Nation
Buratai, Oyeyemi, Arewa, Others Mourn Attahiru
Immediate past Chief of Army Staff and Ambassador Designate, retired Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, says the late Chief of Army Staff was at the verge of making the nation proud before his tragic end.
Buratai in his tribute to late Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, said he was making tremendous progress in the counterinsurgency and counterterrorism efforts when the tragedy occurred.
He described the incident as tragic to all Nigerians and peace-loving people, adding that Attahiru and the officers that died with him were top-level officers whose records of service were meritorious.
According to him, this unfortunate incident deeply saddens me as it robbed us of the services of the Chief of Army Staff who had left no one in doubt as regards his determination to succeed in the various military operations across the country.
Buratai however, urged the armed forces to close ranks and make sure that the legacy of the officers lives on by consolidating on the gains made in the various operations.
According to him, they gave their lives in the line of duty and patriotic service to the nation.
Similarly, The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, has expressed shock over the death of late Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru and other military personnel.
Oyeyemi disclosed this in a statement by the Corps Public Education Officer (CPEO), Assistant Corps Marshal (ACM) Bisi Kazeem, yesterday in Abuja.
He described the unfortunate incident as saddened and a great loss to the nation at this critical period when the Armed Forces was committed to winning the war against insurgency in Nigeria.
He prayed for the reposed of the souls of the gallant officer, COAS and other officers as well as cre, who died in the ll-fated crashed NAF aircraft
He described Attahiru as a disciplined, forthright, committed and professional military officer, who was unwavering in fighting and winning the war not only against insurgency but returning peace to the nation.
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has prayed for wisdom as President Muhammadu Buhari selects a new Chief of Army Staff to replace General Ibrahim Attahiru who died in a plane crash in Kaduna last Friday.
The northern Nigerian socio-political organisation stated this in a condolence message to the president over the death of General Attahiru and 10 other military officers who died in the accident.
The ACF, in a statement signed by its chairperson, Audu Ogbeh, said the security situation in Nigeria “calls for the best, nothing but the best.”
The ACF said the death of the gallant officers on active service came as tragic news to all members of the forum.
“We condole with members of their families in this their hour of distress and emotional trauma. Only God can alleviate the pains they are facing now.
“We similarly pray for the other gallant members of the armed forces who lost their lives,” the statement said.
On its part, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has condoled with President Muhammadu Buhari over the death of Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt- Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, and other military personnel.
This is contained in a condolence letter signed by the NMA President, Prof. Innocent Ujah, and Secretary, Dr Philips Ekpe, made available to newsmen in Abuja.
NMA prayed for the peaceful repose of the victims and prayed God Almighty to grant their families the fortitude to bear the losses.
In similar vein, The Progressive Students Movement (PSM), a pressure group, has called for investigation into the circumstances surrounding last Friday’s plane crash involving the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru and others.
The President of PSM, Mr Bestman Okereafor, said this in a statement in Enugu yesterday.
“We are imploring President Muhammadu Buhari to set up an independent body to investigate the circumstances surrounding the airplane crash involving the COAS and others,’’ Okereafor said.
He also condoled with the President and the Nigerian Army over the incident.
He also extended the group condolence to 10 other personnel of the military, made up of top senior officers of the army and rank-and-files within the army and Nigerian Air Force.
Okereafor said that PSM found it absolutely worrisome the rate of military jet/airplane crash in spite the huge amount been allocated to the military in recent time.
An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre is set to be established in Omoku, Ogba/Egbema /Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The initiative is being championed by the Omoku People’s Forum, a global association of Omoku elites, under the leadership of its President-General, Dr. George Ada Ubah.
As part of efforts to ensure the successful execution of the project, a prominent son of Omoku, Chief (Barr.) Dennis Masi, has been appointed by the Forum as the Chairman of the ICT Centre Project Committee, entrusted with the responsibility of coordinating and driving the initiative to fruition. Upon completion, the ICT Centre is expected to serve as a major hub for the training and empowerment of youths in digital and technological skills, equipping them to actively participate in the increasingly technology-driven global environment.
The project is also widely regarded as a significant step towards positioning Omoku as an emerging ICT hub within Rivers State, fostering innovation, digital literacy, and economic development in the region.
Concerned Rivers Chiefs For Peace And Development has said it formation was not politically motivated or has any links to political parties or candidates.
The group which said this at a media briefing at Abuloma in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area said it’s formation has nothing to do with politics.
According to the text for the briefing jointly signed by Chief Boma Kele Oyika it’s chairman and Chief Inemo T Ikama Deputy Secretary General said the organization is expected to focus on conflict Resolution, community engagement, collaboration with government and private sector actors
‘it mandate also includes promoting peace building initiative, supporting local economic empowerment programms and strengthening traditional institutions in our state and beyond as partners in governance ”
It said the body is led by a team of respected traditional leaders serving as trustees
“Their collective leadership reflects a blend of experience cultural authority and grassroots connection
“Key elements considered vital for addressing long standing,socio economic and security challenges in the region”
The release further says ” the formation of this organization comes at a time when communities in Rivers state continue to navigate between issues ranging from youth unemployment, environmental concerns and intermittent conflicts amongst the traditional rulers and beyond
“By bringing together influential traditional figures under a unified platform, the group aims at serving as stabilizing force while advocating for inclusive development policies ” it said
It also described its emergence as a new chapter in grass roots leadership and regional development
Earlier, chairman of the body, Chief Boma Kele Oyika said the organization will work with relevant authorities to promote peaceful coexistence in the state, reduce crime and promote economic development.
He said it is open to all Chiefs from the 23 local government areas.
The Chairman of The Nigeria Delta Chamber of Commerce, Trade, Mines and Agriculture NDCCTMA,Ambassador Idaere Gogo Ogan and the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission ( NDDC ) Dr Samuel Ogbuku have challenged Niger Delta entrepreneurs to close the gap in Gross Demostic Products (GDP) differences between the region and that of the South Western part of the country by coming home to invest.
The two leaders spoke at a business round table organized by NDDCTMA in Port Harcourt
Chairman of NDDCTMA Ambassador Idaere Gogo Ogan, said to close the gap between the south west region which he said has a GDP seize of about #59 trillion and that of the Niger Delta which is about #34 trillion was to massively invest in the region.
He said no other persons can do this except sons and daughters from the region.
“For me I believe in statistics,I believe in data and everyday I looked at the data concerning development in Nigeria and from the GDP point of view, the South West has #59 trillion, that is the seize of the south west region economy, the second region following them is the Niger Delta region with GDP seize of #34 trillion,so there is a yearning gap of #25 trillion that separates the south west and the Niger Delta region, that is why we are here”
Ogan said the region has the capacity to close the gap and even surpassed it but regretted that indigenes of the region have chosen to ignore it in terms of investment.
“We need to close that gap .If we close that gap and even surpassed it,all the negative problems of militancy and unemployment will automatically erase “he said
Ogan said the event was organized to remind the people that past efforts of militancy and agitations have not led the region to any where
“That is why we are gathered here in this room “he said.
Also speaking Managing Director/Chief Executive officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission( NDDC) Dr Samuel Ogbuku urged indigenes of the region not to use the problem of insecurity as an excuse to continue to deny the region of investment as every part of the country have in one time or the other experienced crisis.
Ogbuku said most indigenes have displayed high level of unpatriotism towards the region by taking investments that would have benefited the people to either Lagos or Abuja.
“With little threat we have left the city,we have gone to Lagos,we have moved our families to Abuja and Lagos
“If you go round GRA all the property, you will see,”to let to let”most of them are now empty “he said.
The NDDC MD said despite the fact that people from the region are doing well in the oil and gas, banking and other sectors, its impact are not being felt at home because they are stationed outside the region.
He said time has come for potential investors from the region to have a change of heart by coming home to invest.
John Bibor