Anniversary Special
We’ve Every Reason To Celebrate – Obuah
As the Rivers State Government and people celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the epochal creation of the State by General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), on May 27, 1967, to assuage the yearnings of the minorities of Ijaw extraction for identity, justice and freedom, from the dominance of the majority ethnic groups in Nigeria, The Tide Editorial Board sought an assessment of the political leaders of the State, on how well the state has fared among the comity of States and its future prospects. The State Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bro Felix Obuah, bares his mind on the performance of the various administrations in the state in this exclusive interview with The Tide’s Acting Editor, Donald Mike-Jaja; Chairman, Editorial Board, Goodluck Ukwe; Group News Editor, Nelson Chukwudi; Political Editor, Victor Tew; Op-Ed/Features Editor, Boye Salau and Political Correspondent, Ike Wigodo, last Wednesday. Excerpts.
We understand that Government is busy ensuring that the ongoing Rivers State at 50 is successful because this government cannot do it the second time, but there are criticisms by others, especially the opposition, who said there is nothing to celebrate. What is your take on this?
Well, what do you expect from the opposition party? They have never seen anything good. They want to criticize at all times, but the good thing remains that this is a government that has gone beyond political lineage, this is a government that has touched lives, this is a government that, within two years, has surpassed the achievements of the past immediate government of wasteful eight years.
We are aware that we need to celebrate so many things, we have our heroes who fought gallantly for the birth of this state. We know where we are coming from and we know where we are today. Before now, we were with the people of Bayelsa, today, Bayelsa was carved out from Rivers State and ever since, you can see the tremendous achievements and development that has cut across the breath and length of the State.
We have to celebrate our heroes. If not for anything, Rivers State produced Miss World within this short time of our existence, Agbani Derego. Fifty years is described as Golden Jubilee even from the Bible, it is a time for celebration and sober reflection.
Let’s talk about the developmental efforts, from where we are prior to this period; we have the entire cause to celebrate. Those who said there is no need to celebrate should think. During his (Amaechi) administration, what did he do?
We are proud that in this administration, within two years, apart from the Golden Jubilee, we have every cause to thank God because Wike has touched lives. Virtually, all the roads in the State are in good shape and wearing a new look. The place was dirty before we took over because the contractors were not paid for six months. All the streets were asking for cleaning, but today, Port Harcourt is gradually returning back to its original status of Garden city. You can see the lighting effects visually in all the streets in Port Harcourt, Security, before now, was serious concern to the people of Rivers State, but today, most of us can sleep with our two eyes closed. We need to celebrate that we have marked 50 years. If individuals who marked 50 years can go at length spend money to celebrate, how much more a State like Rivers.
In spite of our shortcomings, we can say there is need to celebrate when you clock a golden year. We are not celebrating Wike at 50,we are celebrating Rivers at 50, that is why the government of the day has also deemed it necessary to honour our great leaders who fought for the birth of this State and those who have contributed in no means for the development of the State. Wike is not celebrating PDP or himself as a governor, he is celebrating those that have contributed immensely towards the growth of Rivers State. Soon, you will hear more than 100 people that have done one thing or the other, it will showcase our reach culture to the outside world. Rivers people are happy, some do not know that the State is blessed, but with this celebration, it has showcased us to the world.
Would you want to say that Rivers State has achieved its dreams, visions and aspirations?
We are not there but with the likes of our present leader, whom I christened as God-sent, if all the leaders and former governors of this State had done what the present government is doing, I bet you, we would surpass more than expected by our heroes. But, there is one adage that says, when you wake up from sleep is your morning. Now that God has sent a messiah after Rivers people cried to Him, God carefully chose Chief Barrister Nyesom Wike whom I can say God made him governor. Nobody will today say he made Wike governor if not God. Nobody believed or gave him a chance that he will be governor. The former governor said over his dead body will he live to see Wike become governor, but today, he is living and Wike is a governor. That is to say man proposes and God disposes. It is the will of God that Wike will be the governor at this time and celebrate Golden Jubilee. No two governors that will celebrate Golden Jubilee and God has made it to happen at this point in time.
As a matter of fact, Wike has done marvelously well and we appreciate what he has done for the people. We are not yet there, but we are sure to get there by the time this young man finishes his remaining two years. I am sure that our forefathers even those that are dead will rise from the grave and say yes, this is our dream state.
What legacy will prosperity remember this administration for?
So many things. If not for anything, this administration should be remembered for taking governance to God. Many feel that they are there on their own, but this is government that said they build on a foundation of God. Anything the administration is doing, it must put God first, that is why they are surviving. If you see the Pleasure Park, it is something that will live for a very long time. The Ecumenical Centre that will soon be commissioned on 28th, it is something those generations to come will leave with. The unity this government has brought in is something all of us are beginning to appreciate. Before now, you heard upland and riverine dichotomy, but today, we hear of new Rivers State. Wike has a lot to be remembered for. This is two years, by the time the administration comes to an end, you will see what we have achieved. The dichotomy of upland and riverine has been nailed and killed. It is no longer existing today .We only talk about NEW River State.
The governor chooses the best hands irrespective of where the people come from. Before now, nobody would have accepted that Commissioner for Finance is from Ogoni, Secretary to the State Government, Ogoni and Environment Commissioner, Ogoni. Nobody is complaining because these hands are good hands. We speak one language, New Rivers State. Wike has united everybody to know that we are one from one cultural background.
Nigeria returned to democracy since May 29th, 1999. It is 18 years running now uninterrupted. Within this period, PDP has produced all the governors of the State, including the last administration. As the government looks forward towards the next 50 years, do you see PDP retaining power in the next 50 years in Rivers State?
The issue of PDP retaining power in the next 50 years can only be answered by God because power belongs to God. I don’t know if I will still be alive in the next 50 years to know what happens then; I can only talk about now. I will not say about tomorrow because tomorrow belongs to God. We are celebrating 50 years and who told you I will live the next 50 years to know what will happen then. I can tell you for sure, if I live in the next dispensation, PDP will still hold to power in the State because one, our signpost is the good work of Chief Barrister Nyesom Wike, it speaks volumes for themselves, that is our campaign. People have seen that we do not make promises that cannot be fulfilled. It is something one can see and feel. In the Diobu axis, before now, it was no go area, you cannot drive your car there, no business, but today you can see the area is something else. So, nobody in Diobu area will tell you that they have not enjoyed or benefitted from this government. When 2019 comes, I believe, they will be the first to ask the governor to come out and run because of the good work he has done. I can tell you for sure that my children know that by the next dispensation, PDP will retain power because they listen to radio and know what is happening, I can say of today, but not tomorrow, PDP is the best thing that has happened to Nigeria.
When PDP was in government at the centre, let me digress a bit, the Israelis were clamouring for a King and God told them, you don’t need a King. They say, they want to be like other nations, we want to have a King and God gave them what they wanted not what He wanted for them, that was how he gave them Saul to be the King and came in, they saw the difference. They now started regretting, saying if they had known, they would not have requested for a King. PDP did marvelously well for this nation, but at a time, there was a gang-up, conspiracy, even within the house, because some people felt cheated because they did not grab. When Jonathan was busy working for the nation, some persons were interested in their selfish interest, they connived, conspired and ganged up to remove the head and bring him down. God said I have given you a messiah, who will bring good for the people of this nation, but you refused and ganged up against him, I will give you a leader that you wanted. That was why he allowed temporarily APC to come in, so that the people will realise the one I have chosen and the one you wanted. Which is better? When PDP was in power, how much was the last exchange rate of dollar, house rentage, everything. During their campaign, they said no applicant, everybody would be paid, dollar will be one dollar to one naira, bridges will be built in the air and sky, no death any more, they will restore the dead. Many promises were made, people filed in behind them, they fell into the wishes of man. That is why today, we are suffering. If you look at the two, you will know that PDP is of God, APC is of man. So, now you have seen that it is good to allow God’s decision to prevail. You have tried that of God which is PDP and you have tried that of man which is APC, it is left for us to choose.
There is this feeling that Rivers State is PDP and PDP is Rivers State. So, do you see a sustained leadership of the State coming from the PDP?
You have said it all, you said from the inception, this State is of PDP and today, we still have a PDP governor who is still doing well. You do not change a winning team, it is only when leadership fails that you talk about change. But if they are satisfying the yearnings of the people, there is no need to change it. If the editorial team of The Tide is doing well, nobody will say it should be changed rather, they will give them more responsibility. PDP is the answerer. Rivers State is PDP and PDP is Rivers State.
There is this concern by Nigerians that party manifesto has been lacking in Nigeria and that whatever achievements that were made revolved around the charisma and ability of the candidates, not because they are following party manifesto which is supposed to be the guide of the candidates. To that extent, can PDP righteously say whatever is being done in Rivers State is done in line with the manifesto of the party?
I disagree with you. When you talk of party manifestos and candidates, you are talking about two things. We do not have independent candidate now. No leadership emerges without passing through a party and a party has its own manifestos. If you watch closely what Wike is doing and go back to our manifestos and check if it was what Wike promised to the people or not before he came on board. He said if God deliver it for us, we are going to build an altar for the Lord, that is the Ecumenical Centre he is building, if God allows us, from the first day of swearing in, we shall have operation zero potholes. On the 29th, after the inauguration, as he was leaving, he launched the operation zero potholes. Read the party manifestos and see if there is a deviation. If you watch again, the leadership does not do anything outside the budget; each community, senatorial and local government areas are represented in the State Assembly, Senate and House of Representatives. They put it in the budget; it is left for the executive, based on the availability of funds to know the first one to handle. So all that Wike is doing are those things that are in the New Vision. Be informed that some manifestos of political parties are built on fictions and not facts to arouse the interest of the masses. That is the type that is leading us today at the centre; they came with a very big and bogus manifestos that are not achievable. Like I said earlier that they promised to build bridges on air and sky, they will change woman to man and man to woman; these are manifestos that other parties have. That is why we do not believe in them, rather we believe in the truth. The Bible says, ‘only the truth shall set you free’. PDP gives the people the truth. But while we are giving people the truth, the world never wanted it, that was why God allowed what we wanted, for us to learn lessons and realise that He gave us a party that is ordained by God, they chose the one ordained by man. Those ones ordained by man are those bogus manifestos that they are not keeping to. But PDP will continue to follow the manifestos.
Many have commended Wike that he is doing well in the area of infrastructure. Even the Vice President named him Mr Projects and David Mark also acknowledged his good works for the people. Would you say the agriculture sector has received the same attention?
Well, in examinations, you are asked to choose nine subjects. In the course of that, you may score some A, while some B and C. Once you score C, it is considered that you have gotten credit. In terms of infrastructure, Wike has scored A, security, he scored B, in agriculture, he has scored B+. So, we do not expect him to score A+ in all the sectors, what matters is that he has achieved the maximum credit In all, he had scored credit.
There is this belief that every government achieves a lot during the first term in office including the last administration. We know what happened during the first term and what happened during the second term. It is not limited to Rivers State, it cuts across the states. As the chairman of the party and the right hand man of the governor, what assurance will you give Rivers people that if the governor finishes his first term and gets re-elected, he will continue with the current pace?
There is this adage that says, the journey that will be good is known in the morning. From this morning. Wike has done well. His life style is different from others. His managerial ability is quite different from others. Others in their first tenure were affected by godfatherism, but when they realised in the second tenure that they were subjected under somebody throughout the first term, that they were not independent; in the second term, they want to be independent. But Wike is not like that, he is given absolute free hand to rule Rivers State from the first day. He has been tested, trusted and packaged for Rivers people. He is a true son of the soil. His father is from here, mother from here, wife is from here. So, he has no other place to call his own rather than Rivers State. He owes Rivers people a duty to develop the State. So, we are not talking about first tenure and use the second tenure to amass wealth. Wike already is a made man. He is talking about name now, he is one man that lives by his words. We have seen him as council chairman, down to the time he was Minister and now Governor. His antecedent has not shown any doubt that he will change. He will remain who he is till tomorrow. By their fruit, we shall know them. So, if by tomorrow, he is made the President of this country, I tell you, he will not change from whom he is. He is an achiever and wants to leave a legacy that he will be remembered for. If you go to Israel, Dubai and other nations, what gives them money is tourism. We depend so much on oil and forget that tourism is a money spinning venture. The Port Harcourt Pleasure Park will attract foreigners and this man does not play politics with projects. He has brought in the best hands in terms of construction to handle Rivers State as a project site. Let’s pray for Wike that the second tenure will come to pass and you will know that there is a difference between him and others.
Would you advise the governor to change some of his aides that are not performing well for better stewardship?
Wike’s aides did not contest election. Aides are not tenured, they are help maids. So, any one he deems necessary is no longer living up to expectations, he has all the constitutional rights to change them. I still feel that it is a collective effort. No person will claim he knows it all or is paragon of ideas. Any success recorded by Wike’s administration is a collective responsibility by him and his aides.
will come on board. That is why we are very patient.
Anniversary Special
The Tide Keeps Flowing At 49
It must have been extremely frustrating for the leaders of the Niger Delta people in the late colonial and early post-Independence periods in Nigeria; particularly those of them who partook in politics outside the canopies of the then three major political parties, namely, the Northern Peoples Congress (NPC), National Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC) and Action Group (AG).
For the NPC which was dominant in the Northern Region, it was the New Nigerian newspaper that served as a very potent instrument for mass mobilization and presentation of its views. The Eastern and Western Regions had the Nigerian Outlook and The Sketch as their respective equivalents.
Whereas the three main regional governments at that time were run by the above parties chiefly through the instrumentality of their respective newspapers, the Niger Delta people lacked any such viable medium to propagate their agitations as a minority group. This is even as the area paraded some of the best journalists of the time; people like Ernest Ikoli, Anthony Enahoro, Robert Ezekiel-Hart and Wonukuru Obaziorlu.
Their apparent frustration must have taken flight with the splitting of the country into 12 subnational entities, including Rivers State, on May 27, 1967 by Lt Col. Yakubu Gowon.
At the end of the 30-month Nigerian Civil War, and despite Gowon’s declaration of ‘No Victor, No Vanquished’, there still existed some undercurrents that were discomfiting to returnee Rivers people and for which they began to clamour for a voice of their own.
In short, the frenzied bid by a long suppressed but now liberated minority people to assert themselves in the new dispensation generated ill feelings from their erstwhile dominant neighbours who, like the Egyptians in the Bible, appeared very unwilling to let go easily.
A former Chairman of Board of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation (RSNC), Mr. Friday Yowika, alluded to this while explaining why the Nigerian Tide newspaper was established.
“Pilloried by its big neighbour that had always regarded Port Harcourt as its satellite, resented by others with vested interests, the state (Rivers) found itself misrepresented in almost all the then national papers. It was no wonder therefore that the government, aware of the need to protect its own image, desirous of putting across its own views and to seek justice and fair play, came to the inevitable conclusion to establish a newspaper.”
The Rivers State Newspaper Corporation Edict No. 11 of 1971 was thus promulgated by the government of Navy Commander Alfred Papa Priye Diete-Spiff as the first Military Governor of Rivers State. The Edict provided for a Board to direct the affairs of the Corporation.
But prior to the constitution of the Board, there were those who served as the think-tank for the planning and execution of events that led to the founding of the newspaper house. Call them the Founding Fathers. They include the then Commissioner for Information, Kenule Saro-Wiwa; the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Henry H. Jumbo; Commissioner in the Civil Service, Athanesius Woluchem; and Gabriel Okara, an internationally acclaimed poet and literary icon.
When it was eventually formed, the pioneer Board comprised A.O.Woluchem as Chairman; Valentine James Spiff as Deputy Chairman; Israel Idamiebi-Brown; Ashley Williams; Preye Okosi; Dr. Theo Vincent and the General Manager of the Corporation, Gabriel Okara.
Starting as a weekly newspaper, Nigerian Tide soon grew to become an authoritative source of information to the extent that readers were wont to discard any breaking news until it was authenticated by the next edition of the paper. It was like the Rivers man’s new identity. Indigenes of the state resident in distant places like Lagos, Kaduna and a few other parts of Nigeria craved for it regardless of how late it arrived. Of course, the paper was always early at nearby newsstands and was, at some point, even used to sell copies of other reputable national dailies.
And even though it is owned by the state, the paper was by no means afraid to criticise government actions. This was confirmed by no less a personality than Chief Okogbule Wonodi, the second General Manager of the Corporation, who said, “I do not think that the history of the Nigerian Tide to date, is (that of) an official mouthpiece of the Government. True enough, The Tide has carried and will continue to carry news of government activities but the paper has also carried critical views that represent public reactions to some government policies.
“In other words, The Tide is a newspaper whose function as an independent paper is not in any way curtailed.”
The paper’s maiden edition was launched in Lagos on December1, 1971 by Diete-Spiff himself but commercial copies were officially rolled out for circulation three days later on December 4,1971. Hence, the date of its annual anniversary.
Not quite long after its launch, the Nigerian Tide began a twice weekly publication (Wednesday and Saturday). Its pioneer management team was said to include Gabriel Okara, General Manager; G. N. Loolo, Secretary to the Corporation; J. O. Yekwe, Production Manager; J. E. Agbogidi, Assistant Production Manager; and D. O. Jumbo, Advert Manager.
The first set of Editorial Managers was made up of Rowland Amaewhule, Acting Editor; Bieshia Bellgam, News Editor; Anthony Tebekaemi, Features Editor; Maurice Dombo, Production Editor; Tons Fetepigi, Chief Reporter; William Bozimo, Chief Correspondent (Lagos); A. F. Isokariari, Circulation Officer; and Monday Nwikpo, Advert Representative (Lagos).
With almost all the states inheriting or floating their own newspapers, there was a serious shortage of professional journalists across the land. It therefore became the practice then for media organisations to recruit secondary school leavers as cub reporters and sponsor them to journalism training schools such as the Nigerian Institute of Journalists (NIJ) in Lagos and Jos or Daily Times School of Journalism. Some were also sent abroad to study at prestigious training centres on Fleet Street in London.
Staff welfare was robust as operational vehicles were made abundant for both the distribution of the newspaper and conveying workers to and from assignments. Residential quarters were rented for staff at some low-density areas of Port Harcourt, including D-Line. At a time, Nigerian Tide offices were said to be operational in 10 of the original 12 states with radio communication links for daily transmission of reports. The paper was also said to have undertaken the payment of its staff salaries.
Such was the good fortune of the Nigerian Tide in its nascent years. In fact, not even the sudden emergence of colourful private newspaper in Port Harcourt, Garden City Sunray, could affect the former’s print run in the early 1990s.
Then, let us fast-forward to 1995 when things took a turn for the worse, leading to the suspension of the paper’s titles for several months.
It took the efforts of a team headed by the then Information Commissioner, Dr. Kudo Eresia-Eke, to revive the Nigerian Tide stable in 1996 but under a new name, The Tide. The state government had hired Taijo Wonukabe, a professional team of consultants led by Chido Nwakanma to undertake the recruitment of some experienced hands to refloat the paper. Their effort saw to the emergence of a new Editorial Management under Dagogo Ezekiel-Hart as General Manager/Editor-in-Chief; ThankGod Igwe, Editor; Dagogo Clinton, Deputy Editor; Nengi Ilagha, Editor (The Tide On Sunday); Kadilo Toby, News Editor; Celestine Ogolo, Sports Editor; Soye Jamabo, Entertainment Editor; Goodluck Ukwe, Political Editor; Fred Fabor, Copy Editor; Juliet Njiowhor, Women Editor; and Friday Nwinude, Business Editor.
The Tide was able to return to the newsstand but only to discover the disappearance of almost all its state-owned contemporaries.
There is no doubt that The Tide hoped to fare better with the return of democratic rule in 1999. But unfortunately, there has been no tangible relief for the RSNC for so long. Yearly budgetary accommodations have hardly translated into any meaningful fiscal dole-outs. Printing machines bought at the inception of the Corporation in the early 1970s are still in use. What’s more, the newly installed state-of-the-art Goss machine acquired in 2014 was immediately discovered to have been shipped without a very vital component. And this has rendered it non-functional ever since.
The Tide staff had until a few years ago retired without any benefits under the former parastatals pension arrangement before the system was brought into the state’s mainstream civil service pension scheme.
Again, the current facelift being enjoyed by the Corporation was at the insistence of the present state administration after many years of the structure being abandoned to the elements.
Then entered COVID-19 with its lockdowns which drained advert sources and temporarily forced the paper out of the market.
As if this was not a handful already, the second-hand electricity generator donated to the Corporation by a previous administration in the state is now a cause for daily concern as it breaks down every so often, mostly in the middle of production.
Even in the face of all this, the RSNC still hopes that the state government’s recent appointments in the Corporation indicates its determination and poise to throw more positive surprises in the paper’s direction. Until that happens, The Tide will continue to flow, by the special grace of God.
So far, those who have served as General Managers of RSNC include Gabriel Okara, Okogbule Wonodi, Dominic Anucha, Felix Obilor, Lyte Kosu, Anthony Tebekaemi, Edward Akpa, Magnus Bara-Hart, Godfrey Sikoki, Anthony Amakiri, Eriye Iyayi, Bernard Graham-Douglas, and Dan Obinna.
Others are Dagogo Ezekiel-Hart, Amabipi Martins, Augustine Nwikinaka, Celestine Ogolo, Vincent Ake, and now Ernest Chinwo.
By: Ibelema Jumbo
Anniversary Special
‘We’ll Continue To Advance Rivers Interests’
Being The Text Of A State Broadcast By His Excellency, Chief Nyesom Wike, To The People Of Rivers State On Monday, 30th September, 2019.
My dear people of Rivers State On the 9th of September 2019 we kick-started the celebration of the 100 days of our second term in office and for three weeks we carried out the daily inauguration of completed projects as the main thrust of the celebration.
The projects we inaugurated, which ranged from strategic road infrastructure, markets and a football academy to senior civil servants’ quarters and secretariat buildings for Labour and Student Unions, are testaments to our resolve to effectively utilize available resources to advance the socio-economic progress of our State and improve the wellbeing of our people.
It is still early morning in our second tenure and we have demonstrated that, for us, there would be no lull in the administration of our renewed political mandate. Rather, we will increase the tempo of deliverables, fulfil our promises and bequeath a much better State.
We are happy to note that the soundness of our policies and governance have enabled us to grow the State’s economy, deliver so much on infrastructure and improve the general wellbeing of our people under a difficult national economic climate.
We wish to also state that we are sensitive to the agitation of our people for political and economic freedom and we shall continue to respond appropriately to the challenges of development either alone or in conjunction with our partners to advance our abiding interest in building the brightest possible future for our State and for all our people.
It is for this sense of collective purpose that I am delighted to inform you that the Rivers State Government has fully acquired Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) 45% interest in Oil Mining Lease (OML) 11 situated in Ejama-Ebubu community in Eleme Local Government Area and the adjoining Ogoni and other communities of Rivers State.
BACKGROUND FACTS
The background of incidents and processes that culminated into this salutary development are as follows:
Following a major oil spill from SPDC Trans Niger High Pressure Crude Oil Pipeline at Ejama Community, an approximate area of 255 hectares of arable agricultural land, fishing swamps and rivers were devastated.
SPDC admitted that the oil spill came from their pipeline and occurred sometime in 1970. They paid some compensation to the community in the sum of N300,000.00 sometime in 1986 and promised to come and de-pollute the area.
SPDC failed to de-pollute the area which gave rise to a lawsuit in 1991 commenced at the High Court of Rivers State, Nchia Division presided over by Hon Justice P.N.C. Agumagu (now retired). At the end of the trial, the Court found against SPDC and entered judgment in the sum of N1 billion in addition to and order for SPDC to clean up the spill or pay N6 billion in lieu thereof.
SPDC appealed the judgement. During the pendency of the appeal, the jurisdiction of the State High Court was taken away and donated to the Federal High Court by a subsequent judgment of the Supreme Court. The Ejama-Ebubu Community conceded SPDC’s appeal without a formal hearing.
The community commenced a fresh suit in 2001 at the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, this time against SPDC and its parent companies – SHELL of Netherlands and SHELL of United Kingdom.
This fresh case commenced in 2001 passed through four different justices of that Court arising from twists and turns associated with opposed litigations, until it was disposed of about 10 years after in June 2010 by Buba J. (the fifth judge to preside over the matter).
SPDC and its parent companies appealed the judgment at the Court of Appeal in 2010, which again suffered the twists and turns passing through six different panels comprising three justices each between 2010 and 2017 before it was finally disposed of by the panel of that Court led by Gumel JCA of the Port Harcourt Division. The appeal was dismissed.
SPDC and its parent companies took out a further appeal to the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 2017, which appeal was considered and dismissed by that Court in a judgment read by Hon. Justice B. Akaahs, JSC delivering a lead judgment in a unanimous decision.
After losing at the High Court, SPDC gave the successful Ejama-Ebubu Plaintiffs a Bond Guarantee stipulating that First Bank of Nigerian Limited would pay them the value of the Judgment debt and interests thereon in the event that SPDC’s appeal to the Court of Appeal fails at that Court. The original Bank Guarantee is still with the Community.
When SPDC’s appeal failed at the Court of Appeal, Shell instructed the Bank to dishonour their guarantee, which did and gave rise to a series of six different litigations in various Courts against First Bank and the Central Bank of Nigeria. SPDC’s excuse was that they had lodged an appeal at the Supreme Court of Nigeria. The enforcement cases had been to Owerri, Abuja, Lagos, etc. in six different lawsuits.
On the 11th of January, 2019, Shell’s appeal was dismissed at the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
The judgments of the High Court, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court were registered in the United Kingdom for enforcement over there against SPDC parent companies domiciled outside Nigeria’s shores.
ENFORCEMENT OF JUDGMENT IN NIGERIA
(i) The Ejama-Ebubu community commenced enforcement by domiciling the judgment in the State High Court and levying execution on SPDC movables in their Industrial Area in Port Harcourt;
(ii) Those chattels were attached on the ground but not removed;
(iii) SPDC invited the community and offered them N7 billion as against the judgment debt of N194 billion, which the community refused to accept;
(iv) The community approached the court for and order granting them leave to sell SPDC’s immovable property comprised in OML 11 and their kidney Island support base in Port Harcourt.
Upon the advertisement of the said immovable assets for auction, the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Rivers State alerted the Government of the State.
RIVERS STATE GOVERNMENT’S DECISION TO BUY
I have given due consideration of the following factors from information made available to me:
(i) That this oil spill impacted the Ejama-Ebubu community in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State from the activities of SPDC;
(ii) That the impact is still there and un-remedied since 1970 as admitted by SPDC vide letters they wrote seeking to clean the spill in 2006 while the case was at the trial Court;
(iii) That the Rivers State has suffered the worst impact of environmental degradation resulting from oil related operations;
(iv) That the very difficult swamp and mischievous waterlogged terrain of the Rivers State has impeded development as a result of increased construction costs on the near and non-existent infrastructures and attendant rapid decay of the little we have been able to achieve as a result of oil related acid rain and black sooth enveloping the State;
(v) That these phenomenal degradation and impoverishment had continued with the decline of revenue and inflation, lack of employment of well-educated Rivers State youths, idleness and restiveness arising from want;
(vi) That SPDC is said to have paid the sum of USD 2,000,000 (two million United States Dollars) only for the renewal of their operatorship and interest in the said OML 11 to the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources;
(vii) That for the past 25 years, the rich oil potentials of OML 11 have remained untapped following the hanging of the world-renown Ogoni poet and environmental activist, Mr. Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni 9 as well as the unfortunate mob lynching and death of four prominent Ogoni citizens, one of whom was the Secretary of Government of the Rivers State and another, a Commissioner under the tenure of Lt. Col. Dauda Musa Komo as Governor of Rivers State;
(viii) That it has become unlikely that for peace and security, the people of Ogoni in the Rivers Stat will welcome SPDC on their land forming part of OML 11;
(ix) That a lot of revenue is lost to the Federation Account accruable to the 55% stake of the Federal Government in OML 11 and by extension the rest of the Federating States of Nigeria due to non-production of nearly 250,000 barrels per day of its crude oil potentials equalling one sixth of the country’s total out-put per day;
(x) That the Rivers State Government has continued to loose 13% derivation fund from the said 55% stake of the Federal Government in that field for nearly 30 years now, which revenue would have transformed the State and its peoples for the better;
(xi) That rather than standby and watch other persons or group purchaser SPDC 45% interest in that OML 11 and further exacerbate the poverty of the people of the State, a responsible and responsive State Government should weigh in and bid for the purchase of SPDC interest already set down for auction;
(xii) That the present Government of Rivers State entrusted in my care through the Will of God and those of the peoples of the Rivers State have concluded that it will be in the overall interest of the State, the other Federating States and the Federal Government that we as a Government, should make a bid for the purchase of the said interest of SPDC now placed on auction by extant Order of the Courts of Law.
Therefore, I directed the Rivers State Ministry of Finance Incorporated to make a bid of USD 150,000,0900.00 supported by a Bank Guarantee and cash payment to the Deputy Sheriff in the sum of N1 billion, the later payable to the Judgement Creditors while the former is escrowed.
I have further directed the relevant Government agencies to take immediate steps to liaise with any financially capable companies to partner with the Rivers State Government to ensure that the said oil field come on stream within 15 months from today.
In line with our commitment to accelerated development, industrial harmony and security, the Rivers State Government will graciously concede some portion of its 45% per cent equity interest to all the oil producing communities within OML 11 to enhance mutual ownership, participation and sharing in the benefits of these resources.
I have taken these steps with all sense of responsibility believing that addressing the pains and poverty of our peoples with the resultant security and welfare of its people is the main purpose of governance and nothing less.
Without any doubt, this is a profound economic investment with profound and enduring positive implications on peace, security, development and prosperity for the oil-bearing communities of OML 11, the entire Rivers State and our country.
I have attached a Certified True Copy of the Judicial Certificate of Purchase of Land/Immovable property dated 25 September, 2019 issued by the High Court of Rivers State under Order VII Rule 9 of High Court Rivers in reference to Suit No: PCH/1696/2019 between Government of Rivers State of Nigeria vs. Chief Isaac Osaro Agbara & 5 Ors and Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd. & 2 Ors.
Thank you and may God continue to bless and prosper Rivers State.
Anniversary Special
Nigerian Entertainment @59 …So Far, So Good
Kudos and more rewarding years ahead to the good people of Nigeria as the country marks 59 years of independence and freedom from domination by the British colonial over lords. In the past 59 eventful years the entertainment industry had remained a dependable partner in the nation’s quest for economic rejuvenation, as the industry accounted for over 1.4 percent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic product (GDP) in 2013 and the figure is fast growing.
Apart from generating income for the country, the entertainment sector also provides employment to the teaming population of Nigerians as well as show cases the cultural heritage of the country and also rebranding of the nation’s image abroad. The unprecedented growth of the industry from obscurity to international limelight is evident in the achievements of stake holders in the various organs of entertainment vis-a-viz, movie, music, comedy, tourism and hospitality.
Movie: From the 1957 ‘Fincho’, 1980 ‘Kadara’, 1992 Living in Bondage, 2012 Keeping Faith to the 2014 October 1, the Nigerian film industry has come a very long way as it had witnessed the good, the bad and the urgly, but has continued to thrive in the face of the daunting challenges.
In 1957 ‘Fincho’ became the first Nigerian film to be shot in clolour following Nigeria’s independence in October 1, 1960. In 1972 the independence Decree of General Yakubu Gowon’s regime made possible the transfer of ownership of about 300 cinemas from their foreign owners to Nigerians, resulting in more Nigerians actively participating in Nigeria’s film growth.
In 1992, the release of the classic movie “Living in Bondage’ Kicked off a new era in the Nigerian film industry. This era produced movies that are still referred to as classics. It produced actors that were and still household names in Nigeria.
In the mid 2000s the home video experienced a major deadline with factors such as piracy and film rental shops playing a major role. In 2004 a new cinema era began with the launch of series of modern cinema houses by silver bird group. The new wave film to be shown at a modern cinema was Kunle Afolayan’s 2006’ Irapada’ which screened at the silver bird galleria.
Ever since then, high and small budget movies like ‘Ije’, surulere’, the Figurinel. The CEO, 90 days, Half of a yellow Sun, The Meeting, October 1 and the Arbitrator have been screened at different cinemas in Nigeria. With the launch of silver bird cinemas, other cinema houses like Ozone, filmhouse and Genesis Deluxe were also launched and are playing important roles in the evolution of the Nigerian film industry.
The Nigerian film industry has become more profitable with movie like the wedding party grossing over 405 million naira in just two months and ‘A Trip to Jamaica “earning a Guinness book of world record spot for its box office success. The industry has also created quality TV series such as ‘Hush’, ‘Sons Of Caliphate’ and ‘The Governor’ among others.
Over the years, the web platform like iroko TV, Ibaka TV and cix TV provide paid for Nigerian films on demand at affordable charges pay TV entertainment platforms like Africa magic have also invested in the Nigerian film industry creating shows and empowering the youths.
The Nigerian film industry has established itself as a major cultural and socio economic force in Nigeria and the rest of the world. Nigeria’s entertainment and media industry revenue witnessed a 25.5 percent growth. This amounted to $3.8 billion with $605 million of the estimated $764 million rise said to be attributed to internet access, according to a recent report.
Music: The development of modern music and dance had their origin and foundation in the traditions of various communities in Nigeria. Who are known to have their own music and dance forms which they use in entertaining themselves and important quests. Every event attracts its own form of music in the traditional setting.
The Nigerian music industry is proud to storm the world stage by identifying its relevance and essence. The music fact of entertainment has waxed relatively strong, expanding year after year, turning in billions of naira to the economy. There is no gainsaying the fact that music is part of our everyday life and more or less an integral part of visual and audio media productions including sound tracks in both local and foreign movies.
With an apparently inexhaustible stream talents and capacity to innovate, the Nigerian music industry is one that can neither be hindered by economic depression nor lack of relevance.
The industry has the necessary resources to rule the airwaves of not only Nigeria, but also the length and breath of Africa and the world at large. It is note worthy that the number of stakeholders in Nigerian music business is ever increasing, they include the musicians, producers, promoters, manager distributors and marketers.
In the past six years, the growing number of new production studios and artistes springing up has paved way for a more vibrant and self sustaining industry. A lot of Nigerian artistes are already enjoying corporate sponsorship for their unique talents and achievements some have recorded land mark album sales sometimes running into hundreds of thousand copies.
Others have won prestigious awards in international contests and events hence attracting more and more investments from very many sources. The investments have no doubt aided production of world class quality music as a result of innovations in sounds, rhythms and recording techniques.
Nigerian musicians have developed a vast spectrum of music genres blending hip hop, rap, rhythm and blues reggae gospel etc with traditional Nigerian beats and instruments. Some of the popular names include 2face idibia, P-Square, Davido, Timaya, Tiwa savage, Wiziki, D’banj, Don Jazzy, M.I., Bracket and Olamide others are KCee, Asa, Skales Mc Galaxy, Yemi Alade, patoranking, Tekno, Phyno, Flavour etc
A good number of them have also made name in gospel music such as Chris Morgan, Frank Edward, Panam Percy Paul, Yinka Ayefele and Sinach among others.
STAND UP COMMEDY: Stand up comedians have come to compete in Nigeria’s entertainment landscape, they distill humour and jokes inspired by everyday life experience of Nigerians to a wide variety of audience through direct stage shows or recorded VCD/DVD in English or Nigerian pidgin.
Among the most popular of these highly talented comedians are ‘1 go dye’, Bovi, Seyi Law Lepacious Bose, Funny Bone, Klint d’ drunk, Basket mouth, Helen Panel, Chi Girl etc.
TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY:- Some of the diverse cultural features of the country are the manifestations of the socio cultural differences of the over 250 ethnic groups that have inhabited the land for ages. Some of the cultural events with tourism potentials which have attracted several international recognitions and revenue to the country, some of these tourists events include the Grand Dubar festival, the famous Arugungu fishing festival (Ondo State), Olojo festival (Ile Ife), the Oshun festival (Oshogbo), Atilogu dances and the new yam festivals from the east as well as the Abuja, calabar and Rivers State carnivals among others.
The natural tourist sites include Sukur landscape (Adamawa State) Zuma Rock (Niger State), Olumo Rock (Abeokuta), Kuru falls in Jos, Shere hills (Jos), Abokin Waterfalls, Gurara waterfalls, Erin Ijesha water falls, Mambulla plateau (Taraba State).
Idanre and Oka hills Ondo State, others are Obudu cattle ranch, Oguta Lake Imo State, Ikogosi Springs Ekiti State, Lekki Beach Lagos, Mayegum Beach Lagos and the whispering Palm resort Lagos as well as other tourists destinations across the country.
In hospitality Nigeria parades world class hotels and other outlets located in different parts of the country which ranges from first, second and third classes according to international standard and specification. The sector is regulated by the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC).
Hotels serve as avenue for revemae generation to the economy and support for the entertainment industry by providing opportunity and platform for music and movie stars to do stage performance and lodging. Some of the top hotels in the country are transcop hotel Abuja, Eko hotel and seraton hotels lagos, Ham dala hotel, hotel presidential, Enugu and Rivers States, premiere hotel Ibadan etc.
The Nigerian entertainment clan over the past 59 years has evolved and still gaining more grounds in the global entertainment anclave, we can beat our chest and say ‘so far so good’ as the beat goes on.
Jacob Obinna
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