The Nation Newspaper

Category: Niger Delta

  • Activists, others seek end to violence in Niger Delta

    Activists, others seek end to violence in Niger Delta

    Militants, especially of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), are giving top officials of oil companies and the Federal Government sleepless nights. The environment  is also being polluted and devastated through bombing of oil pipelines and other facilities of the multinationals.

    Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, and his counterpart of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson, are the worst hit by the activities of members of NDA, who decided to concentrate their activities in the two strategic states.

    Okowa, Dickson and other governors of states in the Niger Delta, among other stakeholders, had on many occasions of recent, pleaded with the NDA members and other militants in the Niger Delta to sheathe their swords and embrace peace, thereby agreeing to dialogue with the Federal Government.

    Incessant bombing of pipelines conveying oil and gas is greatly affecting crude oil exploration and exploitation, in a country that mainly depends of revenue from petroleum, especially the sale of crude oil and gas, for survival.

    The activities of the NDA are taking toll on electricity supply in the country, since gas from the Niger Delta is needed to power the turbines, with citizens nationwide now experiencing epileptic electricity supply.

    The oil companies are also evacuating their workers from the creeks, particularly at the flow stations and other facilities, in order not to endanger their lives, while most of the bombed pipes are yet to be repaired, thereby creating tension in the region.

    In order to ensure cessation of hostilities and violence in the Niger Delta, some stakeholders came together at a summit in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, with ensuring peace as their main target, so as to pave way for the much-desired development.

    The stakeholders, comprising top government officials, other eminent personalities, security chiefs, human rights activists, members of civil society organisations and representatives of the private sector, declared that end must now come to militancy in the hitherto neglected Niger Delta region.

    The summit on towards achieving peace and sustainable development in the Niger Delta, with the theme: “Promoting Peace, Democracy and Stability in Nigeria through the Media, Socio-Cultural Institutions and Youth Driven Community Based Groups,” was organised by the Journalists for Democratic Rights (JODER), with the support of the Ford Foundation (West Africa Regional Office).

    Emphasis at the timely summit was placed on capacity building, conflict prevention and management, as well as peace building.

    The Executive Director of JODER, Mr. Adewale Adeoye, who is also a foremost journalist, stated that the summit was to strengthen a people-driven process for conflict prevention, conflict management and peace-building in the Niger Delta.

    Adeoye noted that the programme, which was earlier held in Lagos and Enugu, would later hold in Kaduna and Abuja, among other Nigerian cities, in order for the stakeholders to continue to stand for peace and not violence.

    Niger Delta is home to indigenous ethnic groups that have lived in their territories for thousands of years, while the region is a great ancestral homeland of many forest-dependent people, with a rich heritage of amazing culture and civilisation.

    The region is by far the second largest mangrove forest in the world, rich in natural resources, including but not limited to land and sea animals, the fauna, and hundreds of plant species, which add value to the diverse tributaries and estuaries linked to the vast ocean and the great Rivers Nun and Niger.

    Niger Delta has no fewer than 16 distinct ethnic nationalities, with history of shared heritage and cultural identities, including social and trade relations, long before the advent of colonial rule.

    As with any other natural setting, there were history of conflicts and strives among the nationalities, but the Niger Delta, however, remains one of the most critical nerve centres of the Nigerian economy, owing to its rich natural endowments and resourcefulness of the people.

    The social and economic activities of the nationalities that make up the Niger Delta are linked to the environment, which supports the survival of the people, who depend on livelihoods generated by land and forests resources.

    For half a century, the people of the Niger Delta have been facing various challenges to their survival, due to various adverse factors, including disruptive oil exploration, lack of opportunities, national malaise of corruption, forest devastation, depletion of sea and land resources, gas flaring and environmental pollution.

    The Niger Delta produces the mainstay of Nigeria’s economy, which is crude oil and gas, but without equitable sharing/allocation of the resources, which remains a major source of conflict in the country.

    The executive director of JODER, in his welcome address at the summit, stated that the forest reserve of the Niger Delta had remained largely depleted and at present to an all-time low, with land utterly polluted, natural streams almost extinct and means of living under sever attacks, thereby posing a serious threat to generations unborn.

    Adeoye said: “Previous efforts of governments at various levels to address the situation have not led to appreciable results, in spite of the huge resources committed to the process.

    “Such efforts include the introduction of the 13 per cent revenue derivation, the setting up of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the establishment of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and the recent adoption of the United Nations Environment Programme, (UNEP) report on Ogoniland’s environmental assessment, which the Nigerian Federal Government has promised to implement, leading to the recent kick-off of the Ogoni clean-up.

    “Regrettably, the Niger Delta narrative has been consistent stories of violence, desperation and various vices associated with legitimate agitations of the people;

    “Irrespective of the various efforts of the governments, the Niger Delta remains fundamentally poor and vulnerable, with limited opportunities for the people to transform their lives in their own way, through self actualisation.”

    JODER’s executive director also stated that notwithstanding the challenges facing the peace-loving people of the Niger Delta, they had the infinite ability to aspire to a greater future, founded on justice, liberty and respect for the dignity of the human person.

    According to Adeoye, conflict, which is part of human life, is a major impediment to growth and can lead to hate, misunderstanding, wars and stereotyping, stressing that with conflict, everybody stands to lose, while calling for discipline and unity, with emphasis to be placed on good ideas, which rule the world.

    The resource person at the summit, Mr. Francis Abayomi, stated that people should always promote peaceful co-existence, in order to move forward.

    The Special Assistant to Rivers Governor on Social Media, Oraye St. Franklyn, said: “Let us make our democracy to work. Conflict can only be resolved through dialogue, but before the resolution, there is need for justice, which will lead to peace. Without justice, there can be no peace.”

    A prominent Ijaw leader, Sgt. Werinipre Digifa, stated that with conflicts everywhere in Nigeria, preaching peace, respect for one another and dialogue must always be emphasised.

    Patterson Ogon of the Ijaw Council for Human Rights (ICHR), who was accompanied by a senior official of ICHR, Toinpre Alabo, described the summit as key, stressing that with trust and confidence in one another, Nigeria would move forward.

    An ex-Bayelsa State Commissioner for Culture and Ijaw National Affairs, Dr. Felix Tuodolo, described conflict as inevitable, calling for continuous education and enlightenment.

    Rivers Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Mrs. Helen Amakiri, who was represented by the command’s Spokesman, Akin Oguntuase, a Chief Superintendent of Corps, called for continuous synergy among security agencies to ensure peace and progress.

    The Commissioner for Information and Communications in Rivers state, Dr. Austin Tam-George, who was represented by a Director in the ministry, Mr. Paulinus Nsirim, stated that the summit was very important and timely.

    Tam-George said: “Justice, equity and fair-play are critical to ensuring an egalitarian society. Nigerians must see themselves as one united entity. I dream of Nigeria where conflicts will be minimised.”

    In a nine-point communique, signed by the executive director of JODER, it was stated that the summit strengthened a people-driven process for conflict prevention, conflict management and peace-building in the Niger Delta.

    The programme also targeted primary and secondary beneficiaries, cutting across faith-based groups, community-based organisations, women groups, civil society organisations, security agencies, youth groups, organised labour and the informal sector, as well as representatives of various ethnic groups, including Ijaw, Isoko, Ikwerre, Ndoni, Ogoni, Urhobo, Efik, Ibibio, Itsekiri and non-indigenes in the Niger Delta, among others.

    The communique reads: “Participants demand deliberate urgent attention and actions in addressing the growing poverty rate, growing drop out of children in schools, due largely to poverty and economic misery, disruption of oil pipelines and the emergence of various groups making one agitation or another.

    “Participants demand immediate cessation to all forms of violence in the Niger Delta and that critical stakeholders must embrace peaceful resolution of all the lingering crises in the region, through advocacy and necessary follow-up action.

    “Participants noted that there is the urgent need to resolve the crises in the Niger Delta region in a honest, transparent and open manner, with the view to addressing the fears of the communities, the authorities, the multinationals and business community, as well as the agitators themselves.

    “Participants condemn the invasion of indigenous Ijaw and other Niger Delta communities by armed security agents and frown against the gross human rights violations against the people by the military and other security agencies.”

     

  • Old soldier moves from varsity to varsity

    Old soldier moves from varsity to varsity

    The saying that “old soldier never dies” aptly applies to the life of Prof Chukwunonye Ojinnaka, who is signing out from the Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, University of Port Harcourt (Uniport).

    During the Nigerian Civil War, Ojinnaka served in the Biafran Army from September 1968 to January 1970 before he disengaged to further his studies.

    Perhaps it was the training he got in the army that equipped him for the positions he has occupied in life, which took a good turn in 1973 when he bagged a degree in Chemistry from the University of Ibadan and a PhD in Chemistry from the same University in 1978.

    Subsequently he worked in several places both in Nigeria and abroad before he finally came to anchor at Uniport in September 1979 as a Lecturer.

    It was in Uniport that he became a Professor of Chemistry and a two-term Dean  of the Faculty of Science of the university, a position he used to build up many young scientists in Nigeria, including the current Deputy Vice Chancellor (academic) of Uniport, Prof Hakeem Fawehinmi.

    As a renowned and chartered chemist, Ojinnaka, who was cited in Marquis Who’s Who in Science and Engineering in 1996 and 1997 as well as in Who’s Who in the World in 1997, has been a member of National University Commission Ad Hoc Accreditation and Resource verification team since 1990.

    While lecturing in Uniport, he became a Visiting Professor of Chemistry to Veritas University ( the Catholic University of Nigeria), Abuja from 2014 till date.

    Ojinnaka, who was born June 6, 1946 in Akpulu, Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo, clocked 70 years last June and it is on the bases of this that he retired from the services of Uniport.

    Thinking that he would take a rest from duty, Ojinnaka told The Nation during the celebration of Thanksgiving for his formal academic retirement and 70th birthday that: “I am moving to Veritas University, Abuja to assist in building up budding chemists for the growth of the nation.”

    The celebration started with a Mass at St Francis Catholic Church, Rumuokwuta, Port Harcourt which was con-celebrated by Rev Fr. Kenneth Obasi; Rev Fr, Innocent Okeke, the immediate younger brother of Ojinnaka’s wife and three other Priests.

    In a homily during the Mass, Obasi harped on the importance of being peaceful and using one’s position in life to build up others,

    The Priest also said:” Today we are celebrating not 70 hours, not 70 days but 70 years dedicated to research and development and 70 years full of service,” urging other people to emulate the footsteps of Ojinnaka.

    The former Vice Chancellor of Uniport, Prof Nimi Briggs, who chaired the reception session of the thanksgiving celebration, also poured encomiums on Ojinnaka, saying: “We are here to celebrate a good man and when a good man calls, we all congregate.”

    Briggs also used the life of Ojinnaka to advise young lecturers, saying: “I implore you to note that it is not how long, it is the impact you make in the society that matters.

    “Try to make appreciable impact in the society and leave a name for yourself.”

    Making a toast, a Port Harcourt-based Businessman, Max Ugwu, also acknowledged that Ojinnaka has “impacted on the society in no small way. He is also a traditionalist and a gentleman who has combined both academics and tradition,” thus bagging the title of “The Ezennabuenyi of Akpulu Kingdom.”

    Ojinnaka said: “I feel very great at 70. The impressive turnout of people shows how people love me.

    “After 37 years of meritorious services at Uniport, I feel fulfilled that I have trained many people,” adding that he is retiring from Uniport to move into another university, the Veritas University, Abuja.”

  • ‘Pipeline attacks are crimes against Niger Delta people’

    ‘Pipeline attacks are crimes against Niger Delta people’

    An elder statesman and convener, Concerned Niger Delta Elders (CNDE), Chief Mike Kpoyibo, spoke to Mike Odiegwu on the resurgent of militancy in the region and the way forward. Kpoyibo also blames Niger Delta leaders and governors for the lack of development in the region

    How do you feel about the crisis rocking the Niger Delta region?

    As critical stakeholder in the Niger Delta, myself and others came out to speak against Niger Delta Avengers. We spoke against economic criminals. They said they would bring oil produ tion to zero but as far as we are concerned, if you dont have a genuine intention for agitation, you dont need to cause trouble for Nigeria. Nigeria is one. Everbody is first class citizen, but the Niger Delta needs to be developed. When we say Niger Delta question, we are talking about how critical the Niger Delta is to rest part of Nigeria. Without the Niger Delta today, Nigeria cant operate smoothly. The leaders we have been producing in the Niger Delta have been self-centered. They have refused to develop our area. So, when you say that somedy is an MD of NDDC, the person is not an Hausa man. One of us is the MD. But overnight, the person will become very rich and you will now blame the government. We know that the attention of the government is not enough. Even in the amnesty programme, there were a lot of agreements reached. They have not fulfilled those agreements.

    Are you saying that lack of development in Niger Delta can be blamed on the past and present leaders from the region?

    Yes. It can be blamed on the past and present leaders and even leaders at the centre and the state level. It is all together. There is the issue of corruption. We should ask questions among ourselves. The money that was given to us, what have we done with. We have to answer the question first before you blame the centre. But the centre is not doing enough. While not turn Niger Delta to Lagos and Abuja, then you wont see crime. You cant go and burst pipeline in Lagos without security agencies apprehending you. It is not possible. The Niger Delta terrain is a difficult terrain. The oil companies are not doing anything to develop the region. I beleive very strongly that the issue of corruption contributed to the underdevelopment we are facing in this part of Nigeria.

    So, are you in support of the anti-corruption drive at the centre now?

    It is only an insane person that will not support it. Except you kill corruption, corruption will kill you and my only support to Buhari and how he endeared himself to me is his integrity. He doesnt have appetite for corruption. His DNA is free from corruption. That is why l love the man and decided to stand by him. For the first time, he has been able to address the issue of corruption and today the fear of Buhari is the beginning of wisdom. People are now afraid and everybody wants to follow due process. I am not a member of the PDP. I am partyless, a stakeholder and activist.

    What are the dangers of the ongoing bursting of pipelines?

    The danger is that from 2.2million production, you have drastically reduced production. The danger is that there will be no salary. The danger is that you cant develop your place in the atmosphere of crisis. It is not possible. So, l am using this medium to call on whoever that is behind this vandalism to stop and think about Nigeria. Nigeria’s unity, you cannot negotiate it. And l beleive that for you to go forward channel your grievances to the constituted authority so that they can pass it to government. You don’t use violence everyday to get attention. Pipeline bursting is a crime against the state, a crime against us as Niger Delta people because, you will be polluting our area.

    How do we resolve the present crisis?

    It will be resolved only through dialogue. I have told them that you cant use military solution to solve this problem. Give us time as leaders of the area, we are going to engage them and the President too must show commitment in developing the people at this region. If you develop us and then you see small group fighting we will not come after them. Build bridges, build schools, build hospitals and bring infrastructural development to this area. In fact, as a matter of urgency the Okerenkoko Maritime University must start now. The government should also increase funding for amnesty, NDDC, and all the interventionist agencies. Then that way, the crisis will stop.

    How do you react to the launching of the cleaning of Ogoniland?

    It is a welcome development. The President has done it again. He is a man that keeps promises. We beleive in him and for him to take that bold step again he has kept to the campaign promise to the people of Ogoni and to the Niger Delta people. We the leaders want to thank him in a very special way and we pray he gives special attention to the people of Niger Delta. The late Yar’Adua was an Hausa man, he brought amnesty. Late Sani Abacha was an Hausa man, he created Bayelsa. The current President also signed the contracts for the NNPC in Warri and Yenagoa. And in the current budget, we have Lagos-Calabar railway.

    How do you evaluate the performances of the state governors in the Niger Delta?

    The governors are not doing well. If you look at the entire Southsouth states, in the last dispensation only Akwa Ibom was working. Even now, l learnt that my state in Bayelsa here cannot pay salaries. As governor if you can pay salaries for months, you should resign. You don’t need to continue as governor if you can’t pay salaries. Look at a state like Cross River, every first of the month they pay salaries. The Niger Delta governors must do well. At least l single out the Edo State governor, there is a lot of transformation that is going on. Look at Wike, he is already transforming Rivers State. I will want governors to follow these examples. The Niger Delta governors are not doing enough in the development.

  • Court restrains Auchi Poly from dismissing employee

    The National Industrial Court has restrained Auchi Polytechnic from suspending or terminating the services of Igbinosun Ese for alleged offence contained in a query from the institution.

    The court also restrained the Institution from interfering with the employment or duties of Ese, pending the determination of the motion on notice.

    The judge, Justice Peter Lifu, gave the order yesterday after hearing the ex-parte motion by V.O. Edegbenin, counsel to the claimant.

    Lifu said that he gave the order since injunction is an equitable remedy because he who come to equity must do so timeously.

    .Lifu adjourned the two cases to July 15 for the hearing of the motion on notice.

  • Conglomerate to create jobs in Niger Delta

    Thousands of jobs are coming for unemployed youths in the Niger Delta region through a business conglomerate, Celtic Pride Group Nigeria Limited.

    The company said its mission is to created jobs for all categories of youths to help fill the unemployment gaps in the Niger Delta and country at large.

    The Group President/Chief Executive Officer of the conglomerate, Mr. George Turnah, spoke in Port Harcourt, Rivers State at the induction/orientation training for 30 newly recruited employees of the company.

    The Bayelsa State-born Turnah, said the conglomerate is three years old with expertise in engineering, construction, food processing, water bottling, environmental services, event planning, management and delivery, consultancy, marine services, fisheries and aquaculture.

    He said the company would engage thousands of graduates, skilled and semi-skilled labour to work at different stages of the company’s businesses.

    He expressed strong commitment of the group to invest heavily in the fisheries and aquaculture aspects of the conglomerate to play a role in the revival of the agricultural sector to boost food production.

    Turner who formally welcomed the new employees on board, charged them to be productive and abide by the code of conduct of the conglomerate.

    Turnah, who is vast in corporate governance took the new staff through the rudiments of effective running of a corporate entity, memo writing, file opening, auctioning and general administrative rules.

    Speaking on budget control and related issues, a budget control practitioner and President of Ruby and Sapphire Leadership Academy, Mrs.Brayila Awofeso, noted that the success or otherwise of any establishment depends largely, if not entirely on appropriate budget formulation, control and implementation.

    On his part, a Chartered Accountant and Public Policy and Management practitioner, Mr.Elayelagha Ebimotimi, who spoke on internal control, said regular checks and balances on key operations would help the company achieve set goals.

    The Group Managing Director, Mrs. Jennifer Timinipre Turnah, charged the new staff to always be above board and contribute their quota to the growth of the business conglomerate.

  • Before we GOWON

    President Muhammadu Buhari is a man after my heart. Forget the fact that  the poor state of the economy has almost made him impotent development-wise, I am one of those who still believe—and pray—that things will change and we will see an end to this current situation where many are singing along with hip-hop act African China: “Food no dey, walahi light no dey. And our road no good…”

    One major stumbling block to Buhari is the Niger Delta. For reasons best known to those behind it, brigandage in the Niger Delta was reborn in the first year of the Buhari administration. A new ‘terror’ group, the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), emerged. Grenades are being thrown at major oil and gas facilities at will. They say without some conditions being met by Buhari, peace will elude the Niger Delta, their home. And, by extension, Nigeria.

    The first sign that they meant business was when they bombed the Chevron valve facility and the 48-inch trunk line supplying crude oil to Warri refinery. The Chevron facility they bombed is the main connecting point where all other platforms are linked up. “With the valve platform blown all Chevron activities are now halted,” the group boasted.

    One of their demands is the immediate implementation of the report of the 2014 National Conference organised in the run-up to the last general elections by ex-President Goodluck Jonathan. They said if this was not done, the country would break up. Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Babachir Lawal has given a good indication that the Buhari administration thinks less of this report. As far as he is concerned, Jonathan only organised it as ‘jobs for the boys’—a description that has made a Senator describe him as some form of loose cannon. The president too has made statement showing clearly that he sees no need to refer to the report for any reason.

    What the Presidency’s position signifies is that this particular condition cannot be met. Will the Avengers be willing to overlook this?

    Another of their demands centres on ownership of oil blocks. They said 60 per cent of the oil blocks must be owned by indigenes of oil-producing areas.

    The avengers also had an axe to grind with their fellow Niger Deltan and Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, who earlier in the life of the Buhari administration faulted the Maritime University started by the Jonathan administration. They said Amaechi, an Ikwerre man from Rivers, must apologise to the Ijaw on whose soil the university is situated for his “careless and reckless statement about the siting of the university”. They said maritime university “is located in the most appropriate and befitting place Okerenkoko” and must start the 2015/2016 academic session immediately.

    From the look of things, it is not unlikely that the varsity will kick off as they have demanded. So, what does this portend for the country’s economy.

    They also said Ogoni and all oil-polluted areas in the Niger Delta must be cleaned up and compensation paid to the communities.

    Interestingly, the Buhari administration has started work on the clean-up of Ogoni. But there are several other communities that need to be clean-up. Ogoni clean-up requires millions of dollars. I believe if the other affected communities have to be clean-up, billions will be required. Can Nigeria afford that now?

    They also demanded that the Niger Delta Amnesty programme must be well funded and allowed to continue to function effectively. Of recent, beneficiaries of the programme have been protesting delay in the payment of their stipends. There are also issues with beneficiaries studying abroad.

    These Avengers also see the Buhari’s anti-corruption campaign as skewed in favour of his political associates. The militants said that all members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) indicted in any corruption-related cases should be made to face trial like members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    At a point, they also demanded apologies from Buhari, the Department of State Services and ex-Governor Timipre Sylva for killing former Governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, “with intimidation and harassment because of his party affiliation”.

    “Until our demands are met, no repair works should be done at the blast site. Whoever that is going there for any repair work will be doing that at their detriment,” they threatened.

    Initially, the president wrote them off. Fighter jets were sent to the region trying to smoke them out. This did not deter them. More harms were done.

    Minister of State for Petroleum Dr Ibe Kachikwu has tried searching for peace. He has gone to some Ijaw enclaves and elsewhere in search of the much-needed peace. Not much has been achieved.

    In the midst of the search for peace and the president’s insistence that we must Go On With One Nigeria (GOWON), Urhobo and Isoko leaders have spoken against what they see as the one-sided negotiation on how to solve the economic sabotage by the Avengers. These leaders believe government should treat the Avengers, which many believe are Ijaw, and others damaging the economy as criminals and not negotiate with them.

    One-time Secretary-General of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) Chief Frank Kokori said he expected those involved in the destruction of the nation’s assets to be treated as criminals.

    The Urhobo and Isoko, speaking through the chairman of OML 30 Community Development Board (CBD), Morris Idiovwa, warned the Federal Government against dialoguing with those destroying oil and gas assets. They believe doing so can degenerate into a fresh round of ethnic wars in the region.

    Sensing marginalisation, some militants who are of Urhobo stock have threatened to also destroy critical oil and gas assets if that will get them the Federal Government’s attention. The Urhobo say they are the largest ethnic group and have more critical facilities in their domains than the Ijaw, who they feel have blackmailed the government to talk to them by destroying some assets.

    Idiovwa said:”What we have been seeing in Delta State is terrifying; especially in the way a single ethnic nationality is taking over the identity of the entire Niger Delta.  What is happening is outright criminality and we, as the largest ethnic group in Delta State, are not in support of this.

    “We have never been criminals and we don’t want to be criminals. We believe the best way to approach issues is dialogue. But with what we are seeing now, the intelligence we are gathering and what is in the media, a set of people decided to take up arms and disrupt the existing peace in the Niger Delta region because of their selfish interest.

    “The Federal Government has already started inciting an ethnic crisis in Delta State because as we speak now, we have been receiving series of mails, SMS and calls from different regions and groups in Urhobo and Isoko.

    “My office is responsible for ensuring safety of life and property here and if the people are aware that the same advantage they have, in terms of assets and production, is what some people in another part are using to get the Federal Government to come to negotiate with them, because those people have taken to arms struggle and are destroying the assets in their areas. What would you expect from those who have been law abiding, calm and watched over the facilities in their domain?

    “So you want to disregard them because they have not taken up arms? This is one move we will resist. Government should tread carefully. We are not in support of any criminality by any set of people. We have not mandated Egbesu to negotiate for us; we have not mandated the Avengers, MEND, JNDLF or IYC to negotiate for us. We have not mandated any group to negotiate for the Urhobo or Isoko.

    “We are standing on our own and we are telling the Federal Government that whatever is done for any group should be replicated across the entire Niger Delta states or host communities that are producing, otherwise the outcome will be disastrous.”

    Aside the Urhobo, Isoko and others taking on the Ijaw over who the government should talk to in its bid to ensure we GOWON, even splinter groups within Ijaw are battling one another over who have the right to be at the negotiating table.

    This, for me, creates a dilemma for the government. It raises the question: Who should Buhari talk to? Ijaw, Urhobo, Itsekiri, Avengers, Egbesu or who?

    My final take: The Federal Government needs to find a way to manage the diversity in the Niger Delta. The region is not monolithic. Tongues differ and for any meaningful headway to be made in our quest to GOWON, every strata of the region must be made to feel a sense of belonging. Anything short of this will only lead to a situation where as one group is appeased, another is taking up arms against the nation. And the only place we will find ourselves is further down.

  • Lawmaker advises Avengers to embrace dialogue

    A Lagos lawmaker, Mr Jude Idimogu, on Wednesday pleaded with the Niger Delta Avengers to embrace dialogue rather than using violence to seek the attention of the Federal Government.

    Idimogu (PDP-Oshodi/Isolo II), a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, made the plea in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

    The lawmaker said the avengers and other militant groups had succeeded in drawing the attention of the government to the plights of residents of the Niger Delta.

    “The attention of the Federal Government has been drawn to the plight and grievances of residents of the Niger Delta.

    “They (Avengers) have received the attention of the Federal Government let them give room for peace through dialogue. This is the right way to go.

    “Right now, let the Avengers and other groups toe the line of dialogue. They should dialogue and let us move forward as the unity of the country is paramount,” Idimogu said.

    He said that the Avengers should not presume that the Federal Government was not sincere with the dialogue until the government failed to carry out whatever resolutions that would emanate from the dialogue.

    “You cannot say the Federal Government is not sincere as the dialogue is still open to the avengers and other groups.

    “It is after the agreement that you can know whether the Federal Government is serious or not with it disposition to agreements.”

    According to him, continuous vandalism of oil installations and facilities will not do the country and the region any good.

    “My worry now is that whatever they (Avengers) are doing right now will not favour anybody- the country, the region and even the Avengers.”

    Idimogu, however, urged the Federal Government to focus on massive development of the region as well as the empowerment of youths in the area.

    “Government has to be careful. The issue of amnesty is not the way forward. We need massive empowerment and infrastructure. Let government empower young men and women from that area.

    “By the time the government takes care of the Avengers and they are settled, don’t be surprised another group will come up.

    He said that if the nation’s economy was totally grounded, it would affect the region too as what should have accrued to the region would not go there.

    There has been repeated destruction of oil pipelines by militants in the Niger Delta, prompting the Federal Government to offer the dialogue option.

  • Delta Assembly seeks relief materials for victims’ of rainstorm

    Delta Assembly seeks relief materials for victims’ of rainstorm

    The Delta House of Assembly has passed a resolution, urging Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to direct the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to send relief materials to victims of rainstorm in Ekwuoma community.

    The resolution followed a motion moved by the Minority Leader, Mr Festus Okoh during the plenary session on Wednesday in Asaba.

    Okoh, who represents Ika South constituency, noted that the rainstorm which occurred at Ekwuma community in Abavo in Ika South Local Government Area destroyed crops and buildings.

    He said apart from buildings and farm crops that were destroyed by the heavy rainstorm, electricity poles were also pulled down as well as schools.

    “As I speak, no fewer than 20 persons who were injured by the rainstorm are currently undergoing treatment in various hospitals.

    “And I want to use this medium to appeal to my colleagues to support this motion because it has to do with lives and properties,’’ he said.

    The motion which was unanimously adopted was seconded by Mr Tonye Timi representing Patani constituency.

    The Delta Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr Chika Ossai,  has said the state will collaborate with stakeholders to reduce the impact of flood in the state.

    Ossai told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Asaba on Wednesday that the government in conjunction with the local government councils and other stakeholders would collaborate to improve on last year’s lapses.

    According to him, following the prediction of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigerian Hydrological Service Agency that there would be few cases of flooding across the country, “we are monitoring the state.

    “We have been putting measures in place to control it, especially now that it rains virtually every day.

    “Apart from the existing drainages, the state government is expanding drainages to ensure easy flow of water to the River Niger.

    “Along Okpanam Road in Asaba and other parts of Asaba, we are also collaborating with Oshimili South Local Government Council to improve on the drainage system in the state.

    “The Ministry of Environment has also commenced the clearing of drains and very soon government will start preparing Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in some major towns of the state.

    “Already, we have a project going on and it is being constructed by the Federal Government flood committee.

    “By the Grace of God, we are working with the committee to ensure that the project is completed and put into use by our people,’’ he said.

    Ossai also said that the government had started its enlightenment campaigns on the need for those living in riverine areas to relocate to upland areas.

    “Our jingles are on air, we are using both local and social media to enlighten the people, especially those in the riverine areas to relocate to other areas.

    “In spite our warnings, most of the people in these areas, who are mostly fishermen, find it very difficult relocating to other places.

    “This is another major challenge we are facing, they hardly pull out except we apply force and right now, sensitisation is ongoing,’’ he said.

    Ossai said that one of the major challenges faced by the state in combating flooding was building of houses on waterways as well as blockade of drains.

    He said that the state was working towards enacting laws that would prohibit building on waterways.

  • Niger Delta coastal communities appeal to Fed Govt to check ocean encroachment

    Residents of communities located near the Atlantic Ocean and coastline in Niger Delta area have appealed to the Federal Government and relevant authorities to save them from the devastating effects of coastal erosion.

    The affected areas are Forcados and Ogulagha in Delta; Anibeze, Peremabiri, Famgbe, Anyama Ijaw, Anyama Ogbia, Twon-Brass, Sangana, Ekeni and Ezetu in Bayelsa.

    Also Kula, Soku and Bonny in Rivers; Queens Town in Cross River are being threatened by the menace of the Atlantic Ocean surge.

    Henry Otonye, an indigene of Sangana, said the community is gradually disappearing from the surface of the earth, while they have lost substantial part of their ancestral land to Ocean encroachment.

    Mr Alagoa Morris, an environmentalist and indigene of Southern Ijaw, in Bayelsa, warns that apart from the imminent disappearance of the communities, there is the threat of increased inter communal clashes due to scramble for space.

    “People are now relocating from most of these communities. Communities have lost roads, electricity generators, church buildings, school buildings.

    “When you go to areas on the fringes of the Atlantic Ocean such as Brass, Sangana, Odioma, Koluama, even graves and ancestral homes are now in the water.

    “Homes are being deserted. You can see that this can lead to communal crisis when people begin to shift inwards into lands where they are in contention with their neighbours,” Morris said.

    He called for concerted efforts to halt the encroachment of the Atlantic which is worsened by rising sea levels due to increased oil exploration activities.

    Princess Elizabeth Egbe, a human rights activist, said in spite 13 per cent derivation fund coastal communities were neglected.

    She decried the hazards faced by the people who are now at the mercy of Ocean encroachment and coastal erosion.

    Assembly sets up committee to look into pensioners’ problems in Akwa Ibom

    The Akwa Ibom House of Assembly at plenary on Wednesday set up an ad hoc committee to interface with stakeholders on the problems facing pensioners in the state.

    The 7-man committee, headed by House Leader, Mr Udo Kierian, was mandated to unravel the true situation of things surrounding pension matters.

    The intervention was sequel to a motion of urgent public importance moved by Mr Idongesit Ituen (PDP- Itu State Constituency]

    Ituen had informed the house of the protest carried out by Nigeria Union of Pensioners in the state on Monday, over non-payment of gratuity and pensions.

    He said the state government, at the inception of the current administration, cleared backlog of pensions and salaries.

    He added that the protest could put the image of the state in disrepute if not looked into.

    The committee had two weeks to submit its report to the house.

    The committee was directed to look into alleged non-refund of 7.5 per cent contributory pension to some category of workers in Akwa Ibom.

    The Speaker, Onofiok Luke, said the house would always defend the rights of the people.

    “It is our avowed commitment to always see to it that we defend the interest of the people and be seen at all times to be an unbiased umpire.

    “We must also be seen to be making decision from an informed position and appreciate the governor’s efforts in paying the backlog of arrears of pensions and salaries,’’ he said.

  • Replacing guns with books in Niger Delta

    Replacing guns with books in Niger Delta

    With Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) and other militant groups still bombing pipelines and other installations of oil companies, youths, especially students, in the crude oil and gas-rich region are now being motivated to use their pens and intellect, instead of guns, to fight.

    The motivation is an initiative of Total Exploration and Production (E&P) Nigeria Limited, through its Port Harcourt District’s 2016 Book Reading, with the theme: “Knowledge is an Edge.”

    Total E&P Nigeria Limited is an international oil and gas company, operating in many countries of the world, including Nigeria.

    The oil giant’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives reflect the true vision of sustainable human capital development, through capacity building.

    The CSR initiatives include skills-acquisition training and provision of starter packs for small-scale business enterprises, scholarship schemes, construction of classroom blocks in secondary schools and lecture theatres in higher institutions of learning, among others.

    Most of the sustainable development initiatives of the oil giant are designed to achieve healthy growth, career future and development of students and youths in school and communities respectively in its areas of operation.

    In all the programmes, the commitment of Total oil firm is that of full support for development and empowerment of human capital.

    The introduction of the book reading event for secondary schools in Rivers state in 2011, marked another phase in the company’s commitment to human capital development, thereby helping the students to maintain the habit of reading, which is fast fading away.

    At the 2016 book reading event, Animal Farm, an allegorical and dystopian novel by George Orwell, which was first published in England on August 17, 1945 was read, both by the students and the invited eminent personalities.

    The elaborate event took place at Total’s Port Harcourt office complex at the Trans-Amadi Industrial Estate, with ten secondary schools in Rivers state invited and represented by their most brilliant students.

    The invited schools are Community Secondary School, Amadi; Showers International School; Federal Government College, Rumuokoro; Dietams College; Trinitate International School, Eneka/Igwuruta Road and Oromenike Secondary School, Port Harcourt.

    Others are Army Day School; Model Secondary School; International Secondary School of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) and Government Girls Secondary School, Elelenwo, Port Harcourt.

    The event was also attended by the Rivers President of the All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), Dr. Augusta Fubara, who doubles as the Southsouth President of the association.

    A lecturer of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) in Port Harcourt, Dr. Justin Gabriel, was the moderator and he actually displayed brilliance, intellect and experience.

    On the occasion, the Rivers state government maintained that there was the need for the youths, particularly the students, to fight with their pens, not guns and to always embrace dialogue.

    Rivers Commissioner for Education, Prof. Kaniye Ebeku, who was the special guest, stated that emphasis must be placed on the use of intellect and not arms, in order to move forward.

    Ebeku, who was represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Patricia Ogbonnaya, said: “We are lucky in Rivers State to have as Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, a lover of education and a former Minister of State for Education. Barr. Wike also carefully chose of Professor of Law, who earlier lectured overseas, as his Education Commissioner.

    “The students and youths must develop positive thinking and positive attitude. Get knowledge and good information to broaden your horizon. Knowledge and God will give you confidence and boldness and you will be able to stand anywhere to speak. Also go for understanding.”

    Rivers education commissioner also stated that Total oil firm had reawakened in the people, especially students, the importance of reading.

    The role model/guest reader on the occasion, Prof. Juliana Okoh, who is the Director of the Institute of Arts and Culture of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), in her address stated that reading would help the readers, especially the students, to mature in mind and spirit.

    Prof. Okoh said: “Reading culture in Nigeria is dead. Make reading a part of your life. Reading is very important. It is like breathing in air. If you do not read, your mental capacity will not be fully developed and will be dying.

    “By reading extensively, you will have edge over others. Make yourselves alive through what you feed into yourselves, by reading.”

    The UNIPORT’s don also admonished the youths, particularly students, to avoid distractions, by taking their studies seriously and reading all the time.

    A literary icon and foremost writer, Capt. Elechi Amadi, who was represented by his wife, Preye, urged students to always make excellent use of their opportunities and to be disciplined, stressing that Total oil company was giving back to the society, through book reading.

    Quite unfortunately, a few hours later, on the same June 29 that Total’s book reading event took place, Capt. Amadi, who hailed from Aluu in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers state, near UNIPORT, passed on at 82.

    In his welcome address, Total’s Deputy Managing Director, Port Harcourt District, Nicolas Brunet, stated that the book reading event had been one of the ways by which the oil giant had been promoting human capital development among youths in its operational areas and host communities.

    Brunet, who was represented by Total’s Executive Director, Port Harcourt District, Victor Bandele, said: “Through the book reading event, we are encouraging young Nigerians to maintain the habit of reading books, because reading is to the mind, what exercise is to the body.

    “Knowledge is power. Through the book reading event, we have been able to let students meet with prominent Nigerians, who have achieved success in their various spheres of endeavour, as role models and to share their experiences. This is a way of keeping the students focused in life.”

    The deputy managing director also urged the students to always take their studies seriously and to aspire to excel in life.

    It is hoped that the partnership on the book reading event, involving Total, Rivers Ministry of Education and UNIPORT, in helping the students to maintain the habit of reading, as a way of life, will be sustained.