The Nation Newspaper

Category: Niger Delta

  • Council boosts IGR

    The Chairman of Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State, Mr. Jimoh Ijegbai has explained how he increased the council’s internally-generated revenue (IGR) from N200,000 monthly to N16 million.

    Addressing reporters during the inauguration of water projects at Arokho and Imakhu communities in the area, Mr. Ijegbai said he performed the feat by looking at areas where the local government has comparative advantage.

    Mr. Ijegbai noted that he pledged not to rely solely on federal allocation to develop the council when he assumed office in 2013.

    The council chief said he realised that “oil will not last forever” and therefore decided to go into commercial sale of petroleum products as well as remodeling of its transport system.

    He said: “The first thing we did when we assumed office was to look inward in order to boost our IGR and this has paid off greatly.

    “At present, we have one of the most efficient transport systems among local governments in Nigeria. Within two years, we have increased our fleet of buses from the eight we met on ground to 24. These buses are plying various routes in the country.

    “Again, we decided to go into commercial sale of fuel. We are into selling of petroleum products in the local government as a commercial entity.

    “We know that oil will not last forever. When we started noticing the signs that things were going bad, we decided to identify where we have comparative advantage and we took advantage of it and it is the secret behind the success we are witnessing today.”

    “It will surprise you that we are not only initiating projects, we are executing as well as inaugurating projects because, we foresaw this financial crunch that has affected most states and council areas of the country.”

  • Group laments injustice to members

    Group laments injustice to members

    A group, Ijaw Youth Leaders’ Forum Lagos (IYLF), has called for a focused and balanced leadership, urging President Muhammadu Buhari to look into the victimisation of some public office holders from Ijaw in federal agencies.

    They made the appeal in a statement signed by its Chairman Ebimobowei Jeremiah and Public Relations Officer, Tuborke-ere Moni.

    The group expressed worries over what it described as “selective victimisation” of public office holders from Ijaw, particularly in the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). It claimed that some of its leaders were being maligned with corruption charges, while other directors on whose table financial records passed through were being left out.

    Listing the achievement of the former Director-General of NIMASA, the group urged the President to intervene in the matter.

    He said: “The singling out of only Ijaw and South-South directors, such as the former NIMASA D-G, Mr. Patrick Akpobolokemi, for interrogation, detention and subjecting them to inhuman treatment is most regrettable in this administration of “change mantra”. The DSS and EFCC commando style of effecting arrest in this 21st Century only reminds one of the dark military days. Non Ijaw/South-South tribes were honourably invited and released after a few hours but Niger Deltans are denied access to their families and lawyers.

    “While we are not against any effort to investigate or probe previous administrations and indeed take steps against the perceived scourge of corruption in NIMASA, we hereby state that the period covered by this probe is suspicious. Avoiding probes of all employments, appointments, promotions, pre-Akpobolokemi tenure clearly portrays the Ministry of Transport as having ulterior motive. We make bold to state that Akpobolokemi’s tenure witnessed unprecedented progress in the history of NIMASA as it recorded the highest output in income generation and other world best practice reforms that he brought to bear in the life of the maritime industry in Nigeria, including the global scholarship programme; the Nigeria Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP). The group noted that the reforms changed the lives of over 2,500 Nigerian youths across the country, as they received trainings at degree levels in Marine Engineering, Marine Surveying and Nautical Sciences, among otherS, in reputable universities around the world.”

    The group also called for the opening of the Maritime University at Okerenkoko and NIMASA Science and Technical College, Okoloba which have remained closed for some time now, saying their continuous closure threatens their usefulness.

  • Group celebrates peace, unity

    Group celebrates peace, unity

    It was a gathering of kinsmen. Though scattered throughout the federation, they are kith and kin. Their gathering was a proof that wherever a people are scattered, they should identify with themselves once in a while. It was also evidence that distance is not a barrier to the unity of different tribes.

    The Bille people of in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State demonstrated this much when they held their 3rd National Annual Peace Seminar/Public Enlightenment Campaign on the Need for Unity, Self Re-discovery, Peaceful Co-Existence and Solidarity among the JAMKAB Ethnic Group.”

    The event organised by the JAMKAB Peace and Empowerment Initiative was held at Iwo-Ama Town Hall in Bille Kingdom.

    The acronym JAMKAB reflects the initials of the tribes that sprang up from Bille which originated from Nigeria Bantu or Benue–Congo language.

    The tribes which are Jahr; Afizere; Mbula; Kantana; Kulun; Kwaita; Bille, Bambur; Bade; Tambo; Bakopi and Bwazza Mabilla are spread across 10 states of the federation namely Plateau; Bauchi; Gombe; Taraba; Yobe; Adamawa; Nasarawa; Kaduna and Rivers states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.

    Welcoming participants at the seminar from these tribes spread in these states, the Secretary, Bille Kingdom Chiefs of Council, Chief Ibiba Kombonimi, said that “occasion such as this helps in no small measure to realise our communality, bridge the gap and thereby foster the unity, peace and stability that we sorely need in this country.”

    Kombonimi stressed the need for the people to forge unity because “in this era when a man without relations can be trampled upon without much ado, we are glad to know that we have our people out there and they are yearning to relate with us at all times.”

    He further said that “even though physical distance could be a veritable barrier to effective communication, it cannot discourage a mind assured of assistance in time of need,” adding that the presence of their kinsmen from other states is a sufficient assurance “that we are never alone anymore.”

    While reiterating that all Bille people come from the same source, Kombonimi also urged his people to always show keen interest and try and identify with one another whenever they come across one another, stressing that “our identification might save life, secure an opportunity or encourage a flagging effort to rise to a challenging moment; thus securing the needed peace, unity and solidarity in Nigeria.”

    During his speech, the originator of JAMKAB Peace and Empowerment Initiative, Comrade Butswat Kunwur explained the vision and mission of the organisation which he said was basically to improve the life of JAMKAB people by forging a common front.

    Kunwur also said his organisation would “unite the JAMKAB people for their socio-political and economic well-being within the context of the Nigerian society.

    “Based on this belief, we maintain that the crises in Nigeria are due to the inability of government to inculcate into its citizens a genuine sense of patriotism that pays unalloyed loyalty and allegiance to their fatherland.”

    The former Military Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, who was the chairman on the occasion stated that the unity of Nigeria is sacrosanct and that no group in the country should be regarded as minority.

    Gowon, who was represented by Alhaji Isa Hashimu Salami from Plateau State, noted that everybody is Nigerian and Nigeria is one.

    While thanking Bille people for their hospitality, he promised that they would all work together to create job opportunities for the people as well as empower them.

    In a 13-point communiqué issued at the end of the event, the people said they were happy to celebrate their discovered identity despite their expansive geographical spread, promising to continue their unifying annual cultural events.

    They also urged Nigerians to support and promote all programmes geared towards the promotion of peace and unity.

  • NDDC chief warns non-performing contractors

    NDDC chief warns non-performing contractors

    The Commissioner representing the Ijaw ethnic nation in the Delta State Oil-Producing Communities Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Chief Favour Izoukumor, has read the riot act to contractors working for the commission in the Ijaw oil-bearing areas.

    Chief Izoukumor, during a courtesy visits to traditional rulers of the oil-bearing Ijaw communities on Tuesday, warned that contractors that perform shoddy and wishy-washy jobs would not only have their contracts revoked, but their names would be forwarded to the State House of Assembly for further disciplinary action, blacklisting and possibly banned from future deals with the commission.

    Speaking at the Warri homes and palace annexes of the Ibenanawei of Diebiri Kingdom, Chief J.G. Orubu, his counterparts from Ogulagha and Iduwini kingdoms, HRM Agbonu Torububor I and Bosu Dio Ayamabulou I respectively, as well Agadagba of Egbema, HRM Gold Tiemo; the commissioner vowed that there would be a remarkable difference in the way of doing things in DESOPADEC.

    He took similar message to Gbaramatu Kingdom, where he met with the Regent, Chief P.T. Heavens and other members of the Traditional Council, including Chief Clark Gbenewei and Etoromi. He solicited the support of traditional institutions in the state in the war against illegal bunkering and pipeline vandalism.

    On the new order in the commission, he said: “It will interest you to know that during our inauguration by the Executive Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, we were given a clear mandate of making the commission to be more performance-driven and people-centred. I promise that, with your support, I will uphold this mandate in all my statutory responsibilities.

    “The initiation of choice projects of communities and nomination of contractors shall be “bottom-up” approach. This means that it will no longer be business as usual whereby contractors, through their connections, put projects of their choice in budgets and end up as beneficiaries of such contracts.”

    To this end, he expressed his desire to have representatives from each of the kingdoms to be nominated by the leadership of the various clans to recommend to the commission projects for consideration and execution in line with the bottom-up approach.

    “As a commissioner representing you in DESOPADEC, I will not condone duplication of projects, particularly those that have no meaningful impact on the lives of the people in your communities as rightly directed by the Governor.

    “Contractors who are not performing or performed poorly in terms of projects execution, will not be condoned and may be blacklisted from getting contracts from the commission.”

    Meanwhile, during a visit to the Regent of Gbaramatu Kingdom, the Ijaw DESOPADEC Commissioner promised to look into the protracted issues of jobs that have been duly executed by contractors but have not been paid for.

    “We are also aware that some contractors who have completed their jobs or have covered several milestones of execution are yet to be paid by the commission. We will look into such cases and see that such contractors are paid,” he assured.

    While noting that contract opportunities available through the commission are now limited due to the dwindling oil price, Izoukumor expressed the desire to ensure that the benefits of available contracts are enjoyed by as many persons as possible by ensuring that same persons do not  benefit severally at the expense of others. His promise is a breakaway from existing practices where ‘powerful’ contractors hijacked jobs by using pseudonyms and companies.

    He, therefore, solicited the co-operation of traditional rulers in the government’s efforts to stop illegal bunkering, remarking that unless the act of economic sabotage is brought to its knees, the economy of the country could be crippled.

    He assured that DESOPADEC projects in the Ijaw areas will be spread across to accommodate new and capable contractors and others who are yet to benefit.

    Speaking further, he revealed that in line with the SMART agenda of Governor Okowa, emphasis will be placed on strategic wealth creation projects that will further generate employment for the teeming youths.

    “This strongly implies that there will be no room for projects that will not positively impact on the people. To key into this, we shall create agricultural projects such as fishery, poultry, piggery; rice farm and plantation farm as well as skill acquisition trainings. Small-medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) will be given the pride of place in my tenure as your commissioner in DESOPADEC.”

    Similarly, the commissioner revealed that physically-challenged persons and those who are living with one disability or the other would not be left behind “because there is ability in disability.

    “Also, in accordance with the Governor’s agenda, we will encourage free medical care for our people as well as provision of free educational materials.

    “You will all agree with me that the major challenge to the development of Ijaw communities in Delta State is lack of adequate land for settlement. This, therefore, calls for reclamation and shoreline protection of most Ijaw communities in Delta State for better settlement and environmental protection against erosion, ocean surge and other environmental hazards.

    “Therefore, it is my view that since land reclamation and shoreline protection are capital intensive, the Ijaw nation can collectively agree, from its budget in DESOPADEC, to purchase two or three dredgers that will be deployed for reclamation purposes of Ijaw communities under DESOPADEC,” he said.

    In their various responses, the traditional rulers commended Governor Okowa for appointing Izoukumor, stressing that it showed that the governor is a man in tune with the wish of the people.

    Chief Orubo described the appointment of Izoukumor as a DESOPADEC commissioner as the right one, adding that as a “boardroom guru, a very successful businessman and a man with the right connection and technology, you are well placed.”

    He, therefore, warned contractors to be wary of the new commissioner, stressing that he was not one that they could hoodwink with shoddy jobs because “Izoukumor has seen it all and has all the knowledge.”

    For his part, the Ogulagha monarch advised Izoukumor to be abreast with the gimmicks used by influential persons from the non-oil bearing areas to short-change those who suffer the effects of oil exploration and exploitation.

    The highpoint of the visit was the inauguration of two 18-seater buses donated by the commission to Ogulagha and Gbaramatu kingdoms. The commissioner explained that the donation was to alleviate challenges faced by schools in the communities and promised to extend the gesture to other clans as soon as more buses were procured.

    The commissioner was accompanied on the trip by a former Commissioner for Environment in the state, Mr Joel Bisina Bishop, Samson Amazine, Chairman Ijaw HOSTCOm (Oil and Gas), Mr Kingsley Ekiere, Pastor Samuel Diebriri, Forcados Kingsley and Hon. Samson Oyimi, former Chairman Ogbe Ijoh Governing Council as well as a councillor, Hon. Frank Pukon.

  • Emmanuel’s wife’s love for the poor

    In fulfilment of her promise to turn the fortunes of the less-privileged around and show love to the vulnerable in the state, the Wife of Akwa-Ibom State Governor and initiator of Family Empowerment and Youth Reorientation Programme (FEYReP), Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel, visited destitute homes, children’s homes and prisons in the state where she made donations as well as encouraged the inmates.

    At the Lutheran Children’s Home, Ikot Otong Nsit, Nsit Ibom Local Government Area and the St. Anthony’s Destitute Center, Uruan Street Uyo, she donated food and relief materials to the inmates.

    Represented by the wife of the Speaker, Akwa-Ibom State House of Assembly, Mr. Ememobong Uko, the Mrs Emmanuel urged the inmates of the various care centres to imbibe the dakkada spirit of believing in their greatness, being obedient to their care givers, respect for the elders as well as fear and honour God in order to become good and worthy citizens.

    Mrs. Emmanuel also advised the inmates to be of good behaviour, believe in God, cultivate the ‘I can do mentality’ and look into the future with great hope, adding that God, in his grace, will strengthen and make them great and productive citizens.

    She advised the inmates against indulging in unruly behaviour that could be inimical to their future, noting that the government would not rest on its oars in ensuring that every Akwa-Ibom child achieves his highest potential.

    Mrs Emmanuel thanked the care givers and members of staff of the various homes for their continued love for the inmates, saying that she was impressed with their living conditions.

    In appreciation, the outgoing father in-charge of St. Anthony’s Destitute Centre, Rev. Fr. Anthony Ekong appreciated the governor’s wife’s benevolence towards the home, stressing that for the past 10 years that he has been in charge of the centre, he has not seen such philanthropic gesture. He prayed God to reward the Governor and his wife and guide them in the discharge of their duties.

    Also speaking, the incoming father in-charge of the centre, Rev. Fr. John Adei appreciated Mrs. Emmanuel for her donations. He described the visit as being providential because he is barely in office, yet the governor’s wife greeted him with donations to the inmates. Fr. Adei said he was marvelled by the magnanimity of the Governor’s wife, promising to use the items donated judiciously and for the benefit of the inmates.

    At Eket, the morale of inmates of Eket Prison was given a boost as the wife of the governor made donations and engaged them in some soul-lifting discussions.

    Represented by the wife of the Hon. Commissioner for Health, Mrs. Nelly Ukpong, Mrs. Emmanuel said her visit was part of the social responsibilities of her pet project to touch lives. She implored the inmates not to give up on life, irrespective of the situation they may have found themselves in.

    She also urged the inmates to imbibe the dakkada spirit of believing in their greatness, stating that life behind bars does not mean that they cannot be productive citizens again.

    Earlier, the Chief Superintendent of Eket Prison, Agomo Ibezimako expressed his gratitude to the governor’s wife for her benevolence to the inmates of Eket Prisons. “Your visit to us is not unexpected. When we realised that you have begun a tour of destitute formations in our state, we became hopeful that you have included us in your itinerary, and that you will visit us before you exhaust your list. By your coming here today, our hope has not been dashed. We are most grateful to have you,” he said.

    Also visited was the Motherless Babies’ Home, Idung Iniang, Eket, where the governor’s wife donated items.

    Mrs. Emmanuel thanked the Matron of the home, Mrs. Tom Bush for dedicating her life to taking care of the motherless, praying that God will reward her labour of love.

    In appreciation, Mrs. Tom Bush thanked Mrs. Emmanuel for her kind disposition towards the home, saying that within four months in office, her impact on the socially-disadvantaged people has already been felt. She prayed God to sustain her and the Governor.

    Among the items donated to the inmates were bags of rice, beans and tubers of yam.

    Others were gallons of palm and groundnut oil, cartons of indomie, pillows, mattresses, toiletries as well as cash.

    On the entourage were wife of the Hon. Commissioner for Culture and Tourism Mrs. Emmanuel Ibiok, wives of members representing Nsit Ubium and Nsit Atai State Constituencies in the House of Assembly, Mrs. Uduak Onofiok Luke and Mrs. Dorcas Mark Esset, among others.

  •  Beyond fresh polls

    The wordings of the judgment were not short. But one short quote struck a chord in me. It reads: “In the instant case, it was the President of the Court of Appeal that relocated the tribunal to Abuja because of insecurity. It was this situation that demanded for a doctrine of necessity which made the President of the Court of Appeal to relocate the tribunal to Abuja to protect the lives of the members of the panel… It is necessary to protect members of the panel by relocating them from the theatre of war to where their lives will be secured.”

    The quote came from the judgment of the Supreme Court on the case instituted by Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike challenging the relocation of the Election Petition Tribunal to Abuja. He had failed at the lower level on this matter. He suffered setback at the Appeal Court. And the Supreme Court finally did him in.

    What struck me in the judgment was the apex court’s description of Rivers as a theatre of war. The justices agree with the Appeal Court President that there was insecurity in Rivers State and the lives of the members of the tribunal could be in danger. And here is my dilemma regarding the judgments on Rivers and Akwa-Ibom states, where various degrees of violence were recorded before, during and after the last general elections. Violence played vital roles in the decisions to annul the Rivers governorship and some House of Assembly elections.

    I sincerely believe that calling for fresh polls is not enough. Violence cannot perpetrate itself. Someone must be behind it. So, there is need for us to find out those behind the violence and punish them.

    Let me go back memory lane so that we can appreciate the kind of madness that went on in Rivers. Rivers State was hell before, during and after the polls. For months, men without spine, men of brawn—and please permit me to add— who lack humanity and conscience put Rivers State, the Lagos of the South-south, on the spot. It was either they were shooting guns or they were throwing bombs. And when they did it, they hid their faces. They acted most times under the cover of the dark and daylight.

    Aside guns and dynamites, they also used machetes and other dangerous weapons. Heads were broken. Necks were twisted. Arms had hot leads pumped into them. And there was a woman whose back was reshaped with bullets. It was simply a tale of blood.

    Last year, I received the picture of a man on a hospital bed somewhere in dear Rivers. Blood was gushing out of the middle of his head. It looked as though his skull was broken. His name, I found out, is Emenike. In the picture, he looked dead. In fact, he was reported dead and condolences were sent to his friends and families. The picture was to illustrate a story for the next day’s edition of this paper. But, we simply could not use it. It was gory. My Editor, Gbenga Omotoso, cringed on seeing the picture and simply screamed: “We can’t use this. It is gory.”

    He was not the only one attacked that day.  Others were too. They were at a meeting when they were attacked by men of low moral standing, men who are so-called because of their physical possessions.

    Jerry Needam, who speaks for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, alleged that the then Chief of Staff to the immediate past Governor Rotimi Amaechi, Chief Tony Okocha ordered political thugs and supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to attack a former chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Timothy Nsirim at a function in Rumueme. Needam described the alleged attack as “criminal, barbaric and animalistic”.

    Nsirim, he claimed, was physically battered by Okocha and sustained major injuries all over his body and had his clothes torn to shreds. “The PDP therefore, calls on the Inspector-General of Police, I-G and the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP to arrest and prosecute Tony Okocha. The party also describes Okocha as lawless, blood thirsty and one if not tamed, would cause crisis in Rivers State, ahead of the general elections,” he said.

    But Nsirim’s father who is the King of Rumueme community, Nyeweli Omunakwe Nyeche Nsirim, accused his son of using thugs to disrupt the APC rally. According to him, the APC stalwarts in the community had duly obtained the blessing of the chiefs of the community to organise their political rally. He described as false the claim by the PDP that Okocha and other APC supporters attacked the former council chairman.

    The bulk of those at the receiving end of the madness in Rivers were of the APC. The PDP said the APC was the one throwing the dynamites and attacking its own to buy sympathy.  It also claimed to have made available video and other evidence of attacks on its members to the Chidi Odinkalu-led National Human Rights Commission.

    Several APC supporters on their way to the official inauguration of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari’s presidential campaign in Port Harcourt were attacked by masked gunmen near Harry’s Town, in Degema and Sakpenwa, in Tai. The cowards were not bold enough to do it without hiding under face masks. They left many unconscious and in their pool of blood and fled into anonymity to spend the filthy money from their cowardly masters.

    Ask Aadum Pya-Alu, Deemua Beatrice, Sorbari Npebee, Barbe Jack, Victory Vinam and Wisdom Akpogbara and they will tell you tales that not only touch the hearts but break them.  Pya-Alu’s leg shot by the cowards tell all the story; Beatrice’s back-arm can never forget the day hot leads were pumped into it; Npebee, who was shot in the head and neck, is lucky to be alive to tell the story; and elated is Jack for not dying as a result of the gun-attack on his stomach; so is Vinam, who was shot in the leg; and Akpogbara must be thanking God that the bullet he received on the head for daring to identify with Gen. Buhari’s aspiration did not kill him.

    Okrika, the hometown of ex-First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan, never allowed any APC rally. On one occasion, gunshots were exchanged between those who wanted the rally stopped and the police. At the end, a policeman died and a reporter with Channels Television, Charles Eruka, was stabbed. He is lucky to be alive and presenting his programme on the award-winning news medium. That day, some other policemen were also badly injured.

    Mr Anayo Onukwugha, a journalist working for Leadership in Port Harcourt, said he saw youths carrying AK-47 rifles, locally-made pistols, cutlasses and bottles.  They overpowered him and collected all they could lay their hands on in his pockets, including his two phones, a digital voice recorder and some cash.

    His colleague, Emeka Amaefula, the Bureau Chief of City, sustained abrasion on his sheen and waist and had an elbow inflammation.

    Of all the killings, those of the Adubes caught the public’s attention more. Their killers showed no mercy. In one fell swoop, nine persons, including a father, his two sons and daughter were killed. The members of Adube family are still in tears and are seeking justice.

    Those killed are: former Caretaker Committee Chairman of Ogba/Egbema/ Ndoni Local Government Area, the late Hon. Christopher Adube, his two sons Lucky and John, his daughter Joy, a family friend Iyk Ogarabe and the family driver, Mr.  Samuel Chukwunonye.

    Gunmen also killed nine persons and burnt the house of a politician in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area in one day.

    My final take: Whoever claims there was no violence in Rivers State before, during and after the elections is not only a liar but a pathological one. With PDP’s claim that it presented evidence of attacks on its members to the NHRC, that is an admission of violence. Those behind the violence deserve to be identified and punished.

  • Philanthropist renovates police station

    A philanthropist, Deacon Festus Idjokoý, has renovated the Ivbiotor Police Station in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.

    The renovation work included re-grassing of the parade ground, landscaping, replacement of window louvres with aluminium profiles, ceiling boards with PVC, floor tiles, provision of air-conditioners in the charge room and other offices, gasoline generator, Plasma TV and payment of satellite subscription for one year.

    Deacon Idjoko said the gesture was part of his firm’s corporate social responsibilities for last yearý.

    Idjoko stated that his firm would undertake the cost of routine maintenance of the facilities at the station for one year before the police authorities would take over subsequently.

    Speaking at the inauguration of the police station, former Inspector-General of Police and Chairman of the Commission, Sir Mike Okiro, revealed that lack of adequate budgetary provision may force the Police Service Commission to defer the recruitment of 10, 000 men into the Nigerian Police Force till 2016.

    Sir Okiro noted that ýthe rehabilitation of police barracks and stations across the country maybe done before the recruitment exercise.

    “We have not started yet. Police stations have been desolate for five years and before we recruit, we need to make provisions for training the officers and men of the force and pay their salaries and allowances. This was not captured in this year’s budget; hopefully by next year, we will begin the process,” he said.

    “Deacon Festus Idjokoý has done what people should do. He calls it corporate social responsibility but I call it National responsibility. We cannot sit down and shout, condemn and vilify the police by doing nothing to assist them to do better.

    “He did not only see the environment in which the police work, he felt he could make it better for the police to work better. Other companies and individuals should emulate this gesture,” he said.

  • Association alleges gang up against members

    The Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN) has decried alleged gang-up against its members by the Committee of Chief Medical Directors, Medical Directors and Directors-General under the Federal Ministry of Health.

    The National President of AMLSN, Alhaji Toyosi Raheem said it is quite unfortunate that “any time a privilege or right is given to others such as in the case of the recently approved entry point for our members and the need to adjust the levels for existing medical scientists to maintain seniority, some members of this committee would have one reason or the other not to comply with such circulars.”

    Raheem spoke in Port Harcourt during the 51st Annual Scientific Conference and Workshop of the association which had the theme Combating Acute and Chronic Health Challenges: The Medical Laboratory as a Critical Tool.”

    The AMLSN boss, who said that he had observed that “there are deliberate attempts to stagnate our members and even non-employment of fresh medical laboratory scientists needed to strengthen the laboratory services” further condemned a situation in which medical doctors set up laboratory facilities within their clinics and hospitals. He added that “this is a violation of the National Health Insurance Scheme.”

    This practice, Raheem further said, denies AMSLN of its service fees, capitation and other entitlements. He, therefore, called on the Federal Ministry of Health to direct the committee made up of medical doctors “who are in the habit of using their positions to intimidate, oppress and suppress other health professional groups, especially medical lab scientists, to stop this practice.

    Continuing, he said that in line with the Federal Government’s directive to the Ministry of Labour on how to avert industrial actions in the health sector, his association forwarded a position paper in which it noted that major causes of strikes are “impunity, disregard to rule of law and disobedience to court judgment, government circulars, approved scheme of service, gross and outrageous disparities and discriminations in salaries and allowances of physicians and other health professionals.”

    While calling for the establishment of health directorate in the Federal Ministry of Health, he also demanded the implementation of all court judgments in favour of AMLSN, especially the most recent where all the reliefs sought by his association were granted by the National Industrial Court, Abuja against pathologists.

    In his speech, the Chairman of Rivers State chapter of AMLSN, Dr Easter Nwokah stressed the importance of medical laboratory science in health care delivery saying that “it is a common knowledge that every clinical decision is based on, at least, 70 per cent input from laboratory investigation.”

    Nwokah, who commended the Rivers State government for the tremendous commitments it has made in health care delivery, also pointed out the need for the creation of a directorate of medical laboratory services in the state service.

    He also pointed out that the “non-existence of this directorate has militated against the enhancement in the practice of the profession as well as hindered effective and quality diagnostic service delivery.”

    Also speaking, the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the occasion, Hon. Austin Opara commended members of AMSLN for what they are doing in the health sector, adding that it was their efforts that helped Nigeria to combat Ebola virus disease last year.

    Opara, who was represented by the Head of Department of Management, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, Dr Henry Ejor-Orusa said: “Just like ideas rule the world, ideas in medical laboratory will help in medical field,” adding that medical lab science is one profession where there is a fusion of science and technology.

    The Keynote speaker at the event, Prof. Olufemi Oguntibeju of Cape Peninsula University, South Africa spoke on the theme of the conference.

  •  20-year-old needs N2m for eye surgery

     20-year-old needs N2m for eye surgery

    On February 15, 1995, jubilation and joy enveloped the family of Mr and Mrs Gabriel Ogene who are residents of Lagos but indigenous to Kwale in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State. That was at the birth of their handsome son, Holy Ogene who is now 20 years old.

    At the time of his birth, his eyes glowed as the Northern Star. While growing up, he was so promising so much so that he won Governor Babatunde Fashola-organised essay competition in 2009; having represented his school, Babs Fafunwa Millennium Secondary School, Ojodu Berger Lagos State.

    The young Ogene was bubbling with life and was doing well in his academic career until when he was in primary school when the unexpected happened. He developed eye problem.

    His caring parents took him to several hospitals, including MaxiVision and Eye Foundation, all in Lagos. At first, the young Ogene underwent surgery on the right eye, albeit, at a local medical facility. Unfortunately, the left eye was affected; thereby rendering him somewhat blind.

    His parents thought it was a minor challenge. It never was.

    Since then, Ogene has neither been himself again nor able to be so active in her music career; being a rap artiste. He always feel sad as the supposedly minor eye problem snowballed into glycoma which may prevent him from actualising his  dream of becoming one of Nigeria’s intellectually-endowed music stars which will enable him to contribute to his quota to Nigeria’s socio-economic and political advancement.

    Doctors recommended that he undertake profound surgery on the two eyes. Due to the fact that he was very young, his father objected to the idea and suggestion. Ostensibly, he was afraid that he might lose his handsome son. But the doctor insisted on the surgery taking place because young Ogene’s eyes had shifted out of their normal positions; hence the urgent need to carry out the surgery.

    Gabriel, his father could not take any of that. So, he kept on managing till when he was 14 years of age. His left eye finally had cataract, and then there was no money to remove it.

    He continued to live life with only one eye, until he attained the age of 16. It was then that he noticed he could not see any more. He went for eye test and the doctor confirmed he had glycoma. Proffering solution, the doctor said it would cost N2 million (Two million Naira) for the surgery to be carried out in India.

    His parents and relations had already spent millions of Naira, thus stretching the family’s resources beyond its malleable limits, even as it has plunged them into massive debts.

    Again, her parents, especially her mother who has developed what could be described as acute high blood pressure because of her son’s predicament, have been in shock as they watch their handsome and talented son saunter about or led by the hand as his condition deteriorates.

    Afraid that handsome Ogene would be snatched by the wicked hands of death should they continue to save money on their own to enable their son to carry out the surgery, Ogene’s parents and friends have been forced by the degeneration and the piercingly agonising misery which Ogene has been in for some time now, have decided to appeal to their fellow Nigerians for financial assistance.

    They are appealing to kind-hearted Nigerians to help them raise N2 million required to finance his eye surgery in India.

    To this end, a Save-Ogene dedicated account number: Diamond Bank. Account Name: Holyo Famous, Account No: 4443534394 has been opened to enable benevolent individuals who wish to help this up-and-coming music star regain his sight and live his normal life again to make their donations.

    Every kobo donated towards making Holy Ogene to regain his normal life goes a long way to retrieve him from the cold grip of death.

    Ogene’s heartfelt appeal goes to governments at all levels, philanthropic organisations, corporate bodies, professional bodies, women groups, parents who understand the pangs of labour and other distinguished Nigerians who, we are sure, cannot sit by and watch this ailment waste Ogene.

    Ogene’s statement of appeal reads:

    “My name is Holy Ogene and I am a Political Encyclopedia. I was born on February 15, 1995 and since I have been going through minor eye issue. I have been on drugs and eye glasses till a faithful day the doctor asked me to undergo eye surgery.

    “I am appealing to well-meaning individuals, government officials, churches and President Muhammadu Buhari and the member House of Representatives, Ossai Nikolas Ossai for them to please help me.

    “I thank Oyibosochukwu Nwabueze the Tojbesu of Delta State for all his assistance.”

    Those who are parents would better appreciate a situation where they watch a dear son or daughter in such a very distressing condition and lack the wherewithal to do anything to halt the heart-rending situation. What a scary thought it would be!

    Nigerians are noted for their large-heartedness. Those who are moved by Ogene’s optimism that, he would not die but live to testify the goodness of the Almighty and the benevolence of fellow Nigerians in the land of the living should not delay or hesitate to come to his rescue.

    Right now, the most consuming desire of this handsome young man is to regain his sight. Nigerians, known for their eagerness to compassionately respond to distress call such as this would not let Ogene down and allow the unrelenting glycoma disease to waste his young life.

    The earlier he travels to India for the eye surgery, the more sure we are that Ogene will live to become one of Nigeria’s famous contributor to her development.

    Please, help him as God Almighty whose other name is Mercy, would watch over you and your entire household, even as He takes care of your needs. For more enquiries, contact Ogene on 08134223156 or 08104974780.

  • Naval chief: We’ll be ruthless against pirates, oil thieves

    The new Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Atiku Sadau Abdulkadir has said that those who sabotage the nation’s economy through illegal bunkering will be dealt with ruthlessly.

    He also advised the personnel to adhere strictly to professional ethics in the onslaught against oil thieves and other criminals operating in the oil-rich Niger Delta region.

    Abdulkadir stated this in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, when he visited the state in continuation of his familiarisation tour to Rivers, Akwa-Ibom and Cross River states that make up his operational command.

    At Onne Sea Port in Eleme Local Government Area, he was received by the Commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, Commodore Sanusi Kas, and other top naval officers. There, he inspected some naval facilities, including NNS Thunder, the flagship of the Eastern Naval Command and other ships.

    He later addressed officers and men at a conference hall of the ship.

    Addressing them, he said though there are some “few” bad eggs in the military and the police, who would soon be identified and flushed out, there are still good ones who should be encouraged to perform their duties excellently.

    He also stated that the Navy had zero-tolerance for illegalities, especially sea robberies, piracy, illegal bunkering and pipeline vandalism.

    Abdulkadir said: “Discipline is what the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe-Ibas has continuously stressed. We must aspire to be disciplined. We must realise that at all levels, we are leaders. We must obey the channels of command. We must be very proficient in what we are doing. That will be the only reason why our subordinates will have respect for us.

    “There are standard operating procedures for doing most of the things we do. We will continue to train our personnel and train ourselves so that we get acquainted with what we are supposed to do at all times; whether at harbour or at sea.”

    On military/civilians relationship, the naval chief said there the military deserves respect from the civilians who also deserve respect from the military. There must be mutual trust and respect between the two.

    He further said: “When you make an arrest, you do it in such a manner that you do not infringe on the rights of those you are arresting and in a manner that meets international best practices.

    “One thing that has been resolved among the three services (Navy, Army and Air force) and the police is that although the majority of us are law-abiding, we still have a few bad eggs in our midst and these bad eggs can mar all our achievements and everything that is supposed to be positive in what we are doing. Service Chiefs, the police and the Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, have agreed that there should be maximum esprit de corps between the services, the police and other agencies.

    He said the naval officers and men must be willing to collaborate with government and other agencies to equip their ships, to make them more functional, provide them with adequate welfare that they needed to perform their duties.

    Abdulkadir said: “We also believe strongly that for us to carry out those responsibilities that the nation expects of us, every rating and officer has roles to play.

    “We operate in an environment where we have our civilian brothers and sisters. We must learn to strictly abide by the rules so that we do not infringe on their rights and also do not compromise what is desirable for us to do.

    “We should also take advantage of the civilian environment and other agencies to build enough intelligence. That will make our job even much easier. But that cannot be achieved if we do not have very good relationship with our civilians and other agencies that we will be collaborating with.”

    He also stated that to combat oil theft in the Niger Delta, emphasis would be placed on training of the personnel.

    While commenting on naval personnel’s involvement in illegal bunkering, Abdulkadir said: “We must take cognisance of the fact that in every environment, there is likely to be a few bad eggs. If we find any of our personnel directly or indirectly assisting or participating in illegal acts, we will treat him or her as an offender.

    “I assure you that there will be little of these situations. All the men are attuned to the new policy direction on the need to fight the menace entirely.”

    On his plan to battle sea robberies and piracy on the waterways, he urged other users of the creeks to give useful and timely information to the Navy when they notice any strange movement in their areas. Abdulkadir stressed that his command was very much aligned to community intelligence and policing, while also welcoming information from the stakeholders.

    After addressing the naval personnel, he moved to the Government House, Port Harcourt to meet with Governor Nyesom Wike.

    Governor Wike, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Ipalibo Harry-Banigo promised to partner the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies to ensure that the waterways were well protected and safe for socio-economic activities.

    He noted that Rivers State had the political will to provide every logistic support needed to fight criminality at the creeks, coastal areas and adjoining rivers in the Niger Delta region.

    Wike said: “We are ready to eliminate all forms of criminal practices such as illegal bunkering and destruction of our oil installations.

    “We want to build investors’ confidence. The Rivers State Government is creating a secure and favourable environment for investment and development.”

    Governor Wike also stated that the collaboration between the state government and the security agencies would create the enabling environment for economic activities to strive and open up windows of opportunities for investors, promote employment generation and development.”

    The FOC had earlier noted that the essence of his visit was to assess the situation on ground, with a view to proffering solutions to challenges on the waterways.

    The naval chief praised Wike for his commitment to fighting crime in Rivers State. He pledged his support and collaboration with the state government.

    Abdulkadir also called on the government and the public to always assist the naval officers and men with timely and useful information that would help them in combating crime.

    Abdulkadir and others made a stopover near Okrika to inspect a 3,000 metric tons ship, M.T. Everest, Lagos and 12 crew members, earlier arrested and detained for illegal bunkering by naval personnel. They were arrested on October 2, this year.

    He urged residents in the neighbourhood to always help the Navy with timely and useful information, especially as it affects crude oil theft and illegal bunkering. He assured that the identities of the informant would be adequately protected.

    He said: “Those that are in it (illegal bunkering), should find some other means of livelihood and let the majority of the populace of the country enjoy these facilities that are available for all of us.”

    While at the base of the NLNG, Abdulkadir visited the monarch of the Grand Bonny Kingdom, His Majesty Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple, who is former Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers.

    The FOC was received by the Chairman of Bonny Council of Chiefs, Chief Orwell Amin Manilla-Pepple, a retired Army Colonel, in company with some eminent chiefs, at the conference hall of the monarch.

    While addressing the chiefs, Abdulkadir said he was on familiarisation tour of the states and facilities under his command. He said security in Bonny, the neighbouring villages and adjoining waterways would be enhanced in order to tackle illegal bunkering and sea piracy head on.

    Responding, Manilla-Pepple expressed displeasure over the non-linkage of Bonny by road, in spite of the island’s richness in crude oil and gas, the mainstay of Nigeria’s economy. He noted that members of staff of many oil companies and servicing firms in the area prefer to travel by air or water.

    In an emotion-laden voice, he lamented that sea pirates had made life unbearable for the people of the Island. He therefore called for more surveillance by the Navy and other security personnel.

    As the late-night journey in the two gunboats continued, there was an encounter with armed illegal bunkerers operating at Isaka, a riverside community.

    When the oil thieves saw the gunboats, one of them jumped into the river.

    Then the battle between the illegal bunkerers and the naval troops began. It was led by NNS Pathfinder’s Base Operations Officer, Commander Innocent Chidi Ejiofor. However, there was no casualty.

    The other gunboat was used to confront the hoodlums, who eventually ran away, leaving behind a big Cotonou Boat containing 105 drums of  automated gas oil (diesel).