Opinion

Mainstreaming Amnesty Programme In Rivers

Published

9 years ago

December 9, 2016

It was the American Lyricist Sylvia Pratt in her famous poem entitled ‘Conversation Among The Ruined’ who once wrote: “With such blight wrought on our bankrupt estate, what ceremony of words can patch the havoc”.

No doubt, no ceremony of words can explain the mayhem and killing of human being associated with the activities of warring cult groups that had existed in Rivers State.

This is because no society can be peaceful when its inhabitants, particularly its youths, are at war with one another as a result of their involvement in violent cult groups, beheading human heads, kidnapping and killing both innocent members of society and opposing cult groups. Rivers State, like most states across the federation, has had its fair share of restiveness and war and its attendant losses of lives.

It is, therefore, pertinent to accentuate the fact that no matter the level of unemployment and economic recession, bloodletting of fellow citizens by cult groups cannot be justifiable for any reason.

Determined to stem the tide of criminality, Governor Nyesom Wike inaugurated and swore – in members of the Rivers State Amnesty Programme on September 16, 2016 with the Special Adviser on Amnesty Programme, Sir Ken Chindah, as chairman while Assistant Commissioner of Police, Imo Samuel-Irok, Lt Col. T. M. Opurum, representing the Nigeria Army, Lt. Commander S. O. Adebayo, representing the Nigerian Navy, Flight Lt G. F. Ayeyemi, representing the Airforce, Mr. Daniel Uzor of Department of State Service and Doctor George Nwaeke are members.

It is no exaggeration that the team comprised members of proven integrity and unquestionable track record.

It is common knowledge that the Amnesty programme had among other terms of reference to interface in the various cult related groups with a view to getting them to lay down their arms, to set up a programme for the retrieval and mopping up of arms from the groups, to plan a programme for the rehabilitation of repentant members of cults and other violent groups, to suggest ways of taming criminality and to suggest strategies to forestall future occurrences.

From every indication, the clandestine nature of the cult activities alone made the task ahead seem insurmountable yet the chairman and special adviser to the government on amnesty programme, Sir Ken Chindah, and his team of committed members toured the 23 local government areas to carry out their legitimate duties and restore peace to the state.

Despite attempts by self-seeking politicians to politicize the effort of government to peacefully and amicably address the cult war, Governor Wike through the Amnesty programme, remained resolute and today there is light at the end of the tunnel.

It will be recalled that even before the advent of the present administration of Governor Nyesom Wike, all the local government areas of the state had experienced the bitter taste of cult war at one time or the other, resulting in the breakdown of law and order.

In fact, in some flash points in Abua-Odual, Ahoada East and West, Etche, Egi and Omoku and other parts of Ogba/Eghema/Ndoni Local Government Area, the situation was not only embarrassing but pathetic that it was difficult to organize marriage as well as burial ceremonies inter-alia. Worse still, some communities were deserted after violent cult clashes.

Interestingly, the strategy of dialogue, negotiation and interface with critical stakeholders such as community chiefs, opinion leaders, community development committees and youth organizations rather than the use of an eye for an eye yielded fruitful results.

For instance, within the 60 days of disarmament of the amnesty programme, evidence abounds that members of various cult groups with the cooperation of sincere chiefs willingly disarmed, surrendered, and submitted their weapons to the committee.

It is gratifying to observe that under the amnesty programme, members of the committee did not lure cultists to surrender themselves and turn out to hand them back to security agencies for arrest. This was an exquisite display of honesty and sincerity of purpose.

Today, the narrative from the first phase of amnesty programme of Governor Nyesom Wike evinces the restoration of peace in communities across the state. It is worthy of note that communities where economic activities were paralyzed, normalcy has returned and shops, banks and small scale enterprises have witnessed a new lease of life.

The narrative from amnesty programme also attested to the fact that investors who left the state in the wake of this crisis have returned. By implication, therefore, the rural dwellers have gone back to their traditional occupation of fishing and farming and thus reduce poverty.

Better still, there is every indication that Nchaka Festival in Omoku-Ogba land, which has not been held for some years arising from the cult war there, will be holding soon while the Andoni Bonny sea routes as well as Port Harcourt – Bonny sea route worse hit by sea piracy is now free of the horrifying challenge.

As the Rivers State amnesty programme successfully concluded the disarmament stage, the next stage involving provision of skills to repentant cultists requires the support of all to achieve set objectives.

Beneficiaries must attach premium to acquiring skills that would enable them gain employment or be self, reliant and contribute positively to the overall wellbeing of society

Communities in parts of Ogoni Land accused of being insincere and maintaining community armory should have a change of heart. This is because what affects one part of the state affects others.

It may not be out of place to observe that the forthcoming re-run in parts of the state offers a litmus test to the achievements of the amnesty programme.

To this end, repentant cultists, who have been granted amnesty, must resist the temptation to be used by selfish politicians who will only use and dump them after the election.

The primary aim of government is to secure life and property and the amnesty programme provides a platform for all citizens to contribute towards the safety of all.

Rivers people must embrace it and synergize effort with government to make it work.

A stitch in time, they say, saves nine.

Sika is a public affairs analyst.

Baridorn Sika

Opinion

Trans-Kalabari Road: Work In Progress

Published

2 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

Quote:”This Dream project is one of the best things that have happened to the people and residents of Degema, Asari Toru and Akuku Toru Local Government Areas in recent times.”

This is the concluding part of this story featured in our last edition.

Good road network helps farmers to convey their agro-allied products to commercial hubs where buyers and sellers meet periodically to transact business. Road network engineers and motivates people resident in unfriendly geographical terrains, like riverine areas, to own property and shuttle home with ease. Some people will prefer living in their own houses in a more serene and nature-blessed communities to living in the city that is fraught with pollution, and other environmental, social and economic hazards. Prior to the cult epidemic that ravaged parts of Rivers State, the Emohuas, Elemes, Ogonis, and Etches were known for rural dwelling. Most public servants from these areas do their official and private transactions from their villages. For them it was comparatively easier to live in the village and engage in a diversified economic endeavours through farming, fishing or other lucrative business without outrageous charges and embarrassment associated with doing business in Port Harcourt, where land is as scarce as the traditional needle.

That is why the decision to construct the Trans-Kalabari Road by the administration of Dr. Peter Odili was one of the best decisions that administration took. When Dr. Odili vacated office as the Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi took over and awarded contracts for continuation of the road project which in my considered view is the felt need of the people of Degema, Asari Toru and Akuku Toru Local Government Areas. Unfortunately, Rt. Hon. Amaechi’s efforts to drive the project was sabotaged by some contractors some of whom are Kalabari people. The main Trans-Kalabari Road is one project that is dear to the people and residents of Degema, Asari Toru and Akuku Toru Local Government Areas of Rivers State. This is because through the road commuters can easily access several communities in the three local government areas. For instance, the road when completed will enable access to eight of the ten communities in Degema Local Government Area, namely: Bukuma, Tombia, Bakana, Oguruama, Obuama, Usokun, Degema town and the Degema Consulate. It will also link 15 of the 16 communities in Asari Toru Local Government Area. The communities are: Buguma, the local government headquarters, Ido, Abalama, Tema, Sama, Okpo, Ilelema, Ifoko, Tema, Sangama, Krakrama, Omekwe-Ama, Angulama. The road will also connect 14 of 17 wards in Akuku Toru Local Government Area, and other settlements. It is interesting to note that It is faster, and far more convenient and economical for the catchment Communities on the Trans-Kalabari Road network to go to the State Capital than the East West Road. The people of the three local government areas will prefer to work or do their transactions in Port Harcourt from their respective communities to staying in Port Harcourt where the house rent and the general cost of living is astronomically high.

Consequently, development will seamlessly spread to the 28 out of 34 communities of Degema, Asari Toru and Akuku Toru Local Government Areas. The only Communities that are not linked by the road project are Oporoama in Asari Toru, the Ke and Bille Communities in Degema Local Government Area and the “Oceania” communities of Abissa, Kula, Soku, Idama, Elem Sangama of Akuku Toru Local Government Area. But because of the economic value of the unlinked Communities to Nigeria, (they produce substantial oil and gas in the area), the Federal, State Governments and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), can extend the road network to those areas just as Bonny is linked to Port Harcourt and the Lagos Mainland Bridge is connecting several towns in Lagos and neighbouring States.Kudos to previous administrations who had constructed the Central Group axis.

However, what is said to be the First Phase of the Trans-Kalabari Road project is actually a linkage of the “Central Group” Communities which consists of Krakrama, Angulama, Omekwe. Ama, Omekwe Tari Ama, Ifoko, Tema, Sangama. It is the peripheral of the Trans-Kalabari Road. The completion of the Main Trans Kalabari project will free Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor areas from congestion. It will motivate residents and people of the three local areas to contribute to the development of their Communities. If the Ogonis, Etches, Emohuas, Oyigbos, Okrikas, Elemes can feel comfortable doing business in Port Harcourt from home, residents and people whose communities are linked to Port Harcourt through the Trans-Kalabari Road will no doubt, do likewise. The vast arable virgin land of the Bukuma people can be open for development and sustainable agricultural ventures by Local, State and Federal Government.

It is necessary to recall that the Bukuma community was host to the Federal Government’s Graduate Farmers’ Scheme and the Rivers State Government moribund School-to-Land Scheme under Governor Fidelis Oyakhilome. Bukuma was the only community in Degema, Asari Toru and Akuku Toru Local Government Areas that has the capacity to carry those agricultural programmes. However the lack of road to transport farm produce to Port Harcourt and facilitate the movement of the beneficiaries of the scheme who lived in the community which is several miles away from the farms, hampered the sustainability of the programme. The main Trans-Kalabari Road remains the best gift to the people of Degema, Asari Toru, and Akuku-Toru Local Government Areas. Kudos to Sir Siminilayi Fubara.

By: Igbiki Benibo

Opinion

That U.S. Capture of Maduro

Published

2 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

Quote:”Strategic convenience does not nullify sovereignty. Political frustration does not authorise military abduction.”

The first part of this story was published in our last edition.

In Africa and the Middle East, regime change—whether by invasion, proxy warfare, or sanctions—has often left behind fractured states, weakened institutions, and prolonged instability. Washington’s motivations in Venezuela are widely understood: vast oil reserves, alliances with U.S. rivals, and symbolic defiance of American influence in the Western Hemisphere. But none of these reasons confer legal or moral legitimacy. Strategic convenience does not nullify sovereignty. Political frustration does not authorise military abduction. If every powerful nation acted on its grievances in this manner, global chaos would inevitably follow. International law provides mechanisms for accountability. Under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), individuals accused of crimes against humanity or other grave offences are subject to investigation and prosecution through judicial processes.

Likewise, extradition treaties, mutual legal assistance agreements, and Interpol mechanisms exist to ensure accountability while respecting due process. These frameworks were designed precisely to prevent unilateral enforcement of “justice” by military force. The most profound consequence of America’s action may not be in Caracas, but in the precedent it sets. If the world accepts that a superpower can unilaterally depose another country’s president, then the foundation of the international system is weakened. Sovereignty becomes conditional—no longer a right, but a privilege tolerated at the discretion of the powerful. Going forward, if another country invades its neighbour, will the United States retain the moral authority to impose sanctions or demand restraint? Some analysts already warn that parallels between Russia’s actions in Ukraine and America’s conduct in Venezuela risk further eroding global norms. Selective adherence to international law breeds cynicism and accelerates the drift toward a world governed by force rather than rules.

Power—military, economic, or political—should serve human progress and collective well-being, not domination and destruction. For African nations, many of which emerged from colonial rule through bitter struggle, this precedent is especially alarming. Sovereignty is not an abstract legal concept; it is a hard-won shield against external domination. Any erosion of that principle anywhere weakens it everywhere. Africa’s painful history of foreign interference makes this lesson especially urgent. For me, the real issue is not whether Nicolás Maduro is a good or bad leader. That judgment belongs, first and foremost, to the Venezuelan people. The larger issue is whether the international system still operates on law—or has quietly reverted to hierarchy. If America insists it is defending global order, it must ask itself a difficult question: can an order survive when its most powerful guardian feels entitled to violate it? Until that question is answered honestly, the capture of a foreign president will remain not a triumph of justice, but a troubling symbol of a world drifting from law toward force.

If the United States felt so strongly about the allegations of terrorism, drug trafficking against Maduro, were there no other lawful options? Judicial accountability, diplomacy, regional mediation, and multilateral pressure may be slow and imperfect, but they reflect respect for international law and sovereign equality. Military seizure is a blunt instrument. It humiliates institutions, radicalizes populations, and hardens resistance. It may remove a leader, but it rarely resolves the underlying crisis. History teaches that military interventions seldom result in stable democratic outcomes. More often, they breed resentment, resistance, and long-term instability. For the sake of global order and the rule of law, the United States should reconsider this path and recommit to diplomacy, legal cooperation, and respect for the sovereign equality of states. Former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris reportedly described the invasion of Venezuela as “unlawful and unwise,” warning that such actions “do not make America safer, stronger, or more affordable.” Her words reflect a growing recognition, even within the United States, that force without legitimacy undermines both moral authority and global stability.

Should what happened in Venezuela serve as a wake-up call for corrupt African leaders who undermine the people’s right to choose their leaders? The answer is yes. The capture of Maduro should alarm African leaders who manipulate elections, weaken institutions, suppress opposition, undermine citizens’ rights, or cling to power at all costs. Venezuela faced widespread criticism over disputed elections and repression long before this episode, and that context shaped how the world reacted. This does not justify foreign military intervention, but it highlights an uncomfortable truth: prolonged democratic decay isolates nations and invites external pressure—from sanctions to diplomatic censure. Global opinion matters, and legitimacy at home strengthens sovereignty abroad. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and several African leaders have rightly condemned the events in Venezuela, invoking the principles of sovereignty and non-interference enshrined in international and regional law.

Beyond condemnation, however, African leaders must look inward. The continent’s future cannot be built on repression, constitutional manipulation, and personal greed. Leadership must reflect the will of the people, not desperation for power. Two days ago, a social commentator on a radio station argued that Trump’s action—though condemnable—demonstrates how far a leader can go for his country’s interest. According to this view, he did not intervene in Venezuela for personal enrichment, but to strengthen his nation. In stark contrast, many African leaders plunder their own countries. They siphon public resources, impose crushing taxes and harmful policies, and leave their citizens poorer—all for selfish gain. That contradiction is the deeper lesson Africa must confront.True sovereignty is protected not only by international law, but by accountable leadership at home.

By: Calista Ezeaku

Opinion

Kudos Gov Fubara

Published

2 weeks ago

January 2, 2026

The Tide

Please permit me to use this medium to appreciate our able governor, Siminalayi Fubara for the inauguration of the 14.2-kilometre Obodhi–Ozochi Road in Ahoada-East Local Government Area. This inauguration marks a significant milestone in the history of our communities and deserves commendation. We, the people of Ozochi, are particularly happy because this project has brought long-awaited relief after years of isolation and hardship.

The expression of our traditional ruler, His Royal Highness, Eze Prince Ike Ehie, JP, during the inauguration captured the joy of our people. He said, “our isolation is over.” That reflects the profound impact of this road on daily life, economic activities, and social integration of the people of Ozochi and other neighbouring communities. The road will no doubt ease transportation, improve access to markets and healthcare, and strengthen links between Ahoada, Omoku, and other parts of Rivers State.

The people of Ahoada, Omoku, and indeed Rivers State as a whole are grateful to our dear governor for this laudable achievement and wish him many more successful years in office. We pray that God endows him with more wisdom and strength to continue to pilot the affairs of the state for the benefit of all. As citizens, we should rally behind the governor and support his development agenda. Our politicians and stakeholders should embrace peace and cooperation, as no meaningful progress can be achieved in an atmosphere of conflict. Sustainable development in the state can only thrive where peace prevails.

Samuel Ebiye