The Nation Newspaper

Category: Niger Delta

  • How Oloibiri got its groove back

    How Oloibiri got its groove back

    The first Nigerian commercial oil well in Oloibiri, a community in Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, was once likened to a proverbial old and feeble woman abandoned by her ungrateful children.

    During her illustrious period, she was a rallying point for her children. In her kitchen, they ate to their full. They sucked her protruding breasts for nutrients passing it along from one mouth to another. She was indeed, a source and foundation of life, joy and prosperity for the children. Suddenly, at her old age, she was deserted, abandoned and despised by those persons she clothed, sheltered and fed.

    So, was Oloibiri Oil Well 1. Tucked into development-deficient Otuabagi community, the oil well gave Nigeria a global appeal. It was the reason the country gained her oil-producing status in 1956 when the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) found crude oil in commercial quantity there and erected the Christmas Tree.

    But like the proverbial woman, the oil well was abandoned after it was sucked dry by the government. Like a thoroughly-sucked sachet water, the well was thrown away. The Christmas tree was overtaken by shrubs, weeds and vegetation. Oloibiri, the host community of the oil well 1, was left to lick its wounds.

    The Nigerian Army has, however, changed the narrative. The army remembered Oloibbiri recently. Thanks to the Operation Crocodile Smile II. As part of the civil-military relations built into the exercise, officers and troops of the army renovated the site of the Christmas tree and gave it its pride of place as a tourist haven.

    The 16th Brigade of the army with headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, worked on the site. The surroundings was landscaped, designed with interlocking stones and carved with caves to create beautiful sight.

    The Christmas tree is now covered with an attractive roof. In fact, the environment, which was hitherto an eyesore, has been transformed into a centre of attraction. Oloibiri Oil Well 1 has become a real monument, deserving of tourism.

    Indeed, residents of Oloibiri community were excited over the development. Thy poured encomiums on the army for remembering them. They never knew that the Operation Crocodile Smile II could have permanent positive effect on their community.

    The army opened the oil well to tourists the day it rounded off its military operation. It was a day the Oloibiri would not forget in a hurry. For the first time after many years, convoy of exotic cars drove to their community. The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai and the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Rear Admiral John Jonah (retd) and traditional rulers were among the dignitaries that found their way to Oloibiri.

    The elated Commander, 16th Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Kelvin Aligbe, in his welcome address  said the army brought its civil-military exercise to Oloibiri to highlight the significance of the oil well. He said the army took permission from the Ministry of Tourism before renovating and cleaning the site.

    He said: “What we are doing today, therefore, is just to add a bit of tourist value to this iconic monument. We have come to savour the beautiful environment that we have found ourselves.

    “We believe that whatever we are doing here today would have sufficiently agitated the minds of the tourism enthusiasts across the country to come to this place, explore the unique potential of this place and make it a place for global recognition”.

    Buratai in is remarks, described the gesture as one of the advantages of a military operation. He said the operation Crocodile Smile II was launched to be conducted across the Niger Delta and Southwest from October 7 to 28.

    The Army chief, who was represented by the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Enobong Udoh. He highlighted the easing for military operations across the country.

    He said:  “The Nigerian Army in consonance with the vision of the current chief of army staff to have a professionally responsive Nigerian army in the discharge of its constitutional roles continue to conduct operations and training exercises in order to position itself to be able to respond professionally to the threats that we have across the country.

    “As we know the threats are so many, kidnapping, cultism and militancy. Here in the Niger Delta we have other ones like illegal oil bunkering, pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft and the rest. So Nigerian army continues to conduct this operation.

    “Already we have had operations  in the Northwest; we have had the popular Operation Egwueke, Python Dance and then operation crocodile smile II.

    “As I said all these operation are conducted to position the Nigerian army to be able to combat the threats that face our nation so that we can have a conducive environment for business activities to take place and for law-abiding citizens to go about their duties without hindrances”.

    Buratai explained that during such operations, the army tried to have closer relationships with the people. He said the army usually identified with the people through medical and education outreaches as well as environmental sanitation arrangements.

    He said: “The 16 Brigade decided to rehabilitate the Oloibiri Oil Well 1 as part of their civic activities so that it can be positioned to regain its status as a tourist attraction which it is.

    “I want to ask the Commander 16 Brigade to continue to dominate this place in terms of patrol, security so that the bad boys and criminals can be kept away from here and this place can further be developed to assume its status as a foremost iconic tourist attraction in the nation”.

    On his part, the deputy governor, a retired naval officer, said military operations and civic obligations formed part of his lectures at the military staff college. He expressed delight that the theories were being translated into practical realities.

    He, however, lamented that people were misinterpreting the roles of he military. He insisted that the military had not been given adequate attention it deserved and called on the people to support their army. Jonah called on the Ogbia council authority to preserve the oil well and upgrade it periodically.

    Giving a brief history of the oil well, the representative of the Tourism Ministry, Mr. Solomon Diepriye, said: “Oloibiri oil well is sitting here in otuabagi community in ogbia local government of Bayelsa state. It is called oloibiri oil well because as at the time in 1956, otuabagi was under the oloibiri district hence the name oloibiri oil well1.

    “The history of oloibiri oil well cannot be complete without a brief history of Shell. Shell as we know it today SPDC was then called Shell De Archy and they were given the first license to explore oil in Nigeria on the 4th November1938.

    “There had been other companies searching for oil in Nigeria but the

  • Wike bags Global Human Settlements Outstanding Contribution Award

    Wike bags Global Human Settlements Outstanding Contribution Award

    In recognition  of his outstanding achievements  in the area of urban renewal , sustainable cities and provision of basic amenities to the residential areas of low-income earners, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike was on Monday night honoured with the “Global Human Settlements Outstanding Contribution Award “.
    Nigeria’s moment of glory peaked  in New York City  on Monday night when the the Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements Awards (SCAHSA) presented the international award to Governor Wike in the presence of international diplomats, development professionals, high-level administrators and  leaders of international non governmental organisations.
    The governor was accompanied to the International Award Ceremony by his wife, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike, two of his children, Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Adama Iyaye-Laminkara, Member Representing Port Harcourt Federal Constituency, Ken Chikere, Edo State PDP Chairman, Chief Dan Orbih,  the Former Minister of Sport, Dr Tammy Danagogo, Rivers State Commissioner of Information, Barrister Emma Okah and and Elder Statesman, Prince Emma Anyanwu, Member of the House of Representatives, Mrs Betty Apiafi among others .
    The 12th Global Forum on Human Settlements & Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements Awards Ceremony (GFHS XII)  was jointly organized by the Permanent Mission of the Gambia to the UN, the Permanent Observer Mission of the African Union to the UN (AU), the Global Forum on Human Settlements (GFHS), the United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment), the University Peace Federation (UPF), the World Association of Non-Governmental Organizations (WANGO) and  the better City Institute (BCI) .
    Wike
    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike (3rd Left) on the Second Row during the Global Human Settlements Outstanding Contribution Award by the the Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements Awards (SCAHSA) in New York City on Monday night.
    Speaking at the award ceremony in New York , a representative of the United Nations Environment,   Mara Murillo said that the organisation salutes Global Forum on Human Settlements & Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements for having developed the awards and the constituency for which it has been organized.
    The United Nations Environment Representative congratulated the 23 awardees  who were selected for their positive achievements and leadership.
    The Representative stated: “The awards recognise their feats which inspire and encourage others to innovate and replicate similar feats”.
    The Vice Chairman of Global Forum on Human Settlements & Sustainable Cities, Dr Taj  Hamad said all the awardees have made great achievements that merit the awards.
    Permanent Representative of the Gambia to the United Nations, Mamadou Tangara urged all awardees to continue to work  for sustainable cities across the world.
    Ms Mara Angelica of the United Nations Programme lent her voice to the calls for collaborations in developing habitable cities.
    There were 23 awards in six different categories.  The Rivers State Governor received his “Global Human Settlements Outstanding Contribution Award” under the “Individual Initiatives to Advance Sustainable Development Category”.
    The award was presented to Wike by the Vice President of Global Forum on Human Settlements & Sustainable Cities.
    Wike
    In his acceptance speech, Wike pledged that he will continue his landmark projects to improve the living condition of the Rivers people.
    “Let me on behalf of the Government and people of Rivers State sincerely thank the organisers  of this award for the recognition.
    “To also commit ourselves that we will progressively provide infrastructure and  social services that will enhance  the living standards of all Rivers people on a sustainable basis “.
    In a video footage explaining the premise on which Wike received the award,  the governor was commended for reducing urban slums and  bridging poverty gaps .  Wike was also praised for positive leadership, provision of infrastructure and basic amenities.
    The 23 awardees were drawn from different countries including Nigeria, China, Bulgaria, Germany, USA, India and Indonesia.
  • How far can Oba of Benin’s alternative dispute resolution drive go?

    How far can Oba of Benin’s alternative dispute resolution drive go?

    Shortly after he was crowned the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II began settling of dispute between individuals and communities in an open mediation at the Ugha-Ozolua otherwise known as ‘native court’.  The open mediation was part of the many reforms he introduced to ensure justice and fair play.

    The Oba opted to preside over the open mediation because he was not happy that a parlance in Bini, ‘Egua emwen se’ meaning all matters end with the palace judgment was flouted as people still head to court in matters already resolved by the palace. The people’s belief in the palace judgment and decision was based on its being unbiased and fair to all. But for many years in Benin Kingdom, justice was sold to the highest bidder. Some palace chiefs that were supposed to be unbiased turned judgments on its head and made many fake pronouncements in the name of the Oba. Some cases brought to the palace never get the Oba’s attention. Many individuals lost landed properties and as such the people lost faith in getting justice from the palace.

    To ensure smooth dispensation of justice, Oba Ewaure II dissolved all ad hoc committees on arbitrations and set up a customary arbitrations centre on traditional matters to resolve conflicts. The center was to help fast track justice on traditional matters as well as unburdening some cases which need deeper traditional investigation for easy settlement. Every Tuesday was set aside to hear petitions from women while Thursdays was to hear disputes from different communities. Within few weeks when the native court began sitting, thousands of petitions have flooded the palace from individuals and communities across the kingdom. Before hearing of matters began, both parties are required to agree that they would not head for the court of law if the case are decided otherwise.

    Successes recorded by the open mediation made Oba Ewuare II proclaimed the Benin Customary Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee (BCADRC) headed by a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Samson Uwaifo.

    Other members of the committee are Prof. Gregory Akenzua, Chief Edionwere Oliha (the Oliha of Benin), Justice Samuel Elaiho (retired Justice of Edo State High Court), Justice Joseph Olubor (retired President, Customary Court), Mr. Daniel Inneh, Chief Abel Ehiogie and Surveyor James Amadin Osazuwa.

    Inaugurating the committee, Oba Ewuare II said the committee was to arbitrate, to mediate and resolve disputes among individuals and communities that voluntarily brings cases to them.

    Oba Ewuare II said he set up the committee because the people lost confidence in previous ad hoc committees used by the palace to settle disputes. He stated the the present eight members of the Committee would be expanded to 12, and divided into two groups with five members each and two floating members.

    According to him, “What our people need when disputation are brought to the palace for intervention, resolution and settlement is very simple. They want justice which recognises what our tradition and culture say on the subject matter that brought them. They want public welfare and their happiness protected. They want our tradition and property inheritance system protected from miscreants as well as the rich and powerful who would want to overrule others and treat them as conquered vassels.

    “The palace will continue to act as a steam in their conscience and protect the weak when they themselves are on the right side of the law and right side of God almighty.

    “It is hoped that this body will be expanded into two in due course. They are men of honour and integrity. They are versely knowledgeable in Benin Native Laws and Tradition. We may wish to add that in the event of anyone or group is not satisfied with the decision of the committee, a window does exist for request to be placed before me for a revaluation of the merit of such cases.”

    Justice Uwaifo noted that the Oba has introduced some organised measures of procedures to enhance confidence in alternative dispute resolution while at the same time ensuring that ‘it shall be informal, free from legal technicalities, speedy, simple and open in order to attain an early disposal of disputes with fairness and justice.’

    He stated that the inauguration of the committee has heralded a new dawn dispute resolution in Benin Kingdom.

    On the part of the AIG Zone 5, Muhammed Abubakar Adamu, he assured the palace of the support of the police in ensuring sucess of the committee.

    He said the development would assist Benin communities as well as the police, as most cases brought before the police are supposed to be dealt with by traditional institutions.

    But  Dele Igbinedion said the alternative dispute committee as set up by the Oba has no legal backing. He noted that anybody not satisfied  before a judgement is passed by the community could back out without any consequences.

    His words, “If you look at the Traditional Ruler and Chiefs law which is operational and governs activities of traditional rulers and chiefs, no power is given to anybody or any traditional council to set up alternative dispute resolution body. Anything that is done without legal powers is ultra vires.

    “We have in Edo State the Multi Door Court house backed up by relevant legislation. Besides that any other resolution that is being done by any person without legal backing is null and void. If people willingly submit themselves to the palace to look into their dispute, that is customary arbitration. It is not compulsory, it is voluntary but once a judgement is passed, it becomes binding. Before a judgment is passed, anybody who is not satisfied can opt out without any consequence.

    “I will say that we have moved beyond the system of judgment by the whims and caprices of individuals. What we look towards now is judgment that is recorded in law books that can be used as precedent. That is what the law recognises not the one by a conglomerate of people subject to their whims and no right of appeal. That is unacceptable.”

    What the people look forward to is how the committee will fare in the coming days if truly they will get justice.

  • FUPRE decries failure of the states to contribute to its devt

    The Governing Council of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun (FUPRE) has decried the failure of the states in the region to contribute to its development.

    Chairman of the Council and Pro-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Shehu Abdulahi Zuru, expressed this concern yesterday after the inauguration of reconstituted Committees of Council, held on the university’s campus in Ugbomro, Uvwie council area of Delta state.

    Prof.  Zuru, who spoke to reporters in his office, also said all stakeholders of the institution would henceforth be expected to give more than their best to the development of the university, now that its Establishment Act had been passed.

    Speaking of the ‘unimpressive attitude of state governments in the Southsouth, Zuru said the world had expected that the various state governments of the region would see the university as their personal project, considering the fact that it is the pioneer petroleum university in Africa.

    “It is despicable that despite the fact that FUPRE is in Southsouth, no government from the region has engaged any project in the university. It is very worrisome. This is a pioneer university in Africa, not just in Nigeria. As an oil producing region, they are all stakeholders of this project and should contribute immensely to its success and development,” he said.

    Zuru also revealed that the university, under the watch of his council, had secured special intervention funding from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), which had not been possible in the last three years.

    “When this council came on board, I gave a commitment that we have to stagger ourselves back to the road because the university had been in the woods. What I meant by that statement was that for about three consecutive years, this university was not able to access special intervention budget from TETFUND.

    “Now I’m happy to report to you that on account of our contacts in Abuja, TETFUND has given approval and we have secured funding for five high-impact projects for the university and very soon you’ll see construction works commence, once we finish with the bidding process,” he said.

    Giving a vote of thanks after the inauguration of the committees, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor A. Akii Ibhadode, commended Zuru for the vigour and dedication he had brought along into the service of the institution, charging the committees to heed the call to give more than their best.

    Ten committees were inaugurated, some of which were Endowment Committee, chaired by the Chancellor of the university, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Attahiru Muhammad Ahmad, the Emir of Zamfara; Finance and General Purpose Committee, chaired by Prof. Zuru; Academic Staff Appointments and Promotions Committee, chaired by Prof. Ibhadode and the Budget Monitoring Committee, chaired by Chief Paul Odili.

     

  • Shell harps on sustainable peace in stakeholders’ meeting

    Shell harps on sustainable peace in stakeholders’ meeting

    The Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) says it has never abandoned its host communities in the Niger Delta.

    Available records show that the oil giant signs Global Memoranda of Understanding (GMOUs) each year with its hosts across the region. The company commits billions of naira to finance the agreements designed to develop the communities in line with international best practices.

    Apart from its developmental strides, Shell constantly devotes time to interact with its host communities. Recently, the company held such stakeholders’ engagement fora with Tarakiri, Egbema, Oporoma, Iduwini, Mien, Kou, and Bassan-West Cluster communities.

    For two days, the leadership of the communities met with the representatives of Shell in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, to rob minds together. The company listened to their hosts, answered their questions and took notes of their concerns.

    To make the meeting more interactive, community delegates were split into smaller groups. Each group was assigned to a set of Shell representatives, who paid closer attention to their assigned host community leadership. The communities acknowledged the developmental efforts of Shell.

    Prior to the interactions, Shell expressed optimism that with sustained peace, the Niger Delta region would attain the expected development over time. The oil giant further restated that despite the hard time it experienced following series of attacks on its facilities, its joint venture partners contributed $29bn to the Nigerian government between 2012 and 2016.

    The company’s General Manager, External Relations, Mr. Igo Weli, who was represented on the first day of meeting, by the Assets Manager, Swamp West Hub, SPDC, Mr. Mesh Maithibi, said within the period, the oil multinational contributed $1.8bn into the Niger Delta Development Company’s funds for community development.

    He said the company’s facilities and assets were attacked by people in the region adding that such situations affected the development of the Niger Delta. He appealed to the people to cooperate with oil companies to enable the region derive oil benefits it required for development.

    He said: ”We have had situations where our facilities were shut down. We have had situations where our assets have been blocked, not by outsiders but by those us from this region.

    ”The money that comes into our state and local governments is from production of oil and gas. We want all of us to help each other. When there is money in the state, there will be investment and development.

    ”If we allow these things such as oil bunkering, theft and vandalism to happen, the resources that accrue to the state will also go down and it will affect every sector of the state and local economy. That is why we are here. We want to talk. I want to show you some statistics of what we as a company have done towards the development of the region.”

    On the company’s contributions to the country’s economy, he added: ”The economic contribution from SPDC JV partners to the Nigerian government between 2012 and 2016 was $29bn.

    ”We also know that we have NDDC and the NDDC was set up to develop basically the Niger Delta and the Federal Government has come up with a law where all the oil companies must pay certain amount to the NDDC for them to use in development.

    ”As a company, as a joint venture partner, we have contributed $1.8bn into NDDC’s fund within the period. And the expectation is that this fund will be used for the development of our communities socio-development, roads, bridges and all of that. That is part of the joint venture development that we have.”

    Also during the second meeting,  Weli, who was represented by the Shell’s Stakeholders Relations Manager, Dr. Alice Ajeh, said the essence of the forum was to get feedback from the communities.

    She said:  ”The essence is to have continuous conversation with our communities, critical stakeholders for the feedback they have been giving us over time.

    ”They want us to have a continuous dialogue and this is one of the ways we feel we can bring all of them together to really think about the future of the Niger Delta, not just individual community issues, but collective issues of our future in the region.

    ”This is just for us to think about the future and therefore, the decisions they will arrive will help us to know the basis of working with them. When they understand what it is they will like the future to be like, whatever programme we are putting in place, they will ensure that they work so that the future will be better for us.”

    In his speech, the EA Assets Manager, Mr. Dele Adigun, said Shell had always adopted the option of having engagement with its host communities. Adigun said there was a need to work together with the host communities to ensure sustainable peace and development in the region.

    He said: ”They (host communities) hold the licence of operations that we have. If we do not have their buying, you know they can easily enter our facilities and shut us down. So, we need to work collaboratively with them, we need to get them on our side.

    ”We need to listen to them and they too will listen to us. To me, it is like a big family, where government is the head of the family. Government needs to mediate because we are children, we can always quarrel and come back together. That family unit mentality must always be there and that is why I think this occasion is significant. We just need to forge ahead to maintain that family unit.”

     

  • In search of APC’s next National chair

    In search of APC’s next National chair

    If the plans work, former governor of Edo State, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, will displace Chief John Odigie Oyegun as the chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC. Doubters and quibbler can now be content that Oshiomhole might soon be saddled with the responsibility of piloting the affairs of the ruling party in Nigeria.

    The repulsive news broke last weekend that Mr. Oshiomhole is currently favoured by 17 APC Governors in a plot to remove Odigie Oyegun as the APC national chairman. In the report, a source was quoted thus: “Ahead of the NEC meeting of APC next week, there is tension in the party. About 17 of the 24 governors are unhappy with the national chairman. They are plotting to withdraw their support for him, unless he carries all of them along”.

    The Governors are reportedly angry, that Oyegun has been running the party with only 7 of their colleagues. The news posits that the dissatisfied governors are expected to table their grievances at the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on October 31 and pass a vote of no confidence in Oyegun.

     

    The report went ahead to say that the Governors are believed to have spoken to President Muhammadu Buhari on their decision to reject Oyegun’s leadership, while Oyegun’s supporters have fingered former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s backers as part of the plot.

    It also hinted that the 17 governors believe that Oyegun is romancing their 7 colleagues because the APC National Chairman is of the opinion that they are close to the President. Those purportedly on the side of Chief Oyegun are Governors Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna); Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano); Mohammed Abubakar (Bauchi); Rochas Okorocha (Imo); Solomon Lalong (Plateau); Yahaya Bello (Kogi) and Samuel Ortom (Benue).

    The report also quoted an APC NEC member thus: “…the issues the 17 governors are raising are part of the conspiracy against the National Chairman. “And what you are likely to see is the direction where things will go at the NEC session. As regards Oyegun’s preference for some governors, I do not think it is true. If the chairman has personal relationship with some governors, I think it is by virtue of their position or performance”.

    Interestingly, Oyegun and Oshiomhole are both from Edo State and are former governor of the state. While Chief Oyegun retired as a Federal Permanent Secretary, Mr. Oshiomhole had his days at the helm of affairs of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC. However, there are lot of questions begging for answers as Oyegun’s four-year of APC leadership draw to a close.

    Nigerians would like to know whether Oyegun demonstrated desire leadership at the saddle all through the four-year as the chairman of the APC? Has there been stability in the party and the polity? Was there conscious effort by Chief Oyegun at developing party policy that will differentiate the APC from the PDP in the eyes of the general public? You’re wont to ask also, what might Oshiomhole bring aboard the leadership of APC, different to what Chief Oyegun has been offering the ruling party presently? Is Oshiomhole ambition about fulfilling all righteousness? What is Oshiomhole’s contribution to the APC before now?

    The problem with political party development in Nigeria arises from the ruling elite unwritten rule/law that whoever is the president or governor, even local government chairman automatically becomes the leader of the political party in their domain. This primitive and/or backward-looking winner-takes-all disposition is the albatross of political party growth in the country’s democratic evolution. Political parties which ought to be vehicles for formulating and propagating national economic development has been reduced to mere praise singing platforms for elected government officials, regardless of their woeful performance in office. This, apart from Oyegun’s personal weaknesses, may have accounted for Oyegun’s languid performance in the last four-year.

    Looking at Chief Oyegun’s past as the first executive governor of Edo State for less than two years, it is evidence he demonstrated copious leadership endowment by ensuring that everyone, including non-indigene of the state benefited from his free education program. Accountability and astute leadership wre enthroned. Ditto every other aspects of governance. Edo would have been better for it but for the rude military incursion that brought the administration to abrupt end.

    The story of the APC as a political party would not be complete without the previous alliance between the defunct ACN and CPC. In 2011 when Acton Congrass of Nigeria, ACN, and the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, made futile efforts at merging into an alliance, Mr. Oshiomhole was the first to truncate that alliance by preventing President Muhammadu Buhari to enter Edo State to campaign for his (Oshiomhole’s) reelection bid in 2012.

    The same Oshiomhole is currently clowning as President Buhari’s man Friday! Oshiomhole, against the ethics of political party development, canvassed vigorously for President Goodluck election in 2011, while Mallam Nuhu Ribadu was a candidate in Oshiomhole’s  political party.

    Mr. Oshiomhole has been laying claims to President Muhammadu Buhari’s presidency, even though the APC lost the 2015 Presidential election in the state. Before we forget, the Peoples Democratic Party won the 2015 presidential election with 52% of total vote cast in Edo State.

    Before Mr. President would consider Oshiomhole for any Federal appointment or before the so-called 17 friendly governors would support Chief Oyegun’s replacement with Oshiomhole, it will please Edo people for an inquest to be conducted on the fiv-star hospital that was commissioned by Buhari 12 months ago. The Benin Central Hospital has remained under lock and key, without equipment and personnel.

     

    • Ikhide, a Public Affairs Analyst, writes from Lagos.
  • NSCDC boss receives award for resolving crisis in Bayelsa Ohaneze

    NSCDC boss receives award for resolving crisis in Bayelsa Ohaneze

    The socio-cultural group, Ohaneze Ndigbo, Bayelsa State chapter, has honoured the state Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Mr. Desmond Agu. Ohaneze recently visited Agu in his Yenagoa office and bestowed on him an award as a peacemaker.

    Led by its state President, Chief Amaku Maurice, Ohaneze believed that Agu deserved the Ambassador of Peace Award. He stood up to be counted when leadership crisis took over the Igbo body.

    Maurice and his newly-elected executive council, faced stiff opposition from persons who kicked against their emergence. It was a battle that tore the Igbo community apart in Bayelsa and attracted the attention of security agencies as well as the government.

    But Agu showed up. He was the chief mediator; a forerunner for peace. The commandant initiated many peace moves. On many occasions, he led other security commanders in the state to hold talks with the warring parties.

    As a security commander, his ultimate aim was to stop the crisis and prevent possible violent clashes that could affect the overall peace of the state. As an Igbo indigene from Imo State, Agu was worried that the crisis was painting his people black. It gave him many sleepless nights until he brought it to a reasonable end.

    Maurice, who led the delegates including some special assistants to the governor, said the award was to appreciate Agu for all his concerns towards the Ohaneze. Describing him as a great man of value, and a peacemaker, Maurice observed that it took Agu’s interventions to restore peace within the Igbo community.

    Maurice said: “After the election, crisis broke out and a feud we thought will never end, Agu came into the matter and settled it. Today, am proud to let him know that the Ohaneze Bayelsa state has been moving smoothly so far.

    “We have been having our monthly meetings and peace has been restored to the Ohaneze courtesy of his interference. Though there are still some little challenges by some aggrieved members, we believe that with time, all wounds will be healed.

    “We all are delighted for the welcome you always grant us whenever we call on you and the listening ear you give us. Peacemakers never lack peace. Today we have come to reply this feature by giving you the award of ‘Ambassador of Peace of Ndigbo Bayelsa’. It is called the Omeudo 1 in Igbo dialect. We are really thankful for everything you have been doing and has kept on doing”.

    In fact, the elated Agu welcomed the award with a song he interpreted as live and let live, the world is enough to contain everyone. He asserted that there was no need to fight for everything. He said if given the opportunity to come back to life again, he would return as an Igbo man.

    Describing the award as rare, he appealed to the President and his council to intensify their reconciliation efforts and make peace with other aggrieved parties. Addressing Maurice, he said: “You said in your words that time would  heal the hearts of the aggrieved but I want to beg you to please go and look for your brothers.

    “They remain your blood irrespective of your differences. A tree never makes a a forest. We all need one another. There is no perfect election anywhere. Even families experience such. Siblings get envious of each other, spouses complain and it continues like that.

    “It is now your responsibility to take in everyone as they are, show them love and care. We all came to Bayelsa to look for what to eat, may we not fall on what will eat us. We didn’t come to fight, so let’s take each other as one since we decided to be under one umbrella of the Ohaneze”.

    Agu urged the Igbo community in the state to maintain the peace. He appealed to the youths to keep themselves busy and avoid criminal activities. He told them that the security agencies were monitoring activities in the state to arrest and prosecute persons involved in cultism and other violent crimes.

    On his part, a Patron of Ohaneze, Chief Wilfred Iyinagolu, thanked Agu for watching over the Igbo community the way the hen cares for her chicks. Also, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Non-Indigenes, Chief Sunny Chukwueze, said Agu deserved the honour.

    lso speaking, the Deputy Commandant, NSCDC, Ikima Austine, said Agu had set good examples for his subordinates. He said they would continue to emulate the qualities of the commandant.

  • Rivers govt partners World Bank, others to provide potable water

    Rivers government on Wednesday said it was in partnership with World Bank and other foreign agencies to ensure supply of  potable water for its citizens.

    Rivers Commissioner for Water Resources and Rural Development Prof. Kaniye Ebeku said this during his inspection tour of water facilities in Ahoada, Ahoada East Local Government Area of the state.

    He said other agencies in the partnership included European Union, African Development Bank and UNICEF.

    Ebeku said at present, the administration of Governor Nyesom Wike was moving to ensure the rehabilitation of the existing water schemes as a short term measure.

    The commissioner, however, frowned at the level of the damage to water facilities in Ahoada Water Station by some unknown persons.

    He called on the community to partner with government in rehabilitating the moribund water scheme and ensuring that the facilities are protected and sustained on completion.

    Dr Felix Otuwarikpo, the Eze Igbu Upata 111 of Ahoada commended the state government for its kind gesture to the community.

    The traditional ruler said that the community was ready to partner with government to ensure the availability of safe water in the community.

    He also pledged that the facilities in his jurisdiction would be protected from vandals and appealed that the project should be extended to more communities in the state.

     

  • Siasia: From Bayelsa governorship race to national stage

    IN a political environment where young people hardly find the space to compete favourably, he announced his presence impressively.

    That was against all known systemic and traditional practices that work against having a considerable represenation of youths in public service.

    Having successfully subdued these factors militating against the participation of the younger generation in politics, it was not surprising that he has remained relevant in the country’s politics.

    In Bayelsa State, where he comes from, Moses Siloko Siasia is regarded as its golden child considering the precedent his feats in politics had created for youths.

    Though so many aspects of his trajectory beget inspiration, his participation in the 2015 governorship election in the state, remains more motivating to the Nigerian youths.

    It was a scenario that broke myths and created records as the youngest to have contested Governorship election in the country’s political culture considering the brilliance he brought to the race and his eventual performance.

    Saisia, who contested on the platform of Peoples Democratic Movement, PDM, came third with 1, 572 votes in a race that paraded an array of political heavyweights.

    Notably, 20 political parties participated in the keenly contested race where Siasia, who promised to liberate the state from the shackles of oppression, debt and inept leadership emerged third.

    While it is not in dispute that he did not emerge, governor, the beauty of his defeat manifested in the sweeping significance of his performance.

    Considering the systemic odds against him, emerging third among 20 contestants symbolically unlocked doors of opportunities for many young people.

    Siasia, who is also an entrepreneur of global repute pledged to create thousands of jobs for youths in the state and also make education attractive.

    Siasia reiterated his commitment to pursue the implementation of policies that would create the enabling environment for employment generation, wealth creation, as well as giving impetus to education, health care delivery, urban renewal, agriculture and industrial development. Though he did not emerge, governor, Siasia has remained steadfast to the realization of his election pledges.

    This unlike most political actors, who often fail to display magnanimity in defeat by being objective. Also, he has been as constant as the northern star on the political scene with remarkable participation at various levels.

    Despite not winning the election, he has been playing the role of an opposition constructively in the state. This has manifested through various inputs on some policy-actions and statements.

    Consider this:”My passion about my state is to see that it is developed and gets to its destined destination. I keep telling people, who care to listen that we are not where we are supposed to be. The state needs a lot of professionalism and ideas for it to be where it is supposed to be. Government and stakeholders need to understand that there is the need for a bottom to top approach and not top to bottom approach.  Blue ocean economy and investment in agriculture can change the current economic landscape in Bayelsa. I believe the state governor is doing his best but all stakeholders need come together and put political differences aside and contribute our quota.”

    This is one of Siasia’s many impacting and compelling pronouncements about his state.

    In addition to these strategic involvements is his active participation in some national narratives,  which had seen him making contributions that deepen democracy.

    One of such is the Not Too Young to Run Bill which his group, Nigerian Young Professionals Forum, NYPF, promoted alongside other like minds.

    The #NotTooYoungToRun Bill sought to alter the Section 65, 106, 131, 177 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) to reduce the age qualification for the office of the President from 40 years to 30 years; Governor 35 to 30, Senate 35 to 30, House of Representatives 30 to 25 and State House of Assembly 30 to 25. The Bill also sought to mainstream independent candidacy into Nigeria’s electoral process.

    Interestingly, the aims of the bill have been achieved with its passage into law by the Senate.

    Accordingly, the minimum age-limit to contest for the highest office in the land, the Presidency, was brought down from 40 to 35, while the age qualifications to run for a governorship seat and a seat in the House of Representatives was reduced by five years—to 30 and 25 years respectively.

    Expectedly,  the amendment generated a lot of excitement with many, especially the youths, expressing optimism about the positive effects it would have on youth participation in politics.

    At the level of Non-Governmental Organisations, NGOs, NYPF has been partnering other stakeholders in providing a response to some key social problems in the country.

    For instance, the Siasia-led group recently gave out Financial grants to 35 Young Business Owners in the areas of Agri-business, Creative Industry, and ICT and the group have played what observers termed a commendable role in the nation’s power sector.

    The intervention which came as a response to the continuous vandalization of pipelines was a workshop for host community youth leaders where power stations and pipeline installations are located across the country.

    It was a forum that engaged key actors who sabotage the power sector and whose actions led to Nigeria’s less than 3,000 megawatts generating status.

    The rationale for the programme was explained thus by Siasia at an interactive forum: “This shameful act of sabotage is mainly caused by youths of our generation, who have lost faith and do not see themselves as stakeholders in our society.

    “It is imperative to note with our recent findings that it is only a few stakeholders and players in the power sector that is concerned about finding a solution to this menace, while some see it as a cash cow because of their selfish interests.

    With these representing just a few of Siasia’s involvements in the polity, analysts consider him one of the leading youth leaders in Nigeria and Africa, whose presence could possibly create a paradigm shift on the scene.

  • 3, 000 participants expected at Edo Alaghodaro Investment summit, says Obaseki

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has said no fewer than 3,000 participants are expected to attend the two-day Edo 2017 Alaghodaro Investment Summit Scheduled to hold in November.

    Obaseki disclosed this while inaugurating the Edo 2017 Alaghodaro Investment Summit, Local Organising Committee at the Government House in Benin on Wednesday.

    He said participants would be drawn from local and international business leaders and investors, policy makers, bankers, industry experts as well as academia.

    Obaseki said the summit, billed to hold between November 10 and 12, aside using the event to celebrate his administration’s one year in office would be held annually.

    According to the governor, the event would be taking place annually to evaluate performance of his government and its aspirations.

    “It is going to be an active collaboration between the state and private sector; because the essence of our government is to serve as an enabler for businesses to thrive,’’ he said.

    The governor, who said financing of the summit would be sought through collaborations with the private sector, urged the committee to get donations from partners.

    He also urged the committee to provide efficient logistics to ensure a successful summit.

    The Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, (LOC), Prof. Julius Ihnovbere, thanked the governor for the vision to host the summit, saying it would boost economic activities in the state.

    Ihonbvere assured of the committee’s readiness to carry out the task given to it, judiciously and timely.