News
N’Delta Republic: Groups Warn Avengers …As COAS Threatens Military Option
The Foundation for Human Rights and Anti-Corruption Crusade (FHRACC) and the Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), both in Delta State, yesterday, called on the Adaka Boro Avengers (ABA), to abort their plan to declare a Republic of Niger Delta, on August 1.
The groups, in separate statements in Warri, and made available to The Tide, said the move does not enjoy the support of right- thinking indigenes of the region.
The statements were signed by FHRACC National President, Alaowei Cleric and CEPEJ National Coordinator, Sheriff Mulade.
According to FHRACC: “the growing threats by some militant groups, particularly the Adaka Boro Avengers to declare Niger Delta Republic on August 1, 2016, does not conform with the tenets of the Niger Delta struggle.
“The foundation of the struggle is well-captured in the various declarations by the ethnic nationalities in the region such as the Kaiama Declaration, the Ogoni Bill of Rights etc. Although all the declarations anchored their demands on self-determination within the Nigerian federation, none of them proposed to declare Niger Delta as an independent state from Nigeria.
“Niger Deltans are requesting for economic and political autonomy within the Nigerian state. If the militants are fighting for the genuine cause of the region, then they should not make matters worst for the people,” the group said.
It added: “If an independent Niger Delta Republic should be an option, then they must use civilised means to pursue their agenda.”
FHRACC noted, “already, Maj. Jasper Adaka Boro of blessed memory had raised the bar for armed confrontation, and over the years, militants in the region have been engaging the Federal Government in armed conflicts.
“There are times armed struggle is not lucrative to achieving one’s aim. The world has evolved from armed struggle into intellectual struggle. Let the militants use non-violent approach to pursue their aim. All the various ethnic nationalities in the country have lent their voices to the need for Nigerians to renegotiate our unity.
“Niger Delta militants should also toe the same line by joining other Nigerians to push for our twin demands of Sovereign National Conference and Referendum. In the world today, struggle for independence through referendum is the only acceptable platform. The militants should take a cue from the recent world history,” it emphasised.
The group, however, called on President Muhammadu Buhari “to commit genuine effort to addressing the impasse,” adding, “the Federal Government’s divide and rule tactics or better still, lackadaisical attitude towards the region cannot resolve the crisis.”
It said, “We sense Mr President has given in to mischief makers who are averse to dialogue and have commended military approach. For the sake of peace and our corporate existence, President Buhari should not shy away from dialoguing with the militants. What is happening in the Niger Delta has further supported the need to renegotiate the Nigeria’s unity.
“Mr President, please save Nigeria from imminent precipice by allowing Nigerians to decide their future existence through a referendum,” FHRACC added.
Similarly, CEPEJ urged Adaka Boro Avengers to “give peace a chance and take advantage of the Federal Government dialogue because no meaningful development can take place in a rancorous environment.”
The statement, said: “Adaka Boro Avengers should abort their alleged plan to declare Niger -Delta Republic on August 1 because Niger Deltans do not support it.
“We know successive governments neglected, deprived and underdeveloped the region in spite of her huge contributions to the national economy. But what we need now is constructive engagement with the Federal Government since President Buhari has considered dialogue as the best option to engage the stakeholders and find a lasting solution to the lingering quest for development towards ending militancy,” CEPEJ asserted.
The group also implored government to show sincerity of purpose for the people “to have confidence in what he is doing, while Mr President should personally lead the dialogue process to achieve the desired result.”
Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Tukur Buratai, has threatened that the Nigerian Army would deploy full military action in the oil-rich Niger Delta region, if dialogue with the Niger Delta Avengers fails.
Buratai, said this in Port-Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, at the commissioning of the 2 Brigade Command administrative office complex at Bori Camp.
The COAS, who was represented by the General Officer Commanding 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu, Major-Gen Ibrahim Atahiru, said the Federal Government was still committed to dialogue with the militant group, but that government could resort to other means, if dialogue failed.
“The non-kinetic has always been the source first before government can recourse to the kinetic means. There is the need for the Niger Delta Avengers to see reason and dialogue with government,” he said.
He commended the 2 Brigade Command for the completion of the office complex, saying that the office block would improve the operational efficiency and capability of officers and men of the command.
The Army chief later commissioned other projects at the command, including the swimming pool, office complex for regiment officers as well as building blocks at the Military Hospital.
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana & Josephine Atagana
The Rivers State Chief judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi has granted pardon to six inmates standing awaiting trial at the Port Harcourt maximum correctional center.
The six lucky inmates granted pardon on Tuesday by the state Chief Judge included Nwekeala Chizoba, Samuel Emmanuel, Aniete Kelvin, Ebube Fubara and Goddey Okpara who were on awaiting trial as murder suspects and have all spent between 10 years to seven years in the custody without a proper information filed against them in the court.
Justice Amadi during a special gaol delivery exercise last Tuesday at the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Centre opined that the special gaol delivery was part of activities lined up to commomerate the 2024/2025 legal year in the State and restated the commitment of the state judiciary in decongesting the correctional centre and ensuring that those inmates who are not supposed to be there are removed from the custody.
The state chief judge stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together to build a society that supports rehabilitation and gives a second chance to anyone or group of people who have fallen short of the expectation of the law and have been punished accordingly.
He stressed that the National Judicial Council(NJC) encourages judges to pay more attention to criminal matters to enable them to decongests the correctional facilities, noting that since his assumption into office, his administration has been able to reduce the number of inmates in Nigerian Correctional Centres and the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre in particular, to less than 2,000 as against the over 4,000 inmates previously in the faculty.
According to him, “as they release the deserving inmates, they affirm their commitment to justice, compassion and rule of law but that they must not forget the fundamental principles of justice delivery system which is truth and fairness, integrity and equality before the law.”
I encourage you all the released inmates to return to your families and become better citizens. You must not engage in action that will return you all back to prison. Let me say that while the judges show empathy to you all, it does not absolved individuals from being held accountable for actions against individuals, corporate organisations and state which the law frowns at, ”he stated
The Chief Judge thereafter stood down the exercise to enable the DPP to intervene to case files following the fact that majority of the persons listed to benefit from the exercise are facing murder charges and adjourned to a date that will come before December.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the outgoing state Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Centre, Port Harcourt, Felix Lawrence, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Controller General, commended the state judiciary led by Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi for their continuous effort aimed at ensuring justice and decongesting the facilities.
Other activities lined up for the event included special church service at St Paul’s Cathedral , Anglican Communion, Rebisi Port Harcourt, inspection of guard of honour by the state Chief Judge mounted by officers of the Nigerian police and a special court session held at the ceremonial court hall.
By: AkujobiAmadi
The Director General of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement (RBoPP), Dr. Ine Briggs, has explained that the Sir Siminalayi Fubara administration plans to enforce transparency in governance through public procurement.
Speaking at a one-day Public Procurement Enlightenment workshop organised in collaboration with the State Local Government Service Commission for newly elected chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries and leaders of legislative assemblies, Dr. Briggs said it is key for grassroot development.
She stated that the Sir. Fubara administration plans to reduce wastage and at same time infuse efficiency in public expenditure.
The RSoPP DG said the local government political office holders remain key drivers in the new vision hence the workshop is to arm them with knowledge on how to execute projects in tandem with needs of the people.
“ Your role in the prudent management of public resources is, therefore, not just administrative it’s the cornerstone of delivering the dividends of democracy. Every procurement decision you make must reflect a commitment to fairness, transparency and accountability” Dr. Briggs submitted.
One of the key goals of the administration she further reminded the participants was to use their offices to foster economic growth through public procurement.
She warned that the law establishing the agency empowers it to penalise defaulters, but that what is more important is voluntary compliance to the laws.
In addition to that, she said urged the local government council leaders that champion the practice and implementation of public procurement law.
On his part, Acting Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, Pastor GoodLife Ben Iduoku averred that the aim of the workshop is to arm key stakeholders in the local government system to generate new ideas, innovation and strategies in tandem with government policies and programmes.
The workshop dealt on various topics on procurement planning, methods, Understanding Bid Process, including types of Construction Contracts and law.
Some participants were awarded excellence and meritorious awards as part of the programme.
By: Kevin Nengia
The 19th anniversary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Rivers State Chapter, recently ended in Port Harcourt in grand style, with participants from various schools including proprietors, the academia, civil society groups and top government functionaries charting the way forward for educational improvement.
The 19th NAPPS anniversary christened, ‘Innovation and Adaptation: Transforming Challenges Into Opportunities’ was held at Casoni Hotels, Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the association, Dr. Jaja Adafe Sunday expressed gratitude to the members and executives for their untiring efforts towards the achievements of the body.
He sought the intervention of government on the lingering crisis on the economy as it is affecting the running of schools.
He decried high cost of things including fuel and raw materials which has adversely affected the running of schools and payment of teachers.
Dr. Sunday hinted that the current economic situation in the nation is biting hard on the operations of schools, saying inflation, removal of fuel subsidy, fuel scarcity, poor electricity supply, tariffs and lack of government grants are some of the challenges faced by schools, and urged the members to brace up to the challenges, as it is the panacea to building a brighter future.
Guest speakers from the health sector and the academia thrilled the gathering on the essence of basic education which they said is the key to national development.
Former Dean of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Professor Azuru and the Chief Medical Director of Meridian Hospitals, Dr. Odo Iyke were some notable guest speakers who delivered lectures at the occasion.
Some distinguished proprietors also got special recognitions and awards.
The 19th anniversary cake was cut by the Rivers State NAPPS Chairman with representatives of the state government assisting.
