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Boko Haram: US Offers N2.5bn For Shekau’s Arrest

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The United States Department of State is offering a reward of up to $7million (approximately N2.5billionn) for information leading to the arrest of Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau.
The Rewards for Justice Programme, which is the counterterrorism rewards programme of the US Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, said this in a tweet on its official Twitter handle, yesterday.
The tweet reads, “The United States Department of State offers a reward up to $7million for information leading to the arrest of the terrorist, Abubakar Shekau, leader of Boko Haram”.
Shekau has been the leader of Boko Haram since the extrajudicial killing of its former leader, Mohammed Yusuf, in 2009.
It would be recalled that the terrorist group has killed tens of thousands and displaced roughly 2.3 million from their homes, and was at one time the world’s deadliest terror group, according to the Global Terrorism Index.
Boko Haram’s past targets have included suicide bombings of police buildings and the United Nations office in Abuja.
Of the 2.3 million people displaced by the conflict since May, 2013, at least, 250,000 have left Nigeria and fled into Cameroon, Chad or Niger.
The group has carried out mass abductions, including the kidnapping of 276 schoolgirls from Chibok in April, 2014, and two years ago, abducted some schoolgirls from Dapchi in Yobe State, releasing all of them except Leah Sharibu who refused to deny her Christian faith.
The Federal Government has since initiated a plan to give amnesty to repentant terrorists while the Senate is currently debating a bill to establish an agency that will cater for the repentant insurgents.
The government has on three separate occasions claimed to have killed Shekau but the Boko Haram leader has resurfaced on several videos to show that he is still alive.
Shekau is currently number eight on the list of the most wanted terrorists by the US.
Some others include: Ayman al-Zawahiri, who is the current emir of al-Qaeda and former leader of Egyptian Islamic Jihad ($25million); Sirajuddin Haqqani, who is the leader of the Haqqani Network, based in Pakistan ($10million); Abu Muhammad Al-Julani $10million, Abdullah Abdullah ($10million) wanted for his role on behalf of al-Qaeda in the 1998 US Embassy bombings.
Saif al-Adel ($10million) is believed to be a high-ranking member of the al-Qaida organization and also wanted for the 1998 US Embassy twin bombing.
Meanwhile, jihadists have killed four police officers and two civilian militiamen in an attack on a military base in Borno State, yesterday, security sources said.
Suspected Boko Haram fighters in trucks fitted with machine guns launched a dawn raid on the Army base in Damboa town, sparking intense fighting.
“We lost four mobile policemen and two civilian militia fighting alongside soldiers during the fight with the terrorists,” said a military officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Anti-jihadist militia leader, Ibrahim Liman confirmed the toll, after supporting soldiers during the attack.
Nigeria’s decade-long jihadist insurgency has killed 36,000 people and displaced two million others inside the country, and spilled into neighbouring Niger, Chad and Cameroon.
Local resident, Modu Malari said, yesterday, that the insurgents had attacked with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades but were forced out from the town by troops after a fierce two-hour battle.
More than 50 residents were injured by shrapnel from grenades fired by the jihadists, he said, after some strayed into nearby homes.
Damboa lies on the fringe of Boko Haram’s Sambisa Forest stronghold from where the group has launched repeated attacks on villages and military posts.
In November, last year, at least, 10 Nigerian soldiers were killed and nine injured in a Boko Haram ambush in Muchima village, outside Damboa.

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Rivers NIPR Gets New Executive

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The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Rivers State Chapter, has inaugurated a new Executive Council to pilot the affairs of the institute for the next two years.

The new Executive Council was elected during the maiden edition of the Rivers Public Relations Week and Annual General meeting held last Friday, in Port Harcourt.

The re-election marked a historic moment as members of the chapter converged to chart a new course for professional excellence, ethical standards, and the advancement of public relations practice in the State.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the institute, Ayodeji Emmanuel Afelumo, at the weekend.

The Registrar and Secretary to the NIPR Governing Council, Chief Uzoma Onyegbadue, who swore in the officers charged them to redouble their efforts in upholding professional integrity and excellence in public relations practices.

The officers re-elected for the second term include Rev. Francis Asuk as chairman, Dr. Parry Saroh Benson (Vice Chairman), Mr. Felix Tamuno (Secretary), Alhaja Ayo Odungweru (Treasurer), and Edna Alete as Financial Secretary.

Those with fresh tenure are Dr. Helen Chimezie who was elected as the Assistant Secretary, Mr. Ayodeji Emmanuel Afelumo (Public Relations Officer), and Mrs. Ngowari Oba as Welfare Officer, following the tenure expiration of the former officers.

In his acceptance remarks, Rev. Asuk expressed gratitude to members for their confidence and pledged to uphold the ideals of the institute, promote professional development, and foster partnerships that would further enhance the visibility of public relations in Rivers State and beyond.

The Rivers Public Relations Week is the first of its kind organised by a State chapter of the institute and it provided a platform for practitioners, scholars, and stakeholders to engage in knowledge-sharing, networking, and discussions on the evolving role of public relations in governance, business, and society.

The statement added that the Rivers State Chapter of the NIPR looks forward to a new era of purposeful leadership, innovation, and impact under the stewardship of its newly inaugurated executive council.

 

 

 

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Falana Gives Ken Saro-Wiwa, Others Clean Bill Of Health …As Activist Decries Marginalisation Of Ogoni People  p6 lead

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Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana(SAN) has apparently exonerated the slain writer and environmental rights activist, Mr Ken Saro-Wiwa and his eight Ogoni kinsmen of  the murder charge which led to their execution by hanging by the Gen  Sani Abacha military junta on November 10, 1995.

This is even as a human rights activist, Evangelist Caroline Nagbo, has decried the spate of marginalisation against Ogoni people in Nigeria and Rivers State, saying, in spite of the struggles, sacrifices and contributions of the Ogoni people, they have continued to be marginalised, particularly in politics.

Falana, who bared his mind  in a keynote address   during the 30th Anniversary of the Ken Saro-Wiwa Memorial Lecture at Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt on Friday, said   the Ogoni nine never committed the crime for which they were hanged  by the Federal Government.

 

On her part, Nagbo noted in a goodwill message at the event that  despite the Ogoni people’s contributions, struggles and sacrifices, they continue to face exclusion and intimidation.

She decried a situation where people who hated Ken Saro-Wiwa during his lifetime, equally hate Ogoni people, because they consider them as very intelligent, stressing that instead of giving them political power, stooges are rather favoured.

According to her, Ogoni people must continue to speak out and agitate for their rights.

Nagbo further noted that the name of Ken Saro-Wiwa always evokes environment, minority and politics, emphasising that the legacies of the late environmental rights activist have continued to inspire and motivate the Ogoni people, and highlighted the significance of his birthday, which coincides with the Ogoni struggle for self-determination, environmental justice, and human rights.

She said the Federal Government’s treatment of Ken Saro-Wiwa’s memory and the Ogoni people is a reflection of the country’s flawed political system, and criticised politicians for their absence at events commemorating Ken Saro-Wiwa’s birthday and even illegal execution, attributing it to the marginalisation and intimidation faced by the Ogoni people.

“If you identify with Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni struggle, you are the enemy of the state, and that is marginalisation and intimidation,” she said.

Nagbo further lamented that despite the Ogoni people’s contributions to the country’s struggle for democracy, they are yet to be adequately rewarded.

“Politically, up till now, an Ogoni individual has never been a Governor, and they are not ready to give it to us, even in the next 30 years.The same thing they did to Ken Saro-Wiwa is the same thing they are doing to the Ogoni sons and daughters. They are manipulating it,” she said.

Nagbo praised the consistency of fiery human rights lawyer, Femi Falana(SAN), in championing the cause of the Ogoni people, saying, even Ken Saro-Wiwa was known for his consistency.

 

The keynote speaker, Mr Femi Falana actually chronicled the circumstances surrounding the hanging of Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight of his kinsmen on November 10, 1995, saying, they never committed the offence for which they were executed, and,therefore, deserve not only the recent pardon granted to them by the Federal Government but also exoneration and apology from the government.

 

Falana accused the state and Shell of masterminding the murder of four Ogoni sons, with the intent of roping in Ken Saro-Wiwa and the other Ogoni activists, saying, the execution of the Ogoni activists was premeditated.

 

According to him, when it was clear that the then Abacha military junta had already made up its mind to kill Ken Saro-Wiwa and others, the legal team defending them had no option than to withdraw from the trial in order not to give it legitimacy.

 

The human rights lawyer said the Ogoni people must be united today more than ever before to fight for their rights, stressing that the move for resumption of oil production in Ogoniland can only be justified when the ongoing cleanup of Ogoniland has attained an appreciable level.

 

He also applauded the siting of the Federal University of Environment and Technology in Ogoniland, but insisted that the university must employ Ogoni people to justify its establishment.

 

Falana said the time has come for the people of the Niger Delta region to demand accountability from the political class at all levels of governance in the region, saying, they are constitutionally empowered to find out how the 13 percent derivation funds and other funds are utilised.

 

According to him, the three percent fund stipulated and specified in the Petroleum Industry Act(PIA)  is supposed to go directly to oil and gas bearing communities in the Niger Delta.

 

He also sympathised with Umuechem people for what befell them during the military regime, and decried a situation where oil companies failed in providing social amenities to the people, in spite of benefiting from the oil and gas deposits in their land.

He promised to set up a think tank of lawyers to advocate and ensure that oil and gas host communities in the country, particularly in the Niger Delta are provided social amenities.

 

Also, human rights and  environment campaigner and one of the organisers of the event, Mr Celestine Akpobari thanked Femi Falana, Dr Nimo Bassey and other dignitaries and participants for gracing the event, which he described as the celebration of Ken Saro-Wiwa’s legacies.

 

He said the rush for the resumption of oil exploration in Ogoniland does not make any economic sense, and likened it  to mopping the floor while the taps are open.

 

At the event, the panel of discussants consisted of Prof KialeeNyiayana of the University of Port Harcourt; Prof Lucky Akaruese of the University of Port Harcourt; Eze(Prof) Christian Akani of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education;  and Leader of Ogoni People’s Assembly, Rev Probel Williams, while the moderator was Dr EmemOkon.

The discussants gave a good account of themselves, as they did not only dissect the keynote address presented by Femi Falana, giving more insights into it, but also did justice to the questions posed to them by the moderator, bordering on Ken Saro-Wiwa and his legacies, among other issues.

 

By: Donatus

 

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Unveiling of $400million Otakaikpo crude oil Export Terminal; Monarch Hails Tinubu  …lists Economic Benefits Of The Project 

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The Okan Ama of Ikuru Town in Andoni Local Government Area HRM king Aaron Miller Ikuru has hailed President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for the unveiling of the $400million crude oil terminal at the Otakaikpo oil field in Ikuru Town
King Ikuru who said this in his address during the unveiling ceremony also assured multinational corporations operating in the area of a conducive business environment.
He said the project will not only improve the economy of Ikuru Town but that of the entire Andoni and Rivers state.
The traditional ruler said the ceremony Marks a new chapter in Ikuru Town and Andoni in general as the area has become the proud host of a monumental national asset the $400million crude oil terminal
He also commended President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for the feat, adding that “the project stands as a testament to the administration’s commitment to economic diversification, energy infrastructure development and local content advancement.
“Your Excellency Sir, this singular investment not only represents a milestone in Nigeria’s oil and gas production capacity but it also symbolizes hope for job opportunities, hope for improve livelihoods and hope for sustainable community development.
“We acknowledge and appreciate the vision policy direction and support that have made this project a reality ” King Aaron Ikuru said the community has utilized very judiciously the 3 percent opex for its development
“Currently there is an ongoing legacy water project for the provision of potable water and a one year skills acquisition programm for youths in the community”
The monarch however decried inconsistent payment of the statutory 3 percent opex by the JV and expressed the hope that priority will be placed on the payment of the outstanding 3 percent for 2024 to the community HCDT.
King Ikuru also urged the company to instruct the JV to provide electricity to the host community and stressed the need for Ikuru to be connected to the energy source as Otakaikpo marginal oil field.
Also speaking to journalists the chairman Community Development Committee( CDC) Ikuru Town, Ebenezer Bright, described the event as memorable one ,stressing that it would open up the area for development.
He said he was happy that the event  is happening at his own time and assured the company of a better relationship with the community.
Also an indigene of Ikuru Town, Professor Lysias Gilbert  said the economic effects of the terminal will be felt across the country as more barrels of oil will be exported from the terminal
He urged the community to unite and embrace the opportunity by remaining peaceful.
It would be recalled that President Ahmed Bola Tinubu last Wednesday commissioned the crude oil terminal at the Otakaikpo oil field. The president was represented by the Minister of state for Petroleum Senator Heineken Lokpobiri.
By: John Bibor
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