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  • Group publishes anthology on human trafficking

    Group publishes anthology on human trafficking

    A non-profit, non-denominational and non-partisan organisation, Media Initiative Against Human Trafficking and Women Rights Abuse (MIAHWRA), has published a collection of poetry on human trafficking.

    The publication, entitled: I Am Not to Be Sold, is part of activities marking this year’s World Day Against Trafficking in Persons and part of its #EndHumanTrafficking debut project.

    The anthology, which is written by secondary school pupils aged eight to 14, was the product of the organisation’s secondary school outreach programme last year in Lagos. Published by Parrésia Publishers Ltd, MIAHWRA founder, Ms Tobore Ovuorie, the publication is in line with its principles of intervention and philosophy is oriented by a human rights and gender-based perspective.

    According to her, the anthology comes highly recommended with a foreword by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for use in schools, churches, mosques, in combating the sad reality of human trafficking.

    Ms Ovuorie, who edited the anthology, recounted the journey to publishing the anthology: “While educating the pupils about the A-Z of human trafficking, Ms. Ovuorie said, MIAHWRA held poetry and writing competitions with the theme: I Am Not To Be Sold, to bring to fore the inhumanity of the modern day slavery.

    “After giving them prizes, we decided to put together some of the outstanding works which has birthed the first human trafficking anthology. The published secondary school poets, through this collection of short poems, are advocating for the protection of their rights.”

    She said the publication will be a yearly project, noting that entries for the 2017 edition will be open when schools resume next month.

    “The anthology will be published every year, while the literary genres would be rotated with secondary school students being the authors and next year will birth short stories collection. MIAHWRA believes that this book will help to further the fight against human trafficking by reducing illiteracy and ignorance amongst the vulnerable groups,   rural community dwellers across Nigeria and expanding awareness on the ills and dangers of this criminal trade.

    “Considered as a serious crime and utmost violation of human rights, trafficking, every year, sees thousands of men, women and children fall into the hands of traffickers, whether here in Nigeria or in other countries. Trafficking affects almost every country in the world, whether as a country of origin, transit or destination for victims. It has become urgent for us to take action, and everybody must be involved. We must all join in the fight against the trafficking of children and individuals and the abuse of women. That is what MIAHWRA believes in. That is what MIAHWRA is passionate about,” Ms Ovuorie said.

    The collection, which Acting Director General of NAPTIP, Mr Abdulrazak Dangiri, who wrote its foreword dubbed ”an anti-human trafficking anthology”, MIAHWRA said is free for students during school outreaches and available for sale online on www.konga.com. Mr Dangiri wrote in his foreword:  “I Am Not To Be Sold brings out the feelings and perceptions of some young people in our society about the importance of protecting human dignity. These young ones have demonstrated, through this collection of poems, that they are aware of their worth as human beings. The anthology is thus a collective voice of freedom and a call to those who are out to coerce, deceive and exploit their fellow human beings that human life is too precious and must not to be bought or sold.”

  • Group cautions Abia lawmakers on NDDC nomination

    A GROUP, South East Progressive Assembly (SEPA), has defended the nomination of Abia State All Progressives Congress (APC) chair Mr. Donatus Nwankpa to the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission; (NDDC).

    Nwankpa’s nomination was criticised by some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senators, who maintained that he was unsuitable for the position because his community produces no oil.

    But SEPA urged the critics to support Nwankpa’s candidacy, saying he will usher in much-needed development to the state, especially the oil-producing parts.

    The three PDP senators, Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South), Theodore Orji (Abia Central) and  Mao Ohuabunwa (Abia North), it was gathered, had opposed Nwankpa’s nomination on the basis that he hails from Osisioma Ngwa council area which is non-oil producing.

    In a statement signed by its president, Ebere Uzoukwa, SEPA said Nwankpa, a former Minority Leader in the State House of Assembly, and ex-Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development,   has the goodwill to attract people-oriented projects to enhance  development in the oil-producing areas of the state.

    “The South East Progressive Assembly (SEPA) welcomes with joy the nomination of Hon. Donatus Nwankpa as Abia State representative on the NDDC Board by President Muhammadu Buhari. This nomination remains a perfect choice and laudable considering Nwankpa’s background as someone with superlative record in public service.

    “As a former Minority Leader in Abia State House of Assembly and former commissioner for Housing and Urban Development in the state before emerging the state chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Nwankpa,has unarguably distinguished himself.

    “That he doesn’t come from Ukwa West, the oil-producing local government should not override or supplant competence, merit and loyalty roundly considered by President Buhari in nominating Nwankpa for the job. Nwankpa’s local government, Osisioma Ngwa, is and remains part of Abia oil producing area as it houses biggest oil facilities in the state. The people of Osisioma Ngwa have indeed suffered severe degradation and negative effects of pipeline explosion and vandalism.

    “We also consider it appropriate to remind those opposing Nwankpa’s nomination that the pioneer chairman of NDDC, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, didn’t have to come from Ukwa West before his appointment by ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo.”

     

  • Group seeks elders’ support

    Worried about the seeming misconception about O’odua People’s Congress (OPC) by some individuals, the National Coordinator Worldwide and Promoter, Olokun Festival Foundation, Otunba Gani Adams has said such perceptions are wrong.

    Otunba Adams said he is worried because if such insinuation is not corrected, the organisation will experience a bleak future.

    To avert such situation, Otunba Adams has solicited the support of Yoruba elders, saying his organisation would have done what is expected of it had it received the needed support from them.

    Adams condemned the recent security challenges in the Southwest when some cruel individuals killed and kidnapped people and destroyed several oil pipelines.

    Speaking at Alakija area of Lagos, the OPC National Coordinator said the organisation has over 71 international branches; describing the recent challenges as slap on the Yoruba race.

    He added that his grouse was more with the Yoruba elders and politicians who want to run his organisation down.

    ‘‘Yoruba elders and politicians have not supported us the way they should. Some of them even rubbish us for their selfish reasons and to remain politically relevant at the centre. But they would turn to us to defend the race in times of trouble.

    “Since the attacks, everybody has been calling on us to react; even the communities that were attacked. Unfortunately, the same people were responsible for the division in the OPC, and they don’t seem to relent.

    “If we had moved in to do the job of these security agents, the same police would have come after us with the claim that ours is an illegal organisation; or that we acquired weapons illegally.

    “They won’t remember that we used the weapons to do what they could not do. We are no fools, we are being more careful this time around.

    “But if the attacks continue, we would be left with no option than to do the needful,’’ Adams said.

    Recall that suspected vandals had, on June 23, attacked many communities on the border of Lagos and Ogun states in which over 50 people were feared dead. That attack was a follow-up to an earlier one on June 17, in which 15 persons were also reportedly killed.

     

  • Northern group hails Buhari on security

    Northern group hails Buhari on security

    A civil society organisation, Northern Youth Leaders Assembly has commended the government of President Muhammadu Buhari for its achievements in the fight against insecurity.

    The group, which made this in a communiqué issued at a meeting held in Makurdi, Benue State and attended by members drawn from the 19states including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where they praised the president in his efforts to stabilise the security situation in the country.

    They, however, noted that the security breaches in the country have been misconstrued for political millage by enemies of the country, stating that some of those that Mr. President appointed as Security Chiefs have been demonised for the simple reason that they are from the north even though they have done well in addressing the nation’s security challenges.

    The statement by its Chairman, Communique Drafting Committee, Yakubu Danlami acknowledged that with the efforts by his administration, the nation has become relatively peaceful.

    “This is evident in the fact that Nigerians now sleep with their eyes all closed. We must not hide our joy but to commend the Nigerian Army in particular for their gallant and continuous support to ensure that our democracy is on a steady ride to the Promised Land”. It read in part.

    It, however, accused Political and public office holders of demonising the administration on account of what they stand for, making a note that the height of such demonisation is the rebirth of separatist movements and militant groups in the south of the country to harass the Buhari Presidency.

    “Some of those behind these aberrations have openly declared that they are doing it to express their ethnic discontent. This does not bode well for the country as the concept of our founding fathers was and still remain that of one Nigeria”. They added.

    The group has also warned against sectional attacks on actors who have played important roles in these achievements.

  • Group backs NECO boss

    Group backs NECO boss

    The Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency (CESJET), has praised the appointment of Prof. Charles Uwakwe as the Executive Secretary, National Examination Council (NECO) by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Executive Secretary, Comrade Ikpa Isaac, in a statement yesterday in Abuja, said that his appointment was well deserved.

    Isaac said: “We at the Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency wish to laud the Hon Minister of Education for in the first place finding a man with the necessary qualities to pilot the affairs of our nation’s only senior certification agency at this point in time.”

    According to Isaac, Mr. Uwakwe, irrespective of his ethnicity, meets the requirements for him to have been appointed by Buhari.

    He condemned recent protests over his appointment on the ground of ethnicity.

    He said the practice must therefore remain scouting for the best brain the country can find to hold such a sensitive position.

    “The demand of the protesters is dangerous coming at a time when there is outcry in some quarters that the appointments under the current government tilted in favour of the north; acceding to the protesters’ demand would therefore only worsen the sense of discrimination that is already growing in some geo-political zones and cannot be in the interest of Nigeria.

    “If the head of every government agency has to be appointed on the basis of geo-location, then the north would be left massively disadvantaged as many of the government establishments headed by northerners are not located in their geographical areas,” he added.

  • Group hails IPMAN’s refinery plan

    The South East Renaissance Group has praised the plan by members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) to build new refineries, describing it as a visionary step towards ending the perennial scarcity of petroleum products in the country.

    President of the group and former Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Imo State, Nze Elvis Agukwe, assured that the new leadership of IPMAN under Chief Lawson Obasi will surely stabilize the distribution of products and end scarcity.

    Agukwe who regretted that endless crisis prevented IPMAN from playing its expected role, expressed confidence that the new leadership under Chief Obasi will take charge of the situation.

    According to him, “with Chief Lawson Obasi as the new IPMAN President, the much needed stability in the downstream sector is now here and Nigerians will no longer groan under any form of fuel scarcity”.

    He also expressed optimism that the plan by IPMAN to build refineries will go a long way to stop the import of the products, thereby saving the nation the much needed foreign exchange.

    “This is a master-stroke of walking the talk. I am not surprised at all because Chief Lawson Obasi is not only a key player in that sector but he commands the respect of his members. His presidency of IPMAN will surely benefit the nation”, Agukwe said.

    He further urged the Federal Government, especially the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and NNPC, to work in concert with IPMAN to realize its dreams for Nigeria.

    “The Petroleum Ministry and NNPC should pay more attention to the needs of IPMAN rather than the undue favour it grants the oil majors majority of whom are not Nigerians”, he stated.

    The former commissioner noted that IPMAN was employing millions of Nigerians and contributing to the growth of the economy and hence should be supported through favourable government’s policies.

    Agukwe described the new IPMAN President, Chief Lawson Obasi as a man of ideas with proven leadership qualities who will assist the government achieve its goals to stabilize the oil sector.

    “For us as the South East Renaissance Group, the emergence of Chief Lawson Obasi as IPMAN President could not have come at a better time. With him in the saddle, the era of long queues in petrol stations will be over. We congratulate him and wish IPMAN well for this wise choice”, he submitted.

  • Group to Jibrin: go to court if you have evidence

    Group to Jibrin: go to court if you have evidence

    A Coalition of Media and Civil Society groups – the Africa Media Roundtable Initiative – yesterday  advised the former Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on  Appropriations, Abdulmumin Jibrin and other aggrieved lawmakers to proceed to the court, if they have credible evidence of budget padding.

    In a statement by its Executive Director, Comrade  Olabode Adeyemi, the group  said Jibrin should produce credible evidence against Speaker Yakubu Dogara and the other he accused of o involvement  in padding the  2016 Budget.

    The statement said: “Rather than taking the matter to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), he should allow the Judiciary, which to intervene in the matter.

    “We are calling on Hon Jibrin and other aggarieved lawmakers to seek redress in the court to protect the image of the House of Representatives and not going to either the EFCC or ICPC which are the agencies of the Executives. If you approach the Court you have to swear  to an affidavit  before making your allegations and if you lie under oath, you know the consequences  under the law but you go to the ICPC or the EFCC to make such allegations, you may later make a U-turn and change you statements.

    “I can remember vividly that when the 2016 budget was passed by the National Assembly, there were insinuations in some quarters that it was padded, but Hon Jibrin that defended it. He never spoke out against the House leaders until he was sacked from the plum job. If what he is saying is true, let him go to court to seek redress.

    “We are thanking the Channels Television for repeatedly showing the whole World the video clips of his defence. Now that there was nothing like budget padding, why is he now claiming that there was budget padding by the Speaker and 10 others? If he is sure of his allegations he should go to court or shut up””.

  • Senator, group reject Buhari’s NDDC nominees

    Senator, group reject Buhari’s NDDC nominees

    A senator representing Abia South, Eyinnaya Abaribe and a group in Ondo State, Ilaye Coastal Areas Development Association (ICACC) yesterday rejected the nomination of representatives of the states on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NNDC).

    The names were sent to the Senate last week by President Muhammadu Buhari for consideration and confirmation.

    The President, in a letter read last Thursday by Senate President Bukola Saraki, named Donatus Eyinnah as Abia State NDDC representative while Mr. Tokunbo Ajasin was named the representative of Ondo State.

    Abaribe said the appointment of a candidate out of the oil producing area was against the law.

    The senator noted that it was against the Act setting up the NDDC to nominate a state representative of the intervention agency from non-oil producing area of a state.

    He insisted that the President should replace the nominee with somebody from Ukwa West Local Government Area, which he said is the only oil producing area in Abia State.

    A member representing Ukwa West and Ukwa East Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Uzoma Abonta, also rejected Eyinnah’s nomination, saying it was against the law setting up NDDC.

    He said: “We have to learn to respect the law in a democratic regime, which has its foundation on the rule of law. Section 2(1b) of the NDDC Act clearly stipulates that those who would be nominated from the states must be indigenes of oil producing states. That is the law, and it cannot be circumvented.”

    The people of Ilaje Oil-Producing Area of Ondo State have also rejected Ajasin as the state’s nominee on the board of NDDC.

    A statement by the President and Secretary of Ilaje CoAstal Areas Development Association (ICACC), Prince Lawson Akintokun (JP) and Comrade Bode Asogbon said the nomination of Ajasin as Ondo State’s representative on the board of NDDC was an aberration.

    The statement reads: “The Ilaje Costal Areas Development Association on behalf of Oil Producing Areas Of the coastal communities of Ondo State wishes to express our displeasure over the inclusion of one Olatokunbo Ayotunde Ajasin from Owo as a member designate to represent Ondo state on the Board of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    “Olatokunbo Ayotunde Ajasin is not from the oil producing area of Ondo state where the position is strictly reserved for in accordance with the provision of the Niger Delta Development Commission (Establishment etc) Act 2000 Act no 6 law of the federation of Nigeria.

    “Section 2 (1b) provides that ‘one person who shall be an indigene of an oil producing area to represent each of the nine oil producing states, that is, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross-River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers’.

    “Therefore, as a peace loving people, we implore Mr. President to order the withdrawal of the list and replace Ajasin with a credible person from the oil producing coastal areas of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State. We also appeal to the Senate president Bukola Saraki and other distinguished members of the Senate to take note of this as it will amount to injustice to our people.”

  • Senator, group kick against NDDC nominees

    Senator, group kick against NDDC nominees

    Groups from Abia and Ondo states yesterday kicked against President Muhammadu Buhari’s nominees for appointment into the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NNDC).

    The names were sent to the Senate last week for confirmation.

    Buhari, in a letter read by Senate President Bukola Saraki, on Thursday, named Donatus Eyinnah as Abia State NDDC representative. Mr. Tokunbo Ajasin was named as representative for Ondo State.

    The Senator representing Abia South, Enyinnaya Abaribe, kicked against the nomination.

    Abaribe noted that the appointment of a candidate from a non- oil producing area of the state was against the law.

    Abaribe said it was against the Act setting up the NDDC to nominate a state representative of the NDDC from a non-oil producing area.

    He said the President should replace the nominee with somebody from Ukwa West Local Government which, he said, is the state’s only oil producing area.

    A member representing Ukwa West and Ukwa East in the House of Representatives, Uzoma Abonta, also rejected Eyinnah.

    Abonta also said the nomination was against the NDDC law.

    He said: “We have to learn to respect the law in a democratcy, which has its foundation on the rule of law. Section 2(1b) of the NDDC Act stipulates that those to be nominated from the states must be from oil producing areas. That is the law and it cannot be circumvented.”

    The people of Ilaje in Ondo State have also rejected their nominee on the board of NDDC.

    Ilaje Coastal Areas Development Association (ICACC), in a statement, by Prince Lawson Akintokun, president, and Secretary Comrade Bode Asogbon said Tokunbo Ajasin’s nomination was an aberration.

    The statement reads: The ICADA, on behalf of oil producing areas of  Ondo State expresses its displeasure at the inclusion of Olatokunbo Ayotunde Ajasin from Owo, as a member designate to represent Ondo on the Board NDDC.

    “Ajasin is not from the oil producing area of Ondo where the position is reserved for, in accordance with the Niger Delta Development Commission (Establishment etc) Act 2000 Act No 6 Law of the Federation of Nigeria.

    “Section 2 (1b) provides that “one person who shall be an indigene of an oil producing area to represent each of the nine oil producing states i.e. Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross-River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers.

    “Therefore, as a peace-loving people, we implore Mr. President to order the withdrawal of the list and replace Ajasin with a credible person from the oil producing area of Ilaje in Ondo State. We appeal to the Senate president Bukola Saraki and other Senate members to take note of this as it will amount to injustice to our people.”

  • UN group: green industrialisation vital for Africa’s growth

    The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) says green industrialisation is imperative for Africa’s economic development.

    UNECA Director for the Southern Africa sub-region, Said Adejumobi, stated this in Lusaka, following the release of the organisation’s 2016 Economic Report on Africa titled: “Greening Africa’s industrialisation.

    According to him, Africa needs to embrace green industrialisation if it is to experience sustained economic development.

    “Although we are the least contributor to global carbon emission, we have been one of the worst, if not the worst hit, in terms of its consequences.

    “The El-nino phenomenon which has caused drought and virtual food shortages in southern Africa compels us to think and act smartly,’’ he said.

    Adejumobi said this has challenged the continent to think proactively or being ahead of the game in addressing the challenges, the problem of global warming, climate and environmental degradation.

    He said green industrialisation would become good economics in the long-run because it would enhance efficiency and cheaper productivity.

    The director challenged Africa to embrace green industrialisation because it would position the continent on the cutting edge of science and technological innovation that may change the fortune and position of the continent in the global economy.

    “If Africa seizes the initiative and invest early in green technology and education and provide good incentives for private firms to adopt green technology, then Africa could have succeeded in promoting economic transformation and leap-flogging its development.

    He said the report has highlighted that Africa was poised for growth through green industrialisation, with case studies of projects in several countries.

    The countries include Kenya and Malawi, showing how countries could develop through green industrialisation.

    Adejumobi, however, identified lack of infrastructure conducive for greening Africa’s industrialisation process.

    He said it also acknowledges the willingness of African governments to transition from coal to greener pathways of development.