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MEND’s Aaron Team Seeks Stakeholders’ Support
The Aaron team, a group of negotiators, led by the former Chief of General Staff , Vice Admiral Okhai Mike Akhigbe (rtd), set up by the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger-Delta (MEND) to dialogue with the Federal Government with a view to bringing the Niger-Delta crisis to an acceptable end has called for suggestions and advice from Niger-Deltans, Nigerians and friends of Nigeria towards proper execution of the assignment.
It has also opened a website, www.the aaronteam.org for Nigerians to send in their support, contributions, comments and questions to the group. The group, comprising Akhigbe, Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, Major General Luke Kakadu Aprezi (rtd) , Dr. Sabella Ogbobode Abidde, Mr. Amagbe Denzel Kentebe met with President Umaru Yar’Adua at Aso Villa before he took ill and was flown to Saudi Arabia for treatment. Assumed leader of MEND, Henry Okah and ex-militant leader, Farah Dagogo also attended the meeting. The discussion was held in a friendly atmosphere and both sides agreed to meet again for further dialogue.
Tentatively, President Yar’Adua assured the team that he would undertake a tour of the Niger-Delta to see things for himself and urged the team to cooperate with other stakeholders in the bid to entrench peace in the region. The meeting was largely exploratory but the team maintained that the way forward was true federalism. Vice-Admiral Akhigbe in a message to Nigerians on the website stated, “As you are all aware, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has put together a team of well meaning Nigerians called the Aaron Team, to dialogue with the Federal Government in order to find lasting solutions to the problems plaguing the Niger Delta”.
“The Team hopes to use this website as a means through which Niger Deltans, Nigerians, and Friends of Nigeria, can contribute to and follow the process. “As much as we cannot address each individual comment or question, please know that we will do our best to keep you abreast of the dynamics of our dialogue.We are committed to working with the Federal Government of Nigeria to identify lasting solutions to the problems plaguing the Niger Delta”, he stated.
It was learnt that the Aaron Advisory Assembly would be responsible for collecting and collating positions , which the team could use in negotiations with the Federal Government. The Aaron Advisory Board will also be set up to combine and summarize positions that will support the push for the implementation of full fiscal federalism, which is the goal of MEND.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to expedite the prosecution of the Director of the now distressed MBA Forex Trading, Mr. Maxwell Odum, in the interest of justice.
The Rivers State NUJ made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the EFFC’s Ag. Zonal Director, ACE Hassan Saidu, in Port Harcourt, recently.
The council’s chairman, Comrade Paul Bazia, said the appeal became imperative after it considered the number of Nigerians and others involved in the financial misconduct.
According to him, it has caused hardship among many households in the country and should be given the attention it deserves.
He said that investors cannot come into a country or invest in an economy or nation ridden with fraud.
This, he said, has made it more imperative to arrest, prosecute and convict alleged fraudsters like the MBA Forex Director, who is alleged to have defrauded thousands of unsuspecting Nigerians, to serve as a deterrent to others.
The chairman also requested that while the trial lasts, part of the swindled funds should be given to the victims that suffered loss and trauma as a result of the fraud.
The NUJ reiterated its resolve to change the narrative of reportage from crisis to developmental communication.
According to him, the NUJ’s main focus is blue economy and tourism.
He expressed the readiness of the Council to partner the agency in the area of information dissemination.
“We believe you have a responsibility to fight financial crimes. We also know that you need the Press to publicize your activities and NUJ can provide that,” he said.
Responding, the Zonal EFFC’s boss commended the NUJ’s vision to change the narrative of reporting from crisis to developmental communication.
According to Saidu, the Western world have since imbibed such culture, hence the negative stories about them are carefully sifted to allow only positive ones to be released to the outside world.
As for the trapped funds to be released, the EFCC Zonal Director stated that only the court can authorize such action, stressing that the primary responsibility of the Commission is to arrest and prosecute.
He pledged to partner with the NUJ now that the leadership has visited the Commission.
The Head of the Legal & Prosecution Department, DCE Odiase Stephen, corroborated the Zonal Director’s position and stressed that it was only when the matter has been determined by the court that such funds can be released.
He further stated that once a matter is before a court of competent jurisdiction, it cannot be discussed outside.
By: King Onunwor
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