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Tag: voice

  • Glo tops voice, data acquisition

    Globacom has yet again confirmed its leadership position in the nation’s telecommunications sector, as the latest telecoms industry statistics released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) shows that the company gained 214,646 new subscribers in July.

    The operator has thus raised its subscriber base to over 40.3 million.

    According to NCC, Globacom, which had 40,108,508 subscribers in June, amassed 214,646 new subscribers in July to arrive at a customer base of  40,323,154. The additional 214,646,  according to the regulator, was the biggest gain by any operator in July. The report stated that Airtel, which came second, added 149,880 new customers, growing from 39,898,448 in June to 40,048,328 in July.

    Contrastively, MTN and 9mobile lost well over 1.1 million subscribers within the period under review with MTN losing 999,891 subscribers, while 9mobile shed 246,221 customers.

     

    In addition, the NCC report also indicated that Globacom has, since this year, added a total number of 2,153,374 new subscribers. As at the end of December, 2017, the company had a subscriber base of 38,169,780, whereas the figure increased to 40,323,154 in July this year.

     

    This growth in data subscriber base by Globacom, the NCC statistics stated, accounted principally for the growth in the number of internet users on mobile devices during the review period as the total number of data users in the country rose by 866,656, from 102.81 million in June to103.67 million in July.

     

    In the data analysis report by the NCC, Globacom also led the gainers’ chart  with 574,821 new internet users, with its data subscription rising from 26.57 million in June to 27.15 million in July. This figure represents 66% of the total 866,656 new internet users in the industry.

     

    Airtel’s figure on the other hand rose by 375,724 from 26.71 internet users in June  to 27.09 million in July, just as MTN also gained 134,197 new data users in July as the figure recorded was 39.07 million as against 38.94 million in June.

     

    However, 9mobile lost 218,086 internet users in July, as its subscription base fell to 10.37 million as against June when it recorded 10.59 million.

     

    Globacom’s increasing subscriber base is being attributed by industry watchers to the several attractive and user-friendly packages which offer a lot of appeal to prepaid and postpaid phone  users, thus making its services the most accessible and most affordable.

     

    The company which last month marked its 15 years of operation in Nigeria recently launched Glo Yakata which offers up to 2,200% bonus on every N100 recharge and above, and Oga SIM which offers 125% bonus on every data subscription.

     

  • The alternative voice

    It is no longer news that the winner of this year’s Nobel Literature Prize will not be announced because of the scandal that embroiled the process a few months ago.

    Due to the disappointment this has brought to the literary world, there have been moves by some concerned literati to ensure that this October ritual holds, even if on a lighter scale. A few of this have gathered together and set up a committee to award what has been dubbed “An Alternative Nobel”. I have some misgivings about the name; I would have thought the promoters would go all out to give their own name and let it run, why an alternative? I also take into cognisance the fact that they have said the prize would only run for a year and that by next year when the Nobel would be awarded they would cease awarding theirs.

    I, however, must point out that I love the process of selection. I believe it may not be mired in accusation and controversy as in the Nobel. For any book to make the list it must have been selected by librarians and a shortlist would be drawn up and uploaded on their website. This then would be open to the public to vote for. This was the same process that led to The English Patient winning the Golden Man Booker Prize.

    This, to an extent, is an open process. The Nobel, in my view, has opened itself to so much criticism and abuse long before the sexual assault case. In the past few years, some of the writers that have won the prize have been unknown but for the prize!  The prestigious prize has eluded so many good, deep and profound writers who many thought should have won it.

    A few days ago I was in discussion with some literature aficionados who thought the Nobel has been unfair to Africa because there are many of our writers who should have won the prize. I agreed with them but told them that until we, as Africans, put our own house in order and put up enduring prizes that would target the world and make it our canvas, we would continue to be shaped by the standards of the West.

    The West cannot set up a prize and we expect it to set rules that would conform to our own African values and standards. Why are our writers hankering after the Caine Prize? True, it is set up for Africans but we all know that it was not set up by an African nor named after one. Where are all our rich people? Why are they not investing in our culture and promoting our values?

    The so called ‘Alternative to Nobel’ would do the same because it is set up by the West and headquartered there. So nothing has changed or would change. The promoter of the new prize, Alexandra Pascalidou, has gathered about 100 writers, journalists and others to help set the right path for this journey. According to her, “What we’d like to see is something new – a Swedish Academy that is contemporary, open to the world, inclusive, transparent.” Note her words.

    Is this not noble? But that is usually the way new things start and promise heaven but deliver something else. However, since this is just a one-off thing, we might just be satisfied with the words of the president of the New Academy, Ann Palsson, that all they want is to inspire people about books in the same way the Nobel does, “We just want to focus on something positive.”

    Let’s keep inspiring ourselves.

  • Collins Teke’s ‘Voice over master class’ holds November 25

    Collins Teke’s ‘Voice over master class’ holds November 25

    Concerned about raising the next generation of voice over artists in Nigeria, award-winning On Air Personality (OAP) and voice over artist, Collins Teke, has announced the ‘Voice Over Master Class’ set to hold on November 25, 2017 in Ibadan, Oyo State.

    Teke, who works with Inspiration FM, Ibadan, is the current Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards (NBMA) Best Voice Over Artist in Nigeria revealed that voice is an asset and money spinner, adding that it is impossible to bring things to life without voice over.

    “We are looking at educating people about voice-over well-beyond just doing jingles and promos, presentations on T.V and radio, regardless of which accent/language they speak,” said Teke.

    “We will also help people to identify their strengths, where their kind of voice can fit in.

    “Identifying this, we want to bring people to the awareness of the fact that their voice is an asset, a money-spinner. It is not just voice training.

    “Voice-over is the very essence of life as it is found everywhere. We see – or hear it – everywhere, even though most times, we’re not aware of it. When you think of voice over, you think of radio, T.V. It’s impossible to bring things to life without voice-over. The visual is complimentary while the voice over is what gives life to the visual.

    “We will teach about production which includes scripting (an idea of what you want it to sound like when it is done), packaging, voicing itself, the different kinds of scripts, the use of special effects to produce your voice over, voice editing amongst others. Also, enlighten people about the influence of the society/environment on the script production.

    He further added that “it’s a training that has something for every participant; training for all as there are no restrictions. Depending on the location of the attendees, we can organize a Skype session for those who are not in town.”

    Teke noted that “in the nearest future, we hope to take this event and make a model for the kids, say between the ages of four years and 11 years.

  • Presidency releases Buhari’s voice message

    Presidency releases Buhari’s voice message

    The Presidency has released President Muhammadu Buhari’s voice message to Nigerians to debunk reports that he is suffering from speech impairment.

    There have been reports in the social media claiming that the President is suffering from speech impairment and memory loss.

    However, in the recording, aired yesterday  by some radio stations, including the BBC, the President was heard felicitating with Nigerians on the occasion of Eid-el Fitr.

    Buhari thanked them for their consistent prayers for his well-being.

    The President urged all citizens, irrespective of their socio-political affiliations, to always avoid hate speech and divisive tendencies capable of causing disaffection among them.

    He also prayed for good harvest for farmers following the coming of the rains.

    The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity Malam Garba Shehu had on Saturday in a statement issued a similar message.

    A presidential source on Saturday had earlier confirmed that “the President is getting better and “will return to Nigeria very soon”.

    Buhari left Abuja for London on May 7 to see his doctors.

  • NCC begins voice termination rate review

    NCC begins voice termination rate review

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) said yesterday it has commenced the process for the review of voice termination rates for telecommunication industry in the country.

    Its Executive Vice Chairman, Prof Umar Garba Danbatta, said at the Stakeholders’ Forum on the Cost Based Study for the Determination of Mobile Voice Termination Rate for telecom industry that the review has become imperative due to changes in the industry since the last exercise in 2013.

    He told industry players and other stakeholders who attended the Forum at the Commission’s Head Office in Abuja that the move would make the industry achieve full competition and effective regulation by providing a level playing ground for all participants.

    Prof Danbatta said: “ Since the last determination, the Nigerian communication market has witnessed tremendous growth in both subscriber numbers as well as traffic volumes. Changes in available technologies, (2G, 2.5G, 3G and 4G) and other network elements, including global financial markets  have an impact such as the cost of capital.

    “The scale of changes will inevitably affect the unit cost of providing services including interconnection and may lead to differences between regulated interconnection rates and underlying costs which in turn may result in differences between on-net and off-net retail tariffs.

    “It is very important that we ensure that interconnection services are not only fairly priced and non-discriminative but should reflect the cost of providing such services in the market.

    “It is in this regard that the Commission has decided to review the rates set in 2013 determination in the light of the current market realities.”

    According to Danmbatta, consistent with the Commission’s principle of ensuring participatory regulation, the stakeholders forum was convened not only to formally introduce the project consultant to the industry stakeholders, but also to kick—start the project.

    He emphasised that “the supply of industry statistical data is most crucial to the success of determining appropriate interconnection termination rates for the telecommunications industry.”

    He said NCC has the obligation to create a level playing field for all operators, noting that “in line with international practices, the commission shall ensure that interconnect rates reflect the cost of termination on the networks.

  • 2Baba, Waje, Dakolo, Patoranking to coach The Voice Nigeria contestants

    2Baba, Waje, Dakolo, Patoranking to coach The Voice Nigeria contestants

    As preparations for the maiden edition of the much anticipated The Voice Nigeria show reach fever pitch, some leading Nigerian vocalists including 2Baba Idibia, Waje, Timi Dakolo and Patoranking were on Tuesday unveiled by organisers as coaches to the contestants ahead of the show which will begin airing in April.

    The unveiling of the coaches which took place at The George Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos, was on the heels of the talent auditions in Calabar, Port Harcourt, Abuja and Lagos.

    Sponsored by Airtel Nigeria, The Voice franchise, since its original launch in 2010, has won audiences in countries like the U.S., Australia, South Africa and the UK, where other renowned artistes have occupied the show’s famous red chairs as coaches. The Voice Nigeria, according to organisers, employs the same format including the panel of four coaches who critique the contestants’ performances. The coaches guide their teams of selected artistes through the remainder of the season whilst also competing to ensure that their act wins the competition.

    “It’s an exciting time for us at M-Net,” says the Director, M-Net West Africa, Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu said. “The Voice is an internationally renowned franchise and has consistently provided exciting television content whilst giving great opportunities to talented individuals to showcase their talent to the world. The Nigerian adaptation will be no different and our viewers can expect the best television entertainment even as we wait to discover the next generation of talented singers,” she added.

    Commenting on the unveiling of coaches, Mr. Ahmad Mokhles, the Chief Commercial Officer of Airtel Nigeria noted that Airtel is passionate about creating platforms that will delight, excite, entertain and engage talented youth as well as telecoms consumers across the country.

    According to him, “The Voice Nigeria demonstrates Airtel’s commitment to its vision of connecting Nigerians to their dreams. We are also pleased by the fact that the majority of the coaches are not just icons in their respective music genres but also members of the Airtel family, underscoring our intense interest and support for the entertainment and creative industry.”

  • Voice of God or man

    When is the voice of man equal to the voice of God?  This must be the central question in the controversy over the priestly intervention by the Enugu-based Catholic Rev Father Camillus Ejike Mbaka. His intrusion was unanticipated because the country had grown accustomed to the silence of those who claim to represent the divine when faced with the influence of political power.

    So, it was food for thought when Mbaka’s New Year message to the congregation targeted President Goodluck Jonathan. Mbaka said: “I’m not saying that Goodluck is a bad man. He is a good man. But he cannot lead Nigeria. As things stand right now, from the oracle of the Holy Spirit, Jonathan should honourably resign quietly and let Nigeria be.” He also said:  ”The way Nigeria is going right now, the office of Goodluck Jonathan let another take…We need change. May the Holy Spirit help me to vocalise what he has shown to me while I was waiting on him to give me a message for my people.”

    Indeed, Mbaka’s appeal to authority, more specifically, to the believed infallibility of divinity, may appear mystifying, but that is understandably the nature and character of priesthood. Priests are expected to be peculiarly connected to the metaphysical realm, but it is difficult to prove when a priest is metaphysically correct. It is the fundamental uncertainty of spiritual integrity that complicates a priest’s claim to oracular capacity.

    However, when a priest, by his pronouncement, is on the same page with the people, it may suggest a definitive divine influence; and this is Mbaka’s appeal. In the sphere of public opinion, there is little doubt about Jonathan’s abysmal governmental performance, and his pursuit of a second term in office has all the ingredients of a defiant and unrealistic venture. The context gives credence to Mbaka’s words and to his claim to being a messenger of God.

    It was striking that in reaction to Mbaka’s remarks, the Catholic Bishop of Abuja Metropolitan See, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, was quoted as saying, “I wouldn’t be surprised if most people are not happy with the statement he made. From my reactions, you should see that I do not agree with him. I don’t believe a priest should be doing that.” He added: “If he was in my archdioceses, I will have sanctioned him long ago for the kind of things and utterances that he makes.” Interestingly, the President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama, also said: “There are more than 30 million Catholics in Nigeria; Fr Mbaka is just one Catholic; if he makes a statement, it cannot be the voices of more than 30 million Nigerian Catholics speaking.”

    For the avoidance of doubt, Mbaka never claimed to be speaking for anyone but God. It is noteworthy that he said: “It is so unfortunate that pastors are becoming vultures around the president. Pastors are becoming hawks around him, eating the porridge of Jacob and selling their prophetic rights.” He continued: “Listen, this is the voice on the pulpit: all these men of God, who are telling Jonathan to continue because they are benefiting one thing or the other, you should question your apostolic, prophetic anointing.”

    It may be relevant to highlight the fact that when Jonathan went on a pilgrimage to Israel last year, the second time in his four-year term, he had with him the Chaplain of the Presidential Villa, Ven. Obioma Onwuzurumba; Bishop David Oyedepo of Living Faith Church Worldwide; Primate, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh; and President, Christian Association of Nigeria, Ayo Oritsejafor.  It is not difficult to guess that Jonathan’s repeat pilgrimage was probably inspired by his pursuit of reelection this year.

    Mbaka’s difference speaks eloquently when considered against the background of a “Primatial Award of Excellence in Christian Stewardship” given to Jonathan last year by the Anglican Communion. From the testimony of Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh who led a delegation to the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the Anglican Church is proud of Jonathan. Listen to Okoh’s words in justification of the unprecedented award: “By this award, we affirm that you as the leader and President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has shared, allocated, distributed the resources of Nigeria fairly, equitably, and judiciously to the East, West, North and South of Nigeria to all, including the traditional religionists, Muslims and Christians alike, to men and women, to the youth and children, including the Almajiri. This is the essence of this award. Congratulations. May God honour you.”

    In a revelatory moment, Jonathan said on the occasion: “I grew up as a member of the Anglican Church…I have been a part of the church from the beginning. I attended the Anglican Primary School as a pupil. So I have to be very grateful to the Anglican Church that brought me up. I am what I am today because of the Anglican Church.” If Jonathan sounded like a proud product of Anglicanism, then the questions should arise as to what he was taught in that framework, if he was taught anything, and whether he is practising what he learnt, if he learnt anything.

    Just imagine how colourful and reinforcing it would be for Jonathan to be given awards by the representatives of the categories defined by Primate Okoh: “the East, West, North and South of Nigeria…including the traditional religionists, Muslims and Christians alike…men and women…the youth and children, including the Almajiri.” It would be a carnival of highly favourable publicity and praise, which Jonathan would, no doubt, enjoy.

    Seriously, isn’t it confusing? Who is speaking on God’s behalf?  It may be clarifying to quote Jesus on the Mount of Olives. In Mathew 25, he spoke to his disciples about the judgement of the sheep and the goats. Jesus said: “Then he will say to those at this left hand, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me…Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.”

    If Jonathan’s record in governance should be judged by the words of Jesus, he would probably be qualified to be where Jesus referred to as “at this left hand”. In other words, his performance in office, which has observably deepened the country’s harrowing socio-economic conditions, places him among “the goats.”

    This must be the point of Mbaka’s sermon. It was an impressive and commendable instance of speaking truth to power, and deserves to be emulated by genuine priests in the interest of the country.

  • Her voice, her passport

    Her voice, her passport

    Death robbed her twice of a means to education.  But her voice made a way for her to earn scholarships.  Now, Agatha Ibeazor wants to teach music and revive the art of opera singing in Nigeria, reports Kofoworola Belo-Osagie.

    If anyone understands the loss death brings, it is Agatha Ibeazor.  Twice, she has felt its sting and the hopelessness that comes with the pain of losing a dear one.

    The first time was when her father passed on.  She was only four.  His death meant that, unlike her older siblings, she could not attend a private secondary school.  She attended Mount Carmel Catholic Primary School and Marywood Grammar School, both in Ebute Metta, Lagos.    And though she was offered a place to study Law at the Anambra State University, her hardworking mother, Fidelia, could not afford to pay, so she lost the admission.

    But 25-year-old Agatha’s destiny was tied to music.  And music it was that cleared a path for her.  Even before she could speak and read, Agatha sang.  She joined the youth choir of St Paul’s Catholic Church, Ebute-Metta at seven – so young that there was no choir robe her size.  She sang her way to recognition in church.  So, when furthering her education became an issue, her choir master, the late Stephen Olarinde, advised her to apply to the MUSON (Music Society of Nigeria) School of Music which has a scholarship scheme sponsored by the MTN Foundation.

    “With a lot of hard work, I auditioned and did the written exam and when the results came out I passed and was admitted to the school.  I was one of the lucky people that got admitted as it is a highly selective process.  I am truly grateful to MTN Foundation as they did not only pay for my tuition fee but they gave me transportation stipends which made going to school a lot easier and more bearable for me,” she said.

    At the MUSON, Agatha flourished under the tutelage of music teachers she described as some of the best in the world.  She trained her voice and learnt to play musical instruments such as the piano, clarinet, trumpet, and the cello.  But singing was her calling, and as she earned her associate diploma in music, she also clinched the best prize for Voice.

    After graduation, her next desire was to seek greater qualification in opera singing abroad.  This quest led her to Abuja, where she did all kinds of freelance music jobs to get connected with the right people.  The jobs did not always pay good money, but her determination paid off in the end and she got a scholarship from the late Levi Ajuonuma to study Music at the Truman State University in the United States.

    “As a freelance singer I happened to be invited to sing at the end of the year party at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).  I asked not to be paid, but that my admission letter to a school in the U.S. should be read to the attendees just so they were made aware of my quest of studying abroad.  Luckily for me, I got sponsorship from that event (from the former Group General Manager, Public Affairs, Dr Levi Ajuonuma),” she said.

    But that scholarship only lasted for two years because of Ajuonuma’s death in the Dana Air crash of June 3, 2012.  This was the second time death showed up to abort her dream.  However, to save her education, Truman University authorities stepped in, and paid part of the tuition fees.  Agatha funded the rest by working long hours.

    Despite having to work part-time and compete with equally intelligent classmates, Agatha completed her programme again in flying colours, earning honours in the process.

    She said: “To be on the (honours) list, the departmental honours requirements for music must be met and they include 3.50 or above Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA), A on Junior and Senior Recital, presentation at a research conference – Truman State University Student Research Conference, NCUR, CMS, MENC, MMTA, others.

    “I worked hard with many sleepless nights from studying, working, practising, researching, performing, ans so on, to be able to meet the requirements and get departmental honours recognition. I was also selected to perform at the Music honours recital due to my hard work and dedication to opera which was a big deal as a music student.”

    Now, that she is done, Agatha seeks to study for her “master’s and doctoral degrees simultaneously.”  She is again looking for sponsors to attend the Crane School of Music, State University of New York at Potsdam, and the Butler School of Music, University of Texas at Austin, where she has already been admitted.

    After she is through with schooling, she hopes to return to Nigeria to teach music, which she has already started.

    “This August I will be giving a Master Class and a concert at the MUSON Centre to encourage upcoming opera singers.  I also intend for this concert to be annual to promote this touching and elegant art-form,” she said.

    Agatha is a dreamer; and she advises those who wants to achieve success in life to dream.

    “If you don’t have a dream yet, get a good night’s sleep and please dream because it’s only dreamers that are achievers.

     

  • ‘I want to be Urhobo voice in National Assembly’

    ‘I want to be Urhobo voice in National Assembly’

    Masheni Johnson is a House of Representatives aspirant in the Ughelli-Udu Constituency on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). In this interview with MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE, he reflects on the plight of Urhobo in Delta State and their quest for a sense of belonging.

    How long have you been participating in the affairs of the constituency?

    I have been participating in the constituency politics since 1999. So, I am old in Delta politics. But I am only just coming out to contest for election.

    Why are you going to the House of Representatives?

    I am going there to be the voice of the Urhobo nation. I observe that after the death of Senator Pius Ewherido, the voice of Urhobo people have not been heard at the National Assembly. I am also going to the House of Representatives to see that I bring government close to my people. As at today, the government is very far from my people. I am going for the House of Representatives because having asked one or two questions without getting the right answers. I have probed into the activities of those representing us at the House, on what have they done and how its affect the lives of my people. Coincidentally, I was having a meeting in Ughelli and I asked a simple question because that was when the National Assembly commissioned the constituency projects. I tried to find how many projects they have commissioned in the constituency. I discovered they have not really done much. So, the question that would come to mind will be what happened to the constituency allowance and what is it being used for?

    Since there are other contestants in the APC, what is the assurance that you will get the ticket?

    There are other contestants. In Delta politics, some people believe you cannot win election unless you have a lot of money. But over time, we have been able to build structures, and we have engaged our people on issues. Now, the orientation is changing; they are now aware that in the past they were used and dumped after collecting money. When they go to them to demand the dividend of democracy, they tell them that they have been settled. Now my people are no longer looking for who will give them money and abandon them. They are looking for someone that they can send to the House as their messenger. So, I have presented myself to be their messenger and their voice. So, in the selection process and by the grace of God too, we are also consulting.

    Don’t you think the PDP will use the power of incumbency against you in the election?

    The power of incumbency will not count at this juncture. I must tell you that those who served one term in the House do not always return. Ughellli North, Ughelli South and Udu Federal Constituency have never returned a sitting member of the House. From 1999 to the present moment, those who have served as in the constituency end up serving for only with one term. The record shows there has been no purposeful representation. When you are elected, you have to perform. As long as you did not perform, my people are ready to stop you. The power of incumbency to a large extent will not stop me.

    Your party is always accused of imposition. If this plays out again and you fail to get its ticket, what will be your reaction?               

    Yes, there is this allegation that that our party imposes candidate on the people. We need to know again that this same APC also means well. When they imposed a candidate, they have their reason too. The candidate may have supported the party one way or the other. And the question I keep asking people is that is all the people that the APC imposed, are they not credible? I am not in support of imposition, because I am ready to go to battle it out in the primaries with anybody. But when the issue of imposition arises, I will do all within my power to see that I participate.

    What is the assurance that people at the grassroots will support you?

    First and foremost, so many people have been urging us to come forward to participate in grassroots politics. But we have to accept the request at the appropriate time. So far, so good; we have been on ground. We have the Masheni Movement in the three local governments within the constituency. This has become a household name. We have been able to put that in the minds of the people. At the grassroots, we are on ground. As I speak today, I am the only House of Representatives aspirant in the constituency that has a formidable campaign organisation.

    How has government fostered   infrastructure development in your constituency?

    The government has not done much in my constituency. The developments you can see on ground today are not commensurate with the resources that the state gets from Federal Govern-ment. We see this as a deliberate act to shortchange the people. My people have been in the opposition. They deliberately punish them because of their political affiliation. So, if you go to Udu, Ughelli North and South, there is no development. It is the only place you go to and see the least Okada rider that operate there is an OND holder.

    Following the disagreement just before its convention, the APC still has some reconciliation to do within its ranks. What should the party do to bring everybody together?

    In every election, the loser always comes up to cry foul; except what we have just witnessed in Ekiti, where someone will lose an election and would gladly have a warm handshake with the winner. My advice for the aggrieved parties is that they should see this as a sacrifice. They should see it as a way of moving the party forward. It is the real wish of the people that has prevailed. I also advise the new national chairman to harmonise the party. That someone is angry and wants to leave the party is uncalled for, if they tow this line, it means they are not democrats. As democrats, they should be prepared to win or fail.

  • ‘The Southsouth needs to have common voice’

    ‘The Southsouth needs to have common voice’

    Chairman of the Southsouth Consolidated Forum, Mr Dick K. Harry, in this interview with NICHOLAS KALU, speaks on the need for the people of the region to attract attention for economic empowerment and development by speaking in a common voice.

    What do you mean by the saying the Southsouth has no voice?

    The south has no voice because it does not have a collective voice. Other groups have voice, when they come together, they speak with one voice. And that has always been why they are benefitting. And the Southsouth is just an individual or some groups that would just get up and say something and those things are not to the general good of the region. For instance now, we have Ijaw National Congress, we have MOSOP and others. If any of these groups is speaking, they are speaking based on their own tribe. A tree cannot make a forest. We must come together and say yes we agree to speak with one voice. So how do we start building? We begin from the grassroots. To get the consent the grassroots to say yes, what you are doing we love it and would want to be part of it. We must have a voice. We must speak with one voice and that is why we began this building.

    What is your impression of state of development of the south-south?

    The state of development in the south-south is zero. When you come to the South-South, because we don’t have a voice, even when we have all the resources in our own control, we are less developed. If you go from Edo to Delta to Bayelsa to Rivers to Akwa Ibom and Cross River, you can agree with me that the Southsouth has been neglected for a very long time. And these are the things that have been built by the old leaders of this country. Because we don’t have a voice, the Federal Government has neglected this region.

    But a son of the Southsouth is in the saddle now?

    A tree cannot make a forest. There are challenges where he is coming from because they see him as a minority. They see him as people who don’t have one voice. All what is happening is because of the challenges he is facing because of where he is coming from.

    Like the challenges facing the Rivers State government, it’s all political with different political interests. And like I have been saying, because we lack one voice, we allow strangers, people who are not from the region to speak for us. How can you cry more than the bereaved? As far as we are concerned – the people of the Southsouth – the problem of Rivers State is not what people are saying. This is the handiwork of people who feel that they can benefit from the government, they want to do divide and rule. I want to make this clear to Nigerians and the sons and daughters of the Southsouth. Nobody seems to love us more than we love ourselves. Nobody feels he can show us love now than we do to ourselves. Why are outsiders looking as if they are interested in our own issue? It is because they want to do divide and rule. They want us to fight among ourselves. The same politics they have been playing all these years that is the same politics they are still playing up till now.

    Let us end all these political crisis. It will not benefit our region anything. If Rivers suffers, Bayelsa suffers. If Bayelsa suffers, Delta suffers and so on. We should all come back home as one body and one united body. Let us not mind all the distraction from people who feel they love us. They love us now because our son is there. They want to use us to fight against our own son because they are already fighting him. So, they want us also to begin the fight at home. I want to advise that if you love the Southsouth, do everything that will bring peace and unity to the people of the region. Don’t do anything that will cause breach of peace in the region?

    There has been an outcry by Nigerians, even from the Southsouth that the President has performed below expectations, particularly for the region.

    People who say he has not performed are the same people who want to put factionalise the Southsouth. Yes, because you can see what is happening – divide and rule. He is suffering because of where he is coming from because there is no common voice. They will team up to give him trouble. He seems not to have people to stand behind him and back him up from his own place. So, he will try to make sure he does everything over there to please them and in so doing his people are suffering and they will still use us from the Southsouth to fight him. If a man is going for a war and his household is fighting him, how can the man succeed? We need to be united and give him our support to succeed.