The Nation Newspaper

Category: Niger Delta

  • Uncle Ebele’s revelations

    Uncle Ebele’s revelations

    Do not expect so much support from the media. Remember your belief that they collaborated with civil society organisations to paint your government in bad colours. Just be focused on what you set out to achieve and with the economy struggling, who knows we may start hearing: ‘All we are saying, give us Uncle Ebele.

    In the last two weeks or so, His Excellency ex-President Dr. Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan has returned to the news. This time with full force. Tagging along is his amiable wife, Her Excellency Dame Patience Jonathan. All thanks to ex-presidential spokesman and ThisDay Editorial Board chairman Olusegun Adeniyi, who has just released a well-written, edited and easy-to-read book titled Against the Run of Play.

    The book is full of drama. Of course, the main character is our dear Uncle Ebele. By now, ex-American President Barack Obama must be bruising. Uncle Ebele really gave it to him. Obama, said Uncle Ebele, played a major role in the debilitating defeat, which ended his quest for a third oath of office as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He did not spare immediate past United Kingdom Prime Minister David Cameron and outgoing French President Francois Hollande.

    Uncle Jonathan revealed the secrets that Obama, Hollande and Cameron thought he would be afraid to let out. He caught them red-handed juggling figures for now ailing President Muhammadu Buhari and doing all manners of things which led to his defeat. They thought he would not talk. Now, Uncle Ebele has spoken and Obama, Hollande and Cameron are taking cover. If I were Uncle, I would not take this lightly. Thank God, Hollande is also on his way out of power, which means all the three of them who denied Nigerians of corruption-free democracy do not enjoy any form of immunity. Once Hollande is out of power, Uncle Ebele should drag the three of them before the International Criminal Court. These guys deserve to stand trial for crimes against humanity.

    By their actions and inactions, they have robbed Nigerians of Boko Haram insurgents carrying on as if they were God’s anointed; they have robbed us of the treasury being open for every Dick, Tom and Harry to have unfettered access to; they have robbed us of the theatrics and good dictions of Dame Jonathan; they have robbed us of having the special privilege of having the beautiful Diezani Allison-Madueke in government and in power; and they have denied us of the honour of having the ‘boy is good’ in power. What evil these oyinbos have done us! What is their own in our own self?

    I must point out that the conspiracy against Uncle Ebele was not only international. There were local collaborators. Some of them include: ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, ex-Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairman Adamu Mu’azu, Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal and Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi.

    For these local collaborators, I will suggest Uncle Ebele drag them before the Social Media Court. Obasanjo, in particular, deserves to be thoroughly thrashed at the People’s Court. He was really mean to Uncle Ebele. Haba! He even accused Uncle Ebele and his people of turning the war against Boko Haram into an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) to take money out of the treasury. This is nothing but wicked to say about a man who fought corruption with all his heart and might and even sacked a beloved minister over infractions.

    Tambuwal’s first offence was leaving the PDP. In fact, before he officially left, his spirit had left but he stayed on so as not to lose his seat but worked in the other direction. For this, will you say he did not deserve the tongue-lashing from Dame Jonathan? She gave it to him. But Mama wicked small by describing a grown up man like Tambuwal as ‘This Hausa boy’.

    And Amaechi, I do not know what to say about him. Uncle Ebele said he had no problem with him but there was a disagreement between the former Rivers governor and Dame Jonathan. We all know of the fight but was that enough reason for Amaechi to work with local and international collaborators to end the ambition of the great Uncle Ebele?

    Let’s come to Mu’azu, the one Tell magazine dubbed the ‘Desert Magician’. Uncle Ebele believes he is a saboteur. My problem with the ‘magician’ is that he failed to carry out a simple assignment. What is hard in abusing somebody? He was only asked to abuse Buhari and top All Progressives Congress (APC) chiefs. What is hard in twisting facts a bit to gain some political mileage? Politicians all over the world do it. Just sexe it up. Chikena! And the man carried on as if he was giving a suicide belt and asked to press the button and go to heaven afterwards. He should have taken lessons from Dame Jonathan if he had any problem carrying out the simple assignment. But instead he became a gentleman. Who told him there is a room for gentlemen in politics? Come on, man, you have got to be humanly brutal!

    These three guys did unforgiveable damage to Uncle Ebele’s good intention to take Nigeria to the Eldorado. And for this, we should unleash the angry army of Jonathanians on them. All the social media space –  twitter, Facebook, instragram and Youtube – should be used to reconstruct the story of their lives. We do not need to take them to the regular courts because they are bound to be found not guilty. The Social Media Court is a mob court. Just get a band of not-too-busy guys to be the prosecutors and judges and justice will be served in minutes.

    When the local and international collaborators have been dealt with, Uncle Ebele needs to set in motion the process for a new narrative. This is no time to see any sense in the television commercial, which says “image is nothing; taste is everything; obey your taste”. Uncle Ebele, image is everything. There is still hope to change all the narratives out there. So, below are my pieces of advice for you.

    First, at every available opportunity, keep talking about working on a book that will lay bare the facts of how you were defeated. Hammer it down our throats that Nigerians will be shocked when the book is out. Drop a hint that you have been working on it in your country home in Otuoke as being in your natural habitat brings out the best in you and makes you deliver with unbelievable speed.

    Second sir, make yourself available for speaking engagements, especially outside Nigeria and do not miss the opportunity of alluding to the gang-up against you by the North and Southwest. Please always link this to minority rights. There is a good ring to matters of the underdogs, especially in Europe. Do not mind people who will accuse you of being keen on rewriting history and making all we know suddenly begin to look fictitious.

    Third sir, you must fall back on political capitals. I know you have ’empowered’ a lot of people. This is pay-back time. Get them to always say good things about you, especially let them emphasise the usual line that you were largely misunderstood in government and that Nigerians would have better appreciated you if your plans had been allowed to fully take shape.

    Number four sir, these men and women who owe you political debts should pay you visits regularly and when they do, ensure pictures are taken. Get these pictures circulated on social and traditional media. It is also important that activities around your country home should become frenzy. Get people to mill around more than before. The essence of this is to show that you have not been abandoned. Before you know it the narratives will begin to read like: ‘He is a man of his people’.

    I must warn you sir, while you are implementing these strategies, busy-bodies — who call themselves columnists and are looking for issues to write on— will pick on you. They will write all manners of things. The best approach is to just ignore them.

    My final take: Do not expect so much support from the media. Remember your belief that they collaborated with civil society organisations to paint your government in bad colours. Just be focused on what you set out to achieve and with the economy struggling, who knows we may start hearing: ‘All we are saying, give us Uncle Ebele’.

  • Fed Govt approves N54b for road linking Akwa Ibom, Cross River

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday approved N54 billion for the reconstruction of Odukpani Itu-Ikot Ekpene road linking Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.

    The Ministers of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, disclosed this at the end of the FEC meeting held in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    He stated that the road would boost socio-economic activities and improve the performance of the economy by reducing journey time, the cost of doing business and also create more job opportunities.

    “The Ministry of Power Works and Housing had just one memorandum it was for the award of the Odukpani Itu-Ikot Ekpene route linking Akwa Ibom and Cross River states with a spur to Ibede Itan, the road project was approved for award to messrs Julius Berger Plc.

    “So we expect that all of the problems that have been associated with that road which was constructed for well over 40 years ago which has outgrown its design life and also its design capacity those problems will now be frontally responded to by the award of this contract.

    “We will do the best to quickly mobilise the contractor to site with the onset of the rainy season and am sure that by this time next year, it will be a better story, a better journey time experience in that area of the country.

    “So, this is consistent with the promise of the administration to improve the growth and the performance of the economy by reducing journey time, the cost of doing business and the ease of transport and so on and so forth and also create jobs that would arise from the period of construction,’’ he said.

    The Minister of Aviation (State), Hadi Sirika also disclosed that the FEC approved N1.5 billion for projects in the aviation sector.

    He disclosed that the Council approved the appointment of transaction advisers for the establishment of national carriers, establishment of aviation leasing company and establishment of maintenance repair and overhaul centre.

    He said advisers were also approved for the establishment of Aerotropolis or airport city and for the concession of the nation’s airports

    “Today in Council we took the memo for the appointment of those transaction advisers to carry out the advisory services on establishment of national carriers, establishment of aviation leasing company and establishment of maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) centre, establishment of aerotropolis or airport city as you may call it and of course the concession of our airports.

    “It was considered and all of them were divided into six groupings and they were awarded to Messrs Luftansa consulting/TN Aero FGE for the national carrier, then the aviation leasing company was awarded to Messrs Arrow.

    “Then the concession of airports was awarded to Messrs Infrata Dantens, while the establishment of MRO was awarded to Messrs Arrow, then aerotropolis and agro cargo terminals was given to JEBB, all of these were at different amount but the total sum was N1.524,492,863.62.

    “Council had graciously approved, these will signal the kick start of all of these activities within the industry of transportation and aviation,’’ he said.

    The Minister of Water Resources, Alhaji Suleiman Adamu disclosed that the Council approved contract verification of the diary irrigation project located along Kano and Jigawa states.

    He explained that the project, which is about 2,300 hectare, was abandoned after reaching 50 per cent completion.

    “It has been abandoned for almost 20 years. As you are aware it has been the policy of the federal ministry of water resources to put priority on ongoing projects .

    “This particular project happens to be one of the priority projects. Having been abandoned for over 17 years it is not easy to just move back to site.

    “We have to do a more detailed analysis of the scope of work to know how much work is needed to complete the project and how much it will cost.’’

    According to the minister, there is already a provision for the project in the 2016 budget and it has also been included in the 2017 budget.

    He said: “We are hoping that by the time they finish this project we will be able to come back to council for approval to continue.

  • Kiama bridge on East-West Road: Disaster waiting to happen

    Kiama bridge on East-West Road: Disaster waiting to happen

    The East-West Road remains a sad reminder of the failures of former President Goodluck Jonathan. He left the Presidency without completing the road adjudged as the most critical gateway linking the Niger Delta region to other parts of the country.

    Ironically, the most deplorable part of the abandoned road is the axis criss-crossing Bayelsa, the home state of Jonathan. Kaima bridge is the worst hit. The bridge is a ticking time bomb. Unless something urgent is done to temporarily repair it, the bridge may one day become a scene of death and blood.

    The failed bridge is located in Kaiama, the hometown of the popular late Ijaw hero, Maj. Isaac Adaka Boroh in Kolokuma-Opokuma Local Government Area, Bayelsa State. Initially signs that all was not well with the bridge emerged when the connecting rods and concrete linking the road to the bridge began to show disconnections.

    Then road users took solace in a fathom hope that they would soon be diverted to the bridge at the other side of the dual carriage way, which was then under construction. But it has now become a long way to freedom as all work on the second bridge has been abandoned. Nothing was also done to close the widening gap that emerged at the entry and exit points of the existing bridge.

    Now the gap has widened into a gulf and vehicles find it extremely difficult manipulating the bridge edges. The road is always busy because all kinds of vehicles including articulated trucks ply it in torrents. The daily weight of the vehicles has further worsened the fate of the bridge.

    For regular users with mastery of the road, the collapsing bridge poses little danger because they apply tact and care to manipulate the dangerous zones. But for persons plying the road for the first time, the danger is ominous. It becomes a death trap if darkness meets the unsuspecting new user.

    Recently, the bridge was a scene of chaotic traffic snarl. Hundreds of vehicles queued to pass through it. The passengers had their hearts on their hands as their vehicles maneuvered the dangerous areas. Some screamed, others kicked as their complaints saturated the atmosphere.

    A passenger of one of the vehicles who identified himself as Simon decried the silence of the Federal Ministry of Works on the plight of the road users. He said in the spirits of the change mantra, the Federal Government is expected to wade swiftly into emergency situations.

    “This is a disaster waiting to happen. We have been crying and lamenting over the nature of this bridge because we know one day it will cause a heavy accident. They do as if they don’t know that this problem exist. When people die now, you will see them sending condolence messages”, he said.

    An indigene of Kaiama, who refused to give his name, said though they’re were disappointed in Jonathan’s administration, the present government should fix the abandoned road.

    “Jonathan failed us. We know but government is a continuum. The present administration should hasten the construction of the East-West road. They should first treat the case of Kaiama budge as an emergency. We don’t want our town to be a scene of death”, he said.

    A motorist, who gave his name as John said he had suffered at the bridge and wondered the fate of persons plying the road for the first time especially at night. He said it was pathetic that such danger was allowed to linger for a long time.

    He said: ”It is unthinkable and worrisome that the major expressway linking the people of South-South was allowed to degenerate to such a pathetic level. From the look of things, the way the bridge is now, if nothing is done quickly to fix it, we will soon be cut off from other states.

    ”One expects that there should be people going round such sensitive asset, but as it were, nobody seems to care. Maybe they do not want us to travel to other places again. I do not want to know who is responsible for what, what the people want is that the bridge should be repaired to save us from an impending catastrophic danger.”

    Also Patricia, a commuter, said East West road had become a major stumbling block to the people of the Niger Delta region.

    She said: ”The Bayelsa State section of the expressway has remained unattended to for a long time. The contractors handling the road rehabilitation have been dilly-dallying. I do not intend to lay the blame completely at their door because in Nigeria, anything goes. As we speak, maybe they have not paid them their money.

    ”It is a pity that a road that should be rehabilitated with a bias is allowed to deteriorate in such a pathetic manner. This is no time for buck-passing. We urge the government to come to the rescue of road users and fix the bridge quickly.”

    Responding to the matter, the Bayelsa State Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Mr. Wobin Ayuba Gora, said he had written to the Federal Ministry of Works in the state about the development.

    He said: “We have written to the Federal Ministry of Works. I believe that they will soon do something. The last time something like this came up, we wrote and they did something.

    “They piped some iron to reduce the gap. But now that the thing is expanding, they should do more than piping irons. Something needs to be done urgently and I am sure something will be done”.

    Gora said he would send a reminder to the ministry to alert them on the need to address the situation urgently.

    But the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Works, Mr. Lawrence Ewrhudjakpor, said Kaiama bridge is a federal government’s responsibility and had nothing to do with the state government.

    He said, “My duty is to inform the Federal Controller of Works in the state and I have duly informed him. He is aware of the problem on Kaiama bridge.

    “Bayelsa State has spent over N40bn on federal roads in the state without any refund from the Federal Government. As for us, we have done the needful by informing the relevant federal authorities”.

  • Anioma cultural festival glitters with royalty

    Anioma cultural festival glitters with royalty

    Our past includes valuable culture that other people would appreciate if we preserve and promote it.

    Over 30 traditional rulers were among the huge gathering of Anioma people that were thrilled at this year’s Anioma Cultural Festival, the 14th edition, held on Easter Monday, April 17, 2017, at the Anglican Girls Grammar School, Asaba.

    Organised by the Organisation for the Advancement of Anioma Culture (OFAAC), the culture umbrella body of Anioma people, this year’s fiesta lived up to its billing as the biggest festival in Delta State. From as early as 8.00am the venue reverberated with singing, drumming, dancing and cheering with about 117 musical, dance and drama troupes from all over the nine local government areas that make up Delta North Senatorial District otherwise known as Anioma nation.

    This year’s fiesta, with the theme: Let’s Celebrate Our Culture, was not only a carnival, as has been the tradition; it was also a championship for the active promotion of Anioma culture. The performances of the competing troupes were adjudged under seven categories and each group winner, runner up and second runner-up went home with mouthwatering prizes. OFAAC also awards big money prizes for three overall best performers from the various categories. This year, the heavyweight performers did not disappoint. Defending champions, Ayolo Troupe, an eclectic, mixed, youth dance troupe from Igbuzo retained the best overall performing group. Otu Chukwu Anyi Ri Mma, the well-costumed, energetic women’s dance ensemble, from Agbor-Obi were first runners-up while Onu Anioma, the war dance group from Owa Alero bagged the prize for the third overall best performers.

    There were also non-competing groups, such as the Otu Odu Enyi of Asaba led by Barr. Giwa Amu. The large number of performers included community and school-based troupes, church-affiliated bands, as well as amateur and semi-professional collectives. There were as well traditional wrestling and exhibition of arts and crafts of Anioma people.

    Speaking in his welcome address at the fiesta, president of OFAAC, Arc. Kester Ifeadi, showered praises on Delta State Government for its cooperation and support to the efforts of his organisation, “to promote and protect the rich culture of the Anioma people.” OFAAC has supported its cultural promotion activities with community development initiatives. Giving further kudos to the state governor, Dr. Ifeanyi  Okowa who Ifeadi described as a long-time supporter of OFAAC and who was unavoidably absent due to an engagement outside the state, Ifeadi informed the gathering that “Only recently, we took delivery of two tractors which were given to us by the Delta State Government to boost agrarian efforts of our people.”

    To the royal fathers who came in large numbers, the OFAAC president stated that if not for their encouragement and support, the efforts of OFAAC would have been in vain. He thanked them immensely for their fatherly support and solicited continued cooperation.

    In his remarks at the occasion, the governor, who was represented by his chief of staff, Hon. Tam Brisbie, stated that, “We cannot have a future without a past. Our past includes valuable culture that other people would appreciate if we preserve and promote it. “We have a rich cultural history in Delta State that can bring people from other states and even abroad to Delta State.”

    He therefore urged OFAAC “not to relent in their promotion of our rich cultural heritage.”

    The long list of royal fathers whose presence and regalia added majesty to the fiesta included  Obi Obuenwe Ekpechi Ulu, the Ezemu of Emu Kingdom; Obi Vincent Nmor, the Obi of Ugiliamai; Obi Kikachukwu, the Obi Of Ubulu-Unor; Obi Samuel Otiegede III, the Obi Of Idumu-Ogo; Obi Martha Dunkwu, the Omu Of Anioma; Obi Emmanuel Offor, the Obi Of Adonte; Obi Theresa .U. Mgbo, the Omu Of Onicha –Uku; Obi Ayo Isinyemeze I, the Obi of Ugbodu; Obi Nezteh Marvin, the Obi of Akuku-Uno; Obi Onwelikwu Ogboli, the Obi of Ejeme-Aniogor.

    More of the monarchs whose royal presence spiced up the fiesta included the youngest monarch of Oligbo kingdom, Obi Nduka Ezeagauna II JP, the Obi of Issele-Uku; Obi Godwin Onyenweuwa, the Obi of Ewulu; Obi Sunday Olisenekwu, the Obi of Ogodor; Obi Emmanuel Offor, the Obi of Adonte. Also on the list of royalty were, Obi Mohanyem I, the Obi of Ezi; Obi Charlse Anyasi, Obi of Idumuju-Unor, Akor Engr. Osita Onwuka, the Akorr of Oko; Obi Victor Chukwumaleze, the Obi of Onicha-Ugbo among others.

    Other special guests and prominent sons of the state who were present at the festival were, Delta State commissioner for information, culture and tourism, Mr. Patrick Ukah; Engr. G.N. Konwea JP, who represented Obi Prof. Chike Edozien, the Asagba of Asaba; a strong delegation of Onu Ika led by Dan Osifo, Chief Dan Okenyi, among several dignitaries from both the public and private sectors.

    Through the years, Anioma Cultural Festival has attracted the attention and support of key national brands and products. This year, Zenith Bank, Union Bank, Seaman’s Schnapps, Cakasa Nigeria, and NorthWest Petroleum keyed in as event sponsors.

     

  • Police nab two in Akwa Ibom over kidnap of polytechnic founder

    The Police in Akwa Ibom have arrested two persons linked to the kidnapping of Sure Foundation Polytechnic founder, Dr Idongesit Udom.

    The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Donald Awunah, disclosed this to newsmen in Uyo on Wednesday.

    Awunah stated that the suspects were helping the police in their investigation.

    He explained that the police were doing their best to ensure that the victim was rescued alive.

    “This type of matter does not require force since the life of a person is involved. We are not relenting in our efforts to get the man freed from the kidnappers.

    “The Anti-Kidnapping Squad and the Operation Impact Strategy team have spread their intelligence; very soon, the man will be rescued,” he said.

    The commissioner appealed to the civil society to cooperate with security agencies by always giving information on crimes and criminal elements in their neighbourhood for prompt action.

    Udom was abducted by suspected kidnappers outside his country home in Ukanafun while walking to Qua Iboe Church on Sunday, April 9.

  • Day Ekpeye traditional rulers crowned Wudhiga as Ada Ekpeye-logbo

    Day Ekpeye traditional rulers crowned Wudhiga as Ada Ekpeye-logbo

    The day marked a unique chapter in the history of socio-cultural development of Ekpeye land which comprises Ahoada West and East Local government areas of Rivers State. It is the second time a woman was crowned and elevated to the coveted position of Ada Ekpeye-Logbo II of Ekpeye-land.

    The traditional title of Ekpeye-logbo, which is occupied by Eze Ekpeye-logbo, His Royal Majesty Eze Robison O. Robison, is the strongest, respectful  and highest traditional stool in the Ekpeye Kingdom. The state recognizses it socio-political influence in the life of its subjects.

    Dr. Patricia Wudhiga Ogbonnaya, who has immensely contributed to the growth of women and children in Ekpeye Kingdom and Rivers State as a whole, got the attention and admiration of the Council of Traditional Rulers, Chiefs and the blessing of  Eze Ekpeye-logbo II, His Royal Majesty Eze Robison O. Robison.

    Mrs.  Ogbonnaya’s coronation day was a gathering of those that matter in Ekpeye Kingdom, Rivers State and Southsouth. It attracted businessmen, politicians, traditional rulers, and socialites who came from far and near to witness the epoch-making event.

    Some of the guests who spoke at the event believe that Mrs.  Ogbonnaya deserves the coveted traditional crown because of her contributions to humanity.

    Eze Robison said: “ The stool is as old as Eze Ekpeye Logbo stool. I created the stool immediately I ascended to the throne of Eze Ekpeye Logbo II of Ekpeye land. The  first lady whom I gave the ‘title’ was late High Chief (Mrs.) Dorothy Echikwa who ruled the women folk in Ekpeye Logbo II of Ekpeye land.

    “The quality and the capacity of Ada Ekpeye was very challenging, hence it took Eze Ekpeye Logbo in-council many years after her demise to appoint another ‘Ada Ekpeye’ of her quality. Having searched very diligently and meticulously, the Eze Ekpeye Logbo in-council was directed by the Almighty God and our deities to rest the stool on the young precious lady whom the golden crown fits most in Ekpeye land. She is no other person than, High Chief Patricia Wudhiga Ogbonnaya”

    In her acceptance speech after her coronation, Mrs. Ogbonnaya said: “I’m more humbled today for your choice of elevating me to the coveted position of Ada Ekpeye Logbo II of Ekpeye land. I believe that this is divine, and therefore promise to live up to the tenets of the position demands by the Grace of God, to the best of my ability and to the glory of Almighty God and humanity.

    “I’m pleading to our men in this kingdom to put away the traditional beliefs that the place of a woman is always in the kitchen. Our children should be given quality education, no one in this present day will train  a girl child, only to limit her potentials to the kitchen or to the farm or carrying our traditional “Ogbani and Ogwu” (Hampers and hoes).”

  • Edo to renovate its Central Medical Stores

    The Edo Government is to commence immediate renovation of its Central Medical Stores in Benin, in preparation for the receipt of 2.6 million insecticide-treated mosquito nets.

    The nets are a part of the roll back malaria campaign of the World Health Organization (WHO), which is being organised in collaboration with the state government.

    Edo Deputy Gov., Mr Philip Shuaibu, stated this in Benin on Wednesday while inspecting facilities at the state-owned central medical stores.

    Shuaibu said that despite the short time frame, the state governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, had directed that modalities must be in place before the arrival of the third and fourth tranches of the treated nets.

    He explained that the state government was ready to collaborate with the WHO in furtherance of the state’s health policy.

    The deputy governor explained that proper monitoring of the treated nets would be done across all the 18 Local Government Areas in the state.

    In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Peter Ugbodaga, who conducted the deputy governor and his team round the facility, said the state had already taken the delivery of the first and second trenches.

    Ugbodaga said that the state had received 36 trucks of the nets, while about 34 trucks are being expected in June, this year.

    He explained that the distribution of the insecticide-treated nets would be done in July and August, this year, across the 192 wards in the state.

  • Agriculture will help Nigeria tackle unemployment, says Wike

    Agriculture will help Nigeria tackle unemployment, says Wike

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has stated that investments in agriculture  will help the nation  tackle youth unemployment .

    Speaking during a courtesy  visit by the Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh and Minister of State for Agriculture, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri at the Government House Port Harcourt on Wednesday, Wike said agriculture is essential   to the revival of the nation’s  economy.

    He said: “If Nigeria must move to the next level, agriculture  is key. To reduce unemployment, we must focus on agriculture “.

    The governor  lauded the Minister of Agriculture  for displaying  maturity  by ensuring  that the issues  of  food production  are insulated  from politics.

    The governor  said his administration  was developing a public private partnership  model to enhance  the  development  of  agriculture.

    He said: “We are developing the cassava factory to improve  the commercial  farming  of the product.  We are also working  with a private  company to revive our rubber factory”.

    He informed  that his administration  is working  with  the Rivers State University to revive the College of Agriculture  at Onne for the training  of agricultural  professionals.

    Governor Wike said that the State Government  will  collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to improve  key aspects  of  the  State Agricultural Sector.

    In his remarks, Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh said unless the youth are reintroduced  to agriculture, the country will always  have security  challenges  as most urban youths are idle.

    He said issues  of agriculture  must be placed above politics in the overall interest of the country.

    The Minister  said that Rivers State  has the potentials to be a major  source of fish for the entire country.

    The Ministers of Agriculture and all the Commissioners of Agriculture are in Rivers State  for the National Council of Agriculture meeting.

  • FRSC records 110 deaths in road accidents in Edo, Delta, other

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on Wednesday said no fewer than 110 deaths were recorded in Edo, Delta and Anambra due to road accidents in the first quarter of 2017.

    Mr Kehinde Adeleye, the Zonal Commanding Officer, Zone 5, comprising Edo, Delta and Anambra, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin on Wednesday.

    Adeleye said 1,334 persons were involved in 170 road accidents within the period under review, with 551 people sustaining varying degrees of injury.

    Giving a breakdown of the incidents, the Zonal Commander said that in Edo 30 deaths were recorded from 62 accidents involving 495 people in January

    He said that in Delta 61 deaths were recorded in 52 road accidents involving 252 people, while in Anambra 46 deaths were recorded in 66 accidents involving 487 people within the period.

    Adeleye explained that compared with the statistics of the last quarter of 2016, the figure was high as 70 deaths, 363 were injured in 142 accidents involving 1,251 people in the zone.

    He, however, said the figure was similar to that recorded in the first quarter of 2016 which was 111 deaths from 110 accidents involving 924 persons with 525 injured.

    The FRSC Zonal commander attributed road accidents to speed violations, dangerous driving as well as break failure.

    Adeleye advised drivers to maintain speed limits, especially with the approaching rainy season and to avoid buying fairly used tyres.

    He also appealed to stakeholders to ensure strict compliance and enforcement of Federal Government directives or policies made to ensure safer roads.

    The zonal commander commended the NSCDC and the Army for their collaboration with the corps toward ensuring that the correct data on road traffic crashes were obtained from the hinterlands.

  • Navy pledges to fight malaria

    Navy pledges to fight malaria

    The Nigerian Navy has to pledged their support in the fight against malaria in the country.

    Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) of the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) in Calabar, Rear Admiral James Oluwole, who declared this support during a lecture to mark their Second Quarter Health Awareness Week pointed out that available record shows that one child dies every two minutes, and most of the cases were in sub-Saharan Africa, Nigeria inclusive.

    He said globally, 3.3billion people in 106 countries are at risk of malaria.

    The health week, which had as its theme “End Malaria for Good”, coincided with the World Malaria Day (WMD).

    He said the Command decided to key into the WMD and educate personnel in its Area of Responsibility (AOR) on malaria.

    The FOC said in line with the Nigerian Navy’s priority on health, the ENC through its health facilities routinely carries out activities that will promote healthy living among naval personnel and civilian staff under the command.

    Dr Mbang Kooffreh-Ada of the Department of Internal Medicine, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), presented a lecture on the topic “Malaria Prevention Works: Let’s Close the Gap and End Malaria for Good.”

    Kooffreh-Ada said 97 per cent of Nigeria’s population is at risk of the disease.

    She said malaria is the leading cause of child death in the country, resulting in 250,000 children dying annually.

    “Malaria also accounts for 60 per cent of outpatient visits, 30 per cent of hospitalizations, 11 per cent of maternal mortality, and 10 per cent of low birth weight incidences,” she said.