News

16,603, Ex-Militants Graduate From Amnesty Camp

Published

15 years ago

June 30, 2011

No fewer than 16, 603 repentant Niger Delta militants have so far received the mandatory transformational training on non-violence at the Federal Government’s post-amnesty camp in Obubra, Cross River.

Mr Frederick Anesah, the Camp Commandant, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen, in Obubra yesterday.

At least 20,192 ex-militants, who were granted amnesty by the Federal Government are expected to undergo demobilisation training at the camp

Anesah said that the batch 14 of the trainees, comprising 1,200 ex-militants from Rivers, had since June 23, been undergoing transformational training that would end on July 4.

He expressed the hope that the transformational programme would finish by the end of 2011.

He said: “They started coming to camp from June 23. The process started June 23rd and June 24th. On the 25th they started lectures. “They are still in the process of this transformational lectures being conducted by Foundation for Ethnic Harmony in Nigeria (FEHN).

“As far as I am concerned, they are doing very well. We have 1, 200 of them in the camp mainly from Rivers State. I could not believe that they are ex-militants.

“Their behaviour is very satisfactory. There is hope and they are happy to be here. The facilities are okay.

“ But if we have more facilities, we would train them as quickly as possible and get this phase behind us and move to the next phase. This batch will pass out on the 4th of July.

“Hopefully we will finish the programme before the end of this year. The delay in finishing was because of the April general elections.”

One of the trainees, Okorepirite Okoroji, from Tombia in Rivers, told newsmen that he was a member of the Fara Dagogo Camp prior to his being invited to Obubra for the training.

He said: “Since we came, everything has been in order. We run our programmes without any problems. We have been taught many things about how to manage life and stay away from violence.

“We enjoy and like it. I have learnt some things. I know that in life, you manage and that in life if you want anything and you are determined, you will get it.

“It pays to be straight forward in life. You do not get things by force. You exercise patience and work toward something you want and you will get it.

“When I leave here, I will be humble and keep to instructions and urge my other colleagues to do the same so they will enjoy it. I now know that life is a gradual process.’’

Another trainee, Mohammed Jombo, said: “We believe life will be better now. In the creeks, I suffered and fought the government day and night.

“We struggled because they were drilling our oil but we were still undeveloped until Yar’adua called us and we agreed to give up our arms.

“Unfortunately, he (Yar’adua) died, but we still did not lose hope. We believe Jonathan will see us through and now we see ourselves here in Obubra. They are training us here well.

“I am from Bonny and the oil companies there are not treating us well. That is why we went into the struggle to take care of our families.

“I have learnt that I do not need to use the rifle to get anything I want now. We have to get what we want through dialogue. We now have to pursue our aims through peaceful means.

“ The country we believe would help us. If they do not help us, we would look for what to do again to carry on the action.

“I want my two children to graduate from school and that is why I am following up what the government is doing for us.”

Sunday Letura, another ex-militant in Osama Camp, said that one of his legs was amputated after he was hit by bullets in the camp where he served as an informant before he was demobilised.

“I was an informant in the camp. I normally warned my people of danger. This problem happened to me in the camp. It was a gunshot. I was shot in the leg by mistake.

“They arranged to treat me, but as it was not working, I was carried to the hospital, where the amputated me. As I am now I have desisted from the bad things I used to do to a new life now.

“That new life is that I will not use violence any more. I would like to be a businessman when I leave here, especially, dealing in building materials.

“Government should help me in this direction. I am married with children. I am 32 years old. I advise my people that when I was young, I was stubborn, but as stubborn as I was, I saw no benefit.

“Now I advise them to play cool and there is no need to be troublesome.’’

Meanwhile, the Special Assistant to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Mr Kingsley Kuku, says only 26,358 ex-militants who accepted the Federal Government’s amnesty programme were given official recognition under the ongoing rehabilitation scheme.

He made the announcement yesterday in Abuja at an orientation course for 176 former militants who are to proceed for training on pipeline welding and marine engineering at Seina Marine in South Africa.

Kuku said the ongoing disarmament exercise in the Niger Delta was illegal and had nothing to do with the presidential proclamation being handled by the Amnesty Office.

He declared that as far as the Federal Government was concerned, the disarmament programme conducted by the presidential committee on amnesty had been concluded on May 25.

Kuku urged the Joint Task Force (JTF) to stop the purported disarmament exercise currently going on in the region in order to avoid disruption of the amnesty programme.

“When amnesty was proclaimed on June 25, 2009 only 20,192 persons complied with the presidential directive. An additional list of 6,166 beneficiaries was registered later.

“For me, amnesty has ended in the Niger Delta. Only 26,358 persons accepted the amnesty and they are they ones recognised by the Federal Government.”

Kuku explained that out of the 26,358 former militants who accepted the amnesty, 17,500 persons had been enrolled for degree and vocational skill programmes in Nigeria and abroad.

He urged the 176 former militants who would proceed for vocational training at Seina Marine in South Africa, to be good ambassadors of the country and desist from any act that would bring shame to the nation.

He warned that any trainee who commits any crime would be withdrawn from the training and brought home.

News

Cleric Predicts Breakthrough, Warns of Political and Security Challenges in 2026

Published

1 day ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Founder and Senior Pastor of Liberty Hour Ministry, Port Harcourt, Apostle Chikadibia John Wodo, has expressed optimism that 2026 will usher in uncommon breakthroughs and good fortune for Nigeria, particularly in the areas of political, economic, and spiritual development, with Rivers State playing a key role.

Apostle Wodo made this declaration in his special New Year message, where he stated that individuals and forces standing as obstacles to the manifestation of God’s will in the new year would face bitter consequences. He cautioned that corrupt political leaders risk backlash from the very people they govern if they fail to change their ways.

The cleric warned against the escalation of political tension in Rivers State and called on residents and religious leaders to intensify prayers for lasting peace. He also urged Governor Siminalayi Fubara to remain resolute in leadership, reminding him to uphold his vows to God by continually seeking divine guidance in decision-making and governance amid evolving challenges.

Assessing the broader national situation, Apostle Wodo called on Nigerian leaders to repent and govern with a heightened sense of responsibility, noting that the cries and supplications of the masses have drawn divine attention. He further warned of alleged plots to disrupt a smooth democratic transition in 2027 and appealed for prayers to avert such an agenda.

According to him, Nigerians are yearning for genuine socio-economic transformation and freedom from political oppression. He challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to redeem its credibility by ensuring free, fair, and credible elections devoid of undue political interference.

The cleric also predicted that insecurity could worsen in the coming year and warned of the possible emergence of a strange ailment, stressing that Nigeria’s political challenges can only be resolved through equity, fairness, and justice, especially in the treatment of minorities, the vulnerable, and the disadvantaged.

Apostle Wodo further claimed that some clerics and General Overseers have compromised their faith and incurred divine displeasure, calling for sincere repentance to restore their relationship with God. He also advised early preparedness to mitigate natural disasters such as fire outbreaks and flooding, particularly in rural communities.

He concluded by urging Nigerians to remain prayerful, vigilant, and united as the nation navigates the opportunities and challenges of 2026.

News

Ado Royal Family Disowns Alleged Installation of Amanyanabo of Okrika

Published

1 day ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Ado Royal Family of Okrika has firmly disassociated itself from the alleged self-enthronement of Hon. Godknows Tam George as the Amanyanabo of Okrika and Clan Head, describing the action as unlawful, illegitimate, and a threat to the peace of the ancient kingdom.

The family, which described itself as the sole legitimate custodian of the history, traditions, and stool of the Amanyanabo of Okrika, stated that it has not installed any king and has not commenced the formal process for such installation.

This position was contained in a statement jointly signed by Prof. Sotonye Fyneface-Ogan (Ogan Ado Royal House), Alabo Engr. Henry Semenitari Abam (Abam Ado Royal House), and Alabo Prince Oriyeorikabo Fibika (Fibika Ado Royal House). The statement was presented to journalists on Friday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt.

According to the statement, the purported action by Hon. Tam George amounts to “a blatant assault on the collective integrity of the Okrika people” and constitutes “a criminal act of impersonation with the potential to destabilize the peace and socio-political fabric of our ancient kingdom.”

The family stressed that Hon. Tam George was never presented as a candidate by the Ado Royal Family and did not undergo any of the mandatory rites, consultations, or confirmations required by Okrika customs.

“The Ado Royal Family has never presented him as a candidate, nor has he undergone any of the prerequisite rites, consultations, or confirmations. His actions are those of a lone interloper, operating in a vacuum of legitimacy,” the statement read.

It further emphasized that the stool of the Amanyanabo of Okrika and Clan Head is a sacred institution rooted in centuries-old traditions and spiritual heritage, not something to be claimed through academic qualifications, political ambition, or personal interest.

Speaking during the briefing, Prof. Sotonye Fyneface-Ogan reiterated that the process of crowning an Amanyanabo is clearly defined and has not yet begun.

“To crown a king, there is a process, and those processes have not taken place,” he said. “We are the chiefs; we are the ones that will be part of the selection. Honestly, we have not started the selection process; we have only begun discussions.”

He explained that during the proper selection process, chiefs supervise nominations from each constituent house, with each house expected to nominate two or three candidates—steps which, he noted, have not been carried out.

“I want to assure the public that none of the Ado family chiefs has given Hon. Tam George any sign of approval,” Prof. Fyneface-Ogan added.

Efforts to obtain the reaction of Hon. Godknows Tam George proved unsuccessful. Repeated attempts through phone calls, text messages, and WhatsApp messages were unsuccessful, as he did not respond as of the time of filing this report.

By: Tonye Orabere

News

PH Traders Laud RSG’s Fire Safety Sensitisation Campaign

Published

1 day ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

Traders in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, have commended the Rivers State Government (RSG) for its ongoing fire emergency and safety sensitisation campaign across major markets in the state.

Speaking on behalf of traders at Nowa Market, Borikiri Old Port Harcourt Township, the market chairman, Mr. Innocent Chukwuma, praised Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara for initiating the awareness programme in designated markets and public places.

Chukwuma described the exercise as timely and impactful, noting that it was the first time the Rivers State Government had carried out such a campaign in Nowa Market. According to him, the sensitisation would educate traders on fire emergencies and the necessary precautions to prevent outbreaks.

He urged traders to strictly apply the safety measures taught during the campaign, both during business hours and after closing their shops.

“I want to thank the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Ministry of Special Duties for coming to our aid, especially during this dry season,” Chukwuma said.

“This is the first time we are seeing government presence in our market in this manner. We lack words to thank our God-sent governor, particularly for providing us with fire extinguishers and other firefighting equipment.

“We will do exactly what we have been taught today to ensure there is no fire incident in our market. We will always switch off all electrical appliances before closing for the day,” he added.

Similarly, the Chairman of Mile 3 USTRE Modern Market, Mr. Gift Nkesi Benjamin, applauded the state government for the distribution of fire extinguishers and other fire safety equipment.

“We will adhere strictly to the safety guidelines and instructions given to us today to ensure there is no fire outbreak in our market,” Benjamin stated.

“On behalf of Mile 3 USTRE Modern Market, I sincerely thank the Rivers State Government and the Ministry of Special Duties for bringing this important campaign to our market.”

At Rumuwoji Market (popularly known as Mile 1 Market), the Chairman, Chief Hon. Godpower O. Wobo, also expressed gratitude to the state government for the sensitisation exercise. He assured that traders would comply fully with government directives to prevent future fire incidents.

Responding on behalf of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Special Duties, Mr. Sokari D. P. George, thanked the traders for their cooperation and warm reception.

He emphasised that safety remains paramount, especially during the dry season, and urged traders to be cautious in their daily activities.

Mr. George disclosed that the theme of the 2025 fire safety campaign is “Controlled Fire Is a Friend, Uncontrolled Fire Is an Enemy.”

He cautioned against refuse and bush burning around buildings and warned traders not to store fuel in unauthorized places such as homes, offices, markets, or public buildings.

“Follow all fire safety guidelines and instructions,” he urged.

The permanent secretary also noted that Governor Fubara prefers a zero-fireworks approach during festive periods to ensure public safety, stressing that the government has invested heavily in markets and expects traders to take responsibility for protecting them.

By: Kiadum Edookor