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Post Amnesty: Ojukwu Backs Resource Control Dumps Biafra, Canvasses National Unity
Barely 24 hours after President Umaru Yar’Adua met with leaders of Niger Delta militants at the Presidential Villa, Abuja for a post amnesty deal that would chart a new course for the region, the issue of resource control has reverberated with Ikemba Nnewi, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu- Ojukwu canvanssing support for it.
Speaking at the 2009 Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) Prize for Science and Literature Award night Saturday in Abuja, Dim Ojukwu said the problem in the Niger Delta region arose because the people were not allowed control of their resources and that lasting peace in the area depends on the people controlling their resources. Ojukwu could not understand the politics surrounding oil in Nigeria wherein host communities are neither allowed control of their God-given resources nor adequately rewarded, in terms of compensation in the course of environmental pollution and hazards they suffered from oil exploration and exploitation.
He could not also understand the reason for amnesty, when according to him, the nation is not at war, maintaining that amnesty shouldn’t have been necessary if the people of the Niger Delta have been allowed ownership of their resources.
“What are we doing with amnesty? We are not at war, yet every newspaper talks of amnesty”, he quipped, stressing that the federal government should do the right thing, by allowing the people control of their resources.
Ojukwu identified the problem of Nigeria as injustice occasioned by greed, warning that except it is redressed now, the nation shall be the worse for it.
The former Biafran warlord was full of praises for the NLNG for instituting the award which he described as celebration of our cooperation in the field of science and literature by which the NLNG has established special place for itself in the comity of nations.
Ojukwu appealed to the awardees not to consider the monetary worth of the prizes but its impact, adding let’s feel in our heart the glow of achievements that fellow Nigerians got to the height of his careers.
Meanwhile, Igbos who are agitating for the state of Biafra under the aegis of Movement for Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) may now have a re-think and dump their agitation for good.
This is because the architect of Biafra and ex-Biafrain warlord, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumengwu-Ojukwu has subtly dissociated himself fron any agitation that is targeted at breaking-up the country while openly opting for a united Nigeria.
Ojukwu, Ikemba Nnewi, counselled his kinsmen from the South East geopolitical zone, most of which are pro-Biafra, and Nigerians from other tribes to embrace Nigeria with their spirit, soul and body, and work towards her greatness rather than causing disintegration.
Presenting a keynote address at the 2009 Nigerian Liquefied Gas (NLNG) Grand Award in science and literature, Saturday night in Abuja, Ojukwu said in the past, there were reasons justifying ethnic agitations but such reasons have since become a thing of the past and there was no justification whatsoever to hold on to ethnic sentiments against the Nigerian state , any more.
“ Nigerian has been close to crisis but never consumed in crises, ladies and gentlemen, Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu is here before you representing Nigeria, my being Nigerian makes me permanently grateful to God for being a Nigerian,” he said.
For those Nigerians who may still see him as Biafran warlord and anti Nigeria, Ojukwu said ‘ I love Nigeria and I want people to live, feeling that because I love Nigeria, they are my friends: whether they are from the North, West or East.
To convince them that he is truly a Nigerian at heart, Ojukwu said I am a Nigerian in the three major languages Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo and won applause from a section of the audience.
For Nigeria not to disintegrate into ethnic cauldron, the Ikemba Nnewi identified the problem of Nigeria as greed.
‘Greed is responsible for the problem all over the world. The problem arises from one man wanting to take what belongs to another. I call for cooperation among us , Nigerians cooperation should be the keynote. A lot depends on co-operation and how successful you are in co-operating”, he said.
For Nigerians from the six geopolitical zone who are disenchanted with the system, Ojukwu advised that ‘ your future lies I co-operation with other Nigerians, be true to your neighbour; once you do that you have an easy life ahead of you”.
Dim Ojukwu further advised Nigerians to work hard and not to depend on juju or short-cut for success because it does n’t work that way. Ojukwu, a retired Colonel in the Nigerian army was leader of the rebel Biafran side in the over three years Nigerian Civil War that was won by Nigerian troops led by former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon
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Our Legacy’ll Leave Lasting Impression On Rivers People -Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that his administration will collaborate and continue to consult widely in delivering a liberated State experiencing enduring peace.
Fubara said, in doing so, he would not operate as a dictator but as a member of a team that has the best interest of the State at heart and determined to leave a lasting legacy that can be celebrated.
The governor spoke during the formal presentation of Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Michael Tom, as first class tradition ruler, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Fubara stated that, during the Sixth State Executive Council meeting, N80.8billion was approved with 50 percent contract value paid already as the Government awarded the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
He said the project will be funded from the savings from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to underscore his administration’s prudence without also borrowing to complete the project.
“We are at a crossroad in our State where we all need to stand for what is right. It happens once in a life time. So, for now, be one of those people that will be in the course to liberate and free our dear State.
“And I know strongly that having the support of a peace-loving Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, having the support of the wonderful Council of Chiefs, having the support of the great people of Rivers State, we will bring peace in our State. We will do those things that are right to develop our State.
“We will continue to consult. We will not act as dictators. We will act as people who know that one day, we will leave, and when we leave, the way we have acted will speak for us. We will not force people to talk good about us. Our legacy will be a signature for how we led”, the governor said.
Fubara explained that he acted within the ambit of the law to upgrade the traditional stool upon which King Ateke Tom sits in recognition of his efforts in promoting peace in Okrika, and indeed, the State, and urged him to continue to do justice to everyone.
In his speech, Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon Charles Amadi, congratulated King Ateke Tom for being formally presented with the Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office as first class traditional ruler.
Also speaking, former Transport Minister, Chief Abiye Sekibo, thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise of upgrading the traditional stool of Okochiri Kingdom, and pledged the support of Kirike Se people to his administration.
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We’re Determined To Leave Legacy Of Quality Education -Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has promised to give the best attention to the education sector so that standard and quality learning will never be compromised in the State.
The governor emphasised that in achieving such legacy, schools in the State will be driven with a curriculum that will equip school-aged children to become competitive, innovative and self-reliant.
Governor Fubara made the assertion while inaugurating the Governing Council of Rivers State University at Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
He said: “There is a lot of noise everywhere: people asking what we are doing; that we are not focused, and that we don’t have direction.
”But I want to tell the world that we are focused and aware that we cannot grow if our energies are not channeled to education. Not just education, but purposeful education.
”Education that is creative. Education that gives you independence. We have left the era in the world when you speak too much grammar. We are in such times when it is what you can do with your hands.
”Our purpose for education is that we should bring back our academic programmes to where, at the end of your studies, you don’t need a job but you create jobs. When one creates a job, you automatically employ others. That is what I want this council to see as their task.”
Governor Fubara noted the non-existence of public secondary schools for the male child in the Diobu axis of Port Harcourt.
He said such negligence leaves children in that area who have completed primary education, and whose parents cannot afford sending them to far away secondary schools, to roam the streets, and therefore becoming willing tools for criminality.
Governor Fubara assured that such fundamental problem will be addressed by his administration as a measure to curb the negative impression associated with Diobu axis of Port Harcourt.
The governor said he trusts in the capacity of the members of the Governing Council of Rivers State University to bring about positive change in the institution while also contributing their quota to improving the general education standard in the State.
”I charge you, not just in terms of administering the affairs of the university, but let us add something different from the normal things that we already have to see new things.”
In her response, on behalf of the other members, the Pro-Chancellor of the Governing Council of Rivers State University, Justice Mary Odili (rtd), thanked the governor for finding them worthy to serve in such capacity.
Justice Odili assured they will work assiduously as a team to solve the problems that agitate the mind of the governor and ensure their contributions form part of the legacy that will be bequeathed by his administration.
The members included Justice Mary Odili (rtd) as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council with Barrister Mela Oforibika and Chukwuma Chinwo, Esq.
Others were Adata Bio-Briggs, Esq., Dr. Jonathan Nimi Hart, Ngo Martins-Yellowe, Dr. Nancy Nwankwo, Dr. Igoni William-Park, and Mr. Ogbugbu Barisua.
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Fubara, Others Eulogise Rivers First Lady’s Mother
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu, and key stakeholders of the State on Wednesday paid glowing tributes at the Service of Songs held in honour of late Mrs Adeline Jaja, mother of the wife of the Governor, Lady Valerie Fubara, at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Mile 1, Diobu, Port Harcourt.
Speaking at the event, Governor Fubara described his late mother-in-law as a great and visionary woman who lived on truth and conviction in what she believes.
“Mama was a great woman. She wasn’t a materialistic person. When she believes in you, she’ll be all out for you. She stood for me. I feel pained that, like my own mother, she left at this moment.
”Mama believed so much in God, and the wonders of God. I thank everyone, particularly the Church. On behalf of the bereaved family, we will support the Church to immortalise her name,” the Governor said.
In his homily, Vicar of the Church, Ven. A. A. Ijon-Ama, who spoke on the gains of death, said physical departure from earth was not an ultimate end but an opening for higher and permanent gain and perfection.
He pointed out that when a man has a good relationship with God, he stands to gain more in death.
Ven. Ijon-Ama described late Mrs. Adeline Jaja as a devout Christian, who exuded deep sense of hospitality, and endowed with accommodating spirit, noting that she will be greatly missed by all.
The Vicar, who prayed for the repose of the soul of Mrs Adeline Jaja, also solicited for Divine fortitude for the family to bear the great loss, and called for the immortalisation of the deceased to keep her good legacies alive.
Some family members, who spoke at the Service of Songs, extolled the virtues of the deceased, describing her as “a great community leader, counsellor, peace maker, and caring mother, who provided for the needy, and participated actively in Church activities.
Highlights of the event were special prayers for the bereaved family, conducted by the Anglican Bishop of Evo Diocese, Rt. Rev. Innocent Ordu; remarks by key family members, choir ministration, among others.
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