The Nation Newspaper

Category: Niger Delta

  • Wrestling festival unites Ikwerre, Emohua communities

    Wrestling festival unites Ikwerre, Emohua communities

    The yearly traditional inter-wrestling contest between the people of Obele and Omuawa communities in Emohua and Ikwerre local government areas of Rivers State has been an age-long practice. The traditional inter-community wrestling contest was a showcase for their rich culture and tradition. It also serves as a source of peace-building among the youth of both clans.

    The yearly wrestling contest, according to the elders of the Obele community, is one of the traditions of their ancestors through which the two communities are united. They said inter-wrestling festival is the only means of sustaining peace among the youth of both communities.

    The three-day festival starts on each day with exchange of pleasantries and presentation of gifts between both sides before the wrestling matches were held in the evening.  The brave wresters from each community would step out onto the wresting ground with their supporters chanting traditional wrestling songs in praise of their wrestlers’ strength and prowess.

    As the wrestling matches were going on, women of both communities also entertain and sing different wrestling songs to support the men. After sometime, they would go back to the kitchen to prepare meal for the evening wrestling contest.

    Speaking during the festival, one of the elders, Chief Nnadieze Bartholomew, said Obele community remained grateful to their ancestors who initiated the wrestling competition which, he said, has transformed into festival as the only peace agent between them and Omuawa community.

    He said they called it “peace agent” because “the yearly traditional inter-community wrestling contest has brought positive changes and re-orientation to the people about the tradition of the community.

    “I want to advise the youth to always remain peaceful with one another. This year, we hosted Omuawa community; by next year, they will be hosting us.”

    President of Obele youths, Comrade Chukwuemeka Woka, said: “This year’s wrestling festival was crucial more than any other festivals because it afforded youths of both communities the opportunity to sustain the existing peace among them in spite of the political crisis rocking the state.”

    Continuing, he said: “We thank God that the wrestling contest has, once again, brought us together to amend our differences.  This is so because if you look at what is happening in Rivers State, you will know that it is only in festival of this nature that youths can strongly unite. I am using this opportunity to thank those who contributed to the success of the festival.”

  • ‘Obasanjo’s letter should set tone for national dialogue’

    ‘Obasanjo’s letter should set tone for national dialogue’

    Bishop Emmah Isong is the chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria in Cross River State. In this interview with NICHOLAS KALU, he posits that former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s controversial letter to President Goodluck Jonathan should set the agenda for the proposed national dialogue. He also reacts to allegations against his person.

    Bishop, what are your thoughts of the former president’s letter to President Jonathan?

    I want to commend former President Olusegun Obasanjo for making Nigerians proud. I am sure he is being challenged by the legacy of Nelson Mandela to rise up to the occasion of an elder statesman which, to me, is already belated. I think that what an old man can sit down and see far, a young man, even if he climbs an iroko tree, cannot see it.

    It is a good letter. The facts as to whether the insinuations and submissions are perfectly correct are matters for the objectiveness and judgement of individuals and secondly whether President Goodluck Jonathan would accept the letter in good faith.

    If Obasanjo had lied or raised unnecessary alarm or accused the President falsely or tried to score a cheap political point or ride on the wings of propaganda to make a current impact, then Nigerians would judge for themselves.

    President Jonathan should respond well. He should prove to Nigerians that he loves this country and that the contents of the letter were simply imaginations and insinuations that do not portray his characteristics. After all, as a leader, there are many things that may go wrong and you won’t know. So, to me, it is a wonderful letter. All Nigerians should have full copies of the letter.

    But it has been argued that Obasanjo has no moral grounds to raise the issues he did?

    Whoever is saying that should also have written Obasanjo when he was the President of the country. We are talking of current issues. Nigerians have a way of answering question with question. We want matters exposed. We are talking about national dialogue. This should be the opening speech of the national dialogue. We are not looking at the credibility of who wrote the letter. We want the letter. Allegations are allegations. If Obasanjo was guilty of all the issues he raised, who wrote?

    So, you do not use questions to answer questions. Mr President could be innocent or guilty of the issues raised in the letter. But the justification for writing the letter is wonderful. I celebrate that letter.

    Obasanjo said he had tried to reach the President severally. It is at the level of frustration that he has to go public and, of course, he said that he is going public so that tomorrow if anything happens, they would not say he was here and something like this happened and you didn’t talk. We say we are practising democracy. Then why should somebody not write a letter. This is the thing about us Nigerians. People should feel free. Speak nonsense, speak good things. Look at the example of Nelson Mandela if you want to use him as a model of democracy in Africa. He allowed his enemies to speak and he listened to his critics. He forgave them, related with them and fellowshipped with them and today South Africa, I’m sorry to say, is on better pedestal in the eyes of the world than Nigeria.

    So, I think the essence of democracy is this kind of letter. It may not make meaning or it may be annoying, but that is democracy. The way the President would react to this letter would make it powerful or not powerful. But to sit down and say why you write, that is not a powerful defence.

    Does it mean if I am driving on the road and my tire is down and a mad man says “hey hey Bishop your tire is down,” you mean I should be stupid enough to say “you mad man, do you know I am a Bishop. I can even arrest you for calling my tire flat.”

    I need to stop and humble myself and fix my tire so that my life is safe and my journey faster. Mr President should thrash the issues. Mr President can use the letter to his advantage.

    Recently, there was an advertorial alleging that Governor Godswill Akpabio visited your church for prayers in relation to his 2015 Presidential ambition. It was also alleged that you prophesied that President Jonathan’s second term bid will fail. The same advertorial alleged that Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State also visited you because of his political fortunes. How true are these?

    I have access to Governor Akpabio anytime but there has been no secret visit. In fact, Akpabio has never visited my church. He is a governor of my home state. I am based in Cross River State. So, Liyel Imoke is the governor of the state where I am based and Akpabio is governor of the state where I come from. I have two governors actually. I have never seen Amaechi with my eyes. I have never had a hand shake with him. We have never discussed even on telephone. The person who said I told Amaechi anything is a drunk. I believe the people who put that in the daily are not real.

    As I said, Akpabio has never come to Calabar to visit me during the night or day time as alleged. But if we meet at functions, we greet and interact very well. Amaechi has not come here. Akpabio has not come here. So, I wonder where that is coming from.

     

     

     

     

     

  • NDDC: Edo oil communities, Oshiomhole, PDP at daggers drawn

    NDDC: Edo oil communities, Oshiomhole, PDP at daggers drawn

    Ikobi, Oben, Iguelaba and Obozogbe-nugu are four communities in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State sitting atop the largest gas reserve in West Africa. They also have over 95 operational oil wells.

    The abundant wealth of the communities has, however, not translated to better life for members of the communities. Gas produced from the communities are transported to other West African countries while the natives use firewood or stove for cooking.

    They are spoiling for war over what they termed years of neglect despite being the golden goose that laid the golden egg, even as they feed the country.

    A visit to the communities showed that there are no internal road networks within the communities except those leading to the oil wells and flow stations. The communities could only be accessed through Delta State as the other road from Benin-Asaba express road is in a poor state. Abandoned borehole and other projects littered the communities.

    Besides the alleged infrastructural neglect of the communities, the indigenous inhabitants have threatened to disrupt activities of oil companies in the locality over the appointment of Edo State representative into the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    Intrigues and politicking have stalled the appointment of an Edo State representative into NDDC Board. The communities are rooting for one of their sons, Courage Bende Enofe to be appointed against the nominations of Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Senator Ehigie Uzamere and leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    It was gathered that Senator Uzamere presented one Peter Enogieru, PDP leaders in the state forwarded names of Chris Nehikhare, Hon. Levis Aigbogun and Osahon Ahunwa while Governor Oshiomhole preferred the incumbent, Henry Okhuarobo because of his performances in the two years he had been a member of the commission.

    The communities in a protest march led by the traditional ruler of Oben, His Royal Highness (HRH) Odoligie Ogiemwonyi, warned of dire consequences if the Federal Government ignored their pleas.

    They took journalists to the flow stations and some oil wells operations of which they planned to stop.

    A youth leader from Oben, Francis Ogbeide said they decided to insist on their nomination when two years ago they discovered a clause in the NDDC Act which stipulated that the person to be nominated shall be a native of an oil-producing area.

    Francis said two previous nominees into the NDDC, Matthew Iduoriyekemwen and Okhuarobo were from Ikpoba-Okha while the nominee for the Edo State Oil and Gas-Producing Areas (EDSOGPADEC) hails from Ovia North East.

    He said: “We are protesting the position of NDDC commissioner. They have been taking people from non-oil producing areas whereas we are the oil-producing communities. We have been silent since 1972 because we don’t know. We didn’t know that there is a law that says the representative must be from oil-producing communities.

    “Orhionmwon has been left out in the appointment into NDDC. For the past eight years, it has been nominees from Ikpoba-Okha which are not core host communities in Edo State.”

    HRH Ogiemwonyi, who addressed his subjects after the protest, said no meaningful developments have taken place in the communities since 1972 when oil exploration began in the communities.

    He urged his subjects to compare Abuja, the country’s capital to the communities bearing the brunt of oil exploration.

    He said: “I am supporting my people because we have been cheated for so long. Whatever belonged to us must be enjoyed by us. We have not been appointed into NDDC. We have been waiting for the three tiers of government and they are doing nothing about it. They are imposing people on us. They don’t visit here. No government official has visited here. If we are the goose that feeds the country, we should be looked after.

    “We are not militants but they should not push us. We will not allow anybody to dribble us. We don’t want to disturb the oil company but if that is what they want, we will do it.

    “I am directing my grievances at President Jonathan. This is the time to act and they must listen to us. There is no oil in Abuja but look at what Abuja has become while we that lay the golden eggs are suffering.”

    In a letter written to President Goodluck Jonathan on behalf of the communities by their solicitors Monday Agienoji revealed that the communities have written to enjoin the President not to allow self-seeking individuals to hoodwink him into taking the wrong decision in the appointment of Edo State representative into the NDDC board.

    “Any attempt to sideline or edge out the candidate unanimously chosen by our clients will be stoutly resisted by our clients’ communities because they have suffered for so long.

    “If, peradventure our clients’ candidate is allowed to be edged out by ‘bad’ politics, the outcome will be very disastrous indeed as it will be tantamount to a declaration of war on our clients’ communities with the concomitant backlash on the operations of oil and gas companies on ground,” it added.

  • Thrills, painful recollections as Gbaramatu buries monarch

    Thrills, painful recollections as Gbaramatu buries monarch

    Oporoza, the traditional capital of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State was a beehive of activities during a weeklong mourning, festivity and ceremonies to mark the burial rites of His Royal Highness (HRM) Pere Godwin Bebenimibo, DSP (rtd), the Ogeh Gbaran III, of Pere Kingdom who passed on earlier this year.

    The monarch, also known as the Aketekpe Agadagba, was generally seen as instrumental to the restoration of peace and security to the oil-rich Ijaw Kingdom, and by extension, the Niger Delta region. It was therefore not surprising that top functionaries of the federal and Delta state governments besieged Oporoza to pay their last respect to the traditional ruler.

    Our reporter recalled that the monarch played important role during the amnesty period, particularly the acceptance of the offer by one of his subjects, Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo), the leader of the defunct Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND).

    Those indigenous to Gbaramatu, who spoke on his life and times, particularly his brief but eventful reign, told Niger Delta Report that the Aketekpe’s greatest achievement was restoration of peace to the troubled kingdom.

    Tompolo particularly noted that the monarch left an indelible mark, noting that he cannot be forgotten by those he left behind.

    The kingdom was a war front for several months in 2009 when the Joint Task Force (JTF) launched aerial and land assaults against militants in the area. The monarch went underground for several months and became a rallying point for his battered subjects. But he bounced back and led the search for a lasting peace, which culminated in the amnesty programme and commencement of efforts to rebuild the kingdom.

    His son, Prince Alfred Abdulazees Bebenimibo, in a moving homage, noted that although his father didn’t attend the best schools, his “versatility and ingenuity in the art of lawmaking and governance” guided them through life. Whatever he learnt, he wrote down and never forgot.”

    Leading the tributes to the late monarch, Governor of Delta State, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, who personally presented the staff of office to the monarch in April 2009, described him as a selfless leader whose “fatherly conduct and selflessness would be missed by all.”

    The late monarch’s home journey commenced on Monday, December 9 with condolence visits by traditional chiefs, community leaders and hundreds of his grieving subjects who besieged Oporoza to pay him their last respect. There were also burial rites, cultural activities and social wake during each day of the week-long event.

    In his remarks during the ceremony, the National Chairman, Host Communities (Oil and Gas) of Nigeria, Chief Alfred Bubor, who is also the Fiyewei of the kingdom, described the monarch’s death as a great loss, not just to the state but also to Nigeria.

    He said: “A generational star has relocated abode; the entire nation and Gbaramatu people will always remember with appreciation, the Aketekpe’s contributions to the unity and growth of the kingdom.”

    Chiefs Atafiri Ari (Toripuwei) and Dennis Otuaro (Ibe-Uyadonwei) said the monarch had transited to higher glory, remarking that his simplicity, commitment, dedication and benevolence were unparalleled. “Our king was a great encouragement and had a positive impact on all that came in contact with him.”

    For his part, the Tubainghanwei, Chief Clark Gbenewei (Claco) described the monarch as knowledgeable and intellectual personality. “His presence, wisdom and experience will be greatly missed.”

    However, Chief Thomas Ekpemupolo, who is the Tunterwei of the kingdom, said although the clan was taken aback by the transition of the monarch, “we are indeed inspired to celebrate his remarkable life and accomplishment. I am confident that we will find solace in the fact that our great king spent a fruitful life and was God-fearing.”

    Meanwhile, the seven-day ceremony, which coincided with the burial of former South African President and symbol of the anti-Apartheid struggle, Nelson Mandela, was a celebration of the life and times of the former police officer, who rose to the rank of a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP).

    Activities to mark his final passage rites included final homage by leaders of Oporoza, Okerenkoko, Kokodiagbene, Benikrukru, Kurutie and Azama among others. There were also traditional dances, Agular (stilt) masquerade and various traditional rites.

    The funeral rites were rounded off with an inter-denominational thanksgiving service at the Pere Palace Pavillion, Oporoza on Sunday, December 15. It was followed by a farewell party.

    Personalities that attended the event were the Presidential Adviser on Amnesty, Mr Kingsley Kuku; members of the Abalaere Indiyere Ogbo, Warri; pioneer chairman of the Delta State Oil-Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Chief Wellington Okirika, who is Bolowei (traditional prime minister) of Gbaramatu; members of the Delta State House of Assembly Committee on DESOPADEC and Ijaw representative on the commission’s board, Chief Kingsley Otuaro, Cheif Bosin Ebikeme, a former Commissioner for Agriculture and Hon. George Ekpemupolo, former Chairman, Warri South- West Local Government Area.

    Others were Dr Jonathan Ari, the Puwei (Chief Scribe) of the kingdom; chiefs Aaron Ifitimo, Dan Ekpebide, Anthony Ayebibode, Clery Ibojoh, Dakoni Vero Tangbowei; the Amakosuwei (oldest man) of Kokodiagbene, Elder Uroukirifagha Olukpa, his counterpart from Inikorogha, Elder Wilberforce Ukulor as well as their female counterpart (Amaokosuere) from Oporoza, Mama Foutuboere Ajolosemi and Chairman of the Burial Planning Committee, Chief Godspower Gbenekama.

    It was also attended by former President of the Ijaw Youth Council, Dr Chris Ekiyor, who is the interim chairman of Patani Local Government Area, Chief Jonathan Governor, Chairman JOGOF Nigeria Limited; chiefs Isaac Miebi, Jacob Odiki, Nelson Ogelegbanwei, Council Bubor, who is the Olotu of Ogulagha Kingdom; chiefs Julius and Philip Tonfawei, Matthew Ebifiyebebe as well as the Amadiwei (traditional heads) of Okerenkoko, Kokodiagbene, Azama and Oporoza communities, Dominic Ezeleba, Emmanuel Ekpetipu, Jeremiah Tebela and Francis Mala, respectively.

    Speaking with Niger Delta Report on the significance of the burial, Prince Paul Bebenimibo described Gbaramatu as a key clan in Ijaw nation because the people are direct descendants of Ijo, the ancestral father of Ijaw nation who migrated from northwest direction of Mali and Songhai empires.

     

  • Bayelsa sends 20 students to Lincoln varsity

    Bayelsa sends 20 students to Lincoln varsity

    It started like a joke but became serious when the Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Seriake Dickson, was appointed into the International Advisory Board of the famous Lincoln University in United States of America. In fact, many people dismissed it as a political stunt and accused the governor of junketing.

    Though Dickson signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the management of the ancient university, some “Thomases” still nursed doubts over the real motives behind the agreement. But it later became crystal clear that the governor’s mission to Lincoln was for the overall interest of the state

    All disbeliefs were cleared on Tuesday at the Banquet Hall, Yenagoa, the state capital. It was a gathering designed for the usual transparency briefing where the governor was expected to give rendition of the state’s receipts and expenditures.

    But when the governor mounted the podium, he unveiled a programme that added class to the human capital development of the state and threw the audience into excitement. He announced that 20 persons had been selected through a due process to go and study in Lincoln University under a special scholarship scheme. The beneficiaries were unveiled at the hall and were given their admission letters.

    For the purpose of consummating the programme, the President of the university, Prof. Robert Jennings and two other professors from the institution were present at the event.

    Dickson underscored his seriousness for the programme by presenting a cheque of $1million (N150million) to Jenkins and said the funds should be managed in conjunction with the Bayelsa State Scholarship Board.

    He said the funds should be utilized prudently and should be used to offset all expenses of the students. He reiterated that the money would be managed in an established fund to be operated by the university and the scholarship board. He added that the government would deposit money into the scholarship fund every year.

    He said: “Understanding that the economy of the future is going to be a knowledge economy, government is investing heavily building human capacity and investing in education.

    “In less than two years, we have given several PhD scholars over 140 scholarships to study at the length and breadth of this world. You are now part of others undergoing masters degree courses across the world”.

    He said the government had redefined its undergraduate scholarship programme to have a direct dealing with the universities and to solve the problems of scarcity of funds. The governor was particularly happy that the female beneficiaries (11) outnumbered their male counterparts (nine)

    Dickson said that political appointees and their family members were debarred from participating in the scholarship programme. He said the directive was to ensure that the scheme was not hijacked. He, however, said the programme would be redesigned in future to accommodate them.

    “We are going to redefine our undergraduate scholarship programmes beginning with Lincoln. We are not going to send students to several universities in the same year. We want to select universities and then have partnership with them directly.

    “That is why we have started with this and next year we are going to send another set of students to Lincoln. I have directed the scholarship board to also look for another university in the United Kingdom build this kind of relationship. We want to deal directly with the universities and deposit funds for our students”.

    He recalled that the Lincoln University had trained outstanding African leaders such as the late Nnamdi Azikiwe and the Kwameh Nkrumah of Ghanah. He urged the management of the universities to turn the students into the Nkrumahs and Azikiwes of the modern time.

    Addressing the students, he said: “We don’t want to hear that you have run short of money or that remittances do not come your way. I congratulate you all, and your parents.

    “Know that you are going as ambassadors of your family, as ambassadors of our country and as ambassadors of our great state. We expect you to utilise opportunities available in that school and in that country to improve yourselves.

    “We don’t want to hear that you are involved in things that are not wholesome. We are honorable and hard working people and we want you all to reflect these virtues in what you do.

    “Go and become champions of the courses you are pursuing. When you finish your courses don’t forget your home. What we are doing is to build a foundation. The future belongs to you all.”

    In fact, Jennings who could not hide his excitement, described Bayelsa State as his home and fondly called Dickson his friend and brother. He said the partnership was one of its kind and poured encomiums on the governor.

    He said: “Your governor is rare. This man (Dickson) is a precious gems among gems. We have partnership in Equatorial Guinea and other countries in Africa but we have never seen a governor in any of those states who showed this uncommon zeal in education.

    “It is rare for a governor to set aside this kind of money for education. We are expecting the students at their other home. We will open our hands to receive you. We are making plans to receive then because we are excited.”

    Explaining the process that led to the selection of the beneficiaries, the Chairman of the state’s Scholarship Board, Mr. Foster Ogola, said 10,000 applications were sent out by the board. He said 5,763 students applied for only 16 slots initially earmarked for the scholarships.

    He said to fill the slots, the board conducted examinations for all the applicants at the Samson Siasia Stadium Yenagoa. He explained that the governor later increased the slots to 20.

    “It was a transparent process”, he said adding that the beneficiaries would leave for America in January 2, 2014.

    One of the beneficiaries, Constance Ebeifa, who spoke on behalf of the students promised to be of good behaviour. “We promise to come back in flying colours. We won’t disappoint the state because it is a privilege to study in one of the highest institutions in the world”, she said.

    The highpoint of the programme was the conferment of honorary citizenship on Jennings by the governor. Dickson said henceforth Jennings should be identified as an Ijaw man and renamed him Funtumowei meaning “he who teaches and promotes education”.

  • ‘E.K. Clark, Asari, Ijaw are Jonathan’s problems’

    ‘E.K. Clark, Asari, Ijaw are Jonathan’s problems’

    Comrade John Adie, the leader of the defunct Southsouth Liberation, was one of the key players in the Niger Delta militancy. He was once alleged to be training over 20,000 youths preparatory to the region’s cessation. In this interview with SHOLA O’NEIL, Adie, who is President, Foundation for Integration in Nigeria (FIN), speaks on some issues, including Obasanjo’s letter to President Jonathan.

    What is your reaction to Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s letter to President GoodluckJonathan?

     

    It is very unfortunate that this country is being destroyed by a gang of generals- Olusegun Obasanjo, Ibrahim Babangida, Theophilus Danjuma and others. Nigerians must not forget that the same set of people killed Aguiyi Ironsi in 1966. Unfortunately, they are the same people who decide the fate of this country. They, especially Babangida took over government at a time as military Head of State; ruled, stepped aside and at one time decided to bring in Obasanjo who is in their clique to rule this country.

    Obasanjo committed a lot of atrocities and the defunct South-South Liberation Movement took him on; we wanted him out of power. It was because of Obasanjo that SSLM wanted this country divided in the early 2000s. But sadly, we couldn’t achieve that aim. It was he and his clique that also brought Jonathan. So, Nigerians should not expect anything good from President Jonathan because he is a product of Obasanjo.

    Be that as it may, Obasanjo was right to write to Mr. President. We urge the President not to listen to those saying otherwise. He should work on that letter, change his style of governance and move the country forward.

    What do you think the President should do?

    We want to urge some of those people in the corridors of power, who are advising Mr. President wrongly; particularly the Ijaw, people of the Niger Delta and their leaders to watch their utterances and allow the man to work.

    This is the first time we are having somebody from Niger Delta or somebody from the South-South as President. It is unfortunate that we are not doing anything better than all those who have occupied that position in the past.

    You can imagine that the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has come out openly to raise an alarm that about $49.8billion is missing from the account of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). It is unfortunate. As I am talking to you, the Federal Government cannot fund the Subsidy Re-investment Programme (SURE-P). We also heard that about N500 billion is missing from the SURE-P account. What is happening? What kind of country are we in? If you go to Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), there is no money to send people abroad for training because they say there is no money. If you go to the Nigeria Police Headquarters, there are contractors who did jobs for about six or seven years ago who have not been paid because there is no money. Surprisingly, Jonathan is not doing anything about it.

    Very few persons will share this view.

    Yes, but most of the people pushing the President around are not his friends. They are giving the impression that they like him; but they are doing him a lot of disservice. I do not want to mention names but the fact is there for everybody to see.

    These people, with their utterances and actions, are making enemies for the President. Some of these people are people I consider my mentors, fathers and very close people to me.

    Chief Edwin Clark, for instance, is pushing the President too far. He should tell the President the truth and advise him properly so that we would be proud of him when he leaves office.

    Also, Asari Dokubo has been talking too much and getting himself and the President into trouble. He should be called to order because he and others like him are making the President seem like an ethnocentric leader who is only for his kinsmen.

    Again, I have said it before that Jonathan is a product of Obasanjo, Danjuma and Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB). We should not expect anything different from him. My advice for him is that he should please leave the scene for a neutral person and let us see how they will lead the country.

    The ring of Obasanjos, Babangidas, Danjumas and others should leave this country alone.

    Again, you can see that people who have been indicted and their properties confiscated are still the same set of people who are in the corridors of power. How do you expect development from this class of people? Their greed is tearing Nigeria apart.

    If I get you right, you are suggesting Mr. President should not stand for re-election?

    That is exactly what I am saying. I am saying this not because I hate him. I want him to save whatever is left of his name, character and integrity.

    Let’s not get sentimental about this whole issue of Mr. President. We are talking about doing a thorough job that would make people of the Niger Delta proud. With what is on ground, Jonathan has not really made us proud as the President of this country.

    I am not a sycophant. I will tell it as it is and that is the problem. Jonathan is failing because those close to him are not telling him the truth. Within this short period, if he changes his attitude and style, he might still regain the confidence of the people and be the best candidate in 2015. But if he continues like this, he has no business in Aso Rock. That is the truth.

    As one of the agitators who fought to project the feelings of people of the Niger Delta and eventual emergence of a Niger Delta President, how do you feel with the way things are?

    In SSLM, we fought and we insisted that we should get the Presidency in 2007. These same people went and negotiated for the Vice-Presidency and luckily they got the President. But today, we have not seen anything to show for it. So, some of us are really unhappy. We did not key into the amnesty programme because we believe that it is a fraud. Look at those who keyed in; what have they brought to the Niger Delta? There is practically nothing. There is no development. Everything is at a standstill.

    You said you did not key into the amnesty programme, why and how do you rate the programme so far?

    No money or effort is too much to put into the development of the Niger Delta. It is the management of the programme that is the problem. There are so many people that should have been captured in the programme who are not there. I once told newsmen that the Ijaw hijacked the amnesty programme and I stand to be corrected. It is being executed as if the Niger Delta is all about the Ijaw and they were alone in the struggle. I and my commanders lost so many things like human resources in the struggle. But look at us today. We are not empowered. They brought in the surveillance contract; it was only for the Ijaw. The Isoko, Urhobo and other tribes who were part of the struggle never benefited from it.

    What is your view on the purported ambition of Rivers State Governor Chibuike Amaechi and its effect on the state and the region?

    Mr. President has gone too far in the Rivers State crisis and his ‘fight’ with Amaechi. The governor is one of the 36 state governors that the President can call at anytime and sort out things with. It is very wrong for the President’s wife to start asserting herself and fighting the governor of a state. It is very wrong and condemnable.

    The President is playing a dangerous gamble. We have forgotten so soon that Rivers State is one of the easiest to infiltrate in the region. It has happened many years ago. I think Governor Amaechi is being led by God in what he is doing.

    You can imagine what he is doing about agriculture in the state. He opened up farms and the Minister of State for Education (Nyesom Wike) as he was then, said bananas were for monkeys and what the man was doing was rubbish. Can you imagine that! The Presidency and its men should allow this man to work or they should settle with him.

    What is your assessment of public office holders from the region?

    The Minister of the Niger Delta Affairs Elder Godsday Orubebe is the biggest failure. He has not done anything to better the lot of the Niger Delta. It is our struggle that made Orubebe minister. When they refused to confirm him, we mobilised, went to Abuja and even asked Yar’Adua to resign because of Orubebe. But what has he done for the people of the Niger Delta? What landmark project is he going to leave behind as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs?

    Now the President faces a lot of challenges. Apart from Boko Haram in the North, there are fears that the Niger Delta is a time bomb that could explode at any time. What is your suggestion on tackling the challenges?

    Boko Haram is on a revenge mission. Shehu Sani took Obasanjo to the uncle of a Boko Haram fighter who was killed and the following week the man was killed. He went to see the late Gen. Azazi, he was kept waiting for three hours. When Azazi finally saw him, he said service chiefs said the people would soon run out of ammunition and they would overrun them (Boko Haram). Till today, have they done that?  Al Qaida has hijacked Boko Haram and you know what that means. Unless this scourge is handled with care, it will cause more problems for this country.

    In the Niger Delta situation, there is no genuine peace because if you empower half of those who fought and give them amnesty and left the other half, it will only be a matter of time before the aggrieved people rise again to fight. The SSLM never got anything. Third phase never got anything. So, what are we talking about? There is no peace. We are sitting on a keg of gun power in Niger Delta.

    Is the problem just about the empowerment of former freedom fighters…?

    No! The issues that led to the agitations in the first instance have not been addressed. They are only treating the symptoms and not the illness. That is why we in the SSLM then refused to key into the amnesty because we believed that the Federal Government was not sincere when they said they would develop the region. You can see what has happened since then. Nothing has happened; no development. The only federal presence that was to come was the East-West Road and till today Orubebe has not completed it. I can tell you that man will not complete the project until he leaves.

    What is the way out?

    It is very simple. Develop the Niger Delta; open up roads. Empower the people of Niger Delta and develop the communities that produce the oil. You can imagine Shell is building offices everywhere in offshore so that they can fly in from Lagos, take their oil and go. Why not come into the town and develop the people. The problem has not started. You will see what will happen after 2015. There will be problem in this country.

    I want to advise President Jonathan to change his style of leadership. He should stop listening to sycophants who only tell him what he wants to hear and develop the country. He should use the carrot and stick measure with Boko Hara.

    Do you think the prediction of disintegration of Nigeria could come to pass?

    Don’t be deceived; Nigeria will never break up. We have passed that stage when the country will break up. I was in the forefront of the fight to divide this country. We went to some leaders in the Niger Delta and sampled their views. Most of them would never want to be part of this Niger Delta as envisaged. The Itsekiri for one, would never want to be in Niger Delta with the Ijaw; same as the Bini. One of the ethnic leaders pointedly told me he would not. We went to Akwa Ibom State and they have the same feelings. In Rivers State, the Ikwerre will not work with the Ijaw.

     

  • Shell denies burying crude oil in Delta community

    The Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) says it has completely restored the scene of a crude oil burial site in Odimodi, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.

    The company was reacting to Niger Delta Report’s story on the ‘Crude Oil Grave’ published in the Friday, December 6, edition, in which the people of Boutubo community in Odimodi accused the company of trying to obliterate evidence of crude oil spill by burying it.

    Responding to our inquiry on the report, SPDC’s spokesperson, Joseph Obari said available records show that SPDC received report of an oil spill on September 15, 2011.

    He said: “A Joint Investigation Team made up of industry regulators, SPDC and the community visited the site on October 24, 2011 and established that the oil that was reported as a spill was from a pit in which unknown persons buried crude oil in the past at Odimodi.”

    He said in keeping with SPDC’s environmental policy to clean up every spill no matter the cause, proper clean up and remediation of the site was concluded on March 22, 2012.

    “This was attested to by a community leader. The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and Delta State Ministry of Environment certified the restoration of the site on May 3, 2012,” he added.

    Obari also debunked allegations by the community leaders, who accused SPDC of trying to avoid compensation payment for the spill. He said since the incident was caused by an external inference with its facility, Shell does not pay compensation.

    The SPDC spokesperson clarified that “This type of pollution does not attract compensation, since it was caused by a third party.”

    He said, “It is not true that the resurging oil reported at the site was buried at the instance of SPDC. The JIV report signed off by all parties confirmed that it was the act of unknown persons.

    “Remediation is the restoration of the contaminated site to as close as possible to its natural state. It is preceded by the recovery of oil and cleanup of the environment,” stated.

    Nevertheless, our independent investigation revealed that the controversy may be far from over as the ‘impacted community’ is unrelenting in its quest to have the lead agency in crude oil spill (NOSDRA) reopen the matter.

    The community leaders, in one of several petitions to NOSDRA wanted to ascertain if the company acted above board.

    Its solicitor, Larry Ovwromoh and Association, wants NOSDRA to verify if the contractor employed Shell to clean up the impacted area is qualified and competent as specified in the NOSDRA act.

     

  • Shell: GMoU key to Niger Delta communities’ development

    Anglo Dutch oil giant, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) has described the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) as the key to the transformation of the Niger Delta region.

    The company’s assertion followed the impressive results recorded in GMoUs signed with communities in Rivers and Bayelsa states of the region.

    The Managing Director of SPDC, Mr Mutiu Sunmonu, stated this in Port Harcourt during this year’s Community Transformation and Development Awards Ceremony and launching of the SPDC Community Transformation and Development Index (SCOTDI).

    Sunmonu, who was represented by the General Manager, Sustainable Development and Community Relations, Mr Nedo Osayame, said of all the frameworks they have used to open doors and transform peoples’ lives in the Niger Delta region, the GMoU really stands out.

    With the theme titled “Opening Doors, Changing Lives”, Sunmonu said that “the award means that the concept of GMoU is being embedded at the grassroots, with communities owning their development thereby enhancing continuity and sustenance.”

    The SPDC boss also explained that the award was organised to assess and reward GMoU clusters based on their performance as determined by a group of independent assessors and validators using the SCOTDI.

    The index was based on five key criteria which are: transparency; accountability; inclusiveness and participation; governance and democracy; business climate and progress towards sustainability.

    At the end of the assessment of 19 cluster communities spread across Rivers and Bayelsa states, three groups emerged winners and they are Okodie Cluster with nine communities in Bayelsa state which won the third position with a cash price of N5million and one scholarship slot which would run for six years thus amounting to N12 million.

    The second position went to Ikwerre Cluster in Rivers state with 12 communities which won a silver plaque, certificate and N10m cash with two slots of scholarship for university education which amounts to N24m.

    The first position went to Nembe City Development Foundation with 10 communities which won a cash price of N20m with six slots of scholarship amounting to N36 million, a gold plaque and a certificate.

    However, the Chairman of the occasion, Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte (rtd) lauded SPDC for engaging community people in development.

    Karibi-Whyte said that the day was meant to “demonstrate what SPDC has done for the locals and how they can sustain it,” and he urged the communities to show good faith in the GMoU.

     

  • CARNIRIV: Children advocate environment preservation

    CARNIRIV: Children advocate environment preservation

    This year’s edition of the Rivers State-owned international carnival, CARNIRIV, kicked off on Sunday with the Kids’ Carnival. During the event, the children advocated a culture of environment preservation to engender sustainable national growth.

    Hundreds of school children who converged on Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt, which also doubles as the Carnival Village, were spectacular in their enthralling and creative costumes that encapsulated the essence of the first carnival in Nigeria.

    More importantly, their beautiful and creative carnival costumes reflected the theme for this year’s CARNIRIV dubbed the ‘Green World Edition.’

    The kids, in their renditions and messages, emphasised responsible environmental culture by all and sundry to stem the current global warming, even as they called on all stakeholders to show more concern by doing everything possible to curtail activities which could impact negatively on the environment.

    The theme of the seven-day carnival which started on Sunday December 15 to end on December 21, is, ‘Our environment, bedrock for sustainable development.

    Apart from the matched dance steps, well-choreographed body swings and acrobatic display, their messages of environmental responsibility were very strong and captured in very emotional phrases some of which included ‘‘say no to marine debris,’’ ‘‘give a hoot, don’t pollute,’’ ‘‘say no to plastic, say no to trash,’’ and ‘‘trash is dangerous, dispose your waste properly.’’

    Some of the pupils were also members of Clean Coast Nigeria, a volunteer group that advocates clean and green environment and responsible environmental behaviour.

    Speaking on their excitement and involvement in the events, Miss Elizabeth Ucheawaji and Master Chigozie Obikwere, both pupils of Government Secondary School, Elekahia Port Harcourt, said the message of environmental sustainability could not be over-emphasised because ‘‘our environment is our heritage.”

    ‘‘CARNIRIV is a very big event for us in Rivers State, and I love what is going on here this year. The environment is crucial for our survival. We must take care of our environment,’ Ucheawaji said.

    On his part, Ucheawaji declared: ‘‘I am happy to be part of the contingent and also to speak on the issue of our environment. Without a sustainable environment, no human being, plant or animal can survive. This is why we must be responsible the way we handle our environment.’’

    The Director-General, Rivers State Tourism Development Agency (RSTDA) Dr. Sam Dede, commended the excellent display of the rich culture of the Rivers people by the children, stressing that the intent of giving children a special place at CARNIRIV was to bring out the creativity and potential in them.

    He said the Kids’ Carnival spoke to the fun, refreshment, leisure and unrestrained entertainment befitting of an ice-breaker event in anticipation of the grand opening of the carnival.

    “The show of colour, glamour, style and class which CARNIRIV is renowned for, has been brought to bear through these children today. But it was just the beginning. We assure everyone coming to attend this year’s carnival of the best experience of our colourful and captivating parade. No doubt, every moment of the Green World Edition of CARNIRIV is a moment no one will forget in a hurry,” Dede said.

    The coordinating choreographer, Mr. Dan Walter, alluded to the brilliant performance by the children, which he attributed to rigorous rehearsals, endurance and sacrifice on the part of the children.

    He said: ‘‘we went to their schools and we did audition for them. We had series of rehearsals; we took them through the various aspects of dance and body movements. We wrote the script and thought them everything along the line of the CARNIRIV theme.’’

     

     

     

     

  • Society honours Akpabio’s wife

    Society honours Akpabio’s wife

    The National Executive Council of the National Council for Women Societies (NCWS) has decorated the wife of the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mrs. Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, as a patron of the Council.

    National President of the NCWS, Mrs. Nkechi Mba, said the honour was in recognition of Mrs. Akpabio’s consistent support for the NCWS and her achievements for women in the state.

    The national leadership of the NCWS was in the state to conduct the State Congress and Elections of the Akwa Ibom State Chapter of the Council held at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Uyo.

    The election finally brought to an end the crisis that had been rocking the NCWS in the state recently.

    Commenting on the conduct of the elections, Mrs. Mba lauded the state chapter of the NCWS for conducting a free, fair and well-organised election, which according to her, would be a model for other states.

    Responding, Mrs. Akpabio thanked the national EXCO of the NCWS for the honour done her.

    She also urged women leaders in the state to use their leadership roles as a platform for living the change they want to see in the society.

    The governor’s wife congratulated the incoming members of the executive led by the new state President, Mrs. Menyene George Nkwo on their success at the polls and also commended the outgoing President, Obonganwan Geraldine Etuk and her team “for their excellent service to the women of Akwa Ibom State.”

    Etuk had thanked the women of Akwa Ibom State for the opportunity to serve them and prayed God to guide her successor in her endeavours to take the Council forward.

    The new state President, Mrs. Menyene George Nkwo promised her unfailing commitment to the empowerment of women, adding that “the Council will continue to complement the wife of our governor in her efforts to empower our women, socially, economically and politically”.