Rivers
Group Begins Peace Campaign In Ogoni
A group known as the Ogoni Peace Project (OPP), an affiliate of the Bori Business School, has embarked on massive peace campaign in Ogoni land.
Chairman of the group, Comrade Barinua Nwikonee, who spoke with newsmen during a courtesy visit to security operatives in Bori, head-quarters of Khana Local Government Area said the peace campaign was pertinent to avert the growing insecurity and bloodshed in the area.
According to him, there is the need for collaboration between the body and security agencies in Ogoni, as well as the local government authorities to bring lasting peace to Ogoni.
Nwikonee, who is also the Paramount Ruler of Teenama Community in Khana Local Government Area also urged traditional rulers and religious leaders to be at the forefront of ensuring that peace reigns in Ogoni land.
He lamented the wastages of youthful talents and potentials in Ogoni stating that youths in Ogoni have become endangered species, as their lives are mostly wasted in violence and cult related activities.
The group leader said his organisation has outlined a network of empowerment programmes to better the lives of youths in Ogoni and urged youth in the area to embrace the livelihood sustainability programme.
In his response, the Area Commander, Bori Area Police Command, Mr Musa Garba, thanked the team for their initiative towards restoring peace in Ogoni.
Garba, who assured the group of the support of the security operatives in restoring peace in Ogoni land regretted the growing spate of violence and insecurity in the area and cautioned youths against involvement in cultism and violence, noting that the law would take its toll on all outlaws in the area.
The Area Commander further appealed to the leadership of the Ogoni Peace Project to identify repentant cultists and help to rehabilitate them to become useful to the society.
Also speaking, the Divisional Police Officer of Bori Divisional Police, Mr Emmanuel Udekwe (SP), thanked the group for the visit and assured the commitment of the Police towards restoring peace in Ogoni land.
The Deparment of State Security boss in Khana Local Government Area, Mr H.A. Adams, in his response described the peace move by the group as a ‘novel idea’ and assured that his department would not rest on its oars in combating crime in Ogoni.
Taneh Beemene
The Rivers State Judiciary has denied a media report claiming that Justice Frank Onyiri of the State High Court issued an injunction order restraining the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), from inaugurating the newly appointed members of the Rivers State Civil Service Commission (RSCSC).
In a statement issued by the Deputy Chief Registrar in charge of litigation at the High Court, Menenen Poromon (Esq), the state Judiciary disassociated itself from the report, describing it as malicious and fabricated.
The statement emphasized that the report was a falsehood and a misrepresentation of what transpeared in the court.
Poromon clarified that no such order was issued by Justice Onyiri or any other judge of the High Court of the state and urged the public to disregard the information, as it lacked any iota of truth.
The statement however advised the public to verify any information concerning the state Judiciary directly from the office of the Chief Registrar, High Court of the State, to avoid spreading of misinformation.