News
Graham-Douglas Clarifies Call For Sovereign National Conference
A former Minister for Aviation, Alabo Tonye Graham –Douglas, says the need to strengthen the unity of the country necessitated the call by the Nigerian Project Group to call for the convocation of a Sovereign National Conference.
Alabo Graham-Douglas made the clarification yesterday in Port Harcourt while speaking as chairman at a one-day peace concert organised by the Association for Non-Violence in the Niger Delta (ANND).
He said the explanation had become necessary following speculations in some quarters that the group intends to cause disintegration of the country.
According to him, “ the unity of this country is not in doubt and cannot be compromised”, but the group hopes to hold a roundtable discussion in all the six geo-political zones of the country to intimate Nigerians of the need to hold the conference.
Graham-Douglas who is a prominent member of the group noted that the present constitution of the country was handed down to the people by the military, saying , it did not reflect the wishes and aspirations of Nigerians.
The elder statesman advised the youths to uphold the unity of the Niger Delta region, having made their impact during their agitation for justice, equity and fairness, and corrected the impression that the amnesty programme would be scrapped.
The former minister urged the Niger Delta youths not to go back to militancy because they had passed that level but should utilise the benefits of the amnesty programme to their advantage.
He equally enjoined them not to react to the Boko Haram agenda because the Islamist sect lacked sense of reasoning in their agitation, pointing out that the Niger Delta struggle started with intellectual issues of inequalities and marginalization of the people that produce the wealth of the nation before the youths took it over.
In his speech, the President, Association for Non-Violence in the Niger Delta, Mr Kennedy West, condemned the activities of some elements parading themselves as MEND in the bombing of oil facilities in Brass, Bayelsa State since the leaders of the ex-militants had embraced peace.
West, however, called on some politicians from the North to stop interfering with the amnesty programme to avoid endangering the unity of the country, and called on the Federal Government to create jobs for the young people.
The peace concert with the theme” “ Core Values of the Amnesty Programme”., The Gain So Far” featured award presentation to some personalities like Mr Mamode Akugha, Gbenga Aruleba and Segun Awolabi while the first Ijaw Youth Congress (IYC) President, Dr Felix Tuodolor delivered a special paper.
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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