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Don’t Use Ethnicity To Set Rivers Backward, Wike Warns …Threatens To Demolish Marine Base Shanties

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The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike says nobody will be allowed to use ethnicity to set the state backward.
The governor made the declaration while speaking at the flag-off of the reconstruction of Rivers State Government House Jetty at Marine Base Waterfront in Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.
Wike noted with dismay the destruction of the rich tourism opportunities, offered by the beautiful marine features around the area, by the residents of shanties at Marine Base axis of Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
“What has set Rivers State back is ethnicity. What has made us not to progress so far is that we blindfold ourselves not to know the truth.
“If we have a place like this, do you know how many people will like to come to Rivers State? Today, we are talking about tourism, and how can you say that here should be a tourism centre when you have all these shanties around.
“Let me say it and I don’t care what anybody will say, nobody will set Rivers State backward”.
Speaking further, the governor noted how the residents encroached on the land where the Government House facility was located.
According to him, it took security personnel to give the trespassers a good fight before evicting them to clear the premises for the flag-off ceremony.
Wike explained that the shanties that have littered the stretch of the Marine Base Road will not be allowed anymore.
“Let us tell ourselves the truth: If I knew how this place is, I will not have agreed for this project to go on. Look at the shanties, and you’re telling me that the Government House Jetty is where you’ll have Governor’s Lodge.
“Who will come to stay here, to do what? How long can we continue to do this? Which meaningful person will drive on this road in the night without criminals blocking you?”
The governor said he would invite the Secretary to the State Government (SSG); the House of Assembly member representing Port Harcourt Constituency 2, Hon. Tonye S. Adoki; and Port Harcourt Council chairman for a meeting to deliberate on how to sanitise Marine Base.
Performing the flag-off, the Rivers State Chairman of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Amb Desmond Akawor, noted that if there were no projects, there won’t have been need for the several persons invited to perform either a flag-off or inauguration in the state by the governor.
According to him, the Government House Jetty is an addition to other completed projects within Government House, like the clinic and administrative building, for improved medical services, increase personnel efficiency and enhance the aesthetics of Government House.
“You have built a state-of-the-art clinic. You have built a new administrative block. Behind the Government House, you’ve development the fauna and flora. These can also be appreciated when you hear the whistles and chirps of the birds.
“Today, we are at the Government House Marine Jetty, an addition you’ve made to all the features in Government House. This is one jetty that defines the amphibious nature of our state”.
Providing the description of the project, the Special Adviser on Special Projects to the Governor, George-Kelly Alabo, said the jetty could be likened to a wharf.
According to him, the project has a Landing Jetty, a 170-metre reinforced concrete shoreline protection.
Alabo explained that the choice of reinforced concrete was because it will prevent corrosion from oxidation that was associated with using steel piled, despite the fact that it could be catholically protected.
“There will be three major buildings. One, will be a 2-storey building that will house 20 security personnel, all in suite; the Navy, especially.
“We are also going to have another 2-storey building which will serve as a dockyard. In it, we are going to have a restaurant, conveniences, small conference hall, a kitchen and a lounge.
“Then, we are also going to have the Governor’s Lounge. That is going to be for the governor’s convenience anytime he comes to use this wharf.
“Finally, we are going to have two floating rams to make landing very easy. One will be exclusively for the governor, one for the public. We have about 11,000-square metre of land, which is approximate 23 plots of land. We will have reinforced concrete pavement to serve as the car park.”

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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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