Metro
Day Saro-Wiwa’s Spirit Resurrected In Bori
Twenty five years after the Ogoni born environmentalist and minority rights activist, Ken Saro Wiwa and his fellow Ogoni compatriots were contemptuously murdered on trumped-up charges by the ill fated military junta of late General Sani Abacha, his spirit continues to resonate indomitably, questioning the very foundation of Nigeria as a true Federal State.
Using the instrument of mass mobilisation as the vehicle for the articulation of the ideas of his struggle, Saro Wiwa set on stage the full waves of the complexities that defined the Abacha era.
As a dramatist and consummate stylist, he deployed his fecund mind to confront a ruthless military junta in a most sacarstic, satirical and unnerving measure that deflated the vaunted mights of the powers that be and plunged the echelon of the then military regime and its tacit collaborator, shell, to consider his physical elimination as the only option of shelving the inflictions of his revolutionary agenda.
Last week, precisely on the 10th of November, in a pitch akin to a fiesta, thousands of ogonis and other fans and adherents of the late writer besieged the streets of Bori, the headquarters of Ogoni, and Port Harcourt to celebrate the exploits of Saro Wiwa.
The celebration of the 2020, Ogoni Matyrs day, started with candle night processions on the eve of November 10th, the day Saro Wiwa himself evidently described as a “black day for the black man”.
Apart from the litany of solidarity activities in virtually all ogoni communities, Aggrey road in old Port Harcourt Township, hosting Saro Wiwa’s house and other adjoining streets were inundated with processions of men and women paying tributes to the late ogoni hero.
A memorial church service was later held at the All Saints Anglican Church Bori, with one of Saro Wiwa’s associates, Inimoh Bassey, a renowned activist delivering one of the key sermons.
Bassey decried the fact that, 25 years after, not much attention was paid to the issues of environmental justice raised by Saro Wiwa.
As part of events to mark the 2020 Ogoni Matyrs Day, the Environmental Rights Action, and Friends of the Earth Nigeria in conjunction with other civil society organisations held a seminar at Visa Karena hotel, relayed through zoom to the entire world. Acting Executive Director of CERA/FOEN, Chima William disclosed that some of the resolution reached at the end of the seminar was for the Federal Government to exonerate Saro Wiwa of the accusations placed on him to justify his “judicial murder”, while Shell should be counted as accomplice to the murder of Saro Wiwa.
He said the gathering of key environmental stakeholders also recommended that the ongoing building of a correctional centre in Ogoni by the Federal Government should be halted while the full recommendations of the United Nations Environment Project (UNEP) reports should be implemented. Other key Ogoni stakeholders who spoke with The Tide metro, said Saro Wiwa though his non violent approach had proven that the rights of social liberties could be achieved without recourse to violence.
National coordinator, Ogoni Aborigenes Congress, world wide, High Chief Godae Beesor said, “Saro Wiwa’s death has provided the only niche for Ogoni to get positive development, environmental justice, unity and peace in the land.
Saro Wiwa’s daughter, Nor, on her facebook page said the only crime of her father was to “peacefully pursue human rights for the people of Ogoni and campaign against oil spills in the oil rich Niger Delta”.
The key to Saro Wiwa’s social activisim was his bold optimism to dust up the hitherto docile oil bearing communities to confront their formidable foes, the unconscientious oil companies, particularly Shell, and the military junta. The Saro Wiwa factor has also become an independent variable in the definition of the future of Nigeria.
Yet, the Federal Government still hold the name of Saro Wiwa in their book of felons. But Ken Saro Wiwa continues to sower in death, as he is among the few black men celebrated in the international mainstream of martyrdom.
For Saro Wiwa who remained undaunted, even in death, the price was worth it.
By: Taneh Beemene
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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