The Nation Newspaper

Category: Niger Delta

Ayade…How far 100 days after?
When on May 29 Prof Benedict Benyaushuye Ayade was sworn-in as the governor of Cross River State at the prestigious Calabar International Convention Centre (CICC), he left no one in doubt that he was coming to government with the sole purpose of serving the people.

His vision as encapsulated in the inaugural speech is clear, captivating and precise as to the direction/path he intend to chart, the drive and passion he possesses, not unmindful of the hurdles on the way to success, he expressed his un-quenching determination to surmount such limitations and pilot the state to its divine allotted sphere of honour. In his inaugural speech, Ayade was passionate that as a people we have come to a point in history of possibilities/prosperity because he has come with the right ingredients to bring about a perfect pollination whose petals will spread abroad sweet scent that will enlivened and awakened and drive the state away from backwardness to greatness and the people from poverty to economically viable icons among the people of Nigeria and the world. To achieve the desired goal therefore, it require that the people must collectively “rise to…full height to envision and carve out a better future” for themselves and the coming generations.

Ayade’s subsequent utterances and actions from the day of his inauguration to his 100 days in office lucidly indicate that he is on course, never deviated or drifted away from the path which he has charted for himself by the grace of God to move Cross River out of doldrums of social, economic and political irrelevance to prominence and Cross Riverians from backbenchers in all sphere of existence to trail blazers in the comity of Nigerian States and beyond. Ayade had maintained in his inaugural speech that “In the new Cross River of our DREAM, there is a place and hope for everyone. There will be jobs for the youth and prosperity for the working class. The resurgent middle class shall find anchor for their roots and everyone shall find independence and pride in their work. The wages of honest labour shall liberate families from the jaws of hardship and no child shall go to bed with an empty stomach. Neither shall any mother be depressed by lack of access to Medicare for her children and loved ones. Brothers and sisters, this is our DREAM!”

In 100 days, Ayade has made good his promise to provide jobs for our people with the conclusion of recruitment interview to employ 1000 persons for the Green Police and the Garment factory (500 each for a start), lifted the hitherto agonizing 13 years embargo on employment, started and sustained prompt payment of workers salary as at when due, concluded arrangement with a Dublin based Irish company, Affordable Buildings Concept International Limited for the building of 5000 Houses for the low, middle and upper income earners that would be provided with water and electricity, and provided an appointment by executive fiat to Mr. Ashie Osor who has been writing as a linage reporter with the Cross River State Newspaper Corporation since 2009.

As part of effort to actualise his vision of creating employment opportunities for our people, within his 100 days in office, Governor Ayade has also been able to ensure that work on the garment factory is ongoing Inspite of the heavy rains, concluded arrangement with Irish Dairy firm for the establishment of an Ice Cream making factory, a Spanish company, Cavenco to establish a Dairy Farm to revitalize the Obudu Ranch Resort Farms. It is based on this reality that in his inaugural speech he specifies what this period expects from the entire people of Cross River.”This is what this moment requires. The capacity to dream! That is what will give real meaning to our belief. We must all strive to dream, to lift our eyes beyond the horizons of the present difficulties and visualize a better day! And we must all do this…from the hills of Obanliku to the thick forests of Boki and from the Creeks of Bakassi to the Cocoa plantations of Ikom, we must join hands to plant the trees of HOPE and water the gardens of liberty!”

To bring to fruition his promise supported by the cooperation of the people tape on new ideas as well as technology to bring about total empowerment to Cross Riverians, Senator Benedict Benyaushuye Ayade has equally within his 100 days in the saddle concluded a pact for the establishment of a tractor assembly plant in the state, as progress of work on the governor’s signature projects in 100 days is clearly obvious. China Harbor Engineering, a globally renowned company is already carrying out preliminary work at the proposed Calabar Deep Seaport that will help to evacuate the corridors that have always prevented bigger vessels from entering the Calabar seaport, as they had to stop at Lome and then use smaller vessels to transfer goods by installment to Calabar. The project will also help service land lock countries like Chad and Niger to move their goods easily from the Calabar port.

Ayade has already attracted a 500 million Euros from the Broad Spectrum Industrial Services, based on purely Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement with the government require to provide 25 percent Bank guarantee; just as a reputable Nigerian bank has already given its approval to the novel arrangement. When completed, the seaport is expected to generate an average N30 Million on monthly basis. In 100 days, surveying, plotting and excavation work is seriously ongoing on the over 260 kilometers Super High Way from the seaport to the northern part of the state. Advanced plans for the actualisation of the proposed state owned refinery; to send talented Cross Riverians to be train as pilots and other associated aviation courses, professions in Dublin with feverish vision to establish an airport in a located between Ogoja and Yala Local Government Areas of the state, have been laid.

In his historic inaugural speech, Ayade explained: “And by ensuring that every foot is on the pedal, we aim to harness new ideas and technology to reconstruct our state, reform our schools to guarantee first class education for our youth and empower our citizens with the skills they need to engage a brave new world! Let me use this opportunity, to announce our signature projects; we shall undertake the construction of a dual carriage super highway from Calabar through Ikom and Ogoja to the Ranch Resort in Obudu”.

Guided by the uplifting and immortal words penned by a global icon, Late Nelson Mandela that it always seems impossible until it is done”, Ayade sets out to lay a solid foundation as he has done in 100 days to bring about the restoration of hope to a once despondent people, checkmate hitherto raising spite of insecurity in the state as well as ensure a proper management and utilisation of our rich forests resources for the good of the people. To this end Ayade has in a 100 days set up a Five-man Security Committee headed by Brig. Gen Mannix Nyiam (Rtd) and code-named “Operation Skolombo” which has successfully reduced crime rate in the state to a negligible percentage. Provided the security committee with operational vehicles, attended and inspected the carry out of reconnaissance (recce) by the Officers and Men of the Armed Forces at Bakassi where several illegal settlements by militants were destroyed, thereby boosting foreign and international investors confidence in the state.

Propelled by the unquenchable desire to bring about an attitudinal change favouring the employment of machineries/technology to enhance our production capacity, boost our economy and open a new vista of hope and opportunity directed at increasing our value chain as unambiguously stated in his inaugural speech, the Obudu born governor has within 100 days in office sponsored and signed into law the Cross River State Infrastructure Development Law for a solid foundation for the development of the state, becoming the first state in Nigeria to do so. In 100 days, Ayade has sponsored a bill for the establishment of Cross River State Sustainable Development Agenda Agency’ a bill for Social Housing Infrastructure Development to ensure every Cross Riverian, no matter his/her social, economic and political status is entitled to a decent house.

He has equally sent a bill for a law to protect of our water frontiers; a bill to preserve our forests resources in accordance with the sustainable development agenda of the global community; a tax exemption bill to exclude the poor and the low income earners from taxation to ameliorate the conditions of the ordinary man in the state. Out of a total of 15 bills before the current CRSHA, 10 are sponsored by Senator Ayade in 100 days in the saddle.

In 100 days, Governor Ayade has equally concluded an arrangement to build a brand new city to be called “Calas Vergas” in Calabar and 16 other modern estates in the 16 Local Government Areas where the dual super high way will pass as part of deliberate effort to lift the state infrastructure wise, draw oil magnets and other investors to Calabar and the sate in general and then boost the overall economy of Cross River and lives of the people.

Outside the above stated achievements, the amiable governor has equally laid a rock-solid foundation that will turn the state into an economic hub in West Africa sub region by sealing a pact with Chinese experts to generate a total of 90 megawatts of electricity from the Agbokim and Kwa waterfalls and the canalisation and channelisation of either Ikom, Itigidi and Calabar rivers, with each generating 30megawatts and the conclusion of plans to construct the Calabar Haulage City. Other significant achievements recorded by the Ayade administration within the short span of a 100 days in office include presentation of operational vehicles to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), restores the regular media parley with the press, restored the monthly impress to the press, provided the press with a brand new bus, restored the Correspondent Chapel to the Governor’s Office,, held meetings with members of forests communities, and operators of quarries in the state plan to lift the ban on logging in the state and restore the concessional logging system, evacuation of refuse from our streets and introduction new refuse collection method as well as severally intervened on the Federal Roads to bring about palliative relief to the suffering motorists and other road users at Odukpani Junction and the Akpabuyo road.

All that have been achieved and those successes in the offing, Ayade had in his inaugural speech as governor stated confidently that they were achievable and the journey and action of this visionary leaders in the past 100 days has clearly shown that they are indeed achievable with the collective support from the people in the future as they have so far done.

“With our backs against the wall, we must dig deeper into the wells of our creativity and hew out a new pathway to greatness. In doing this, we must be guided by the immortal words of Dr Nelson Mandela that “ It always seems impossible until it is done”. Fellow Cross Riverians, we shall overcome the present bleakness and wend our way into the sunshine of a brighter day! As we clime this imposing mountain of hope, we shall widen our scope, broaden the horizon and sharpen our instincts for fresh and big ideas that will galvanise this great state to achieve its full potential and usher in a prosperous Cross River, where our people will live in peace and harmony with one another and with nature. We count on your prayers and support to achieve this.”

Actually,100 days is actually an insignificant number out of 1095 or 1096 days in four years of a tenure, but to a great mind like Ayade, it means a lot and he has gone ahead to prove that by the achievements on ground.

Bravo Ayade, Bravo the people’s Field Marshall, leader and commander of the poor and the down trodden in our society! Carry on!
- Ulayi and Asha are media aides to Governor Ben Ayade
September 11, 2015
Hope rises in local fabrication as firm builds biggest dredger

Nigeria is a country to beat when it comes to fabrication if the government takes the issue of local content law seriously.”

This was the view of stakeholders at the public inspection of the on-going construction of the biggest locally made dredging machine in Nigeria. They called on the Federal Government to take sincere measures to grow local industries.

The stakeholders said facilitating effective implementation of the provision of Local Content Law of 2010 would fast-track the desired economic growth. They noted that economies of developed countries of the world today, are driven by small and medium scale industrialists and organisations, and noted that if the content laws are fully implemented, the country’s economy will be better off.

The cutter suction dredger machine is being built by Nwakama Dredge Nigeria Limited in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital. Participants on the inspection tour expressed satisfaction in Nigerian manufacturing industries especially fabrication and dredging sector.

•Another side of the dredger being built

They described local industries as main drivers of the economy and said that the provision of local content Act is key to achieving the successful diversification of the economy for economic growth; they called on the National Assembly and Federal Government to enforce the Act.

Senator Nimi Barigha-Amange, who represented Bayelsa east senatorial district, was among those that inspected the dredger being constructed by Nwakama Dredge Nigeria limited in Port Harcourt.

Amange said major construction work can hardly take place in the Niger Delta region without sand being dredged from areas for the projects. He also said in the region land sometimes are reclaimed for community settlement so dredger is a significant tool for development in the region.

He called on Niger Delta governors to take advantage of the opportunity the local manufacturer has created to develop their states, and stop embarking on capital freight which according to him is injurious to the economy.

The former Law maker appealed to the federal government to strengthen policies and legislations that would support growth of fabrication of dredgers locally in the country. Amange who expressed surprise that this dredger could be fabricated locally said the government should grow this sector of the economy.

Managing Director , Nwakama Dredge Nigeria limited, Elderd Onwuzuruigbo said the features of the first locally fabricated 18×16 cutter dredger his firm was constructing among other things include spud pillared, crew kitchen, inbuilt capacity to hold 33,000 litres of diesel and is equipped with 22 meter ladder would be operated manually.

Onwuzuruigbo appealed to the federal government to fast track effort to make the Ajaokuta steel begin full scale production to discourage importation of steel by local fabrication companies in the country.

The MD said inspection of the dredger while under construction became necessary to avoid any doubt after completion that it was constructed by Nwakama dredging company.

Taagbo Monday who spoke for Rivers state chapter of Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), expressed surprise that an indigenous firm could fabricate such dredger. He called on local manufactures to identify with SMEDAN, saying that the agency was established for their benefits and growth.

“The need for effective policy framework to encourage local manufacturers of dredgers by way of patronage and loan facilities and also stop further importation of foreign made dredgers into the country cannot be over-emphasized by what we have seen here today.

“Local manufacturers can compete favourably with foreign their foreign counterparts, there are so much our manufacturers can offer, the government should muster the political will to enforce the content law if the country must move forward.” He stated.

Also in their separate remarks, the State Chairman of Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME), Dr. E. Oko-Jaja and the National spokesman of Dredger Manufacturers Association of Nigeria(DMAN), Ufoma Tom-Smith corroborated Amangi, and said content law could have been enforced over 35 years ago, stressing that further delays would inflict more torture on the economy.

According to Oko-Jaja, “The direction we are going now as a Nation is what we have been asked to do 35 years ago and the country refused to comply with it because oil was booming, the direction we are going now is going to open every sector of the economy to take its proper place particularly the local content issue.” Oko-jaja said.

Tom-Smith expressed satisfaction on the product and stressed that there is no more need for Nigerians to continue to import dredgers from outside.

He said Nwakama Dredge deserves governments’ encouragement in the areas of loan facility and electricity. He noted that the brand has the four major components of a durable dredger-the Pump, Engine, Hydraulic system and electrical systems used in manufacturing the product gives it an advantage over the imported ones.

He noted that dredging industry was also helping to reduce the challenges of unemployment in the country.

“What we are looking for overseas is already here. The engine he iis using can run for twenty four hours , there is the advantage of availability of spare parts locally.

“Nigerian content board has failed the dredging sector. What are the policy they have in place to protect local dredging fabrication centres. There is no where you will do a job in the Niger delta that dredgers will not be needed.

“The local content board is not helping the dredging industry because we don’t feel its existence. We don’t see them in our operations. I am a representative of a dredging manufacturing company in China. The price for this dredger we are gathered here for is far less than what we give in China.

“There is no IOC dredger in this country that has this length. Bank of industry should sponsor projects with economic importance to the nation.” He stated.

It is expected that the innovation in the dredging industry when fully developed would stop the importation of foreign made dredgers if government encourages growth of the sector with policies.

September 11, 2015
As the people of Ijaw Nation’s Jerusalem decide
Bayelsa State is unique in many aspects. It has the least population when compared to other states in the country. It perhaps has the least land mass. Topographically the state of former President Goodluck Jonathan is always said to be 70 per cent water and 30 per cent land.

Fondly called the Jerusalem of the Ijaw Nation for being the only Ijaw homogeneous state, Bayelsa is rich in maritime assets. It is opened to the Atlantic Ocean and surrounded by rivulets, rivers, lakes and other water channels. The state ranks among the richest in petroleum resources. But among its contemporaries, Bayelsa is arguably the least developed.

Now, Bayelsa is under trial. It is marching to another landmark of political transition to choose a fresh vehicle that will drive its development. The two dominant and big political vehicles begging for boarding in the state are the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressive Congress (APC). Other smaller vehicles such as the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and the Labour Party (LP), also exist.

Expectedly, PDP and the APC are at each other’s throat battling in a game of intrigues and wits to seek the patronage of the state. PDP has been the vehicle of choice for Bayelsa since 1999.

Hitherto, Bayelsa never engaged in a competitive process to select its vehicle and driver. Election was alien. Selection and coronation were the order of the day. It was taken for granted that whoever emerged a candidate from the PDP would drive the vehicle of the state with little or no input from Bayelsa.

So, it was for the past “drivers” of the state such as Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, Chief Timipre Sylva and the incumbent driver, Chief Seriake Dickson.

But the PDP is no longer the same. It has been given a bloody nose by the punches of the APC. Suddenly, the APC has become the vehicle of choice for many people in the state, especially the politicians. Persons who hitherto constituted the backbone and pillars of the PDP are leaving in droves to join the APC vehicle. In fact, the creme la de creme and their followers have already declared for the APC. Even the state Chairman of the PDP, Col. Sam Inokoba (retd) left his job to be counted in the APC.

Some of the heavyweights who deserted the PDP are Timi Alaibe, Dikivie Ikiogha, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Nestor Binabo, Werinipre Seibarugu, Warman Ogoriba, Alex Ekiotene, Senator Brambaifa, Dr. Stella Dorgu; in fact, the list is endless. Most of them were former elected and appointed political office holders. Some of them even abandon the cabinet of Dickson to hop into the vehicle of APC.

Therefore, as the vehicle of APC is filling up to a congesting point ahead of the December contest, that of the PDP is looking empty.

The PDP is divided over the reelection ambition of Dickson. An anti-Dickson group, the PDP Unity Group (PUG) comprising mainly former aides sacked in controversial circumstances and other aggrieved party leaders, have vowed to scuttle the governor’s ambition.

Therefore, in PDP some persons are desirous of collecting the party’s ticket from Dickson.

There is a belief that the process of selecting the driver of the APC vehicle will generate controversies. Most of the bigwigs are aspiring to be at the driver’s seat and unless they bury their ambitions, the dream of the APC to displace the PDP will be a mirage.

Almost all the heavyweights in the APC want the party’s governorship ticket. Former Governor Timipre Sylva, Alaibe, Ikiogha, Ogoriba, Godnows Powell, Ebitimi Amgbare, Inokoba and many others are struggling to get the party’s ticket. Already over seven aspirants have picked the party’s nomination and expression of interest forms valued at N6.5million. However, some names like Alaibe, Ikiogha and Ogoriba in the governorship race of APC have continued to generate fears and tension in the PDP.

Some days back, Jonathan endorsed Dickson. A key aspirant, Reuben Okoya, also withdrew from the race in deference to the governor who also has the incumbency factor of Dickson going for him. He is believed in some quarters to have done well. Everybody is waiting to see the kind of candidate that will emerge from the APC. They are waiting to see a popular, credible, political heavyweight, a household name considering the timeline of the election. Bayelsa will then decide its vehicle and driver.
- A slightly different version of this piece was first published last week.
September 11, 2015
Oko residents seek help over gully

Residents of Honey G street at Oko-Ogba road in Oredo Local Government have sent a save our sour message to the Edo State Government to reduce them from the menace of a gully erosion ravaging the area.

The gully has already claimed some houses and is expanding everyday because of heavy rains.

John Idehen, a resident in the area, said they urgently need intervention to save their houses from the gully.

He said the gully has rendered the road impassable.

According to him, “This is beyond the community capacity to handle. Many houses have been swallowed.”

Another resident, Samson Aghaladihin, said they did not have the resources to tackle the gully.

September 11, 2015
Urhobo group slams Buhari’s critics, calls for patience

THE Urhobo Nationality Council (UNC) has slammed critics of President Muhammadu Buhari over his recent appointments, urging them to be patient and watch how the development unfold.

The group in a communiqué issued by its President, Comrade Joel Ileleji , National Secretary, Comrade Progress Omo-Agege and the Publicity Secretary, Barr. Ejiro Etaghene, after several hours of review on the recent appointments made so far by the president, condemned in its entirety, some Niger-Delta groups criticizing the president of being sentimental in his appointments.

The communiqué which called on all Nigerians to support the Buhari’s administration said the president’s action so far was aimed at cleaning up the mess left behind by the 16 years of the PDP government, emphasizing that not until corruption is thoroughly wiped out by this APC’s administration, Nigerians wouldn’t see the needed changed.

While applauding Buhari’s achievements in his 100 days in office, the communiqué pointed out his efforts in ensuring that power supply is now relatively stable with over 4000 megawatts of electricity being generated and the pump price of fuel across the nation with a uniform pump price and scarcity of product which is perpetually becoming history.

The group had also maintained that Nigerians are pleased with the President’s fight against corruption and that, no amount of blackmail should deter him from probing past public office holders with the view of recovering all stolen funds.

The group in the communiqué appealed to President Buhari to appoint Urhobos as minister, ambassadors and members of federal boards and parastatal, reiterating that Urhobos gave APC the highest votes in Delta state in the presidential election and should not be left behind.

September 11, 2015
Delta launches data base of unemployed youths

Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has identified lack of statistics and data base of unemployed youths in the state as one of the factors mitigating against effective job creation initiatives and past youth empowerment programmes in the state.

To address the challenge, the governor disclosed that the state government has launched a database of unemployed youths in the state through the job and wealth creation scheme, which promises to keep the youths off the streets.

He said the database would provide a steady feed of participants for the programme and also enable the government in planning for its future and those of the youths..

“By the next six months when the next phase begins, we will simply pull out the next set of participants from the database, so, there is opportunity for as many as are qualified to be enlisted in subsequent phases of the scheme.”

The governor spoke at the Songhai-Delta, Amukpe in Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State, on Wednesday, August 26, he flagged off the training of1,645 young men and women who were part of the agricultural programme of the state government.

The gathering included young school leavers, graduates and others who are among a batch of 6,000 youths targeted in one of the state government wealth creation programme tagged Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurs Programme (YAGEP) and Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP).

The STEP and YAGEP are part of the programmes aimed at taking teeming youths off the street. It is also aimed at the fulfillment of the State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa campaign slogan tagged ‘Prosperity for all Deltans’.

The governor, while flagging of the programme, explained that the scheme was being executed in phases, adding that the introduction of the scheme has enabled the state government to develop a database of the unemployed in the State.

He explained that with the performance of the participants, who had been on a week-long orientation course, he was confident that the programme was headed in the right directions. He said all the programmes were strategically designed, stringently planned and specifically tailored to tackle the problem of youth unemployment and produce lasting and sustainable prosperity across in the state.

He said that his administration had adopted the Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs) model which is the best way to tackle youth unemployment, because job and wealth creation are the bedrock of his “S.M.A.R.T” agenda.

The Governor who was flanked by his deputy, Deacon Kingsley Otuaro,a lawyer, said that the Wednesday’s event is the latest part of his effort to bring prosperity to the state, industrialize it through the YAGEP and STEP initiative which was one of his electioneers promises to Deltans.

“Today’s event is undeniable proof that our administration’s S.M.A.R.T agenda is well and truly on course; it goes without saying that job and wealth creation are the bedrock of the S.M.A.R.T agenda, with YAGEP and STEP as the flagship programmes and other programmes under the Job and Wealth Creation Scheme are Production and Processing Support Programme (PPSP), Development of Agro-Industries, and Extension of Microcredit,” he added.

Speaking on the prospect of the scheme, Governor Okowa said that while previous programmes sought to prepare people for employment, the Job and Wealth Creation Scheme seeks to produce wealth creators and job creators adding that critical differences also exist in the selection and screening process, training approach, management system, and collaboration with the organised private sector”.

He maintained that the scheme is not the typical empowerment programme that is often cash based; “it is a wealth and job creation scheme, it is not about skills acquisition; it is about building a knowledge economy and the overarching goal is to equip participants with the technical know-how, vocational/technical skills, values and resources to become self-employed and employers of labour.”

Giving statistic of how MSMEs have been faring in the country, Governor Okowa said that more than 90 per cent of businesses in Nigeria employ less than one hundred persons which put them in Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs) category, adding that that was a sector that can get most of Nigerian youths off the street.

“By definition, MSMEs are companies that employ less than 250 persons and available statistics indicate that 97% of all businesses in Nigeria employ less than 100 persons and they account for about 50% of Nigeria’s productive workforce and 46.54% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP)”.

While congratulating the participants at the orientation course, Governor Okowa said; “while multinational companies and big corporations get all the public attention and acclaim for their capacity to induce foreign investment capital, MSMEs remain the backbone for economic growth and social development in any society.”

Earlier, the Commissioner for Economic Planning in the state, Hon. Kingsley Emu in a welcome address said, the participants’ spirit are high and assured that at the end of the day, they will surpass the governor’s expectations.

Speaking in the same vein, the Sole Administrator of Songhai-Delta Dr Theophilus Okpidi in an address, thanked Governor Okowa for revamping the centre, adding, “I salute your courage and pray that God will make ways for you and direct your steps towards the actualization of the job and wealth creation scheme for the benefits of Deltans.”

He appealed to the governor and the state government to put in more into the strategic agriculture farm settlement and its facility, which is structure along the line of the famous Soghai in Port Novo, Republic of Benin.

In his address, the Chief Job Creation officer in the state, Prof. Eric Eboh disclosed that one thousand, six hundred and forty-five youths were been trained in the ongoing exercise. He thanked Governor Okowa for initiating the programme that will make the youths entrepreneurs.

Speaking with Niger Delta Report, one of the beneficiaries, Karen Arubayi, expressed gratitude to the governor for the opportunity to be among the first trainee of the YEGAP AND STEP programmes, enthusing that the training module and syllabus would ensure that the state government get the best out of it.

“Yes, it is strenuous, rigorous and very tasking, but that is because nothing good comes easy. I am very excited about this opportunity and the prospect that awaits at the end and I am determined to put in my best to ensure that I do not waste my time and the government’s resources,” she added.

Other participants expressed similar feelings, with some particularly happy that they are given opportunity to give feedback as well as to access and assess their instructor on their performances and teaching.

Side attractions at the event included cultural displays, matchpass and presentation of Certificate of Honour on the governor by the National Association of Nigerian Students.

Guests included the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Festus Agas, the Commissione for Science and Technology, Hon Joyce Overah, his Commerce and Industry counterpart, Mrs Mary Iyasere, Senator Emmanuel Aghariavwodo and Chief Peter Asagba

Begin forwarded message:

Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (middle), his Deputy, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro (left) and the Commissioner for Economic Planning, Dr. Kingsley Emu during the flag-off of the Delta State youth skill acquisition training programme at Amukpe, Sapele, Delta

September 11, 2015
Revenue contractor turns whistle-blower in Edo

Morrison Ogunrobo, chairman, Ovia South West Local Government, is battling to retain his office. His tenure as elected boss of the local government is expected to end by April next year but the action of a whistle-blowing revenue contractor might make Morrison join the league of suspended council chairman.

Ogunrobo

Already, councillors in Ovia South West have suspended Morrison and the council secretary, Idahosa Oyomire, for two months to enable the state government set-up a panel of inquiry into alleged fraud allegations.

The councillors ordered the Vice Chairman, Omosede Adenomo, to take over as acting Chairman while Morrison and Idahosa were asked to refund the sum of N13.7m.

Trouble started when a contractor appointed to collect revenue at the Jojo Rock quarry pit at Evbonogbon petitioned the councillors on how he paid cash to Morrison through Idahosa.

•Owegie

The younger brother to Morrison, Harrison, who is a partner to the contractor, Dan Owegie (jnr) , was named as a signatory to the petition.

In the petition by A.I Amasowomuan and dated August 3, the revenue contractors accused the council chairman and the secretary of diverting revenue accruals to personal accounts.

The petition reads: “We are informed by our clients that they were appointed by Ovia South West Local Government Council as coordinators of internally generated revenue collectors for the said council in charge revenue collection at Jojo Rock pit at Evbonogbo and that such money be collected and paid to the Councils bank account weekly. The N250, 000 weekly amounts to N1 million monthly. This our client has been paying religiously.

“We are also informed by our clients that when they discover that people were no longer coming to Jojo rocks pit to buy granites, they protested to the present chairman and the secretary of the council of their predicament and they instructed our client to be paying N500,000 to the council but that those money should be paid cash to the secretary Ken Idahosa and this they have been doing. Upon giving the said sum to the said secretary to the council, the secretary will then instruct one of the staff to pay N150,000 into the council’s bank account. Our clients can prove the fact.”

Dan Owegie (Jnr), in a chat with our reporter, said he decided to squeal on the duo because of his family’s reputation and that he was shocked to receive a letter terminating his appointment for allegedly embezzling council’s fund.

He stated that revenue contractors were told at a meeting that it was only through Internally Generated Revenue that the chairman could make some money for himself.

He said: “I was given this appointment two years ago and we were asked to remit N250,000 weekly to the council coffers. We did it for two months and and the Chairman asked me to start paying the money to his personal account. Other contractors were there when we were told that the IGR is the only way the chairman can make some money. We were told to pay N500,000 to the council and the remaining N500,000 either to the Secretary of the Chairman’s PA. We did this without any quarrel.”

After some time, another quarry was opened at Ondo State and the revenue dropped. We went back to the council and we were asked to be paying N500,000 monthly and it should be paid directly to the council’s secretary. They said they would be using it for the administration of the council. I did not ask any question since I am not a staff of the council.”

“The head of the revenue department accosted me one day that I have not been paying. I told her I have been paying. She said I should bring the tellers.mI went to the Chairman and he told me not to worry. He said I should go and do my work. I later received a letter from the councillors that I should bring my tellers that they were doing oversight functions. The Secretary told me to meet the councillors and I asked him if I should tell them that I have been giving him the money, he asked whether I have proof that he collected money from me.”

“The Chairman’s immediate younger brother who is my partner, Harrison, was not happy. He recorded his brother on phone and told me he has proof that we have been giving them money. I called the chairman and told him to end the game he started.

The Chairman’s younger brother sent me a tape he recorded. He called me and told me he has been pressured to step down from the petition. The tapes I have will vindictate me.”

“It was N8.5m that I have paid to them. The chairman have begged that I should delay the petition that they will give me back the job. I have a tape where the Chairman begged me to dropped the petition, I went to the legislature to submit all my evidence. I want them to investigate the truth because I don’t want to smear my family name.”

Morrison described the suspension as a ploy to stop hie second term ambition because of his performances in office.

He insisted the his brother was not a party to the petition and described the suspension as a nullity, as according to him, only the House of Assembly has the constitutional powers to remove him from office.

According to him, “They don’t have right. It is only the House of Assembly that can do that. They do not have right to suspend me if I am being investigated. It beats my imagination that they went ahead to be doing all this. I am happy they did not accused me of carting away the council’s allocation. They are talking about IGR.

“The petition was written few days after his appointment was terminated. Why will I want to terminate the appointment of somebody I benefitted from?”

The Chairman of Edo State Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Mrs. Itohan Osahon-Ogbeide, described the suspension of Ovia South West Council boss as null and void.

She said the councillors failed to follow due process and the extant laws guiding local government operations in the state.

In her words: “Whatever anyone does, they must follow due process. Due process was not followed in what they have done in Ovia South West because there are laws guiding local government.”

“If they (councillors) go to that law, they have not followed it at all. If they have any grievances, they should have followed due process. They did not give the Chairman the opportunity to defend himself and thereafter refer it to the House of Assembly. The matter will be resolve amicably.”

The Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon Victor Edoror, urged the councillors to stay action on the suspension of the council boss to allow the House of Assembly look into the matter.

Edoror, in a letter by Deputy Clerk of the Assembly, James Omoataman, said provisions of section 19 of the Local Government Law 2000 as amended were important on the suspension of council officials.

According to the letter addressed to the chairman, “The purpose of this letter is for you to as a matter of urgency prevail on the Legislative Arm to stay action and the status quo ante remain pending the intervention of this Honourable House.”

The fate of Ogunrobo now hangs on the outcome of the House of Assembly’s resolution on the petition.

September 11, 2015
Death unto gbomogbomo

Until last week, I took it for granted that his name was Benjamen. Do not blame me; he is called Ben Ayade. He is the young professor at the helm as governor in Cross River State. He succeeded Senator Liyel Imoke. His name is actually Benyaushuye. And wait for the meaning: “The future is unknown; a poor man can become rich”. He also bears Benedict. But not Benjamin as I had assumed.

Ayade was born into a poor home. Now, he is rich. He has been rich before becoming Cross River’s generalissimo. On Monday, he made me happy. He signed a bill which decrees death unto gbomogbomos (kidnappers). The law also empowers the state to seize assets as well as freeze accounts belonging to convicted kidnappers and those who aid and abet them.

Gbomogbomo is the Yoruba word for a kidnapper, especially the variant who specialises in the abduction of children. The child’s age does not matter. Neither does the sex. And unlike the other variant, who makes a phone call to the parent or guardian or employer of the ‘hostage’ to demand ransom, gbomogbomo never calls anyone. He or she just grabs the child and disappears with the child. And most of the time, it is forever. His motive is not the money from the parents or guardians or employers of their victims. Their loyalty, like those of hired assassins, is always to their patrons, who we have been told are usually the rich and the powerful.

The significance of Ayade’s action makes sense when one considers the fact that Cross River State has had its fair share of the gbomogbomo menace. Its capital, Calabar, which the state government has done all within its power to market as the tourism headquarters of Nigeria, has had and is still having scary moments as a result of the gbomogbomos.

In a number of instances before Ayade came on board, kids just disappeared. It put parents on the edge. There were also instances where children were snatched from the arms of their mothers or guardians by abductors who pretended to offer them lift in their cars; others were abducted right from their homes while their parents were not at home or in another part of the house.

The targets, at some point last year, were children under 12. Their background, whether from rich or poor families, meant nothing.

Like typical gbomogbomo cases, several theories, from abduction for rituals, trafficking and sale to childless couples, have been formulated to explain the development, which has forced parents to take extra precautions to save their children from the hands of these agents of darkness.

A report in this paper May last year quoted a single mother of three children as saying: “I now pray double about the safety of my children. Whenever I am not with them, for instance when they go to school, my mind is never at rest until I see them again, safe and sound. Personally, I have also taken precautions on my own to ensure their safety. I don’t let them play around the house anymore. Now, I ensure they are always indoors, if there is nothing necessary to take them outside. It has become a worrisome situation and we are praying they should do something urgently about it. We know Calabar as a peaceful place devoid of all these kinds of things. Now, we don’t know what is happening.”

The sad part of the gbomogbomo of Calabar is that no place is sacred. God means nothing to them, neither does His house.

Sometimes last year, a boy, identified simply as Victor, was snatched by an unknown person in a church during service. He was just 3. His parents must have asked all those rhetorical questions: Why us? Who did we offend? Of course, they offended no one. They were just victims of men whose happiness come from nothing but wreaking havoc on others. The modern-day slave merchants have sold their hearts to the devil. Damn heartless bastards.

Imagine a case last year at Ikot Ansa in Calabar Municipality: A child was supposed to be dedicated in church on a Sunday, arrangements were made. Food and drinks were ready. Invitees must have also been salivating about the food and perhaps practised one dance-step or the other. But, when members of the household woke up in the morning, the baby was nowhere to be found. The baby was abducted the night before. The family was shattered. They did not know when someone came in and abducted the child. Or, did the baby crawl away from the bed?

The mother was in a coma for a long time and the father was hysterical. It was a tragedy nothing prepared them for. Not their education; not their age; not their intelligence. What should have been a celebration of life, with azonto and ethighi dance steps just became a macabre dance.

Another terrifying case was that of a four-year old boy, Effiong, son of a bank security man and a fried yam seller, who was abducted at the Ekorinim axis of C74alabar in a car with no registration number. This also happened last year.

But nemesis has caught up with some gbomogbomos. In April last year, four girls, aged between four and six, were hawking sachet water on a street in Calabar when some men attempted to snatch them. They raised the alarm and the men were snatched instead and taken to the Atakpa Police Station where a mammoth crowd gathered to see the faces of evil. Victor Bassey was arrested after a failed attempt to snatch a baby from her mother inside a cab.

The situation became so disturbing that a member of the last House of Assembly, Ngim Okpo, brought a motion of Urgent Public Interest “on the increasing incidents of child snatching where in recent times, have been several reported cases of kidnapping of innocent children by some unscrupulous elements for alleged ritual purposes”.

There have been a few instances this year, which must have prompted the governor to move against these evil men.

Only a few days ago, a community leader in Creek Town, Odukpani Local Government Area, Chief Asuquo Ekpenyong Ekpe, was kidnapped. He is the elder brother of the former Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Chief Ekpenyong Ita.

A non-governmental organisation (NGO), Prevent Abuse of Children Today (PACT) Coalition, Cross River State, a few days ago, raised the alarm over what it said was the increase in the number of children kidnapped in the state.

The coalition said in less than one year, it documented reports of the kidnap of at least 20 children in different parts of the state. It said Calabar “is now nose-diving into a den of kidnappers with incessant reported cases of child kidnapping.” It gave the ages of the victims as between one and seven.

The NGO gave some instances of kidnapping of children this year: “On the 9th of July 2015, a 1 year and 9 months old baby was kidnapped at Ikot Abasi Obori Street, Ikot Ishie Town, Calabar. On 2nd June, 2015, a four-and-a half-year old child was kidnapped at Awi, Akamkpa, Cross River State. On 15th May, 2015, a four-year-old child was kidnapped at Akamkpa, Cross River State and a 2 and a half year old child was also kidnapped at Idang, Calabar South. In April, 2015 a four-year old child was kidnapped at 8 mile axis of Calabar.

“Other cases include, a one-and-a half year old child who was kidnapped in May, 2015 after the kidnappers had lured the child’s mother to Aba, Abia State under the pretence of giving her a job. Again, in April, 2015 a seven-year-old child was kidnapped at Ambo Street, Calabar South. Another seven-year old child was kidnapped in April, 2015 at Idang, Calabar South.”

My final take: I am ordinarily not a fan of death sentence because if a mistake is made it can never be remedied. An innocent man can be killed due to judicial error. Ayade should ensure due diligence so that an innocent man is not killed.

September 11, 2015
Ayade: I’ve seen poverty, wealth
Do you understand what it means to be born into a family into poverty? Do you appreciate how it feels to walk all the way to a ramshackle primary school bare-foot, wearing a uniform whose definite colour can no longer be identified due to many different pieces of cloths used in patching it? Have you seen a father who was almost overwhelmed by the harsh vicissitudes of life, yet saw beyond the momentary limitations and prophetically named this same son, “Benyaushuye”, meaning the future is unknown, a poor man can become rich?

The answers to these questions can be gotten from Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade. His father, the late Peter Akinsheye (1920-1997) and the late mother, Mama Beatrice Ayade (akara seller), lived in Kakum community, located about four kilometers to Obudu town.

18 years after the passage to eternal rest of Pa Ayade, his son is number one citizen of Cross River State.

Last weekend, he attracted both the mighty and the low to Obudu for a thanksgiving held at the St. Theresa Catholic Church, Kakum. It was witnessed by a large turn-out of the crème de la crème in the society, including members of the National Assembly from the state, the Deputy Governor of the state and other appointees and top civil/public servants in the state, the Speaker, Cross River House of Assembly and other members, the immediate past governor and deputy governor of the state and their wivies, present and some former council chairmen, former ministers, commissioners and other members of the past state executive council members, religious leaders including the Archbishop of Calabar, paramount rulers and other traditional rulers, investors and other personalities.

Delivering his homily, His Lordship, Most Rev. Joseph Edra Ukpo, Archbishop Emeritus, said God is principled but very kind, and that giving thanks and praises is a quality that pleases the Lord, is a crowning duty and virtue which all wise men must uphold.

His Lordship stated that this was the first in the history of the people from this part of the state to have a son of the northern senatorial district as governor of the state. He explained that thankfulness does not occur in a vacuum but is anchored on the redemptive works of Jesus Christ, and that our heavenly Father, the Redeemer, and the Holy Ghost appreciates those who are thankful as exemplified in the story of the 10 lepers of which one was thankful while other nine were unappreciative of what Christ did for them.

Ukpo, who quoted extensively from Emmanuel Ulayi’s write up on Ayade, expressed confidence that the governor would accomplish the tasks he had earmarked for himself. He admonished the governor to remain totally dependent on God’s direction, follow his laid out developmental agenda including the signature projects, remain focus by not allowing sycophants to distract him while at the same time appealed to the people to desist from unprofitable and destructive criticisms, while at the same time urging him to remain a Christian and a catholic in politics, uphold his spiritual obligation and ensure that he appoints a Special Adviser on Religious Affairs.

He said: “My advice is that you should remain a Christian and a catholic in politics. If the devil tempts you, remember this day and this advice. Never relinquish your spiritual obligations and also ensure that you appoint a Special Adviser on Religious Affairs. Again, all Catholics in politics must equally remain Christians and Catholics.”

He equally reminded our leaders at the various levels of governance to appreciate and cultivate the spirit of accountability and service while realizsing the fact that no society grow when its leaders claim monopoly of wisdom, asserting that wisdom must be balance between the leaders and the people. “God fearing leaders are necessary in any society. We need true leader as the idea of serving God is a life long event”.

His Lordship Most Rev. Joseph Effiong Ekuwem, Archbishop of Calabar, thanked God that a son of Obudu (Ogoja) is governor and that Ayade has shown sufficient desire and commitment towards the total development of Cross River State and to transform this part of the state to be at par with the rest, lamenting that Ogoja has remained undeveloped over the years. The spiritual father called on the people of northern senatorial district and part of the central senatorial district to agitate for and embrace the fight for the creation of Ogoja State and that today Akwa Ibom that was created out of the present Cross River has benefitted immensely from the creation.

Ayade used the occasion to announce that the embargo on employment would soon be lifted to provide jobs for the people, adding that by Easter of 2016, the problem of power outage in the whole of northern senatorial district would become a thing of the past.

Ayade said he was a living testimony of God’s hand work on his children, stressing that as a child from a poor background, what he is today is a clear indication of God’s love and favour in his life, adding that he had prayed to God not to make him a teacher and it was at that point that he got an invitation from Shell Petroleum.

Ayade said: “I’m here to serve. I have seen poverty, I have seen wealth. What I seek now is to serve the people and to serve God. Iam going to shock the world for good by the grace, mercies and favours of God”, adding that the decisions and policies direction of every leader should be in such a way that they do not under-mind the interest of the common man, and that as a leader; he appreciates that fact and will keep to it.

“Those who say God does not live let them ask me. I’m a testimony of God’s love. It is abnormal and impossible, but God alone has made it for me to address you. I went to the primary school besides the Church and you will wonder how a governor can come out of that place. If, you keep faith with God, God will keep faith with you. God decided to honour a poor boy from the Ayade family who had to go to sleep most nights without food, and struggle and went to the University of Ibadan to acquire a university education. I wept to God to help and bless me after graduating from the University of Ibadan. I begged God to give me wealth because I know the family I came from.

“After bagging a Ph.D, I told God I do not want to become a teacher because we were too poor, and being a teacher I won’t be able to take care of my family. I promised God that if he prospered me, I will dedicate my whole success and wealth to alleviating the plights of the poor and I promise you I will never disappoint you as governor of Cross River State”.

At the reception held at the governor’s compound at Kakum, Obudu, the immediate past governor of the state, Senator Liyel Imoke, expressed joy that he kept his promise to the people of the northern senatorial district by ensuring that a governor emerged from the area, and lauded Ayade for his passion, commitment and zeal to move Cross River State to another level.

Also speaking, the senator representing the Central Senatorial District, Senator John Owan Enoh, assured Ayade that members of the National Assembly from Cross River State would always support him.

Speaking on behalf of the 18 Local Government Councils of Cross River, the Chairman of Ogoja, Hon. Rita Ayim, lauded the governor for his development initiatives and assured him of the loyalty of the heads of the third tiers of government in the state.
- Ulayi and Asha are media aides to the Cross River Governor
September 4, 2015
Queen of Peace Africa contest holds in Okrika tomorrow

A Non-Governmental Foundation (NGO), the Messengers of Peace Foundation, has found a novel approach to fight violence.

The foundation, which has as National President, Dr. Sulaiman Adejoh, opted to promote the culture of peace, by organising local and international volunteering projects.

The main objective of the foundation, according to Adejoh, is to work for the promotion of peace, which led to its “Queen of Peace Nigeria/Africa Peace Pageant,” to change the mindset of the people from war and disharmony to peace.

The contestants for the pageant must not have criminal record, be peace-loving and law-abiding citizens, since someone cannot give what he/she does not have.

The maiden edition of the pageant was held in Abuja in 2014, which led to the emergence of Jennifer Uche as the Queen of Peace Nigeria and Debby Duglas as the outgoing Queen of Peace Africa.

The second edition of the pageant will hold tomorrow at the Godfather’s Private Beach, Okochiri, Okrika, the headquarters of Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State, featuring Tuface, Wizkid, Timi Dakolo and Mallam Spicey, among others.

Okrika, the hometown of the wife of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Dame Patience, and the ex-leader of the Niger Delta Vigilance Movement, “General” Ateke Tom, was the hotbed of militancy and violence, before the amnesty initiative.

The messengers of peace worldwide has Ateke as its grand patron, and the ex-militant leader decided to sponsor the second edition of the pageant, to let the whole world know that there is now peace in Okrika and other parts of the Niger Delta.

The contestants are mostly undergraduates and graduates of Nigerian polytechnics and universities, aged between 18 and 24.

The winner of the pageant goes home with a brand new car, N1 million and will represent Nigeria in Namibia for the second edition of the Queen of Peace Africa Pageant in November.

The first runner-up will go home with N500,000, while the second runner-up will have a cash prize of N250,000, with each of the contestants to go home with 42 inches flat screen television set.

Other queens to be crowned at the event include Queen of Peace Northern Nigeria, the Queen of Peace Southsouth, Southeast, Southwest and the Queen of Peace Nigeria Tourism, in order to give room for other contestants to reach out easily to their zones in preaching the message of peace.

The national president of the NGO, at a news conference in Okrika, where 21 of the contestants were presented, assured that all the 37 ladies, each representing the 36 states of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja) would take part in the contest.

Adejoh said: “Peace is our collective responsibility. We need to use dialogue as a better substitute to settle disputes than bloodshed and also preach religious tolerance, as a way to peaceful co-existence.

“The Messengers of Peace Foundation is advancing equity, social justice, sustainable development and all-round peace, where all Nigerians will live together with mutual respect for religious and socio-cultural values.

“The foundation is also promoting the culture of peace. Enduring peace, harmony and progress in Nigeria are achievable through a culture of grassroots economic empowerment and mentorship.”

National president of the messengers of peace foundation also disclosed that the organisation was partnering the Institute for Conflict and Peace Resolution for the second editions of the pageants in Nigeria and Africa.

With the foundation’s open membership, Adejoh admonished well-meaning individuals to come on board and be part of the peace initiative.

He said: “It is not enough to talk about peace, one must believe in it, and it is not enough to believe in it, one must make it work. All hands must be on deck to promote peace in Nigeria and other parts of the world.”

The national president of the messengers of peace foundation also mentioned inadequate funding and difficulty in moving round Nigeria’s six geo-political zones as the main challenges facing the organisation.

Adejoh urged parents and guardians not to discourage their children and wards from participating in beauty pageantry, considering the benefits to societal development.

September 4, 2015