The Nation Newspaper

Category: South East

  • Diri: govt to support production of Izon Bible

    Diri: govt to support production of Izon Bible

    Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has said as part of the efforts to preserve the language, his government will support the ongoing work on the production of the full version of the Bible in Izon (Ijaw).

    He spoke at St. Stephen Anglican Church, Odi, during a thanksgiving service to mark the 50th anniversary of Government Secondary School, also at Odi in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government.

    The governor, in a statement yesterday by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, said a Bible in Izon would help protect the language from extinction.

    He said as part of his administration’s effort to ensure that the Izon language was preserved, the state executive council had adopted Kolokuma as the official dialect to be taught in schools.

    Diri said Izon teachers were being trained to take up the responsibility of teaching the language, stressing that the number one identity of a people was their language.

    He urged the people to support the government policy on the language.

    The governor, however, expressed concern about the low turnout of the alumni members at the thanksgiving, saying without appreciation to God, man could celebrate nothing.

    He encouraged the younger generation to take their education seriously if they would achieve greatness like most of the old students from his alma mater or even surpass their achievements.

    Diri said: “We celebrate nothing if we do not celebrate God. The day of thanksgiving is the most blessed day. The Bible said of the 10 lepers that were healed, only one came back to say thank you. Let us be like that one leper.”

    “I like to thank all that are here, particularly the Amananowei of Odi, who has been like a father to me. I like to appreciate our mothers too.

    “We have every reason to be here to thank God. Whatever position we find ourselves, we must be grateful to God for it is only by His grace we attain heights.

    “In the state Exco, we have adopted Kolokuma as the dialect of communication. It means that Kolokuma has been chosen as the language that will be studied in our schools and to that extent, we are training teachers to teach it.”

    Delivering sermon, Bishop Funkuro Amgbare, the Bishop of Diocese of Northern Izon, stressed the need for people to be thankful to God, saying it attracted more blessings.

    He hailed the Chairman of the Bayelsa State Council of Traditional Rulers, King Alfred Diete-Spiff, who he said God used when he was military governor of the old Rivers State to establish GSS at Odi and expressed delight about the number of successful people the school had produced.

    The Chairman of GSS Odi Alumni Association, Prof. Ebimieowei Etebu, said the decision of the old students to give back to their school was borne out of a desire to guide the younger generation to success.

    He thanked everyone that made the celebrations possible and prayed God to bless and enable them to do more for posterity.

    The member representing Kolokuma/Opokuma Constituency 1 in the House of Assembly, Dr. Tonye Isenah, and the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Moses Teibowei, described the 50th anniversary celebration of their secondary school as a success.

     

  • Obaseki: biting economic hardship threatening fight against irregular migration

    Obaseki: biting economic hardship threatening fight against irregular migration

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki yesterday expressed worry that the hardship resulting from the bad shape of the economy was threatening the government’s fight against human trafficking and illegal migration.

    He spoke when he received members of the Action Aid Nigeria, led by its Director of Programmes, Suwaiba Muhammad Dankabo, who visited the Government House in Benin City.

    The governor hailed Action Aid and the European Union, among others, for partnering his administration to tackle irregular migration.

    He said the state had finalised plans to launch Edo Migration 2.0, to sustain the gains recorded in the fight against the global menace.

    Obaseki said: “We have a history of our youths being restless, aspirational and ready to take any risk in pursuit of their ambition. It’s that risk we try to mitigate by encouraging them not to migrate through the Sahara Desert.

    “We accepted the problem facing us and set up a task force to deal with the problem. We took up the responsibility of resettling returnees, tackling the  cause of the problem, dealing with perpetrators and understanding migration in the context of development.

    “We are concerned that what is happening in the country today and the  difficult economic situation emerging will put pressure on young people to want to travel again. I don’t believe our response should be the same as we did in Migration 1.0, as we may not be able to prevent irregular migration.”

    He added: “Our strategy for Migration 2.0 is to work with destination countries and the federal government to look for pathways for regular migration. Post-COVID-19, a lot of the destination countries require labour and we have no excuse not to prepare our people properly to migrate safely.

    “We will discuss with the Italian Ambassador as we strategise on how to prepare and structure proper labour contracts, train and prepare our people to travel and do their job regularly.

    “In Migration 2.0, we will expect you to work closely with us to look at the data we have and support some other intervention programmes that we have. Migration 2.0 for us, is that every player in the spectrum needs to sit across the table with us to enable us know what you are doing and how to optimise resources together to strengthen our partnership, reducing waste and achieving more.” Reassuring that his government would create more opportunities to support women and build structures that would allow them to achieve their  potential, the governor said: “In Edo State, we will encourage our women to come up and be part of the political process to ensure we have equal female representation in the legislature.

    “We are happy with the representation in the executive and judiciary. Our task is to make sure that in Edo State, our women have due representation in the legislature.”

    Dankabo hailed Obaseki for his affirmative action for women in his executive council (exco) and the government’s commitment to the fight against human trafficking and illegal migration.

     

     

  • Onofiok joins Akwa Ibom governorship race

    Onofiok joins Akwa Ibom governorship race

    House of Representatives Judiciary Committee Chairman Onofiok Luke yesterday gave notice of his intention to run for the office of Akwa Ibom State governor.

    He will tomorrow (Wednesday) formally declare his aspiration to succeed Governor Udom Emmanuel.

    The lawmaker’s declaration will spice up the race to the Akwa Ibom State Hilltop Mansion, following Emmanuel’s endorsement of Pastor Umo Eno as his successor.

    According to a statement, Onofiok said March 16, being his birthday, is significant for the declaration because it will serve as a rebirth for him towards attaining greater heights.

    The former University of Uyo Students’ Union president said his decision to formally declare his intention for the governor flowed from the feedback received after sustained underground consultations with political stakeholders, women and youth groups, community leaders and other relevant groups within and outside the state.

    He said the responses had been encouraging and in some cases prompting.

    The statement said: “He was the first and so far only aspirant to formally dissociate himself from the endorsement of a candidate by the governor. Although he was at the stakeholders’ meeting where the endorsement was made, he insisted he was not aware of the agenda, as he was there only as an ‘invitee’ to a PDP stakeholders’ meeting.

    “Incidentally, Onofiok is from the same local government with Pastor Eno as well as Senator Effiong Bob and Mr. Udom Inoyo, who had indicated interest in the office. While Senator Bob publicly withdrew from the race and was crowned the political leader of Uyo Senatorial District, Mr. Inoyo, the former Executive Vice-President of ExxonMobil, quietly pulled back, given the state of affairs.

    “The Oku Ibom (Supreme Leader) Ibibio, Edidem Solomon Daniel Etuk, who gave a royal blessing to the governor’s preferred aspirant, is also the paramount ruler of Onofiok’s local government.”

    It noted that this would not be the first time Onofiok would be up against a sitting governor of his state on election matters.

    “In 2014, the then governor of the state, Godswill Akpabio, tried to stop him from returning to the House of Assembly to represent Nsit Ubium State Constituency.

    “He surmounted the hurdles, including the relocation of the election venue to Uyo from the Ikot Edibon (headquarters of the council), to win the party’s primary election, to the chagrin of the governor.

    “After the general election, which he won, the governor allegedly stopped him from ascending the seat of the House Speaker, which he was in pole position. Instead, a first timer in the House was elevated and made the speaker, as members rejected the governor’s nominee.

    “A few weeks later, the election tribunal nullified the election of the speaker and ordered re-election in his constituency. By this time, the governor had moved to Abuja as a senator. House members immediately enthroned Onofiok as speaker to avoid any interference from the new governor who was brought in by Akpabio.”

    After serving a full term as speaker, Onofiok contested and was elected to represent Etinan Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. He remains one of the very few first-timers in the House to be appointed chairman of a standing committee.

    He is also the international president of the University of Uyo Alumni Association.

     

     

  • Anambra prepares for Soludo as Obiano sacks political appointees

    Anambra prepares for Soludo as Obiano sacks political appointees

    Anambra State governor-elect Prof. Charles Soludo will be sworn in on Thursday, as the outgoing governor, Chief Willie Obiano, vacates office.

    As a result, Obiano has sacked all political appointees with effect from tomorrow.

    He has directed them to hand over government property to the next in command in their offices.

    This was contained in a statement yesterday in Awka, signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu.

    The statement said: “This is to notify all political appointees that the tenure of the current administration will end on March 16.

    “Consequently, all appointees are informed that their appointments will terminate on the date.

    “You are, therefore, advised to hand over all government property in your possession to the most senior civil servant in your office, and the officer should acknowledge the receipt as appropriate.

    “For appointees whose appointments are tenured (like Managing Directors/CEOs, Executive Secretaries and Provosts), but nonetheless serve at the instance of the governor of the day, they are not affected by this circular.

    “The incoming governor will issue further directive on your appointments.

    “While thanking you for your services, we wish you best of luck in your future endeavours.”

  • Emmanuel kicks as compensated owners of structures refuse to leave

    Emmanuel kicks as compensated owners of structures refuse to leave

    Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel has appealed to beneficiaries of compensation paid to clear the Right-of Way at the Nsit Ubium-Eket axis of the Eket-Etinan Road to vacate.

    He spoke at the weekend at a funeral service held in honour of a prominent Akwa Ibom indigene, Pastor Benjamin Bassey, at Afaha Atai in Eket Local Government.

    “If you have been paid compensation, please vacate in peace. We are a government of peace. Those compensations are based on professional evaluation.

    “We don’t like chasing people out, but please don’t take us for granted. We have given money; some people have collected the compensation and refused to leave.

    “This attitude is slowing down the pace of work. So, let those people peacefully give us the Right-of-Way so that we can finish the work in time.

    “I have just approximately one year for my administration to end. We are determined to tidy what we are doing in the state as soon as possible,’’ Emmanuel said.

    He hailed the pace of work by the Chinese company building the Eket-Etinan Road.

    The governor sought the cooperation of all to expedite the completion of a dual thoroughfare from Nsit Ubium across Okon axis to Eket Roundabout.

    He commiserated with the bereaved family of Pastor Bassey and praised all that organised the befitting funeral.

  • IYC backs Diri’s request for N30b loan

    IYC backs Diri’s request for N30b loan

    The umbrella body of Ijaw youths, Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, has described as “exceptional” and “a step in the right direction”, the decision of Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri to approach the House of Assembly for a N30billion loan to start the Nembe-Brass road project.

    It said the approval and the decision to kick-start the estimated N100billion project would encourage the Federal Government and oil multinationals, particularly the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), to see the sincerity of purpose on the part of the state government and support the project to its logical conclusion.

    A statement yesterday by its spokesman, Ebilade Ekerefe, said the Nembe-Brass road would be more beneficial to oil multinationals’ workers, throw open the aquatic and oil related business hub hidden in the Bayelsa East Senatorial District to the world and encourage a secure future for the riverine communities.

    He hailed the leadership of the Assembly led by Speaker Abraham Ngobere for approving the loan proposal.

    The IYC spokesman said the Nembe-Brass road was strategic to the economic transformation of the state because the Brass LNG project was located in Brass Local Government.

    He said the road project would also bring the Atlantic Ocean closer to the people and in turn expand the tourism potential of the state to boost the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for rapid development.

    Ekerefe said only a passionate and a detribalised leader would seek N30billion loan facility to embark on project outside his local government or his senatorial district, which deserved the commendation of all and sundry.

    He said: “While we call on stakeholders to be optimistic over Governor Diri’s quest for a prosperous Bayelsa, we urge the oil multinationals, particularly Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) and other political stakeholders in the area to support the quick completion of the project. It is for the benefit of all.”

    The spokesman congratulated Diri on his emergence as the Daily Independent Newspaper’s Governor of the Year, describing the award as well deserved.

    He said the youth of the region were not surprised that Diri was singled out among the governors for the award.

    He said the performance of the governor in Bayelsa State, Niger Delta and the nation at large spoke volume of his capacity.

    Ekerefe noted that despite the dwindling resources available to the state as a result of the global pandemic, the last two years under the leadership of Diri had been eventful, life-touching and a good testimony of an impactful leadership.

    He urged well-meaning ‘Bayelsans’ at home and in the diaspora, irrespective of their political divides, to rally round the governor, to ensure he succeeds in delivering all-round development to the heartland of the Ijaw nation.

  • Soludo ordained by God for Anambra, says PFN

    Soludo ordained by God for Anambra, says PFN

    Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has described Anambra State governor-elect Prof. Chukwuma Soludo as God’s ordained for the state and sign of a new Nigeria.

    The state Chairman, Bishop Moses Ezedebego, made the observation at the weekend in Awka during an event tagged: ‘Alaigbo Sunrise Prayer and Thanksgiving Crusade.’

    He said Anambra was in a safe hand under Soludo, adding that the event was in appreciation to God for a violence-free governorship election.

    Ezedebego said: “The thanksgiving crusade is a follow-up in obedience to a privileged instruction from God, leading to mobilisation for intercessory prayer rally, held before the governorship election, and then a consolidation prayer crusade and thanksgiving rally.

    “What the Lord did for Anambra State deserves joyful praise to God. I’m from this state and I know exactly how it was before November 6, 2021.

    “What happened that day was divine and miraculous. God has remembered the state in raising leaders. What we are doing today is spiritually strategic and will spill over to the whole nation.”

    The Chairman, PFN, Idemili South, Rev Dr. Stephen Ogbu, confirmed Ezedebego’s endorsement by the 21 local governments, following the progress the fellowship witnessed under his administration.

    He listed his achievements to include unity among members than ever before, honouring of fathers of faith, befitting secretariat and hospital, high level of accountability, integrity, vision and foresight, among others.

    Anambra deputy governor-elect Dr. Onyekachi Ibezim praised the conveners for remembering the state, promising government’s assistance to ensure the crusade was organised yearly.

  • Ayade to PDP: I’m a bona fide APC member

    Ayade to PDP: I’m a bona fide APC member

    Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade has refuted claims that he has denied his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in a purported affidavit he filed against a case instituted against him and members of the state legislature, who defected with him from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC.

    PDP is in court to challenge the governor’s defection with 18 members of the House of Assembly.

    A few days after a Federal High Court in Abuja delivered judgment in a similar case and ordered the removal of  Ebonyi Governor Dave Umahi and 17 legislators from office,  the social media space in Cross River has been awash with claims and allegations that following alleged fear of receiving the same judgment, Ayade has denied his APC membership.

    I’m not a registered member of APC – Ayade, one of the messages alleged.

    Prof. Ayade on Saturday evening took to his verified Facebook page and responded:  “Take note, I am a bona fide and registered member of the APC. Stop the cheap propaganda aimed at wooing APC members to PDP.”

    It seemed the alleged propaganda had worked before the governor’s counter message, as five councillors in Obanliku Local Government had reportedly returned to the PDP in the presence of a chieftain of the party, Senator Gershom Bassey, who visited the area in furtherance of his governorship aspiration to secure his party’s ticket and succeed Ayade.

     

  • Abe: our judiciary is one of the best

    Abe: our judiciary is one of the best

    Despite challenges, our judiciary remains one of the best, the former senator representing Rivers Southeast District, Magnus Abe, has said.

    He spoke at the weekend at an interactive session with youths and young professionals in Port Harcourt, the River State capital.

    Abe said Nigerian judiciary had produced eminent jurists across Africa, adding that judgments from Nigerian courts were cited across the world.

    The former lawmaker stressed the need for leaders to be accountable to their people, noting that it was wrong for a leader to claim that there was no money while he was living in opulence.

    He also stressed the need for members of the society to be prepared for change by doing the right thing.

    According to him, a society cannot be doing the same thing every year and expects a different result.

    Abe said the new Electoral Act had provided the opportunity for people in the villages and towns to choose the right people to govern them.

    He said to create jobs for youths, investment opportunities should be created by the government, and blamed the massive exodus of investors from the state on too much interruption.

  • How I’ll transform Enugu, by Ekweremadu

    How I’ll transform Enugu, by Ekweremadu

    Former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu has unveiled a master plan on how he hopes to transform Enugu State, if elected governor next year.

    Ekweremadu, according to a statement by his media aide, Uche Anichukwu, in Abuja, spoke in Enugu at the weekend during a consultative meeting with the media and the unveiling of “My Agenda: A Pathway to Building a New Enugu State.”

    He noted that although it was the first time he would be giving details of his agenda for Enugu, the event was “not a governorship declaration event or any declaration for that matter, but only one of our several ongoing consultations with critical sections of the society.”

    The lawmaker said time was ripe for him to avail Enugu of the knowledge, experience and contacts he had acquired over the years, in order to transform the state.

    He said: “Enugu State gave me huge opportunities to serve as pioneer chairman of Aninri Local Government, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Secretary to the State Government, five-term senator, three-term Deputy President of the Senate, Deputy Speaker and Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament. I have served in a number of important committees and in several global positions.

    “In the course of this journey, I have met world leaders, business leaders and made friends in the private and public sectors of the national and global economies. I have had the opportunity to understand how states and nations are transformed.

    “A good example is a city like Dubai in the UAE, which was a desert, but has now become the world most digitalised city and a global investment hub. I have an insight into the economic transformation taking place in Rwanda and Ghana.

    “As a senator, I worked hard to put forward necessary bills and motions on constitutional amendments, security, education, economy, health and electoral reform that have impacted and are still impacting positively on the well-being of our people. “

    “I have initiated and completed many life-changing projects in our communities, beyond my constituency, in the very important areas of water, road, educational infrastructure, health, power and many more.

    “I always wish I can do more. I have the will, but the means are limited. I am limited to what I can mobilise as a legislator in developmental projects and programmes.

    “At this point, therefore, I believe it is time to focus on Enugu State and Enugu people without whom I will not be who and what I am today.

    “The governorship of Enugu State will offer me a good platform to serve our dear state more and better.”