Connect with us

Niger Delta

Kidnapped C’River NLC Chairman Released

Published

on

The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ben Ukpepi has been rescued by the Cross River State combined security force (aka SCOLOMBO).
SCOLOMBO is a combined security force made up of Army, Police, Navy, Civil Defence and other security agencies.
It was gathered that the Chairman was rescued by the combined security force on Sunday by 9.15pm at Ikot Edem Odo in Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River State.
Speaking with our correspondent through a telephone interview on Monday morning, the Permanent Secretary in charge of security in the Governor’s office, Dr Alfred Mboto confirmed the rescue.
“He was rescued on Sunday at about 9.15pm in Ikot Edem Odo in Akpabuyo, no ransom was paid. It was the combined security outfit of the state government called SCOLOMBO that secured his release.
“The state is safe, though we may have pockets of security problem, our security agencies are all over the places, we shall have peaceful Christmas and carnival celebrations. People should not be afraid of anything, we are on top of every situation,” he stated.
Also speaking via telephone last Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Irene Ugbo confirmed the rescue of the victim saying that he (NLC Chairman) was alive and healthy.
“No ransom was paid. Though we have not arrested anybody, we are on the trail of them. Soon, we shall pick them up,” she said.
Comrade Ukpepi was kidnapped last week Tuesday night at his residence in Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River State and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Saturday accused the Cross River State Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade of not showing concern over the kidnap of its chairman.
In a WhatsApp message issued and sent to the Permanent Secretary in charge of security, governor’s office, Calabar, Dr Alfred Mboto on Saturday, the Vice Chairman of NLC, Comrade Lawrence Achuta had regretted the action of the state governor.

Continue Reading

Niger Delta

Adopt African System Against Crime, Don Urges Security Agencies 

Published

on

A professor of Criminology in the Department of Sociology, University of Uyo, Prof. Aniekan Brown, has faulted the methods adopted by security agencies in tackling crime, insisting that it’s an aberration to adopt euro-centric methods in  crime fighting in an African setting
Speaking while presenting the 114 Inaugural lecture of the University titled “Criminological Enterprise: The C.A.K.E. As the New Order”, held during the week, Professor Brown advocated the use of African or indigenous methods in fighting crime and prevention.
He said the concept of CAKE, where C stands for Care, A for Affection, K for Kindness, and E for Empathy should be adopted when dealing with criminals.
According to the inaugural lecturer, studies and investigation from ex-convicts have showed that they were forced to commit crime for lack of care, arguing that if they were cared for, loved, shown kindness and empathy, they wouldn’t have been pushed to crime.
“The virtues of caring for another, showing affection, being kind to people and showing empathy to others in humanity are virtues encouraged by the Almighty.
“Inquiring from the ex-convicts what motivated them to commit crime, their responses pointed to the argument if they were cared for, if those favoured by the status-quo showed them love, kindness, and shared empathy, they may not have been pushed to crime.
“It could be held that if those who indulge in corruption care about the led, show affection and kindness, and are empathic to the masses, corruption would be less hydra-headed”, he stated.
Prof Brown called on Nigerians to respect the nation’s symbols of identity like the National Flag, National Anthem, and the Coat of Arms, saying it would imbibe in citizens the spirit of nationalism as against sectionalism.
He urged the relevant authorities to be proactive in fighting crime, noting that since the statuses, roles, and institutions in the society are the major causes of crime, they also have the ability to curb crime.
“Emphatic and respectful disposition to the national symbols of identity, especially, the National Flag, National Anthem, and the Coat of Arms.
“Revering these will add value to spirit of nationalism over sectionalism in our bid to counter crime; A community consideration of the concept of security. This would ease the pressure on the militarized aspect of security; institutionalization of criminology and security studies.
“The statuses, roles, and institutions in the society are the major causes of crime. Inherent in them are the abilities to curb crime.
“To this end, the institutions of the family, education, economy, religion, and polity, as well as, occupants of positions in the social division of labour and their behaviours while in occupation of such positions, should be tailored towards combating crime.
“This should be done with Afro-centric and indigenous drift. Being Euro-centric in fighting crime on the continent of Africa should be seen as an aberration.
“Crime is a social creation. Its solution is in the social sphere. Knowledge of criminology is necessary for its understanding and subsequent treatment.
“Man is the problem. Man is the solution. May the ideas of criminology and security studies remain promoted for the common good”, he stated.
###
Continue Reading

Niger Delta

Cancer Risk: HYPREP, IARC Launch Human Biometric Study in Ogoniland

Published

on

The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) and an agency of the World Health Organisation(WHO), the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) have launched a three-year public health study, to investigate the health impacts of hydrocarbon pollution in Ogoniland in Rivers State.

 

 

Speaking at the kick-off meeting with IARC team at the Project Coordination Office in Port Harcourt, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, noted that the initiative is in line with the key recommendations of the 2011 United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report on Ogoniland, which highlighted the need for a long-term, focused medical study to track health impacts across the Ogoni population.

 

 

He said the study is aimed at conducting a comprehensive health risk assessment linked to hydrocarbon pollution; build capacity for local health professionals; and provide clear recommendations for public health responses based on the findings at the end of the day.

 

 

According to him,   community involvement is a cornerstone of the project.

 

“Community leaders, civil society groups, and health institutions must be brought into this process from the onset to ensure trust, ownership, and relevance,” he intoned.

 

He further indicated that the project would prioritise transparency, continuous stakeholder engagement, and ethical compliance throughout the study.

 

 

“HYPREP will provide necessary technical, logistical, and institutional support to facilitate smooth project implementation. The project schedule will be jointly reviewed and finalised, and a steering and technical coordination team will be established to oversee the study.The study is expected to drive policy interventions, public health planning, and long-term monitoring of the Ogoni population’s wellbeing. The outcomes of the project will be credible, actionable, and globally recognised, thanks to IARC’s international expertise and scientific rigor,” he said.

 

The Project Coordinator said the project is expected to bring healing, hope, and progress to Ogoniland and beyond.

 

 

“In addition to the public health study, HYPREP is constructing the Ogoni Specialist Hospital, which will feature state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment, including cutting-edge MRI machines. This facility will significantly improve healthcare services in the region,” he said.

 

 

Also, IARC leader of the team, Dr. Joachim Schuz, in an interview after the meeting, noted that the study aims to provide concrete evidence of the impact of environmental pollution on the health of the people.

 

“We do not want to be speculating, we need to show it, we need to prove what is going on beneath,” he emphasised.

 

 

He explained that the study would collect blood samples from approximately 4,000 people to measure the levels of hydrocarbon exposure and assess the damage already caused.

 

 

He noted that they would also gather information on the living conditions of the people, including their exposure to pollutants and other health risks.

 

He ,however, urged the people of Ogoniland to participate in the study, which is expected to provide valuable information for public health planning and disease prevention.

 

Schuz further noted that the study is an investment in the health of the people, stressing that it would provide critical information for developing effective public health programmes.

 

“Without this study, we do not have the information to do a proper planning for good public health planning for the benefit of the people in the long run,” he said.

 

 

 

A member of the team, Mr Mike Cowing said samples would be taken from areas where groundwater and crops are contaminated with hydrocarbons.

 

According to information pierced together, the study will include men, women, and children, and will aim to capture the different ways in which hydrocarbon pollution affects various segments of the Ogoni population.

 

 

Another member of the medical team, Ann Olsson noted that children can be affected differently from adults due to their smaller body size and higher exposure levels.

 

She said the  team is working to ensure that the study is a representative of the entire Ogoni population, with a focus on finding solutions to sample representatives from the four local government areas.

Continue Reading

Niger Delta

HYPREP Trains Lab Technicians To Standardise Water Quality In Ogoniland

Published

on

As part of efforts in ensuring that the people of Ogoni get the right water quality, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project(HYPREP) has organised a training programme for laboratory technicians working in all its water stations in Ogoniland.

 

At the training held in Port Harcourt, HYPREP’s Director of Technical Services, Prof Damian-Paul Aguiyi, who explained the essence of the training programme said it would ensure that laboratory attendants strictly observe standard protocol for water quality test before reticulation.

 

He noted that the training would sharpen their skills for better performance in the supply of quality water to the Ogoni people.

 

“The essence of this training workshop I want to emphasise is for us to be sure that the people who operate the treatment plants in our water facilities know what to do and do the right thing all the time.So, we are taking extra pain to train you on laboratory practices that you will subject the water you give our people to, and our expectation is that you will need to understand this and when you do, make sure we are giving our people quality water.We want to be sure that while you are doing your work, you ensure that the quality of water we give our people meets international standards, meets WHO drinking water standards, and so, we feel that a key component of it is the laboratory management where you will taste the water before and after dosage; and that would guide what you dose and the quality.Make sure that our people get the right quality water to drink and in doing so, ensure that they are healthy because if you drink clean good quality water, you are most likely not to be exposed to water borne diseases, and so, we want you to pay attention,” he said.

 

The Director of Technical Services reaffirmed HYPREP’s commitment to providing potable water that meets best standards, saying the Project is optimistic that the training would benefit the participants, and urged them to apply the knowledge garnered for the good of Ogoni communities.

 

On his part, HYPREP’s Head of Potable Water, Mr Lucky Ikue, while echoing the views of the Director of Technical Services, harped on the need for standardisation in the quality of water supply in Ogoniland.

 

As it were, participants were guided on water sampling techniques, analysis and use of laboratory equipment, affording them the opportunity to upscale their skills in the collection and test of water samples; perform physical, chemical and microbiological tests, and understand the result, to improve technical capacity, develop and maintain practice in laboratory analysis.

 

The trainees equally explored physiochemical parameters such as chloride, total hardness, alkalinity, nitrate, sulphate and phosphate, microbial hydrocarbon and heavy metal analysis.

 

HYPREP is gearing up for the next round of its water projects commissioning. This month, four water stations would be commissioned in Uegwere-Boue and Taabaa communities in Khana Local Government Area, Bodo community in Gokana Local Government Area, and Eteo community in Eleme Local Government Area. This is even as the Project continues in actualising its target of providing more potable water to more Ogoni communities by the end of the year.

Continue Reading

Trending