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Lest We Forget … Whither Jos Murderers?
It is gradually assuming the pedigree of a norm in Nigeria, to loudly condemn mass murders, politically motivated killing, especially of journalists and senseless bloodletting; assure the usually believing Nigerians that culprits will be brought to book and pronto, its business as usual.
Let me not bore readers with the long chronicle of such unresolved murders, which include Chief Aminasoari Kala-Dikibo, until his untimely murder, National Vice Chariman, South-South of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Marshal Harry, Dikibo’s counterpart in the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Chief Bola Ige, then Attorney-General and Minister for Justice among many others. Need I mention the novelty of a parcel bomb which cut-short the eventful life of the founding Editor-In-Chief of Newswatch Magazine in 1986, Mr. Dele Giwa?
Long after these, no fewer than five journalists have been murdered in cold blood and like the rest before them, earned merely the familiar national rose on their graves- assurances that no effort would be spared to fish out their killers and make such criminals face the full weight of the law.
But my worry today, is not so much about these isolated deaths grounded on the mindlessness of hired assassins, and common criminals, not so much because society ought to feel such losses any less but the Jos debacle has become urgent because of the fear of greater mayhem should the nation’s loud silence continue and as usual let inaction become a norm.
So recurrent and with a high degree of human losses, unless the lingering ethno-religious intolerance that has for years now, resulted in mass murder of defenceless men, women and children, is addressed and in a timely and decisive manner, there’s no telling when, Nigeria’s once most peaceful city will boil again.
This is because, after all the hue and cry, following the March 8, 2010 massacre of more than 350 people, mostly Christians, Nigerians were told of some arrests and likely trial. Never lacking in fresh agenda, the controversy over Late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s health and the need for a Goodluck Jonathan Acting Presidency, soon took centre stage and since then, very little of nothing is today being heard of the Jos killer squad and the need for justice.
On the said Sunday, a supposed sacred day of worship for all Christians, including, of course inhabitants of Jos, Plateau State, Hausa-Fulani fighters, believed to be Moslem fundamentalists had attacked Dogo Na-Hawa, Ratsat and Jeji villages, all in Foron District of Jos South Local Government Area of the state, leaving behind some 350 dead, most of them women and children.
That senseless massacre had taken place at a time when a dusk-to-dawn curfew was in place, thus creating the suspicion and rightly so, that the invaders enjoyed some form of patronage from the vigilant Joint Military Task Force assembled to check the growing unrest in the city.
Of course that aspect of the blame game took more urgent preference over the human casualties and the need to find the murderers and lay a solid foundation for lasting peace and harmonious co-existence, which only truth and reconciliation, many believe, can guarantee.
At that time, even then Vice President Jonathan ordered various military establishments to take over the security of the state, with assurance that the federal government would do everything within its power, to not merely fish out the killers but address, in a lasting manner, the issues responsible for the near frequent recurrence of large scale unrest that have rubbished, in unimaginable degrees the ambrosia of Jos city.
Expectedly, all Nigerians seemed united behind the Federal Government, in hope that the March 8, 2010 episode would be the last. I did not and still don’t believe so, because of the apparent silence that has now replaced the enthusiasm and drive that followed the killings, as is usually the case.
On Monday, March 22, this year, this column had warned against the traditional choice of sweeping under the carpet, the events of that dark Sunday. Titled, In This Place of Horror: Tears For The Warning Ambrosia Of Jos, that work attempted a chronicle of earlier killings which attracted little or no action, and which apparently served as a potent incentive for the senseless killings and desecration of a Christian’s day of worship.
For instance, between September 7, and 17, 2007, when the first ethno-religious riot occurred in Jos, in which more than 1,000 persons were killed not a single soul has, to date been punished for such inhumanity to fellow humans.
Naturally, because none was punished for the crime, barely three years later in 2004, the Plateau boiled again. That time, after clashes, in Yelwa, more than 500 were again killed, but the best then President Olusegun Obasanjo could do was to declare a state of emergency, the type which was in place before the March 8, 2010 debacle took place, that claimed 350 lives.
Again, since 500 lives were not worth quarrelling over, hiding under laughable council election disputes, same traditional master-minds of the near recurrent Jos mayhem struck less than a year after claiming more 700 lives. Expectedly, nothing tangible was done except the familiar rhetorics and near pretentious condemnations.
As if begging for more blood, years later in January, this year a minor dispute over a plot of land reportedly claimed another 350 lives although that state government was economical with the true figure of human casualties.
Regrettably, those expected to act did nothing even after the Ajibola Commission had, in fact, investigated the matter and submitted its report, in which very influential politicians and members of the Obasanjo Presidency, were indicted.
It was killings of the nature and government’s seeming helplessness in checking the frequent ethno-religious disturbances in the North, that might have pushed former Libyan strongman, Muammar Gaddafi to suggest the break-up of Nigeria along religious lines, as was the case between India and Pakistan.
As would be expected, all especially, those who Nigerians had depended upon to act, but who didn’t, quickly decided to feast on the Libyan in apparent display of love for and faith in our phoney unity, no matter how fragile it seemed.
Of course, that controversy at once took precedence over the deaths which were begging for vengeance and the truth of their circumstance, which only justice cold have easily guaranteed.
What is the position of the police investigation, arrests and eventual prosecution? Are we to expect justice or accept the familiar, pick and charge to court, the wrong suspects, build a weak case around them and leave a dutiful judge with no other option than to discharge and acquit the accused persons for lack of evidence?
Now is the time for both the state, and the police to convince Nigerians that human life is still sacred and that like all reasonable governments, ours also value lives of her citizens. Silence will not do, neither would the focus on other political issues.
The security of lives and property of the citizenry should be paramount to any good government, and the Jos example should be used as a launching pad towards proving the desired change of attitude.
My Agony is that now, it is already business as usual in Jos, with a kind of peace that is more dangerous than war. It is the peace of the graveyard.
Soye Wilson Jamabo
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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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The European Union (EU) says it will end its five-year Agents for Citizen-Driven Transformation (ACT) programme aimed at enhancing the capacity of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Nigeria, on April 14. Mr Damilare Babalola, the National Programme Manager, ACT, said this on Tuesday at a brief event in Port Harcourt. Babalola said that the conclusion of the programme would automatically mean an end for the 21 CSOs based in Rivers. He stated that the EU-funded programme, valued at 13.1 million euros, was executed by the British Council across 10 states, with a presence in the 36 states of the federation. “The programmes’ goals are to assist CSOs in becoming more credible, accountable and effective agents of change, for sustainable development in Nigeria. “The implementation focussed on providing capacity-building skills, referred to as capacity development support to CSOs, to enhance their effectiveness. “Additionally, it aimed to evaluate the regulatory environment for CSOs and promote strategic coordination among them and other key stakeholders in terms of collaboration and advocate, for appropriate legislation and regulations,” he explained. Babalola identified the benefitting states as Adamawa, Borno, Edo, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). “The ACT programme commenced in 2019 and will officially conclude on April 14, marking the end of five-years of active implementation in the country. “Rivers was among the states where we initiated the programme during our phase two launch in 2020, and we are here to formally close the ACT programme in the state. “ACT has addressed significant challenges affecting the effectiveness and impact of civil societies, especially in creating an enabling regulatory environment,” he added. He expressed confidence that in spite of ACT’s departure from the country, civil society groups have gained sufficient capacity to effectively carry out their responsibilities in their respective focus areas within the communities. The programme manager noted that 273 CSOs benefitted from the programme across the country, with 233 CSOs receiving capacity-building training and 40 others trained to enhance regulatory conditions. In his remark, ACT Rivers Focal Person, Mr Temple Oraeki, emphasised the importance of CSOs collaborating with the state government and international donor agencies to advance their programmes and projects within the communities. “The 21 CSOs, comprising of eight community-based organisations and three network coalitions in Rivers, now serve as our ambassadors, equipped to make positive impact in society. “Therefore, we are leaving behind organisations that are credible partners for the government and international donor agencies to execute their programmes in communities,” he said. Gov. Siminialayi Fubara of Rivers, expressed the state’s readiness to engage with CSOs to implement government policies and programmes in the various communities where they operate. Represented by Diokuma Ismael, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Fubara lauded the EU and British Council for their interventions in the state. “The success of the ACT programme has undoubtedly enhanced the value of civil society organisations in the state and nationwide. “We are prepared to partner with the CSOs that have impacted communities, once all necessary documentations are concluded. “However, it is crucial for CSOs to adhere to proper regulations, to enable the government to identify with them for sustainable development,” he said. Fubara urged the civil society groups to align with the state government’s policy to drive positive change in the communities.
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