Category: South East

Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has eulogised the late Supreme Court Judge, Justice Samuel Oseji, describing him “as an incorruptible jurist” and “a man of unassailable integrity”.

He said the death of the eminent jurist was a great loss to Delta State and Nigeria.

Okowa spoke at a Night of Tributes for the late jurist held at the Court of Appeal, Asaba.

He said Oseji died at a time the country was in need of men and women with unassailable integrity, adding that he left when his wisdom and service were most needed.

“On behalf of the government and good people of Delta State, I commiserate with Mrs. Minnie Oseji, the Oseji family of Idumuje-Unor, Supreme Court of Nigeria and the good people of Aniocha North Local Government on the demise of Justice  Oseji.

“My heart goes out to his beloved wife, the children and the entire Oseji family for this sad loss; it was as shocking as it was unexpected.”

is my personal loss as well, and I can only imagine the pain that his sudden exit has inflicted on his wife, immediate family, and those whose lives he touched.

“His demise has robbed the Supreme Court of Nigeria of an eminent and incorruptible jurist.

“We are living at a time in the history of this country that we are in desperate need of men and women with unassailable integrity like the late Justice Oseji, to keep us on the straight and narrow way.

“It is so sad that he left us when his wisdom and services were most needed.

“His performance and judicial pronouncements, from his days as a High Court Judge in Delta State and Judge of the Federal Court of Appeal, helped in no small measure to shape the course of jurisprudence and the administration of justice.

“As Chief Registrar of the Delta State Judiciary, the late Oseji was renowned for his disciplined work ethics, unpretentious mien and leadership skills. He was a team player and very respectful of all, including his subordinates.

“The late Justice was a rare gem, a special gift to our generation and it is my prayer that God will give us more of the likes of him who will make us proud with their diligence, dedication to duty, probity and commitment to excellence,” Okowa said.

The Chief Judge of Delta State, Justice Theresa Diai, said the calibre of people gathered at the night of tributes attested to the character of the late Oseji.

“The late Justice Oseji made friends and enjoyed close relationship with people wherever he worked and he would be missed by all whose lives he touched in several ways,” she said.

The tribute session was attended by the Deputy Governor, Mr. Kingsley Otuaro; Minority Leader, House of Representatives, Chief Ndudi Elumelu; Speaker, Delta House of Assembly, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, Justices of the Court of Appeal, among others.

 

 

 

 

The Organised Labour in Cross River State has suspended its strike, which lasted for 31 days.

Addressing reporters yesterday at the state secretariat of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN)/ Trade Union Congress (TUC), the Chairman of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JPSNC), Godwin Otei, said they had looked at the situation of things in the state and had decided to agree to suspend the strike due to the meeting they had with the Traditional Rulers Council (TRC), who mediated for peace between labour and government.

He said that in the interest of the people of Cross River State, they reached an agreement with the government so that there could be room for implementation of the agreements reached.

Otei said: “The state has never had it this bad in the civil service. All aspects of lives of the citizens were affected. Everything depreciated.

“The labour has agreed to wait for another five months to see if the government will fulfil the agreement.  We did this in the interest of the people. This will go down as one of the longest strikes in the history of our state, as we stayed at home for about 31 days.”

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman in the state, Mr. John Ukpebi, also confirmed the suspension of the strike.

He said they did not call off the industrial action but only suspended it for five months, as they hoped that the government would not fail on its part.

TUC Chairman Monday Ogbodum said they came to a compromise due to the meeting with the TRC.

calling off the action, it’s just a suspension, and we shall keep faith with the government for five months to see if they are they are sincere.”

 

 

 

 

Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki will from today bring together stakeholders at home and in the diaspora at the 5th Alaghodaro summit, coinciding with the first anniversary of his second term.

The summit will also attract Edo citizens at home and in the diaspora, investors from across the globe and other stakeholders to review the impact of the programmes, reforms and initiatives by the administration to better the lives of the citizens, with the aim of improving and sustaining the gains recorded in the last five years.

The summit is scheduled to take place between November 12 and 14 with the theme: “Edo of Our Dreams: Building a Sustainable Future.”

The Chairman, Marketing and Branding Sub-Committee, Alaghodaro 2021, Crusoe Osagie, yesterday in an online statement said that the summit, among others, would interrogate the progress made, ensuring that the state was on the path of prosperity.

He said: “All is set for this year’s Alaghodaro summit, which aims to showcase investment opportunities in Edo State and the achievements, reforms and initiatives by the administration to improve the living standard of the people.

 

Seven hundred and forty-two groups in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State have threatened to protest the continued disunity among party leaders, which has led to factions.

The groups, under the aegis of APC Forum of Group Heads, issued the threat in Uyo during their meeting convened to assess the party ahead of the 2023 general election.

They said the power tussle among party leaders, as evidenced in the recent parallel ward, chapter and state congresses, would make the APC to lose the 2023 elections.

The President of the forum, Utibe Asuquo, said party leaders, including the Minister of the Niger Affairs, Chief Godswill Akpabio, and the National Secretary of the APC Caretaker Committee, John Akpanudoedehe, must resolve their differences.

He said: “Contentious and divergent interests within a political party are normal. They are not peculiar to the APC in the state, but the party cannot afford to lose the 2023 general election because of disagreements among our leaders.

“We want leaders of the party to reconcile and resolve their differences, in the interest of the party so that the jinx of electoral losses experienced by the party since 2001 will be broken.

“We invited them (the party leaders) to this meeting, but none of them is here. I want to believe they are busy with party or national assignments.

“We are worried that our leaders, who got political appointments at the national level, have abandoned those of us who suffered and made sacrifices for the party, while leaving the party in tatters because of their power tussle.”

 

 

 

Residents of Mmiata community in Anambra West Local Government of Anambra State have cried out over alleged incessant attack on their Ebenebe farm and the entire community by suspected herdsmen.

They said the incident had forced them to desert the community.

Addressing reporters yesterday in Onitsha, a youth leader, Obinna Chigbata, said the attack began early in the year when the herdsmen insisted on grazing on their farm despite peace meetings held between the community and the herders.

He said: “I’m a youth leader and sponsor of the peace meetings between my people and the herdsmen. The crisis escalated when some elders in the community tried to use civil means to stop the herdsmen from destroying our farms.

“Unfortunately, the peaceful settlement did not work, as they attacked us one day and my father, the late Chigbata Nwadiaogbu, was among those they killed during a meeting held to find a solution to the problem.”

Chigbata said it was unfortunate that security personnel were yet to intervene  despite informing them of destruction of farms, kidnapping, maiming “and raping of our women and sisters.”

Said he: “My life as the financier/sponsor of the meeting for peaceful settlement of the crisis and others is in danger because they are looking for us to kill us.

“There was a time I was in a friend’s car and as we were driving, we did not know that they had laid ambush for us. They fired at us, killing my friend who was driving the car on the spot. May be they thought I was the one driving.

“Since we have become targets of the herdsmen for opposing grazing on our farms, we have no alternative but to desert the community because the attacks have even increased, forcing our people to run away from their ancestral homes.

“Some have even suggested we employ the services of Eastern Security Network (ESN), since the government security operatives are of no assistance to us, as they have left us to die in the hands of the herdsmen.”

Police spokesman Ikenganyia Tochukwu said the command was yet to receive the information.

“The command has not received such complaint. I will find out and get back to you,” he added.

 

 

Two students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University High School, Awka in Anambra State have emerged best male and female Chemistry students in Nigeria in a Chemistry competition organised by the Chemical Society of Nigeria (CSN).

The students, Victor Onwuka and Onyinye Okafor, emerged victorious as the overall best in the competition in male and female categories.

The competition tagged: ‘Chemical Society of Nigeria National Secondary School Chemistry Competition 2021,’ held in Lagos, had two representatives each from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Speaking to The Nation yesterday, the acting Head Teacher, UNIZIK High School, Mrs. Atinuke Israel, said Onwuka scored 92 per cent in the male category, while Okafor recorded 87 per cent in the female category.

Read Also: Foundation donates N1b to UNIZIK

She congratulated the students on the feat, attributing it to intensive preparations by the school and divine backing.

The President, CSN, Prof. Moses Chendo, said the competition was targeted at rekindling nostalgia by boosting interest in Chemistry and other science subjects among students.

Onwuka and Okafor were accompanied to Lagos by their Chemistry teacher, Nonso Onyenanum, an engineer.

The Chairperson of CSN, Anambra State chapter, Prof. Theresa Onuegbu, was also present at the event.

 

 

Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki yesterday appointed Princess Philomena Ihenyen as his Political Adviser (Edo Central Senatorial District).

This happened on the eve of the first anniversary of his second term.

Ihenyen’s appointment brought the number of special advisers appointed to 12, following the appointment of 11 persons last month.

Obaseki will mark his fifth anniversary tomorrow.

Read Also: Godwin Obaseki: Shedding bloody tears for astroveniga

The governor also appointed 72 Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) and Special Assistants (SAs), made up of 21 Senior Special Assistants, while 51 are Special Assistants, from the same Edo Central Senatorial District.

The appointments were contained in a statement endorsed by the Secretary to Edo State Government (SSG), Osarodion Ogie.

Ogie said the appointments followed harmonisation by leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo Central.

 

Delta House of Assembly Speaker Sheriff Oborevwori has stressed the need for the government to promote women inclusiveness in governance.

He spoke yesterday in Asaba when women under the aegis of the Nigerian League of Women Voters (NILOWV) visited him.

Oborevwori said the call became imperative as it would help in ensuring that women continued to play greater role in governance and public affairs.

The speaker, eulogising the qualities of women, described them as “industrious, energetic, trustworthy and dependable.”

He said despite the qualities inherent in them, “it is becoming increasingly worrisome that women today still shy away from political activities and participation.”

Read Also: Speaker urges assembly workers to uphold ethical standard

He urged them to rise up to the challenge and ensure that they raised their heads above the water by engaging in human and worthy activities.

“I am happy to receive you in my office today. This visit is very key and I am happy that you are here.

“As a state, we will continue to encourage women to participate, not only in politics, but also in all human endeavours.”

“This is so because experience has shown that when you train a girl-child, you have trained a family.”

“Women are industrious, trusted, energetic and dependable. We will continue to uphold women inclusiveness in our activities.

“To me, it is worrisome that today, women do not show up in political activities or participate. This trend must change, women should rise up to this challenge,” Oborevwori said.

The leader of the delegation, Mrs. Rosalyn Egborge, told the speaker that they were in his office to familiarise with him.

Operations of Oil Mining Lease (OML) 42 may be shut down, following unresolved contractual issues between the host communities and its operator.

OML 42 asset is being operated by the Nigeria Petroleum Development Company/Neconde AMT joint venture.

In a statement to reporters in Warri, Delta State, the host communities warned that failure to address the issues within 14 days would lead to shutdown of the firm’s operations.

The statement was signed by Chief Samson Oyimi, Shedrack Otuaro and

Billy Ekele, on behalf of the communities, namely Odidi 1, Odidi 2, Egwa 1, Egwa 2, Batan and Jones Creek oil and gas fields.

Read Also: Ogoni opposes planned operation of OML 11 by Sahara Energy

It accused the company of neglect and refusal to hold meeting for the beginning of the Field of Memorandum of Understanding (FMoU), award of contracts, payment of scholarship arrears to students of the communities, employment of indigenes, among other issues.

The statement said the management of Neconde had failed to honour a letter dated April 13, 2021, and ignored letters of reminder by the host communities dated April 30, August 5 and August 20.

It called on the Chief of Army Staff and security agencies to ensure that the indigenes are not harassed or intimidated by security operatives when the people begin agitation “for their legitimate rights.”

Efforts to get reaction from the management of Neconde Energy proved abortive, but an unauthorised contact at the company said there was no response on the issue at press time.

 

 

Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company (AEEPCO), operator of the NNPC /Aiteo Joint Venture on OML 29, has reported an oil spill from a non-producing well head at its Santa Barbara South field in Nembe Local Government of Bayelsa State.

A statement yesterday by Aiteo spokesman Indiana Matthew said the magnitude of the incident was of an extremely high order, alleging that it could have been caused by crude oil thieves.

He said neither the cause of the spill, nor the quantity of leaked hydrocarbon, could be determined at the time of the discovery.

Matthew, however, said containment booms were deployed and recovery began immediately around the well head, which occurred last weekend.

He said: “As an incident of this nature occurs, the oil spill notification report has been communicated to the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and National Petroleum Investment Services (NAPIMS) as is required by regulation.

“Ultimately, a Joint Investigative Visit (JIV) to the spill site was held by stakeholders, community inclusive.

Read Also: OML 29: Aiteo seeks $2.5b from Shell

“The JIV at the time was inconclusive owing to difficulties with access due high pressure of hydrocarbons from the well head. Additionally, immediate efforts to control the leak were aborted due to the high pressure emanating from the well head.

“Consequently, Aiteo has mobilised a full intervention team with well control specialists and equipment locally and internationally to arrest the leak.”

The spokesman said the JIV team hailed Aiteo for its prompt emergency response and handling of the incident.

Matthew said further investigations on the cause of the leak were being undertaken and would be progressed after the well had been shut in.

He said preliminary indications suggested that crude oil theft leaks and sabotage could not be ruled out.