The Senator representing Rivers South-East in the National Assembly, Senator Magnus Abe has thrown his weight behind the convocation of the national conference announced by President Goodluck Jonathan, saying, it will enable stakeholders in the Nigerian project discuss the nation of their dream.
He disclosed this while reacting to the proposed national conference by the President in his Independence Day broadcast to the nation.
Senator Abe said, the subsequent constitution of an advisory committee to work out modalities for the conference gives a clear indication that the President was beginning to respond to the concerns of well-meaning Nigerians on moving the country forward.
According to him “it is heartwarming that the President has realized the need for National Conference; it is a breakthrough for Nigeria, we can now seat on a round table and chart an acceptable path towards a brighter future for our country”.
The chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream) emphasised that the initiative was an opportunity for Nigerians to address the avalanche of socio-economic and political challenges as well as resolution of structural problems plaguing the country.
He noted that the conference would undoubtedly address cases of impunity, incessant harassment, suppression and intimidation of dissenting voices, evils of the recent past affecting good leadership like the issues in Nigeria Governor’s Forum, non adherence to rule of law, democratic tenets and true federalism.
While enlisting the President to ensure the confab works, Senator Abe expressed optimism that it would promote national cohesion, stability, unity and preserve our heritage for future generations.
“We need the voice of everybody interested in the future of Nigeria, this is an opportunity we yearned for, we must take it serious,”. he concluded.
Meanwhile,the chiefs and peoples of Ogu in Ogu/Bolo Local Government areas of Rivers State have cried out to the government over the killing of their son, Mr Johnny Isaac and the abduction of two others byEkporo community in Eleme Local Government Area.
Addressing a press conference in Port Harcourt yesterday, the chairman of Ogu divisional council of chiefs, Chief Emmanuel Ibioricka said the two abducted sons of the community were Ibunemisa Obie and Steven Oju, whose where-about is yet unknown.
Chief Ibiorika said  the victims were riding on a motorbike along the site the Ogu police station which is being renovated when they were attacked by one Inspector Franklin from Ekporo who was armed and two of his kinsmen.
According to him, as assailants killed Johnny Isaac and abducted the others, they escaped with their motorbike into a bush path through Ekporo community.
He appealed to the government to persuade Ekporo community to release  those they abducted unhurt, and enjoined the people of the area to go about their normal business ad continue to maintain their peaceful disposition.
The Police Public Relations Officer who confirmed the story said that two persons died in the crisis.
Speaking on the issue, the Senator representing Rivers East in his reaction, the police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Rivers State Police Command DSP Ahmad Kidaya Muhammed confirmed and said there was an incident involving two communities over land that claimed two lives.
Meanwhile, the Senator representing Rivers East Senatorial District, Senator George Thompson Sekibo has called on the people of Ogu in Ogu/Bolo Local Government Areas and the Ekporo Community in Eleme Local Government Area to resolve their differences amicably through lawful channels rather than take laws into their hands.
Reacting to the gruesome murder of an indigene of Ogu by the people of Ekporo, Senator Sekibo condemned the act and cautioned youths to eschew violence and other acts likely to breach the peace in the area.
In a statement by his Special Assistant, Hon. Kevin Agbam, the Senator warned rumour peddlers against spreading malicious falsehood or making provocative and inflammatory comments and advised those instigating the crisis to stop fanning embers of discord.
He noted that the people of Ogu and Ekporo have enjoyed several years of warm relationship that should be sustained in the interest of all and called on  the law enforcement agencies to take necessary steps to restore normalcy
Senator Sekibo urged leaders to continue to preach peace adding that nothing good can be achieved in an atmosphere of rancour of disturbance.
It would be recalled that the Amanyanabo of Ogu, Chief Nicholas Abiebele Nimenibo Loko IX recently urged the neighbouring community to remain calm over the on-going renovation of the police station, noting that it will be of immense security benefit particularly to the two communities

Publicity Secretary PHCCIMA, Chief Nabil Saleh (right) with Financial Secretary PHCCIMA, Prince Allison Ogidigbon, during PHCCIMA membership induction in Port Harcourt, yesterday