Category: SouthEast

An entrepreneur and Chief Executive Officer, Kenyon International, Dr. Victor Ekpenyong, has called for a human-centred approach to energy policies, “as people have remained central to energy demand.”

Ekpenyong, an oil and gas expert, made the call during the ongoing Nigerian International Energy Summit 2024 (NIES 2023), in a panel discussion on Global Perspective for a Sustainable Energy Future.

In a statement by the Public Affairs Manager, Kenyon, Mr. Ifechukwu Muonyili, the chief executive urged policy makers to adopt a democratic approach to ensure the results from energy policies were people friendly in terms of affordability.

He expressed concern that the policy-making process in Nigeria did not reflect the interest of the people and recounted his own experience setting up an assembling plant and facing exorbitant energy bills.

Ekpenyong explained the importance of energy for business success in Nigeria and cautioned that the transition to renewable energy was premature without accessible and affordable energy.

He highlighted the obsolete transmission lines that conveyed energy generated and the need for viable transmission lines and technologies to make energy more accessible and affordable for citizens.

He urged stakeholders to close ranks in achieving a human-centred energy sector and ensure that energy was affordable and accessible to all Nigerians.

Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Anambra State Command, has assured the National Population Commission (NPC) of protection, to guarantee seamless conduct of 2023 National Population and Housing Census.

State Commandant Mr. Isidore Chikere gave the assurance in Awka while hosting the Federal Commissioner representing the state in the commission, Mr. Chidi Ezeoke and his team at the State Command Headquarters, Awka.

The NSCDC boss, who described census as a very important national assignment, restated the command’s readiness in partnering NPC towards the successful conduct of the exercise.

He said: “I’m impressed by this visit. It shows you recognise the importance of NSCDC in the smooth conduct of the exercise. As partners in progress, it’s nice you’re closing ranks in reaching out to relevant stakeholders.

“NPC needs the support of stakeholders in order to deliver credible and reliable data. In the light of this, be assured that NSCDC is putting security apparatus in motion for a hitch-free exercise.”

Ezeoke thanked the commandant for the cooperation the commission had been enjoying from the corps.

He appealed for security to ensure safe movement of personnel and materials during and after the head count.

Ezeoke said the 2023 census, the first digital population and housing exercise, would enable the commission generate credible, reliable and acceptable high-quality data for development planning of the country.

“2023 National Population and Housing Census is coming up very soon, hence my visit to brief you on the preparation to kick-start it. We are here also to galvanise support security-wise, for the exercise. 

“As relevant stakeholders, we deem it worthy to solicit for the services of your men in the protection of our personnel and materials during the exercise,” he said.

Abia State Governor-elect Dr. Alex Otti has announced the appointment of members of his Inauguration Committee for May 29 swearing-in as the 5th democratically elected governor.

The 75-member committee is led by former House of Representatives member for Umuahia North/Umuahia South and Ikwuano federal constituency, Iheanacho Obioma, who was the state Campaign Coordinator of the Alex Otti Campaign Organisation for the 2023 governorship election.

The committee, according to information, has eight sub-committees, which include Finance, Programme, Venue, Logistics, Protocol, Security, Entertainment and Media & Publicity.

Otti, inaugurating members of the committee yesterday at the Banquet Hall of his home in Umuehim, Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government, urged them to justify the confidence reposed in them by organising hitch-free, peaceful and befitting events.

Some of the events being planned are handing over ceremony, interdenominational Christian service and Muslim jumat that would be held at approved centres in the state to usher in the new government.

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu had announced a 23-man transition committee ahead of May 29 swearing-in of Dr. Otti of the Labour Party (LP).

The 23-man committee, which will be chaired by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chris Ezem, comprises serving commissioners and others from the Otti camp.

A statement issued by Ezem disclosed that the committee members would be inaugurated at the Office of the Deputy Governor, Government House, Umuahia.

The statement said members would oversee what it described as a seamless transition from the current Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led government to the incoming administration.

It announced Secretary to the State Government as Chairman, Commissioner for Works – Member, Commissioner for Environment – Member, Commissioner for Information- Member and Commissioner for Homeland Security – Member.

Others include Commissioner for Public Utilities – Member, Commissioner for Health – Member, Commissioner for Trade & Investment- Member, Commissioner for Strategy & Communication – Member, Chief of Staff Government House – Member, Executive Secretary/ Permanent Secretary, State Planning Commission- Member, Accountant General of the State- Member and Rt. Hon. Chinedu Elechi – Member.

Also included were Director of Protocol – Member, Chief Ekekwe John Egu (Otinkpu Jesus)- Member, Sir. GOC Kanu – Member, Prof. Udo Ogbonna – Member, Pastor Dike Nwankwo – Member, Prof. Ijeoma Kanu – Member, Mrs. Chinwe Kanu Uba – Member, Nkem Okoro – Member, Dr. Christian Anokwuru- Member and Mr. Chinedu Ekeke – Member.

The member-elect for Essien Udim State Constituency in Akwa Ibom State, Prince Ukpong Akpabio, has urged Christian public office holders to reflect the tenets of their faith in their actions, to help achieve God’s purpose as His ambassadors on earth. 

He spoke at the weekend while declaring open the 17th Annual Synod of Methodist Church Nigeria, Diocese of Essien Udim, held at Methodist Church Nigeria, Ukana Ikot Akpan, Udim Circuit, Essien Udim Local Government of Akwa Ibom State with the theme: “Contending for the Faith.”

Akpabio noted with regret that many Christians were heavenly minded, but earthly cautious, saying the situation called for soul searching.

He said: “As we gather as people of God in this Synod, it affords us the opportunity to reflect on where we have done well, how to improve to do better and the path we ought to take as a body of Christ to take full advantage of our expected role in governance, in shaping and influencing policies and programmes and in not relenting in using the pulpit to contend for the faith by holding elected public officials to account.

“The main mission of the church on earth is to make disciples of all nations, and unlike in the past, in recent times, the gap between the church and government in terms of interaction and partnership is gradually narrowing. While looking at the theme of this conference from the spiritual perspective, it is important we link it up to our day-to-day relationship with others as well as our economic and political lives.”  Akpabio said before 1999, Christians were backward in politics; first, because while other religions believed that religion was a way of life, Christians remembered God mostly only when they were in trouble, as the early missionaries never enlightened Christians much about their political duties and roles.

“To be a politician was to be destined to hell because politics was considered a dirty game. The missionaries did not impart to us the technique of governance. For anyone to be interested in governance was considered blasphemous. The missionaries taught us how to serve our souls for heaven without teaching us how to contend for the faith here on earth.

“Therefore, as we gather at this synod to discuss the future of the diocese and its departments, let us not totally ignore the political reality such as the killings, political marginalisation, oppression of Christians, insecurity, bad economic policies, lack of good governance, all affecting Christians as God’s ambassadors and as salt of the earth because from time immemorial, Christians suffered persecution, but it never stopped the propagation of the gospel. Let us therefore be involved in our political life because Jesus himself was interested in politics,” he said.

Akpabio said the church in Nigeria could not play the role of mobilising its members to be involved in their constitutional obligation of exercising their franchise during the 2023 elections, only to ignore the most important role expected of them in keeping their elected and appointed public officials in check and holding them to account, warning that their inability to deliver on their mandate portended danger to the faith and the nation.

“The church must contend for the faith in a positive sense by sustaining its strategic engagement with the government to deepen governance, attract dividends of democracy to its members and serve as a resource at influencing policies and programmes of the government through not only prayers, but also in idea sharing, constructive criticism and commendation when and where applicable without losing her identity, purpose and mission of winning souls to heaven.

“Let us not forget that as Proverbs 29 (2) says: ‘When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice.’ When David ruled, the people rejoiced; when Solomon ruled, the people rejoiced and when Jehosephat reigned, the people were happy. But when Ahab ruled, the people mourned; when Hoshea reigned (2Kings: 17), the people were sad and when Manasseh was the king, the people lamented (2Kings:21),” he admonished.

He urged delegates to the synod to examine the critical role and relationship between the church and state, to explore ways of ensuring that the church played her role of ensuring that governance came in a form where light would replace darkness, where truth would replace falsehood, where justice would be the order of the day, where tribalism would give way to patriotism.

“The church must continue to encourage her members not just to be active participants in politics, but also to be the light of the world and reflect Christ in their politics because when true Christians are put in positions of authority, they contend for the faith in a practical sense,” he said.

Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has described the late King Richardford Orukarebai Koroye of Tarakiri Kingdom as a father and a thoroughbred professional, whose reign brought peace, stability and development to the clan, which cut across Bayelsa and Delta states.
Senator Diri spoke yesterday at the late king’s funeral at Toru Orua in Sagbama Local Government.
He said Tarakiri people were not only mourning the passage of their monarch, who died at 85, but were also celebrating his achievements.
A statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted him as saying that the late king upheld and promoted the culture and tradition of the Ijaw.
“Truly, we have lost a father, brother, a thoroughbred professional and a king. I pray that more King Richardford Orukarebai Koroyes are raised in Toru-Orua, Tarakiri Kingdom and Bayelsa State,” he said.
The governor praised the Tarakiri people for cherishing and practising their culture, which he said was on display during the three-day funeral rites of the monarch and urged them to sustain it.
Senator Seriake Dickson representing Bayelsa West,
on behalf of the Koroye and Kpadia royal families of Toru-Orua and the Tarakiri Kingdom, thanked Governor Diri and all who paid their last respects to the king.
Ex-governor Dickson, who hails from Toru-Orua, prayed God to grant the late king repose of his soul and more development for the kingdom.
The Regent of Tarakiri, High Chief Fidelis Agbiki, said the people were not only celebrating the departure of a hero, but also the departure of an Izon hero of all times.
High Chief Agbiki, a veteran journalist, said during Koroye’s reign, which lasted for 10 years, he resolved many inter-and intra-communal conflicts, adding that he left footprints too big for anyone to fill.

Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, has insisted that the looted artefacts that are being returned from European countries belong to Benin Kingdom, not Governor Godwin Obaseki or Edo Museum of West African Art (EMOWAA).

He yesterday informed the Ambassador of Netherlands to Nigeria, Wouter Pomp, about last week’s significance of Nigeria’s presidential declaration in the recognition of ownership and an order vesting custody and management of the repatriated looted Benin artefacts in the Oba of Benin, through a Federal Government gazette.

The first-class monarch, while receiving the ambassador in his palace, according to the king’s Chief Press Secretary, Iguobaro Osaigbovo, in a statement, declared that he was committed to the ongoing construction of the befitting Benin Royal Museum, opposite his palace, on Plymouth Road, to house the artefacts.

He noted that the Benin royal museum project was at the instance of the Nigerian government, and being fully backed by President Muhammadu Buhari, while being supported by the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who openly made the declaration during his recent visit to Oba of Benin in his palace.

The Federal Republic of Nigeria, in notice number 25 in the official gazette number 57, Volume 110 at pages A245-247, dated March 23, 2023, laid to rest the tussle between Obaseki and the eminent monarch, over who to be the custodian of the artefacts.

Oba of Benin, reacting to comments by the ambassador of Netherlands on the future of repatriated Benin bronzes, said the future of the Benin artefacts was in the gazette.

The eminent traditional ruler said: “The Federal Government’s gazette clearly states the ownership, custody, and management of the artefacts, which are vested in the Oba of Benin, as an institution. That is the law.

“It is a Federal Government’s project to build the Benin Royal Museum. We have been on it for some time now.”

The ambassador had congratulated the Benin monarch on redirecting the course of history.

He pledged his government’s support for Nigeria to tackle unemployment and forced migration, as well as to promote cultural diplomacy.

Pomp said: “We are very interested in all the history of the Benin bronzes, some of which as you are aware are still in the Netherlands.

“Contacts are underway between Netherlands Commission for Monuments, and the Commission for Museums and Monuments of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

There have been meetings between the commissions about the future of the Benin bronzes.”

Obaseki and Oba of Benin had been at loggerheads on the artefacts for over two years, with Edo governor backing the construction of EMOWAA at the site of the demolished century-old Central Hospital, on Sapele Road and Ezoti Street, Benin, instead of supporting the Benin royal museum.

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