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nesty Programme Debuts In Delta

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Delta State yesterday witnessed its first success in the presidential amnesty deal with militants as large cache of arms and ammunition were surrendered to the amnesty team at Obotobo 1 community in Ogulagha kingdom, Burutu Local Government Area of the state by a coalition of militant groups.

The arms which included two General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs), 23 AK 47, four FN and 14 G3 rifles were yesterday turned in by a coalition of militants in Delta state in line with Federal Government’s amnesty programme.

Other weapons are one Sub Machine Gun (SMG), seven single barrel Pump Action guns, 12 pieces of dynamites, 69 assorted magazines, 84 cartridges and array of 7.62 mm special and ordinary ammunition.

Leaders of the three militant groups are ‘Gen.’ Bonny Gawei of Gawei Camp, in whose house the arms surrender took place, ‘Gen.’ Nabena Young of Seashore Freedom Fighters and ‘Gen.’ Aboy Francis of the Niger Delta Liberation Movement, whose arms surrender ceremony was earlier scheduled for last Tuesday but did not take place as government’s amnesty team failed  to show up.

The Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Matters, Mr. Timi Alaibe, who praised the groups for their exemplary courage said the event which is the first in Delta state since the proclamation of amnesty by President Umaru Yar’Adua in August would further deepen the concern of the President  on the Niger Delta situation.

He said, “These young men have done a noble and right thing. They have not shown weakness but courage because the strong are the courageous and I bring Mr. President’s message of sincerity and commitment to this process. Mr. President has challenged us severally to disarm and see “what I will do to develop the Niger Delta”.

“By what you have done today, you have keyed into the process of amnesty and now that you have disarmed, we have listened to your priorities as they were delivered in your speech, sustainable development priorities and we shall convey them to Mr. President”, Alaibe said.

Also, the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Amnesty, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Lucky Ararile whille urging other militants in the region to emulate the courage of those who have dropped their arms posited  that the only thing that denies the people of development is crises, adding that the time is now.

A representative of Delta state governor, Dafe Akpedeye  stated that the only way to achieve meaningful development was the exemplary display of the youths who agreed to surrender their arms and the embrace the presidential amnesty deal, saying that the militants have been keyed into state government’s programme.

Earlier, a Spokesperson for the coalition of militants, Mr. Ebiware Opori, in a six-point demand called for practical development of the region, including road network, hospitals, schools, industries etc), human capital development via capacity training/ sustainable development programmes, provision of scholarships, genuine rehabilitation programme for freedom fighters by giving the youths the opportunity to manage the security of companies operating in their domain in order to avoid criminal elements sabotaging their sincere efforts.

Others are the allocation of slots for marine equipment and general supplies to them by companies operating in the region as they said this would create an atmosphere of harmonious relationship between the host communities and the multinationals, thereby alleviating the scourge of pipeline vandalism and checking illegal oil bunkering.

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Elele Etche community Gets Interim Youth Leaders ….As traditional rulers  Warned Against land grabbing 

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Elele Community in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers state has inaugurated an interim Youth Executive to run the affairs of the Elele Central Youth Association for the next six months.
Among those inaugurated are, Comrade Godspower Anaele as the youth leader, Godspower Nwala, deputy youth leader and Barrister Nnamdi Abel as General Secretary/Legal Adviser.
Also inaugurated are,Mr Ifeanyi Emmanuel as Assistant General Secretary,Chibuike Nwamkpa as financial secretary, Michael Ogundu , public Relations officer,Miss Faith Nwaobilor , welfare officer and Charles I K.Agugoesi as provost.
The Ochimba of Elele community Etche local government Area ,HRH Eze Innocent Anaemeje who inaugurated the youth executive warned them against involvement in anti social behaviours
Eze  Anaemeje particularly warned them against involvement in land grabbing stressing that having eliminated land grabbing from the area, the community will frown at any attempt to bring it back.
He   said though the interim youth executive has six months to run the affairs of the Elele central youth Association, the community might return them if their performances are satisfactory.
In an interview with newsmen, The Elele Etche monarch said his kingdom has only one youth body which is the Elele Central Youth Association, warning that private youth bodies will never be allowed to operate in the kingdom.
He said his kingdom is laying a foundation that will promote hardwork and respect to constituted Authoritaties especially from the youth, adding that nobody irrespective of his position will be allowed to hold the community to ransom
According to him, the youth of Elele Etche must respect their elders , the government and cultivate the virtues of hardwork and honesty, stressing that nobody will be allowed to bring shame to the kingdom.
Anaemeje who is the chairman welfare committee of The Etche Supreme Council of  Traditional Rulers used the occasion to call on both the  Rivers state Government and Etche Local Government Council to assist the community with the rehabilitation of its dilapidated health centre
He said the health centre which was constructed through communal efforts has become dilapidated leading to its abandonment.
Eze Anaemeje also called for Government intervention on the epileptic power situation in the area and congratulated Governor Siminalaye Fubara for his reinstatement after six months of emergency rule in the state.
Also speaking the Ezeoha of Etche ethnic nationality,HRH  Eze Chima Nwagha called on  youths in the community to respect their elders
He warned that no indigene in the area should be allowed to use his position to destroy the kingdom and advised the newly inaugurated youth association to rule with the fear of God.
By: John Bibor & Birane progress
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Stop blaming leaders, take responsibility, CAN tells Nigerians

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The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Borno State chapter, has urged Nigerians to make the right choices and take responsibility for the nation’s progress instead of blaming leaders for its challenges.

Borno CAN Chairman, Bishop John Bogna Bakeni, made the call in Maiduguri on Saturday, stressing that national renewal requires both accountable leadership and responsible citizenship.

He said the transformation of Nigeria’s economic and political systems depends on deliberate moral choices and collective action by citizens.

“As I said in my message on the pulpit, Nigerians must make the right choices. We must hold our leaders accountable at all levels, but we must also take responsibility,” Bishop Bakeni stated.

He added that it is not enough to desire a better country without consciously choosing good over evil and making efforts to build it.

Bakeni noted that problems such as kidnapping, banditry, terrorism, and corruption stem from the failure of families to instill discipline and values in their children.

“We cannot continue to blame the government alone. Parents must monitor their children and instill discipline and honesty in them. Evil thrives when families abandon their moral duties,” he warned.

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NUJ hails DSS for releasing detained journalists

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The Nigeria Union of Journalists has commended the Department of State Services for the prompt release of two journalists, Ruth Marcus and Keshia Jang of Jay 101.9 FM, Jos, who were recently arrested while covering the funeral of the late mother of the All Progressives Congress National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda.

The NUJ National President, Alhassan Yahya, in a statement on Sunday, said the union welcomed the intervention of the DSS Director-General, Mr Oluwatosin Ajayi, which led to the immediate release of the journalists.

Our correspondent gathered that the journalists had captured footage showing DSS operatives preventing some pastors from gaining access to the church premises where the funeral service was taking place.

Security officials were screening attendees, and in the process, some clerics were denied entry.

Marcus and Jang had been detained after posting a video report on social media showing a confrontation between a cleric and security operatives at the funeral, an incident that raised widespread concern over press freedom and the right of journalists to perform their lawful duties.

The statement partly read, “We are encouraged by the decisive intervention of the DSS Director-General, who not only ordered their release but also personally reached out to the Union to tender his apologies. He has also reiterated his directive to DSS operatives to conduct thorough investigations before making arrests.”

The NUJ president described the gesture as a positive shift in the culture of Nigeria’s security institutions.

“The willingness of the DSS leadership to admit errors, apologise where necessary, and commit to reforms is an important step in strengthening public trust and confidence in the agency,” he stated.

While commending the development, Abdullahi urged the DSS and other security agencies to sustain the new approach and respect the rights of journalists at all times.

“Press freedom is the bedrock of democracy, and journalists must never be treated as adversaries for performing their constitutional duties. We call on the DSS to institutionalise accountability by sanctioning officers whose actions undermine democratic values and constitutional rights”, he said.

He stressed that only by enforcing discipline within the ranks can such progress be consolidated.

Abdullahi further assured that the NUJ remains committed to constructive engagement with security institutions to strengthen mutual understanding, promote professionalism, and safeguard both press freedom and national security.

“We urge our members across the country to remain vigilant, courageous, and professional in the discharge of their duties,” the NUJ president added.

 

 

 

 

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