Nation
Insecurity: We Are Unsafe In S’West, Afenifere Alerts
The Pan-Yoruba Socio-Political Group, Afenifere, has raised the alarm that the people in the South-West are now completely unsafe following the spate of insecurity in the region.
Its spokesperson, Yinka Odumakin, who spoke with newsmen in Akure, yesterday, expressed concern over the kidnapping, killings and other criminalities in the region.
This is coming as reports of resultant to self defence by the people in the region gained traction.
Odumakin said, “The Fulani orchestrated insecurity has taken over the South-West and people cannot sleep with their two eyes closed, our women are being raped and people are being killed on a daily basis, including Obas on the street.
“Our governors are not giving lawful orders. Even the President aides are saying you can’t chase herders out of the forests.
“We are completely unsafe. Look at a whole noble laureate, last weekend he was trying to ask the president what to do about herdsmen, three days later they took over his house in Abeokuta.
“And somebody was saying that Soyinka’s house was unfenced. Go to London, go to America, you will see a lot of unfenced houses. Will they go and be keeping cows there because they are fenced”.
Odumakin added that “Gen Theophilus Danjuma has already told us two years ago that if we are not ready to defend ourselves, they will kill us one by one.”
Meanwhile, a security expert told newsmen in Akure that that the “nation’s intelligence community was worried that individuals were beginning to arm themselves for safe defence.
Consequently, he said that, “the Nigeria Police was making efforts to mop up such illegal arms in circulation lately.
“We have been getting briefings on the issue of the massive influx of illegal and even prohibited arms and ammunition into the South-West lately.
“We know, of course, that there are serious security issues that have often thrown all off balance.
“In the last three months or so, we have been monitoring all possible entry points to know where this major security concern of the influx was coming from.
“This is not to indict relevant agencies responsible for the manning of entry points.
“But clearly, individuals in the South-West have tilted towards self-defense even to the extent of arming themselves with prohibited weapons and this is an unpleasant situation.
“That is not allowed legally. But from all indications, that is the route people are gravitating towards; self-defense.
“From our preliminary observations, at least, four of every 10 families in the South-West are prepared for self defence.
“Invariably, we are sitting on a keg of gun power because no one knows where the first trigger will be pulled.
“That is why we are engaging all stakeholders secretly, especially the press to be circumspect in its reportage by adding ethnic coloration to criminality and crimes anywhere.
“Under the situation or scenario that has just been given, there could be unintended consequences arising from mistaken behaviour on the part of those who are illegally armed for self-defense”.
The state police spokesperson, Tee Leo lkoro, kicked against the people resorting to arming themselves for self-defense.
Ikoro also claimed ignorance of the proliferation of arms in the state, saying that “l will also call the divisions to know what they know about the incident.”
The Rivers state Government has identified six local government areas with the highest burden of maternal and Neonatal mortality in the state.
State Commissioner for Health Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh said this in an interview with newsmen at the Maternal and Neonatal Reduction innovation initiative ( Mamii)Rivers state activation workshop and state engagement meeting in Port Harcourt.
The event was organized by The Federal Ministry of Health in conjunction with its Rivers state counterpart in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh also restated the preparedness of the state government to support current efforts by the federal government towards the reduction of maternal and infant mortalities in the country.
She mentioned the affected Local Government Areas to include, Andoni,Akuku Toru and Ahoada West
The rest according to the Commissioner are, Bonny, Etche and Emohua Local Government Areas.
She said the workshop will enable the team from the federal ministry of health and social welfare to brainstorm with the view to finding solution to the problem.
The Commissioner also gave reasons why the Mamii initiative was the best as far as finding solution to maternal mortality was concerned.
“The uniqueness of the Mamii initiative driven by the federal ministry of health and social welfare was that we used evidence to elicit the reasons for this deaths, so that the solutions will be context specific and tailored to the particular environment where those deaths are occuring
“For us in Rivers state we have six Mamii LGAs , nationally we we have 172 local government areas “the Commissioner said.
Earlier in her opening remarks,Dr Oreh said the state government is prepared to work with the federal ministry of health and social welfare to check the rate of maternal mortality in the state.
She commended The Minister of Health and Social welfare Professor Ali Muhammad Pategi for driving the Mamii initiative across the country and expressed optimism that the programm will see to the end of maternal mortality in the country.
Also speaking the National Coordinator Nigeria health sector Renewal Initiative Dr Adam Ahmed said Rivers state is the last state among Mamii states in the country to host the team.
He said the team will visit the affected Local Government Areas with the view to interacting with the people on how to check the trend.
He expressed the hope that with continuous efforts, maternal mortality will be checked.
Also speaking the permanent secretary Rivers state Ministry of Health Professor Justinah Jumbo said the government is not leaving any stone unturned towards reduction in maternal deaths.
The permanent secretary said Governor Siminalaye Fubara is a health friendly Governor who is desirous in improving the quality of health of Rivers people.
John Bibor
A pan-Nigeria organisation committed to the promotion and preservation of indigenous languages, Indigenous Language and Culture Promoters (ILCP), has called for the deliberate development and compulsory teaching of indigenous languages in both primary and secondary schools across the country.
The group made the call during its maiden Congress held in Bori, Rivers State, which was convened to examine challenges hindering the official adoption and effective teaching of Ogoni languages in schools.
Speaking at the Congress, the Executive Director of the organisation, HRC Mene Magnus Edooh, Amb.P, emphasised the critical role of indigenous languages in preserving a people’s culture, values and history. He warned against the gradual extinction of native languages, noting that language loss equates to identity loss.
“Years ago, Latin was a language of global relevance, but today it is largely extinct. We do not want Ogoni languages to suffer a similar fate. As a people, we cannot afford to lose our identity through the death of our languages,” Edooh said.
He explained that the Indigenous Language and Culture Promoters was established to collaborate with language stakeholders to ensure that children and younger generations remain connected to their mother tongues. The organisation also appealed to governments at all levels, as well as relevant institutions and individuals, to take strategic actions aimed at promoting and sustaining Nigeria’s indigenous languages.
Also speaking, the newly appointed Director of Media and Information, Prince David N. Gbarato, questioned the rationale behind government reluctance to accord indigenous languages their rightful place in national development policies.
According to him, “People with well-developed languages are people with well-developed indigenous systems and affairs,” stressing that language development is fundamental to cultural and societal advancement.
The Congress further served as a platform for the ratification of key officers of the organisation and featured the participation of representatives from various indigenous language groups and other language stakeholders, all of whom echoed the call for renewed commitment towards safeguarding Nigeria’s linguistic heritage.
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