The Nation Newspaper

Category: South East

  • Drivers protest extortion in Delta

    Drivers protest extortion in Delta

    Commercial drivers plying Warri, Eku, Abraka/Agbor roads in Delta State yesterday protested what they described as extortion and dehumanisation against them by government agents and motor park workers, popularly called the Agbero.

    They marched on Effurun, Eku streets, carrying placards with inscriptions to protest multiple ticket levies allegedly collected by government agents.

    The demonstrators decried the hijack of waybills, saying whenever passengers wanted to send items, those at the parks would collect the money and instruct them (the drivers) to take the goods for delivery without a dime.

    One of the drivers, Mr. Overcomer Eze, who spoke on behalf of the protesters, said they paid for Delta State Government ticket known as Updelta several times, when one ticket from the state government was supposed to cover them within the state for one day.

    The demonstrators promised to take their protest to the Government House in Asaba, alleging that the passenger welfare scheme levy was being deducted from the drivers’ money in the name of a manifest.

  • Bayelsa governor’s wife leads campaign

    Bayelsa governor’s wife leads campaign

    Wife of Bayelsa State Governor Dr. Gloria Diri yesterday led a coalition of civil society organisations and girl-child welfare advocacy groups on a campaign against ritual killings and harvest of human parts in parts of the state.

    The coalition urged security agencies to step up security of the girl-child.

    The advocacy campaign started at 8am with an estimated 12-kilometre road walk to declare ‘No to Ritual Killings’.

    Groups and stakeholders under the umbrella of the Bayelsa State Gender Response Initiative Team (GRIT) noted that although few cases of attempted ritual killings had been detected, they would no longer condone the mysterious killing of young girls.

  • Cross River to become net supplier of processed chicken, says Ayade

    Cross River to become net supplier of processed chicken, says Ayade

    Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade has said the state-owned chicken processing plant, Calachika, has met almost all the requirements for certification by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

    Situated at the sprawling Ayade Industrial Park, along Goodluck Jonathan Bypass in Calabar, the 24,000 birds per day chicken processing factory is one of the industries the Prof. Ayade administration built across the state in line with its industrialisation policy.

    Speaking with reporters at the factory during a facility tour, the governor said besides being ready for NAFDAC certification, products from the factory were also ready to hit the market.

    “Our products are ready to hit the market. We are in the last phase of NAFDAC certification and the certification is taking a process because we need to separate the selection of the live birds from the production line,” he said.

    Ayade said: “The live birds contain high levels of pathogens and their pathogenicity is very huge. A typical example is cosidiosisimitis. It can be very infectious and its pathogenicity is well established.

    “So, to create a control system, NAFDAC has given us specifications and we are adjusting our production process to meet the NAFDAC criteria.

    “In addition, we needed to set up a laboratory, and the laboratory is already in place as we await certain sensitive equipment for final testing.

    “So, indeed, this is why we are yet to launch it aggressively in terms of marketing, in terms of adverts, because we need the final NAFDAC certification to do so.”

    He stressed that Calachika was poised to boost the protein intake of Nigerians, lamenting that “statistics show that the average Nigerian consumes only 2.5k of chicken per annum and that is a little above one chicken. So it means that an average Nigerian is seen to be consuming a little over one chicken in a year.

    “This means that a child growing up in an average Nigerian home has access to only one chicken in the entire year and chicken is one of the cheap sources of protein.”

    Governor Ayade has ordered recruitment into the civil service to fill the vacuum that may occur due to workers’ retirements.

    The new Head of Service (HoS), Mr. Timothy Akwaji, disclosed this yesterday at his maiden meeting with permanent secretaries in Calabar.

    Akwaji said the creation of Akwa Ibom State from Cross River State in 1987 had witnessed mass exodus of civil servants to the new state.

    This, he said, had led to mass recruitment by the state government to fill vacant positions.

  • Okowa sends nominees’ names to assembly

    Okowa sends nominees’ names to assembly

    Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has forwarded seven names of nominees for appointment as chairman and members of the House of Assembly Commission to the legislature for approval.

    The names of the nominees, which are contained in a letter, were read yesterday during plenary of the assembly by Speaker Sherriff Oborevwori in Asaba.

    Okowa said reconstitution of the commission was sequel to the expiration of the tenure of its former chairman and members.

    “In exercise of the power conferred on me by Section 4, subsection (4) of the Delta State House of Assembly Service Commission (Establishment) Law, 2021, I wish to present the following persons for confirmation by the House.”

  • ‘Why Anambra shouldn’t expect miracle from Soludo’

    ‘Why Anambra shouldn’t expect miracle from Soludo’

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra State, Chief Ikechukwu Tabansi, has advised the citizens not to expect too much from the governor-elect, Prof. Charles Soludo, in his first tenure.

    He said the state’s economic instability occasioned by alleged mismanagement of resources would likely affect his performance.

    Addressing reporters in his country home, Nri kingdom, in Anaocha Local Government of Anambra State, Tabansi, however, said Soludo would be among the greatest achievers in the state’s history.

    He listed payment of workers’ salaries and roads rehabilitation as some major projects he would have to contend with.

    Said he: “It’s true that we have a functioning new airport, but that should not compel him to neglect other projects, just for a project to stand.

    “I don’t think I expect much from Soludo in his first term because he has to struggle a lot to pay the workers, among other responsibilities.

    “As I don’t expect much, I still believe that in the long run, Soludo is going to be among the greatest achievers recorded in the history of Anambra State.”

    While noting that his support for Soludo was not hinged on his wealth or for any pecuniary benefit, Tabansi said after a cursory look at his rivals, he discovered that the governor-elect was much better.

    He added: “Even when he was the governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, everybody witnessed his landmark achievements in the financial world. I believe he is going to do well, but he should be given enough space to prove his mettle.”

    The APGA stalwart, however, denied harbouring grudges against Governor Willie Obiano, explaining that things fell apart when the governor started differentiating between Aguleri frontiers and those from other clans in a particular administration.

    “In governance, you should carry everybody along,” he said.

  • Ijaw youths warn blackmailers to stay away from agency boss

    Ijaw youths warn blackmailers to stay away from agency boss

    The Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide has warned blackmailers and mischief makers hiding under civil society organisations, to steer clear of the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Mr. Simbi Wabote.

    IYC President Peter Timothy Igbifa, in a statement yesterday, described attempts by such persons to tarnish the image of Wabote, using a subjudiced matter in the United States of America (USA), as laughable, deceptive and childish.

    He said no court in the USA had found Wabote guilty of any wrongdoing, adding that persons behind reports accusing Wabote of perjury should be arrested and tried for causing public nuisance and civil unrest.

    Describing Wabote as a frontline Niger Delta son and an upright public servant, Igbifa said the persons raising unnecessary dust had no locus to make a defamatory suit filed by Wabote himself a matter of public discussion.

    He said IYC had compiled the names of persons behind attempts to pull down Wabote, whom he described as one of the rising Ijaw stars, and warned them to tread cautiously or risk burning their fingers.

    Igbifa said Wabote had repositioned and reformed the NCDMB, making it the only agency without political interference and using it to champion development across states.

    He said: “Wabote has made us proud as an Ijaw man. His professionalism in the management of the affairs of NCDMB is outstanding and his achievements as the executive secretary of the board are extraordinary. Therefore, IYC under my leadership cannot allow any campaign of calumny designed by envious losers to embarrass him.”

  • Dredging key for Onitsha River Port concession benefits – Shippers

    Dredging key for Onitsha River Port concession benefits – Shippers

    The Shippers Association of Lagos State (SALS) says dredging of the Onitsha River Port key for optimal utilisation and concession benefits.

    President SALS, Rev. Jonathan Nicole, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos.

    Nicole spoke against the backdrop of the concessioning of Onitsha River Port by the Federal Government to Messrs Universal Elysium Consortium for 30 years.

    NAN reports that the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) on Feb. 3 said that the Federal Executive Council had given approval for the concession of the Onitsha River Port.

    According to the acting Head, Media and Publicity, ICRC, Manji Yarling, the Federal Government will generate over N50 billion from the 30-year concession of the Onitsha River Port.

    Yarling said the concession was approved under a rehabilitate, operate and transfer (ROT) arrangement.

    Nicole added that the dredging would make waterways and port navigable and as well assist coastal protection.

    “The river port also has a natural phenomena during dry season, the river is filled with sand during the period.

    “We believe all of these have been put into consideration before the concession for 30 years. Nothing is impossible to do when the time comes.

    “The concession agreement has not yet been made public for us to see if cargo owners using the port will be given concessions due to navigational delays, security and safety to cargo.

    “We congratulate the concessioners and wish them the best of luck in their huge investments for 30 years,” he said.

    Nicole, however, noted that the port was strategic for transporting goods to the southeast from Lagos, Port Harcourt and its environs.

    He urged the Anambra State Government to provide the enabling environment for port duties in Ontisha.

    “Presently, the Onitsha port is not functional at all because people will not like to risk their goods through routes that are not navigational.

    “It takes two weeks or more to move containers from Lagos to Onitsha by road, while it will take less than three days by water, this is more economical and so the plan is a welcome one.

    “We are looking at a difficult situation being solved by a group of business men in Onitsha port and that is good for them,” he said. (NAN)

  • Stakeholders to discuss opportunities in PIA at summit

    Stakeholders to discuss opportunities in PIA at summit

    Stakeholders have been urged to prepare research papers and intervention strategies that will provide “clarity” into the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and “opportunities” for the people of the Niger Delta.

    According to a statement by the publisher of GbaramatuVoice newspaper, Jacob Abai, made available to reporters in Warri, Delta State, a discussion on critical issues surrounding the development of the oil-rich region is to hold at a maiden summit tagged: ‘Niger Delta Economic Discourse Series’.

    The statement said the theme of the programme is: “Achieving Sustainable Development in a PIA Driven Economy”, adding that it will hold from April 12 to 13 at the Government House Banquet Hall, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

    It said the programme will allow presentation of original research papers, reviews of policies and drive intervention strategies that affect Niger Delta.

    Governors, ministers, oil industry captains, host communities stakeholders, private sector, among others, are expected at the summit.

  • PAP begins training for 400 ex-agitators

    PAP begins training for 400 ex-agitators

    The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has kicked off its special Train, Employ and Mentor (TEM) training programme with 400 ex-agitators.

    The Interim Administrator, PAP, Col. Milland Dixon Dikio (retd), sent the pioneer delegates to the Bradama International Skills Work Limited in Agadagba-Obon, Ese-Odo Local Government of Ondo State.

    Dikio, who inaugurated the programme, said the deployment was in line with the promise he made to the ex-agitators in the new year.

    Dikio, in a statement signed yesterday by his Special Adviser, Media, Neotaobase Egbe, urged the beneficiaries to see it as another privileged opportunity to create a future of economic prosperity for themselves.

    He said that the TEM scheme was a well-thought out training model, which would equip the beneficiaries with the necessary skills and provide a sustainable means of livelihood for them.

    Dikio, who challenged the delegates to avoid any conduct that would  derail their participation in the seven-month training programme, restated his commitment of bringing sustained peace and economic prosperity to the region.

    PAP’s Head of Reintegration, Alfred Kemepado, said there were numerous employment opportunities for persons found worthy in character and learning after the training.

    He said while some of the beneficiaries would be employed at the Bradama International Skills Work Limited as part of the TEM agreement, others would  have the opportunity to work in multinational companies.

    The Managing Director of Bradama International Skills Work Limited, Bibopere Ajube, alias Shoot-at-Sight, urged the trainees to be inspired by his success story and strive to be better than him.

    Ajube said: “If you don’t work hard, you can’t achieve anything. So, make up your mind today that you will make it. Look at me, I took a decision to succeed and look at where I am today. Always think of your children, what are you offering your children for their lives to be better”?

    Hailing Dikio for the idea of the TEM, the former warlord warned the delegates to desist from forming cliques and cabals that would be inimical to their success during the training.

    The seven months training will cover four faculties of building, electrical/solar inverter installation, mechanical and general studies.

  • Buhari hails Ayade on rice farming

    Buhari hails Ayade on rice farming

    Cross River State’s investment in rice production was yesterday appreciated in Abuja, as President Muhammad Buhari bestowed on Governor Ben Ayade, an excellent award in recognition of his government’s effort in that regard.

    In pursuit of the agro-industrialisation policy of his administration, Ayade has established in Calabar, the state capital, a multi-million naira Africa’s first-ever automated rice seeds and seedling factory.

    The factory was inaugurated in June 2018 by President Buhari.

    Also, an ultra-modern vitaminised rice mill in Ogoja, in the northern part of the state, has been completed and awaiting inauguration by the President in March.

    The Cross River state governor received the presidential honour at the unveiling of the Abuja Rice Pyramids by the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN).

    The event was organised to celebrate President Buhari’s annual rice festival and to launch the 2022 dry season programme.

    Speaking while giving him the award,  Buhari commended Ayade for his contributions to Nigeria’s rice revolution and rice value chain.

    The governor thanked the president for the honour, saying his passion for agriculture had the imprimatur of the president.

    “Mr. President I want to thank you for making me a farmer, Mr. President, I want to thank you for turning my wife, a  doctor,  to a full-time farmer. I thank you for creating a great future for this country through your policy trust in agriculture. I thank you for being focused on agriculture, I want to thank you sincerely,” he said.

    According to him, “Cross River State has, based on your policy thrust,  taken advantage of your robust agricultural road map to provide an alternative to oil as the mainstay of our economy, to focus on the agro-industrialisation revolution, which is the basis of any nation that is prepared to industrialise.

    “On the strength of that, Cross River State set up the first and the only vitaminised rice mill in Africa.”

    The governor used the occasion to remind the President of his promise to personally visit the state to inaugurate the rice mill in March.

    He said his administration had made rice farming pleasurable by digitalising the farming process.

    Ayade said: “As long as you continue to use manual energy to farm, your yield will be low, as long as you continue to grow rice using seeds, your harvest will be slavish.

    “Today, rice cultivation in Nigeria gives you an average of three to four tonnes per hectare, while in advanced worlds like Thailand and China, you are looking at between 10 and 14 tonnes per hectare. That is technology, that is the digitalisation my administration has brought in.”