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Tag: Rivers

  • Police confirm death of two in APC, PDP fracas in Rivers

    Two persons have died during a clash between members of the All Progressives Congress (APC)  and the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), in Okwuzi and Omoku in Ogba/Egbema/ Ndoni Local Government Area(ONELGA), the police said yesterday.

    Police spokesman Ahmad Mohammad, in a statement in Port Harcourt, the state capital yesterday, said the fracas broke out between the two parties on  Monday, adding that the deaths occurred during a reprisal attack.

    The PPRO said: “ONELGA is not boiling at the moment (yesterday afternoon), because the report I have right now is that the situation is calm; and by the record at my disposal, only two persons lost their lives, and there is no truth in the rumour that one of the victims is a younger brother to one commissioner in the state.

    “The problem between two major political parties started since yesterday (Monday); it was a reprisal attack this morning (yesterday morning), which led to the death of two persons. The problem was political.

    “Though there was an attempt to vandalise the secretariats of parties, but the swift intervention of the police saved the situation.”

    Omoku is the home town of the state Chairman of the PDP, Felix Obuah.

    The police also paraded 92 suspected cultists and four armed robbers with assorted weapons and N1.6 million cash.

    Mohammad, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), assured the people of the state of their safety and urged them to come out and cast their votes for the candidates of their choice.

     

  • APC alleges plot to arrest, kill members in Rivers

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of plotting to either arrest or eliminate its leaders and major supporters in Okrika and Ogu/Bolo Local Government Areas of Rivers State, using security agencies.

    The allegation is contained in a petition the party sent to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Wednesday.

    The petition was authored and signed by the Chairmen of the APC in both Local Government Areas, Christian Asifamaka (APC Okrika) and Israel Iboms (APC Ogu/Bolo), they also claimed to have information that about 10 of the party leaders in both local governments may be kidnapped before the elections.

    The petition dated March 17 and addressed to NHRC’s Chairman, was titled, “RE: Threat to peaceful elections in Okrika and Ogu/Bolo Local Government Areas of Rivers State, Nigeria.”

    The petitioners said: “Now the PDP and its Abuja authority have finalised plans to prevent the APC in these LGAs from voting in the forthcoming elections.

    “This they intend to do ‎by using all the security agencies to arrest our leaders, party agents and community leaders who are sympathetic to APC a few days before the elections on false charges.”

    The petitioners urged the NHRC urgently to investigate their complaints because threats against the leaders and sympathisers were real and should not be ignored.

    They accused the police of refusing to respond to their earlier complaints of serial attacks on the party’s offices and rallies ‎in violation of their fundamental rights.

    “Based on the above and judging from the antecedents of the source of these threats, we urge you to take immediate and adequate steps to prevent further massive violation our rights and pray you to investigate and bring perpetrators of the complained acts of human rights violation to justice.

    “Contrary to the extant provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended, in Okrika and Ogu/Bolo Local Government Areas, the All Progressives Congress was stopped from undertaking it’s legitimate pre-election activities to wit:

    “(i) APC party offices in Okrika was burnt down on the January 11, 2015. Till date police have not done anything.

    “(ii) The campaign office of APC governorship candidate was also bombed and destroyed in Okrika.

    “(iii) On January 24, 2015, A‎PC gubernatorial campaign rally in Okrika was violently disrupted by gunmen who claimed they were acting based on orders from Abuja. This led to the cancellation of the same in Ogu/Bolo LGA slated from January 25, 2015.‎”

    The petitioners listed Arisky, Chief Jonah Tamuno, Mrs. Ibim Semitari, Maureen Tamuno, Chief Israel Iboms, Christian Asifamaka, Tamuno Williams, Abiye Amakiri, Dr. Emmanuel Iruayenama and TSB Ibuluyam as people allegedly penciled down to be kidnapped.

     

  • Rivers facing political epidemic, says Commissioner

    Rivers facing political epidemic, says Commissioner

    Rivers State Commissioner for Health Dr Samson Parker yesterday raised the alarm over the violence trailing campaigns in his state.

    The commissioner, who spoke in Abuja at the Special Session of the National Council on Health Meeting,  said the security situation in his state was worse than the recent Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

    According to him, 20 lives had been lost in two months to crises that had characterised campaigns.

    He urged the Council, chaired by Minister of State and Supervising Minister of Health, Dr Khaliru Alhassan, to redefine epidemics.

    He said: “This is one other thing that we need to deliberate on in this National Council on Health, because since 2011 that we had outbreak of political violence, it was swept under the carpet. Everybody kept quiet.  Today, in the (Rivers) Ministry of Health, in two of our hospitals alone, we have seen about 41 gunshot injuries; 26 machete injuries, all due to  political activities and clashes and all the rest.

    “As you can see, there is an epidemic. If you can call it an epidemic coming up, more than Ebola, more than Avian Flu, more than cholera. A few months ago, we had cholera outbreak, which we have contained. We lost 23 persons. But, in two months alone, the main heat has not started, we have had 41 gunshot injuries, not to talk about the mortality, which we cannot count. Unconfirmed report puts it about 20. But, we cannot just fold our hands; it is putting pressure on the health system.

    “People are getting maimed, people are getting disabled, people are getting killed. As a Commissioner for Health in Rivers State, I cannot just fold my hands and say this is not caused by a virus; this is not caused by a bacteria or a mosquito. So, let me go and sleep. I am in charge of health of the people. Our people are dying for one thing or the other. And, this is political violence as we call it.

    “We need to redefine epidemic; which we will look at it here at the National Council of Health. It is in my presentation here that we need to look at it. There is pre-election violence, there is election violence, there is post-election violence. We all saw what happened somewhere in the northern states of the federation in 2011. And, we need to really look at it and prevent it, and prepare for this emergency as they come.”

    About a half of Commissioners of Health in the country were absent at the meeting. They were represented.

    Dr. Alhassan said the meeting would articulate the National Health Act.

    He also added that the meeting would consider the redesigned  Saving One Million Lives – Programme for Results initiative (SOML-PforR).

  • Jonathan’s wife masterminding attack of APC members in Rivers – Amaechi

    Jonathan’s wife masterminding attack of APC members in Rivers – Amaechi

    The Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, has stated that the wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, Dame Patience, is the person masterminding the attack and arrest of members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, using the police to intimidate and harass innocent Rivers people.

    Amaechi, who is also the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and the Director-General of Buhari Campaign Organisation, insisted that the arrest of the Rivers APC members was led by the state’s Commissioner of Police, Dan Bature.

    The Rivers governor stated these at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Monday, while inaugurating two commissioners: Isobo Jack and Ode ThankGod, an engineer, as well as the reconstituted committee on Prerogative of Mercy, chaired by the Rivers Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Worgu Boms.

    Amaechi also charged the new commissioners to ensure effective service delivery.

    The NGF chairman said: “There are many offenders who were arrested for one crime or another and are now in prison custody. You are aware that some of the reasons for the increase in crime in our society is that there are no consequences. Unfortunately, we all belong to a society where the rich are not arrested. It is only the poor people that suffer arrest and prosecution. You are expected to use your good offices to parson those offenders who deserves the prerogative of mercy.

    “It is alarming that over 400 APC members (in Rivers State) have been arrested by the police. In Nigeria, criminals do not go to jail any longer. The arrest of the APC members was led by the state’s Commissioner of Police and that is why I said, the fight in Rivers State is between APC and the police. The wife of President Jonathan is the person masterminding the attack and arrest of APC members, using the police to intimidate and harass innocent people.”

    The Rivers governor also congratulated the new commissioners on their appointment, while asking them to ensure that the state’s urban development policy was improved upon.

    He said: “You are expected to assert law and order to regulate indiscriminate building of illegal structures and dumping of refuse in our environment.”

    Other members of the reconstituted committee on prerogative of mercy are W. S. Pepple, Dr. Jonah Hart, Ven. Jolly Ndubuisi, Chinemerem Wisdon Jerome, Mrs. Gloria Oyoophil Atako and Prof. Amakievi Gabriel.

    Amaechi also directed the members of the committee on prerogative of mercy to use their good offices to pardon deserving offenders.

    The chairman of the committee on prerogative of mercy, in his response, assured the Rivers governor that members of the committee would work within the ambits of the terms of reference given to them and ensure fairness.

  • Too much blood has been shed in Rivers, says NHRC

    Too much blood has been shed in Rivers, says NHRC

    Too much blood has been shed in Rivers State, Chairman, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Prof Chidi Odinkalu has said.

    He spoke yesterday in Port Harcourt during a visit to the Greater Tomorrow Campaign office of the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Dr Dakuku Peterside.

    Odinkalu, who is on a fact-finding mission to Rivers State, was accompanied by members of the commission’s governing council.

    Peterside told the NHRC delegation that in the last one year, no fewer than 30 people have been killed in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area.    Odinkalu said: “Rivers State is my home because I have families here and they are on both sides of the divide. I wish to offer my condolences because a lot of blood has been shed. It does not matter where you belong but at the end of the day, those killed are our brothers and sisters. We didn’t want to sit in Abuja and assume that we know what is happening through twitter. We are here because we want to see both campaigns. We also want to see evidence of those who were killed. Do we have names and documents? Can we get a sense of what is happening? Do we have records?

    “We will see the Commissioner of Police for more details. There is no alternative to civil and democratic governance and Rivers State is strategic in this respect. That is why we wish to start from here. Our role is not to take sides. We are all worried, not just because we have families and friends; if we don’t have a country that exists, we can’t even do politics, we can’t do public service or think of improving our country. That is the spirit of this visit, to engage and try to understand the issues. Nobody wants a situation when we end elections and the country is not governed or stable enough. We must all work to see how we can pull ourselves back to a place of civility and minimise violence. And we must rise to the challenge of protecting our country by ensuring that we are committed to a better country.

    “Now in the latest incident in Okrika, we had a man in uniform killed. It is unacceptable… We are going to visit PDP campaign office, Rivers State police command and INEC to ensure the end of incessant attack in the state.”

    The NHRC chief said it was unfortunate that those killed and those whose properties have been damaged are citizens of this state, adding that politicians can only govern when the society is stable.

    Peterside, on behalf of his party and the campaign organisation, thanked Odinkalu for his commission’s interest in the crisis in Rivers State, adding that his supporters would not consider reprisal attacks no matter the provocation.

    He said: “I am sure that before coming to Rivers State, you must have received – with mixed feelings – our stories of political violence. These negative stories appear to have overshadowed the achievements of this government. Your visit, I must say, will show you that we are peace-loving people. When we experience one form of violence in one part of the country, the ripple effects are felt in other parts of the country. So, it is in our best enlightened interest to ensure that whenever it occurs, we put a check for the good of all of us.

    “In the last few weeks, most of you would have read about Rivers State with the political violence, kidnapping, robbery, killing and one conflict or the other.  It appears that the negative stories have dropped our accomplishments and the successes we have recorded.”

    “I must commend your commission for this intervention. This effort to help monitor and curtail this distressing degree of human rights abuses is most welcome because lives are wasted daily. I was shocked to discover that in less than one year in one local government area alone (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni), we lost 30 persons to political violence.

    “In Okrika, you would have read in the papers that we are not allowed to campaign there. Similar scenario is playing out in Ogo Bolo Local Government Area. I am told, though unconfirmed that some chiefs in Okrika issued an order barring us from coming to campaign in Okrika and I am wondering if Okrika is not part of Rivers State. “

    Peterside urged politicians to eschew bitterness in their quest for power. He said power only comes from God, urging them to appeal to voters with their programmes rather than resorting to intimidation and violence.

    He presented to Odinkalu his manifesto titled Road Map to Prosperity and documents on the violence in Rivers State.

  • ‘APC ‘ll defeat PDP in Rivers’

    ‘APC ‘ll defeat PDP in Rivers’

    All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, is optimistic that he will win the March 28 election. In this interview with EMMANUEL OLADESU, he explains why he believes the APC will have an upper hand. 

    You claim Nyesom Wike is your friend. Are you surprised by the allegations of violence attributed to him and his party?

    Yes, but there are many friends you have that you cannot predict what they can do!

    How are you sure you will get the security agencies to implement the plans you have outlined to protect the people of Rivers State?

    Everything you deal with in life depends on season and context. For those of us who are Christians, the book of Ecclesiastes says that there is time for everything. I know that if I get there, the contexts will be different, the factors at play will be different and I am optimistic that I will get all the cooperation I need to implement my security programme. Rivers State will be peaceful again.

    Are you optimistic that the votes will count?

    I am optimistic that the votes will count. Rivers people are looking forward to installing the type of government they deserve. They won’t be intimidated by anybody; they won’t be harassed by anybody; they won’t submit to threat and intimidation. It is a matter of time and we will rise to the occasion. We will cast our votes, we will defend our votes and we will ensure that our votes count. I am convinced about that.

    I am also optimistic that we will get the cooperation of security agencies and will continue to spotlight what is going on in Rivers State and will attract the attention of the nation and the international community. It is not optional, because if votes don’t count in Rivers State, there is no guarantee that it will count elsewhere in the country. Today, we might isolate what is going on in Rivers State and say this is Rivers. If this trend of violence continues, people in other areas may be emboldened and the whole country will turn into crisis.

    So, we must all work together to ensure that we stem the tide of political violence in Rivers. It is in our collective interest and I am sure that Nigerians are listening.

    What is your fallback option?

    I have no fallback option, order than working with other stakeholders to ensure that the elections are free and fair. Up till now, nobody has found a better form of government than democracy. Democracy is our only option and we need to make sacrifices to ensure that it works.

    Will you follow the Ekiti example, by petitioning the National Human Rights Commission over the spate of violence?

    The situation in Ekiti is not as bad as it is in Rivers. Ours is worse than Ekiti and it is degenerating daily. We have made a few petitions to the National Human Rights Commission and we will continue to do so, hoping that somebody will pay attention to our cry in Rivers. So, it is not about following the Ekiti example and we will continue to act within the ambits of the law; we will not go outside the law to arrest the situation.

    The alternative is to have a lawless state and that is anarchy; that is not the option in any civilised society. We are civilised men and women and will not resort to self help.

    You have repeatedly stated you would continue with the policies of the present administration. To what extent?

    Governor Amaechi has laid a good foundation for the state and we will continue with the projects he has started. But, that does not mean that we will adopt all his policies and programmes. No two governments can be the same, just as no two individuals can be the same, even if they are Siamese twins. We will progress based on contexts and challenges that we confront, but if we are going to continue with most of his programmes.

    Would you continue with Amaechi’s policies?

    The teachers are being retrained as you are aware and the retraining is for a maximum period of one year. Some of them are in Oxford University and other UK-based universities, while the remaining ones are in Nigerian universities, under a phased programme. After some time, you won’t have Indians run the system again because we would have improved the capacity of our people, so that we can get world class education.

    We shouldn’t compromise our standards because we are scared of what people will say. A leader shows the people the way and not the people showing the leader the way.

    How are you sure that you will win the election on April 11?

    I am not a man who will waste my time on things that are not viable. I can feel the pulse of Rivers people; I know what the issues are and I have been involved in politics in Rivers State longer than anybody who is running today, including Nyesom Wike. If this election is conducted three times, I will win three times.

    I am happy you said that there may be a correlation between the outcome of the presidential election and the state election. As we speak, no one can say with certainty that either Buhari or Jonathan will win the election.

    I know that Rivers people are enlightened enough and the national scene is clear enough on who would win, no matter how we pretend. All of us have an idea who will win the election and we won’t be struggling with six week shift, if somebody was not leading and leading clearly.

  • No evil man ‘ll lead Rivers, says Peterside

    No evil man ‘ll lead Rivers, says Peterside

    The  governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Dr Dakuku Peterside, has said no evil man will lead the state.

    The APC governorship candidate spoke during a prayer session at Timber Market, Oyigbo, Port Harcourt at the weekend.

    He told the traders that God alone gives power and that in fullness of time, God’s choice would be revealed.

    ”Men will boast that they have power. They will say they are connected to secret societies. They will say they have influence. They boast daily here in Rivers State about their Federal connection and about how they are oppressing and intimidating their opponents.

    ‘In APC, we boast only about our God, the ancient of days, The I am that I am, The Lion of the tribe of Judea and Jehovah Jireh, so we are not intimidated.

    ”God is interested in Rivers State because of the cry of the children of God. Because He is interested in Rivers State, no evil man will lead this state. Because God is interested in this state, He will not give our state to those who will harass and intimidate non-indigenes. Because God is interested in Rivers State, no tout will rule over our state. Anybody who will put our people in pain will never rule over us. Only God fearing person who will be committed to improving the lives of Rivers people will be voted for.

    ”Our governor, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi has tried for us. He built world-class schools, health centres and provided opportunities for our people without any form of discrimination.  Anybody running for the office of the governor because he wants to destroy Governor Amaechi’s legacies will not succeed. We all know that some person’s only interest in government is to steal more money and impose more taxes on you but we will not allow that.”

    The Chairman, Timber Market Association, Chief Livinus Chike said members of his association were working and praying for Peterside. He urged  the candidate to be steadfast and to continue reaching out to his supporters.

    Speaking at a Town Hall Meeting with new voters in Rivers State which held at Dr. Obi-Wali International Conference Centre in Port Harcourt. The APC candidate who described creativity, talent and innovation as virtues closely associated with youth, warned that a people or government that ignored its young people, do so at its own risk.

    He promised to protect the interest of the youth by investing heavily in education, entertainment, sports, arts, agro-allied sector, expansion of ICT platforms, capacity building and skills enhancement programmes, among others.

    “I will work for you. I will serve you and I will deal with your concerns. If anybody wants your votes, let him tell you how he will provide you with education, employment, prosperity and hope. As a party, we recognise the fact that you are an asset to us. That is the reason we must address issues of interest to you.

    “The reality today is that an average young man or woman who graduates may not have a job in the next 10 years. Yet, some of you are talented actors, footballers and entertainers. For instance, in this hall, there are youths who can excel in the most competitive football leagues in the world and there are also actors here who are future Oscar winners.

    “I know that some of you are very brilliant but you have not been given the right opportunity. We will continue with the scholarship, bursary and educational programmes of Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. But we will introduce a scholarship scheme for indigent students. I promise that under our watch, no child will be denied access to education.”

    Some of the youth expressed confidence in Peterside, describing him as a competent administrator who couldbe relied upon.

  • Rivers: alleged N25b theft mischievous

    The Rivers State government has said the alleged siphoning of N25 billion through the Office of the Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG), George Feyii, and the Government House, Port Harcourt is fallacious and mischievous.

    Information and Communications Commissioner Ibim Semenitari spoke yesterday in Port Harcourt, the state capital, on the alleged theft.

    She said: “The claims that between October and December 2014, N14 billion was ‘siphoned’ through the Office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and on December 23, 2014, N11 billion was ‘siphoned’ through the Government House and Office of the SSG, are fallacious and mischievous. We state categorically that between October and December 2014, no such funds were released to or passed through the Office of the SSG.

  • Reps to security agents: don’t take sides in Rivers politics

    Reps to security agents: don’t take sides in Rivers politics

    •Violence major threat to democracy, says Peterside

    A delegation of the House of Representatives on a visit to All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside, yesterday, urged security agencies not to take sides in the political contest in the state.

    They also urged politicians to play politics by the rules and campaign on issues.

    The delegation, led by Pally Iriase (Edo State), condemned last Tuesday’s violence in Okrika, the headquarters of Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State, during Peterside’s campaign, where gunmen killed a police corporal, Ifeanyi Okorie, 33, and injured about 50 people including Channels television reporter Charles Eruka. 

    Peterside described the situation in the state as horrible and terrible, which he said should be unacceptable to well-meaning people. He described it as a major threat to democracy and the electoral process.

    The Rivers APC’s governorship candidate, also a member of the House of Representatives, received the visitors along with his running mate, Okorie Honourable Asita, a lawyer and also a member of the House of Representatives; a member of the Board of Trustees of the APC, Dr. Sam Sam Jaja; the Director-General of Peterside’s Greater Together Campaign Organisation, Chief Victor Giadom; the leader of the APC in Obio/Akpor Local Government, Chief Tony Okocha; and Dr. Dawari George, a member of the House of Representatives from Rivers state, among other eminent personalities.

    The leader of delegation said: “We have come to commiserate with our colleague. We have come to also, by extension, commiserate with the people of Rivers State. We have come to commiserate with the Nigeria Police Force, because apart from the many wounded persons, during the ugly incident in Okrika, a policeman lost his life. We have been watching the events that have culminated in the loss of lives, but now a serving police officer was cut down at the prime of his age. As these events were developing, we had been quietly watching, but seriously disturbed that no serious action had been taken by the law enforcement agencies, to nip the ugly trend in the bud. Had that been done, we will not be here today to be paying condolence on the death of the policeman.

    “It is so painful and we will take it a little further eventually, but this is the first step, to signpost our abhorence for this dastardliness in our body polity. We do not need to waste human lives over political contest. We all are asking to be given the mandate to serve. We are applicants for servanthood. Where is the room for killing and maiming people, if you are genuinely asking to be given the opportunity to serve people?

    “We came in order to let the world know that the House of Representatives, as presently constituted, is totally unhappy with the violent trend that is now unfolding in the political arena. We feel particularly saddened because we know you (Peterside) as a fine gentleman. We have been together for many years. We know your antecedents. We know your Christian inclination. You are a born again Christian and you will not want to be associated with anything devilish. Our hearts bleed, when we know that it is somebody of your standing, who is being prevented from campaigning in your environment and people went to the extent of taking lives.

    “We are using this opportunity to send this message across to every nook and cranny of Nigeria that we should play this game (politics) by the rules. We should campaign based on issues. We should ask people to vote for us, based on what we will want to do, whom we are and there should be no room any further for violence.

    “We are also using this opportunity to call on the security agencies to be up and doing, to be independent and not to take sides in this political contest. Our constitution does not allow them to take sides with any political party whatsoever. That imbues them with the independence and the authority to deal with whoever is attempting to perpetrate violence. From what has happened in Rivers State, it is now obvious that when you fail to do the right thing, you may even be the worst for it.”

    Peterside lauded the lawmakers for finding time to be with Rivers people, in spite their busy schedules, since most of them are busy with campaign programmes.

    The Rivers APC’s governorship candidate also expressed displeasure on yesterday’s kidnap of Freddy Ndigbara in his Kaani-Ogoni hometown in Khana LGA of Rivers state, while on ward campaign.

    Peterside said: “Two days ago, a member of the APC was shot in Ogu (headquarters of Ogu/Bolo LGA of Rivers State), a sister community to Okrika. About 8 p.m., he was in his house, two young men just stepped into his house, shot him dead and left, and nothing happened. We have always had military station in Bolo, but about three days ago, the military station was momentarily withdrawn and within that short period they were withdrawn, our people in Bolo were attacked severely. After the attack, the military station was restored.

    “We signed a peace accord in January, facilitated by the American government. US Ambassador was physically present. Shortly after signing the peace accord, APC’s secretariats in Okrika and Andoni, my federal constituency, were bombed. We went further to sign another accord, facilitated by the Inspector-General of Police (Suleiman Abba). He was represented by the AIG, Zone 6, Calabar, Tunde Ogunsakin. After the signing of the second peace accord, APC’s rally venue in Okrika was bombed on January 24, 2015. On a single day, eleven members of APC were killed in Omoku, among other attacks and killings across the 23 LGAs of Rivers State. We have always reported to the police. To our chagrin, till date, not one person has been arrested to our knowledge.

    “We are glad to hear that after the last incident in Okrika, which drew national attention, that the IGP has enpanelled the AIG, Zone 6, to lead investigations to issues of political violence in Rivers State. Like the House of Representatives condemned the development in Rivers State, all men of goodwill must rise up and condemn the emerging trend of political violence in Rivers State. It does no one any good. It is a potential danger to all people and to all Nigerians, but most importantly, to our fledging democracy. Our democracy is still at its fragile stage. It also affects the integrity of the electoral process. In the face of intimidation and harassment, people cannot come out and freely cast their votes. Even when we conduct elections, they will not reflect the will of the people. If results of the elections do not reflect the will of the people, that will be an invitation to anarchy, chaos and crisis. That is not what we are bargaining for. I do not think we are ready for that.”

  • Rivers, Shell partner on youths employment

    As part of the efforts to reduce the worsening rate of unemployment in Ogoni land, the Rivers State government is collaborating with Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) to set up 100 youths in various skill-acquisition programmes.

    The youths, who recently passed through the 2013/2014 LiveWire skill acquisition programme, were presented with starter-packs to start their own businesses.

    The oil giant also distributed grant of N21 million to the youths to assist them start off their businesses.

    The state Commissioner for Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment, Owene Wornodi, praised Shell for making the youths self-reliant in the face of increasing unemployment.

    Represented by a director in the ministry, Festus Ugwuzor, Wornodi said the move would, apart from improving the economic wellbeing of the people, also reduce restiveness among the youths.

    “Shell has truly executed its social responsibility on Ogoni youths. LiveWire is an important programme, and it has the capacity to reduce the level of unemployment among the youths.

    “Youth restiveness and unemployment cannot be ameliorated in our society, except by skill acquisition programmes, entrepreneurial capacity building like this, and diversification of the economy.

    “I want to advise the beneficiaries to make proper use of the trade they acquired.”

    Also speaking, the monarch of Tai Kingdom, who is also the President of Supreme Council of Ogoni Traditional rulers, Godwin Gininwa, appealed to the youths to make good use of the opportunity given to them.

    Earlier, the country chairman and Managing Director of Shell, Mr Mutiu Sumonu, said he was happy with the development, and explained that it was meant to give meaningful means of livelihood to the unemployed youths.

    Sumonu said: “It is indeed a remarkable day for the 105 trainees who are graduating today after three months of intensive training in various skills areas. We are happy about the successful completion of the LiveWire training programmes, and are pleased to see this group of young entrepreneurs start up business that will contribute to the economic development of communities.”