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We Won’t Return To Militancy, IYC Tells Asari Dokubo …Urges Buhari To Sustain Peace In N’Delta
L-R: NYSC Coordinator in Rivers State, Mrs Ngozi Nwatarali, Director-General of NYSC, Brig.-Gen. Johnson Olawumi and Commander, 2 Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Koko Essien, during the Director-General’s pre-election advocacy tour to 2 Brigade in Port Harcourt, yesterday
The Ijaw Youth Council (Worldwide) yesterday distanced itself from the threats by an ex-militant leader, Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, that Niger Delta militants might return to the creeks to protest against the defeat of President Goodluck Jonathan in the presidential election.
IYC, however, said it would cooperate with and closely monitor the incoming administration of Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari(retd.) to “see their (its) dance steps.”
The President of IYC, Mr. Udengs Eradiri, made the clarifications in Abuja after reading a communique issued at the end of its meeting held at Tuomo community in Delta State to review the outcome of the March 28, 2015 Presidential election.
He also expressed sadness over what he described as the deliberate efforts by the core North and a section of the South-West “to frustrate the administration of Jonathan and force him out of power through false media propaganda and insurgency in the North in connivance with some foreign countries.”
Eradiri accused the unnamed foreign countries of displaying “obvious bias during the electoral process.”
He added, “The Ijaw nation, satisfied with the performance and conduct of President Jonathan in office, will warmly welcome him back home from national service.”
Dokubo-Asari, leader of Niger-Delta Peoples Volunteers Force, had in a statement by his spokesperson, Mr. Rex Anighoro, said the voting pattern showed that the South-West and the North “ganged up” against the South-South and South-East geo-political zones.
The ex-Niger Delta warlord believed it was unfair that the minorities were being emasculated by the majority ethnic groups.
But Eradiri said the NDPVF founder was an individual like any other Nigerian, who had a right to his views.
He said, “Well, Alhaji Dokubo-Asari is an individual, who has a right to his views. Being a leader in the Niger-Delta, he may be saying things based on the way he sees it. The fact that we have also taken a decision does not mean that other structures or individuals will not make one or two comments as a result of immediate reactions to the way the Presidential election went.
“But the institution that leads the organisation, we, the youths of Niger Delta, have made our position. Every other person may look at it in their own way, but we have decided to look at Buhari’s administration and see how it will go and we will know the steps to take.
“We don’t have any plan for violence and returning to the creeks. Ijaw and Niger Delta youths should be calm, peaceful and maintain the existing peace in the Niger Delta region.”
Meanwhile, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) yesterday called on the President-elect, Gen Muhammadu Buhari, to sustain the existing peace in the Niger Delta, to increase oil production.
This advice was handed down by the President of the council, Mr Udengs Eradiri, at a news conference in Abuja.
According to Eradiri, the existing peace could be maintained if the incoming administration sustained the Presidential Amnesty Programme for former agitators in the region.
“The Presidential Amnesty Programme for Ex-Agitators in the Niger-Delta region, which has greatly contributed to the sustenance of peace in the Niger-Delta region, should be sustained by the incoming administration.
“President Jonathan’s extra-ordinary peace building efforts in the Niger-Delta region is responsible for the resultant increase in oil production and increased oil revenue,” Eradiri said.
The Ijaw youth leader urged the incoming government to fund and strengthen the existing federal structures set up to develop the Niger-Delta region such as the Niger-Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and Niger-Delta Ministry.
“The incoming administration should address the problems of environmental degradation in the Niger-Delta region, including implementation of the UNEP report on Ogoni.
“It should also address the general environmental remediation in other parts of the region which are affected by environmental degradation,” Eradiri said.
He further advised that the recommendations of the National Confab should be implemented by the incoming government to deepen the federal system of government where the federating units will develop at their own pace.
According to him, the confab recommendations would address some of the imbalances responsible for political instability in Nigeria and the desperation to control government at the centre.
He also asked the incoming federal administration to start the process of national integration and run an all-inclusive government, to address the polarisation and disunity arising from the outcome of the presidential elections.
The Hausa Community in Rivers State has dissociated itself from media reports credited to one MaiwadaAdamu that the Arewa Community in Rivers State has appointed Alhaji Musa Saidu as the acting SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt, following the inability of the former SarkinHausawa, Alhaji Isa Madaki to carry out his functions.
MaidawaAdamu, who is also the spokesman of the Arewa Initiative for Peaceful Co-existence, had briefed journalists on the change, but in a swift reaction, the Office of Alhaji Isa Madaki, has come out to say that the only recognised body which has the powers to appoint the SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt is the Council of SarkinHausawa in PortHarcourt headed by Alhaji Isa Madaki.
The statement also said Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki is the only recognisedSarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, adding that his appointment follows the proclamation and endorsement by the council members of SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The statement further called on the general public and all authorities concerned to give Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki maximum co-operation and support,as he discharges his duties as SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt.
The Suspended Rivers State Commissioner for health, Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, has described as baseless allegations in some quarters that she was responsible for the purported disruption of the Nigerian First Lady’s empowerment program in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh, who said this in a statement personally signed by her and a copy made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt also described the allegation as a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers
According to Dr Oreh, “they are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord”
In her words,”the allegations levelled against me, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, regarding the supposed disruption of the First Lady’s empowerment programme on Friday 2nd May, 2025, are entirely unfounded, completely false, and a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers and conflict entrepreneurs.
“They are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord.”
The suspended commissioner challenged those behind the allegation, especially the Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation to show proof of its assertion adding “It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I challenge the “Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation” (assuming such a body really exists) to provide tangible proof to support their assertions.
“It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I have neither sponsored nor will sponsor any activities aimed at embarrassing or disrupting the activities of the administration appointed by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to oversee the affairs of Rivers State following his declaration of a state of emergency on Tuesday, 18th March, 2025, and have rather spent the time of my suspension from office focused on other endeavours and my doctoral studies.
“I reaffirm my commitment to working tirelessly for the progress and development of Rivers State.
“Furthermore, I believe that it is crucial for all stakeholders to promote a culture of truth, integrity, and respect in public discourse.
“Unsubstantiated wild claims undermine trust and hinder constructive engagement, and this is not what the state needs at this difficult and delicate time.
“I urge everyone to focus on issues that unite us and foster a positive, solution-driven dialogue for the betterment of our State, and urge everyone to work together to build a brighter future for Rivers State, grounded in truth, transparency, and collective effort,”she said.
By: John Bibor
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has called on key regulators, asset owners and other stakeholders to continue to support the agency toward the goal of remediating the Ogoni environment and restoring the livelihoods of the people and building structures for peace.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who made the call during the Project’s first quarter meeting with regulators, asset owners and stakeholders in Port Harcourt, urged the stakeholders to remain resolute in supporting HYPREP’s work.
“We particularly expect each regulatory agency and asset owner to deepen their involvement and continue to provide strategic support to the project”, he said, stressing that the quarterly meeting platform remains instrumental in providing a structural avenue for regulators, asset owners, and implementation partners to offer feedback to HYPREP on project performance and deliberate on ideas that move the project forward, as well as strengthen collaboration, deepen synergy and reinforce collective responsibility.
Zabbey disclosed that the socio-economic study of Ogoni has started, as HYPREP has contacted the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organisation(WHO) to commence in the next quarter a three-year human health biomonitoring in Ogoniland.
He noted that work on several fronts of the cleanup project is progressing steadily, adding that as key project partners, the insights and shared experience of the regulators and asset owners have always enriched HYPREP’s operations.
He said the policy thrust of HYPREP for 2025 is clear, as the Project is intensifying efforts to complete within stated timelines, the various ongoing projects, including remediation works and mangrove restoration, potable water facilities, the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, the Ogoni Power Project, Ogoni Specialist Hospital, and Buan Cottage Hospital, among others.
Zabbey, however, announced that HYPREP would commence new set of shoreline cleanup, mangrove restoration and livelihood projects, to sustain the momentum of implementing the Ogoni cleanup, adding that the agency would also conduct detailed site characterisation of the high-risk complex sites, leading to remediation works at the sites.
He noted that HYPREP’s collaboration with Rivers State Ministries of Health, Power and Environment, and civil society organisations remains vital, stressing that the technical and administrative support of all relevant government agencies and funding partners is indispensable in helping HYPREP overcome operational bottlenecks, especially those encountered in interfacing with host communities.
He further indicated that “the people of Ogoni and the nation are looking to us with hope and expectation, and expect tangible results from the remediation initiative”, assuring the participants that the Project Coordination Office is committed to delivering positive results.
“We must, therefore, continue to work with diligence, transparency, and a renewed sense of purpose”, he declared, saying, “ the completion and commissioning of projects this year must reflect not only our technical ability but also our collective commitment to environmental sustainability and sustainable development in Ogoni.”
During the interactive session, the Project Coordinator briefed the participants on the progress made so far by HYPREP to conclude the distribution of starter packs to the 5,000 Ogoni trainees, and called on contractors who had already collected huge chunk of money for the project, to deliver without further delay.
In all, the regulators, asset owners and stakeholders commended HYPREP for the good works it is doing, and urged it to do more.
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency(NOSDRA) was represented at the event by Deputy Director, Oil Field Assessment, Dr Abam Komommo Omini, while Dr Vincent Nwachukwu, Director of Medical Services, represented the Rivers State Ministry of Health.
The Rivers State Ministries of Water Resources, Power and Environment were represented by Dr Bealo Brownson; Engr K. J. Osele; and Mr James Ordu respectively, while the Society for Women and Youth Affairs (SWAYA); and the Stakeholder Democracy Network(SDN); among other civil society organisations were also at the event.
By: Donatus Ebi