Rivers
‘Kalabari May Not Really Develop Until …’
The Amanyanabo and Paramount Ruler of Abonnema, in Kalabari land, King Disrael Gbobo Bob-Manuel, says Kalabari may not get the desired development until her constituent communities come together as one.
“In addition to coming together as a people, we must find answers to existing challenges as well as decide on our priorities before we can make any headway in the current struggle for ethno-political dominance in Nigeria”, he said.
He noted that the pockets of efforts for social, political and economic advancement of the Kalabari people are not likely to yield much in the face of widespread mutual suspicion and absence of unity of purpose within the various peoples and communities of the Kalabari Kingdom.
The revered monarch, who received a delegation of the Kalabari Media Forum (KMF) in his palace at Abonnema, headquarters of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, recently, said Kalabari can no longer sit back and expect the best things in life to happen to her.
King Bob-Manuel said there was so much that even the Kalabari elite could achieve when they forge a common front and are motivated by the overriding interest of the collective rather than the pursuit for untested private goals.
The natural ruler of Abonnema, who is currently the only first class traditional ruler in Kalabari land, commended the Kalabari Media Forum for its patriotic zeal and fervour and urged the group to be tenacious in pursuing the laudable agenda of conscientising the Kalabari people for greatness again.
While granting royal blessing for the Kalabari Media Forum, the Amanyanabo expressed excitement over the apparent passion of the group to change the trajectory of events in the kingdom, adding that he would not only work closely with the group, but give the needed assistance and support to enable it succeed.
Earlier, the Coordinator of KMF, Alabo Dagogo Clinton, told the king that the formation of the group was made imperative by the diminishing visibility, clout and influence of Kalabari in the socio-political and economic drawing board of Rivers State, in particular, and Nigeria in general.
He said following their experiences in the public space, Kalabari was hardly visible in the socio-economic equation of Rivers State after her relevance was celebrated nationally only a few decades ago.
According to Alabo Clinton, his group was literally compelled to initiate a cause of action for Kalabari to regain her position of significance and relevance in the polity not only for her good, but for the good of the State and Nigeria also that yearns for the quality contribution of the unique abilities of the Kalabari people.
He said the group was currently consulting the major leadership houses of Kalabari with a view to obtaining the blessing and support of the traditional institution for the planned campaign to awaken the people for the next level in the pursuit and actualisation of the Kalabari Project.
“Your Majesty Sir, we have noticed with concern the hunger in the average Kalabari for our people to come back to reckoning, not only in Rivers State, but in Nigeria, where our forefathers had placed us”, he said, and implored the King to make available his proven leadership capacity to once again help in reinventing the Kalabari Kingdom.
Alabo Clinton entreated the royal father to escalate the concerns and propositions of the group to the topmost level of Kalabari traditional leadership with a view to galvanizing them to action, irrespective of existing primordial biases.
“His Majesty Sir, as a group, we have put together ideas that can take the Kalabari nation to the next level, but only a committed Pan-Kalabari group can drive the process and bring home the dividends”, he explained, and urged the king to help facilitate the birthing of the group with the mandate to champion the Kalabari cause, as soon as possible.
Opaka Dokubo
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.