The Nation Newspaper

Tag: dialogue

  • Army threatens to use force if militants reject dialogue

    Army threatens to use force if militants reject dialogue

    Chief of Army Staff Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai yesterday warned that the Army will use force if the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) and other militant groups reject dialogue with the Federal Government.

    Besides, Gen. Buratai said, the army will support civil authority during the elections in eight local governments, should there be a request for help.

    The office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Bori-Ogoni, the headquarters of Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, was last Friday set on fire – barely one week to the inconclusive rerun polls.

    Gen. Buratai, who was represented by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division, Enugu, Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, spoke yesterday after inaugurating the two-storey administrative headquarters complex, Olympic-size swimming pool and two other projects at the 2 Brigade of the Army.

    He also inaugurated four projects at the Military Hospital on Aba Road, Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

    The inauguration was attended by Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike, who was represented by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chief Kenneth Kobani, and the immediate past Commander of 2 Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Stevenson Olabanji, now the Commander of 3 Brigade, Kano. He initiated the inaugurated projects during his 11-month stay.

    The befitting administrative headquarters at 2 Brigade and other projects were started in January, with the foundations laid by Gen. Buratai, and completed within six months.

    The swimming pool was constructed for intensive training of army officers and men and to put an end to losing soldiers while operating in the creeks or coastal communities.

    The army chief said: “Government is still committed to dialogue (with Niger Delta militants). Whereby this cannot go on, then there could be resort to other means. The non-kinetic means has always been the source first, before government can recourse to the kinetic means (dropping bombs and using bullets, using lethal force/full military action/war or killing people).

    “So, there is the need for the Niger Delta Avengers to see reason and dialogue with government.

    “Each time the army goes out to work, it works in support of the civil authority and we will continue to do that. If there is a need for the military authority to support the civil authority (during Rivers July 30 rerun), based on need from the police, we will continue to do just that.”

    Attahiru declared that the army expected that the projects would translate to greater performance of soldiers, stressing that attention should be devoted to maintenance of the projects.

    The commander of 3 Brigade, Kano, described projects as highpoint events of his 11-month stay as commander of 2 Brigade, Port Harcourt.

    Gen. Olabanji said some soldiers of the 2 Brigade were lost, in view of their inability to swim, which necessitated the construction of the Olympic-size swimming pool – in line with the vision of the Chief of Army Staff. The projects, he said would enhance the capacity and capability of soldiers.

    The commander of 3 Brigade revealed that Gen. Buratai chose the site of the headquarters building of 2 Brigade and followed the progress of work till completion. He urged the army personnel in 2 Brigade to support the new commander, as they supported him.

  • Presidency won’t shut door on dialogue with militants

    Presidency won’t shut door on dialogue with militants

    The Presidency said last night that dialogue with Niger Delta militants is not foreclosed.

    Attacks on oil facilities have affected production and the country’s earnings. This year’s budget has taken some bashing — no thanks to the activities of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), a group of militants.

    Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity Femi Adesina spoke on the slow pace of the budget implementation and the dialogue option in a Channels Television phone-in programme.

    According to him, the dwindling revenue from sale of crude oil, among other factors, is hindering smooth implementation of the budget.

    He noted that President Muhammadu Buhari had never been opposed to dialogue with the militants.

    He said that it would be in the militants’ interest and other Nigerians’ for them to exercise some restraint by halting their nefarious activities.

    Adesina said: “Yes, the budget has been passed. The intention is to implement that budget as best as possible. But then the circumstances are making it difficult because projections are not being met as a result of what is happening in the Niger Delta and other parts of the economy.

    “But as much as possible the government would still adhere to that project as much as revenue will permit and allow.

    “Every option is on the table, there was never a time anything was ruled out, all the options were on the table, you will recall that when some South South leaders visited the President led by King Alfred Diete-Spiff, he also disclosed that he had encouraged the security agencies to dialogue with the militant and the leadership of that region.

    “So there was never a time that anything was ruled out, since the insurgency began there had always been dialogue,”Adesina stated

  • Lawmaker advises Avengers to embrace dialogue

    A Lagos lawmaker, Mr Jude Idimogu, on Wednesday pleaded with the Niger Delta Avengers to embrace dialogue rather than using violence to seek the attention of the Federal Government.

    Idimogu (PDP-Oshodi/Isolo II), a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, made the plea in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

    The lawmaker said the avengers and other militant groups had succeeded in drawing the attention of the government to the plights of residents of the Niger Delta.

    “The attention of the Federal Government has been drawn to the plight and grievances of residents of the Niger Delta.

    “They (Avengers) have received the attention of the Federal Government let them give room for peace through dialogue. This is the right way to go.

    “Right now, let the Avengers and other groups toe the line of dialogue. They should dialogue and let us move forward as the unity of the country is paramount,” Idimogu said.

    He said that the Avengers should not presume that the Federal Government was not sincere with the dialogue until the government failed to carry out whatever resolutions that would emanate from the dialogue.

    “You cannot say the Federal Government is not sincere as the dialogue is still open to the avengers and other groups.

    “It is after the agreement that you can know whether the Federal Government is serious or not with it disposition to agreements.”

    According to him, continuous vandalism of oil installations and facilities will not do the country and the region any good.

    “My worry now is that whatever they (Avengers) are doing right now will not favour anybody- the country, the region and even the Avengers.”

    Idimogu, however, urged the Federal Government to focus on massive development of the region as well as the empowerment of youths in the area.

    “Government has to be careful. The issue of amnesty is not the way forward. We need massive empowerment and infrastructure. Let government empower young men and women from that area.

    “By the time the government takes care of the Avengers and they are settled, don’t be surprised another group will come up.

    He said that if the nation’s economy was totally grounded, it would affect the region too as what should have accrued to the region would not go there.

    There has been repeated destruction of oil pipelines by militants in the Niger Delta, prompting the Federal Government to offer the dialogue option.

  • ‘Dialogue, not war, guarantees national peace’

    Ever wondered what  dialogue can achieve during crisis resolutions? It is a lot better than quarrelling and if sustained, it can guarantee national peace, a professor of English and Literary Studies University of Calabar, Ndubuisi Osuagwu, has said.

    Osuagwu, who is the President of the All Nigeria Universities Debating Championship (ANUDC), said the youth constitute the most ideal segment in the campaign for dialogue.

    He spoke at the opening of the fourth edition of ANUDC hosted by Covenant University (CU), Ota, Ogun State, last Sunday. The theme was: “Expression.”

    He said: “Instead of picking up arms, quarrelling or fighting, we can talk. During debate, as you speak, the other listens. So, it teaches us to be disciplined in the art of conversation. We would listen to other Nigerians and vice-versa and on the basis of strong argument, we can then move our country forward.

    “We feel the best segment to use are the youths and Nigerian university students form a part of this segment. By so doing, we are helping future leadership to acquire the skills in conversation, debating and respect for argument and other people’s views to achieve national peace through discussion.”

    Over 15 contingents from various universities nationwide  arrived for the weeklong annual event, which ends tomorrow.

    Osuagwu lamented that funding has been a major problem militating against the event.

    “Funding is a very big issue. If you want the best adjudicators, you must be able to bring them in from various places. You should be able to fund their trip, accommodation and then pay them some honorarium.

    “All these cost money and we are not only talking about Nigerians, but people who may also have to come in from other countries. You have to take care of their flight ticket and other areas of welfare. Members of Council will also have to come and see the facilities of the university that is hosting. It also means the host university must have the capacity to accommodate so many students and feed them at the same time,” he said.

    Going down memory lane, Chairman, Local Organising Committee, Dr Sherriff Folarin, recalled that ANUDC started in 2013, following a successful hosting of the Pan African Debating Championship by UNICAL same year. According to him, contingents from UNICAL had always participated in the event held in South Africa when Osuagwu felt Nigeria should have a mould of the competition as a way of opening the doors for other universities nationwide to participate.

    “At inception, there were only nine universities in attendance. We even had the difficulty of mobilising the universities at that time because their management would tell you ‘why are we paying you money because of mere debate?’ In fact, to kickstart it, we had to allow about four universities participate without paying a dime,” he said.

    Vice Chancellor of the host university, Prof Charles Ayo, who was represented by his deputy, Prof Taiwo Abioye, said CU was happy to identify with ANUDC because their visions are compatible.

    “I cannot really quantify exactly how much (CU) has spent (in sponsorship), but I know that our budget has been able to accommodate it, particularly because our Chancellor has a passion for young people. Here (CU) we are not just raising leaders, but leaders who can think critically, project into the future and proffer solutions. That is why we call our graduates ‘solution providers’. That is why it wasn’t difficult to get the support of the Board of Regent towards this event,” he said.

  • Avengers: Lawmaker cautions Kachikwu on dialogue with governors

    A Bayelsa State lawmaker, Israel Sunny-Goli, has urged the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachukwu, to be cautious in his consultations with Niger Delta governors in a bid to end attacks on oil and gas facilities by members of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA).

    Sunny-Goli, who is the only All Progressives Congress (APC) member in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, noted that to have an enduring peace in the region, political stakeholders must be included in the dialogue.

    The lawmaker said it would be unproductive to engage only the region’s governors, who are mainly members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the dialogue, while excluding APC leaders in the discussions.

    Acknowledging that security matters should not politicised, Sunny-Goli, who represents Brass Constituency I, said the new militant group had been partisan in its demands.

    The lawmaker said the destruction of the pipelines and other oil installations in the region was a ploy by a particular party to win pipeline surveillance contracts for its members to enable them have enough funds to prosecute future elections.

    He warned that Kachukwu would aggravate the problems, if he excluded APC leaders in the current negotiation.

    Sunny-Goli said: “Kachikwu could find himself aggravating the problem, unless he proceeds with the utmost caution. He must make a conscious effort to carry all critical stakeholders and leaders of the people along in the attempt to secure the pipelines through surveillance, using the communities and locals.

    “The surveillance strategy is commendable and it is in line with what we have always advised for the security of the oil pipelines. But we have discovered that the approach being pursued by the minister and the Niger Delta governors may be programmed to exclude the APC family in the region.

    “While security should not be politicised, it is important to make the process inclusive and create a sense of joint ownership among critical stakeholders.

    “In the particular case of the current pipeline surveillance effort in the Niger Delta, it is important to actively involve leaders of the people, like Chief Timipre Sylva, Bayelsa State APC leader; Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, who is the Minister of Transport, Chief Umana Umana of Akwa Ibom State, among others.

    “Such deliberate inclusiveness is particularly necessary, considering the bizarrely partisan colours of the present-day militants’ demands.”

  • U.S backs dialogue with Niger Delta militants

    U.S backs dialogue with Niger Delta militants

    United States (US) has thrown its weight behind Federal Government planned dialogue with the Niger Delta militant.

    US in a statement issued by its embassy in Abuja Tuesday encouraged all parties to resolve their disputes through peaceful means.

    The statement reads: “The U.S. Mission to Nigeria is monitoring reports of attacks and other incidents in the Niger Delta.  We share the concerns of all Nigerians about these attacks.  Furthermore, the United States remains supportive of efforts, including the promotion of dialogue, to address grievances in the Niger Delta.  We encourage all parties to resolve their disputes through peaceful means and emphasize that human rights of all Nigerians must be protected.

    “We continue to call on all Nigerians to persevere in efforts to achieve common goals: to end violence and curb the activities of criminal elements; to establish conditions and mechanisms for profound, positive, and lasting changes in the region; and to provide economic opportunity and needed services for residents of the Niger Delta.”

  • Fed Govt hosts dialogue for Boko Haram victims 

    The Federal Government will today host a dialogue for victims of Boko Haram insurgency at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

    Minister of Interior Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (retd.) said the dialogue, which would be held in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, has become imperative in view of the adverse effects of the Boko Haram insurgency on the livelihood of the population of the Lake Chad Basin, consisting of Niger, Chad, Cameroon and Nigeria.

    A statement yesterday in Abuja by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Bassey Akpanyung, said the dialogue would adopt measures to support governments in ensuring the protection of refugees, Internally Displaced Persons and host communities.

    He said emphasis would be on vulnerable groups, such as women, children and the elderly, noting that the dialogue would provide the opportunity to decide on common solutions to the problems of those affected by violence and displacement.

    “Participants at the Dialogue will include the Ministers of Interior of the affected countries, as a ministerial meeting on June 8, 2016 will validate the findings for full implementation,” the statement added.

  • Abuja hosts Africa dialogue on UN Habitat III Feb 21

    The need to address the housing challenge faced by the continent will be the focal point in Abuja next week, as leaders in the continent converge to chart a way forward to address this menace.

    Besides, it will also afford the continent the opportunity  to take a concerted position ahead of the United Nations (UN) Habitat III conference scheduled  for Quito, Ecuador in October.

    The meeting, which will be hosted by the  Power, Works and Housing  Mr. Babatunde Fashola, from Monday, February 21 to Friday, February 26 at the International Conference Centre in Abuja.

    President Muhammadu Buhari will lead deliberations that will chart a sustainable path for Africa’s urban future, as Ministers for Housing and Urban Development on the continent gather in the Federal Capital Territory, for the Africa Regional Preparatory Conference, ahead of the forthcoming United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat III).

  • Embrace dialogue, national leadership urges APC Kaduna

    Embrace dialogue, national leadership urges APC Kaduna

    The national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday urged the Kaduna State chapter to embrace dialogue in resolving crisis, following the alleged suspension of Senator Shehu Sani.

    It warned against insubordination, saying it had consequences.

    “The party will not accept any act that will lead to the loss of any of its prominent members.”

    The Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Timi Frank, said the decision of the Northwest Zonal Vice Chairman, Inuwa Abdulkadir, reflected the position of the national leadership of the party in the controversial suspension of Senator Sani by the Kaduna State chapter.

    He said Abdulkadir was mandated by the National Working Committee to resolve the crisis.

    After a meeting with party stakeholders in Kaduna last Monday, the Northwest zonal vice chairman announced that the suspension of Senator Sani was null and void, a move that did not go down well with the state chapter, which said the lawmaker’s suspension remained valid.

    The Kaduna State Publicity Secretary of the APC, Salisu Tanko Wusono, faulted Abdulkadir for lifting the suspension, saying he acted without the consent of the national leadership, contrary to Section 21 of the APC constitution.

    Frank said the action of the zonal vice chairman was in line with the party constitution and in accordance with the directive of the national leadership, which wanted an amicable resolution of the crisis.

    He warned the state chapter to desist from making further utterances on Sani’s purported suspension, as the decision of the zonal chairman was the position of the national leadership, which must be respected.

    Frank asked them to desist forthwith from further actions, which might tend to embarrass the party.

    “The position taken by Abdulkadir subsists and has the backing of the national body. It is pertinent that party stakeholders and members take note of this and submit to the will of the party, no matter their interests.

    “Instead of sowing seeds of discord, we must foster unity. All hands must be on deck to achieve this.”

  • Environmentalists hold dialogue

    Environmentalists last week met in Abuja to fashion out how to control waste in the country.

    At the forum titled: Ninth national stakeholders forum on environmental best practices in waste control: initiatives and innovatiowns, which included senior officials of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), among others, participants sought effective engagement in waste control, economic incentives and reward system in waste control. They creation of wealth from waste and e-waste control for environmental protection and sustainable development.

    In a paper titled: Towards effective stakeholders’ engagement in waste control, former managing director, Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Ola Oresanya, canvassed awareness campaigns for proper waste management habit/practices and use of establishment of relevant communication channels to reach stakeholders, especially those who generate and dispose waste recklessly.

    Also at the one-week event were House of Representatives’ Committee on Environment Chairman, Obiora Chidoka;  representative of Minister of Environment, who is Director-General, Environment Impact Assessment (EIA), John Alonge; Director, Partnership and Education, NESREA, Sam Aniefon Akpabio; his Environment Quality Control (EQC) counterpart, Mr Simon Joshua and Valentine Opone of the National Environment Society.