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Tag: Niger-Delta

  • Total supports healthy living in Niger Delta

    A paramount ru, Eze Ejikelerme Okwuogba, the Eze Ali Obigbor in Egi Clan in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) of Rivers State, appreciates the importance of good health and healthy living.

    The monarch, while speaking on November 1 this year at the Civic Centre in Obite in ONELGA, during the healthy living awareness campaign for Oil Mining Lease (OML) 58 host and neighbouring communities of Total Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited (TEPNG), urged Rivers people to always take their health seriously and to regularly seek advice of medical experts.

    Eze Okwuogba lauded the oil giant (Total) for the initiative, while commending the medical doctors, other health professionals and the resource persons for their efforts, while admonishing his subjects to exercise regularly and do check-ups on a regular basis.

    The awareness campaign had as theme: “Tuberculosis Infection: Harnessing the Role of Early Detection and Prevention,” with all the beneficiaries earlier participating in workout for healthy living in the premises of Obite Civic Centre and they were later screened for tuberculosis.

    While also speaking at the awareness campaign, the Joint Community Development Committee (CDC) Chairman, Mr. Mark Uchendu, stated that it was a happy day for the beneficiaries, stressing that Total was not invited by members of the host communities, describing the well-attended event as the initiative of the oil giant.

    Uchendu lauded the officials of Total for knowing that the people of the host communities were suffering, having diseases and needed to be assisted, while commending the oil company for the quick intervention and urged his people to take advantage of the opportunity and not to allow cough and other diseases to kill them.

    A resource person, Dr. Holy Brown, who supervised the workout, later disclosed that 14 persons from the host communities, who participated in the awareness campaign, were identified to have tuberculosis, after the screening by medical experts.

    Dr. Brown advised the 14 persons to move to the nearby Omoku or Ahoada general hospital in Rivers state for further screening and treatment, thereby taking advantage of the free drugs from the German Tuberculosis and Leprosy Initiative.

    Another resource person, Dr. Easter Nwokah, a Medical Microbiologist, of the Rivers State University (RSU), Port Harcourt, in his elaborate presentation with slides, described tuberculosis as a very dangerous disease/infection.

    He disclosed that tuberculosis was discovered in 1882 by Robert Koch, but he expressed optimism that efforts were being made to end the epidemic in 2035.

    The scholar, who revealed that he had carried out many research works on tuberculosis, said: “Tuberculosis is transmitted through coughing or sneezing by infected persons, thereby spreading the germs into the air, which can be inhaled by healthy persons. Overcrowding and inadequate ventilation must always be avoided.

    “There are 2 billion infections of tuberculosis globally, with 10.4 million cases of the disease per year. Tuberculosis has cure. The infected persons should immediately go to the hospital for free treatment, but they must follow the proper treatment very well and complete the dosage of drugs, without losing hope. Tuberculosis is not hereditary and it cannot be cured spiritually. There is vaccination that can prevent tuberculosis, especially in children. Parents and guardians should take advantage of it.

    “Always cover your nose with handkerchief while coughing or sneezing. Avoid spitting indiscriminately. Wash your hands after coughing or sneezing.”

    Dr. Nwokah also assured that there is hope for persons with tuberculosis, but he warned against careless lifestyles and not quickly consulting medical doctors, in cases of health challenges.

    In his keynote address on the occasion, the Deputy Managing Director, Port Harcourt District of Total, Mr. Francois Le-Cocq, stated that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)/TEPNG’s healthy living awareness campaign for the host and neighbouring communities in Rivers and Akwa Ibom States was one of the key public health projects being supported annually.

    Le-Cocq, who was represented by Total’s Manager, Community Affairs, Offshore and Port Harcourt, Okechukwu Obara, an engineer, said: “Experts say tuberculosis is caused by a bacterium called mycobacterium tuberculosis that most often affects the lungs. The disease can also affect other parts of the body, such as the skin and kidney.

    “Tuberculosis is known to spread from person to person, through close contact and through the air. Statistics from the World Health Organisation (WHO) listed Nigeria among the 30 countries in the world with high burden of tuberculosis. A national tuberculosis prevalence survey has estimated that 570,000 persons in Nigeria fall ill with the disease each year.

    “It is against this backdrop and as a demonstration of our commitment to the comprehensive wellbeing of residents of our host and neighbouring communities that we have continued to support this Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) action on public health education, in order to draw attention to easily overlooked public health concerns and lifestyles that can deprive our people of their wellness and confine them to sickbeds in hospitals, sometimes with fatal consequences.

    “Most illnesses get worse for the simple reason that the victims were not aware of the ailments. The physical exercise session, screening and presentations are aimed at creating this awareness. Take advantage of the knowledge being provided to live healthy and encourage other members of the host and neighbouring communities to embrace this lifestyle change.”

    The deputy managing director also expressed gratitude to the Joint Venture (JV) Partners, the NNPC, for the support; the Rivers state government, through the Primary Healthcare Management Board, whose cooperation the oil firm leveraged in providing the life-saving services to people of the host and neighbouring communities; as well as the facilitator of the awareness campaign, Marnifield Nigeria Limited, for the efforts.

    Since a stitch in time saves nine, Nigerians, especially people of the host communities of oil companies in the Niger Delta, should not be careless with their health, in order to live longer and enjoy the benefits of the abundant crude oil and gas in the region.

  • Senator urges Wike to respect Rivers monarchs

    The lawmaker representing Rivers East Senatorial District, Senator Andrew Uchendu, has urged Governor Nyesom Wike to respect the state’s monarchs and not to treat them with contempt, but with decorum and honour.

    Uchendu, the Acting Chairman, Senate Committee on Public Procurement, on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, according to his media aide, Solomon Okocha, described as uncalled for, the comments made by Wike of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), during the 108 and 109 general session of Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers in the Rivers state capital on Monday.

    He said: “Let me congratulate the most respectable traditional custodians of our rich heritage for successfully hosting the council’s general session in Port Harcourt. It gives me great joy to know that our traditional institution is still waxing strong.

    “I am, however, deeply saddened that Wike, just to exert undue political influence, adopted the archaic tactics of intimidation, harassment and treated our revered royal fathers like a football, by publicly threatening to dethrone them as though they were merely his political appointees, whom he could hire and fire at will, thereby desecrating our culture.

    “This is clearly an affront to our respected traditional institution and we will not take it lightly. Wike should learn to treat our traditional rulers with decorum, respect and honour, especially in the public space. They are not his aides, rather they are rulers of various traditional kingdoms, and as such, they deserve to be treated with utmost dignity and not contempt.

    “Rivers governor should remember his age (51) and be humble, while talking to our traditional rulers and elders of our land. His duty is to preserve and protect them at all times. He should remember that the traditional institution has been in existence, long before he became governor and it will still be here after he leaves office.

    “Wike should go and study the history of the people of the Niger Delta, especially the ancient and great Benin Empire, and he will see how the traditional institution cut down the excesses of the colonial masters during the dark days.”

    Read Also: I didn’t nominate Peter Obi, says Wike

    Uchendu, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), also urged Rivers traditional rulers to be vigilant and reject intimidation from any politician, stressing that they should guard the sanctity of their traditional stools against political manipulations.

    He said: “It is good enough that Wike said our traditional rulers should remain apolitical, but to go ahead and dictate whom they should see or not, in an attempt to restrict communication between them and their subjects or any other individual, is to treat our royal fathers, our culture, with the highest level of disrespect. In view of this, Wike should immediately tender an unreserved apology to our traditional rulers and the people of Rivers State.

    “The Rivers governor cannot choose for our traditional rulers whom they should interact with, because they are expected at all times to render pieces of advice across the board, whether in party A or B, no matter whose ox is gored.

    “Our traditional rulers must carry out their traditional functions without fear or favour, by consciously and consistently rejecting any form of intimidation from any politician, no matter how highly placed, and in so doing protect the sacredness of the traditional stools which they occupy. And as the saying goes, may our Royal Majesties, live forever.”

    The senator also urged well-meaning Rivers leaders and other lovers of democracy to call Wike to order, asking him not to he jittery about the fact that the state’s electorate would end his bad governance in 2019 with their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

  • How PIND is changing capacity building in Niger Delta

    Diyen Friday’s life changed six years ago when he met the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND). After undergoing two-week training held at the PIND’s Economic Development Centre in Egbokodo, Warri, Delta State he acquired skills as an Aquaculture Service Provider (ASP) — a vocation he initially knew nothing about.

    By teaching fish farmers in the region on best practices and latest techniques, his earnings have soared, he is able to buy more properties, and he has become better positioned to train his children and feed his extended family.

    “My co-farmers were now seeking my advice because of the techniques and some other things we put in place that was not normal with what we were practising before. I became a kind of assistant. I discovered that when I bring a solution to a problem, somebody will start paying me N2, 000, N3, 000. That was how I discovered I can make money from it, as well as through many other workshops.”

    “Many times, PIND will organize workshops and these fish feed companies will come,” Friday recalls. “From there, we knew ourselves and started relating. That is where the relationship started from. They will give feed to us, we demonstrate and they give us about 50% of whatever we do’’.

    The unique and sustainable approach of PIND has not only led to wealth creation in the Niger Delta through introducing people like Friday to new means of generating income, it has also assisted farmers and small businesses to scale up their business through knowledge sharing, various levels of collaboration and access to markets.

    Esonde Bakare, a mother of three, is the owner of IceQueen Food and Beverages, a major toilet tissue distributing company in Warri, Delta State. This, however, became her story only after her encounter with PIND. Bakare was a small-time retailer with her shop “at the back of the market” before she was referred to Ayodele Bamidele, a PIND-trained business service provider (BSP).

    Through Bamidele’s guidance, she standardised her record-keeping and account book-keeping methods. This ensured not only that she blocked leakages but also made her eligible for a N16 million grant that turned things around for her business. She got a perfect office location, Toyota Hiace distribution van, an accounting software as well as life and vehicle insurance.

    “This new place can take three trucks of 4,000 bundles of tissue conveniently and that is the capacity we wanted to be at with the injection of these funds. They call my place the beautiful tissue house,” Bakare says. Now she hopes to give back to society by empowering young people and taking them permanently off the streets.

    There are numerous other success stories spread across the nine states of Niger Delta with credit going to human capacity and peace-building models pioneered by PIND — from Veronica Njoku alongside her peers who are able to upgrade from subsistence to commercial farming to the restoration of peace to Delta’s Igbidi and Okpolo-Enweh communities after a bloody, fifty-year-old boundary dispute.

    Having struck gold with its newfound innovative methods, PIND decided to share them with other stakeholders at the just-concluded 24th Nigerian Economic Summit held at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja. The session had in attendance key players from government, private sector, and civil society. It is indeed a two-hour period of brainstorming and eye-opening revelations.

    While giving an insight on how the model works, Dr Dara Akala, the organisation’s Executive Director, explains that it essentially involves three processes: understanding the issues through a pre-intervention assessment, finding partners with similar interests to work with, especially in the private sector, and empowering people with relevant knowledge and skills, ensuring to guide them in the post-training period.

    “It is evidence-driven, not a one-off process that requires time. It is systemic rather than piecemeal and is a bouquet of mutually supporting interventions,” he clarifies.

    “Our unique approach ensures that economic gains occur in a systemic and an inclusive manner, which advances the population, especially youth and women and prevent a workforce and civil society that continues to experience joblessness and fails to advance aims targeted at strengthening institutions and tackling poverty.”

    During the event’s panel discussion, Bose Eitokpah, PIND’s Capacity Building Program Manager, informs the audience that the Foundation’s model, which is either called the Market Systems Approach or M4P (Making Market Work for the Poor), is better than other direct, short-term models because it is sustainable and efficient.

    “Our capacity building objective is to increase the capacity of communities, civil society organisations and institutions in order to achieve socio-economic growth and community prosperity,” she explains.

    “We develop modules that are mutually reinforcing for example of financial management, proposal development, ICT and social media, and so on. We monitored our progress, held trainings and helped organisations with resource mobilisation.

    ”In addition to this, we realised we needed coaches and mentors to help them apply some of the acquired skills effectively. We realised also that we needed to provide some grants and equipment support so that we may all achieve our objectives. So, as I said, it is total package.”

    Furthermore, one of the panellists, Mr. Emeka Ile, who is the Project Manager of the Youth Empowerment pathways Project for The Niger Delta (NDYEP), alluded that youth unemployment can be curbed through holistic measures to PIND’s innovative approach on systemic human capacity development and wealth creation, citing agriculture, construction and ICT as some of the ways in bringing about job creation and sustainable development to the Niger Delta.

    Also on the panel was James Elekwachi, PIND’s Market Development Projects Manager. According to him, the Foundation’s model involves identifying and working with sectors that have growth potentials and are highly scalable. Partners are considered, he says, based on level of willingness, commercial interest and then skills, which is measured using organisational capacity assessment.

    Responding to a question from the audience, Elekwachi provides sector by sector figures to underscore the effectiveness of the Foundation’s unique approach.

    “In aquaculture for example, the market is about 4 million metric tonnes,” he notes. “When we started our intervention to improve the efficiency of agricultural production, we found that average profit was about five percent. When we completed the demonstration with them, average profit moved to about 22 percent.”

    Also according to him, PIND’s method has ensured an increase in the average yield of cassava production from 10 tonnes per hectare to 25 tonnes per hectare; and in oil palm production average yield equally rose from four tonnes to between eight and 12 tonnes.

    In his contribution to the conversation, Tunji Idowu, Deputy Executive Director at PIND, says many stakeholders stick to old models sometimes because of a sheer unwillingness to change, scepticism, or due to the lack of technical know-how.

    “In the development world, there are various approaches that people use,” he observes. “Perhaps more popular would be the direct interventionist approach. More folks are using that. They may get you seemingly quicker results, but they are not sustainable in the long term, especially once the interventionist exits.”

    He adds: “Our own approach is still relatively new in the development space but more and more people are adopting it because, though it takes time, the results are more sustainable. For us as a Foundation, we have to continue creating awareness about this approach and make sure we can recommend it to other players.”

    Towards the end of his closing statement, the Deputy Executive Director remarks that PIND’s approach is not only guaranteed to work in the Niger Delta region but can be applied effectively elsewhere. “It is a journey,” he continues. “It is a process. It takes time. We know we are making progress but we also admit that there is a lot still to be done.”

    As various groups represented at the session, including Amnesty International and the National Budget Office, commit to study PIND’s unique model and partner with the Foundation to replicate it in their activities, it is clear that Nigeria has just taken a great leap in the direction of peace-building, human development and economic prosperity. Lessons from the Niger Delta can finally lay a solid foundation for improved standards of living in all of the country’s regions.

     

  • Initiative to end militancy in Niger Delta

    The Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Tamunosisi Gogo-Jaja, does not want militancy to continue in the oil Niger Delta. Speaking at the Port Harcourt office of Total Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited (TEPNG) during its Book Reading/Open Day, with the theme: “Hidden In The Books,” Gogo-Jaja proferred solutions to the menace.

    The book reading was for Senior Secondary students in Rivers state, with ten students from 15 schools, consisting of ten public and five private schools selected, with the aim of embracing a reading culture by students, while many resource persons also presented papers on the colourful occasion.

    Gogo-Jaja, a former Majority Leader of Rivers House of Assembly, who hails from Opobo, the headquarters of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers state, the hometown of the famous King Jaja, in his goodwill message, stated that it was very important for the youths to always read good and high quality books of different genre, saying knowledge is power and stressed that while he was growing up, television sets were very few, unlike nowadays with television sets, mobile phones and social media distracting the students, who mostly read to pass examinations, thereby engaging in examination malpractices.

    He said: “Many workers now read for promotion. You will see somebody with First Class degree, which he/she will not be able to defend, leading to loss of confidence. A lot of things are hidden in the books. The man who opens the gate of a school, closes the gate of the prison. Reading is one of the tools to address militancy in the Niger Delta. Persons who are well educated and still spare time to read will not want to waste their time and life in militancy.

    “All the things you need to be great are hidden in your books. When you close your books, you age early. You should be reading books until the day you will die at old age. You cannot learn how to read when you are old. You must start now. You must read every day. Form the habit of reading a chapter of a book every day, which will boost your confidence, give you courage and ensure positive thinking. Reading involves problem solving and it will prepare you for the challenges ahead. To be future leaders, you must be committed to your studies.”

    Rivers commissioner for education also urged the oil giant (Total) to ensure regular overseas scholarship awards to deserving and brilliant, but indigent students and to provide employment opportunities for the beneficiaries, upon their return to Nigeria from the overseas studies, declaring that there is no short cut to success and greatness, while adding that there would be no greatness outside Jesus Christ.

    The mother of the day, Mrs. Modupe Bandele, who is the wife of Total’s Executive Director, Port Harcourt District, Mr. Victor Bandele, in her remarks, before reading chapter 20 of the 89-page story book, titled: “The Last Days at Forcados High School,” by A.H. Mohammed, published by Cassava Republic Press (2013) in Abuja, stated that reading must be beyond the classrooms.

    She cautioned parents and guardians to stop doing home-works for their children and wards, but to simply be guiding them, stressing that life is not just about passing examinations.

    Mrs. Bandele gave some of the advantages of reading as mental stimulation, stress reduction, acquisition of knowledge, vocabulary expansion, memory improvement, enhancing focus and concentration, while pointing out that reading would help the readers to stay out of trouble and have a more organised lifestyle, thereby aiming for the top.

    The role model for the day, 52-year-old Mrs. Ifeoma Ifejika, an author, who survived sickle cell disorder through reading, which she said opened her eyes to disregard negative things, thereby giving her a positive attitude and a grateful heart to face the world of sickle cell disorder, stated in her pep talk that she never referred to herself as a sickler.

    Ifejika said: “Reading helps you to be the best you, you were created to be. All of us are uniquely endowed to be the best we can be. Reading helps you to search deep down. If you do not read, you will become an educated illiterate. Always visit bookshops, for your libraries to be full. That is the way to live.

    “Despite the pains of the crisis of sickle cell disorder, I survived through reading. Reading will equip you to face trials. Through self-development by reading, you can overcome vices like drug addiction and cultism. Reading improves your integrity and character. Reading opens the door of friendship. There are discoveries you can make in books.”

    The role model also admonished the youths, especially students, to be prayerful, humble, grateful and hardworking, in order to excel and go far in life.

    One of the benefiting students, Master Woyengileomogha Daabo-Offurugbo, a Senior Secondary 3 student of Community Secondary School, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, described the book reading as educative, timely and inspiring, stressing that it would go a long way to motivate him to always read books.

    Another student, Miss Eziomume Rosary Chukwuneke, of Bishop Okoye Spiritan Secondary School, Miriwanyi-Oyigbo, Rivers State, said: “The programme is very enlightening. I have learnt a lot. I am grateful to Total Oil Company for giving us the opportunity.”

    The Deputy Managing Director, Port Harcourt District of Total, Mr. Francois Le-Cocq, in his welcome address, disclosed that the book reading was part of the company’s commitment to youth service education and inclusion, in order to encourage the development of the youths, to enable them to grow into responsible citizens of Nigeria.

    Le-Cocq said: “All the things that can make you successful in life are hidden inside of books and you can find them through the habit of reading and use them to guide yourselves through life. To read and study are the most important things for you today, as they will lay the foundation of your future.

    “Just as breathing air sustains life, effective reading habits sustain and enhance the intellectual capacity of the human being. It will ensure the creation of a well-rounded, intelligent, knowledgeable and confident human being.

    “There is never too much information and the more information you have the better prepared you will be, to face life. I cannot imagine how you can grow into a person of importance, without reading books about what and who you wish to become.”

    The deputy managing director also told the benefiting students that they could become whatsoever they wished to become in life, only by developing and practising the habit of disciplined and constant reading.

    Since reading is the oxygen required to grow and become both relevant and respected in the society, as reading will increase the readers’ knowledge, give them confidence, improve both their written and spoken language (s), widen their perspective in life and give them a good edge to succeed in life, reading must then be taken more seriously, especially by the students.

  • Ondo APC: We are still intact

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo state has criticized the report that notable aspirants were planning to defect from the party.

    The party in a statement by its spokesman, Alex Kalejaye said the reaction was imperative to erase the erroneous impression, and assure party faithful that the State chapter is still intact, and has resolved to handle whatever grievances that might have arisen from the primaries, within its fold.

    Among prominent names that have been penciled down for defection are Lucky Ayedatiwa and Dr. Tunji Abayomi, a senatorial hopeful from Ondo North.

    The former is the Ondo State representative on the governing board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, and senatorial aspirant from Ondo South.

    The statement said” There is no iota of truth in such permutation, and imaginative analysis. Hon. Ayedatiwa, for example, has said repeatedly that he would never leave the APC for any other party.

    Read Also: Ondo Councils’ Primaries: Akeredolu must intervene

    “Like Ayedatiwa, most aspirants, from the senatorial, the House of Representatives, to the State House of Assembly, have put the primaries behind them and are currently preoccupied with how the party would triumph during the general elections.

    The party, however, said it is not under any illusions that there is need to reach some members that might have picked offence at the party decisions, with a view to pacifying them, to enhance the party’s chances in 2019.

    The leadership of the party, as well as the State Working Committee(SWC) according to him is not leaving any stone unturned in its quest for higher degree of understanding and accommodation in the State chapter.

     

  • Rivers 2019: Tonye Cole picks APC’s NWC member as running mate

    The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Pastor Tonye Cole, has picked the Deputy National Secretary of APC, Chief Victor Giadom, as his running mate for the 2019 election in the Niger Delta state.

    Rivers Publicity Secretary of APC, Chris Finebone, made the disclosure on Saturday in Port Harcourt, while revealing that Cole, a billionaire businessman and co-founder of Sahara Group,  announced the choice of Giadom, while briefing APC leaders during a meeting in the Rivers state capital.

    Giadom, an indigene of Bera-Ogoni in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers state, where Senator Magnus Abe, who represents Rivers Southeast Senatorial District/governorship aspirant on APC platform, also hails from.

    The newly-announced running mate is a former Chairman of Gokana local government council and he later served as Rivers Commissioner for Works in the Rotimi Amaechi’s administration between 2011 and 2015.

    Giadom also served as the Director-General of the Greater Together Governorship Campaign Organisation of APC’s Dr. Dakuku Peterside in 2015.

    Read Also: Rivers to tackle mental health

    The running mate replaced Nigeria’s Ambassador to Netherlands, Oji Ngofa, as a member of the National Working Committee (NWC) of APC, with Ngofa recently emerging as the party’s candidate for Rivers Southeast senatorial district for next year’s poll.

    Cole was quoted as saying during the stakeholders’ meeting in Port Harcourt: “The choice of Chief Victor Giadom as my running mate was arrived at, after a careful and exhaustive consideration of an array of equally-notable personalities in the party.

    “He (Giadom) came out tops on all considerations, especially his unalloyed and untainted loyalty, unrelenting hard work and invaluable experience as a former outstanding Local Government Chairman, former Commissioner for Works, former Governorship Campaign Director-General and presently a member of the National Working Committee (NWC) of our great party, the APC.”

    Finebone also stated that with the choice of Giadom, the governorship candidate of APC in Rivers had started to assemble a crack dream team for the 2019 governorship election in the state.

    The former Secretary to the Rivers State Government, SSG (Abe) and his supporters are still protesting against the emergence of Cole through indirect primary, backed by members of NWC of APC, as the standard bearer of the parry in Rivers, while they were at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja on Friday, in continuation of their protests, which they started in Port Harcourt.

    Abe insisted he was not aware that Cole was a member of APC and that Amaechi with some leaders of the party would not sit in Lagos to force a governorship candidate on APC in Rivers, while declaring that he remained the standard bearer of the party in the state, having emerged through direct primary, backed by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of APC.

  • FG Confirms over $177m support for Ogoniland clean up

    The Federal Government ( FG ) on Tuesday said the sum of $177 million has been paid into the Ogoni clean-up account to remediate polluted lands in the Niger Delta region.

    Minister of State for Environment, Ibrahim Jibrin, disclosed this during a meeting with the British Deputy High Commissioner, Ms Laure Beaufils, on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Jibrin said: “As I’m talking to you today, that account has been credited with over $177m dollars. This is what is supposed to be contributed by the oil majors, who as per the polluters pay principle, are to pay for cleaning and restoration of these degraded land.

    “UNEP recommended an initial bill of over a billion dollar to be used over a period of 5 years. With $177m this year for 2018, the balance of $23 is expected to come from the refineries and we have written to inform the president and he has given directives that the petroleum ministry should handle that issue. So, I believe before the end of the month, we should be able to get a remittance for the balance of $23m to make the $200 million.”

    Read Also: You disobeyed your own court order, Shehu Sani tells rival Uba sani

    He described the clean-up as very important to the present administration stressing that it is one of the priorities of the federal government.

    “I’m aware that the British government is at the fore front of the climate issues strong hold. Environment issues are developmental issues and there is no way one can separate the two of them.

    “It is a global issues, Nigeria as you are aware is a huge country and it has over 9, 000 square kilometres of land mass”, he said.

    The British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria Ms Laure Beaufils, pledged her country commitment to environment issues and climate change in the country.

    “We came to talk about the blue economy which talks of the Commonwealth clear oceans alliance and given how rich the Nigeria ecosystem is and the oceans, we have come to discuss how we can further support Nigeria engagement in the alliance and what are the opportunities and strategy to move forward.”

    She also harped on the environmental damage in the Niger delta region.

    “So, we are here to discuss with the Hon. Minister and his team, what more can be done to support and salvage the Ogoni land clean up. We know a lot has been put in place and we celebrate the fact that the ministry is committed to put in place the right governance structure, to ensure that the clean-up is carried out and done through the right system,” she said.

  • PTI to train 200 in amnesty program

    The Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun, Delta State, for the training of 200 beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme in the oil and gas sector.
    Speaking at the signing ceremony on Thursday in Abuja, the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator, Amnesty Programme, Prof. Charles Dokubo, said it signposts the beginning of an indelible move by the Federal Government towards attaining greater heights.
    “As far as the Presidential Amnesty Programme is concerned, signing this MOU is a clear path to enhancing the knowledge of our people and raising their lives so that they can walk tall and reach the heights of their potentials.
    “Let us make the best of this situation; so that our people will always remember us for good while being grateful to everyone, including the Federal Government that has not set us aside.
    “With time, we will disabuse the minds of our people so that they will know what they are living for.”
    Dokubo urged Niger Delta people, particularly the youth, to fully embrace the Federal Government’s developmental programmes.
    He also gave assurance that the government will continue to maintain lasting peace in the Niger Delta, empower its youths and provide the requisite condition for the people live decently, besides giving the youth educational certificates.
    Head, Vocational Training at the Amnesty Office, Barrister Amazuo Berepreboga, explained that the MOU will ensure the full training of 200 students at PTI in specialised fields in the oil and gas industry, such as oil and gas drilling, instrumentation, mechanical technology, electrical technology and process technology.
     In his remarks, the Principal and Chief Executive of PTI, Professor Sunny Iyuke, commended Dokubo and President Muhammadu Buhari for Federal Government’s support.

    Read Also: Amnesty Office rallies ex-militant leaders for Buhari

    “I thank my fellow Professor and the Amnesty Office for this gesture. I came to PTI with the conviction that this is the right job I should be doing. This is the kind of things I am looking for my students, to make me happy and satisfied.”
    Iyuke, who bemoaned the high level of joblessness among Niger Delta youths, expressed hope that the MOU will not only keep them away from crime but also engage them gainfully and improve their living standards.
    He added that the MOU will also push PTI students to improvement in practical application, especially knowledge of design of modular refineries, which has already paved the way for its legalization, resulting to an increase in establishment of modular refineries and flow stations in Nigeria.

  • Amnesty program will transform Niger Delta, says Dokubo

    Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, Prof. Charles Dokubo, on Tuesday expressed optimism that new policies and objectives for Presidential Amnesty Programme under his watch will transform the Niger Delta region.

    He however, warned that the Amnesty Programme cannot effectively serve its purpose if the people of the Niger Delta are not bonded by a common interest to develop the region.

    He said this during a courtesy visit by a delegation of the South-south Chiefs, Elders and Opinion Leaders Association of Nigeria (SSCEOLAN) that occurred in Abuja on Wednesday.

    Dokubo said that the Niger Delta region will attain giant strides if the people can positively utilize the instrumentality of the Amnesty Programme provided by the federal government.

     “When the federal government brought this programme where we are training our people and sending them abroad, they did it because it is a necessary action.

    “So, we are going to carry out this programme in an all-inclusive manner. Wherever you are from the Niger Delta, you must be part of this programme.

    “I’m here to carry out what I call reintegration, training, retraining and bringing out Niger Delta people so that they can be as qualified as any other person in Nigeria.”

    While expressing dismay over what he described as ‘pull-him-down syndrome’ prevalent among the people of the Niger Delta, Dokubo urged them to be united and work for a common goal.

    “I cannot claim to know everything, but I also know that with your experience you can always direct me on the right path so that we can do things the right way.

    “I came into this place not to criticize anyone but to start from where I was appointed. What I met here is not what I’m here to talk about, but we are all from the Niger delta.

    “Our idea of pulling down people is too much, and I will not be part of that. For me, where I want Niger Delta people to look into is how we can use this office to benefit our people.

    “It is not about personal gains; it is about community development. Let us stop agonizing and start organizing, because if we do that, we will help ourselves.

    “The best thing I have seen in this organization is that we come from different places, but we have one objective.

    “If we can have one objective in the Niger delta, half of our problems will be solved. My fear is that after 20 years, if we cannot uphold the Niger delta, we cannot empower our people, then Amnesty will kill Niger delta.

    “I always tell people like that, because the type of behavior I have seen in this place, where personal interest overrides regional interest, really beats my imagination.”

    Dokubo gave assurance of his determination to deliver on the mandate handed him by President Muhammadu Buhari, who he said has the interest on the Niger Delta region at heart and emphasized that due process and statutory provisions will be his guiding principles in the performance of his duties.

    “I want to do my best for the people, but you will hear stories. Since I came to this office, I have not touched the Data from which monies are paid because I don’t want to touch it. If I touch it, there will be problem.

    “There are some people who are earning money that they are not even supposed to earn. If I say I want to dismantle it, then I will bring experts to come and decipher, assemble and analyse the Data. It will take six months and people will not be paid their stipends and allowances.

    “Since I resumed office, I have been paying stipends as at when due. I have not failed. There was a particular month I even paid for two months.

    “I don’t want any crisis in our region. It will not be under my watch that will happen. So, whatever we are doing, let us keep the Niger delta in the forefront of our thoughts. I will do my best.

    “My business is to do a particular job so that people will gain from it, so when I go, you will stand up and say there was a man called Charles Dokubo.

    “I know that if you can use this vehicle that has been provided by the federal government for us, I think we can go places.

    “My policies and objectives are to transform the Niger Delta; we are not going to depend on stipends, we are going to get jobs, job placements.

    “This is the focus of my administration. We are doing some seaman training with a Greek company that is going to build ships in an open port; we have signed the MOU and all that but if there is also an indigenous idea that we can also develop and use it for our people, I will take a positive look towards it.

    “It is better that we look for what we want instead of looking for money for transport.

    “And to be frank to all of you, most of the people carrying out protests, they are not in the Data of the Amnesty Programme.

    “Let us say you fought for emancipation of the Niger Delta, as a result, you have a chance to go to university, you say you cannot go, you give it to your son or brother to go, yet, you still want to earn that N65, 000 naira while we are paying school fees and everything?

    “If you try to tell them that it is wrong, it is as if you are against them, they say it is our money. Yes, it is your money, but you must do something to earn it. Nobody is taking money from Niger Delta people.”

  • Obaseki to electorates: Demand transparency from political leaders

    The Edo State governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has challenged Nigerian electorates to demand transparency from persons holding leadership positions.

    Obaseki threw the challenge during the launch of Open Niger Delta (OPENED) Campaign project in collaboration with the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

    He commended ANEEJ for the OPENED initiative, which the governor said is in line with the state’s open government policy, and assured of his administration’s readiness to drive the campaign in the Niger Delta region.

    The governor, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr Taiwo Akerele, said the state has put in place institutional framework to ensure due process is followed in the execution of projects, adding that the state government publishes all contracts above N10 million as well as her annual financial statements.

    Read Also: Osun victory shows APC is preferred party – Obaseki

    Obaseki noted that behavioural change amongst citizens was essential in the fight against corruption in the country and advised the electorates to vote only leaders who are transparent and ready to deliver good governance in the country.

    Rev David Ugolor, executive director of ANEEJ, said OPENED project is supported by Bread for the World Protestant Development Service with the goal of mainstreaming Open Government Partnership (OGP) principles in the Niger Delta states.

    Ugolor explained that OPENED was designed to encourage states within the Niger Delta region to adopt measures that will improve transparency, accountability and good governance in the region.

    “Edo State has joined the OGP which requires that participating governments enter into a co-creation process with civil society to develop commitment in the fight against corruption, public participation in governance and empowerment of citizens,” he said.