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Tag: Rivers State

  • Women, CSOs march against girls’ killers in Port Harcourt

    Who is luring girls to hotels in Rivers State and killing them? This is the mystery protesters yesterday urged the police to unravel, write PRECIOUS IGBONWELUNDU and ROSEMARY NWISI

     

    ON August 14, the body of a hotel worker, Jenifer Nwokocha, was discovered in one of the rooms. She was suspected to have been drugged, chained, raped and thereafter strangled by her killer who left a white cloth around her neck.

    Like Nwokocha, 23-year-old Maureen Ewusu was murdered in the same way at another hotel, still in Port Harcourt City, the Rivers State capital last month.

    Theirs were not the first as a young woman was found at a hotel in Diobu Line with a white cloth tied on her neck and legs in July. Three days after, another young woman was discovered in another hotel at the Government Reserved Area (GRA), while another incident occurred at a hotel in Rumuola. There were also instances where women have been killed and dumped on roads, such as Trans-Amadi and Township areas of the state.

    Yesterday, a minute and 56 seconds footage of a Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) camera from another hotel in the city showed another lady strangled and left on the bed in the same pattern. In this video that has set social media abuzz, the serial killer entered the hotel around 11:30 am with his guest.

    Nothing in the appearance of the suspected killer raised suspicion when he arrived at the hotel. He had no bags with him and he wore a simple striped t-shirt, a pair of jeans, black footwear and had his phone on his hands as he climbed the stairs presumably to their allotted room while the victim, a slim lady with full wavy weaves, walked behind him. Hours later, the man was seen leaving the hotel premises alone with smiles as he walked out to the reception, leaving his victim gagged with a white handkerchief.

    The last incident, which occurred on Monday afternoon, has, according to Police Commissioner Mustapha Dandaura, brought to eight the number of women killed in hotels mainly located in Obio/Akpor, Port Harcourt City and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Rivers State since last month.

    But Civil Society Groups (CSOs) said at least 10 women have been killed in different hotels in the city in the last one month, adding that over 140 deaths have been recorded since January.

    While many have insinuated the killings could have ritual undertones, others believe they were crimes perpetrated by women haters.

    Disturbed by the killings, women in Rivers State took to the street to protest the gender-based crime, calling security agencies and hotel owners to rise to the occasion.

    Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Administration Chuks Enwonwu was reported to have said: “In as much as societal values are disintegrating, we must go back to try to educate women and discourage them from going into prostitution because that is how they fall victim to these crimes.”

    This position attracted wide condemnation from rights activists across the country who wondered whether the punishment for prostitution was murder.

    Condemning the killings, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) called on the Rivers State Police Command to intensify efforts to stem the tide and apprehend all those involved in the dastardly act.

    Secretary of the commission Tony Ojukwu, in a statement on Wednesday, said complaints of the attack on women in hotels alleged to be prostitutes were worrisome.

    “Extermination of right to life is the mother of all human rights violations and cannot be tolerated by any decent society. At this stage of our development, some people still take laws into their hands by targeting women they term as prostitutes and killing them at will.

    “Human life is sacred and the conditions under which human life can be taken are clearly stated under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and other International Human Rights Instruments which Nigeria is a party. All these instruments prohibit the violation of the right to life and other forms of extra-judicial killings,” he said.

    Ojukwu commended the efforts of the Nigeria Police so far in apprehending some of the violators saying that the Commission is worried over these unfortunate incidents and is requesting every member of the public who has information to bring this to the attention of the police or the commission in order to put an end to these incidents and forestall future occurrences.

    The attacks were not restricted to hotels in Port Harcourt alone, last week such was also heard of in a hotel in Omoku area of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government area(ONELGA), with the same feature of white cloths being tied around their necks and waists.

    A mother of three, who was known for selling different items in hotels and other places, was killed and her body was dumped in a street on Peter Odili Road close to the popular Market Square mall.

    Protest in Port Harcourt

    Over 75 women groups and associations yesterday protested in Port Harcourt. The groups include the Association of Federated Women Lawyers (FIDA), Nigerian Union of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) and women from all chapters of Rotary club in the state among others.

    The women, who dressed in black attires, delivered their complaint/ appeal letters to the Government House, the Department of Security Services, the State Assembly Complex and Police Commissioner Mustapha Dandaura.

    They bore placards with inscriptions, such as “stop killing women in hotels”; “Every life is important, even prostitutes have the right to live”, among others.

    The women were addressed by Secretary to State Government Dr Tammy Danagogo.

    “This is a very serious matter. Coming here and seeing the calibre of people, I want to whole heartily thank you for coming here to say what you have said.

    “Your appeal is to the President, to the Governor and the Police. It is a very laudable endeavour that you have embarked on. It is a concern for everybody. I can assure you that the Governor is heavily concern, I am heavily concerned.

    “This is a security matter and we didn’t want a situation where a lesser government official will come and address you. You know the governor is the chairman of the security committee in the state and I am the secretary.

    “It is not a matter that any of us are allowing to lie low, we have held several security council meetings with all the security agencies in the state and discussed what should be done. This is to tell you that we are doing something on the killing issue. We are expecting that the police should ensure that there is CCTV in all the hotels in Rivers State to monitor whatever they are doing,” he said.

    At the House of Assembly, the women urged lawmakers to make laws that would discourage all forms of heinous killings in the state, especially the killing of women.

    The Vice-Chairman of the state chapter of FIDA, Nnenna Igbokwe, said: “We are here to call on lawmakers in the state to rise and fight the reckless killing of went in hotels in the state, by enacting very string by laws that will end these unprovoked killings and safeguard the lives of women in the state.”

    The founder and executive Director of The Extra Step Initiative, a civil society group in Port Harcourt, Eugene Abels, said: “More than 10 women have been murdered in the state in the last two weeks; whether they were prostitutes or not it does not matter. We are aware that a hotel is a public place for everybody. Lawyers are also called up, invited to hotels to take briefs of their clients; nobody is immune to this kind of killings.

    The Deputy Clerk of the House of Assembly, Dumnu Lekia, who represented the Speaker Ikuinyi Owaji-Ibani, lauded the women for the show of concern and assured that the lawmakers would respond to their demands.

    Dandaura said the police would leave no stone unturned in ensuring the perpetrators of the act were apprehended and punished accordingly.

    The CP said: “Three persons have already been arrested in connection with the hotel killings in the state. Two men were arrested earlier and another person in a hotel in a part of the state early hours of yesterday.

    “The Divisional Officer of police (DPO), in Rumuokoro area of the state had a distress call from a hotel in the area about 2 am this morning (yesterday),  that a lady’s voice was heard from one of the hotel rooms, when a team of policemen got to the hotel, it was discovered that a lady and a man were actually in there.

    “When we knocked and ordered that the door be opened, after some time of resistance, the man finally opened the door and on interrogation, the lady said the man paid and took her to the room and while she was sleeping about 2 am, the man took a towel and was about to strangulate her when she woke up and began to struggle with him. It was at that time she raised the alarm that attracted both the operators of the hotel and other guests who alerted the police.”

    He attributed the killings to cult-related activities of a particular cult group, stressing that all victims were killed in the same pattern.

    “As CP of the state, I want to assure you that efforts are on to smoking them out as we ensure that all hotels in the state comply with the rules of operation.

    “We have had two different meetings in the last two week with all hotel operators in the state, where we have stated the guidelines for their continued running of hotels and guest houses in the state.

    “There is no way someone can come to a hotel to book a run, you do not have his identity, no name, no telephone number, no CCTV in the reception, no cameras at the corridors leading to the rooms, how then can somebody come to your hotel and commit a crime and you are able to trace him?

    “We have told them that they must comply with all the conditions before they will be allowed to continue to do the business, they must instal cameras at the reception, and the corridors leading to all the rooms. Before anybody should be obliged a room in any hotel and Guesthouse, he/she must produce their Identity card, they must ensure that the name on the identity card tallies with the name they will fill in the booking form, he must also drop his contact number, which the booking officer must confirm by dialling the number there and then to ensure it rings on him before he can be cleared for accommodation in the hotel.”

  • Rescuers of Bayelsa accident victims kidnapped in Rivers

    GUNMEN at the weekend abducted four travellers, who rushed to an accident scene in Elele, Rivers State, to rescue the victims.

    It was learnt that victims of the accident were persons from Bayelsa State, who were returning from a traditional wedding in Mbaise, Imo State.

    They were reportedly travelling on a Toyota Sienna car when the vehicle crashed into another.

    A popular Ijaw youth and social media activist Prince Elayo Ekete and the driver of the Sienna car were said to have died on the spot.

    Eyewitnesses travelling  from Bayelsa were said to have rushed to the scene to rescue the victims when kidnappers seized them and took them away.

    Another source said the kidnapped victims were abducted after they had successfully rushed other victims of the accident to a hospital.

    Read Also: No mosque was demolished in Rivers- Northern youths

    A source, who witnessed the incidents, said, “The wedding was attended by most social media activists from Bayelsa across political party lines. Ekete and seven others were returning from the occasion and they got to Elele when their vehicle had a head-on collision.

    “Ekete and the driver died on the spot. But five others were rushed to a hospital in the area. But four of the rescuers were abducted by kidnappers.

    “The kidnappers went to the accident scene, recovered personal effects of some of the victims and called one of the rescuers asking him to come to a particular place to collect them. When they got there, the gunmen seized them”.

    One of the injured victims of the accident, Dina Adiva, confirmed that some persons, who came to rescue them were kidnapped by unknown gunmen and prayed for their freedom.

     

     

  • Court halts Rivers APC planned state congresses

    A RIVERS State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, has granted an interim order of injunction against the factional All Progressives Congress (APC), state congresses planned for this week.

    The APC group loyal to the Transportation Minister, Chibuike Amaechi had concluded arrangements to hold their ward, Local government Area (LGA) and state congresses to elect the party executives for the next four year on Tuesday, September 17, 22, and 28, 2019.

    A five man Caretaker Committee chaired by one  Isaac Abott-Ogbobula have since arrived Port Harcourt into the State APC Secretariat of Amaechi’s faction as its operating base where they immediately commenced sale of congress nomination forms to the anger of Senator Magnus Abe-led faction.

    Unable to contain the perceived repeat of the last time’s exclusion game of the Amaechi-led faction, Abe-led group approached the court with an ex-parte application seeking the court’s order to restrain conduct of the congresses pending the determination of the substantive suit.

    Read Also: Court halts Rivers APC proposed state congresses

    The court presided by Justice Letam Nyordee granted the order and ordered parties to maintain peace and allow status quo to remain until the facts of the matter is heard and determined.

    The suit entitled Ibrahim Umar and 22 others against the All Progressives Congress (APC) suite number PHC/3098/19,  got the orders made as follows.

    “An order is hereby made that all parties in the case maintain the status quo in relation to the subject matter of the proceedings, in this suit, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction in this suit.” The case was adjourned till September 17, for hearing on motion on notice.

  • Why APC lost in Rivers, by Oshiomhole

    ALL Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has said the inability of the party to solve its internal wrangling and the refusal of the various interest groups in Rivers State to back down on their demands caused the party’s loss in the last general elections.

    Speaking while inaugurating a caretaker committee for the state chapter of the party, Oshiomhole regretted that the various groups in the state held on to their demands, even when it was clear that it was costing the party dearly.

    The national chairman advised members of the caretaker committee to earn the confidence of all interest groups to enable the party gain more grounds.

    Factions of the party loyal to Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi and Senator Magnus Abe engaged in a fight to the finish ahead of this year’s election.

    It led to the courts voiding the chances of the party to take part in the polls.

    Read Also: Buhari has done well, says Oshiomhole

    Oshiomhole said: “As we are all aware, for almost a year, the Supreme Court resolved the issue of the leadership of the APC in Rivers State and nullified the ward, local government and state congresses. This has left us with a complete void in the state in the sense that we do not have formal party structures, even though we know that we have overwhelming APC support base in Rivers State. But that is not a substitute to having a formal structure.

    “So, as a consequence to the Supreme Court ruling, the National Working Committee (NWC) decided that this is indeed the time to restart the process of rebuilding the party in River State. But we cannot rebuild the party from outside; we need a state-based organ to assist those coming to carry out the congresses.

    “Accordingly, the NWC decided to approve a caretaker committee that will be on ground to assist those who are coming to ensure that we have a hitch-free conduct of all the congresses.

    “You have a very simple task but also very complicated one. You are assuming office as caretaker committee members at a time when we have huge internal fighting within the APC. Your first task must include trying to build bridges across the divide within the APC family in Rivers State.

    “We will also look at the possibility of sending some high-level mediation to ensure that all the forces within the party in the state see the need to work together so that by the time we conduct the congresses, it will be seen as a peaceful, transparent family affair, in line with the tradition of the APC.

    “As a progressive party, we cannot afford to build a house that is not based on popular participation. Politics is about people. The more you are on ground, the more transparent you handle your affairs and the more likely you are going to have people claiming ownership of the process by members and leaders of the party.”

  • Sorrow, tears on federal road in Rivers

    The Igbo-Etche–Eleme Road in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State, is in a terrible state crippling commercial and social activities. Commuters have appealed for urgent Federal Government’s intervention to fix the deplorable road, reports Shola O’Neil

     

    MOTORISTS and commuters who pass through the Igbo-Etche – Eleme Road in Port Harcourt, Rivers State have appealed for urgent Federal Government’s intervention to fix the deplorable road.

    Residents and business owners in the area lamented to our reporter that the deplorable state of the road has crippled commercial and social activities in the area, as travellers now shun the route.

    Our reporter, who visited the road yesterday, learnt that the strategic road, which links dozens of towns in the state and nearby Imo State, has failed at more than one point.

    Angry residents and motorists decried the perceived non-chalant attitude of the federal and state governments towards the road, stressing that, “the road has been bad for months and there is no effort to repair it.”

    Motorists travelling on the busy Port Harcourt-Enugu expressway use the road to avoid the gnarling traffic occasioned by ongoing repair of the Obigbo axis of that road.

    “This road links Igbo-Etche to Eleme Junction and the East-West Road, but for months now the road has become a source of worry to motorists and passengers who use the road,” one of the aggrieved business owners in the area, who simply identified himself as Lawrence, told our reporter.

    Lawrence explained that a trip from Igbo-Etche to Eleme junction usually cost N100 – N150, but lamented that due to the failure of that portion of the road, it now costs between N200 – N300.

    “Before, from Igbo-Etche community to Eleme Junction was N100, but now from Igbo-Etche to here (bad spot) is N150, and from here to Eleme Junction is N100. We are suffering so much on this road, especially when it rains.”

    Car owners living in the communities around the bad spot now opt for a motorcycle as a means of commuting to and from their work and business places.

    “We are suffering; everybody living around here is suffering. Those who own business here can’t feed their families again, because people are avoiding this area. Any time it rains, if you see the holdup you will understand,” Mr Omoregie Henry said.

    Stressing that road users are not interested in the Federal or state government or APC/PDP politics, respondents said they merely want the government to fix the road urgently.

    “As it is now, very soon we would need canoes to cross the road because if they don’t fix it immediately, the road will get worse. Trucks are plying the road. The road leads to Ngor-Okpala (Imo State), exit to Port Harcourt-Owerri Expressways and other communities in Etche Local Government.”

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, speaking through his Special Assistant on Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, slammed the Federal Government for the deplorable state of the road, stressing that the state was yet to get a refund for an earlier work done.

    Nwakaudu said: “The road in questions is a federal road. Only recently, it was reconstructed by the Rivers State Government.”

    “At present, the state government is working to get a refund of funds used in intervening in Federal Roads. While other states have received their refund, Rivers is the only state yet to receive the refund.”

    “Recall that on August 8, 2019 Rivers State Governor stated that Rivers is the only state of the Federation that the Federal Government has refused to refund monies used to execute Federal Projects.”

    Wike, speaking when Rivers State Traditional Rulers paid him a solidarity visit at the Government House, Port Harcourt, regretted that politics have been placed above due process under the current dispensation.”

    “Of all the 36 states of the federation, it is only Rives State that they refused to refund resources used to execute Federal projects,” he said, adding that he would not join governors who sell their people to seek relevance.

    But opposition sources in Etche local government area claimed that a recent planned intervention by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to fix the road was rebuffed by the state government. This could not be independently confirmed.

     

    Significance of the road

    IGBO-ETCHE is one of the fast-growing communities in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State. The area is connected to other parts of the state by the Igbo-Etche – Eleme Junction on the east, and Igbo-Etche-Igwuruta-Chokocho on the other end.

    The verve of this community owes mainly to its location as a nerve centre of Etche communities and Port Harcourt metropolis on the one hand, and from Eleme Junction to the major industrial and commercial hubs of Onne and other parts of Eleme.

    Over the past three years, vehicular traffic on the Igbo-Etche-Eleme Junction road has increased exponentially, because of the boom in property development, growing population and growth in commercial and social activities.

    The road is important for people who live, work or own businesses in Etche-Aba Road, Ebele 4 (Shell Location) and others, especially those who work in the Oyigbo (Obigbo) and environs. It is also an artery to communities, such as Chokocho, Eneka and Igwuruta in Rivers, to Ngor-Okpalla in Imo and Aba in Abia states.

    The Intels Logistics Company in Onne, Port Harcourt Refinery and Indorama-Eleme Petrochemical Company are major employers of labour. These companies also attract several services companies and their workforces. The members of staff of these companies are constantly in need of affordable accommodations. This class of Nigerians has over time found Igbo-Etche and environs very attractive.

    Property developers also find the area attractive because plots of land are relatively cheaper than other developed towns close to the Port Harcourt metropolis.

    The worsening state of the road is, therefore, a source of worry for these Nigerians, who now spend more money and waste longer hours to get to work every day and back home in every evening.

    Since the ongoing reconstruction of the Obigbo junction area of Port Harcourt-Aba-Enugu expressway, Igbo-Etche road has become very attractive for travellers who use it as a detour to avoid an equally very bad portion of the road around Oyigbo.

     

  • Mosque demolition: Shari’ah Council asks Wike to compensate Muslims

    FOLLOWING alleged demolition of a mosque by Rivers State Governor, Nyeson Wike, in Trans-Amadi area of Port Harcourt, the State capital, the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) has asked Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike to compensate and rebuild the mosque his government demolished in Trans-Amadi area of Port Harcourt, the state capital.

    The council said doing this will allow peace to reign.

    Addressing reporters yesterday in Kaduna, the council’s Secretary General Nafiu Baba-Ahmad said the compensation would douse likely religious and political tension across the country.

    Baba-Ahmad expressed disappointment about what he called “the complicit silence of Muslim leaders, Muslim representatives in the Senate and House of Representatives, Muslim governors – except Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and the Federal Government – over the issue”.

    Read Also: Mosque Demolition: Call Wike To Order, Groups urges FG, Governors

    The council secretary also appealed to the executive and legislative arms of government to call Wike to order to avoid reprisals from “irresponsible quarters”.

    He also urged Muslims not to take the law into their hands over the governor’s action because “Islam is a religion of peace; it does not promote violence or disunity among the people”.

    Baba-Ahmad added: “While we condemn Governor Wike’s desperate wickedness, we also call on all relevant executive and legislative organs of the Federal Government to wake up to their responsibilities and nip this unnecessary and wholesome development (in the bud) before it escalates into an avoidable reciprocation, with obvious unpredictable negative consequences.

    “All that needs to be said on the issue relating to the purchase price, title to the land, building/planning approvals and court actions have been explained earlier in statements and conferences by other responsible Muslims and Islamic organisations.”

  • 13 Niger Delta indigenes win SPDC JV scholarship to UK varsities

    THIRTEEN indigenes of Niger Delta States of Bayelsa, Delta, Imo and Rivers have won the 2019 Shell Petroleum Development Company Joint Venture scholarship for a one-year master’s degree in three top-ranked universities in the United Kingdom. The latest awards bring the total number of beneficiaries to 92 since the inception of the scheme in 2010.

    “A lack of world-class research institutions and limited access to technology are key challenges in enabling Nigerians and Nigerian companies to play an even greater role in the oil and gas value chain, therefore, the SPDC Joint Venture has, over the years, developed many scholarship programmes and other initiatives as part of our continuing efforts to develop indigenous manpower for the oil and gas industry,” SPDC’s General Manager External Relations, Igo Weli, said at the award ceremony in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

    Represented by SPDC’s Social Investment Manager, Gloria Udoh, Weli explained that the scheme was targeted at host communities. “We have the national scholarship which caters for the entire country in addition to the scholarships offered by our deepwater business, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company.”

    According to him, the fully-funded scholarship covers “all the direct and indirect activities leading up to the award of the postgraduate degree including visa fees, Tuition, living expenses, other allowances and return flight tickets for a one-year Master’s degree in top-ranked partner universities.

    Read Also: ‘Shell should stop exploration in Niger Delta’

    The partner universities are: Imperial College London; University of Leeds; and University of Aberdeen.

    SPDC’s General Manager, Nigerian Content Development, Olanrewaju Olawuyi said the company was committed to country value addition not just through scholarships but also through in-country manufacturing, supplier development, asset ownership and infrastructure development.

    Olawuyi said, “Our approach to developing local human capacity has evolved over the years as the challenges facing the industry and our businesses have changed. We look forward to their returning home and contributing to the development of the oil and gas industry and their communities.”

    One of the awardees, Ahante Promise, described the scholarship as “a life-time opportunity to further improve myself and compete equally with my peers all over the world. Shell is doing a great job and I am extremely grateful.” Another beneficiary, Woyinpreye Cliff-Ekubo, expressed appreciation to SPDC “for the opportunity and continuous support in ensuring human capacity development in Nigeria.”

  • ‘Fed Govt should appeal judgment on OML-11’

    The National Coordinator of Conscience of Ogoni People (COOP), Chief Gani Topba, has urged the Federal Government to appeal without delay, the judgment on the 20-year renewal of operatorship of Oil Mining Lease (OML)-11 in Ogoni land by the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC).

    Topba, in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, accused SPDC of failing to adopt good oilfield practice in the operation of OML-11 in Ogoni land.

    The Federal High Court (FHC) in Abuja on Friday (August 23) ordered the Minister of Petroleum Resources (President Muhammadu Buhari) to grant the renewal of OML-11 to SPDC for 20 years.

    FHC Abuja’s Justice Taiwo Taiwo, in his judgment delivered on Shell’s suit, with reference number: CS/524/19, ruled that the renewal would be for 20 years and not 30 years, as requested by the Anglo/Dutch oil giant.

    SPDC was sent packing in 1993 from Ogoni land’s four local government areas of Khana, Gokana, Tai and Eleme, while a renowned environmentalist, Kenule Saro-Wiwa, and eight other Ogoni martyrs were hanged on November 10, 1995 at the Port Harcourt Prisons, during the regime of the late Gen. Sani Abacha.

    COOP coordinator said: “SPDC fell squarely below Nigerian standards throughout the about 40 years it operated the OML-11, let alone international standards recommended by the Mineral Oils (Safety) Regulations,1997. The lease expired on June 30, 2019 and it ought to have been reverted to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

    “SPDC did not give up, but surreptitiously instituted the suit in bad faith, in order to foist a fait accompli on Ogoni people. The Ogoni people’s agitations for environmental, economic and social justice from the Nigerian state suffered an unprecedented military repression of the most disproportionate magnitude meted out on Ogoni leaders and Ogoni communities in the 1990s.

    “The frenzy of the guns could not stop the will and determination of the oppressed minority to force SPDC out of Ogoni land. The then President of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), Kenule Saro-Wiwa, and 12 other prominent Ogoni leaders were executed by the Federal Military Government between 1994 and 1995. Ogoni land became a pariah ethnic nationality in Nigeria and was rendered a complete ecological wasteland.

    “SPDC’s desperation to return to Ogoni at all costs, through the suit, is a sad reminder of the decades of ecological and military war waged against the Ogoni people from 1958 to date. By the suit, SPDC has deliberately set out to remind the Ogoni people of the dark days of the military oppression, genocide, economic strangulation, environmental degradation and execution of the Ogoni heroes.

    “Officials of SPDC have consistently stated publicly that the oil company is no longer interested in a return to Ogoni land. The present suit has vindicated the position of the Ogoni people and COOP that SPDC is still a huge fan of the Ogoni oil. Shell is an irresponsible corporate citizen that will go to any length to have its way at the expense of the peace, happiness, life, health, well-being and environment of the Ogoni people.”

    Topba also reiterated that Ogoni land was currently boiling, in terms of insecurity orchestrated by violent clashes and bloodshed, with many innocent people being killed, communities being sacked and valuable property worth billions of naira being destroyed, with the people now living in fear.

    He saluted the courage of the Federal Government of Nigeria, under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, which he said had continued to show compassion to the Ogoni cause, by resisting the pressure mounted by SPDC and Royal Dutch Shell to renew OML-11 and stood on the side of justice, fairness and respect for the lives and environment of the Ogoni people.

    The national coordinator declared Ogoni people’s solidarity for the Federal Government of Nigeria.

    He said: “SPDC remains persona non grata in Ogoni land. Ogoni people will continue to non-violently resist the clandestine and back-door tactics adopted by SPDC in its bid to actualise its grand design to decimate the Ogoni population, impoverish the people, destroy their livelihoods, economy and render their environment an ecological wreck.

    “I call on all Ogoni people to be resolute and steadfast. We shall collectively mobilise our people to non-violently and peacefully fight for our rights as indigenous people, recognised under international law and we shall win.”

    Topba also pleaded with friends of Ogoni people and the international community to continue to support the agitations of the marginalised Ogoni people for their liberation.

  • Philanthropist renovates Army quarters in Rivers

    Individuals, groups and corporate organisations have been called upon to continue to support the Nigerian Army for better service delivery, reports Southsouth Bureau Chief, BISI OLANIYI

    Wife of one of the beneficiaries of the renovated residential accommodation at the headquarters of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Mrs. Ibuchim Andrew, was so excited on August 23 during the inauguration of the building.

    Andrew said: “I feel so happy about the renovation, because rain was always falling on us and our property in the old apartment. It caused a lot of damage to our belongings. Our beds, chairs, electronics and other household items were always soaked with rain water. It was so challenging, but the renovation took place within three weeks.

    “The environment is now so beautiful and very nice. No more flooding. We are grateful to the company that assisted with the renovation. God will continue to bless and protect the Managing Director and the members of staff.”

    While also speaking, another soldier’s wife, Mrs. Fatima Auwalu, stated that she and her other beneficiaries appreciated the gesture, praying that God would continue to be with the philanthropist, Chief Ejovi Ogenegaren, who embarked on the renovation.

    While interacting with reporters after the inauguration, Ogenegaren, who is also the Managing Director of Ejovi Dredging and Marine Services Limited said: “I was motivated to embark on the renovation of the buildings by the wonderful works being done by the military personnel. Their actions ensure that we sleep in our houses and feel protected. We need to appreciate the military officers and men for their good works, especially in the Southsouth zone of Nigeria. We need to support them.

    “Embarking on the renovation of the buildings was borne out of the consideration of the sacrifices they make on daily basis to ensure our security and safety.

    “We need to always give back to our society. This is a stepping stone for us. We are going to do more in other parts of the military. We need every Nigerian, who is able, to support the military and the Nigerian system to best develop ourselves.”

    In his speech during the inauguration, the special guest of honour (Ogenegaren) expressed his gratitude to Almighty God who gave him the opportunity to come up with the idea of renovating the block for the army, which he said would put smiles on the faces of the beneficiaries.

    He revealed that the initiative was borne out of his personal conviction and feelings that the Nigerian army should be appreciated for the great works the officers and men were doing.

    The philanthropist said: “It is a fact that soldiers are in every part of our country, contending with different security challenges, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and pipeline vandalism, among others. These efforts are to ensure that we all sleep with our eyes closed.

    “Though, we cannot pay for the soldiers’ sacrifices, we can support and appreciate the Nigerian Army in our little ways.”

    Ogenegaren also thanked the General Officer Commanding (GOC) six Division, Maj.-Gen. Jamil Sarham, for magnanimously granting approval for him to contribute to the army and the six Division in particular.

    Managing Director of Ejovi Dredging and Marine Services Limited urged the beneficiaries to ensure they make good use of the facility.

    In his remarks, Maj.-Gen. Sarham thanked Ogenegaren, on behalf of Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, officers, men and family members of 6 Division, for the laudable gesture, as part of his company’s Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR).

    The GOC, who is also the Land Component Commander of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), said: “No doubt, this project (renovation) will go a long way in alleviating the challenges faced by troops and their families and for that we thank you.

    “May I use this opportunity to extend the Division’s hands of partnership with philanthropists and other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) operating within the Division’s Area of Responsibility (AOR – Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta and Akwa Ibom states), to as part of their CSR, extend similar projects within the barracks communities.

    “The reciprocal gesture will definitely give succour to the families of soldiers that work daily to make your business environment conducive.”

    Maj.-Gen. Sarham also assured that the renovated residential accommodation would be put to good use.

    With Ogenegaren’s initiative at the headquarters of 6 division in Port Harcourt, other philanthropists, groups and companies should emulate him, in order to move forward and to continue to put smiles on the faces of people.

  • Amaechi, Abe renew face-off over Rivers APC congresses

    THE planned congresses in the local wing of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State may renew the face-off between Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi and Senator Magnus Abe.

    Amaechi, a former governor and leader of the party in Southsouth zone, had at a reception in Abuja after his inauguration as minister, hinted that the APC national leadership would soon organise congresses in the Southsouth state.

    But Abe, a former Secretary to the State Government (SSG) in the Amaechi’s administration, described the minister’s information on the congresses as unacceptable.

    He spoke when he hosted members of the APC Visionary Media Team at his Port Harcourt home at the weekend.

    In an online statement yesterday, Amaechi’s media office wondered why Abe was showing early signs of apprehension for the forthcoming congresses of APC in Rivers.

    The media office said: “Rt. Hon. Amaechi announced to his teeming supporters during the reception in Abuja that followed his inauguration as a second-term minister that they (the supporters) should begin to prepare for congresses, as part of rebuilding and repositioning the APC in Rivers State.

    “Rt. Hon. Amaechi expressed surprise that Senator Abe could resort to unguarded language to express his indisposition and fear for congresses, even when he (Amaechi) did not give date and time of congresses to his supporters.

    “The transportation minister did not give his supporters any date and time for the congresses, being the responsibility of the national secretariat of APC.

    “Senator Abe has no reason to be afraid of congresses. He should tell his supporters to also prepare for congresses, since he says he is very popular. A popular politician should be very happy anytime congresses are on the table.”

    The office also said that the transportation minister declined to respond to sundry comments made by Abe, declaring that such remarks were obvious signs of frustration on the former senator’s part.

    Addressing his supporters, Abe noted that Amaechi said there would be congresses in Rivers APC without cognizance to the existing judicial pronouncements on the subject matter and the need for consultation as it affects the interest of other party members.

    The former senator stated that the minister, rather than concentrating on his national assignment, was creating another avenue for tension and crisis in the political structure of the APC.

    According to him, similar actions affected the party in Rivers during the last general election.

    He urged Amaechi to demonstrate his sincerity in rebuilding Rivers APC by consulting other members of the party and showing respect for the rights and feelings of all stakeholders.

    Read Also: ‘INEC was unfair to Rivers State’

    Abe, who described himself as an advocate of internal democracy and justice within the party, pleaded with APC members in Rivers to be resolute and committed to the growth of the party in the state.

    He assured his supporters that even if he was out of office, he remained committed to the development of the APC, insisting that peace, inclusiveness, progress and the commitment of all members to develop the party were needed.

    Abe said: “Look at the state of our party here today in Rivers State, yet the minister for Transportation, on assumption of office, the first thing he did was to announce congresses in Rivers State and I ask myself, this was the same kind of behaviour that led the party to where it is.

    “Everybody in Nigeria knows that the origin of the crisis in Rivers APC was from the congresses and how the congresses were handled.

    “There are extant judicial pronouncements on the last congresses, which the party was misled to ignore and we have all kept quiet, in the hope that by keeping quiet, we will create room for resolution of some of these challenges, so that the party can move forward.”

    Speaking earlier, the Director-General of Rivers APC Visionary Media Team, Robertson Jack, stated that the visit was necessitated by the need to pledge their unalloyed support to Abe’s peaceful disposition in the pursuit of internal democracy, inclusiveness, justice, and equity in Rivers APC.

    Jack said that the group would play its role to ensure that APC succeeds in the next level.