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Declare Emergency On Ogoni Dev, FG Told
A group under the auspices of Ogoni National Congress (ONC) has called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on the development of Ogoni land to assuage the decades of under-development in the area as a result of the exploitation of the natural resources of the people and the despoliation of their environment.
The group made the call, recently, in Bori, Headquarters of Ogoni, during the commemoration of the 27th years remembrance of the judicial murder of Ogoni-born environmental activist and writer, Ken Saro Wiwa and eight of his kinsmen by the Gen Sani Abacha military junta.
Addressing the people at the event, Chairman of the group, Engineer Olu Andah, Wai-Ogosu said the demands for environmental, economic and political justice in Ogoni championed by Saro- Wiwa was yet to be addressed by the Federal Government, 27 years after the killing of the writer, activist and social crusader, rather Ogoni land still bore the brunt of oil pollution and has remained grossly poor, lacking in functional economic activities and inundated with instigated crisis and vices.
He said Ogoni through their struggle for social, political and environmental justice remains the symbol of hope for all the oppressed minorities in Nigeria, and urged the Federal government to address the demands of the people as embedded in the Ogoni Bill of Rights which was presented to the Federal Government by Ogoni leaders in 1990.
He urged all Ogonis to be unbroken in their spirit despite the threats to their existence as a people, and see the event of the remembrance of Saro-Wiwa and his fellow Ogoni compatriots as an avenue to rekindle faith in the Ogoni struggle, noting that the vision and ideas of Saro-Wiwa has set the pace for beckoning with the imperatives of justice in Nigeria and Africa.
The elder statesman said the deliberate delay of the Federal Government to address the issues of environmental justice in Ogoni and by extension other polluted Niger Delta environment underscored the recalcitrance of the powers that be to persist in the marginalisation of the minorities and other disadvantaged groups in Nigeria.
In his keynote speech, Niger Delta activist, Chief Anabs Sara Igbe, described the late Ken Saro-Wiwa as a patriotic Ogoni man and Niger Delta leader who used his literally prowess and committed his life to fight for the minorities in Nigeria, using the Ogoni struggle which he brought to international limelights to advance his clamour for justice and true federalism in Nigeria.
He said Saro-Wiwa had conviction in the course he lived and died for, pointing out that in a convoluted state like Nigeria were the rights of the minority ethnic groups that produce the wealth of the nation are subjugated, the ideals postulated by late Ogoni activist offers the broadest flicker of hope out of the the shackles of oppression.
Sara-Igbe used the deplorable state of the East-West Road that leads to the major economic route of the nation to exemplify the deliberate neglect of the Federal Government to develop Ogoni land and other Niger Delta communities.
He urged the Ogonis and the entire Niger Delta not to be cowed to submission but remain resolute in confronting their common foes; the Federal Government and the multinationals that exploit the natural resources of the people.
By; Taneh Beemene
Happy Birthday Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON
Honourable Minister Federal Capital Territory
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We’ll Drive Tinubu’s Vision in Rivers With Vigour – Fubara …Inaugurates Dualized Ahoada/Omoku Road ….Debunks Rift With RSHA
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he will lead Rivers people to galvanize support for President Bola Tinubu to drive the vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the State with vigour.
The governor, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, explained that his decision to join the APC was not for personal interest but for the overall benefit of Rivers State.
Fubara disclosed these while inaugurating the extension of the dualized Ahoada/ Omoku Express road in Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
He commended the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for timely delivery of the project, saying the project is a campaign promise fulfilled which will bring economic benefits to the people and tackle issues of insecurity associated with the route.
He said his administration has remained focused in delivering democratic dividends in the state despite facing glaring challenges.
The governor thanked the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas for their continuous support, and urged his supporters to remain steadfast and also support President Tinubu who he said, has demonstrated love to Rivers State as a father.
Fubara denied having rift with the Rivers State House of Assembly, stating that his meeting with the lawmakers was stalled as a result of delay in the agreed meeting to be convened by former Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders for him to meet with the state lawmakers.
“I have made every effort to meet with the Assembly members, but it is not within my leadership to initiate the meeting process.
“The arrangement was for my leader, Wike, and the elders led by Anabraba to call for a meeting with the the lawmakers.
“I’m a gentleman and principled. I can’t go behind to call them when we’ve already agreed. Whoever that tell them that I don’t want to meet with them, or I rejected proposal meant for them isn’t saying the truth,” Fubara said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry Works, Mr Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who gave the project description, said the delivery of the project was a fulfillment of long time dream by the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas.
He said the road was previously a single lane and has now been dualised to 14.6 meters wide, complete with solar-powered streetlights with drainages.
He said the road significantly would reduce travel time between Ahoada and Omoku while improving economic activity in the region.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Chuku Shedrack Ogbogu, described the road as a symbol of unity, oneness, and development, thanking the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises.
On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engr. Peer Lusbash, said the project was awarded to his company in 2023 with a completion period of 18 months which was achieved in best quality.
He added that Julius Berger enjoyed a good support from the Fubara administration, and assured to complete all ongoing projects being handled by Julius Berger on specification, especially the Ring Road project which is a legacy project.
Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring good healthcare for the people of Rivers State.
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?Governor Fubara stated this when he played host to the Country Director of UNICEF, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef and her management team in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
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?The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, said he would continue to provide the necessary facilities in order to ensure accessible and good health care for all Rivers people.
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?”We are constructing new zonal hospitals across the State. The Ahoada Zonal hospital will be commissioned in December and others are near completion.
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?”We are grateful to UNICEF for all they have done and believe we can always work together to care for the vulnerable in the society. We appreciate your physical presence, and believe that your staff working remotely, can also do more virtually. We have a capable Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, to help foster our relationship, communication and greater collaboration,” he said.
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?The Country Director for UNICEF Nigeria, Ms. Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, assured Governor Fubara of UNICEF’s support to the programmes of the State Government. She appealed that health facilities such as the Oxygen Plant at Eleme Local Government Ares and the New Born Care Units be solarized.
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?”Be assured that UNICEF will continue to work and support the programmes here in Rivers State. We have seen the Oxygen Plant at Eleme LGA which has been effective because of the Public Private Partnership. We appeal that the plant be solarized.
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?”I commend your leadership of the State and assure that we are here to support your effort and assure you that you can count on our support and partnership. Rivers State is one of the states we can showcase how things are working so others can learn,” she added.
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