Nation
Uche Nwosu: Police Owe Explanations On Bullying -Analyst
The recent abduction of AAC governorship candidate in the previous Imo governorship election, Mr. Uche Nwosu has been condemned by Mr. Carl Umegboro, a public affairs analyst stating that it was shocking that up till now, no strong explanation has been given to warrant such ill-treatment likened to a military junta.
In a statement on Friday in Abuja, the public affairs analyst said that the actions of the Nigerian Police at the Anglican church in Imo state looked like that of kidnappers, bandits and criminals adding that it was a national embarrassment and disgrace for the Police to act the way it did, and impudently owned up.
He said that no matter the political squabbles going on in Imo state, it is unjustifiable for a public institution as delicate as Police to become a tool of oppression for settling political scores, and wondered why the Imo State Commissioner of Police has not been queried and sanctioned accordingly including immediate redeployment.
Umegboro said that the excuse by the Inspector General of Police Usman Alkali Baba of having no knowledge is flimsy, absurd and inconsequential considering the volume of embarrassment the Police under his watch brought to the nation by the silly act even when federal government was marketing the nation in the international arenas.
Mr. Umegboro argued that irrespective of what may have transpired in the state during Rochas Okorocha’s administration as alleged, that they do not justify the Police intimidation and excesses witnessed in the state recently which may escalate to a worse situation if not controlled. He added that oppression and intimidation are not part of benefits offered to a state that belongs to a ruling party.
He therefore appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to watch the video to see how his Police played a role of political thugs in a broad day which initially, was accurately reported in the media as kidnapping.
“The nation is no longer in a military era where oppression and intimidation against perceived enemies used to be the order of the day. Obviously, what Nigerian Police did in Imo state during a church service is a national embarrassment.
“In fact, President Muhammadu Buhari should watch the video to see how the Police under his watch bullied a citizen of the country convincingly to settle scores. If a citizen’s attention is needed by the Police, there are procedures to fetch the fellow, and not acting as witnessed which was similar to that of scripts in the Animal Farm by George Orwell”, the analyst fumed.
He queried the rationale for the traumatic action during a church service which put many including elderly people into severe fear even without any Police invitation extended to the victim earlier which showed that it was merely to cause embarrassments to the victim in the presence of his invitees and to frustrate the occasion.
“The question begging for answer is when has a church become the ideal place to arrest a citizen, sadly, one that was neither invited nor a warrant of arrest issued against, and then during a thanksgiving service in the church in honour of his deceased mother. From stories, nothing showed that Nwosu was at large, hence, unacceptable.
“Whatever issues going on between Senator Rochas Okorocha, the victim’s father in-law and the present government cannot justify the barbaric Police actions during a church service except the nation is going backwards. There are avenues to demand for stewardship from a former public officeholder, and not bullying. If not controlled, the ugly pattern could resuscitate, and who knows who will be the next target or victim, thereby destroying the gains of democracy. This is not about Rochas Okorocha but civility and nationalism.
“Essentially, we cannot be condemning bullying in secondary schools when those in authority openly promote and exhibit the same vices against political enemies. Recently, five ELAN engineers working on the AfDB project in Ebonyi state went missing only to hear from the Ebonyi State government that they were killed and buried, and nothing has been said about such barbarism. These are heights of irresponsibility”, Umegboro lamentably said.
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
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