Page 2 Mixed Grill

RSG Bans Youth Groups In Omoku

Following recent skirmishes among various youth bodies in Omuku, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, the Rivers State Government has announced the proscription of all youth groups in the area.

Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi gave the order banning the organizations, which include the Omuku Youth Association, Omoku Youth Federation in the area, today during a meeting with chiefs, elders, political leaders and the youths at Omoku Town.

Governor Amaechi, who was represented by the Secretary to State Government, Mr Magnus Abe warned that anybody or group of persons that carryout any youth related activity during the period of the ban would attract the wrath of the state government, noting that having outlawed the source of the conflict among them, there was no need to engage in any form of in-fighting among themselves.

He urged them to put the past behind them and forge a united front to ensure that peace returns to the area, pointing out that youth groups would be allowed to function in the area only when total peace has been restored and modalities for smooth election are put in place.

The State Chief Executive, reminded those in possession of illegal weapons to embrace the amnesty between now and October 4, 2009 and surrender such arms, stressing that anyone found with weapons or firearms after the expiration of the period would have himself to blame.

The governor who conducted an interactive session with the people also warned that if anybody does anything contrary to the resolutions arrived at the meeting would meet the full weight of the law.

He ordered the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Council to distance itself from the activities of criminal youths in the area to enable Omoku enjoy peaceful co-existence that they are known for, emphasizing that some of the challenges facing society today are caused by the transfer of economic power to the youths because of fear of youth-related disturbances.

Governor Amaechi said his administration recognizes the strategic position of ONELGA in the state hence the decision to hold the meeting to identify the actual cause of the youth restiveness and called on lovers of the area to work cooperatively with the state government to make the area peaceful.

According to him, “the youths were becoming unrespectful to the elders of the area” and advised them to accord respect to the elders to enable them enjoy same when they grow old, adding that those in leadership positions should be fair and lead by example to earn their respect.

Also speaking, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Bala Hassan, warned that all those involved in criminal activities would be prosecuted if they fail to utilize the period of the amnesty to surrender the illegal weapons in their possession.

Mr Hassan appealed to the people to stop taking cases that could be handled in the State Police Command to Zone Six, Calabar explaining that zone six should only be considered in the event that the issues are not well handled in the state.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers and the Eze Oba of Ogbaland, HRM, Eze Chukumela Nnam Obi II, thanked the Rivers State Government for intervening in the skirmish and promised never to betray his people but warned the oil companies operating in the area to abandon their divide and rule tactics that causes crisis among the people.

The traditional ruler said some police officers serving in the area have overstayed as they now take sides in crisis in the area and requested the state police boss to redeploy them and lauded the new Divisional Police Officer for his efforts in fighting crime in the area.

The warring youth leaders who shook hands and embraced themselves as a sign of reconciliation were directed to come together and withdraw the cases pending in the courts.

The town hall meeting featured contributions on the way forward by stakeholders in the area.

ERROR

In our last edition, we had carried a story purporting Rumuadaolu to be in Rumuola. But we have discovered that Rumuadaolu is a different community entirely from Rumuola.

In the same vein, we traced the road networks slightly wrongly. This prompted some questions in some quarters and to that effect we submit that the name of the network of roads as recorded in documents is Rumuadaolu Internal Road Networks.

We regret any embarrassment as a result of these

Editor

Page 5 Cover News

Guber Tussle: Amaechi Prepares For Showdown With Soberekon

…Withdraws Appeal At Supreme Court …Lawyers Ready For Showdown

…Supporters Plan New Strategy

The Supreme Court on  Monday, in a no-nonsense style struck out the appeal filed by counsels to the Rivers State Government which had challenged the decision of the Court of Appeal in sustaining that the election petition brought against the Governor Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi by the Accord Party Governorship candidate for Rivers State in 2007, Chief Bekinbo Soberekon was strictly proper and in accordance with relevant electoral laws.

Governor Amaechi had won the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary elections in 2006 but was surprisingly not accepted by the party and was subsequently substituted by Celestine Omehia who eventually stood for the elections and won.

However, Governor Amaechi fought back for his mandate and following a long protracted legal battle that stretched for almost one year after which the Supreme Court delved into its recesses and delivered a-once-in-a-lifetime judgment based on the invalid substitution that the Party (PDP) made without cogent and verifiable reasons and that saw the incumbent mount the saddle as the executive governor of Rivers State.

Some how, while Celestine reigned as Governor and Amaechi battled in the courts for his stolen mandate, the Accord Party Governorship candidate, Chief Bekinbo Serekon had gone to challenge Omehia's election at the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.

Eventually, as the Supreme Court nullified Omehia's Governorship position and brought Amaechi as the authentic governor of Rivers State, Bekinbo Soberekon, very much aware of the consequences of the Supreme Court decision that has replaced Celestine Omehia's name with that of Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi had petitioned to the tribunal to also substitute Omehia's name in his pending case with that of Amaechi.

In consonance with the rule of law, the Election Petition Tribunal granted the applicant's request and went ahead to make Governor Amaechi one of the respondents to the election petition.

Again, as would be expected, this decision by the Tribunal did not go down well with the Governor who then appealed against it but the Court of Appeal upheld the tribunal’s decision.

Governor Amaechi had no other option than to head for the Supreme Court.

But as the hearing was on yesterday, the Governor's counsels realizing that there was need to follow the rules of the game applied to withdraw the Governor's earlier appeal.

Subsequently, the striking out of the counsels earlier Appeal and the withdrawal application by the Governors counsels worked almost at the same time as the Chief Justice of the Federation Justice Idris Kutigi just did that.

As things stand now and following developments, the battle shifts back to the Appeal Court in Port Harcourt.

The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike, speaking for the Governor said the dismissal of the interlocutory appeal by the Supreme Court in Abuja on Monday has finally put an end to all those rumours about the removal of Governor Amaechi from office.

The Chief of Staff, who was addressing newsmen at the Supreme Court premises in Abuja shortly after the ruling, noted that the state is pleased with the Court's decision, which was as a result of an application for withdrawal, made by counsels to Governor Amaechi.

According to him, “we are happy that the Supreme Court granted our application for withdrawal which the Governor's Legal Team made, pointing out that since this matter started, desperate politicians in the state had made a lot of false publications which had cast aspersions on the judiciary in the country.

“The Rivers State Government would not want to be party to anything that tends to ridicule the Judiciary because of our firm believe in the Principle of the Rule of Law”, the Chief of Staff declared.

He said he was very happy that the respondents did not oppose the application for withdrawal, which was made by O.A. Dare, who held brief for Lateef Fagbemi, Counsel to Governor Amaechi, which led to the striking out of both the Appeal and motions thereof.

In similar vein, the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Hon. Ken Chikere said by the decision of the Supreme Court, that the matter would now return back to the Court of Appeal.

The Attorney General noted that in striking out the appeal, the Supreme Court did not say that the appeal was frivolous, but merely re-affirmed that the matter returns back to the Court of Appeal since it was an  election issue.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Gokana LGA, Chief Victor Giadom re-echoed that this ruling will educate people more on the need to avoid rumour mongering.

The Gokana Chairman said before today, people were peddling rumours that Governor Amaechi will soon be removed from office.

All that will stop now, as we are all going to the Court of Appeal, adding that Rivers people should not have anything to fear, as the State Government is battle ready.

Page 8 Column

In the next few days, if an extension is not done just like the MEND did, the amnesty proclaimed by the FG will expire. The implication is that the FG and security agencies would resume bombardment of militant bases and bloodshed would resume. Of course, the militants, especially the dreaded members of the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) and other groups yet to surrender arms, would respond by blowing up oil facilities, taking hostages, and sabotaging the oil economy.

Those who do not understand the implications must take note of the huge improvement in oil revenue in the second quarter of this year. Statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics indicate that Nigeria earned N1.092Trn in oil between April and June 2009. This figure is far higher than the N734Bn the nation earned in oil between January and March 2009, when oil wars were harshest, and when oil prices were very low. Now, the figure for July and September when amnesty was on and when Nigeria almost hit 2m barrels of oil per day would indicate even higher earnings. This is as the US has stepped up its oil import from Nigeria, to over 30 per cent of Nigeria's export quantity.

Nothing has proved to the FG and those who hate to hear about better living for the Niger Delta Delta people what peace can do to an economy. It has often been said by analysts and admitted by those saddled with the task of upping power availability in Nigeria to 6000mw that without gas which comes from the troubled Niger Delta, the target in power supply would never be met in December 2009. Now, if peace can come to the oil region, if gas can flow, if oil export can resume, if the economy can bounce back to earn at about 2mbpd and above, if Nigeria can edge out Angola as number in oil in Africa, would the FG and Nigeria not be on the course of economic recovery?

For, now, everyone seems to be carried away by the noise of amnesty and the temporary peace it offers. Instead, the governors and their opponents are busy striving over who takes credit for surrendering guns. The governors of the region seem to have abandoned the credible part they towed when they did not understand what the amnesty package meant to the people. Now, the resurgence of confidence on them seems misplaced. Can we say the governors of the region who met in Asaba have now understood how the amnesty works?

The amnesty period is almost over but no one in the region seems to understand what happens next, resumption of hostilities? Would the FG not utilize this window to announce what it intends to do next? Why won't the FG begin a heavy mobilization of all the influential leaders in the region to arrive at a consensus of opinion on what should happen to Nigeria and oil henceforth?

The key militant groups still holding out, have made it clear that they do so for want of a clear agenda to address the real issues that caused the agitation in the first place. Even if they are accused of ulterior and selfish motives, they still have a point strong enough to form a rallying point after the amnesty period.  

The President merely proclaimed on July 25, 2009, that “I, Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, after due consultation with the council of States hereby grant 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”.

He had gone on to state that the “pardon shall take effect upon the surrender and handing over of all equipment, weapons, arms and ammunition and execution of the renunciation of Militancy Forms specified in the schedule hereto, by the affected persons at the nearest collection centre established for the purpose of Government in each of the Niger Delta States.” He said the unconditional pardon granted pursuant to this proclamation shall extend to all persons presently being prosecuted for offences associated with militant activities; and that “this proclamation shall cease to have effect from Sunday, 4th October 2009.”

Now, what is hollow in the entire scheme and which was the great expectation was the need to announce that the FG acknowledges that injustice led to the violent agitations and what the FG would do to resolve the crisis in the first place. The amnesty, to reasonable humans, merely offered a ceasefire kind of window in a no-victor-no-vanquished style. This would have given the FG the opportunity to pursue the peace by announcing activities, post-amnesty, that would lead to a kind of consultation/summit, conference that would finally or seriously put the issues to rest. Such issues as the split-of-the-barrel would have come up, even if fiscal federalism is not squarely addressed. What this would mean is to say; look, for every barrel of oil drilled, the owners of the land/community would get xyz percent, the local council would get this, and the state would get this. The implication would be that each time, henceforth, that oil is spilled or sabotaged, the community, LGA and state where this loss is suffered would lose their share.

The FG could say, this agreement would begin by say, January 2012 but that revenue earned above 1.5mbpd between October 2009 and December 2011 would be used to execute massive infrastructural development of the region, and that the amounts owed the development agencies such as the NDDC would be released in full within this period.

It has been said before in this column that the law setting up the NDDC stipulated 15% of oil revenue that must be remitted to them, but when the nation earned N2.9Trn between 2000 and 2007, according to the former acting managing director of the NDDC, Power Ziakede Aginighan, the Obasanjo regime chose to remit a mere N110Bn and failed to remit the remaining N326Bn. We had seriously observed that between 1999 and 2009, the FG has run the OMPADEC, NDDC, Coastal States Forum, Oputa Panel, Father Kukah panel (on Ogoni), 45-man Technical Committee and now the Ministry of Niger Delta, but that the simple task of releasing N326Bn has been left tactfully undone.

Instead, the FG over the years has given the base impression that fault of the under-development is the leaders of the region. The FG has finally convinced the people that the only language it respects is violence and that the peaceful moderates were not important. That is why I am deeply disturbed that the absence of a sustainable guarantee in the amnesty package that the nation will not relapse into violence in the region in the near-future. It is too late in the day for the people of the Niger Delta to accept empty assurances from the FG. Only cast-iron guarantees that the days of agony are over would do.

Many elected officials from the region are either too weak or visionless to take the FG head-on on issues of development of the area. We do not know if we still have a Vice President even as the governors seem to slow down so that they can concentrate on 2011. The lawmakers from the S/south in the National Assembly are not presenting any bloc except for a microscopic few saying something and getting muscled down and muffled by the hawks in the Chambers who do not care about the good of the Niger Delta region.

The way out remains for the FG to ensure the amnesty scheme does not breakdown, especially going by the noise from Bayelsa State which should have been the calmest, going by the fact that two of the four most important personalities involved in the Niger Delta peace process: Vice President Goodluck Jonathan, and Presidential Honorary Special Adviser on Niger Delta Affairs Timi Alaibe; others in the equation being the new CEO of NDDC and Minister of Niger Delta.

The FG must ensure that the ex-militants have alternative sources of sustainable income, considering some of them are used to huge earnings through oil bunkering, hostage-taking, armed robbery, etc. There should be gigantic projects that the boys can see and connect with their struggle. Even if others see them as criminals, the creek giants regard themselves as heroes in the caliber of Major Adaka Boro,  Ken Sara-Wiwa etc. That is why they have used every opportunity to remind the FG that the agitation is not over until they see a change of heart on the part of the FG. There must be proper education to turn around the minds of the youth of the region, a new revenue formula other than 13 per cent. The FG must monitor what the funds sent to the region are spent on and probably set up an independent monitoring body which reports to the federal executive council.

Finally, the FG must come out strongly against oil bunkering which thrives in the region. So far, security agencies have been often indicted or heavily fingered in this area. These people ship in all the weapons of mass destruction we talk about while they orchestrate insinuations that politicians are the ones arming the youths to rig elections. The FG must realize that Obasanjo pardoned militants and arms more than the present ones were surrendered, but now, where did these ones come from, if not from oil bunkering mafias?

The FG must come up with a clear line of action, post-amnesty, if Nigeria is to seize this wonderful opportunity to turn things around. The moderates are warning again that if this is not done, the current peace in the creeks will give way to a renewed and more sophisticated violence since that is the only language that moves the nation.

Piracy Is Killing Nigerian Youth

Nigeria is said to have the 3rd biggest movie industry in the world, but none of the movie stars from Nollywood can be found on the first 1000 rich movie stars in the world. The population that drives the movie industry is there; the cultural dynamics that fertilise the creative minds are present, and the talents that lace the industry are abundant; even the basic skills and moderate technology are present. The killer punch is protection of rights of movie makers, actors, writers, and all other creative artists to their original works.In fact, Nigeria is so notorious about copyright massacre (not just mere violation) that most (if not all) of the music producing companies in Nigeria fled the shores of the country in the 1980s. No Nigerian publishing firm has the right to publish any foreign book. This is because as soon as the first 10 copies roll out of the press, the pirates would take it from there, and soon, almost all Nigerians would have their copies of such a book while none of the 10 copies may be sold. The result is that artists in Nigeria, including writers, actors, movie stars, sculptors, musicians, etc, struggle for ever to live well in the society even though they have achieved fame with their works. It is only when such stars get advert endorsements (which are also peanuts in Nigeria compared to say South Africa here in Africa) that they can have regular income. To think that these artists made themselves without any form of government help is even more mind-boggling. From the beginning of an artist's struggle to the end, there is no form of government assistance. No state in Nigeria has a practicing set of drums for its indigenes inclined to music to try their hands on before perfecting to compete at competitions such as StarQuest. No state has a book publishing subsidy programme to help budding writers who may not win the confidence of big publishing firms such as Macmillan and Evans. No state has any talent development project that help aspiring models, actresses, musicians, poets, etc. When these defiant Nigerians hack their way through, under the rain and sun, and create good works such as music or write books, pirates simply take over with impunity. The works would spring up on the streets of Nigeria, even beside police stations. Abroad, the governments work closely behind doors to aid and groom talents who shock the world like the Russian tennis stars and Chinese gymnasts. In Nigeria, you are on your own. Instead, their little efforts are blown up by heartless pirates who do not care about the rights of the artists. They steal the hard work of others and reap where they did not sow because the government does not care. The few who are able to break the circle of poverty, running generators to produce a work end up being swallowed by pirates who are operating with impunity.Over the years, the Nigerian artists have cried, wailed, pleaded, begged, lobbied, but no serious attention has been paid to them. The governments rather regard it as “their” matter, thinking that pirating or copyright breaches are an issue between an artist and the pirate. The governments of this land hardly realized that it is the state versus the pirate. The creative work becomes part of the wealth, heritage and gross domestic product (GDP) of Nigeria. Any violation becomes injury to the collective wealth.Another serious implication is the fact that copyright is the legal right of creative artists or publishers to control the use and reproduction of their original works. This right becomes an asset the government must strive to protect, just like the banks where all money is stored and given maximum protection. This right demands and deserves protection as of right. It is not for the artists to enforce but for the government to ensure, just as it is not the duty of anyone to engage his own police to protect him. The oath taken by those in power to protect lives and property of the citizens behoves on our governor and presidents to protect rights of artists, period.

What indeed does Nigeria do well, except election rigging, corruption, exam malpractice, etc? No country is perfect but the total indictment Nigeria faces in aspects of every endeavour makes one wonder what we are good at. Almost every country has achieved excellence and advantage in one aspect of life or the other: the US may not be very wonderful in football but they lead in handball, athletics and boxing; China is a force in gymnastics and table tennis, Cuba is wonderful in boxing; Kenya and Ethiopia in distance races; Egypt in swimming and wrestling; Cameroun in football (at least in Africa); Jamaica in reggae music and now sprints; etc. Truth is that most of these countries strive to improve on what they are known for, and maintain consistency. Now, Thailand is a name in rice, Vietnam is no longer about failed jungle wars but rice research and export, Malaysia is now a force in palm oil, Dubai is it for trade/industry and business tourism, Ghana is now an African model in stable democracy, etc. What is Nigeria exporting to the world, what are we excelling at, and what can we expect the world to come and learn? Our football has fallen to the dogs, so that minors displace us and our Eagles are no more super. Even a mere fight against piracy to protect the youth has become a night mare. Is this not evidence of national devaluation? One would expect the government to come out fighting to protect the art industry. If the government launches a consistent crackdown on pirates of all sorts, there would be result. Those who sell these songs on the roads can be made to become genuine businessmen and gain even higher. They can be grouped and re-trained, and later turned into genuine agents of production companies. This way, the industry would be the better for it, and the government would not have destabilised the long chain of retailers in the industry. The government must realize that every song on plate/tape, for instance, creates jobs from the studio to the streets.

It may not be too late to start from somewhere. At least, let all activists, lawyers, and civil society groups come out to help. Through education, sensitization, mobilization, the citizenry would made to know that it is wrong to buy from pirates, and that it is bad to reproduce another man's work and proudly sell it. There is still time to fight.

Page 10 News

Anguish, Tension Envelope Ikwerreland As Reasons For Murder Of Akpor Monarch Emerge

By Joe Kalu

There has been anguish, tension and total condemnation following the violent murder of the Ikwerre Monarch Eze Badumeru O. Oriebe, paramount ruler of Akpor Kingdom in Obio/Akpor LGA of Rivers State last weekend by unknown gunmen.

The angry reaction became pronounced when some  reasons emerged as to why the foremost traditional ruler was killed.

According to community sources, Eze Oriebe was a strict adherent to the traditional religion which made him unamenable to some  suggestions from his subjects.

For instance, the source disclosed that the late monarch who was revered in the whole of Ikwerreland for his intelligence and exposure stood his grounds against the selling of their landed property which was bequeathed to them by their forefathers.

But at a point in time, he was said to have yielded to pressure and approved the selling of some of the lands when his life was threatened.

Of course, as “Oliver Twist”, this group kept asking for more which he was said to have refused.

The source revealed that the squabble among the children of the polygamous home did not help matters either as each wife of the monarch and her children were always scheming to outsmart the other to gain more advantage.

Little wonder there has been insinuations that the killing could be another “inside job” especially when there was no vehicle used to aid the escape of the assailants.

Many persons interviewed by this publication condemned the dastardly act in strong terms.

HRH Eze R.O. Okocha, Nyenweli Choba, while commiserating with the family and people of Akpor Kingdom on the sudden death of his colleague called on the Rivers State Commissioner of Police to unravel the circumstances that led to the killing.

In his reaction Comrade Oru Nwobueze, National Youth Leader of South-South Alliance for Yar'Adua and Jonathan, SSAYJ, and Ogbogoro youth leader condemned the killing describing it as barbaric and callous.

He lamented that late Eze Oriebe will be greatly missed by all indigene of Akpor in particular and the state as a whole.

“Eze Oriebe's reign was unparalleled in the history of Akpor Kingdom and I assure you that the killers will never go free” he stated.

Comrade Nwobueze regretted that the respect and protection accorded traditional rulers in other parts of the federation is lacking in Rivers State and called on the elders and indeed the traditional rulers to always carry their youths along in the scheme of things especially to give them some protection adding that the way and manner the late monarch was carelessly murdered was appalling as there was no form of security around the house of the first class traditional ruler.

He also used the opportunity to condemn those persons who he said relish in the selling of their landed property to the detriment of future generation describing them as lazy lots.

Oru then called on the authorities concerned not to leave any stone unturned in bring the perpetrators to book.

Among the early callers were the Chief of Staff Government House, Chief Nyesom. Wike, Obio/Akpor Council Boss, Prince Timothy Nsirim and the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Bala Hassan who has promised to fish out the killers.

And to backup this promise police has not only arrested over 200 suspects mainly from the immediate family but has gone ahead to offer N2 million for any useful information that would lead to the arrest of the culprits.

The CP has also in addition deployed over 100 policemen to the area to unravel the mystery and in record time too even as dusk to dawn curfew has been imposed in the area.

Meanwhile the state Chief Executive Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi while condemning the murder disclosed in a chat with newsmen that despite the pocket of violence here and there the crime rate in the state has dropped to over 80%, commending the security agencies for a job well done.

He admonished them not to relent until the unscrupulous elements are stamped out in the society totally.

In another development, the Rivers State Police Command has announced its encounter recently with some suspected kidnappers at the boundary between Rivers and Abia State.

According to the release by DSP Rita Inoma Abbey, Police Public Relations Officer and made available to the press, on Sunday, September 27, 2007 at about 0700 hrs, men of Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) who were on duty with an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) along Port Harcourt/Obehi Road engaged some vicious bandits in a shoot out after they had kidnapped two local businessmen, one Augustine Opara 53 and Vitalis Emejulu, 45.

The release disclosed that the kidnappers in the process killed one of the victims, Augustine Opara while Vitalis Emejulu was rescued unharmed.

It further stated that the kidnappers were shot dead during the gun battle with men of the Nigeria Police Force and the following items recovered at the scene of crime.

They include three (3) AK 47 rifles with ninety (90) rounds of live ammunition and fourteen (14) magazines.

It added that the corpses and exhibits have been handed over to the Abia State Police Command for continuation of investigation while appealing for assistance from members of the public to enable the police serve the public better.

Journalists Threaten To Boycott Police Events In Rivers

By Okechukwu Geoffrey

There are serious indications that journalists in Rives State have concluded plans to henceforth turn down any invitation from the police in the State should the Commissioner of Police Bala Hassan continue to pay deaf ears to the incessant brutality and harassment meted out to journalists by his men.

According to them, the rate at which men of the Force manhandle journalists in the state is alarming and embarrassing.

They called on the police authority to urgently address the issue before the dastardly act gets out of hand.

Meanwhile, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), in the State, Mr. Opaka Dokubo has condemned in strong terms the incessant harassment and intimidation of men of the pen profession by police in the state.

He appealed to the State Police Command to call their men to order.

Describing both journalists and the police as partners in business he expressed disappointment over the attitude of the police towards journalists in the state in recent times.

He pointed out that the NUJ will no longer fold its arms and allow the police to beat, intimidate and harass them unnecessarily.

It is recalled that journalists in the state have suffered countless intimidations and brutality in the hands of men of the Police Force as journalists in the state can best be described as mere tools in their hands.

Be that as it may,  journalists are also not leaving any stone unturned to correct the ills of the society through their pens .

Laddies Cabbies: “Male Drivers To Benefit” ~Mrs. Amaechi

The prayers of male drivers in Rivers State to be included as beneficiaries in the women dominated ESI Lady Cabbies Initiated by wife of the Rivers State Governor Dame Judith Amaechi, may have been answered as the initiator of the scheme has expressed willingness to give opportunities to few male drivers in the scheme.

Dame Judith Amaechi stated this recently during a meeting with operators of the ESI Lady Cabbies at the GRA Worji Road headquarters of the NGO.

She said, “it was necessary to give few opportunities to men as a way of showing gender equality in the activities of the NGO following the governor's interest and support for the ESI Lady Cabbies.

“My husband, the Governor. has graciously donated 147 cars to boost the scheme and already recruitment for the scheme has started. I think, we need to include few males, either five or more to encourage, though, we will moderate the allocation to the men. The scheme is basically to encourage women in the transport business, because women are doing very well in this business in other parts of the world”.

Mrs. Amaechi's revelation is coming few weeks after the state police commissioner Hassan Bala made a case for a ban on the use of Jetta vehicle for transportation in Rivers State.

Mrs Amaechi, while responding to male callers on a radio programme recently said the ESI programme will touch the lives of the poor within the communities irrespective of gender.

She encouraged the women to hold firm to the scheme and not to abuse the initiative by wresting authority with their husbands, “please you all must be submissive to your husbands who will shelter you with so much encouragement, don't allow your new found wealth to put you at cross purpose with your family, you must be very humble and supportive to your husbands”.

Mrs Amaechi added that she is about to initiate a farming scheme to encourage Rivers people to embrace agriculture and its allied businesses.

RSHA Ratifies 6 More Nominees As Commissioners

By Joe Kalu

The Rivers State House of Assembly has ratified the appointment of six (6) more nominees to serve in the State Executive Council .

Four of the nominees were members of Former Executive Council, they include Felix Nweke; Davies Ibiamu Ikenya; Joe Poroma, Marshal Uwom who were commissioners in the recently dissolved executives of the present administration.

Others were Ibim Seminitari and Dawari George.

During the screening exercise, one of the nominees, Mr. Felix Nweke was accorded the privilege of taking a bow having served as a member and Chief Whip of the state legislature in the Second Republic.

The other commissioner nominees were subjected to series of questions by members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

In addition, the former commissioners were asked to give an account of their stewardship in the last Executive Council.

At the end of the screening exercise, members voted unanimously to clear the nominees. 

The elated cleared commissioner designates were seen being congratulated by their friends and well-wishers who came to observe the proceedings.

This approval has made way for the swearing-in ceremony to be conducted in a later date to fill the vacant position that has existed for too long in some ministries and close the chapter for  months of  lobbying.

Page 11 RSG News

RSG Won't Witchhunt  Odili's Associates

The Rivers State Government says it is not witch-hunting anybody as a result of their affiliation to the former governor of the state, Dr. Peter Odili.

Governor Amaechi made the clarification today at Omoku in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government area during a meeting with Stakeholders to fashion out a pathway to peace in the area.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government Hon. Magnus Abe, the Governor said his administration has great respect for Dr. Peter Odili and has furthered the policy objectives of his administration that conforms to that of the present administration while not abandoning the projects initiated by the former governor.

He cited the Independent Power Project (IPP) which the present government is funding to completion, the mile one market and the shopping mall along Aba Road which were initiated by previous government.

The Governor explained that those seeking relevance from the present administration should not raise unnecessary sentiments to deceive the people but approach issues based on their merit.

Governor Amaechi hinted that his government has not denied any contractor funds for political reasons as monies are paid to contractors according to milestones they have achieved on the jobs executed.

The State Chief Executive said the present government accord great importance to the people of ONELGA based on their contributions to the economic growth of the country hence it defiled all arguments to nominate their son as the Managing Director of NDDC.

He said project under the present dispensation is spread across the state, noting that government is trying to bring about positive change in the state to the benefit of all Rivers people, and adviced those singing in discordant tunes to beat a retreat.

Governor Amaechi said government intends to place public facilities at the disposal of the people, emphasizing that the potential of the city of Omoku for growth informed his decision to direct the ministry of Urban Development to begin the planning of the town.

The Governor stated that the commissioner for power has been given the mandate to electrify all the communities in the state, including ONELGA to encourage small and medium scale businesses to grow the economic.

He lamented that the quest for money was responsible for people taking the life of their kinsmen, adding that youth activities in the area have become inimical to the interest of the people saying that it can no longer be tolerated.

According to him, “if you adopt the argument that the Federal and state governments do not like you, why should you kill yourselves”, but assured them of the state's preparedness to develop the area through the provision of basic amenities to improve the standard of living.

In his speech, the Eze Oba of Ogbaland HRM Eze Chukwumela Obi, called on the people to enthrone enduring peace in the area while blaming the local government council for promoting restiveness in the area.

Amaechi Offers Automatic Employment To 20 Ex-Militants

The Rivers State Government has offered automatic employment to 20 graduands of the State Social Development Institute, Okehi, in Etche Local Government Area, who had successfully completed their post-militant training.

Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, who announced this today at the graduation of the first batch of the trainees of the institute at Okehi, said the rest of the graduands would be funded on their different trades and skills through a micro finance scheme with financial institutions.

The State Chief Executive, who described the training as an opportunity for the repentant militants to change their life style, urged them to serve as Ambassadors of change in society.

He also charged them to collaborate with government through their conduct to change the negative face of the state in order to fast track development and attract investment and goodwill to the state.

The governor, who narrated his life experience, challenged them to emulate him as one who rose from a humble poor background to a position of authority, stressing that another set of 300 trainees would be admitted as the first batch leaves the institute.

He observed that the youths may have been misled into violence, not necessarily for the sake of fighting against injustice, but due to the reality of hunger and poverty in society.

The governor blamed the breakdown of social order in society on the negligence of parents and the inability of government to provide legitimate means of livelihood for the people, but cautioned the youths to shun the use of arms in seeking redress for social injustice.

Also speaking, the Minister of Defence, Major General Godwin Osagie Abbe (Rtd), lauded the Rivers State Government for blazing the trail in the task of rehabilitating the repentant militants.

General Abbe described the graduation ceremony as the first of its kind since the federal government pronounced Amnesty to militants in Niger Delta in June this year, noting that three rehabilitation centres are being considered in the Niger Delta.

He reassured them that the federal government is sincere in its Amnesty to repentant militants, and urged those yet to embrace the offer to do so as the federal government may not extend the October 4 deadline.

The Chairman, Rivers State Social Rehabilitation Committee, Chief Albert Horsfall in his opening remarks, said some of the challenges faced by the committee at the initial stage of the programme include accommodation, funds, inadequate equipment coupled with the difficulty in dealing with militants who might still be secretly armed.

Chief Horsfall noted that they were given a broad task of identifying and rehabilitating militant youths of Rivers State origin, hence the committee prepared for the challenges of rescuing a potentially lost generation.

The Chairman, who commended Governor Amaechi for setting up the committee, called on the Federal Government to address the Niger Delta problem, taking all stakeholders into consideration.

He announced that two of the ex-militants who graduated with football certificate have been scheduled for trials abroad in England with Chelsea Football Club and Arsenal Football Clubs in the U.K.

Speaking on behalf of the graduands the best behaved student, Mr Soibi Wisdom Simon thanked the state government and the Social Rehabilitation Committee for the opportunity given them to reform their lives.

RSG Sets Up Exco Committee To Re-Allocate Mile One Market Stalls

The Rivers State Government has constituted an Executive Council Committee to handle the re-allocation of stalls at the first phase of the Rumuwoji Market, popularly called Mile One Market in Port Harcourt, with effect from October, 2009.

The Commissioner for Urban Development, Osima Ginah, disclosed this Wednesday while briefing Government House correspondents at the end of the State Executive Council meeting in Port Harcourt.

Mr Ginah said the Exco directed the committee to out-source the management committee of the market in consultation with the Port Harcourt City Local Government Council, to ensure proper allocation of shops to the displaced traders of the market.

The Commissioner explained that the setting up of the committee followed briefing from the Ministry of Works to the Council that the phase one of the market would be ready in October.

According to him, traders temporarily occupying a section of the flyover area would be accommodated in the completed section of the Market to enable the Ministry of Environment plant trees and flowers in the area.

Mr Ginah also hinted that Exco deliberated on the growing nature of Omoku, headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, and directed the Ministry of Urban Development to carryout proper planning of Omoku as an Urban Town, so that development in the area can be controlled in terms of infrastructure.

Exco, he said, equally considered the provision of service delivery in education, Health and Water Supply and resolved to provide legislative framework to ensure adequate funding of these sectors, especially in Education in particular.

Similarly, it agreed to engage in proper consultation with the stakeholders and other professional bodies within the sector to further the government's vision of quality education for children of the state.

Page 13 News

Ex-Militants Will Be Engaged ~A.K Horsefall

By Joe Kalu

The Chairman of the Rivers State Social Rehabilitation Committee, (RSSRC) Chief Albert Horsefall has assured that all the graduates of the State Social Development Institute SDI, Okehi in Etche Local Government  Area who had successfully completed their post militant training will be meaningfully engaged.

The Chairman made the clarification in an exclusive chat with this publication as a result of the confusion created among the graduates when the governor in course of his address announced an automatic employment to only 20 of the inmates.

According to Chief Horsefall Gov. Amaechi in his characteristic  manner was only being blunt as to what the state government was capable of absorbing. He disclosed that the graduates will be funded on their different trades and skills through a micro finance scheme with financial institutions, adding that the initiative which is the first of its kind in Nigeria has a lot of provisions as against what is obtainable elsewhere.

“In other places the inmates are just rehabilitated and some money given out to them to fend for themselves but here we extend soft loans to them which are paid into their individual accounts as has been opened and the bank will only pay out to them when the institute endorses”, Chief Horsefall explained.

He made it clear that the arrangement is security tight to check any misuse of the money, stressing that it is only meant to develop the boys and by extension the state.

The Chairman also said as a way of sustaining the programme, a permanent agency will be put in place to oversee the activities of the institute.

In addition he said, arrangement has been initiated not only to consider the ex-militants with an official quarters but also to reconcile some of them who are afraid to go home for what they might have done in the past with their communities.

He used the opportunity to beg for forgiveness from such communities on behalf of the repentant militants in the interest of peace and development of the state. 

On the attitude of the students while in training, Chief Horsefall said they were very difficult to control initially, “it was like a situation where people are dug out from the grave, refined and sent back into the normal society”. With regards to the host community Okehi, the Chairman said they have always been taken into account in everything the institute does, both in terms of employment and contract awards.

On his reaction on some stakeholders appeal for the extension of the amnesty period to enable most of the militants surrender their arms to the Federal Government, Chief Horsefall said though he wouldn't want to be dragged into politics for now nor is he part of the Amnesty Committee, but “the truth is that the boys are tired of fighting and the FG on its part is not interested in killing its citizens either unless there is a serious threat of miscreation or criminality”.

He however expressed hope that the FG is taking the best steps to try to win them back and should also try not to have any reason to confront the FG in a gorilla type of warfare. Also speaking at the occasion Chief (Dr) Samuel N. Amaechi, the Ogbuga I of Igbo Etche expressed happiness that the Amnesty Programme is working which he said had complimented the rehabilitation effort of the government for the militants.

The monarch appealed for the extension of time both for the amnesty programme and the duration for ex-militants training.

“In my humble opinion, the amnesty period should extend up till December 2009 because most of the militants are yet to make up their minds and as fathers we need to give them all the encouragement for them to come out and embrace it.

The duration for the training  and rehabilitation should also be extended to one year to make for total rehabilitation”. The traditional ruler also opined that there should be more spiritual backing for the rehabilitation programme for quick transformation of the ex-militants.

In his contribution, one of the instructors of the SDI, Engr. Hillary Egwu, GM and project Director of Industrial Automation and Process Control Ltd who conducted newsmen round their installation commended the repentant militants for the ability to grasp very fast despite the dislocation from the academics.

Chief Egwu whose company is in partnership with 9.39 Humanity Development Synergy (HDS) was in charge of training the inmate on Electrical, instrumentation and Modern Automation said initially it was difficult  controlling them but expressed happiness that even the poor academic background of most of them was not an impediment to their performance.

Mr. Ewoyefori A.F. Wokoma, one of the Directors pointed out that the students within a short time were able to manufacture a switch for water control which automated the off and on water tanker and also, an automatic weather control for street lighting. All these were  designed and installed by the students. He  expressed hope that the students have the ability  to be self-reliant and can be gainfully employed.

“The Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity staff that  came to test them were amazed at the level of transformation they had undergone”,  he said.

Committee, Others Commended For Doing Good Job

By  Okechukwu Geoffrey

Despite the fact that Rivers people are beginning  to witness signs of dry season this few days, the few who spoke to our correspondent over the weekend however lauded the Godstime Orlukwu led Rivers State Interministerial Intervention Committee on the Deflooding of Port Harcourt

Some  of them who resided in this flooded areas of the city said although they had lost property worth thousands of naira to the monster called flooding this year but they still have confidence with the level of work done by the committee noting that the problem of flooding would be a thing of the past soon.

Residents of Emekuku/Okija, Olu Obasanjo, Old UPTH and Woji Road told our correspondent that the Amaechi led government deserved some commendations for exhibiting some level of political will in virtually all his policies and programmes even though some persons may feel hurt in the process of carrying out these policies.

They particularly thanked the state Governor Chibuike Amaechi for deeming it  necessary to put in place the Orlukwu-led Committee which according to them, has shown some degree of commitment in the discharge of their duties while blaming past administrations in the state for doing nothing tangible to cushion the flooding saga.

One of the residents at Abacha Road who did not want his name mentioned for fear of being victimized said, the committee should not hesitate to pull down buildings erected on the drains without minding who owns what as it would go a long way to arresting the menace.

According to him, they have suffered a lot as far as flooding is concerned and said the time to assist the government to deflood the city is now.

In a similar vein, the Ministry of Environment has been commended for taking the bull by the horn to rid the city of Port Harcourt all forms of debris.

Some persons who spoke to our correspondent last Sunday shortly after activities marking Nigeria's 49th Independence Anniversary thanked the Commissioner for Environment Barrister Emma Chindah for proving his mettle.

They pointed out that for the city to regain its lost garden city status there was need for the Ministries of Environment, Works, and the Deflooding Committee to work in synergy.

Describing the recent operation zero potholes by the State Ministry of Works, the people described the works Commissioner Dakuku Peterside as a hardworking youngman urging him not to be deterred.

Meanwhile, the State Chairman of the Intermninisterial Intervention Committee on the Deflooding of Port Hracourt Metropolis Hon. Godstime Orlukwu has said that his Committee was not resting on its oars in ensuring that the drains were put in order to enable water flow freely and sympathised with those who lost their belongings to flooding assuring them that government is doing a lot to nip the problem in the bud in subsequent years.

Chuku Rules Out Ikwerre Agenda In Waterfront Demolition

By  Okechukwu Geoffrey

Chief Solomon Chuku has described as wrong and bizarre the expression in some quarters that the Governor, Chibuike Amaechi was carrying out an Ikwerre agenda in his quest to demolish the waterfronts in the city of Port Harcourt.

Speaking when members of the Ikwerre Media Parishioners Association of Nigeria (IMPAN) led by its Chairman Esotericist Monday Wehere paid him a courtesy visit Chief Chuku described the waterfronts as security risk as it was not also habitable for anybody at all.

Chuku who enjoined Rivers people (especially the riveriene brothers) to embrace the development said there was no how anybody would have tagged the exercise an Ikwerre agenda considering the fact that the Ikwerre people also reside in the waterfronts.

He described the waterfronts as an easy route for criminal elements in the state saying its demolition will bring relative peace to the state and called on the aggrieved persons to support Governor Amaechi whom he said, was doing a lot for the state.

According to him, if past administration had done what Amaechi is doing right now in Rivers State obviously the state would have been a better place for all. He blamed past governments for having wasted the state's fund and resources alike because nobody has the courage to checkmate them.

It was the same thing we heard when government placed  ban on “Okada” riders due to their criminal tendencies but today everybody is happy with the governor for banning 'Okada' as one can hardly hear of the hitherto day to day snatching of phones,, kidnapping, stealing and accident by the “Okada” riders,  Chuku said.

He maintained that crime in the state has been reduced to the barest minimum.

Chuku also faulted some of the leaders/politicians as responsible for most of the crimes in the country pointing out that only way crime can be reduced is for the rich ones to empower others with their wealth since according to him, the governor cannot satisfy everybody but that whosoever has been empowered by the governor should as well empower others.

On the amnesty declared by the Federal Government, he said, it was a welcome development but called on those involved to be sincere to themselves if it must achieve the desired goals.

Chuku who runs an NGO called Better Living for Youths Initiative however used the medium to reel out the achievements the body has recorded so far, amongst them, empowerment of widows and youths of his community in Elele.4 Chuku also advised journalists in the state to endeavour to criticize objectively.

Page 15 News

Monarch Proffers Solution For N'Delta Crisis

 By Joe Kalu

The Chairman of the Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council and Oba of Ogbaland HRM Eze Chukwumela Nnam Obi II has joined millions of other concerned stakeholders to proffer solution to the Niger Delta crisis.

According to him, the economic, social and infrastructural development of the region should be tied to the operation of the oil and gas prospecting companies.

“Our leaders should equally consider the commencement of refining our crude oil here in the country not only to preserve our foreign reserve but to create employment for our teeming unemployed youths”. The monarch made this disclosure last week in Port Harcourt in his opening remarks as the chairman of the occasion during the official flagging-off of the First Niger Delta Tourism, Cultural Fair and Exhibition holding in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

The royal father noted that the youths of the region were almost carried away by the inability of the leaders to provide for them, the future leaders, a situation which he said aggravated the agitation for fair treatment.

“A nation without the youths is doomed and it is important they are provided for and prepared for the future”, he stated.

He used the opportunity to appeal to the youths to sheath their sword and embrace the federal government amnesty programme in order to find solution to the identified problems and thanked those who thought it wise to give them a chance and commended the effort of the organizers of the event for consolidating on the achieved peace.

The Royal Father made it known that Nigeria as a nation was earmarked for greatness and attributed most of the challenges facing her as the road to its achievement.

“We must have challenges and problems as we grow both as individuals and as a nation. But our ability and determination to find solutions to these challenges is what matters”.

He however  used the opportunity to advise our leaders to be fair and honest in their dealings and do away with injustice in all its ramification.

The monarch made it known that God or Allah is peaceful and has the ability to fight for himself when offended and warned those religious fanatics who take delight in formenting trouble or taking the lives of fellow Nigerians  at the least provocation in the name of fighting for God or fulfilling injunction to desist forthwith.

The Oba of Ogbaland gave the assurance of the royal fathers to be involved in any way possible to chart a new course for Nigeria and the state and consolidate on the gains so far.

In his remarks the Coordinator of the programme Dr. Kenneth Kalu explained that the project was born out of genuine desire to consolidate on the effort of the federal government to finding a lasting solution to the Niger Delta crisis which he noted stemmed from years of neglect by past leaders.

Dr. Kalu however created a scene when he knelt down in front of the audience and begged the elders of the Niger Delta region on behalf of the youths for according to him offending and insulting the elders by their unilateral action to introduce violence in the struggle.

He disclosed further that the project which they have embarked upon was a sustainable one and that the organizers have put structures in place to make it rotational among the nine Niger Delta States.

He stated that the affected states as well as the private sectors are poised to make the project a success, adding that their focus was to transform the region to a world tourism center with its attendant economic benefits.

Earlier the Project Director Chief Mimbo Roberts Foloyan in his welcome address said the mission and vision of making the region a most peaceful and prosperous place was a collective responsibility and called on all stakeholders to get involved to make it realizable.

The Director made it known that the week long activities of Exhibition/Carnival, Food Festival, Niger Delta Beauty Pageant (Mr. and Miss Culture), Modeling and Fashion Show, Niger Delta Orientation Day as well as Endowment Fund raising and Programmes were packaged to provide an answer to the past amnesty question by the militants.

According to him, “the programme is designed to help governments of Niger Delta to develop the tourism industry by ensuring a comprehensive, united and effective representation at national and international levels, with a view to ensuring that appropriate macro strategies are adapted”.

He pointed out that this strategies require the development and maintenance of an environment in which international and local tourism will prosper while ensuring the protection of our natural and cultural heritage.

In a chat with newsmen Mr. Arisa Adile, who represented the Abia State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Hon John Nwokocha said the project was a laudable and commendable one if sustained, adding that he wishes to see the project ushering in the much needed peace and cultural value that the Niger Delta region is noted for.

Mr. Adile who is also the consultant on Miss Tourism Project to the Ministry further disclosed that it is everybody's desire to see a situation where Nigerians shall began to tap into the tourism potentials of the Niger Delta region which he said is beyond oil and also a deviation from the dependable nature of the government on federal allocation which in turn will give the militant youths some alternatives and encourage them to drop their arms.

Elder Nkpisong Fortune Luke who represented Nkipisong III of Akwaisoma Song Ibibio in Akwa Ibom State was of the opinion that if the nine Niger Delta states are sincere and support the vision, it was capable of restoring peace and tranquility back to the embattled region and used the opportunity to advise the youths to be patient with the government.

Also contributing Elder (Mrs) Edisua Usong Iso, Special Assistant to the Cross River State Governor on Culture and Heritage who represented Gov. Lyel Imoke commended the initiative, saying that it was capable of getting the youths off the streets and creeks for gainful employment and advised them to give peace a chance.

According to her, “we believe that coming together by the states of the region will not only promote the culture and tourism of the people but was going to be an opportunity for the federal government to look inwards and discover that the entire Niger Delta region has no roads.

“Our roads here are all bad and are becoming death traps to our people. I am appealing to the FG to please shift attention to the deplorable condition of our roads” she cried.

Among the dignitaries who graced the occasion were the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr Bala Hassan, the reigning Most Beautiful Igbo girl in Nigeria (Adandiigbo), Miss Uchechukwu Ummunakwe, Royal fathers and captains of industry.

Highlight of the occasion which was held at the Protea Hotel was the cultural performance by the Rivers State Arts and Culture troupe.

State UBE Orders Contractors Back To Site

By  Okechukwu Geoffrey

The newly constituted Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board has given the contractors handing UBE projects in the state up to one month to return to site.

Speaking during a meeting he held with the contractors at the board's Head Office in Port Harcourt, the Chairman, Sir Alli Oruitemeke appealed to the erring contractors to mobilize to site as soon as possible warning that the board will not hesitate to allow the law take its full course should the contractors pay deaf ears to the order.

Sir Oruitemeke who assured them that the measure was not to witch-hunt any of them however, decried a situation where these contractors have been mobilized since 2007 without anything to show for it and urged those concerned to do everything within their powers to ensure that work begins almost immediately.

He expressed sadness over the current position of the board at the national level due to poor performance by the contractors and maintained that the only way the board could draw down the outstanding money (1.6billion naira), from the national body was to ensure that the projects were completed.

He called on them to appreciate the efforts of the state government in the education sector at this point in time adding that what was needed now was to give the Amaechi-led government all the support to move the sector forward.

He also pointed out that the board would continue to partner with contractors who have performed creditably while those of them who failed to deliver would be shown the way out and urged the contractors and all those who have the interest of the children and society at heart to join hands in repositioning the education sector in the state.

On his part, the Board member I, Hon. Lucky Worluh enjoined the contractors to return to site without delay describing their action as totally embarrassing and commended the Chairman Sir, Oruitemeke for the mature way and manner he has handled the issue.

He however, described the meeting (with the contractors), as another way of showing transparency, accountability and due process which he said, were the cardinal objectives of the present administration in Rivers State and charged the contractors not to be afraid but endeavour to comply stressing that the meeting was not targeted at witch hunting anybody.

Other board members who spoke during the interactive section pleaded with the contractors to mobilize to site immediately so as to avoid any unpleasant consequences.

In their response, the contractors commended the Chairman and his members for the mature way he handled the matter and promised to heed to his advice.

You will recall that the board inaugurated few months ago by the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi recently embarked on an inspection tour of all the UBE projects in the state where it shockingly discovered that some of the contractors after being mobilized abandoned the sites.

“I Thank God For My Early Recovery” ~ Mrs Amaechi

Wife of Rivers State Governor Dame Judith Amaechi has attributed her early recovery from a fracture sustained in a domestic accident to the love of God and intercessory prayer of Rivers people. 

Dame Judith Amaechi stated this Wednesday during the weekly inter-denominational Elmadon Fellowship at Government House.

She said her experience in the domestic accident which left her with a fractured leg demonstrated God's love and favour in her live.

“I had three fractures rising from the domestic accident but I thank God for his mercies and to Rivers people for their prayers and supplications, without which I won't be here”, she said.

Narrating her experience, Mrs. Amaechi stated that the experience associated with fractured situation is unbearable and said effort must be intensified to care for patients with different ranges of fracture, “we need to remember people who have fracture and lying in pains in various clinics, we must remember them at all times and show them love because they need our love and affection”.

The Governor's wife expressed gratitude to her husband Governor Amaechi for his love throughout her ordeal.

“I must thank my husband who despite his busy schedule showered me with so much love and affection, his love was indeed a tonic to my early recuperation”. 

She called on Rivers people to demonstrate love to one another especially in times of needs.

The Governor's wife few months ago was involved in a domestic accident resulting in a fracture on her leg.

Page 9 For the Records

Nigeria Clocks 49: Everything Looks like Eyewash!

By L.Chinedu Arizona-Ogwu

After 49 years of self-rule, Nigeria becomes a very disorderly place where no plan works and no vision is materialized in a substantive way. There is nothing like Left corruption or Right corruption. Politicians of all hues and their collaborators covet oil-money and love to make a fast buck. The nexus between big money and the corrupt at the helm has been practically formalized. Even the fig-leaf has been removed in such operations. The question here is not of the quantum of the payoff in a non-existent deal but of the larger issue of allowing a corrupt system to thrive.

But what shall one say if the country deviates from the fundamentals on which its independence was based? Four fundamental principles were laid down. Of these, two were jettisoned within a few years. Failed policies were discarded or held in abeyance. Democracy too was knifed and kneaded out of shape by constitutional amendment, and assassinations and martial laws. When an amendment changes the character of the constitution or touches on basic principle of a state, a referendum becomes necessary.

It is no secret that politicians and government officials are involved in oil bunkering and maneuver, they hire and pay hoodlums to facilitate the clinching of a deal that often runs the country backward. “Kickbacks”, for that matter, are part of the international business scene. Agents and sub-agents operate globally and they create their own islands of influence for kickbacks and commissions. Halliburton seemed swept into the carpet. What comes as a shock is that things have not changed in the Ministry of works even 7 years after the National Highway dualization controversy. Everything looks eyewash. Lessons are not learnt.

The rate of change facing economic breakthrough has never been greater and we must absorb and manage change at a much faster rate than in the past. In order to implement a successful governance strategy to face this challenge, this administration, large or small, must ensure that they have the right people (in the three tiers of government) capable of delivering the strategic goal.

It is a matter of great regret and sorrow that 49 years after the independence of Nigeria, the people of this country remain captives in their own land  captives politically, economically as well as culturally. Although the struggle for liberation was embarked upon by the people of Niger Delta to give effect to the collective aspirations for a representative democracy, equality of economic opportunity for all irrespective of gender, ethnicity and religion, and to establish a state based on secular ideals which would value and thrive on its ethnic and cultural plurality and diversity, the opportunities to make those dreams a reality in liberated Nigeria have been wasted time and again.

Today, as we commemorate Independence Day, we find ourselves restrained by a repressive national state of failure that has suspended democratic and political rights of the people. The economy is stagnating because of dwindling investments and sluggish business activity owing to the pervasive sense of fear that has been created by the poor leadership. Inflation has hit record levels and prices of essentials, which had gone out of the reach of average-income households some time ago, have now reached a point where even the upper-middle-class is feeling the pinch. Culturally, we have witnessed increasing intolerance for diversity and dissent, and sadly, it is only the obscurantist who opposed the birth of our nation who is enjoying the liberty that so many millions sacrificed so much for.

For this political, economic and cultural degeneration, we blame the political class in general and the political groups  the PDP and their rival Parties  which have been in government at one time or another in the last 49 years in particular. The political parties have dealt in rhetoric instead of action and as a result, slogan-mongering and petty partisanship have always taken precedence over sincere efforts to achieve the objectives of the liberation struggle. The failure of the political class is now being used by the ruling-party bureaucratic ruling coterie to suspend democracy and confiscate the people's democratic rights in the name of strengthening democracy. This has taken us further away from a truly democratic course and is a further insult to the core values for which we fought all those years ago.

In order to arrest this slide, the people's will must be lifted, rule of this undemocratic and anti-people regime must be brought to an end and power handed back to the rightful elected representatives as basic prerequisites. Also, a regeneration of a pervasive political and culture movement is required that will be aimed at ensuring unrestrained democratic rights, equal economic opportunities and tolerance for differing views, faiths and cultures. If we are able to do so, we will be able to one day commemorate Independence Day as truly free citizens of a free nation.

Successive government failure to develop problem-solving skills and to address issues of poverty, has kept Nigeria toddling from 1960; the day she assumed self-governance. The situation now is even more difficult than it was then. Because the price of fuel, food, etc. has gone up, Nigerians have not been able to survive very well. Farmers who used to be able to sell on the open market the rice and beans they'd grown, now find that they cannot make ends meet: imported Asian rice is cheaper to buy than local rice. An adverse of the much "celebrated" 7-point Agenda! Sad, but a reality! The Nigerian people are saying that this is their most difficult time and if it were not for the service that philanthropists can provide in the community, more people would be going hungry. The medications and the development projects are the emergency measure that is keeping some of these communities halfway viable.

Yet, the truth for Nigeria is that our people remain under valued, under trained, under utilized, poorly motivated, and consequently performs well below their true capability. Colonial education thought it proper to provide African students with a sense of their past appropriate to colonial subjects, but the lesson has denied us. During my primary school days, I enjoyed free education within 1980's under Rivers State Free Education policy, but today, the little we eke-out goes into funding siblings education at private schools. Our fore-fathers sacrificed their lives in pursuit of self-rule. Realization of those ideals would be the greatest honour to them, a point which will be platitudinous to emphasize. If creation of promising Nigeria is nowhere in sight, no one should lament. Next year we approach 50! Promise of a golden age always remains a promise; no revolution achieved that in full measure.

After Nigeria attained independence from British Colonial rule on October 1, 1960 education became a high priority on the government's agenda. There were policies on free compulsory basic education, free textbooks for all students and, the creation of local education authorities with responsibilities for buildings, equipment and maintenance grants for primary schools.

It is a known fact that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has been on strike since 22 June 2009. During

this period, appeals have been made by well-meaning Nigerians and organizations to both government and ASUU to reach an amicable resolution of the dispute in the interest of the nation. Members of the press may recall that after two and a half years of negotiation, government has been delaying the signing of the agreement for various reasons.

Nigerians may also recall the fact that the re-negotiation of the ASUU-FGN Agreement of 2001, which was due in 2004, did not commence until December, 2006. In spite of repeated efforts in writing, including a warning strike, the process took two years and having commenced, took another two years to conclude. ASUU remained patient throughout this period due to patriotism. When the negotiation teams finally reached an agreement, which was subsequently initialed, the Minister of Education invited the Union for a series of bogus signing ceremonies. On 12th May, 2009, it became clear to our union that government was unwilling to sign the agreement.

The series of events that led us to this quagmire is now history.

However, ASUU considered the intervention by the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, on the 27th July as a welcome development. Mr. President stated that the monetary aspect of the agreement is not of concern to government, but that the Federal Government would not sign an agreement that will be binding on state governments. On this basis, he directed the Vice President to meet with ASUU with a view to finding a window out of this impasse.

The Cookey Commission (1981) noted that the existing Collective Bargaining arrangements did not give the Governing Councils the power to negotiate conditions of service with their employers and recommended machinery for Collective Bargaining. Though a new education committee under Professor Gamelliel Onosode was appointed immediately negotiate with ASUU and to fix the weakness in Nigeria's education, at the close of the recent meeting, Nigeria's education could only be described as “decayed” and needed organic rejuvenation. The decay was a result of political instability with its resulting poor management, corruption, and general macroeconomic turmoil.

But by 1990s, Nigeria's education system had become dysfunctional. Serious challenges confronted it. In 1991, the military government of Ibrahim Babangida implemented broad reforms that touched all levels of the education system (except early childhood education) and attempted to address the recurring issues affecting the system. The reforms reduced pre-university education in the country from 17 years to 12 years (six years of primary, three years of junior secondary-JSS and three years of senior secondary-SSS education). There was also national literacy campaign through non-formal education for school dropouts and adult learners.

The civilian government of Nigeria under President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2004 implemented the Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education (fcUBE). This was specially designed to focus on basic education access and quality through improving the quality of teaching and learning, efficiency in management and, increasing access and local participation.The aim is becoming defeated as a result of uncertainty in the system.

At present the country, long noted for religious moderation, is witnessing a new surge of bigotry. Personal bigotry may not be of concern to others but if a very large section of society chooses bigotry, collective progress will naturally be held back. And from bigotry to intolerance, from intolerance to militancy, is a short step. Religion has always been made subject of various interpretations and misinterpretations. Since there are different religious schools and some of these schools are even in mutually antagonistic relationships, the state which has a state religion will not be seen as fair and impartial even by all the schools of the majority religious community, what to speak of the minority religious community. The rift may not be very perceptible or troubling at the initial stage but the seeds of a chasm are often laid quietly.

Democracy with all its flaws can more easily ensure equality and infuse the sense of equality among all citizens when it is reinforced by secularism. We cannot entirely blame those who rendered inoperative the constitutional provisions of secularism or got them superseded because the concept of secularism was not properly understood at people's level. Secularism proved to be a misunderstood word. Some think that secularism is one of those concepts which should not be called by name but allowed to remain implicit in the collective unconscious of the people. For hundreds of years the two main religious communities have lived in this country side by side in peace and harmony without bothering whether there is secularism in the constitution. In the sense of tolerance and harmony secularism was ingrained in the natural ethos of the people. Instead of using the word secularism, if the constitution enshrined with due emphasis provisions for religious impartiality on the part of the state and communal harmony, better result might have been achieved. Clauses relating to secularism can be deleted by an unsympathetic government, but which government would go to delete from the constitution clauses guaranteeing social harmony?

Though tempting, it would be futile to yield to partisan pressure and ascribe the failure of the state to any particular government. What becomes obvious is that we must stop trying to patch up the crumbling political edifice, and rather, examine the foundations that were laid at independence for the success of the state. To paraphrase the Soledad Brothers, the trials and tribulations that have plagued our existence as a nation, began right there in the womb, in the events that led to the birth of the nation.

As a result, the birth of Nigeria and its continued existence have been founded on the twin props of a parasitic central state and a customary mode of production, both of which are the very antithesis of modern socio-economic development. Much like its antecedent the colonial state, the neo-colonialist state is not designed to meet the development aspirations of the nation.

Today, as we labour under the central state's platitudes of an imminent giant economic take-off, of presidential 7-point agenda that plod grudgingly against sustenance and longevity that smugly drops all pretence of responsibility to the people. Now the state has declared our hapless private sector the engine of growth, making herself merely a facilitator, but fortunately unfulling promises have become an effective sobering factor to undermine the much awaited vision 20 2020. For example, it is quite comforting to note that when the Information Minister, Dora Akunyili says this government hopes to create 170,000 jobs, and has no idea why youth in Nigeria are unemployed. The light bulbs go on and I realize she meant that government hopes to create 17 jobs. Fine tuning this rebranding can be a veritable barometer.

At least the colonial state had the interests of the mother country, Britain, to protect, whereas the post-independent central state, unfettered by this responsibility, and with only mere pretensions to the development process, is really capable of little more than protecting its own self interests. That is why 51 percent of the meager government revenue goes into paying itself. And that is why, the central state, unable to raise indigenous capital, has atrophied into an unsavory display of development wish lists, a fantastic inflation of its efforts, helped along, in fact concealed, by the inconsistent economic managers. Hopefully our 49th anniversary will not be a lamentation of the failure of the state but rather a time to ponder the removal of the parasites in power and those of them that underpin our underdevelopment.

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