The Nation Newspaper

Category: Niger Delta

  • Edo 2024: Iyere withdraws from guber race

    Edo 2024: Iyere withdraws from guber race

    Comrade Kennedy Iyere has officially withdrawn from the Edo gubernatorial elections scheduled to hold tomorrow.

    The renowned entrepreneur who was the governorship candidate of Accord Party said his withdrawal from the race was prompted by the existing necessity to serve Nigeria at a higher level.

    Over the past few months, Iyere had  launched and presented to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu a multi-billion dollar food intervention programme, known as “Food4All Initiative”, a strategic food security intervention, designed to help Nigeria to achieve food security and also provide opportunity for the mass employment and economic engagement of youths and women through the “One-Family-One-Farmer Scheme,” anchored by FUND-YES Cooperative, an arm of Youths Off The Street Initiative (YOTSI) in collaboration with Multi-Life Savers For The Less-Privileged People.

    Read Also: Edo 2024: NSCDC boss orders deployment of 6,433 personnel for peaceful election

    Justifying his withdrawal from the race, Iyere in a statement which reads in part said, “My focus is no longer on the governorship seat but on a higher and bigger portfolio than a governor. I want to serve Nigerians at large and not just Edo indigenes. I want to help rebuild Nigeria’s lost economic greatness. I am a man of sophisticated  international contacts, connections and influence, as a high-profile philanthropreneur, grant facilitator and humanitarian activist. Therefore, serving as a governor will actually place limitations on me. I am presently hugely contributing my efforts towards national development.

    “I am assisting the federal government to devise a road map for the economic inclusion, engagement, self-emancipation and deradicalisation of youths by designing and driving social intervention programmes that aim to mitigate unemployment and enhance youth and women entrepreneurial opportunities for mass self-employment, wealth creation and poverty alleviation.

    “These programmes are all sure to fully kick-start in the month of October 2024 and Nigeria will be placed yet again on the pathway of rapid economic recovery. Our intervention programmes will enhance opportunities for youth entrepreneurship engagement in multiple sectors, especially   agriculture, food and beverage, technology, entertainment, innovation and creativity.

    “More than six million youth and women entrepreneurs (as MSME owners and operators) shall be created or produced  within the first one year of the official kick-off of this entrepreneurship programme. Nigerian youths and women lack access to the  business capital required as entrepreneurs to either start up a new business or operate an existing business. This programme will squarely address that essential need,” Iyere stressed.

    Iyere further enjoined all eligible voters in Edo state to shun violence and vote their conscience.

  • EFCC has ulterior motive on Yahaya Bello, CD alleges

    EFCC has ulterior motive on Yahaya Bello, CD alleges

    The Campaign for Democracy has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately relieve the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, of his job, accusing him of lacking capacity to hold such office.

    CD, a frontline Civil Society Organisation, said it was unimaginable that the former Governor, who the same EFCC had placed on watchlist, who the Commission enlisted security agencies in Nigeria and Interpol to help fish out, walked into the EFCC premises, waited for about three hours without any arrest or interrogation.

    “Instead, they told him to go, that they would get back to him only to issue a laughable statement that he was still a wanted man,” the President, Campaign for Democracy, Comrade Ifeanyi Odili, said in a statement on Thursday.

    Read Also: FG takes delivery of NLG-converted NRC locomotive

    According to him, EFCC’s excuse that they couldn’t arrest him because a sitting Governor accompanied him to their office is the main reason Olukoyede should be asked to go.

    “Many people had castigated this man for long even though many others believed the case was mainly that of persecution. In all of this, CD did not dabble into the matter. Now that the matter has taken a dramatic turn, one that touches on democratic principles and affects the country’s image, it is pertinent for well meaning Nigerians to lend their voice.

    “Associates of the former governor had been raising the alarm that his life is at risk. With the events of yesterday (Wednesday 18th September, 2024), any right thinking person would conclude that his life must be truly at risk.

    “You said you couldn’t arrest him or interrogate him in your office because his governor was there, yet you went, at night, to the official residence of the same governor in Abuja to start firing gunshots as if Nigeria is a lawless society. This is unacceptable,” he stated.

    The Campaign for Democracy said, in saner climes, the EFCC boss would have been fired the next morning.

    “The man, Yahaya Bello, has fulfilled all righteousness. With the turn of events that culminated in a show of shame last night, it appears the EFCC has an ulterior motive definitely different from the fight against corruption,” the CSO submitted.

  • Edo 2024: Group rejects Peter Obi’s candidate

    Edo 2024: Group rejects Peter Obi’s candidate

    Ahead of the Saturday, September 21, gubernatorial election in Edo state, a group, Obidients United For Equity, Justice, and Fairness, has accused the former presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, of neglecting the principle he once upheld.

    Blessing Edobor, the group’s leader, questioned Obi’s decision to endorse Olumide Akpata, a cousin of Governor Godwin Obaseki and a native of the same region as Obaseki, despite the calls from Edo People for greater justice and equity.

    In a statement, Edobor highlighted the global and democratic demands for competency, commitment, and balance in politics, emphasising that these principles should guide political decisions.

    She referenced recent U.S. political appointments, suggesting that similar principles of regional and religious balance should apply in Nigeria.

    Edobor criticised Obi for what she perceives as a lack of consistency, pointing out that during Obi’s 2022/2023 presidential campaign, he demonstrated a commitment to regional and religious balance by appointing representatives from diverse backgrounds.

    However, she argued that this commitment seems to have been abandoned in the current Edo State situation.

    The group’s statement further criticised Obi for prioritising partisanship over the principles of justice and equity.

    It questioned why Obi, who previously received endorsements from various regional and ethnic groups for his stance on fairness, now appears to disregard similar calls in Edo State.

    Edobor urged Obi to reconsider his position and align with the calls from the Edo People for justice, equity, and fairness, rather than allowing partisanship to dictate his actions.

    Read Also: Peter Obi, wife not arrested by DSS, says aide

    The statement read: “All over the world politics comes with certain incontrovertible demands and such demands are more strident in democracies. There are calls/demands for competency, capacity, commitment to the common good, credibility, and character, and there are those of Justice, Equity, Fairness, and Inclusiveness. Even in the recent choice of Tim Walz as vice presidential candidate to Kamala Harris over Josh Shapiro, the fact that Kamala Harris is married to a Jewish American and that Josh Shapiro the Governor of Pennsylvania is Jewish was a deciding factor.”

    “In Peter Obi’s 2022/2023 Presidential Campaign Council, there was the reflection of balance on account of Religion and Region. Even the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria acknowledges the Federal Character normative. For the reflection of justice, equity, fairness, and inclusiveness in his campaign council, Peter Obi chose someone from the southwest as campaign DG, Doyin Okupe, even when he became muddled in some ex-convict controversy and excused himself, Peter Obi did not elevate Eseloke Obaze the Deputy DG to DG but still insisted on another Yoruba man, Dr Akin Oshotokun as his replacement. But for partisanship such deep values that work for balance mean nothing anymore to Peter Gregory Obi. What more defines hypocrisy?”

    “When Peter Obi wanted to appoint a lead spokesperson for his campaign, he had better orators and proficient speakers in Kenneth Okonkwo and Dele Farotinmi, but he chose Dr. Yunusa Tanko because he wanted a reflection of Religion and Region, he wanted a sense of balance and inclusion. What he considered right for his campaign, he doesn’t consider right for Edo State. What more defines insincerity?”

    “Peter Obi’s candidacy was endorsed by the South-South Forum PANDEF, it was endorsed by Afenifere, it was endorsed by The Middle Belt Forum, and by Ohanaeze all on the call for Justice, Equity, Fairness, and Inclusion. Peter Obi cannot deny that. Why does he not think that Edo Central deserves Equity, Justice, and Fairness? Why does Partisanship, or selfish ambition blind him to the call of the Edo people for justice, equity, and fairness?

    “Citizen Peter Obi has shown wanton hypocrisy and insincerity in his choice of Partisanship over Justice, Equity and Fairness in Edo State. He has thrown under the bus the values that stand him out, however, the Edo voters will reject him and his candidate because Edo prides in justice, equity, and fairness.”

    “Come September 21, 2024, go and vote for the ticket that guarantees prosperity for all. Vote for Asue Ighodalo and Osarodion Ogie, it is the most Competent Ticket, and it is the Ticket of Justice, Equity, Fairness, and Inclusion.”

  • Dafinone hails sister’s appointment to NIRSAL Board

    Dafinone hails sister’s appointment to NIRSAL Board

    Senator Ede Dafinone (Delta Central)has congratulated his sister, Dr. Daphne Dafinone on her appointment as a Board Member of the Nigerian Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL), PLC.

    Two weeks ago, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) dissolved the previous board and executive directors of NIRSAL and announced the appointment of new board members.

    In a statement, Senator Dafinone described Dr. Daphne Dafinone as a highly experienced and thorough auditor with extensive expertise in corporate governance. 

    He noted that she brings over 30 years of experience in areas such as due diligence, corporate restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, reverse takeovers, debt restructuring schemes, fundraising, valuation exercises, feasibility reviews, and infrastructure project valuation to her new role in the NIRSAL Board.

    Dr. Dafinone is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria(I CAN). She earned her PhD in Internal Audit & Corporate Governance from City University, London, in 2001.

    Dr. Dafinone serves as Chief Operating Officer of Crowe Dafinone. She joined the firm in 1990 after working with KPMG Peat Marwick McLintock Chartered Accountants in the United Kingdom, gaining vast professional experience.

    Read Also: Dafinone urges Urbobos to unite, shun party differences

    Dafinone added: “On behalf of the Dafinone family and the people of Delta Central, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Daphne Dafinone on her well-deserved appointment as a Board Member of NIRSAL. Your appointment is a testament to your years of dedication and diligence in corporate governance, audit, and consulting roles.

    “We are confident that your over 30 years of experience as an auditor will be instrumental in helping NIRSAL achieve its core mandate of de-risking agricultural lending.”

    The Senator also congratulated other key members of the new NIRSAL leadership, including Chairman Muhammad Abdullahi, Managing Director and CEO Babajide Arowosafe, and board members Mallam Ado Wanka, Hamidu Sa’ad, Bankole Allibay, and Shehu Balarabe. He encouraged them to steer NIRSAL towards achieving its organizational goals.

  • We are a voluntary social group with no violent links, says NBM of Africa

    We are a voluntary social group with no violent links, says NBM of Africa

    The leadership of the Neo Black Movement of Africa (NBM), a Pan-African Group, has reiterated its membership is open to the public and operates under a constitution that is accessible to everyone.

    It dissociated itself from from Black-Axe Confraternity.

    Making clarification on the vision and mission of NBM of Africa, while addressing newsmen in Warri at the weekend, its President, Olorogun Ese Kakor, noted that the organisation believes strongly in giving back to the society by embarking on so many humanitarian gestures aimed at alleviating burden of the people.

    He cited examples with donations to the Internal displaced persons of Okuoma community in Ughelli South Council area of Delta State, recently invaded by soldiers, donations to flood victims in their various camps during the devastating flooding experienced recently, provision of Pro bono services to those that can’t afford legal services and boreholes constructed as part of the efforts to provide portable water for communities.

    According to him: “In addition to these, we have also conducted series of the free medical services, especially eye test and treatment in some communities that are in need of it, as well as offered scholarships to some indigent students we have identified to ensure that they are not constrained by funding.

    “And it would interest you to know that we are rendering all these humanitarian projects from the monthly dues, contributions and levies paid by our members within and outside the country and we are prepared to tender our bank statement for scrutiny whenever the security agencies demands it.

    “We also want to make it clear that some of our activities like meetings, elections, seminars and conferences were being monitored by security agencies, especially the police and DSS so that they can report their findings and we have never denied them access to coverage of our events to prove that we do not have any sinister agenda.

    “Even the election that brought me into office in 2021 & 2023, held at Asaba, Delta state capital, was conducted under the supervision of Department of state security service (DSS) and the police.

    “And they had to forward their reports to their various Commands for processing and documentation. So you can see that our doors are open to everyone who desires to know anything about us and what we stand for as a body”.

    While noting that the only aspect where some persons were getting confused about their organisation and the Black Axe Confraternity was the use of the Axe in their logo, stating that the Axe they displayed in the Logo depicts ideals of their founding fathers as captured on the first page of their constitution.

    “Just like farmers engages the Axe to cut down trees and dismantle hard rocks on their farms, we also believe in engaging the Axe to fight corruption, crimes, oppression and intimidation in the society”, stating that it does not have any link or tie with the Axe associated with the Black-Axe Confraternity and that the organization’s logo does not in anyway infer violence or any form of lawlessness.

    He added: “We will not allow anyone to tell our stories for us, we will tell our stories ourselves. NBM of Africa should not be held responsible for plagiarism and imitation done by other groups.
    We welcome investigations of the security agencies into our affairs.

    “Our books are open for audit and review. Our finances are gotten through contributions and levies mutually agreed by members”.

    “The fact that a member of NBM of Africa violates the law does not make all members law breakers. The fact that a member of NBM is a deviant does not make all members deviants.

    “There are reported cases of Nigerian policemen, the FBI, the metropolitan police and German police involving in crimes and other vices that are against the ethics of the police and the security agencies, but the involvement of the few policemen in nigeria, the UK, Germany, and the United States, does not in anyway mean that the entire policemen in Nigeria, the hard working metropolitan police, the FBI and the German police are deviants and criminals.

    “There are established religious organisations whose priests and clergymen are expected to live within lawful standards but there are records that some priests and clergymen engage in crimes like child defilement, should we now say the religious organization is a criminal organization, hence NBM should not be defamed, and disparaged over offenses committed by individuals.

    “It is libelous to affiliate NBM of Africa with black axe. This is a notice to everyone that we are ready to take anyone or organization to court that tries to malign our character.

    “The rights of individuals should be respected. Anyone that has committed any crime should be arrested. The organisation should not be held responsible for crimes committed by individuals.”

  • N’Delta youths agree to work with new Rivers NSCDC commandant

    N’Delta youths agree to work with new Rivers NSCDC commandant

    Niger Delta youths have pledged their support for the newly appointed Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Rivers State, Joachim Okafor.

    The decision followed a meeting held in Port Harcourt between the national leadership of the South-South Youths Initiative (SSYI) and the new Commandant.

    The youths initially expressed reservations, having called for the reinstatement of the former Commandant, Basil Igwebueze, due to his track record and swift response to security challenges in the region.

    However, the Niger Delta Youths national president, Imeabe Oscar, explained that the Commandant had assured the youths of his commitment to collaborating with them, particularly in tackling illegal oil bunkering and fostering peace in Rivers State and the broader Niger Delta region.

    Read Also: UNGA 79: Dennis Francis bows out as Cameroon’s Philemon Yang assumes office

    During the meeting, Okafor outlined his intention to build upon the accomplishments of his predecessor by maintaining open communication with the region’s youth and addressing security concerns.

    He emphasised the importance of working closely with the community, stating that the grassroots hold the key to the success of his mission.

    “The new Commandant has promised to work with the South-South Youths Initiative and other youth groups in Rivers State and the Niger Delta to ensure that security challenges, including illegal bunkering, are addressed. He has committed to making his office accessible to the people, ensuring a functional synergy with the youths for a successful tenure,” Oscar said

    In a gesture of goodwill, Oscar confirmed that the youths are willing to collaborate with Okafor and expressed satisfaction with the Commandant’s outreach to the youth leadership just days into his new role, signalling a positive start.

    “We are happy that within a few days of assuming office, Okafor has already taken steps to meet with us. As a peace-loving organization, we are ready to support him as long as he maintains his promises of zero-tolerance for illegal bunkering, accessibility to the grassroots, and ensuring peace in the state,” Oscar stated.

    Oscar also clarified that the group’s initial call for Igwebueze’s reinstatement was not driven by any personal grievances against Okafor but was rooted in their desire for continued security in the state.

    He praised the NSCDC’s evolving reputation for integrity and commended the Commandant General of NSCDC, Dr. Audi Ahmed, for his reforms and commitment to deploying officers from the South-south to lead commands in the region.

    “The people currently hold the Corps in high regard due to its reduced corruption, and we want to maintain this respect,” Oscar added.

    He also expressed gratitude to the NSCDC Commandant General, Ahmed Audi for fulfilling his promise to prioritise regional appointments, stating that the decision aligns with the needs of the people.

  • Gov Eno to support 100,000 youths with different empowerment schemes

    Gov Eno to support 100,000 youths with different empowerment schemes

    …to create separate ministry for youth development

    Governor Umo Eno has presented a new charter of empowerment for one hundred thousand (100,000) youths across the 31 local government areas of the state, beginning in October 2024.

    The governor presented the audacious plan at a youth appreciation and engagement rally held at the Uyo Township Stadium to express his administration’s gratitude to the youths for their non-participation in the recent #Endbadgovernance protest.

    He directed the Ministry of Labour and Manpower Development and the office of the Senior Special Assistant on ICT to create a database for youth employment, through which names, based on required qualifications, will be harvested for employment both by the State government, investors, and other organizations operating in the State.

    The governor explained that 60,000 youths (5,000 monthly) will be selected from the database for a one-off business support scheme of ₦50,000 each within 12 calendar months.

    In addition, Governor Eno, who is a seasoned entrepreneur, stated that 10,000 youths will be supported through the ARISE Entrepreneurial Scheme, an empowerment initiative for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) based on needs assessment.

    Similarly, he announced that 3,000 youths will be employed (100 per LGA, excluding Uyo LGA) through the Ibom Community Watch to provide crowd control and complementary intelligence gathering at the grassroots, in addition to the 550 youths already engaged from Uyo LGA.

    According to him, other aspects of the scheme include paid training at the DAKKADA Skills Acquisition Center (DASAC) for 1,000 participants across 31 LGAs, with a monthly transport allowance of ₦20,000 per person throughout the training duration.

    Increased bursary for students in public tertiary institutions from ₦10,000 to ₦20,000 for undergraduates and from ₦10,000 to ₦30,000 for professional students (Law, Medicine, Engineering, Agriculture) for 20,000 students in the 2024/2025 academic session.

    Furthermore, there will be an educational grant for 1,000 public tertiary institution students living with disabilities at ₦250,000 for undergraduates and ₦300,000 for professional and postgraduate students.

    While 2,000 youths will benefit from the Entrepreneurial Accelerator Programme (EAP) organized by IBOM-LED with a ₦500,000 grant and ₦250,000 start-up capital, and 3,000 youths will receive support in agribusiness.

    Expressing delight over the recent promotion of the State’s female team, Ibom Angels, from the second division to division one of the Nigeria Women Football League, Governor Eno announced his administration’s donation of ₦20 million and a coaster bus to the team.

    He also reaffirmed his plans to unbundle the State Ministry of Youths and Sports Development, maintaining that his administration will create a separate Ministry for Youth Development in the next dispensation of the State Executive Council, to be headed by a Commissioner not older than 45 years.

    He thanked the security agencies for their cooperation and support in ensuring peace in the State at all times, as he condoled with the Nigeria Police over the demise of the Commissioner in charge of the Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Waheed Ayilara.

    Read Also: Job creation: Gov Eno to engage 5000 youths, empower 2000 SMES

    Appreciating the youths, the Governor said, “We are here to say thank you to all the Akwa Ibom youths. In all your different groups, thank you so much for showing good followership.

    “Most times, we talk about leadership in our country, but we do not take time to look at followership. I believe that when we have good followers, we will have good leadership.

    “Today, we are inspired by your followership, your obedience, and your love from every local government in Akwa Ibom, from every group and every campus. We are inspired by your love and support, which has ensured we have one Akwa Ibom State.

    “We are inspired by the fact that you listened to our plea not to join the protest, not because we don’t believe in protest or are unaware of what is going on in the country, but because we know that there are people always on standby to hijack even the most peaceful protest to destroy and vent their anger on government facilities.

    “Our leaders have worked so hard in the past 37 years of the creation of our dear state to put this infrastructure in place, but you know that one minute of anger could destroy all the hard work. Just like our past national anthem said, ‘the labours of our heroes past must never be in vain.’ So we thank you,” he added.

    Setting the tone for the event, the Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Sir Monday Uko, recalled the protest, the non-involvement of Akwa Ibom youths, and the Governor’s promise to celebrate them. He described the event as an affirmation of Governor Umo Eno’s integrity as a promise keeper.

    Also speaking at the event, a former President of the Student Union at the University of Uyo and former Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Onofiok Luke, emphasized the importance of the rally within the context of incarcerations, lives lost, and properties destroyed during the #EndSARS protest.

    He noted that Akwa Ibom youths were saved from such troubles by heeding the Governor’s plea not to partake in it, and thus, he described the event as a worthy celebration.

    Other stakeholders in youth affairs who also thanked the Governor and reassured him of the youths’ commitment to good followership were: Chairman, House Committee on Youths, Sports and Security, Hon. Uwemedimoh Asuquo, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Mobilization, Comrade Iniobong Akpan, SSA Grassroots Mobilization, Mr. Aniefiok Iwaudofia, SSA on Female Youths, Comrade Esther Nta, SA Youths for Etinan Federal Constituency, Comrade Udeme Ubom, PDP Chairmanship candidates in the forthcoming Local Government elections, representatives of Civil Society Organizations, student leaders, representatives of Ibom-LED beneficiaries, and the non-indigenous community, Ibom Community Watch, among others.

  • NDDC warns against fake list of scheme’s beneficiaries 

    NDDC warns against fake list of scheme’s beneficiaries 

    The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has warned stakeholders against certain lists circulating in the social media, purportedly representing selected beneficiaries of the NDDC Youth Internship Scheme.

    The commission in a statement signed on Tuesday by its Director, of Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, said the fraudsters spreading false information about the youth internship scheme were also demanding personal information and payment of an acceptance fee.

    The statement said: “Please, note that the NDDC does not require any fees or payments for the placement of qualified youths in its internship programme.

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    “We wish to clarify that no such list has been collated, approved, or released and any claim to the contrary is false. Those who registered for the scheme should note that the process of selection is ongoing.

    “The final list of beneficiaries will be drawn from the NDDC’s official database and only those that were duly registered between August 5, 2024, when the registration was formally launched and August 31, 2024, when it closed, will be considered.”

    The commission advised members of the public, especially youths eagerly waiting for the completion of the selection process, to ignore any unauthorised list and seek information only from the NDDC official channels.

    The statement said: “We assure all our stakeholders that we remain committed to transparency and fairness in all our activities, including our youth empowerment programmes.

    “It is indeed disconcerting that some mischievous individuals are trying to take advantage of our youths who are seeking ways of being gainfully engaged in legitimate activities. In light of this unfortunate development, we urge our youths to be wary of these scammers.

    “For inquiries about our empowerment programmes, please contact us directly through our official channels. We also encourage beneficiaries of our programmes to verify facts on the NDDC’s official website: [www.nddc.gov.ng] and social media handles.”

  • Canada spends $23m on nine medical oxygen plants

    Canada spends $23m on nine medical oxygen plants

    The Canadian Government said that it expended not less than $23 million to build and equip nine medical oxygen plants in nine States.

    The Country’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, James Christoff announced this when he visited one of the facility in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State. 

    The project was jointly executed with Rivers State Government and IHS Towere engineers, through the United Children Education Fund (UNICEF). 

    It has the capacity to fill 137 20-1litre medical oxygen bottles in 24 hours and was  commissioned by Governor Siminialayi Fubara last month.

    However, Christoff was absent at the commissioning ceremony and visited yesterday to see things for himself.

    Speaking shortly after the tour of the building, he expressed satisfaction in the what he saw and noted that the need to execute the facility in nine Nigerian States was discovered  during post pandemic need assessment Survey.

    He said: “I recognise that the building was commissioned earlier in August, but I want to come and see it for myself. 

    Read Also: Tinubu orders review of road safety measures after Niger tanker explosion

    “You know pandemic hit the world quite hard and in ways that it remains lingering in terms of the fact and the aftermaths.

    ” In all we recognise there are ways we need to come together to address short-comings that were revealed during our national response.

    “Now the plant is not just supplying valuable oxygen to those who need it, it is another example of where the Government of Rivers State, the local health authorities, international; community, the United Nations System are able to come together, identify a problem, put it on the table and have those from the international community respond in kind. 

    “The Government of Canada provided $23 million to support the building of nine facilities across Nigeria including this one and to respond to similar gaps that we have identified during our response. So it is with great pride that I’m here today as Canada’s representative here in Nigeria.” 

    In his goodwill message, Surveillance Officer of World Health Organization (WHO), Mrs Deborah Umogbai Akinola noted that the need for oxygen in managing patients challenged by different diseases such as pneumonia, respiratory illnesses such as Covid, Tauma, surgery among others cannot be over emphasized. 

    Akinola revealed that pneumonia alone kills over 800, 000 persons every year in Nigeria, regreting that 40 per cent of the deaths would have been prevented with oxygen.

    She expressed the confidence that with the development, the very essential health commodity would be more readily available for those whose would need them to stay alive.

    “Pneumonia alone accounts for about 800, 000 deaths, and 40 per cent of these deaths can be prevented if oxygene therapy is readily available.”

    She thanked the Canadian Government, the WHO and UNICEF partners, and the construction firm who built the project.

    Chief of Field Office UNICEF Port Harcourt, Dr Anselem Audu,  expected that the plant would deliver supllies to both Private and public hospitals in the State to improve the health of the populace.

    “The funding for the establishment of the facility was fully provided by the Canadian Government, IHS Towers through UNICEF, and the government in their wisdom has insured private-public -partnership to ensure the sustainability of the plant, so with that we’re optimistic that medical oxygen would be readily available for every patient that would need it,” he said.

  • Uneme communities to honour Niger Delta Minister, Anglican Bishop, Oshiomhole, others

    Uneme communities to honour Niger Delta Minister, Anglican Bishop, Oshiomhole, others

    Nine Uneme communities in Edo North will honour several distinguished individuals at an award and fundraising ceremony on Saturday, September 14, in Benin.

    Among the honorees are the Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Abubakar Momoh; former Edo State Governor, Senator Adams Oshiomhole; and the Anglican Bishop of Calabar Diocese, Archbishop Tunde Adeleye.

    Other honorees include Dr. Sola Obabori, Group Executive Director of Nahcoavaince Plc; Dr. Ainojie Irune, Executive Director at Oando Nigeria Limited; Dr. Bridget Osakwe, National Network Coordinator for the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) Nigeria; Sir Dayo Alabi, former President of the Uneme National Development Association (UNDA); Dr. Adetutu Obabori, Principal of Queens College; and Professor Emmanuel Emasealu of the University of Port Harcourt.

    Read Also: Niger Delta to get integrated master plan, says NDDC

    Mr. Bayo Akhigbe, Chairman of the planning committee, stated that the awards are in recognition of the significant contributions these individuals have made to the development of the Uneme communities.

    The event will also mark the launch of a 500 million naira education and security trust fund aimed at addressing the pressing developmental challenges faced by these communities.

    The planning committee Chairman said: “We as a people and communities have decided to celebrate our illustrious sons and daughters and at the same time honour them as our proud ambassadors.

    “In their own various ways, they have affected the Uneme communities positively through their intervention in the education, health, agriculture and job creation programmes they provided for our people. We are grateful for the ones they have done and at the same time request for more.”