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Ahmadu Bello University Honours Alumni
The Rivers State branch of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria Alumni Association Friday, conferred honours to five worthy members of the association who have distinguished themselves in their various fields of endeavour and contributed to the development of the society.
The five distinguished awardees who received the honour during the 7th public lecture of the ABU Alumni Association organised by the State branch, held at the Atlantic Hall of Hotel Presidential Port Harcourt, include Mr. B. A. Hassan, commissioner of Police, Rivers State and Mrs. Esther Anucha, Head of Service, Rivers State.
Others are Bishop I. C. O. Kattey, Archbishop Anglican Communion, Rivers State, Prof. Tokubiye G. Sokari, Rector Rivers State Polytechnic Bori and Arc E. H. Etteh, Executive Director projects, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Speaking at the occasion, the state chairman of the association, Dr. Jessica Ezekiel Hart stated that the occasion was aimed at bringing stakeholders together to deliberate on topics that are bogging the mind of every Nigerian adding that this year’s lecture topic entitled “Strategies for Solving the Niger Delta Problem” is introduced to address some issues threatening the corporate existence of the country.
She stated that President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s effort at repackaging a new Niger Delta is a noble initiative, adding that this lecture, would contribute its quota to the proposed strategies and agenda of the federal government in the Niger Delta development.
The ABU state chairman of the Alumni, opined that the association had in past years pioneered efforts at creating synergies between the forum, corporate bodies and the university in its effort to provide and improve the infrastructural needs of the university.
She urged members of the state Alumni not to renege in their efforts at contributing to the development of the university, adding that it was the responsibility of all to make the institution remain great among the various universities in the country.
In his speech, the chairman of the occasion, Prof. Nimi Briggs commended the association for their pivotal roles in the development of the institution and urged them to continue in such spirit.
He thanked the association for recognising the contributions made by the awardees noting that such gesture would spur people to contribute to the societal development even as he, congratulated all the awardees.
Also speaking, the acting Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Prof. Z. U. Umoh opined that the state branch of the Alumni has done their institution proud.
Presenting his lecture titled “Strategies for Solving the Niger Delta Problem” the guest lecturer, Prof. Emmanuel O. Okoro identified economic crisis as the major causes of the Niger Delta problem, adding that the existing arrangement which excludes the people of the region from benefiting directly from resources in their land was fundamentally unjust to the Niger Delta.
He opined that an intellectual framework for a sustainable world class living standard for Niger delta people could be achieved through deploying creative ideas to produce relevant goods and services on the basis of a Private Public Partnership (PPP) economy.
Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has called on Nigerians to reject silence in the face of extrajudicial killings and other abuses of human rights.
Soyinka stressed that accountability and civic courage remain essential to rebuilding public confidence in the nation’s institutions.
He made the call during the 28th Wole Soyinka Lecture held in Port Harcourt, last Friday as part of activities marking his 92nd birthday.
The lecture, themed “Reclaiming the Nigerian State through Accountability, Justice and Civic Courage,” drew participants from different sectors of society.
The renowned playwright and human rights advocate said the country’s greatest tragedy was not only the unlawful killings carried out by state and non-state actors, but also the silence that often follows such incidents, allowing perpetrators to evade justice.
According to him, indifference by citizens to abuses of power and violations of fundamental human rights has contributed to the persistence of extrajudicial killings and other forms of injustice across the country.
Soyinka said he dedicated this year’s lecture to victims of unlawful killings, noting that the event was intended to honour individuals who had lost their lives as a result of failures within the justice system and society’s inability to protect the sanctity of human life.
He stressed that the lecture was dedicated to what he described as the basic unit of every society – the human being, and urged Nigerians to place greater value on human dignity irrespective of ethnicity, religion or social status.
The Nobel Laureate recalled several incidents of violence, including the fatal shooting and killing of a young man in Ugheli in Delta State by a police officer, and the mob killing of Deborah Yakubu in Sokoto State sometime ago, lamenting that many of those responsible are yet to face justice.
He expressed concern that some perpetrators of violent crimes had openly admitted their actions without fear of prosecution, describing such situations as evidence of serious failures within the nation’s justice system.
Soyinka maintained that when justice is delayed or denied, public confidence in state institutions continues to erode, thereby encouraging further violations of human rights.
Responding to critics who accuse him of promoting religious or ethnic divisions whenever he spoke on such issues, Soyinka dismissed the allegations and pointed out that his advocacy has always centred on the protection of human life and the rule of law.
He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and continue demanding justice in cases of alleged extrajudicial killings, including the recent shooting of a young man by a police officer, stressing that every life deserves equal protection under the law.
The literary icon also recalled an earlier pledge by a past incoming president to make public the files relating to unresolved assassinations and extrajudicial killings, questioning the status of the promised investigations.
He challenged citizens to continue asking questions about unresolved cases, insisting that justice, accountability and respect for human dignity are indispensable to building a peaceful, democratic and inclusive Nigerian society.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has clarified that there was no fire at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, contrary to its earlier advisory.
Earlier yesterday, FAAN had announced that a fire incident had occurred at Terminal 2 of the nation’s busiest airport, and assured that its Aerodrome Rescue and Firefighting Service had been deployed to contain the situation.
There were also reports that activities were briefly disrupted at the airport yesterday after smoke was seen inside parts of the terminal.
Videos circulating online showed passengers kept standing outside the terminal while firefighters responded to the incident.
However, in an update issued less than two hours later by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, and posted on FAAN’s official X handle, the authority said preliminary findings showed that the smoke seen at the terminal was caused by the discharge of the facility’s FM-200 fire suppression system.
“Further to our earlier advisory regarding the incident at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) wishes to provide the following update,” the statement read.
“Preliminary findings indicate that there was no fire at the terminal. The smoke observed within the affected area resulted from the discharge of the terminal’s FM-200 fire suppression system. The reason for the activation of the fire suppression system is currently being investigated,” FAAN stated.
The authority said normal operations had resumed at the terminal while investigations were ongoing to determine the cause of the incident.
“Normal operations have since resumed at the terminal, while detailed investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the incident,” the statement added.
The authority thanked passengers, airlines, airport users and other stakeholders for their understanding and cooperation.
FAAN appreciated the understanding and cooperation of passengers, airlines, airport users and all stakeholders, and reiterated its commitment to the safety and security of all airport operations.