News
Jonathan Solicits ECOWAS’ Support For Buhari
President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday in Accra declared that democracy had come to stay in West Africa.
In his valedictory speech at the 47th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, he also urged regional leaders to support the incoming administration in Nigeria, led by President-elect Muhammadu Buhari.
Jonathan said he felt deeply satisfied that the tree of democracy planted in Nigeria and the sub-region had “taken roots and blossoming’’.
He said recent elections held in Ghana and Senegal were largely peaceful without controversy, while polls in Benin, Sierra Leone and Togo had shown tremendous progress in consolidating democracy in the sub-region.
He expressed the hope that democracy would continue to bear abundant fruits in the region under the watchful guidance and nurturing of the regional leaders.
President Jonathan thanked ECOWAS leaders for their understanding and cooperation accorded him during his tenure as Chairman of the organisation from 2010-2012.
“The personal rapport and chemistry that I have enjoyed with each one of you, my brother and sister Presidents greatly facilitated the decisions that we were able to take and the concrete measures we took on behalf of our sub-region.
“As the new administration takes over, I am confident that the bond of friendship between Nigeria and each member state of our cherished Organisation and Nigeria’s role within ECOWAS will grow even stronger.
“I urge you all to extend the same friendship and fraternal cooperation that I have received from you to my successor.
“The future of our Organisation and West Africa is in good, safe and capable hands.
“I shall, even out of office, continue to give my modest support to our noble cause of unity, peace, stability and development of our sub-region.’’
President Jonathan used the occasion of his address to highlight notable achievements of Nigeria in the quest for peace and stability in the region.
He recalled that as Acting President and Chairman of ECOWAS in 2010, the organisation was confronted with the situation in Niger.
“Happily, through dogged efforts on our part, we were able to resolve it and the country returned to democratic rule.
“Gen. SalouDjibo who oversaw the return to constitutional rule in Niger is today a student at Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, Nigeria.’’
In Cote D’Ivoire, the President recounted that under his watch as Chair, ECOWAS followed through in its commitment to enduring democracy by standing firm behind the winner of the presidential elections in 2010.
“We are pleased that our brother, President AlassaneOuattara, took his rightful place and went on not only to provide leadership to his country, but also as Chairman of ECOWAS.
“Similarly, in both Guinea and Guinea Bissau, we remained focused on the goal of ensuring that viable political solutions were found for the political and security challenges that they were experiencing.
“That peace and stability and democratic governance have returned to these brotherly countries underscore our commitment to finding viable solutions to the problems of our Sub-region,’’ he said.
In the speech which was intermittently greeted with applause, Jonathan also referred to his recent visit to Mali for the historic Peace and Reconciliation Agreement signed in Bamako on May 15 by all parties.
He said “as co-mediator, I visited Mali and met with all the stakeholders in early and difficult times of the crisis in the effort to return to democratic rule, maintain peace and articulate viable political process.
He added that “Nigeria participated in all the negotiations and meetings coordinated by ECOWAS at various venues that eventually produced a political timetable for the holding of democratic elections in Mali.’’
He, therefore, commended President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, the Government and people of Mali for the historic signing of the peace agreement and expressed the hope that the Accord would signal the end of the Malian crisis.
On the situation in Burkina Faso, the Nigerian leader urged stakeholders to stay firm on the political roadmap that had been agreed upon by all parties to ensure peace and political stability, ahead of the Oct. 11 presidential elections in that country.
Jonathan then challenged ECOWAS leaders to address the growing wave of young men and women in the sub-region undertaking “very perilous journeys across the Sahara desert and the Mediterranean Sea to Europe.
“The phenomenon, given its hazardous nature, has claimed many lives and assumed humanitarian crisis.
“ECOWAS, in the first instance, should earnestly address this problem.
“At the level of member states, we should take necessary action to address the root causes of the crisis.’’
He also urged ECOWAS to table the matter at the forthcoming 24thSummit of the African Union (AU) in June in South Africa.
NUJ chairmanship candidate in Rivers State, Mr Omoni Ayo-Tamuno (middle), with The Tide chapel exco, during a campaign visit to the chapel, last Thursday
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