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2015: ODM Takes Ogoni Guber Quest To Grassroots
L-R: Guest Speaker, Prof. Samuel Egwu, Chairman, pdp Plateau Chapter, Dr Haruna Dabin and representative of the secretary to the State Government, Mr Kwamkur Samuel, during a symposium on the role of labour towards 2015 election for good governance in Jos, recently. Photo: NAN.
Towards ensuring that Ogonis produce the governor of Rivers State come 2015, the Ogoni Democratic Movement (ODM) has taken its campaign to the grassroots with the inauguration of local government chapters of the movement across Ogoni Ethnic Nationality.
ODM, which consists of Eleme, Gokana, Khana and Tai local government areas with the slogan “Ogoni for Governor” started the process with the inauguration of the Gokana Chapter at Kpor, headquarters of Gokana Local Government Area.
Speaking at the event, President-General of ODM, Godwin Bazari, said the group assignment was anchored on awakening the spirit of Ogonis towards producing a successor to Governor Amaechi come 2015.
To strengthen the process, Bazari said, the group was embarking on door to door mobilization of Ogonis and other ethnic groups in the state to support the quest.
“Our assignment is to awaken the spirit of the people to realize the objective of an Ogoni Governor come 2015. We are here to mobilize our people from door to door for this project. We appeal to other ethnic groups in the state to support us this time, because we have served them well,” he said.
Bazari denied insinuations that the people were not united, saying “the Ogonis are not divided, we have qualified and competent candidates that will take over Rivers Government House, come 2015”, adding that the people will not settle for less nor vote any party that failed to field an Ogoni as standard bearer.
In his speech, Chairman, Gokana Local Government Council, Demua Ledee Demua, who received ODM delegation on a courtesy call, urged the movement to work with the people to achieve the 2015 project; saying the council will continue to support moves that will benefit the people of Gokana and Ogonis in general.
In his speech Bishop, Methodist Diocese of Gokana, Rt. Rev. Humphrey Nnam, said the Christian community in Ogoniland will back the Ogoni 2015 Governorship project, while the President, Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), Legborsi Pyagbara, represented by Bari-ara Kpalap, said the pan-Ogoni organization was happy to have ODM on board, particularly, as it relates to the Ogoni governorship project.
The Coordinator, Ogoni Solidarity Forum (OSF), Celestine Akpobari; President, Ikwerre/Etche Peoples’ Forum, Emma Amadi, Hon. Innocent Barikor of the Rivers State House of Assembly and the representative of Rivers Peoples’ Congress, Innocent Ajaelu, in their separate solidarity messages, pledged support for an Ogoni governor come 2015.
Earlier, president-general of ODM paid a courtesy call on the Gbenemene, Gokana, King Barnabas Bagia, who appealed to Rivers people to support the agitation by the Ogonis to produce the next governor of the state.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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