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Tag: Rivers

  • Rivers polls: INEC transfers REC, others

    Rivers polls: INEC transfers REC, others

    •REC: I’m yet to receive transfer letter 

    Ahead of fresh elections in Rivers State, ordered by the tribunals and Courts of Appeal in Abuja, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmud Yakubu, has ordered the transfer of top officials of the commission in the state.

    The affected officials include the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dame Gesila Khan, and other senior officers of the commission, who allegedly compromised the processes during the March 28 and April 11 elections in favour of the PDP.

    It was learnt last night that some top officials of INEC at the Rivers State headquarters in Port Harcourt got their transfer letters on Friday from Abuja; others would get theirs today.

    Prof Yakubu was said to be saddened by what a source called the embarrassing revelations from the tribunals and Courts of Appeal on the sham and massively-rigged elections in Rivers State and other parts of the country.

    The INEC chairman was said to have deemed it necessary to make the mass transfer.

    The massive nullification of the “victories” of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) candidates in the state, sources said, angered Governor Nyesom Wike, a former Minister of State for Education.

    A top INEC official in Rivers State, who testified at the tribunal, was described as an “S.U.” or born again Christian.

    The alleged rigging by the PDP was said to have made the party to “win” the governorship and three senatorial seats as well as all the 13 seats in the House of Representatives and 31 of the 32 seats in the House of Assembly.

    Josiah Olu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) won the Eleme Constituency’s seat in the House of Assembly.

    Dame Khan denied any wrongdoing during the elections when she spoke on phone yesterday with our reporter.

    The REC noted that transfers in the civil service were routine, adding that at the close of work on Friday, she had not received any transfer letter.

    Dame Khan said: “Do not mind them. They are telling lies against me. It is part of the propaganda of the APC to discredit me. I did not collect money from any politician and I did not share money to or with anybody.

    “I was transferred to Bayelsa State from Delta State on January 5, 2015 and I put in my best before, during and after the general elections. Those abusing and lying against me should ask about me in Delta State, where I also put in my best.

  • Tsunami in Rivers

    Observers—local and international— screamed. The media shouted. Almost everybody, except members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was alarmed.  If we had taken time out to listen to the plants, the goats, the cows and the chickens in Opobo, Egbema, Ndoni, Ogoni and Okrika, we could have heard them complain too.  The rivers from which this great state derives its name must have roared too. But as humans, we are too impatient to listen, even to ourselves.

    The screaming, the shouting, the complaints and the roaring were all about the last polls in Rivers State, the Lagos of the Southsouth. What went down as presidential, National Assembly, governorship and House of Assembly elections in dear Rivers got the people talking, screaming, shouting and roaring. Those polls, at the risk of being tagged an All Progressives Congress (APC) apologist, were sham. The international observers and their local counterparts said so in their reports. The media reflected as much in their coverage.

    Now, the courts are speaking. And the verdict is: what passed as elections in Rivers were mockery of democracy and pure sham.

    The Governorship Tribunal, which sat in Abuja for fear of its members being attacked by those who turned the state to theatre of war (apologies to the Supreme Court), said it was convinced that there was no proper election in the state. It thus nullified the victory of Governor Nyesom Wike. The other tribunals, in some shades, also confirmed that democracy was cheated in the House of Assembly and National Assembly elections.

    But, the Appeal Court simply sealed the coffin on the sham that produced the members of the National Assembly and the governor.

    Now, Rivers has no senators and only one member of the House of Representatives, who survived because the court said the APC candidate was not qualified to run. The people have no one to blame but those who raped democracy and left it in the rain to drench and perhaps die. Thanks to the Court of Appeal, which has rescued it through its landmark judgment, which some have likened to a tsunami. This tidal wave has wiped away the men selected for the people. Soon, the people will queue again and have the opportunity to choose their true leaders. I have no problem with PDP winning but winning crookedly is what I detest and will detest forever.

    In sacking the governor two days ago, the Court of Appeal in a 110-page judgment said the election raped the Electoral Act.

    The daylight robbery that took place in the name of polls saw parties that did not even participate in the elections being allotted figures on the result sheets. The thieves were so much in a hurry that they forgot to put the books in good shape. They left trails and these have let them down.

    Stakeholder Democracy Network noted in its report that in Asari Toru Local Government Area, two parties that were not on the ballot, UDP and NPP got votes. UDP got eight votes, while NPP got 21 votes. Other local government areas where parties that were not on the ballot were recorded on result sheets included Omuma Local Government Area (three parties not on ballot), Port Harcourt Local Government Area (two parties not on the ballot), Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, Akuku Toru, and Ogu Bolu LGAs.

    What really pains me is the violence in those elections. The Stakeholder Democracy Network desrcibed the elections in Rivers State as “almost certainly the most extensively disrupted in the country”.

    It added: “Violent incidents were reported throughout the day, the worst of which occurred in the morning of Saturday, April 11. These included several reported deaths and attacks on party representatives, journalists and election officials.”

    Because of the bizarre violence, many are now homeless. Many are now fatherless; many are widows; and many are on wheel chairs, with pellets of bullets locked in their bones.  Dreams have died and aspirations doomed.

    I am particularly troubled by the fate of Paul and Ogechi Adube. I thank God for their lives. They would have died on April 3 when men without brains stormed their home in ONELGA and killed their father, Christopher Adube and three of their siblings. They also killed their family driver and a family friend who was in their home when they came, dressed like soldiers, that evening. The bullets they pumped into 15-year-old Paul’s leg have ensured he is wheel-chair bound. The hot lead they released unto Ogechi’s legs have also seen rods inserted into her bones and because of this, she cannot fold her legs. You can imagine the pains of walking around with legs that feel like wood.

    Of the 12 children Adube had with his two wives, three were killed with him; two were left practically crippled and the others now live with shattered dreams. They are not sure of where the next meal will come from. Their father’s sin, I am made to understand, was his affiliation with the APC. His children’s sin was being born by him. The evil men applied the law of Moses forgetting that the coming of our lord Jesus Christ marked the end of that law, which encouraged taking out the father’s sin on the son or daughter.

    Paul and Ogechi need help. They can walk again and lead normal lives. All they need is surgery. Their father did not leave the kind of money that can guarantee them the best of medical care, which will bring them back to normalcy. It will make them forgive, but certainly not forget.

    The Adubes and several others are not here to see the tsunami in Rivers. But Ogechi, Paul and other victims of the violence before, during and after the polls are still here, with memories and pains of the bad times thrust on their dear state.

    As I regularly do on this space, I want to pray for those who killed the Adubes and others. Nemesis will catch up with them. Whatever they have gained or profited by spilling the blood of others and making the likes of Paul and Ogechi crippled, they will lose a hundred fold. They will be exposed and made to face the music.

    And lest I forget: The court verdicts have set tongues wagging. I hear the victims saying they were cheated. I hear them saying the people’s mandate freely given to them have been taken away by compromised men, when they know deep down that they were products of fraud. I hear them saying they will get their mandate back when they return to the polls next year. I hear them pointing fingers and blaming others for wounds they willfully inflicted on themselves. They have forgotten that God is still God. And what comes to my mind when I hear them say all these is to borrow the famous words of Obj: I dey laugh o.

    The Court of Appeal will soon rule on the House of Assembly petitions. I believe all the petitions will turn out in favour of the APC. When that happens, it will not come as a surprise. It will just confirm what we all knew: there were no polls in Rivers. Some people just sat in private homes and elsewhere and concocted figures for their party’s candidates.

    By the time the Court of Appeal will speak on the House of Assembly petitions, chances are high that Wike will be all alone— awaiting the decision of the Supreme Court.

    But as I conclude this, I remember Wike is a praying governor. There is power in prayers. So, miracle can still happen.  The snag here, however, is that he is not the only one who knows how to pray. His opponents also know the efficacy of prayers and they are not leaving anything to chance.

    The interesting thing about prayers and its efficacy is the fact that God is not a God of injustice. So, when you pray and you are not doing so with clean heart, God will certainly let you down.

    My final take: There is no problem if they win transparent elections. But it is hightime they stopped deceiving themselves that what the courts returned were not justice. They should stop blaming their losses on compromised judges. Before the courts spoke on the Rivers elections, the media had spoken; the foreign and local observers spoke. What the courts have only done is to validate what we all knew and have condemned. My wish at the end of it all is for Rivers and its people to dey kampe.

  • Appeal Court’s ruling confirms observers’ verdict

    Appeal Court’s ruling confirms observers’ verdict

    Yesterday’s judgment of the Court of Appeal confirming the Election Petitions Tribunal’s sacking of Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike is a confirmation of local and international observers’ reports that the outcome of the March 28 and April 11 elections defied logic. In its reaction after the governorship poll, the United States Embassy in Nigeria and other foreign observers said irregularities marred the exercise. Local observers also so. London-based Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN), which deployed observers in Rivers State during the governorship and House of Assembly elections, filed a report which showed that the election was a sham. Excerpts from the group’s report:

    The governorship and State Assembly polls in Rivers State were marred by violence and disruption with over 470,000 out of 2,537,520 (19 per cent) registered voters denied the chance to vote due to official cancellations.

    Not a few eligible voters  stayed away from the polls due to well-justified fears of violence.

    Violence had a serious impact on voters, election officials, and party supporters. The All Progressives Congress (APC) alleged that 19 persons were killed on Election Day with polls’ observers confirming in their reports several of the most prominent deaths, notably, killings in Asari Toru and the assassination of an APC leader, Clever Orukwowo.

    The inflation of announced votes in many local government areas made it impossible to know how many voters turned out for the polls. But, in six of the most closely contested council areas, (including Port Harcourt), official turnout ranged between 14-25 per cent of registered voters. From what we observed, that seemed a more plausible turnout.

    Some results seemed to defy any effort to acknowledge reality. In Buguma town,  Asari Toru Local Government Area,  where security forces finally ended with shooting and clashes mid-morning on the Election Day, when one gang leader was beheaded, official results later recorded turnouts of 84-90 per cent in the town (87 per cent for the whole local government area).

    In Gokana, where five wards were cancelled due to clashes and theft of election materials, the remainder of the local government area recorded an official turnout of 94 per cent. It was one of three local government areas with ‘turnouts’ between 93-95 per cent. The others are Akuku Toru and Khana local government areas, despite repeated reports of disruptions.

    Significant efforts by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the police to improve security and election processes were simply overwhelmed by the breadth of violence and intimidation. Election officials were assaulted and abducted in incidents across the state and they often faced intolerable pressures from political actors…

    The elections are unlikely to be widely accepted as credible. In local government areas seen across the state as competitive, official figures repeatedly gave the APC less than 2 per cent of the votes. Official turnouts at an local government areas and ward level, ranging as high as 95-99 per cent, stood in stark contrast to observations made on Election Day.

    The failure to establish credible polls in Rivers State underlines the challenge that INEC faces in supporting free elections in states where political actors can use extraordinary amounts of cash to sponsor violence, intimidation of both voters and the manipulation of polls.

    Rivers’ election as the

    most extensively disrupted

    The elections in Rivers State were almost certainly the most extensively disrupted in the country. Polls were cancelled in local government areas with a population of at least 458,089 voters – just under 20 per cent of the voting population in the state.

    Violent incidents were reported throughout the day, the worst of which occurred in the morning of Saturday, April 11. These included several reported deaths and attacks on party representatives, journalists and election officials.

    INEC rescheduled voting until the following day in areas where it retained election materials but no election had started on Saturday(April 11), but allowed voting to continue in many impacted areas. Low voter turnout of around 20-30 per cent was recorded in the majority of the wards observed. Only a few wards had visible turnout of around 50 per cent.

    In an improvement from the presidential elections, majority of the locations visited where elections had been disrupted or failed completely, were recorded as either having voting cancelled or postponed.

    A notable example of implausible exceptions to this was Ward 14 in Obio Akpor Local Government Area, which did not see materials released from the ward centre till close to 2pm yet still reported a 96 per cent voter turnout.

    Ballot boxes, election

    materials stolen

    This was recorded across a number of local government areas. Among those that provided details election officials were assaulted in five separate wards in Ikwerre Local Government Area with a supervising presiding officer hospitalised. In neighbouring Etche Local Government Area, officials were abducted and others assaulted.

    In at least two local government areas, there were clashes that resulted in confirmed deaths, while accounts of other incidents, suggest that final tallies of fatalities will be significantly higher. In Buguma (Asari Toru Local Government Area), one man was beheaded amidst heavy fighting and in Ogba/Ndoni (ONELGA), APC leader Clever Orukwowo was shot and killed by assailants on motorbikes.

    The fighting in Buguma seems almost certain to produce a higher tally of deaths with shooting in the area commencing Friday (April 10) night, resuming the following morning. The fighters only ceased fire on the arrival of security reinforcements only to resume hostilities on Sunday (April 12).

    Votes for parties not on

    the ballot paper

    In a number of council areas, parties that were not on the ballot paper appeared on the result sheets at the local government level. Though the votes recorded by these parties were small, the discrepancy was significant as there were only two possible explanations. It was either the officials at a low level were making extraordinarily compounded errors which allowed them to entre votes against parties not on the ballot, or, results were being written without reference to ballot papers. These errors were presumably perpetuated through at least three layers of collation between units, wards and council areas as they were still being reported in returns to the state office.

    In Asari Toru Local Government Area, reported earlier for its 75 per cent voter turnout despite a raging conflict – two parties that were not on the ballot, featured (UDP, eight votes, NPP, 21 votes). Other local government areas where parties that were not on the ballot were recorded included Omuma Local Government Area (three parties not on ballot), Port Harcourt Local Government Area (two parties not on the ballot), Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, Akuku Toru, and Ogu Bolu LGAs.

    In Obio Akpor Local Government Area, SDN tracked the case of three wards – Wards 1, 3 and 14 – where distribution of election materials were obstructed by APC protesters. The materials eventually left the ward centre around 1.30pm and elections were noted in a limited number of units after 2pm while others appeared to be absent. Official results for these wards recorded turnouts of 43 per cent (Ward 1), 83 per cent (Ward 3) and 96 per cent (Ward 14).

  • Jubilation in Rivers as Court okays governor’s sack

    Jubilation in Rivers as Court okays governor’s sack

    There was jubilation yesterday in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, and its environs, as the Appeal Court affirmed the Election Petitions Tribunal’s sack Governor Nyesom Wike.

    Wike was the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the April 11 election.

    As soon as information filtered into the Garden City that the Appellate Court had upheld Wike’s sack, scores of the residents poured onto the streets to celebrate.

    The enthusiastic crowd converged on the campaign office of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candiate, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, and the party’s state secretariat, both on Forces Avenue, near the Government House.

    They sang, drummed and danced.

    Rivers APC, through its Publicity Secretary, Chris Finebone, thanked God for ensuring justice for the people’s mandate.

    He said the judgment was “a perfect birthday gift” for the state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Felix Obuah, whose birthday was yesterday.

    Rivers APC said: “We received with satisfaction the judgment of the Court of Appeal, sitting in Abuja, upholding the judgment of the Rivers State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal in Abuja, which sacked Governor Nyesom Wike.

    “The APC considers the decision of the Appellate Court that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) did not comply substantially with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) as incontrovertible. We believe that the decision today (yesterday) by the Appeal Court is a confirmation that evil can triumph over good, but only temporarily.

    “We urge our followers and supporters to remain calm; they will be directed by our leaders, through God Almighty’s inspiration. We also urge all intending members of our party to go and register at their units and old members to go and revalidate their membership. We assure all that thunder will never strike in the same place twice.

    “The APC is happy to recognise that today (yesterday) is the birthday of Bro. Felix Amaechi Obuah, the Chairman of the PDP in Rivers State. We are glad to offer him this Appeal Court judgment as a perfect birthday gift.”

    Also, Ikwerre indigenes of Rivers State, under the aegis of Ikwerre Youth Movement (IYM); a group of legal practitioners, under the aegis of Lawyers Network for Change and All Progressive Congress (APC) loyalists have hailed yesterday’s Appeal Court nullification of Governor Wike’s victory in the April 11 election.

    They described the judgment as victory for those killed before and during the election and triumph of democracy over impunity.

    The Appeal Court in Abuja yesterday upheld the verdict of the Rivers State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, which nullified Wike’s election victory.

    In its October 24 judgment, the tribunal, headed by Justice Suleiman Ambrosa, voided Wike’s election and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a fresh poll within 90 days.

    In separate reactions yesterday in Port Harcourt, the state capital, IYM’s President-General, Azubike Wanjoku; the Chairman of Rivers State Network for Change, Zubi Dike and APC chieftains said the Judiciary had demonstrated that it was the hope of the common man.

    Wanjoku told our reporter that the judgment was also a victory for Rivers residents, especially supporters of APC candidates in what he called the stolen mandate.

    He said the judgment had exposed the “electoral robbery” that occurred during the polls and restored the confidence of the people on the Judiciary.

    According to him, IYM members in four Ikwerre-speaking local government areas in the state are prepared for the rerun, in compliance with electoral guidelines.

    Wanjoku said: “IYM members in the four Ikwerre-speaking local government areas in Rivers State are in celebration mood because we have been vindicated at last. We commend the Appeal Court for its judgment and we are dedicating the verdict to the victims of 2015 election in the state.”

    Dike noted that with the Appeal Court’s verdict, those killed during the governorship election would now rest in peace.

    The lawyer said his organisation was not expecting anything less from the Appeal Court, adding that the verdict was an expression of the wishes of Rivers residents.

    He said: “There has been a lot of political rascality and impunity in the state. But with the decision of the Appeal Court, those ‘masquerades’ that are making Rivers State unsafe will now face judgment before their conscience. This decision is a plus for democracy and a victory for our slain compatriots.”

    APC chieftain and one of the local government chairmen Wike sacked, Lucky Woluh, said the judgment was the end of brutality and impunity in Rivers State.

    The politician noted that a government that created insecurity for the people would not last.

    He said: “What happened today at the Appeal Court was a clear indication that the will of God must prevail. Don’t forget that a lot of innocent citizens of this state were murdered during the election. With the decision of Appeal Court, Adube’s family and other victims have got justice.”

    APC governorship candidate, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, praised the Appeal Court for affirming the tribunal’s judgment.

    The APC chieftain noted that the Appeal Court’s verdict would strengthen the nation’s democracy and political process.

    He said the Judiciary would be remembered for standing tall, even in the face of unwarranted provocation and vilification by those who brazenly stole the people’s mandate during the March 28 and April 11 elections in Rivers State.

    In a statement yesterday in Port Harcourt, the state capital, by his media aide, Sylvester Asoya, the APC chieftain congratulated Rivers State residents for their patience to reclaim their mandate.

    The statement said: “I am happy that the Judiciary is rekindling hope in our electoral process and in our country. This is so because the Judiciary is sending the right signal, particularly to those who perpetrate violence and fraud during elections.

    “Never again will a people’s mandate be subverted so viciously by a violent and self-seeking few, all in the name of political contest. Members of our party and supporters were murdered in cold blood in their homes and on campaign grounds for their political beliefs. We are happy that this injustice is being addressed by a credible institution like the Judiciary.

    “We pray never to experience the level of persecution, violence and deaths that characterised the March 28 and April 11 elections in our state. Democracy is about freedom, equality and justice; so, everybody must join hands to defend it at all times.

    “I, therefore, wish to dedicate our victories in the legislative and executive arms to our fallen brothers and sisters, our supporters and other Rivers residents for believing in us and for keeping faith.

    “Our state will be great again, if and only when we vote into public office our sons and daughters who will not bring shame to us by their words and actions.

    “We, members of the APC, know the needs of our people as we fully appreciate the leadership crisis rocking our state today. You have sacrificed and waited all these agonising months for justice. Now, justice has come. I commend you and urge you to hold on a little more as we all march collectively towards entrenching the kind of leadership that will serve our overall interest, irrespective of our political persuasions.”

  • Lawyer petitions NHRC over human right abuses in Rivers

    Lawyer petitions NHRC over human right abuses in Rivers

    The Executive Director Initiation for Advancement of Humanity (IAH), Mr. Gbenga Austen Oladapo, yesterday petitioned the Port Harcourt office of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) for their inability to effect actions on human right buses in Rivers State.

    Gbenga who led other human right groups to protest NHRC’s inefficiency in Rivers State said there are so many human right abuses which the commission is aware of  but have been left unattended.

    The IAH Director spoke yesterday in Port Harcourt after he submitted a protest letter to the Rivers State office of the NHRC.

    Gbenga, who was angry over the suffering of the victims of human rights abuses, said many people are suffering, some have been evicted from their homes because NHRC failed to carry out their responsibilities.

    “The National Human Rights Commission has fixed several hearings for people who have been forcefully evicted from their homes. But anytime this hearing wants to come up there will be something to scuttle it, because the commission failed to be proactive on pressing issues.

    “Since 2005 they have been rendered homeless, a lot of them are destitute, they are all impoverished and the NHRC is docile. We are protesting their inaction; they should rise to the urgency of the matter   and take up their responsibility.”

     

  • Rivers communities urge oil giants to be socially responsible

    Communities  in  Ogu and Bolo Kingdoms in Ogu/Bolo Local Government Areas of Rivers State have called on companies resident in their communities to embark on infrastructural and human development programmes.

    The communities, which play host to ExxMobil and other multinational companies in the state, also called on the companies to improve on their corporate social responsibilities to their host communities.

    The communities made the call during a one-day cancer and Tuberculosis treatment awareness campaign lunched in the communities by Divine Health and Good Society Foundation and Universal Basic Development both Non-Governmental Organizations NGOs), and sponsored by ExxMobile and NNPC under their Joint Venture Programme.

    The spokesman of the Communities and Leader of the Community Development Committee (CDC),  Omieibi Davids, said it was necessary for the companies operating in the area to be fully committed to its corporate social responsibilities to their host communities.

    He noted infrastructural and manpower development were needed in the area and called on the companies to be active in that regard.

    He urged multinationals which Ogu and Bolo kingdoms are playing host to, to ensure the development of the youths and the infrastructure.

    He pledged the communities’ commitments in ensuring that the good relationship that has been existing but the companies and the community is maintained.

    “The communities of Ogu/Bolo, which play host to some companies in the state, need infrastructural and manpower development.

    “Infrastructure and human development mean so much to us. We call on the companies to create projects that every person in Ogu/Bolo will see and feel.”

    The GM, EXXON Mobil, Paul Arinze, promised to sustain the cordial relationship between them and their host communities, by ensuring that more programmes and projects were attracted to the communities and the residents.

    As part of the gestures to the communities, the company donated a 16-seater bus to  youths of Ogu/Bolo.

  • Boost for 65 Rivers Law students

    Boost for 65 Rivers Law students

    Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and the needy. This is the work of lawyers and attorneys; High Chief Olu Benson Lulu-Briggs (O.B. Lulu-Briggs) and his wife, Dr. Sienye O.B.Lulu-Briggs are already doing this through their years of philanthropic gestures to the indigents of the society.”

    These were the words of the former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Emeka Wogu, at the 6th edition of High Chief Olu Benson Lulu-Briggs Foundation’s Nigeria Law School Scholarship Award for the 2015/2016 set held in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

    Wogu, also a lawyer, was the guest speaker at the event.  He spoke on the topic, “Expectations and challenges of a Legal Practitioner’s career”.

    He noted that Law profession is the hope of the common man and the public have a lot of expectations from them, adding that lawyers cannot afford to disappoint the public by bending the rule to favour the rich.  He urged them to speak for both the rich and the poor in accordance with the rules.

    The minister outlined some of the challenges faced by lawyers in the course of practice to include, high cost of Law books, activities of lawyers caught in the web of rich- quick syndrome, and the difficulty/inability of some young lawyers to procure their wig and gown, as well as undue pressure following the high expectations of the public on lawyers.

    He thanked the Foundation for its efforts in moulding future leaders for the Ijaw nation starting from Rivers State, and urged them on diversification of their chosen career.

    Sixty five lucky Law students of Rivers State origin, who are on their way to the Law School for their qualifying course before joining Law practice, bagged the award this year.

    They smiled home with brand new HP Laptop and cash gift from their benefactor, O.B.Lulu-Briggs Foundation, to assist them offset the crunchy financial difficulties usually faced by students at Law School; with the view of helping them face their studies and graduate with flying colours.

    The scholarship award is one of the five programmes of the Foundation founded in 2001. Other fields of the Non-Governmental/ not-for-profit organisation are: The Care for Life, Education and Scholarships, Free Medical Missions, Micro-credit and Entrepreneurship and Water purification and Access to clean Water, especially for river-rine communities  without good drinking water.

    No fewer than 442 students have benefited from the Law students award since it began six years ago.

    The Executive Director of the Foundation and wife of the founder, Dr.  O. B. Lulu-Briggs, expressed satisfaction at the feedback from past awardees who have graduated from the School and now practicing in parts of the country, stressing that “This informed our reason and encouragement to continue with the kindness and to even expand it further.

    “It is interesting to note that this grant scheme which was initially awarded only to natives of the Kalabari Kingdom is now open to all Nigerian Law School students who are of Rivers State origin.

    “In a bid to scale up our activities in the educational sector and also encourage academic excellence, we have raised the stake higher as the selection criteria is now quite challenging. By so doing, we hope that an atmosphere for healthy competition amongst students of Rivers State will be created.”

    Mrs. Lulu-Briggs released some fundamental tips that would make the new awardees more successful in the school and their chosen career, but also threw a challenge on them.

    “For you grantees, I would like you to seize the moment at hand and take a deeper reflection to understand the purpose of your selection. You were obviously not selected by chance, you must also understand that our World is rapidly changing, with advancement in technology and knowledge being updated constantly.

    “The Legal profession today to a large extent is interwoven, it is an interplay of what you know and how well you can build relationship with people. I urge you therefore to take advantage of the opportunity to network and also sign up as protégés of some of the senior advocates/legal professionals in your chosen career, as the membership they provide will accelerate your growth and development.”

    The clergy further explained reasons for the Foundation’s decision to extend hands of fellowship to this category of Rivers’ students when she said: “We are doing this, not because we just want to do good, but to impact positively on the society, using this arm of society as an avenue.”

    Past grantees and their parents at the occasion could not stop testifying of the immense succour the Foundation’s gesture gave to them.

    Benibo Reginald Wiyoka of the 20014/2015 set said: “I will like to express my profound gratitude to the High Chief O.B. Lulu-Briggs and his dear wife, the Executive Director of the Foundation Dr. (Mrs.) O.B. Lulu-Briggs and the entire staff of the Foundation. I was a beneficiary of the Foundation’s the grant early this year.

    “The grant impacted me in various ways that I cannot recount, but I must say that the grant enhanced me generally especially as a young Lawyer. After much consideration on how to utilise the cash award given to us, I decided to use it to develop myself further in-line with the advice of the Director of Programmes of the Foundation, Miebaka Nabiebo. This led to my registration into the Institute of chartered Secretaries of Nigeria, and as I speak now, I have almost rounded off the programme as the last examination will be taken this December.

    “This has added to my feather. Without this wonderful family and their candid advice this would not have been possible. Again the importance of the brand new Laptop that accompanied the cash cannot be over-emphasized as a Lawyer and student. I remain internally grateful to them for this rare gesture and pray that God will sustain the life of this family and reward their kind deeds.”

    Also Opumabo Georgewill and Mercy of 2013/2014 set, in their separate speeches noted that the Foundation’s intervention came to them when it was most needed.

    “They told the story of how the Foundation’ grant greatly enhanced their comfort stay in Law School, by helping them get their wig and gown and other necessary materials required by the school with ease; when it was not easy task for most of their counterparts.

    Also some parents at the event, Mr. M. D. Yellow and Mrs. Peace Williams, described the High Chief and his wife as Living Legends who have injected so much positive things into the society and its people through their glaring love for education in general and Law Profession in particular and prayed that the kindness continues as God continues to keep their lives.

  • Sad memories of ‘Rivers 100’ killed in cold blood

    Sad memories of ‘Rivers 100’ killed in cold blood

    On Monday, Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital witnessed a memorial event to remember over 100 victims of the violence recorded before, during and after the last general elections. On that day, gunmen even attempted to kill those on their way to the remembrance rally tagged Black Day. All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate Dr Dakuku Peterside relives the sad moments. Excerpts:

    We are gathered here for a purpose that is paradoxical. We are simultaneously mourning and celebrating our brothers and sisters whose lives were cut short by the inexplicable violence that characterized the general elections in Rivers State in March and April this year.  It is violence that has continued till today, merely mutating and transforming – from attacks before and during the general elections, now we suffer kidnappings, armed robberies, and assassinations by persons who are yet to be dispossessed of the guns with which they were “empowered”.

    Fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters and friends were attacked and killed in their homes in cold blood because of their political leanings. Some were attacked and killed while they were on their way to attend campaign rallies. Our campaign venues were victims of explosive devices and outright attacks by gun men. These were intimations of more unpleasant scenarios.

    On election days, ordinary citizens who wished to cast their votes as enshrined in the Statutes of our land were killed or maimed by trigger-happy and dagger wielding political thugs and mercenaries. In some cases, at polling units, elderly persons were beaten until their hearts literally stopped beating. Our brothers and sisters died because some politicians who were consumed with vaulting and inordinate ambition engaged in horse trading. More than 100 innocent persons were killed, victims of the evil acts of desperate politicians. You have heard chilling stories from their families, but for the sensitivity of our sensibilities, I wish not to recant that narratives here. Unfortunately, till date not a single person has been prosecuted for these crimes against humanity.

    Brothers and sisters, we are here to commemorate the memories of these victims of political violence. For us, they were not just victims but martyrs. They constitute the “strong breed” who have taken our collective burden to ensure the survival of democracy particularly in Rivers State and Nigeria in general.

    It would be callous of us not to remember and celebrate their sacrificial but untimely deaths. This commemoration is the more necessary because law enforcement Agencies have not provided any form of succour to the families and friends of these victims by bringing to book the perpetrators of the heinous crimes. We will therefore not shirk our moral obligation to continue to advocate for justice for these our fallen brethren. That is the whole essence of Rivers Black Day. To mourn and celebrate these martyrs of democracy; as well as cry out to God to show mercy on us as a people whose land has been polluted by the blood of innocent persons.

    Recall that we humans learn by relating previous experiences with current ones. Thus, what is the lesson from the tragedy of more than 100 human beings murdered as a result of immoderate political ambition? It raises questions about the character of those who want to lead us and the orientation of our political class. In accordance with the propositions of ancient Philosophers, that politics should be reserved for those with the character and experience required to make policy; I urge us therefore, that in all our dealings to always appreciate the sanctity of human life, and fashion out ways on how to direct the less enlightened in civic and civil conducts.

    We have recognised that at all times and in all situations we are “Greater Together”. Hence, today together we stand to say NO to any form of political intimidation and violence in our land. Brothers and sisters, welcome to Rivers Black Day, a day dedicated to the memories of more than 100 persons who were killed. May their gentle souls rest in peace in the bosom of the Lord. Amen.

  • Police rescue two kidnap victims in Rivers

    Police rescue two kidnap victims in Rivers

    •Two suspects killed 

    The Rivers State Police Command has rescued two kidnap victims abducted by gunmen in Port Harcourt, the state capital, on November 13.

    The victims – David Eke and Callistus Nnamdi – were reportedly snatched on Airport Road in the Garden City.

    The police yesterday confirmed their rescue from the kidnappers’ hideout at Umuebule Waterfront at Obigbo in Oyibo Local Government Area.

    A statement by the command’s spokesman, Mohammed Ahmed, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said the kidnappers’ hideout was raided, following a tip-off.

    The statement added that two workers at the hideout were killed in a gun battle with the police.

    Ahmed thanked the public for cooperating with the police, adding that more needed to be done for the command to win the fight against criminals.

    The statement said: “The Rivers State Police Command wishes to further update the public on its activities, particularly the continued onslaught on the suspected criminals’ hideouts.

    “At 9.30 am on November 23, a tactical unit of the command stormed Umuebule Waterfront in Port Harcourt and rescued two kidnap victims. The victims were kidnapped on November 13 on Airport Road in Port Harcourt.

    “Two unidentified suspected kidnappers – David Eke and Callistus Nnamdi –  found guarding the rescued victims were killed during an exchange of fire. Two locally-made pistols, four cartridges and charms were recovered.

    “The commissioner enjoins the people of Rivers State to remain hopeful, confident and trusting in the ability of the command to discharge its constitutional mandate, assuring the public that we will do more.”

     

  • Rivers defends retirement of 14 perm secs

    Rivers defends retirement of 14 perm secs

    The Rivers State government yesterday said the compulsory retirement of 14 permanent secretaries in the Civil Service was not a political witch-hunt, as claimed by the opposition.

    Deputy Governor Ipalibo Harry Banigo said the retirement was part of government’s strategies to reinvigorate the service.

    In a statement by her Press Secretary, Paul Damgbor, the deputy governor wondered why the state’s All Progressives Congress (APC) was crying foul at the action of the government when the Federal Government recently took the same action.

    Dr. Banigo, a former Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and Head of Service (HoS), said Governor Nyesom Wike was committed to repositioning the civil service as the engine room of government.

    She assured the people that the Wike administration would always give attention to the welfare of public servants.