Category: South East

As results of ongoing reforms of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs (MNDA) and Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) begin to manifest, President Mohammadu Buhari and stakeholders have expressed delight over expected accelerated development of the region.

President Buhari, commended the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Umana Okon Umana, for prioritizing implemention of the harmonized development plans of all agencies and development partners operating in the region into the Integrated Regional Development Plan as a roadmap to accelerate development.

The President, who was represented by the Minister of Mine and Steel Development, Olamilekan Adegbite, during the meeting of the 5th National Council on Niger Delta held in Uyo, recently, expressed satisfaction with steps taken by the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs in repositioning the NDDC in order to ensure that the commission delivers on its mandates and objectives.

He however frowned at a situation where despite his administration’s huge investment to advance development in the Niger Delta region, there was no commensurate growth in infrastructure, human capital development and other indices of human progress, adding that the relative peace in the Region was a testimony to Government’s commitment to addressing the concerns espoused by Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF).

Meanwhile, ex-militants, civil society groups and individuals have commended the MNDA and NDDC on their speedy and decisive response to issues that affect development of the Niger Delta region.

The national secretary of First Phase Ex-Agitators, Comrade Nature Dumale Kieghe, has given the Minister a thumbs up, saying a vote of confidence on the Minister is in order considering his speedy intervention on three major road projects which he has approved to be constructed across the Niger Delta by the NDDC under his supervision.

The Ex-militant leader also commended the Niger Delta Minister for promising that a white paper on the forensic audit report on NDDC would be published and anybody or company found culpable of short-changing the Commission would be brought to book.

“We appreciate the Minister for the youth empowerment Programmes he has started in the region. He has boosted the confidence of the Niger Delta people again by looking into those issues which have been drawbacks to the effectiveness of the NDDC”.

“The Minister has also promised that the white paper on the forensic audit would soon be out and that so many people and companies have been blacklisted. We cannot wait for that report to be made public. We are giving him our total support.

Comrade Kieghe who is also the Chairman Strategic Communications Committee of Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), said: “We are very sure that he will correct the unfortunate narratives in the Niger Delta region within the short period he will serve as a minister. We believe that he would march his words with action.”

Other stakeholders in the Niger Delta region also have reasons to applaud Umana and the new leadership at the NDDC. For concerned stakeholders, new efforts to boost the human capacity development programmes of the Commission deserve commendation.They note that It was the Minister who insisted on the modification and relaunch of the NDDC scholarship scheme for postgraduate studies in foreign universities to accommodate students in Nigerian institutions.

In the past, the programme was exclusively reserved for post graduate studies in foreign universities. However, “by extending the scheme this year to include students in Nigerian institutions (public and private), the commission will take a huge financial burden off many parents and contribute handsomely to the funding of our tertiary institutions,” they noted.

Earlier the Minister, Umana Okon Umana, had observed that the scholarship scheme was one of the outstanding achievements of NDDC and he would support it in his capacity as the supervising minister. He said that further changes might be introduced to ensure that the scholarship programme was sustained and even be expanded to cover undergraduate studies.

Southsouth support groups of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have given reasons why Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP are not eligible to be president in 2023.

The groups, from Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta and Edo states, at the weekend converged on Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital, for a mini rally in support of Bola Tinubu/Kashim Shettima presidential aspiration.

They said the presidential aspirations of Obi and Atiku were a threat to the unity and peaceful co-existence of the country, adding that the Tinubu/Shettima presidential project would unite the country and bring prosperity for all.

Addressing the rally, Ntufam Eta, chairman, Support Groups Coordination Committee, Southsouth, APC Presidential Campaign Council, said Atiku’s ambition was against the power rotation arrangement between the North and South.

He urged Akwa Ibom people not to vote for Atiku because he was instrumental to the collapse of Aluminum Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON).

Eta said: “Even if we were to agree that everybody in Nigeria has democratic right to contest elections, Atiku should not have one vote in Akwa Ibom State. The reason is that there is a company that was established in Ikot Abasi, Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON).

“It was built at the cost of $3.5 billion. When Atiku became the chairman of the Privatisation Council, he sold the company to himself and his friends for N180 million. If he had sold it and started production, maybe he would have employed Akwa Ibom people. But do you know what they did?

“What they did was that they removed the equipment, sold them and tarnished the image of that factory. That factory was supposed to employ over 20,000 young men and women. So, Akwa Ibom people, if you are not angry with that, God Himself will be angry with you! You must show your anger! As a grandson, I am very angry because some of my cousins would have been employed there.”

He extolled the virtues of the APC presidential standard-bearer, Asiwaju Tinubu and his running mate, Sen. Shettima, saying their candidature was in the best interest of the region.

“Let me assure all of us here that the Tinubu/Shettima presidential ticket is in the best interest of the Southsouth. We must go back to mobilise our members to vote for APC in the coming elections,” Eta said.

The state Chairman of Coalition of Support Groups in Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Patty Inemeh, advised the group to mobilise its members in states to end the domination of PDP in the zone.

He reminded the support groups and members that their job was basically mobilisation and nothing else, urging members to get ready for a mass mobilisation movement that would soon hit local governments, wards and units.

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Umana Okon Umana, represented by Dr. Ahmadu Attai, a former state chairman of the party, promised to support the groups in their assignment and task of mass mobilisation.

He hailed the leadership qualities of Tinubu and Shettima, saying they would bring goodwill to the region.

Former Minister for Petroleum Don Etiebet lauded the achievements of Asiwaju Tinubu during his tenure as Lagos State governor, noting that Nigeria needed such experience and expertise “at this time of its socio-economic development.

“I urge you to work for Tinubu/ Shettima presidential ticket because their experience will help Nigeria at this time.”

Ex-agitators of Itsekiri ethnic nationality in the Niger Delta have called for the reinstatement of delisted colleagues from the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).

Calling for the intervention of the Interim Administrator of PAP, Maj.-Gen. Barry Ndiomu, in a communique issued after an emergency meeting yesterday in Warri, Delta State, they said most of the ex-agitators delisted from the programme had not been deployed for training.

The statement, signed by the group’s Coordinator, Abugewa Mene and General Secretary, Bokhan Otone, asked that the delisted ex-agitators be paid their October stipends.

Hailing President Muhammadu Buhari for suspending winding down the programme, the statement enjoined representatives of the National Assembly from the Niger Delta “to begin the process of sponsoring a bill for the conversion of the PAP to the Niger Delta Stabilisation Programme “so as to sustain peace and development in the region.”

Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has unveiled its governorship campaign council ahead of the 2023 general election.

The party Chairman in the state, Rev. Augustine Ehiemere, who made the unveiling at Greg Ibe Campaign Office in Umuahia at the weekend, announced Longman Nwachukwu as the campaign administrator, Uzoma Abonta as the deputy administrator, while Enyinnaya Onyekwere will serve as the secretary.

Ehiemere, who explained why it took the party time to come up with the list, said only experienced politicians were brought into the council to avoid loopholes.

The chairman, who described the governorship candidate of APGA in Abia State, Prof. Greg Ibe, as a round peg in a round hole, and was  determined to change the leadership narrative of the state, urged the people to vote for him in 2023.

Alleging that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state had two governorship candidates they were sponsoring for the coming elections, Ehiemere said the party would not tolerate intimidation from the ruling party.

He appealed to security agencies to caution their field officers.

“It is a campaign council comprising experienced politicians across parties and stakeholders in the state, who have realised that Ibe is the man that has the capacity and all it takes to govern Abia and clean the mess the ruling party has plunged the state into.

“We urge ‘Abians’ at home and in the diaspora to see reason the leadership narrative in the state will be changed and the only person that will bring that change is Ibe.”

An aspirant in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary election in Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Akan Okon, has said he would appeal the judgment, which absolved the party’s candidate, Pastor Umo Eno, of certificate forgery.

The Federal High sitting in Uyo, presided over by Justice Agatha Okeke, last Friday ruled in favour of the PDP candidate in a certificate forgery case instituted by Mr. Akan Okon.

In a statement by his Director of Communications, Mr. Willy Etim, Okon urged his supporters to remain calm, as he had begun the processes of approaching the Appeal Court.

He said the judgment could best be described as a miscarriage of justice and a temporary setback occasioned by the failure of the judge to evaluate the parties.

“The issue presented before the court was a case of forgery of the 1981 and 1983 West African Examinations Council (WAEC) certificates presented to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the PDP by Pastor Eno, requiring a thorough evaluation.

“Oral and documentary evidence abound that the certificates were forged, but the judge avoided evaluating the parties and the noticeable discrepancies pointed out in the certificates.”

“The judge relied on the oral address of INEC, which did not file any document or lead in evidence even when they were sued as the third defendant,” Okon said.

Cross River State Governor Prof. Ben Ayade has urged the seven Carnival Calabar bands to interpret this year’s theme of the annual fiesta, ‘Agro-Industrialisation’ to reflect the importance of agriculture in the economy of the state.

Speaking yesterday in Calabar during the launch of the second dry run of the carnival, Ayade, represented by his deputy, Prof. Ivara Esu, said he was delighted that his administration’s industrialisation drive had yielded quantum fruits for Cross River.

According to him, “we want to focus this year’s carnival on agro-industrialisation and you all know what has been done in that area.

“We have established over 30 industries across the state. We thank God that those industries are beginning to function especially as concessionaires have taken possession of them.

“I want to urge the carnival bands that in trying to elucidate the theme not to fail to point out the fact that agro-industrialisation means that there must be various raw materials, which must come from agriculture to supply those industries”

The governor said it had become imperative for the state government to place critical emphasis on agriculture to ensure that Cross River continued to produce crops in which it had comparative advantage to enable the industries function smoothly.

He asked the revellers and band leaders “to also know that indeed Cross River is a special state. A state like no other that is agro-based.

“We do not want to remain as raw material producers; we want to grow a step further. Our aim is to leap frog the state from a third world to a first world and I think we are doing so”

The Executive Secretary of the Cross River State Carnival Commission, Mr. Austin Cobham, said the second dry run was a prelude to the main event in December.

He said the theme of this year’s carnival had broadened the understanding of locals and the entire country of the economic direction of Governor Ayade’s led administration.

Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel has said two new A320 aircraft would be procured within the week to boost Ibom Air fleet.

This addition will bring to nine, the number of aircraft in operation by the state-owned airline.

The governor spoke yesterday at United Evangelical Church (formerly called Qua Iboe Church), Asuna Superintendency, in Etinan Local Government.

Accompanied by his wife, Dr. Martha Emmanuel and other government functionaries, the governor attended a thanksgiving service to mark the 70th birthday of the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Ibom Air, Capt. Mfon Udom.

He thanked God for Udom’s health at 70, describing him as a source of inspiration, exemplary leadership, great support and a pillar of encouragement to many.

He said he had never been found wanting in his engagements.

These qualities, the governor said, had been demonstrated several times in his mobilisation of friends and others to build a befitting structure for Qua Iboe Church in Surulere, Lagos, and facilitate the birth of Ibom Air for the state.

“I want to thank our close partner and brother, who has also been passionate about the success of this airline. This week we will receive two A320 aircraft so that we can prepare for Christmas and expect others that will be arriving from next year,” he said.

Udom said in his 20s, he thought life was about youthful exuberance of those years, then getting to 40 was a new beginning that looked like all, but reaching 70 had afforded him the privilege of enjoying the real essence of life.

Gunmen have injured members of the Labour Party (LP) in Ebonyi State, following attack on the party’s rally venue.

The incident, it was gathered, occurred at Okposi in Ohaozara Local Government at the weekend.

The hoodlums, the party alleged, were members of Ebonyi Command of Ebubeagu Southeast Security Outfit.

The gunmen, according to the LP House of Assembly candidate for Ohaozara East Constituency, David Ogbonna, allegedly pushed a woman and she hit her head on a concrete floor.

She was taken to hospital where she has been unconscious.

Ogbonna also alleged that the attackers shot at the party faithful and injured three of them.

He alleged that the gunmen were led by the Chairman of Ohaozara Local Government Council, Consider Ajah.

But Ajah denied leading an attack on LP supporters.

He, however, admitted that Ebubeagu officials went to the area to stop the people gathered there from blocking the road, a federal highway.

“We did not attack anybody. They blocked the road, a federal highway. We intervened to prevent them from disrupting people’s movement.”

Ajah said the organisers did not get approval from the council before holding the rally.

Ebubeagu Commander Nnanna Friday denied that the outfit was in the area.

“We did not attack anybody. They should stop mentioning Ebubeagu every time they have problems among themselves.”

Police spokesman Chris Anyanwu said he was not aware of the incident.

He promised to make enquiry and get back to our reporter, but he did not do so at press time.

A professor of Administration at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Prof. Sylvia Agu has assumed duties as new Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Imo State.

Agu took over from Prof. Francis Ezeonu, whose tenure expired in July.

Agu is among 19 newly sworn in RECs on November 3, by INEC’s Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.

According to a statement issued, yesterday, by the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Commission in the state, Dr. Chinenye Chijioke-Osuji, the new REC was received by the Administrative Secretary of the electoral agency in the state, Thomas Ongele, a lawyer, and other management staff members.

Addressing the staff, Prof. Agu promised to leverage on the new voting technology device, Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BIVAS), to superintend over a “credible, free and fair” transmission of results in next year’s polls and beyond.

She urged workers of the Commission in the 27 councils and headquarters in Owerri, to cooperate with her by giving her maximum support and loyalty.

According to the statement, the new REC promised to carry the workers along.

The statement reads: “Agu lauded efforts of the Commission for putting in place many technological innovations towards achieving free, fair and credible elections, especially with the use of BVAS and electronic transmission of results to INEC results viewing portal, even as she hopes to get maximum cooperation from staff members.”

Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has inaugurated 305 Ward Liaison Officers for the 305 INEC Wards in the State, charging them to defend the achievements of his Government.

Performing the ceremony at the Sam Mbakwe Expanded Exco Chambers, Government House, Owerri, the governor said their inauguration was a way of enhancing his administration’s inclusiveness, whereby more critical stakeholders are engaged to work and contribute their quota to the Shared Prosperity administration.

He reminded the officers that before now Imo people were living in fear of insecurity in the rural areas but thanked God that the situation has been brought under control with relative peace now reigning in Imo State.