The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • Uzodimma names 7 PDP defectors as advisers

    Uzodimma names 7 PDP defectors as advisers

    Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has appointed seven State Executive Council members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Imo State chapter, to offices in the state government.

    They suddenly resigned from their offices and the party and defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). On a visit to the governor, they said they defected to join hands with Governor Uzodimma to continue the good job he was doing in the state.

    The seven were appointed special advisers to the governor. The former State Secretary of the PDP, Nze Ray Emeana, besides his appointment as a special adviser, was also appointed the director general of Ahiajoku Centre.

    The appointments, approved by the governor, are as follows: Nze Ray Emeana, former State Secretary, PDP -Special Adviser/Director -General, (DG) Ahiajoku Centre, Chief Martin Ejiogu – Special Adviser Election Management,

    Read Also: Gov Uzodimma’s daughter opens 2023 law scholarship portal

    Collins Opurozor -Special Adviser Strategic Communication,  Comrade GOC Nwadike – Special Adviser Media Management,  Ndubuisi Mbido – Special Adviser Oil Mineral Area/ Community Engagement, (Mrs.) Maria Mbakwe- Special Adviser Women Engagement and Josiah Eze – Special Adviser Labour (Education Matters.

    The governor also appointed 17 more people into offices as his aides.

    They are Comrade Charles Chilakpu, Special Adviser Town Unions, Kelechi Uchenna Herbert Ofor, Special Adviser Peace and Conflict Resolution,  Chief Morrison Iwu, former PDP chairman, Ngor Okpalla-Special Adviser Environment, Chief Chuks Chilaka- Special Adviser Political 4,Chief Eze Obonna – Special Adviser Narcotics and Illicit Drugs Monitoring, Sir Emeka Ihezie – Special Adviser Tourism 2, Obioma Nwamuo- Special Adviser Private Schools, Mrs. Fechi Chilaka – Special Adviser on Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education.

    Others include:  Dr. Perry Njoku – Special Adviser Primary Health Care, Beatrice Nkwo – Special Adviser Grassroots Women Mobilisation,  Casmir Nneji Okoroafor – Special Adviser NANS Affairs, Chief Blessing Oku – Special Adviser Trade 2, Ugochi Nwogu – Special Adviser Hospitality 2, Simplicius – Special Adviser Voter Education 2, Donald Anyanwu – Special Adviser Ethics 2, Jude Ugwuanya – Special Adviser Investments 2 and Timothy Orisakwe – Special Adviser Job Creation 2..

  • Forum to Olu of Warri: don’t contravene PIA

    Forum to Olu of Warri: don’t contravene PIA

    Oil-producing communities in Delta State have said the setting up of Iwere Host Community Trust by the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse 11, contravened the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

    The Forum of Concerned Indigenes of Oil-producing Communities said it is illegal for the eminent monarch to propose the Iwere Trust to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) for recognition.

    In its view, the status of host communities is not synonymous with Itsekiri ethnic nation.

    According to the group, PIA only made provisions for the establishment of Host Community Development Trusts (HCDTs) for oil-producing communities.

    Read Also: Between Olu of Warri and Ayiri Emami

    In a statement by its Chairman, Oritsejolomi Edema and Secretary, Amorigoye Ezekiel, the Forum said the monarch’s decision was beingresisted by the host communities to the Otumara Oil Fields and Flow Station.

    The group urged NUPRC not to give recognition to the Iwere Trust, insisting that it is against the PIA provisions.

    The statement said: “Instead, the host communities, namely Ugborodo, Deghele and Ugboegungun, legitimately demand for the establishment of Otumara Host Community Development Trust and Ikpere Host Community Development Trust, for a joint implementation of the PIA, with Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) and NUPRC as incorporated in the PIA.

    “The NUPRC should strictly adhere to the provisions of the law. The NUPRC should act only based on extant laws, which is the PIA and its accompanying regulations. Anything outside the PIA breaches the ACT.”

    The Forum pointed out that the two groups recognised and referred to as settlors in the Act are the IOC and the host communities, which are expected to meet and bring people together to constitute the Trust.

    It said the Olu and his Palace only established a Trust that agglomerated the entire Itsekiri nation as one host community, thereby usurping the rights of oil-bearing communities.

    The group said the impression is being created that any Itsekiri community that is not a host to oil facilities, can lay claim and be illegally recognised by NUPRC.

    It added: “The PIA only recognises host communities and not ethnic group, as done in the case of the general board of trustees constituted by the Olu of Warri, code-named Iwere Host Community Development Trust.

    “This action is absolutely wrong and represents reckless digression from the law. As an imposition, it denies host communities of their legitimate rights.

    “The issue in contention is the demand that only host communities should determine their trustees and not the Palace of Olu. The PIA law has nothing to do with any kingdom. The word Iwere in fact encompasses every Itsekiri community of Warri. The PIA does not authorise an ominibus inclusion of communities that are not host to oil facilities of the Federal Government.

    “The Palace should not interfere in the arrangement between Abigborodo and NPDC. That arrangement was allowed to fly in accordance with the PIA, apparently because some prominent supporters and backers of the Palace are from that area.

    “In the case of Abigborodo, NPDC did not go to the Palace. Both parties had their agreement signed and sealed independently. Is Abigborodo not part of the Itsekiri kingdom? Why was the proper procedure adopted in the case of that community?

    “With the preferential treatment given to Abigborodo, it has become very clear that the action of the Palace is purely targeted at some individuals in other host communities, especially in the case of Ugborodo, Deghele and Ugboegungun.

    “This has to stop. The Olu and his chiefs should be desirous of peace in the kingdom.”

    As Itsekiri await the verdict of the NUPRC over the establishment of HCDTs, as provided for in the PIA, a group, Forum of Concerned Indigenes of Oil Producing Communities, has described the position of the Palace of the Olu of Warri on the matter as an “illegality”.

    This is even as scores of Ugborodo, Deghele Ugboegungu indigenes yesterday gathered at Ode-Ugborodo, Chevron Tank Farm and Shell-operated Otumara Flowstation in Warri Southwest Local Government, waiting for the commission’s resolve, failing which there may be a shutdown of Shell and Chevron facilities in the area.

    The forum’s statement in Warri yesterday titled: ‘The Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021: Why Royal Incitement in Warri Kingdom Must Stop’, posited that the setting up of the Iwere Host Community Development Trust “contravenes and completely negates” the PIA.

  • Don’t contravene PIA, no basis for Iwere Community Trust, Forum tells Olu Warri

    Don’t contravene PIA, no basis for Iwere Community Trust, Forum tells Olu Warri

    Oil-producing communities in Delta State have said that the setting up of Iwere Host Community Trust by the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse 11, contravened the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

    The Forum of Concerned Indigenes of Oil-producing Communities said it is also illegal for the eminent monarch to propose the Iwere Trust to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) for recognition.

    In its view, the status of host communities is not synonymous with Itsekiri ethnic nation.

    According to the group, PIA only made provisions for the establishment of Host Community Development Trusts (HCDTs) for oil-producing communities.

    In a statement by its chairman, Oritsejolomi Edema, and Secretary, Amorigoye Ezekiel, the Forum said the monarch’s decision was being resisted by the host communities to the Otumara Oil Fields and Flow Station.

    The group urged NUPRC not to give recognition to the Iwere Trust, insisting that it is against the PIA provisions.

    The statement reads: “Instead, the host communities, namely Ugborodo, Deghele, and Ugboegungun, legitimately demand for the establishment of Otumara Host Community Development Trust and Ikpere Host Community Development Trust, respectively, for a joint implementation of the PIA, with Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) and NUPRC as incorporated in the PIA.

    “The NUPRC to strictly adhere to the provisions of the law. The NUPRC should act only based on extant law, which is the PIA and its accompanying regulations. Anything outside the PIA breaches the ACT.”

     The Forum pointed out that the two groups recognised and referred to as settlors in the Act are the IOC and the host communities, which are expected to meet and bring people together to constitute the Trust.

    It said the Olu and his Palace only established a Trust that agglomerates the entire Itsekiri nation as one host community, thereby usurping the rights of oil-bearing communities.

    The group said the impression was being created that any Itsekiri Community, that is not a host to oil facilities, can lay claim and be illegally recognised by NUPRC.

    It added: “The PIA only recognises host communities and not ethnic groups, as done in the case of the general board of trustees constituted by the Olu of Warri, code-named Iwere Host Community Development Trust.

     “This action is absolutely wrong and represents reckless digression from the law. As an imposition, it denies host communities their legitimate rights.

    “The issue in contention is the demand that only host communities should determine their trustees and not the Palace of Olu. The PIA law has nothing to do with any kingdom. The word Iwere in fact encompasses every Itsekiri Community of Warri. The PIA does not authorize an omnibus inclusion of communities that are not host to oil facilities of the Federal Government.

    Read Also: Overzealous fan ignites ‘Warriness’ in RMD

    “The Palace should not interfere in the arrangement between Abigborodo and NPDC. That arrangement was allowed to fly in accordance with the PIA, apparently because some prominent supporters and backers of the Palace are from that area.

    “In the case of Abigborodo, NPDC did not go to the Palace. Both parties had their agreement signed and sealed independently. Is Abigborodo not part of the Itsekiri kingdom? Why was the proper procedure adopted in the case of that community?

    “With the preferential treatment given to Abigborodo, it has become very clear that the action of the Palace is purely targeted at some individuals in other host communities, especially in the case of Ugborodo, Deghele, and Ugboegungun.

    “This has to stop. The Olu and his Chiefs should be desirous of peace in the kingdom.”

  • Obaseki, APC chair clash over Edo council poll’s results

    Obaseki, APC chair clash over Edo council poll’s results

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki and the state’s Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Col. David Imuse (rtd.), are trading words over last Saturday’s local government election.

    Edo Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC), led by Justice James Oyomire (rtd.), on Sunday evening released the results of the poll, with candidates of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) “winning” all the 18 chairmanship seats.

    Read Also; Medical panel suspends four doctors till tribunal’s judgment

    Imuse fired the first salvo yesterday morning at a news conference held at Edo secretariat of APC.

    He said: “It is distressing to witness the blatant disregard for the principles of democracy and the rights of Edo residents.

    Citizens of Edo State have a right to legitimate representation and government that upholds their democratic values. The events that unfolded during the sham of a local government election in Edo State demonstrated a critical need for immediate intervention, accountability and a thorough investigation into the conduct of EDSIEC and Edo State government.

  • Pastor to build free school

    Pastor to build free school

    The Founder/General Overseer of a Port Harcourt-based church, Omega Power Ministries (OPM), Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere, has acquired a property in Umuahia, Abia State capital, to build free school for children with special needs.
    A statement signed by his Special Assistant on Special Duties, Kenneth Nwachi, and made available to reporters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, said the school, when built, would be for children with Autism and Down syndrome.

    Read Also: NMA cautions health workers against strikes
    The cleric, known for giving alms and awarding scholarship, said he had concluded on the property and site to build the proposed school.
    This will bring to two, the number of OPM free special schools in the state, and 28 free schools by the same the church across the country.
    Nwachi said: “This school will help children born with Autism and Down syndrome in Abia to acquire education free of charge.”

  • Abia demolishes two-storey building with structural defect

    Abia demolishes two-storey building with structural defect

    Abia State Government at the weekend demolished a two-storey building in Umuahia, to save lives and property.

    A rapid response team comprising Ministries of Lands and Housing, Power & Public Utilities, Works, Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA), Nigeria Police, Abia State Fire Service, Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), Nigerian Institute of Town Planners and Nigerian Society of Engineers were on ground to ensure that the structurally-defective building was safely brought down.

    The demolition of the building located at 5, Akanu Street, opposite FCMB, near Government House, Umuahia, followed the alarm raised by occupants, who hurriedly evacuated from the building after defects were noticed on the structure sandwiched between two other buildings.

    Addressing reporters shortly after the demolition, the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Mr. Chaka Chukwumerije, said the objective of the exercise was to save lives.

    “The site was cordoned off by UCDA, the road blocked by the fire service, and people in the surrounding area were evacuated by the Nigeria Police, in order to preserve public safety and ensure no casualties were recorded.

    Read Also: LG poll: Outcome of results reaffirms PDP dominance in Edo, says Obaseki

    “The initial efforts to strip the building block by block, in order to preserve the surrounding structures, were deemed unsafe, and quickly replaced by a swift demolishment of the building, while minimising the damage to surrounding structures,” he said.

    The Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Mr. Ikechukwu Monday, who affirmed that the present administration believed in due process, thanked God that no life was lost, enjoining builders to engage the services of professionals.

    UCDA General Manager Kenneth Agomoh, a town planner, reiterated the Otti administration’s commitment to restore the integrity and sanity of buildings in the state.

    He said the public should come forward with any information relating to defective structures.

    He said going forward; UCDA would be proactive in checkmating illegal structures.

  • Seven-man caretaker panel to run A/Ibom Accord Party

    Seven-man caretaker panel to run A/Ibom Accord Party

    Akwa Ibom State chapter of the Accord Party has sacked its Chairman, Martins Inyang Ansa, over alleged fraud and anti-party activities.

    State Secretary of the party, Obong Imeobong Udeng, made this known during a news conference in Uyo at the weekend.

    He said the ousted chairman’s tenure was characterised by widespread irregularities, which caused the poor performance of the party in the 2023 governorship election.

    Stakeholders including members of the party’s State Working Committee (SWC) Director General of Governorship Campaign, Aniekan Johnson, chapter chairmen from 31 councils in the state and ward chairmen in 329 wards in the state had passed a vote of no confidence in the embattled chairman.

    Read Also: LG poll: Outcome of results reaffirms PDP dominance in Edo, says Obaseki

    The party’s secretary listed alleged offences of the former chairman to include embezzlement of N3.1million donated by the party governorship candidate for logistics in the last general election, inability to win election in his unit, ward and local government, as well as gross misconduct in protecting the party interest against opposition.

    The party secretary observed that stakeholders decided to relieve the state chairman of his position in order to rescue the party from total collapse after the poor performance in the last general election.

    “From our investigation, we have found out that Martins Inyang Ansa worked against the interest of our party in the state during the last election.

    “He facilitated the defection of our members to other political parties and clandestinely positioned his church members to unseat other members in the Exco without the consent of the state working committee.

    “Again Martins Inyang Ansa craftily made his wife a candidate of our party in Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District for monetary gains.”

    The party therefore appointed a seven-man caretaker committee to manage its affairs within six months.

    The committee members are Aniekan Johnson as chairman, Bishop Eric Etuk Akpan,  Chief Imeobong E. Udeng and Uduak Clement Bassey.

    Others are Samuel Eshiet Akpan, Ubokulo Paul and Abasifreke Thompson.

  • ‘Sylva will win by wide margin’

    ‘Sylva will win by wide margin’

    Youths’ movement under the auspices of Bayelsa New Generation Leaders (BNGL) has said former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Chief Timipre Sylva would win the November 11 governorship poll in Bayelsa State by wide margin.

    The Director General, BNGL, Apostle Bodmas Kemepadei, made this known yesterday during the formation of grassroots coordinators for the All Progressives Congress (APC) across local governments of the state.

    He said BNGL, a socio-political organisation comprising mostly youths cutting across communities, wards and local governments in the state, had re-echoed victory for Sylva, the APC governorship candidate.

    He noted that their stand that Sylva would sweep the poll was informed by their consultative meetings and visits to youths and other stakeholders managing communities’ structures capable of influencing votes at the grassroots.

    Read Also: LG poll: Outcome of results reaffirms PDP dominance in Edo, says Obaseki

    Kemepadei said most structures of the other parties at the ward levels had collapsed to the APC.

    He said the opposition’s hope of holding Yenagoa Local Government, which seemed to be its last hope, had become a dark shadow dream, as most of its structures were crumbling.

    Kemepadei said he believed that Sylva would consolidate his achievements as governor and build on the legacies of others, as government was a continuum.

    He appealed to the electorate not to be deceived by meagre appointments and sweet coated tongues from the opposition.

    He advised the appointed local government coordinators to open a channel of communication with the electorate at the ward levels.

    The Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Coordinator, Woyingimiebi Uge, hailed the director general for the lofty ideas that culminated in the formation of grassroots coordinators.

    He reaffirmed the coordinators’ commitment to pursue the Sylva/MacIver’s mandate at the grassroots level and expressed confidence of APC’s victory at the coming poll.

  • ‘Don’t succumb to blackmail against Tompolo’s contract renewal’

    ‘Don’t succumb to blackmail against Tompolo’s contract renewal’

    Agroup, the South-South Professionals & Transparency Initiative (SSPTI), has appealed to the Federal Government not to succumb to the ongoing “blackmail” against the renewal of the pipeline surveillance contract of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Ltd (TSSNL), so as to sustain improvement in Nigeria’s crude oil output.

    It made the appeal in a statement, saying the security outfit owned by former Niger Delta agitator, Chief Government Ekpemupolo a.k.a. Tompolo, had done well in policing critical assets across the region, hence the need for renewal of the contract.

    The statement was signed the group’s Chairman and Publicity Secretary, Dr. Ugochukwu Alozie and Kayode Ayomide, an engineer; and made available to reporters in Warri, Delta State.

    SSPTI described those working against the contract renewal as enemies of the nation and Niger Delta in particular.

    Read Also: LG poll: Outcome of results reaffirms PDP dominance in Edo, says Obaseki

    It said available statistics on crude oil theft showed drastic reduction in pipeline vandalism and illegal bunkering prevalent in the area before the security contract was awarded to Tantita last August.

    The statement said: “South South Professionals & Transparency Initiatives (SSPTI) as the name implies is a group made up of professionals drawn from fields of human endeavours with diverse ethnic background, but resident in states across the Niger Delta.

    “Our members are bonded by convictions to promote good governance through probity and accountability of public funds, as well as ensuring a secure environment for the nation’s critical assets towards the realisation of an egalitarian society where our common patrimony will be protected for ourcollectivegood.

    “We have watched with keen interest the blackmailing, falsehood, as well as political and personal interest that had taken place in recent times over the renewal of pipelines surveillance contract awarded to Tantita Security Services and we made bold to say enough is enough of the desperate efforts by some cabals to hijack the security contract for selfish reasons.”

    According to the group, some newly appointed politicians and lawmakers, mostly from the zone, alongside some self-seeking ex-militants want to either hijack the contract or take a good percentage of it as their entitlement.

     “It is evident that these cabals within the corridors of power of the present administration are working in conjunction with a section of the military who are not too comfortable with the uncompromising nature of the Tantita operatives along the creeks while carrying out their illicit oil deals.

    “From available statistics at our disposal, it is evident that illegal oil deals across the region have reduced drastically in the last one year when the surveillance contract was awarded to Tantita, as against what was experienced in previous years when cases of crude oil theft rose embarrassingly, even with the intimidating presence of the military in our area.

    “We are, therefore, using this medium to call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to succumb to any kind of pressure or influence from any quarter not to renew the contract of Tantita Security Services, in order to sustain the obvious improvement in the nation’s crude oil capacity production per day.

    “We also want to appeal that President Tinubu, as the substantive Minister of Petroleum Resources, understands the need to protect the environment of the people along coastal areas from severe pollution of the waterways, as a result of illegal bunkering activities, which have reduced drastically in recent time due to the effectiveness of Tantita operatives in checkmating criminal activities in the region.”

  • Ebonyi lawmaker empowers constituents

    Ebonyi lawmaker empowers constituents

    Ebonyi State House of Assembly Majority Leader Ikoro Kingsley has called for peace among communities in his Afikpo North West Constituency. 

    He spoke during the 2023 New Yam Festival ceremony held by communities in his constituency.

    He also launched a bi-annual empowerment programme for businesses and farmers in his constituency, with cash and farm inputs distribution worth millions of naira. 

    The event, held at the weekend in Ibii/Oziza, Akpoha and Amasiri communities, was attended by many people. 

    Akpoha and Amasiri communities a few months ago were enmeshed in boundary disputes, with government and security agencies intervening to maintain peace. 

    Addressing the people, Ikoro said they are brothers, who have lived in peace for years and urged them to maintain peace. 

    Read Also: LG poll: Outcome of results reaffirms PDP dominance in Edo, says Obaseki

    He said it was only in an atmosphere of peace that the communities would continue to develop and benefit from developmental policies of the Governor Francis Nwifuru-led administration. 

    Ikoro added: “Don’t let enemies or a few bad eggs lead you into fighting with your neighbouring communities. Instead of fighting, report to relevant local and state government authorities to settle issues or complaints you may have.

    “The Nwifuru administration has a lot in stock for every community. The governor has asked every community to nominate one road for construction. He has promised to build befitting palaces for our monarchs.

    “But if your community is in crisis, how will government come in and provide these dividends of democracy?”

    The lawmaker donated millions of naira to support 26 small and medium scale businesses across his constituency.

    He said the programme would be a continuous one and would be done every six months, to improve the lives of rural dwellers and create employment. 

    He also donated bags of fertilisers to the wards in his constituency, to aid farmers achieve bountiful harvest

    Ikoro gave N500,000 to support the annual football competition in his Oziza community.