The Nation Newspaper

Category: South East

  • Ebubeagu causes panic in Imo

    Ebubeagu causes panic in Imo

    Despite its unofficial launch, the Ebubeagu security outfit proposed by the Southeast governors to tackle insecurity in the region has started operation in Imo State.

    It was gathered that the outfit has been deployed in parts of the 27 local governments, particularly in areas suspected to be operational bases of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), the militia wing of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

    But the Ebubeagu members have reportedly launched attacks in areas suspected to be the camps of ESN.

    It was gathered that the group has been causing panic in most communities in the state.

    Speaking about the issue, the Divine Faith pastor, Christopher Okewuihe, said a number of killings had been carried out by the Ebubeagu team.

    He recalled that a 22-year-old man, Chigozie Igbo, was allegedly killed by the bullet of the security outfit last week at Umuoke, Atta Njaba.

    Okewuihe said Igbo was shot at close range according to a source from the area, as he attempted to run away from their presence.

    Also yesterday morning, there was pandemonium at Awommamma market,  as the traders shut down businesses following the fear of Ebubeagu.

    Awommama, Akatta, in Oru East Local Government, Umuoke, Atta, in Njaba Local Government, Umutanze, Okporo in Orlu Local Government, Orsuihitteukwa and Amannachi in Orsu Local Government are some of the areas the Ebubeagu members are operating.

    Confirming its presence, Commissioner for Information and Strategy Declan Emelumba said that the security outfit though had not been officially launched had started operation in the state.

  • N700b compensation: Court adjourns suit by Shell hosts

    N700b compensation: Court adjourns suit by Shell hosts

    The Federal High Court in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State yesterday adjourned till March 22, hearing in a N700 billion oil spill compensation suit filed by members of Aghoro I community in Bayelsa.

    The people of Aghoro I in Ekeremor Local Government sued Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) over a May 17, 2018 oil leak from the oil firm’s Trans Ramos Pipeline.

    When the suit came up for hearing of pending motions, counsel for SPDC, Mr. Yusuph Mustapha, SAN, told the court that he filed another motion challenging the jurisdiction to hear the case because it was statute barred.

    He said he was also seeking the relief of the court to approach the Court of Appeal to interpret the statutes as it concerned one of the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs.

    Counsel for the plaintiffs, Mr. Mohammed Mohammed, SAN, told the presiding judge, Justice Isa Ndahen, that he was to argue against the motion brought by the defence without an address, as it was merely a ploy to delay justice.

    Mohammed noted that it was strange and a breach of procedure for a party to seek leave of a trial court to approach the appellate court on a motion, which he described as an attempt to buy time and frustrate the plaintiffs.

    Justice Ndahen urged counsel for parties in the case to file their responses to the new motion, in a formal way, to enable him rule on them by the next adjourned date.

    The plaintiffs are Mr. Victor Akamu, Pastor Erebimienkumor Goddey, Mrs. Jane Alex, Miss Edith George, Mr. Isreal, To money and FASF Associates Ltd on behalf of Aghoro 1 community at Ekeremor Council.

    They are seeking redress for the damages caused by the oil spill and are claiming that the N33.49 million offered by SPDC was a far cry from the N700 billion claim based on impacted area damage assessment.

    Listed as defendants in the suit are, Shell Petroleum Development Company, Shell International Exploration and Production BV, Attorney-General and Minister of Justice and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.

     

  • Bayelsa govt slams Sylva over attacks on Diri’s performance

    Bayelsa govt slams Sylva over attacks on Diri’s performance

    Bayelsa State Government has slammed the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, over attacks on Governor Douye Diri and his administration’s performance two years after.

    The government in a statement yesterday by the Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy,  Ayibaina Duba, expressed dismay about the “misguided comments” of Sylva while featuring as guest on a Yenagoa-based radio station at the weekend.

    The government said Sylva’s comments not only lacked finesse, but were also indecorous of an exalted citizen of the state occupying a high office.

    It said the comments coming at a time the state and its citizens were in a celebrating mood, as they marked the second anniversary of Diri’s administration, were intended to dampen morale and score cheap political points.

    Duba said: “Interestingly, ‘Bayelsans’ know better and cannot be swayed by baseless sentiments and the shenanigans of political conflict mongers.

    “The state government is surprised that having previously been the number one citizen of the state, Sylva displayed crass ignorance about ongoing projects of the Diri government.

    “While we acknowledge his praises for some of the policies of the Diri administration, we, however, listened to him painfully trivialise some of the newly inaugurated projects of this administration.

    “For instance, Sylva described the newly inaugurated Igbedi community road as a mere 4.5km road project that does not deserve the invitation of another governor to inaugurate it and that it led to the governor’s wife’s hometown.

    “Pray, is Igbedi not a community in Bayelsa State that deserves the benefits of government projects like any other community? The minister might have forgotten that the first phase of the Glory Drive road he referenced and is taking credit for is not as long as the Igbedi road he condemned.”

  • PWDs to Soludo: carry us along same way Obiano did

    PWDs to Soludo: carry us along same way Obiano did

    The Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) in Anambra State has appealed to the governor-elect, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, to carry them along in his administration.

    The Chairman, Ugochukwu Okeke, made the call at the weekend while hosting members of the Justice Development and Peace Caritas (JDPC) and the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

    He said including them as members of his political appointees would provide them with a voice in government as well as enable them contribute their quota to the development of the state.

    Okeke thanked Governor Willie Obiano for the opportunity given his members, including engagement of 250 of them in the state civil service and establishing the disability commission.

    He said: “We want this gesture to continue, which is why we came up with charter of demands for the in-coming administration. We appeal to Soludo to consider PWDs as some of his political appointees.

    “When we have some of us in government, they are in the best position to understand the needs of people like us and push for policies that will better our lives.”

    Okeke appreciated JDPC for its continual support for persons with disabilities in the state.

    The Project Manager, JDPC Onitsha/FCDO, Alphonsus Nwoye, said the visit was to generate development issues to be used in engaging the incoming administration.

  • IYC hails Obaseki for infrastructural development in riverine communities

    IYC hails Obaseki for infrastructural development in riverine communities

    The Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) has hailed Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki for developing infrastructure in riverine communities, particularly Ijaw communities of the state.

    The commendation is contained in a statement by Mr. Omaghomi OluDerimon, the Western Zone Secretary of the IYC, made available to reporters in Benin yesterday.

    He said the people were excited about the efforts of the current administration in Edo toward the development of their communities.

    The IYC western zone secretary noted that this had been the demand of the Ijaw to successive administrations in the state.

    He stressed that the recent launch of the Ajoki-Ikpako road project and the proposed modern health centre at Gelegele were pointers to government’s response to the people’s yearnings.

    He said: “The Ijaw Youth Council is not a political party or group, but a social cultural organisation with a clear mandate to speak for the Ijaw and the Niger Delta by extension.

    “The IYC Western Zone has called on Governor Obaseki to give attention to the riverine communities and extend the good work he is doing in the city down to these areas.

    “Just recently we saw the governor launch the Ajoki-Ikpako road project.”

     

  • Group makes case for youths’ participation in Enugu council poll

    A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Yiaga Africa, has hailed the zeal exhibited by young people and women to participate in governance at various levels of the government.

    The body, which was in Enugu to mobilise youths to engage in the political process towards the February 23 local government elections in Enugu State, said it was excited with the increasing population of youths and women candidature from parties in the election.

    Speaking with reporters at the end of its ‘Run To Win’ town hall meeting for young candidates and leadership of parties held in Enugu, the Programme Manager of YIAGA Africa, Ibrahim Faruk, said that the ‘Run To Win’ campaign was aimed at bringing together youths contesting for positions, to ensure that they got the support they needed, in order to not only run for offices, but also win in the elections

    “The programme shows that there is a very healthy appetite for young people and women to participate in election and win, regardless of the challenges they face,” he said.

    Faruk added: “The essence of the town hall meeting with young candidates in the coming election is to create a platform for them to engage stakeholders in the electoral process. We want to ensure that youths in parties enjoy a level playing field to participate in the process and eventually win elections in their constituencies.

    “The stakeholders include party leaders, security agencies and the media. The importance of these stakeholders for vulnerable groups such as young men and women to have a voice in the electioneering process cannot be overemphasised.

    “Again, we’re here to create awareness for this council election. Many a time when there’s a local government poll, there seems to be apathy or resistance from the citizens in participating in the process.”

    He said he was happy to see leadership of parties make a commitment to support youths by making their structures and the parties available for young and women candidates to run for elections and win.

    Participants at the meeting hailed the organisation for using the programme to create awareness.

    They sought more sensitisation to enable the leadership of parties participate in media debates.

    The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) chairmanship candidate in Oji River Local Government, Charles Anikwe, listed security agents and state independent electoral commission as the major problem candidates from opposition parties contended with.

  • Jonathan hails Diri on inclusive governance

    Jonathan hails Diri on inclusive governance

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan has praised Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, for his inclusive approach to governance and his reverence for God.

    Speaking yesterday at the Ecumenical Centre in Yenagoa, during the second anniversary thanksgiving of the Diri administration, Dr. Jonathan noted that God had a reason for everything under the sun, saying humans were just instruments in His hands.

    He urged Diri to use the God-given opportunity as governor to better the lot of the people.

    The former president also commended him for encouraging peaceful co-existence of ‘Bayelsans’ from across party lines and prayed God to give him the wisdom to bring more development to people of the state.

    He said: “God has given you opportunity to pilot the affairs of the state and you are doing well. I thank you for encouraging peaceful co-existence. We pray that you have the wisdom to bring more development. All of us should continue to support him and through him God will bless us.”

    Diri said he would forever be thankful to God for what He had done for him and the state.

    He recalled how trying the few hours before his swearing in were and how God miraculously turned things around for his good.

    Speaking on behalf of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors, Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa said the party’s governors were in the state to rejoice with their colleague and people of the state for what God had done for them.

    He praised Diri for his strides in office so far and urged him to continue to work for the development of the state.

    The PDP National Chairman, Sen. Iyorcha Ayu, said time had proven that the party performed creditably at the presidency, adding that the change mantra the opposition sold to Nigerians had no positive impact.

    Other governors present were Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State and his Benue counterpart, Samuel Ortom, as well as former Bayelsa governor and now the Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District, Chief Seriake Dickson, Sen. Moses Cleopas, members of the House of Representatives from the state and some of their colleagues, and other top government functionaries.

  • ‘My choice of successor has not divided Akwa Ibom PDP’

    ‘My choice of successor has not divided Akwa Ibom PDP’

    Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel has said his choice of Pastor Umo Eno as his successor has not created division in the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    He spoke at the weekend during the 10th series of “The governor speaks” programme aired live on the state-owned and private radio stations operating in the state, monitored by The Nation in Uyo.

    The governor re-echoed his admonition against those who desired power by use of violence, saying he would not be distracted.

    He said he would rather remain focused on his agenda.

    Emmanuel said: “As a leader I am entitled to only one vote during the primaries and general election. And that my vote is not for violence, it is not for the man that will go and carry gun and point on your head to grab power.

    “Whoever grabs power by violence will rule by violence. So I am telling you that my vote is for peace, it is for progress, it is for economic prosperity, for infrastructural development, unity and I can keep counting.

    “So our party, the PDP, is not divided. Those social media things we read are not helping us in any matter. I don’t follow those things, I must get focused; I don’t need those distractions.”

    On his promise to complete ongoing projects before the end of his tenure, including road infrastructure, the governor said that his administration was doing everything to ensure that was achieved.

    He thanked God that his administration completed some of the capital projects it started despite the recession in the country and the negative effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy.

  • ‘Why Isoko North should allow South to produce Ogor’s successor’

    ‘Why Isoko North should allow South to produce Ogor’s successor’

    A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State, Ejiro Oghenero, has appealed to leaders of the party in Isoko Nation to honour the rotational system between Isoko North and South in the interest of peace.

    He also appealed to the leaders of PDP, particularly from Isoko North, to allow Isoko South produce the next House of Representatives member for Isoko Federal Constituency in the 2023 general election.

    In a statement, the chieftain, who hails from Ozoro in Isoko North, noted that it was the turn of Isoko South to produce Leo Ogor’s successor.

    “Constitutionally, it is the right of every Isoko son and daughter to contest all available political positions. But political and administrative exigencies introduced a dichotomy that seems to be threatening the core essence of our unity and progress of the Isoko Nation.

    “For over two decades, yes 20 years, Ogor, a core, bona fide Isoko Northerner like myself, has been at the House of Representatives on the platform of our party, the PDP, representing the Isoko interest.

    “There are documented facts, both audio and visuals, where he declared, putting his honour at stake that Isoko South that has faithfully supported and voted massively for him, will take over the mantle from him.

    “Ogor’s Aviara Declaration before Elders and Leaders of the Isoko Nation should be sacrosanct, especially as it is known that he is a man who stands and works by his words. Isoko North and South are not known to be rebellious, we cannot at this time rebel against our leader and spite our noses.”

    “It goes without saying that Isoko North PDP leaders should honour the patriotic wish of our Leader, Ogor. And it is expected that the Isoko South PDP will come up with candidates with verified developmental, united and progressive records that the Isoko Nation will rally round and vote for.

    “We don’t need to be told that there is a strong undercurrent among the leaders of Isoko South that they will put aside party’s interest and vote for the opposition that will present their own son or daughter for the House of Representatives election, if Isoko North PDP insists on denying them the opportunity to have a shot at the coveted seat. That, if allowed to happen, will be political ‘harakiri’ of PDP in Isoko land.

    “Noteworthy also is the spirit of rotation that is pervading the country now. We must as people agitating for fair play and justice, be seen to key into what has taken root throughout the country, that power must shift from one zone to another zone in rotational order.

    “Isoko North leaders must not rock a cruising boat. They must put all pecuniary interests aside and work for the emergence of an Isoko South PDP House of Representatives candidate that will represent the Isoko Nation faithfully as our collective choice,” he said.

  • Displeased soldiers, two accused army officers in war of words

    Displeased soldiers, two accused army officers in war of words

    • Over conniving with Yahoo boys

    • ‘Allegations untrue’

    • 4 Brigade spokesman: I will find out and get back

    There is a repeat of the Hushpuppi/Abba Kyari saga at the 4 Brigade, Benin, Edo State, as soldiers are protesting the alleged criminal activities of two officers: Lt. Col. Emmanuel Ayegba and Capt. Eddyson Okakah, who connived with Internet fraudsters, popularly called Yahoo boys, to make huge sums of money.

    They were also allegedly involved in other illegal activities, which they denied.

    Ayegba is the Commander of Operation WABAZIGAN, a security outfit set up by the Godwin Obaseki administration in Edo State, while Okakah is the Officer-in-Charge (O/C) of Military Police at 4 Brigade, Benin.

    The aggrieved soldiers pleaded with the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Faruk Yahaya, to intervene, in order to restore sanity to the 4 Brigade and the entire Army.

    Our reporter gathered yesterday in Benin that Ayegba and Okakah were allegedly living beyond their means, and emboldening the Yahoo boys, who recently “sprayed” Okakah over N4 million at a social event.

    Ayegba lives at the 4 Brigade headquarters in the Government Reservation Area (GRA), beside Government House, Benin, while Okakah is not living either at the brigade headquarters or at the army barracks in Ekenwan, on the outskirts of Benin, but residing in his recently-built mansion on Airport Road, Benin.

    The aggrieved soldiers declared, while speaking in confidence, that by allowing the two officers to continue to stay at the brigade, without being investigated, they would pollute the Army and make the committed personnel to also be cutting corners, and be involved in unethical practices.

    One of the displeased soldiers alleged: “Capt. Okakah is regularly, mostly on a weekly basis, collecting N100,000 and above from soldiers at the various checkpoints in Edo State, depending on the location. Besides regularly forcing the soldiers at the security locations to part with cash, he would still burst them to make more money. The extortion is becoming unbearable. How will the soldiers at the checkpoints and locations in Edo State not be angry?”

    The protesting soldiers also alleged that instead of keeping Edo safe, Ayegba and Okakah were conniving with criminals to enrich themselves, thereby heightening insecurity in the state.

    Reacting, Ayegba said: “Thank you. The Brigade’s PRO will respond.”

    Okakah said: “I was earlier today (yesterday) at the Catholic Church in Benin City to worship God. All the allegations levelled against me are lies. God forbid that I will be involved in such criminal activities.”

    Spokesman for 4 Brigade Capt. Olayemi Sokoya said that since he had just heard of the allegations levelled against the two officers, he would find out and get back to our reporter, but did not do so at press time.