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Fish Out, Prosecute Boko Haram Sponsors – Ijaw Youth, Confab Delegates
Fallen Fence of Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Guest House at Bayaran Area in Bauchi State, recently.
The foremost Ijaw youth organisation, Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has called on the Federal Government to fish out sponsors of Boko Haram extremists.
The group spoke against the backdrop of incessant terror attack by the terrorist group.
IYC said that it is high time the Federal Government took drastic and far reaching steps against sponsors of terrorism in the country.
The group said that the bomb blast at Nyanya, a suburb of Abuja was an indication that Boko Haram has infiltrated the nation’s seat of power.
The group said that the recent attack has shown that Boko Haram has an agenda to extend its activities to other parts of the country once they succeeded to overrun the North East.
Joining league of people condemning the bomb blast which killed 72 people and injured 164 others, IYC said that it received with utmost disbelief the news of the terrorist attack.
In a statement signed by its spokesman, Eric Omare, a lawyer, the group condemn the attack and commiserated with the families of the victims and the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
While considering the deadly nature of attack and the implication on the nation’s security, the IYC called on the Federal Government to take drastic and far reaching steps against sponsors of terrorism in Nigeria.
The problem of terrorism cannot be resolved without tackling the source of their sponsorship, the group said.
The group added that the sponsors of Boko Haram should be arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law.
It however said that the Federal Government cannot claim ignorance of the sponsors of terrorism in Nigeria with all the security apparatus at its disposal.
The statement said; “Government must act decisively irrespective of whose ox is gored and protect the ordinary people of Nigeria”.
“The interest of the generality of Nigerians is over and above the interest of a few power-hungry people who are sponsoring terrorism”.
“The IYC wishes to reiterate its earlier position that the ultimate objective of the sponsors of Boko Haram and terrorism is to make the country ungovernable and forcefully take over the government of Nigeria”.
However, disturbed by the bomb explosion that occurred at the park of the popular ‘El-Rufai’ buses at Nyanyan in Abuja, delegates to the national conference have condemned the activities of the perpetrators of the heinous crimes.
The delegates at plenary on Monday, consequently called for the immediate implementation of the Gaji Galmatiri Committee report which recommended prosecution of some politicians found to be empowering Boko Haram.Modibbo Kawu and 19 other delegates had expressed displeasure over the early Monday bomb explosion and recent killings in other parts of the country.
The motion to condemn the blast did not however go unchallenged as Chief Sergeant Awuse, raised a point of order, arguing that the conference cannot entertain such motion because the delegates were not served with the motion paper ahead of time.
But Femi Falana, countered Awuse’s objection, citing Order 1 rule (2) which says no formalization is required on this issue because it is an issue of urgent National importance.
The conference also urged the Federal Government to immediately commence a process of reconciliation, rehabilitation and reconstruction of the affected areas.
Modibo, who led a debate on the motion, lamented that despite the declaration of state of emergency in three North East states, the insecurity in those states continued to escalate.
Similarly, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has called on the Federal Government to halt the killing of innocent people by the dreaded Boko Haram, saying enough is enough!
Reacting to the Nyanya bomb explosion that claimed no fewer than 72 people on Monday and left over 164 injured, the TUC leadership was appalled at the recent incidents of massacre of many innocent souls by members of the faceless Boko Haram insurgent group.
The TUC President and Secretary, Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama and Comrade Musa Lawal respectively, in a statement said, “It is unfortunate that this incident happened at all, worse still that it happened while the nation was still trying to come to terms with the reported killing of over 210 other people in Gwoza, Dikwa, Kala Balge, and Gambulga towns last Friday and Saturday, and another 60 in Kaigamari and Ngoshe villages, all in Borno State.
“Also grievous is the case of scores of students who were gruesomely killed by the insurgents as they travelled to Borno State to write their Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
“The congress wonders when this spate of wanton killings would end. When will the culprits be apprehended and made to dance to the music of the law?
How long shall it take for the armed forces, the police and other security agencies to checkmate the hoodlums and re-establish much-desired peace and security in all the trouble spots within the country?
“How many more lives shall be lost on the altar of religious extremism and political chauvinism before the inglorious marauders and their sponsors are brought to their knees? Sooner than later, we certainly do hope! Nigerians are peace-loving and deserve no less”.
The congress says going by media reports on the sophistication of weapons being carried by the insurgents, it is baffled that they are determined to “destroy this nation and its people politically, socially, economically and otherwise. By the grace of God, they must not and shall never succeed!”
It therefore “Implore the federal government and the security forces to buckle up and confront the security challenge head-on. To all intents and purposes the insurgents have declared war on the nation, and there is no reason why they should not be viewed and treated in that light.
“Enough of the political soft talk and double-speak. Enough of the indecisive actions and procrastinations. It is time for the Nigerian armed forces to uncompromisingly give fire for fire in fulfilment of their avowed duty to defend the nation, more so as the insurgents have demonstrated that they only understand the language of violence.
“The intelligence agencies must give the necessary backing with timely information about the insurgents and their operations. Our diplomatic corps should up their acts and enlist full support and co-operation of friendly nations and relevant international agencies.
“And the civil populace should speak out against the wicked affront on our national well-being and refuse to be cowed into deadly silence by it. All hands must be on deck to permanently end this menace called Boko Haram. The eagle that chooses to perch but will not let other eagles do likewise, let its wings break!”
The NLC President, Malam Abduwaheed Omar, said most of the people killed or injured were workers and petty traders.
“This is a very serious issue and we are wondering why the choice of this place. We are highly devastated and feel that government must try to overhaul the security system.
“Something is really wrong and it is high time we started to do things differently in terms of security.
“Nigeria cannot afford to continue to lose people, particularly its workforce, in such magnitude,’’ Omar said.
Meanwhile, police and hospital sources have confirmed yesterday that 72 persons died, while 164 were injured in the bomb blast.
Tambuwal, yesterday visited victims of the Monday bomb blast at the National Hospital, Abuja.
The speaker was conducted round the emergency ward to see the victims by the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu.
Tambuwal, who condemned the attack, said that the issue was not about any political party, but an attack against the Nigerian people.
He called on leaders to stop playing politics with the issue of insecurity, saying they should collectively work together for the good of the country.
“As leaders in this country, we must all come together and support the government in addressing this challenge.
“We should stop playing politics with issue of insecurity. From what I have seen among the victims, I doubt if they are members of any political party.
“We should stop playing politics, we should address the issue and it is not about any religion.
“It is unfortunate. We must come together. We must rise to the challenge and address it .
“We must all work together as a nation to address the issue of security, we should stop playing politics with security,’’ he said.
Tambuwal, while on the visit, said that he had indicated interest to go to the National Blood Transfusion Centre to donate blood to the victims.
“I call on well-meaning Nigerians who have the capacity to donate blood to please come out and donate blood and whatever is required for the survival of the victims.’’
On what motivated him to donate blood to the victims, the speaker said that he was moved by “humanity in him and by what he saw’’.
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