Metro
Port Harcourt Quakes As UNIPORT Students Protest
Tuesday was an unusual day in the Port Harcourt metropolis as the voices of students of the university of Port Harcourt rang across the four corners of the city, literally rattling the city. The quietude and serenity that had for sometime pervaded the city were punctured momentarily by the voices of the students who were peacefully protesting alleged molestation by thousands of ex-militants who are camped in the neighbouring community of Aluu for training and rehabilitation.
The ex-militants have been in Aluu since October when the amnesty deadline expired and have been in the rehabilitation centre undergoing training. But matters apparently came to a head last Sunday when some of the ex-militants were alleged to have invaded the Abuja campus of the university molesting and raping students while several of the students scampered for safety.
As if the terror and mayhem which they unleashed on that day was not enough, they were alleged to have also stormed the university the following Monday at about 5pm raping and maiming the students. This state of affairs, according to our investigation, was what triggered off the students’ protest on that Tuesday afternoon. As it were, the students who were armed with all manners of placards drove through the major roads of Port Harcourt from Choba where the university is located and anchored at the Government House Drive along Azikiwe Road to register their protest as well as demand prompt action of the state government to nip in the bud future occurrence of such dastardly acts of lawlessness by the ex-militants.
The students in their usual radical tradition laced with a tinge of youthful exuberance became uncontrollable as they made frantic efforts to gain entrance into the Brick House, the seat of power. On several occasions, security operatives stationed at the gate of the Government House shoved them to forestall any ugly incident but the students stood their ground, raising their voices high and demanding to see the governor who was unavoidably out of the state on official engagements.
The security agents including members of the dreaded Joint Military Task Force took charge of the situation but the students could not be placated as they chanted. “We no go gree o! We no go gree!! “The chants became unending until the state Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr. Ogbonna Nwuke, the Acting Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Blessing Wikina and a host of newsmen and cameramen came to the scene to meet them.
Even when the President of the university’s students Union Government, mr. Solomon Amadi was given a microphone to express their grievances, the atmosphere was still rowdy as the voices of the students continued to ring across the horizon. The students comprising youngmen and girls remained unconsolable as they continued to chant solidarity songs, shoving and drifting towards the Government House gate.
The security men were also in their hundreds at the scene to contain the situation and the Deputy Commissioner of Police and other top security brass in the state were sighted at the scene to bring the students under control.
When Mr. Ogbonna Nwuke who represented the governor started addressing the crowd, his voice was barely audible as the students’ protest became more strident, insinuating that they only wanted the governor to address them or in the absence of the governor, the deputy governor or the commissioner for Information.
Unfortunately, the demands of the students could not be met as the governor was said to be attending a meeting in Aso Rock in respect of the Super Eagles qualification for the 2010 world cup. It would be recalled that the governor is the chairman of the task force that qualified the country for the football fiesta in South Africa next year. The deputy governor, on his part, was on the delegation to Kenya for the qualification match between the Super Eagles and the Harambee stars of Kenya which gave the country the world cup ticket last Saturday. The deputy governor had not returned to the state capital that Tuesday afternoon while the Information Commissioner was also away on official assignments.
Mr. Nwuke appealed to the students to give peace a chance as the government was prepared to look into their grievances and take prompt action.
He also recognised the fact that the students through the protest were expressing their fundamental human rights, and urged them to see reason.
Even the presence of the university’s dean of students Affairs at the scene could not pacify the revolting students who shouted: “Dean, Go home, Dean, go home!! Dean, go home !!!” The Dean stormed the Government House Drive shortly after the students’ arrival and pleaded with them not to take laws into their hands. He particularly pleaded with the SUG president to take the students back to the university as they had already made their points.
But journalists and security men pleaded with the students to show understanding and retire to their campuses having laid bare their grievances to the appropriate authorities.
Some of the students who spoke with The Tide On Sunday indicated that they were prepared for any consequences as the actions of the ex-militants had made the university environment unsafe.
Some of the placards carried by the protesting students read in part, “Relocate Ex-militants to Aso Rock or brick House. We say No to Rape of our students. Governor Amaechi, please save us”. The placards in their own way expressed the state of mind of the students who demanded that the rehabilitation camp of the ex-militants should be relocated from Aluu community, a neighbouring community to Choba where the university is located.
No doubt, the students’ protest was a mild drama of sorts as some of the students on sighting reporters and cameramen working for Silver Bird Television ran towards them and apparently conscripted them to capture the unfolding scenes. The shout of “Silver Bird! Silver Bird!! Silver bird!! rented the air.
In all, the tension generated by the protest was doused when Mr. Solomon Amadi personally approached the Honourable Commissioner and demanded that a meeting be scheduled between members of the SUG exco and the governor for another day with a promise that he was going to de-mobilise the students.
The students’ protest once again brought to the fore the fact that all is not well with the Federal government’s post-amnesty programme across the Niger Delta. Several observers of events in the Niger delta believe that the action of the ex-militants was ample proof that the post-amnesty programme is not properly handled by the federal Government.
There are strong indications that the ex-militants are not regularly paid their allowances and that infiltrators also storm the camp and start demanding for such allowances without being fished out.
There are also widely held views that the amnesty and all its financial fallouts did not also take care of genuine activists of the Niger Delta struggle. This is also creating and generating tension across the region.
For sure, one thing the protesting students might have forgotten was that the camping of ex-militants and their rehabilitation was actually a federal government’s affair.
However, several persons are of the view that this is the time to cage the ex-militants to possibly stop them from wreaking more havoc to society by molesting and harassing innocent, law-abiding citizens of the country.
Donatus Ebi
Metro
Firm Plans Hose Manufacturing Facility, Marks 21st Anniversary
An oil servicing firm, Fairtex Group, rolled out drums last weekend to celebrate it is 21st anniversary.
The ceremony was held at its new headquarters, in Elelenwo in Obio/ Akpor Local Government Area, of Rivers State where the firm acquired a massive parcel of land to build its new automobile fluid testing and hose manufacturing facilities.
It also used the event to unveil its “Equip 2026” to provide roadmap for its new diversification plans.
From a one room apartment in Ogbunabali 21 years ago, the firm has grown over the years with specialty in oil tool servicing and haulage to providing oil servicing solutions.
According to its Chairman/Executive Officer(CEO), Mr. Jacob Idungafa, the company has achieved its 2023 vision and hence, plans to diversify into automobile fluid testing and hose production for oil and chemical industrial uses.
Already, he disclosed that the company has begun talks with some South African and German firms on the setting up of a automobile jack system capable of providing jobs for the host community and impact on the nation’s economy.
The hose production is going to be a joint operation with a French firm, Aeroflex, as staffers will be sent abroad for training.
Since commencing operations in 2003, the firm has established branches in 14 countries in Africa that include Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Angola and Cote d’Ivoire.
“One unique thing is that in all of these, we have not taken any loan facility from the banks. We are prudent and resourceful, “he said.
Idungafa said further, “We are not competing with anybody. We are just beginning and there is a lot to do.”
So far, he stated that it has achieved the Vision 2023 with the acquisition of land, addingthat Equip 2026 is to serve as a launch pad for greater future for the firm.
Some staff who spoke at the 21 st anniversary praised the commitment and hard work of their CEO, saying his steadfastness has helped the firm in the path of growth over the years.
Manager, Foreign and Local Procurement, Brightness Sambo said since she joined the company, she has learnt a lot in management and networking.
In her word, “You don’t have to see the immediate results because the future is certain…We are aiming to go outside Africa.”
Human Resources Manager of Fairtex, Ngozi Ndukwe thanked God for the company and the milestones it has achieved over the years, saying “Where there is a vision, the vision does not die and with God’s grace, we are headed somewhere.”
The firm’s Principal Accounting Officer, lbaraibim Ogolo said since she joined the company, she has grown in her professional competency, describing the CEO as a role model and hardworking personality.
Highlights of the 21st anniversary included a thanksgiving service at Just Jesus Assembly, Port Harcourt, a party at the company’s new site, special performance by staffers and cutting of the anniversary cake by the Managing Director and other guests.
By: Kevin Nengia
Metro
ELTHAN Celebrates World Poetry Day In PH
As part of activities to celebrate this year’s World Poetry Day, the English Language Teachers Association of Nigeria (ELTHAN), Rivers State Branch organised poetry sensitisation day for young secondary school students in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
The event was held at Community Secondary School Elelenwo, as students from Archdeacon Brown Educational Centre, Woji and Government Girls Secondary School, Elelenwo participated.
Chairman of the programme, Dr. Sunday Igbigibereibim said the event is to raise public awareness on the importance of literature.
“ELTHAN sees this as a challenge and that is why we commemorate 21st March yearly as provided by the United Nations Educational Scientific Council (UNESCO)”, he stated.
He noted that literature is art, “there is need for literary scholars and enthusiasts all over the world to promote Literature.”
While counselling the students on how they can make a career from Literature, Dr. Igbigibereibim pointed out that a shift has occurred over the years from impressionistic to target writing.
On her part, State Secretary of ELTHAN, Salome Ikokoyo decried the decline of literature in the society.
She revealed that in the past years, students’ performance in Literature examinations has been abysmal.
Ikokoyo stated that, “ I think what is happening is a reflection of what the teachers do in the classroom. It’s a reflection of teachers’ performance. And it’s our responsibility as teachers to do what we are paid for.”
Once teachers of Literature improve in their teaching techniques, Ikokoyo believes that students’ performance will also improve.
On the other hand, she tasked students to put in more effort, “they need to read the text books, even though some of them are not interesting, but that is where hardwork is needed.”
Students from Archdeacon Brown Educational Centre, who spoke to The Tide Metro said they were motivated by performance.
One of the students, Esther Ogbebo said she learnt a lot from performance poetry, “ I would prefer Literature for leisure, but for those, who have the passion, they can pursue their career”.
For Deborah Ebiunor, the presentations were exciting, as she lamented that,” Literature is not being promoted in the country. And students need to be encouraged to learn.”
Highlights of the programme included dance, drama and poetry performance by some students, and from the popular folk poet, Biokpo Joshua.
Metro
‘PH Water Project Nearing Completion’
The ongoing Port Harcourt water and Sanitation Project (PHWSSP) is nearing 100 percent completion, says the Managing Director of the Rivers State Water Corporation, Chief Ibibia Walter.
The project was slowed down during the last quarter of 2023 and early this year, it has got a boost when Sir. Siminialayi Fubara administration approved compensation for some residents whose properties were affected by the water pipe expansion.
The Port Harcourt water project when completed is expected to cater for quality water needs of residents of Port Harcourt City and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas of the State.
The Rivers State Government is working on the scheme to revive water and sanitation provision in the metropolis.
Based on the updated Replacement Action Plan (RAP), the payment of compensation has paved the way for the completion of the project.
African Development Bank whose counterpart funding had been stalled had since resumed after the government approval and subsequent release of funds for the project development objectives to be achieved by the middle of the year.
Meanwhile, the Managing Director of Rivers State Water Corporation, Chief Walter had expressed appreciation to Governor Siminalayi Fubara for the elevation of King Ateke Tom, Amanyanabo of Ancient Okochiri Kingdom to First Class stool and the promise to continue the Isaka Jetty project abandoned by the last administration.
Chief Walter who hails from Okrika is an indigene of Isaka and Chairman of Isaka Council of Chiefs as he expressed happiness over the developments.
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