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2023: Dikio Tasks N’Delta Stakeholders On Peaceful, Non-Violent Elections
The Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Col. Milland Dixon Dikio (rtd), has appealed to stakeholders in the Niger Delta to work for a peaceful and violence-free 2023 general election.
He spoke in Port Harcourt, Rivers State at the weekend on the sidelines of an event highlighting the contents of a recently published book titled, “GASP” written by Theresa Ebi Tobuyei.
The event, which also had in attendance authors, scholars and lovers of literature, was a conversation on the book drawn from the everyday realities of the adverse effect of violence to both the direct perpetuators of the act as well as the victims.
Dikio, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Research and Documentation, Mr. Wilfred Musa, said the moral lessons of the book were profound and demonstrate how the scars of violence are deeper than the eye can see.
He added that GASP utilised compelling storyline medium to shed light on the “bushfire” effects of violence amongst Niger Delta communities and people.
He said: “The Presidential Amnesty Programme has at the core of its vision and mission, the desire to explore both traditional and conventional mediums in constantly promoting initiatives that foster peace and ethnic harmony in the Niger Delta.
“This is the reason why the PAP has chosen to identify with the GASP literature project. This was further demonstrated by the purchase of 250 copies of the book for donation to select groups and public libraries in the Niger Delta.
“We are proud of the author, she is young and from the region. We hope that the lessons as contained in the book will be useful to all and we also hope that this latest literary intervention will help to improve and promote the reading culture of young people.
“More fundamentally, as our nation inches towards a very critical season in our polity, the 2023 general electioneering period, it has become even more pertinent to utilize creative avenues and mediums to cultivate the minds of our people. We need to have a non-violent approach to the election and all stakeholders must work to ensure that across every area of human endeavour”.
The author of GASP, Theresa Ebi Tobuyei, said no one ever remained the same after any crisis, and expressed hope that the 265-page book would help spread the message of the value of peace, anti-war and unity, particularly in the Niger Delta region.
“I was trying to depict that a group of people might have experienced the same thing and turn out different, individually. Reactions to certain things that happen in our lives differ.
“However, I was also drawing the lesson that the degree of violence that a person experiences affects the person’s reaction to it, as seen in the characters of Ivie, Tonye and Imaobong.
“Writing GASP is not just about the passion. I am hoping for partnerships that will help to spread the gospel of non-violence and peace to the ears of these people. I am grateful to the Interim Administrator for the support on this book so far”.
The GASP author advocated the need for government at all levels to have adequately equipped agencies to nip violence in the bud and provide necessary material and emotional assistance to the victims in the event of crisis.
“I am trying to state that violence is cancerous and a cankerworm and we should run away from it because violence also destroys the perpetrators. Also, I am stating that when violence happens, it is best to always timeously offer help to victims of those violence”, she said.
By: Akujobi Amadi
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene