The Akwa-Ibom State chapter of Buhari/Osinbajo Supporters’ Club (BOSC), a socio-political platform, has been advised to intensify the enlightenment campaign against corruption and indiscipline by reaching out to people at the grassroots.
National President of the organisation, Prince David Benjamin gave the advice while inaugurating officers of the state executive of the group in Uyo, the Akwa-Ibom state capital.
Benjamin stressed that sensitisation campaign at the grassroots level was necessary because the call for change of behaviour towards corrupt practices concerns every Nigerian and not only the leaders.
His words: “The ongoing battle against corruption and indiscipline is not just about the people at the top. It is about every Nigerian because the whole system is corrupt. The major objective of Buhari/Osinbajo Supporters’ Club is to preach the message of discipline and to eschew corruption to every Nigerian, particularly those at the grassroots for them to understand why we must shun corruption.
“I, therefore, urge you the newly inaugurated executive officers of Akwa-Ibom State chapter of BOSC to play committed and dedicated role towards the actualisation of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption agenda. You must make sure that the message gets to all the nook and crannies of the state.
“To change the people’s mindset is taxing; but I have the strong belief that we will get there; that we, as a people, will achieve the change that we have been yearning for.”
He added that the group was open to Akwa-Ibom indigenes and residents that are already in support of the fight against corruption and indiscipline, irrespective of party affiliation.
The Deputy National President of the group and a governorship aspirant of Katsina State, Alhaji Lawal Maina, wife of former deputy governor of Ogun State and member, Board of Trustees of BOSC, Mrs. Abosede Ogunleye were among the national representatives from the six geopolitical zones present at the occasion.
In this space not long ago, I concluded an intervention on Bayelsa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) thus: “I have no problem with (Timipre) Sylva flying the flag of the party, but things must be done right. (Timi) Alaibe, I believe, has his support base and the APC can benefit from harnessing this rather than risking a situation where (Seriake) Dickson will harvest all the aggrieved and make political gains of it. I am afraid with the way things stand. Dickson will be justified to paint the APC in the state black. And the blame will not be elsewhere but on the APC itself. The time to get things right is now. Otherwise, Dickson can start preparing for his victory thanksgiving.”
A lot has gone under the proverbial bridge between then and now. Alaibe, who was former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has teamed up with Sylva, who was a former governor of the state, in the quest to ensure Dickson serves only one term.
One other good thing that has happened between then and now is that Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole and Sylva have buried their hatchets and the comrade governor is a leading member of the APC Campaign Council for Sylva’s second bid for the leadership of the state.
The Bayelsa APC situation cannot truly be situated without a journey into the past. Sylva as governor fell out with the then First Family. Many people believe he actually ran into problem with Dame Patience Jonathan who later enlisted the support of her husband, Dr Goodluck Jonathan. His ordeal provided the room for Dickson, then a member of the House of Representatives, to become governor.
Sylva later teamed up with others to give the APC teeth some two years before the last general elections, which swept off Jonathan and ushered in Muhammadu Buhari. Jonathan’s removal gave room for hope that the APC could win the governorship of Bayelsa. Sylva joined the race. Dickson did too. And Alaibe did not allow lethargy to stop him from joining the race to occupy the Bayelsa Government House.
Alaibe knew the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket was not his for the taking. Even though Dickson only enjoys the ‘compromised’ blessing of the former first family, wrestling the ticket from him, Alaibe knew would be taxing. He pitched his tent with the APC. By the time he joined, Sylva was already entrenched as the landlord of the house. Without him really, there would not have been anything like APC in the state. He took all the risk to identify with Buhari at a time an average Ijaw man saw anybody against Jonathan as the enemy of the Ijaw nation, despite the fact that he did not do much to lift the Niger Delta in his six-year reign as President.
When it was time for the primary, it was clear the race was between Sylva and Alaibe. But as the landlord, Sylva stood a better chance.
As a result of violence, members of the national electoral committee led by Oshiomhole abandoned the exercise and fled the venue. The state chapter continued with the election. Sylva was later declared the winner of the governorship primary election by the APC State Working Committee (SWC). The former governor was said to have been declared the winner by a member of the APC electoral committee identified as Nelson Alabar. He polled 726 votes to defeat his closest rival and former member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Warman Ogoriba, who was said to have scored 10 votes.
Alaibe, who among some other delegates had left the venue, was ‘awarded’ four votes. Sylva was elated. He described his emergence as a proof of the indivisibility of the APC in the state and the national level.
His words: “I have never been proud in my life. I have belonged to many political parties, such as the defunct UNCP and the nearly dead PDP. But I am very proud of the APC with a very clear internal democracy.
“A few years ago, I was unjustly stopped from contesting a governorship primary by my former party. My former party did that to me. A few days ago, they disqualified a serving Senator from contesting.
“It is shameful. I have once again gone through a primary and emerged winner. It is contest such as this that makes the difference. It is this contest that makes the difference between the APC and others. There is no doubt that we will win the election.”
Ogoriba was quoted to have spoken on behalf of other aspirants and accepted defeat. The national arm of the party did not accept that exercise. This was a result of the violence at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex, Yenagoa, the venue of the exercise, where thugs hurled stones at delegates who lined up to be screened. They nearly overwhelmed the over 1,300 policemen led by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) deployed in the venue to maintain the peace.
Alaibe, Prince Preye Aganaba and Ebitimi Amgbare spoke with reporters before shunning the exercise.
The ex-NDDC chief said: “You have seen the rancourous process leading to the primaries. The process is being marred by irregularities, violence, intimidation and complete disrespect for aspirants, agents and party officials.
“This is an enactment of negative history for a party that stands on the mantra of change. I think something is missing somewhere and we need to get it right. We have had delegates perceived to be loyal to us, threatened, beaten and wounded since morning.
“Quite a lot of people you see here are not delegates. Most of the authentic delegates are outside. We need to put a stop to this process. We will meet with the chairman of the committee and ask for the cancellation of the process.
“Some other times we can get the security dynamics right so that we can get the methodology of the primaries right. We cannot continue with this process.”
Aganaba described the process as shameful and said it failed to represent the values and principles of the party.
Sylva and Oshiomhole later took time out to abuse each other thoroughly. They did not spare each other at all. It was simply fire for fire. So, when, on Monday, Oshiomhole’s name surfaced on the list of the campaign council, I was surprised. It is like these men have decided to put their party first.
Alaibe too has instructed his men to work for the APC, saying the state would be better under the ruling party. Now, there seems to be calm after the storm.
Dickson, on the other hand, is boasting that APC will be roundly defeated. While he is beating his chest, the national arm of his party is raising the alarm over an alleged plot by the APC to rig the election for Sylva.
With the APC patching its leaking roof, one thing that comes to mind is whether Dickson and Dame Jonathan have patched their relationship too. Forget her presence at Dickson’s declaration; the duo fell apart last year. It became glaring when Dame Jonathan announced her retirement as a Permanent Secretary in the Bayelsa civil service, a position Dickson appointed her under controversial circumstances.
At the time, the civil society screamed. Human rights activists condemned the appointment. They urged the then First Lady to reject it. But the First Lady not only accepted the appointment, she also personally went to Yenagoa to be sworn in on July 21, 2012. She was one of 17 who took the oath of office that day at the Government House Banquet Hall.
The governor shrugged off criticism of arbitrary use of constitutional powers. He rationalised the appointment, saying he did it based on the power conferred on him by Section 203 of the Constitution. He added that the First Lady merited it because of her services to the state and the nation. He did not forget to remind Nigerians that she was a directorate level officer in the civil service and was only on leave of absence to support her husband.
To the discerning, Dickson was only playing to the gallery and only helped his benefactress to reach the summit of the civil service.
My final take: With APC putting its house in order, the stakes have become higher. Even if Dickson will get re-elected, he will break some sweat. A disunited APC would have served his interest better. Now, it is no time he planned his thanksgiving. Rather, it is time he worked round the corner to save his political future.
The Vision 31 Grassroots Initiatives, a socio-political group in Akwa-Ibom State, has praised the management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for its quick intervention on dilapidated projects within the Niger Delta region and taking proactive moves in line with the mandate given to the board by the Federal Government to complete all ongoing projects within the region.
Speaking on behalf of the group, its National Chairman, Otuekong
Charles Uwa said the board under the leadership of Sir Bassey Dan-Abia has initiated, completed and inaugurated several projects since the current board assumed office.
Uwa, who said this in Uyo while interacting with newsmen, noted that the NDDC has done the region proud through its efforts in delivering quality projects, adding that projects embarked upon by the board are those that will stand the taste of time. Such projects, he said, include strategic roads and bridges, school structures in higher institutions in the region, intervention in the health sector and the environment, among others.
While urging youths in the sub-region to protect NDDC projects, Uwa expressed his confidence that Sir Dan-Abia is a man competent enough to lead the NDDC at a taxing period such as the current economic downward-spiral.
“Always meticulous in the discharge of his duties, Sir Dan-Abia is endowed with vital leadership competencies to deliver on the statutory mandate of the NDDC to develop the region.
“He is unassuming and humble to the core with unimpeachable character and temperament to enable him superintend over the affairs of the NDDC as its Managing Director,” he said.
Continuing, he said: “It is imperative to note that a seasoned and pragmatic leadership is indispensable at the helm of affairs of the interventionist agency at this critical time of its existence. Effective leadership of the NDDC is critical toward anchoring the socio-economic development and structural change in the Niger Delta Region.
Uwa, however, called for better synergy between the NDDC and other key stakeholders in the planning and execution of projects.
The group is happy over the commission’s plans to enlist partners for the rebuilding of strategic and life-touching projects in the region.
He said states in the Niger Delta Region were in dire need of such rescue
projects that are virtually in the state of collapse.
He decried under-funding of the commission as one of its challenges affecting the
commission, even as he expressed optimism that the new administration of President Muhammadu Buhari would get rid of the bottlenecks hindering proper funding of the commission.
On Tuesday, members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) rolled out trucks and caterpillarss to clear heaps of garbage dotting different dump sites in the city. Hundreds of APC members rolled their sleeves and went to various stinking dump sites which were overfilled with garbage.
Adorned in T-shirts with an inscription, “Sylva cleans Bayelsa”, the party faithful who carried shovels, basins and other cleaning tools sang and danced as they helped to evacuate the rubbish. The gesture attracted admirations from residents who hailed the determination of party members to tackle intractable problems of environmental pollution in the capital city.
Why residents jubilated and endured traffic gridlocks as the sanitation exercise lasted is not far-fetched. The state capital has been characterised by poor hygiene. It has become a horrendous task for the government to clear refuse from dump sites. Most times, the garbage sites which are located along the roads and close to markets and schools are mountainous.
Such sites emit offensive odour and raise fears of possible outbreak of epidemics. It is as if the government was overwhelmed. Most times the refuse overflow into the roads and cause traffic gridlock. Even after evacuation, in few days, the garbage resurfaces. The government once blamed its inability to constantly clear them on paucity of funds.
Therefore, when residents woke to see heaps of garbage being cleared by the members of APC, they were happy that the opposition closed ranks with the government to come to their rescue.
As expected, the Bayelsa State government and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state regarded the cleaning of Yenagoa, the state capital by the APC as mere political action.
But most residents of Yenagoa considered the decision of the APC and its governorship candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva to clean the capital city as a humanitarian gesture. Most of them did not give political interpretations to the action.
They discovered that the government-controlled sanitation authority also mobilised to clear other garbage dumps. At the end, the city of Yenagoa was the major beneficiary. It became cleaner than it had ever been in a long while.
The APC cleaners paid more attention to mountains of garbage located along the roads, close to schools and markets.
The Director, Media and Publicity, Sylva/Igir Campaign Organisation (SICO), Chief Nathan Egba who led the exercise, said the campaign outfit and leadership of the APC initiated the cleaning exercise to avert outbreak of epidemics in the state.
He said the government was no longer able to manage the environmental situation in the state, especially in Yenagoa.
“Epidemics, diseases and other health hazards are likely to break out. Garbage is piled up in front of schools, markets and even in front of the Deputy Governor’s facility. We intend to help the Deputy Governor to pack the rubbish.
“The idea is to help the government clean up the place and ensure that our people are able to live in a disease and epidemic-free environment,” he said. He maintained that many communities had cried out to SICO for help in evacuating mountains of garbage in their areas.
He said: “Our focus at the moment is Yenagoa because the situation in the capital city is largely an emergency. Practically, everywhere garbage dump in the city is overfilled with trash and we need to clear them because it is obvious that Dickson’s administration has abandoned governance.
“They are focused on how to win an election which we all know they cannot win. As a party coming into power, we don’t need to wait. We believe that we should be doing this kind of thing until the election and the day of swearing in.
“We will continue to do it as long as Dickson’s people are not able to do it. It is Bayelsa people we are working for.”
Egba faulted claims by the government that it could not regularly clear the waste because of paucity of funds, saying the government misapplied revenue accruing to it.
He said if judiciously applied, revenues accruing to the state were enough to take care of every aspect of the state’s economy. He wondered what the government was doing with all the sanitation levies paid to it by all business ventures in the state.
“All funds have been misapplied and everything is channelled into politics and election alone. Everything has broken down. But an APC administration will ensure good governance and proper application of funds. When Sylva was a governor, these things were never a problem,” he said.
Speaking in the same manner, the SICO’s Woman Leader, Mrs. Vivian Ere Imananagha, explain that the exercise was informed by a directive from Sylva.
She said: “When Sylva came on tour of the city, he saw that there was so much hold-up and wondered what was causing it. He got to the point where it started and found out it was caused by mountainous garbage.
“He asked the women and youths of APC to assist in cleaning the state. People are sitting by the rubbish to sell and buy foodstuffs. Diseases that follow the trash are numerous. APC is the party that will clean Bayelsa.”
Also, SICO’s Director, Mobilisation, Dr. Selekaye Victor-Ben, said APC was on a rescue mission.
“We are out on the streets of Bayelsa on a rescue mission. We came out to answer the cry of the people of the state on the rising concern over the sanitary conditions in the state.
“The poor sanitary condition and the failure of Dickson administration to tackle it is indication that the people of the state have lost confidence in him. It shows that the emergence of Dickson was a mistake that should be corrected come December 5,” he said.
But the government only saw the gesture as bad campaign strategy. The Director of Publicity, Dickson’s campaign organisation, Mr. Jonathan Obuabite, described the APC’s action as “a deceitful style of campaign” and asked the party to look for other sane and more dignifying means of campaign.
He advised Bayelsans and other residents of the state to be wary of the antics of members of the APC “who are desperate to grab power through the back door by advancing various dubious means.”
He said: “This has now confirmed to everyone the earlier assertion that it is indeed the so-called change party that is responsible for the heap of refuse around the state, particularly in Yenagoa, the state capital.
“They decided to carry out the show of shame on a day that is usually set aside by the state sanitation authority for evacuation.
“We advise the APC and its embattled candidate, Timipre Sylva to look for other sane and more dignifying means of campaign as this latest style would not secure for him the votes required to be elected.”
Obuabite added that Dickson was fully committed to governance and ensuring a cleaner and healthy environment for all.
Of late, the sleepy town of Usokun in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State has witnessed great influx of visitors from all works of life. This was because of the burial ceremony of the late Madam Skin Igoju, grandmother to one of the Pastors of Salvation Ministries in Port Harcourt the state capital, Ibiso Williams.
Madam Igoju, mother of four daughters, 18 grandchildren and five great grandchildren, passed away during a brief illness four years ago. She was 74.
In their separate tribute to their late mother, every member of her family praised her rare virtues such as hard work, love, care, forgiving heart and peace-loving among others and wished she was undying.
Speaking to Niger Delta Report, one of her sons-in-law, Mr. Churchill Gudi described her as mother of inestimable value, who cared and loved her sons-in-law and grand children to a fault. He noted that her memories would remain indelible in their hearts.
“I missed her very well. She was a mother indeed. She treated me not like her son-in-law but as her direct son.
“My late mother-in-law was someone who spread happiness and peace wherever she was. Each time she was in my house, my children would remain happy and would not like to play far away from the house,” he said.
“Mama’s care will be missed forever. Her discipline, pieces of valuable advice, jokes, hard work and dance steps, among other virtues. I wish she had lived longer to reap the fruit of her labour; but since it pleased God to call her home now, we pray that her soul rests in the peace of the Lord,” he prayed.
Also speaking about her late mother, her last daughter, Mrs Gudi said: “I was my mother’s pet. She cared and loved me so much so that she would not want me to go far from her. My mother was very peace-loving, she didn’t keep malice.
“Mama loved every of her grand children to a fault.”
Asked about lessons she learnt from her mother that would keep her going on in life she said: “I learnt so many Godly virtues from my mother such as praying at all times, being happy and spreading same anywhere. In fact, my mother’s religious practice was a big challenge to us her children, and we tried as much as possible to emulate her in fearing and serving God.”
One of her grand children Ibiso Williams described her grandma as a God-fearing woman who trained her children in a God-fearing way. She was one who cared for the well-being of her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, extended relatives and anyone who came her way. She was a disciplined and peaceful woman.
“Memories of our late grandmother will forever remain in our hearts,” he said.
Ex-Niger Delta militants, under the umbrella of 3rd Phase Amnesty, have decried their exploitation by fraudsters purportedly working for the Federal Government’s Amnesty Office in Abuja.
The leader of the group, ‘Gen.’ Ben Kperha, told newsmen in Afiesere, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State that they were duped of N1.5m by three men who paraded themselves as ‘contract staff’ at the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs.
Recall that scores of undocumented ex-militants, who reportedly handed over their arms and ammunition to the Amnesty Office under the 3rd Phase of the programme, have been agitating for their inclusion in the payroll and training.
Their agitations, which included wild and peaceful protests during the President Goodluck Jonathan administration, failed to attract the attention of the former Special Adviser, Mr Kingsley Kuku.
However, addressing newsmen along with the Vice-Chairman, Prince Eyeyeon Kperha said members of the group are being targeted by criminals.
He alleged that a gang of fraudsters who are now in police net, paraded themselves as Amnesty contact staff and hoodwinked them into parting with N1.5m to facilitate their documentation and inclusion in the Amnesty programme.
Speaking in the same manner, Prince Eyeyeon said on September 11, this year, the alleged fraudsters invited them for “slots documentation and integration into the Amnesty Programme at Abuja”.
He said they were advised to inform their colleagues who were yet to be documented to come with the sum of N22, 000 “for both logistics and kola-nut to secure the slots.”
“We all paid the money on September 14 and later, others paid theirs on September 16 to the purported Amnesty contract staff (names withheld) and his cohorts and they promised to take us to the Amnesty Office for documentation on Friday, September 18.”
He further revealed that while waiting for the documentation process in Abuja, the alleged fraudster told them that the exercise would be delayed because the Amnesty Programme Special Adviser to Mr. President, Mr. Paul Boro is bereaved. “He said they were preparing for the burial rite, as such there would be no documentation till further notice.”
He said after waiting for about one more week, the ex-militants became disillusioned and angry, a development that led to the involvement of the police.
Eyeyeon said: “Our Coordinator ‘Gen’ Agaga Benson, apparently unimpressed by the delay, contacted a high ranking member of the Nigerian Police Force, who investigated and found out that contrary to the story they were being told, there was no ongoing documentation of ex-militants.
“The Chairman of Amnesty, Mr. Paul Boro himself confirmed that there is no documentation process ongoing and nobody is charged any money before documentation, adding that all documentations are done at the barracks, as such, those who claimed to be Amnesty contract staff are fraudsters and is none of their business.”
The matter was referred to the Police Station Area 11, Garki Abuja, where the suspects were arrested, detained and charged to court.
“They were later granted bail and ordered to appear before the High Court at Abuja last Wednesday, October 28 for proper hearing of the case.”
Meanwhile, the 3rd Phase Amnesty beneficiaries have appealed to the Amnesty Office and President Muhammadu Buhari to use the opportunity to document them and also look into the issue of other undocumented ex-militants and their benefits.
At any sign of rain, residents of Wire Road in Ihinmwin community of Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State become fidgety. Their fears are genuine. Floods have wreaked havoc in the community forcing hundreds of landlords and tenants to abandon their homes to take refuge in ‘strange lands’. OSAGIE OTABOR writes that residents are pleading with government to repair their road for ease of movement.
In the yesteryear, the popular Wire Road used to be one of the finest in Ihinmwin community in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State. Taxis relish plying it, as they convey residents to the Ikpoba River where the road terminates.
The ancient city of Benin-City boasts two major Wire roads; one leads to the famous Benin Five-Junction from Ibiwe Street, while the other, which is now in a parlous state, is in Ihinmwin community. It is located at Saint Saviour Road, off Upper Sokponba.
Investigations by Niger Delta Report revealed that the road which used to smooth and motorable is now in its worst state of dilapidation. Some describe it as eyesore and a nightmare to the few remaining landlords whose houses are still standing. There are now less than 10 houses, including two churches on Wire Road. Over 100 landlords have been forced out of their homes by persistent flooding that has been ravaging the area for over 15 years.
Many adjoining streets linking Wire Road have been cut off by the rampaging flood which does not dry. A larger part of the road has been overtaken by weed. Not many residents could remember how the once-good road became prone to flooding and erosion. But they all prayed and hoped that help would soon come their way.
Some residents who spoke with our reporter expressed their helplessness with regard to the road. Some of them wonder why the road still remain in its worst state despite millions of Naira which the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has sunk in its efforts to control flood in the area as well as to recover the road. The residents lamented that contractors always abandon the road projects after collecting mobilisation money.
Victor Obaseki, a resident in the area recalled how part of the job was sub-let to a landlord in the area. Victor said the contractor collected money, built another house at Oregbeni Quarters and ran away; leaving his building at the mercy of flood.
As a result of the flood that has ravaged the area, business activities have totally collapsed in the area.
Patricia, a tailor and resident of the area told Niger Delta Report that the state of the road had negatively impacted on her business. She added that customers are not willing to come to that deplorable part of Benin City.
Explaining why she remained behind, she said she could not afford the fund to rent a shop elsewhere.
“I have lots of friends that would willingly give me jobs but they always complained about the bad state of the road and I cannot afford a better place. The area is good but the road network is the problem.
any people do not pass through this area; only a few do. If I do not have customers, I would sew children’s clothes and hawk them in the markets for about one hour.
“If there is a possible solution to this road, I will be happy. My mother lives here and I cannot afford to rent a house. I have to stay with my mother,” she said.
A retired civil servant, Aluya Patrick, said he always live in constant fear whenever the rain approaches; because his house could be the next to be submerged by the flood.
Patrick said several letters have been written to relevant authorities, even as he expressed sadness that nothing has been done about the deplorable nature of the road.
He said other landlords have decided not to renovate their houses because of the flood.
“Many people have left; that is why we are not interested in maintaining our houses because we don’t know what would happen next. We have tried our best possible; but fixing the road is beyond the ability of our community.
“We have written several letters to our representatives at the Senate and House of Representatives. I am very scared because as an old man, I do not have the resources to build another house. If worse becomes worst, I will relocate to the village. I have spent over 30 years here. This road was very good. You can drive to the river. Taxis plied the road and there was nothing like erosion. Maybe it was caused by development.”
Odionwere of the area, Augustine Ikponmwosa, said: “This Wire Road has become a liability to us. For the past 18 years, we have been living in a perilous situation. It has been bad for a very long time. The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) came to fix the road but it was not properly done. The erosion has driven many people away from this area. Over 100 landlords have relocated to other places.
“The contractor came and did one manhole which has stopped functioning. They should have channelled the flood to the Ikpoba River.
“We have written several letters to the House of Assembly, Senate and the last contractor engaged by the NDDC. There was a contractor who the main contractor sub-let the job to. He ran away after collecting money to built another house at Ikpoba Hill area.”
Victor Obaseki, on his part, said he has been living the area since 1973, stressing that there is nowhere else to call home.
“We are begging the government to help the masses here, especially the tenants. Those living here don’t have anywhere else to go. We beg the government to monitor whoever they award the contract to construct the road to. This is the first good road we had in the whole of Ihinmwin during the regime of the late Ali and Ogbemudia,” Obaseki said.
The Edo Consultative Forum, a non-political group, has pledged its support for the Esan Journalists’ Forum in its agitation for an Esan son to emerge as the next Governor of Edo State.
Chairman of the group, Mr Gilbert Oboh made this known while briefing the press after its emergency meeting in Warri, Delta State.
He further said his group decided to support the journalists, because of the reasons adduced by them on the need to have an Esan son as the next governor of Edo State which, he maintained, will ensure fairness and equity.
He noted that other zones comprising Edo South and Edo North had, in the past, produced governors who spent the mandatory two terms as enunciated in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and as such, it is necessary that the Esan of Edo Central that has not produced a governor in the past 16 years, should be encouraged to produce the next governor of the state.
His word: “A Benin man from Edo South in the person of Lucky Igbinedion ruled the state for eight years. After him, the reign of leadership became the lot of an Esako man from Edo North in the person of Adams Oshiomole, who is rounding off his two terms of eight years. For justice and fairness, it is only appropriate that Edo Central Senatorial zone should produce the next governor.”
On the argument that Prof. Osunbor who incidentally had his rule terminated by the courts is from Edo Central, Oboh said he is piqued that certain persons could refer to that instance when it was obvious that Osunbor administration lasted for few months, and so could not have even be referred to in the first instance.
Bemoaning the level of development and infrastructural decay in Esan land in spite of the abundant human and material resources, he accused those who had held sway in governance of paying little or no attention to the development of the area. He argued that if an Esan son becomes the next governor, it will afford Esan land the opportunity to catch up with other areas in terms of infrastructural development.
He promised to join forces with the forum in actualising the lofty visions, especially the two days summit slated for next month that will bring Esan sons and daughters from across the country and in the Diaspora, to explore ways of enthroning one of their own as the next governor of the state.
the Delta State Government has commenced a massive reconstruction of the Asaba International Airport, in a move to restore the glory of the aviation facility and to address the concerns raised by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), which led to an embarrassing downgrade of the airport earlier in the year.
Recall that the NCAA, on April 27, downgraded the Asaba International Airport over issues ranging from inadequate training of technical staff, lack of perimeter fencing, flooding and uneven surface of the runway and other technical issues.
By that directive, only Dash 8 – Q 400 planes or their equivalent will continue to operate through the airport until the issues raised are resolved while all Boeing 737s and jets of similar category are barred.
To underscore government’s commitment towards addressing the airport’s infrastructural deficits, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa had, within a week of assuming office, held a meeting with ULO Consultants Limited – the contractor handling the construction of the airport project and the fruits of that meeting are evident – all the contractors are back on site toiling to meet agreed timelines.
Governor Okowa had, on September 11, this year sought and received approval from the state’s legislature for a loan of N5.021 billion for the reconstruction of the airport.
Specifically, the state legislature approved the request for guaranty of a loan facility to be availed ULO Consultants Limited in respect of the accelerated rehabilitation of the Asaba Airport.
Hitherto, the airport could only be accessed from the North-Eastern direction because a 23 meter high hill blocked access to the runway of airplanes from the South-west direction.
The hill has been reduced with a gentle 2.5 meters gradient sloping to the runway. With the leveling of the hill, the signal posts at the Southwestern end of the runway is now visible -a situation that was patently in breach of international standards.
The airport has two signal beacons at both ends of the runway standing approximately at 2.4 kilometers apart from the terminal building. Another grey area is the absence of a perimeter fence around the airport. But the problem is being addressed, with work having reached advanced stage.
Project Manager, Ali Bou Ghawi who spoke with Niger Delta Report revealed that over 40 per cent of the work has been done, noting that work will further intensify with cessation of the rains.
His words: “We have completed the major work of surveying and pegging the entire area. Clearing of the entire forest surrounding the airport has reached advanced stage. What is left is for the real fencing work to begin and with the lull in the wet season, we will start soon.”
Ghawi noted that his company was adding a new nine-centimeter layer of asphalt which was being laid on the tarmac to reinforce the existing runway. Also, work on another control tower to complement the operational efficiency of the existing one has reached advanced stage.
The engineer said the tower, which has already reached the second floor, would complement the existing Control Tower in line with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standard.
Beside the airport control tower, international airports are required to have a second tower for the purpose of monitoring local weather as well controlling incoming flights and departures.
Moreover, the lighting of the airport has been restructured in such a manner that the entire lighting system will be embedded into the four-kilometer runway and taxi-way. The entire perimeter fence is being lighted as well.
A source who spoke on condition of anonymity assured that “the downgrade in status of Asaba Airport has not, in any way, affected the operation of scheduled commercial flights in and out of the airport”, saying Arik Air, Aero Contractors and Overland Air which operate scheduled flights, have continued to provide seamless services to passengers.
His words: “We hereby assure the public that the Delta State Government is committed to ensuring the upgrade of the facilities as directed by the NCAA promptly and the status of Asaba Airport will soon be restored to accommodate bigger jets such as the Boeing 737.”
Youths in Bayelsa State are counting their blessings following the intervention of the Employment and Expenditure for Results (SEEFOR) Project to address joblessness and youth restiveness in the state.
SEEFOR, an initiative of the World Bank, European Union (EU), Federal Government of Nigeria and the Bayelsa State Government, is designed among other things, to create employment by training youths on entrepreneurial skills.
Recently, no fewer than 1,226 youths drawn from different parts of the state participated in a two-day entrepreneurship and money management training for public works beneficiaries organised by SEEFOR to round off the programme which lasted one year.
Within the period, the beneficiaries were trained in other areas such as technical and vocational skills acquisition and community-driven development services in the last one year.
They were paid a monthly allowance of N20, 000 each and N5, 000 as compulsory savings during the period. The programme was brought to an end recently at an elaborate ceremony which took place in Ijaw House, Yenagoa.
Dignitaries, including political office holders, attended the ceremony.
Speaking at the event, the Deputy Governor of the state, Rear Admiral John Jonah (rtd) noted that money management and acquisition of entrepreneurial skills were very important in life.
“No matter the amount of money you have, without proper management, you cannot go anywhere,” he said. Jonah described the SEEFOR Project as one of the priority projects of the state government for youth employment.
He announced that 2,000 youths would be accommodated in the next phase of the training, stressing that the government places premium on youth development and empowerment.
“We believe so much in the youth of Bayelsa State and their capacity to make money.
“One of the agencies that we use to empower and develop youths is the Ministry of Youth Development. We are also interested in vocational skills and craftsmanship,” he said.
He directed that the N60, 000 accumulated monthly savings from N5, 000 by each beneficiary for the one year be released to them as they had completed their training. He advised the beneficiaries to make good use of the training they had received to improve their socio-economic condition.
Emphasising the importance of the theme of the two-day training, “Mentorship on Money Management”, the Deputy Governor said the capacity to manage money is an important element of any successful business.
Addressing the beneficiaries, he said: “No matter the amount of money you have, if you can’t manage it you will lose it. And that is why the organisers thought it wise to actually put you through this process, so that you will be aware that there are established ways of managing money and if you accept one or two ways of managing money which they have taught you your goals of today and the future will be achieved.
He said the Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, has passion for youth development.
“The Governor believes so much on the youth of Bayelsa State and he has been working assiduously for the development of the youth. The process is to develop the capacity of our youths to enable them to compete with their peers in other areas.
“It also includes vocational skills, craftsmanship that is needed to drive the manpower of the state. Now the whole process of development involves collaboration among various agencies, including the World Bank, the Federal Government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). The state will take the lead and that is what has led us to this point. The state will continue to lead in this aspect, to engage more youths,” he said.
He said the government was planning to increase the number of beneficiaries at the next batch of the training programme to 2,000, adding that the administration has a window to accommodate 6,000 people.
He added: “The process to begin the programme for the next batch would start with immediate effect. Let me remind you that without security, there will be no development anywhere. Against all cost, we will secure the state. You should not do anything that will jeopardize the existing peace which will subsequently bring down the process of development.
“We need to create an enabling environment as we develop our skills so that anytime we face tough time, you can also contribute your manpower to construction activities or technical work or agricultural workforce because together we shall contribute and build Bayelsa State of our dream.”
The state co-ordinator of the SEEFOR Project, Ayens Adogu explained that the training aimed at creating employment opportunities for youths to provide socio-economic services. Adogu said the project was targeting 7,000 youths in the state for economic empowerment and development.
He revealed that the beneficiaries had been involved in services such as road rehabilitation and refuse management and disposal since the project began two years ago.
Adogu commended the beneficiaries for the seriousness they attached to the training and advised them to utilise the gains for the betterment of their lives.
He said: “This is a wonderful programme because the Bayelsa State Government is interested in the youth to make sure that development is sustained and one of those developments hinges on human, capital and material resources.
“The programme is basically owned by World Bank in collaboration with the state government. The objective of this programme is to empower the youth and make sure that youths engage themselves and make sure that roads have been rehabilitated.”
In their various experiences, four of the beneficiaries, Ebikise Zikena, Rita Thursday, School Micah and Akene Oyinkikpaikene, thanked the government for empowering them through the SEEFOR Project. They also appealed to the government to sustain the programme as it would bring succour to many youths in the state.
Thursday said: “I graduated with a degree in Public Administration since 2005 and since then I have not been able to secure a good job. But thank God for the SEEFOR programme. I don’t seek for help again from my relations since I started this programme.
Also, in his testimony, Kenneth said: “I have not earned a salary before but SEEFOR made it possible that today I am a salary earner. Thanks to the state government for the absorption of the youth into employment. I pray that the government would continue with this programme.”
