News

National Confab Begins On Shaky Note …Logistic Challenges Force Adjournment To Monday

Published

12 years ago

March 19, 2014

National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers, protesting over the stampede that led to the death of some applicants during last Saturday’s recruitment into Nigerian Immigration Service in Kaduna, last Monday.

The much-talked about National Conference which was inaugurated by President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday in Abuja yesterday suffered setback as delegates adjoined on the first day of sitting to Monday, following logistics challenges.
The Tide gathered that the delegates will take advantage of the adjournment to sort out their logistics issues before settling down for the national business.
Delegates to the conference, some of whom did their accreditation on Monday morning, are optimistic that the conference will achieve its prime objective of re-inventing and re-enacting Nigeria by coming up with a new roadmap acceptable to all sections and making the nation the toast of the international community.
Announcing the adjournment after a brief session that was meant to integrate delegates into the business at hand, ensure compliance with the directive of President Jonathan that the indivisibility of Nigeria is non-negotiable and ensure that the three-month conference was hitch-free and successful, Chairman, Justice Idris Kutigi said the adjournment was meant to allow delegates, most of whom live outside Abuja, to settle down for the national assignment.
Present at the conference’s maiden session were other members of the secretariat, including the Deputy Chairman and former external affairs minister, Prof Bolaji Akinyemi, Secretary, Mrs Valerie Azinge and Assistant Secretary (Media and Communication), Mr James Akpandem.
After the adjournment, the 492 delegates were given conference materials in seminar bags in an orderly manner by Mr Akpandem, who is also an aide of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim.
Those who expressed hope for the birth of a new Nigeria at the end of the conference in separate interviews with The Tide, include former military governor of old Rivers State, General Zamani Lekwot, former secretary to Rivers State Government, Chief Sampson Agbaru, former deputy governor of Lagos State, Senator Kofo Bucknor-Akerele, human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, former chairman, Senate Committee on Niger Delta, Senator John Braimbeifa and Chairman, Abuja council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr Chuks Ehirin.
Meanwhile, all delegates to the National Conference will earn same allowances, the conference’s Assistant Secretary, Administration and Finance, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has said.
Yakubu also told the delegates, at their inaugural meeting yesterday in Abuja, that the secretariat would not disclose the amount that would be paid to each of them.
According to him, the payment covers accommodation, transportation and sitting allowances.
He said that the delegates would be notified by their respective banks.
“Everything (allowances) has been monetised. Every delegate will be paid through e-payment and will be alerted by their banks.
“The payment, that covers accommodation, transportation and sitting allowances, will be paid every two weeks.
“We will not disclose it but the delegates are free to do so when they receive their payment slips. The allowances paid are the same for everybody,” he said.
Yakubu said that the Federal Government policy did not allow payment in physical cash except through e-payment and every delegate would be notified by his/her bank.
The Secretary to the conference, Dr Valerie Azinge, said no provision was made for aides of the delegates.
She, however, said facilities would be provided for the physically-challenged and the elderly where necessary.
Some of the delegates complained about facilities at the National Judicial Institute (NJI), which they said were not very conducive for the conference’s proceedings.
Azinge, however, appealed to them to make use of the facilities available adding that it was the best facility they could get in Abuja.
She explained that the International Conference Centre (ICC) is currently being occupied by the ECOWAS Parliament and that the centre had a standing rule with ECOWAS.
She said other issues which were also noted not have been included in the president’s speech would form part of the agenda when the conference reconvenes.
Azinge said that the speech would also form part of the major business of the conference for the next two weeks before breaking into committees.
According to her, the presiding and principal officers have set out clear cut plans to achieve the purpose of the conference.
She, however, said that before Monday’s session the rules of proceedings would be presented to the House to endorse, reject or make amendments.

Justus Awaji, Abuja

News

Be Patient With Us, Diri Tells Bayelsans … Inspects New 60mw IPP …Expresses Confidence In Technical Partners, BECL MD

Published

3 days ago

January 2, 2026

The Tide

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri has sued for patience on the ongoing installation of the state’s new independent power project.

The Tide gathered that the 60-megawatt gas turbine project, which installation commenced in October this year, was earlier scheduled to be completed by December but suffered logistics related delays.

The governor called on people of the state to have an open mind about the project, which he said now requires a new completion date due to unforeseen challenges.

?The Tide further reports that the State’s Chief Executive who undertook an on-the-spot-assessment of the project at Elebele in Ogbia Local Government Area on Wednesday, said like other citizens of the state, he was also disappointed that the December completion deadline could not be met.

However, he stated that his reaction to the delay had been that of understanding rather than being angry as had been noticed, particularly on the social media.

?”You can see I’ve gone round the whole facility. It was based on the working agreement and information available at my disposal that I gave the December date. But as it is with every human endeavor, we must all have an open mind, when it comes to issues, particularly technical matters like this.

?”I am as disappointed as any other Bayelsan because I believed that we were going to celebrate the 2025 Christmas with our own independent power, but it turned out not to be so.

?”I call on Bayelsans to have an open mind. These technical experts are working virtually 24 hours, but delays like this will certainly come”, he said.

He implored the people 9f the state to appreciate the work of the engineers, stressing that a minor mistake was capable of jeopardising the millions of dollars expended on the project.

?”For 29 years Bayelsa has been in darkness or has endured epileptic power supply. Now that we are getting close to the day of liberation, some people have become impatient.

“Let us not behave like the proverbial tortoise in the prison for years that asked to be released immediately as the place was smelling the moment he knew it would regain freedom the next day”, the governor added.

?The Bayelss Governor gave a thumps up to the technical partners, Jampur Group, and its team on ground as well as the Managing Director of the Bayelsa Electricity Company Ltd, Engr. Olice Kemenanabo, saying they were working round the clock to ensure the job was completed.

?”Those who have been following me on this inspection would know that work has not stopped even for one day since it started. I am sure the job is more than 90 per cent complete. So let us hold our fire.

“Engineer Olice, I am not putting you under any pressure. From the reports I have, Olice is one of the best electrical engineers in Nigeria”, governor Diri said.

The governor, however, hinted that the government was looking at inaugurating the project during its sixth anniversary in February.

The MD of the Bayelsa Electricity Company Limited, Kemenanabo, who also spoke, said the state was on the right track towards actualising the project and assured that the alignment of the entire system, including the gas generator and alternator were on course.

He also stated that the remaining two turbines would be delivered to the project site in a few days.

?Speaking on behalf of the Jampur Group, Mr. Sherrif Abu-Anif said the company was in good position to meet its own end of the bargain and appreciated the state government for playing its part very well.

By Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

News

Akpabio Withdraws All Defamation Suits After Priest’s Sermon

Published

3 days ago

January 2, 2026

The Tide

The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.

Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.

He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.

“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”

In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.

In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.

Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.

Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.

The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.

With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.

News

‘Best Way To Show Gratitude Is To Deliver Tinubu in 2027’

Published

3 days ago

January 2, 2026

The Tide

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.

Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.

He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.

“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”

Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.

He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.

“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.

Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.

In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.

She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.

Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.

“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.

In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.

He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.

The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.

Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.

Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.

Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.

By: Taneh Beemene