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Ogoni Youth Endorse New Oil Firm To Replace Shell

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League of Gokana Community Youth Leaders has endorsed the decision of the Supreme Council of Ogoni Traditional Rulers to allow the resumption of oil exploration in Ogoniland.
The youth leader said this at the end of an extra-ordinary meeting held at the palace of the Gbenemene of Gokana in Biara.
A communiqué made available to newsmen at the end of the meeting, stressed the need for Ogonis to adopt the declaration made by the Ogoni traditional rulers during their meeting on February 2, 2015 at Korokoro, which endorsed Belema Oil to resume oil exploration in Ogoni.
The youth said that Gokana, with the largest oil wells in Ogoni, have accepted the postion of chiefs, elders, women and youth on the choice of Belema Oil.
The youth also said that no other companies or company shall be welcomed in Gokana land, stressing that all anti-Belema movement in the area would be rebuffed.
The communiqué, which was read by the Youth President of Kegbara Dere Community, Mr. Norteh Meebari Morgan, warned those peddling rumours against Belema Oil working to create division among the people to desist from it or be exposed.
“Belema Oil is a dream builder, and we, the youth have heard of the Belema story and are motivated because we believe many more Belemas will spring up in our land,” they said.
On his part, the President of the National Youth Council of Ogoni People (NYCOP), Comrade Victor Promise Wisdom, said that the youth group has resolved to engage Belema Oil, adding “lets see what he has for the youth”.
He stressed that NYCOP will be part of the decision taken at Ogoni Congresses in relation to Belema Oil in Ogoniland.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Ogoni Solidarity Forum, Mr. Celestine Akpobari has dismissed claims by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that, the indigenous company (Belema Oil Company) recently seeking to resume oil exploration in Ogoniland belong to Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, and Senator Magnus Abe of Rivers South East Senatorial District.
Akpobari debunked the claim last Saturday in a chat with newsmen in Port Harcourt following comments by the Director of Communication of PDP Governorship Campaign Organisation in Rivers State, Barr. Emma Okah, that Belema Oil Company was owned by Governor Amaechi and Senator Magnus Abe, who have reportedly pushed for the firm to replace Shell Company oil exploration in Ogoniland in Rivers State.
Akpobari said, the oil company belongs to a Kalabari person from Kula, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, and described the PDP allegation as baseless and untrue.
Akpobari urged the PDP leadership to verify their facts before going public to avoid portraying the party as deceitful.
According to him, President Goodluck Jonathan had the final say in any oil company to replace Shell, asking, is it possible that the President would wish to allocate the Ogoni oil wells to his opponent’s company, assuming that Governor Amaechi and Senator Abe owned Belema Oil Company?.
“Politicians, especially those in PDP should know that, Rivers people are not ignorant and tools, politicians should stop policising issues that have nothing to do with politics.
“Like our chief said, this man (Belema Oil) has been on negotiation with government and Ogoni people over a year now, and we have seen the good plans of the company. Politicians should stop politics of gimmick, PDP just wants to embark on campaign that does not have base and fact, even in the 21st century”, Akpobari said.
He warned politicians against using Ogoni issues to cause crisis among Ogoni people.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Kpean Council of Chiefs, Chief Nwarinee Gilbert called on political parties to desist from using Ogoni oil wells as issue of political campaign in the area.
He explained that, Belema Oil Company started plans to resume oil mining in Ogoni years ago, and that its plan was well articulated which has made the traditional rulers and youth to endorse it.
He challenged companies with better plans to come out, stating that Ogoni People were ready to work with such company.
Gilbert further disclosed that no company will operate in Ogoniland, if the environment is not cleaned up as recommended by UNEP.

 

Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (right),  with High Chief Jonah Tamuno and Ogu/Bolo Council Chairman, Hon (Mrs) Maureen Tamuno at the commissioning of an electricity project in Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area recently.

Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (right), with High Chief Jonah Tamuno and Ogu/Bolo Council Chairman, Hon (Mrs) Maureen Tamuno at the commissioning of an electricity project in Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area recently.

Enoch Epelle

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I’m Committed To Community Dev – Ajinwo

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The Sole Administrator of Emohua Local Government Area, Barr. Franklin Ajinwo, has reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to supporting community development, peace, and progress, describing it as his life’s calling.
Ajinwo made this known on when Okporowo Vanguard—a foremost association dedicated to driving sustainable development in Okporowo community—paid him a courtesy visit at the Council Secretariat, Emohua.

Speaking during the visit, the Emolga  Council boss advised the group to shun internal wranglings and leadership tussles, cautioning that such impediments could undermine their collective goals. He emphasized that unity is strength, and true power comes only from God.

Highlighting his ongoing efforts in repositioning standards within Emohua Local Government, Barr. Ajinwo commended Okporowo Vanguard for initiating plans to conduct large-scale skills acquisition training for young people in Okporowo. He assured them of his steadfast support towards such developmental initiative.

The former Chairman of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Rivers State stressed the need for selfless service, saying it is essential for achieving peace, unity, and development in any community.

He applauded the group’s vision of empowering youths through skills acquisition, aligning it with global best practices aimed at reducing dependency on white-collar jobs.

Earlier, the President of Okporowo Vanguard, Hon. Israel Emeji, outlined Barr. Ajinwo’s numerous and impactful contributions to the development of Okporowo community.

According to him, every family in the community has benefited from Barr. Ajinwo’s dedicated employment initiatives.

Hon. Emeji disclosed that during his tenure as Head of Local Government Administration (HLGA) and as NULGE Chairman, Barr. Ajinwo facilitated the employment of over five hundred (500) individuals from Okporowo community—a record that informed the association’s decision to honour him with the Excellent Leadership Award.

In a vote of thanks, the Secretary of the group, Dr. Okechukwu Godwin Amadi, praised Barr. Ajinwo’s outstanding leadership and unwavering support, both before and after his appointment as Sole Administrator.

He thanked him for the warm reception and appreciated members of Okporowo Vanguard for their strong turnout and continuous support for the present administration.

In their separate remarks, Barr. Kelvin Ajinwo, Chief Polycarp Ndala, and other dignitaries present prayed for God’s continued guidance and protection over Barr. Ajinwo, describing him as a divine gift to the Okporowo community.

They expressed hope that he would be granted even more leadership opportunities to further uplift the living standards of the people.

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RSG Tasks Rural Dwellers On RAAMP  …As Sensitization Team Visits Akulga, Degema, Three Others

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Rivers State Head of Service, Dr (Mrs) Inyingi Brown, has called on rural communities in the State to embrace the Rural Access and Agricultural marketing project (RAAMP) with a view to improving their  living conditions.

This follows the ongoing sensitization campaign by the State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) visits to Degema, Abonnema, Afam headquarters of Degema, Akuku Toru and Oyigbo Etche and Omuma local government areas respectively.

Dr Brown who was represented by the Deputy Director, Special Duties in her office, Mrs Dein Akpanah, said RAAMP was initiated by the Federal Government and World Bank to economically empower rural dwellers.s

She said the World Bank understands the plights of rural farmers and traders in the State, and therefore came up with the programme to address them.

According to her, RAAMP will improve the conditions of farmers, traders and fishermen, and therefore, behoves on every rural communities in the State to embrace the programme.

The Head of Service also said the programme would support the youths to be gainfully employed while  bridges and roads will be built to link farms and fishing settlements.

Also speaking, the State project coordinator, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the programme has the potential of creating millionaires among farmers and fishermen in the State.

Kpakol who was represented by Engr. Sam Tombari, said RAAMP would help farmers and fishermen to preserve their produce.

According to him, the project will build cold rooms and Silos for preservation of crops and fishes while access roads will also be created to link farmers and fishermen to the market.

He, however, warned them against any act that will lead to the suspension of the projects by the World Bank.

Kpakol particularly warned against acts such as kidnapping, marching ground, gender based violence and child labour, adding that such acts if they occur may  lead to the cancellation of the project by the World Bank.

During the visit to Oyigbo local government area, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the team was there to let them know how they will benefit from the Raamp.

The coordinator who was personally at Oyigbo said the World Bank introduced the project to check food insecurity in the State.

He said already 19 states in Nigeria are already benefitting from the project and called on them to embrace the project.

Meanwhile, stakeholders in the three local government areas have commended the World Bank for including their areas in the project.

They, however, complained over the incessant attacks by pirates on their waterways.

At Degema, King Agolia of Ke kingdom said land was a major problem in the kingdom.

King Agolia represented by High Chief Alpheus Damiebi said many indigenes of the kingdom are willing to go into farming but are handicapped by lack of land.

Also at Degema, the representative of the Omu Onyam Ekeim of Usokun Degema kingdom, Osoabo Isaac, said Degema has embraced the programme but needed more information on the implementation of the programme.

Similarly, while High Chief Precious Abadi advised that the project should not be narrowed to only crop farming, a community women leader, Mrs Orikinge Eremabo Otto, called for the construction of cold rooms in all fishing settlements in the area.

At Abonnema, Mr Diamond Kio linked the problem of the area to incessant piracy along waterways.

He also expressed fears over the possibility of the project being hijacked by politicians.

Also at Abonnema, a stakeholder, Ikiriko Kelvin, called on the World Bank to design an agricultural project that will suit the riverine environment, while at Oyigbo, HRH Eze Boniface Akawo expressed satisfaction with the project.

 

John Bibor

 

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Senate Replaces Natasha As Committee Chairman 

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The political mudslinging between the Senate leadership and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan continued yesterday as the Senate named Senator Aniekan Bassey as the new Chairman of the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations.

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the appointment during yesterday’s plenary, confirming Bassey’s replacement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is currently on suspension.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was reassigned to the Diaspora and NGOs Committee in February after she was removed as Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content during a minor reshuffle.

Bassey is the senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District.

Although no reason was given for her removal yesterday, the change is believed to be connected to her unresolved suspension.

In May, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court ordered her reinstatement and directed her to tender an apology to the Senate.

However, the Senate has insisted it has not received a certified true copy of the court judgment.

Akpoti-Uduaghan who represents Kogi Central, has yet to resume her legislative duties despite a recent court ruling that voided her suspension.

In a televised interview on Tuesday, Akpoti-Uduaghan said she was awaiting the Certified True Copy of the judgment before officially returning to plenary, citing legal advice and respect for institutional process.

Although the Federal High Court described her suspension as “excessive and unconstitutional”, a legal opinion dated July 5 and attributed to the Senate’s counsel, Paul Daudu (SAN), argued that the ruling lacked any binding directive to enforce her reinstatement.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, one of only three female senators in the current assembly, said the continued delay in allowing her return was not only a denial of her mandate but also a blow to democratic representation.

“By keeping me out of the chambers, the Senate is not just silencing Kogi Central, it’s denying Nigerian women and children representation. We are only three female senators now, down from eight,” she said.

 

 

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