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Tag: south south

  • ‘Most people applying for Police are academically challenged’- Austin Braimoh

    ‘Most people applying for Police are academically challenged’- Austin Braimoh

    The Police Service Commission (PSC) at the weekend in Benin, said over 90 percent of intending police officers do not score up to 30 percent in the police recruitment examinations across the country.

    The Commissioner representing the Mass Media and the South-south Zone in the Police Service Commission (PSC), Austin Braimoh made the revelation at a one-day town hall meeting organised by the Commission and the Edo State Police Command.

    He said the aim of the town hall meeting is to work on the relationship between the police and the public and also enlighten the public on the ongoing recruitment exercise.

    Braimoh said, “The Commission has the responsibility of familiarizing the public with the current recruitment exercise and improving citizen relationship with the police for effective policing.

    “One of the challenges the Commission is facing today is that for a long time those who are applying for recruitment into the force are most times academically challenged as over 90 percent do not score up to 30 percent in the recruitment examinations.

    Also speaking, the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Philip Ogbadu, bemoaned the lack of interest from Edo people, especially males, to join the police force.

  • National Convention: South-South APC youths sue for peace

    National Convention: South-South APC youths sue for peace

    Ahead of its national convention on Feb. 26, youth members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) South-South zone, have called for more unity and opportunities for youth to occupy prominent positions in the party.

    Mr Gabriel Iduseri, the South-South Youth Leader of the party, made the appeal at the Zonal Youth Leadership, Sensitisation and Capacity Building meeting for newly elected youth leaders.

    Iduseri also advocated more positions for the youths by APC government at all levels.

    He commended the Mai Mala Buni-led Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) for its activities so far which, he said, had led to the successful conducts of ward, local government and state congresses.

    The youth leader said he hoped that the national convention, which was the climax of the CECPC’s transition activities, would be more successful.

    “We the youths of the APC in the South-South zone are ready for the next level the party is going to. We have come together as one family and preaching unity and working together for the progress of the party and the country.

    “We are also clamouring for inclusiveness in the party, inclusiveness in the governance of the country.

    “We all know that the journey of the APC in the last four years has been a bit difficult with divergent interests, but here we are standing together again, ready to carry on and change the narratives of our zone.

    “There is nothing that is as strong as a united house, a united party and a united zone. My message to the leaders of APC in the South-South zone is that they need to be more united in their political approach.

    “This is because a divided house cannot achieve anything meaningful, just as nothing good can come out of a war torn zone,” he said.

    While congratulating the newly elected youth leaders in the last ward, local government and state congresses, the APC leader charged them to always remember their responsibilities and put the party on winning ways.

    In his lecture, Dr Washington Osifo, one of the 14 Edo House of Assembly members-elect, yet to be inaugurated since 2019, urged the APC youth leaders to be courageous and ready to interrogate those in power.

    “Any youth who lacks the courage to interrogate is not worthy of holding any office, because the power belongs to you,” Osifo stated.

  • NITDA invites PLWDs from South South for digital skills training

    NITDA invites PLWDs from South South for digital skills training

    The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has invited Persons Living With Disabilities (PLWDs) from the South-South for a five-day training on digital skills and entrepreneurship.

    This is contained in a statement by the agency’s Corporate Affairs and External Relations Head, Mrs Hadiza Umar, on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Umar said the training was in line with the actualisation of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) mandate of attaining 95 per cent digital literacy by 2030.

    She said the programme was the combination of execution of two initiatives from the seven NITDA’s Strategic RoadMap and Action Plan (SRAP) 2021-2024 – Digital Transformation, and Digital Literacy and Skills.

    “Digital transformation enables the facilitation of digital inclusion programmes for PLWDs and other digitally excluded people aimed at increasing the level of digitisation and digitalisation across both public and private sectors.

    “Digital literacy and skills is focused on massive training of Nigerians from all works of life to increase the rate of digital literacy and skills among Nigerians and create a pool of global competitive human capital towards the drive of digital transformation in the public and private sector.

    “The two pillars promote the creation of capacity building schemes for digital entrepreneurship,’’ she said.

    According to her, the capacity building programme will take place in Port Harcourt.

    “Interested participants should indicate by filling the application form on http://plwd.nitda.gov.ng, beginning from 10 a.m. on Tuesday January 11, 2022, and close by midnight of Tuesday 18th January 2022,’’ Umar advised.

  • Of Amaechi, 2023 and Igbo quest for president, By Mideno Bayagbon

    Of Amaechi, 2023 and Igbo quest for president, By Mideno Bayagbon

    By Mideno Bayagbon

    Email: mideno@thenewsguru.ng

    WhatsApp only: 08055069059

    Last week, we took a look at the return of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his quest to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari and the hurdles ahead of him.

    In passing, we mentioned two other possible contestants for the position, in the persons of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Transportation Minster, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi.

    We also mentioned that, among the possible contestants in the All Progressive Congress (APC), it appears it might be a two-horse race between the two contending factions in the party: the Bola Tinubu supporters and the tendencies that support Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi.

    And oh, there is also the mafia around the presidential villa! But then, both Bola Tinubu and Rotimi Amaechi may decide or could be persuaded not to contest as the race unravels.

    Nevertheless, for now, it is a given that each bloc will present contestants for the position and fight tooth and nail to enthrone their man/woman as the party’s candidate for the 2023 elections.

    The projection for now, if the party zones the Presidency to the South, is that we may, for instance, see a Bola Tinubu contesting against a Rotimi Amaechi; or an empowered Vice President Yemi Osinbajo against a Rotimi Amaechi, or a contestant from that bloc.

    Pundits agree, however, that it is still too early to concretely predict what the contest will eventually throw up. But that, however, has not precluded them from building possible scenarios.

    One of such scenarios is that the Transportation Minister, who has been in the room of political power since 1999, will vie to be considered as the candidate of the APC for the 2023 presidential elections.

    Recall that the young Rotimi Amaechi at about 33 years emerged the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, a position he held for eight years. On that platform, he became the Speakers’ Speaker as chairman of the group of Speakers of the 36 states. As a two-term governor of Rivers State, he also became the Chairman of the powerful Governors Forum.

    In the past six years of the Buhari administration, which he helped midwife, twice as DG of the Buhari Campaign Organisation, he has held sway at the significant Transport Ministry.

    His national political reach can, therefore, be said to be extensive, cultivated and well-grounded.

    The younger elements in the North are said to be very comfortable with, and favourably disposed towards him; and indeed would love to have him succeed President Buhari.

    Apart from the politicians of the Governor Ganduje tendency, who support Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s aspiration, it appears a huge number of the political elite, especially those who came together to ensure the enthronement of President Buhari in 2015, think Amaechi is the kind of young, vibrant leader the nation deserves at these trying times.

    Also, for his role in helping Buhari defeat his fellow South South President, Goodluck Jonathan, they are willing to go the whole six miles with him.

    His Northern support base is further cemented by the fact that the North can present a strong vice presidential candidate which would protect the interest of the Northern elite while assuaging the fears in the South about the vaunted Islamization agenda of some elements of the Buhari regime.

    According to those who speak about drafting him into the race, Amaechi can also stand as a bridge to unite those who want an Igbo man to be the next President of Nigeria and those who think the South, by the unwritten principle of rotation of the Presidency between the North and South, should present the candidate to succeed President Buhari.

    Amaechi is an Igbo man from Ikwerre in Rivers State – although when convenient, some Ikwerres claim they are not Igbos but “a distinct people of South South geopolitical zone”.

    Standing against him, should he jump into the fray, might be politicians of core Igbo states and some elite who say Amaechi does not approximate their dream President of Igbo origin because, by Nigeria’s peculiar geographical bastardisation, he is from the South South and not any of the South Eastern states.

    It will be interesting to see the stand of Ohaneze and IPOB in these arguments. They have always claimed the original geography of South East, predating the horrendous Civil War, as the home of the Igbos.

    Particularly, the Ikwerres and Aniomas of Delta State have always been regarded by them as core Igbos. But then, this is Nigeria brand of politics. Observers are already betting that the closest the Igbos will get to the Presidency of Nigeria in 2023 is in an Amaechi vying. To this school of thought, he will be more acceptable to the North and to the rest of the country as a hybrid South East and South South candidate.

    This group of Igbos, who might oppose him, are apparently not going to be the only obstacle. There are also some elements of the Ijaw ethnic group and some South South leaders who still begrudge him for standing with Buhari against President Goodluck Jonathan. And then, there is the trouble within the APC in Rivers state!

    Observers are agreed, however, that Amaechi’s fight with Governor Wike is of no significance in him emerging as the candidate of the APC and even in a General Election. They forecast that there is no way Wike can stand in the way of Amaechi emerging in APC and succeed. They acknowledge he will try several tactics to throw spanners in the works in a bid to frustrate Amaechi’s emergence.

    Nevertheless, Amaechi is believed to have a decent record as a Governor with many of his admirers pointing to some major infrastructure projects he built across the state, including the model schools and hospitals.

    Some opine that Wike’s also bullish infrastructure drive is a positive effort to” match Amaechi”, according to the latter’s admirers. Even the unfinished projects like the tram lines, still resonate in the minds of some.

    He is credited with efforts to establish rotation principle in Rivers State governance, without which, his native Ikwerre people would continue to dominate the politics of the state.

    It is believed that despite seeming appearances his Ikwerre people, who are the dominant ethnic/linguistic group in Rivers State, are behind him and that when the chips are down they would queue behind their son. They predict that Amaechi will not be the Obasanjo of 2023, without a home base, as some speculate.

    Of course, he has to find a way to douse the rancour among the South South leaders in Buhari’s government. There is currently no love lost between them.

    From Godswill Akpabio, to the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege. From Chief Timipre Sylva, to Festus Keyamo; from Adams Oshiomhole, to Amaechi himself – there is seemingly an undeclared war of attrition fueled by a quest to be the only fish, or indeed the main fish, in the South South ocean branch of Nigerian politics.

    This is something I had earlier called the “curse of the South South leadership” – everyone wants to be the leader and none wants to be a follower. Amaechi has to find a way to build a solid coalition which will propel his victory in the Niger Delta states. He already has a lot of allies in the mould of ex-Speakers, Governors, and so on.

    And to another critical issue of Nigerian politics! Many are worried that he may not have the financial engine room to canvass for the position. As many suspect, and as Amaechi himself claims, he is relatively a “poor man” when compared to some of the people who may be interested in the same position.

    We hear he has only one house to his name and a poultry farm in Rivers State as his only known investment. So, many wonder how he will be able to finance the primaries, running against financial power houses like Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in the race.

    As he has often postulated in the media space, he “does not like money!” But like money or not, he needs a lot of it to be able to make any impact on the campaign trail should he venture into it. Which perhaps explains his alleged reluctance.

    Most observers, however, are of the view that it is just a matter of time before Rotimi Amaechi throws his hat into the ring.

    The same groups who want him, it is claimed, are already dropping subtle words in his favour around Aso Rock. They are said to be, however, waiting patiently for the man they want and are ready to campaign for, at a convenient time, which they hope is soon, to signify his interest in vying for the office.

    This, however, has not stopped political jobbers from springing up from every corner of the country. The drums are starting to beat loudly across the nation but will, or should, Rotimi Amaechi enter the presidential arena to test his strength and luck?

  • Niger Delta group insists on zoning presidency to South South in 2023

    Niger Delta group insists on zoning presidency to South South in 2023

    The Frontiers for Peace and Unity (FPU), a pressure group, says the South South should be allowed to produce the nation’s president in 2023.

    Mrs Ikalama Owadiktorusinya, National Coordinator, FPU, made the call at the inauguration of the group’s national executives and its Rivers state executive in Port Harcourt on Monday.

    Owadiktorusinya said that FPU has carefully studied the political environment and resolved that the presidency must be zoned to the South South for fairness.

    “We demand that the unwritten rotational principle of the presidency between the North and South should be brought to bear in the interest of equity, justice and fair play.

    “Going by the principle of rotation, the presidency must, therefore, rotate to the South South in 2023.

    “So, we urge every Nigerian that believes in development and progress of our country, to support the zoning of the presidency to the South South,” she said.

    Owadiktorusinya said that the region deserved the slot going by its strategic importance and contributions to the nation’s economy.

    She commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his robust infrastructure developmental drive as well as recent signing into law of Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

    “We also commend Buhari for the sustenance of the amnesty programme for repentant agitators as well as ongoing construction of the East West Road among others.

    “NFU has from the onset realised that we cannot work in isolation as a group, hence our decision to pitch tent with the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    “We are convinced that the party has a work-plan and a clear-cut readiness to implement policies and programmes that will impact positively on Nigerians,” she added.

    Owadiktorusinya lauded the Minister of Transportation, Mr Chibuike Amaechi, for his contributions to the revival of the nation’s railway sector, describing him as an astute administrator.

    The coordinator said that FPU’s newly inaugurated 30-member national and Rivers state executives would commence work immediately by taking the gospel of peace and unity across the country.

    Dr Joba West, a former Rivers Commissioner for Women Affairs, commended the group for its drive to unify the country across divides.

    West, who chaired the event, urged the group to be gender friendly and discouraged Nigerians from recycling old politicians in the 2023 general elections.

    The event had in attendance hundreds of youths from the Niger Delta as well as other regions.

  • Inaugurate NDDC board now – South South group tells Buhari

    Inaugurate NDDC board now – South South group tells Buhari

    A group known as Mass Movement Against Injustice and Marginalisation in the South-South has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to see to it that the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is inaugurated immediately.

    The group made this known in a statement signed and released on Sunday by its President, Duke Okporua America; General Secretary, Egbe Michael Egbe, and Director of Media and Public Communication, Dan Amor.

    The group condemned recent media publications attributed to Itsekiri Interest Group (IIG) and Warri Consultative Forum (WCF) to the effect that Bernard Okumagba, who was appointed by President Buhari as the Managing Director of NDDC, awaiting inauguration, is not from an oil producing area in Delta State.

    The group described the publications as mischievous, dangerous, reckless and provocative, stressing that the NDDC MD is a man of class, credibility and distinction, with tested capacity to drive the NDDC and the South South Region to the next level.

    The statement reads: “The recent mischievous, dangerous, reckless and provocative statements credited to some fake, unknown and shameless groups particularly the Itsekiri Interest Group (IIG) and the Warri Consultative Forum (Warri), to the effect that Bernard Okumagba, who was appointed by Mr. President, screened and confirmed by the senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the Managing Director of NDDC, awaiting inauguration, is not from oil producing area in Delta State, have come to our knowledge and attention with shock and disbelief. Consequently we wish to state unequivocally as follows:

    “The NDDC Act in part 1,Section 2(1)B, requires a person who is to be appointed into the board of NDDC to come from an oil producing area. By definition, an oil producing area is a geographical space bound of its recognition in the constitution as an administrative space.

    “Thus an area could be a state, a local Government Area or a senatorial District. In this context, an oil producing area is coterminous with an oil producing local government area. Udu Local Government and Warri South Local Government Areas which are the maternal and paternal local Government Areas respectively of Bernard Okumagba are oil producing areas in Delta State.

    “It is therefore fallacious, mischievous and a gross fabrication of untruthful for any group of persons whether fake or real to suggest that Bernard Okumagba is not from an oil producing area.

    “Mr President and the general public should totally and completely disregard and ignore that dangerous and provocative assertion by agents of confusion in the Niger Delta region that Bernard Okumagba is not from an oil producing area.

    “Those statements are malicious falsehoods and products of evil hands and idle minds programmed to cause confusion to undermine the progress of the Niger Delta.

    “It is utterly ridiculous and reprehensible that men who know the truth could dig a deep grave to bury it just because of greed and self interest.

    “That “On Bernard Okumagba we stand” as the Managing Director of NDDC. He is a man of class, credibility and distinction with tested capacity to drive the NDDC and the South South Region to the next level.

    “That Mr President should immediately direct and cause the board of NDDC to be inaugurated and put to shame the apostles of retrogression and confusion whose ultimate goal is to put the NDDC into their pockets by using falsehood to get their cronies into the board of the commission.

    “That the authors of those false, malicious, reckless, provocative, inciting, dangerous, satanic and retrogressive statements and publications, particularly Mr. Gbubemi Awala and Alvin Yalaju of the Itsekiri Interest Group (IIG) and Amachi Ogbonna of the Warri Consultative Forum (WCF) should own up to their evil acts, seek for mercies and forgiveness from God and henceforth cease from causing confusion in the Niger Delta Region”.

  • I stand with the governors of the South South, not Akpabio, on NDDC – Edwin Clark

    I stand with the governors of the South South, not Akpabio, on NDDC – Edwin Clark

    Elder statesman and prominent South South leader, Chief Edwin Clark has clarified that he does not support the strong grip of Senator Godswill Akpabio, the Minster of Niger Delta Affaris on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    The outspoken former federal minister said rather, he stands with the governors of the South South states.

    Clark made the clarification in a statement he personally signed and released on Tuesday night.

    Read full statement below:

    “My attention has been drawn to a publication/communique that is
    trending on-line, allegedly stating that I am in support of the stronghold the Honourable Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Chief Godswill Akpabio, has on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and its finances, by a group that calls itself South-South Front (SSF) after a so called meeting where they said of me “The leaders were keen to applaud attitude the Ijaw National Leader, Chief Clark, has shown thus for as well as his support for the NDDC management.”

    “I wish to disassociate myself from this group which I do not even know.
    My position on the activities of Minister Akpabio, has been consistent,
    and is in the public domain.

    I am in support of a forensic audit to unravel the stinking corruption
    in the Commission, but not the activities of Akpabio.

    I recall that I made this known when the Sole Administrator, Effiong Okon Akwa, came to pay courtesy call on me soon after his appointment. I advised him to insulate himself from the Honourable
    Minister and face the work he had been appointed to do. Also, just a few days ago, during the commissioning of a road project in my Community Kiagbodo, by the NDDC, in my address which was read by my son, Chief Ebikeme Clark, former Chairman of Burutu Local Government Council, and presently Special Adviser to the Governor of Delta State, I asked that the Honourable Minister should leave the
    Commission to do its job.

    I condemned his decision to use the funds of the Commission on the East-West Road. The funds of the Commission are meant to develop the Niger Delta region, which is seriously underdeveloped.

    The Federal Government is allocating huge sums of money to work roads such as the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Road, the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, etc, which they call legacy projects, leaving out the East-West Road, which as a matter of fact ought to be the first legacy project of the country, as it is, today, the major haul through which the product sustaining the economy of the Country is transported to various parts of the country.

    For the avoidance of doubt, I reproduce my address delivered at the
    Road Commissioning at my hometown Kiagbodo:
    “SPEECH BY CHIEF (DR.) EDWIN KIAGBODO CLARK, OFR, CON, AT THE
    COMISSIONING OF THE CHIEF AMBAKEDEREMO ROAD, KIAGBODO TOWN, DELTA STATE, CONSTRUCTED BY THE NIGER DELTA DEVELOPMENT
    COMMISSION (NDDC).

    DATE: THURSDAY, 6TH MAY 2021.

    PROTOCOL

    Let me begin by welcoming you all, especially, the Acting Managing Director,
    Effiong Okon Akwa, and the leadership of the NDDC, to my hometown, Kiagbodo,
    which has many unique features. We have the spectacular records of being one
    of the main towns in the whole of Nigeria, where two major ethnic groups, Ijaw
    and Urhobo, exist together, and in all our dear community is sufficiently
    bilingual. Beyond that, we all have either maternal or paternal links with both
    groups. This is why here in Kiagbodo, we live in the best fraternity and do all
    things in common. It is our prayer that one day, all of Nigeria will be like our
    town, living in a united country where the citizens live together, where everyone
    is equal, and can aspire to any position.
    Your visit here today, which is preceded by the Flag-off of donation of Education/
    Essential Science Equipment in Warri, is part of the very remarkable
    achievement, which you have recorded on your short period as Acting Managing
    Director of the Commission. This is very much appreciated. You are a shining light
    here in the Niger Delta and continue to contribute tremendously to the political
    and social evolution of our people and the existing peace in the area.

    Let me also welcome other dignitaries here present, some of whom are illustrious
    sons and daughters of this community, Kiagbodo, especially, Prof. Victor
    Peretomode, the immediate past Vice Chancellor of the Delta State University,
    Abraka, Delta State, and who was a onetime Commissioner at the NDDC.
    Today again, affords me the opportunity to say a few general things on the state
    of affairs in the NDDC.

    During your visit to me at my residence in Abuja, on your assumption of office, I
    strongly advised that the construction of the East-West Road is a Federal
    Government project, like every other Federal road projects such as the AbujaKaduna-Kano Road, the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, etc, but which the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, is funding
    directly from accruals mostly gotten from oil (derived in the Niger Delta) revenue,, running into billions of naira, and which the Federal Government calls Legacy Projects. Is the Niger Delta region not qualified to have a Legacy Project?

    A situation where the Federal Government spends so much on such roads, while
    the East-West Road, running from Edo-Delta-Bayelsa-Rivers-Akwa Ibom and
    Cross River States, is not funded by the Federal Government, and thus remains
    deplorable, and has become death traps to users, and a waste of time and resources, as commuters go through the horrendous experience of travelling on
    the road is quite unacceptable. For instance, the portion between Warri and
    Benin, which ordinarily takes about 45 minutes to travel, now lasts for about 5
    hours. I once again use this medium to call on the attention of the Federal Government to kindly look into the state of the East-West Road.

    The Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, SAN, has been going round other parts of the country, to either commission the commencement of road projects, or inspect the conditions of roads. He is yet to be seen in the Niger Delta.

    I challenge the Honourable Minister to mention the roads the Federal Government has constructed in the Niger Delta, particularly in Delta State.

    I also wish to use this medium to once again, call on the Honourable Minister of
    Niger Delta Affairs, Chief Godswill Akpabio, not to use the meagre resources of the Ministry meant to develop the Niger Delta region, to work the East-West
    Road, which is obviously a Federal Government project. There are several areas in the region, which needs to be developed with the resources of the Ministry.

    In addition, Acting Managing Director, recall that when you came to visit me, I
    also advised you to detach yourself from the raging politics and as a professional,
    focus on the job ahead of you. By that I mean, for you to stay away from the
    continued feud between the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and the Governors of
    the nine Niger Delta States over the control of the Commission’s day to day
    administration.

    Furthermore, is the state of malfeasance and crass corruption for which the NDDC has become known. I was not, therefore, surprised when some of the elements within your system recently came up with a 15-page advertisement and contracts, which I will advise that you do not allow yourself to be lured by some officials of the Commission, to embark upon. I hear that you rejected them and has almost brought these practices to a stop. I am mentioning this because I know that the people behind these activities are entrenched in the system and will definitely try to undermine your efforts.

    We will keep watching out for those who are bent on truncating and sabotaging
    the efforts we have made in the past to set up machineries for the development
    of our Niger Delta region. I recall how the eminent late HRH Pere (Dr.) Harold Dappa-Biriye as the leader of the region, and I as the Deputy, worked towards
    the establishment of the Commission. The number of times we met with the then
    President of the country, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, and the number of times we
    had to go and lobby with our Northern friends, before the Commission was
    established. We had hoped that the Commission will be the guiding light for the social and economic development of the region. Today a few individuals, some
    of them, pitiably and unfortunately, sons of the region, are doing everything to
    derail the Commission.
    As you commission this Bekederemo Road, Kiagbodo, today, I want to assure you that we the communities of Kiagbodo, and our neighbours, will ensure that we
    play our part , that the road will be well protected for the good of the people.

    This is what I hope many of the communities in the Niger Delta will learn to do whenever Government projects are sited around them.

    As I conclude, I will like to emphasise that no payments should be made to the so
    called Emergency Contracts, a scheme which has already gulped billions of naira.
    I do hope that these fraudulent ‘Emergency Contracts’ are brought before the on-going Forensic Audit.

    I will also like to call on the Federal Government to ensure the sustainable
    funding of the NDDC. It is of great concern that the Commission is still being
    owed a lot of money. This is unlike similar bodies such as the recently set up
    North East Development Commission which the Federal Government has
    ensured full funding as and when due. A country where different standards exist
    for similar organisations is not in our collective interest. This is more so when the NDDC is the body responsible for the development of where the wealth of the
    country comes from.

    On your part, I want to repeat the advice, which I gave to you when you came to
    see me on your assumption of office and that is for you to remember that you will one day leave this office, and will be required to give account of your stewardship. You must, therefore, finish, strong and clean.

    Let me once more thank you all and wish you the best.”

    “I align myself with the call by the South-South Governors for Minister
    Akpabio to stop his interference at the Commission. I wish to also state
    that the forensic audit should be completed as soon as possible to
    enable a substantive Board to be put in place, in line with the Act
    setting up the Commission.”

  • Buhari approves new security measures to tackle unrest in South-East, South-South

    Buhari approves new security measures to tackle unrest in South-East, South-South

    President Muhammadu Buhari has approved new security measures to tackle cases of social unrest and violent crimes in the South-East and South-South geo-political zones of the country.

    The acting Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, made this known when he briefed State House correspondents on the outcome of the meeting of the National Security Council, presided over by President Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Baba, who briefed alongside the National Security Adviser to the President (NSA), retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno, and the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, said Buhari gave the approval during the security meeting.

    According to Baba, the meeting, which has taken place three times during the last 11 days, assessed the situation in the country, particularly South-East and South-South, as it affects law and order.

    He said: “We have some measures which we have outlined and have been approved by the Council and we’ll see how we can change the narrative within the quickest possible means to restore law and order and restore peace in that area.

    “We solicit all law abiding citizens to work with us to identify and deal with the situation. That is that, I may not go into the details of how we will do that.”

    On his part, the NSA disclosed that President Buhari had directed security agencies in the country to deal decisively with those perpetrating violence or causing mayhem in any part of Nigeria.

    According to him, the president will not relent in his duty of ensuring every Nigerian is protected.

    “What I am saying has to do with the orders given by the President, Commander in Chief to the Chief of Defence Staff, including the Service Chiefs, including the Inspector General of Police.

    “I do not think I will want to go into details of the new measures.

    “We have decided not to go along the path that we followed in the past whereby, certain operation and tactical decisions were made public; of course, we are in a situation whereby, we are fighting enemies that are not really known.

    “The important thing is that the President has given us marching orders to deal physically with the emerging problems and of course, dealing with it from the realists’ paradigm,

    “President Buhari‘s approach to dealing with this problem basically is that he recognises that his primary responsibility is ensuring national survival in a hostile environment.

    “Whether that hostility is domestic or external, it has to be suppressed and therefore, he has given a clear line of action to the operational elements under the leadership of the Chief of Defence Staff,” he said.

    According to the NSA, dealing with the current security challenges remains a priority, in order to return and sustain peace in all troubled parts of the country.

    “The most important thing is that we have to subjugate all other requirements in order to deal with the present crisis of insecurity in the country.

    “All other national objectives and obligations have to be subordinated to the primary concern of bringing back security and normalcy to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and allowing the entire citizenry to undertake their legitimate obligations without any fear of being intimidated or coerced by non-state actors,’’ he added.

    Irabor also pledged more commitment and professionalism from the Armed Forces, as they tackle the nation’s security challenges, adding that peace would surely return to the troubled areas of the country.

  • Security situation in South-East, South-South critical, says new IGP

    Security situation in South-East, South-South critical, says new IGP

    The Acting Inspector- General of Police (I-G), Mr Usman Baba says there are critical security situation in the South-East and South-South geopolitical zones of the country.

    Baba disclosed this on Friday in Abuja at the opening of a meeting with police strategic commanders in the zones.

    He said the meeting was aimed at discussing security issues affecting the two regions of the country in order to resolve them.

    According to Baba, after the meeting, the commanders will go back to their zones to implement outcome of the meeting.

    The I-G said the challenges would require the force to rejig its operational strategies to ensure that the issues were nip in the bud immediately.

    “It is not like we do not have problems in other geopolitical zones of the country, but we have to address them one after the other.’’

    He said calling a larger meeting of all Commissioners of Police and other senior officers would not be right at the moment because of COVID-19 protocols.

  • South-South PDP elects new executive

    South-South PDP elects new executive

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-South on Tuesday elected a new executive committee, with a vow to reclaim power at the centre in 2023.

    In the election, which took place at Obi Wali Conference Centre, Port Harcourt, Chief Dan Orbih, who ran unopposed, emerged as the National Vice Chairman of the party in the zone.

    Other elected officers, who also did not have opponents, were Felix Omenu, Zonal Secretary; Anthony Ikuenobe, Financial Secretary; Evelyn Weke, Treasurer; George Turnah, Legal Adviser; Lloyd Owonaru, Youth Leader and Tessy Toru, Woman leader.

    The election was conducted by an Electoral Committee headed by Dr Adetokunbo Pearse, and was monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    In his remarks, Chairman, South-South Governors’ Forum and Governor of Delta, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, thanked the outgoing Caretaker Committee in the zone for its contributions to the party.

    He said that the party in the zone would continue to speak with one voice to provide leadership and direction for the members.

    “We thank God that we are gathered here again as a party and as a zone because when we gather, we speak with one voice.

    “As long as we stay united as one we will continue to build on the gains of the past, and going into the future, I know that we will continue to work hard to take back our country under the leadership of the PDP.

    “On behalf of my colleagues, we will continue to work with the executive of our zone and we will as a party, take back leadership of our country in 2023.

    “When we return to power in 2023, this nation will be redirected in a manner that will be good for every Nigerian,” Okowa stated.

    Welcoming the delegates earlier, the host Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, assured that measures had been taken to ensure that the congress was hitch-free.

    He said “the hope of this party in this country is the South-South zone and since 1999 it has been so, and by the grace of God it will not change now.

    “Let us comport ourselves and show Nigerians that PDP is different from other political parties and we are waiting to take over power at the centre in 2023.”

    In his acceptance speech after the election, Orbih thanked party leaders for the confidence reposed in him and other members of the executive committee, and assured that they would mobilize the zone to work assiduously with others across the country to reclaim power at the centre.

    Other dignitaries present at the zonal congress included Gov. Douye Diri of Bayelsa, Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo, Minority Leader, House of Representatives, Chief Ndudi Elumelu; Senator James Manager, Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori