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Jubilation, As DELGA Chairman Unites Ogurama Youths

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It was a memorable day of celebration, as chiefs, elders, youths and children of Ogurama community in Degema Local Government Area, last Saturday, gathered to witness the return of peace to the ancient island community.
This was as the Chairman of DELGA, Hon. Michael John Williams, in furtherance of his peace efforts in the area, brokered peace amongst youths of Ogurama community, who had been at daggers drawn with each other.
The ugly situation, which led to the self-exile of some groups from the community for a couple of years, was however, peacefully resolved, following the mediation of the council boss.
Speaking at a one-day peace summit in Ogurama, Williams, who emphasised that peace was priceless and terror senseless, noted that Ogurama and other communities of Degema needed to be peaceful and united, in order to attract development from both government and private investors.
He added that no meaningful development would take place in a rancorous and turbulent environment, unless the people embraced peace.
Williams appealed to the various groups and their leaders to genuinely forgive one another and move on in the spirit of brotherliness, whilst also turning a new leaf and engage themselves in meaningful ventures to better their individual lives, community, LGA and Rivers State at large.
He urged the community members to be vigilant and checkmate the activities of strange faces, who may take advantage of the community’s hospitality to perpetrate crime and criminality, adding that Ogurama was a peace-loving community, which needed to protect its image from hirelings and mercenaries.
Williams, who attributed his success in tackling insecurity to Governor Nyesom Wike, stated that the governor, whom he described as a lover of peace, had set the pace in crime fighting in Nigeria.
He, however, warned that the council would deal decisively with any anyone, who reneges on the peace accord and is fingered in any crime activity within the area.
Earlier, the Chairman of Ogurama Council of Chiefs, Chief Ben Orugbani, commended Williams for the peace initiative, adding that no chairman of DELGA in the past had been this good to Ogurama people.
He noted that the council chairman frequents Ogurama community as his home and shows deep interest in every concern of the community, praying God to reward his kind gestures.
Orugbani, who equally commended the youths for embracing peace, enjoined them to maintain it both at home and elsewhere, as according to him, resuming hostilities outside could find its way back to the community.
“As you have agreed not to fight yourselves again in the community, also endeavour to be good children outside, because if you go out and make trouble, either the government or those you offended will come to look for you in the community and that would portend danger for your community,” Orugbani stated.
In her admonition, an aged woman, Madam Mina Joe Kilo, who appealed to the youths to live peaceably with one another, lamented that Ogurama community has never had a need to be policed by military men in the past, as the people used to love themselves and live as a united people.
In his contribution, the Youth Chairman of Ogurama, Comrade Dakuro Bille, who hailed Williams for his courageous move, stated that Ogurama people would never forget the council chairman for his love towards the community.
Bille, while noting that peace had come to stay in Ogurama, however, warned dissident and recalcitrant elements to steer clear from the community, as they would be fished out and handed over to the appropriate authorities for necessary action.
Meanwhile, in their unanimous responses, on behalf of the various groups, Mr. Godswill Ikiroma (Daddy Blaze), Mr. Charles West and Mr. Ibinabo Braide, commended Williams for the peace initiative, promising to live together in peace and harmony.
They also appealed to the chiefs, elders and political class to be part of the peace process and stop using the youths to pursue their individual ambitions, as according to them, some of the youths may not be as exposed and enlightened as the elites of the community, who sometimes mislead the youths.
The event, which ended with a brotherly embrace and dance, witnessed a large turnout of community members, made up of chiefs, elders, women, youths and children, the council chairman and his entourage, as well as security operatives.

By: Ike Wigodo

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I’m Committed To Community Dev – Ajinwo

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The Sole Administrator of Emohua Local Government Area, Barr. Franklin Ajinwo, has reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to supporting community development, peace, and progress, describing it as his life’s calling.
Ajinwo made this known on when Okporowo Vanguard—a foremost association dedicated to driving sustainable development in Okporowo community—paid him a courtesy visit at the Council Secretariat, Emohua.

Speaking during the visit, the Emolga  Council boss advised the group to shun internal wranglings and leadership tussles, cautioning that such impediments could undermine their collective goals. He emphasized that unity is strength, and true power comes only from God.

Highlighting his ongoing efforts in repositioning standards within Emohua Local Government, Barr. Ajinwo commended Okporowo Vanguard for initiating plans to conduct large-scale skills acquisition training for young people in Okporowo. He assured them of his steadfast support towards such developmental initiative.

The former Chairman of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Rivers State stressed the need for selfless service, saying it is essential for achieving peace, unity, and development in any community.

He applauded the group’s vision of empowering youths through skills acquisition, aligning it with global best practices aimed at reducing dependency on white-collar jobs.

Earlier, the President of Okporowo Vanguard, Hon. Israel Emeji, outlined Barr. Ajinwo’s numerous and impactful contributions to the development of Okporowo community.

According to him, every family in the community has benefited from Barr. Ajinwo’s dedicated employment initiatives.

Hon. Emeji disclosed that during his tenure as Head of Local Government Administration (HLGA) and as NULGE Chairman, Barr. Ajinwo facilitated the employment of over five hundred (500) individuals from Okporowo community—a record that informed the association’s decision to honour him with the Excellent Leadership Award.

In a vote of thanks, the Secretary of the group, Dr. Okechukwu Godwin Amadi, praised Barr. Ajinwo’s outstanding leadership and unwavering support, both before and after his appointment as Sole Administrator.

He thanked him for the warm reception and appreciated members of Okporowo Vanguard for their strong turnout and continuous support for the present administration.

In their separate remarks, Barr. Kelvin Ajinwo, Chief Polycarp Ndala, and other dignitaries present prayed for God’s continued guidance and protection over Barr. Ajinwo, describing him as a divine gift to the Okporowo community.

They expressed hope that he would be granted even more leadership opportunities to further uplift the living standards of the people.

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RSG Tasks Rural Dwellers On RAAMP  …As Sensitization Team Visits Akulga, Degema, Three Others

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Rivers State Head of Service, Dr (Mrs) Inyingi Brown, has called on rural communities in the State to embrace the Rural Access and Agricultural marketing project (RAAMP) with a view to improving their  living conditions.

This follows the ongoing sensitization campaign by the State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) visits to Degema, Abonnema, Afam headquarters of Degema, Akuku Toru and Oyigbo Etche and Omuma local government areas respectively.

Dr Brown who was represented by the Deputy Director, Special Duties in her office, Mrs Dein Akpanah, said RAAMP was initiated by the Federal Government and World Bank to economically empower rural dwellers.s

She said the World Bank understands the plights of rural farmers and traders in the State, and therefore came up with the programme to address them.

According to her, RAAMP will improve the conditions of farmers, traders and fishermen, and therefore, behoves on every rural communities in the State to embrace the programme.

The Head of Service also said the programme would support the youths to be gainfully employed while  bridges and roads will be built to link farms and fishing settlements.

Also speaking, the State project coordinator, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the programme has the potential of creating millionaires among farmers and fishermen in the State.

Kpakol who was represented by Engr. Sam Tombari, said RAAMP would help farmers and fishermen to preserve their produce.

According to him, the project will build cold rooms and Silos for preservation of crops and fishes while access roads will also be created to link farmers and fishermen to the market.

He, however, warned them against any act that will lead to the suspension of the projects by the World Bank.

Kpakol particularly warned against acts such as kidnapping, marching ground, gender based violence and child labour, adding that such acts if they occur may  lead to the cancellation of the project by the World Bank.

During the visit to Oyigbo local government area, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the team was there to let them know how they will benefit from the Raamp.

The coordinator who was personally at Oyigbo said the World Bank introduced the project to check food insecurity in the State.

He said already 19 states in Nigeria are already benefitting from the project and called on them to embrace the project.

Meanwhile, stakeholders in the three local government areas have commended the World Bank for including their areas in the project.

They, however, complained over the incessant attacks by pirates on their waterways.

At Degema, King Agolia of Ke kingdom said land was a major problem in the kingdom.

King Agolia represented by High Chief Alpheus Damiebi said many indigenes of the kingdom are willing to go into farming but are handicapped by lack of land.

Also at Degema, the representative of the Omu Onyam Ekeim of Usokun Degema kingdom, Osoabo Isaac, said Degema has embraced the programme but needed more information on the implementation of the programme.

Similarly, while High Chief Precious Abadi advised that the project should not be narrowed to only crop farming, a community women leader, Mrs Orikinge Eremabo Otto, called for the construction of cold rooms in all fishing settlements in the area.

At Abonnema, Mr Diamond Kio linked the problem of the area to incessant piracy along waterways.

He also expressed fears over the possibility of the project being hijacked by politicians.

Also at Abonnema, a stakeholder, Ikiriko Kelvin, called on the World Bank to design an agricultural project that will suit the riverine environment, while at Oyigbo, HRH Eze Boniface Akawo expressed satisfaction with the project.

 

John Bibor

 

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Senate Replaces Natasha As Committee Chairman 

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The political mudslinging between the Senate leadership and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan continued yesterday as the Senate named Senator Aniekan Bassey as the new Chairman of the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations.

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the appointment during yesterday’s plenary, confirming Bassey’s replacement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is currently on suspension.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was reassigned to the Diaspora and NGOs Committee in February after she was removed as Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content during a minor reshuffle.

Bassey is the senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District.

Although no reason was given for her removal yesterday, the change is believed to be connected to her unresolved suspension.

In May, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court ordered her reinstatement and directed her to tender an apology to the Senate.

However, the Senate has insisted it has not received a certified true copy of the court judgment.

Akpoti-Uduaghan who represents Kogi Central, has yet to resume her legislative duties despite a recent court ruling that voided her suspension.

In a televised interview on Tuesday, Akpoti-Uduaghan said she was awaiting the Certified True Copy of the judgment before officially returning to plenary, citing legal advice and respect for institutional process.

Although the Federal High Court described her suspension as “excessive and unconstitutional”, a legal opinion dated July 5 and attributed to the Senate’s counsel, Paul Daudu (SAN), argued that the ruling lacked any binding directive to enforce her reinstatement.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, one of only three female senators in the current assembly, said the continued delay in allowing her return was not only a denial of her mandate but also a blow to democratic representation.

“By keeping me out of the chambers, the Senate is not just silencing Kogi Central, it’s denying Nigerian women and children representation. We are only three female senators now, down from eight,” she said.

 

 

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