The Nation Newspaper

Tag: COMMUNITY

  • Community urges govt to rehabilitate its only primary school

    Residents of Evbokabua in Orhionmwon Local Government of Edo State have appealed to the government to rehabilitate the only primary school in the community.

    They spoke yesterday in interviews with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at Evbokabua.

    A pastor, Mr. Peter Efe-Osayande, told NAN the present condition of Osadebawmen Primary School, the only public primary school in the area, was deplorable.

    “Rehabilitation is long overdue. The pupils get drenched whenever it rains and this is not good.

    “The school was established in 1955, and three of the five buildings have collapsed, while the remaining one has a leaking roof.

    “The only building the pupils are managing now, was built in 2007 through the Education Trust Fund,” he said.

    Mrs. Rose Bose said: “Politicians have come here with electioneering promises and after getting our votes they refuse to keep their promises.

    “Parents are begging the government to rehabilitate the school.

    “For more than 15 years there has been no power supply at Evbokabua because the supply that came through Abavo in Delta State was disconnected.”

    Another resident, Mr. Friday Unionmwan, said the community was underdeveloped.

    He added: “We appeal to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NNDC) to come to our aid and fix the primary school, reconnect us with the national grid and repair our road.

  • 99 houses burnt in Benue community fire

    Ninety nine houses, comprising forty two silos, in Tse-Anshongu MbamarNyiev, Guma Local Government of Benue State, were at the weekend gutted by fire.

    Lawmaker representing Guma in the House of Assembly Terser Adzuu visited the victims and promised to mobilise emergency help for them.

    About 2,000 tubers of yam, guinea corn, rice, maize, groundnut, melon, soyabeans and beniseed, three motorcycles and other household items, were burnt.

    A victim, Tyav Alev, said the fire started about 2pm from a nearby bush set by unknown persons and spread fast due to the harmattan.

    Two other victims, Tessy Tarbo and Iorapuu Timbee, said the situation has compelled them to start life all over again.

    They described the situation as unbearable and solicited support from relevant government agencies and individuals.

  • Are Obiano’s community projects worth it?

    SIR: Its homonym, the constituency project, is a discredited term in the public space of Nigerian political commentary. It is understood to mean a byword for legislative corruption and as an advertised support to popular representation, has largely been abused.  Much like the fog surrounding the self-awarded official entitlement of the sponsors, the modalities upon which our unique constituency projects are executed may only be described as esoteric. The federal legislator [the practice is pronounced at the first tier of government] acts like a sole administrator over the funds allocated for his constituency scheme. At best, the contraption is a device to assuage the biting hunger of Nigeria’s fourth republic parliamentarians to exercise some sort of executive authority, especially the power to award contract.

    In conception and execution, the Willie Obiano intervention in community development is a departure from the government – dominated approach which has tended to distort the policy and indeed reduce the local populations to spectators. The community projects, covering the 179 autonomous areas of the state and valued at N7bn are divided into two phases, each community is entitled to the sum of N20bn for each round of the programme.

    By mid-February, five towns, namely, Agulu, Amansea, Umueri, Anaku and Ezinifite had completed their tasks. Twelve other communities are set to follow suit with others at various stages of execution. Five towns are at the point of resolving issues on project, site and contractual decisions. However, the services embarked upon assume an encyclopaedic breadth. There are health centres, market stalls, road construction, civic centres, erosion control measures, printing presses, skill acquisition centres, oil palm and crop processing factories and many more.

    These injections have the potential of stimulating local economic activity even to the diversification of the rural economy. It is the setting for increased productivity, higher employment opportunities and rising incomes. At a time of national economic recession, the merit of these socio economic interventions cannot be over emphasized. The community development investment becomes the needed infusion for reflating the state’s economy.

    The socio political gains of the programme are no less significant. There is a place for equality of communities in governance.  It ensures that no town is left out on government’s empowerment mission and by fostering a sense of belonging, rallies the populations on the course of development and peaceful coexistence.

     

    • Ifeanyi Afuba,

    Nimo, Anambra State.

  • Oil spill: Affected community yet to receive relief materials

    The Elembiri community, Gbanraun in Bayelsa State, affected by the Seibou II oil leak in 2015, said they were yet to receive relief materials to cushion the effect of the spill.

    The victims told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Yenagoa none of them received relief materials.

    NAN recalls that the spill from Seibou oilfield, owned by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), discharged about 550 barrels of crude into the Ogboinbiri River.

    Mr. Joseph Obari, SPDC’s spokesman, told NAN the oil firm sent relief materials to people affected by the spill from Seibou Well II head.

    But Rev. Festus Konbofa, leader of Elembiri community, said victims did not receive relief material from Shell.

    “We are SPDC’s immediate host. Seibou Well II is on my land and the creeks polluted are in our community.

    “So, if they claim to have sent relief items, chances are that they were diverted and taken elsewhere.

    “I am also part of the community leadership and we crosschecked with one another. I can confirm that nothing came in.

    “It is very unfortunate that they neglected payment of compensation to the affected community even when the regulators recommended so.

    “We have resolved that we shall not allow them to work until they tell us who they gave the materials.

    “Unfortunately for us, the facility has not been producing for a while now,” he said.

    Konbofa accused the Anglo-Dutch oil giant of evading payment of compensation for the pollution which, according to him, was caused by equipment failure.

    NAN recalls the National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) recommended payment of compensation by SPDC to the impacted residents.

    Dr. Peter Idabor, the director-general, said: “Our assessment of the Seibou Well 2 facility leak of January 23, 2015 at Ogboinbiri, Bayelsa, confirmed the cause of the leak was equipment failure.

    “The assessment showed the volume of crude discharged was 549 barrels.

    “The joint investigation visit was conducted on February 10, 2015 by NOSDRA officials from our Warri office.

    “Our Port Harcourt office did the assessment and recommended payment of compensation, based on the impact of the spill. There is no status report on the compensation,” Idabor said.

  • World Bank spends $320m on community development in Nigeria

    World Bank spends $320m on community development in Nigeria

    A World Bank-funded Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA) in Nigeria yesterday said the bank has provided about $320 million credit to assist the poor and vulnerable groups in the country.

    The agency added that the bank late last year, approved addition $75 million for the Northeast region for resettlement of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) caused by insurgency in the region.

    Task Team Leader of CSDA in Nigeria, Prof Foluso Okunmadewa spoke in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital at the adoption of vulnerable groups’ operation manual meeting of the agency.

    The team leader said the project has gotten the support and endorsement of almost all the governors in the federation, noting that they “have all put the structures, mechanisms in place to be able to access the funds.”

    He said: “As at about seven years ago a credit of $200 million was provided by the World Bank to the government of Nigeria and was used up until 2015 by 26 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). And this was exhausted and the then Federal Government requested for additional financing of $140 million.

    “It was provided and became effective in 2016. All the 26 states that were in original project are now active in this new additional financing of $140 million. All the states have established agencies and are moving into the communities to do all the micro projects that the communities have put forward.

    “I must say that as a result of the insurgency in the north-east and the desire by the Federal Government and the states in the region to have some more funds that can help in the resettlement and recovery of livelihood of people back in the rural areas. An additional request of $75 million was made by the federal government to the World Bank to put resources into this kind of project that seems appropriate be able to be used by these people as they go back.

  • Philantropist donates health centre to community

    Philantropist donates health centre to community

    Raybam Event Centre, Oja in Agbado/Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area  was filled to the brim when the Wahab R. Ajulo Foundation donated a primary health centre  (PHC) to the Ajasa community and its environs.

    The joy expressed by Ajasa residents  at the inauguration was infectious as different tribes living in the community put aside tribalism and trooped out for the event.  Gaily dressed in different traditional costumes, they sang with gusto, accompanied with indigenous musical instruments to show that they appreciated the  health centre.

    The health centre is a storey building that has seven rooms/wards, a consulting room, an out-patient parlour, five toilets and a store as well as the doctor’s office. It  has two access culverts with drainage.

    The PHC, according to Hon. Wahab Ajulo, is a product of humanitarian service informed by his passion for the residents. He said he was moved to build the centre because there was none in community, and most of the people who came to  him for assistance had health challenges.

    The Oba of Ajasa, Oba Sule Subaru Odualabe, allocated a piece of land for the centre and encouraged him throughout the building period.

    “My poor background from a rural area devoid of this facility for a long time fired my philanthropic tendencies. It has been my innate resolve to help the less privileged with my God given opportunities and resources,” stated Ajulo.

    On why he named the centre after Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, Ajulo said: “He is a symbol of philanthropy and good will. Oranmiyan symbol loves people, he is very hard working and a socialite that fears God. He is worthy to be emulated because he has people constantly on his mind. He has demonstrated that he is actually the symbol of the young, the old, the rich and the less-privileged in Alimosho. That is why I dedicated this project to him and named it after him – Rauf Aregbesola Health Centre, Ajasa.

    Ajulo appreciated a Corps member, Miss Esther Adeyanju, from Edo State, who, he said, initiated the idea, and shared it with him. Hon Ajulo said she served at the Command Secondary School as assistant librarian.

    Miss Adeyanju said: “I served in this community in 2011/12. I used to move round the community and got to know that their desire was to get a health centre because of the stress they go  through to obtain medicare  in far away places, such as the  General Hospital, Ile-Epo. I brought the idea to the Oba and Ajulo. They keyed into it. The Oba gave the land while the Honourable built the centre. The achievement of today is commendable. I give God the glory.”

    Yeye Otunba Bamidele Ologun, owner of Raybam Event Centre, expressed satisfaction with the health centre, saying mothers in the community would be relieved because they could easily access health care 24/7 for themselves, their children including family planning.

    “I and my husband are happy to identify with Ajulo because he is ever helping people in the community. He is into great development of this community. We appreciate him and wish him well in all his future aspirations,’’ she said.

    The event was graced by Yoruba and other tribes in the communities.

    Representative of Governor Aregbesola Hon. Ade Ipaye chaired the event. Lagos Commissioner for Women Affairs Uzamat Akingbile-Yusuf represented Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

    Other dignitaries included the  Olojota of Ojota, Oba Adewale Cole, the Alajasa of Ajasa, Oba Sule Odualabe, the Olu of Meiran Land, Oba Awoniyi Oroja, the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Alimoso, Solomon Ogundola,  a former member, House of Representatives, Hon. Yemi Adedeji, and  Organising Secretary, APC, Lagos, Alhaji Abdullahi Enilolobo, among others.

  • Community: our oil, our burden

    Residents of Owaza community in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State have crude oil, but rather than celebrate the black gold, they are agonising. In 1958 when Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) commenced operations in the community, they have never known peace as the people of the area have been impoverished.    Their plight has been made worse with the entrance of Total Gas Producing company, the community said.

    The state governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu visited the community and decried the waste and environmental degradation that has been going on in the community over the years and called on the oil companies involved for a meeting on the way forward.

    The Nation went to the community to see the extent of degradation.

    It was revealed that one of the facilities called Imo River 1 which produces 60,000 barrels of crude oil per day including gas empties its content into a neighbouring state and the revenue accruable to Abia state is being paid into the account of that state.

    In spite of these, the oil companies have denied the community of the necessary incentives such as pipe-borne water, good roads and light while there is constant flaring of gas which damages their ecosystem and made them to go to the neighbouring communities to farm in order to eke out a living.

    The people of the community have not been spared the constant intimidation with security agencies especially the military by the oil companies which escorts the oil workers from Port Harcourt to their place of work every day fully armed and ready to shoot at anyone who tries to stop them from going to work.

    On the day our correspondent visited the community, the youths of Owaza community had demonstrated against Total Oil Company which has a gas producing plant in the area over their inability to employ people from the community.

    The oil company which came into the area a few years ago is alleged to be engaging workers from outside the area to work in the plant which the youths are protesting against, saying that they have capable hands to do the job.

    The Nation observed that in an effort to evade paying the required tax one of the oil companies devised a means of flaring their gas underground which increased the damage on the soil and also having serious health hazard on the community and it’s people.

    Speaking with The Nation at Owaza, the youths president of the area, Austin Nwarie said that the people in charge of the gas plant find it difficult to employ any of the youths despite the fact that most of them are more than qualified to work in any position there.

    Nwarie said that apart from Total, that there is also Shell oil company which has been in the area since 1958, stressing that all these years that the oil companies have been operating that the community has been suffering.

    The Owaza youths president regretted that the Total oil company and Shell company have been destroying their roads, “Yet they find it difficult to repair any of the roads they have been destroying, no water and light”.

    He said, “All we want is employment for our youths as there are no Owaza people working in any of the oil companies operating in our area all these years, we have over 5000 capable youths, yet they bring workers from outside our community which is no right”.

    The youths said that there will be no work at the plant as they blocked the road and stopped workers of the plant who were on the way to work from Port Harcourt in a convoy escorted by soldiers.

    One of the soldiers who was escorting the convoy of workers on sighting the protesting youths decided to shoot into the air with the aim of scaring them away but the youths surged forward asking the soldiers to kill everyone in the crowd.

    It took the prompt intervention of the former member of NDDC, Chief Sam Nwogu who was around the area at that time to stop the youths from attacking the convoy of Total oil workers and also averting a blood bath.

    Nwogu who is from the area pleaded with the youths not to do something that will give the community a bad name, stressing that their community has never been known to be militants despite the environmental degradation caused by the oil companies working there.

    The paramount ruler of Ipu West community, HRH Eze Young Ogbonna regretted that Shell which started operation since 1958 has not done anything to improve the welfare of the people of the area and that there was no agreement with them because oil exploration is being controlled by the federal government.

     

  • Community fetes Enugu police image maker

    The saying that a prophet is not respected in his community was disproved recently when the Itungwa community in Obingwa local council of Abia State honoured its son, the spokesman of the Enugu State Police Command, Ebere Amaraizu, a Superintendent of Police.

    The well-attended occasion was witnessed by many including the indigenes of the community in diaspora. The ceremony was held at the community’s civic centre which also featured the unveiling of scholarship programme to indigent students of the community.

    The community described Amaraizu as a proud son, decent and fine police officer, a good ambassador and a role model for the youth of the community. “He has distinguished himself in both the police job and sports activities,” the community credited Amaraizu.

    According to the President of the Itungwa Peoples Assembly, Hon Emeka Awuda, “Amaraizu has distinguished himself in the police and in sports growth and development thus proving that a prophet can be known by his community and I urge other youth and individuals to be upright and embrace good virtues at all times in order to always connect and impact on mankind for the development of the society just as Amaraizu is doing.”

    The Traditional Ruler of Itu Ahiafor Ukwu community who graced the occasion, HRH  Eze Appollos A.Orji a reired Deputy commissioner of police, described Amaraizu as a man with many parts and with burning desire to turn around things positively and challenge other youth to be good ambassadors of their communities despite all odds.

    The chairman of Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State, Hon Amaechi Sunday Hanson, thanked God for the the occasion, pointing out that the event has shown that whatever one is doing,  the person should know that he is being watched and charged the youth to always strive to distinguish themselves positively and be good ambassadors of the community, local government, state and the entire nation.

    Amaraizu in his reaction expressed his satisfaction on the gesture and thanked the entire community pointing out that such recognition and honour was always a propelling factor to put in his best and never to derail. He also thanked the Almighty God for “revealing the mystery to His mere children.”

    Highlight of the event was the formal presentations of footballs to the community at the playing ground as a mark of commitment to set the ball rolling in terms of football development from the field where Amaraizu started his football career.

  • Trouble in community over removal of monarch

    There is tension in Ido, Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State, following the removal of the Onido and  appointment of Baale of Ido (a lesser chief) by the Olubadan-In-Council.

    There are two traditional rulers- the Baale, Alhaji Muritala Babalola and  the Onido, Chief Tajudeen Adelani Akinola Agura.

    Since Agura’s removal, youths have insisted on his restoration.

    Some elders have kicked against the title of Baale.

    The group loyal to Babalola is said to be warming up to check any attack from the opposing side.

    A resident, Pa Ramoni Gbadamosi, said: “We hope a sense of reason will prevail at the end. This is the third time they will remove traditional ruler in this town within 14 years.

    “It is surprising that they have now decided to tamper with history, when they decided to remove the age-long title of the Onido of Ido.

    “All that is paramount to us now is peace because we don’t know what will happen when we have two kings in a small town like this.”

    Agura in a letter by his lawyer, Dare Adebayo, described the appointment of Baale of Ido as illegal, null and void.

    He argued that the title of Baale of Ido is alien to the declaration under Section 4(2) of the Chiefs Law 1952 of the Customary Law regulating the selection to the Onido of Ido chieftaincy.

    In the three-page protest letter addressed to Governor Abiola Ajimobi, the petitioner said the title of Onido of Ido was recognised in Part II of the chieftaincy Law of Oyo State directly under the governor.

    He added that Babalola is not a member of Agura family as laid down by the Declaration under Section 4(2) of the Chiefs Law 1957, noting he was never nominated at Agura family meeting.

  • 10 killed in Benue community

    Ten persons were reportedly killed in Tse-Igbe, Katsina Ala local government area of Benue State, after gunmen opened fire on some travellers.

    According to an eyewitness, Terlumun Ude, gunmen opened fire on passengers travelling to Amaafu from Abaji. All seven occupants of the vehicle, including the driver, died on the spot.

    Three others who ran into the bush were also killed, while many others sustained injuries.

    A policeman, who helped to evacuate the bodies, said they were yet to ascertain the motive behind the killings. He declined to speak further.

    Efforts to contact the police spokesman Moses Yamu were unsuccessful.