on the way forward for the project .The monthly steering committee meeting was set up by the Hon. Minister to oversee the construction work on the Lagos-Ibadan rail line, effectively monitor and review on monthly basis the progress of work done by the contractor handling the contract for the Lagos-Ibadan rail project, the China Construction Engineering Company Corporation (CCECC).

    Members of this committee comprises of the Minister of Transportation, who is the Chairman, NRC Board Chairman, Engr. Usman Abubarkar, MD, NRC, Engr. Fidet Okhiria, Director (Rail Transport Service), Federal Ministry of Transportation, Engr. M. T. Babakobi, Lagos-Ibadan Project Manager, Tang Xiao Dong (CCECC), representatives of Lagos, Ogun and Oyo States, and CCECC Consultant (MD Team) Yoris Visinoni.

    Amaechi, in an earlier meeting with the Lagos State Governor, Akinwumi Ambode, reached a consensus that the Bridges at Jibowu and Constain areas of Lagos State will be destroyed to pave way for the rail line that passes along that axis noting that another two Bridges will be built to replace the destroyed one.

    Amaechi also said President Muhammadu Buhari’s desire to connect Nigerian States by rail is on course. “Mr. President is very passionate about the rail projects and has insisted on his directive that the whole country must be connected by rail and so, by December 2018, the Lagos-Ibadan Standard Gauge rail line must be completed and delivered to Nigerians,” he said.

    Accordingly, with the spate of work already achieved since the flag-off of the Lagos-Ibadan rail project early this year, there is no doubt that hopes are high that the project will be completed and delivered to Nigerians next year December as assured by Amaechi.

    Amaechi said from the available records at his disposal, the construction company has attained a significant progress even though there are challenges.

    The Lagos-Ibadan rail line Project Manager, Tang Xiao Dong , said in Lagos State, Water pipes, Sewer pipes and Gas pipe across the rail Corridor were obstructing construction work on the rail line which he said was a major problem for his company despite the 70 percent work-in-progress completion level attained as at November 6th, 2017.

    He stated that though work was progressing steadily as expected, there were still lots of work to be done on the rail line.

    When reporters spoke with Mr. Charles Tee, Project Site Manager of the Lagos-Ibadan rail line, he confirmed that his company would not only deliver on the expected time frame but would ensure that quality job is rendered for better train transportation. According to him, the project currently engages about one thousand five hundred youths who are natives of the Papalanto Community in its Papalanto project site.

    He said upon completion the Lagos-Ibadan rail line would employ over twenty thousand Nigerians. Charles Tee further told reporters that the cordial relationship that exists between the CCECC and the neighbouring communities would bring about speedy delivery of the project.

    Speaking further on the security of workers, Charles Tee recalled that initially there were pockets of insecurity but due to the massive engagement of the natives, the insecurity had become a thing of the past.

    Some of the local dwellers, who also spoke to reporters, commended government on the level of commitment shown in the project and encouraged them (govt) not to relent in their effort to better the lot of the poor.

    According to Adewale, a youth leader in Papalanto community, “the project has brought a turnaround in the lives of our teeming youths. You can see that this job is not a small job. This project has already employed more than half of our people. Our youths are now meaningfully engaged, this means that crime has no place in our land. Apart from those of us who are directly employed by the Chinese company, our young girls are also making daily sales from the foods and beverages they sell due to high patronage by those who work in the project site”.

    Mr. Kunle, a retiree from the Ministry of Transportation, commended the minister for what he described as his “aggressiveness “in job delivery. He said, one thing is to be appointed a Minister, another thing is to have the “morale” and level of aggressiveness in getting the job done. He wished that other political appointees would emulate Amaechi for quality service delivery.

    “This ongoing project of Lagos-Ibadan rail line has revived a lot of families in our community and other neighboring communities. For instance, I can authoritatively confirm to you that two of my sons are gainfully employed in this ongoing project and since they were employed we have never had cause to worry in terms of what to eat.

    “With the ongoing project, you will hardly see any young man in this area complaining about idleness or hunger, the same thing also goes to the young ladies too because they have also adopted a means of helping themselves by selling foods to local workers. This is the right way to go for any government who wants to grow the economy and I would like to personally congratulate the Transportation  Minister for this feat his ministry has achieved,” he said.

    Meanwhile, all illegal structures within the NRC Corridor (Apapa-Ebute-Meta- Ijoko) have been marked out by the Lagos State Surveyor for demolition and consequently, CCECC has commenced demolition work from Ebute-meta to Apapa.

    Minister of Transportation Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi also urged the CCECC to ensure that any construction work that would link Apapa Ports to other parts of Lagos State must be ‘Double Track and not Single Track’.

    On the issue of Local Content, Rotimi Amaechi, maintained that CCECC must respect the Nigeria Local Content Law as far as project execution with regard to the rail line was concerned, warning that any attempt on the part of the Contractor to breach the law would not be taken lightly.

    Speaking further on the materials inspection trip to China between September 12-27, by some Senior Officials of the Ministry, Amaechi explained that the trip was to ensure that the best quality materials were procured by the Contractor for its use on the Lagos-Ibadan Rail project.

    Amaechi also disclosed that  the Nigerian Railway Corporation has procured 2 Locomotives and 10 Coaches for Abuja-Kaduna Railway and another 17 Coaches for Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri rail line.

    Amaechi in company of the Committee members and other senior officials of the Ministry and NRC also visited project’s sites in Afowowa Village to inspect pilling and drilling work for bridges, Lemo and Wasimo Villages in Itori (all in Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State) to inspect the abutment of bridges.

    With all these plans and achievements put together by Amaechi and his team hopes are that as we progress in the year, 2018 the Ministry of Transportation under Amaechi’s watch would have more projects to deliver to Nigerians.

     

    • Okpara, an aide of the Transportation Minister, writes from Abuja.

     

  • Jubilation as JTF decorates promoted officers

    Jubilation as JTF decorates promoted officers

    It was a day of joy for military officers serving at the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Delta Safe (ODS). Four of them were decorated following their recent promotions by President Muhammadu Buhari and the Service Chiefs.

    The headquarters of ODS in Igbogene, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, was a beehive as friends, spouses and relations of the beneficiaries trooped out to witness the formal decorations of the officers recognised for their sacrifices.

    The guests watched with excitement as the Commander ODS, Rear Admiral Suleiman Apochi presented Col. M.U. Muktar, and Lieutenant Commanders Thomas Otuji, Obiora Anyikwa and Roy Nweke with their new ranks.

    Muktar, the Sector 4 Commander, ODS in Delta State, was decorated with the rank of Brigadier-General while Anyikwa, Otuji and Obiora got their new ranks of Naval Commanders. The brand new Commander Anyikwa heads the Legal Department of ODS while Otuji was a former Coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Office (JMCC).

    Apochi urged the promoted officers to be of good conduct and view their new ranks as added responsibilities. He said promotion was divine and appealed to other officers to work, pray and wait for their time of elevation.

    The promoted officers, who spoke through Brig.Gen. Muktar, thanked President Muhammadu Buhari, the Services Chiefs especially the chiefs of the Navy and the Army for considering them worthy of the promotions.

    He said they were conscious of the responsibilities attached to their new ranks and vowed to meet and exceed all expectations of their new positions. He specifically thanked Rear Admiral Suleiman Apochi and Gen. A. Aligbe, saying without their guidance and support the promotions would never had seen the light of the day.

    Muktar appreciated their wives and other family members for their sacrifices in ensuring that their elevation sailed through. He recalled how his uncle encouraged him to join the army. He said having failed on two occasions to gain admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), he gave up the ambition.

    But the general said: “Myy uncle, Alhaji Suleiman, particular encouraged me to still try again for the third time. I failed to get admission into the Nigeria Defence Academy for the second time. I made up my mind that I was not going to try again.

    “I visited my uncle in Sokokto and that time he mentioned it and said, ‘why don’t you want to apply again? It doesn’t matter, try again’.  I heeded his advice and glory to the Almighty God, today here we are witnessing my decoration to the rank of Brigadier-General”.

    He prayed that those, Ho could not make the present promotion be considered in the next batch. He asked yet-to-be-promoted officers to be steadfast believing that their time of promotion would surely come.

    “Our prayer is for all those who missed the promotion this time, will get it next time coz truly God knows the best. Our prayer is that you will get it at the time it is most pleasing to the almighty God.

    “I want to assure everyone that we are conscious of the added responsibility and the expectations of greater efforts signaled by this promotion and I assure you we will spare no effort in meeting and indeed exceeding the expectations that come with this rank”, he said.

     

  • African students take medical rhapsody to Dickson’s community

    African students take medical rhapsody to Dickson’s community

    The people of Toru-Orua, the hometown of Governor Seriake Dickson, in Sagbama, Bayelsa State, woke up recently to behold a team of medical experts in their domain. At first, they were surprised. But they later received their August visitors with excitement.

    The visitors were members of the Federation of African Medical Students’s Association (AMSA), an organisation comprising medical students from all medical faculties and institutions in Africa. They were led to the community by their new President, Miss Winifred Esite.

    Esite, a 22-year old final year student of the Niger Delta University (NDU), Amassoma, Bayelsa, was recently elected the 32nd President of the association, which cuts across 35 African countries.

    The vibrant young lady, who hails from Ogboinbiri in Southern Ijaw defeated other contestants and rose above her challenges including financial constrains to emerge victorious in the election that was recently held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital.

    Esite, who is the first female President of the association, won the election with 94 per cent of the vote cast and has since then been leading her new executive council to mark global medical events in Bayelsa.

    Prior to her new position, Esite was the President of the Niger Delta University Medical Students Association (NDUMSA), South-South Regional Coordinator for Medical Students and the President Nigerian Medical Students Association (NMSA).

    Also before the medical outreach in Toru-Orua, Esite was involved in the World Antibiotics Awareness Week, a World Health Organisation week-long programme held annually in November to create public awareness about the gains and dangers of antibiotics.

    Therefore, the Toru-Orua medical outreach was part of the activities to mark the HIV/AIDS week. The residents of Toru-Orua, a rural settlement which was transformed into a town by Dickson, came out en masse to participate in the programme.

    The medical students set up their equipment and other few medical materials they came with. The people were not shy of knowing their HIV statuses. The students first took the residents through pretest counseling. They later conducted HIV test on the residents and took them through post-test counseling.

    The result was amazing. Among all the 150 persons, screened for HIV, none was positive. The development was an indication that residents in Dickson’s community were maintaining a healthy lifestyle and perhaps indulging in safe sex.

    But Esite and her group distributed male and female condoms to the people and lectured them on how to use them. The medical experts also tasked themselves to provide snacks and soft drinks to the people who showed up for the exercise.

    In fact, the excited residents commended the students for taking personal interest in their health. They thanked the students and appealed to them to return to the community for another health mission.

    The Chairman of the Community Development Committee CDC) particularly urged Esite to arrange another visit for a medical mission on malaria. He described Esite as a proud Ijaw girl and a good example for the youths.

    Esite, in her remarks, said she would use her position to bring health benefits to the people in the state, the country and Africa. She said other medical activities had been lined up for the state. But she complained about financial constraints.

    She commended the state Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, for his developmental strides in the health sector with the establishment of a world-class diagnostic centre, general hospitals in each local government areas and converting Government House Clinic to a general hospital.

    “But for the first time in the history of AMSA, the President is from Nigeria, from Bayelsa State. I have many programmes lined up and I am calling on the governor to partner with our association for more development and progress in the health sector”, she said.

    She said the association was suffering from financial constraints but thanked the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson and his counterpart in Health, Prof. Nicholas Etebu, for their encouragement.

    “We would like to come back to Toru-Orua for medical mission on malaria. We hope the government will support us to actualise the yearnings of the people”, she said.

    On her recent election as the first female president of AMSA, she said: “I am not so particular about me being a female. I have always wanted to do whatever it is that I feel it right with me. If I feel I need something I don’t look at myself as female. I just believe that if a man can do it, I can do it probably even better.

    “My vision is to establish a better communication among the African countries. We have anglophone and francophone countries in the association. There is a bit of language barrier which can always be breached and I would want a situation where they can be more programmes that bring us together.

    There is always this issue of transportation. When something is happening on West Africa, it is always difficult for the East Africa to come over. I would want better relationships with medical schools so that we can meet more often. So, far it has been tough but the people working with me have been helpful especially from the headquarters.

    “Ijaw women can achieve anything. There is no barrier apart from the barrier they have in their mind. If you desire to achieve something, put some efforts to achieve it”.

     

  • Blood on their hands

    Blood on their hands

    Blood-shedding for some people is like opening a tap and letting water gush out. In Edo, a family is yet to get over their breadwinner who was mowed down by herdsmen last month. On April 29, last year, this space was home to a piece titled ‘Madmen and Herdsmen’. It was one of the four articles which made the eminent judges of the Nigeria Media Merit Award (NMMA) nominate me as one of the three finalists for the Alade Odunewu Prize for Columnist of the Year.  The reason for the article remains unattended to and the problem is not about to go away. As you join me in calling on government to act and end the avoidable deaths caused by herdsmen, enjoy this satirical piece:

    This is an open letter to the men of the moment. Or are there women in the house? Well, going by their name, it is all about men.

    First, I say congratulations to you, the herdsmen on rampage. My main reason for congratulating you is your strides in the Niger Delta. You guys rock. Wao! I am impressed. Your popularity – don’t mind those who say it is notoriety– is growing day-by-day.

    Forget Agatu, forget Enugu, forget elsewhere, you, the madmen– sorry the herdsmen– are taking new territories in Delta, Edo and Rivers.

    The fear of you guys is the beginning of wisdom in Cross River.  No wonder the plea by the chairman of Ogoja Local Government Council in Cross River State, Rita Agbo Ayim, that some of you who came in from neighbouring Benue State should return home because her people can no longer sleep well.

    “More than five thousand cattle have been shifted to Ogoja and the community is not happy over the development, and the Fulani herdsmen are danger to the people,” she said.

    As I was about to start this intervention, another headline jumped at me: “Fulani herdsmen hold 8 persons hostage in Delta” and my reaction was “there is no stopping these guys”.

    According to the report, residents of Obiaruku community, Ukwani Local Government Area of Delta State were thrown into confusion following the kidnap of eight persons for several hours by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

    Comrade Chika Uwabuofu, the community’s Youth Leader, told reporters that the victims who were working in a farmland were held hostage at about 6am by the herdsmen and released at about 1pm. Of course, after serious torture.  Reason: four cows, which you guys laboured so much on, were killed by some people in the community who failed to realise that the lives of four cows equal the lives of eight men.

    Uwabuofu added that you guys (herdsmen) had over time been terrorising the people. He urged the government to assist the community in evacuating the herdsmen from their farmlands, which have been destroyed by cows. He also spoke of a meeting where you guys agreed to quit the farmlands.

    ”They left, but after some days, some women came to report that some Fulani herdsmen were seen with their cows in the community. Then today, they held eight of our men hostage,” he said.

    For you madmen – not again, I need to change this keypad which keeps substituting herdsmen with madmen or is there a relationship—the Biblical injunction ‘touch not my anointed’ means absolutely nothing and that explains why you caused the death of a cleric in Rivers. That was early this month.

    According to the police, Ohali-Elu town in Rivers State was invaded by suspected herdsmen. By the time they left, six people, including a cleric, lay in pools of blood. Public Relations Officers DSP Ahmad Muhammad said the men were killed over a case of missing cows. He said of the six men said to have been slaughtered only the pastor was confirmed dead. The bodies of five were not seen for confirmation.

    Muhammad punctured the claim that you guys used guns to kill your victims. Machete, according to him, was all you need to revenge the killings of your beloved cows, which you will choose over your biological children any day, any time.

    The PPRO said: “The command found it instructive to state that last Thursday, at about 5:30a.m, the police in Egi Division received a report  that on Wednesday at about 10:00 p.m, unidentified assailants suspected to be herdsmen struck in Ohali-Elu town leaving one Pastor Geoffrey Ogagaghene with severe cutlass cuts that later led to his death.

    “It’s also pertinent to state that in the build-up to the attack, there was a case of stealing of unspecified number of cows belonging to some herdsmen allegedly perpetrated by the youths of the community, but the case was never reported to the police.

    “It is reasonably suspected that the attack might have been carried out by the herdsmen as reprisal for stealing their cows.

    “Unconfirmed sources indicated six other persons lost their lives after the attack, the death of these six persons still remain unconfirmed for the simple reason that the police neither recovered nor visibly saw the corpses at the time of responding to the incident.”

    Another great exploit of you madmen— at this stage, I think we should just accept there is a relationship between you guys and madmen— happened some days before your men held hostage eight Delta men. In this particular case, you were not lenient. May be it happened when you had not taken your medication and you went all out to slaughter 31 people as though they were cows.

    The people of Uwheru in Ughelli North Local Government of Delta State will never forget that day. Wao! Thirty-one people sent to the grim reaper just like that.

    Speaking at the funeral of one of your victims, the community’s President General, Chief Ogarivi Utso, said: “The genesis of the problem started in 2004 when Ohoror community, in Uwheru, was invaded by the Fulani herdsmen with the collaboration of some soldiers. Many houses were razed, including the home of a former President General, Mr. Emmanuel Enivwegha-a.”

    You guys have even become landlords in the community forcing residents to pay between N10,000 and N70,000 to enter their farms. Utso claims this has been going on for five years, despite several complaints to the police.

    Still in Delta, some days ago, you guys abducted a non-academic staff of the Delta State University, Abraka, Mr. John Ogeleke, at Kwale, Ndokwa West Local Government Area. Ogeleke was heading towards Ogume from Kwalein his Nissan Pathfinder Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) when he was abducted at gun point.

    The police said four of you guys armed with guns and sticks emerged from a bush, forced the vehicle to a stop and seized the 54-year-old Ogeleke. There is no evidence yet that you guys have set him free. You are probably waiting for ransom before letting him go.

    How can I forget the bloody nose that you guys earlier this April gave irate youths of Okada community in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State who tried to burn one of your camps. You matched them gun for gun and there was serious exchange of gun fires. The youths said they took the action against you guys because of the killing of a 64-year-old farmer identified as Alex Idemitin.

    Idemitin’s neck was sliced and he was also stabbed in the stomach with several cutlass cuts all over his body a fortnight ago.

    There is something I need to beg you about, do not disturb Comrade Governor Adams Oshiomhole. Since you guys took over, he has had to be speaking big grammar. The key words I pick from his speech at a meeting with stakeholders are: rapists, kidnappers, robbers and cattle rustlers. You guys just rock. All these names for only you and to add salt to your injury, my keypad has forced another name on you: madmen.

    In talking about rapists, may be His Excellency remembered an incident last year when a middle-aged woman was raped and subsequently killed by three Fulani herdsmen at Odighi village in Ovia North East Local Government.

    Oshiomhole also spoke about rewarding good behaviour and being hard on bad behaviour. I hope you guys can read him. I need to also point your attention to these vital points he made: “ If they kill, we will try them, and if they are guilty, under the law they will also be executed, that is the law of the land.”

    There is also another takeaway from Oshiomhole. His words: “We can’t ban farming and we can’t ban grazing. The two must co-exist.”

    My final take: No one should blame my guys, the herdsmen. They are in a country where we love easy fixes and they are only taking advantage of it. If in this nation, things are not just buried or swept under the carpet, no one, not even a madman, will take law into his own hand. There must be punishment for crimes of whatever hue because only then can human lives be valued more than cows’.

     

  • Clergy to couple: ‘Imbibe spirit of tolerance, trust

    Clergy to couple: ‘Imbibe spirit of tolerance, trust

    A pastor of the Assemblies of God Church in Calabar Pastor Festus Edet, has advised married couples to imbibe the spirit of tolerance for and trust each other, as this is the basis of a good family life.

    Edet, a senior pastor of the Green Land, Ikot Omin Sectional Headquarters of the church, gave the advice during the marriage celebration of the Commander of Cross River State Anti-Crime and Kidnapping Squad, DSP Efoli Essien and his wife, Mrs Womi.

    He advised the couple to approach issues in a Godly way in order to build a mutual understanding and always try to speak with one voice as partners.

    “As you have made your vows before God, you should be ready to make everything possible to make each other happy and be ready to make sacrifices for the progress of the marriage,” Edet said.

    Essien said the marriage blessing and celebration of love was a way of appreciating the protection and grace of God towards his family.

    “As we celebrate our marriage blessing today, I ask God for more blessings, protection and grace as I progress in life with my family.

    “I want to use this opportunity to thank God, members of my family and friends who have always supported me in different ways.

    “I want to assure my wife and children that I will continue to be a good husband and father to them because they are part of my existence on earth’’, he said.

    The Commander thanked everyone who attended the occasion, saying that his marriage blessing was a dream comes true.

    He said that the 19 year-old union with his wife had been fruitful with six children.

     

  • Non-violent political philosophy hailed at colloquium

    The non-violent approach of Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi to political struggles has been hailed at a colloquium in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

    A lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), Prof. Andrew Efemini, who spoke at the colloquium organised by a civil society group, Society for the Promotion of Better Nigeria,  to mark the 10th anniversary of the October 2007 Supreme court judgment that gave victory to ex-Governor Rotimi Amaechi, said Nigeria has not experienced development since amalgamation in 1914.

    The colloquium was titled “Amaechi: the long road to victory, my story”. It held in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

    Speaking on the sub-topic, “Power Generation”, the Professor of Philosophy of Development described the country’s rural communities as modern caves.

    He said: “Development is about human beings, it is about man, and when it comes to the issue of development, Nigerian has not developed since the amalgamation in 1914. We are experiencing economic activity, all society experience economic activities, but all countries are not experiencing development.

    “Nigeria is one of the few countries of the world that is under-developing. The standard of living of the people is systematically dropping by the day in this country.

    “Hunger, illiteracy, number of poor students who cannot pay fees are increasing, but we can point to roads being building, unemployment is increasing. The number of students who cannot go to school (illiterates), in Nigeria currently is 65 million. This was confirmed by the Federal Ministry of Education. The rural communities of Nigeria are modern caves.”

    He described Amaechi as a lover of education. He faulted the decision of Governor Nyesom Wike to cancel the overseas scholarship awards to indigenes of the state.

    ”However, the truth is that in spite of all that had been said about the positive virtues, activities and projects of Amaechi, project execution is not the yardstick of assessing government; if that is done, our country will remain underdeveloped in perpetuity.”

    He advocated for a political revolution that would turn around the fortune of the country and her citizens. He lauded Amaechi’s non-violent approach in fighting for his rights, describing him as a person who believes in the rule of law.

    Speaking on the topic, “The elements of Struggle and Power: Amaechi in the eyes of the Nigerian democracy, lesson for the youths”, the factional National President of Civil Liberty Organization (CLO), Igo Akeregha described Amaechi as one of the most controversial politicians in the contemporary Nigerian politics, adding that his struggle to entrench the rule of law deepened the country’s democratic space.

    Akeregha said: “Indeed there is something to pick from Amaechi political philosophy that enhances the boundary of a progressive orientation to the emerging generation of Niger Delta youths.”

    He pointed out that Amaechi’s brand of resistance politics should galvanise a new political consciousness and development in the future.

    The facilitator of the conference, comrade Livingstone Wechie said the event was meant to chart a course for the emerging generation, the youths.

    Wechie said the gathering was informed by the worry that the axiom, “youths are the leaders of tomorrow” appears not factual but sweet talk to calm the youths.

    “Seated here today is that future we keep talking about that the youths are the future, and that impression has not been so, having been so for too long, the question has ran time and time again, for how long will we be the future?

    “Today should serve as a sober reflection drawing strength as the passable study on the political character of Rotimi Amaechi, as a governance model and the leadership models that characterise his political career, what we can learn from it and add to ourselves and how we can go from here and take over the future that we have long been promised.

    “The man Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi is viewed from different perspectives by different individuals based on either the information available to them or their encounters with him and various other factors. But part of the challenge that has formed the meeting (the Colloquium), is what do we do as an emerging generation to hold sway in the future that is before us politically.”

     

  • Praises for Emmanuel as pensioners celebrate their day

    Praises for Emmanuel as pensioners celebrate their day

    Non-payment of retirement income of senior citizens has become a common refrain. After working so hard to contribute to the socio-economic and political development of their fatherland, the senior citizens’ annuity is either not paid regularly or not paid at all. They are often forgotten. BASSEY ANTHONY reports that it is not so with pensioners in Akwa Ibom State who praised Governor Udom Emmanuel for paying their pensions and gratuities regularly.

    Pensioners in Nigeria have never been happy after retirement. Having worked so hard towards the socio-economic and political development of the country, their retirement income is either not paid regularly or not paid at all. They are often forgotten after they have retired from active service to their fatherland.

    Stories abound of retirees not paid their retirement income and gratuities, even as government at all levels are said to be culpable in maltreating this category of people.

    Perhaps, the most harrowing experience the retirees always face is the ceaseless and sometimes senseless screening and verification exercises. Old, weak and frustrated pensioners have had to stand for hours on end in long queues under the scorching sun and in rain to get verified and screened.

    Even after the excruciating experiences, some pensioners are said to have died without collecting their entitlements.

    Ineptitude, bureaucracy and corruption on the part of government officials work against the retirees with the result that some state governments owe the retirees pension and gratuities for upwards of several months or years.

    But in Akwa Ibom State, pensioners have been lucky. Any wonder they gathered at the Ibom Hall  Ground, along IBB Way in Uyo on Monday to praise Governor Udom Emmanuel for not allowing them to suffer like their counterparts in some states.

    Under the aegis of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), the retirees poured encomiums on Governor Emmanuel for his concern about workers’ welfare, especially those of the pensioners.

    The retired persons numbering 28,000 marked this year’s National Pensioners’ Day celebration with the theme “Pensioners Edaka Eda”.

    Having expressed their appreciation to the Governor, they declared their willingness and readiness to support the Emmanuel-led administration in his efforts to move the state forward.

    An address presented by the Chairman of Akwa Ibom State Council of the NUP, Obong E. D. Ekpo (JP), appreciated Governor Emmanuel for his ability to manage the lean resources available, hence bringing the impact of recession to its minimal compared to what is obtainable in other states.

    He said: “Akwa Ibom State pensioners celebrate the 2017 National Pensioners’ Day along with other 36 states of the federation and  Abuja. It is a day of reflection on the goings on in the state and other states of the federation.

    “After reflection and comparison, Akwa Ibom pensioners have reason to thank God for the kind of Governor we have.

    “It has been observed that Akwa Ibom workers, including pensioners, are not worse off compared to their counterparts in other states of the federation.

    “On this note, the union decided to invite His Excellency, Deacon Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, on this unique day to say thank you to him for his efforts so far. We cherish and appreciate your dynamic and financial management style.”

    In his response, Governor Emmanuel, who was represented by the Head of Service, Mrs Ekereobong Akpan, thanked the pensioners for the great show of love as they received him in spite of lies a section of the press may have fed the people with.

    Governor Emmanuel reminded the pensioners that his first action upon assumption of office in 2015 was to offset backlog of pension arrears and gratuities.

    “Upon my inauguration on May 29, 2015, the first action I took was to authorise the payment of a 10-year backlog of pensions and gratuities of our workers, a gesture which was highly appreciated by the state-organised labour that wrote letters to thank me for such display of concern for the welfare of pensioners.

    “I thank the state-organised labour for the show of understanding and good working relationship it has shown. We will continue to pay pension and gratuities of our senior citizens. In November, we paid salaries without receiving our monthly allocations from the Federation Account.

    “The few who are yet to receive have one issue or the other. We discovered that most people moved from government’s integrated payroll to pension’s payroll. We are following due process. After collecting your blue papers, don’t go home and relax. Go and register in the sub-treasury of your choice for documentation so that every other thing will follow.”

    Earlier in his message, the Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Akwa Ibom State chapter, Rev (Dr) Ndueso Ekwere, admonished the pensioners to “Arise and Secure Your Rehoboth”. He urged them not to be tired despite the fact that they have retired.

    He said: “Move forward for Rehoboth is in front of you. Government will be your Rehoboth because you are very important factor in the land.

    “Try and occupy yourselves in whatever way you can to sustain your family. You can go into farming, small-scale business, and other things. Just do something and God will make that place to become a Rehoboth (fruitful).”

    In his speech, Chairman of the occasion and Chairman, Civil Service Commission, Elder Sunny I. Akpadiaha, enjoined the pensioners to see the celebration as a day for sober reflection, even as he urged them to cast their minds back to the history of NUP.

    His words: “I want us to cast our minds back to the history and formation of NUP which was established following the restructuring of Labour Unions in 1977. Today, the NUP is the umbrella organisation for all civilian pensioners nation-wide.

    “Therefore, as you are celebrating, look back. This should be a moment of sober reflection on the achievements so far recorded. As a union, you have a sacred duty to fight for the welfare of your members, advance the education and training of your members, provide for the benefit and offer assistance to your members, to protect and advance socio-economic and cultural interests of the community in general and your members in particular.

    “Even though you have retired, some of you are still very active. The experiences you acquired in your 35 years in public service is such that can’t be purchased in the market. Therefore, you are a reservoir of experience, intelligence and knowledge. Use the experiences and knowledge and see yourselves as think-tanks so that you can always advise the government on policy matters affecting the community, state and your members.

    “The challenge you may be experiencing is not peculiar to only Akwa Ibom State. There are other states that owe pensioners arrears of many years, yet the governors are purchasing vehicles worth millions of Naira for those who never served the state. The good news is that the story is different in Akwa Ibom State.”

    Elder Akpadiaha assured the pensioners that soon all pension arrears will be paid, even as he enjoined them to continue to co-operate with the current administration.

    Solidarity and goodwill messages from various segments of the union, ranging from Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), Head of Service and Accountant-General, among others, also praised Governor Emmanuel for his determination to harmonise pensions and make indebtedness in the area of pension arrears and gratuities things of the past.

    Highpoint of the event was the symbolic presentation of portrait of the Governor and dedication of over 28,000 pensioners in Akwa Ibom State to Governor Emmanuel for knowledge and utilisation of their services through the 31 branches, three Senatorial Districts of retired primary school teachers and the state’s Women Wing of Local Government Pensioners.

    His Royal Majesty, Edidem (Dr) Ntoeng Udo Effiong Akpan (JP), Paramount Ruler of Ini Local Government Area and Chairman, Council of Traditional Rulers; Obong Cosmas M. Essien (JP), Secretary NUP; Obong J. Nkanta, State Trustee NUP; Mr Linus Eyo Etim, State Auditor NUP; Apostle Ime Udoh (JP), State Public Relations Officer (PRO) NUP; Elder Comrade Ntiedo Ema, Chairman, Central Planning Committee; Obonganwan Usoro, Chairman, Women Committee and other dignitaries attended the event.