The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southeast report

  • Bayelsa APC alleges plot by PDP to cause mayhem

    Bayelsa APC alleges plot by PDP to cause mayhem

     Bayelsa State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have raised the alarm over plans by  the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state in cahoots with the state government   to cause a breach of the peace in Bassambiri-Nembe, a stronghold of the APC.

    A statement signed on Thursday in Yenagoa by the State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Doifie Buokoribo, revealed that as part of the plans, lawless men of the armed forces, and other outlaws from neighbouring states, have been allegedly mobilised with state resources to plant arms in some houses in the community to  cause mayhem.

    “The goal of this scorched earth policy is to make it extraordinarily difficult for electoral officials to gain access to the place, harass and intimidate our members and supporters, and ultimately prevent the November 11, 2023 elections from holding in Bassambiri-Nembe, our stronghold.

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    “We consider this intelligence credible as the PDP is now desperate, knowing that the Bayelsa people are not with them. Their performance in office has been lamentably poor. Hence they are not campaigning on any known record of achievement. Instead the PDP is running from court to court, trying to stop the APC from being on the ballot. Not only are they threatening violence, they are actually visiting violence on our members in places like Opokuma, Odi and Kaiama in Kolokuma/Opukuma Local Government Council (Governor Diri’s local government)  and Sangana in Brass Local Government Council,” the statement said.

    He added that the APC is committed to a free, fair and credible election  which can only be guaranteed in an atmosphere of peace. 

    The party called on the armed and security forces to caution their men and officers to act within the limits of the law in order to forestall a breakdown of law and order before, during and after the November 11, Bayelsa State governorship poll

  • Bayelsa making progress under Diri, says Obasanjo

    Bayelsa making progress under Diri, says Obasanjo

    Former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has praised Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri for his sterling performance.

    He said the state is making progress in all sectors of the economy.

    Chief Obasanjo hailed the governor for consolidating the legacies of his predecessor, Senator Seriake Dickson.

    He spoke yesterday during the 12th Bayelsa State Thanksgiving Day at the Ecumenical Centre in Igbogene-Yenagoa.

    The former president said: “What I saw is more than what I expected. What you have here in Bayelsa that you have to cherish is peace. Comparatively, you have greater peace than other parts of the country.

    “You have security. Peace without security is no peace. Security without peace is no security. Here you have security, you have peace and you have stability.

    “If what is happening here is replicated in other states in Nigeria, then we will say we have a good country.”

    Governor Diri thanked Chief Obasanjo for honouring and identifying with the people and government of the state.

    He attributed his achievements to the support and cooperation of ‘Bayelsans’ and divine grace.

    The governor said: “Bayelsans want peace and development. The former governor laid the foundation upon which we are building and everybody who comes to the state acknowledges the peace and security. So, we cannot go back to the era of violence, impunity and brigandage. The essence of government is to bring peace, development and progress.”

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    “Today, we have added value to the development of Bayelsa. We are embarking on meaningful projects and programmes and we thank God for His grace to do these things.”

    He appreciated leaders of the state, including former President Goodluck Jonathan, noting that he would have attended the event if he had not travelled out of the country.

    The lawmaker representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District and former governor of the state, Senator Seriake Dickson, appreciated Diri for sustaining the legacies of his administration, particularly road projects, annual thanksgiving, morning devotion at the Government House and monthly praise night.

    He said he was a fulfilled man because he successfully handed over power without rancour and the state was peaceful and on the path of development.

    The guest preacher, Pastor Lazarus Muoka of The Lord’s Chosen, Charismatic Revival Movement, delivered a sermon with the theme: “Blessed Are You.”

    He described Bayelsa as a blessed land, which God gave mineral resources.

    Chief Obasanjo inaugurated the second phase of the ongoing Yenagoa-Oporoma-Ukubie senatorial road from Igeibiri to Angiama in Southern Ijaw Local Government.

    The former president lauded the developmental efforts of Dr. Jonathan, who started the project as well as Senator Dickson for continuing it.

  • Fish out perpetrators of Abia massacre, says Ohanaeze

    Fish out perpetrators of Abia massacre, says Ohanaeze

    Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing has appealed to security agencies to work in synergy to fish out those behind alleged killings, resulting in the discovery of over 50 bodies recently at Lokpanta cattle market, Umunneochi in Abia State.

    National Publicity Secretary, Mazi Chika Adiele, in a statement, said the group would launch a fact-finding mission into the discovery to set records straight and support efforts to stem further killings.

    The group called for an end to assassination, banditry and kidnapping in the state, assuring Governor Alex Otti of the backing of Igbo youths in his fight to rid the state of criminals.

    It restated its call for unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, insisting that his release would usher in peace “and guarantee security of lives and property of our people.”

    The statement said: “It is unacceptable to keep silent and allow these evil of monumental proportion to be swept under the carpet.

    “Nothing can further assuage our painful feelings, except facts and justice.

    “Sadly, despite military/police check points on that axis, innocent commuters are subjected to all manner of humiliating experience, while suspected herdsmen move unhindered into the bush, destroying people’s means of livelihood.

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    “We are miffed by the audacity of these mindless herdsmen and their military agents, traversing the nooks and crannies of Ala Igbo with a trail of blood of innocent people on their footpath.

    “We say to them, enough! Assassination, banditry and kidnapping must be brought to an end along Umunneochi/Isuikwuato federal constituency with immediate effect.

    “Igbo youths are brave, industrious, enterprising, peaceful and above all ready for any uncertainty. Our silence is not cowardice. Thus we hereby launch a fact finding mission into this awful discovery in order to set records straight and support ongoing efforts to stem further impasse.

    “We have kept quiet for too long, while these bandits launch monumental destruction, purely orchestrated by overzealous security personnel.”

  • Obi laments 20 headless bodies, skeletons found in Abia

    Obi laments 20 headless bodies, skeletons found in Abia

    The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the February 2023 presidential election, Mr. Peter Obi, has expressed shock over reports that 80 bodies, including 20 headless ones, as well as countless skeletons, were discovered in Abia State.

    The Nation reports Abia State Governor Alex Otti said the bodies were discovered by security operatives during a raid on the forest around Lokpanta cattle market in Umunneochi axis of Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.

    Reacting to the development in a thread on his official X page yesterday, Obi described the development as “barbaric and cruel.”

    He said: “I read the bone-chilling story coming out of Abia State, where over 80 bodies were reportedly recovered around the cattle market, with about 20 headless decomposing bodies.

    “This level of barbarism and extremely cruel act only reflects how insecure our environment has been.

    “It unearths how insecurity has continued to ravage many parts of the country, taking innocent lives and killing the economy.

    “I thank Governor Otti for taking such a bold step against insecurity in the state. This is highly commendable.”

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    Obi said while he was governor of Anambra, he faced a similar situation.

    “I recall facing a similar situation in 2013 as the governor of Anambra State.

    “I was accompanying President Goodluck Jonathan to an official engagement outside the country when I received a sad report of about 35 decomposing bodies floating on Ezu River in Anambra State.

    “I had to leave everything, rushing back to the state to attend to the situation and ensure that order was restored to the vicinity.

    “Investigation was immediately commenced, with autopsies conducted, before the Federal Government took over the process and asked the state government to hands-off it,” he said.

    Obi added that security of lives and property remained the primary duty of any government and the key to any development.

    He urged governments to make more efforts to tackle insecurity.

  • Oil communities urge settlors on agreements, others to reduce face-off

    Oil communities urge settlors on agreements, others to reduce face-off

    Indigenes of host communities across Delta State have called on oil firms to abide by the agreements, interact with the right leaders and tackle pollution, in order to reduce conflicts and ensure smooth oil and gas operations in the Niger Delta.

    They spoke at a Peace Building and Conflict Management training organised by the Partnership Initiatives for the Niger Delta (PIND) Foundation in Ekpan, Uvwie Local Government of Delta State.

    The 20 participants drawn from selected oil host communities, while identifying issues that caused face-off between them and oil companies (both multinational and indigenous firms), mentioned bad community leadership.

    A participant, Peter Satu, said delay in payment for executed contracts by companies often led to disruption of oil operations.

    Another participant identified as Femi said execution of substandard projects in the communities due to “lack of monitoring and inspection by the oil companies and no rise in pay, despite the current economic realities, are among concerns of the host communities.

    Yet another participant, Perez, noted that throwing only “casual jobs at indigenes, when there are qualified persons to take up technical jobs”, brings strife.

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    Stanley Boyo and Oyen Omawumi decried the environmental degradation across the oil producing areas and the seeming lack of will by the settlors to address the situation.

    They said fishing, a major means of survival in the communities, had become unproductive due to the polluted waters.

    However, Solomon Ofoaramieyere pointed accusing fingers at the indigenes and their penchant for holding on to power.

    He recalled the early 1990s when issues concerning oil operations were tabled at town hall meetings with every community member present to give their input in decisions to be taken.

    Steven Etsano lamented that despite promising to convert to staff, community workers who have been with Chevron Nigeria Limited for many years, the company has failed to do so, leading to protests.

    The participants were, however, optimistic that if the findings of the training were acted upon, there would be “peace and harmony” among stakeholders.

    In a chat with reporters, Dr. Chukwudi Njoku, the capacity building coordinator for PIND Foundation, said the training and interaction would improve the capacity of the participants in peace building, as well as conflict management and prevention in their communities.

  • NDDC to collaborate with Port Harcourt Club to boost social activities

    NDDC to collaborate with Port Harcourt Club to boost social activities

    Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, has said the commission would partner Port Harcourt Club to boost social activities in the Rivers State capital.

    He spoke when members of the club’s executive paid him a visit in his office at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt.

    Ogbuku said the commission was open to a sustainable relationship that would bring back the past glory of Port Harcourt city by reviving social life in the Garden City.

    He recalled with nostalgia the serene atmosphere created by the older generation, insisting that such beautiful scenery would be reignited to keep the old memories alive.

    He said the current generation would not allow social activities in the city to retrogress, vowing to galvanise progressive residents of the city to pull resources together to build a society that would be stronger and socially active.

    Ogbuku took the opportunity to request for the revival of the W.W. White football tournament among secondary school pupils in the state.

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    He said while growing up in Port Harcourt, it was through the football competition that pupils in secondary schools were brought together to socialise.

    The President of Port Harcourt Club, Soberekon Dikibo, while congratulating Ogbuku on his reappointment as the Managing Director of the NDDC, hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for making the right choice. He described him as a true Port Harcourt man.

    As a mark of honour, the leadership and members of the Port Harcourt Club conferred on the NDDC managing director an honorary membership of the club.

    Dikibo, while conferring the honour on Chief Ogbuku, said although membership followed a strict process of nomination and subscription, it was customary of the club to offer it to deserving public officers like service chiefs and heads of selected federal parastatals serving in the state.

    The Port Harcourt Club, founded in 1928, is family-oriented sports and recreational club South of the River Niger. It has been in existence for nearly a century and has over 1,800 members.

  • Nollywood launches film making in schools

    Nollywood launches film making in schools

    The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) in Anambra State has launched film making programme in secondary school curricula across the state.

    Chairman, Evangelist Leo Ewuzie, in a chat with reporters yesterday, said the initiative tagged: “Solution theatrical course clubs”, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, would replace the moribund dramatic societies in schools.

    He said the programme was targeted at uncovering and nurturing young talents and preparing them for opportunities in the thriving Nollywood and creative industry and tapping into the flourishing creative economy.

    Said he: “The partnership between the entertainment industry and the education sector will revolutionise the creative landscape of the state as well as offer brighter and more promising future for its young talents.

    “The ambitious project aims to achieve objectives, including talent discovery, movie production revival, unemployment, crime reduction and financial empowerment.”

    Ewuzie added that the initiative would host a three-tier sequential competition under the theme: ‘Rules and Regulations Guiding Discipline and Conduct in Anambra State Schools’.

    “Schools will compete at the local government level, showcasing their talent and creativity in dramatic performances.

    “The winning schools from the local competitions will progress to the zonal level, where they will compete against other talented participants from their zones.

    “The most exceptional performers from the zonal competitions will advance to the state grand finale, the pinnacle of the competition, where they will vie for the coveted title.

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    “At each level of the competition, the top three performing schools and students will be recognised and rewarded for their outstanding efforts, further encouraging active participation and excellence in the field of dramatic arts,” he said.

    Education Commissioner Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh said the project would function as a club in private and public schools, adding that only theatre could express certain ways of life while reflecting lessons capable of changing individual perspectives.

    “Art is life; and drama a living literature, which is a powerful tool to inculcate positive values, policies and programmes as well as drive individual talents for alternative means of livelihood in future,” she said.

    President of All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary School, Anambra State branch, Mr. Obima Arazu, praised Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s policies targeted at developing students.

    He said the project had already been embraced by schools in the state, expressing optimism of its positive impact on the students and society at large.

    Speaking on behalf of the students, Blessing Chike of Capital City School and Chinedu Anagor of Igwebike Grammar School expressed joy about the initiative.

    They thanked the governor for his caring disposition towards students.

    They said the project would offer them access to film making and other opportunities.

  • ‘School feeding incentive for families to prioritise education’

    ‘School feeding incentive for families to prioritise education’

    The Senior Special Assistant to the President on School Feeding, Dr Yetunde Adeniji, has described the programme as incentive for families to prioritise education. She said it has not only improved children nutrition, but bolstered school enrollment and attendance rates, thereby becoming vital in the advancement of education, the alleviation of hunger and poverty eradication.

    She spoke at the Transitional Learning Centre in Wassa, where she had gone to oversee and assess the school feeding programme.

    Adeniji stressed the importance of education and nutrition in the comprehensive development of every child, irrespective of circumstances. She noted that initiatives like the programme hold the power to effect substantial positive change in the lives of the most vulnerable citizens.

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    “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to the welfare of the nation is exemplified by the Renewed Hope agenda. Within this framework, a vision is cast for a Nigeria wherein every child enjoys access to quality education and nutritious sustenance, regardless of their background or geographical location. By investing in the youth today, a brighter and more prosperous future is being forged for the nation,” she said.

    She said the success of the programme is not solely on government efforts, but also on the support and participation of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).

    Adeniji called upon CSOs nationwide to emulate and support the Renewed Hope agenda championed by the President. She urged them to join hands with organisations such as Maple Leaf Early Years Foundation, the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons, and the government, as together they strive to positively transform the lives of youth.

    She thanked the CSOs and other stakeholders involved in the programme.

  • Bayelsa health workers servethree-days warning strike over welfare

    Bayelsa health workers servethree-days warning strike over welfare

    The coalition of healthcare workers under the aegis of Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital (NDUTH) Unit-Branch, Okolobiri in Bayelsa State has expressed their displeasure over  what it called non implementation of welfare
    packages approved by Governor Douye Diri.

    In a statement  by the Union’s  Chairman, Comrade Dogiye, Lucky Ebiteinye and the Secretary, Comrade Ozeze Jasper, to press home their demand, the group  urged the Bayelsa State government to implement the approved packages or face a strike  scheduled to kick off on November 1.

    The Union,  in the statement, laments that after series of promises by the  governor on different Workers’ Day anniversary, that nothing has been done nor positive response given to their request by the authority concerned.

    The statement  reads: “In an attempt to have a continuos working and harmonious relationship with the Bayelsa State Government, the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital (NDUTH) Unit-Branch, Okolobiri in Bayelsa State, in a congress meeting dated October 6, 2023 resolved to humbly remind the State Governor, Douye Diri on the  non-implementation of an executive pronouncement made on May 1, 2022 and May 1, 2023, Workers Day celebration, directing relevant government authorities to immediately implement the payment of reverse call-duty and hazard allowances to the affected health professionals.

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    “We request that the reverse call-duty allowance be implemented for its union members to reflect in October, 2023 salary to relief the burden created by economic challenges in the country and in anticipation of your pronouncement made months ago.

    “We also request that the hazard allowance be effected, the approval and implementation of the July 25,  2023 National Salary Income and Wages Circular on the Reviewed Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) as attached below,” stated the Union.

    The group also demand that the payment of all pending promotion arrears to its members including the provision of vehicles to ease logistics and movement of staff due to transportation challenges in the country be met.

    The Union in an appeal, urged the State Governor to intervene in the prolonged matter, alleging that the undue neglect of their request has demoralized their work spirit, while cautioning that a 3-day warning strike to that effect will commence on November 1 2023.

  • NBA to Oborevwori: extend quality infrastructural projects delivery to judiciary

    NBA to Oborevwori: extend quality infrastructural projects delivery to judiciary

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Effurun branch, has urged Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to extend his building of quality infrastructural projects across the state, to facilities in the judiciary.

    It hailed the governor for awarding the projects for the construction of three flyovers, as well as expansion of the NPA-DSC Expressway at Effurun/Warri area of the state to Julius Berger Company PLC.

    Chairman of the branch, Ben Ubioworo Esq., who spoke with reporters after their monthly meeting, said Governor Oborevwori had broken the jinx of poor and substandard performance that had bedevilled the state for decades.

    Decrying the poor condition of courts in the state, particularly the courts in Effurun, Warri and their environs, Ubioworo urged the governor “to replicate the New High Court complex in Asaba, in the Central and South districts of the state.” 

    “The desire of His Excellency to revamp our road infrastructure should be extended to the state judiciary facilities.”

    Appealing to monarchs and youths in the area to ensure hitch-free execution of the N78 billion flyovers and road project, he said the timely completion of the projects would transform Effurun and Warri to mega cities befitting of their status as oil cities. 

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    “As a body whose duties include promotion of good governance, we have considered Your Excellency’s move and effort towards executing quality and standard projects to better the lot of ‘Deltans’ as a move worthy of commendation.

    “The recent award of the contract for the building of flyovers and roads in Warri/Effurun to a reputable construction company, Julius Berger, is an indication that you are poised to deliver quality governance to our people.

    “We therefore use this as an opportunity to express our appreciation to His Excellency and also to advise our monarchs, youths and community leaders to ensure and guarantee a peaceful and a secure environment, to enable the contractor complete the projects in record time,” the chairman said.

    Noting that the branch would commend “every sustained good moves of the governor geared towards the delivery of good governance to the people of the state,” he, however, added: “It will also not hesitate to constructively criticise His Excellency in areas where he is perceived not to be faring well.”