News
UNIBADAN Advises 408 Students To WithdrawOgonis, FG In Court Over Saro-Wiwa’s Death
The Port Harcourt Division of the Court of Appeal, last Monday, heard an appeal filed by a group of Ogoni leaders under the aegis of Ken Saro-Wiwa Associates (KSWA) challenging the judgement of a lower court voiding the suit instituted to seek redress and justice over the gruesome murder of environmental rights activist and playwright, Kenule Beeson Saro-Wiwa and eight others by the federal government in 1995.
Members of the activist group and the people of Ogoni had stormed the court in their large numbers, demanding an accelerated, speedy and fair hearing of the suit filed in September 7, 2017, before the lead judge, Barrister A. A. Gumel.
They also prayed the court to declare the special tribunal constituted by then military government and the process of setting it up as unlawful.
The Ogonis also sought for other reliefs, including setting aside the judgement of the tribunal against Saro-Wiwa and eight others on October 31, 1995.
The group is asking the court to annul the judgement by the Federal High Court that struck out its suit against the federal government on the killing of the Ogoni Nine.
According to KSWA, the court should declare the Ogoni Civil Disturbance Tribunal which sentenced the Ogoni Nine activists to death by hanging, null and void and of no effect.
However, when the case was mentioned at exactly 3pm, the appellant lawyer, Barrister Golden Aawi reminded the court that there was pending motion before it, seeking leave to extend the time to enable his clients get all the necessary documents from the Federal High Court and other vital sources needed to kick-start the case with a view to getting fair hearing.
In his ruling on the appellant lawyer’s request, the presiding Judge, Justice A.A. Gumel granted the motion sought, and adjourned the case for further hearing to October 8, 2018.
Meanwhile, a statement signed by the Secretary General, Ken Saro Wiwa Associates Worldwide, Chief Charles Ekoro, referred to Paragraph 9 of the “Ogoni General Assembly Communiqué 2018,” and stated: “The Ogoni people affirmed that there cannot be any meaningful talks or negotiation on oil and gas exploration in Ogoniland until this prolonged matter is dispensed with.”
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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