The Nation Newspaper

Category: South East

  • UNN students protest over two-month power outage

    UNN students protest over two-month power outage

    Medical students of the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) yesterday staged a peaceful protest on the Enugu campus of the university, over the cut in electricity supply to the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) old site.

    The students, who sang solidarity songs, carried placards with inscriptions such as: ‘Doctors are made, they’re not created’, ‘No light at old UNTH for two months’, ‘Power has left us; two months and counting no light’, ‘Give us light at old UNTH,’ ‘Online classes no light, no Wi-Fi,’ ‘Give us light, we don tire to dey burn night candle #we need light,’ ‘I don finish my money for power bank, #lightupoldunth’, among others.

    They blocked the main roundabout inside UNTH, halting vehicular movements from all corners of the institution and leaving motorists attempting to come inside and go outside the campus stranded for hours.

    The protesters urged the management of the university to find a solution to epileptic supply of electricity to their old UNTH location, where students/doctors live and take their studies.

    Read Also: Flights delayed as aviation group protests colleague’s death

    Some of the students, in an interview with our correspondent, decried the persistent power outage in the area in the last two months.

    They accused the Dean, College of Medicine, Prof. Cajetan Onyedum, of not making efforts to ameliorate the plight of the students.

    One of the protesters, who identified himself as Declan, said the students had been suffering in silence due to the power outage.

    He said they had been paying to charge their phones and laptops in order to carry out academic assignments.

    Said he: “We’re here to demand electricity supply at the old UNTH. We have not had light there for more than two months now. We are medical students.

    “They are giving us generator off and on, which is not enough.

    “We have been trying to be diplomatic, but it’s not working. That’s why we stormed here for a peaceful protest.”

    The protesters appealed to the management of the university to intervene and restore electricity to the UNTH old site.

    Contacted, the university spokesman, Dr. Okwun Omeaku, refused to comment on the matter.

    He only said “okay”, after listening to a question from our correspondent.

  • Rivers, NOSDRA battle pipeline vandalism  

    Rivers, NOSDRA battle pipeline vandalism  

    Rivers State Government and the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) have decried environmental and health impacts of pipeline vandalism.

    They have rolled out strategies to tackle the menace in communities.

    The duo spoke yesterday in Port Harcourt during the Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction (CBDRR) plan, phase three, organised by the agency to sensitise stakeholders on the dangers of pipeline vandalism.

    The Director General, NOSDRA, Idris Musa, referred to oil spills induced by pipeline vandalism as one of the myriads of environmental problems threatening the Niger Delta ecosystem and people’s livelihood.

    Musa, whose keynote address was presented by the agency’s Director, Oladipo Obanuwa, said there was need to organise town hall meetings to create awareness on the dangers of pipeline vandalism in the region.

    He said that the DDR was developed to harmonise the roles and responsibilities of government, oil industry operators, host and transit communities and other relevant stakeholders in addressing the problem.

    Musa said: “While it is true that crude oil is spilled into the environment due to equipment failure, pipeline vandalism by unscrupulous elements also contributes largely to the menace, resulting in adverse socio-economic health and environmental challenges.”

    NOSDRA has said it has rolled out strategies to tackle incessant oil spills in communities in the Niger Delta.

    Its Director General, Musa, disclosed this yesterday at a one-day Community-based Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) plan in Port Harcourt, organised by NOSDRA to create awareness on the dangers of pipeline vandalism.

    Represented by Mr. Oladipo Obanuwa, NOSDRA’s Director, Asset Safety and Mitigation, Musa said the new strategy involves the deployment of its DRR plan to all states in the region.

    “The DRR plan was first carried out in Bayelsa State in 2014, and will now be replicated in other oil-producing states and transit states.

    “The plan was developed by NOSDRA to create and sustain an interface with stakeholders that hitherto has not been effectively engaged in the effort to curb pipeline vandalism.”

  • Oil-producing communities decry neglect by govt, oil firms

    Oil-producing communities decry neglect by govt, oil firms

    No fewer than 10 oil producing communities in Southern Ijaw Local Government of Bayelsa State have protested the alleged hardship being experienced by them due to years of oil exploration and exploitation.

    The protesting communities, including Krokrosei and Olugbobiri, alleged that the government and the multinational oil companies operating in their environment had neglected them over the years and had made anger, hunger and frustration their lifestyles.

    In their protest letter signed by the Youth Leader, Raphael Christopher, and Women Leader, Timieri Abel, the protesters claimed that because of the neglect and insensitivity of the government and oil companies, the areas were not in good condition.

    They condemned the absence of social amenities such as good road network, pipe borne water, electricity and scholarship schemes.

    In the letter, which was copied to the Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, Secretary to the State Government, the House of Assembly member Constituency 4 and the Chairman of SILGA, the protesters expressed displeasure about the lack of facilities in their schools and the alleged diversion of scholarship opportunities meant for indigenous students.

    They implored the federal and state governments to prevail on the oil companies to carry out their corporate social responsibility in the communities.

    The demonstrators urged the International Oil Companies (IOCs) to provide social amenities for the communities, to enable peaceful coexistence to reign.

    Some of their demands as contained in their letter of protest were the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) allegedly signed over 48 years ago.

    They threatened to shut down oil exploration in their area by December 31, 2021 and take the law into their hands if their demands are not met.

    The protesters equally threatened that they might be forced to start refining and managing their oil by themselves, claiming that they had the capacity to do so if the authorities continued to treat them with disdain.

  • Bayelsa monarch laid to rest

    Bayelsa monarch laid to rest

    The late King George Adumein Lawson, the Obanobhan 1 of Emeyal Kingdom, Bayelsa State, was yesterday laid to rest at a ceremony attended by former President Goodluck Jonathan and other personalities.

    Kings and queens of kingdoms in Bayelsa State, as well as politicians, clergymen, captains of industries and business moguls from parts of the country attended the funeral.

    The burial climaxed a two-day of activities put together by the Bayelsa State Council of Traditional Rulers and the people of the kingdom to honour the first-class monarch, who died at 63.

    The traditional ruler, who was a cousin of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, was one-time Vice Chairman of Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council and was installed in 2011 as the Obhanoban of Emeyal Kingdom after his successful working career in the old Rivers State and Bayelsa State.

    Jonathan, in a funeral oration, noted that the late monarch was a peace-loving man, whose virtues he advised the people of Emeyal clan in Ogbia Local Government to uphold by living in peace.

    He said His Royal Majesty was a sincere and selfless leader, who served the Ogbia people with loyalty and diligence and promoted the customs and values of the Ogbia Kingdom.

    Jonathan said: “The late monarch was a man of principle, cheerful in spirit and resilient in the pursuit of his dreams and the common vision of his subjects.

    “As the Obhanoban of Emeyal Clan, he had a stable and peaceful reign as he ruled with piety, dispensing justice, truth and love to his subjects.

    “King Lawson will be greatly missed by many, including those outside his immediate family.”

    The Chairman of Central Burial Planning Committee, His Royal Majesty King Collins Ebi Daniel, the Olila-Ebhugh of Abureni Clan, said the death of King Lawson was a monumental loss to Bayelsa State and the country.

    He said the late monarch was a man of good disposition, calm, humble and very accessible.

    Conducting the funeral service, Apostle Godbless Omoni, Ogbia Area Superintendent of the Apostolic Church and Chairman, Christian Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Bayelsa State chapter, extolled the life of the monarch as worthy of emulation by all.

    He enjoined Christians to remember God in whatever position they find themselves, as they would be recalled to account for their deeds and misdeeds.

    He advised those in positions of authority to have the fear of God in all their dealings, saying they should strive to impact the lives of the people.

    Omoni said power belonged to God and that the leaders should not be reckless with power, as one day, they would be required to account for how they used their power.

  • No plan to change our legal team, says IPOB

    No plan to change our legal team, says IPOB

    Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has denied reports alleging that it was shopping for a senior lawyer to lead its legal team handling the case of its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, in Abuja.

    It said it had no issues with its legal team led by Ifeanyi Ejiofor, which it boasted had done the group proud in all ramifications.

    In a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, IPOB described the report as a figment of the peddlers’ imagination, urging the public to disregard such.

    The statement said: “The attention of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) under the leadership of our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has been drawn to ridiculous and misleading media reports that IPOB is shopping for a senior lawyer to lead our legal team handling the case of our leader in Abuja.

    Read Also: IPOB sit-at-home: Onitsha, Aba markets shut again

    “Nothing can be further from the truth. We wish, therefore, to debunk such speculative report sponsored by our enemies to cause disaffection among us. The said report, which is only a figment of the imagination of the peddlers, never emanated from us. Such a thing is not in contemplation at all.

    “We urge the public to disregard such media report, as it was planted by our oppressors to cause confusion. It is already dead on arrival

    “IPOB has no issues with our legal team led by Ifeanyi Ejiofor. Our legal team has done us proud in all ramifications. We still repose confidence in our brilliant legal team, which has shown competence, capacity and prowess in all our legal matters. It’s only those who are intimidated by the capacity of our legal team that are behind these imaginary speculations.”

  • Uzodimma nominates 17 commissioners-designate

    Uzodimma nominates 17 commissioners-designate

    Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma is preparing to reconstitute the Executive Council (Exco), six months after it was dissolved.

    He has forwarded the names of 17 persons as commissioners-designate to the House of Assembly for screening and possible confirmation.

    The names of the nominees were contained in a letter the governor transmitted to the Assembly yesterday through the Office of Speaker Kennedy Ibe. It was read and considered at a special plenary.

    The nominees include: Prof. Emmanuel Chukwuma, Dr. Prosper Chinonso, Prof. Ifunanya Okorodudu, Prof. C. O. Nwosu, Mr. Keziechi Ogaziechi, Rex Anunobi, a lawyer; Lady Love Ineh, Mrs. Rubby Emele, Simon Ebegbulem, Mr. Anukwuem Chukwunyere, Chief Ford Ozurumba, Stanley Obidiegwu, Goodluck Opia, Mrs. Ann Dozie, Prof. Kenneth Amaeshi (Chief Economic Adviser), Hauia Ibrahim and Dr. Elias Emedom.

    They will be referred to the appropriate committee of the House of Assembly for screening, effective today.

  • Umahi’s alleged N25m largesse tears Ohanaeze youths apart

    Umahi’s alleged N25m largesse tears Ohanaeze youths apart

    Ebonyi State Governor Dave Umahi has been accused of sponsoring division in the youth wing of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo and planting his stooge as the national youth leader of the organisation.

    According to a source, the governor allegedly doled out N25 million to the National Executive Committee to reinstate the leader of the group, Damian Okafor, who was suspended for high-handedness and corruption.

    Following the ratification of Okafor’s suspension, the Ohanaeze Youth Wing is warming up for a by-election for the office of a national youth leader.

    But the governor is alleged to be bent on retaining the expelled youth leader, who is from his state.

    The source alleged further that Umahi’s interest in the leadership of the organisation is to boost his 2023 presidential ambition.

    He further alleged: “Governor Umahi has doled out millions of Naira to stall the rejuvenation of the youth wing of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, which had his stooge, Okafor as leader.”

    Umahi, however, debunked the allegation, describing it as unfounded and misleading.

    The governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Nwaze Francis, said it is an attempt to tarnish the image of the governor by those he said are bereft of ideas.

    Read Also; Era of sit-at-home over in Southeast, says Ohanaeze

    He said: “The first is to tell you that when people are bereft of ideas, they will start to look for a profile to tarnish. When you talk about crisis, these were the people that voted the young man in and he was doing his job. I am surprised when they came up to say that it was the governor that is sponsoring crisis.

    “Obviously there is no such thing, the governor respects constituted authority and has no hands in whatever that is happening in Ohaneze Youth Council. I can tell you that nothing of such happened.”

    Giving details of the crisis, a source alleged: “The governor has foisted Okafor on the youth wing against the wishes of the majority of the youth, even when there were more vibrant candidates for the position. The governor literally bought the position as a safeguard for his presidential ambition.”

    The source added: “During the election held on August 5 at the national secretariat of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, the National Executive Council of Ohanaeze, who is the parent body of the youth wing, threw in a list of anointed candidates and literally forced delegates to vote along that line, after money had exchanged hands.

    “Like it happens with most people imposed into a position of authority, Okafor (national youth leader) assumed a larger than life status, especially among his colleagues in the National Executive Committee of the Youth Wing. Instead of showing leadership, he tried to show superiority.

    “And in an unprecedented step in the history of the Ohanaeze Youth Wing, barely one month after his election, 22 members of the National Executive Committee voted to suspend him, indefinitely, over allegations bordering on incompetence, dereliction of duty and corruption.”

    Efforts to get the reaction of Okafor were unsuccessful, as he said he was on transit and would call back our correspondent, but failed to do so at press time.

  • Group warns Niger-Delta governors

    Group warns Niger-Delta governors

    A Niger-Delta group, the Policy Alert, has urged state governments in the region against the use of the court-ordered recalculated oil derivation revenue as a guarantee for new loans.

    The Executive Director, Tijah Bolton-Akpan, in a statement at the weekend, said that “any attempt by governors to use the judgment as a source for immediate funding through loans, will undermine accountability, compound the debt crisis facing states in the region and cancel out any positive gain the sudden injection of funds could have had on fiscal space in the states.”

    A Federal High Court  had ordered the Federal Government to pay $2.258 billion  to Akwa Ibom State, $1.638 billion to Delta State, $1.114 billion to Rivers State and $951million to Bayelsa State, as their share of a recalculated oil derivation revenue, in line with Section 16(1) of the Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contract (PSC) Act, which obligates the government at the centre to adjust the federation’s share in additional revenue if the price of crude oil at any time exceeds $20 per barrel.

    Bolton-Akpan said: “The four states stand to receive a sudden inflow of $5.9 billion (equivalent to N2.42 trillion). This presents a rare opportunity to ensure that receipts from valuable, but exhaustible oil and gas resources, translate into higher living standards for these states and especially for the communities that bear the brunt of oil and gas extraction, for the current generation and also for future. While we call on the Federal Government to expedite action on the payments, in line with the orders of the court, it is necessary to

  • ‘Sue Soludo, face the consequences’

    ‘Sue Soludo, face the consequences’

    The people of Aguata in Anambra State have warned governorship candidates from Anambra South Zone in the November 6 election threatening to head for the election petition tribunal to challenge the victory of Prof. Chukwuma Soludo as the governor-elect to forget the idea or face their wrath.

    The indigenes, under the umbrella of Nzukora, Old Aguata Union (OAU), Anambra State traders, said Soludo should not be distracted by his kinsmen.

    The Coordinator-General, Mr. Peter Okala, in a letter to the Chairman of OAU Worldwide, Igwe Promise Eze of Umunze, made available to reporters yesterday, urged the losers to exhibit the spirit of sportsmanship in the interest of peace and tranquility.

    Read Also; Soludo: Your time starts now!

    “We the 45 communities of the OAU that are traders in Anambra State hereby call on the losers to show spirit of sportsmanship as we are disposed to take necessary steps, legal, spiritual and otherwise to discourage all manners of distraction because our expectation is high,” he said.

    Umunze urged the monarch to prevail on the losers to sheathe their swords, saying: “We are not biased, as any such support would have also been given to whosoever if not Soludo.”

    He congratulated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on proving to be independent and security agents on their resilience and doggedness throughout the election.

    “Our commendation also goes to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) for cancelation of the sit-at-home order that gave Ndi Anambra the confidence to come out to participate in the lawful duty,” he added.

  • Aiteo seeks international expertise to stop Bayelsa oil spillage

    Aiteo seeks international expertise to stop Bayelsa oil spillage

    Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company says it is seeking foreign technical expertise to halt the ongoing oil leak at an oilfield it operates in Nembe, Bayelsa State. The leak occurred on November 5.

    Aiteo, in a statement yesterday by its spokesman, Mathew Ndianabasi, noted that it has intensified its response by seeking the assistance of other oil and gas exploration firms to contain the spill.

    The statement is coming on the heels of a reaction by Governor Douye Diri, who criticised the pace of response and Aiteo’s inability to halt the leak, which has continued to pollute Nembe creeks and farmlands.

    Diri had warned the oil firm to be ready for the consequences of neglecting the negative impact of the incident believed to have been caused by equipment failure.

    The governor said his administration remained committed to defending the welfare of the impacted residents.

    Read Also; Our battles with oil spillage, illegal bunkerers, others – Imo oil producing communities

    It was, however, learnt that officials of the indigenous company had visited the leadership of the impacted communities to empathise with the victims.

    The firm handed over four truckloads of food items, medical supplies and N5 million cash, while it battles to stop the leak.

    Aiteo, an indigenous oil firm, which acquired the Oil Mining Lease (OML) 29 following the 2015 divestment by Shell said that the leak was caused by sabotage by oil thieves who had become an obstacle to oil production and export from the asset.

    OML 29 acquired for about $2.4 billion, consists of the 97km Nembe Creek trunk line, which evacuates crude from onshore oil wells within the oil bloc and other operators to Bonny Export Terminal.

    “Though spills of this nature are not uncommon to the oil and gas industry, their resolution requires expert skills and equipment that are not routinely or readily available.

    “The typical process is to first kill the well and stop the leak and then focus on the clean-up, besides urgent possible technical responses to contain the leak.

    “Aiteo has sought active collaboration with Clean Nigeria Associates (CNA) and has since mobilised to site, in addition to Aiteo internal resources to reinforce containment and recovery efforts.

    “CNA is the industry non-profit umbrella body with expertise and resource to contain spills of this nature.”