Category: South East

A leading indigenous oil and gas producing company in the Niger Delta, Green Energy International Ltd (GEIL), has inaugurated the Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) in Rivers State, as provided by the Petroleum Industrial Act (PIA).

Speaking at the inauguration in Port Harcourt, the Chairman of GEIL, Prof. Anthony Adegbulugbe, said since the PIA came on board, his company and LekOil Otakikpo in a Joint Venture (JV) had engaged Ikuru community in community-focused activities.

He said such engagements were designed to galvanise stakeholders’ support and conduct a need assessment to develop a community development plan, which he noted had been validated by the host.

Adegbulugbe said following the establishment of the HCDT and approvals by the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the trust had been registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) as “Ikuru Town Host Community Development Trust.”

He said: “The HCDT is meant to address hostilities by oil producing communities towards the operators in parts of the region, which has led to the stealing of massive volumes of crude oil daily and in some cases, destruction of oil facilities.

“It is also intended to improve the development of oil communities, improve their living standard and give them a sense of belonging in the ownership and operation of oil and gas assets in their domain.”

He hailed members of Ikuru town for their cooperation and pledged that the company would continue to take care of the community.

The representative of Ikuru town, King Aaron Miller Ikuru, expressed satisfaction about the level of commitment of the company to the development of the community.

He said: “Every member of the community is satisfied with the high level of commitment the JV has shown towards the improvement of the community in areas of education, health and social development of the inhabitants and the quality of life generally over the years.”

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) yesterday urged security agencies to investigate the suspects arrested by their operatives in Enugu State as IPOB members.

It said they were hoodlums recruited by politicians to fight political opponents.

Citing the case of a woman arrested in the state and paraded as an IPOB member, the group alleged in a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, that the suspected female executioner was recruited by Enugu State politicians and was one of their thugs used against their political opponents.

“The so-called suspected female executioner in Enugu State paraded as an IPOB member was recruited by Enugu State politicians as a member of their thugs, used against their political opponents.

“They used the thugs to terrorise their opponents, especially during the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primaries. At a point, when they could no longer manage them after arming them and paying them salaries, they caused division among them,’ IPOB alleged.

It advised security agencies “to open their eyes because a lot of our youths have been killed just because the politicians want to stay in power.”

The group urged Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to investigate the matter.

Abia State Government has said it will not hesitate to sanction any monarch that gets involved in partisan politics.

Our correspondent gathered that the decision of the government might not be unconnected with reports of some traditional rulers, who showed their support for candidates of parties, including the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), gunning for political posts in the 2023 general election.

The government, in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chris Ezem, a lawyer; said seven traditional rulers- three monarchs from Abia North, two from Abia Central and two from Abia South- might face possible disciplinary actions and were already on its watch list.

“Government has observed with dismay the brazen impunity exhibited by some traditional rulers, who have abandoned their primary responsibilities as custodians of tradition and custom of our people and descended into the arena of partisan politics.

“This administration has also been inundated with reports of involvement of recognised monarchs from Abia North, Central and South, who have thrown caution to the winds in breach of existing public order.

Former Senate President Dr. Joseph Wayas died of poverty and not illness, his eldest son, Joseph Wayas Jr, has said.

He said his father might have been alive today if he had access to proper medical care.

Speaking with The Nation in Abuja, Wayas Jr also rued the delay in conducting the funeral of his late father, who passed away at 80 in December 2021.

He expressed displeasure about the committee set up by the Cross River State Government to organise the funeral.

He, however, thanked Governor Ben Ayade for being responsive and decisive, following the announcement of the senior Wayas’ demise by setting up the committee and empowering it to plan the burial.

 But Wayas Jr said the committee members were more interested in what it could get for itself, rather than plan a proper and befitting burial for his father.

He regretted the delay in carrying out the burial of his father, saying there was no reason he should not be buried in the next 30 to 40 days.

He said despite being the representative of the family as the former lawmaker’s first son, the committee had sidelined him in all its affairs and deliberations concerning the burial.

The junior Wayas said in the last three years, before Wayas’ death, his sister in London bore the cost of his treatment and was still carrying the cost of maintaining the body since 2021.

Wayas Jr expressed the family’s gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari, who facilitated his father’s trip to England and provided funds for him to have access to the best medical care.

However, he said the support provided by the Federal Government barely lasted four months before it washed its hands off the matter.

He said entreaties to the leadership of the National Assembly to support the former Senate President did not yield any fruit, as it refused to respond to the request.

This, he said, had plunged his sister and her children and grandchildren into debt to the extent that their payroll accounts had to be garnisheed.

He passed a vote of no confidence in the burial committee, saying it had failed in its mandate.

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers’ Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU) have disclosed plans to host political debate in Anambra State.

The project tagged: ‘The Mace Debate’, is being organised in partnership with Society for Equity Justice and Peace (SEJUP) and Bring it on Africa, non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

Addressing reporters in Awka, Anambra State, the Chairman, state RATTAWU, Mrs. Maureen Stone-Enujioke, said the targeted politicians were candidates contesting for seats at Red and Green chambers of the National Assembly.

She said the debate was part of the contributions of the fourth estate of the realm towards restoring good governance and accountability among politicians ahead of the general election.

Stone-Enujioke hoped that the debate, which she noted would be streamed live by media organisations in the state, would offer the candidates opportunities to prove their worth to Nigerians.

The Chairman, state Council of NUJ, Dr. Emeka Odogwu, said candidates were expected to field questions from seasoned panellists, journalists, civil society groups, professional bodies, civil servants, students, commercial drivers, among others.

He added that residents outside the venue would also be given opportunity to ask questions from the candidates on their plans to move the state forward.

“The debate is expected to provide a level playing field for the candidates to present their manifestoes to the public, to enable them make informed decisions on their choice of candidates during the election,” Odogwu said.

SEJUP General Manager Dr. Emma Ezenwaji said the debate was necessary in view of poor quality representation of many lawmakers in recent times.

The President, Bring it on Africa, Chigbo Nweke, promised to provide technical and logistic support to ensure a successful debate.

Igbo youths, under the auspices of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, have celebrated the return of Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, to his Adoration Ministry in Enugu.

Mbaka, who was sent to the monastery for several months, has resumed at the ministry.

The youth said it was heartwarming to see Mbaka return at the time the nation needed his spiritual guidance and prayers.

Speaking through the National President of the organisation, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, the youth said Mbaka’s voice was missed during the killings at Eha-Amufu in Isi-Uzo Local Government of Enugu State and other parts of the country.

Nnabuike said: “It was a period we will never forget, with several indigenes gruesomely murdered by herdsmen.

“The absence of Mbaka was evident; his loud voice on issues of that nature was greatly missed during that period of carnage. We know he would have given humanitarian assistance to the displaced people of Eha-Amufu just like he did during the Nimbo massacre.

“This is why we are happy that he is back; we welcome him and urge him to continue his role as the voice of millions of oppressed Nigerians. He should continue his charity, which is benefiting millions of people.

“No level of intimidation should make him lose his voice in his role as an advocate of the masses.”

Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has assured the people of attracting Federal Government presence to Abia South, if elected to represent them.

Dr. Ikpeazu, addressing party faithful and prospective voters at Ahiaba Community School, in Obingwa Local Government, Abia South, during a campaign, said his administration had impacted on the area.

He said he would do more for them if elected as their senator.

Ikpeazu lamented the absence of Federal Government in the zone in the last 16 years, noting that such gap wouldn’t be felt, with him as their lawmaker.

He said candidates were given tickets on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), based on justice and fair play, urging the electorate to vote for them.