Rivers
Ogoni Leaders Move To Revive MOSOP …Dissolve All Factions
In a bid to restore peace within the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) and make the body truly united and more result-oriented, some Ogoni leaders have taken practical steps to revive the organistiaon.
To this end, the leaders, in conjunction with the MOSOP Peace Committee, last Saturday convened a congress at the Peace and Freedom Centre in Bori, headquarters of Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, where far-reaching decisions were taken to actually reposition the body.
The congress, which attracted a wide spectrum of Ogoni people from far and near, including some clergymen, traditional rulers, women and the youths was coordinated by an erudite lawyer and former President of MOSOP, Mr Ledum Mitee.
The congress unanimously dissolved all factions within the body and ordered for the setting up of a reconciliation committee, which would restore peace within its fold by reconciling all aggrieved parties and members with a view to conducting an election that would produce new leaders to pilot the affairs of the body.
Moving a motion to this effect, the President of Ogoni Youth Federation (OYF), Mr. Legborsi Yamaabana noted that the dissolution of all factions within the body had become imperative, as it would ultimately pave the way for peace to return to the body, as the existence of the various factions was hampering the growth and development of Ogoniland.
He also stressed the need for a committee to be constituted to conduct election for the emergence of new leaders to pilot the affairs of the body.
The motion was unanimously ratified and adopted by the congress, with a proviso that all members of the body should go back to their respective communities and revalidate their membership, after which a reconciliation committee would be constituted that would also conduct election for the emergence of new leaders of the body.
Speakers after speakers at the congress lamented the sorry state which MOSOP has degenerated today, and stressed the need for it to be retrieved from the throes of destruction and extinction.
Mitee set the tone when he highlighted the essence of the congress, and urged the Ogonis to close ranks to build a more formidable MOSOP.
Quoting profusely from comments credited to an erudite political scientist and thinker, Late Prof. Claude Ake, Mitee enjoined the people not to allow MOSOP to die.
On his part, former Secretary to Rivers State Government, Chief Kenneth Kobani challenged the Ogoni people to rise and take back the body instead of allowing those he described as riff-raffs to hijack it and run it aground.
According to him, MOSOP is not for sale.
Also, a lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt, Prof Ben Naanen said MOSOP has been an international body, contending that “We are all committed to the belief that MOSOP will never die. MOSOP shall rise again. MOSOP is a moving train. You cannot stand before a moving train”.
The Queen of Ogoniland, Queen Georgiana Teenalo urged the Ogoni people to take a firm decision anchored on righteous anger and courage to ensure that MOSOP does not remain the same as it is today.
Former Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Barrister Joy Nunieh described MOSOP as the only mouthpiece of Ogoni people recognised internationally and congratulated all and sundry for coming together to revive it, stressing that the Ogoni struggle is never a joke.
Those who also graced the event included Gbenemene Bua Bangha, Mene Suanu Baridam; brother of Late Ken Saro-Wiwa, Dr Owen Wiwa; Prelate of Christ Army Church of Nigeria, Archbishop Abel S. Vurasi: elder brother of former President of MOSOP, Mr Fergelo Mitee; and former Coordinator of MOSOP in the United Kingdom, Mr Lazarus Tamana; among others. The event venue was full to capacity, even as Ogoni women sang and danced at the event.
By: Donatus Ebi
The Rivers State Primary Healthcare Management Board (RSPHCMB) says it will commence Supplemental Immunization activities on Saturday, May 3, 2025, to vaccinate children from 0-5 years across the State.
The State Health Educator, Dr. Diana Babbo, who stated this during a sensitisation meeting with Media Advocate for Health, Rivers State, on the update of immunization exercise in Rivers State, said the National Immunization Plus Days (NIPDs) is a re-enforcement of the routine immunization at the health facilities.
According to her, it is aimed at boosting polio immunisation against the circulating variance of polio virus currently threatening the total eradication of polio in the country.
She further stated that there are four pillars of polio eradication, namely routine immunization (administered on babies in the health centre), supplemental immunization activity (supplements to boost the babies), surveillance (searching for children that have weakness in their legs or some oart of their bodies), and outbreak response.
The Health Educator noted that the Novel Oral Polio Vaccination Type 2 (NOPV 2) will be administered to children under the age of 0-5 years, which targets a specific polio still in existence in communities and capable of causing paralysis among the stated categories of children, despite the country being certified a polio-free nation.
Dr. Babbo further stated that this year’s NIPDs will address the high number of unresolved non-compliance cases in the State.
She debunked what she tagged a false rumour by mischief makers which claimed that the vaccines are responsible for the development of autism in children.
She said, “vaccines are not known to be responsible for the development of autism. We’re just hearing that. The truth is that one cannot know everything.
“That aspect that has been found, have we looked into other aspects, such as genetically modified foods, drinks, and milks that our children are taking?
“Have we also looked at genetic compatibility between couples before we now say vaccines are causing x, y, z things?
“Are we looking at the environment where these things are happening, what they are peculiar to?
“It must not be peculiar to all the families, there could be something also that’s happening around that we have not known. Research is evolving, let us not accuse our precious vaccines that have succeeded so far in my knowledge, to keep as many sicknesses at bay.
“The reason we do not have small pox in our world today, apart from the lab (a bio-lab) is because we vaccinated to the point where we were able to move small pox totally out of existence from human beings. We can succeed with that same pattern with all kinds of viruses”.
She stated that the connection between autism and vaccination could merely be coincidence.
Babbo, therefore, urged all parents, churches, and school owners to avail their children/wards the opportunity to be vaccinated against polio the stated exercise.
Sogbeba Dokubo
Engr Obi Fortune, a renowned philanthropist, has donated 80 desks to four secondary schools in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State. The donation is part of his commitment to advancing education in the area.
The schools that benefited from the gesture includes- Community Secondary School Umuoye.
Community Secondary School Akwa- Government Secondary School Ozuzu and Community Primary School Okehi 2 and all the schools got 20 units each of the desks.
Speaking during the brief handing-over ceremony held recently in okehi recently, Engr Obi stated that the donation fulfills his promise to use proceeds from his book sales to procure desks for schools in the LGA.
He disclosed that more desks will arrive soon and expressed his continued commitment to supporting education in the area.
Obi urged the schools to make good use of the desks and called on other individuals to contribute to the educational needs in the area.
This gesture demonstrates Engr Obi’s dedication to improving education in Etche LGA.
A professor of social and political philosophy at Rivers State University (RSU ) Nkpolu Oroworukwu port Harcourt, Prof Agha Eresia _Eke has emphasized that citizenship participation is crucial for achieving true democratic government. He stressed that citizens’ involvement in exercising their basic rights, such as freedom of speech, assembly, and religion, is essential for a democratic institution to thrive.
Eresia _Eke stated this while presenting his inaugural lecture at the 111 university’s inaugural lecture series with the topic “Nigeria Democratic practices:a contextual paradox”held at the university senate auditorium in Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.
According to him, core democratic values which include:,- Respect for individual rights and freedoms, Protection of human rights and fundamental freedom, Equality before the law, Freedom of speech, assembly, and association, Protection of privacy and personal autonomy.
“Through out history, the problem that has agitated social and political philosophers has been to work _out a model for the realization of the common good of man.
Man has always sought and developed methods and systems of organising himself according to his true nature as a rational being.”he stated.
Eresia-Eke notes that Nigeria is not practicing a true federalism and highlights the importance of a pragmatic approach to democracy, where ideas and solutions are tested and refined in real-world environments.
He emphasized that citizens must hold their leaders accountable and demand respect for human rights, stressing that by doing so, citizens can undertake their civic obligations and responsibilities, strengthening society as a whole.
Earlier in his address, the Vice chancellor of the university, Prof Zeb _Obipi commended the lecturer for his brilliant performance, adding that he has justified and proven that he is a professor in his area of specialization.
The VC averred that the university has been consistent in the inaugural lecture monthly and assured that his administration will continue to continue to keep the trend.