Niger Delta
Group Seeks Media Synergy To Dev Ogoni
The National Coordinator, Ken Saro-Wiwa Associates, Chief Gani Topba has solicited the collaboration of journalists of Ogoni extraction in efforts to achieve the goals, dreams and vision of the founding father of the Ogoni struggle, late Kenule Beenson Saro-Wiwa.
Topba made the appeal during a media interactive forum he organised to meet with members of Ogoni Journalists Platform (OJP) at Nana’s Place, Port Harcourt, last Friday.
He explained that the media has been a veritable tool to drive home the sincere demand of the people, emphasizing the need for Ken Saro-Wiwa’s Associates to partner with Ogoni Journalists Platform to achieve set targets.
He noted that through the media, the Ogoni founding father, late Kenule Saro-Wiwa was able to place the Ogoni struggle on the international stage, adding that it was also through the media that the Ken Saro-Wiwa Associates would actualise its set objectives.
Topba pleaded with those working in the media houses to always cross-check their facts before publication, adding that some publications done against the Ogoni people were mere propaganda that were capable of creating confusion, misunderstanding and disagreements among the people of Ogoni.
The national coordinator told all stakeholders that it was time for everyone to work together in order to build a new Ogoni.
He expressed dismay at the activities of some groups in Ogoniland, who he alleged induce people to take over oil production in Ogoniland, adding that the group would continue to resist all the oil companies until they come to terms with the Ogoni people.
The human rights advocate alleged that an oil company, Robo Michael was given license by the government to resume operation in Ogoniland, but was reversed after much pressure from the group.
Topba also alleged that the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) being laid by the Shell Petroleum Development Company was a strategy to do distant oil drilling, adding that Ogoni people would resist Shell’s illegal activities until they apologised to Ogoni people over their purported role in the death of Ken Saro-Wiwa.
“Why did Shell renew the OML 11 (Ogoni Oil Field) licence in October, 2017, if they were not interested in coming back to Ogoniland? Here, I have made photocopies of Shell’s application to renew oil mining leases (OMLs) with the headline: Lease Renewal Request For Oil Mining Leases 11, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 27, 28, 31, 32, 33, 35, 36, 43, 45 and 46. Can a tenant who is no longer interested in a house write to renew his tenancy?”
He called on leaders of other groups in Ogoniland ranging from MOSOP, KAGOTE, political leaders, traditional rulers, among others, to give their scorecard and stewardship to the Ogoni people.
Topba also called for the removal of first class traditional rulers in Ogoni, who were not able to settle down in their villages, adding that they cannot maintain peace and order in their villages while they stay away in Port Harcourt.
He also urged the Federal Government to sack the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachukwu for giving the Ogoni people a national insult by saying that Kenule Beenson Saro-Wiwa and the others that died with him were not enough reason to stop oil exploration.
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
Niger Delta
Diri Appoints New SSG, CoS, Retains CPS
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has approved the appointment of the serving Executive Chairman of the Bayelsa State Board of Internal Revenue(BIRB), Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei as the new Secretary to the State Government (SSG).
The state’s Chief Executive also has appointed his former Acting Chief of Staff, Government House, Dr. Peter Pereotubo Akpe as his new Chief of Staff (CoS) in his second tenure in office.
The Tide also learnt that the Governor has approved the retention of Mr Daniel Alabrah as his Chief Press Secretary (CPS).
A statement from the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah noted that Mr. Irorodamie Komonibo has been appointed as the new Deputy Chief of Staff (DCoS), Government House.
Alabrah in his statement stated that the appointments take immediate effect.
The Tide learnt that until this new appointment, the new SSG, Ayawei, is a Professor of Analytical Chemistry, technocrat, public servant and university lecturer.
He has also held the position of the Executive Chairman of the State’s board of internal revenue since 2016.
A further profile of the new appointees made available to newsmen by Governor Diri’s CPS says that Prof. Ayawei is also a former member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly.
The statement noted that the new SSG started his working career at the state’s Ministry of Environment before his appointment as member of the State Scholarship Board in 2001.
In 2002, he was appointed Chairman, Bassan-Koluama Rural Development Authority. While in 2003, he was elected to represent Southern Ijaw Constituency four in the state legislature, after which he became General Manager/Chief Executive Officer of the Bayelsa State Housing and Property Development Authority in 2012.
He has also been Commissioner for Housing and Rural Development in 2014.
Ayawei bagged a Bachelor of Education degree in Chemistry in 1995 at the then Rivers State College of Education, Port Harcourt (which was then an affiliate of the University of Ibadan) before obtaining a Master of Science in Analytical Chemistry in 2008 at the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State and later a Doctor of Philosophy in Analytical/Environmental Chemistry at the state-owned Niger Delta University (NDU), Amassoma.
He was the first PhD graduate of the NDU in 2016.
He also took up appointment as lecturer in the university’s Department of Chemical Sciences in 2016 and is currently a Professor of Analytical Chemistry in the Department of Chemistry, Bayelsa State Medical University (BMU), Yenagoa.
On the other hand, the new Chief of Staff(CoS) Government House, Dr. Pereotubo Akpe, who was the immediate past Deputy Chief of Staff and Acting Chief of Staff is a 1991 graduate of the University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt (now Rivers State University) where he obtained a B.Sc. in Technical Education, specialising in Electrical/Electronics.
He also holds a Master degree in Administration and Planning from the same university and a Ph.D. in same discipline from the University of Port Harcourt.
Akpe worked in both the Rivers and Bayelsa States Civil Service for over 20 years and retired as Assistant Director.
He also served as Head of Administration, Office of the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State (2006–2007), Commissioner with the Bayelsa State House of Assembly Service Commission (2008–2011), a two-term member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly and was Leader of the House between 2011 and 2019.
He equally held other offices as Commissioner and member of the State Executive Council in 2020, Deputy Chief of Staff (2020–2023) and Acting Chief of Staff (2023–February 14, 2024).
Dr Akpe whom many have described as an astute administrator is a fellow of several professional bodies, a 5th Degree Black Belter and Certified Kukiwon Coach in Taekwondo, and is currently the Pastor-in-Charge of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Bayelsa Province one, and a part-time Lecturer with the Redeemed Christian Bible College, University of Ede, Osun State.
Meanwhile, until his new appointment, the new Deputy Chief of Staff, Government House, Mr. Irorodamie Komonibo was the Principal Secretary to the Governor until February 14, 2024.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells,
Yenagoa
Niger Delta
C’River, Ebonyi Govts Resolve Boundary Dispute
In a bid to end the persistent border disputes between Cross River and Ebonyi States, the two States have resolved to unite and work for peace on the border corridor of Ndiagu Amagu, Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State and Adadama, in Abi Local Government Area of Cross River State.
The resolution was contained in a five-point communiqué issued after a meeting of officials of the two States on the inter-state boundary, held at Ebonyi State deputy governor’s office, Abakaliki, yesterday.
In a communiqué adopted by officials from both parties and signed by the Deputy Governors of Cross River and Ebonyi States, the meeting resolved to embark on sensitisation of the affected communities to desist from all forms of encroachment while waiting for the delineation of the boundaries by the National Boundary Commission (NBC).
It also added that the two States put in place modalities for joint security teams to patrol the affected areas.
The members agreed that the deputy governors of both States, who are also chairmen of state boundary committee are to reach out to the NBC to expedite action on boundary delineation, so as to restore peace and ensure that no further lives are lost and properties destroyed in these communities.
It also called for the revitalisation of Adadama-Amagu Development Association (ADAMADA), a group that had contributed to peace in the region.
The meeting, presided over by the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Patricia Obila and attended by the Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Dr. Peter Odey and chairman, State Boundary Committee, represented by the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of the State, Ededem Ani, was attended by a high profile delegation from Cross River State, including the State Security Adviser (SSA), Major-General Okoi Ubi Obono (retd), Head of Personal Staff to the Deputy Governor, Dr Chris Ojikpong; the Director-General of Border Communities Development Commission (BORDERCOM), Ngim Okpo.
Others were Special Adviser to the Governor on Community Relations, Chief Ada Charles Egwu; Head of Local Government Administration, Abi Local Government Area, Cross River State, Mrs. Eke Ani and traditional rulers from the affected local government area of the State as well as other relevant government officials.
The Ebonyi State delegation to the meeting had the Commissioner for Border Peace and Conflict Resolution, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor and Chairman of Ikwo Local Government Area, as well as traditional rulers, among other top government officials.
Niger Delta
Cross River Commissioner Threatens School Principals With Sack Over Illegal Levies
The Commissioner for Education in Cross River State, Senator Stephen Odey, has threatened to sack any school principal caught in any illegality, including imposing an unapproved levy on pupils or students.
Odey spoke during a reception to mark the conferment of a second doctorate on him and the launch of his new book, titled “Oil and Gas Pollution Abatement and Legislation in Nigeria.”
The commissioner, who said he had received reports of illegal charges and was investigating their veracity, affirmed that the various reforms introduced in the education sector were necessitated by the need for change.
“I am not tough but I am doing things differently; the old style is gone. One thing that is permanent in life is change and when people resist change, it means that something is wrong,” he said.
He further said that his doctorate in philosophy and law will help him to discharge his duties, while also declaring that there is a need for upgrading academic attainments and diversification.
-
Politics4 days ago
Port Harcourt Ring Road Remains Our Signature Project – Fubara
-
Focus4 days ago
The Belligerent Rantings Of Tony Okocha
-
News2 days ago
SERAP Calls For Legal Framework For Human Rights
-
Politics2 days ago
Soludo’s Performance Assessment, APGA Tackles LP Chieftain
-
Oil & Energy4 days ago
Savannah To Take Over Stubb Creek Field in Nigeria
-
News4 days ago
IYC Debunks Report Of Planned Attack On Military Across N’Delta
-
Niger Delta4 days ago
RISA Boss Okays Fubara’s Human Capital Development Initiative
-
Nation2 days ago
Gov Mbah Signs Bill To Establish Teaching Hospital In Enugu