The Nation Newspaper

Category: Niger Delta

Pupils send SOS to Edo govt over dilapidated schools

Worried by the deplorable state of their learning environment, pupils of Iguodala and Agboghidi Primary schools in Benin City, Edo State have appealed to the government to rehabilitate the dilapidated schools and save them from danger.

Iguodala and Agboghidid schools are located in the same massive compound along the busy Murtala Mohammend Way in Benin City’s Oredo Local Government Area of the state. The school founded many years ago is in a sorry state as it has been battered by the elements and flood has taken over great part of the schools’ premises, which made the schools’ administrators to abandon blocks of buildings containing over 20 classrooms.

Agboghidi Primary school now barely occupies two blocks of classrooms because several others have collapsed and are not rebuilt. Iguodala also occupies two blocks but many of the classrooms have no chairs for the growing population of the school. The only block in use at the time our reporter visited the school last week was built by the Niger Delta Development Commission.

Niger Delta Report’s finding also revealed that pupils usually come to school with their own chairs as the only other option for them is to seat on a mat. The chairs and desk procured for the school decades ago have all broken down and taken away; the few available have become dangerous to pupils because of nails and other dangerous objects sticking out from every part.

There are no perimeter fencing in the school, a development that makes the premises, classes and offices easy targets for hoodlums, drug addicts and criminals who use the school as hideout for their activities as well as their preferred place for smoking of Indian hemp and gambling.

The pupils told our reporter that they are made to clean and remove faeces from their classes daily before commencement of lesson, as the hoodlums randomly defecate on the flood, chairs and tables. Attempts to secure the classes have failed, they said, because the hoodlums easily break the keys to the few classes which still have doors. Most of the windows are without sills and the doors have been unhinged.

One of the pupils of the school, who simply gave his name as Peter said: “Whenever it rains, we go to one corner of the class. We need a red roof in this school.”

Teachers in the school refused to go on record for comments; those who spoke on condition of anonymity described the situation at the schools as pathetic, particularly because the school is located at the heart of the ancient city.

A teacher said: “If it is your house, will you stay in a place like this? The government should see this school as a priority because it is in the town. We are congested here. Those in the KG are in the same class with primary one and two.”

They lamented that the school rehabilitation exercises embarked upon by the Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s administration have managed to consistently bypass the school in spite of its auspicious location in the state capital.

A parent, who gave his name as Charles Obaseki, said his children are constantly injured by nails from broken desks in the school.

He said: “The condition here is very bad. There was a time we drove an insane woman from the school. She was in fact staying here in one of the classes. We need government help in this school so that the children can learn in a conducive environment.”

Commissioner for Basic Education Patrick Aguinede could not be reached for comments.

May 15, 2015
Joy as Total lifts orphanages in Rivers

The management of Total Exploration and Production (E&P) Nigeria Limited visited two orphanage homes in Rivers State as part of the company’s social responsibility. The orphanages visited were the Compassionate Centre at Nkpogu road Port Harcourt and Global Foundation for Orphaned located at Mercy land Estate, Nkpolu, in Rivers State.

Mr. Ikwuazom Norbert, the Manager, Public Relations in Total’s Port Harcourt district, led the team to the Compassionate Centre. The excited children and management of the home welcomed the team with a special song.

The items donated included toiletries, food items like instance noodles, canned foods, cooking oil and other essentials everyday items.

Receiving the items on behalf of other children of the home, a 10-year-old old inmate of the home, Master Barry Edora, thanked Total E &P Nigeria Limited for considering them as part of the children in the society. He said the items brought before them would go a long way in taking care of the needs of the children in the home. The young child also expressed his appreciation to the management of the home, as he told the Total team that they were well taken care of.

Appreciating the donations, Sister Pauline Butler, who is the Coordinator of the home, commended members of the public for the sacrifices they make in giving generously towards the upkeep of the needy. She however said the donation by the Total E &P Nigeria Limited showed that they are indeed an oil giant.

She said the survival of the home depends on free will donations by the members of the public and appealed to constant help and remembrance of children forced to seek succor their because they were abandoned by their own parents families.

“We have 42 children staying with us; we feed, clothe and take care of them. We also pay their school fees. Though, we expect members of the public to always come to our aid, we realized that our most challenge here is lack of constant electricity. We spend a lot on fuel powering the hostels and the entire home. We believe that God will always take care of His children.”

The Total E&P team led by Mr Ikwuazom also visited the Global Foundation for Orphaned located at Mercy Land Estate, Nkpolu, in Obio/Akpor Local government area. Here the story about the home is somehow interesting and different from the Compassionate Centre. Unlike the latter where most of the children are at the infant stage, some of the children at Global Foundation for Orphaned are now adult; a couple of them have graduated from the university, and a few numbers of them are presently in universities both in Nigeria and abroad. It was also gathered that about four of them wrote the last West African Examination Council (WAEC) exam.

The Coordinator of the home, Mr. Cliff Jarrell, who like Sister Butler is a foreigner, said it was God that directed the company to take the gesture to their home despite the fact that there are many orphanage homes in Port Harcourt where they could have donated the items.

He said the items donated were just what the home used on daily basis, especially the little children among them. He said the challenge of taking care of the needy and abandoned children was growing, revealing that he had just received a call from University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) where a woman had abandoned her baby and ran away. He said that showed that they cannot relent in their service in spite of the challenges of how to take care of the needs of their wards.

“The most important thing is to thank God for directing your step here and making Total E &P to show love to us. We are trying our best, one of them is in Delta State studying Petroleum Engineering and one is at the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO). Others are abroad studying too, and presently some are writing WAEC. We pray that God will continue to bless you, it could have been another home but you chose to assist us.

Jarrell used the opportunity to pay tribute to his Nigerian wife, saying, “Without my wife Nkiruka, the foundation wouldn’t have gotten to where it is today. It is just a home not like an institution. I came to Nigeria 22 years ago to work at a mission hospital.

“They called me last night that a baby was left yesterday night at UPTH, another boy has been abandoned in another hospital. So we will continue to assist. The children are more than 40. The challenges are what every family is facing, how to raise them in a way that they would be healthy, happy and productive. We want them to have their own impact in the society, how to train them in school and how to feed them. Some unique challenges we have is that we have a blind girl that is in school, she is in boarding house, we have another girl that is paralyzed she is also in school. When you lose your parents, you also lose your sense of identity.”

Responding, Ikwuazom said the gesture is part of the company’s human face policy and social responsibility. He said Total had being doing such for many years because the company is more interested in giving back to the society.

Ikwuazom said: “This is what we do in every festive time like Christmas and Easter but because of the heat of the 2015 election we decided to choose this period for it. Total as a company has a policy that promotes human lives and dignity and the motherless babies and other especial homes are not left out. It is an age-long practice of the company that gives them the opportunity to show love to others.”

May 15, 2015
At last, INEC unveils Akwa Ibom lawmakers-elect

For weeks, many were wondering what happened to the results of the House of Assembly elections conducted in Akwa Ibom State. The governorship election result was released and many wondered what happened to the Assembly election. Even when other states were issuing certificates of return to elected officials, only the governor-elect got his in Akwa Ibom State.

Then some days ago, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Uyo, the state capital issued certificates of return to the 26 elected members to the State House of Assembly. This took place exactly 25 days after the governorship and House of Assembly elections.

Speaking at the State INEC office in Uyo, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Austin Eni Okojie said the amended Electoral Act empowers the commission to issue a Sealed Certificate of Return within seven days to every candidate who has won an election under the Act.

He added that the essence of Section 75(1) which empowers the issuance of the Certificate is to among others validate and give legal approval to the declaration of the candidate by the electoral umpire as the winner of the said election.

He urged the winners to be magnanimous in victory and extend a hand of fellowship to those who did not make it. He reminded them to remember their campaign promised to the people and work towards fulfilling them reminding them that in four years time they will have to face the people again.

Twenty-five of those who received the certificates are of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the same party which produced the governor-elect, Udom Emmanuel. The 26th member is of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Those who received their certificates are: Hon. Friday Etim Iwok from Abak State constituency; David Lawrence Udofia, Eket; Nse Effiong Ntuen, Essien Udim; Usoro Samuel Akpausoh, Edit Eket/Ibeno; Udo Gabriel Toby, Etim Ekpo/ Ika; Aniefiok Denis Akpan, Etinan; Hon.Aniekan Nyong Uko, Ibesikpo/Asutan; Hon. (Barr) Ime Bassey Okon, Ibiono Ibom; Hon. Victor C.Udofia, Ikono; Hon. Uduak Alphonsus Odudoh, Ikot Abasi/ Eastern Obolo; Hon. Idongesit Ntekpere, Ikot Ekpene/Obot Ankara; Mr Emmanuel Ekpenyong, Ini; Idongesit Uko Ituen, Itu; Samuel Asuquo Ufuo, Mbo; Otobong Anietie Ndem, Mkpat Enin; Hon Mark Udo Esset,Nsit Atai; Mfon Etim Ekong, Nsit Ibom; Hon. Barr Onofiok Luke, Nsit Ubium; Hon Princess Felicia A. Bassey, Okobo; Nse Udofot Essien, Onna; Effiong Okon Bassey, Oron/ Udung Uko; Hon.Udo Kierian Akpan, Oruk An am; Otobong Jonathan Akpan, Ukanafun; Aniekan Etim Bassey, Uruan; Hon. Monday Eyo Okon, Uyo, all PDP members while the only APC member of the House is Asuquo Edet Archibong, Urue Offong / Oruko State Constituency.

Speaking at the INEC office, Emmanuel said his administration would accord respect to elders and work for the youths and women among his numerous other developmental programmes.

Speaking on behalf of other elected members, Hon. Udo Kierian Akpan who is serving as the Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, promised a cordial working relationship with the Executive to be led by Udom.

Though the shape of the next Akwa Ibom Assembly is now clear, it will always be an issue that it took almost forever for the lawmakers-elect to be unveiled.

May 15, 2015
Victims of Delta demilition seeks compensation

An June 4, 2014, the Delta State government, through its Ministry of Environment, moved into Ijala, an ancestral home of the Itsekiri people and site of the royal cemetery, where all past Warri (Itsekiri) Olus (monarchs) are buried, to demolish over 80 ‘illegal’ structures.

The structures were deemed to be defacing the traditional site, where prominent Itsekiri monarchs, including Olu Erejuwa II, the father of the current Olu, Ogiame Atuwatse II was buried.

However, nearly a year on, the aggrieved people rendered homeless by the ‘beautification’, have been thrown into poverty and rendered homeless. It was gathered that over 1,000 persons were displaced by the demolition exercise and face shortage of land for property development as a result of action.

The victims have appealed to the outgoing Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, who is their kinsmen, to pay them compensation in order to enable them pick up the shattered pieces of their lives and move on. The appeal was contained in a letter dated May 6.

The letter signed by the Olara-Aja (head) of Ijala Ikenren community, Pa. Prince A.B. Ikenren; Mr. Mathew Wilkie, spokesman and Mr. Henry O. Erikowa, Chairman, Community Trust, said their joy of an emerging vibrant new layout at Ifie was caught short with the demolition exercise.

The government action, they further opined, had shattered the hopes and aspirations of the house owners in the area.

“We want to passionately appeal to you to temper justice with mercy to take a second look at the whole issue and consider compensating those whose houses were demolished to enable sustainable infrastructural development of this historical enclave of Warri Kingdom.”

The signatories to the petition particularly regretted the lack of action on the demolished area, a development they said has led to the vast land being taken over by thick forest once again even as the masses were hungry looking for land to build on following the congestion and high cost of rent in the oil city.

May 15, 2015
Don’t die on Wednesday adds impetus to new phase of Niger Delta struggle

Guns no longer boom in the Niger Delta as they used to, especially during the time of militancy. Instead of guns and bullets, books appear to be gradually taking over a region hitherto known as a centre of violence.

Like the late Douglas Oronto, an environmentalist, former presidential aide and human rights activist advocated intellectual dialogue during his earthly voyage, the violent phase of the Niger Delta agitation is systematically being replaced with sound scholarly reasoning.

The region has given birth to literary geniuses who prefer documentation of the troubles in the region in books and demanding equal opportunities from the Nigerian project to preaching violence. So it is with Don’t Die on Wednesday, a literary masterpiece authored by the founder of Yenagoa Book Club, Mr. Michael Afenfia.

Members of the club gathered at the Prof. Steve Azaiki Library in Yenagoa recently to peruse and read aloud from the book which is described as fast-paced, intriguing and suspense-filled. The theme of the book highlights the turbulent waters of marriage, parental responsibility, challenges of raising children and youth restiveness especially among people of the Niger Delta no matter where they reside.

With a plot set partly in the United Kingdom and Nigeria, the author a lover of football, fan of Manchester United FC and Bayelsa United FC used the game of football to tell his story.

The book reviewer, Mrs. Denyefa Ekade, said the narrative is devoid of vagueness and explores the rich and exhilarating world of football which hitherto was an on-screen event.

He said: “The book juxtaposes the lives of a mentor and mentee (Bubaraye and Sese).The former is raised by a single parent, rises to the peak of his career with support from his mother and then suffers a setback at the peak of his career while the latter though raised in a closely knit family receives little or no support in his chosen path, becomes a prodigal son and meets his waterloo at the genesis of this same career.

“Most Niger Delta children face having no relationship with their fathers and the author tactfully brought in this in his book.

“This is a kind of story you would want to tell every teenager. Your parents may not always be right but they definitely want the best for you and giving you the best on their context may not conform with yours. If you bow out angrily, you learn the hard way and the hard way most times isn’t the best way to learn the lessons of life. All of this is found in this book.

“The salient theme is contentment and sacrifice in marriage. Marriage is more about the content than the container. It is more than a pretty face, fame and class.

Don’t die on Wednesday is a book that would make an interesting reading any day, anytime. It cuts across borders and is not gender specific. everyone can read and bask in the euphoria of the captivating storyline, simple and rich diction.

Though a work of fiction, he said the book is as real as a true life story. Beyond highlighting the challenges in the Niger Delta, he said the events, places and names of characters make the book an indigenous work written for an international audience.

According to him, the title explores the inevitability of life’s eventuality. “The title of the novel is like a mother’s cry. It was a plea for that particular Wednesday not to come. The woman in the story would have preferred for that particular Wednesday not to come at all.

“If you read the novel, you will understand why her child shouldn’t die on Wednesday. It is a plea to whatever forces she believes in. The title is a deliberate one,” he said.

He further spoke about the need to revive the dying reading culture in Nigeria and the region in particular. To do this, he advocated building of more libraries, revisiting tariffs on books imported into the country and reduction in prices of books.

“The dream of every author is to see his or her book being read by a wide audience, but what happens when this is not achieved? He queried.

“The reading culture in our society is dead. It can be revived if the interest is there. The Yenagoa Book Club is also helping in this sense. Education is the bedrock of progress in every society.

“The government is really trying in this sector. In fact, a state of emergency was declared in the education sector in Bayelsa. This shows that the government is interested in education.

“We should also have libraries scattered around our communities. Just like we have churches, we should have libraries like that so that people will not have excuses of not going to the library. lets take step to build community libraries.

“I am optimistic that people will read the book. Writers should also go out with their books and let people see it. If you want to encourage people to read, do not make it expensive. The government should make the policy more friendly. Tariff on books coming into the country should be revisited.”

Also, a guest at the book review, Mr. Franklin, aligns his thought with Ekade on the dying reading culture. He said: “The reading culture is declining. Youths are no longer reading. The policy we have on ground now is not for education.

The author advises parents to play crucial roles in helping their children embrace the culture of reading. He said: “Parents should buy their children educational toys, more books, pay attention to their academics, monitor their homework when they get back from school.

“They should have conversations with their teachers, that is the only way they can know how well they are performing at school. Parents should also expose their children early to education, things that will broaden their interests and quest for more knowledge.”

One of the founding members of the club also gives insight into how the activities of the Yenagoa Book Club have encouraged reading.

He said: “Our activities include monthly reading session, annual writers’ conference, literary games, field trips and community service projects.

“The book club was established in February, 2013 shortly after the President Goodluck Jonathan’s ‘bring back the book’ campaign was launched in 2012.

“We saw the ‘bring back the book’ campaign as a dream that must not die and decided to create a platform through which the much needed awareness would be created to keep the campaign alive. And this necessitated the establishment of the club.”

May 15, 2015
Navy undergoes weapon handling, firing exercise

Soldiers operating in the Niger Delta region should have no business with complacency. Despite the end of a militant era, the region is still plagued with kidnapping, piracy, sea robbery and crude oil theft.

Even if other security agencies let down their guards, the Nigerian Navy charged with the onerous tasks of protecting the maritime assets of Nigeria including securing oil installations from the prying eyes of daring thieves and saboteurs are expected to be vigilant and combatant at all times.

No wonder all roads from the Central Naval Command (CNC) headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State led to 343 Artillery Regiment in Elele, Rivers State recently. The officers and ratings of the command were mandated by their Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Rear Admiral Stanley Ogoigbe, to test their weapon handling and firing skills.

For the second time in a year, Ogoigbe’s men and officers found themselves at the shooting range of the artillery brigade. The FOC was not exempted. He also engaged in the small arms firing and weapon calibration exercise.

The range located in the forestry area of the regiment reverberated with deafening sounds of gunshots. The palm trees, shrubs and green vegetation endured and bowed to the impact of bullets which missed their targets. Other proficiently fired bullets hit the bull’s eye.

The opening and closing ceremonies were witnessed by the Fleet Commander CNC, Navy Commodore Austine Owochukwu; Commander, Naval Base,Yenagoa, Commodore Uchenna Onyia; Command Operations Officer, Commodore Freedom Temisan; Chairman of the Organising Committee, Navy Captain Ojo Kolawole and Commanding Officer 343,Artillery Regiment, Elele, Lt. Col. Baba Achankpa.

While Ogoigbe declared the two-day event open, he closed it through commodore Clement Offor.

The FOC described the exercise as part of the Nigerian Navy schedule of event to enhance training in weapon handling. He said the command resolved to implement all the activities contained in the annual naval schedule of events.

He said: “At the beginning of the year and in line with the strategic objective of the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) to have well-trained personnel, the leadership of the Central Naval Command resolved to implement diligently every item in the Nigeria Navy Schedule of events of the year as it concerns the command.

These events were designed not only to ensure that Nigerian Navy remains professional, but that its service delivery is also among the best in the world.

“A major objective this exercise had achieved is that it has helped in identifying the gap in personnel weapon handling skill.

“Proficiency in the handling of arms is a prerequisite for any military man. Such proficiency can only come through training and re-training.

“This training is to refresh their skill,enhance their skill and make them better handlers of weapons. When they practice more, they get better. This exercise is an assessment in weapon handling.”

The Flag Officer Commanding explained that the exercise will reveal individual capacities in weapon handling saying there is an acceptable standard expected from an average military man. He said each soldier was expected to hit the targets.

“ Every six months, we write report. The result of every report will be submitted at the end of the day. There is a standard that is expected from the average military man. There is target while firing, if you don’t hit your target, it doesn’t make you a good military man and this can mar your advancement in the force,”he said.

He further said the exercise was also designed to select best officers and ratings for a forthcoming inter-command competition.

He said: “The best here will represent us and will go and compete at a higher level. People who performed well will be recognised in their various headquarters and this will help them in their promotion.”

He also said the exercise was mandatory. He said it is done every quarter of the year adding that it is instituted for security reasons.

“A clear survey of the environment in which we operate reveals the need for proficiency in the use of arms, particularly in the need for the identification and bringing down specific target in a complex security environment,”he explained.

He warned the participants: “Your lives and the lives of your fellow ratings will one day depend on your skill at weapon handling. Therefore the organisation of this exercise is apt at this time.”

He urged his officers to be friends with their weapons and sharpen their weapon handling skills.

He added: “The handling of weapons is to improve your dexterity. It’s a practical training that is supposed to bring you close to your weapons.”

At the closing ceremony, Offor who represented the FOC said: “A soldier who cannot handle his weapon proficiently is not only dangerous to himself, his colleagues but to the general public. The only way proficiency can be achieved is by constant training.

May 15, 2015
Bayelsa monarch, women take on NDDC over abandoned project

The ‘gods’ of Agge community in Ekeremor Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, are no doubt enraged. They are unhappy with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). Their anger was on Tuesday demonstrated by the Paramount Ruler of the community, His Royal Highness David Isiayi, who is regarded as the custodian of their conventions.

Isiayi abandoned his palace and shook off the orthodoxy of royalty to march the street in protest against NDDC. His participation in the protest is viewed by many people as a serious indictment against NDDC and the contractor which abandoned a N4bn shore protection job in the community.

His involvement invoked a lot of sympathy from passers-by who cursed NDDC and the contractor for subjecting a nonagenarian king to such level of frustration. Others marched behind their dogged monarch. Elderly men and women, chiefs, community leaders and youths were not left out in the demonstration.

A soldier standing at the site of the Ekeremor shore protection project

The abandoned project is a shore protection contract. The contractor, Beks Kimse Nigeria Ltd was hired by NDDC to sand-fill and reclaim about 2. 9Km of the community’s land washed away by an ocean surge.

Agge which is at the fringe of the Atlantic Ocean has been under threat by water current. Large chunk of the community’s land had been swallowed by the ocean surge. Following series of complaints and mournful incidents, NDDC stepped in to award the controversial shore protection contract to the company.

The monarch said: “The situation in Agge is threatening our existence as a people.The ocean has claimed half of our homes and people.

“I have ruled the community for over 41 years and the deceit and failure of the company awarded the contract to do the job is a shameful act. We don’t want to die, we only want the contract awarded completed.”

The protesters were not happy that instead of demonstrating seriousness to complete the job, the contractor tried to sublet the contract to another firm, Kameala Consult Services Company. After failing to sublet the job, the contractor reportedly tried to move its equipment out of site but was resisted by the community.

•The women protesting against NDDC

The protesters who lamented their helpless situation said the contractor had refused to execute the job which was designed to save the community from extinction despite their peaceful demeanor.

Some of their placards further suggested an attempt by the contractor to intimidate them using the operatives of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Pulo Shield. Some of the placards said, “JTF should not be used to intimidate Agge people”; “NDDC, Beks, come and finish the job you were paid for” and “Agge project money should not be used for politics”.

The Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Steven Fiopare, said the contractor has always complained that NDDC awarded the contract but failed to pay the firm Mobilisation fees.

Fiopare, also added: “The community has, over the years, lost people and houses to the ocean surge and the initial dredging work by the company has added to the problem of the community with incessant erosion into homes.

“We are in a big problem. Houses are being washed away daily by erosion. If the hide tide comes, many indigenes will disappear and homes washed away.”

Also speaking ,the Vice Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Joseph Iboh, said the contractors abandoned the project at the phase of sand filling and pilling with an excuse that he had not been paid.

He said the community would no longer fold its arms and allow the project to linger without completion. He vowed that the company would not be allowed to move its equipment out of the project site adding that youths had been mobilised to keep vigil of the equipment.

He said the firm had earlier tried in vain to move its equipment. “We stopped him from moving his equipment”, he said.

The company is not new to controversy. In August 2013, five of its workers were kidnapped by gunmen along the creek of Opuama in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa.

The kidnappers later demanded N30 million ransom to release their victims. The incident happened when it was handling another NDDC-sponsored shore protection and reclamation work at Opuama.

A resident of Opuama, who simply gave his name as Ebiware, said the gunmen stormed the dredger where the men were working on a speed boat.

May 8, 2015
Excitement as winner emerges in RTC lottery

After six months of waiting anxiously for a winner to emerge in the Rivers State Transport Company (RTC) Board and Win promo, a lucky winner finally became the proud owner of a brand new 2014 Kia Picanto car in the Project Xperts 360 Limited-sponsored raffle.

• The draw to pick the winner

The winner is Mr. Hopeson Ikeagwu, a native of Erema in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local government of the state.

Apart from the star winner, the promo conducted at the RTC Waterlines park, also produced the a second and third winners who went home with N100,000 and N70,000 respectively, after their tickets were picked from among thousands of others during the grand finale of the draw.

Apart from the prize given to the first, second and third winners, about 2,000 pens, GSM telephone handsets, branded umbrellas and T-shirts were also given out as consolation prizes in the raffle which was monitored by the representative of the National Lottery Commission, led by Mrs. Kate Ibekwe/

Niger Delta Report man who witnessed the draw said it was very difficult to get across to the ticket owners who had boarded RTC buses six months earlier. Some could not remember that they bought a ticket when they were contacted; others mistook the caller for fraudster, while few others either switched off their phones or had a network problem.

But when the ticket of the star winner, Mr. Hopeson Ikeagwu, he immediately picked as if he was expecting a special call and when the representative of the NLC, Mrs. Ibekwe told him: “Sir, you are the star winner of Kia Picanto for the ‘Board and Win’ promo” he joyfully replied, “Oh my God are you sure! I am glad that the Lord has done it again. Can I come now to take my car,” the winner asked.

Ikeagwu who recently received the car key in the presence of the organizers, Project Xperts 360 Limited, the representative of NLC and RTC, disclosed that when he boarded the vehicle at RTC park and the ticket was given to him he immediately ask God for favour.

He described his fortune as God’s favour saying, “When I received the call that I am the winner, I felt very happy. I never entertained any doubt in my mind because the background was noisy, I had people cheering and shouting as my conversation with the organizers was going on. When the call dropped they called back again to say you are the winner.

“When I was boarding I didn’t pick the ticket reluctantly, I boldly picked the ticket. I actually knew that I was going to win the star prize. Because I committed it to God when I picked the ticket, this is not my first time I have been trying my luck in several promos including the Glo promo where I was shortlisted but I didn’t win. What motivated me is that I watched promos a lot on television, so when I bought the ticket I told God to do something in my life. To God be the glory, I have emerged the winner.”

Mr. Philemon Okeke, Director, Legal Administration and services, Project Xperts 360 Limited said the Board and Win promo was embarked upon due to the company’s desire to give back to the society. He said the promo was one of the company’s policies which have to do with community service.

“What prompt us into the promo was because we wanted to give back to the community, and we believe that we can’t give to God when we have not given to our neighbor. When we came in contact with Rivers State Transport Company, we discovered that they are about to do something that could reward their customers. Of course, they are the biggest transport company in Rivers State and with their idea; we said we are ready to partner with them. We consulted the National Lottery Commission to legalize the whole process. That was how we bought car and hung it in the park for customers to see that we are serious.

“With the draw today, we gave 1,000 branded shirts, umbrellas, pens and phones for consolation winners. But we thank God today that the winner of the star prize has emerged successfully. We have also hung another car for second edition; we want to thank the National Lottery Commission for assisting us from the beginning of the project till the end.”

Declaring the lottery fit, satisfactory and transparent, Mrs. Kate Ibekwe of the lottery commission, said the organizers met the requirements of National Lottery Policy. “The organizers today made us proud because they have showcased what we have been preaching at the national lottery. We encourage people to participate in the lottery because it has been used for developmental project. I am satisfied and every customers or participants present will testify on the transparency of the lottery.

“We are against fraudster and we are aware that some people hide under one lottery or the other to extort money from the public. If anyone wants to legally organize a lottery, the procedure is to come to National Lottery Commission. And all you need is to pick a form it is a letter of intent, we don’t tell you what to do, you will tell us what you want to do in writing. We will tell you what it will take you to get the permit. And when you have done this, we will ensure that the winner must get their prizes. We go by the rules of the game; we don’t tell you what to give to the winner you tell us what you will give them.”

May 8, 2015
Pomp, pageantry as Warri monarch celebrates 28th coronation anniversary

Warri and other parts of the Itsekiri nation in Delta State were agog last weekend as the Itsekiri people rolled out the drums to celebrate the annual Oyo-Ekero festival, which marks the ascension of the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse II, to the throne, writes Shola O’Neil

The oil city of Warri, Delta State and other parts of the Itsekiri nation were agog last weekend as the Itsekiri people rolled out the drums to celebrate the annual Oyo-Ekero festival, which marks the ascension of the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse II, to the six-century-old throne.

The 28th Anniversary of Ogiame Atuwatse II Oyo-Ekoro was one of the most memorable in recent times, as it drew Itsekiri groups, organisations and NGOs from all over the world to the monarch’s palace (Aghofen) and other parts of the city were carefully selected events were held.

Speaking on the import of the ceremony, the Chairman, Publicity Sub-committee of the 28th Coronation Anniversary Ceremony, Mr Emmanuel Okotie-Eboh, who is also the Chairman of Itsekiri Cultural Renaissance, explained that the importance of the festival was tied to the role of the monarch as the unifying factor and foundation of the Itsekiri ethnic group.

He said, “For an Itsekiri man, the Olu is only next only to God in our order of importance; he is even first to us before the government. That is why whenever it is time to honour the Olu, we spare no effort. He is the base and foundation of our culture, tradition and pride as a people.”

The activities marking the anniversary started on Friday with a praise and worship services held at the monarch’s palace in Warri. The service attracted gospel acts that joined the Foursquare Gospel Church, Olu Palace to sing praises to God.

There was also free medical service by a team of Itsekiri medical personnel from the United Kingdom, led by the chairman of Ugbarajor (UK), Dr Mogba Eyeoyibo. The team carried out diagnosis and proffered treatment to hailing members of the tribe.

•Ejike Asiegbu as Oba Akengbuwa during the command performance of the drama “Oba Akengbuwa”

However, arguably the most memorable event of the first day was a command performance of the drama, ‘Oba Akengbuwa’, which was produced and directed by renowned Itsekiri journalist and film producer, Mr Alex Eyengho. The drama, which featured notable Nigerian actors, including Ejike Asiegbu, who played the role of Oba Akengbuwa, Omagbemi Omonukarin (aka Okerengbelebe) and Norbert Young, among others, chronicled the life and times of the 16th Olu, whose death in between the mysterious deaths of his two sons threw the kingdom into a leadership crisis that later led to a 88-year interregnum in the monarchy.

The command performance, held at the auditorium of Federal Government College, Warri, was preceded by a 25-minute documentary on the history and evolution of the Itsekiri people. The documentary afforded some of the younger Itsekiri audience an insight into their history, the monarchy and achievements of renowned Itsekiri leaders like Chief Festus Okotie-Eboh, Dore-Numa and Nana Olomu among others, who recorded several feats and firsts in their times.

The highpoint of the drama presentation was the presentation of the Itsekiri Award of Excellence to deserving Itsekiri sons, including Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, Chief Ayirimi Emami and Thomas Ereyitomi, among others.

•Members of the Warri Council of Chiefs

The drama presentation was witnessed by prominent members of the Warri Council of Chiefs, including Chief Emamanuel Tetsola, who was Chairman of the 28th Coronation Anniversary Organising Committee, Chief Rita Lori-Ogbebor, and the Regent of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Chief PT Oyeagha Heavens.

Governor Uduaghan, in a brief speech after the ceremony, noted that the drama exposes the intrigues, the ambition and the treachery of individuals”. He said it was a lesson for everyone to learn on the need to be careful and mindful about the future.

On Saturday, May 2, the monarch delivered his annual address to the Itsekiri nation. The focus of the 28th national address was on the need for all incoming elected political officeholders to perform their duties with the fear of God and to bring peace and development to the nation.

He said: “The people we have elected, some (were) as we wished, some not as we wished, but we thank God for them all. We pray that through them, there will be prosperity and progress for us all. We hope too that those elected will learn to do better in office so that our burdens in the nation may be made lighter and for life to be better for us and our children.”

The monarch also used the occasion to commend President Goodluck Jonathan for the establishment of the $16 billion Delta Gas City Project and Export Processing Zone in his kingdom and thanked the president for performing the groundbreaking ceremony. The Olu assured that “the good from it (the project) will be for our people and for all Nigerians”.

He admonished the host communities to provide conducive environment for the project and other businesses in the kingdom to thrive, emphasizing that the benefit of the project could only be enjoyed in a peaceful atmosphere that is devoid of rancor.

To this end, he enjoined all, “especially the younger ones, to think more of honest work and doing only that.”, just as he admonished that “older people should show good examples for the younger ones to follow.”

The monarch also received his people who came from across the state and other parts of the world to pay homage to him at the palace. There was also dance by various groups as well as the eye-catching dress event, popularly known as kueke, where young men, women and elderly are garbed in their traditional and ceremonial Itsekiri and Victorian attires. The National Association of Itsekiri Graduate, led by Ms Alero Tenuma, as well as the Itsekiri National Youth Council and other groups took time to render obeisance to the monarch.

From the Aghofen, the 2nd day party moved to the Warri Club, where the 4th Edition of the Grand Patron Lawn Tennis Competition was organized by Hon Vincent Uduaghan, President of the club in honour of HRM Atuwatse II on his 28th coronation anniversary.

The competition was witnessed by Uduaghan, who was represented by the state Head of Service, Mr Patrick Origho; Senator James Manager’ President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, and his wife, Helen; Chief Richmond Macgrey, and Mr Amah Agbajoh, among others.

The ceremony was rounded off with a thanksgiving service at the Foursquare Gospel Church, Olu Palace (Aghofen) with special prayers for long life for the respected monarch, his family and the Itsekiri nation. Prayers were also offered for the peace and stability of the nation.

May 8, 2015
Respite for civil servants in Imoke’s estates

In 2008, when Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke’s 850-unit civil servants’ housing project located at Atimbo, Akpabuyo Local Government Area, was conceived, the vision was to ensure that the state’s civil servants retire into decent and affordable houses of their own.

Imoke’s idea of a housing scheme for civil servants was that they should no more should they continue to live like squatters after their productive years in service to the state. For the governor, every retiring civil servant should be able to own their own house.

It was against this backcloth the idea of a comfortable and affordable housing scheme was commenced seven years ago to enable the state civil servants actualize the dream of owning their own houses with the launch of 850 housing units in Atimbo.

With the second phase consisting of 250 blocks billed for commissioning on May 25th, four days to the exit date of Governor Imoke’s administration, these houses have come to many a lucky beneficiary as a saving grace and a rescue project, as some who were evicted by their landlords have already found succour in them.

Even with work at fever pitch to achieve its completion and commissioning on the stipulated date, there is heightened pressure from applicants to take possession of the property.

For instance, Mrs. Theresa Binang, a widow and mother of three could be seen preparing in what could be described as a race against time to move into her three bedroom bungalow, having been thrown out of her rented apartment by her landlord.

For her, it was as if Imoke had foreseen her ordeal coming. Expressing her excitement at how lucky she was at securing her own house, Theresa said she is not only grateful that Imoke wiped away her tears as a widow, she is particularly thankful for helping her escape the shame of destitution.

Seen putting a last minute touch, preparatory to moving in, she declared: “I am in a hurry to move in. Just a week ago, my landlord threw me out of his house because I could not renew my tenancy a month after it expired. As a widow, I don’t know how I would have been able to contemplate building a two or three bedroom bungalow, given the additional challenge of raising my children and seeing them through school.

“If I was not a beneficiary of this housing scheme, I truly do not know where I would have been living with my three children today. I am grateful to our governor, Senator Imoke for helping to wipe away my tears of not only losing my husband but also helping to avoid the shame of being rendered squatter. Not many governors would have cared about the plight of civil servants, but in his policies and programmes, he has ensured that even civil servants are taken care of.

If Theresa’s ordeal was pitiable, then, that of Mrs. Lydia Omgboche, a staff of Cross River Agricultural Development Project was even more so.

For her, she was forced by the harsh reality of her situation to move into her apartment even with no windows in place.

Also a widow and mother of two, Lydia was equally a victim of a vicious and capricious landlord. She was driven to extremity and forced to embrace harsh elements in a last-ditch search for succor. According to her, “I moved in with no windows or burglary proof in place. The first thing I did was to fix the burglary proof and shield the windows with cellophane bags and move in. I lived like that for good three weeks without windows. And to the mercy of God, there was no rain during the period. That was when I knew that God, indeed, was husband of the widows. My rent had expired in December and my landlord was on my neck to pay. However, I felt there was no need paying the huge amount that was being demanded by my landlord to renew my rent, hence I had to channel it to fix this three bedroom apartment I got from the state government housing scheme in Atimbo for civil servants. I am most grateful to Governor Imoke for initiating a project such as this for people like us. Where would I have gone from here when my landlord was putting pressure on me? I can now sleep with ease in my house and I can channel the money I would have used for rent into my children’s tuition.

For Mr James Emechi, a lawyer with the state Ministry of Justice, his plan of building his own house would have remained a pipe dream.

Speaking amidst joy, Emechi said, “I dreamed of owning my house a long time ago, but it has never been that easy to save to start a project like this. But the government, under the able leadership of Governor Liyel Imoke has ensured that our dream of owning our own houses did not die with us. And today, I am a proud owner of a three 3-bedroom bungalow.

“I cannot describe the peace that comes with owning my own house. There is one thing I am so certain about and that is that I am no longer at the whims and caprices of any landlord. Have you ever experienced a landlord asking you to use your money to fix a leaking roof in his house and promising to factor the cost into your next rent and refusing to do that when your next rent is due? That was some of my ordeal in the hands of my landlord.

“Finally, all I can say is a big thank you to our amiable governor, Senator Imoke for making such a huge impact in the lives of civil servants in the state. Civil servants have never had it so good.”

Mr. Asuquo Bassey Ekpo, lecturer, College of Health Technology, Calabar, who lost out on the first phase of the 400 units of the two and three bedroom housing scheme, said: “I had earlier applied for the first phase, but I was not so lucky. But that disappointment did not dash my hopes as I continued to hope that the opportunity would come for me to own my own house. And today, thank God that I now have a roof over my head that I can call my own. I remain eternally grateful to His Excellency, Governor Imoke for his housing vision for civil servants in the state. But for him, I don’t know how I would have been able to save to build a 3-bedroom bungalow for myself. My ultimate happiness is that I will no longer be under pressure from any landlord.”

With the infrastructure at the state at 90, 75 and 80 per cent completion for electricity, water and roads respectively, Mr. Edward Ogon, Special Adviser, Mortgage Finance to Governor Imoke, spoke of the project and how the sprawling estate has transformed the socio-economic landscape of the Atimbo community and its environs:

“The second phase of the civil servants Housing estate Atimbo, Akpabuyo Local Government Area is made up of 250 blocks. The access road has achieved 75 percent completion. Any moment soon, the water cooperation should be moving in to reticulate water in the estate. Electricity is also at 90 per cent completion. Already, we have about ten civil servants who have moved in while we are still installing doors and windows and over a hundred who have collected keys to their own 3-bedroom apartments. We have in the range of 2-bedroom semi-detached, 2-bed room detached and 3-bedroom bungalows. So we are under a lot of pressure to deliver.

In all, we have over ten thousand applications, but what we can deliver for now is eight hundred and fifty. Over all, there is an ongoing plan to deliver about ten thousand houses to civil servant across the state.

“The goal of this administration is to provide houses in a sustainable and affordable manner. To achieve this, the state has keyed into the National Housing Found (NHF) Act as a contributor. To qualify for the scheme, every civil servant contributes 2.5 per cent of his or her monthly salary to the NHF for up to 10, 20 and 25 years, depending on the years of service. The demand has been astronomical. The government has a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement with First Bank mortgage.

“The emergence of the sprawling estate has also resulted in some sort of economic boom in the area with the corollary spinoff in related activities such as vulcanising, petty trading, among others.

“I am very pleased to say that the Department of Mortgage Finance has done a lot in providing and growing small scale enterprises in this area.

Under the Imoke Housing policy, the same initiative is to be replicated in Ogoja, Ikom and Obudu with about 500 in Ogoja, 250 in Ikom and another 250 in Obudu as well as 100 units in Yakurr.

“In order to make the scheme affordable, we use the most affordable labour and materials, all in a bid to drive down the cost for our civil servants. At the end, the house must be conducive, livable and affordable.”

May 8, 2015