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Tag: Niger-Delta

  • Activists, others seek end to violence in Niger Delta

    Activists, others seek end to violence in Niger Delta

    Militants, especially of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), are giving top officials of oil companies and the Federal Government sleepless nights. The environment  is also being polluted and devastated through bombing of oil pipelines and other facilities of the multinationals.

    Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, and his counterpart of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson, are the worst hit by the activities of members of NDA, who decided to concentrate their activities in the two strategic states.

    Okowa, Dickson and other governors of states in the Niger Delta, among other stakeholders, had on many occasions of recent, pleaded with the NDA members and other militants in the Niger Delta to sheathe their swords and embrace peace, thereby agreeing to dialogue with the Federal Government.

    Incessant bombing of pipelines conveying oil and gas is greatly affecting crude oil exploration and exploitation, in a country that mainly depends of revenue from petroleum, especially the sale of crude oil and gas, for survival.

    The activities of the NDA are taking toll on electricity supply in the country, since gas from the Niger Delta is needed to power the turbines, with citizens nationwide now experiencing epileptic electricity supply.

    The oil companies are also evacuating their workers from the creeks, particularly at the flow stations and other facilities, in order not to endanger their lives, while most of the bombed pipes are yet to be repaired, thereby creating tension in the region.

    In order to ensure cessation of hostilities and violence in the Niger Delta, some stakeholders came together at a summit in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, with ensuring peace as their main target, so as to pave way for the much-desired development.

    The stakeholders, comprising top government officials, other eminent personalities, security chiefs, human rights activists, members of civil society organisations and representatives of the private sector, declared that end must now come to militancy in the hitherto neglected Niger Delta region.

    The summit on towards achieving peace and sustainable development in the Niger Delta, with the theme: “Promoting Peace, Democracy and Stability in Nigeria through the Media, Socio-Cultural Institutions and Youth Driven Community Based Groups,” was organised by the Journalists for Democratic Rights (JODER), with the support of the Ford Foundation (West Africa Regional Office).

    Emphasis at the timely summit was placed on capacity building, conflict prevention and management, as well as peace building.

    The Executive Director of JODER, Mr. Adewale Adeoye, who is also a foremost journalist, stated that the summit was to strengthen a people-driven process for conflict prevention, conflict management and peace-building in the Niger Delta.

    Adeoye noted that the programme, which was earlier held in Lagos and Enugu, would later hold in Kaduna and Abuja, among other Nigerian cities, in order for the stakeholders to continue to stand for peace and not violence.

    Niger Delta is home to indigenous ethnic groups that have lived in their territories for thousands of years, while the region is a great ancestral homeland of many forest-dependent people, with a rich heritage of amazing culture and civilisation.

    The region is by far the second largest mangrove forest in the world, rich in natural resources, including but not limited to land and sea animals, the fauna, and hundreds of plant species, which add value to the diverse tributaries and estuaries linked to the vast ocean and the great Rivers Nun and Niger.

    Niger Delta has no fewer than 16 distinct ethnic nationalities, with history of shared heritage and cultural identities, including social and trade relations, long before the advent of colonial rule.

    As with any other natural setting, there were history of conflicts and strives among the nationalities, but the Niger Delta, however, remains one of the most critical nerve centres of the Nigerian economy, owing to its rich natural endowments and resourcefulness of the people.

    The social and economic activities of the nationalities that make up the Niger Delta are linked to the environment, which supports the survival of the people, who depend on livelihoods generated by land and forests resources.

    For half a century, the people of the Niger Delta have been facing various challenges to their survival, due to various adverse factors, including disruptive oil exploration, lack of opportunities, national malaise of corruption, forest devastation, depletion of sea and land resources, gas flaring and environmental pollution.

    The Niger Delta produces the mainstay of Nigeria’s economy, which is crude oil and gas, but without equitable sharing/allocation of the resources, which remains a major source of conflict in the country.

    The executive director of JODER, in his welcome address at the summit, stated that the forest reserve of the Niger Delta had remained largely depleted and at present to an all-time low, with land utterly polluted, natural streams almost extinct and means of living under sever attacks, thereby posing a serious threat to generations unborn.

    Adeoye said: “Previous efforts of governments at various levels to address the situation have not led to appreciable results, in spite of the huge resources committed to the process.

    “Such efforts include the introduction of the 13 per cent revenue derivation, the setting up of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the establishment of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and the recent adoption of the United Nations Environment Programme, (UNEP) report on Ogoniland’s environmental assessment, which the Nigerian Federal Government has promised to implement, leading to the recent kick-off of the Ogoni clean-up.

    “Regrettably, the Niger Delta narrative has been consistent stories of violence, desperation and various vices associated with legitimate agitations of the people;

    “Irrespective of the various efforts of the governments, the Niger Delta remains fundamentally poor and vulnerable, with limited opportunities for the people to transform their lives in their own way, through self actualisation.”

    JODER’s executive director also stated that notwithstanding the challenges facing the peace-loving people of the Niger Delta, they had the infinite ability to aspire to a greater future, founded on justice, liberty and respect for the dignity of the human person.

    According to Adeoye, conflict, which is part of human life, is a major impediment to growth and can lead to hate, misunderstanding, wars and stereotyping, stressing that with conflict, everybody stands to lose, while calling for discipline and unity, with emphasis to be placed on good ideas, which rule the world.

    The resource person at the summit, Mr. Francis Abayomi, stated that people should always promote peaceful co-existence, in order to move forward.

    The Special Assistant to Rivers Governor on Social Media, Oraye St. Franklyn, said: “Let us make our democracy to work. Conflict can only be resolved through dialogue, but before the resolution, there is need for justice, which will lead to peace. Without justice, there can be no peace.”

    A prominent Ijaw leader, Sgt. Werinipre Digifa, stated that with conflicts everywhere in Nigeria, preaching peace, respect for one another and dialogue must always be emphasised.

    Patterson Ogon of the Ijaw Council for Human Rights (ICHR), who was accompanied by a senior official of ICHR, Toinpre Alabo, described the summit as key, stressing that with trust and confidence in one another, Nigeria would move forward.

    An ex-Bayelsa State Commissioner for Culture and Ijaw National Affairs, Dr. Felix Tuodolo, described conflict as inevitable, calling for continuous education and enlightenment.

    Rivers Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Mrs. Helen Amakiri, who was represented by the command’s Spokesman, Akin Oguntuase, a Chief Superintendent of Corps, called for continuous synergy among security agencies to ensure peace and progress.

    The Commissioner for Information and Communications in Rivers state, Dr. Austin Tam-George, who was represented by a Director in the ministry, Mr. Paulinus Nsirim, stated that the summit was very important and timely.

    Tam-George said: “Justice, equity and fair-play are critical to ensuring an egalitarian society. Nigerians must see themselves as one united entity. I dream of Nigeria where conflicts will be minimised.”

    In a nine-point communique, signed by the executive director of JODER, it was stated that the summit strengthened a people-driven process for conflict prevention, conflict management and peace-building in the Niger Delta.

    The programme also targeted primary and secondary beneficiaries, cutting across faith-based groups, community-based organisations, women groups, civil society organisations, security agencies, youth groups, organised labour and the informal sector, as well as representatives of various ethnic groups, including Ijaw, Isoko, Ikwerre, Ndoni, Ogoni, Urhobo, Efik, Ibibio, Itsekiri and non-indigenes in the Niger Delta, among others.

    The communique reads: “Participants demand deliberate urgent attention and actions in addressing the growing poverty rate, growing drop out of children in schools, due largely to poverty and economic misery, disruption of oil pipelines and the emergence of various groups making one agitation or another.

    “Participants demand immediate cessation to all forms of violence in the Niger Delta and that critical stakeholders must embrace peaceful resolution of all the lingering crises in the region, through advocacy and necessary follow-up action.

    “Participants noted that there is the urgent need to resolve the crises in the Niger Delta region in a honest, transparent and open manner, with the view to addressing the fears of the communities, the authorities, the multinationals and business community, as well as the agitators themselves.

    “Participants condemn the invasion of indigenous Ijaw and other Niger Delta communities by armed security agents and frown against the gross human rights violations against the people by the military and other security agencies.”

     

  • ‘Pipeline attacks are crimes against Niger Delta people’

    ‘Pipeline attacks are crimes against Niger Delta people’

    An elder statesman and convener, Concerned Niger Delta Elders (CNDE), Chief Mike Kpoyibo, spoke to Mike Odiegwu on the resurgent of militancy in the region and the way forward. Kpoyibo also blames Niger Delta leaders and governors for the lack of development in the region

    How do you feel about the crisis rocking the Niger Delta region?

    As critical stakeholder in the Niger Delta, myself and others came out to speak against Niger Delta Avengers. We spoke against economic criminals. They said they would bring oil produ tion to zero but as far as we are concerned, if you dont have a genuine intention for agitation, you dont need to cause trouble for Nigeria. Nigeria is one. Everbody is first class citizen, but the Niger Delta needs to be developed. When we say Niger Delta question, we are talking about how critical the Niger Delta is to rest part of Nigeria. Without the Niger Delta today, Nigeria cant operate smoothly. The leaders we have been producing in the Niger Delta have been self-centered. They have refused to develop our area. So, when you say that somedy is an MD of NDDC, the person is not an Hausa man. One of us is the MD. But overnight, the person will become very rich and you will now blame the government. We know that the attention of the government is not enough. Even in the amnesty programme, there were a lot of agreements reached. They have not fulfilled those agreements.

    Are you saying that lack of development in Niger Delta can be blamed on the past and present leaders from the region?

    Yes. It can be blamed on the past and present leaders and even leaders at the centre and the state level. It is all together. There is the issue of corruption. We should ask questions among ourselves. The money that was given to us, what have we done with. We have to answer the question first before you blame the centre. But the centre is not doing enough. While not turn Niger Delta to Lagos and Abuja, then you wont see crime. You cant go and burst pipeline in Lagos without security agencies apprehending you. It is not possible. The Niger Delta terrain is a difficult terrain. The oil companies are not doing anything to develop the region. I beleive very strongly that the issue of corruption contributed to the underdevelopment we are facing in this part of Nigeria.

    So, are you in support of the anti-corruption drive at the centre now?

    It is only an insane person that will not support it. Except you kill corruption, corruption will kill you and my only support to Buhari and how he endeared himself to me is his integrity. He doesnt have appetite for corruption. His DNA is free from corruption. That is why l love the man and decided to stand by him. For the first time, he has been able to address the issue of corruption and today the fear of Buhari is the beginning of wisdom. People are now afraid and everybody wants to follow due process. I am not a member of the PDP. I am partyless, a stakeholder and activist.

    What are the dangers of the ongoing bursting of pipelines?

    The danger is that from 2.2million production, you have drastically reduced production. The danger is that there will be no salary. The danger is that you cant develop your place in the atmosphere of crisis. It is not possible. So, l am using this medium to call on whoever that is behind this vandalism to stop and think about Nigeria. Nigeria’s unity, you cannot negotiate it. And l beleive that for you to go forward channel your grievances to the constituted authority so that they can pass it to government. You don’t use violence everyday to get attention. Pipeline bursting is a crime against the state, a crime against us as Niger Delta people because, you will be polluting our area.

    How do we resolve the present crisis?

    It will be resolved only through dialogue. I have told them that you cant use military solution to solve this problem. Give us time as leaders of the area, we are going to engage them and the President too must show commitment in developing the people at this region. If you develop us and then you see small group fighting we will not come after them. Build bridges, build schools, build hospitals and bring infrastructural development to this area. In fact, as a matter of urgency the Okerenkoko Maritime University must start now. The government should also increase funding for amnesty, NDDC, and all the interventionist agencies. Then that way, the crisis will stop.

    How do you react to the launching of the cleaning of Ogoniland?

    It is a welcome development. The President has done it again. He is a man that keeps promises. We beleive in him and for him to take that bold step again he has kept to the campaign promise to the people of Ogoni and to the Niger Delta people. We the leaders want to thank him in a very special way and we pray he gives special attention to the people of Niger Delta. The late Yar’Adua was an Hausa man, he brought amnesty. Late Sani Abacha was an Hausa man, he created Bayelsa. The current President also signed the contracts for the NNPC in Warri and Yenagoa. And in the current budget, we have Lagos-Calabar railway.

    How do you evaluate the performances of the state governors in the Niger Delta?

    The governors are not doing well. If you look at the entire Southsouth states, in the last dispensation only Akwa Ibom was working. Even now, l learnt that my state in Bayelsa here cannot pay salaries. As governor if you can pay salaries for months, you should resign. You don’t need to continue as governor if you can’t pay salaries. Look at a state like Cross River, every first of the month they pay salaries. The Niger Delta governors must do well. At least l single out the Edo State governor, there is a lot of transformation that is going on. Look at Wike, he is already transforming Rivers State. I will want governors to follow these examples. The Niger Delta governors are not doing enough in the development.

  • Conglomerate to create jobs in Niger Delta

    Thousands of jobs are coming for unemployed youths in the Niger Delta region through a business conglomerate, Celtic Pride Group Nigeria Limited.

    The company said its mission is to created jobs for all categories of youths to help fill the unemployment gaps in the Niger Delta and country at large.

    The Group President/Chief Executive Officer of the conglomerate, Mr. George Turnah, spoke in Port Harcourt, Rivers State at the induction/orientation training for 30 newly recruited employees of the company.

    The Bayelsa State-born Turnah, said the conglomerate is three years old with expertise in engineering, construction, food processing, water bottling, environmental services, event planning, management and delivery, consultancy, marine services, fisheries and aquaculture.

    He said the company would engage thousands of graduates, skilled and semi-skilled labour to work at different stages of the company’s businesses.

    He expressed strong commitment of the group to invest heavily in the fisheries and aquaculture aspects of the conglomerate to play a role in the revival of the agricultural sector to boost food production.

    Turner who formally welcomed the new employees on board, charged them to be productive and abide by the code of conduct of the conglomerate.

    Turnah, who is vast in corporate governance took the new staff through the rudiments of effective running of a corporate entity, memo writing, file opening, auctioning and general administrative rules.

    Speaking on budget control and related issues, a budget control practitioner and President of Ruby and Sapphire Leadership Academy, Mrs.Brayila Awofeso, noted that the success or otherwise of any establishment depends largely, if not entirely on appropriate budget formulation, control and implementation.

    On his part, a Chartered Accountant and Public Policy and Management practitioner, Mr.Elayelagha Ebimotimi, who spoke on internal control, said regular checks and balances on key operations would help the company achieve set goals.

    The Group Managing Director, Mrs. Jennifer Timinipre Turnah, charged the new staff to always be above board and contribute their quota to the growth of the business conglomerate.

  • Niger Delta coastal communities appeal to Fed Govt to check ocean encroachment

    Residents of communities located near the Atlantic Ocean and coastline in Niger Delta area have appealed to the Federal Government and relevant authorities to save them from the devastating effects of coastal erosion.

    The affected areas are Forcados and Ogulagha in Delta; Anibeze, Peremabiri, Famgbe, Anyama Ijaw, Anyama Ogbia, Twon-Brass, Sangana, Ekeni and Ezetu in Bayelsa.

    Also Kula, Soku and Bonny in Rivers; Queens Town in Cross River are being threatened by the menace of the Atlantic Ocean surge.

    Henry Otonye, an indigene of Sangana, said the community is gradually disappearing from the surface of the earth, while they have lost substantial part of their ancestral land to Ocean encroachment.

    Mr Alagoa Morris, an environmentalist and indigene of Southern Ijaw, in Bayelsa, warns that apart from the imminent disappearance of the communities, there is the threat of increased inter communal clashes due to scramble for space.

    “People are now relocating from most of these communities. Communities have lost roads, electricity generators, church buildings, school buildings.

    “When you go to areas on the fringes of the Atlantic Ocean such as Brass, Sangana, Odioma, Koluama, even graves and ancestral homes are now in the water.

    “Homes are being deserted. You can see that this can lead to communal crisis when people begin to shift inwards into lands where they are in contention with their neighbours,” Morris said.

    He called for concerted efforts to halt the encroachment of the Atlantic which is worsened by rising sea levels due to increased oil exploration activities.

    Princess Elizabeth Egbe, a human rights activist, said in spite 13 per cent derivation fund coastal communities were neglected.

    She decried the hazards faced by the people who are now at the mercy of Ocean encroachment and coastal erosion.

    Assembly sets up committee to look into pensioners’ problems in Akwa Ibom

    The Akwa Ibom House of Assembly at plenary on Wednesday set up an ad hoc committee to interface with stakeholders on the problems facing pensioners in the state.

    The 7-man committee, headed by House Leader, Mr Udo Kierian, was mandated to unravel the true situation of things surrounding pension matters.

    The intervention was sequel to a motion of urgent public importance moved by Mr Idongesit Ituen (PDP- Itu State Constituency]

    Ituen had informed the house of the protest carried out by Nigeria Union of Pensioners in the state on Monday, over non-payment of gratuity and pensions.

    He said the state government, at the inception of the current administration, cleared backlog of pensions and salaries.

    He added that the protest could put the image of the state in disrepute if not looked into.

    The committee had two weeks to submit its report to the house.

    The committee was directed to look into alleged non-refund of 7.5 per cent contributory pension to some category of workers in Akwa Ibom.

    The Speaker, Onofiok Luke, said the house would always defend the rights of the people.

    “It is our avowed commitment to always see to it that we defend the interest of the people and be seen at all times to be an unbiased umpire.

    “We must also be seen to be making decision from an informed position and appreciate the governor’s efforts in paying the backlog of arrears of pensions and salaries,’’ he said.

  • Amnesty office urges militants to drop arms

    Amnesty office urges militants to drop arms

    • 72 ex-militants graduate in fishery

    Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator, Amnesty Programme, Brigadier General Paul Boroh (rtd) Wednesday called on militants in the Niger Delta to drop arms and embrace peace.

    Speaking at the Institute of Oceanography in the University of Calabar, during the graduation ceremony of 72 ex-militants who were trained in fishery, Boroh said blowing up pipelines was counter-productive and would only hurt the people of the region.

    He debunked rumours about the stopping of the amnesty programme, saying it was still on course and successful.

    He said so far 13, 031 delegates have been trained successfully in various fields of endeavor.

    His words, “You can agitate through various means but not through violence. Blowing up pipelines in the Niger Delta only affects us, our children, our environment and the economy of our country. You can protest peacefully and you will be listened to. We must develop as a country. Nigeria is the only country we have. Any other country you go to you will always be a second-class citizen.

    “A strategic thinker never uses his home as a battleground. You have to make sure your resources are preserved. If you damage your place, where will your children stay? What future will we have? Let us not damage our territory. The Niger Delta must develop and we are the only ones that can do it. We must think forward and positively.

    “We are happy to see you graduate in agriculture. Agriculture is the mainstay and focus of the present administration. The skills you have learnt here are critical. You should all go out there and practice what you have learnt. We will start arranging your empowerment immediately. Make a difference as you go back. Educate others too to tune their minds towards agriculture. Agriculture should be your mantra. With agriculture we can never go wrong. It is what can transform this country economically.

    “The amnesty is on course and successful. You people are a success story. Any government that has interest in developing your capacity has your interest at heart. Continue to keep in touch with us, as you are still part of the office.”

    Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Niger Delta, Mr Essien Ayi, called the graduands for embracing peace and agreeing to lay down arms.

    “We are glad and urge you to talk to your brothers to also drop arms and embrace peace. We will make sure you are properly reintegrated into the society. We will not allow you to roam on your own. We want peace in the Niger Delta region and I want to use this medium to call on others to lay down arms. Peace will return to the Niger Delta,” he said.

    Vice Chancellor, University of Calabar, Prof Zana Akpagu said it was a rare privilege to train them in the amnesty programme.

    “We are proud to have you here and be part of the amnesty programme. It is a rare privilege. Congratulations to all that have participated in the programme. It is hoped that the skills learnt here will be put to use to help you be more productive. You are equipped not to be job seekers but employers of labour. You should be big entrepreneurs and train others on what you have learnt on fish farming. We are always available for you if you need further consultations,” Akpagu said.

    Director Institute of Oceanography, University of Calabar, Prof Paul Udoh said, “We are glad to have trained the amnesty delegates. We have been opportune to give them the best we have here in terms of aquaculture. We urge that as they go, they put all they have learnt to practice. You are always welcome to come back anytime you require further assistance. We spent six months here teaching them all aspects of fish farming. We are proud to be part of the amnesty training. More should be sent for training. We have enough facilities to accommodate more,” he said.

    Commissioner for Agriculture in Cross River State, Prof Anthony Eneji, said, “We thank the amnesty office and the University for Programme. We also have a women and youth empowerment programme in the ministry. We would be pleased to work with the University on this programme as it will translate to us empowering more youths.”

    Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries of the programme, Mr Surubor Amadikeme, expressed gratitude to President Muhamadu Buhari for his commitment to the amnesty programme.

    His words, “We are grateful for the programme. We appreciate the effort of the president to this programme. In spite of the economic situation and insecurity, we thank the president for last month stipend. Initially I thought the amnesty programme was not sincere but now I have seen that President Buhari is very sincere about the amnesty. We would continue to support him. We advise our brothers who are still out there to embrace peace. This government is our government. We also ask the Federal Government to facilitate our empowerment after this programme because an idle mind is the devil’s workshop. We believe the government will not forget us.”

  • ‘Resolve Niger Delta crisis’

    As the Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo pledged the determination of the Buhari administration in tackling militancy in the Niger Delta; the Federal Government has been urged to evolve meaningful resolution of the problem.

    Osinbajo, speaking at the second foundation day lecture of the Elizade University, Ilara-mokin, lamented the activities of the Niger Delta Avengers for claiming responsibility for vandalisation of oil installations in the region.

    But another militant group, Action Crocodiles of Niger Delta (ACND) led by Kaka Duku in a statement in Akure, the Ondo State capital, said allowing the militants to return to the creeks would compound the present economic problem and security challenges.

    The group contended that amnesty programme should be all-embracing, stressing that aged persons, men and women as well as other stakeholders apart from the youth should be beneficiaries.

    It also advocated good road network connecting the entire nine states in the Niger Delta region with potable water and other necessary infrastructure.

    The statement added that the Federal Government should also tackle the problem of youth unemployment in the region to curb restiveness.

    According to the ACND, no demand is too much for people in the Niger Delta region at present because of the peculiar problem of land degradation they are experiencing as the nation gets its oil wealth from the region.

     

  • Replacing guns with books in Niger Delta

    Replacing guns with books in Niger Delta

    With Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) and other militant groups still bombing pipelines and other installations of oil companies, youths, especially students, in the crude oil and gas-rich region are now being motivated to use their pens and intellect, instead of guns, to fight.

    The motivation is an initiative of Total Exploration and Production (E&P) Nigeria Limited, through its Port Harcourt District’s 2016 Book Reading, with the theme: “Knowledge is an Edge.”

    Total E&P Nigeria Limited is an international oil and gas company, operating in many countries of the world, including Nigeria.

    The oil giant’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives reflect the true vision of sustainable human capital development, through capacity building.

    The CSR initiatives include skills-acquisition training and provision of starter packs for small-scale business enterprises, scholarship schemes, construction of classroom blocks in secondary schools and lecture theatres in higher institutions of learning, among others.

    Most of the sustainable development initiatives of the oil giant are designed to achieve healthy growth, career future and development of students and youths in school and communities respectively in its areas of operation.

    In all the programmes, the commitment of Total oil firm is that of full support for development and empowerment of human capital.

    The introduction of the book reading event for secondary schools in Rivers state in 2011, marked another phase in the company’s commitment to human capital development, thereby helping the students to maintain the habit of reading, which is fast fading away.

    At the 2016 book reading event, Animal Farm, an allegorical and dystopian novel by George Orwell, which was first published in England on August 17, 1945 was read, both by the students and the invited eminent personalities.

    The elaborate event took place at Total’s Port Harcourt office complex at the Trans-Amadi Industrial Estate, with ten secondary schools in Rivers state invited and represented by their most brilliant students.

    The invited schools are Community Secondary School, Amadi; Showers International School; Federal Government College, Rumuokoro; Dietams College; Trinitate International School, Eneka/Igwuruta Road and Oromenike Secondary School, Port Harcourt.

    Others are Army Day School; Model Secondary School; International Secondary School of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) and Government Girls Secondary School, Elelenwo, Port Harcourt.

    The event was also attended by the Rivers President of the All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), Dr. Augusta Fubara, who doubles as the Southsouth President of the association.

    A lecturer of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) in Port Harcourt, Dr. Justin Gabriel, was the moderator and he actually displayed brilliance, intellect and experience.

    On the occasion, the Rivers state government maintained that there was the need for the youths, particularly the students, to fight with their pens, not guns and to always embrace dialogue.

    Rivers Commissioner for Education, Prof. Kaniye Ebeku, who was the special guest, stated that emphasis must be placed on the use of intellect and not arms, in order to move forward.

    Ebeku, who was represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Patricia Ogbonnaya, said: “We are lucky in Rivers State to have as Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, a lover of education and a former Minister of State for Education. Barr. Wike also carefully chose of Professor of Law, who earlier lectured overseas, as his Education Commissioner.

    “The students and youths must develop positive thinking and positive attitude. Get knowledge and good information to broaden your horizon. Knowledge and God will give you confidence and boldness and you will be able to stand anywhere to speak. Also go for understanding.”

    Rivers education commissioner also stated that Total oil firm had reawakened in the people, especially students, the importance of reading.

    The role model/guest reader on the occasion, Prof. Juliana Okoh, who is the Director of the Institute of Arts and Culture of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), in her address stated that reading would help the readers, especially the students, to mature in mind and spirit.

    Prof. Okoh said: “Reading culture in Nigeria is dead. Make reading a part of your life. Reading is very important. It is like breathing in air. If you do not read, your mental capacity will not be fully developed and will be dying.

    “By reading extensively, you will have edge over others. Make yourselves alive through what you feed into yourselves, by reading.”

    The UNIPORT’s don also admonished the youths, particularly students, to avoid distractions, by taking their studies seriously and reading all the time.

    A literary icon and foremost writer, Capt. Elechi Amadi, who was represented by his wife, Preye, urged students to always make excellent use of their opportunities and to be disciplined, stressing that Total oil company was giving back to the society, through book reading.

    Quite unfortunately, a few hours later, on the same June 29 that Total’s book reading event took place, Capt. Amadi, who hailed from Aluu in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers state, near UNIPORT, passed on at 82.

    In his welcome address, Total’s Deputy Managing Director, Port Harcourt District, Nicolas Brunet, stated that the book reading event had been one of the ways by which the oil giant had been promoting human capital development among youths in its operational areas and host communities.

    Brunet, who was represented by Total’s Executive Director, Port Harcourt District, Victor Bandele, said: “Through the book reading event, we are encouraging young Nigerians to maintain the habit of reading books, because reading is to the mind, what exercise is to the body.

    “Knowledge is power. Through the book reading event, we have been able to let students meet with prominent Nigerians, who have achieved success in their various spheres of endeavour, as role models and to share their experiences. This is a way of keeping the students focused in life.”

    The deputy managing director also urged the students to always take their studies seriously and to aspire to excel in life.

    It is hoped that the partnership on the book reading event, involving Total, Rivers Ministry of Education and UNIPORT, in helping the students to maintain the habit of reading, as a way of life, will be sustained.

  • Niger Delta crisis should not be settled through force, says Ochicha

    Niger Delta crisis should not be settled through force, says Ochicha

    Mr Odey Ochicha was the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Cross River State. He spoke with NICHOLAS KALU in Calabar.

    What can you say about the resurgence of militancy in the Niger Delta region?

    The situation in the Niger Delta should be resolved through dialogue not force. When a child rebels, the father does not crush or kill him. He adopts carrot and stick method because he is his Son whom he loves and cares for. He protects, counsel, guides, encourages and educates him to be a good child.  This is the method I recommend to quell the conflict in the Niger Delta area. I urge our aggrieved brothers in the Niger Delta to stop destroying our oil and gas installations in the area. These facilities belong to us all. There are necessary for our existence and continuous survival as a people and as a nation. They should not be destroyed but protected to achieve the purpose for their establishment. The greatest losers are the people of the area not anybody else.

    What is your take on the agitation by for the creation of a Republic of Biafra?

    The solution to the challenges facing our nation is not to agitate for separation but to have a balanced and fiscal federalism. The former president of the US, Thomas Jefferson championed balanced federalism in America and today, America is the leading nation in the world. Nigeria needs to do the same. All ethnic groups should have a sense of belonging and given its due recognition and respect which I simply described as the double Rs.

    Is it proper for the Federal Government to use brute force against the agitation?

    It is not proper to use force against the agitation for Biafra. Anybody can agitate for anything. But this should be done using civilized approaches as discussion, dialogue and negotiation. For me, it’s better to “jaw jaw” than “war war” as opined by the former Prime Minister of Britain, Winston Churchill.

    What is your opinion of democracy in Nigeria?

    Democracy as defined by the former president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln is government of the people by the people and for the people. It is a government in which the people determine leadership. It affords the people the opportunity to periodically choose who represents them. It offers the people choices and for power to change hands. And it is when power change hands that we witness rapid progress and accelerated development of the country. For me, democracy is growing in Nigeria.

  • ‘How to end Niger Delta restiveness’

    No fewer than 3,000 youths acting under the aegis of National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), yesterday staged a protest in Port Harcourt Township, denouncing the destruction if pipelines.

    They also demanded that they should be awarded oil blocks as a way of ending youth restiveness in the Niger Delta region.

    The rally, which commenced early in the morning ended at the Youth Centre, opposite the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    Personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC),  Peace Corp and the Red Cross accompanied the protesters with a view to maintaining peace and order.

    The Chairman, Rivers State chapter of the group,  Ambassador Sukubo Sara-Igbo,  urged the Federal Government to grant more oil wells to indigenes of Southsouth in order to end the spate of agitations in the oil producing region.

    He said the OML 55 that Chevron divested to Belemaoil Producing Limited recently employed 520 youths from the communities.

    He praised the company for its intervention in corporate social responsibility and youth development.

    He said: “ Today, we were up to 3,000 youths in the streets of Port Harcourt celebrating this young investor.

    ‘’Our main slogan is you build the youth,  you build the nation. And when you build the nation, you maintain the elders. And we say no to pipelines vandalism,  kidnapping,  armed robbery and killings and other social vices because they are evil.

    “Today, the youths of Rivers State  are happy and we are celebrating Belemaoil. We are celebrating him because he is a youth and secondly, he is an indigenous contractor.

    “ He has made great impact within one month of operation in the host community; he has given them 520 employment opportunities; and as I speak that particular region is cool and calm.”

    Assuring investors of a peaceful business environment,  he called on business men to come and invest  in the state.

    He said: “We thank the Federal Government for deeming it necessary to divest the asset to an indigenous son from the Southsouth.

    “We also thank Rivers State government for providing good enabling environment for the investors to operate; we the youth of Rivers State have collaborated with him and we are urging other investors to come and operate in Rivers State.”

  • PMB and the Niger Delta

    PMB and the Niger Delta

    Out of the blue, a group calling itself the Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, spouts. They kill soldiers and policemen. They kidnap and kill oil company workers. Piracy on the high seas. They asked oil companies to stop operations and pack out of the Niger Delta region.

    They blow up oil pipelines, power and other infrastructure. They attack and kill prominent individuals, ransacking homes up and down the coastal areas, including lately, Lagos and Ogun states.

    All these for what?

    It is still unclear what they want. From the diverse, if vague and inchoate voices of the militants, some say they want to take control of the oil resources in the region. Sometimes when the rhetoric gets uglier, they call for the breakup of Nigeria as a country!

    The scariest part of what is happening is that the media, in their appetite for sensational stories are egging them on to make a great display of seditious, anti-national sentiment. In the last stages before her government’s defeat of the Irish Republican Army, IRA, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher likened publicity for the terrorist to oxygen needed for survival. “We must deny terrorists the oxygen of publicity”, and the independent English press gave the Prime Minister a free pass.

    In the midst of these unfolding events, President Muhammadu Buhari had maintained an uncharacteristic aloofness.

    Many had thought for instance that he would tackle the new onslaught on the economy with the same hawkishness that characterized his tenure as military Head of State in the 80’s. But he did not panic, either.

    In fact several of the political leaders of the Niger Delta, themselves severely under pressure for their inability to keep up with salary payments have been in the forefront of the calls for the “strongest possible military action” against the terrorists. The country’s third richest state, Delta State gave notice a week ago that workers’ salaries can no longer be guaranteed.

    So far, the President has resisted the urge to pull the trigger. Yes, the army has mobilized to the region but military action has been stayed as the country absorbs the incredible shock that has come with the fall of oil revenues.  Records of oil exports are at their lowest levels in 30 years.

    The Punch newspaper, in an editorial on Friday July 1 warned the government about inherent “landmines” in any negotiations: “It is like dealing with a blackmailer: he keeps making all sorts of demands, reasonable and otherwise. Worse, there is a high probability that other splinter militant groups will emerge based on the negotiations with the NDA. They will threaten the state expecting to be negotiated with. At the end of the day, the government would have numerous groups to contend with than it can handle.”

    In my conversation on this issue with General Babagana Munguno, the National Security Adviser precisely two weeks back, he informed this reporter that he met 14 groups claiming leadership to the renewed onslaught on the nation’s economic jugular vein.

    Each of the groups had been brought to him by a serving governor or a former one; a serving minister or one that had left office with assurances that “this group is the one to talk to.”

    The amazing discovery he made from his meetings is the lack of unity among them as each group that came attacked the one that came before it as inconsequential.

    Leaning on an editorial by the influential British newspaper Economist, The Punch recommended strong military action. Quoting Economist, the newspaper said “Buhari should not try to buy them off. Rather, he should arrest those who have committed acts of violence or extortion.”

    At a meeting with the Niger Delta Dialogue and Contact group led by His Royal Majesty King Alfred Diete-Spiff at the State House last Thursday, President Buhari spoke most extensively on his own approach to the crisis in the region.

    He told Diete-Spiff, himself a former military governor of the old Rivers State that peace and stability in the Delta region and the country is the priority of his government and there will be no compromise on this. To show respect for the visiting ruler, President Buhari recalled that he was “a bloody army Lieutenant” when the Amanyanabo of Twon Brass was a military governor.

    He disclosed that his decision on what to do dealing with the problem of the region will be based on the reports he is expecting from the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu who is interfacing with all stakeholders; the Special Adviser to the President on the Niger Delta overseeing the amnesty programme, and the new management of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.

    Allaying fears that he would jettison the Niger Delta Peace Plan he inherited from the previous administration, President Buhari told his visitors that he had read the agreements and the gazette outlining the amnesty programme.

    He said he had asked his officials on assignment on the Niger Delta to look around and see how many of the signatories to the amnesty agreement are still around.

    “Let them find out what has been achieved and what is left and then write a report.

    “I have asked the Minister of State Petroleum to work with the oil companies. We need to get as much intelligence as is possible before we start talking.

    “I sympathize with the investors who borrow money, half way through, their investment is blown away.

    “I have encouraged law-enforcement agencies to contact leaders like you (Amanyanabo). When I move in, I will have plenty of information so as to deal with the issue once and for all. We will talk to as many groups as possible. We won’t give up.

    “Whatever remains of the Yar’Adua agreement will be met.”

    He then talked about the impact of the collapse of the oil prices, which averaged about US$100 from 1999 to 2015, saying that its fall to about $30 a barrel some weeks ago was shocking. “I would have been in coma if not for the fact that I was in Oil (sector as a past minister) for three years.”

    He then sent an important message at this meeting: “We intend to rebuild this country so that our children and grandchildren will have a good place. But a lot of damage has been done. Tell the people to be patient.

    “When you get together, pacify the people. Let them be patient. We will utilize (their) resources with integrity.”

    The President’s conciliatory note came a day after he hosted the National Council of Traditional Rulers to a Ramadan Iftar, at which event he asked the rulers to “beg the militants in the name of God to stop their sabotage of the economy.” He appreciated the efforts they and the oil companies were making and said he did not wish to undermine them. This equally signalled a highly conciliatory direction for the resolution of the crisis.

    It is clear from the foregoing that the President is taking a bit of time but it is also because he is determined to find a lasting solution to the recurring crisis in the Delta.

    It is important for the country that a lesson be learned from the many past meetings and agreements between government groups and the militants that have yielded only short term political dividends. What is wrong with those agreements that they don’t last?

    How many of those agreements, joint statements, ceasefires and peace declarations do we have on record so far? Why haven’t they given us peace?

    Second issue the President is obviously weighing is the integrity of the country’s internal capacity for the resolution of crises.

    Over the years, this country has evolved ways of dealing with problems, real or imagined that threatened its existence from time to time. The amazing thing about it is that solutions emerge from within, that is without the involvement of external influences. This why we have come this far.

    In his desire to build a country in which every part is carried along, he is mindful of the fact that if any part of the body is paralyzed, the whole body cannot be said to be alright. The President is mindful of the fact that the Delta region is an important part of the whole.

    But as he charts his course for a permanent peace in the Niger Delta, it is important however that militants don’t mistake his efforts as a sign of weakness.

     

    • Shehu is Senior Special Assistant to the President, (Media and Publicity).