Page 2 Mixed Grill

Page 2 Mixed Grill

Commentary

Refuse Dumps In PH Metropolis

The issue of Environmental Sanitation has for long occupied the front burner in the Nigerian geopolitical horizon.

A lot of states have even established agencies for this purpose. However, how far this has taken us towards the desired sanitized ambience remains the question. These agencies have at best, only served as mere rubber stamp offices by becoming an extension of our normal lethargic systems where things do not work.

Otherwise, how come that for upwards of ten years or more since the creation of most of these agencies in the states, most states' capitals have remained fundamentally squalid.

On this premise, the Rivers State Sanitation Agency and her activities come to mind. This is an agency vested with the onerous task of carrying out cleaning activities and sanitation works particularly within the Port Harcourt city metropolis. But unfortunately, while one would not outrightly say they are not working, it still remains to be proved what the agency's level of commitment is.

As, most of the time, officials of the agency are seen engaging in other ulterior activities strictly distinct from that which they are supposed to carry.

For instance, chasing away hawkers from the streets, demolition of illegal strictures and so on are not part of the agency's statutory responsibilities.

Yet, day in day out trucks belonging to the agency are seen stationed at strategic places only to ward off those involved in hawking or parking cars wrongly whereas their stipulated responsibility is that of evacuating wastes from the streets and dump sites.

Consequent upon this digression and detouring from their ultimate task, one notices that major streets are no longer swept as was obtainable in the days gone by.

Now, for those who have anything to do around the Eleme flyover it will surprise one to notice, on a closer observation that the newly constructed flyover bridge has already  joined in the horde of squalid places as it has become an eye sore with used sachet water cellophane bags strewn indiscriminately everywhere while empty mineral water cans litter here and there nauseatingly on top of the bridge and its surroundings.

On the part of the agency too, it has remained difficult to trace any to effort towards evacuating wastes from silted drainages. As such, the incessant rainfalls now help to send back the waste to the drainages again if unattended to by any other body thus making the work of the Deflooding Intervention Committee an enormous exercise in futility.

While we in Beam have observed this development, it has also not gone unnoticed by the Executive Governor of the State Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi who during a thanksgiving service at the Gateway International Church, Port Harcourt few weeks ago confirmed that the current approach to sanitation in the state has remained ineffective and so it has become imperative  that government would seek new methods.

To this effect therefore, and while Government seeks new approaches to the problem, we in Beam  would suggest that the agency sits up and gets focused. Enough of the deviations. Chasing of hawkers in the streets and demolition of illegal structures falls strictly outside the designs of the agency's statutory functions. Keeping the city clean has not yet been achieved.

The Rivers State Sanitation Agency has enough in its hands to accomplish in the area of keeping Port Harcourt clean and as long as this has not been achieved any other activity they indulge in  remains a clear departure from their stipulated  tasks.

If government pays its workers, they earn that salary for doing nothing. They need to concentrate on the main task, that of keeping the Garden City clean. Refuse dump should stop assaulting our breathing sensibilities. We deserve to breath clean air if an agency has been mandated with the task of keeping the environment clean and removing wastes alongside the dumps they engender.

Page 3 RSG News

PHCN Owes RSG N8bn From Its IPP ~Gov. Amaechi

The Rivers State Government says the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) owes the state over N8billion for power generated from its Independent Power Projects (IPP) and distributed to consumers in the state.

Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi who stated this during an interactive stakeholders meeting in Port Harcourt , said the state power plant has been generating excess power which PHCN's facility cannot evacuate all.

The Governor explained that the State Government has procured three new transformers for PHCN to aid distribution of electricity in Port Harcourt and its environs, and is now being installed at Oginigba sub-station, which would increase power supply to about 70 percent.

He, however, noted that the problem of electricity witnessed in the state hinges on distribution, as the state power plants are generating enough power to supply the people of Rivers State .

The State Chief Executive said the State Government is currently undergoing due process in order to partner with a private firm in the distribution of power generated from the state IPP.

On development control, the State Governor, said the alternative to a quicker decongestion of Port Harcourt is to develop another viable commercial centre, like Omoku in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area which has the potentials of growth.

To that end, Governor Amaechi said Omoku, the headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government area would be redesigned for development control because of the prospects of the area in the oil and gas businesses.

The State Chief Executive who obtained the permission of stakeholders to demolish the waterfronts, said all available security reports to him indicated that the only way to achieve the total restoration of peace in Port Harcourt , is to develop the waterfronts.

He regretted the level of lawlessness in Port Harcourt , as developers in the past had disfigured the once planned city that use to be the toast of the Nation, as the Garden City of Nigeria.

“I hate ethnic politics, nobody can accuse me of ethnic cleansing because the demolition exercise is to sanitize and check criminal activities”, Governor Amaechi said, pointing out that the system in the waterfronts makes it difficult for the apprehension of criminals.

Governor Amaechi said it would ensure adequate funding of state media organizations to enable them discharge their responsibilities.

He said government would release all funds appropriated to the state Newspaper Corporation, Publishers of The Tide group of Newspapers and urged them to compete with other national dailies.

On the Port Harcourt Refinery Road, the State Chief Executive said he would approach the Federal Government to guarantee refund of the cost of reconstructing the road, and he also secured the permission of the stakeholder's forum to demolish illegal structures opposite the refinery. 

Proposed Petroleum Law, Anti Niger Delta ~Amaechi

The new Petroleum Act currently before the National Assembly has been described as a document that is anti Niger Delta, and aimed at deepening the injustices meted out to the people of the region

The proposed law, among other things gives to the Federal Government 100% of Royalties paid for oil activities, and none to the oil producing communities and states.

Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State said this yesterday when the President and members of the National Executive Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) paid him a courtesy call at Government House, Port Harcourt .

According to the Governor, the Federal Government had through an initial Act sent to the National Assembly proposed five per cent royalty to the oil producing Communities, 25 per cent for the States while Federal Government gets 70 per cent, but regretted that the initial law was withdrawn and replaced with the one that has nothing for the oil producing states.

Governor Amaechi said it was unfair for the Act not to consider the hazards which exploration activities bring to the oil bearing communities and the states, before coming up with its draconian position, noting that it was a furtherance of the pains which the people had suffered over the years.

He wondered how such attitude could assist in resolving the crisis in the Niger Delta, and appealed to the NBA to use their privileged profession to speak out against marginalization and injustices visited on the people of the region.

“They take away our resources, and they do not give us opportunity to serve any where in the country or participate in the discussion on how the wealth would be shared”, Governor Amaechi said adding, “they do it with impunity.

The State Chief Executive, said he supports the Federal Government's amnesty while emphasizing the need to stop arms struggle, and urged the federal government to sit down to address the issues that affect the people of the area.

Governor Amaechi explained that his stance on criminality is based on the fact that the economy of the Niger Delta States, especially Port Harcourt , has been crippled by criminality, stressing that beyond crime, enforcement of the law, the issues of injustice visited by all Nigerians against the minority group need to be redressed.

Quoting former Governor Peter Odili, Amaechi declared, “God does not make mistake, he created you, gives you challenges and gives you solutions to those challenges”, adding, “God created the Niger Delta people and made the terrain difficult but gave them oil resources to develop their area”, and wondered why the people would be so deprived.

He opined that the Niger Delta problem would be resolved if there is equity and justice in Nigeria and urged the lawyers, who draft bills, to help put the owners of the land into consideration.

Earlier, the President of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), expressed delight over the developmental strides taking place in the state under Governor Amaechi and advised him to do more for his people.

Chief Akeredolu noted that the security challenges in Port Harcourt and its environs has reduced drastically, and commended the federal government for the bold step in granting amnesty to the Niger Delta militants towards restoring peace in the region.

Page 5 Cover News

Rivers Luckiest Politicians ... Why They Remain in the Corridors of Power

Though Rivers State can boast of being one of the most politically and economically vibrant  states in the Federation,  there are just a few politicians who have been several times lucky irrespective of every political maneuvering. They are seen in the corridors of power today even when some of them were originally considered members of the opposition within the ruling Peoples Democratic Party. The weekend Beam x-rays their political games and why they are regarded as the cats with nine lives. 

RT. HON. CHIBUIKE ROTIMI AMAECHI (Governor, Rivers State)

Topping the list of the luckiest politicians in the state is the Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi who before his landmark victory at the Supreme Court was the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly for a period of eight uninterrupted years from 1999  to 2007.

Amaechi as he is popularly called was initially seen by most persons as the next on the line after his political godfather and boss, former Governor Peter Odili, who never hid his love for Amaechi throughout the period of their government.

Surprisingly, those permutations on the choice of Amaechi as Odili's successor were wrong as prior to the party's primary elections, the gang-up against the former Speaker  had hit the roof tops. Though Odili moved to save the day in less than 24 hours to the primary election, those opposed to Amaechi went ahead to use the weaponry of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and former President Olusegun Obasanjo to deny him of the ticket despite winning over 90% of the total votes cast.

During the PDP South-South rally, Amaechi was denied the party's flag as the governorship candidate by President Obasanjo who described the flag as having a 'K-leg'. In that confusion, Amaechi was later substituted by his cousin, Barrister Celestine Omehia, though both men were not said to be the best of friends.

In a bid to regain his mandate which was taken through unlawful means, Amaechi's life was threatened which led him into seeking refuge in  neighbouring Ghana while his wife and children relocated to the United  Kingdom.

Gov. Amaechi had gone to the Federal High Court in Abuja in January 2007 to challenge the decision of the party and the Independent Electoral Commission, INEC, to substitute his name with that of Celestine Omehia. That move had further widened the gap between him and the PDP as well as his former boss, Dr Peter Odili.

The case had lasted for a period of ten months when the Apex Court ruled on October 25, 2007 that Amaechi was the rightful candidate for the April 14, 2007 Governorship election in the state, as such, should be the occupant of the seat of power in Rivers State since his party, PDP, had won the election.

Amaechi is regarded as the luckiest politician in the state because it is very uncommon in Nigeria for a person to challenge the powers that be, especially under President Obasanjo whose eight year-tenure was marred with outright disregard to the rule of law. It would be recalled that Omehia had already been sworn-in as the governor where he ruled for a period of five months before he was declared an illegal occupant of the seat. Many had thought that the Supreme Court would have ordered for a fresh election in the state with Amaechi as the lawful candidate of the PDP, but the Supreme Court which is infallible proved otherwise.

Gov. Amaechi is also lucky to have gained the support of the most of those who had earlier opposed him. His style of governance has also endeared him to the hearts of the people.

ENGR. TELE IKURU (Deputy Governor, Rivers State)

Engineer Tele Ikuru who is today the Deputy Governor of Rivers State stands as one of the luckiest politicians in the state considering his antecedents. Tele Ikuru was the pioneer Commissioner for Agriculture under Gov. Odili's first tenure.

He served for four years and was later appointed the Commissioner in-charge of Housing, a post he held for two years before he was dropped from the Exco on alleged malpractices.

Many thought Tele's political future had been jeopardized until he was nominated as Gov. Amaechi's running mate for the governorship election. Interestingly, when Amaechi was substituted with Omehia, Tele Ikuru remained the running mate to Omehia. He had served with Omehia as the Deputy Governor for five months before the Supreme Court sacked that government. Tele Ikuru as it were, is the cousin to the former PDP Chairman in the state, Prince Uche Secondus.

His relationship with Secondus is said to be his greatest advantage over others. Tele has been very lucky since he joined politics through the instrumentality of Secondus who does not waste time to prompt his younger cousin each time the opportunity calls for him to nominate someone from his native home, Andoni. Many had expected Gov. Amaechi to sack his deputy on assumption of office or worst still sponsore an impeachment process through the State Assembly, but Amaechi who himself is a product of the Rule of Law, preferred to stick to the dictates of the law because the February 2, 2007 letter written by PDP to INEC seeking to substitute Amaechi with Omehia, said nothing about the candidature of the Deputy. Moreso, the Supreme Court judgment which confirmed Amaechi as the rightful candidate did not touch the issue of the deputy. Since, it was a joint ticket, status quo ante had to remain.

But most politicians in the state had wished that based on purposes of integrity, Tele Ikuru should have resigned, having been together with Omehia while the legal battle lasted. He fought alongside Omehia, though he is said to have not fared well under his former boss.

Engr. Tele Ikuru is said to be more influential under Amaechi and enjoys a very cordial relationship with the governor, contrary to expectations.

He is said to be warming up for the coveted seat whenever Gov Amaechi completes his tenure Tele Ikuru can best be described as the cat with nine lives.

PRINCE TONYE PRINCWILL

(Governorship Candidate Action Congress, Leader of FOOPP)

This scion of the kalabari dynasty has surprised those who never gave him a chance before now to be one of the frontline politicians in the state.

Prince Tonye was the governorship candidate of the Action Congress, AC, in the last elections, but rather than join the league of those who went to court to challenge Amaechi's electoral and legal victory, he decided to join hands with the governor to develop and transform the state.

PRINCE UCHE SECONDUS (A.K.A TOTAL) (National Organizing Secretary, PDP)

Prince Secondus popularly known as 'Total' is one man whose political journey has continued to beat the imaginations of the people.

He was one of the most powerful shots during Odili's eight-year reign in Rivers State. 'Total' was part of Odili's inner caucus and was seen everywhere with the former Governor.

Though his relationship with Amaechi during those days was less than cordial, Prince Secondus was the former Chairman of the PDP in the state and was one of those who fought against Amaechi's candidature even after his emergence as the Party's flagbearer.

Through the instrumentality of his position and alliance with Odili, Secondus always had his way in terms of who gets what, particularly in Andoni Local Government Area where he comes from.

He insisted on having his cousin, Tele Ikuru as 'standing' deputy to anyone who emerges as the candidate. This probably is the reason for Tele's emergence as Amaechi's running mate and when that did  not work, he also remained as Omehia's Deputy.

Prince Secondus surprisingly accepted Amaechi's olive branch and became the first member of the opposition within the PDP to publicly pledge his support for the governor.

He is said to be influential in the state moreso when Gov, Amaechi helped to install him as the organizing secretary of the PDP, a feat he could not achieve under Omehia.

Prince Secondus, many say is even closer to the Governor now, more than those who had fought on the governor's side during  the ten month struggle in the courts.

He has also used his position to influence the appointment of his key followers into key positions in the state, while others are beneficiaries of contract awards.

'Total'  may have fallen out of favour with his former group, but today he is one of those that has the governor's ears. Many wonder why he is highly placed despite his role in the fight to stop Amaechi from becoming governor. Prince Secondus remains one of  the luckiest politicians in the state.

Page 8 News

Home Nursing: POGA To The Rescue …Complements Govt. Efforts In Healthcare Delivery

By Wilson Uchendu

A new healthcare delivery service known as POGA Home Nursing Services, a domiciliary Nursing/Midwifery services provider is currently blazing the trail in the healthcare sector.

This innovative nursing service which is unprecedented in the annals of history in nursing profession in Nigeria aims at providing nursing care at the door steps of various homes.

According to the Executive Director of POGA Home Nursing Services Nig. Ltd, Ms Otonye Alabere who herself is an experienced nurse of international repute, “POGA takes care of the busy lifestyle of the contemporary society and gives attention to the need of the elderly, disabled children etc, who hitherto were looked after by 'unprofessional' hands such as children and relations. POGA gives adequate attention to their personal hygiene, physical and psychological comfort as well as providing professional nursing services to these patients”.

The following home services are available at POGA; care of the chronically ill, geriatric nursing services, care of the physically/mentally challenged and home deliveries.

Others are ante natal care, post natal care, family health services, family planning services, care of the convalescent as well as rehabilitative care.

Other specialized services provided by POGA include; capacity building for nurses through conferences, seminars and workshops, consultancy services to healthcare industries, government agencies, clinics and corporate organizations pertaining to nursing education and practice.

POGA also provides nursing personnel on adhoc basis to health industries to meet their urgent nurse manpower needs, counselling on matters regarding family health and safe motherhood, provision of necessary equipment for effective delivery of nursing care and provision of health/nutritional supplement and medicament for improvement of nursing care.

One of the motivating factors apart from providing services to humanity according to the Executive Director of POGA which drives her zeal in this home nursing venture is the doggedness of the Rivers State Governor Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi in revitalizing the state's health sector.

“Over 150 health centres are being constructed under Amaechi's administration in every nook and cranny of the state and hospitals are being renovated and supplied with adequate drugs”.

“POGA by providing home nursing services to the citizens of the state and beyond would help to complement the efforts of the state government towards engendering qualitative health care services to the teeming masses”, the Executive Director of POGA hinted to Beam Checks.

At 2nd floor, No 2. Lagos Street, Port Harcourt Head Office of POGA, our reporter was told that caring for the patient in their homes with all their physical and social amenities around them has a great advantage over hospitalized care.

“It gives the family members good opportunity to go about their usual socio-economic activities.

“Professional touch is given to satisfy our numerous clients since our nurses are qualified, licensed and experienced. Also our approach is dynamic, supervisory, advisory, client-centered and family participatory to meet individual patient needs”, the ever-smiling POGA Health Desk Officer said. This added the Executive Director “is the best you can get in nursing right in your home”.

Fast Food Outfit Commissioned In Oyigbo

By Okechukwu Geoffrey

History was over the weekend made at Obeama Asa in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State as the much awaited “My Style Instanta Fast Food” outfit was commissioned amidst jubilation and celebration in the community as prominent personalities from all walks of life witnessed the auspicious occasion.

In his speech at the commissioning ceremony, the Secretary of Oyigbo Local Government Area, Chief Hon. Solomon Nwanbu re-affirmed the present administration's determination to re-build the LGA to a modern and peaceful area that will meet the people's quest for a good  life.

Chief Nwanbu further stressed that government is working hard towards making the area an attractive destination for investment as well as creating a conducive atmosphere for business and social life as a way of reducing unemployment not only in the LGA but in the state generally.

He also commended the vision of the Chairman/Chief Executive of Amachoice Global Resources, (Hon) Anthony Onyinyechi Amaechi for his initiative and assured him of government's patronage since according to him the fast food will help to boost socio-economic activities in the area.

Also speaking, the Ojiugu I, Chief Mike Paul lauded the effort of Hon. Amaechi whom he said has contributed immensely to the growth and development of the community.

According to the Monarch, Hon. Amaechi through the outfit has helped to reduce the unemployment problem ravaging the area by offering meaningful employment to both indigenes and non-indigenes thereby reducing youths restiveness in the area and the state at large.

He therefore used the opportunity to call on government at both the State and LGA to give potential investors all the necessary support and conducive environment for business to operate.

Chief Paul particularly appealed to the council to put in place certain amenities that are lacking in the community and commended the Oyigbo Council Chairman Sir Precious Oforji for his developmental strides since he became the chairman.

In the same vein, the PDP Chairman (ward 7) in the area Hon. John Nwanbu also commended and lauded the contributions of the Chief Executive of “My Style Instanta Fast Food” outfit and promised to give all the necessary supports to encourage him and used the medium to call on investors in other countries to come to Nigeria and invest as there is absolute peace in the country.

Meanwhile, the Chairman/Chief Executive of Amachoice Global Resources and the MD of the Fast Food outfit Hon. Anthony Onyinyechi Amaechi has expressed joy and happiness over the turn-out of guests that came to grace the occasion. He  thanking them for their support.

He however attributed his success to the mercy of God Almighty coupled with his entrepreneurial spirit.

Amaechi, one-time councillor in the second republic and a renowned teacher however said that brain power was the main factor responsible for the establishment of “My Instanta Fast Food” with the latest technological innovation.  

Committee Embarks On Media Campaign

By Okechukwu Geoffrey

The Rivers State Inter-ministerial Intervention Committee on Deflooding/Drainage Problem Areas in the Port Harcourt Metropolis is currently embarking on a media campaign against dumping of debris on the drains.

Speaking during a courtesy visit to Rhythm 93.7 FM last Tuesday (July 14, 2009) the Committee Chairman Mr. Gostime Orlukwu told the General Manager that the committee was in his office to seek the support of the station in ensuring that the city of Port Harcourt is rid of flooding which he said had given the present administration in the state sleepless nights.

According to him the committee is doing everything humanly possible to nip the problem in the bud but regretted that the residents are not helping matters as some of them are still hell bent in dropping wastes on the drains thereby stalling the committee's effort in curbing the menace of flooding in the city.

He maintained that the committee felt it was indeed necessary to seek the support of media houses (electronics and prints) in the state as a way of sensitizing and informing the public on the dangers of dumping wastes on the drains.

The Chairman who said the committee cannot achieve its goals without the media however appealed to the management of Rhythm FM for the support since according to him the role of the media cannot be over emphasized in this regard. He thanked the station for honouring the committee's request even at a short notice as the secretary of the committee Mr. Daso Iyagba also expressed happiness for the attention given to them by the station.

Responding, the General Manager of Rhythm 93.7 Port Harcourt Mr. Sampson Febresima lauded the present government for setting up the committee pointing out that if past governments had done the same by now the issue of flooding would have become a thing of the past and added that the idea of tackling the flooding problem was a task that must be done.

He maintained that consistent media campaigns/jingles would also go a long way in putting the public in order stressing that the committee needs both human, financial and material resources to succeed and promised that the station would give the committee all the necessary support.

The GM further advised the Orlukwu-led committee to liaise with the state sanitation authority in this regard noting that there ought to be some kind of attitudinal change on the side of the people and commended the noble idea of enlightening the public through the media.

It would be recalled that the Committee Chairman recently featured on the CMTV live programme “People and Issues”.

Meanwhile, the committee will also pay a similar visit to Radio Rivers, Treasure FM, RSTV, AIT and NTA respectively.

Page 9 News

NDCAV Applauds Yar'Adua's Amnesty Offer

By Okechukwu Geoffrey

The Niger Delta Coalition Against Violence (NDCAV) has applauded the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Alhaji Musa Yar'Adua for granting amnesty and unconditional pardon to all persons who have directly or indirectly participated in the commission of offences associated with militant activities in the Niger Delta region.

In a chat with this publication in Port Harcourt recently the President of the body Mr. Lekia Christian described the offer as a welcome development tasking government to ensure that it is sincere in its resolve to end the crisis in the area.

The NDCAV leader used the medium to appeal to all aggrieved persons in the Niger Delta who have been hurt as a result of the activities of the militants to forgive and forget in the interest of peace and the overall development of the region and nation at large.

According to him the militants should on their part be sober over the number of lives and properties lost and do everything within their power to avoid the spread of further violence in the region appealing to them to make themselves voluntary ambassadors of peace and development in the emerging new order.

He advised them to borrow a leaf from the Ogoni-born militant popularly known as “Osama Bin Laden” who recently surrendered arms and ammunition to the government in the interest of peace.

He further said that the militants should consider the need to place greater value on measures and options that stand to guarantee an end to the flow of blood and tears in the streets and creeks of the region. This is because according to him, the pains that violence has brought into their (people) hearts, the knowledge of the value of lives and properties that the region has lost in the process as well as the need to secure a future that will advance the dreams and hopes of their forbearers, should be given prominence as they assert their positions in the ongoing negotiations with the Federal Government team.

He maintained that NDCAV wants all Niger Deltans and indeed true friends of the region to see this as an opportunity to enhance a process that can lead to the complete demilitarization of the region.

NDCAV as a matter of fact according to the President is a non-governmental and humanitarian organization whose ultimate objective is to bring about lasting peace to the Niger Delta region.

Isuikwuato LG Polls: Court Declares Winners

By Chris Jonah

An Umuahia High Court presided over by Justice Onuoha A.K. Ogwe has ordered Abia State Independent Electoral Commission (ABSIEC) to issue a certificate of return to Deacon Chijioke Onyeabor as the duly elected Chairman of Isuikwuato Local Government Area of Abia State.

Also to be issued with their certificates of return are the ten councillors who contested the January 19, 2008 council polls in Abia State alongside Deacon Onyeabor.

Justice Ogwe, who gave the order on Monday, while ruling on contempt of court charges brought against ABSIEC by the councillors, warned that the Chairman of the Commission Prof. Steve Emejuaive risks being sent to prison should he fail to comply with the court order.

Onyeabor was the Chairmanship candidate of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) which was the only party that fielded candidates for chairmanship and councillorship positions in Isuikwuato Local Government Area polls for the January19, 2008 in Abia State.

After the election, ABSIEC cancelled the election in Isuikwuato on the grounds that it was marred by violence, Deacon Onyeabor challenged ABSIEC at the Local Government Election Tribunal.

The tribunal struck out the suit on the grounds that his case was a pre-election matter.

Onyeabor headed to the High Court where he filed another case against ABSIEC, seeking for a proper interpretation of the provision of Abia State Government law regarding candidates without challengers in an election.

Delivering  judgment in the suit on April 20th, 2009, Justice Ogwe granted the major relief sought by the plaintiff by holding that since Onyeabor was the only candidate standing for the election, other  parties who had no candidates parties failed. ABSIEC ought to have declared him winner, in compliance with paragraph 11 of the 5th schedule of Abia State Local Government law No2 of 2006.

The Judge held that elections in Isuikwuato were unnecessary in the circumstances and that holding elections and canceling same amounted to a waste of public fund.

He, therefore, ordered the commission to swear-in Onyeabor and the 10 councilors as duly elected and issued them with their certificates of return. However, ABSIEC appealed the judgment and also filed a motion for stay of execution of the High Court ruling. Justice Ogwe equally dismissed the motion on June 22, 2009 for lacking in merit.

Two days later, Onyeabor filed another motion on notice through which he brought contempt of court charges against the commission for failing to declare him the duly elected chairman of Isuikwuato Local Government Council in respect of the election held on January 19, 2008.

An affidavit in support of the motion deposed to by Barr. Orji Onwudinjo, Counsel to Onyeabor, stated that both forms 48 and 49 have been duly served on the defendants.

The motion contended that unless the defendants were sent to prison, they would continue to disobey and make mockery of the court order.

Ruling on the motion, Justice Ogwe ordered ABSIEC Chairman to comply or be thrown into jail. But counsel to ABSIEC Barrister Ike Oguneme, while speaking to newsmen denied that the commission has been served the contempt charge, adding that the motion ought to have been dismissed as he claimed that it was not properly brought before the court. He also contended that the court lacked jurisdiction over the matter.

The Caretaker Committee Chairman, of Isuikwuato Council Barr. Osuoha in a telephone chat denied knowledge of the court ruling.

“I am not sure of any court ruling declaring Deacon Chijioke Onyeabor as the elected chairman. I am still in office. I am in charge, the report is false” he stated.

Also an aide to the , TC Chairman refuted the claim saying there was no truth in the publication.

But a reliable source in Government House Umuahia, informed this weekly that the CTC chairman may have been sacked by the court but, he decided to challenge the court ruling at the Court of Appeal, whence his staying put in the Council.

N' DELTA: Northern Nigeria Not Responsible For Crisis ~ACF

ByPaschal Agbada

Speaking through its Chairman Major General IBM Haruna (Rtd) in Kaduna last week the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has sent a warning message to elders and leaders of the Niger Delta telling them to stop making statements that may heat up the polity regarding the North.

In the message, the Forum decried the attitude of leaders of the Niger Delta militant groups who would stop at nothing in portraying issues as if the North was responsible for the crisis in the region.

According to the Chairman, the north remains in the vanguard of seeking for a lasting peace to the crisis and so has ample goodwill for people of the region. In the statement which was signed last Wednesday, the ACF outrightly condemned what it termed the “bellicose” behaviors from the Niger Delta militants with regard to the efforts made by the Federal Government towards ending the crisis.

“The belligerent altitude of the militants is not helpful, as it contradicted the spirit of the amnesty offered them by the Federal Government, the statement said.

The statement further said, “the attention of the Arewa Consultative Forum and indeed many other Nigerians have been drawn to the increasingly bellicose statements and declarations by some leaders of the militant groups in the Niger Delta.

 “They seemed to be picking issues with the North and this strictly contradicts the spirit of the amnesty.

“The MEND whose leaders Henry Okah was released from a treasonable felony offence in accordance with the offer, has declared that they would only observe a 60-day ceasefire. On the other hand too Alhaji Miyahid Dokubo Asari, leader of the NDPVF has also been making inflammatory speeches against Northerners in particulars. “He was quoted by a newspaper as accusing the so-called Northern Oligarchs as being responsible for the crisis in the Niger Delta region. “This actions and statements by these partisan elements who claim to be fighting on behalf of the people of the South-South must be deeply troubling to every Nigerian; the statement said. 

Verite Publisher Joins His Ancestors

By Okechukwu Geoffrey

It was indeed a big shock to all journalists in Rivers State including friends and well-wishers when the news came that the publisher of The Verite Newspaper Mr. Jose Pere Jeremiah is dead.  

Narrating the ugly incident to our correspondent, one of the staff of The Verite Newspaper Mr. Itoba Ofem said his boss died around 2.00am at Silver Clinic, Aggrey Road, Port Harcourt after a successful operation carried out by an expatriate on Saturday July 12, 2009.

Itoba who described the demise of his boss as one death too many told this publication that the late publisher was transferred to the Clinic from UPTH as a result of the striking doctors pointing out that his boss probably would have survived if the doctors were on duty since according to him the operation was successfully carried out by an Indian doctor only for his boss to die two days after. Lamenting the huge loss, Mr. Ofem said the vacuum created by the death would be very difficult to fill and prayed God to grant the soul of his master eternal rest.

He went down memory lane to say that whatever he has achieved today as a man was made possible by the late publisher and wondered why the cold hands of death could snatch such a man he described as sincere, honest, kind, generous and hard-working at a time his services were most needed.

Meanwhile, a condolence register is now open at The Verite office along Ikwerre Road after the popular education bus stop.

Late Pere Jeremiah until his sudden death was married to one wife and two female children.

The late publisher was a native of Amasoma in Bayelsa State.

back to top^^