Connect with us

Rivers

Monarch Blames Oil Firms For Youth Restiveness

Published

on

Youth restiveness in Niger Delta region has been attributed to the neglect of unemployed youths by oil companies operating in the region.
Paramount Ruler of Apara Kingdom, King Chika Worlu Wodo, Eze Oha Apara IV, stated this during a  tour visit by participants of Senior Executive Course 43, National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, (NIPSS), Kuru, led by Director General, Brigadier Gen Chukwuemeka Udaya, (rtd).
The Paramount Ruler insisted that the neglect of the youths by International Oil Companies (IOCs) is beginning to have a toll on the lives of the people of oil producing communities.
Eze Wodo said the  insensitivity of the oil companies to the plight of the host communities is negatively affecting the youths.
“The insensitivity with which oil companies treat the issues of unemployment, health and environmental standard is unacceptable and they should be held accountable,” he said.
The first class traditional ruler noted that the youths are restive, because their needs such as employment are not given to them by oil firms.
“Oil companies failed to engage these unemployed youths in their companies, thereby causing restiveness and violent approaches”. Youth restiveness cannot be ruled out in our environment because of unemployment, lifestyles and obvious inequality gap that is prevalent in our society”, he said.
The King also called on the Federal Government to proffer lasting solutions that would curb conflicts and communal clashes between farmers and cattle breeders in Nigeria.
He noted with dismay that cattle breeders take laws into their hands, destroying crops, without feeling the impacts of the farmers.
On security, King  Wodo commended Governor Nyesom Wike for providing gunboats for the Navy and marine police to tackle piracy along the waterways.
He noted that the Governor has done well in maintaining peace and security across the 23 local government areas of the state.
Earlier, Director General, NIPSS, Brigadier Gen Chukuemeka Udaya (rtd), said the participants of NIPSS Course 43 were in the state to conduct research on the  theme, “Getting Things Done, Strategy for Policy Programme and Implementation in Nigeria”.
Represented by Prof Fatayi Ariemu,  Udaya said there is improvement in participatory governance in the state, saying, the state is working because there is a continuous stakeholders engagement.
Brigadier Gen Udaya noted that citizens engagement and policy engagement programming are the best ways of getting things done in a civilised society.
Rivers State, he said is working as a government and as a State.

By: Chinedu Wosu

Continue Reading

Rivers

IYC Demands Apology Over Arrest Of Soboma Jackrich

Published

on

The Elders Council of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has demanded for an apology from the security agencies over the recent invasion of the residence of Ambassador Soboma Jackrich where two of his aides were killed.
The council said this in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.
Signed by Elder Afonya Horsefall, Chairman Ijaw Youth Elders Council, KalabariSekpangi, said the military, by the invasion has trampled on the inalienable rights of its leader.
According to the organisation, “the wanton destruction of his property and the killing of aides is repugnant to natural justice and must be restituted.
It stressed the need for the security agencies to be professional in their approach to security, adding that every action of the security agencies must be within the ambit of the law.
The group described Ambassador Soboma Jackrich as a prominent Ijaw leader who has contributed immensely towards the development of the Niger Delta and the relative peace in the region.
The IYC also called on President Bola Tinubu and Governor Siminalayi Fubara to come to the aide of the Niger Delta people by ensuring security and development in the region.

By: John Bibor

Continue Reading

Rivers

Fubara Has Demystified Governance-Elder Statesman

Published

on

As Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration is set to mark itsone year anniversary, an elder statesman, Sir Fubara Hart, says governance in Rivers State under the governor has been demystified.
Hart, two-time House of Representatives aspirant, therefore, called on Rivers people to rally round the Governor in show of support to achieve the desired objective.
Hart, in an interview in Port Harcourt, said under Governor Fubara, infrastructural development and human capital development are given .maximum attention they deserve for the wellbeing of the citizenry.
He said available evidences abound in the State, judging from the thanksgiving rallies organised by the Simplified Movement, saying it is a strong indication that Rivers people are pleased with the wave of development in the State.
He noted that the spread of projects across the nooks and crannies of the State, unlike in the past, has endeared the Governor to the people who are celebrating him.
Hart said under Governor Fubara, Rivers, people can feel a sense of belonging, as governance is being given a human face through the distribution of social amenities across the board.
He maintained that it would be appropriate to support Governor Fubara, rather than distracting him, saying Governor Fubara has shown his determination to change the fortunes of the people, especially the unreached, among the populace .
“In the past, it wasn’t like this, a scenario where one man divided and cornered the wealth of the people is over. Rivers people are pleased, being carried along and being allowed to contribute to the growth of the State.
The multi-billion naira Port Harcourt Ring Road; Trans-Kalabari road project; the low cost housing units; Songhai farm rehabilitation; and job creation can be described as the monumental achievements Governor Fubara has recorded.
“Gone are the days projects are sited in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area alone. Rivers people can now see projects in all parts of the State. We appeal to detractors to allow Governor Fubara serve his people, give him maximum cooperation as it was given to Wike and others who had ruled the State. Others ruled for eight years, so nothing will stop our own.
Governor Fubara is one of the best things that has happened to Rivers State, as his peaceful disposition, accessibility and open-door policy are hallmark of leadership. He came for Rivers people, as seen in his actions and conduct. Anyone fighting him is an enemy of Rivers people and should be jettisoned,” he said.
Hart said the former Governor of Rivers State, Dr Peter Odili was right by endorsing Governor Fubara as the political leader of the State as provided in the PDP Constitution.
The PDP meant well by enshrining it in his Constitution, which the All Progressives Congress (APC) borrowed to implement.
The elderstatesman, therefore, appealed to all PDP members to respect the party’s Constitution as it is supreme.
He urged the 27 lawmakers led by Hon Martin Amaewhule to know that they are no longer lawmakers in the eyes of the law as any law made by them cannot stand.
While urging them to desist from being used by one selfish politician to destablise the peace existing in the State, Hart pleaded with the Governor to remember Bonny Local Government Area in the award of road projects, as Bonny internal roads are begging for attention.

Continue Reading

Rivers

Monarch Lauds Fubara Over Solicitor-General’s Appointment

Published

on

The Eze Oha Evo III of Evo Kingdom, King Leslie Eke, has praised the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara over the appointment of Mrs Ibiwari Charity Clapton-Ogolo as Permanent Secretary and Solicitor- General of the State.
Eke  said this at a press briefing to mark his birthday at his palace in Woji in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
He said Clapton-Ogolo being a seasoned lawyer will do as expected in an attempt to project and defend the interest of the people.
According to him, such opportunity will also reduce the work-load on the office of the Attorney -General of the State.
The traditional ruler also said the appointment will aid in prompt delivery of justice in the State.
The appointment, he noted, has further demonstrated the Governor’s strength in governance of the State and not weakness as argued in some quarters.
He said those who are not in tune with the modern ways of governance will always be at the sea at each step taken by Governor Fubara.
The Governor, he further explained, is full of wisdom and is prepared to better the lots of Rivers people.
“I am at home with the Governor’s leadership style. He is calculative and he always hits the nail on the head. Well, people are free to say anything they like, but for me, the Governor is a goal getter”, he said.
He re-emphasised the intention of the entire Evo Kingdom’s undiluted support for the present administration as he prayed God to continue to guide and direct the Governor aright in order to enable him deliver credibly on the mandate given him.
It would be recalled that the State has for some time operated with only the office of the Attorney-General of the State until the recent appointment of the Permanent Secretary and Solicitor-General of State by Governor Fubara.

By: King Onunwor

Continue Reading

Trending