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Continue To Support Wike, Banigo Tells Onelga Women
Rivers State Deputy Governor Dr. (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry Banigo has urged the Ogba/ Egbema/ Ndoni women to continue to support Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wikes’s administration in appreciation of his developmental strides and gender friendliness.
The Deputy Governor stated this when the ONELGA Women Forum led by its leader and Matron, Mrs. Charity Obuah paid her a courtesy visit at the Government House in Port Harcourt.
According to Dr. Banigo, “because of the Governor’s gender friendly disposition women have benefitted so much in this administration, through appointments into key positions, he has also promised to ensure that more women are elected into Local Government Councils”.
She urged the women to understand that their vote is their power, noting that “all women 18 years and above must register and obtain their permanent voters card to enable them exercise their franchise”.
The Deputy Governor who expressed her condolence with the ONELGA women on the January 1st tragedy, said all those responsible for that massacre will be brought to justice.
Dr. Banigo expressed regrets that for political reasons, some mischievous people were insinuating that Bro Felix Obuah has dealings with cultists, noting that as a gentle man and a philanthropist he cannot be involved with such hoodlums.
“Let us support our son and brother, Bro. Felix Obuah who is the State Chairman of PDP, he is a complete gentleman and a great philanthropist, he has worked relentlessly for the good of our people, we all know that this mudslinging against him is not true, he cannot be involved in such gruesome acts, like kidnapping, raping of women and beheading. It is not possible, it is the handiwork of political opponents we know that the truth will always prevail in the long run”, Dr. Banigo stressed.
In her address, the President of the ONELGA Women Forum Dr. (Mrs) Grace Akolokwu informed the Deputy Governor that the Forum is a non partisan, non profiting making umbrella organisation of all women either born or married in the LGA that is supportive of good governance and development.
According to her, in December 2017, in the face of terror unleashed on the Local Government Area by hoodlums, the Forum purchased and distributed food items, bed sheets and toiletries to 6 health centres and 2 orphanages and commended Governor Wike for re- building the Omoku General Hospital as well as the flag-off of the dualisation of the Omoku Okwuizi road and the security intervention that has restored peace in the LGA.
Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has called on Nigerians to reject silence in the face of extrajudicial killings and other abuses of human rights.
Soyinka stressed that accountability and civic courage remain essential to rebuilding public confidence in the nation’s institutions.
He made the call during the 28th Wole Soyinka Lecture held in Port Harcourt, last Friday as part of activities marking his 92nd birthday.
The lecture, themed “Reclaiming the Nigerian State through Accountability, Justice and Civic Courage,” drew participants from different sectors of society.
The renowned playwright and human rights advocate said the country’s greatest tragedy was not only the unlawful killings carried out by state and non-state actors, but also the silence that often follows such incidents, allowing perpetrators to evade justice.
According to him, indifference by citizens to abuses of power and violations of fundamental human rights has contributed to the persistence of extrajudicial killings and other forms of injustice across the country.
Soyinka said he dedicated this year’s lecture to victims of unlawful killings, noting that the event was intended to honour individuals who had lost their lives as a result of failures within the justice system and society’s inability to protect the sanctity of human life.
He stressed that the lecture was dedicated to what he described as the basic unit of every society – the human being, and urged Nigerians to place greater value on human dignity irrespective of ethnicity, religion or social status.
The Nobel Laureate recalled several incidents of violence, including the fatal shooting and killing of a young man in Ugheli in Delta State by a police officer, and the mob killing of Deborah Yakubu in Sokoto State sometime ago, lamenting that many of those responsible are yet to face justice.
He expressed concern that some perpetrators of violent crimes had openly admitted their actions without fear of prosecution, describing such situations as evidence of serious failures within the nation’s justice system.
Soyinka maintained that when justice is delayed or denied, public confidence in state institutions continues to erode, thereby encouraging further violations of human rights.
Responding to critics who accuse him of promoting religious or ethnic divisions whenever he spoke on such issues, Soyinka dismissed the allegations and pointed out that his advocacy has always centred on the protection of human life and the rule of law.
He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and continue demanding justice in cases of alleged extrajudicial killings, including the recent shooting of a young man by a police officer, stressing that every life deserves equal protection under the law.
The literary icon also recalled an earlier pledge by a past incoming president to make public the files relating to unresolved assassinations and extrajudicial killings, questioning the status of the promised investigations.
He challenged citizens to continue asking questions about unresolved cases, insisting that justice, accountability and respect for human dignity are indispensable to building a peaceful, democratic and inclusive Nigerian society.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has clarified that there was no fire at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, contrary to its earlier advisory.
Earlier yesterday, FAAN had announced that a fire incident had occurred at Terminal 2 of the nation’s busiest airport, and assured that its Aerodrome Rescue and Firefighting Service had been deployed to contain the situation.
There were also reports that activities were briefly disrupted at the airport yesterday after smoke was seen inside parts of the terminal.
Videos circulating online showed passengers kept standing outside the terminal while firefighters responded to the incident.
However, in an update issued less than two hours later by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, and posted on FAAN’s official X handle, the authority said preliminary findings showed that the smoke seen at the terminal was caused by the discharge of the facility’s FM-200 fire suppression system.
“Further to our earlier advisory regarding the incident at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) wishes to provide the following update,” the statement read.
“Preliminary findings indicate that there was no fire at the terminal. The smoke observed within the affected area resulted from the discharge of the terminal’s FM-200 fire suppression system. The reason for the activation of the fire suppression system is currently being investigated,” FAAN stated.
The authority said normal operations had resumed at the terminal while investigations were ongoing to determine the cause of the incident.
“Normal operations have since resumed at the terminal, while detailed investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the incident,” the statement added.
The authority thanked passengers, airlines, airport users and other stakeholders for their understanding and cooperation.
FAAN appreciated the understanding and cooperation of passengers, airlines, airport users and all stakeholders, and reiterated its commitment to the safety and security of all airport operations.