The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • Entrepreneur urges govt, media to change Rivers’ negative perception

    Entrepreneur urges govt, media to change Rivers’ negative perception

    A Port Harcourt-based entrepreneur, My-Ace China, has called on Rivers State Government and the media to spearhead campaign to change the negative narrative of investors about the state capital.

    China, the chief executive officer of Construction and Housing Mayor Ltd, spoke at the opening ceremony of the 2023 Correspondents’ Week, which began yesterday.

    The event is organised by the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), in partner with the ‘Mayor of Housing’, with the theme: ‘Rivers State and Quest for Ideal Investment Climate: Role of the Media”.

    He noted the need for the government to increase its support to the media, for it to continue to engage in positive reportage of activities that promote the state.

    Read Also; Why buildings are demolished in Lagos, by Attorney-General

    China, popularly called ‘Mayor of Housing’, said while residents were tired of the capital flight from Port Harcourt, added that even the government was tired of making promises without fulfilling them.

    He said: “Entertainers are tired of the Lagos, Port Harcourt dichotomy. The greatest thing we are tired of is the capital flight. We are tired of that narrative that Port Harcourt is unsafe.

    “The second part of what I want to say is that we are tired. I have been in Rivers State long enough to feel the pulse of the people; we are tired.

    “Talk to the incumbent governor, he will tell you he is tired of politicking and politics. He is hungry for value-ticking and value-tics. He is tired of political promises without dividends of democracy. He is tired of promises without deliverables. 

    “He is so passionate about delivering deliverables to a level. He does not mind whose ox is gored. He is committed to that and I admire him greatly.”

  • GKS president advocates ‘sinless’ living

    GKS president advocates ‘sinless’ living

    The President of God’s Kingdom Society (GKS), Brother Felix Adedokun, has advised humans across the globe to lead lives without filth, to ensure relative peace.

    He spoke at the Freedom Day Divine Service in Commemoration of Christ Birth Anniversary, at Salem City (GKS Headquarters), Warri, Delta State.

    In his address titled: “Cleansing Ourselves of All Filthiness of the Flesh and Spirit,” the GKS president said to attain world peace and enjoy God’s blessing, mankind must purge themselves from sins and wickedness and submit themselves to God.

    Read Also: Tinubu: I won’t lose battle against bandits, terrorists

    Adedokun said: “The problems facing the world today are products of disobedience, wickedness, greed, unrighteousness, corruption, ritual, cultism, strife, banditry, pride, insurgency, rebellion against God’s rule, among others and they have led us to where we are today.”

    Noting that God Almighty abhors sin, he lamented that today’s world is filled with “homosexuality, drug abuse, insecurity, struggle for fame and power, corruption, kidnapping, cultism, among other common sins.”

    He said: “Those God has called into His holy organisation are required to put away their sinful ways of life and practise holiness, cease to do evil, learn to do well, relieve the oppressed, plead for the widow…”

    Quoting several Bible verses, Adedokun said anyone who continued to commit sin was in danger of God’s judgment.

    He enjoined such persons to repent.

  • Ogbuku lists NDDC’s gains fromclimate change conference

    Ogbuku lists NDDC’s gains fromclimate change conference

    • Commission to train 1,000 youths in CNG

    The Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, has said the commission would promote the use of clean energy as part of the solution to the global climate change.

    He said after attending the Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, the commission acknowledged  the need for a permanent solution to the environmental challenges in the Niger Delta because of crude oil exploration and exploitation.

    He said:  “The conference in Dubai gave us the opportunity to highlight our position on the climate change issue and seek partnerships and investments in renewable energy. We went there to tell our story as the people of the Niger Delta and to let the world know the impact of crude oil exploration and gas flaring on our environment.”

    A statement signed yesterday by the NDDC Director Corporate Affairs, Pius Ughakpoteni, said Ogbuku spoke in a live television interview.

    He underlined the negative impact of climate change on the inhabitants of Niger Delta, including forceful migration of many communities due to pollution, flooding and environmental degradation.

    Ogbuku said: “We believe that the Niger Delta is the most affected in Nigeria by issues of climate change. The impact of crude oil and gas exploration has eroded our environment and most of our communities have been deserted due to urban migration.”

    Reflecting further on the gains of the NDDC from the Climate Change Conference, Ogbuku said:  “I believe we achieved a lot of success. We held discussions on partnerships with  organisations, including the National Council of Climate Change, especially in the area of tackling gas flaring.”

    The NDDC boss said the commission was investing in solar power to light up communities in the Niger Delta, adding that it would recover carbon credits from the investments.

    Read Also: COP28: Ogbuku lists NDDC’s gains from climate change conference

    Giving an insight into the commission’s plans for 2024 and beyond, Ogbuku said: “We are preparing our 2024 budget and we will capture all these investment plans, which include a massive tree-planting campaign and the training of youths in renewable energy to prepare them for future.”

    In his presentation during an event on the sidelines of the Climate Summit, Ogbuku said the commission would train 1,000 youths in Niger Delta on conversion of fuel engine to Condensed Natural Gas (CNG).

    He said “About 1,000 youths are to be trained in conversion from fuel to gas engine. We want to make Niger Delta the hub of engine conversion, where we can also be outsourcing to other parts of Nigeria.

    “We want to take that bold initiative that is going to engage most of our youths because we also want to be involved in the whole green energy process.”

    The NDDC boss said the commission decided to take the challenges and prospects of Niger Delta to the global conference to elicit the right actions.

    “There is the need for us to tell our own story at the global stage,” he said.

    Ogbuku said there had been discussions on gas flaring, climate change and carbon emissions over the years with no substantial results.

    “We have come to a point where we must take the right actions,” he added.

    He said the commission, through its Environmental Protection and Control Directorate, had established a framework to ensure that all its developmental activities were green energy compliant.

  • IYC marks 25 years of existence

    IYC marks 25 years of existence

    The umbrella body of Ijaw youths, Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide, yesterday rolled out the drums to celebrate 25th anniversary (silver jubilee) of the Kaiama declaration- cum-the formation of the vibrant IYC.

    All roads led to Bayelsa State, the centre of gravity of the Ijaw nation, where the national headquarters of the IYC is located, as Ijaw youths within the country and in the diaspora converged on Izon House in Yenagoa to celebrate.

    Many activities, including news conference, foundation laying ceremony/unveiling of IYC secretariat, laying of rites of Ijaw fallen heroes, public lectures, launching of IYC data base, among others, were lined up for the three-day event to celebrate the 25th anniversary by the 9th executive of the IYC led by Comrade Jonathan Lokpobiri Snr.

    Speaking at a news briefing yesterday, spokesman for the IYC, Amb. Binebai Princewill, said the Kaiama declaration was issued by the IYC on December 11, 1998 to attribute the political crisis in Nigeria to the struggle for the control of oil mineral resources.

    He asserted that the degradation of the environment of Ijawland by transnational oil companies and the Nigerian state arose mainly because the Ijaw had been robbed of their natural rights to ownership and control of their land and resources. 

    Princewill said: “The council was formed in the town of Kaiama after 5,000 Ijaw people representing over 40 Ijaw clans, chose to articulate their aspirations for the Ijaw people, and to demand an end to 40 years of environmental damage and underdevelopment.

    Read Also: IYC fumes over ‘political attack’ on Fubara

    “The assurance from the 9th NEC is that we are going to consolidate the achievements recorded by previous administrations of council as we are going to improve on the gains recorded so far.”

    “We are very grateful to the founding fathers of the council and our dear leaders that have contributed a lot for the continued growth and survival of the council.”

    He said IYC under the leadership of Lokpobiri was determined to change the narrative of the Ijaw struggle by introducing intellectual dimensions in tandem with contemporary realities.

    Said he: “Today, on behalf of the entire 9th National Executive Council (NEC) of the Ijaw Youth Council, as part of activities marking 25 years of Kaiama declaration-cum-Ijaw Youth Council, we are fortunate and highly lucky to be part of those that are championing the 25 years existence of Ijaw Youth Council-cum-Kaiama declaration. 

    “While we are grateful to the Ijaw nation for entrusting us with the leadership of council, we want to reassure the Ijaw that we will not renege on our quest to deliver a purposeful leadership to the Ijaw. 

    “In view of delivering a purposeful leadership to Ijaw nation, the 9th NEC led by Jonathan Lokpobiri Snr is doing everything possible to deliver on its campaign promises. 

    “We are glad to announce to Ijaw nation that we will be doing the foundation laying ceremony of the Ijaw Youth Council global secretariat here in Yenagoa that has never happened before. 

    “For us, we cannot be saying we are IYC Worldwide, but all our activities will be revolving around Nigeria alone, hence we have taken issues of the Ijaw to a global space wherein the 9th NEC has taken steps to take our people to Ghana, Kenya and Dubai for a global Climate and Plastic Pollution conferences that have affected our environment gravely. 

    “Nevertheless, the 25 years celebration of Kaiama declaration, which gave birth to the 25 years celebration of IYC, is very key and important to us as Ijaw people, hence we felt that it is very crucial for us to meet again after 25 years to review where we are coming from, where we are and where we ought to be.”

  • IPMAN poll: Candidate, supportersprotest composition of ‘illegal’ management team 

    IPMAN poll: Candidate, supportersprotest composition of ‘illegal’ management team 

    The much-anticipated election of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Warri Depot Unit, suffered a setback at the weekend, following the composition of a 30-man management team by the electoral umpire.

    A leading contender for the chairmanship position, Olorogun Ese Kakor, at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the association, described the composition of such a team as alien to the body’s constitution.

    Kakor accused members of the 2023 Delta IPMAN Electoral Committee of overseeing the worse electoral process in the history of Warri Depot Unit, by discarding provisions of the constitution to conduct free, fair and credible election for a totally strange management team.

    The long-awaited Delta IPMAN election slated for December 9 was jettisoned for a 30-man management team by members of the 2023 electoral body.

    They cited pending court cases as reason for not holding the election and consequently announced a prepared list of the 30-man management team with Harry Okenini, another chairmanship candidate, as its head.

    Dissociating himself from the arrangement, Olorogun Kakor called on the management of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPCL) and other stakeholders in the oil and gas sector, both within and outside Delta State, to disregard members of the management team, headed by Mr. Harry Okenini, as its composition does not exist in IPMAN’s constitution. 

    Staging a peaceful protest outside the AGM venue with his overwhelming supporters shortly after the inauguration of the 30-man team by Comrade Austin Erhabor, secretary of the Electoral Committee, Kakor said the umpire had only succeeded in postponing the evil day, adding that only a credible democratic process could bring about peace in any group or association. 

    While the aggrieved placard-carrying protesters loyal to Olorogun Kakor demanded nothing less than a credible election as enshrined in their constitution, the chairmanship candidate enjoined them to remain calm and law-abiding even in the face of injustice perpetrated by the electoral body in denying them the right to elect credible leaders to pilot the affairs of the association.

    Read Also: States can’t take over downstream regulatory role, says IPMAN

    Kakor said: “What we have witnessed here today is an abuse of IPMAN’s constitution and it’s rather very unfortunate that members of the electoral body saddled with the responsibility of conducting a free, fair and credible election for the association have made themselves available to be used in perpetrating injustice against its members.

    “Members of the association, particularly the aged and those who were not strong enough, vibrant men and women left their businesses and important schedules to come out today to elect their officers, only to be told by the electoral body that there will be no election, but a composition of a management team that is alien to the constitution of IPMAN.

    “What members of the electoral body did by the charade we have seen in the IPMAN AGM is fraud borne out of desperation to justify the millions of naira collected from interest forms sold to all candidates contesting the election and because they have decided to compromise, had to accommodate all the candidates in an illegal management team that in itself is an aberration to IPMAN’s constitution.

    “Let’s even agree that there are pending court cases as claimed by the electoral body and they have to respect the rule of law. The only known option available in IPMAN constitution is to constitute a caretaker committee with a few members that can easily be managed and not an enlarged management team that is totally strange to IPMAN electoral guidelines.

    “We are therefore calling on the management of NNPCL and other stakeholders to IPMAN to disregard the newly constituted management team as it does not exist in IPMAN constitution and hereby remains an illegal and unacceptable body to the association.

    “The only way forward is for democracy to take its course in IPMAN. There’s nothing like a credible democratic process. It is through the conduct of a credible election that brought President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, to power and as such there can never be an alternative to a credible IPMAN election.”

    Some inscriptions on the placards read: “NNPCL Disregard Warri Depot Unit Management Team”; “We Demand a Credible Election”; “The Fraud Called Management Team, No Election, No Peace in Delta IPMAN, Management Team Is a Scam”; “Our Constitution Does Not Recognise Management Team,” among others.

  • Deadline to Chevron for PIA implementation ends tomorrow   

    Deadline to Chevron for PIA implementation ends tomorrow   

    Indigenes of Ugborodo community in Warri Southwest Local Government of Delta State are anxiously awaiting Chevron Nigeria Ltd’s (CNL’s) implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), for Itsekiri host communities, as directed by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

    A two-week ultimatum was reportedly handed down to Chevron by the NUPRC at a tripartite meeting of stakeholders in Abuja on November 28, to stem a week-long protest by the host communities comprising Ugborodo, Deghele and Ugboegungun.

    The deadline for CNL’s compliance with the directive will end tomorrow, The Nation learnt yesterday.

    This was revealed at the weekend during the Ugborodo annual congress.                  

    A community leader, Alex Eyengho, who read NUPRC’s report at the congress, said Chevron was asked to convene a meeting to be midwifed by the commission’s Warri Office, with a view to examining how the delineation of host communities was conducted, to ensure it was in accordance with the provisions of the PIA.               

    Read Also: No missing protester in Ugborodo/Chevron faceoff, says CNL

    He said NUPRC, in its letter signed by Mr. Benjamin Ogunubi, on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer of the commission, directed that membership of the Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT) be amicably thrown up by the host communities, advising all parties to mutually work out modalities to select the nine members in each HCDT.                         

    The NUPRC report, as read by Eyengho, said: “The settlor and the host communities should re-examine the name (s) and unanimously resolve on the name (s) for the HCDT.                                       “That Chevron Nigeria Ltd transmit to the commission, a report on the implementation of the rulings within two weeks”, adding: “The report should be fully signed and certified by representatives of both parties (CNL and the Host Communities).”

    All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain and Itsekiri rights’ activist, Chief Ayirimi Emami; former Executive Director of Projects in Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Tuoyo Omatsuli, an engineer; Prince Perry Atete and Mrs. Oritsematosan Nuko, woman leader of Ugborodo, were among prominent Ugborodo indigenes that spoke at the congress.                          

    They reassured Ugborodo indigenes worldwide that Ikpere Host Community Development Trust would become a reality soon.

  • Otti urges political leaders to end brain drain

    Otti urges political leaders to end brain drain

    Abia State Governor Alex Otti has called on political leaders to make efforts to ensure that the best brains are retained in the country, saying they should not be allowed to migrate to other countries in search of greener pasture.

    Dr. Otti, who said his administration’s policies were geared towards making Abia conducive for people and businesses to thrive, spoke at the funeral service of one of Nigeria’s foremost chartered accountants, Elder Kalu Uke Kalu, at Isiugwu, Ohafia in Ohafia Local Government.

    Speaking during the service conducted by Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, at Isiugwu Central Field, Otti said Kalu was a great Nigerian, who contributed to the development of the society.

     He called on those in position of leadership, especially those occupying public offices, to learn from the legacies the deceased left behind.

    The governor said: “Today, we are here celebrating him; but as we celebrate him, we need to talk to ourselves. 

    “A lot of good men are going. We are now wondering, the best of the young people, are they here? Most of them have ‘japad’ (left the country). 

    “So, for those who are opportune to lead, we need to deliberately make efforts to attract our best people back.”

    He stressed the need to encourage the younger generation to stay back in the country as well as make efforts to bring back those who have left.

    Read Also: Otti tasks Perm Secs on cordial relationship with commissioners, others

    According to him, “when we do all the things we do in Abia, we want to attract our people that are outside, most importantly the people that are outside the shores of the state. 

    “We need to get them back, otherwise, we will get to a level where what will be left here will be the trace of the society. May it not happen to us in Jesus’ name!”

    Otti described the late Kalu, founding partner and executive director, SKOUP & Company Limited, as a friend and a mentor, one who did well in life. 

    He spoke about his humility, integrity and legacies the deceased, who died at 88, left behind. 

    Speaking about the topic, “Preciousness of Death”, Most Rev Benebo Fubara-Manuel preached from Psalm 116 verse 15, that although death may not be precious in the sight of men, in the sight of God, it is. 

    He said death is the end of a man’s assignment on earth and brings believers closer to God, the creator.

    He thanked God for a good life lived by Elder Kalu and urged the family and those he left behind to bear the loss with fortitude.

    In a funeral oration, the first son of the deceased, David, highlighted the contributions of his late father in the accounting profession, finance, academia, service to his community and the church. 

    He thanked Governor Otti and his entourage as well as other sympathisers from all walks of life for coming to identify with them at their moment of grief and prayed God to bless them. 

    The funeral attracted dignitaries, including the Deputy Governor of Abia State, Ikechukwu Emetu, an engineer; former governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke; his wife, Onari; the member representing Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency, Ibe Osonwa; Commissioner for Education, Prof Uche Eme-Uche; other senior government officials and traditional rulers.

  • Expert seeks inclusion of women in peace process

    Expert seeks inclusion of women in peace process

    A conflict specialist, Cosmos Dinee, has called for inclusion of more women in peace process.

    He made the call during Ebonyi State Quarterly Conflict Prevention and Mitigation Dialogue.

    The event was organised by the State Accountability, Transparency and Effectiveness (State2State) Activity at its Field Office in Abakaliki.

    Speaking on Participation and Roles of Women in Conflict Prevention and Mitigation, Dinee said women had a lot to offer in conflict prevention, mitigation and resolution process.

    He said women brought alternative perspectives to conflict prevention.

     He noted that many women, who might want to take part in peace processes, were often discouraged by certain laws and customs. Delivering another lecture on implications of conflicts on public financial management and service delivery, Dinee noted that conflicts affected businesses adversely.

    Read Also: FG to punish women who protect paedophile husbands

    The conflict specialist said vandalism of infrastructure due to violence leads to loss of income, which in turn affects the income generation of businesses and government.

    A lawyer, Onyedikachi Ewa from the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), said women and children were the main victims of conflicts.

    Hailing State2State for the impact it had made in the state, she called for its sustainability and stepping down of the knowledge and solution proffered at the meeting.

    The Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Border Peace and Conflict Resolution, Ifeanyi Igurube, said the quarterly meeting provides an opportunity for stakeholders to carry out a review and map out new strategies for conflict mitigation, prevention and resolution in the state.

  • Health institutions shut down over death of medical workers

    Health institutions shut down over death of medical workers

    Some health institutions, including cottage hospitals and primary health care centres, have been shut down in Akwa Ibom State due to scarcity of health workers.

    State Chairman Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Godwin Archibong, lamented that the situation had adversely affected health care delivery.

    Speaking at the weekend during the inauguration of the union’s modern secretariat office complex in Uyo, Archibong said more than 10 health facilities had been closed down in some local governments.

    “If you check in some local governments you will notice that some health institutions are no longer operating because of lack of manpower.

    “The situation has affected health care delivery in these areas, especially during the COVID-19 period; we didn’t have enough health workers.”

    Archibong bemoaned the deplorable standard of facilities at the School of Health Technology, Etinan, which he described as a ‘glorified secondary school’.

    Read Also: Lagos tasks schools on health policy

    He said: “This is the only institution empowered to train and retrain middle manpower as it concerns primary and secondary health care delivery services.

    “Regrettably, this institution can be described as a ‘glorified secondary school. It will interest you to note that it is only this institution in Nigeria that their graduates cannot participate in the one year National Youth Service Corps because almost all their courses are not accredited.”

    Commissioner for Health, Prof. Augustine Umoh, said the government would address the concerns raised by the health and medical workers union.

    Umoh, who represented Governor Umo Eno, said government was committed to employing more health workers and improving the standard of the School of Health Technology, Etinan.

  • Obaseki builds 565 roads

    Obaseki builds 565 roads

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has said his government this year completed the building of 565 roads, covering a total distance of 737.37 kilometres.

    The governor, speaking to reporters in Benin City, said the government, under the streams of the Edo State Employment and Expenditure for Result (SEEFOR), also constructed 300 roads, spanning 212 kilometres across the state.

    He said his government had begun repairs on Benin-Sapele, Benin-Agbor and Iruekpen-Sabongida-Ora roads to ameliorate the sufferings of motorists and other road users.

    Said he: “Over the past year, we have successfully completed the construction of 565 roads, covering a total distance of 737.37 kilometres.

    Read Also: Obaseki calls for decentralisation of nation’s security architecture to combat crime

    “Under the various streams of the Edo State Employment and Expenditure for Result (SEEFOR), we undertook the construction of 300 roads, spanning 212 kilometres across the state.

    “Notable projects include the construction of PZ-Ehioghae-Okabere-Oka Market Road, which links Sapele Road and Upper Sakponba; the Irhirhi-Aruogba-Obazagbon-Ogheghe Road; Ugbor-Amagba Road; St. Saviour Road; Benin-Abraka Road with spurs; the dualisation of the TV and Ehaekpen road, and rehabilitation of failed sections on various roads.”

    Obaseki added: “In Edo North, we have successfully completed the construction of Afokpella-Ogriga-Okugbe road with Awuyemi Spur, as well as the rehabilitation of the Secretariat Road in Igarra and several internal roads. In Edo Central, we constructed the Ekpoma-Iruekpen Road and the Idumebo-Ihumudumu Royal Market Road, among other impactful developments.”