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Abe Hails Planned Nat. Confab; Says Its Opportunity To Build Nation Of Our Dream …As Senator, Others Lament Killing, Abduction In Ogu
The Senator representing Rivers South-East in the National Assembly, Senator Magnus Abe has thrown his weight behind the convocation of the national conference announced by President Goodluck Jonathan, saying, it will enable stakeholders in the Nigerian project discuss the nation of their dream.
He disclosed this while reacting to the proposed national conference by the President in his Independence Day broadcast to the nation.
Senator Abe said, the subsequent constitution of an advisory committee to work out modalities for the conference gives a clear indication that the President was beginning to respond to the concerns of well-meaning Nigerians on moving the country forward.
According to him “it is heartwarming that the President has realized the need for National Conference; it is a breakthrough for Nigeria, we can now seat on a round table and chart an acceptable path towards a brighter future for our country”.
The chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream) emphasised that the initiative was an opportunity for Nigerians to address the avalanche of socio-economic and political challenges as well as resolution of structural problems plaguing the country.
He noted that the conference would undoubtedly address cases of impunity, incessant harassment, suppression and intimidation of dissenting voices, evils of the recent past affecting good leadership like the issues in Nigeria Governor’s Forum, non adherence to rule of law, democratic tenets and true federalism.
While enlisting the President to ensure the confab works, Senator Abe expressed optimism that it would promote national cohesion, stability, unity and preserve our heritage for future generations.
“We need the voice of everybody interested in the future of Nigeria, this is an opportunity we yearned for, we must take it serious,”. he concluded.
Meanwhile,the chiefs and peoples of Ogu in Ogu/Bolo Local Government areas of Rivers State have cried out to the government over the killing of their son, Mr Johnny Isaac and the abduction of two others byEkporo community in Eleme Local Government Area.
Addressing a press conference in Port Harcourt yesterday, the chairman of Ogu divisional council of chiefs, Chief Emmanuel Ibioricka said the two abducted sons of the community were Ibunemisa Obie and Steven Oju, whose where-about is yet unknown.
Chief Ibiorika said the victims were riding on a motorbike along the site the Ogu police station which is being renovated when they were attacked by one Inspector Franklin from Ekporo who was armed and two of his kinsmen.
According to him, as assailants killed Johnny Isaac and abducted the others, they escaped with their motorbike into a bush path through Ekporo community.
He appealed to the government to persuade Ekporo community to release those they abducted unhurt, and enjoined the people of the area to go about their normal business ad continue to maintain their peaceful disposition.
The Police Public Relations Officer who confirmed the story said that two persons died in the crisis.
Speaking on the issue, the Senator representing Rivers East in his reaction, the police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Rivers State Police Command DSP Ahmad Kidaya Muhammed confirmed and said there was an incident involving two communities over land that claimed two lives.
Meanwhile, the Senator representing Rivers East Senatorial District, Senator George Thompson Sekibo has called on the people of Ogu in Ogu/Bolo Local Government Areas and the Ekporo Community in Eleme Local Government Area to resolve their differences amicably through lawful channels rather than take laws into their hands.
Reacting to the gruesome murder of an indigene of Ogu by the people of Ekporo, Senator Sekibo condemned the act and cautioned youths to eschew violence and other acts likely to breach the peace in the area.
In a statement by his Special Assistant, Hon. Kevin Agbam, the Senator warned rumour peddlers against spreading malicious falsehood or making provocative and inflammatory comments and advised those instigating the crisis to stop fanning embers of discord.
He noted that the people of Ogu and Ekporo have enjoyed several years of warm relationship that should be sustained in the interest of all and called on the law enforcement agencies to take necessary steps to restore normalcy
Senator Sekibo urged leaders to continue to preach peace adding that nothing good can be achieved in an atmosphere of rancour of disturbance.
It would be recalled that the Amanyanabo of Ogu, Chief Nicholas Abiebele Nimenibo Loko IX recently urged the neighbouring community to remain calm over the on-going renovation of the police station, noting that it will be of immense security benefit particularly to the two communities
Publicity Secretary PHCCIMA, Chief Nabil Saleh (right) with Financial Secretary PHCCIMA, Prince Allison Ogidigbon, during PHCCIMA membership induction in Port Harcourt, yesterday
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.