Rivers
Nigeria, 28 Others Seek Int’l Response To Piracy, Oil Theft
Nigeria and 28 other countries on Wednesday called for an international response to piracy and crude oil theft scourge in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) and in the continent.
The Tide’s source reports that the League of Nations were from Africa, European Union, Brazil, South Korea, China and United States.
Though Nigeria had on March 3 exited the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) piracy list, the country has continued to take the leading role to push for a more secure region.
The call was part of resolutions reached at the end of a two-day International Maritime Conference hosted by the Nigeria Navy at Onne, Rivers State.
This is contained in a 36-point communiqué signed by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Nigeria Navy, Rear Adm. Saidu Garba, a copy of which was made available to The Tide.
The theme of the conference was “Optimising International Collaboration for Maritime Security and Sustainable Socio-Economic Development in Africa.”
According to the communiqué, 300 delegates and 900 participants from 29 countries, including heads of Navies and Coastguards in Africa, the EU, Brazil, South Korea, China and United States, etc, participated in the conference.
“At the end of the deliberations, 36 draft resolutions were adopted, including that African countries should identify and prosecute sponsors and collaborators in maritime crimes to serve as deterrence.
“Heads of GoG Navies are enjoined to lobby their governments to establish special courts to prosecute cases of piracy, sea robbery and other related offences.
“African states should put in place mechanisms to ensure that resources illegally harvested/exploited in the region, such as stolen crude oil, fish and other resources are confiscated and returned to originating countries.
“This is to ensure speedy dispensation of maritime crimes while emplacing measures to build capacity and sensitise the judiciary on relevant legislations,” it said.
The communiqué further called on GoG states to ensure the operationalisation of the maritime zones within their respective regions in line with the Yaounde Code of Conduct (YCC) framework.
It demanded the development and strengthening of member states surveillance capabilities, to enhance effective information sharing among navies of the GoG.
“As part of their ship renewal initiatives, African nations should leverage the shipbuilding capabilities of member countries, such as Nigeria, to enhance their platform holding.
“African states should carry out flag showing visits with vessels locally built in the GoG to showcase shipbuilding capacity.
“Navies of African states should consider acquisition of dedicated training ships that will be tailored towards their operational needs, particularly at the tactical level.
“African countries should formulate national Blue Economy policies that are uniform in sustainability across the continent,” it added.
The participating countries called on African states to consider establishing National Marine Spatial Planning Authorities/Agencies as well as the establishment of Integrated National Marine/Maritime databases, among other resolutions.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has charged youths across the nine states of the commission to be ambassadors of peace building initiatives .
This move is to sustain the existing peace to propel development across the region.
The NDDC managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr Samuel Ogbuku,gave the directive while declaring open a capacity building program for Niger Delta stakeholders on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and inclusive peace for sustainable development organised by the department of dispute and conflict resolution ( DCR) of the commission held in port Harcourt, Tuesday.
The program which is part of activities to mark the silver jubilee celebration of the birth of the commission has the theme: fostering lasting peace through ADR : lessons from the past, building future opportunities to advance the renewed hope agenda.
The NDDC managing Director/chief executive officer represented by his chief of staff,Rev Omeya Oworibo advised the youths of Niger Delta region to be vanguards of peace and avoid actions that could jeopardize the existing peace achieved in the region.
He emphasised that sustainable development can only be achieved in an atmosphere of peace devoid of rancour and acrimony, stressing that as critical stakeholders in the region, they are to seen themselves as agents of development and to build frontiers with the commission to advance the developmental needs of the people of Niger Delta region.
He averred that the various developmental achieved by the commission was associated to the prevailing peace and stability noticed in the region.
He opined that the essence of the workshop is to brainstorm with the various stakeholders in the region ,especially the youths, on how best to ensure that the existing peace in region is sustained and how we can best manage ourselves without being confrontational.
According to him,the commission is open for positive and constructive engagement , adding that dialogue and meditation remains the key to finding a lasting peace in the society.
” I am excited on the level of people in this workshop and our core mandate is how to build and sustain the existing peace in the region.How do we keep and maintain this peace already achieved.”he stated.
The NDDC managing Director and chief executive officer urged them to carry the message of peace and stability to their various communities and villages so as to assist the commission achieve it’s core mandate of development in the Region.
Earlier in his welcome of address, the acting director, Dispute & Conflict Resolution (DCR),Ogedegbe Ayewumi Godwin(Esq), said the gathering is with shared commitment to harness the power of alternative dispute resolution ( ADR)as a critical instrument for sustaining peace, unlocking development and advancing the renewed Hope Agenda across the Niger Delta and beyond.
He stated that we stand at a consequential moment in our national journey, noting that the theme for the workshop “fostering lasting peace through ADR: lessons from the past, Building future opportunities to advance the renewed Hope Agenda”calls us to reflect deeply on what has worked, what must be reinforced and how we can leverage ADR to translate policy intentions into tangible, peaceful, and prosperous outcome for communities that have borne the brunt of conflict for too long.
Akujobi Amadi
The Chief Judge of Rivers state, justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi has charged neutral arbitrators participating in the median edition of the first free settlement Alternative Dispute Resolution initiative organised by the state multi _Door Courthouse to be neutral and unbiased in adjudicating cases brought before them for determination.
Justice Amadi stated this while declaring open a one _week free settlement initiative program held at the chief judge ceremonial court complex held on Monday,in port Harcourt.
The state chief judge represented on the event by justice I.R.Minakiri said the essence of the initiative is to provide faster and lesser means of conflict resolution in the state.
According to him,ADR is the oldest practice in dispute resolution as its foundation is traceable to the bible ,using the moses model of dispute resolution and settlement approach,noting that conflicts can not be ruled out in human activities
He urged them to be intentional and have clear vision on cases brought before them and avoid ethnic and cultural colouration while discharging their sacred responsibility, nothing that those involved in peace making are regarded as true sons of God as recorded in the scripture.
The number one judiciary worker in the state use the opportunity to thank the neutrals for responding to call of duty and dispensing justice free of charge, noting that there huge contributions to peace building and conflict resolution in the state can not be overemphasized.
“You must be open minded and avoid being stereotype so that you can have a clear vision on the cases brought before you”
Earlier in his welcome address,the director, State multi _Door Court House, (RSMDC),victor Nweke,Esq said the
one-week free settlement initiative through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) was part of efforts to ease congestion in conventional courts.
Nweke encouraged the public to utilize the platform, particularly for commercial and family-related disputes and explained that the law establishing the institution empowers it to undertake such functions, adding that cases not concluded within the free settlement week would still be finalized under the same privilege.
He posisted that the hallmark of the conduct of the session is the neutrality and confidentiality and commended the arbitrators for the volunteering there time to dispense free justice and intermediate in conflict resolution in the state free of charge
The Vice Chancellor of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE) Professor Okechukwu Onuchukwu, has revealed valuable insights on how scholars can thrive in an Artificial Intelligence ( AI) in the Country .
Speaking at the 40th Conference of English Scholars Association of Nigeria ( ESAN) in conjunction with the English and Literary Studies tagged “Advancing the Frontiers of Digital Humanities Research In English and Literary Studies” with the theme – Teaching English and Literary Studies In Nigeria Tertiary Institutions In The Era of AI. Prof Onuchukwu said the theme of the conference provides a roadmap for navigating the challenges as well as opportunities being presented by Artificial Intelligence.
The VC who was represented by the Director, Quality Assurance, Prof Levi Kalagbor hinted that the conference shouldn’t end at identifying social ,academic problems facing humanity but proffer solutions to better human existence.
Prof Onuchukwu insisted that Artificial Intelligence should be followed with the aim of averting problems for human race .
He noted that collaboration among the pillars of the Institution will be extended to research, teaching and community service, stressing that the essence of it cannot be over- emphasised.
According to him, the core values of the Institution anchored on excellence ,integrity and service will also not to be compromised.
“I encourage the organisers to embrace AI and use it for the advancement of humanity.
English scholars should implore AI tools that can enhance research, teaching and learning process, such as AI- driven content generation”, he said.
In his remarks, the President English Scholars Association of Nigeria(ESAN) Prof. Tajudeen Surakat stressed the importance of training and re- training of English scholars for greater contribution towards educational advancement of the society.
The ESAN President said it was part of their responsibilities by engaging in academic exercise as to become more prepared to impact knowledge on humanity.
In her speech the Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee ( LOC) of the conference Prof Ibiere Ken- Maduako said the theme of this year’ s conference is apt considering the role AI is playing in the society.
Prof Maduako, Dean Faculty of Humanities, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education called on participants to use the opportunity to contribute towards the enhancement of knowledge .
” As I speak members of my faculty and the Institution are happy for the successful hosting of the conference. It was made possible based on support the VC, staff and students had given.
Highlights of the event includes ; induction of new members
Presentation of papers by scholars from different higher institutions in Nigeria , revealing benefits of AI.
” I am optimistic that the conference will achieve its set goals. Students are expected to participate actively as to gain more academic skills” She stated.