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Nigerians Kick Over Planned Ban On Commercial Motorcycles

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Stakeholders have expressed concern over plan by the Federal Government to ban the operation of commercial motorcycles across the country.
They appealed to government to provide alternative means of livelihood to commercial motorcycle operators before banning the use.
The people expressed their concern in separate interviews with The Tide’s source in the South-South.
They said that the ban would cause more hardship to Nigerians, especially those in the rural areas, who depended on motorcycles as the only means of transport due to the deplorable condition of roads.
The respondents urged government to restrict the ban to cities and areas bedeviled by terrorism and banditry.
The source recalls that few weeks ago, the Federal Government announced that it was considering a ban on the use of commercial motorcycles across the country.
Government’s intention was informed by the massive deployment of motorbikes by terrorists, bandits and kidnappers in their criminal activities.
Mr Isreal Promise said in Port Harcourt that government should provide an alternative means of livelihood for commercial motorcyclists before banning the operation.
“We know about the insecurity in the north and other parts of the country. We understand that bandits and terrorists operate more with bikes.
“In most states, robbery and kidnapping in the rural areas are done with bikes and tricycles.
“But if there are other alternative means that government will put in place to help people in moving to their places or business, the ban can be effective,” he said.
He said stopping the use of motorcycles without providing alternative means of livelihood would cause massive unemployment and increase insecurity in the country.
Supporting his stance,a clergy, Paul Achiubo, said “most roads in the rural areas of the country are not motorable, only bikes can be used on such roads.”
Another Port Harcout resident, Mrs Blessing Godwin, called for proper monitoring of motorcycle riders to prevent them from committing crimes with motorcycles.
In Calabar, Mr Gill Nsa, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Cross River Council, said an outright ban on commercial motorcycles in Nigeria might backfire.
Nsa said although there were serious security concerns in the nation aggravated by the increased use of commercial motorcycles, the welfare of the users should also be considered.
“An outright ban will affect ordinary Nigerians who need bikes to enter areas that are not motorable and those that use it as a source of livelihood.
“I have seen people who grew from being commercial motorcyclists to buying their own taxis and commercial buses.
“If government imposes a total ban, many people will be pushed into crime; there must be a balance to this.
“I think the ban should be in the cities, but in the rural areas where people know one another and can easily identify strangers, commercial motorcyclists should be allowed to operate,” he said.
On her part, Mrs Theresa Akpan, a civil servant, said before any ban on commercial motorcycle, there should be an alternative source of livelihood for people in the business.
According to her, government should know that commercial motorcyclists are not the cause of insecurity in Nigeria and fight the root causes.
“Already it is difficult to feed. Many of the riders are educated with degrees but there are no other jobs for them or loans from government to enable them to start other businesses.
“Our roads are bad; there are many communities in this country that you can access with only motorcycles. So government should think critically before effecting any nationwide ban,” she said.
A trader at the popular Marian Market, Calabar, Mr Adam Ekong, said the proposed ban was proper because it would improve security.
He, however, added that it shoud be restricted to areas experiencing insurgency and banditry.
For Mr Osagie Osayande, the Planning Officer in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Council of Edo State, commercial motorcycle riding is the major means of transportation in rural areas.
“The ban will affect movement, especially transportation of farm produce from one location to another. It will also render many commercial motorcyclists jobless and increase crime rate,” he said.
Another respondent, Mrs Jenifer Idemudia of Nigeria Correctional Service, Edo State Command, said motorcycles had generated employment for millions of citizens.
According to her, there are plants in the country where motorcycles are assembled after being imported.
She further said some factories locally manufactured the plastic components of motorcycles, using local rubber from different states, including Edo.
On his part, Mr Felix Azibaola, Chairman, Tricycle Riders Association, Bayelsa State, also said in Yenagoa that government should provide alternative means of livelihood for commercial motorcyclists before the ban.
He said commercial motorcycles gradually gained acceptance as a result of inadequate transport facilities and bad state of roads in the country, especially in the hinterland.
A respondent in Uyo, Mr Patrick Titus, described the intended ban as a bad economic policy, saying that majority of the commercial motorcyclists earned their living from the operation.
Titus added that the proposed ban would not be in the best interest of the people as a many Nigerians used motorcycles as means of transportation.
He said that motorcycle riding for commercial purposes had reduced unemployment in the country.
“If we have people who are using motorcycles for dubious activities, there are still people using them for good economic purposes.
“If government does not have alternative means to convey people in rural areas to their different locations, then the ban will have a very serious economic implications across the country,” he added.
A civil servant in Asaba, Mr. Steve Oboko, said rather than ban commercial motorcycles, government should think of ways to regulate the operators for effecient and secured services.
“If you take look at this ‘okada’ business in our society today, you will agree with me that it is a booming business venture.
“We are talking of a business that has engaged milliions of men – young and old – and provided means of livelihood to many families.
“If you ask me, “okada” operations is not the security problem facing Nigeria. So, why sacrifice the business for nothing?
“So, putting an end to such business will have serious economic and security implications on many families and the society in general,” Oboko said.

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Ohaneze Ndigbo-Group Hails Eze Umuokobo as Asst Treasurer

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Some concerned stakeholders of the various villages Of Umuokobo  Kingdom in Oyigbo Local Government Area have thrown their weight behind Eze Nwankwo Nanna Nwankwo who emerged Assistant Treasurer at the recent Ohananeze Ndigbo world congress at Enugu.
A statement signed by Dr. Obenachi Ekeke, Bishop Chikwem Theophilus, Engr. Chimezie Odomene, Chief Friday Nwadukwa, and Chief Odinakachi Uwakwe described as faceless, radio broadcast casting aspertion on the revered monarch of Okobo Kingdom, HRH Nwankwo,  and by extension the Umuokobo Clan, over his emergence as executive member of Ohaneze Ndigbo.
They described the group as faceless for casting aspersions over the radio while they are neither indigenes of Okobo Clan, nor Oyigbo Local Governance Area of Rivers State.
According to them, HRH Eze Nwankwo is a direct descendant of the Okobo/ Okweleze Royal family and the Founder of Umuokobo Clan, and was duely selected and coronated Ezeala IX Umuokobo on April 15, 2017 by the last surviving Kingmaker, the late Chief Nwakanma Okere, and other Paramount Rulers of the component villages.
They asserted that Ohaneze Ndi igbo is a socio-cultural organization and not a political party and as such integrity and experiences of HRH Eze (Sir) Nwankwo,  was required to pilot the organization to a higher level.
In the words of the group, “Our revered monarch will not resign and will remain on the throne of his forebears till God calls him. There are a good  number of traditional rulers who are members of the Exco, and HRH Eze Nwankwo Nwankwo  is no exception”.
They, therefore, called on the general public to disregard qhat they tagged “the baseless and hurtful comments”  made against HRH, Eze  Nwankwo “as that does not in any way affect his status and integrity’.
Urging the public not to be swayed by mischievous individuals, they assured of the ability of the traditional ruler to discharge his royal functions fairly and justly to everyone in the kingdom and beyond.
Warning the  sponsors of the faceless group to desist from mischief, the stakeholders harped on the need for peace and development in Umuokobo and Oyigbo in general.
Kevin Nengia
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Rivers

Appreciate God, Elder Statesman Urges Nigerians

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An Elder Statesman and highly respected son of the Niger Delta Region in Nigeria, Sir Achebelema-Igah, has urged Nigerians in general to always appreciate God for any good gesture they receive.
He harped on the importance of demonstrating appreciation to God, saying such gratitude will atteact more devine blessings into their lives and families.
Sir Achebelema-Igah made this declaration recently while speaking with newsmen during a Thanksgiving Service organized by his bossom friend, Chief Joseph Orubo, at his country home in Okirika, Rivers State, to show appreciation to God.
According to Chief Achebelema, most Nigerians hardly realize the fact that both their wealth and lives solely depend on God’s grace, hence “there is need to always show appreciation for all that one is and able to achieve, even for life itself”.
According to him, “no one chooses where or when to be born, to be rich, poor, healthy or sickly. Rather, one makes effort and had to rely on grace or providence to see him through.
“That is why we should always acknowledge the giver of lives and wealth (God Almighty), as my friend, Chief Joseph Orubo has done.
“Chief Joseph Orubo, did not just organize the service to show-case his wealth to the public. But he did the Thanksgiving service with the little he has, to simply appreciate God”.
Speaking at the occasion, the celebrant, Chief Orubo, said acknowledged that God has been very nice to his family,  especially last year, 2024, so he decided to appreciate God in form of Thanks-giving service.
The occasion attracted dignitaries from different walks of life, especially, members of Okirika Council of Chiefs, the academia, government officials, friends and well wishers.
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Rivers

Dep Gov Hails LG Boss Over Development  … Says ONELGA’ll Always Stand With Fubara

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Rivers State Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Odu, has commended the Chairman of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Isaac Umejuru, for his developmental strides within his First 100 days in Office.
Prof. Odu gave this commendation recently during the ONELGA Empowerment Programme to celebrate the Chairman’s First 100 days in Office at St. Stephen’s Primary School, Omoku.
She noted that Governance is about touching the lives of the people who ordinarily would not have been remembered, saying that the dream of Governor Siminalayi Fubara is to ensure that Rivers People get a new lease on life.
According to her, the presence of prominent dignitaries at the event demonstrates the fact that the Chairman is doing well and following the footsteps of the Governor.
“I want to appreciate the Chairman, who is doing like his father. I want to thank Umejuru and tell him that he has not disappointed us in any way.
“Your achievement is huge, what you owe the Governor is prayer and loyalty because he does what he says. So, now is the time for double empowerment”, she said.
Prof Odu said the people of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area would continue to stand with the dreams and aspirations of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
In his remarks, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Dr. Edison Ehie, praised the Administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara for its commitment to the Orashi people, stating that they have never had this good in Governance.
He highlighted the Governor’s continuous recognition of the region through key appointments and the execution of critical infrastructure projects, including roads, schools, and hospitals.
Dr. Ehie contrasted the current Administration’s efforts with the immediate past Government, which, he said, offered little benefit to the Orashi people despite their significant contributions to its success.
According to him, “Orashi people took all the risks. We were at the forefront to ensure Wike became Governor and succeeded, but benefited nothing. But under Governor Fubara’s Administration, what they promised and could not fulfill, is now a reality”.
He further noted that several key projects, including the near-completion of Omoku Zonal Hospital, Ahoada-Omoku Road, the completed Omoku-Egbema Road, and the ongoing Elele-Ikiri-Omoku Road, demonstrate the Governor’s commitment to the region.
“Who then is your true brother, if not Governor Fubara, who has initiated all these?”, he asked.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Isaac Umejuru, described ONELGA as a peaceful and welcoming LGA, attributing this to Governor Fubara’s leadership style, while assuring the Governor of their continuous support.
Hon. Umejuru also outlined some of his Administration’s achievements within its first 100 days in office, including the completion of several markets, renovation of healthcare facilities, distribution of cars and tricycles, and financial support for small and medium enterprises.
The delegation had earlier visited the Palace of HRM, Eze Oba of Ogba Land, His Eminence, Barr.  Nwachukwu Nnam Obi lll.
Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso
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