The Nation Newspaper

Category: Niger Delta

  • Fighting in the House of God

    Fighting in the House of God

    The St Matthew’s Anglican Church, Nkpogwu, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has known no peace for some time.  The efforts of the Diocesan Board of the Anglican Communion, Niger Delta North to resolve the crisis are yet to yield the desired fruit, writes CLARICE AZUATALAM from Port Harcourt.

    The Anglican Communion, Diocese of Niger Delta North, is mired in trouble. No thanks to a powerful “cabal” in St Matthew’s Anglican Church Deanery, Nkpogwu, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    The crisis is traceable to the plot by some foundation members to decide who should be the church’s Rector (resident pastor). They have so far succeeded in chasing out about three Rectors: Ven. Nhabiganuchi Orluogwo, Venerable Emma Okam and Venerable F.A. Fefegha.

    The Anglican Communion, Diocese of Niger Delta North, led by Bishop Ignatius Kattey, in October 2012, posted Venerable Samuel Chimela, a native of Ubima in Ikwerre Local Government Area as the Rector. The crisis got to a climax last December when some members of the church locked out Ven. Chimela. They accused their Rector of highhandedness, among others.

    Ven. Chimela was also accused of corruption, conducting infant baptism as well as not promoting evangelism and missions, which they claimed has been the hallmark of the 25-year old church.

    The aggrieved members of the church disconnected the electricity supply to the rector’s residence. The rector, it was said, bought a power generating set so that he could have electricity light, but those fighting him went and poured faeces on it and petitioned the Diocese to remove him .

    To ascertain the true position of things in the church, the Diocesan Board of Anglican Communion, Niger Delta North set up a 14-member Diocesan Committee, headed by a lawyer, Emeka Ichoku.

    he Diocesan Board adopted the report of the panel. The resolution, which was signed by Bishop Kattey; Chairman, Resolution Committee, Ven. Richard Okpara and the Clerical Synod Secretary, Ven. Ben Onu dissolved “the present deanery council and all Ad-hoc functional committees with effect from February 15, 2013.”

    In place of the deanery council, the Diocesan Board ratified the appointment of a 15 member Care-taker committee with the Rector of the church as Chairman to be administering the church pending the time elections would be held.

    The resolution also stated that in line with the provisions of the constitution and financial instructions of the Diocese, henceforth, “signatories to all church Bank accounts should be the chairman (rector or vicar), the treasurer and secretary with the chairman as the only principal “A” signatory.”

    The Diocesan board further directed that all current lay signatories to all bank accounts of the church be replaced with new ones from the caretaker committee until elections are held. It was also resolved that relevant provisions of the Diocesan financial institutions should be adhered to in order to forestall further abuse of church funds.

    The Diocesan board condemned the rebellious attitude of “the cabal” for continually harassing members of the church who do not support their views as well as clergy and their wives posted to St Matthew’s Anglican Church, Nkpogwu Deanery and decided that “henceforth any rebellious act will be met with ecclesiastical discipline in accordance with the scriptures, canons of the church of Nigeria and the constitution and regulations of the Diocese of Niger Delta North.

    The board also maintained that “henceforth any form of intimidation of clergy or harmless worshippers by any person or group of persons in St Matthew’s Anglican church, Nkpogwu deanery will be treated as a serious offence and will be death with accordingly.”

    It was also resolved that since the Anglican church is part of “one holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. Al in St Matthew’s Anglican church, Nkpogwo deanery and indeed the Diocese of Niger Delta who wish to be part of it must respect its age-long customs which we believe are in line with the scriptures, tradition and reason and have over the years been tried, tested and trusted.

    The Diocesan board also directed an immediate review of membership of the church and external audit of the financial records of the church for the past three years “to see whether they met Diocesan accounting standards.”

    The resolution further commended Kattey for “the fatherly manner in which he has over the years handled the perennial problem in St Matthew’s Anglican Church culminating in the setting up of the peace restoration committee as well as the patience and maturity exhibited by the clergy and all peace-loving members of the deanery”.

    While assuring members of the church of its prayerful support, the Diocese urged them to put everything that happened behind and see it as “an opportunity for both individual and corporate spiritual growth.”

    The Diocesan board commended the church for doing very well “in the area of evangelism and missions over the years”, promising that it would encourage the church to continue with that but it must be with the consent of Kattey or his successors and under the supervision of the Diocesan Missions and Evangelism Commission.

    The members of “the cabal” and their supporters were not impressed. They booed Bishop Kattey when he was reading out the resolutions of the Diocese.

    The booing continued until Bishop Kattey and his men left the church. A woman even came out with broom and started sweeping out their footsteps.

    Though the Anglican Communion of Niger Delta North has directed the 15-member care-taker committee to monitor the activities in the church to ensure that its decisions are obeyed, but will the cabal and their supporters comply? Only time will tell.

     

     

  • Tambuwal, Uduaghan for lecture in Warri

    Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, House of Representatives Speaker Tambuwal and legal luminary, Prof. Itse Sagay are among the dignitaries expected to join prominent Itsekiri Sons and daughters at a One-Day Public Lecture with the theme; “ The Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality: Challenges of Minority in a Multi-Ethnic Nigeria.”

    At news conference in Warri ahead of the one-day lecture, the National Association of Itsekiri Graduates (NAIG) said the lecture is aimed at creating a paradigm shift and re-orientation of the socio cultural value system of the Itsekiri youth.

    The National President of NAIG, Comrade Alero Tenumah , said the gathering would afford youths to meet Itsekiri sons and daughters’ who have distinguished themselves in their various area of endeavours.

    According to her, “we have observed with great concern the great lacuna between our youths, and the Itsekiri leadership. This association knowing full well that ‘the task of a leader is to take his people from where they are to where they have never been’ has packaged this public lecture to bridge that gap.”

    She added further that the lecture is expected to give the Itsekiri people in general, and the Itsekiri youths in particular the opportunity to take a cursory look at the various challenges facing the Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality as a minority as well as proffering solutions to them.

    The lecture will hold Saturday, March 1, 2014 at Wellington Hotel, Effurun, Delta State.

    Expected to deliver keynote address at the programme are; Prof. Oritsegbemi Omatete, Prof. Tony Mene Afejuku from University of Benin, Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), an erudite and accomplished legal luminary, Dr. J. O Ireyefoju from Delta State University, Abraka and Dr. Alex Ideh.

    Others are: Temisan Omatseye, a former Director General NIMASA, Hon. Patrick Fregene, Dr. Akaruse (UNIPORT) and Chairman of Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Hon Oritsuwa Kpogho.

    Chief (Mrs) Rita Lori-Ogbebor will be the mother of day.

     

  • How National Confab can succeed, by Ekpenyong

    How National Confab can succeed, by Ekpenyong

    Dr. Chris Ekpenyong, an engineer, is a former Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State and General Secretary of the Forum of Former Deputy Governors of Nigeria. He shares his thoughts below on the upcoming National Conference.

    Litany of dialogues

    For as long as close to the years of Nigeria’s existence as a nation, the people have always talked-whether on a table or at a rally. Talking defined the nation which got its independence in 1960 after the talks in London and elsewhere. Talking sewed back the fabrics of the country when it tore into two pieces during the civil war years. Talking made the country jettison the parliamentary system for the presidential system with its benefits of greater participation of the majority of citizens in governance, through a concept called democracy. Talking held the country together when the annulled June 12, 1993 election wanted to tear the country apart. Talking provided the healing balm needed to move on after General Abacha’s dragonian rule. Talking brought about a doctrine of necessity which created a seemingly peaceful transition from a cabal that thought power belonged to man and handed it over to another humble, simple and patriotic Nigerian who, like his successor, is an epitome of tolerance, a basic requirement for talks.

     

    Benefits of dialogue

    I firmly believe in talking. Talking solves problems. Talking promotes peace. Talking promotes unity. Talking pours venom on bigotry and bitterness. Talking puts an end to violence, hatred and evil. For a nation to grow positively, enjoy sustainable development and have great patriots and nationalists as citizens, it must never get to a point where it cannot talk.

    I, therefore, believe firmly and strongly, in the national conference that is on the way, courtesy of Mr. president’s resolve to preside over a country that will not bow to external prophesies of a possible breakup this year. I do not know of any other reason that could propel Mr. President to agree to hold a confab except for this purpose. The proponents of a sovereign national conference which consideration by Mr. President gave birth to the non-sovereign kind of confab that is about to hold, want structural changes. Which area do they want change? Sharing of resources through an “equitable” method-however they would come up with a formula for that still beats me. They also want true federalism whose foundation is still built upon the concept of resource control; Devolution of power from the centre, to make the units (state) and maybe, regions (if it’s agreed upon at the talk) self- sufficient and powerful, possibly to ensure that states or regions have state police and state central banks.

    A fair chance of success

    From the modality for the confab; to the proposed list of those to attend; to the subjects to be talked about, the confab may not wholly be a success though I still believe a thing or two will come out there from.

    In truth, the chances of the confab achieving much are less than the long term survival prospects of a plastic rubber in hell fire. This is partly because the basis for a talk about today’s talk came out from the fact that previous talks failed. Why did they? Earlier talks did not look at the reality of the situation of the nation. All the talks were about power- sharing of; holding of and benefiting from. Nobody is thinking of the reality on the ground. The reality about life in the country. The reality that we do not have a good country where rules and laws are obeyed; where citizen’s rights and privileges are respected ;and where leaders are transparent and acceptable to the people.

    Draw back

    The great drawback for the envisaged confab, therefore, lies in the fact that the confab may discuss everything but the restructuring of the living condition of ordinary citizens and the expectations from the people about the leadership.

    What will help Nigeria and Confab succeed

    Three closely related problems confront this and could lead to a better nation if the confab will ever consider them which I don’t think it will.

    The first and biggest of them is the quality of leadership in all areas. What kind of leaders do we have? The only qualification for leadership remains learning- those who can read and write and posses the basic minimum-m educational qualification to seek offices. Character is never well considered. All shades of character with a connection to a good power grid is (s)elected or appointed to office. Take for instance, the Local Governments.

    Who are the local government chairmen? People who do not have connections to the people they are supposed to govern. Most of them do not link up with the people. Most of them do not know the number of schools, teachers and registered pupils in their areas. Most of them do not have any desire to improve the condition of their people. The resulting effect is that nothing works at that level of governance. The state governments are not equally helping matters. How will the confab help to make state governments accountable to the people? How will the confab help the country come up with a balance of power that will make governors to behave not like monarchs but as elected officials who are holding power in trust for the people? How is the confab going to make the legislature and the judiciary to be truly independent arms of government?

    The second problem is the crippling rise in the number of unemployed citizens of the country. Over 80 percent of our young ones are not employed in any productive venture; jobless; without skills and are easily dragged into unproductive negative anti-social act like crime. The militancy and Boko Haram surge came out of the neglect of these young ones by previous governments. What is the present leadership doing about this? What will the confab bring out concerning them? A country that gets it right with its young people will certainly have a nation devoid of crime and its offspring’s- kidnapping, robbery, pipeline vandalism, violence, assassination, disrespect for elders, greed, corruption et all. Turning a blind eye to criminal activities by young people is one of the better ways of hobbling the economy and also ensuring that unemployment rises.

    The third area is the aspect of reforms- economic and otherwise. There have been several interventions of late. The Sure – P. The revitalised and seemingly working Bank of Industry. The revitalisation of the agriculture sector. The power sector. Several. How does the confab talk about making these interventions not to be paper tigers. I am a farmer. A large scale one at that. I haven’t reaped from the programmes of the obviously performing smooth taking Minister of Agriculture. How many farmers of my hue have benefited from these programmes? How will the confab help us. How will the confab also design safety nets for inevitable loses from most of these reforms?

    If these little issues are not talked about before the confab, they may snaffle the gains to be made at the confab. The confab is a slim hope- possibly the only one chance to restructure our conditions and this can work only when the right things are done before and after it.

     

  • Itsekiri community protests

    Itsekiri community protests

    Hundreds of Gbokoda Community indigenes, including elders in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State, are protesting over the state of affairs in the Itsekiri Regional Development Council (IRDC) under the leadership Chief Emami Ayiri.

    They want Ayiri to stop any further dealings with Besidone Megbuluba as executive of the community.

    The angry protesters accused the former community executives of embezzling funds meant for the development of the community.

    They stormed the IRDC office in Warri.

    The protesters lamented that after seven years of misrule and abysmal performance by the ousted executives, they still continue to parade themselves as the authentic leaders of the community even when their tenure has since expired.

    The protesters carried placards bearing different inscriptions, such as: “IRDC give us our entitlements”, “IRDC stop Megbuluba from stealing our money”, “IRDC, we are peace loving community”, “IRDC Megbuluba has ruled for 7 years without calling for a meeting” among others.

    The protesters led by Olaraja (spiritual leader), Pa Monday Estede and Pa. Francis Jemegbe, secretary, Gbokoda Elder Council, said the community is aggrieved over the recognition of the former chairman and want such recognition to be stopped.

    Pa. Estede (the Olaraja of Gbokoda) argued that since a new executive committee has been selected, no further dealings should be done on behalf the community by the old executive.

    In the same vein, Pa Jemegbe, who is also the Secretary of Gbokoda Elders Council while lambasting the old executive for impersonation, urged IRDC to recognise only the new executive.

    He added that “All the projects in the community are uncompleted and they have embezzled money belonging to the community. Whatever that is due to the community was not seen by the people. After seven years, the former executive has nothing to show as what the community has benefited from their 7 years tenure. Because of this, the community decided to inaugurate a new executive.”

    They said what is due to the community should be communicated to the new executive led by Henry Olley.

    They said the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse ll, mediated in the leadership tussle and ordered that the old executive should give way.

    Olley said despite the inauguration of his executive, the old executive still claims to represent the community, a situation, he said, could ignite crisis in the community.

    “According to our constitution, they were supposed to rule for three years but this year made it 7 years they have been there. For the 7 years, no community meeting, and no report and not to talk of development, they are running the community as their personal business.

    “This issue has gone to the palace of Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse ii, and he has ordered Itsekiri Regional Council to give all that is due to Gbokoda community to the new executive. In spite of this order, they (IRDC leaders) still don’t recognise us. We shall continue to be here protesting peacefully. We will not fold our hands and allow these people to take what belong to the community as personal property.”

     

  • My ordeal in the hands of Mbu’s men, by Abe

    My ordeal in the hands of Mbu’s men, by Abe

    The representative of the Rivers South-East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Magnus Ngei Abe, a lawyer, is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream) and a former Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG). In this interview with Bisi Olaniyi in Port Harcourt during his first visit to Rivers State after the January 12 in which he was shot with a rubber bullet by policemen at the Rivers State College of Arts and Science, Rumuola, Port Harcourt, Abe relives his experience.

    How has it been since the incident of January 12, during the inauguration of the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State chapter of the pro-Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi’s Save Rivers Movement (SRM) at the Rivers State College of Arts and Science, Rumuola, Port Harcourt?

    First is to thank God that I am here and I am able to talk to everybody and see everybody. That is the most important thing that has happened. The second thing is also to thank God for the victory at the Supreme Court (of Amaechi against Sir Celestine Omehia on February 7).

    We have had lots of these crises. Any right-thinking person will agree that it is time for us to put some of these things behind us. Since last year, there had been a concerted attempt to remove the governor (Amaechi) from office and overthrow the government of Rivers State by force and there is no provision in our Constitution for that kind of behaviour.

    Having tried by all earthly means and they have failed, I will appealed to them to now sheathe their swords and let us work together, to try to help the people of Rivers State. That is the reason for which we say we are playing politics. What we are doing now is not helping them. It is clear that the governor cannot be removed without the law. So, since that is clear and that is what we all agreed, as citizens of Nigeria, let us work with the governor, let him do his job and let all of us, who also have jobs to do, be allowed to do our own jobs. If we do that, it will help the state (Rivers), it will help the country.

    For us to turn Rivers State into a theatre of war, because of the ambition of any single individual, is morally, politically and spiritually wrong. We cannot kill ourselves here, because of anybody. If people feel that they want to join a political party, they should be allowed to join the party of their choice.

    If you feel that you have superior reason why people should follow your own party, explain your reasons to the people. Do not carry guns to go and attack or kill the people, for going to join another party. There is no justification for that kind of behaviour. As far as I know, the President (Dr. Goodluck Jonathan) himself has said he does not think that anybody’s ambition is worth anybody’s blood.

    So, how come, the blood of the young boy in Degema-Kalabari (headquarters of Degema LGA of Rivers State)? Whose ambition has the blood they spilled for? So, we should put a stop to these things, before it gets any worse.

    Nobody should assume that when you throw a stone into the market, you know who it will hit. If we continue to buy guns and arm people, every gun you buy has a lifespan of over one hundred years. So, who knows who will be your friend tomorrow? Who knows who will be your enemy tomorrow? Who knows in which direction these guns will point tomorrow? Let us play our politics, win or lose, let us thank God for the privilege he has given to us to lead and we should move on with our lives.

    Some leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State and the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI), which has as grand patron, the Supervising Minister of Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, as well as the Rivers Police Command are still insisting that you were not shot by policemen on January 12 and that you simply pretended to attract global attention and sympathy. What is your reaction?

    I was not alone there. There were more than 200 people, who saw what happened. This young man was there with the camera. He was beaten up and his camera was destroyed. So, if nothing happened, why were they so eager to make sure that no picture of what happened got out?

    They opened fire on us in their midst. We were not in any crowd. To say that I was not shot is the largest understatement or the biggest lie of the century. These men opened fire, teargassed, everything was fired everywhere. People saw what happened. That I was not killed, yes, but to say they opened fire on you and you did not die, therefore nothing happened, is the height of. I do not know how to describe it. However, for me, I am going to court. I have asked my lawyers to file my case in court, against all those who had hands in what happened. I will meet them in court.

    How will you react to the refusal to read the letter of the 11 defecting senators and the next line of action?

    The Senate is a political institution. The problem we have in the Senate is political. There were some reports in the papers that I was angry and I walked out on the Senate. It is not correct.

    As you can see, even physically looking at me, I had an appointment with my doctor and so I wanted to leave early. The fact remains that what we have in the Senate is not different from what we have been having. We have a situation in the Senate. We have confidence in the leadership of the Senate. We have confidence in the Senate as an institution, that we will find a solution that will enable us as individual Senators to find our own satisfaction and self expression. That will allay the fears and concerns of those who have fears and concerns. That will protect the democracy of our country and uphold our constitutional rights and the rights of all Nigerians, particularly elected lawmakers, to abide by what their people want.

    So, it is to craft a solution that takes all these individual elements into it and satisfies all of them. That is the challenge before the Senate and it is not a new challenge. That is what the Senate is known and respected for. So, we are confident that one way or the other, we will find a solution that will not threaten the unity of the Senate.

    So, whether letter is read or letter is not read, as I pick up my card, I become a member of the APC.

    I cannot be a member of the APC and be sitting with PDP people, because in the Senate, we sit according to our party. So, I will not sit there. Definitely, we must find a solution that will enable me to sit with my colleagues and contribute to the floor.

    If I sit with PDP people, if I talk, how will it be recorded? Will they say Magnus Abe, PDP Rivers South-East? When I am no longer a member of the PDP. It has to be recorded that Magnus Abe, APC, Rivers South-East. That is what I am.

    So, the solution that will craft all these problems and solve them is what the Senate needs and that is what we are working for. Nobody is against anybody. Nobody is fighting anybody. We are politicians and we will play politics.

     

  • Toru-Orua… changing fortune of a Bayelsa slum

    Toru-Orua… changing fortune of a Bayelsa slum

    It was once a rustic setting. Typical of many neglected riverside communities in the Niger Delta, it lacked basic amenities. No road, hospitals and electricity. In fact, nobody could access the community by road.

    But now, the story of Toru-Orua, a community in Sagbama Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, has changed. The community that used to be in darkness has now seen the light. Its slum-like past is fast-disappearing.

    Aesthetically finished houses are replacing mud and thatched buildings that hitherto dotted all corners of the community. The small community, once buried in Sagbama creeks and known for fishing and farming, is, indeed, an emerging city.

    Toru-Orua (meaning community by the river) is the ancestral home of the current Governor of the state, Mr. Seriake Dickson. The governor who is fondly referred to as the Countryman Governor has become the pride of Toru-Orua.

    No wonder, the community trooped out to welcome its son when he along with his entourage inaugurated and inspected some projects in the area recently as part of the activities marking the mid-term anniversary of his administration.

    Men, women, the young and the old came out to receive or perhaps peep at the man who has changed the face of the community. At the entrance of the community, the crowd waved continuously at the governor and shouted his name stridently. Most of them expressed their satisfaction through placards and banners containing messages of love and support.

    They were happy that people could drive their vehicles to the community for the first time.”Before now, there was no road leading to our community. Getting to our place was a tug of war. First, you make the journey halfway by road and complete it by either trekking some kilometers through the bush path or boarding a boat at the waterside”, a community folk who identified himself as John said.

    He continued: “Now, our story has changed. We can now buy cars and drive them to our community. It is not because the governor is from our area. It is simply because Governor Seriake Dickson has a passion and uncommon drive for development. We have had a governor in this state who did nothing for his community and could not boast of doing much for the state”.

    John is right. Dickson has transformed Toru-Orua. All the internal roads in the community spanning about 2.5km have been reconstructed and tarred.

    The governor who was accompanied by his deputy, Retired Rear Admiral John Jonah, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Edmond Alison-Oguru and other members of the state Executive Council, cut the tape to unveil the roads.

    Dickson, who also inaugurated rural electrification, 25 bedroom-flat apartments and a hospital in Toru-Orua, inspected other ongoing projects, such as the Sagbama-Ekeremor and Toru Orua-Angalabiri roads.

    “It is good to be in power and know how to use it to assist the people. Dickson has done very well for us and we can never forget him. Nobody had envisaged that Toru-Orua will be this transformed today”, a woman, who gave her name as Agnes, said.

    The governor also has his magic touch in neighbouring communities to Toru-Orua. In Bolou Orua, he inspected the Teachers’ Training Institute (TTI) and community secondary school buildings. At Ebedebiri, Dickson inspected two hostel blocks at the secondary school.

    In fact, the governor’s developmental stride is not just about his community. Sagbama, one of the oldest town in the state, now boast of a number of projects. Niger Delta Reports found that a general hospital, College of Education and a community secondary school are at different levels of completion. The Governor’s Lodge, which has been built, decorated and furnished in the area, was inaugurated by Dickson.

    Dickson said the TTI at Bulou Orua would be affiliated to the department of continuing education of the state-owned Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro College of Education, Sagbama.

    Also the people of Kaiama, the capital of Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area and hometown of the Ijaw hero, late Jasper Adaka Boro, will remember the governor with fond memories if he completes a model secondary school, a general hospital, Boro Town Access Road, Youth Training Centre and Boro Institute in that area.

    Already, the town will soon be a proud owner of the best state-of-the-art Orientation Camp of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). In fact, every community in the state appears to feel the pulse of the governor. For instance, there is an ambitious sports academy under construction at Aswama, in Kolokuma/Opokuma council.

    Dickson has also initiated many projects in Yenagoa and completed a few of them. Bayelsa Fountain, Ecumenical Centre, International Park, School of Tourism, AIT-Sani Abacha Road, AIT-Igbogene Road, Opolo-Elebele Road, Command and Control Centre and about 35 others are all projects in Yenagoa.

    While inaugurating Yenagoa gateway infratsructure comprising security posts, water fountain and other structures at Igbogene, Dickson, said the facilities were designed to improve the security and add to the aesthetic beauty of the state.

    He said: “The water fountain and the associated structures here are essentially security buildings; they are not buildings that members of the public will have access to at least not on a regular basis. They are to complement our Integrated Command and Control System.

    “And this being an entry and exit point, these buildings are going to be very useful. The fountain itself is very wonderful and it is going to add to the aesthetics of our state capital and the state generally. And, I know we are going to have such fountains.

    He said most of the completed projects would be inaugurated by President Goodluck Jonathan during his planned working visit to the state at a date to be announced soon.

    Undoubtedly, the governor has received accolades from various sections of the polity. The Paramount Ruler of Bolou Orua community, Chief Felagha Tounarigha described Dickson as a performer and expressed satisfaction with the massive transformation of infrastructure in the state.

    The former Governor of Kano State, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau and Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District, were amazed at the performance of the governor after two years.

    Shekarau based his assessment on the United Nations and World Bank’s six characteristics of development. He said Dickson had been able to justify the confidence reposed in him by the people of the state.

    He said Dickson had excelled in accountability, political stability, effectiveness of government, regulatory control, rule of law and control of corruption.

    “I honestly do not have enough words to say how happy I am to congratulate the Governor, his deputy and other members of his team for institutionalising the culture of speaking out how much money comes in and how it is spent.

    Lokpobiri, who spoke on behalf of the Bayelsa Caucus in the National Assembly, noted that Dickson’s stint in the National assembly has sharpened his leadership skills and enhanced his revolutionary achievements. He said the governor had proved skeptics wrong.

    He observed that his strides would prove to be a campaign weapon for his reelection. “I want to congratulate you for what you are doing here in the state. And I believe that even your worst enemy will agree that you are doing excellently well.

    “We have always had abiding confidence in you as members of the National Assembly, we decided to agree that you should come back home so that Nigerians will get to appreciate what the National Assembly can make of anybody. You were there for five years and that has improved your mental and leadership capacity which you are exhibiting”, he said.

    Applauding the governor’s leadership style of inclusiveness, he called for synergy between the State Government and members of the National Assembly. He urged the people of the state to support the present administration to record what he described as “more success stories” rather than distracting him.

    Also, the Speaker of Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Konbowei Benson Friday, on behalf of the state legislature, further expressed satisfaction with what he described as the laudable achievements of the Dickson-led administration.

    He describing the last 24 months of the restoration government as very eventful. “The proactive leadership style of the governor has inspired members of the state house of assembly to put in extra legislative hours, when such needs arise, in a bid to encourage the state chief executive to do more.

    “The evidence of good governance, accountability, probity and transparency, under Governor Dickson, has become so visible to all sundry, such that even the opposition, cannot contest the achievements of the present administration in the state.

    “The people of the state and indeed, Ijaws have become very proud in identifying with rapid infrastructural development, going on in Bayelsa state, under the restoration government,” he said.

     

     

  • Orubebe’s quest for power

    Orubebe’s quest for power

    Although the declaration by the former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe, to contest the governorship election next year did not come as a surprise to many, there is unease within the Delta Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), especially from politicians from Anioma.

    Orubebe, who spoke in Asaba recently during a reception in his honour by Delta Peoples Forum, (DPF), said he resigned his ministerial position to return home to serve the people better.

    According him, he decided to heed the call by the pressure group to return to Delta State and work for the people.

    He said: “As I was driving past the streets of Asaba, I saw some posters with different inscriptions, including the ones welcoming me as the next governor. I want to let you know that as your humble servant, I will be there for you in 2015.”

    Orubebe said ethnicity would be given priority in determining the next governor, in an earlier remark at a condolence visit to the family of Alam Barovbe in Ovu inland Ethiope East in April 2013.

    His words: “I must say categorically that all ethnic nationalities of this state must have a taste of the governorship of this State.Urhobos have gotten it; Itsekiri have gotten it; Ndokwa have not gotten it; Ijaw has not gotten it. We are appealing that it is the turn of the Ijaw people now because all ethnic groups must have a taste.”

    On why he wants to be governor, he said: “I believe that having been a councillor, a local government council chairman, an executive member of the primary education board in Delta State, a party chairman, an adviser to Governor James Ibori on Urban and Regional Planning, Minister of Special Duties, Supervising Minister of National Planning Commission, Minister of State for Niger Delta and thereafter the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs over these years, I have garnered some experience. God has been faithful to me. He has deposited enough knowledge in me and I want to dedicate the knowledge that has been given to me by God to the service of the people of Delta State. I also want to support the governor that has moved the state this far, to add my own quota to move the state forward. And I think God has helped me and endowed me to be able to take off from where Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan will stop.”

    Orubebe, who hails from Delta South senatorial district, the same zone as Uduaghan, is of the Ijaw ethnic stock. With the zoning policy of the ruling PDP, Orubebe should not be in contention.

    But what are Orubebe’s chances? Will the ruling party jettison its zoning formula? Will the power brokers in the party be favourably disposed to Orubebe’s ambition? Where does his ambition leave the Anioma governorship bid?

    Some analysts hold the view that PDP’s chances at the 2015 polls will be severely damaged should Orubebe clinch the governorship ticket, arguing that its zoning policy precludes the ex-minister from gunning for the top job.

    Analysts believe the ruling PDP is unlikely to forget in a hurry the reverses it suffered in the hands of the Democratic People’s Party (DPP) in the 2011 polls and may be unwilling to jettison its zoning formula .

    Political watchers believe that the PDP understands that any self- induced crisis so close to an election damages its chances and gives the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) an advantage.

    A major challenge facing the ex-minister may be the fact that his ambition may not enjoy the support of the other senatorial districts, especially Delta North which has been clamouring for a governor of Anioma extraction.

    But sources claim Delta Central is not ready to let go.

    Delta North Local Government Area comprises of nine local government areas, which includes Ukwuani, Oshimili South, Oshimili North, Aniocha South, Aniocha North, Ndokwa East, Ndokwa West, Ika South and Ika North-East areas.

    It remains the only senatorial district that has not produced a governor since the state was created in 1990.

    Delta Central has produced two governors, Olorogun Felix Ibru and Chief James Ibori for three and eight years respectively and Delta South produced Uduaghan whose eight year spell terminates in 2015.

    Another obstacle may be the fact that he hails from a minority Ijaw ethnic group; since politics is a game of numbers, his ambition may be truncated.

    Another factor is his parting of ways with his godfather, Chief E.K Clark . Orubebe was one of the trusted members of the Chief E.K Clark political family in Delta State. Both are from the Ijaw ethnic group in the southern senatorial district. While Clark hails from Kiagbodo,Orubebe is from Ogbobagbene in Burutu Local Government Area.

    He said of Clark in a recent interview: “Chief Edwin Clark is my father, my leader, my master and my mentor. He has the right to correct me any time he feels that I should be corrected. I have no disagreement with him, and if for any reason he feels bad about whatever statement I must have made or I was misquoted to have made, he should in all graciousness consider it fit in his mind to forgive and forget.

    “Chief Edwin Clark is a rare gem. That we are seeing him now in our generation is a rare privilege. He is not only the leader of the Ijaw in Nigeria and Diaspora, many ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta, which comprises nine states not only in the South/South but also parts of South/West and South/East, also accept him as their leader. No man can disregard such an elder statesman.”

    Despite the array of obstacles facing the ex-minister, he appears prepared to battle against the odds, but the question remains, will Orubebe, in the event of his inability to pick the PDP ticket, remain in the party?

     

  • Those 546 million gallons of crude oil spilled in the Niger Delta

    The figure is startling, in two regards. One, in terms of the foreign exchange the country could have made from them; and two, the damage they must have wreaked on the health of the people and the environment. A whole 546 million gallons of crude oil spilled into the Niger Delta over the last 50 years. The quantity amounts to 11 million gallons a year. Waoh!

    The revelation was made in a letter written by 13 local and five international Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) on the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) Bill before the Senate.

    Among those who endorsed the letter were Thelma Diwari, representing CBNHRSD; Head of Centre for Environment Human Rights and Development (CEHRD), Zabbey Nenibarini; Nick Hildyard of Cornerhouse; and the Executive Director of Foundation For Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development (FENRAD), Nelson Nnanna Nwafor.

    The letter called for the passage of the NOSRDA Amendment Bill 2012 into law and remediation and protection of the environment in the Niger Delta.

    “The reform of the NOSDRA Act 2006 will provide clearer regulations and a strong response mechanism to deal with oil spills which will save millions of lives and improve the livelihoods of all the communities living in the Niger Delta,” it said.

    They also called for an end to the spilling and destruction of the environment and the unacceptable devastation on the lives of local communities in the areas of oil exploration.

    “This can be achieved by strengthening the institutional and regulatory power of NOSDRA, and enshrining the ‘polluter pays’ principle in law, which the NOSDRA Amendment Bill 2012 will do,” it added.

    The Niger Delta has been through a lot. It was the frustration with the system that led to the declaration of an Independent Niger Delta Republic by the late Isaac Adaka Boro during late Aguiyi Ironsi’s administration, just before the Civil War.

    The quest for justice was later championed by the late Ken Saro-Wiwa. He was killed as a result of his agitation by the late Sani Abacha regime.

    The alarm raised by the NGOs over the spillage is another phase of the quest for justice and it must be taken serious.

    The bill must become law soonest to end the evil oil spills do to the people, the environment and the economy. No right thinking person should waste time in getting this bill to become law and when it becomes law, it must be implemented to the latter. And only then can we truly say never again to the burying of 546 million gallons of crude oil into the soils of the Niger Delta and only then can the people, the environment and the economy stop bleeding to death as a result of this negligence and sabotage.

    The spillages have robbed children of playground; robbed farmers of farmland; robbed fishermen of fishes; robbed the economy of cash; robbed the people of their health; and on and on. The time to pass the bill is now.

    The National Assembly must show that it cares by passing this bill and the president must follow through by assenting to it after it has been passed. Anything short of this will amount to compromise and at the end, all will suffer for it.

     

  • Cross River 2015: Conflict imminent as northern aspirants jostle

    With the wide acceptance among the political class in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Cross River State that the northern senatorial district of the state should produce the next governor of the state, many from the area have already started working towards the number one position in the elections next year.

    Donald Duke from the Southern Senatorial District governed from 1999 to 2007 while Liyel Imoke who is from the Central is on the seat.

    The northern senatorial district comprises of five local governments namely Ogoja, Obudu, Bekwarra, Obalinku and Yala.

    The many interests, both openly and subtly, observers have felt if not properly managed may lead to a friction that may harm the district’s chances in 2015.

    This is especially against the background that a section of the political class from the southern senatorial district is mooting the idea of the Calabar-Ogoja accord for determining where the next governorship goes.

    By the dynamics of the Ogoja-Calabar accord power should return to the south. But stakeholders across political platforms have discountenanced the irrelevant and anachronic. Protagonists of the northern agenda have also posited that they can always handle their differences without making a mess.

    Despite various permutations however all seems set for the north to take over and the players have begun to emerge. Some of them have spoken about their intentions while others have chosen to remain tacit but what is clear is that whoever would get it would have to fight for it.

    This will be a departure from the political atmosphere in the past where all seemed to be concluded as to who gets what, even long before the elections.

    Among them is Ntufam Fidelis Ugbo from Obanliku. Ugbo who is Executive Secretary of the National Planning Commission is believed to have the blessing of the present governor Liyel Imoke. Ugbo, a former Secretary to the State Government under Imoke, analysts believe is the favourite that would embark on a governance of continuity of the agenda of the present administration. He aspired in 2006 against Imoke, but later stepped aside to align forces with the present administration. However Ugbo has remained cagey about his ambition as he said he would only make his intentions known when Mr President makes his known.

    Another player is the General Manger, Crude of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr Jeddy Agba from Obudu. The general feeling is that the establishment is not so comfortable with someone who would be coming in with such independent mindedness as he would. He is likely going to expect resistance. Though he has not personally declared his intentions, the build-up of support by various interest groups as the elections approach has been tremendous. Agba it is believed may have created some frost between Senate Leader Ndoma-Egba and Imoke, as Ndoma-Egba is said to be rooting for him.

    Mr Francis Bullem from Ogoja has declared has declared that he has all the qualities required to sustain the pace of development and the peace in Cross River State if elected a governor in 2015.

    A career banker with over 20 years’ experience, Bulem, is also the Chairman of the Board of Internal Revenue Service

    “I am eminently qualified to sustain what Governor Imoke is doing because where the state is now requires somebody with the mindset and capability to blend public and private sector experiences.

    “I am courageous, humble and have integrity, more so I have maintained a wonderful relationship with all segments of society and political players which puts me on the pedestal to win the support of majority of the people in my party and the state”.

    The governorship aspirant said he is not coming into the race because the position of governor in 2015 has been zoned to the north but because he can successfully pilot the affairs of the state.

    Another man to watch as the governorship elections approach is Mr Emmanuel Ibeshi from Obudu. He was the first elected National Publicity Secretary of the ruling PDP. His affable and upfront approach endeared him to the Press which celebrated him and his then Assistant, Mr Gbenga Olawepo as the “Young Turks”

    In 1992 he was elected into the Federal House of Representatives and emerged as the House Committee Chairman on Banking and Currency. He is said to have been part of the team alongside the three wisemen to position their thoughts for the way forward for Cross River State which gave birth to the vision the state as it is.

    Already groups are drumming support for him. According to one of them, “Imoke being the consummate politician he is and knowing the capacity of political and cerebral demands for today’s political landscape of Nigeria and his state would definitely have very little task to determine his successor going by the antecedents of Hon. Emmanuel Ibeshi bearing in mind the Dream of the original three wise men. What makes the original three wise men postulation most probable in spite of the ambiguous ensemble posturing to replace Sen. Imoke by 2015 is the fact that Ibeshi, Duke and Imoke have a shared passion for Cross River State though their methods may differ. They have similar educational exposure combining both Nigerian and American. They are all within the same age bracket, urbane, articulate, and bold with wide network of contacts in all sectors locally and abroad. They are in a hurry to elevate their citizenry to global standards, which they have been exposed.”

    Abuja based lawyer from Obanliku, Mr Tanko Ashang, has stepped out to declare his aspiration to take the top job in the state. According to him he wants to come to the “kitchen” of governance, where he can prepare the meals instead of remaining on the “dining table”.

    His words: “Governance is more like being in the kitchen. Those who are working with government now would understand the sometimes tough decision that come out from nowhere and you have to make them or destroy the whole administration. So I looked at myself and I am satisfied that I can stay in that kitchen and cook the food well and come out still smelling like a rose.”

    Also believed to be interested in the governorship ticket include Commissioner for Works, Mr. Legor Idagbor from Bekwarra, former Minister of Environment, Mr. John Odey from Yala, Speaker, Cross River State House of Assembly (CRHA), Mr. Larry Odey from Yala, member representing Obanliku/Obudu and Bekwarra, Mr. Frank Adah from Obanliku and former Commissioner for Environment Mr. Julius Oputu from Yala.

     

  • Group praises Senator

    A socio-cultural group, the Patani Political Solidarity Forum (PPSF), has passed a vote of confidence in Senator James Manager, representing Delta South Senatorial District.

    In a statement by the coordinator of the group Princewill Asiuwhu, the PPSF said it is impressed by the representation of Senator Manager and urged him to continue to provide leadership to the constituency.

    ” We are impressed with the representation given by Senator Manager, he has an enviable track record in transformational leadership here in Delta South. He has empowered many of our youths and through his representation, roads and other amenities have been provided for the constituents. We are using this opportunity to pass a vote of confidence in him,” Asiuwhu said.

    The group also urged other politicians to emulate Manager by using public office to better the lot of the citizens. ” We urge other politicians to emulate the good example of Manager by providing transformational leadership for the people. Public office holders are expected to use the wealth of the state for the people, we need people who can effectively manage the wealth of the people for the common good. This is what we need in the next political dispensation,” Asiuwhu said.