News
…NASS, Govs Task Christians On Peace, Unit y
Senate President David Mark has urged Nigerians to sink their differences irrespective of ethnic, religious or political leanings and put the peace and unity of the nation above other considerations.
Mark gave the advice in a goodwill message to mark this year’s Christmas, signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, yesterday in Abuja.
He also implored Nigerians to make peace and religious harmony the cornerstone of their relationship with one another.
The Senate president specifically called on the political class to lead the path of peace, law and order.
Mark further cautioned that national interest should not be sacrificed on the altar of individual or group ambitions.
He recalled the chequered political history of the nation, coupled with the ethno-religious conflicts that had claimed thousands of lives and property, and pleaded with Nigerians to have a rethink.
According to him, politics should ordinarily be a game and not a battlefield, adding that those fanning the embers of war or disunity should not set the house ablaze before they get there.
“We have come a long way as a people. We should see ourselves as one people, one nation with a common destiny.
“We cannot be moving in the reverse order when other nations are going to the moon.
“We have always admitted that the challenges are enormous but we must realise that nobody is coming from space to solve our problems for us.
“We should therefore be able to find home grown solutions to our challenges in a manner that would comfort and indeed satisfy all sections,” Mark said.
Speaking to current leaders, Mark said: “ It is incumbent on all of us to act and behave in a responsible manner that would give trust and confidence to the people”.
He requested religious leaders to fervently pray for the nation and its leaders adding that the time called for wise counsel and divine intervention.
In the same vein, the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, has urged Christians to emulate the humility of Jesus Christ and eschew all forms of bitterness to move the nation forward.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Uche Anichukwu, Ekweremadu expressed regret that the progress of the nation had been seriously compromised due to lack of forgiveness by the people.
Rivers State Governor and Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi called on Christians to use the Christmas season to rededicate their lives to God and also pray for the country.
A statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr David Iyofor, also enjoined Christians to exhibit the virtues of Christ.
“Let me congratulate our Christian brothers and sisters and as well encourage them to emulate Christ in all their dealings.
“We must as a people under one God seek God’s interference in our country’s democracy. We must see it as our duty to pray to God for the good of our dear country Nigeria, we must pray for our leaders and always pray to God to give us good leaders that can lead our dear country to greatness,” Amaechi said.
The NGF chairman further advised Christians to reciprocate God’s love to their fellow Nigerians despite their ethnic or religious affiliation.
“In a time like this we must also shun religious bigotry and ethnic parochialism, and concentrate on the things, the values that unite us a country.”
“For us as a government, we shall continue to use our God given resources to develop Rivers State, and improve on the lives of everybody resident in our state. We are aware of the enormous challenges and distractions to make us lose focus but we will continue to resist them and remain resolute in delivering the dividends of democracy to our people”, Amaechi said.
Similarly, the Northern States Governors Forum yesterday called on Christians to spread the virtues of peace, love and charity, which underscored Christ’s mission on earth as they celebrate Christmas.
In a Christmas message issued in Minna, the forum’s Chairman and Governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu, called on Christians to use the opportunity to pray fervently for an end to the numerous challenges confronting the nation.
The forum’s statement that was signed by Governor Aliyu’s Chief Press Secretary, Danladi Ndayebo, said there was no better time to preach and internalise Jesus Christ’s mission on earth than now owing to increasing intolerance in the country.
As for the First Lady, Mrs Patience Jonathan, she charged Nigerian women to rededicate themselves to their homes.
Mrs Jonathan equally enjoined them to renew their commitment to cherished family values of dedication, unity, love, loyalty, and uprightness.
The wife of the president said she was of the conviction that stable, peaceful homes will produce peaceful communities, and also guaranty a peaceful nation.
L-R: 1st Deputy President of PHCCIMA, Dr Renny Cookey, Administrator of Greater Port Harcourt, Dame Aleruchi Cookey-Gam, Presidnt PHCCIMA, Engr Emeka Unachukwu, with former PHCCIMA President and President of FOSSGMA, Prince Gilles Harry, during PHCCMA’s end of year party at Presidential Hotel, Port Harcourt.
The Hausa Community in Rivers State has dissociated itself from media reports credited to one MaiwadaAdamu that the Arewa Community in Rivers State has appointed Alhaji Musa Saidu as the acting SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt, following the inability of the former SarkinHausawa, Alhaji Isa Madaki to carry out his functions.
MaidawaAdamu, who is also the spokesman of the Arewa Initiative for Peaceful Co-existence, had briefed journalists on the change, but in a swift reaction, the Office of Alhaji Isa Madaki, has come out to say that the only recognised body which has the powers to appoint the SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt is the Council of SarkinHausawa in PortHarcourt headed by Alhaji Isa Madaki.
The statement also said Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki is the only recognisedSarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, adding that his appointment follows the proclamation and endorsement by the council members of SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The statement further called on the general public and all authorities concerned to give Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki maximum co-operation and support,as he discharges his duties as SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt.
The Suspended Rivers State Commissioner for health, Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, has described as baseless allegations in some quarters that she was responsible for the purported disruption of the Nigerian First Lady’s empowerment program in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh, who said this in a statement personally signed by her and a copy made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt also described the allegation as a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers
According to Dr Oreh, “they are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord”
In her words,”the allegations levelled against me, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, regarding the supposed disruption of the First Lady’s empowerment programme on Friday 2nd May, 2025, are entirely unfounded, completely false, and a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers and conflict entrepreneurs.
“They are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord.”
The suspended commissioner challenged those behind the allegation, especially the Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation to show proof of its assertion adding “It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I challenge the “Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation” (assuming such a body really exists) to provide tangible proof to support their assertions.
“It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I have neither sponsored nor will sponsor any activities aimed at embarrassing or disrupting the activities of the administration appointed by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to oversee the affairs of Rivers State following his declaration of a state of emergency on Tuesday, 18th March, 2025, and have rather spent the time of my suspension from office focused on other endeavours and my doctoral studies.
“I reaffirm my commitment to working tirelessly for the progress and development of Rivers State.
“Furthermore, I believe that it is crucial for all stakeholders to promote a culture of truth, integrity, and respect in public discourse.
“Unsubstantiated wild claims undermine trust and hinder constructive engagement, and this is not what the state needs at this difficult and delicate time.
“I urge everyone to focus on issues that unite us and foster a positive, solution-driven dialogue for the betterment of our State, and urge everyone to work together to build a brighter future for Rivers State, grounded in truth, transparency, and collective effort,”she said.
By: John Bibor
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has called on key regulators, asset owners and other stakeholders to continue to support the agency toward the goal of remediating the Ogoni environment and restoring the livelihoods of the people and building structures for peace.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who made the call during the Project’s first quarter meeting with regulators, asset owners and stakeholders in Port Harcourt, urged the stakeholders to remain resolute in supporting HYPREP’s work.
“We particularly expect each regulatory agency and asset owner to deepen their involvement and continue to provide strategic support to the project”, he said, stressing that the quarterly meeting platform remains instrumental in providing a structural avenue for regulators, asset owners, and implementation partners to offer feedback to HYPREP on project performance and deliberate on ideas that move the project forward, as well as strengthen collaboration, deepen synergy and reinforce collective responsibility.
Zabbey disclosed that the socio-economic study of Ogoni has started, as HYPREP has contacted the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organisation(WHO) to commence in the next quarter a three-year human health biomonitoring in Ogoniland.
He noted that work on several fronts of the cleanup project is progressing steadily, adding that as key project partners, the insights and shared experience of the regulators and asset owners have always enriched HYPREP’s operations.
He said the policy thrust of HYPREP for 2025 is clear, as the Project is intensifying efforts to complete within stated timelines, the various ongoing projects, including remediation works and mangrove restoration, potable water facilities, the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, the Ogoni Power Project, Ogoni Specialist Hospital, and Buan Cottage Hospital, among others.
Zabbey, however, announced that HYPREP would commence new set of shoreline cleanup, mangrove restoration and livelihood projects, to sustain the momentum of implementing the Ogoni cleanup, adding that the agency would also conduct detailed site characterisation of the high-risk complex sites, leading to remediation works at the sites.
He noted that HYPREP’s collaboration with Rivers State Ministries of Health, Power and Environment, and civil society organisations remains vital, stressing that the technical and administrative support of all relevant government agencies and funding partners is indispensable in helping HYPREP overcome operational bottlenecks, especially those encountered in interfacing with host communities.
He further indicated that “the people of Ogoni and the nation are looking to us with hope and expectation, and expect tangible results from the remediation initiative”, assuring the participants that the Project Coordination Office is committed to delivering positive results.
“We must, therefore, continue to work with diligence, transparency, and a renewed sense of purpose”, he declared, saying, “ the completion and commissioning of projects this year must reflect not only our technical ability but also our collective commitment to environmental sustainability and sustainable development in Ogoni.”
During the interactive session, the Project Coordinator briefed the participants on the progress made so far by HYPREP to conclude the distribution of starter packs to the 5,000 Ogoni trainees, and called on contractors who had already collected huge chunk of money for the project, to deliver without further delay.
In all, the regulators, asset owners and stakeholders commended HYPREP for the good works it is doing, and urged it to do more.
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency(NOSDRA) was represented at the event by Deputy Director, Oil Field Assessment, Dr Abam Komommo Omini, while Dr Vincent Nwachukwu, Director of Medical Services, represented the Rivers State Ministry of Health.
The Rivers State Ministries of Water Resources, Power and Environment were represented by Dr Bealo Brownson; Engr K. J. Osele; and Mr James Ordu respectively, while the Society for Women and Youth Affairs (SWAYA); and the Stakeholder Democracy Network(SDN); among other civil society organisations were also at the event.
By: Donatus Ebi