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SNGF Asaba Declaration: Roadmap To Nigeria’s Salvation

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Indeed, not many people saw it coming. But come out they did. With unity of purpose driven by a burning desire to save Nigeria from imminent collapse and in keeping with their sworn commitment to secure and protect the lives, livelihood and property of the people, they spoke out. They spoke out courageously. They spoke redemptive truth. They spoke clearly and unambiguously. Their choice of words, disposition and comportment addressed the issues dispassionately.
All the three political parties in executive positions in government in Nigeria were represented. But they did not speak partisanship. They spoke as leaders of the people and not as political lords. They spoke the feelings of the people and not the whims of their political associations. They were loud, they were clear, they were spot-on in their declarations and demands for a better Nigeria founded on equity, fairness and justice.
You do not need to be their apologist to agree with them. You donot have to come from their part of the country to appreciate imperative of their call. Because they didn’t pander to sentiment, sectorial and parochial interests, they have since received acclaim from home and across the country. You don’t have to like them to agree with them to discountenance the positions reached.
Evidently, they did not raise any fresh issues that had not been openly canvassed by well-meaning individuals and groups. As individual governors they had spoken on much of the issues themselves. All they did was to give it a collective voice and escalate the discourse with a view to drawing attention and precipitating action that could pull back the country from the obvious slide into monumental regrettable catastrophy.
When the heads of government of the 17 Southern States of Nigeria converged on Asaba, the capital city of Delta State, many were not aware of the meeting and not many who knew expected anything significant to come out of the very rare congregation. In all, 15 governors were present. Only Ben Ayade of Cross River State and Hope Uzodinma of Imo State attended by proxy. After four hours of deliberations, they came out and left no one in doubt as to the quality of the discussions they had had and the usefulness of the time they had spent.
Addressing newsmen on behalf of the group, Ondo State Governor and Chairman of the Forum, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu read out a 12 –point communiqué to include that the forum: (1) affirmed that the peoples of Southern Nigeria remain committed to the unity of Nigeria on the basis of justice, fairness, equity and oneness and peaceful co-existence between and among its peoples with a focus on the attainment of shared goals for economic development and prosperity; (2) observed that the incursion of armed herders, criminals and bandits into the southern part of the country has presented a severe security challenge such that citizens are not able to live their normal lives including pursuing various productive activities leading to a threat to food supply and general security. Consequently, the meeting resolved that open grazing of cattle be banned across Southern Nigeria; (3) noted that development and population growth has put pressure on available land and increased the prospect of conflict between migrating herders and local populations in the South. Given this scenario, it becomes imperative to enforce the ban on open grazing in the South including cattle movement to the South by foot, (4) recommended that the Federal Government should support WILLING States to develop alternative and modern livestock management systems; (5) agreed that the progress of the nation requires that urgent and bold steps be taken to restructure the Nigerian Federation leading to the evolution of state police, review of revenue allocation formula in favour if the sub-national governments and creation of other institutions which legitimately advance our commitment to and practice of true federalism; (6) recommended that in view of widespread agitations among our various peoples for greater inclusiveness in existing governance arrangements, the Federal Government should convoke a national dialogue as a matter of urgency;
(7) recommended that in difference to the sensitivities of our various peoples, there is need to review appointments into Federal Government Agencies (including security Agencies) to reflect federal character as Nigeria’s overall population is heterogeneous; (8) resolved to foster cooperation among the Southern States and the nation at large. In this connection, Secretaries to Government of the Southern States are to work together to develop and institutionalize a mechanism to foster this cooperation which will advance the comparative economic advantages and other interests of the Southern States;
(9) expressed concern on the continued gridlock on the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway and the nation’s economy being the sale outlet from Apapa Wharf. The meeting therefore recommended the activation and establishment of ports in the other states of the federation to create new jobs and promote socio-economic activities in the country;
(10) the meeting expressed concern on the economic implications of another lockdown on the country, and therefore suggested greater coordination and cooperation between Federal and State Government in evolving strategies for dealing with the pandemic;
(11) expressed very grave concern on the security challenge currently plaguing the nation and strongly urged that Mr President should address Nigerians on the challenges of insecurity and restore the confidence of our people.
Reacting to some voices raised against the Southern Governors position, Governor of Benue State, North Central Nigeria, Samuel Ortom said any Nigerian opposed to the Southern Nigeria Governors’ Forum’s decision banning open grazing of cattle has a hidden agenda . Delivering a speech on the occasion of Media Week and Communications Day 2021 organised by the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi at the Holy Ghost Parish Hall, Makurdi, Governor Ortom said that his Southern counterparts had chosen the right path to address the problem of insecurity, ravaging the country at the moment, maintaining Nigeria remains a great country with huge potentials and should, ordinarily, have no business with poverty if only there were guaranteed security for lives and property and the people are allowed to remain stable in their localities.
In their own reaction, the governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in a six-point communique after their meeting in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital expressed support for “the earlier position taken by the Nigerian Governors Forum, Northern Governor Forum and recently, the Southern Governors Forum, to adopt ranching as the most viable solution to the herders/farmers clashes in Nigeria”.
The document signed and read by the chairman of the forum and Governor of Sokoto State (North Western Nigeria) stated in Part: “The meeting called on Mr President as the Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria and Commander in Chief of Nigerian Armed Forces to immediately send an Executive Bill to the National Assembly to amend the Nigerian constitution to devolve more powers to the states with respect to security arrangements culminating in some form of state policing and the general security architecture”.
According to the governors, restructuring the Nigerian federation in such a way as to devolve more powers and functions to the state as well as a reform of various civil institutions, would go a long way to promote efficiency and equity for all sections of Nigeria.
Describing the Southern Governors Forum’s Asaba declaration as “ epochal” and “a watershed in the annals of the country”, the South-South study Group (3SG) commended the forum for their consensus in emphasizing the imperatives of restructuring and bare on open grazing, noting their intervention as timely.
In a statement signed by Otoks Dan Princewill, the 3SG urged the Southern Governors to go one step further to initiate collective action to make restructuring a concrete reality.
“The collective words outlined by the Southern governors as spelled out in the communique carry the weight of the will and shared the disappointment of the Southern people at the moribund state of federal governance conveyed Principally by the catastrophic state of insecurity and disastrous economic condition nationwide. “the timely intervention by the Southern governor presents a watershed moment as the nation becomes a contented arena between the progressive will of the people and the regressive whims and caprices of a few.
“It is for this reason that the commendable display of astutely effective diplomatic effort by the southern governors across party lines belies the urgency and need for relist as demanded by Southern of all affiliation”, the group said.
As a matter of fact, all patriotic lovers and everyone that in genuinely interested in the progress, prosperity and preservation of the Nigerian project cannot but endorse, support and press on with the Sothern governors position and prevail on Mr President to act with urgency.

 

By: Opaka Dokubo

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Fubara Tasks Rivers Stakeholders On Political, Economic Emancipation …Commissions NAVAL Training Command Headquarters At Ebubu

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Rivers State governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that the task of emancipating Rivers State and taking it to its desired height of development among the comity of Nigerian states depends on the concerted efforts of all stakeholders in the state.
Governor Fubara said this at Ubima, on Saturday, when he attended the burial ceremony of late Madam Cecelia Omehia, mother of Sir Celestine Omehia.
Addressing the leaders of the state who attended the burial ceremony in their numbers, the governor urged them to demonstrate their love for the state by living up to their patriotic responsibilities and make meaningful contributions that will move the state forward.
Governor Fubara reaffirmed his commitment to the service of the state and cautioned against politics of bitterness and animosity, stating that he will not govern the state as an underdog, nor compromise  the interest of Rivers people, no matter the challenges facing his administration.
“Anybody who claims to love this State should not be party to anything, directly or indirectly, that will bring us backwards. We will continue to support every course that will advance the interest of our dear Rivers State.
“And I am happy to say, and I’ve said it over and again, it doesn’t matter the number of people that are standing with me, I will stand on the side of truth.
”I will not, I repeat, I will not govern our dear State on my knees. If that was the purpose, I will not do that. I will stand to govern our dear state and stand continually on the side of right”, he said.
The governor commiserated with the Omehia family over the transition of their beloved matriarch and urged  them to take solace in the good legacies she left behind.
Sir Celestine Omehia, the chief mourner, in his response  thanked  the Rivers State governor  and his entourage for honoring the memory of his beloved mother, whom he described as a role model, teacher and great disciplinarian.
Earlier on Saturday, Governor Fubara visited the scene of the Friday night inferno occasioned by a tanker explosion that occurred at the Indorama axis of East West Road, causing untold disaster with over 60 vehicles razed and about four lives lost.
Governor Fubara who was accompanied by the  Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Olatunji Disu, and the state Commissioner for Energy and Natural Resources, Mr Uchechukwu Nwafor, during the visit, expressed deep concern over the unfortunate incident and condoled with the families of the victims, assuring that the state government will provide needed assistance to cushion the effects of the tragedy.
“We are here to see for ourselves and get a first hand information of what happened yesterday night.
“I was told that it was caused by a tanker that was conveying premium motor spirit. In fact, I got the information through the MD of Indorama, and I immediately alerted the security agencies to make sure they take control of the security situation in the area.
Governor Fubara, on Friday, commissioned the new Naval Training Command Headquarters at Ebubu, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Speaking at the event, Governor Fubara said he was delighted with the transformation recorded in the abandoned facility after it was ceded by the Rivers State Government to the Nigerian Navy on request in 2023.
He pointed out that the relocation of the Naval Training Command headquarters to Rivers State underscores the proficiency of the Nigerian Navy in managing the maritime sector, especially in safeguarding the waterways and  fighting against economic sabotage such as crude oil theft and its associated menace.
Governor Fubara commended the Navy for investing in the training of its personnel to evolve a highly skilled workforce to secure the Nigerian waterways, stating that the new development is a manifestation of President Bola Tinibu’s commitment to building a strong security architecture for Nigeria.
The Governor who assured the support of his administration to the Navy and other security outfits, announced a donation of N350m to the Navy, and urged synergy between the Navy and the host communities in terms of development support and security of lives and property.
“As you go on to put this training command into full service, my charge to you is to ensure that this sprawling facility is effectively maintained and utilized to expand your operations and activities for national security development.
“I further implore you to provide effective security and development support to the host communities, and live in peace and harmony with the civilian population in the local government area,” the Governor added.
In his remark,  the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral, Emmanuel Ogalla, expressed gratitude to the Governor for the continuous support and partnership of the Rivers State Government with the Navy.
Taneh Beemene
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Constitution Amendment: Senator Barau Urges Stakeholders’ Collaboration

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Deputy President of the Senate and Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Review of the Constitution, Senator Barau Jibrin, has called for robust collaboration among all stakeholders to drive the ongoing constitution amendment process to a successful conclusion.
Senator Barau stated this on Saturday at the joint retreat of the secretariat and consultants to the Senate and House of Representatives committees on the review of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, in Abuja.
He commended the synergy between the constitution review secretariat and consultants to the Senate and House of Representatives committees, saying this will create harmony in the workings of both committees.
Senator Barau assured that the National Assembly will carry out the review of the constitution by a thorough aggregation of the yearnings of Nigerians from all walks of life through public hearings and collection of memoranda from various interests throughout the country, as well as embarking on a progressive engagement with state governments and legislatures and the federal government to achieve consensus on all issues.
“We must work together. Our country is facing a lot of challenges and this is the right time to fashion out a constitution that will go in line with the wishes and aspirations of the people of this country.
“The world is dynamic and this compels all serious countries to go with modernity and fashion their laws in accordance with contemporary happenings within their peculiarities.
“We have started on a progressive note of collaboration and let us add momentum to this very important collaboration within our ranks in order to achieve a result that will help in driving the process of making prospective peace, justice and fair play in the way we run our affairs as a nation,” he said.
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Makinde Hails Electorate, OYSIEC Over LG Poll Conduct 

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Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, has applauded the residents of the state for turning out to vote in the ongoing local government election across the state.
The governor also rated the conduct of the election high, stating it compared favourably with elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The governor stated this on Saturday after casting his vote at Unit 1, Ward 011, Abayomi Open Space, Iwo Road, Ibadan North East LGA of Oyo State.
Addressing journalists after exercising his civic responsibility, Gov Makinde said, “For us in Oyo State, it is almost like a given that democracy at the grassroots is what we practise. This is almost our fifth year in office and we are holding local government election for the second time.
“Before we came in, it had always been caretaker administration at the grassroots without the people having a say in who should govern them.
“You can see around also that the people are going about, performing the exercise peacefully and the traffic restriction is being obeyed by the people. So, I will commend our people for coming out to take seriously democracy at that level.”
The governor, who noted that security report about the election had been excellent, also charged those who observed any untoward development to report same to the security agencies.
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