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Tag: Ita-Giwa

  • Ita-Giwa, Duke’s wife back Calabar Festival

    Senator Florence Ita-Giwa aka Mama Bakassi, wife of former Cross Rivers State governor Mrs. Owanari Duke and other stakeholders have endorsed this year’s edition of the Calabar festival holding next month.

    Ita-Giwa, who spoke during a pre-carnival masque party in Lagos, organised by OKHMA Global Limited, a Lagos-based marketing firm, said the festival would bring a fresh offering for tourists across the globe.

    She said the festival, which has gone beyond a mere tourism booster, has become a platform to address developmental issues, such as climate change.

    According to Ita-Giwa, the festival has become an intellectual event, provide an opportunity to show efforts of the government to look beyond oil and sell Calabar as a tourist destination to the world.

    She said there would be food festival in this year edition where various foods from Cross Rivers would be showcased to the world.

    Also, Duke said the festival presents a lot of travel, business opportunities for brands and has the entire requirement needed by foreigners who want to book for a flight, hotel either as an individual, corporate or families.

  • Bakassi residents don’t have a home, says Ita-Giwa

    Bakassi residents don’t have a home, says Ita-Giwa

    A former Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters and the political leader of the Bakassi people, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, has reminded the Federal Government 14 years after the famous island was ceded, her people remained unsettled on Dayspring Island, where they were registered and voted.

    In a statement yesterday, Ita Giwa pleaded with President Muhammadu Buhari to restore Bakassi residents’ identity, pride and dignity by properly resettling them so that the thousands of their children could have access to basic needs of life, such as water, food and education.

    The former presidential aide advised the Federal Government not to ignore the warning of the United Nation (UN), which threatened to declare communities, such as Bakassi, whose legal frameworks and the documents ceding them had not been fully consummated as stateless or “countryless”.

    She noted that if Bakassi residents were declared “countryless”, the global body might secede or declare a Republic of Bakassi as an independent.

    This is an option the former presidential adviser said she was not considering.

    The former lawmaker said she had been appealing to her people to remain calm because of her passion and undying love for Nigeria.

    “But will the Federal Government wait until it gets to this stage before it acts and resettles the Bakassi people?” Ita-Giwa queried.

    Painting a gloomy picture of life in the Bakassi camp, the former presidential aide noted that a child born 14 years ago, when Bakassi was ceded on October 10, had never had access to any home, school or health care facility.

    She added: “October 10, 2016 makes it the 14th year that my people lost their homes and heritage. It has been a story of neglect, suffering and distressing conditions among my people.

    “The population is increasing each passing day, yet there are no commensurate facilities to cater for their welfare. There is no food, no water and no shelter. My intervention and the support of a few others is not adequate to impact positively on them.

    “Although I know the nation is passing through hard economic times (recession), I want to use this medium again to call on the Federal Government to take decisive action and resettle us on Dayspring (Island) where the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) registered us and where we voted.

    “We are Nigerians by choice and we do not wish to seek independence or declare a republic because those denied and deprived entities, like Bakassi, have the right to secede, as enshrined in the charter of the United Nations (UN). But that is not what we want; we want to be integrated. We want to have a true sense of belonging as Nigerians.

    “Our rights are fundamental and the government should protect them by coming to our rescue by providing enabling environments that will make living worthwhile for us.”

     

  • Bakassi: Panels’ reports not implemented, says Ita-Giwa

    Bakassi: Panels’ reports not implemented, says Ita-Giwa

    Former Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters and the political leader of Bakassi people in Cross River State, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, has said the recommendations of two committees inaugurated for the resettlement of her people were not implemented.

    In a statement yesterday in Lagos, Ita-Giwa she was the chairperson of the committee at the local level while Fidelis Ukpo, the then Secretary to the Cross River State Government (SSG) under former Governor Liyel Omole, was the alternate chairman.

    She hailed Governor Ben Ayade for visiting Bakassi indigenes in their refugee camp with his delegation.

    The senator noted that this enabled the governor to have first-hand information on their plight, which she said moved him to tears.

    According to her, the governor’s visit showed Nigerians and the international community the terrible conditions the Bakassi residents are facing.

    Ita-Giwa said the conditions of the Bakassi people were worse than those of internally displaced persons (DPs).

    The former presidential aide asked rhetorically that if N9 billion had been spent on their resettlement, would their condition have deteriorated to that level?

    She said structures in another resettlement camp were there before the committees were created adding that none of the state or presidential committees was able to implement or execute any of the recommendations.

    Ita-Giwa said: “So, up till now, the recommendations of the state-owned resettlement committee and the Effiong Cobham’s Presidential Committee under the supervision of the former Vice President Namadi Sambo too were not implemented.

    “So, I am calling on the Federal Government to implement the recommendations; if possible, come out with a White Paper. We don’t want any palliative anymore. What we want is a permanent solution to our permanent injury.”

    The statement added:” I want to use this medium again to thank Governor Ayade for visiting the Bakassi refugees with his delegation. His visit has enabled Nigerians to see and watch what my people are passing through. The suffering is too much.

    “May I also reiterate that the two resettlement committees’ recommendations were not implemented. That is why we are still in this sorry state.

    “I am, however, calling on the Federal Government to implement the recommendations of the committees and resettle Bakassi people.”

  • Ita-Giwa: Bakassi residents are refugees, not IDPs

    Ita-Giwa: Bakassi residents are refugees, not IDPs

    Former Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to resettle Bakassi Peninsula residents.

    She said this was necessary so that the people do not resort to protesting naked and crying out to God.

    In a statement yesterday, she said her people were not cowards and that their silence should not be mistaken for weakness.

    Ita-Giwa said she had been pacifying them not to take the law into their hands because President Muhammadu Buhari is a man of the people and her own way of contributing to the nation’s unity.

    The former presidential aide noted that it was Bakassi land that was ceded and not the people.

    According to her, the residents of the peninsula made a choice to remain Nigerians but regretted that 11 years after, over 4,000 of them had become refugees, wallowing in poverty and suffering because the Federal Government has failed to resettle them in their choice location.

    Ita-Giwa said her people needed to be in a place where they registered and voted for their choice candidates during the previous elections.

    She added that Bakassi residents and other people in Cross River State were suffering since the loss of their oil wells and other benefits.

    The statement reads: “I am using this medium, again, to protest the insensitivity of the Federal Government to our collective plight as Bakassi people.

    “As far as I know, Bakassi Local Government Area is still in Cross River and it is constitutionally catered for like every other council area. But sadly, we have been neglected. Even the host community has suffered a lot of inconveniences and they are not being encouraged in any way with social facilities.

    “The Buhari administration is busy rebuilding the Northeast but feels so unconcerned about the Bakassi people, despite the fact that our situation existed before Boko Haram.

    “Did we commit a crime by choosing to remain in our fatherland? Why rebuild the Northeast and abandon Bakassi? My people are refugees and they should be rehabilitated.”

  • Ita-Giwa to serve on MEND dialogue team

    Ita-Giwa to serve on MEND dialogue team

    Former Presidential Special Adviser on National Assembly Matters, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, yesterday said she has agreed to serve in a dialogue team of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) to interface with the Federal Government.

    Ita-Giwa told reporters that she considered serving in any dialogue to end the current attacks and restore peace in the Niger Delta region a privilege.

    The former presidential aide urged the Federal Government to engage credible Nigerians in the dialogue to end incessant bombings of oil facilities by the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA).

    She said: “I will consider serving, if the Federal Government is willing to engage in discussions with credible Nigerians who have genuine interest and sympathy for the people of the region.

    “Again, I said I will serve in order to put in place a lasting solution to the hostility and thereby bring succour to the people of the region.

    “I shall also be willing to be part of the dialogue for the benefit of the people of the region and, by extension, the numerous displaced Bakassi indigenes who have been neglected over the years.

    “As a major stakeholder and mother in the region and indeed Nigeria, I shall be willing to be party to any dialogue that will bring about peace to the suffering of the people of Niger Delta.

    “As we speak, over 3,000 refugees have not been properly resettled after ceding Bakassi to Cameroon, out of no fault of theirs.”

  • Ita-Giwa hails Presidency, National Assembly on budget

    •Ex-presidential aide urges speedy assent

    A former Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, has hailed the meeting between President Muhammadu Buhari and the leadership of the National Assembly to resolve the impasse on this year’s appropriation bill.

    In a statement at the weekend in Lagos, Ita-Giwa urged the Presidency to assent to it speedily so that meaningful development could take place.

    She said in a democracy, there were bound to be misunderstanding and disputes, adding that when properly managed, such differences would contribute to a healthy rivalry between the two arms.

    According to her, sitting together to resolve the grey areas is a welcome development.

    Ita-Giwa said when the President assents to it, the ministries and corporations should implement the budget on a large scale.

    She said there should be cordiality and collaboration among the three arms of government, despite the fact that the rule of law provides for separation of powers to prevent abuse and arbitrariness.

    The former adviser recalled that during her stints at the National Assembly under two former successful presidents, she mediated well between the Executive and the Legislature on budgets and other matters.

    She said the successes she recorded were the products of the cordial relationship she established and sustained with the principal officers of the National Assembly.

  • Ita-Giwa condoles with Ibru, Braithwaite families

    Ita-Giwa condoles with Ibru, Braithwaite families

    A former Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, has paid condolence visits to the families of former Delta State Governor, the late Chief Felix Ibru and human rights crusader and nationalist, Tunji Braithwaite, both in Lagos.

    Ita-Giwa described the late governor and senator as a humble leader and a consummate family man whose legacies would continue to endure the test of time.

    She noted that as a senator, the late Ibru learnt the legislative processes quickly and became a leader.

    The senator prayed God to console his widow, Mrs Malthida Ibru, and all he left behind.

    Ita-Giwa eulogised the late Braithwaite for his contributions to national issues.

    She recalled that the eminent lawyer lived a good life and fought for any good cause he believed in for the development of the nation.

    The former presidential aide noted that the late Braithwaite’s voice reverberated across the nation, especially when government policies were not people-oriented.

    She urged the family to be proud because its father lived a good life and excelled in his career.

    Her condolence message to the bereaved families reads: “Nigeria has lost two great men in the late Chief Felix Ibru and Barrister Tunji Braithwaite. They lived a good life and paid their dues to the nation before their exit. I pray the Good Lord to console their families and give them the fortitude to bear their loss.”

  • Ita-Giwa advises Buhari

    A former Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to tread cautiously, especially with his administration’s bilateral trade agreement and strategic cooperation with the People’s Republic of China.

    She advised the government not to compromise the quality of products and infrastructure it would give Nigerians.

    In a statement yesterday in Lagos, Ita-Giwa hailed the President for restructuring the economy, which she said was in shambles.

    But the former presidential aide noted that the administration needed to tread with caution in its efforts to revitalise the economy.

    She urged the Federal Government to create a quality control mechanism, comprising men and women of proven integrity in Nigeria and in China, to check and validate the quality of products and infrastructure that would be brought into Nigeria.

    Mama Bakassi, as she is fondly called, also urged the business community in China not to see Nigeria as a consumer market alone but as an investment destination where goods could be manufactured and consumed locally.

    The statement reads: “Inasmuch as President Buhari is consolidating the bilateral relation that exists between the two countries, I want him to take a firm stand in the areas of quality. Nigeria should not be a dumping site for fake and substandard products. The best way to tackle this is to create dynamic quality control units.”

  • Don’t politicise Lagos-Calabar rail project, says Ita-Giwa

    Don’t politicise Lagos-Calabar rail project, says Ita-Giwa

    A former Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters and Chairman of Cross River State Sea Port, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, has urged the Presidency and the National Assembly not to politicise the Lagos-Calabar rail project.

    There has been a raging controversy on the rail project following its alleged removal from this year’s budget.

    In a statement in Lagos, Ita-Giwa, who served two former Presidents as Liaison officer, noted that she was conversant with both sides as a senator and Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters.

    The politician reminded the Executive and Legislature that the project would turn around the economy of the Southsouth.

    According to her, Calabar is as important as any other city in Nigeria in the contributions to the socio-economic values among the people.

    Ita-Giwa noted that instead of passing the buck, both arms of government should return to the budget because the project would complement the state’s efforts in reaping the benefits from the deep sea port.

    She said the region had suffered, adding that President Muhammadu Buhari should be encouraged to deliver dividends of democracy to the residents, even beyond the rail project.

    Ita-Giwa said: “The Lagos to Calabar rail project is a significant one, which must not be trivialised or politicised because it has the potential to open the economy of the South. I am, therefore, urging my colleagues in the Senate and the Executive to ensure that the project is included and adequately catered for in the budget because it will serve a general good and will complement the Cross River State’s deep sea port.

    “I also want to advise my colleagues to guide and keep an eagle eye on projects earmarked for their constituents. Only through that can it be said of them as good representatives.”

    Also, kinsmen of the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, and a group of progressive lawyers supporting the All Progressives Congress (APC), Lawyers Network for Change, yesterday backed the minister’s stand on this year’s budget.

    They absolved the minister of any wrongdoing in the alleged disappearance of the Lagos-Calabar rail project from the budget.

    One of the APC local government chairmen sacked by Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike on assumption of office, Bestman Amadi, led other supporters of the minister in Ikwerre Local Government Area.

    The former council chief said Amaechi’s detractors were celebrating what he called the dishonesty of some National Assembly members on the budget.

    He threatened to lead a protest against those planning the minister’s downfall on the Lagos-Calabar railway project.

    Amadi noted that Amaechi could not have lied to Nigerians on his role in the controversial budget, having passed the integrity test of his party.

  • Former Liberia’s First Lady, others celebrate Ita Giwa at 70

    Former Liberia’s First Lady, others celebrate Ita Giwa at 70

    African Women in Leadership Organisation (AWLO)  will on February 15, 2016 hold an intellectual  symposium to celebrate the 70th birthday of Senator Princess Florence Ita-Giwa, a former Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters.

    The symposium, scheduled to take place at Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, will herald the birthday celebration slated for February 19.

     A statement by her media aide,  Mr. Jonathan Eze, and  the Founder of AWLO and the Director of Programmes and Research for the birthday events,  Mr. Elisha Attai, reads in part: February 21 is dedicated to the foundation for the children of Bakassi’s Red ball and Awards concert in Lagos. Former Liberian President’s wife and a third-term serving Senator,  Mrs. Jewel Taylor, and the former Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Congo, Ambassador Jolaade Onipede,  would deliver the keynote addresses.

     “Former Minister for Women Affairs, Iyom Josephine Anenih, will also be among the panelists that would discuss the role of women in leadership and extol the virtues of the celebrant.

    “Others are the former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Princess Sarah Sosan,  former Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly,  Rt. Hon. Titi Oseni,  Alhaja Kaflat Ogbara,  Chief Mrs. Oluremi Olowu, among others. The panel discussion will be moderated by a great supporter of African women leaders and publisher of Ovation magazine and TV, Chief Dele Momodu.

     “Events lined up for the landmark birthday celebration include the celebration of Senator Florence Ita-Giwa by the Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria (FADAN) at the Oriental Hotel in Lekki on  February 13, 2016.Thanksgiving service and investiture in Calabar as the Dame of the Methodist Church of Nigeria on the 19th and the grand finale on the 21st which is the Red ball and awards concert to celebrate those who in one way or the other supported the Foundation for the Children of Bakassi and the resettlement of the displaced people of Bakassi.”