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Group Urges Youths To Shun Electoral Violence, Political Thuggery

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3 years ago

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Ahead of the 2023 general elections in the country, a frontline socio- cultural organisation in the Niger Delta region, Movement for the Survival of Izon Ethnic Nationality in Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has called on youths to shun all manner of electoral violence, political thuggery and all forms of criminality in the region, but vote wisely for candidates of their choice.
The group also admonished the youths and the electorate to vote out bad leadership with their Permanent Voter Card (PVC ) come 2023.
This was disclosed by National Director of the group, Alhaji Abubakar Amaigo Brown at Abonnema during the commiseration of over 50 youths that were killed at the community during the 2019 general elections by the military.
Brown said the essence of the exercise was to re-orientate the people of the clan and the youths to refrain from electoral violence, political thuggery, illegal oil bunkering and all manner of anti -social vices in the community come 2023.
The mobilisation officer called on Niger Delta youths to select the leaders to govern them with their votes and not to be used to carry guns and rig elections for the political class.
“We are lacking real leadership in the country, we need good leadership and not those that would ask our youths to carry arms during elections and abandon them.”
Speaking at the event, National President, National Youth Council of Ogoni People, (NYCOP), Comrade Mathew Dighi, called on youths of the region, especially to shun all manner of electoral violence come 2023.
Dighi, who described the death of over 50 youths in Abonnema during the 2019 general elections as a colossal loss to the region and the state, said. “We are here to create awareness and advise the youths not to act violently in the forthcoming elections, but vote wisely and vote leaders of their choice”
He advised the youth to be careful and intelligent during the forthcoming elections as he urged them to use their PVC to vote out bad governance and leadership in the country.
Also speaking, State Chairman, Civil Liberties Organization, (CLO), Clifford Christopher Solomon, decried the loss of lives and property, the wanton massacres that was carried out by the military at Abonnema in 2019 elections
Solomon appealed to the youths not to be used as an instrument for election rigging and thuggery in the 2023 elections.
He admonished the military to refrain from electioneering process and supervision of 2023 general elections in the country
”It is not the sole responsibility of the Nigeria Army, Navy and the Air force to come out during elections to shoot and kill innocent and armless civilians”
“Voting is the franchise of every eligible Nigerian to vote candidate of their choice and not to be killed by armed personnel”. He said
“It is not the duty of the military to come on election days to intimidate, harass, and shoot at civilians, rather it is the duty of the Nigerian police to supervise the processes and not to kill”.
Earlier, Nyemoni Clan Chairman, comrade Emmanuel Selem Romeo, had appealed to the youths of Nyemoni to desist from electoral Violence, kidnapping, oil bunkering and political thuggery in 2023 elections.
Romeo said the aim of the exercise was to commiserate with the families of the youths that were killed in 2019 general elections in Abonnema.
He called on government to provide employment for the teeming youths of the community to better their lives instead of indulging in crimes and criminalities.
Romeo told the youths that the political class has nothing to offer them, than guns and drugs to commit crimes

By: Chinedu Wosu

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100 Days: LG Boss Commissions Late Monarch’s Palace Fence, Solar Water Projects

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11 hours ago

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February 5, 2025

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As part of activities marking his 100 days in office, the Chairman of Ahoada West Local Government Council, Hon Iyekor Ikporo, has commissioned a solar water project at Odiereke Ubie Community.
Other projects commissioned by the chairman at Ward 9 of the local government are Late Emperial Majesty, Eze Robinson O.Robinson palace fence, generator house and security post.
Recall that the palace of the revered deceased King was affected by the recent flood, which destroyed the fence and virtually all his property until the current council chairman came to the rescue.
The ovation that greeted the chairman’ s demonstration of exemplary leadership could be seen in the reception accorded him during the commissioning ceremony.
In her remarks, the wife of the late monarch, Her Majesty Felicia Robinson,who could not hold back her tears, commended the council chairman for wiping away her tears.
She described the chairman as God-sent, and called on the new Eze Ekpeye Lobo 111, King Kelvin Anugwo, to honour the Ahoada West chairman for this singular gesture.
She also called for continuous support of the council chairman and the Governor of the State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, for leading the people on the path of progress.
Earlier, the Eze Ekpeye Logbo 111, Eze Kelvin Anugwo, had commended the chairman for taking bold steps to reconstruct the palace fence and other facilities, and expressed gratitude to the chairman for his passion to deliver the dividends of democracy to his people.

 

While suing for peace and unity of the people, the first class traditional ruler, stressed the need for division among the people to be jettisoned by all and sundry, for the overall development of the Ekpeye ethnic nationality.
In his remarks, the council chairman narrated the significant milestones his administration has recorded within the past three months in office.
He said since charity begins at home, he has taken steps to provide basic necessities to the Ward where he hails from, contending that for a long time, the people of Odiereke Ubie Community had no drinking water, hence, his decision to provide potable and well treated water that would stand the test of time.
He said, “You can recall that when we came here canvassing for votes for our dear Governor, while listening to the requests of our people, lack of potable water in the area was a topmost setback and challenge and that is why on assuming office, we decided to address it.”

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Bonny Protest Neglect, Seeks CSR MoU Implementation 

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12 hours ago

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February 5, 2025

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A protest by Bonny Kingdom in Rivers State have given ultimatum to international oil firms and the Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas Limited (NLNGL) operating in the island on the need to transform the island in line with the memorandum of understanding (MOU) provided by the Train 7 agreement.
The Chairman of Bonny Kingdom Development Committee (BKDC), Amaopusenibo Amairigha Hart, accused the oil and gas multinationals of neglecting their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) obligations, marginalizing Bonny people, and violating agreements.
Hart warned that the Kingdom would no longer tolerate what he called the flagrant disregard for its developmental needs.
“Bonny Kingdom is known for its peaceful and hospitable nature, but this should not be mistaken for weakness. While individuals, nations, and organizations hail Bonny Island as a blessed geographic location, the land and people have very little to smile about.
“This stems from the abject neglect, total exclusion, rights and privileges denial, and obnoxious disregard for the people of Bonny Kingdom in the scheme of things with regards to how the companies operating in Bonny Island do their businesses”, he said.
Indigenes of the island  had planned to begin an indefinite shutdown on January 13, 2025, to demand the implementation of stalled development projects and agreements.
However, the BKDC announced the suspension of the protest following interventions by NLNG and security agencies, who requested an opportunity for dialogue.
“While the plans to commence the protest were at their peak, government agencies and NLNG reached out to us for a chance to discuss and resolve the issues amicably. The Kingdom considered the requests and had decided to suspend the planned peaceful protest”, he explained.
Despite this temporary suspension, the BKDC stressed that it remains steadfast in its demands.
“This is a strong note of warning: things cannot remain as they are. A people grounded may be buried but cannot die twice”, Hart stated.
The BKDC Chairman decreied the failure to implement the CSR projects under the NLNG Train-7 project, including road expansions, construction of a mini-stadium, a waste-to-wealth facility, and other infrastructure.
He alleged that despite adequate funding from Train 7 investors, NLNG has withheld the project funds and failed to deliver.
“For emphasis, NLNG and SCD-JV signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) to execute the following projects in the Kingdom under the Train 7 Project: Expansion of the road from Shell Gate to Coal Beach with a spur from Amaomu Junction to the King Perekule Palace; construction of a 5,000-capacity mini-stadium and sports academy; construction of a vehicular terminal; and construction of a 2.5km road from Workers’ Camp to Simidia Junction. But none of these projects has seen the light of day up till now.
“Interestingly, the people of the Kingdom are well aware that investors in the Train 7 Project provided adequate funds for the implementation of CSR projects in the Kingdom, but unfortunately, NLNG has ensnared these funds in its custody and continued to exercise sole authority over them without any input from the Kingdom”, Hart alleged.
He  further lamented the poor living conditions in Bonny despite its immense contributions to Nigeria’s economy.
He continued that “As at today, Bonny Island lacks clean, potable, and drinkable water. It lacks basic social amenities. There are no internal roads except the few constructed by the Bonny Local Government.
“The Bodo-Bonny Road remains under construction since 1975 and is yet to be completed. Roads in the Kingdom remain one-lane narrow roads despite the intense traffic utilization occasioned by the activities of these companies”.
Noting that the kingdom is grappling with severe environmental degradation, Hart said, “The shores around Bonny Island continue to be washed away by the sea waves, a situation aggravated by the strong waves caused by the heavy traffic of large seagoing vessels owned and operated by the multinationals.
“The air pollution is at an all-time high with attendant environmental and health hazards which residents of the Island are being subjected to. Acid rain is a normal occurrence, which continues to undermine the sustainability of buildings in the Island”.
The BKDC further urged the Federal Government, Rivers State Government, and IOCs to take immediate action to address the Kingdom’s grievances, warning that failure to do so could result in renewed action from the people.
“This is a cry for help by the people of Bonny Kingdom and a strong note of warning that things will no longer remain as they are. It is time for the Federal and State Government as well as the companies operating in the Kingdom to rise to the occasion and act right, urgently and in the interest of Bonny people”, Hart stated further.
The committee emphasized that while the Kingdom values dialogue and collaboration, it expects concrete results and a change in attitude from the companies operating within its borders.
In his response, the management of NLNG, through the General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Ms. Sophia Horsfall, assured stakeholders that plans for Train 7 CSR projects remain on course.
Kevin Nengia
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NOSDRA D-G Disburses N150m To 300 Farmers In Rivers

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12 hours ago

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February 5, 2025

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The Director-General, National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Chief Chukwuemeka Woke, has disbursed N150 million to 300 farmers in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Woke told newsmen in Isiodu, Emohua, on Monday that the gesture was in support of the Back-to-Farm initiative of the president’s wife, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu.
He said the grant would not only boost food security, but also empower small-scale farmers in the 14 wards of the local Government Area.
The NOSDRA chief said the grant would enable small holder farmers to contribute towards massive food production in 2025.
”The grant will enable our local farmers to procure inputs, pay for land lease, and cater for other needs ahead of the planting season.
”The aim of this support is to enhance crop yield in the 2025 harvest, especially cassava, this will reflect in the cost and availability of food in the state”, he said.
Mr. Chukwuemeka Aaron, factional Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Rivers, commended the Federal Government for the initiative.
Represented by the secretary, Mr. Benibo George, Aaron said the gesture would boost local food production in the area.
He urged the beneficiaries to put the grant to judicious use in the interest of food security.
Also speaking at the event, the factional Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Rivers State, Tony Okocha, described the grant as a good omen.
Okocha said agriculture was critical to the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Tinubu-led government.
He urged the beneficiaries to take advantage of the opportunity to contribute to the food security initiative of the Federal Government.
Some of the beneficiaries commended the NOSDRA D-G for the gesture, and described it as well-intended.
One of them, Uchechukwu Otuonu, diescribed the grant as a rare privilege to famers in the area.
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