The Nation Newspaper

Tag: agitators

  • FG tasks Niger Delta ex-agitators on economy

    FG tasks Niger Delta ex-agitators on economy

    The Federal Government on Sunday charged 200 Niger Delta ex-agitators, who graduated from the Innoson-Kiara Academy, Nnewi in Anambra, to use their skills positively to grow the economy.

    Brig.-Gen. Paul Boroh (Rtd), the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, gave the charge at the Batch ‘B’ graduation ceremony.

    A statement by the Academy Head, Media and Communication Department, Mr Piriye Kiyaramo, said the ex-agitators underwent a nine months intensive automobile course in automobile manufacturing, engineering and maintenance.

    Boroh commended the graduating ex-agitators for making President Muhammadu Buhari and the Federal Government proud in their performance during the training.

    The special adviser said the entrepreneurship drive of the Presidential Amnesty Programme was geared toward creating an enabling environment for beneficiaries to develop their full potential in different vocational skills.

    “This is with a view to making you lead productive and creative lives in line with the ongoing reintegration process of 30,000 ex-agitators in the Niger Delta region.

    “The focus of the Presidential Amnesty Programme is to create the enabling environment for youths in the region, particularly the ex-agitators to have sustainable sources of livelihood as they reintegrate with their communities,” he said.

    The Chief Executive Officer of the academy, Mr Endi Ezengwa, said the trainees were exposed to practical automobile engineering works during their practical training at the factory.

    Ezengwa said out of the 199 candidates that sat for the National Technical Certificate (NTC) from the National Business and Technical Examinations Board, 195 bagged distinctions while four others made credits.

    He said that Innoson Car Manufacturing Company was willing to absorb the graduands, with a salary of N60, 000 which would be reviewed upwards at the end of a probation period of one year.

    However, Ezengwa urged the state governments in the Niger Delta region to create an enabling environment for the graduands to put into practice the skills they have acquired from the academy.

    “We encourage the respective state governors to actively engage us to establish mini-automobile factories in the Niger Delta area,” he added.

    He commended Boroh for his vision and sincerity in driving the youth empowerment scheme through various vocational trainings, describing him as a “focused man, who has his people at heart”.

    Ezengwa said the course covered automobile manufacturing, auto maintenance, auto mechanical, auto electrical, auto painting, welding, among other aspects of the automobile engineering production chain.

    He noted that the Amnesty Office under Boroh had introduced innovative approach to fill the manpower gaps in critical skills among youths in the Niger Delta.

    Earlier, the Project Coordinator and representative of the Vendor, Mr Momoh Aminu, explained that the rationale for the training was to ensure that beneficiaries were equipped with marketable skills.

    “The idea had been for everyone that participates in the training to have mastery of a particular area and then everybody now works compositely toward the end product.

    “So far, the trainees have been exceptional because within a short period they have been able to display capacity in assimilating the theory and practical aspects of the training and this is really good for Nigeria.

    “At the end of the day, we will be talking about people, who are armed with critical technical skills which the country needs, not just for the development of the Niger Delta area, but for Nigeria in general,” he stressed.

    Speaking on behalf of the ex- agitators, President of the trainees, Mr Raphael Ajalaja, expressed satisfaction with the leadership of Boroh, especially the manner he handled the programme.

    Ajalaja also expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for giving them such opportunity to be trained at the centre.

    Another graduate, Miss Gloria Edward, said the automobile training had developed their capacity to several business opportunities.

    Edward urged the Amnesty Coordinator to empower them at the end of the programme to enable them establish their automobile businesses.

    High point of the ceremony was the presentation of three vehicles; a bus, 4×4 wheel truck and a 32-seater bus assembled from the scratch to the finish by the ex-agitators.

    NAN reports that over 200 youths from the region had earlier benefitted from the programme

  • Niger Delta agitators threaten to resume bombing

    Niger Delta agitators threaten to resume bombing

    A coalition of Niger Delta agitators on Thursday threatened to resume bombing of oil installations in the region and warned the federal government to stop dealing wit the Edwin Clark led Pan Niger Delta Forum, (PANDEF) on their behalf saying the group can not resolve the crisis in the region”

    The group, in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja also asked Northerners and Yourbas from South west resident in the region to vacate the Niger Delta before October 1, while oil companies operating in the area and the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation. must relocate their headquarters to the the region.

    The coalition which is made up of eight different militant groups dissociated themselves from the recent meeting help between Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo and PANDEF, describing the meeting as another ploy to deceive the people of the Niger Delta.

    The signatories to the statement included General John Duku (Niger Delta Watchdogs and Convener Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators); General Ekpo Ekpo ( Niger Delta Volunteers); General Osarolor Nedam (Niger Delta Warriors) and Major-Gen. Henry Okon Etete (Niger Delta Peoples Fighters).

    Others were Major-Gen. Asukwo Henshaw for Bakassi Freedom Fighters; Major-Gen. Ibinabo Horsfall for Niger Delta Movement for Justice; Major-Gen. Duke Emmanson for Niger Delta Fighters Network and Major-Gen. Inibeghe Adams for Niger Delta Freedom Mandate.

    It will be recalled that PANDEF led by Chief Edwin Clarke met twice with Acting President Yemi Osinbajo recently at the Presidential Villa to articulate lasting solution to the challenges of the people in the region. 

    The Niger Delta agitators said that they had resolved to declare Republic of Niger Delta on October 1 and congratulated the Yourubas on their intention to declare an Oduduwa Republic, saying that they would work in tandem with the South East and Middle Belt to achieve economic and diplomatic developments.

    The statement read in full: “At the general council meeting of the Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators (CNDA) involving surveillance department, intelligence department and commanding officers held today to deliberate on the recent development in the Niger Delta and Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) meeting with the Acting President, after hours of careful deliberations, we unanimously resolved to commence Operation Zero Oil in the Niger Delta from September 10, 2017 as a preparation for the actualization of Niger Delta Republic

    “We totally condemn the recent meeting between PANDEF and the Acting President; we see it as another plot to deceive the Niger Delta people. First and foremost, the meeting was marred with inordinate greed of the PANDEF as they did not involve the representatives of the Agitating groups and youths leaders. 

    “We wish to let the Acting President to know that those he met have no capacity and cannot solve the current crisis in the Niger Delta; therefore they cannot represent the militants or speak for the Niger Delta people. 

    “The Coalition unanimously adopts to stand by the previous demands, which are: 100% percent control of our resources. The Federal Government should hand over all oil blocks owned by the Northerners/Yorubas to Niger Delta indigenes. All Oil companies operating in such oil blocks/wells should vacate October 1st, 2017.

    “Relocation of NNPC to any of the Niger Delta state and replacement of the Group Managing Director with an indigene of region. All the Multinational Oil, Gas, Servicing and Marine Companies must relocate their operational base to the Niger Delta, sign a new Memorandum of Understanding with Niger Delta people which would include Niger Delta indigenes being paid same salaries with foreigners. 

    “We demand independence and sovereign Republic of Niger Delta, all the companies and business owned by the Northerners / Yorubas in Niger Delta should be vacated before 1st October 2017, we accept and congratulate the Yorubas for demanding Oduduwa Republic and we wish them success.

    “We hereby call on all agitating groups to resume attacks/bombings on all oil/gas pipelines, especially the exporting lines across the Niger Delta region from September 10, 2017. This is to ensure zero oil/gas production before October 1, 2017.

    “We shall work to interface with more patriotic and zealous Niger Delta people to work out new collective approach that will ensure total freedom and complete control of our resources by any means necessary.

    “We shall from henceforth, fight to liberate ourselves from the shackles of neo-colonialism and rule ourselves under a Niger Delta Republic, with diplomatic and economic relations with the peoples of the South East and Middle Belt.

    “Finally, we want to inform the federal government of Nigeria and the general public that we no longer recognize PANDEF under the present leadership as they are working against the interest of the Niger Delta people.”

  • Biafra agitators and Ohaneze

    SIR: Intense controversy and war of words have lately been raging between the leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization-Ohaneze Ndigbo in the context of the current socio-political quagmire in which the Nigerian state has recently found itself.

    It is needless to emphasize the point that Ndigbo as a people cannot afford the luxury of dissipating their energy on frivolities and pursing shadows when the present air of uncertainty and extremely dangerous situation pervading the political landscape urgently demand the collective and concerted efforts by the various groups in the struggle for the emancipation of Ndigbo and their survival under the extremely hostile and unpredictable Nigerian environment.

    All well-meaning sons and daughters of Ndigbo must rise up to the occasion and quickly come to terms with the present realities to the effect that Ndigbo today are at crossroads and confronted with unimaginable challenges in the country. Various Igbo groups should immediately come together and speak with one voice rather than the present discordant voices among Igbo leaders and mindless pursuit of selfish interest and personal ego which do not serve the collective interest of Ndigbo. Igbo leaders across the entire spectrum should engage themselves in a pro-active diplomacy as the unfolding political developments continue to play out.

    The leadership of various organizations presently championing the struggle for the emancipation of Ndigbo should realize that circumstances or rather exigencies of the current situation in the country has thrust upon them the onerous task of piloting the affairs of Ndigbo and since they were never democratically elected by the generality of Ndigbo, none of them, including Ohaneze should arrogate to themselves or claim the position of pre-eminence or superiority over other Igbo groups. All hands must therefore, be on deck to enable Ndigbo confront squarely their common foes which are criminal marginalization, subjugation and defeatist mentality in a nation they had called their own. And as events are rapidly unfolding, Ndigbo as a people must be prepared to take their destiny into their hands by demanding for self-determination through an organized referendum to decide their future once and for all in this utterly defective and unworkable Nigerian project.

     

    • Nze Nwabueze Akabogu (JP)

    Enugwu-Ukwu, Anambra State.

  • Cleric warns secession agitators

    Those agitating for secession have been urged to tread softly lest they start what they could not finish. Prophet Oluwole Sali gave the warning in a sermon on Sunday in Lagos.

    He likened himself to the Biblical John the Baptist as his message may not always be palatable to the ears.

    He said those agitating for secession from Nigeria should be careful, even as he said nobody should wish for another civil war.

    We have to pray hard and earnestly to avoid one soon. This is the voice of God and revelation that will come to pass if nothing is done about it.

    Prophet Sali said: “I saw this frightening vision in May and June four times that evil is coming upon this country. I saw war. I saw bloodshed and bloodbath. This war will spare no tribe or ethnic group. It’s a war that devil planned to wipe Nigerian out of the world map.

    “I call on all men of God to pray to avert this imminent wailing that may befall this nation. All prophets of God should pray and beg for mercy for this nation. Nigeria can survive this if all men will pray. Ask for the mind of God concerning this nation. Please children of the Lord ask the Lord and as He speaks to you obey.”

    He said Nigerians need to pray for the restoration of the health of Mr President, saying God would save him through our prayers. God is not interested in the death of any man. Nigeria needs mercy now and now is the time to call upon God for it, he added.

  • Biafra agitators kick against Igbo leaders’ decision

    Biafra agitators kick against Igbo leaders’ decision

    Pro-Biafra groups Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) yesterday flayed mainstream Igbo leaders’ decision to back Nigeria’s restructuring rather than secession.

    The two groups championing the Biafra cause have been accused of making inflammatory statements.

    MASSOB leader Uchenna Madu accused the Igbo leaders of “nonchalant and insensitive attitude towards the current consciousness and realities of Biafra”.

    He said:  “Why is it that whenever these self-acclaimed Igbo leaders meet among themselves or with the Nigeria Presidency, they always sideline the primary and principal reasons and cause of Biafra agitation?”

    He described the  meeting of Igbo leaders in Enugu as “tactically helping the Nigerian government in postponing the explosion of the inevitable and unstoppable tickling time bomb which Nigeria comfortably sits on”.

    Madu added: “These decisions are not the true minds and positions of the people of Biafra. We want Biafra and nothing but Biafra. Nigeria must disintegrate; her faulty foundation has broken beyond repair.

    “The non violence struggle for Biafra actualisation and restoration is a reactionary revolution against the continued neglect, political injustices and imbalance of the federal structure against Ndigbo by succesive governments of Nigeria since 1970.

    “We are in this self-determination struggle because of political, economical, academical, religious slavery which the government of Nigeria subjected Ndigbo to in Nigeria.

    “MASSOB and other genuine pro-Biafra groups are in the Biafra struggle because of the grand plan to Islamize the people of Biafra with subtle and harsh economic policies against Biafrans.

    “We are in the struggle to counter and correct the evil plot to enslave our children and their future, we are in the struggle reestablish and revive the tenacity, economic independency and industrial nature of Ndigbo.

    “Truly, we are in the struggle to restore the dignity, culture and integrity of Ndigbo. In this struggle, numerous sacrifices have been made; supreme prices have been paid. We have been tortured, mesmerised, killed, incarcerated for the sake of Biafra and glory of Ndigbo, yet we are neglected, abused and abandoned by people who benefit from our exploits. MASSOB and other agitators are the political masquerades and glory of Ndigbo as Boko Haram is to Hausa Fulani, OPC to Oduduwa and Niger Delta militants to South South.

    “MASSOB still has high respect for the few Igbo leaders who unflinchingly and boldly defend the interest and cause of Biafra. Majority of Igbo leaders have brazenly betrayed Igbo cause and interest in Nigeria. We wish to inform Ndigbo that the reawakening of the spirit and consciousness of Biafra among the people of Biafra can never be demoralised again, the Biafra revolutionary struggle can no longer be betrayed.”

    The Abia chapter of IPOB described the position of Igbo leaders as “unfortunate and long expected”.

    The members who chose to be anonymous because they were not authorised to speak to the media, however, said that they had known that Southeast governors were saboteurs of the Biafra struggle.

    One of the IPOB Abia leaders said: “Before their meeting in Enugu, you’re aware that the governors and leaders of the Southeast have been having meetings with Acting President Yemi Osinbajo geared towards frustrating the Biafra struggle.”

  • APC to Southeast leaders: rein in your separatist agitators

    APC to Southeast leaders: rein in your separatist agitators

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday called on Southeast  leaders to rein in the separatist agitators in their midst to stem provocative rhetorics.

    In a statement by its national spokesman Bolaji Abdullahi, the APC said: “We hereby call on political leaders in the South East to emulate their northern counterparts by reining in separatist agitators in the region and arresting the spate of provocative and inciting declarations and actions.

    “This is the leadership responsibility imposed on them by the positions they occupy. We are disappointed to see that non-state actors could effectively subvert civil order in the face of duly constituted political authorities.

    “Certainly, this unfortunate situation cannot be allowed to repeat itself.”

    The party commended “the proactive and decisive action taken by northern governors and political leaders on the recent ultimatum and declaration by a so-called Arewa Youth Consultative Forum.

    “We are delighted to see that the pressures mounted by the various leaders have forced the group to reverse its misguided ultimatum and threats.

    “However, our party remains disturbed by the increasing spate of separatist agitations by individuals and groups in the country. While we affirm the inalienable rights of citizens and groups to agitate for legitimate causes as a key ingredient of participatory democracy, we believe that such agitations should be guided by the extant laws of the country and established democratic norms. They must be peaceful and demonstrate respect for the constitutional rights of other citizens who may not share in their separatist aspirations.

    “We observe that the nature and content of recent agitations clearly transcends the boundaries of the law and exceeds the limits of freedom of speech. They are therefore, patently inimical to national cohesion and the sustenance of our hard-earned democracy.

    “The National Assembly, the courts and several lawful avenues are available to citizens, groups and sundry interests to make change, seek redress and advance legitimate causes. Therefore, we call on agitators to either join a political party which shares their ideology or form a new party to push their cause.

    “For emphasis, the APC strongly condemns any utterance, ultimatum or actions that threaten the corporate existence of our country.

    “The Party is hopeful that various security agencies will investigate and prosecute promoters and sponsors of these provocative, divisive, inciting and undemocratic declarations and actions.

    “We express our firm belief that despite our challenges, our strength as a country lies in the diversity of our peoples. This we must use to our advantage in our quest to lift the country to its deserved heights.”

  • 50 agitators arrested in Ebonyi

    50 agitators arrested in Ebonyi

    About 50 members of the Biafra Independent Movement (BIM) were arrested during the group’s ‘New Biafra’ commemoration rally in Ebonyi State.
    It was gathered that those arrested were coming from Ohaukwu and Onueke to join the rally in Ebonyi.
    The agitators matched from Spera-in-Deo junction to Presco junction, Abakaliki.
    Their leader, John Nwifuru, said the group was guarded by policemen to ensure the protest was not hijacked by hoodlums.
    He promised that those arrested will be released.
    “Our rally was successful, and we didn’t have any problem.
    “Although mobile policemen disturbed us when we were converging in the morning, and arrested about eleven security boys at Ohaukwu, and 16 at Nkwegu.
    “But I have discussed with the Commissioner of Police and he promised that those arrested will be released immediately.
    “The protest did not cause traffic jam and everything went well. 15,000 members participated in the rally, and we marched from Spera-in-Deo junction to Presco junction, to Ahia Ofu junction and old timer shade. We only dismissed because the elderly ones were getting tired.
    ”We are commemorating the new Biafra which Uwazuruike declared on May 22, 1999, and the celebration continues till May 30, when it will end it with a football match,” Nwifuru said.
    But the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has dissociated itself from the rally.
    A statement by the National Secretary Comrade Ugwuoke Ibem Ugwuoke said members did not partake in the rally.

  • Obi urges Fed Govt to dialogue with agitators

    Obi urges Fed Govt to dialogue with agitators

    Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi yesterday warned the Federal Government against applying force to end Biafran agitatation.

    Speaking after a closed-door meeting with Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha in Owerri, Obi urged the government to engage the agitators in a dialogue in its search to finding a lasting solution to the issue of secession.

    He said: “The Federal Government should, rather than apply force, engage the players in dialogue as a means of finding a lasting solution to the problem, especially the issue of Biafra.

    “I have warned against the use of force against Biafra agitators, the Federal Government should be open to continued dialogue, which is what we are supporting.

    “That is why I am here today to thank Governor Rochas Okorocha for his efforts in managing the Biafra challenge in recent time.

    “Our people won’t support the use of force against those agitating for Biafra; it is a very delicate matter that must be treated with caution.

    “As a matter of fact, the federal government should release all Biafra activists that are currently in detention to begin the process of meaningful dialogue”

  • How Niger Delta can truly develop, by agitators

    How Niger Delta can truly develop, by agitators

    Members of Niger Delta Revolutionary Crusaders (NDRC) yesterday said the Niger Delta could only develop if it was allowed to control its resources.

    The group, in a statement, said giving the area tokenism would not help it compete with other regions.

    In the statement posted on its website, the spokesman of the group, Wo1 Izon Ebi, said the group was not interested in settlement, but to be given the chance to control the mineral resources deposited in their environments.

    The statement reads: “The NDRC rejects the one billion naira offer to us by the FG and view it as insult to our group. We cannot be bought over with one billion naira, what is the one billion naira offer for? Is the one billion meant to buy our conscience or to bring us to the other side?

    “The NDRC cannot be bought with our own resources and wealth. All we are fighting for is Justice, Equity and ownership of our God given resources. We are sad that the FG is only interested in the oil fund just to implement the budget, rather than sincerely activating a process for lasting peace and development of the region is funding all their budget proposals and activities.

    “Rather than play politics with the critical Federal agencies saddled with the responsibilities of developing the region, like the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and the Ministry for Niger Delta, the Federal Government should be sincere and separate the developmental needs of the Niger Delta form politics and political party and appoint technocrats and grassroots residents who understand the core developmental needs of the people of the area and how best to go about the implementation for the desired lasting peace and development to be achieved.”

    On the NDDC Master plan, the group said: “The NDDC master plan originally stipulated 15 years implementation, at the cost of $50 billion, the region has so far received $40 billion over the past 10 years, but sadly there is little or no evidence to justify the amount. Poor governance of self and institution are at the hearth of public sector delivery and challenges.

    “We call on Shell Petroleum Development Company, other multinational companies and other sister agencies to stop paying what it pays to the NDDC, until this present Board is properly constituted. This call has become necessary because the N135 billion and $1.1 billion allocation and other funds appropriated by the commission, with the present exchange rate is being stolen away by corrupt politicians.

    “Our call on Shell, other oil companies and contributory sister agencies to NDDC followed the revelation by the General Manager, External Relations SHELL, Igo Wali and the Managing Director NEITI, Orji Ogbonnaya Orji at a recent retreat in one of the states in the region, on how much various institutions and companies contribute to NDDC annually and every other year to support development in the region, without satisfactory evidence.

    “We are asking for accountability of the funds that have accrued to the commission from inception and how far they are used.”

    The agitators described Egba and the Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachukwu as significant to the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in achieving peace in the region.

    They, however, faulted the NDDC’s Managing Director, Nsima Ekere, for allegedly making “mockery of the region in his speech at a retreat. They quoted him as describing the agitating youths as “dangerous beasts that are frustrating the development of the region”.

  • Buhari lampoon Biafran agitators

    Buhari lampoon Biafran agitators

    President Muhammadu Buhari, Monday, lampooned those agitating for the secession of Biafra , insisting that his administration would ensure continuous existence of Nigeria as a united entity.

    Speaking at the palace of the Emir of Katsina during his official visit to the state, Buhari recalled that over two million Nigerians were killed during the 30 month of the Nigerian civil war which was fought to ensure unity of the nation.

    He said the nation was plunged in a civil war leading to colossal lost of lives and properties in the bid to ensure its unity “but recently, some people who were not even born then are saying they want to divide Nigeria”

    “I always say the civil war was fought for the unity of Nigeria because then we don’t even discover oil let alone enjoying it. But two million people were killed”

    He assured that his administration will do all it could to ensure the continuous existence of Nigeria as a peaceful and one united entity.

    The President who admitted that he knows the difficulties Nigerians are passing through said government was doing everything possible to change the fortunes of the nation for the better.

    He urged Nigerians who have land to embrace farming “while those who don’t have should learn a trade.”

    Earlier in his address, the Emir of Katsina, Abdulmumini Kabir accused the immediate past administration of Goodluck Jonathan for abandoning the contract for dredging of River Niger noting “in land water way is the wealth of the nation and these people don’t want it here”.

    Emir Kabir who urged residents especially the hausa-fulani to intensify prayers for PMB said there are enemies within and outside.

    “We know there are saboteurs but we will finish them with prayers” the Emir said and requested for the renovation of dams in the state so as to boost irrigation farming and water supply.