The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • Chairman De Palms Hotel Don Okonkwo hosts CDS

    Chairman De Palms Hotel Don Okonkwo hosts CDS

    The Chief Executive Officer of De Palms Hotels Ltd, Port Harcourt Chief Prince Donatus Okonkwo has played host to the Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa in the garden city. 

    The Defence chief and his team were in Port Harcourt, Rivers State for an official engagement, from where he paid a visit to his long time friend, Chief Okonkwo at his hotel and spent two nights at the world class hotel. 

    Chief Okonkwo, a former governorship and chieftain of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC), was full of thanks for the visit. 

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    His business interests have been at the forefront in advancing their corporate social responsibilities in the areas of supporting the security of lives and property. 

    Those who accompanied the CDS include Major Gen Jamal Abdussalam GOC 6Th Division;  OPDS Naval command Balysa Rear admiral Olusegun and the Flag officer commanding Eastern Naval Command Gen Solo O. 

  • ‘We adopted Tinubu’s stakeholders’ approach’

    ‘We adopted Tinubu’s stakeholders’ approach’

    The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, has said the commission adopted the stakeholders’ engagement approach to develop the region in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administrative style.

    He said the commission would remain steadfast in executing its mandate of fast-tracking development for the benefit of ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta.

    Ogbuku spoke when he hosted a delegation from the Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality, led by Chief Ayiri Emami, at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt.

    The NDDC boss  said President Tinubu’s administration was putting emphasis on stakeholders’ engagement, and that the commission had adopted that approach.

    He said the commission would soon organise a stakeholder’s summit to give  groups in the region the opportunity to be part of the development process.

    Ogbuku said besides NDDC’s engagement with stakeholders, the commission also visited the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, to get his buy-in on the completion of the Omadino-Escravos Road, in Warri North Local Government of Delta State.

     Ogbuku in a statement signed by the commission’s Director, Corporate Affairs, Pius Ughakpoteni, noted that the project, when completed, would link Warri to Escravos, the hub of oil and gas activities in Warri Kingdom.

    He stressed the importance of Warri in the economy of Delta and the country, saying NDDC also met Chevron officials to discuss collaboration on the Omadino-Escravos. 

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    He said: “We are working out the details of the partnership with them because we are committed to seeing to the completion of the project.”

    He said the commission was open to  ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta in line with its mandate to serve the people and ensure sustainable development of communities in the region.

    Ogbuku said: “We all face the same challenges. Therefore, we must work together to address our challenges, regardless of our ethnicity. These challenges, like underdevelopment and ecological problems, bring us all together.”

    The Secretary, Itsekiri Leaders of Thought, Sir. Sunny Mene, described Ogbuku as “a detribilised Niger Deltan with conscientious tendencies, clear vision for the region, and a committed mission to turn our communities around in a way never before seen in the history of the commission”.

  • LP members protest  Whip’s sack

    LP members protest  Whip’s sack

    Members of the Abia State chapter of the Labour Party (LP) yesterday marched on the streets of Umuahia, to protest the sacking of Senate Minority Whip Darlington Nwokocha by the Appeal Court last weekend.

    The court, sitting in Lagos, declared the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Col. Austin Akobundu (rtd), the winner of the February 25 Abia Central Senatorial District election.

    LP members, who wore black clothes, carried placards, describing the judgment as pervasive.

    The protesters, led by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly, Augustine Meregini, marched from the party secretariat on Ikot Ekpene Road to Aba Road.

    Some of the inscriptions on their placards read: “Judicial impunity must stop”; _we voted for Darlington Nwokocha and not Col. Austin Akobundu”, “Darlington’s mandate must be recovered.”

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    Addressing the protesters, the state party Chairman, Chief Ceekay Igara, said he wondered why the panel of the appeal that sacked Nwokocha also upheld the election of the member representing Isiala Ngwa North and South Federal Constituency, Chief Ginger Onwusibe, who had a similar case with him.

    He said: “We are in shock about the judgment because Section 77 of the Electoral Act, which the panel relied on to deliver the judgment that dealt with the membership of a party, has been decided by the Supreme Court as an internal affair of the political party.

    “We are demanding details of the judgment to enable our lawyers study and decide on the next line of action”.

    Reacting, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) through its Vice Chairman, Abia North and acting Publicity Secretary of the party, Amah Abraham, said in a statement: “It is unbecoming of a party to make a public declaration to reject the judgment of a court of competent and final jurisdiction and ask it to review its judgment because that is nothing but a call to anarchy.”

  • Military dissociates self from raid on Uwazuruike

    Military dissociates self from raid on Uwazuruike

    Leader of Biafra Independence Movement (BIM), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, yesterday alleged that uniformed men suspected to be soldiers stormed his Okwe country home in Onuimo Local Government of Imo State and kidnapped four of his security guards.

    A statement quoted Uwazuruike as saying that the abduction occurred on Sunday night.

    “Some Nigerian soldiers stormed my Okwe country home and abducted four of my security details guarding MASSOB Freedom House in Onuimo Local Government.

    “No provocation led to the abduction and no explanation was offered by the soldiers,” Uwazuruike said in a statement signed on his behalf by the Director of Information, Mazi Chris Mocha, yesterday.

    Uwazuruike, who is also the founder of Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), urged the Commander of 32 Artillery Brigade, Obinze, near Owerri, to ensure release of his security men.

    He said members of BIM-MASSOB had never been indicted or found wanton by security reports, “because of the peaceful approach to our agitation for Biafra.”

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    Uwazuruike added: “The soldiers arrived at Freedom House in a Navy blue Sienna car sighted the MASSOB security men in front of the gate to the MASSOB Freedom House. The five soldiers walked straight to my security men and started flogging them without any explanation or provocation.

    “The soldiers, after beating my members, blindfolded them with clothes and whisked them away to an unknown destination.”

    The BIM leader, who demanded their immediate release or be handed over to any police station nearest to them, gave their names as Comrades. Enoch Chukwuemeka, Joseph Ekpeyong, Sunday Osulor and Goodluck Chukwuemeka.

    Contacted, Army spokesman Joseph Akubo said soldiers don’t abduct, but only arrest people who have questions to answer.

    He, however, said other sister security agencies such as Navy and Air Force wear Army uniform.

    Said he: “You should also know that Navy and Air Force wear the same uniform like that of the Army. I will, however, verify and get back to you later.”

  • President backing indigenous production of arms, ammunition, says DG DICON

    From Bassey Anthony, Uyo

    The Director General, Defence Industry Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), Maj.-Gen. Aniedi Edet, has said Nigeria would soon be self-reliant in the production of arms and ammunition.

    Speaking with The Nation yesterday in Uyo, Maj.-Gen. Edet said the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration had provided funds for DICON to manufacture arms and ammunition for the military and other security agencies.

    He said the intervention of the current administration had helped in the fight against insurgency, banditry and other security threats facing Nigeria.

    “We know that insurgency has been the bane of security and one of the challenges of the Nigerian nation over the years.

    “You will also recall that our forces are doing so much in that regard. What DICON does is to provide the materials that sustain the effort of the armed forces and to this extent; we are producing arms and ammunition.

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    “As I speak to you, I have orders to produce for the Nigerian Army, even State Security Services. We can’t just put on papers what we do. But across the nation, I can tell you that no fewer than four states have already placed orders for what we produce and this is just going to go into fighting insurgency”

    Maj.-Gen. Edet, who last weekend was conferred with the award of Knight of Saint Wesley by the Methodist Church of Nigeria, said: “The government of President Tinubu is already having a focused intervention to put DICON where it is supposed to be.

    “In the past we used to have problem of funding. The work of DICON and what it does is strategic intervention. I want to put it on note with all appreciation that the President in less than the few months he has been in the office has already done that.

    ‘We have programmes intervention under the direction of the two ministers of Defence. Just two days ago, I was in China to discuss with our partner in this regard.

    “About two weeks ago I was in Turkey for the same regard. So, my challenges are things that should be discussed in the past, not in the present.”

  • Women protest husbands’ abduction, killing of sons

    Women protest husbands’ abduction, killing of sons

    Women of Ogwuaniocha community in Ogbaru Local Government of Anambra State have protested alleged abduction of their husbands and killing of their sons by a militant group.

    They accused the group of daily invasion and attack on them at the camps they were taking refuge in, calling for Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s intervention.

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    The protesters carried placards with inscriptions such as: ‘Stop attacking us with Naval personnel’, ‘Gov. Soludo come to our rescue’, ‘Release our abducted husbands, stop killing our sons, enough of these destruction of lives and property’, among others.

  • Eno urges court to dismiss Akpan’s appeal

    Eno urges court to dismiss Akpan’s appeal

    Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno has urged the Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos to dismiss the appeal brought before it by the governorship candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), Senator Bassey Akpan.

    He also asked the appellate court to uphold the decision of the lower court, which declared him winner of the governorship election held on March 18, 2023. 

    In appeal filed by the candidate of the YPP, Senator Akpan, and his party, against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Governor Eno and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the governor held that the Governorship Elections Petitions Tribunal in Uyo was right in upholding his victory in the 2023 governorship election after Akpan failed to establish his claims of forgery and electoral malpractices. 

    When the appeal came up at the Appeal Court, Lagos Division yesterday, the governor through his lead counsel, Paul Usoro, SAN, faulted the arguments by the appellants that the judgment of the Supreme Court in the matter of certificate forgery against the 2nd respondent, by Mr. Akan Okon, was different from the certificate forgery case brought before the tribunal. 

    Read Also: Appeal Court upholds Orji Kalu’s election

    Usoro averred that “the appellant’s submissions amount to mere sophistry and are entirely erroneous and misconceived”, adding: “That judgment in rem is a judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction determining the status of a person or things distinct from the particular interest of a party to the litigation.”

    “My lord, when the court gave the judgment, it clearly decided that the said document is not forged but belongs to the 2nd respondent. It implies that the judgment is applicable to PDP, INEC, the court, or any establishment for that matter”, said the counsel for the 2nd defendant. 

    The appellants, represented by Tunde Falola, held that they were dissatisfied by the ruling and judgment of the tribunal upholding the preliminary objections of the respondents and dismissing the petition, hence the appeal.

    Counsel for INEC, Kolapo Kolade,SAN, said the petitioners never produced either a true owner of the certificate, which they claimed did not truly belong to Pastor Eno, and that they never produced any document to buttress their claims of forgery. 

    “My lord, for any case of forgery to be established, the petitioners have to produce the original document and place it side by side with the alleged forged document. This was never done by the appellants at the lower court”, the INEC counsel said. 

  • ‘Ogbuku dedicated to Niger Delta development’

    ‘Ogbuku dedicated to Niger Delta development’

    The Chairman-designate, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. Chiedu Ebie, has hailed the leadership qualities of the Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, describing him as a man dedicated to the development of the region.

    He urged Niger Delta stakeholders to forge stronger bonds and collaborate to pave the way for a brighter future for the oil-rich region.

    Speaking during a reception in honour of Dr. Ogbuku by Yiba-Ama (Oruma) Community at Yiba-Ama School Field in Ogbia Local Government of Bayelsa State, the incoming NDDC chairman said the event was an endorsement of the collective commitment of ‘Niger Deltans’ to realise the full potential of the region.

    Ebie, represented as the chairman of the occasion by the Executive Director Project-designate on the NDDC board, Chief Victor Antai, said the gathering was a testament to the respect and admiration people had for Ogbuku.

    Ebie, in a statement signed by the NDDC Director, Corporate Affairs, Pius Ughakpoteni, described Ogbuku as “a true visionary and a dedicated individual, whose contributions to the development of our region are commendable.

    He said: “We are privileged to have him as the MD/CEO of the NDDC, a position that reflects his commitment to fostering growth and prosperity in the Niger Delta.

    “We celebrate Chief Ogbuku not only for his personal achievements, but also for his dedication to the betterment of our region. Through his visionary leadership, we have witnessed tremendous strides in infrastructure development, community empowerment and sustainable growth.”

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    In a welcome address read by the Secretary of the Planning Committee, Chief Ishmael Emein, the Yiba-Ama Community lauded the efforts of Ogbuku in transforming the Niger Delta.

    They said: “The Yiba-Ama community, his maternal home, has honoured him with a chieftaincy title, Ama Tondi 1 of Tugbeni (Oruma) Land, meaning the one that lightens the community. “Surprisingly, just after his appointment as the MD of the NDDC, solar light is now shining in almost every community. This is a man with an open heart who loves the region.

    “We reiterate our implicit confidence in the capability and ability of our son, Chief Ogbuku, to perform his duties efficiently, effectively and creditably. He has a track record in public service. If we add this to his youthfulness, energy, vibrancy and his high sense of reasoning, then we present to you not only a competent and consummate personality, but also an amiable and considerate individual.”

    Conferring the traditional title of Ama Tondi 1 of Tugbeni on Ogbuku, the Paramount Ruler of Oruma Community, King Pere David Amakiri, described Ogbuku’s leadership in NDDC as impactful and exceptional.

    He commended him for demonstrating zeal and determination in driving the process of development.

    Ogbuku said the honour done to him was an expression of appreciation by his people and a mandate for him to do more in developing the Niger Delta.

    He said: “I have been recognised as an ambassador of my people. I am happy that members of the NDDC board are here with me because we have decided to work as a team. The new board is made up of highly experienced people from diverse fields. Collectively, we will facilitate the urgent development of the Niger Delta. I can assure you that this team is committed to the transformation of the Niger Delta.”

    Ogbuku thanked the people of Yiba-Ama Community for recognising his contributions and honouring him, saying Yiba-Ama, his mother’s community, had always identified with him even during his political travails.

    The Deputy Chairman, Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, Oba Francis Olushola Aloa, said the Yiba-Ama community was blessed to have Chief Ogbuku as their son.

    He said: “He is a visionary and a go-getter. You have a great son to be proud of.”

    The king, who praised Ogbuku’s achievements so far in the infrastructural development of the Niger Delta, had joined him and some members of the commission’s incoming board to inspect the newly built Ologi Community Internal Road, in Oruma community.

    The rigid pavement road, with concrete drains and solar-powered street lights, complements the 23.5-kilometre Otuasega-Obedum-Emelego regional road and bridges, also being built by the commission to connect communities in Bayelsa, Rivers states

  • Niger Delta ethnic nationalities hail Tinubu for repositioning NDDC

    Niger Delta ethnic nationalities hail Tinubu for repositioning NDDC

    Leaders of Niger Delta ethnic nationalities and critical stakeholders of professional bodies have lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for toeing a different positive path to reposition the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), making it accountable to the people.

    The leaders in a thank-you message sent to Tinubu under the auspices of the Presidents of Ethnic Nationalities, Critical Stakeholders and Leaders of Professional Bodies of Niger Delta Region hailed the President’s decision to retain Dr. Samuel Ogbuku as the Managing Director of the NDDC.

    A document containing the thank-you message was signed by Senator Emmanuel Essien, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, Elder T K. Ogoriba, Prof. Simeon Achinewhu, Amb. Kennedy Tonjo-West, Prof. Chris Akputu, HRH. Anabs Sarah-Igbeh, Prof. AW Obianne and Lady Ankio Briggs.

    Others are Elder Marshal Kunoun, Chief Thompson Fuoye, Deo Kalsuo, Kingsley Kuku, Chief Edet Ante, Dominic Sattah, Amb. Amain Cotterel, Owemedimo Nwoko SAN, Otto’s Akupjel, Chief Edward Ekpokpo, Dr. Samuel Udonsak, Charles Omusuku, Ken Robinson, Hope Erekosima, Izonibi Oyakene, Kennedy Odiowei and Victor Thomas.                  

    They recalled that on 5th of July, 2023, the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) led a cross section of Presidents of Ethnic Nationalities, Critical Stakeholders and Leaders of Professional Bodies in the Niger Delta on a solidarity visit to the management team of the NDDC and spoke with one voice concerning the NDDC board.

    They said: “The visit, which came just after the dissolution of boards of Federal Government agencies, including the NDSC, the position of the Niger Delta people was clear, that a stable NDDC Board and Management Team with people of impeccable character was the only panacea for development of the region, and, accordingly, we saw reasons to solidarise with the Management Team headed by Dr. Ogbuku that was retained – to continue serving the people; pending the appointment of a substantive board.

    “Your Excellency Sir, in our solidarity address on that day, we eulogised you copiously on the different paths you toed, specifically on the NDDC – unlike the past where the policy and management structures were entirely uprooted; leaving the commission in the hands of opportunist and scavengers who were unaccountable to the people; neither fulfilled the objectives of the Commission.

    “Sir, we extended our profound thanks to you for the wisdom displayed in retaining the Management Team led by Dr. Samuel Ogbuku which had exhibited notable competency within the short period; prior to its dissolution.

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    “Sir, on that occasion, we also appealed to you with one strong voice not to delay in reconstituting the new Board; and true to type, and as a listening leader, you hearkened to the voice of the Niger Delta people and, in no time, you graciously constituted the new NDDC Board”.

    They said it behooved on them as appreciative Niger Delta people, to express their profound gratitude to Mr. President, for his kind gestures.

    They further thank the President for the caliber of individuals he assembled for the new board of the NDDC saying it had given them hope in the future of the Niger Delta.

    They said: “Also, the new Chairman Barr. Chiedu Ebie is known for his enormous wealth of experience, a former Commissioner and later Secretary to the Delta State Government, key player in the oil and gas sector with credible antecedents as one who cares about the development of the region.

    “The Managing Director/ CEO Dr. Samuel Ogbuku who was reappointed is changing the narratives; taking into cognizance his diverse policies to bringing about sustainable partnership, engender global best practices and corporate governance in a bid to reposition the Commission for global business acceptability, robust public-private partnership”.

    They said already Ogbuku had entered into partnership with Chevron and other multinationals on citing tangible projects in the Niger Delta; with KPMG for global best practices, corporate governance and signed a pact with NLNG to maximize impact of development in Niger Delta, among others.

    They said: “Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, has already demonstrated that he is a round peg in a round hole and has been deepening stakeholders’ engagement in line with his commitment to the President and the people of the region, promoting federal government’s developmental agenda on one hand, rekindling the hope and confidence of the people, as well as uniting ethnic nationalities towards regional cohesion.

    Similarly, concerning the other personalities on the new Board, from hindsight and checks, we can categorically say, we have a good team in the saddle as they look flawless to us and we pray they don’t yield to the trappings, niceties and the appurtenances of the office and other negative corrupt influences in the future.

    “We, therefor, without equivocation say thank you, Mr. President, for giving the Niger Delta people, and indeed the Niger Delta region, a purposeful Board and Management team.

    “We also recognize the support and cooperation of the Senate President, our own Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio, who with an uncommon precision made the screening process seamless but with dexterity.

    “Your Excellency, posterity will not pardon us, if we fail to draw your attention to the unremitted funds due the Commission over the years from both the public and private sector, as this has greatly hindered the Commission from achieving its set objectives hence, we solicit your kind intervention in this regard.       

    “Finally, we acknowledge and thank Your Excellency over the choice of personalities from the Niger Delta region that have been appointed into Ministerial and other positions.

    “While requesting for more appointments for other eminently qualified and dedicated citizens from the region, we are certain that these illustrious sons and daughters of the region will fully give their unalloyed support to make your government succeed”.

    From Mike Odiegwu,
    Port Harcourt

  • Soludo’s group expels governor’s aide, others over gross misconduct

    Soludo’s group expels governor’s aide, others over gross misconduct

    • ‘Purported expulsion malicious’

    A group, Soludo Support Group (SSG), has expelled its former national coordinator and convener, Chinedu Nwoye, who is also the chief of protocol and deputy chief of staff to Governor Chukwuma Soludo.

    The expulsion followed allegations of highhandedness, usurpation of power, financial impropriety, misrepresentation and refusal to apologise to the body for misleading statements against the group’s leadership.

    The group also abolished the position of convener and replaced it with founder.

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    Coordinator of Njikoka/Dunukofia/Aniocha Zone, Prof. Ike Morah, who moved the expulsion motion alongside seven others during a meeting, described Nwoye’s disposition as a huge embarrassment to the group.

    Idemili Zonal Coordinator, Dr. Okolo Ikechukwu, seconding the motion, said Nwoye tried to usurp the power of the national coordinator and Board of Trustees (BOT) by holding clandestine gatherings in an attempt to misinform and mislead the public.

    Reacting to his purported expulsion, Nwoye dismissed it as a fallacious, malicious and an obnoxious tendency orchestrated by a gang of disillusioned and frustrated individuals impersonating SSG members.