Niger Delta
ACN Chieftain Sues PDP, Claims N100m Damages
A chieftain of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Barrister Eyo Nsa Ekpo has dragged the Peoples Democratic Party to court over an alleged libelous publication by the party intent on destroying his reputation.
The party is still battling the litigation slammed on it by four of its aggrieved councillorship candidates protesting alleged imposition of some candidates in the forthcoming council polls without recourse to normal party primaries as enshrined in its guidelines.
In the latest litigation, Barrister Ekpo who is the Secretary of the Elders’ Forum of the defunct ACN in a statement of claims in suit number HC/268/2013,endorsed by his counsel, Prof. Tony Ukam, is demanding the sum of N100 million as damages for libel, ’’to assuage his psychological, reputational? retardation’’ as well as N500,000 being cost of prosecuting the said suit.
Ekpo alleged that the PDP had “from the evening of Friday, the 3rd of May,2013 to the morning hours of Sunday, the 5th of May,2013, consistently and continuously published and or caused to be published both on radio and television services of Cross River Broadcasting Corporation(CRBC) a list of the PDP caucuses and Elders Forum Members in Odukpani Local Government which list included the name of the claimant as a member of the PDP Elders Forum in Odukpani Local Government Area’’.
According to the statement, the ACN chieftain[claimant] wrote the defendants (PDP) on the 7th day of May 2013,’’seeking a retraction, an apology and payment of compensation’’, but surprisingly ‘’on 10th of May,2013 the defendants again caused a publication of the same false, malicious and offensive materials concerning the claimant in the Nigerian Chronicle Newspapers of same date.
“In between these two offensive publications, the defendants cause another offensive vile, false and malicious publication to the effect that the claimant has been dropped from the list of members of the defendants’ Elders Forum, the clear imputation being that the claimant is a member of the list of defendants.
The statement mentioned that by reason of the alleged malicious publication, “the claimant has been injured in his reputation and character and thereby incurred damages which accordingly has impacted negatively on his health and psyche, political, social and economic life and even in his professional calling were he is being treated with disdain’’.
The writ of summons served on the PDP and Ntufam John Okon (PDP State Chairman) as Defendants in the suit urged them to within 7 days of the service cause an appearance to be entered for them and/or judgment may be given in their absence.
It would be recall that, the PDP Chairman, Ntufam Okon had during a media briefing recently to announce his party’s readiness for the forthcoming council polls in the state admitted the publication, but denied knowledge of any threat of litigation by the ACN chieftain.
The Head of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba, has charged the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (NAOMEW) World Wide, to be committed to professionalism, patriotism and effective service delivery in the discharge of their duties and rendering of patriotic gestures.
Mrs Gbaraba gave the charge yesterday when the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter paid her a courtesy call in her office in Port Harcourt.
She expressed deep appreciation for the visit, and assured the Association of her commitment to being a worthy Ogoni Ambassador like late Mr Augustine Nwikinaka, former General Manager of the corporation, to promote the fortunes of the corporation, while counting on their unflinching encouragement, prayers and support to succeed.
“ I am very happy to receive the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (The Tide Chapter) today in my office. I am glad you people came to my office, for those that know me in a short while in the corporation, I am a serious-minded person. I heard that the time the corporation was functioning well was under the leadership of late Austin Nwikinaka. Any where I go to, I will rather come down and show working example and that is what the Ogoni person is known for. So I am always proud to associate myself with an Ogoni man, so your support means so much to me,” Mrs Gbaraba said.
She assured them of running an open-door policy in the management of the corporation, and urged stronger partnership between NAOMEW, other unions, interest groups, corporate organisations, institutions and the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation in professional service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter, the National Secretary of the association, Comrade Taneh Beemene welcomed her into The Tide family and also congratulated her on her very important appointment.
Taneh, who expressed confidence in her experience and abilities to deliver on her assignments, thanked her for the uncommon feats recorded in the corporation within her brief leadership. He said the corporation has been revived from its comatose status that predated her appointment.
“ Within your short time, you have given the corporation a remarkable facelift. We pray that God should give you the enablement to restore the dignity of the corporation. We have come to inform you that we are solidly behind you and will make our untiring contributions to make you succeed, “ he stated.
In his vote of thanks and closing remarks, the Chairman, National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Production Workers (NUPPPPROW), Comrade Keyirale Donatus Nwiueh thanked the Head of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba for receiving the association in a warm manner, adding that she should count on the support of the association to succeed.
Kiadum Edookor
Niger Delta
OBALGA Sole Administrator Presents Brand New Fire Extinguishers To Council …Commiserates With Traders Over Rumuomasi Market Fire Incident …Commences Desilting Of Drainages
The Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has presented 150 brand new fire extinguishers to the council.
Dr Walter who spoke to newsmen at the council premises at Rumuodumanya said the gesture was part of measures by his administration to ensure safety of lives and council property from unforeseen fire incidents.
He urged the staff of the council to ensure the safety of the extinguishers, while promising to engage experts to teach them how to handle and operate the extinguishers.
Meanwhile, Sole Administrator of Obio Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has commiserated with traders at the Rumuomasi Market over the unfortunate fire incident that gutted parts of the market.
Dr Walter who visited the market to assess the level of damage caused by the fire, described it as unfortunate
Addressing the crowd of distressed traders and community members, Dr. Walter acknowledged the historical significance of the market, which was originally built under the administration of the former Obio/Akpor Chairman and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON.
He noted that preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault, though a full investigation is still underway.
“As a local government, we will constitute a thorough investigation team to determine the root cause of the fire,
“Most importantly, we thank God that no lives were lost. I want to assure our traders that the Local Government will not abandon you.
“We will also work with security operatives to safeguard salvaged goods and prevent further losses,” he said.
He encouraged traders to adopt stricter safety measures, especially concerning electrical appliances in markets prone to fire hazards.
“There are many ways fires can ignite, even without an open flame. Let us all be vigilant and prioritise safety,” he cautioned.
Dr. Walter also commended those who stepped in to assist during the emergency.
“We are grateful to all who helped salvage goods and support affected persons during the crisis. Your kindness embodies the spirit of Obio/Akpor. The forthcoming investigation will help us put preventive structures in place,” he said.
The Chairman of the market, Mr. Prince Adele, who accompanied Dr. Walter, during the inspection, identified K-Lane as the most severely affected area.
A statement by the information officer to the council, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said no incident of death was reported by the traders during the visit.
In another development, the Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor local government council, Sir Clifford Ndu Walter, has commenced a comprehensive canal clearance campaign with a view to identifying and removal of all blockages including illegal structures hindering the free flow of waters in the area.
A statement from the council Press Secretary, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said during the inspection of key canals in the area, several unauthorised barricades and blockages were discovered and removed.
According to the statement, Dr Walter emphasised that illegal dumping, unapproved structures and poor drainage habits endanger communities and undermine government efforts, adding that his administration is committed to protecting lives and property of the citizens.
It said the Sole Administrator also declared his readiness to ensure that all canals and drainages are cleaned, maintained and functioning effectively.
He also warned against further dumping of waste in waterways, citing impending flooding.