News
Youths Threaten Protest Over Moves To Include Bauchi, Lagos, Ogun In NDDC
Ijaw youths in Niger Delta region have threatened to storm the National Assembly to protest their displeasure over moves to amend the NDDC Act to include Lagos, Bauchi and Ogun states
The Ijaw youths under the umbrella of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) worldwide also called out prominent ex-militant leaders, including High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, known as Tompolo; Dr. Ebikabowei Victor Ben, also known as Boyloaf; the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Tom; and Chief Bibopere Ajube, also known as Shoot-at-Sight; to lend their voices to the rejection of the amendment bill.
The IYC, in a statement yesterday in Yenagoa by its spokesman, Mr Ebilade Ekerefe, while commending the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege (APC, Delta Central) and other members of the National Assembly for their position on the Bill, and noted that the youths were in support of the vehement rejection of the bill.
IYC called on the ex-agitators from the region to rise up and speak out, insisting that their continued silence is no longer golden on the various issues of neglect, lack of development and other contentious issues, including the non-setting up of the NDDC board, the mass purge of Niger Delta indigenes from the NNPC and the exclusion of major roads in the region from the planned NNPC road construction.
The statement read in part: “The total rejection showed by some National Assembly members from the region have further shown that there are still men of honour from the Niger Delta region, unlike others who have continued to treat their region with disdain despite the transient positions they are holding at the moment.
“Secondly, the proposed Bill for the inclusion of these strange bed fellows to the NDDC goes to confirm our repeated positions that the Niger Delta region has become ‘a toy’ to be played with by politicians in Abuja and the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
“The IYC will be calling on our various structures in northern Nigeria to occupy the National Assembly to resist this obnoxious bill anytime it is brought back to the floor of the Senate for further debate by these myopic interlopers from the South-West region.”
“We want to also put on notice the Nigerian security apparatus and the political leaders that the peace, existing on paper to the present administration, may have become compromised due to the continued insult on the leaders and people from the region.
“But we must let these politicians, and their anti-Niger Delta elements, know that the ‘Toy’ is a dangerous one that will explode in their hands if they don’t stop the deliberate provocation of its people.
“The Nigerian nation must remember that late President Umaru Yar‘Adua and many others pleaded for peace from the people of the region before the wealth they are enjoying became available for them to plunder”.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
-
Politics14 hours agoNew PDP Leaders Emerge In Adamawa After Congress
-
Sports14 hours agoForest Still Looking For Winning Formula
-
online games2 days agoThe Power of Advanced Historical Data and Live Metrics for Football Analytics
-
Rivers14 hours ago
Democratic Rule Return Sparks Renewed Debate In Rivers
-
News14 hours agoTroops arrest five suspected criminals with concealed AK-47 rifles
-
Sports15 hours agoPlateau Wins Kanemi, As Bayelsa, Bendel Played 1-1
-
Education14 hours agoVC Congratulates Igwe on Appointment as Pro-Chancellor
-
Politics14 hours agoAlleged Attack On Abure In Benin, LP Calls For Investigation