News
Ijaw Youth Reject National Confab List …As Group Decries Suit Against FG
The Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) at the weekend in Yenagoa expressed its displeasure at the non-inclusion of its delegate in the National Conference scheduled to begin March 17, insisting that it must be represented at the conference.
In a statement issued by spokesman of the youth body, Mr Eric Omare, the IYC said the non-representation of Niger-Delta youths at the conference was “regrettable”.
He called on the conference organisers to review the delegates list to accommodate the IYC.
“The IYC views the exclusion as a deliberate attempt to stop Ijaw youths, and by extension Niger-Delta youths, from presenting their case in the age-long struggle for resource control and self-determination.
“It is on record that the IYC has been one of the most consistent advocates of a National Conference to discuss the future existence of Nigeria.
“Indeed, a National Conference is one of the foremost demands of the IYC as enshrined in the historic Kaiama Declaration.
“Therefore, for the IYC, the umbrella body of all youths of Ijaw extraction worldwide, the fourth-largest ethnic group in Nigeria, to be excluded from a list that has a total of 12 nominees from youth organisations is totally unacceptable,” Omare stated.
He said the IYC was convinced the National Conference offers the Ijaws an opportunity to correct what he called the age-long marginalisation of the peoples of the oil-rich Niger Delta region.
The IYC spokesman said the conference is a platform to advance the cause for resource control and self-determination which the IYC has been advocating for years.
“We, therefore, call on the relevant authorities to correct the exclusion of the IYC from participation in the National Conference without delay,”Omare said.
Meanwhile, National Coordinator, Patriotic Vanguard (PV), a non-governmental organisation, Mr Adesina Animashaun, yesterday urged those who took the Federal Government to court over the forthcoming national conference to rescind their decisions.
Animashaun said this while addressing newsmen in Lagos.
Some persons had dragged the Federal Government and the National Assembly to court seeking to stop the proposed conference.
He said that rather than instituting the court action, President Goodluck Jonathan should receive accolades for granting the wishes of Nigerians by approving the dialogue.
“The agitation for a National Conference has transcended so many administrations in Nigeria, yet it was only Jonathan that has made it possible.
“Nothing must stop the conference; those who went to court are the enemies of this country because Nigerians have been yearning for a conference that will address many of its problems,” Animashaun said.
The coordinator expressed dismay at the discordant tunes being played in some parts of the country over the conference.
“For the proposed conference to be meaningful and yield the expected result all ethnic or group in-fighting must stop.
“The conference has been designed to accommodate all the issues agitating the minds of Nigerians for so many years.
“What matters most is not who goes there to represent but that those issues and interests are presented and settled,” he said.
Animashaun said that although the conference was put in place by the Federal Government, Nigerians could make or mar it.
“The success of the national conference will depend mostly on participation and acceptance.
“Leaderships of all groups must see to it that they ensure in-house peace and adopt a common agenda that will be acceptable to all within their groups,’’ he said.
He said that what bothered the group most was the realisation that most people “are fighting to go to the conference not because of the love or interest of their people but for personal interest”.
According to him, people must support the collective position of their group and not continue to find fault or create doubts because they were not chosen as delegates.
“Nigeria is 100 years old. Every Nigerian must be committed to the rediscovery of the nation and must work to reverse the dwindling fortunes of the nation,” he said.
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