The Nation Newspaper

Category: Niger Delta

  • Yuletide: Delta IPMAN crisis threatens fuel supply

    Yuletide: Delta IPMAN crisis threatens fuel supply

    While the Federal Government is working hard to avert a nightmarish Christmas that may  result from scarcity of petroleum products across the country, a crisis rocking the Independent Marketers’ Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Delta State branch, seemed determined to cause supply bottleneck that could undo government’s effort.

    Two factions of the marketers’ union are locked in a battle for the control of IPMAN.  The Delta State government and Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s name are recurring decimals in the dirty fight currently rocking the state IPMAN.

    The key players in the imbroglio, according to our findings, are Comrade Benjamin Omoefe (popularly called BenJones) and Comrade Zino Onaemo (Tezino). The duo is locked in a tussle for the control of the union, and reports are rife that the state government is one of the drummers for the combatants.

    The crisis peaked on December 1, this year, when an election fixed to elect new officials of the union ended in fiasco. The exercise was bungled just hours to the appointed time and since that debacle, tongues have been wagging and tension has pervaded the union.

    Our findings revealed that Onaemo and the Chief Benjamin Omoefe-led executive are also at loggerheads on the modality for the conduct of the election. His opponents say Omoefe is averse to a free and fair election in order to perpetuate himself in office.

    Zino and his supporters are insisting on a verification exercise to “weed out” alleged fictitious names and those of non-members, particularly members of National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas (NUPENG) that were included in the union’s voter’s register.

    Members of Zino’s faction claimed that the incumbent chairman, in his desperate attempt to win the election, had included names of friendly NUPENG members in the list of voters to boost his support base.

    “The actual members of the union are no longer with BenJones because they are disappointed with his handling of the affairs of the union and they are determined to make Zino the chairman. Zino has all the supporters behind him and they trust him. His popularity is giving other contestants nightmare.

    “It is because of this that members of the other group are trying to scuttle the election because they do not trust themselves. It is only people who are afraid of elections that would want to draft in non-members or use backdoor means to get result,” a source close to Zino’s faction said.

    There are also concerns that the election is a victim of the 2019 governorship race in Delta State. Some sources say some political actors are behind the alleged efforts to foist the leader of one of the factions as chairman of the union.

    Mr Mike Igbogidi, a member of the Zino’s faction who led protesters that stormed the Delta State Government House, Asaba, last week to demand the conduct of the election, told reporters that “lumping IPMAN and NUPENG together is a misnomer, which needs to be corrected quickly by the authorities”.

    He described IPMAN as a corporate body of businessmen while NUPENG consists of workers in the oil sector. “When are employers and employees regarded as one? Can their interests ever be the same?” he queried.

    Igbogidi specifically accused the BenJones’ faction of scuttling the last election by engaging top officials of NUPENG and the state government to perpetuate the tenure of the chairman beyond the constitutionally recognised period.

    Although Mr Omoefe could not be reached for comment, one of his loyalists who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not permitted to address reporters accused “usurpers and interlopers of being behind the crisis.”

    “People who know little or nothing about the workings of IPMAN or how it was founded, are eager to seize the union. They should learn from those who have been here before them,” the source added.

    The allegation of collaborating to scuttle the election has put the state government on a defensive position and confirmed fears of some stakeholders that IPMAN union’s election is being used as a test-run for the 2019 governorship election.

    A member of the civil society organisation who spoke anonymously, said: “IPMAN, which ordinarily should be an association of oil marketers, is seen as opportunity for some politicians to wield their influence and install their perceived stooges.”

    Meanwhile, the state government has debunked reports linking it with the scuttled election. The Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Peter Mrakpor, told reporters that the state government was only interested in ensuring continued peace by creating an enabling environment for the elections.

    Mrakpor, who was with his counterpart from the Ministry of Information, Mr Patrick Ukah,  further explained that the state government had been holding peace meetings with the two factions. He stated that they agreed that the state government should play the role of ensuring credible election.

    Meanwhile, the Delta State Police Commissioner, Mr Zanna Ibrahim, has urged both sides to maintain the peace. Zanna, who spoke with the Zino faction that protested to his office, warned that none of the groups should take the laws into its hands.

    It was, however, gathered that there are concerns that the impasse over the election could affect regular supply of petroleum products to the state. Already, it was learnt that some of those unhappy that the election was  postponed are working to ensure that there is no peace until the election is held.

  • Uyo tragedy… One year, five days later

    Uyo tragedy… One year, five days later

    It happened one year and five days ago. Many died. Many still live with the after-effect. When it happened, Governor Udom Emmanuel, who could have died in the tragedy at the Uyo church, set up a panel. Last July, the panel turned in its report. Months have passed and the White Paper is yet to be issued. This year alone, I must have written thrice on this issue, saying that it would be a disservice to the memory of the dead for heads not to roll over the avoidable tragedy. As you join me in asking Governor Emmanuel to issue a White Paper on the Uyo church tragedy report, please enjoy my December 16, 2016 piece on the tragedy entitled ‘For Effiom, for Mohammed’: 

    His surname is a prophet’s first name. Her first name is the feminine version of a popular Biblical name. Alkali Mohammed was a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and is the face of those who died in the war called election in Rivers last Saturday. His orderly whose head was severed alongside his has become a footnote as a result of class tyranny.  We know not his name, neither his face.

    Josephine Effiom could not cheat death when it came calling at the Reigners Bible Church Int’l Inc, near the Government House, Uyo the Akwa Ibom State capital.  This polytechnic student, a friend said, “was one of the first three brilliant chaps in my class”. Her seat at the polytechnic lecture theatre is now vacant, a sad reminder to her course mates that a brilliant soul had been wasted.

    Mohammed and Effiom’s ordeals tell tales of how low we have come as a nation. Both would have been alive if ours is not a society that shares so much with Charly Boy Show where anything can happen.

    Effiom is the face of a tragedy in a place where fear should have been the last thing on anyone’s mind. It was in the house of God, Reigners Bible Church Int’l Inc. The founder of the church was to have his ordination as a bishop. He is not a small fry. So, the church was jam-packed. Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel came with some of his commissioners and aides. Some of the commissioners are new in the State Executive Council. They were sworn in on December 1.

    Thirty minutes into the governor’s arrival hell literally came down. No thanks to human error, the church’s iron pillars gave way and the blue roofs came thumping down. Of course on people! And Effiom died, and many others too. An account even said someone was cut into two by the iron pillars. A policeman who reportedly saved the governor is now six feet below. And some others broke their necks, their limbs and their back. The founder of the church, Pastor Akan Weeks, had his leg broken.

    As typical of our nation, no one appears sure of how many people died. The day after, we saw figures as high as 160 in the media. It was attributed to the Chief Medical Director of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, who later denied it. Police gave the figure as 29. Governor Emmanuel said only 23 died. And no one is willing to give the names of the dead.

    Commissioner for Health Dr Dominic Ukpong said 26 people died in the unfortunate incident. His words: “Death toll now 26. Patients in the hospitals are168. Total out patients are 50. Total deaths 26. Nine hospitals have the following patients. UUTH, 28 patients; Ibom Specialist Hospital Uyo, 70 patients; Sifon Clinic, 9 patients; Life Care Clinic, 24 patients; Premiers Clinic, 9 patients; St Luke’s Hospital, 22 patients; Gateway Medical Centre, 2 patients; Uwah Mfon Clinic, 1 patient. First Line Clinic, 1 patient, Alma Clinic and Surgery 2 patients.”

    Thanks to Effiom’s classmates who revealed her identity, she would have died anonymously! Now, she is the face of the Uyo tragedy that should not have been.

    This tragedy has turned the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), Anua General Hospital, Life Care Hospital and the Ibom Specialist Hospital into Mecca of some sort. In these hospitals, those who defeated death are receiving treatment to heal their broken necks, arms, backs and heads. Tears from families of those recuperating now rent the air in these hospitals. The story at the mortuary sections of these hospitals is grimmer. Coming to terms with the tragedy is a task that is defying many for now.

    For students of the University of Uyo and the Uyo City Polytechnic, which are believed to have been worst hit by the disaster, reality looks like dream.

    Emmanuel’s men who crawled out of death’s hole have interesting testimonies to share. His Chief Press Secretary, Ekerette Udoh, said an iron rod nearly cut his neck, but eventually hit him on the back. The cap of his left knee is broken and pains still travel all over his body.

    The Commissioner for Information, Charles Udoh who joined the State Executive Council only some one week earlier, thought he was watching a movie when the pillars started coming down. He was on his way out of the church to catch a flight when tragedy struck. He would have been out but protocol demanded that he told the governor before vanishing from the church hall. It was this protocol-induced task he was accomplishing when death almost took him away like Effiom and the others whose true figures and names we may never know. He had to run here and there to prevent the iron pillars from turning him to a candidate for the mortuary.

    Nollywood actor Ekere Nkanga, who had acted almost all roles imaginable, was humbled when he had to wade through bodies to safety.

    “Shortly after the governor and his entourage and the bishops took their seats, the next thing I heard was the bang from the falling iron. By the time the iron came down, I noticed that people from the safe areas were running to the centre, where I was sitting,” he said, adding:  “I hid under some people. A few seconds later, as I was trying to get up, the body of a man cut into two and fell on me. There were other corpses on me. I looked out for my brother but I couldn’t find him. Later, I found my phone. I called the Chairman, Uyo Local Government Area, to mobilise rescue officials to the venue.”

    He managed not to have a direct impact with falling rods, but by that Saturday evening, he discovered his neck was broken.

    “The impact of diving must have been responsible for my broken neck,” he said.

    Now he wears a neck collar and is under observation in the hospital. Effiom and others would have gladly given testimonies if Nkanga’s fate had befallen them.

    The governor has set up a panel to probe the disaster that could have claimed his life. Pastor Weeks believes it is the devil fighting back and he has urged Christians to unite and not see it as his battle alone. But we must give unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and give unto God what is God’s. The fleeing contractor must account for this tragedy, which the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has said was caused by shoddiness. Only then will we not continue to waste brilliant minds like Effiom.

    For Mohammed, his orderly and other policemen, their nation gave them an assignment. On the face value, the assignment looks simple: provide security during the legislative re-run election in Rivers State. But Rivers is like no other state. This assignment that is simple and routine in other places is similar to going to war in dear Rivers, where commissions of inquiries have established that politicians outsourced killing of their opponents and their supporters.

    Before Mohammed, many a policeman had gone. Many a soldier was killed. Mohammed and his orderly met the waterloo at Ujju Community near Omoku in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State. The agents of death waylaid the DSP and his junior colleagues from the Mobile Police Unit 48. After the hoodlums took off the duo’s heads, they snatched their patrol vehicle and weapons. Three policemen escaped, but five are still “missing in action”.

    Some people have ‘justified’ these men’s fate by saying it was a reprisal attack because the police were terrorising the people to give advantage to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the re-run legislative election.

    Governor Nyesom Wike accused some policemen of killing three members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bodo-Ogoni in Gokana Local Government Area and Tai-Ogoni Local Government Area. Soldiers, he said, were involved in ballot box snatching, illegal escort of politicians, arrest and detention of voters. The army has denied the allegations.

    Even if Mohammed and others broke any law, jungle justice is also a crime. It is akin to replacing ringworm with leprosy.

    My final take: In the Effiom and Mohammed stories, we see a society where values have collapsed, where everything is falling apart and where money makes man.

    Effiom wanted education. So, she went to school. She wanted salvation; so, she went to church but someone’s greed and thoughtlessness made the iron pillars come down on her and killed her and her dreams. Mohammed was policing and some thought he was not policing well and taking his head was their solution to what they considered a malaise. What a people!

  • Pay our promotion arrears, psychiatric workers pray in Calabar

    The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and Assembly of Health care Professionals (AHPAN) of the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital in Calabar have demanded the payment of their promotion arrears from 2014 till date.

    Rising from a Congress in Calabar, Chairman of the Senior Staff Association of the hospital and Secretary of JOHESU, Comrade Ken Bassey, who presented the communique, called for immediate and unconditional payment of the arrears.

    According to Bassey, they have given the authorities up to December 31 for the matter to be addressed.

    The communique, signed by the Chairman, Comrade Dan Odo, Secretary, Doris Nso and member, Godwin Adede read: “The congress drew the attention of the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation that promotion arrears from 2014 until date have not been paid to our members. We call for the immediate and unconditional payment of same to enable us to celebrate Christmas with our kith and kin.

    “That the management of the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital Calabar should immediately and unconditionally release the result of this year’s promotion exercise for senior members of staff.

    “The congress commended the courage and resoluteness of President Muhammadu Buhari to fight corruption in all its ramifications.  The congress prayed that God should renew his vigour and patriotism in order to succeed despite daunting challenges.

    “The congress expressed appreciation on the setting up of the 30-man committee on the national minimum wage and called for speedy action to ensure that Nigerian workers heave a sigh of relief with the much-expected living wage early next year.

    “The congress applauded the bravery of the Nigerian Armed Forces to decimate the dreaded Boko Haram sect. As they intensify efforts to mop up their remnants, they should also direct attention to renewed incidences of kidnapping and robbery across the country.

    “The congress equally appeals to her members to show more commitment to their duties by shunning absenteeism, lateness to work and truancy.”

     

  • Hope for crash victims as Shell donates extractive equipment to FRSC in Bayelsa

    Hope for crash victims as Shell donates extractive equipment to FRSC in Bayelsa

    Road crashes occur almost everyday. But what fate befalls victims of these crashes? Most often, some of them are trapped, without any quick help coming to them. Some of them even die before they could be rescued by operatives of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) who often use crude instruments such as cutlass, axe and others to break the metallic car before they could bring out the victim. MIKE ODIEGWU reports to ameliorate the situation, the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) has donated sets of Crash Victim Extractive Equipment to the Bayelsa State Command of the FRSC .

    The rate at which road accidents occur on our highways has become so worrisome so much so that stakeholders, at various forums, have advocated stringent measures to curb the menace. Being one of the stakeholders, the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) has expressed its worry about the fate of victims of road crashes in Bayelsa State. The company is concerned that each time victims are trapped in their ill-fated vehicles; it takes a lot of time for officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to save them.

    To tackle the problem, the SPDC recently donated sets of Crash Victim Extractive Equipment to the Bayelsa State Command of the FRSC to facilitate its race against time to save accident victims’ lives.

    Representatives of the police, the fire service and special corps marshals attended a brief event where Shell released the equipment to the FRSC.

    Speaking at the event, the representative of the SPDC, Mr. Kiri Obomanu said the company was worried about crude tools FRSC deploys each time an accident occurs.

    Noting that the company had executed many projects in the area of road safety, Obomanu, who represented SPDC Social Investment Manager, Gloria Udo, said the crash victims equipment was essential in an emergency situation.

    “Most times accidents occur and a victim is trapped in the vehicle, the road safety corps have no option than to use cutlass, axe and others to break the metallic car before they are able to bring out the victim.

    “This consumes a lot of time and during that period; the victim might lose his life. In a bid to increase the chances of survival even after being involved in a terrible accident, avoiding vehicle burning and causing more harm to the victims, these equipment have been provided to help the road safety corps”, he said.

    He said the SPDC identifies with everything that has to do with safety. He said the company always looked for opportunities to share its safety experience with members of the public.

    He said: “Shell is a company known for anything that is synonymous with safety. This is part of our external relations with our external stakeholders. We take the knowledge we already have and the expertise we have in safety and we extend it to the general public.

    “Our desire is not only for us and Shell workers to return home safely after our work, our desire is for the public to go about their daily businesses in a safe manner so that they can always return to their loved ones at the end of all their activities. So, these equipment are just to help.

    “We put our efforts in prevention but where this accident or incidence happens, we try to give the victim opportunity to be able to, at least, recover or get treatments as quickly as possible.

    “So, this is the equipment that can extract the person or allow the person to access medical care and hopefully the person will survive and be able to achieve his destiny”.

    Receiving the equipment, the state’s Sector Commander, Mr. Igwe Lawrence, commended the SPDC for donating the life-saving equipment to the corps. He said the equipment would surely reduce the death rate arising from road accidents.

    Speaking for the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Agans Irabor said the equipment would be a life saver, adding that it was the responsibility of security operatives to protect lives. He, however, urged members of the public to quickly alert law enforcement agencies any time there is a threat to life.

    “This move by the SPDC is a very wonderful one. It will go a long way to save people’s lives. It is our duty to protect life and property”, he said.

    In his remark, a road user, Ovielami Godswill, who represented the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) attributed major causes of accidents in the country to lack of education.

    He said: “We all know that accidents occur daily. One of the major causes is lack of education. Most drivers don’t know the meaning or importance of traffic lights. They don’t know how to park their vehicles and other instructions. Then you wonder how they got their driver’s licenses.

    “Therefore, we implore that there should be more orientation to avoid accidents. Having this extractive equipment has assured us that even in the case of terrible accidents, there is still hope for survival”.

  • Ita-Giwa to Niger Delta youths: drop your arms

    Ita-Giwa to Niger Delta youths: drop your arms

    Former Presidential Adviser, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, has appealed to youths of the Niger Delta not to take to arms, but to remain patient and dialogue with the Federal Government to seek the development of the region.

    “I am appealing to the youth of the Niger Delta to be patient. We all appreciate the sufferings of the Niger Deltans, including the people of Bakassi. But in the name of God, I am appealing for patience and dialogue as one of the mothers of the region,” she said.

    The Bakassi leader urged the leadership of the Niger Delta to call for an all-inclusive emergency summit, for all groups and interests in the region to come together and speak with one voice to bring about development.

    She also called on the Federal Government to show good faith by implementing the 16-point development agenda presented to it by the region, as well as offer amnesty to Bakassi agitators in the creeks.

    Her words: “All the groups in that region are unable to speak with one voice or agree on a common leadership and this has, over the years, made all efforts to develop the region to be counter-productive.

    “Even those that have held positions of authority over the years have not been able to help the region. This is not a time for blame, but we should seek a solution urgently. With due respect and humility I am appealing to the leadership of the region to call for an emergency all-inclusive summit, especially people and all groups at the grassroots, including youths and women.

    “For us to achieve anything, we have to speak with one voice. We have to imbibe the culture of togetherness. Right now there are all splinter groups and all the groups are unable to solve the problems of the region, including those Niger Delta sons and daughters that have been in position of authority.

    “I am making this appeal as a mother. I am also appealing for an emergency summit. All the groups have not been able to achieve much because of disunity among the leadership. The leadership of the region should work together. They should have a common front in order to tackle all the problems of the region. All the groups should come under one umbrella and call for the summit.”

     

  • South-south ta ku

    South-south ta ku

    It is not a bad thing that South-south ta ku (is adamant) over who takes the PDP leadership baton from Ahmed Markarfi who is holding it in interim capacity. It is its right given the fact that the seat is zoned to the South of which it is an integral part. And as far as the PDP is concerned, the South-south has more to lose if the party fails.

    In the cold embrace of Maryland, United States a fortnight and two days ago, I found myself scanning through what I see as one of journalism’s best books – 50 World Editors written by the legendary Mike Awoyinfa and the phenomenal the late Dimgba Igwe. In it, I read about the headlines considered by defunct NEXT Publisher Dele Olojede as the most famous in American and Nigerian journalism.

    My concern here today is about the Nigerian angle. The headline ‘Akintola ta ku’ was cast by The Daily Times at the height of the Western Region crisis which pitched the late Obafemi Awolowo against the late Chief Ladoke Akintola – who insisted no one could remove him as Premier of the defunct Western Region.

    This headline came back to me around 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday. All thanks to the insistence of the South-south to decide who leads Nigeria’s once ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    In the beginning, the party’s first substantial chairman was a Northerner. Thereafter it stayed between the North and the Southeast. Of course, the North had more.

    This powerful region has led the PDP through its sons, such as Solomon Lar, Ahmadu Ali, Barnabas Gemade, Audu Ogbeh, Bamanga Tukur, Haliru Mohammed and Adamu Muazu. It was in this era that it had a dream of ruling the country for 60 years. But the dream died at less than 20 years. The Southeast produced Vincent Ogbulafor and Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo.

    All through this era, the country’s Presidency was in the control of the Southwest, the North and the South-south. The South-south, through Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, led the country for six years. Two of the six were inherited from the first term of Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua who died in office. Jonathan came to power through the ‘Doctrine of Necessity’ because Yar’Adua did not transmit a letter to the National Assembly before becoming incapacitated.

    Many were hopeful that Dr. Jonathan was going to be in power for 10 years. His fall which brought in a retired General – Muhammadu Buhari – also saw the PDP falling. It has been reduced to only Ekiti State in the Southwest. Thanks to the people of Taraba and Gombe, it would have been nowhere in the North.

    In the Southeast, the party controls Abia, Ebonyi and Enugu. Imo is in the grip of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has shown that it has the key to Anambra State with Willie Obiano’s resounding victory about two weeks ago.

    In the South-south, the party controls five states: Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Cross River. Its sixth state, Edo, has, over the years, aligned more with the Southwest. It is led by the APC.

    If the number of governors it has in the geo-political zones is anything to go by, the PDP’s strength lies in the South-south. The region’s governors believe so and it is for this reason that they are adamant that it must produce the party’s national chairman at its convention slated for Abuja tomorrow.

    Like the Southwest, the South-south has not produced the party’s national chairman. Both believe it is their turn. Rightly, the party has zoned it to the South. The bone of contention is now which of the three geo-political zones in the South should have it. Perhaps because it has led the party twice through Nwodo and Ogbulafor, the Southeast has left the race for the Southwest and the South-south.

    Prominent party leaders from the Southwest, such as ex-Governor Gbenga Daniel, Prof. Tunde Adeniran and Chief Bode George, are in the race to lead the party.

    In the South-south, there are Africa Independent Television (AIT) founder Chief Raymond Dokpesi and ex-acting National Chair Uche Secondus.

    Dokpesi seems to me to be just having fun. Secondus – thanks to Governor Nyesom Wike – has the backing of the power brokers in the region. At a meeting a few days back, which was attended by Wike, Senator Godswill Akpabio, Chief Tom Ikimi, Governor Seriake Dickson and many others, the region made it clear that like it is sustaining Nigeria’s economy, it has also sustained the PDP. Without us, the PDP would have died after the last general elections, the leaders declared. For this reason, it is insisting on leading the party. Dickson said the Southwest was prone to crisis and should not be allowed to lead the party.

    I am not too clear on where Dr. Jonathan is in all this. There were speculations of a rift between him and Wike over the governor’s support for Secondus. This was swiftly refuted. Both men have been seen in jolly mood after the reported ‘fight’.

    The South-south has an advantage over the Southwest in the sense that it has a clear candidate. The Southwest has been unable to rally around any aspirant. Some have accused its only governor, Ayodele Fayose, of throwing its weight behind Secondus. But this advantage is not enough to get it the leadership of the party. If all the delegates from the region vote in bloc for Secondus and other zones look in another direction, the oil-rich region’s dream will be aborted. It needs others.

    As usual with politics in the developing world, money is being thrown around, with the belief that the highest bidder will carry the day. This has made a leader of the party, ex-military President Ibrahim Babangida, to call for caution.

    Babangida, in a statement published by newspapers on Monday, urged delegates to learn from the party’s defeat in the last general elections. He listed uncommon initiatives, creativity in ideas and a rich content in character as qualities the next chairman of the party must possess to be able to stabilise the party. The ex-president spoke about the power of the people, inclusive participation and demonetisation of the electoral process.

    Senator Buruji Kashamu also shares a similar view. He believes financial support for the party should not be a criterion for foisting a leader on it. The good of all should be the ultimate decider, he argued.

    But if experience is anything to go by, delegates do not listen to sermons such as these. They need lifeline and lifeline here means money and nothing more. They believe their leaders have stolen so much from the commonwealth and conventions and elections provide them the opportunity to take a slice of the cake.

    Unfortunately for IBB and other founding fathers that have turned political priests, they no longer have access to free funds. The governors have the money. Money is power and they are going to utilise it to the fullest.

    Will the North’s governors align with their colleagues in the South-south? Who will the three PDP governors in the Southeast back? Where will delegates from states, led by the APC swing their pendulums? Answers to these questions will go a long way in determining which of the South-south and Southwest gets the coveted seat.

    My final take: It is not a bad thing that South-south ta ku (is adamant) over who takes the PDP leadership baton from Ahmed Markarfi who is holding it in interim capacity. It is its right given the fact that the seat is zoned to the South of which it is an integral part. And as far as the PDP is concerned, the South-south has more to lose if the party fails.

    It is not only the South-south that has something to lose if PDP fails. Our democracy is also at disadvantage because once there is no strong opposition; the APC – which has not met the expectations of many of us – will have no one to put it on its toes. For the good of our country and for the APC to wake up from its deep sleep and serve the people truly, may the PDP get it right tomorrow. If it chooses to do otherwise, shame to its leaders.

  • Academy reviews curriculum to meet world standard

    Academy reviews curriculum to meet world standard

    The Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, Akwa Ibom State has said it will carry out a review of course files of all academic programmes offered in the institution.

    To this end, the academy, after the review, is expected to draw up a curriculum for the establishment of Eletro-Technical Office Department which will ultimately boost the training of master mariners and chief engineers.

    The development is part of efforts by the Federal Government to restructure and reposition the premier maritime institution to meet world-class standard.

    To achieve this goal, consultants from REFAST Consulting Company, Ghana, led by the immediate past Rector of Ghana Regional Maritime University, Captain Aaron Turkson are working out modalities of reviewing Classes 1 and 2 Deck and Engine Deck programmes.

    During a recent visit to the academy, Captain Turkson lamented the inability of the institution to train master mariners and chief engineers despite its quality of lecturers and facilities.

    His words: “Our terms of reference are to review Class 1 and 2 Deck and Engine Programmes, take a look at the Course Files of all the programmes offered in the Academy and draw up a curriculum for the establishment of Eletro-Technical Office Department.”

    Turkson decried the nonchalance of young maritime professionals towards teaching in maritime institutions. He observed it was due to low remuneration when compared to what is obtainable in the oil and gas firms in the region.

    The former Rector, who said they were in the Academy to share experiences, further encouraged the lecturers to continue to hold on for as long as their strength could carry them, because, according to him, the dearth of seafarers can only be addressed by provision of same to work in the maritime industry. It’s not easy to find professionals like you.

    “Facilities and buildings do not make institutions, it is the quality of academic programmes and the trainees that make the institution and you are the backbone. So, don’t allow bottlenecks to drag you back,” he said.

    He, however, emphasised the need to encourage young professionals to take up lecturing opportunities in maritime training institutions.

    He also observed that the Academy lacks some relevant simulators such as ECDISS, RADAR ARPA and GMDSS; even as he noted that in the course of their work they would audit the simulators and come out with appropriate recommendations in line with STCW Conventions.

    Dr. Kevin Okonna, who represented the Rector, Commodore Duja Emmanuel Effedua, welcomed the visitors to the Academy, saying their engagement was as a result of the Federal Government’s determination to reposition and restructure the nation’s premier maritime education and training institution, Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron for global best practices and competitiveness.

    He added that the relevant members of staff would co-operate with them to ensure the quick realisation of the restructuring exercise and wished them a successful stay in the Academy.

    Also speaking, the Director, School of Nautical Studies, Captain Francis Kponu expressed satisfaction over the decision of the Federal Government to seek the counsel of the seasoned professionals.

    He pledged their unflinching support to whatever plan that would move the Academy forward, adding that the only way to bring in young and vibrant professionals into the lecturing job was to beef up the remuneration that is better than what is obtainable now.

    Recall that a member of the Interim Management Committee and CEO/Chairman Starzs Marine Investment Limited, Engr. Greg Ogbeifun revealed that the former Rector of the Regional Maritime University, Ghana, has been engaged to work with the IMC in realisation of its objectives.

    Also present at the meeting were some senior professional lecturers in the Academy. They include Head of Oil and Gas, Captain F. D. Endoyan; Acting Director, School of Marine Engineering, Engr. Maurice Ijeoma; Head of Nautical Science Department, Captain Balogun; Head of Boat/ Ship Building Technology, Engr. William Ekwerre and Head, Marine Meteorology Department, Dr. John Adeyanju, among others.

     

  • Proposed military houseboat unsettles Bayelsa community

    Proposed military houseboat unsettles Bayelsa community

    The people of Amatu in Ekeremor Local Government Area, Bayelsa State have warned against the move by the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), and her contractor Saidel Nigeria Limited to influence the setting up of a military houseboat in their area.

    They aggrieved people said the proposed security facility to be sited at the boundary between the community and Bilabiri communities was to provide security for SPDC project.

    They argued that it was capable of causing tension and crisis in the area because it would generate increased security presence.

    Making their feelings known in a petition to the state government and security agencies, the people of Amatu said such huge security presence would further heighten tension between them and Bilabiri.

    In the petition which was signed by Amatu II Community Leader, Chief Paul Oweipade, the people insisted that the development was not healthy as a result of the land dispute between them and Bilabiri.

    They called on the state government to intervene and prevail on SPDC, Saidel Nigeria Limited and the people of Bilabiri to relocate their security post to the site of the project.

    They insisted that in the interest of peace, the houseboat, which traverses the land and rivers of Agbelatobo, must be located close to the project.

    Amatau said in the petition:  ”The SSAGS-SPDC Project has two components, the offshore and the onshore.

    “We are aware of plans to station a security houseboat for this project at the boundary between we Amatu II and Bilabiri II communities, and this is unacceptable to the people of Amatu II.

    “As it were, none of the benefitting communities of the onshore project has a settlement along the estuary approaching part of the Dodo River whose primary settlers are of Iduwini extractions namely, Ibegbene, Agoliyo-Ama, Ngodia-ama, Bisangbene 1, Bisangbene 2, Ikeka-ama, Aku-ama, Amatu 2, Amatu 1, Igunugbene, Pasanty-Ama, Lagos-Ama and Abadiyuo, among others.

    “We are therefore calling on concerned stakeholders in the area, the Grand Pere of Iduwini Kingdom, Ogiobo IX, the leadership of Iduwini Development Foundation (IDF), the Iduwini National Youth Body, the Iduwini Volunteer Force, the Dodo River Regional Development Board and Ijaw Youth Council (Iduwini chapter) as a matter of urgency to wade into the matter to avoid plunging communities located along the Dodo River into another communal crisis.

    “We are constrained to make these complaints because we will not allow any security apparatus in the disguise of providing security for their companies and cronies to suppress our people, which we shall resist with the last drop of our blood.”

     

  • Day Igbinedion celebrated with orphans, others

    Day Igbinedion celebrated with orphans, others

    Since he left office in 2007 as Governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Igbinedion is rarely seen at social or political gatherings. He is naturally reticent, and so he rarely speaks or comments on political events in the state. There is no record of press interview or conference.

    However, last week, Chief Igbinedion and his wife, Eki, took out time to celebrate with over 150 orphans and persons living with physical disabilities, to mark the four years anniversary of the first modern cinema centre in Edo State, the Kada Plaza, Cinemaz and Entertainment Centre.

    Chief Igbinedion and his wife had good time with the children and those suffering from autism. He played games, took photographs with them and interacted with them.

    The orphans were specially treated as they were taken round the length and breadth of the Kada Plaza edifice, and they enjoyed what each section had to offer.

    Managing Director of Kada Plaza, Mr Trevor Pillay, said the event was the management’s way of thanking the people of the state for patronising Kada Plaza.

    He revealed that invitation letters were extended to 150 disadvantaged children from under-privileged organisa-tions and special needs schools to make the children enjoy what their counterparts and other people had been enjoying.

    He said: “We are giving them a good treat. We have loads of entertainment. They don’t get opportunity to come out to Kada Plaza. What we found out is that those children that are disabled, we don’t see them here. We made this day for them. We want them to come and see what other children are experiencing.

    “Kada is the first cinema entertainment centre. We do things with a positive approach and ensure that there is consistency and giving our customers first-class experience.”

    In his usual style, Chief Igbinedion refused to speak to the press but his wife, Eki, who spoke said it was delight to see the small contribution they made to society is making people happy.

    Eki said the place helped to employ many youths and take them away from criminal activities.

    Her words: “I am very happy. We are happy we are able to make our small contributions to the society and that really makes us happy. This place has yielded some wonderful results. Many young people have benefitted from this edifice that was put in place. It has created a lot of awareness to our young people on how to divert their attention from doing other negative things. “This place has employed a lot of our youths. It has helped to mop up the unemployed youths. I am elated that it has stayed four years.”

    Speaking on her pet project, the Idia Renaissance, which she put in place to fight human trafficking, Eki revealed that 70 young people trained in various skills would be graduating from the place by December.

    “Idia Renaissance is solely funded and we have effective funding from Netherlands. The fund we get even though it is small has helped the organisation to do the right things. The centre runs itself with the help of these funds. Some organisations don’t give money but they give equipment. We have received things to encourage the youth.

    “Human trafficking is what we have always known and talked about. When we were out there campaigning against human trafficking, a lot of people thought it was a joke. Till date, people still don’t believe that human trafficking is a societal problem particularly in Edo State. It is now we are seeing a lot of organisations coming up to join forces with us to campaign against it.

    “The task force set up by government will help to create awareness and to serve as deterrent to a lot of people who would be looking forward to patronising human traffickers. Security measures will be taken to ensure those found wanting will be prosecuted. Edo State government is doing something. The more awareness created the better,” she said.

    On life after office, she said: “Life has been excellent. I cannot thank God enough. Since I left office, we have been more relaxed and very happy looking after grandchildren. The grace of God is all over us.”

     

  • Delta polls: Tuomo leaders panic over impending crisis

    Everybody knows it is the turn of Tuomo, the biggest community in Burutu Local Government Area, to produce the councillor, Godsday Orubebe still said even if it’s not the turn of his town, he will impose an unpopular wish on the people.

    The Delta State governor, Ifeanyi Okowa has been urged to quickly intervene in the brewing political crisis in Tuomo, Burutu Local Government Area, over alleged attempt to impose a councillorship candidate on the people. Addressing reporters in Warri penultimate week, Tuomo political leaders, who are also key stakeholders in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), raised the alarm that ongoing political activities in Tuomo, which is Ward 5 of Burutu, were already heating up the entire council area, a situation they claimed was threatening peace.

    The elders that include the traditional ruler of Tuomo, His Royal Highness Emokpo Opukuma; former Majority Leader of the defunct Bendel State House of Assembly, Prince Okpanbeni Johnny; and Barrister Dio Orubebe, said some people were trying to subvert the will of the majority for their personal interest.

    According to the elders, the PDP in the ward had held a peaceful primary election, which produced a winner, in the person of Adesefuobo Emokpo, but alleged that the former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Godsday Orubebe, had been making efforts to scuttle the process by attempting to impose another aspirant as candidate.

    “This whole thing began three years ago during the last local government election when Orubebe went to tell the then governor, Uduaghan, that it was his community’s turn. After this boy (Emokpo) won the primary, we have to prevail on him to wait for the next turn, just to avert trouble.

    “Now it is another election season and we have all witnessed the process so far; first the ward leadership constituted an electoral college, which met in Mr Orubebe’s house in Ogbogbagbene, over 73 people. All the aspirants spoke at the meeting and all agreed to go through a free process.

    “Everybody knows it is the turn of Tuomo, the biggest community in Burutu Local Government Area, to produce the councillor, Godsday Orubebe still said even if it’s not the turn of his town, he will impose an unpopular wish on the people and the people said no. The state secretariat of the PDP sent a returning officer in the person of Comrade Elijah Ologeh.

    “He came to Tuomo and conducted the primary. All the people, in their thousands, queued behind Emokpo; he had 297 votes as against the 11 that Orubebe’s candidate got. Before they could call the results, we learnt that Orubebe had called the governor and lied to him that there was tension in the town and without reaching any of us, the governor directed that the primary be suspended.

    “However, they declared the results and they were submitted. It was based on the result that all the leaders of the ward endorsed the result and escorted the returning officer to Asaba to submit it. Even with all these, Orubebe still continued to pester the governor that he should be given the councillor and the governor, we learned, has agreed to this. This is unacceptable, nobody should think they can subvert the will of the people”, they said.

    Efforts to reach the former Minister for response were unsuccessful as he neither answered a call put across to him nor respond to an SMS message sent to him.

    Meanwhile, another leader from Tuomo community and the National Coordinator of the Pan-Niger Delta People’s Congress (PNDPC), Chief Mike Loyibo, has appealed to the people of the community to remain calm, assuring that proper steps were being taken to make Dr Okowa see the true situation of things, adding that the governor, being a man of justice, would let the truth prevail.