News

UNEP Report: Ogonis Blast FG, Block East-West Road

Published

12 years ago

December 11, 2013

Vehicular movement along the Eleme axis of the East/West Road was yesterday disrupted, resulting in heavy traffic grid lock, following a mass protest by the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) over the non implementation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report by the Federal Government.

Placard carrying youths and women from the four local Government Areas of Khana, Gokana, Tai and Eleme thronged the road causing heavy blockade and chanting solidarity songs to press home their demands.

Some of the placards carried inscription such as; “Jonathan scrap HYPREP, create Ogoni Environmental Authority” “Our Environment is our life,” Restore UN decision now” among others.

The teeming protesters accused the Federal Government of blackmail and conspiracy against the Ogonis, pointing out that the Ogonis will not compromise the stipulated terms of the UNEP report.

The protest conducted simultaneously across the World by Ogonis was part of activities to mark the 2013 edition of the World Human Rights Day.

MOSOP President, Mr. Legborsi Pyagbara who led the protest along the Ogoni axis of the East/West road, said the refusal by the Federal Government to implement the UNEP report, two years after its release amounted to genocide against the Ogoni people.

The MOSOP President decried the continuous despoliation of the Ogoni natural environment, which he said had denied the people of their natural right to meaningful existence.

Describing the environment as man’s first right, the MOSOP President called for the immediate and full implementation of the UNEP report, stating that the Federal Government’s antics on the sensitive issue, amounted to politisation of the report.

Pyagbara also lamented the absence of Federal Government projects in Ogoni, adding that Ogonis had over the years suffered untold deprivation by the Federal Government.

He emphasised that the refusal of the Federal Government to implement the UNEP report, was an indication that the Federal Government was not ready to respond to the imperatives of justice in Ogoni.

Speaking with The Tide in a telephone interview, the Executive Director of the Ogonis in Diaspora Organisation, (ODO) based in the United States, Chief Ambrose Kii, flayed the Federal Government over the non-implementation of the UNEP report.

Chief Kii, said the Ogonis as a resilient group decided to embark on the peaceful protest in line with MOSOP directives, and pointed out that the protest, was to draw attention to the insensitivity of the Federal Government.

Kii also called for the creation of Bori State, based on economic viability and the principles of justice, noting that Ogonis had contributed in no mean measure to the development of the Nigerian state.

Maenwhile, oil workers under the platform of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN and its affiliate body, the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers of Nigeria, (NUPENG), yesterday protested against the planned sale of the Port Harcourt Refinery by the Federal Government.

PENGASSAN, called on the Federal Government to begin the turn around maintenance of the Port Harcourt Refinery.

The State Chairman of PENGASSAN, Comrade Fidelis Ighodaye who led a peaceful rally along the refinery area in Eleme Local Government Area against the planned sale of the refinery to private investors also said that due to the routine maintenance of the refinery by the ad-hoc staff, the facility presently can work up to 60 per cent capacity.

Ighodayo therefore appealed to the Federal Government to ensure the supply of crude to the refinery to enable it begin refining of crude products for local consumption.

The Tide learnt that the, Rivers State chapter of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria, P-MAN also staged a protest over their alleged exclusion from the forth-coming non-payment of their allowances in the Rivers State Carnival, popularly called CARNIRIV by the Director-General of the State Tourism Development Agency, Mr. Sam Dede.

Taneh Beemene

Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo (left), receiving special merit award and fellowship conferment from the President, Nigerian Society of Engineers, Mr Mustafa Shehu, at the opening of the 2013 International Engineering Conference, Exhibition and Annual General Meeting in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: NAN

News

Group Doles out N13m To Market Women In Isiama

Published

2 days ago

September 22, 2025

Uchechukwu Okwum

The peaceful Town of Isiama in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State was at the weekend agog with activities following the donation of over N13million to market women by Engr. Justus Ngerebara in partnership with Fast Track Development Initiatives, a non-governmental organization, as part of its first phase empowerment programme.

According to Justus Ngerebara, who is also the Executive Director of the organization, the women, numbering 108, will receive various sums based on their business proposal.

He stated that the organization will carry out an annual review of the performances of the beneficiaries, with a view to rewarding those who put the money into good use.

According to him, the initiative was a collaborative effort between himself and his wife, Dr. Unyime Ngerebara, in partnership with Fast Track Development Initiative (FDI), an organization committed to youth capacity building and community development.

He said the family believe deeply in the transformative power of women’s empowerment as a catalyst for economic growth, especially in rural communities.

“As the saying goes, when you empower a woman, you empower a community. This truth resonate strongly with us, knowing that empowered women uplift households and inspire generational change”, he stated.

Ngerebara described the programme as the beginning of more things to come and urged the beneficiaries to view the gesture “as a reflection of our deep love for the community and our commitment to easing the burdens of economic hardship.

“We encourage you to invest wisely, channel these resources into your business not frivolities.

“We will continue to follow up with each participant to monitor progress and Offer guidance.

“It is our goal to see thriving business, creative solutions to households hunger and a ripple effect of prosperity through Isiama.

“We also call on the men to stand beside their spouses, offering support and encouragement to ensure these resources are maximized for growth”, he said.

In an interview, Ngerebara said the second phase of the empowerment programme will start very soon, stressing that since inception the organization has done so much for the community.

He listed some of the programmes carried out by the group in the community to include the installation of solar powered lights, and solar powered water.

While declaring the event open, a former coymmissioner for Works in Rivers State, Engr. Sampson Ngerebara, described the event as the first of its kind in the community.

Engr. Ngerebara said the programme will go a long way to improve the conditions of not only the beneficiaries, but also the entire Isiama Community.

He also charged them against wasting the resources on frivolities, adding that their success will attract more of such empowerment programme to Isiama community

Giving a brief talk on women empowerment, a lecturer at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Dr. Awajimogobo Felix MacLean, warned the beneficiaries to justify the effort of the donor by avoiding wastages.

Dr. MacLean also urged them to be consistent in their line of business as well as avoid unnecessary competition.

She also stressed the need for them to network among themselves, while working out ways of helping the community to develop.

Guest of Honour at the occasion, Professor Uriah Oboada Alafonye, said Engr Justus Ngerebara, the initiator of the programme, has set a standard for present and future generations of leaders both in the community and the rest of Andoni to follow.

Prof Alafonye who is of the department of Arts Education, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, also appealed to the beneficiaries to seize the opportunity provided by the programme to reduce poverty in the community.

Speaking, one of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Hebron Mercy Fyneface, a crayfish seller and an interior designer, said it was the first time she was receiving such gesture from any organization or government.

She thanked Engr Justus Ngerebara for remembering the women of Isiama and urged others to emulate him.

By: John Bibor

News

Fubara’s Return Excites NCSU … As Hope Rises For Civil Servants

Published

2 days ago

September 22, 2025

Uchechukwu Okwum

The umbrella body of civil servants in Rivers State, the Nigeria Civil Service Union(NCSU) has expressed delight over the lifting of emergency rule in the State and the return to office of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Prof Ngozi Nma Odu and members of the State House of Assembly, saying, the development portends good omen for workers, the people and the State.

The Rivers State Chairman of NCSU, Comrade Chukwuka Richman Osumah, who gave the indication in an interview in Port Harcourt, said the return of the Governor to office portends good omen and better days for civil servants in particular, stressing that the union heartily welcomes the Governor back to office, to resume his good works in the State, after six months of the emergency rule, as well as his deputy and members of the House of Assembly.

He noted that civil servants in the State are not only elated over the development but are also full of hope that the Governor would start from where he stopped in attending to their welfare needs.

He contended that the political crisis that recently engulfed the State and the six-month emergency rule had for over one year pulled the State backwards, but expressed delight that a permanent solution has been found to stem further political upheavals in the State, and thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for making this possible; the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and leader of the State, Chief Nyesom Wike; Governor Fubara; Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Martin Amaewhule; members of the House; and other stakeholders for agreeing to amicably resolve all contending issues.

The labour leader said this is the right time for all political gladiators in the State to bury the hatchet, work together and embrace peace and genuine reconciliation in the overall interest of the State.

He described as too hasty the resolution of the House, mandating the Governor to present a supplementary budget to it, and pleaded with members of the House to be calm, to tread with caution, and harmoniously work with the Governor.

He said the return of democratic governance in the State would fast-track progress and development in the State, and enjoined the people of the State, particularly civil servants to continue to give their support and cooperation to the Fubara administration.

Osumah expressed optimism that Governor Fubara would give prompt attention to challenges facing civil servants in the State, being a former civil servant himself, stressing that the workers truly have hope, now that the Governor has returned to office, and knowing the kind of Governor he is.

According to him, he is going to look into the controversial and contentious contributory pension scheme; rehabilitation of the State Secretariat Complex; recruitment into the state civil service; extension of service and retirement years for civil servants; provision of vehicles to industrial unions; as well as provision of befitting staff quarters for civil servants; among others.

News

NDDC Organizes ADR Capacity Building for Staff

Published

2 days ago

September 22, 2025

Uchechukwu Okwum

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has organized a one-day sensitization program for its personnel on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) approaches to promote workplace compliance on transparency and due process.

The workshop, themed “Promoting Transparency and Due Process in the Workplace using ADR Approaches in Building a Culture of Accountability and Integrity,” aimed to equip staff with the skills to resolve disputes effectively.

Declaring the event open on thursday in port Harcourt,The NDDC Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, emphasized the importance of using ADR mechanisms to resolve conflicts in the workplace.

Dr. Ogbuku represented by his chief of staff,Rev Omeya Oworibo,noted that ADR approaches can encourage a culture of honesty, fairness, transparency, trust, and reduce conflicts among staff, ultimately promoting efficiency and productivity.

He averred that those disputes and quarrels if not proper resolved can derail the vision and objectives of the commission to the people, noting that the commission must as a team and unity as service provider in order to render a profitable service delivery to the people.

“ADR approach will encourage culture of honesty,fairness, transparency ,trust and reduce back bitting and the workforce, noting that such tendency would in turns promote efficiency and increase results in workplace.

when integrity and honesty becomes the operandi of an organisation and employees begins to trust that their matters will be handled with fairness it will breed team work and increase in productivity.”he stated

He commended the department of DCR for organising the workshop and urged the participants to make good use of the opportunity and imbibe the culture of tolerance, integrity and teamwork in workplace.

Also speaking,the NDDC acting director of DCR ,Mr Godwin Ayewumi Ogedegbe noted that the theme of the captures the core of what the commission seeks to achieve a workplace where every action is expected to be guided by openness, fairness, and a steadfastness commitment to due process, where conflicts are not merely resolved, but prevented through structured,principled processes , and where accountability and integrity are not aspirational ideals but every day practice.

In his keynote presentation on the theme “workplace Ethics and alternative Dispute Resolution Correlation,

Prof. Sylvester Odion Akhaine of the Department of Political Science, University of Lagos, delivered a keynote presentation on “Workplace Ethics and Alternative Dispute Resolution Correlation.” He stressed the importance of due process, transparency, integrity, and accountability in the workplace, noting that these values are essential for productivity and organizational goals.

The workshop aimed to promote a culture of accountability and integrity in the NDDC workplace. By equipping staff with ADR skills and promoting transparency and due process, the commission can build a more efficient and productive work environment.

By: Akujobi Amadi