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Ogoni Plans Grand Reception For Wike

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The people of Ogoni ethnic nationality have concluded plans to organise a grand reception in honour of Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, over his positive impacts on Ogoni development through the execution of people-oriented and quality projects in the area.
President of the foremost socio-cultural organisation in Ogoni, KAGOTE, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Deeyah, disclosed this during a sensitisation meeting with Ogoni stakeholders at Saakpenwa, headquarters of Tai LGA in the state.
Addressing stakeholders from Khana, Gokana, Tai and Eleme LGAs, who attended the meeting, Deeyah said the reception for the Rivers State governor would hold on May 15, 2021 at State School 11, Bori, headquarters of the Ogoni people.
Deeyah said the reception for the governor was not at the instance of KAGOTE alone but the collective resolve of all Ogoni stakeholders, irrespective of partisan concern, to appreciate the governor for his developmental projects in the area, particularly the conclusion of the first phase and awarding of contract for the second phase of the Saakpenwa-Bori-Kono Road.
The KAGOTE president hinted that 10,000 Ogonis would be mobilised from the four LGAs to honour the governor.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Mobilization Committee, Hon Fred Kpakol, said the reception was to thank the governor for his commitment towards the development of Ogoni through the execution of quality and people-oriented projects in the area.
Kpakol, who is also the commissioner for Agriculture in the state, urged all Ogoni stakeholders; traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth, women and political leaders to turnout en-mass to honour the governor.
In his remarks, Traditional Ruler in Ogoni, Meene Suanu T.Y. Baridam, said that Wike would be conferred with a chieftaincy title by the Supreme Council of Ogoni Traditional Rulers as a mark of gratitude for his developmental strides in Rivers State, and Ogoni in particular.
Meanwhile, stakeholders at the first Pan-Ogoni Petroleum Summit, organised by the Pan-Ogoni International Magazine, have urged the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on the development of Ogoni as, “an expedient and responsive measure towards addressing the infrastructural and human development deficits in the area despite the enormous contributions of the people to the nation’s economic fortune”.
The stakeholders reasoned that, “lOCs were yet to respond to the demands of the Ogoni people in terms of economic, political and environmental rights, which are the fundamentals of the Ogoni struggle”.
The stakeholders also cautioned against, “unbridled incursions of violence in the Ogoni, which has desecrated communities”, and called on government and relevant stakeholders to address the insecurity in the area.
The participants at the summit also urged Ogonis to be resolute, united and vigilant against infiltrative forces that benefit from the insecurity in the area.
The stakeholders’ resolutions, among several others, were contained in a statement made available to newsmen after the summit.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Board of Pan-Ogoni International Magazine, Engr Olu Andah Wai-Ogosu, had in his welcome address declared that the summit was a platform to rouse the sensibilities of Ogoni people, and by extension, the Niger Delta to the dynamics of the oil politics in terms of enhancement of indigenous participation through the issuance of operational licenses to the people to become key players in the oil and gas sector, especially now that there is global paradigm shift from oil and gas to renewable energy.
The chairman called for the review of the entire oil and gas sector to “reflect the prospective realities of the Local Content Act, which endorses the active mobilisation of indigenous content and royalties as fundamental principles in the oil economy.
Speaking, the Chairman of the summit, Senator Bennett Birabi, declared the summit as “apt and pivotal for alerting the Ogoni people to redefine their development objectives and key into the dynamics and vigilance of the global energy shift”.
Birabi said the politics of petroleum in Ogoni had brought “agony, bitterness, strife, anger and aggression, spanning through decades of unpacified struggles and Ogonis have suffered severe brunt”.
The former Senate minority leader commended the organisers of the summit, and stated that, “the conversation is very necessary to affect the course of history positively by changing the ugly narrative that makes Ogoni the hub of the oil and gas sector and the metaphor of brutish human struggles”.

 

By: Taneh Beemene

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Elder Statesman, Others Emerge PH Boat Club’s New Officials

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The Port Harcourt Boat Club 1947 has elected new officers to pilot its affairs.
An elder statesman and staunch supporter of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Sir Kingsley Fubara Hart emerged the club’s Secretary.
Sir Hart’s emergence followed an election conducted by the electoral committee over the weekend which threw up new officials to pilot its affairs at its corporate headquarters in Port Harcourt.
The election which was adjudged one of the most credible, fairest and freest elections in the annals of the Port Harcourt Boat Club 1947, saw the emergence of Dan Harrison as Chairman.
Other members elected to run the activities of the body are Chief Coker Jimmy, Dr Oma Awoh, Chief Bib- Manuel Afonya, Dawari Dingo, Dango Kala- Otaji, Bara Alagoma and Dago George.
Recall that Port Harcourt Boat Club 1947 was founded by the former Military Governor of old Rivers State, King Alfred Diete-Spiff.
Many years after its inception, the club is still waxing strong with notable personalities as members.
Former Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Chief AbiyeSekibo is also a prominent member of the club.
The elected officials including Sir Kingsley Fubara Hart were subsequently sworn in, signalling a new chapter for the revered group of bigwigs in the oil- rich region.
With the likes of an elder statesman, Sir Kingsley Fubara Hart on board, the narrative has changed for Port Harcourt Boat Club 1947 as expectations are high.
The newly elected boat Secretary, Sir Fubara Hart promised to work assiduously with the chairman and other members to chart a new course for the esteemed club.
He said efforts are in top gear to enroll new members who will contribute their quota to the advancement of the club.
Sir Hart described his emergence as an act of God, promising to support the new leadership to achieve the desired objective.
He hinted that the core values of the club would be upheld with vigour, saying working in synergy with the principles laid down by its founders remains their watchword.
He said the rules and regulations of the club shall be sustained in the interest of the club and every legitimate member.

 

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New Oneh Eta Akpajo Emerges

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The Akpajo Clan in Eleme Local Government Area was recently agog with activities following the coronation of HRH Emere Sunday Obo as the Oneh Eta Akpajo XII/paramount ruler of Akpajo clan in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Emere Obo was crowned by the traditional staff bearer of the clan,  Chief Joseph Goka on behalf of the land priests at the community square.
Before his coronation, the new King was an acting traditional ruler of the community since the death of his predecessor, Emere Friedrich on the 11th of January, 2023.
He was also a member of the late King’s Council of Chiefs and member of Nchia and Eleme Council of Chiefs respectively.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after his coronation,the new Akpajo monarch said his reign will usher in peace and prosperity to the Kingdom.
He said he intends to work together with the government and companies operating in the Kingdom to attract development to Akpajo clan.
According to the monarch, he will always seek the advice of his elders and other clansmen before taking any decisions.
“I have promised them that I cannot use my authority to do anything without hearing from them first,” he said.
Emere Obo also stressed the need for the youths in the area to toe the path of peace, adding that as a traditional ruler, his responsibility is to ensure that Akpajo clan remains peaceful.
He also assured the government of support and praised both past and current administrations in the State for siting projects in the community.
Also speaking , the traditional staff bearer of the clan, Chief Joseph Goka said Emere Obo’s installation was in line with the customs and traditions of Akpajo Kingdom.
He also told newsmen that the king makers have not received any protest from any quarters concerning the installation since the process started months ago.
Chief Goka  equally said his crowning of the monarch was based on instructions from the clan’s land priests and expressed optimism that Emere Obo is capable of representing the clan Traditionally and other wise.
Chief Goka described Emere Obo as trustworthy and law-abiding, adding that having worked with the late traditional ruler, Emere Obo has a full knowledge of the customs and traditions of not only Akpajo clan but the entire Eleme Kingdom.
He assured the new monarch of the support of the people of Akpajo and the entire traditional institution in the area.
Also speaking, one of the community’s land priests, Levy Kattey Jumaa said the installation of the new Akpajo monarch was in line with the customs and traditions of Akpajo and Eleme kingdom.
According to him, the new King has all the qualities expected from a chief in Eleme land, stressing that Emere Obo was only ascending the throne of his fathers having come from the royal family of Akpajo Kingdom.
He urged the public to disregard any insinuations concerning the installation, ”if at all there is any,” adding that it is only the land priests families that talk about kingship installations in Akpajo and Eleme and no other persons outside the land priests families can do that.

By: John Bibor

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Awo Idemili Community May Become Ghost Town If

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If urgent steps are not taken by concerned authorities, the Awo Idemili community in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State may become a ghost town, due to incessant killings, arson and kidnapping of residents by some alleged criminal elements suspected to be members of the Indigenous People of Biafra ( IPOB).
The Tide’s sourc learnt that a certain family, the Emenikes, said the only possible solution to save the lives of the family members and that of others was to seek protection in a foreign land.
According to sources, one of the family members, Mr Peter Emenike was adbucted and murdered in a gruesome manner by people believed to be members of the IPOB recently.
It was further learnt that Peter Emenike, now deceased, was the Personal Assistant to the Imo State Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Traditional Matters and was never a member of any secret organisation as to warrant the fate that befell him.
His only offence as further gathered, was an alleged intelligence leaked to the Imo Government which the IPOB framed up in order to get him and his family members nailed.
It also learnt on a good authority that Peter Emenike’s lifeless body alongside that of his wife was found at their residence in Awo – Idemili, Imo State on 14th November, 2024 .
It was also reported that few days later, some family members of the Emenike family were declared missing and as one of them was found dead by a bush path, while others were still held hostage as at when this report was filed.
The Tide’s source claimed that a letter purportedly written by the IPOB members was delivered and dropped inside the car of the deceased bearing the insignia of the IPOB with the inscription: ‘None of your family members can hide for long’.
Unconfirmed report has it that the family, out of fear could not immediately report the matter to the Imo State Police Command as the group is believed to possess some spiritual powers to identify their perceived enemies from afar.
The family members of the deceased including oneMr Daniel Emenike, Boniface Emenike , Paul Emenike and others are now under serious threat by the separatist group (IPOB), thus the urgent need for protection especially in a foreign land.
A security analyst who pleaded anolmity, warned that the assassination of Peter Emenike and the serial killings and abduction of his family members stood as a signal to a new phase of IPOB’s operations .
“ This is not an attack on one family , but on the nation and our collective safety . The government must act swiftly not just to rescue the family but to reaffirm their stance on zero tolerance to terrorism “ he said .

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