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‘Nigeria Needs Restructuring, Social Justice’
Stakeholders at the 2nd Claude Ake Memorial Lecture have called for restructuring of the Nigerian political space based on social justice, transparency and accountability in governance.
Making public their views at the forum organised by the Rivers State Government at the weekend to celebrate the legacies left by the late Prof of Political Economy, who died in a plane crash 13 years ago, they called for urgent measures to save the country from the brink of collapse.
Chairman of the occasion and former Nigerian Ambassador to the United States, Prof George Obiozor observed that the country’s leadership derailed from the vision of the founding fathers, thereby affecting the unity and development of Nigeria.
Prof Obiozor asserted that, “leadership is everything and that, ‘ if we must salvage our country, we must face the reality”.
He blamed the poor justice system and corruption as major factors that threaten the unity of the country, while stressing the need to restructure the political system capable of attracting the support of all Nigerians willingly without force.
Obiozor added that Nigeria needs a system of shared power hinged on social justice.
He lauded the Rivers State Government for remembering Prof Ake, whom he described as one of Africa’s great scholars, who impacted on the lives of other academics within and outside Nigeria.
Delivering a paper with theme, Combating the Resources Curse: Strategies for Economic Transformation in a Natural Resource-Rich Economy, “ former President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas argued that Nigeria’s huge natural resources had turned into a problem due to poor management.
According to Dr Chambas, studies have shown that countries with less resources were more prudent than those with lots of resources.
He disclosed that about 70 per cent of Nigerians live below poverty line, while describing the country, as a paradox of poverty in the midst of plenty”.
He believed that huge part of the resources goes into few hands, which causes most of the disharmony, poverty, crime and religious problems.
Chambas cited the case of Boko Haram as an offshoot of inequity, as political domination in every sphere of the economy leads to ethnic struggles among the citizenry to gain from the resources.
The former ECOWAS president, however, recommended good governance, accountability, transparency and the rule of law as major ingredients to transform the nation.
He said Nigeria needed to take advantage of the huge economic opportunities in the global community by investing in human capacity, especially on technical and engineering skills.
In her remarks, former chairperson of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mrs Ifueko Omoigini-Okanra said the country should stop over reliance on oil revenue.
For her, it is only when the country begins to diversity its economy will it be able to make progress, why can’t we change radically or breaking this cycle”. she queried.
In a similar vein, member representing Calabar-Odukpani in the House of Representatives, Ambassador Nkoyo Toyo called for constant review of the development process as she lauded the establishment of the Sovereign Wealth Fund.
She warned that Nigeria would become a failed state if inequality and poverty continued, and warned against the marginalisation of women would further worsen the resources curse, as she recommended multiple accountability systems in the polity.
Meanwhile, Rivers State Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi, former President of Economic Community of West African State (ECOWAS), Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas and other prominent Nigerians have hailed the legacies of late Prof Claude Ake, a top political economist from the state.
Speaking at the second Prof Ake Memorial lecture titled, “ combating the resource curse: Strategies for Economic Transformation in a Natural Resources-Rich Economy’, Amaechi said Ake was a philosopher and critic who sought the best for his country.
‘For me, Prof Ake stands as one social crusader that we lost to God… and therefore, we should not allow his legacies to die.
The Rivers State Governor recalled that as a student activist in the university, he learnt a lot from the late Professor who was a strong advocate of good governance and better political structures.
When you hear me speak the way I do, it is because of the private lessons from persons like Prof Ake”, he said.
He believed that if the late political economist was still alive, he would have fought more for the betterment of Nigerians, while lamenting the worsening level of corruption in the country.
Amaechi promised that Rivers State would endow a professional chair on political theory in the University of Port Harcourt, while calling for the rejuvenation of the Centre for Advance Social Science (CASS), an institute established by Ake to propagate political thoughts in Nigeria and beyond.
On his part, former ECOWAS President, Dr Chambas described the late professor as a man who saw academics as a vehicle of ensuring social justice and national transformation.
Chambas said of Prof Ake”, he is a quintessential organic intellectual such that what he wanted for the Niger Delta was that the region take its rightful place in this great nation”.
The former ECOWAS president said, “ Ake demonstrated that we do not have to be in public office to affect lives”.
Chambas blamed the over-reliance on oil revenue and rents as the major cause of Nigeria’s economic and political travails, arguing that despite the huge resources, the country was still bedeviled by poverty and corruption. He called on the country’s leaders to toe the path of Bostwana, Indonesia and Norway who had used their resources to great advantage through transparent and accountable leadership.
The former ECOWAS chief, noted that once the state was able to meet the expectations of the citizens by establishing a meritorious civil service, accountable public institutions and ensuring social justice, it could be said to be utilising the resources well
Chambas, therefore, called for a paradigm shift through the prudent utilisation of resources, saying, “ in seeking to liberate the African people, we must harness the huge population driven by good macro-economic policies, social governance and rule of law”.
Also speaking, chairman of the occasion and former Nigerian Ambassador to the United States, Prof George Obizor said late Ake was one of Africa’s distinguished scholars.
Prof Obiozor added, Ake was a combination of realistic and idealistic scholarship, and he made a great impact on other African scholars.
The former US Ambassador thanked the government and people of Rivers State for organising the lecture and remembering the late Professor of Political Economy.
Earlier, chairman of the organising committee and Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mr Levi Gogo-Charles noted that the government has instituted the lecture to motivate the young ones and celebrate the legacies of the university teachers.
He stated that the theme of this year’s lecture was aimed at ensuring a shift from oil to knowledge-based economy, while hinting that in the near future, Rivers State would export knowledge rather than oil.
News
Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf
Two Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Rivers State have been honoured by separate groups for their contributions to security, crime prevention and improved community-police relations in their respective areas of responsibility.
The beneficiaries are the DPO of Afam Police Division, CSP Endurance Worgu and his counterpart at Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf.
CSP Worgu was honoured by a group of students under the aegis of Rivers State Graduate Students Associations for what they described as his commitment and outstanding performance in the discharge of his duties.
The students, led by Chidi John Enyie, Esq. said CSP Worgu was selected based on his track record and status as one of the longest-serving young DPOs of Rivers State origin.
According to the group, CSP Worgu has made significant contributions to the protection of lives and property in the area since assuming office following the #EndSARS period.
The students said they were particularly impressed by the improvement in community-police relations under his leadership, noting that professionalism had remained a key feature of his service.
Enyie represented by Comrade Briggs Soku, said the students community was pleased to identify with a Rivers indigene who had distinguished himself in the police force.
He said the students considered it necessary to encourage and celebrate CSP Worgu because of his achievements as a young Rivers man excelling in a profession that many people from the state were often reluctant to join.
Receiving the award at his office in Afam, CSP Worgu expressed gratitude to God and the students for finding him worthy of the honour.
The DPO said the recognition had boosted his morale and encouraged him to sustain his efforts towards maintaining peace and security in the area.
He said he least expected the honour, particularly because it came from the students, adding that the recognition would further motivate him to serve the people better.
CSP Worgu assured residents of Afam that the police would sustain the existing peace in the area.
He appealed to members of the public to support the police by providing credible and timely information, stressing that useful information from residents would make the job of security personnel easier.
Meanwhile, the Ikwerre/Etche Media Association has also honoured the DPO of Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf, for his efforts in tackling criminal activities in the area.
The media group presented the award following the swift tracking and arrest of five suspected kidnappers who had allegedly terrorised residents of the Kom-Kom axis and other parts of Oyigbo.
The group commended CSP Bello for what it described as his determined efforts to restore confidence and security in the affected communities, particularly Kom-Kom and Obeama.
According to the group, the arrest of the suspects demonstrated the DPO’s commitment to tackling criminality and safeguarding residents.
The media association said residents had received the development with relief, noting that the police action had sent a strong message to criminal elements operating in the area.
Responding, CSP Yusuf appreciated the group for the recognition and reaffirmed that there would be no room for criminality in Oyigbo.
He also commended the media for its role in disseminating credible information to the public, saying the media had remained supportive of the police in the fight against crime.
CSP Yusuf warned criminal elements operating in Oyigbo to leave the area or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.
He assured residents that the police would continue to pursue criminals and work to dismantle their hideouts, regardless of where they might be operating.
The 5000 Achievers Christian Forum and Colleges of Bishops, Archbishops and Apostles, a Christian interdenominational organisation, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for the 2027 general elections.
International President of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, disclosed this during the ordination and consecration of three new Bishops, as well as an award ceremony held in Port Harcourt.
Aroh said the performance of the APC-led Federal Government had endeared the party to the organisation, prompting the forum to declare its support for President Tinubu and other APC candidates in Rivers State.
He said the forum would support all APC candidates in the state during the 2027 elections and urged Nigerians to vote for the party.
Aroh, who is also the General Overseer of Caring Peoples Church, Port Harcourt, charged the newly consecrated Bishops to see their new positions as a great responsibility and dedicate themselves to the advancement of the kingdom of God.
He cautioned them against conduct capable of bringing their offices into disrepute, stressing that their activities would be closely watched by members of the public.
“As Bishops, the eyes of the public are on your activities. You must therefore conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of your calling,” he said.
Also speaking, the International Coordinator of the forum, Bishop Saint Robinson, urged the newly consecrated Bishops to work diligently towards winning souls for the kingdom of God.
Robinson, who was the guest speaker at the event, stressed that the activities of Bishops must at all times be guided by godly principles.
He also called on members of the church to support and cooperate with the newly consecrated Bishops in the discharge of their responsibilities.
The Secretary of the College, Apostle Elizabeth Ayadi Abaye, said the organisation was established to advance the kingdom of God and promote spiritual development.
According to her, the forum has organised several crusades, conferences, prayer meetings, ordinations, consecrations, enthronements, empowerment programmes and other spiritual development activities across the country as part of efforts to win souls for Christ.
Abaye said the organisation has members across the world and disclosed that more programmes had been scheduled to promote the spiritual development and wellbeing of humanity.
The three Bishops consecrated at the ceremony were Prince Alban Chike, Testimony Omenihu Shedrach and Prince Ifemena.
Among those honoured at the event were the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Abali Community, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Manuchimso Prince Lemmy Wopara, and Clifford Oko Jaja, Coordinator of the 5,000 House-to-House for President Tinubu.
By: John Bibor
The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 49-year-old suspected fake soldier, Andrew Atausi, and several other suspects in connection with various criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, one-chance robbery and the alleged murder of police officers.
The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, recently during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters, where he said the arrests formed part of the operational achievements recorded by the Command between June and August 2026.
Adepoju said Atausi was arrested on August 10 by police operatives along Ada George, Port Harcourt, while dressed in military uniform and driving a Toyota Hilux painted in Army colours.
The Commissioner said investigation revealed that Atausi was not a member of the Armed Forces, adding that he was suspected to be a serial car snatcher, with three suspected stolen vehicles recovered from him.
He said the recovered vehicles included three Toyota Hilux vehicles without registration numbers and a Toyota Corona Premio with registration number BNY 380 ES, noting that the chassis and engine numbers of the vehicles had allegedly been tampered with.
Adepoju added that an axe and military accoutrements were also recovered from Atausi, as investigation continued into the circumstances surrounding the vehicles and other items recovered from him.
On the June 29 attack on police officers at Aluu Division, the Commissioner said three members of the gang allegedly responsible for the incident had been arrested by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU-AKU.
The suspects, identified as Maduabuchi Emeka, 34, alleged gang leader; Doctor Chinedu Owhor, 42, and Kamachi Joe, 28, alleged armourer, reportedly led operatives to their hideout at Omagwa where two AK-47 rifles stolen during the attack were recovered.
Adepoju recalled that two police officers were killed during the Aluu attack, while others were wounded and one officer had his leg amputated, stressing that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fourth suspect.
On kidnapping, the Commissioner said five members of a suspected kidnapping syndicate were arrested in Oyigbo Local Government Area, adding that they allegedly confessed to operations in Kom-Kom, Railway, Obeama and Afam communities.
He said two other suspects from the same network, Anele Ogbogu, 35, alleged to be the gang’s armourer, and Kenneth Eke, 38, were arrested on July 27, with one AK-47 rifle and one SMG rifle recovered.
The Commissioner further disclosed the arrest of suspects in connection with alleged firearm offences, armed robbery, cultism and one-chance robbery, with firearms, ammunition and other exhibits recovered during the operations.
Adepoju assured residents that the Command would sustain intelligence-led, proactive and community-oriented policing in collaboration with other security agencies, while urging members of the public to continue providing credible information that would assist the police in combating crime across Rivers State.
By; King Onunwor