By Simon Utebor, Yenagoa

The Bayelsa State Government has urged legal practitioners in the state to properly guide their clients based on the merit or otherwise of the cases at hand to avoid unnecessary litigations.

It also cautioned individuals and communities to resist the temptation of engaging in subversive activities aimed at dethroning traditional rulers whose chieftaincy stools have been recognised by law.

The Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, gave the advice when he met with the chiefs, elders and other community representatives of Aghoro II community in Ekeremor Local Government Area of the state at his office in Yenagoa, over the disputed Amananaowei stool of the community.

Ewhrudjakpo who reminded lawyers of their professional ethics, said law practice was not just to make money, but deserves honour, integrity and respect as a profession that promotes justice, peace and order in society.

The Deputy Governor pointed out that in some jurisdictions like Abuja and Lagos; lawyers issue a counselor’s certificate to their clients, which make them liable to accept responsibility for any inconveniences arising from ill-advising their clients.

He said: “Those of you that are lawyers, you have a duty to advise your clients properly. I want you to go back to your professional ethics regarding the duties of a counsel. Litigation is not always the best option for conflict resolution. That is why we have the multi-door court that gives options for arbitration, mediation and conciliation.”

Explaining the State Chieftaincy Law, Ewhrudjakpo cited Section 28 which states that no individual or group has the right to either dethrone or install a traditional ruler without following due process as stipulated by law.

He, therefore, directed all the parties involved in the Aghoro 2 community leadership conflict to observe status quo with His Royal Highness Ojunkonsin Ibamughan still serving as Amananaowei pending the final determination of the issues raised at the meeting.

The Deputy Governor, however, warned traditional rulers not to see their recognition as a licence to oppress and shortchange their people, as the law also provides a window for their removal.

Presenting his case to the Deputy Governor, a factional leader, Chief Afro Biukeme, alleged that Chief Ibamughan was removed from office as Amananaowei of Aghoro II community due to misappropriation of community funds amounting to about N90 million.

Biukeme insisted that embattled Amananaowei embezzled the funds with his cronies and had since refused to return to the community to give a proper account of the funds as demanded by the people of Aghoro.

In another development, the Bayelsa State Government has resolved the face-off that resulted from an error in a land survey map involving some communities in Sagbama and Southern Ijaw LGAs of the state.

Resolving the issue, Ewhrudjakpo urged the people of Akeddei, Isoni, Anyama-Ibeni and Isampou to live in peace as the cartographical error had been corrected.

While thanking the Ibenanaowei of Oyiakiri Kingdom, King Joshua Igbagara for his efforts, the Deputy Governor advised communities in the state not to see carrying of arms over land disputes as the best option, but rather seek redress through dialogue or at the law court.

Also, Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has described the death of Peremokubo Agara as a huge loss not only to his family but also to the state and Nigeria.

The governor in a statement by his Chief press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, recalled how Agara represented the state government in resolution of disputes with oil companies, particularly Shell Petroleum Development Company.

He stated that his administration had concluded plans to engage his services in his area of expertise before his untimely death.

By Simon Utebor, Yenagoa

Host communities of the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), under the banner of the Movement for the Survival of Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND), have lauded NAOC for inaugurating Quick Response Team to secure and prevent recurring oil theft in the Niger Delta.

The host communities comprise Emeyal/Kolo Creek Clan, Engenni/Abua/Odua Clans and Omoku/Orashi clans.

MOSIEND in a statement yesterday, particularly commended  the Managing Director, NAOC, Mr Roberto Daniele, for the award of the surveillance contract, saying it would go a long way to reducing oil theft in the region.

It expressed delight in the award of the contract to Abili Integrated Services Limited and other indigenous companies, saying it was a well thought out initiative.

The group described AISL as focused, efficient and community-oriented company.

MOSIEND said: “As critical stakeholders, we observed that since the coming of Roberto Daniele as NAOC MD, alongside Mr Tony Novizio, Security consultant and Mr Stanley Umukoro, Security Manager, the corporate image of Agip has improved tremendously.

“Agip has resolved intractable security issues timely. It also adopted a contemporary professional standard in scrutinising the tenders and bidding process that saw to the emergence of some successful companies in transparent and satisfactory manner.

“Frankly, Roberto Daniele has brought a whole lot of content that has improved Corporate Social Responsibility engagements, promote prompt implementation of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), hence promoting healthy relations between NAOC and its host communities.”

By Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

The monthly prayer session by traders at Ochanja market, Onitsha, Anambra State was suddenly disrupted by angry traders following alleged delay in the conduct of election into leadership positions in the market union.

The prayers had moved on smoothly until the concluding part when the embattled caretaker committee chairman of the market, Chief Nelson Ojukwu was shouted down while making announcements.

The angry traders who had waited patiently for the chairman to take over the stage, suddenly sprang to their feet and started shouting, “We won’t allow you to address us, give us a date for our election, you have overstayed your welcome”, among other derogatory words.

The atmosphere became tensed as vigilante operatives guarding the market fired several gunshots in the air, compelling traders to scamper in different directions thereby bringing the prayer session to an abrupt end.

Speaking to reporters, some aggrieved traders, Charles Eze, Onyekachukwu Anigbo and Sir Clifford Iloduba said the traders were angry over the elongated tenure of the Ojukwu-led committee in the market.

The leaders of the third phase Presidential  Amnesty Programme in Niger Delta, (PAPND), led by General Onoriode Diyo and others have charged the Chief Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme PAP, Col. Diko Dixion Milland to commence the approved 30,000 slots beneficiary of the ex-agitators for peace to reign in the region.

Diyo and other leaders, who made this declaration during their leaders meeting held yesterday at Warri South LGA, in oil-rich Delta State, frowned at the Interim Coordinator Col. Dikio Milland for not paying attention to the welfare of ex-militants of the Niger Delta region.

The group reiterated that there is growing level of disaffection among the restive youths, especially the ex-agitators, warning that there is need to forestall a situation where those aggrieved may be compelled to return to the creeks to continue wanton destruction of oil installations in order to press home their demand for equity and justice for the downtrodden members of the region.

“They are not feeling comfortable with the system operation by the amnesty boss and they may return to the creek and attacks the oil pipe line of the state of the Niger Delta region before he will listen to us because we cannot die in silent when our demands are not being met,” he lamented.

While pledging their loyalty, the ex-agitators further impressed on the Coordinator Dikio Milland, the need to carry out verification of the 30,000 beneficiary slots of the Amnesty Programme already approved by President Muhammadu Buhari.

By Chris Njoku, Owerri

Participants at the just concluded Southeast zonal town hall meeting with Country Review Mission (CRM) for validation of country self-assessment report (CSAR) on the ongoing second peer review of the Federal Government have called on Nigerians to queue behind President Muhammadu Buhari in his fight against corruption.

Noting that corruption had eaten deep into the fabric of the society, the stakeholders lamented that it had equally set the nation 10 years backward, adding that corruption was the primary cause of violence protests  witnessed across the country.

Speaking at the one day stakeholders meeting held in Owerri, the Imo State capital, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman in Imo, Prince Marcellinus Nlemigbo, urged Nigerians to support President Buhari to sustain his fight against corruption.

“Nigerians must support President Buhari to sustain the fight against corruption because some people have so enmeshed themselves in corruption that they are richer than the state. The problem of this country is corruption; we cannot achieve anything with corruption. We should check the level officers, politicians are looting the treasury of the country if we are to succeed, “he stated.

In the same vein, the traditional ruler of Ihim Autonomous Community, Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of the state and Vice Chairman, Christians Association of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, HRH Eze Oliver Ohanwe, blamed politicians in the country for creating a huge gap between the rich and poor and pleaded that such gap be narrowed.

In a her welcome address, the CEO, African Union Development Agency/New Partnership for Africa’s Development, Princess Gloria Akobundu said that African Peer Review Mechanism(APRM) process was designed to assist participating countries to develop and promote the adoption of laws, policies and practices that leads to political stability, high rates of economic growth, sustainable development and continental economic integration.

Speaking later, the State Governor Hope Uzodimma represented by the Deputy Governor Prof. Placid Njoku noted that quite a number of activities had taken place which have contributed for ensuring that Nigeria actually meets some standard of APRM.

By Jide Orintunsin – Abuja

The All Progressives Congress(APC) Legacy Awareness and Campaign, a voluntary think-tank group of the governing party, said over N280 billion in bank charges have been saved since President Muhammadu Buhari insisted on the enforcement of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy.

The group, in its weekly assessment report of the APC-led administration, said the Buhari administration had since 2015 to date deployed many anti-corruption policies that have turned around the economy.

A statement in Abuja by the group signed by APC National Youth Leader, Ismael Ahmed, APC former National Publicity Secretary, Lanre Issa-Onilu and two other leaders, said that though the policy was introduced by the past administration, it struggled to gain traction until President Buhari’s executive order.

The group recalled in August 2015, President Buhari issued his first major Presidential Order, directing all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to close their accounts with Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) and transfer their balances to the Treasury Single Account (TSA) system under the oversight of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

APC-LAC noted that since enforcement of the policy, “more than 17,000 commercial bank accounts have since been closed down, resulting in savings of an average of N4 billion monthly, in banking charges; apart from the increased transparency and accountability that comes from the new system.”

Read Also: ‘105 Bayelsa communities may be extinct’

Highlighting how the administration has been fighting corruption, APC-LAC noted that since 2015, it has spearheaded several reforms in line with the commitment to freeing the country from the clutches of corruption, which has stunted sustainable growth and development, as well as undermining the country and its citizens in many ways.

The group noted “contrary to the assumptions that the administration’s anti-corruption strategy is limited to arrests and prosecutions of offenders, it has become clear to observers that the greater focus is actually on building preventive systems and mechanisms that promote lasting accountability.

“For instance, early in the life of the administration, the President established the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), to sign-post to the world the significance of the fight against corruption to his administration.

“PACAC has helped produce manuals, protocols and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to assist Anti-Corruption Agencies (ACAs) in their work, including a Corruption Case Management Manual; Plea Bargaining Manual; Sentencing Guidelines in High Profile Cases; a Framework for the Management of Recovered Stolen Assets, Asset Recovery Strategy Document, among others.

“The Buhari Administration also established the Presidential Initiative on Continuous Audit (PICA) to strengthen controls over Government finances through a continuous internal audit process across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), particularly in respect of payroll. PICA helped identify and remove more than 54,000 fraudulent payroll entries, amounting to savings of N200 billion per annum.

“Other transparency and anti-corruption initiatives of the Buhari Administration include Project Lighthouse, launched in 2018 to integrate multiple tax and revenue data sources from across the government and third parties (land records, CAC records, REMITA platform, Private Jet Ownership data, FIRS database, etc) and thus help ensure accurate income and tax assessment for individual and corporate taxpayers.”

By Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

Chairman, Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund Management Board, (NSITF) Mr Austin Enajemo-Isire has urged  business owners in Delta State to enrol their members of staff for the social insurance cover provided by the fund.

He said business owners having members of staff strength ranging from three and above to key into the Employees Compensation Scheme to enjoy the benefits.

He said the dark days of negative stories about the funds were now in the past with new managers recently inaugurated by the Federal Government.

Enajemo-Isire spoke in an interactive session with business owners for Warri and Asaba region in Ughelli South LGA, Delta State.

He said NSITF has been repositioned with the newly inaugurated executives and reinvigorated management Board, adding it was poised to deliver on its mandate.

He said: “this business interactive session is in line with the recently approved work plans to change the narratives with a view to realising the vision and mission set by the Federal Government.

“Furthermore, these actions by the new team were meant to positively project NSITF to business communities and critical stakeholders for better appraisal of its activities, functions, strategic relevance as well as to develop radical business frontiers to enhance acceptance and participation in the attainment of the targeted goals.”

Enajemo-Isire spoke about the origin of NSITF which began with its establishment in 1961 as Nigerian Provident Fund, NPF, until 1993 when a new law was enacted that transformed it into NSITF.

He said: “The benefits of getting enrolled in a social insurance scheme such as this cannot be over-emphasised,” stressing that “the scheme is set out to provide social protection that guarantees fair and adequate compensation to any staff who suffer occupational hazard while in active service of a registered employer or organization.”

He led top management members of staff of NSITF on a visit to the Chairman of Council of Urhobo Traditional Rulers, HRM Richard Layeguen Ogbon, Ogoni Oghoro I the Ohworode of Olomu Kingdom in Ogoni-Olomu.

He appealed to the traditional rulers to encourage their subjects who are business owners to register their organisations and enrol their members of staff in the social insurance protection cover provided by the fund.

By Mike Odiegwu, Port Harcourt

Youths from Obio-Akpor, the Local Government Area of Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike have backed Senator Magnus Abe to succeed the governor in 2023.

The youth, under the auspices of Rivers Voice of Freedom (RVF) inaugurated executive members of the group in the council with a mandate to rally support for Abe ahead of the general elections.

The group lamented that the internal wrangling in the All Progressives Congress (APC) denied Abe the right to contest the governorship position in the last general polls.

The Chairman of the ceremony, Chief Tony Okocha urged members of the group to remain steadfast in their support for Abe.

Okocha, a former Chief of Staff, Rivers State Government House, said: “As far as Obio/Apkor is concerned, we are fully in support of Sen. Magnus Abe.

“One thing that I am sure of is that nobody can stop the idea which time has come; our time has come.

“Do not be bothered by what you see, do not bother of course about the difficulties because without difficulties we may hardly see providence. As soon as providence comes, the difficulties will give way.

“I want to enjoin you, please remain steadfast, remain committed to this course at the end of the day, victory shall be ours.”

The President-General of the group, Dominic urged the newly inaugurated executive members to always abide by the principles of Senator Abe such as all-inclusiveness and politics without violence.

By Damian Duruiheoma, Enugu

The Nigerian Army has organised a medical outreach to provide free medical services to the aged, poor and vulnerable residents of Enugu metropolis of Enugu State.

At least, 2, 525 residents benefited from the exercise that involved four communities-Nchatancha Nike, Obinagu Nike, Akpoga Nike and Mbulujodo Nike-in Enugu East Local Government Area of the state.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, who flagged off the medical outreach at Nchatancha Nike, said the services were designed to support the old ones, physically challenged and weak in the area.

He listed the Medicare services to include free consultation and treatment, free dental checks and treatment, free eye checks and eyeglasses, free wheel-chairs and crutches, and free distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets.

Gen. Lagbaja explained that the medical outreach was meant to cement the existing relationship between the Nigerian Army and civil populace in the state.

Represented by the Chief of Staff of the Division, Brig.-Gen. Greg Omorogbe, the GOC explained that the exercise was part of activities lined up to commemorate the 158 anniversary(1863 – 2021) of the Nigerian Army.

He said that the Nigerian Army pays due attention to the security and health well-being of members of its host community, which encompasses all Areas of Responsibility (AOR).

“Apart from being an exercise to herald our 158 anniversary, it will generally improve Civil-Military-Cooperation (CIMIC) meant to boost overall military-civil relations.”

The traditional ruler of Mbulujodo Nike Community, Igwe Gabriel Okoh thanked the Nigerian Army for bringing the free and comprehensive medical service to the doorsteps of his subjects as well as other neighbouring communities.

The monarch described the exercise as a great opportunity given to the people to access quality healthcare and other health consumables at no cost.

“We will continue to pray for the success of the Nigerian Army and for God’s guidance and protection as they defend both security-wise and health-wise,’’ Okoh said.