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Tag: Niger Delta

  • JUST IN: N’Delta leaders in emergency meeting over scrapping of ministry

    JUST IN: N’Delta leaders in emergency meeting over scrapping of ministry

    Leaders of the Niger Delta region are currently in an emergency meeting over the scrapping of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs by the Federal Government.

    Recall that in 2019 speculations were ride that the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration was set to dump the Niger Delta Affairs Ministry and even its intervention agency the NDDC.

    This never took place instead a lack lustre forensic audit was conducted by the then minister Godswill Akpabio and till date no contractor has been arrested or tried.

    There have been reactions in the region following the ministerial portfolios handed to the screened nominees, Wednesday, in which the Niger Delta Affairs was visibly missing.

    To this end, the Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF has convened an emergency meeting of leaders of the region.

    According to the National Publicity Secretary of PANDEF, Hon. Ken Robinson, who did not disclose the venue said the meeting is ongoing in Abuja.

    We saw the list of ministerial nominee and allocation published by the presidency and Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs was missing conspicuously.

    There have been reactions. PANDEF has been inundated with calls from stakeholders in the Niger Delta region and it is disturbing. So, PANDEF is holding and emergency meeting today in Abuja. and we are going to come out with a very strong position and statement after this meeting today.”

  • PANDEF to meet over national, regional challenges

    PANDEF to meet over national, regional challenges

    Pan Niger Delta Forum, (PANDEF) is set to meet to deliberate over the state of the nation and recent socio-political developments in the Niger Delta region.

    Dr. Ken Robinson, National Publicity Secretary, PANDEF, made this known in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

    Robinson said that the forum would also deliberate particularly on the extant situation of federal agencies with direct bearing on the Niger Delta, road infrastructure, and other related matters.

    He said: “PANDEF, the apex socio-cultural body of the Niger Delta people, will hold an expanded National Executive Committee Meeting, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Friday, 28th July 28.

    “The meeting, which will be presided over by the National Chairman, Sen. Emmanuel Essien, will deliberate on the state of the nation; recent
    socio-political developments in the region, and the country.

    “The Uyo gathering will also initiate steps to strengthen its structures, for greater service delivery.”

    Robinson said that the forum’s Board of Trustees, National and State Executive Committees, and critical stakeholders from the coastal States of the region have been invited to attend the meeting.

    Meanwhile, PANDEF said it remained strongly committed to the promotion of peace, unity, and sustainable development, not only in the region, but in the entire country.

  • NDDC targets 10,000 jobs for Niger Delta youths

    NDDC targets 10,000 jobs for Niger Delta youths

    The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) says its newly launched Project Hope will create jobs for about 10,000 indigent youths, women and entrepreneurs in the Niger Delta.

    The NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, announced the plan during the launch of the project at the commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

    He said the Holistic Opportunity Projects of Engagement, christened “Project Hope’’, would create about 1,000 jobs for each of the nine Niger Delta states.

    Ogbuku said: “Today marks a new dawn for youths of the Niger Delta with the launch of Project Hope that seeks to turnaround NDDC’s Youth Development and Empowerment Programme.

    “We decided to launch this project considering that over the years NDDC has invested lots of funds to impact on the lives of youths that cannot be accounted for.

    “Project Hope aims to provide a database that will streamline our programmes into one platform to engage youths, women and entrepreneurs of the region.

    “So, this project will create 10,000 jobs with at least 1,000 jobs created in each of the nine Niger States in the areas of agro-allied and Information Technology, among others.”

    Ogbuku said that once the youths are registered on the database, the platform would enable the commission to know their interests and needs.

    He said knowing the preferences of the youths would enable the NDDC to streamline its empowerment programmes to suit their needs.

    “To this end, we will no longer go about nominating people to benefit from our training programmes as we will only pick from the database.

    “For example, if we want to train welders, then we will go to the database to pick those whose interest are welding. So, nobody needs to know anybody to benefit.

    “The database will eliminate political interest in the area of nominations while giving every youth equal opportunity to obtain support from the NDDC and government.

    “Also, this programme will help eliminate the past practice of youths benefitting in our programmes multiple times. But now, once you’ve been engaged, it will be recorded in our database,” he added.

    The managing director advised NDDC vendors who always brought arbitrary empowerment programmes and proposals to the commission to key into Project Hope.

    Mrs Winifred Madume, Director, Skills Development and Empowerment, said the scheme would empower the youth with legitimate means of livelihood with reference to their educational qualifications, skills and interests.

    According to her, the selection process will be handled transparently to ensure the commission’s employment generation and industrialisation drive is achieved.

    On his part, the facilitator of the project, Mr Blessing Fubara, said the database would provide the parameters for employment generation, youth empowerment and capacity development in the Niger Delta.

  • N/Delta group hails Tinubu for retaining NDDC management

    N/Delta group hails Tinubu for retaining NDDC management

    The Movement for the survival of Izon Ethnic Nationality in Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has commended President Bola Tinubu’s decision to return Dr. Samuel Ogbuku-led management of the Niger Delta Development Commision (NDDC).

    Mr Kenedy Tonjo-West, President of MOSIEND, told NAN in Yenegoa that the decision was an ingenious way of keeping development of the region on course.

    He said: “Retaining Ogbuku to keep running the NDDC is a good omen for the Niger Delta and shows that Mr. President appreciated the need to entrust leadership in competent hands.

    “On June 19, President Tinubu approved the dissolution of boards of Federal Government parastatals with the exception of Councils and Commissions listed in the Third Schedule of 1999 Constitution.

    “Consequently, the NDDC board which was inaugurated in January, was dissolved.”

    He said the people of Niger Delta, dismayed by the board’s dissolution, soon had cause to jubilate following the return of the Dr Ogbuku- led management team.

    He explained that Ogbuku, a development expert by training and practice, was well positioned to bring his wealth of experience to the development of the Niger Delta region.

    Tonjo-West noted that MOSIEND was in support of Mr President’s decision because Dr Ogbuku was one of them who had been in the struggle and understood the peculiar development needs of the Niger Delta.

    On the status of the managing director and executive directors of the NDDC, Tonjo-West said the MD and two executive directors could run the commission until replacements were made.

    He said MOSIEND was aware of covert activities of some politicians calculated to foment trouble under the guise of opposing the change of administration in the NDDC.

    He, however, said that violence was not the only means of drawing attention to issues.

    “For us in MOSIEND, we are using the instrumentality of dialogue in pushing for issues that matter for the people of the Niger Delta.“

  • NDDC calls on development partners to collaborate in tangling regional challenges

    NDDC calls on development partners to collaborate in tangling regional challenges

    The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has called on development partners to collaborate with the commission in tackling challenges in the Niger Delta region.

    Speaking at a one-day policy dialogue with development partners and donor agencies in Abuja, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Nigeria Delta Affairs, Dr Shuaib Belgore, listed several areas of partnership currently open for assistance.

    Belgore said the call had become necessary to present stakeholders a window of opportunity to collectively review it’s past development effort in the region, with a view to charting a new and robust road-map premised on probity and corporate governance structure.

    “You may wish to consider under-listed thematic areas for possible assistance and collaboration: negotiation and peace building effort: facilitate engagement with communities in the region, enlightenment campaigns on peaceful co-existence, support and strengthening existing security architecture.

    “Empowerment of youths and women: facilitation of vocational training programmes, start-up capitals, post empowerment monitoring and mentorship.

    “Health care intervention: equipping of completed health centres and hospitals, provision of drugs and medical consumables, conduct of health researches and medical outreach.

    “Others are public private partnership: opportunities abound for partnership in the construction of roads, bridges, markets, agro processing plants, skill acquisition centres, health centres etc.

    “Some of these projects have attained appreciable level of completion i.e. 30% -70% while new ones could be initiated for partnership.

    “Provision of ICT equipment: Provision of Computer Desktops, ‘Laptops, Storage Devices, Power Back-ups etc to enhance service delivery of the Ministry and NDDC; –

    “Capacity building for Staff of MNDA & NDDC: Facilitation of regular Training of staff on ICT and other professional areas for optimal performance; and

    “Technical support/Assistance for Ministry and NDDC: Provision of Consultancy Services to drive policy initiation and implementation,” he said.

    On his part, the Managing Director of NDDC, Samuel Ogbuku, expressed the commission ‘s readiness to partner with development partners.

    “The Niger Delta today is peaceful, it is is one of the most peaceful region in the country as you can attest.we have also put some building foundation, Internal policy, internal administration in NDDC”

    “This will also go a long way to affect our project management, everything about NDDC. So, that is to say if you’re coming to invest in NDDC, you should be rest assured that these projects are going to be judiciously used for the benefit of the people of the Niger Delta,” he said.

    Presenting a paper, titled “A sea of opportunities in the Niger Delta Region,” the Director/Chairman Public Private Partnership, NDDC, Engr. Emmanuel Audu-Ohwaborua, said “the Niger Delta Regional Power Pool Project, Will “Transmit network of 19 gas powered generation, link the 9 braced commission states and supply power to the road centres to guarantee cheap, reliable, and sustainable power in the region at the cost of USD 13 Billion.

    Audu-Ohwaborua added that “This will entail a 330KV Transmission Network (The Niger Delta Regional Power Pool) that links the 9 NDR states and supplies 7GW of subsidized power to the load centres (27 Dynamic industrial parks) one per Senatorial District.

    “The East-West Coastal Road project will connect Odupani junction in Cross- River State will connect over 100 communities, with 704 KM, 104 KM spurs, 180 bridges then terminate at Ibeju- Lekki Epe expressway in Lagos’

  • Yerima urges FG to dialogue with Bandits like Niger Delta militants

    Yerima urges FG to dialogue with Bandits like Niger Delta militants

    Senator Ahmed Sani Yerima, former Governor of Zamfara State, has emphasized that engaging in dialogue with bandits is the solution to the prevailing insecurity in North Western Nigeria.

    Yerima in an interview with BBC Hausa service on Saturday, said that if the bandits are treated similarly to how former militants in the Niger Delta were handled, the banditry issue could be resolved.

    He said, “I’m advising the government to, first of all, find time to sit with these bandits, just like they sat with Niger Delta militants in the past because the majority of them are Nigerians, even though there are some foreigners among them.

    “But Nigerians among them can be convinced, as the Niger Delta militants were convinced and empowered to stop. If that fails, the government can use force on them wherever they are.”

    Yerima highlighted that previous dialogues with the bandits by other state governors were not conducted in good faith.

    He said he monitored the previous dialogues and discovered that most promises made to the bandits were not fulfilled.

    He, however, appealed to Nigerians to exercise patience with the new government led by President Bola Tinubu, assuring them that positive changes would be witnessed before the end of his tenure.

     

  • Asari Dokunbo dares IPOB, refers to Igbos as ‘Slaves’

    Asari Dokunbo dares IPOB, refers to Igbos as ‘Slaves’

    Former Niger Delta agitator, Mujahid Asari Dokubo, has responded to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) for calling him a freedom fighter turned militant, Political thug and oil smuggler.

    In a few minutes video that has gone viral, Dokunbo addressed the  Igbo people as slaves who would have continued to be sold if not for the British government’s intervention.

    According to Dokunbo, the Igbos do not know their root.

    He said, “The Igbo people do not know their roots. They don’t have respect for who bought their father. You think every Kalabari man is a Kalabari man.

    “See how the Igbo people are dying. They keep saying that I have run away. Look at me; I’m here,” he said.

    Dokubo, while displaying an AK-47 rifle in the video, added that the Igbo people are just seeking attention.

    Recall that Dokubo during a visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said Nnamdi Kanu was a criminal who contributed to the crises that emerged from nationwide #EndSARS protests across the country, hence, should face the music.

    He added, “His release would fuel impunity; during #EndSARS, Nnamdi Kanu was walking free. What did he do? He poured petrol on the flames of #EndSARS. Now, he has been caught. What of the people who have died? This is a criminal. He should face the law.”

  • Ijaw leader, Asari Dokubo pledges support for president Tinubu

    Ijaw leader, Asari Dokubo pledges support for president Tinubu

    A major political figure and former leading agitator in the oil-rich Nigeria Delta region, Alhaji Asari Dokubo, has pledged to always offer his support for President Bola Tinubu’s government.

    Dokubo made the vow on Friday while speaking with journalists shortly after his meeting with the president at the State House, Abuja.

    According to Dokunbo, his visit to the president was to congratulate him for his achievements so far, stressing that with the president’s moves, “Nigeria has changed.”

    He said: “I was here just to say hello to my father. I had congratulated him before this time. I also came to give a word of support for what he has achieved and what he has done so far. I know that Nigeria has changed. Nigeria has turned 360 degrees in a positive direction.

    “When I’m speaking about the president, I speak from a personal point of view. I will do everything, stake everything, to make my ‘father’ succeed. That is the promise I have given to myself and the promise I made to him.”

  • Asari Dokubo Meets President Tinubu, Vows Support to End Oil Theft

    Asari Dokubo Meets President Tinubu, Vows Support to End Oil Theft

    In a meeting with President Bola Tinubu on Friday, the Leader of the Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force (NDPVF) Asari Dokubo, pledged his commitment to ensuring the success of the new administration, particularly in combating oil theft in the Niger Delta region.

    Speaking with the media after the meeting at the presidential villa, Dokubo emphasized his determination to put an end to oil theft, stating, “I will stake everything to make ‘my father’ succeed. That is a promise I have given to myself and him. Oil theft would be stopped. There would be zero oil theft in the Niger-Delta.”

    It would be recalled that last November, Dokubo revealed that the individuals funding this illicit activity in the Niger-Delta were not from the region.

    He asserted that those complicit in the act from the region are being financially supported, in most cases, by outsiders and represent a negligible portion of the population.

    The Niger-Delta leader further disclosed that a significant amount of stolen oil was being transported to neighbouring countries such as Togo and Ghana, with the aid of high government officials.

    “The people who bring these tankers are not Niger Deltans. If they are Niger Deltans, they would be so few, maybe those who have access to government and government money,” he said.

    Dokubo went on to describe the elaborate process involved in stealing and transporting the stolen oil, highlighting the complex network and substantial financial resources required running into billions of US dollars.

    Meanwhile, stakeholders from the Niger Delta region have sent a message to President Tinubu in response to his recent directive to “crush” oil thieves, urging him to approach the issue with care.

    The second National Vice President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) Nengi James, expressed concern over the involvement of top military officers and political figures in sponsoring illegal oil refining and crude oil theft.

    James pointed out that the organised crime extends beyond the activities of local refineries and involves the ownership of vessels and the collaboration of the military.

    He raised questions about the military’s presence in the Niger Delta region and their involvement in illegal activities.

    The stakeholders emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to address the issue, urging the authorities to tackle the involvement of high-ranking military officials and political elites rather than solely focusing on surveillance and blaming local communities.

  • Emifiele: Niger Delta group urges DSS to respect rule of law

    Emifiele: Niger Delta group urges DSS to respect rule of law

    The Niger Delta Rights Advocates has called for respect of the rule of law in the handling of the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.

    The group, in a statement signed by its national coordinator, Bright Ngolo on Saturday in porthacout said the manner Emefiele was picked up by men of the Department of State Services DSS suggested abduction.

    The statement noted that there was an extant court order restraining the DSS, the EFCC and others from arresting Emefiele.

    “The reports we have is that operatives of the DSS stormed the Lagos residence of Dr. Godwin Emefiele at the dead of the night (2 am), blindfolded him, and forcefully took him away in a manner suggestive of abduction.

    “As Rights Advocates, we should not live in a nation where all manner of Gestapo-style arrests will be made in the name of getting people to question them or account for perceived misdeeds.

    “It is clear that Mr. Emefiele could be invited for questioning at any time since no Nigerian is above the law.

    “However, we are also concerned with the fact that there is a judgement by a competent court in suit no GAR/CV/41/2022 instituted by the Incorporated Trustees of the Forum for Accountability and Good Leadership wherein Justice M.A. Hassan barred the DSS, Attorney General of the Federation, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Central Bank of Nigeria, who are listed as 1st, 2bd and 5th defendants from arresting Godwin Emefiele.

    “Our call for the authorities to respect the rule of law by challenging and setting aside Justice Hassan’s judgement has nothing to do with the propriety or otherwise of his removal from office as CBN Governor.”

    “The NDRA wants the due process of the law to be followed in pursuing the Emefiele case rather than painting the picture of repression of the rule of law. ”

    The group alleged that some state governments, particularly Rivers state has had a judgement from the Court that barred the EFCC from arresting officials of the state government.

    “And up till date, the EFCC has failed to vacate that judgement and equally failed to investigate the monumental regime of entrenched fraud in the running of the state in the past 8yrs.

    “We call on all agencies of government, therefore, to respect the rule of law as a confirmation that democracy has taken root in our country.”