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Remain Politically Vigilant, Omehia Tells Ikwerre People
The former Rivers State Governor, Sir Celestine Omehia, has called on the people of Ikwerre Ethnic Nationality to remain politically vigilant to avoid slipping back into political deprivation.
Delivering an address at the 2017 Annual National Convention of the Ogbakor Ikwerre USA at the Crown Plaza Airport Hotel, Atlanta, last Saturday, Omehia praised former Rivers State Governor, Dr Peter Odili and late Chief G.U. Ake for the emergence of a Rivers State governor of Ikwerre extraction.
He said: “We must recall the deprivation and collective struggle by the Ikwerre people till 2007 when by providence, I was elected to the office of governor of Rivers State, thereby being the first Ikwerre son to hold that position.
“By my election, I believe that God opened the gate of blessings and favour for Ikwerre people in the leadership of the state. Let me thank the incumbent Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike for his efforts at setting the record straight”.
It would be recalled that Rivers State governor restored the rights of Sir Celestine Omehia as a former governor.
Omehia said despite the various successes recorded by the Ikwerre Ethnic Nationality since 2007, the people still have a long way to go.
“Individuals, groups and communal efforts are still highly required for the further growth and development of Ikwerre people and Rivers State at large. We should not forget our history and relax. Rather, we should master it, use it and apply it for tomorrow. My people, we must remember our adage: ‘Anya n’ali’.”
The former governor, in his paper titled: “Panacea for Peace and Unity in Ikwerre Land”, said for peace to reign in Ikwerre land, patriotism must be visibly displayed by the Ikwerre political class.
He said: “Even with our numerical advantage in Rivers State, and the political successes we have so far recorded, a continuation of the current state of affairs where Ikwerre sons who are in position of authority are covertly sabotaged, worked against and overtly threatened by none other, but fellow Ikwerre politicians, does not portend well for our peaceful and unified existence”.
He said contrary to what many people think, Ikwerre people don’t need to put their eggs in one basket.
Omehia advised that Ikwerres should belong to different political parties, but promote the interest of Ikwerre Ethnic Nationality.
Commenting on the issues that generate disunity in Ikwerre land, Omehia pointed out that “Psychology of Ihu-Mbam and Azu-Mbam”, play a prominent role.
“To foster a lasting unity amongst our Ikwerre people, we must preach against Ihu-Mbam and Azu-Mbam because “Ikwerre bu Otu” and must remain one in the interest of tomorrow”.
He regretted the spate of intra and inter-communal crises in Ikwerre land which have negatively affected peace and unity, calling on the Ogbakor Ikwerre to set up a standing committee to address the issue.
President of Ogbakor Ikwerre USA, Dr Fortune Worlugbum, in his remarks, announced that the group will recognise former governor of Rivers State, Dr Peter Odili, with an award of friendship for helping to lift the Ikwerre Ethnic Nationality in politics.
Goodwill messages came from President of Ogbakor Ikwerre Worldwide, Prof Simeon Achinehwu and Chairman, Ikwerre Chiefs and Elders, Prince Wonodi.
Highpoint of the first day of the 2017 Ikwerre USA National Convention was the presentation of awards to Ikwerre children who gained admission into US universities, those who graduated from universities and those with post graduate degrees.
Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has called on Nigerians to reject silence in the face of extrajudicial killings and other abuses of human rights.
Soyinka stressed that accountability and civic courage remain essential to rebuilding public confidence in the nation’s institutions.
He made the call during the 28th Wole Soyinka Lecture held in Port Harcourt, last Friday as part of activities marking his 92nd birthday.
The lecture, themed “Reclaiming the Nigerian State through Accountability, Justice and Civic Courage,” drew participants from different sectors of society.
The renowned playwright and human rights advocate said the country’s greatest tragedy was not only the unlawful killings carried out by state and non-state actors, but also the silence that often follows such incidents, allowing perpetrators to evade justice.
According to him, indifference by citizens to abuses of power and violations of fundamental human rights has contributed to the persistence of extrajudicial killings and other forms of injustice across the country.
Soyinka said he dedicated this year’s lecture to victims of unlawful killings, noting that the event was intended to honour individuals who had lost their lives as a result of failures within the justice system and society’s inability to protect the sanctity of human life.
He stressed that the lecture was dedicated to what he described as the basic unit of every society – the human being, and urged Nigerians to place greater value on human dignity irrespective of ethnicity, religion or social status.
The Nobel Laureate recalled several incidents of violence, including the fatal shooting and killing of a young man in Ugheli in Delta State by a police officer, and the mob killing of Deborah Yakubu in Sokoto State sometime ago, lamenting that many of those responsible are yet to face justice.
He expressed concern that some perpetrators of violent crimes had openly admitted their actions without fear of prosecution, describing such situations as evidence of serious failures within the nation’s justice system.
Soyinka maintained that when justice is delayed or denied, public confidence in state institutions continues to erode, thereby encouraging further violations of human rights.
Responding to critics who accuse him of promoting religious or ethnic divisions whenever he spoke on such issues, Soyinka dismissed the allegations and pointed out that his advocacy has always centred on the protection of human life and the rule of law.
He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and continue demanding justice in cases of alleged extrajudicial killings, including the recent shooting of a young man by a police officer, stressing that every life deserves equal protection under the law.
The literary icon also recalled an earlier pledge by a past incoming president to make public the files relating to unresolved assassinations and extrajudicial killings, questioning the status of the promised investigations.
He challenged citizens to continue asking questions about unresolved cases, insisting that justice, accountability and respect for human dignity are indispensable to building a peaceful, democratic and inclusive Nigerian society.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has clarified that there was no fire at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, contrary to its earlier advisory.
Earlier yesterday, FAAN had announced that a fire incident had occurred at Terminal 2 of the nation’s busiest airport, and assured that its Aerodrome Rescue and Firefighting Service had been deployed to contain the situation.
There were also reports that activities were briefly disrupted at the airport yesterday after smoke was seen inside parts of the terminal.
Videos circulating online showed passengers kept standing outside the terminal while firefighters responded to the incident.
However, in an update issued less than two hours later by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, and posted on FAAN’s official X handle, the authority said preliminary findings showed that the smoke seen at the terminal was caused by the discharge of the facility’s FM-200 fire suppression system.
“Further to our earlier advisory regarding the incident at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) wishes to provide the following update,” the statement read.
“Preliminary findings indicate that there was no fire at the terminal. The smoke observed within the affected area resulted from the discharge of the terminal’s FM-200 fire suppression system. The reason for the activation of the fire suppression system is currently being investigated,” FAAN stated.
The authority said normal operations had resumed at the terminal while investigations were ongoing to determine the cause of the incident.
“Normal operations have since resumed at the terminal, while detailed investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the incident,” the statement added.
The authority thanked passengers, airlines, airport users and other stakeholders for their understanding and cooperation.
FAAN appreciated the understanding and cooperation of passengers, airlines, airport users and all stakeholders, and reiterated its commitment to the safety and security of all airport operations.