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Tag: Otuoke

  • High expectations in Otuoke over presidential poll

    High expectations in Otuoke over presidential poll

    A few locally-made campaign billboards, posters and other campaign materials praising President Goodluck Jonathan and drumming support for his reelection were sited within Otuoke. Early morning of Wednesday was calm and somewhat quiet in the community.

    But it sounded boisterous few minutes before the Niger Delta Report got to the community in Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, where  Jonathan hails from. The indigenes and other residents seemed to have murdered sleep. They were jolted from their sleep by the forthcoming election.

    Niger Delta Report learnt that Otuoke was woken up early in the morning by town criers. The community leaders sent the messengers to summon all the stakeholders in the community to a meeting at the community’s town hall.

    It was a forum to educate the indigenes on tommorrow’s presidential election.

    “This election is different from the past elections. There are card readers now and everybody is expected to come out early in the morning for electronic accreditation. It is not going to be like the previous elections so we need to be educated on the process,” one of the unnamed leaders was quoted to have told the people at the gathering.

    Elders, women, young and old were said to have congregated at the town hall and listened attentively to the voter education and sensitisation by the conveners of the meeting. Different leaders took turns to clearly sound the procedures of the election to the hearing of the people.

    They exuded with uncommon passion to massively vote for their kinsman. In fact, if it depended on Otuoke to return Jonathan, the community would have done it with ease and maybe the President would have no reason to be afraid.

    Despite their misgivings especially the complaints of divide-and-rule method of distributing presidential dividends against the President and his family, most of the people from Otuoke still want their kinsman back to Aso Rock.

    Some were adamant. It never mattered to them that most people outside their communities are blaming the economic woes, massive corruption, insecurity, unemployment and lack of electricity on the alleged incompetence of their son and brother. They have even deafened their ears to the change and broom revolution sweeping across the country.

    But most of the residents advocated peace during and after the election. No matter the outcome of the poll, they promised that Otuoke which is populated by people from different parts of the country, would remain calm

    For instance, a commercial motorcyclist, Nene Edesiri, who had resided in the community for eight years was optimistic that Jonathan would retain his seat of the election. He, however, said the victory depended on the grace of God.

    “By God’s grace, members of this community will come out to vote for Jonathan. I want him to come back so that he can complete the good work he has started in this community and in Nigeria as a whole. The man works hard a lot that is why we want him back”, he said.

    Also, Joshua Gberedugo, first called our attention to the town hall meeting that was held early in the morning. He said the aim of the town hall meeting was to educate voters and preach the importance of peaceful co-existence.

    “The entire community was at the meeting and we discussed about the elections. We insisted that the election should be peaceful. We love the president because he has really helped the masses and we know that if he comes back, he will do more.

    “In fact, we are mobilising people for him. We want to make sure that all the votes here belong to him. I will never vote for any other person except Goodluck”, he said.

    Furthermore, Ebeere Uche, a trader in the community said spoke against violence and pleaded with the people to have the fear of God. She, however, argued that to balance the north and south political equation, Jonathan should continue in the office.

    “We need peace in our country. Whoever will rule us, should have God first. Hausa people have ruled us much, let the east rule us and let us see. Let our political leaders stop their clashes over there and allow God to decide things. We need peace,”she said.

    However, Isu Godgift said people should be allowed to follow their hearts and conscience in choosing their leaders. He said Otuoke being the community of President Jonathan will attract global attention during the election. He said Otuoke will not object to the outcome of the election no matter who wins.

    “Whatever that goes wrong in Otuoke,goes wrong in Nigeria. And whatever that goes right in Otuoke, goes right in Nigeria.

    “We are expecting that the right leadership should be given to the person who deserves it in Nigeria. If Nigeria as a whole decides that Goodluck is the right person, that he will bring the right dividends of democracy, then the Otuoke man has no objection. We are fully prepared to cast our votes here because it is our civil duty,” he said.

    The Youth Secretary of Otuoke, Osain Francis, sounded more optimistic on the victory of Jonathan. He said town criers had been mobilised and paid to go round the community and communicate the outcome of the town hall meeting to persons who were absent.

    “We just had a meeting at the town hall this morning. At the meeting, we emphasised on the need to vote. Right now, the sensitisation on accreditation and the whole process of voting is going on in the community.

    “The town crier will go out later to inform those who were absent at the meeting about what was discussed.

    “We are fully prepared for the election. Come rain,come sunshine,we are going to come out en mass to vote for our son,President Goodluck Jonathan.

    “We the community leaders are working hand-in-hand with security agencies to ensure that there is peace during the election”.

    A look at the community showed that Otuoke had in February sought divine intervention on Jonathan’s reelection. A billboard in the community showed that members of Otuoke Ministers’ Forum (OMF) embarked on a Three-day fasting and prayer for the reelection of the President.

    As the much-anticipated election holds on Saturday, Otuoke thought generally prays for the victory of her son, President Jonathan, she has promised to remain calm if the result goes the other way.

     

     

  • Tears of Jonathan’s Otuoke neigbours

    Tears of Jonathan’s Otuoke neigbours

    They initially taught it was a joke but it turned out to be a shocking reality. The poor neighbours of President Goodluck Jonathan at Nikton Road, Yenagoa, Local Government Area, were recently evicted from their homes.

    They did not just lose their homes temporarily, they were permanently displaced by the President who bought all the property, including the land surrounding his exotic home in the area. Jonathan’s handlers, with the aid of bulldozers, pulverised the buildings in the hitherto busy neighborhood and swept away all the President’s neighbours.

    But investigations by the Niger Delta Report showed that not all the houses were acquired by the President. A few mansions owned by some wealthy friends and political associates of the President are still standing close to Jonathan’s building.

    For instance, an edifice owned by the King of Opueme Kingdom, King A.J. Turner, who is known to be one of the political backbones of the President, and the expansive compound of the former Commissioner for Agriculture and immediate past Chief of Staff, Government House, Abuja, Chief Dikivie Ikiogha, were spared by the bulldozers despite their proximity to Jonathan’s home.

    But other homes, shops, caravans and kiosks were pulverised. The road leading to his home, which hitherto was characterised by human activities, is now desolate creating an ambience of a reserved neighborhood. The “noisy” neighbours of Mr. President are gone. People who initially lived in the area with the President and perhaps occasionally waved and shared pleasantries with him had been forced to relocate.

    Why did the President dislocate his neighbours? Residents in the area gave Niger Delta Report many reasons. Some people said Jonathan simply wanted to expand his house. It is just lustful acquisition of wealth associated with politicians, they said.

    thers also opined that the President was sending a message that “levels have changed”. He could no longer stand the wrinkled poverty-stricken faces of the neighbours he once tolerated. They reason that Jonathan was conscious of his distinguished visitors and would not want his neighbours to constitute nuisances whenever they come. But some people were of the opinion that Mr. President just wanted to build a home that befits his status.

    Niger Delta Report gathered that the President spent a lot of money to compensate owners and tenants of the acquired property. The transaction was said to have been conducted by King Turner, his friend.

    Indeed, the planned acquisition initially hit Jonathan’s neighbors like a rumour. They were said to have doubted it. Some of them vowed to resist it insisting that they would not condescend to selling their life-time property.

    Others categorically dismissed it as falsehood. They were said to have reasoned that Jonathan, an agent of transformation, would rather prefer to take his bulldozers to any part of the vast virgin land and creeks in the capital city to erect an eye-catching edifice. This, they argued among themselves, would help to develop the city and perhaps act as a tourist site to visitors. In fact, they shuddered at the idea of Jonathan oppressing them by undertaking the project of recreating a house he built when he was a deputy governor.

    But they were wrong. Their fears manifested faster than they had thought. They had no choice but to forego their property after accepting compensation from the coordinators of the transaction.

    When the Niger Delta Report visited the area, the victims of the transaction shied away from talking about it. They were all scared of possible victimisation by the rich people who smiled to the bank after the transaction. However, some persons spoke on strict condition of anonymity. Most of the speakers were former tenants of the acquired buildings.

    A middle-aged man who owned a shop in one of the demolished houses said he was still trying to recover from the pains of the destruction. He said: “When we heard that the President was coming to acquire the property surrounding his house, it seemed like a rumour. But it later became a reality.

    “What kind of man is Goodluck? Why did he choose to expand a house he built as a deputy governor knowing that there are people who live around him? I am still confused because Yenagoa has many undeveloped parts and it yearns for development. I thought that a President would help in developing this town by going to one of these bushes and creeks to build his house. Doing that would have attracted people to such area.

    “Goodluck did not do that. He chose Nikton, a congested neighborhood without considering that there are many people whose means of livelihood depended in that area. This is oppression. I mean, how can Mr. President send us packing overnight from our ancestral homes and our business places? We have undeveloped parcels of land which the President would have acquired and developed to look like the Hiltop of IBB in Minna. This is man’s inhumanity to man”.

    Another  affected  shop owner said they were giving only six months to evacuate the area.

    “When the order came from the Federal Government, we accepted the offer with fear because since we are poor we have no voice. Who can represent us, or even plead on behalf of us? The caterpillars rammed through our property. They started the destruction overnight. Only few houses belonging to his rich friends remained in this same location we were sacked”, he said.

    The angry victims said their main problem was that persons who conducted the transaction failed to pay them adequate compensation. He said the amount of money given to the tenants could not rent another accommodation in Yenagoa. Specifically, he said only 30 per cent of the compensation they demanded was paid them.

    He said about 22 families were evicted from the site. He said: “Even the compasation fee we  ask the government to pay us was not paid. It was only 30 per cent of the money that was given to us.

    “Our  government officials are indeed heartless. They asked  22 of us to evacuate the area. We gave Mr. President a quotation  but only 30 per cent of the money was paid.”

    He said they demanded N2.6m for a room apartment but the government paid N45,000; N4m for self-content but they got 90,000; N6.6m for two-bedroom but they received N250,000 while shop owners were paid N150,000 each despite the sizes of their shops.

    “Where do we start from?” He queried. Though the Niger Delta Report could not locate landowners to gauge their feelings about the transaction, the shop owner said the landowners also got a bad deal. He said the money that was paid them would not even acquire land elsewhere to build a house.

    “The landowners are also brooding over the deal. They were paid chicken fees for the destruction off their ancestral homes and buildings they inherited many years ago

    “I am angry with the government and the initiator of this idea. Our government officials are just there to satisfy their own interest. Who said they have us at heart? To say that this kind of treatment is coming from the President who hails from this area is difficult to understand”, he said.

    There are fears on Nikton Road that the President was not through with them yet. Other buildings in the area have been marked for demolition. A woman who lamented the development said a building housing her shop had been marked.

    “This issue came up immediately I rented this shop. The building has not been demolished but it has been marked. We are afraid and because of this I have not been buying more goods. We are expecting the return of the bulldozers”, she said.

    She added: “The landlord told me that he would not settle for what they paid previous landowners if eventually they come for negotiation. I am angry  with the government. How can they punish me like this?

    “My shop is empty because am scarred of buying more goods since no one knows when the caterpillar will come for the second phase of demolition. We have vast land In this state the government should live the poor people alone.”

  • Why Jonathan must return to Otuoke in 2015

    SIR: I do not think Nigeria has ever had it this bad. Bomb blasts that used to sound so foreign to us as something that only happens in Iraq, Afghanistan has now become almost a daily occurrence so much so that our newspapers do not consider them worthy to be their screaming headlines anymore. Corrupt persons have become bolder in their debauchery that it seems there is a silent competition to see who or what organisation can loot and plunder the most. Security agencies saddled with the responsibility of protecting Nigerians appear to have become an armed political wing of the ruling party. Nigeria has become akin to a ship sailing directionless with a drunken Captain, rudderless and in a fiery storm.

    That some ordinary Nigerians still support this administration beats me hollow apart from career politicians, those that can be seen as government contractors, those that have benefited and continue to get their daily bread from this administration, big businessmen that policies of the government favour their businesses. On the other hand, we have those who support this administration just because the President is their own, from the Niger Delta area that has long suffered government neglect, never mind that that the lives of the people haven’t improved in any significant way. Poverty is still rife, except perhaps ex-militants that have now become multi-billionaires due to government patronage. Environmental degradation hasn’t ceased either and so to them, it is a good thing that their son is President and he must complete his term.

    This is just one of the mind-set of our people who to me are a big part of the problems bedevilling this country. All sorts of the ridiculous excuses are bandied about on why the President is not performing; that those against him are making him look bad. Then they point to his achievement in revitalizing the railways, rebasing the economy and that we are Africa’s largest economy and refer to the figures the likes of Okonjo-Iweala dishes out almost on a weekly basis about how millions of jobs have been created and millions more to be created due to some phantom government policies. These lies are so bold and in your face that one begins to wonder if these government officials actually live in this same Nigeria or a different one, because the reality on ground is a stark contrast to the picture they have become really good artist at.

    To be fair to President Jonathan, the problems of this country precedes his Presidency. The question is what has he done to stem the tides of maladministration? May be he done his best, maybe his best is not just good enough. He does not possess the capabilities to govern a complex country like Nigeria. He has shown over and over again that he has not the clout, political sagacity and maturity to deal with diverse interests, and issues a president of a country like Nigeria needs to do well.

    His style of leadership has further widened the divide of Nigerians along ethno-religious lines more than any other leader in the history of this nation. Missing funds, missing ships laden with oil are some of the absurdities that have now become commonplace. The insurgency in the north is getting worse with a part of the country already annexed by terrorists.

    Jonathan may in fact be a good man; or at worst a really simple man trying his best to put things right in the best way he can. But almost six years of his presidency has shown that he is just not capable of governing this country. I dare say that he is not fit to spend a day more after May 29, 2015 in the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

     

    • Muizz Kazeem,

    Lagos

  • Otuoke varsity where workers are more than students

    Otuoke varsity where workers are more than students

    Otuoke Federal University located at the hometown of President Goodluck Jonathan in Ogbia, Bayelsa State, may be one of the fastest-growing newly-established federal universities in Nigeria. It is also perhaps having its fairest share of crisis among its contemporaries.

    The other day, students of the university trooped to the streets to protest hike in school fees questioning the leadership style of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Mobolaji Aluko. The students barricaded the gate of the institution and paralysed academic activities on campus as they demanded among other things for a downward review of the fees.

    Not long ago, it was the turn of Otuoke, the host  community. Youths from the community marched the streets and shut down the campus. They invaded examination halls and chased away students writing their papers. Though normalcy was later restored to the campus, all is still not well between the university and its host community.

    The leader of the protest and Otuoke Youth President, Comrade John Godfrey, told the Niger Delta Report that the community was instrumental to the building of the institution, yet, it is not getting its dues.

    “We donated a vast area of land free of charge for the take-off of the institution. The community conducted a launching where everybody from 18 years and above was compelled to donate money for the construction of the take-off temporary sites of both the administrative block, academic blocks and the hostels,” he recalled.

    He noted that the community made the sacrifices hoping that the university after taking off would reciprocate the gesture.

    He said: “But the reverse is the case. Today, the Otuoke community has suddenly become beggars. They have to go on their knees to the VC and registrar to demand employment and admission.”

    He said the community would continue their agitation until its demands are met. According to him the university should consider Otuoke as part of the Federal Government by applying the principles of local content and federal character.

    He said the community desired the university to give it the percentage of employment and admission due it without hesitation. “Otuoke has less than five per cent of employees in the levels zero to six categories which falls below the principle of local content.

    “Otuoke has less than 0.5 per cent of senior staff. This is also against the principle of federal character,” he added.

    He accused the VC and registrar of sharing all the key positions among themselves without considering the community, the local government and the state. Godfrey further claimed that since inception, the university has only been able to admit eight students from the community.

    “Until now, the university has refused to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the host community. There is no person from the host community who is a member of the Governing Board.

    “Despite the huge sum of money sent to the school, there is nothing on ground to show that the school is growing infrastructure wise,” he said.

    Godfrey alleged that workers in the university were always underpaid, claiming that instead of N46,000 approved by the Senate for the least worker, the school pays only N24,000 monthly.

    He also said the school was yet to pay the 28 days working allowances to the workers.

    He added: “Students are also crying as a result of the outrageous school fees they pay. For instance, other schools ay N35,000 while Federal University, Otuoke pays N85,000 and N95,000 for Arts and Science students respectively.”

    But, the VC said the university had never failed to engage the host community on employment and admission matters within the ambit of the law.

    He said: “Community pressure will come up and we have handled them well. But we don’t want to be compelled and the academic activities of the students disrupted.

    “It is not the protest by the youths that forced us to listen but the need to sustain our community relations policy and not to allow community and student clashes.”

    Aluko explained that the institution has more members of staff on its payroll than the student population. There are 1,300 employees and a student population of 1,040, he said.

    Of the number, he said the employed indigenes of various communities in the state are 760 people with Ogbia and Otuoke community having 350 and 150 persons respectively.

    He further said the school had entered into an agreement with the community through the Paramount Ruler, Obanema of Otuoke.

    He said: “We have agreed to engage the indigenes based on the increasing requirements of employment in the next few months. The names submitted for employment were done without required qualifications and we have asked them to attach to the names their qualification and we will conduct interview to affirm competence.

    “We have informed them that we must be careful about fulfilling the Federal Character provision. It is possible we will increase our employment quota by 25 per cent due to our increasing needs but we must follow due process.

    “And we have also insisted that the admission slots given to the community and others must be in compliance with the provision of the Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB).”

     

  • Naval medical mission makes Otuoke people happy

    Dame Patience Jonathan Square in Otuoke, President Goodluck Jonathan’s hometown, was a beehive Tuesday last week. Many residents trooped to the square to partake in a medical rhapsody organised by the Central Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy.

    It was a case of who heard should tell another. In a twinkle the entire town was saturated with the information that the medical team of the Navy was on ground. Teenagers, pregnant women, women, men and elders including children soon rushed and occupied the seats at the square.

    The free medical exercise was organised as part of the Navy Week to mark the 58th anniversary of the Nigerian Navy. Experts in dental care, eye care, reproductive health, pharmacy, laboratory, and sexual health were not in short supply.

    Different medical stands immediately sprung up. Beneficiaries started by consulting a doctor who received their medical complaints. They went for medical tests. They tested for HIV/AIDS, blood sugar, High Blood Pressure (HBP), malaria and hepatitis. Others were asked to do dental and optical examinations.

    After the results were produced by the laboratory technicians, the doctors prescribed drugs and the beneficiaries headed for the dispensary. There were a range of drugs to cover treatments within the scope of the exercise. Persons whose ailments were beyond the scope, were given referrals to hospitals that could handle their cases.

    But before the medical tests and treatments commenced, experts in various fields were invited by the Navy to offer free health lectures to the residents. Many health practitioners gave talks on a wide range of health related issues such as reproductive health, substance abuse, visual impairment, among others.

    In her lecture, state Coordinator, Family Planning, Dr. Mary Ogholi, spoke on reproductive health with emphasis on barrier method. She hammered on the need for people to abstain from unsafe sex. Her lecture dwelled on the significance of condom in healthy living.

    She debunked some sentiments that had discouraged some persons from using condom. For instance, she dispelled the belief by some persons that condom usage does not guarantee maximum pleasure in sex.

    She insisted that there is only a slight difference in enjoyment when people engage in sex without condom. But she maintained that the difference is compensated with peace of mind and good health.

    According to her apart from preventing the users from contracting Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), condoms are also very useful in preventing unwanted pregnancies and for family planning.

    She clarified the beliefs in some quarters that condoms could go into the womb and constitute a risk for women. She said it was false to say that the woman’s vagina does not have end.

    Ogholi said: “Woman’s vagina has an end. The myth that condom can go into the womb is not correct. If you do not want an unwanted pregnancy or contract viral and bacteria infections, your sure bet is to use the condoms.

    “However, one condom is meant for one round of sex only. Using the condoms give you rest of  mind. Also, some people say it is not enjoyable to use the condom. I also dispute this assertion. The difference between condom and without condom use is very insignificant.”

    She also warned those who drink the spermatozoa to desist from it, saying it was erroneous to believe that one could get nutrients from it.

    Also, Ephraim Sobito, a medical practitioner with the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta, counselled Nigerians against substance abuse.

    He said abuse of substances such as gin, drugs, antibiotics, narcotics and others posed health risks, stressing that many had been sent to their early graves because of such abuses.

    Sobito said another far-reaching implications of substance abuse were depression, wrong association, and the risks of engaging in unprotected sex and thereby contracting terminal diseases.

    On her part, Dr. Obiageli Azubuike, lectured the residents on the causes of visual impairment. She advised against too much intake of sugar, saying it could lead to diabetes, which would in turn result in visual impairment, stroke and other attendant diseases.

    She also recommended the use of sunglasses especially when the sun is too harsh, saying that excessive sun ray could damage the eyes.

    She further recommended regular eyes check, noting that it was a panacea for detecting quickly if one was suffering from eye defects.

    A resident, Chief David Ibeh, commended the Navy for the programme, advising other institutions to emulate the Navy.

    “I am very happy. It is a good thing that has happened to my people. We thank the Navy for choosing our place to be one of their engagements. We have a lot of drugs, doctors here. They are testing everything, “ Ibeh said.

    The Navy health experts worked alongside health officials from the state’s Ministry of Health and practitioners from health based non-governmental organisations during the exercise.

    Shedding light on the Navy outreach programme, Chairman, Organising Committee and representative of the Flag Officer Commanding, CNC, Navy Capt. Salihu Jibril, said the health programme was part of the activities to celebrate the Navy’s 58th anniversary.

    He said it was customary for the security outfit to perform some civic responsibilities during the Navy Week.

    He stressed that this year’s celebration was targeted at health because of itsix portable to the people.

    Jibril said: “This health rhapsody is organised wherever we are domained that requires help. The idea is to go round and give the community or area we have chosen some health awareness, testing and drugs.

    “As you can see, before we started administering tests and treatment, we had given them lectures on safe sex, STIs, STDs, family planning, hypertension and a whole lot of other ailments. From that point, they will be better educated on lifestyles and how to live a healthy life.”

    He urged the residents to embrace the health programme and see it as an opportunity to get themselves tested and treated free of charge.

    He said persons with challenges above the scope of the programme would be referred to the appropriate health facilities.

  • Sights and sounds of Otuoke

    Sights and sounds of Otuoke

    LOCATED in the heart of the Nigerian oil-rich South-South region, the hitherto ‘little town’ of Otuoke, is about 21 kilometres south of Bayelsa State’s capital, Yenagoa. The population, according to the Obanema of Otuoke, His Royal Highness Lot Ogiasa, Oke X, is more than 7,000.

    The small, but quiet town under the Ogbia Local Government Area is gradually becoming a tourist destination of a sort.

    As one drives in from Yenagoa, the visitor has two major routes to choose from: One could go through the Yenagoa-Azikoro-Otuogori route or through the Yenagoa-Emeyal-Otuoke. If one is seeking adventure, then the Yenagoa-Azikoro-Otuogori route would suffice. Driving through this route gives the visitor an ample opportunity to catch a quick glimpse of the ‘sights and sounds’ of Otuoke.

    Indeed, Otuoke is a town to watch. Besides becoming a tourists’ destination, it has since risen in status and is turning into a major economic haven in the state.

    Although a very small town, it prides itself with having a bank, several modern structures, a state of the art hospital and civic centre, small-scale businesses and several modern shopping malls and hostels under construction, scattered along the linear town.

    Among other sights, it prides itself with being a town that houses educational institutions at the three levels: it has a federal university, a secondary and primary schools. Interestingly, the three institutions along with the Skill Acquisition and Empowerment Centre are sited along the same road and on the same side of the road (right).

    To get from the primary school at the beginning of the town to the university, which is 1.1kilometres away, at the middle would take about a minute drive and 14 minutes’ walk. It would take far less than that to get to the skill centre located much further. So a visitor can drive through the town in less than 10 minutes, that is, if one is not stopped at any of the checkpoints that also constitute one of the sight and sounds in the place. Going by this fact, one could take a guess as to the size of the town.

    But beyond these, there are lots to see. Otuoke’s greatest gift is its people.

     

    The people and their history

    The town shares a common history with others linked to the Ogbia kingdom. According to the monarch of Otuoke, it originated from Benin Kingdom in Edo State. The economic mainstay of the people is farming (mostly by women), fishing, palm-cutting, lumbering and canoe carving (by men) and other aspects of the town have had its share of growth given the massive change and development that the place has witnessed in recent times. This is often linked to rise to power of its illustrious son within the last few years, further reinforced by the establishment a federal university, along with other infrastructures in the place.

    Subsequently, with one of its sons emerging as the Number One Citizen of the country, fortunes has indeed smiled on the ‘little town’. The feat, the monarch said, has undeniably been good. But he is not alone in his resolve.

    Like him, many believe the feat has not only led to rapid the growth and development, but will bring about more progress in future, especially if the current challenges (such as over 10 months electricity blackout, non-availability of pipe borne water, and ultra-modern public toilets) bedevilling it are resolved.

    Mr. Wilfred Kochi, who is an ardent supporter of President Jonathan in the town said: “The town has greatly improved. Things are changing for the better, especially because of Dr Goodluck Jonathan. He is a good and kind man that has been helping others. He has done a lot on our roads and bridges. That is why we all from Otuoke support make him come back again.”

    As one drives into the town one is sure to spot a lot of modern buildings. Despite their large numbers, most lack pipe borne and water system toilets. Most of the residents rely on the community’s toilet and also go to the river to relieve themselves. Incidentally, a few still drink, cook and wash with the same water from the river.

    According to Mr. Obele Isaiah, who is a graduate of Laboratory Technology, not much has changed from the old days. “Then women used boats to cross to the other side of the river, while men use the wooden toilet. Although my building has a toilet, it is happening today. Women still cross the river to the other side while others use the wooden toilet.

    “Before, we were drinking from the river, but now few people still drink from the river. Even now we are bathing in the river. If I want to eat I would go to the river to wash my hands. People believe that when you have a big man from the place on the throne that is how money go dey flow, it is not so. But if they can provide borehole and toilet facilities, I think it would make our lives more easy,” he said.

     

    Manifestation of federal presence

    The Federal University, Otuoke (FUO), which is one of nine new federal universities established by the Federal Government in February 2011, has brought its own share of development to the place. The university’s legal adviser, Mr. Paul Adujie, described its presence as being the town’s catalyst for development, adding that the authorities are determined to enhance the town’s small scale economic activities and skilled labour through its outreach in scientific and academic projects.

    “We are proud to be such catalyst of development. With over 1,000 staff and over 1,000 students, it has indeed changed the face of its economic activities. This means Otuoke’s business men and women now have over 2000 customers and more money in their purses. Ariolo Restaurant did not exist until the university came; Dame Patience Jonathan’s hotel was the only one in town then. If you wanted good food would have to rely on roasted plantain delicacy called Boli.

    “Our hope is that we are able to help the locals, fishermen and skilled artisans improve on their businesses and skills in more productive and innovative ways. We’ve brought in UBA into the town. Instead of travelling several kilometres before being able to carry out any banking transaction, one can just walk into the school and into the banking hall, that is, if one does not have an ATM card, carry out one’s transaction within minutes. This gives rise to a more productive Otuoke.”

    Among the boost in business activities for residents, many properties are beginning to spring up rapidly across the town such as shopping malls, hotels and students’ hostels and more. However, such feat is not without its attendant problems. The prices of lodging, land and property have tripled, according to Adujie. “A plot of land that usually goes for N300,000 is now almost N1 million; and would continue to increase as the place continues to develop.”

    The current power outage in the town, he added, has negatively affected the university and the town, saying many, who can afford it, have resulted to the use of generating set, noting he spends N4000 every day to fuel his.

    Adujie said: “The electricity situation is really bad. We have not had electricity for almost a year now. We spend close to N4,000 daily to fuel our generating set. Most of my colleagues have decided to live and come to work from the state capital. Something has to be done urgently.”

    A petty trader, who did not want her name in print, said although business in Otuoke booms when the school is in session, the electricity situation is not allowing her to enjoy its dividend.

     

    Palm wine bridge

    Looking for a local snack joint with a lavish amount of palm wine to chill out with friends after the about 30 minutes’ drive from the capital?

    The palm wine bridge is the spot to go. It is christened so by natives and visitors because of the large number of peddlers of the local wine, who are getting more creative with the assorted roasted snacks that usually go with it, and the size of crowd it draws to itself.

     

    Mr President’s House

    As one drives down from Yenagoa/Azikoro, the Otuoke River Bridge, a large compound with some huge grey-coloured stately mansions on the right is bound to catch your attention. It is indeed ‘a castle’ fit for a king: little wonder then that it is the country Villa of President Goodluck Jonathan himself.

    The size of each mansion varies and one could see that the masterpiece is no job for an ordinary craftsman; and lots of money, work and time have been sunk in to arrive at this work of art. While there are several speculations about which construction company is involved with construction work, it is no doubt something of beauty and splendour. But the visitor must be wary of over-zealous security men dressed in uniform and mufti with scaring-looking faces, ready to pounce on one as soon as one is spotted trying to take a snapshot of this beauty.

     

    Mr. President’s country home is sheltered around by what could be referred to as “his cradle spots” involving the places linked with the three phases of his early upbringing: moral, spiritual and academic.

    Two separate brown storey-buildings directly opposite Mr. President home are his parents’. As it is while one tries to take a photo of the President’s mansions, so it is with attempting the same feat at his parents’. This reporter almost got caught twice by some security men while attempting such “daring” feat. One of those “audacious” episodes got the commercial bike rider whose bike she was on (whom she later discovered was also a security man), hysterical. She had just attempted taking pictures of one of the buildings when a man in uniform walked out of nowhere, shouting: “Hey, stop there! What are you doing?” And on seeing the bike rider, he said: “If know be say I know you I for smash your phone now (pointing his baton at the reporter’s phone). “And you for tell me wetin you take am mean!”

    Shaken, the duo rode back into the town, silently at first, but then, the rider squealed: “Do you want to kill yourself? Please don’t take picture again o. Which kind work be this sef, how woman go dey do this kind work?”

     

    The President’s church

    Some metres away from the presidents’ house lay the family’s church: the St. Stephen’s Church. The church is over 70 years old in Otuoke and is the church to most families in the town.

    The next door neighbour to Mr President is the State School Otuoke. Even though the school is now divided into two, it is said to be his first alma mater. The school is in dire need of some basic infrastructures such as refurbishment, pipe borne water, toilet, chairs and benches, among others, it was discovered.

     

    Otuoke Cottage Hospital

    The town prides itself with possessing a state of the art cottage hospital that is currently being eyed by the university community as having the potential of becoming a teaching hospital, it was learnt. People no longer need to go very far to get quality medical attention. But whether it is affordable or not, is another matter.

    The Dame Patience Square, which is the town’s ultramodern civic centre, doubles as an event centre and gathering square for the community. It has played host to very important events. Last year, the famed Otuoke wrestling bout was held there during its festival and was one of the places used during activities marking the burial of the president’s late brother.

     

    Recreation and relaxation centres

    There are not many spots to choose from when looking for recreation or relaxation spots. Visitors can checkout Ariolo Restaurant and Bar that can compete with anyone elsewhere with affordable meal.

    There are about four standard hotels across the town. One of them is Magels Resort Ltd., believed to be owned by the wife of the President, Dame Patience Jonathan. The place is said to be one of the safest places in the town, with thrilling live band on stage once in a while. With an armoured tank in front and security men scattered around often mounting road blocks in front and with strict orders preventing bike riders from parking in its front, a visitor may find this ‘safety measures’ a little intimidating.

    There is a couple of local food vendors scattered across the town with affordable prices, that is, if the local delicacies are ones choice. The Boli spot beside the primary school is another spot to visit. The roasted plantain delicacy, called Boli, which comes with delicious roasted fish, is a nice companion as one takes a peek at the sights and sound of Otuoke, the changing ‘little town’ in Bayelsa State.

  • Gunmen abduct Jonathan’s cousin in Otuoke

    Gunmen abduct Jonathan’s cousin in Otuoke

    • They hit him on the head, collected N400,000 from wife before whisking him away – inlaw

    Without fear of President Goodluck Jonathan, ten gunmen sneaked into Otuoke, his hometown in Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, and whisked away his first cousin, Chief Inengite Nitabai.

    In a daring move, the heavily armed men stormed the expansive compound of Nitabai located before Otuoke bridge, off Otu-Okpoti-Ogbia Road and isolated their target without a gunshot.

    Nitabai said to be about 70 years old is a compound chief in Jonathan’s Ebele family.

    He has been acting like a father to the President since Jonathan’s real biological father died, sources from the family said.

    Commotion and panic reigned supreme in the compound of Nitabai when the bandits gained access to the area between 8 and 9pm on Sunday.

    The victim, his wife, his wife’s sister and three of his children were in the house when the assailants stormed the compound.

    His wife’s sister, 37-year-old Akinobebh Jin, said Silas, one of the sons of the victim first sighted the criminals and raised the alarm.

    “We came back from somewhere around 8pm. Silas was at the verandah doing his assignment while my inlaw, my sister and two other siblings were in the living room together.

    “After sometimes, Silas came shouting and saying that some people had jus entered into the compound. As we sprang on our feet, we were confused because we didn’t know where to run to.

    “Shortly After that five heavily armed men entered into the house, barking. We ran into the kitchen and some of them followed us to the kitchen. They asked us to lie down. They hit my sister on the head and asked her to give them money.

    “They also hit my inlaw with the butt of their guns and demanded money. They threatened to shoot us. My sister told them she had small money and they followed her to the bedroom where she gave them money”,she said.

    Jin said after collecting about N400,000, the gunmen still took their victim forcefully into a car parked at the compound.

    She said the car a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) belonged to the victim and was parked in the compound.

    “Five of the gunmen entered the compound while five others were hanging around the premises. They locked us inside the house before leaving”, she said.

    Jin who sustained injury at her finger said she had yet to recover from the shock.

    When our correspondent went to the compound, there was uneasy calm around the area.

    A detachment of Joint Task Force(JTF), Operation Pulo Shield, and operatives of the police had been deployed to the place.

    Sympathisers were seen trooping into the compound while the wife of the victim was said to have gone to the clinic for treatment.

    People were seen in groups discussing the incident just as a road leading to Otuoke had been cordoned off by soldiers.

    It was learnt that the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hilary Opara, and the Deputy Commander, JTF, Commodore Ime Ekpa, had earlier visited the crime scene.

    Opara said he and his men had murdered sleep since the incident happened.

    He said the police alerted other sister security agencies and prompted them to swing into action.

    He added that two gunboats had been stationed at the Onuebum waterside disclosing that the police had so far patrolled Edebiri, Kiambiri, Anyama and Ogobiri creeks.

    Opara revealed that two suspects had been arrested so far.

    “The other two suspects saw my men and ran away. We know them and we will get them”, he said.

    The Media Coordinator, JTF, Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, confirmed the incident and said the assailants abandoned the victim’s car at the Onuebum community water front.

    The confirmation showed that the assailants must have escaped with their victim into the creeks through Onuebum waterways.

    Nwachukwu said: “Information available to me is that a certain Chief Nengite Nitabai was abducted by about 10 gunmen yesterday at about 9pm at Otuoke community in Ogbia LGA using his private vehicle.

    “The vehicle was later recovered at Onuebum community water front. The Deputy Commander, JTF, Commodore Ime Ekpa and a team of security agents have visited the crime scene and investigation is in progress to unmask the kidnappers and rescue the victim”.

    Further investigations in Otuoke revealed that there were two Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) of the Nigerian Army stationed in the community.

    While one and detachment of soldiers have been guarding the mansion of President Jonathan, the other was stationed at the former hotel belonging to the wife of the President.