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Tag: Port Harcourt

  • Foundation, PIND partner to train 1,000 youths in agric, ICT

    The Foundation for Partnership Initiative in the Niger Delta (PIND) and the Ford Foundation, on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, sealed a deal with nine partner organisations to train 1,000 Niger Delta youths in agriculture and information technology.

    The deal was signed as part of the Bright Future Grant of the Niger Delta Youth Empowerment Pathways (NDYEP), which is funded by the Ford Foundation.

    The NDYEP Project aims at training youths in the Niger Delta region to be self-employed in agriculture and information and communications technology and also preparing them with skills that are useful in their various fields.

    In his opening remarks at the NDYEP Grants Award and Signing Ceremony at PIND’s Economic Development Centre, Port Harcourt, the foundation’s Executive Director, Dr. Dara Akala, said: “PIND has provided small grants to nine eligible partner organisations for innovative, demand-led youth training and support for equipping youths with relevant skills for work and job creation.”

    According to him, over the next six months, the grantees will implement technical, business and employability skill trainings that demonstrate actual potential for job readiness. These will include opportunities for internships and job placements through entrepreneurship for trainees in three pilot states of Abia, Akwa Ibom and Rivers states of the Niger Delta.

    He stated that sub-grants have been made available in two intervention areas of ‘Bright Future Grant’ for the ICT sector and the ‘jump-start aquaculture enterprise for youths in agriculture’ because there are so many untapped opportunities in these sectors that can rapidly turn around the narrative of the region.

    He further stated that the target group are the unemployed youths of the three pilot states with a primary focus on young male and female school leavers between the ages of 16 and 26, including young people living in rural areas and persons living with disabilities.

    He stated that the emphasis is not on training alone but also on what happens thereafter. He also said that the trainees are being offered jobs after the training so that they can do something for

    themselves. He stated that by 2019 they hope to explore other sectors such as retail, hospitability and others.

    The Rivers State Commissioner and Minister of Youth Development Hon Akuro Tobin represented by Mr. Godspower Ordu (JP) thanked Ford Foundation and PIND for the youth employment project and for eliminating crime, stating that crime cannot be stopped by the use of guns, arrest and detention alone but that the safest way to create peace is to create jobs that will keep the youth busy; because an idle mind is the devil’s workshop.

    He further advised other organisations to emulate the good work that PIND and Ford Foundation are doing and assist the government in their fight against unemployment.

    In his speech, the Director-General, Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Mr. Erasmus Chukwunda said as a chamber, they have taken it as a corporate social responsibility to the society and have been partnering with PIND and other development agencies to provide internship and industrial attachment programmes for youths that are fresh graduates or those that have finished their youth service. At the end, they either take jobs in their member companies or start up their own entrepreneurship businesses.

    He named the daily increase of unemployed youths as a major challenge. He advised that the government should create a platform where the youth will be reoriented because there are a lot of talented youths who do not have the relevant skills to be employed.

    He assured that they are ready to provide relevant jobs that will help the life and career of youths and they are fully devoted and interested in the development of youths of the country.

    On why they chose just three out of the nine states in Niger Delta, Mr. Emeka Ile, Project Lead NDYEP/PIND said they are concentrating on the three states because unemployment level in these states is very high and the potential are there to be harnessed among the youth.

    He added that they intend to include other states on the long run.

    PIND is working in four interrelated programme areas, which includes economic development, programmes of capacity building, peace building and advocacy and analysis that will create an enabling environment for its economic development interventions to flourish in the Niger Delta.

    The grantees include IG Hub, ENDIP, Start Innovation Hub, Ibiteinye Foundation, Clintonel Innovation Centre (CIC); Doctor Fish Agric Consult, Keeping it Real Foundation, Netopps and Cinfores.

    In conclusion, Akala urged the grantees to promote equity in selection of trainees, protect them from any form of work place harassment and ensure that the right age group of young people are selected, including at least 40 per cent women and people leaving with disabilities.

  • EFCC, INEC partnership targeted at opposition – Wike

    The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has described the partnership between the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and INEC to monitor campaign finances ahead of 2019 elections is a witch-hunt targeted at the opposition.

    Speaking during a special appearance on Channels Television Sunrise Daily broadcast from the Government House Port Harcourt on Thursday, Governor Wike described the partnership as a political deception.

    He said: “EFCC working with INEC to investigate campaign finances is merely a smokescreen.  It is targeted at the opposition party.

    “When have you heard that EFCC would come up to say, as regards the ruling party, funds came from the government.  I will not be carried away by the so-called EFCC investigation “.

    Governor Wike noted that the EFCC is working towards creating an atmosphere of advantage for the ruling party in the long run.

    He said: “The fund they want to investigate is only when it has to do with the opposition states. Take for example; EFCC said PDP spent money in the last 2015 elections.

    “Has EFCC investigated those states that were APC, like Rivers State at that time that funded part of their election.  Who is deceiving who? EFCC is only working to witch-hunt the opposition. ”

    Read Also: Leave us out of PDP’s problems, APC tells Wike

    The governor regretted that since 2015, the APC Federal Government has been unable to complete the Port Harcourt International Airport. He said despite criticising Jonathan, the APC Federal Government has refused to upgrade the airport.

    “When you look at the whole thing, you see the hatred. How this government does not like the people of Rivers State “, the governor said.

    Commenting on the 2019 elections, Governor Wike said that the desperate rigging moves on August 18, 2018 at the Port Harcourt State Constituency Three Elections indicate that the APC is not ready for elections.

    “Through the Port Harcourt State Constituency Three Election, they revealed to us what they planned for 2019. They don’t want election.  They want to use security to rig”, he said.

    Governor Wike denied claims that he drafted a Presidential Aspirant from another political party to fly the party’s flag. He stated that no single governor can achieve that.

    “We have 36 States and Abuja. We have about 14 governors.  How can a governor of one state lure a particular aspirant to run for the Presidential Election.

    “I am not a member of the convention planning committee. I am only providing the venue.  I am not going to be a member of any sub-committees, so where does the influence.  In any case, if you like you do the election in Lagos, people will still have influence”, Governor Wike said.

    He reiterated his position that certain Presidential Aspirants are funded by the APC and planted in the PDP ahead of the primary.

    He said: “As I speak with you, just yesterday, certain Presidential Aspirants and some people in the ruling party met to take some steps to make sure that our convention fails”.

    Speaking on the environmental challenge posed by flooding, Governor Wike said that the State Government has established an emergency response team to tackle issue.

    He added that the State Government is working with other stakeholders to end the prevalence of soot in the state.

  • IPOB sit-at-home: Four in court over alleged arson

    Four persons have been arraigned before a chief magistrate court in Port Harcourt the Rivers state capital for allegedly setting ablaze a Mercedes Benz vehicle valued at N6 million.

    The vehicle with Registration number, AH 483 ABM, property of one Chilaka Michael was among the nine other commercial trucks burnt by the accused persons in the attack.

    The suspects are Anieti Jacob 34, Okpara Okechukwu 25, Gentle George 21 and Maduabuchi Nwokafor.

    They are charged with three count charge bothering on arson and treasonable felony punishable by death or imprisonment, if convicted.

    The accused persons allegedly committed the crime at Oyigbo express road junction of the state, during the sit-at-home protest declared by the outlawed members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), September 14, 2018.

    The prosecutor, Inspector Wilson Isaiah told the court that their offence contravenes sections 516 A (1), 41 (c) and 443 (a) of the criminal code, cap C38 laws of federation of Nigeria, 2004.

    The charge was not however read out to them, neither were they allowed to take plea.

    Apart from one of the accused person that had legal representation, others were not represented by any lawyer.

    The presiding Magistrate, Sokari Andrew Jaja ordered that they be remanded in prison custody and adjourned the case till December 20, 2018 for hearing.

  • Two feared dead as bus crashes into truck pushers in Rivers

    A commercial bus suspected to have suffered brake failure on Thursday lost control and ram into two wheelbarrow pushers killing one and living the other seriously injured.

    The incident reportedly occurred at mile one market, in Diobu area of Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital about 8 am, today.

    An eyewitnesses account narrated that the 18 seat bus marked with  blue/ white (state colour),  was heading towards mile 3, area  from Lagos (Port Harcourt township axis), when it overtook another commercial bus which was equally facing the same direction with speed and suddenly lost control, crashing into the labourers who were sitting by the streetlight pole on the pavement of the dual carriage road,  killing one on the spot and seriously injuring the other who was rushed to the hospital unconscious  for possible resuscitation.

    Although the state Police command could not confirm the news,  but the sources reliably said that men of the Federal Road Safety corps(FRSC), arrived the scene in good time and rushed one of the victims to hospital and evacuated the remains of the other to the morgue.

    Read Also: The Rivers State we need

    He said,  “A commercial bus driver coming from Lagos bus-stop heading to Mile 3 was suddenly overtook a vehicle also going the same direction with high speed before he started struggling with his brake.

    “Efforts to bring the vehicle under control was futile, to avoid crashing into other road users, the driver diverted the steering towards an electric pole at the pavement dividing the road for a brake, not noticing the presence of these truck pushers sitting on the foot of the pole, he overran them killing one instantly and injuring the other person seriously.

    “The driver is at large while the road safety men took the corps away.” he said.

    The victims are said to be indigenes of Akwa Ibom state and are well known by mile one market traders as always sitting at that spot for easy location by those who often need their services.

  • Husband, wife sell only son in Calabar

    The Cross River State Police Command has arrested one Mr Daniel Bassey and his wife, Magdalene, for selling their two-year old son for an undisclosed amount in Calabar.

    Addressing reporters in Calabar on Tuesday, Commissioner of Police, Hafiz Inuwa, said the couple was arrested when the wife reported at the Efut Divisional Headquarters that her husband took their only son, Moses Bassey, to an unknown person in Port Harcourt through one woman simply known as Mummy and collected an undisclosed amount of money.

    “The suspect was later arrested. During interrogation, it was revealed by Daniel Bassey that the complainant, Mrs Magdalene Bassey, mother of the baby was party to the transaction. The duo are now in police custody to unravel the cause of this inhuman action and possible prosecution,” Inuwa said.

    He said efforts were on by the police to ensure that the baby is recovered.

    Daniel Bassey, who was paraded alongside his wife and 78 other suspects, admitted to the crime.

    Read Also: Mantu’s son, Umar, joins race for House of Reps seat

    He said he was 27 years old.

    Daniel, an indigene of Akwa Ibom State, said he did it because of economic hardship.

    Daniel who said he has two children, said the boy was his second child. His first child, a girl, is three years old.

    His wife, Magdalene, who said she was 22 years old and from Bakassi local government area in Cross River State, admitted that she consented to the act.

    She said she agreed to it so they could solve their financial problems.

    The police Commissioner, Inuwa, who paraded 80 suspects for various offences, said they had seized 11 firearms, N92, 000 cash and recovered two vehicles.

    He said security was everybody’s business and appealed to members of the public to be patriotic by shearing timely and useful information to help the police do their job better.

  • ‘Why riverine person will succeed Wike in 2019’

    A governorship aspirant on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, Soalabo West, has stated that a riverine person will succeed Governor Nyesom Wike on May 29 next year, in order to make the Niger Delta state great again.

    West, an energy and maritime lawyer from the Kalabari (riverine) part of Rivers state, stressed that he was not bothered about last week’s declaration by Wike of PDP, who is from the upland part of the state, to seek reelection in 2019.

    The governorship aspirant, on Monday in an interactive session with reporters in Port Harcourt, expressed optimism of emerging victorious at the primary election of the PDP.

    He said: “The argument in 2015 was that Rivers was a PDP state and the people of the state needed to wrest the leadership of the state from the All Progressives Congress (APC), the party which the then incumbent governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, defected to in 2013.

    Read Also: Senator urges Wike to build on inherited projects

    “Governorship aspirants from the riverine ethnic nationalities were asked in 2015 to work with Wike, not because the upland/riverine dichotomy was not there, but essentially because of imperatives of the time, especially that Rivers State should go to the PDP and that the state should be properly mobilised to deliver majority votes to the then President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2015 presidential election.”

    West also stated that his governorship aspiration was propelled by the desire to bring to the fore vision, youthful vigour, a pragmatic and dynamic approach to the development of Rivers State, devoid of political bickering and sectarian exclusiveness that were currently being institutionalised.

    The PDP governorship aspirant pleaded with the youths and other stakeholders to do away with violence and thuggery, in order to have peaceful, free, fair and credible primaries and general elections.

  • Rivers bye-election: Poll to hold in 142 units

    …over 1000 ad-hoc/INEC officers to conduct the exercise INEC

    …200 NYSC members to serve as presiding officers

     

    The Rivers state governor, Nyesom Wike on Friday declared that the Port Harcourt Local Government Area (PHLGA), state House of Assembly bye-election holding today is not a do or die affair.

    PHALGA constituency 3, state legislative seat became vacant last June, following the resignation of the former member, Victor Ihunwo who won the LGA chairmanship election and became the mayor of Port Harcourt on June 18, 2018.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled to hold the election to fill up the seat today.

    The Head voter Education, in the state Mr. Edwin Enabor on Friday said the exercise will hold in 142 units in the constituency with over 800 Ad-hoc staff, and 200 INEC staff to conduct the elections.

    Enabor said the new face of INEC in the state notorious for violent elections is set to change the narrative in the state by conducting violent free, fair and credible exercise today.

    He said four political parties fielded candidates for the poll and assured a level playing ground for all.

    He disclosed that hundreds of card Reader machines that will be used in the election are ready and 200 NYSC members trained for the exercise will serve as presiding officer will INEC staff will handle the non-sensitive aspect of the exercise, especially organizing the polling centres and ensuring orderliness.

    The political parties are The APC, PDP, Democratic Alternative (DA) and Mass Movement of Nigeria (MMN).

    Wike in a statewide broadcast on Friday said, “I wish to reiterate that this election, important as it is, must not be taken as a do or die affair. I therefore urge leaders of political parties and their candidates to advise their supporters to peacefully conduct themselves during and after the bye-election.

    “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has promised that the bye-election shall be free, fair and credible.

    “The Security agencies, especially the Police have also promised to ensure adequate security for eligible voters and poll officials to ensure a peaceful, credible, and fair election.

    “The people of Rivers State expect and demand nothing less. Consequently, we take INEC and the security agencies at their word and expect them to deliver a bye-election in the affected constituency devoid of any electoral malfeasance.

    “I therefore call on all eligible voters in these communities to come out in your numbers not only to vote for the party and candidate of your choice but also to defend your votes and ensure  your votes count.”

    Speaking further Wike said “This is civic duty you must discharge with all sense of responsibility to guarantee a better representation for your constituency. Otherwise, you will only have yourselves to blame when things go wrong with the quality of your representation in the State House of Assembly.

    “For us, free, fair and credible electoral choice is the hallmark of democracy and good governance. As a prelude to the 2019 general elections, this election is equally important to the entire Rivers State.

    “Accordingly, the Rivers State Government has put adequate measures to ensure that the bye-election is highly successful and the outcome generally acceptable.

    “Consequently, I warn all residents and visitors to comply with the restriction order as the law enforcement agencies are under strict instructions to arrest and prosecute anyone caught violating this order.”

    He disclosed alleged plans in some quarters of the state to create trouble during the polls and expressed the readiness of the state to resist such act.

    “Furthermore, we have it on good authority that some failed politicians are planning to use cultists and political thugs to intimidate voters and attempt to disrupt the voting process.

    Read Also: Total oil, communities renew pact in Rivers

    “I wish to reiterate that the Rivers State Government will not close its eyes to such thoughtless acts by any person or group of persons to deny our people their God-given right to freely and fairly elect their leaders. We shall not hesitate to apply the full weight and force of government and the law on any delinquent.

    “We therefore advise all those who have no business with the election process to, in their own interest, keep their distance from the constituency during the duration of the bye-election.

    “We note with satisfaction the high level of determination and enthusiasm among the voters in Port Harcourt Constituency III to effectively participate in next Saturday’s bye-election.

    “That’s left is for you to translate this momentum into reality by coming out in your numbers to vote for the party and candidate of your choice and ensure that the person you voted for is lawfully returned by the INEC.

    Enabor said, “We have received sensitive materials from the Central Bank yesterday(Thursday), we will be taking them to the RAC center any moment. The Ad-hoc staffs are expected to take off to their various polling units, tomorrow.

    “We are ready for the polls, we have held series of meetings with stakeholders and the candidates have taken to signing an undertaking to ensure peaceful environment and also pledged to bring their party members and supporters under control, and also agree to accept whatever be the outcome of the exercise.

    “This is the first election of this set of INEC in the state and we intend to change the perception of election in Rivers state, that no electing can be done here without violent, we are expecting total peace, free and fair exercise.” he assured.

     

  • Rivers by-election: INEC receives sensitive materials

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Rivers State, Mr Obo Effanga, said on Thursday that the commission had received the sensitive materials for the conduct of the Port Harcourt Constituency III State Assembly by-election.

    Effanga told newsmen at the INEC’s State Headquarters in Port Harcourt that he received the materials at the Central Bank amid tight security.

    He said that movement would be restricted on Saturday between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. within the area for the conduct of the by-election.

    Effanga, while urging voters to exercise their franchise with their Permanent Voter Cards, assured them of adequate security, adding that there would be free, fair and credible electoral process using the Smart Cards.

    He said that the participating political parties had also assured the commission that they would play the game by the rule, to ensure a peaceful electoral process.

    Also speaking, an agent of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Michael Igolima, said he was satisfied with the procedure for handing over the materials to INEC officials.

    “We went to CBN to collect the sensitive materials; I am okay with the process; everything was okay.”

    Igolima urged his party members to come out en masse and vote for candidates of their choice.

    In his remarks, Mr Gospel Nwigbara, an agent of another political party, the Mass Movement of Nigeria (MMN), also commended the way the sensitive materials were received at the CBN.

    He urged his party members to come out in their numbers for the election.

  • ‘We are committed to self-determination’ MOSOP reminds Ogonis

    …Say don’t lose focus

    The Leadership of the  Movement for the Survival of Ogoni people (MOSOP), has charged  Ogoni indigenes to be committed  to the quest for  self-determination and liberation of Ogoni people and not lose focus.

    MOSOP President, Legborsi Pyagbara made the appeal in a statement in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital  to mark the world indigenous people’s day with the theme,  “the Ogoni struggle for environmental restoration.”

    Pyagbara reminded the people that self-determination and Liberation are the kernels of Ogoni struggle and would not be joked with.

    August 9, every year is observed around the World as indigenous peoples day, basically to celebrate the collective fight for self-determination and liberation.

    This year’s event was reportedly held in collaboration with the International Indigenois People’s movement for self-determination and Liberatuin(IPMSDL).

    In a statement issued by the president at the event yesterday,  he said:  ‘’ the global crisis spirals, deepens and worsen as imperialist domination and quest for super profits continue, forests and mountains face immeasurable rate of devastation, most of which are ancestral territories and homes have been plagued with the heightened resource plunder.

    ‘’We are the protectors of our lands, I want us to learn from the Kichwa people of the Amazon in Ecuador on how they assert their rights to self-determination by ousting several oil companies from their region and preserving their forests for the benefits of future generations.” Pyagbara said.

    Charging the audience further said,  “’Not also forgetting the indigenous people of Brazil, Columbia and the rest of Latin America on how they continue to expand and gaining momentum and strength in protecting his indigenous people rights.

    Read Also: MOSOP’s chief slams environmental terrorism

    ‘’The indigenous people of these countries I mentioned are determined to fight imperialist plunder, militarization and also resisting land grabbing schemes by various transnational companies (TNCs) and local oligarchs, presently the Ogoni people are standing up against the forceful attempt by the Nigerian government and the oil companies to return to the Ogoni oil fields.”

    The people also uses the celebration to place demands on the FG and said,  ’As we commemorate this year’s World IP day, let us raise the struggle for self-determination in the name of total freedom from all forms of oppression and discrimination. Let us defeat the offensives of imperialism in plundering our lands and resources.

    ‘’We  are calling on the Governments to develop policies, agreements, bi-national plans concerning the indigenous Ogoni people in and around international borders and in urban areas and also guarantee the right to self-determination of the indigenous Ogoni people and ensure that it is respected.

    “The Nigeria government should guarantee the right to self-determination of the Indigenous Ogonis people and ensure that it is respected.

    “Nigerian government should in cooperation with the Indigenous Ogonis people set up a mechanism to combat the adverse effects of migration and provide employment and economic development opportunities within the Ogonis territory.” he stated.

    Furthermore, the people demand that comprehensive statistical information on Ogoni people showing their actual population,  who they actually are and where they are as basic tools for policy development and programs for Ogoni people, amongst others.

    Speaking on the need to preserve Ogonis local language and dialects the President urged parents to teach and allow their children to communicate in their local languages and also advised institutions to prioritise indigenous language that they would not go into extinction.

  • Children feared dead as boat capsizes in Rivers

    At least two children are feared dead in another boat mishap in Port Harcourt, Rivers State last Sunday.

    The tragedy happened barely one week after a Bakana, Degema Local government Area bound passenger boat also capsized in the middle of the sea, after it had left Abonnema waterfront, afternoon causing the death of six, including a good Samaritan, Joe Blackson who died after rescuing 13 of the accident victims alife.

    The latest incident reportedly occurred around kalio-ama community in Okrika LGA. The 24 passenger boat was said to have left Abuloma waterfront in Port Harcourt for Okrika when the boat suddenly upturned and emptied it’s content into the river, including the children, however while others were managed to be rescued, the two kids could not be found, raising the suspicion that they might have been drowned.

    The Public Relations Officer of the State Police Command, Nnamdi Omoni, a Deputy Suprindentent of Police, (DSP), who confirmed the development yesterday, said 22 passengers were rescued from the boat.

    They victims were identified as Destiny Amamima and Ngowari Amamima, females.

    The Nation also learnt that, another boat also laden with passengers and load travelling from Port Harcourt to Bonny, in Bonny LGA last Saturday capsized in the sea, but all the passengers on board were reportedly rescued alife.

    Equally, sources around the scene said some of the passengers in the Okrika bound boat were not with lifejacket when the incident occurred .

    Omoni said: “It happened around 2 p.m. when the boat conveying 24 perons capsized and 22 out of the passengers were rescued while two children are still missing.

    “The two children are identified as re still missing. A search team made up of Marine Police and Okirika Police Division have been sent to the river. The driver of the boat is in our custody and helping us in our investigation.

    “The investigation will show weather they were putting on lifejackets or not. We have warned them that they should ensure that their passengers always put on their lifejackets.”