News

‘Nigeria Needs Restructuring, Social Justice’

Published

12 years ago

February 25, 2013

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

Ibas Inaugurates RSIEC, Service Commissions, Healthcare Board In Rivers …Charges Appointees To Embrace Principles Of Service

Published

2 days ago

July 18, 2025

The Tide

The Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ibas, has charged newly appointed Board members to uphold the highest standards of discipline, competence, integrity, and unwavering dedication in their service to the State.

He emphasized that such commitment is critical to stabilizing governance, restoring democratic institutions, and advancing the principles of good governance in the State.

This was contained in a statement by the Administrator’s Senior Special Adviser on Media, Hector Igbikiowubo on Monday.

Ibas issued the charge on Monday while inaugurating the reconstituted Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Rivers State Civil Service Commission, Rivers State Local Government Service Commission, and the Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board at Government House, Port Harcourt.

The Administrator urged the new appointees to embrace their roles with diligence, patriotism, and a commitment to transforming Rivers State through excellent service.

Addressing the Chairman and members of RSIEC, Ibas underscored their pivotal role in ensuring credible local government elections that reflect the will of the people.

“Your task is clear but demanding: to conduct free, fair, transparent, and credible elections at the grassroots level. You must resist bias, favoritism, and external interference while restoring public confidence in the electoral process,” he stated.

“The independence of your actions is crucial to sustaining peace, stability, and grassroots governance. I urge you to act with fairness, impartiality, and professionalism—even in the face of difficult choices,” Ibas added.

The Sole Administrator also charged the Rivers State Civil Service Commission on the need to eliminate mediocrity and foster a culture of excellence through merit-based recruitment, training, and promotions.

“The civil service must transition from favoritism to competence, integrity, and accountability. Your commission will lead reforms, including digital transformation and standardized practices across ministries, departments, and agencies,” he said.

He disclosed that extensive training programmes are underway, with a committee set up to overhaul the public service framework for greater efficiency.

Meanwhile, Ibas urged the Rivers State Local Government Service Commission to ensure professionalism and discipline in local government administration.

“As the closest tier of government to the people, you must drive reforms that insulate the system from politics and mediocrity. Your mandate includes merit-based recruitment, training, and enforcing standards for effective service delivery,” he stated.

In the same vein, the Administrator charged the Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board with revitalizing healthcare delivery across the state’s 23 local government areas.

“Primary healthcare is the foundation of a sustainable health system. Your board must ensure facilities are adequately staffed, equipped, and operational focusing on maternal health, immunization, malaria control, and community health services,” he said.

He emphasized data-driven operations, incentives for rural health workers, and restoring the referral system to improve healthcare access.

He also assured the Board of sustained government support, including funding, for the effective discharge of their mandates but warned that board members would be held accountable for their performance.

The newly inaugurated members include: RSIEC: Dr. Michael Ekpai Odey (Chairman) with Prof. Arthur Nwafor, Prof. Joyce Akaninwor, and others as members.

Civil Service Commission: Dr. Livinus Bariki (Chairman), Amb. Lot Egopija, Mrs. Maeve Bestman, and others.

Local Govt. Service Commission: Mr. Isreal Amadi (Chairman), Rear Adm. Emmanuel Ofik (Rtd), Dr. Tonye Pepple, and others.

Primary Health Care Board: Dr. Dawari George (Chairman), Dr. Chituru Adiele (Executive Director), Prof. Kaladada Korubo, and representatives from key ministries.

News

Rivers PDP Debunks Sale Of LGA Election Forms

Published

2 days ago

July 18, 2025

The Tide

The Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, Dr. Kenneth Yowika, has debunked claims that the party has commenced sale of forms for chairmanship and councillorship elections across the 23 local government areas of the state.

Yowika made the rebuttal in a statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday, describing the publication on the social media as baseless and untrue.

He urged members of the PDP to disregard the claim, saying that official communication regarding the sale of forms would be disclosed through the appropriate channels.

“With reference to information trending on social media, it has been falsely claimed that the sale of forms for Chairmanship and Councillorship elections in the 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Rivers State will begin soon.

“However, the party has firmly denied these rumours, stating that they are baseless and untrue.

“The party has its own established methods of reaching out to its numerous supporters.

“The People’s Democratic Party, a law-abiding organisation, will patiently await the release of guidelines from the recently inaugurated Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) before considering any sale of election forms.

“The PDP is urging its members to remain calm as official communication regarding the sale of forms will be disclosed through appropriate channels,” the statement read.

Enoch Epelle

News

South-South contributes N34trn to Nigeria’s economy in 2024 – Institute

Published

2 days ago

July 18, 2025

The Tide

Prof. Pius Olanrewaju, President of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), has stated that the South-South region contributes N34 trillion to country’s economy in 2024.

He made the remark at the South-South Zonal Banking and Finance Conference in Calabar, yesterday.

He spoke on the theme, ‘’Building An Inclusive South-South: Economic Diversification as a Catalyst For Development.’’

Olanrewaju, who quoted the data from the Cable Data Index, said the feat was more than 21 per cent of Nigeria’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The president described the growth as ‘’ impressive,’’ saying that it was not driven by oil alone but significant expansions in trade, services, and the creative industries.

According to him, to fully harness this potential, coordinated financial, technological, and policy support is essential.

“As we work to reposition the South-South for broad-based prosperity, the financial system must play a central role, not merely as a source of capital, but as a catalyst for innovation, ideas incubation, and inclusive economic growth.

“This conference, therefore, provides a strategic opportunity for stakeholders to reimagine the South-South economy, not merely as a resource belt, but as a region of diverse capabilities and resilient enterprises.”

Olanrewaju added that Nigeria must move beyond old models and chart a new course for the development of the South-South region, where financial institutions and stakeholder collaborate to diversify the economy for shared prosperity.

He, however, commended Gov. Bassey Otu for his pledge of land for CIBN Secretariat in Cross River and being the first sitting governor to willingly undergo and complete the Chartered Bankers Programme.

On his part, Gov. Otu said that the conference discussion on the economic diversification in South-South region was timely against the backdrop of global trade and economic volatility that was affecting the nation’s economy.

Represented by his deputy, Mr Peter Odey, Otu said the South-South region must now act with urgency to diversify its economy while leveraging its shared natural endowment in agriculture and extractive resources.

“This conference must help develop tailored financial solutions that reflect the unique strengths and realities of states like Cross River in the south-south.

“Diversification should be evidence-based and must be backed not just by financial advice but project focused financing and real investment support,” he noted.

He said that Cross River had taken the bold step to invest in its agricultural sector by launching an Agro processing hub.

Otu further said that the state had invested in aviation by acquiring more aircrafts for Cally Air, construction of the Bakassi Deep Seaport and injecting N18 billion in its tourism sector.

Similarly, Mr Tolefe Jibunoh, Cross River Branch Controller of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said that the region was blessed with natural resources, cultural diversities and immense human potentials.

Jibunoh, who was represented by Mr Segun Shittu, Head, Currency Control Office, CBN, Calabar, noted that strategic diversification could unlock unprecedented opportunities for growth in the region.

He added that the CBN remained steadfast to maintain monetary possibilities and promote a sound financial system as a catalyst for sustainable economic development for the benefit of all.