Rivers
Elder Statesman Tasks Buhari On Restructuring
An elder statesman and prominent Niger Delta stakeholder in Rivers State, Rev. (Dr) Sokari Soberekon has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to implement his proposal on restructuring before the presidential election.
According to him, the comprehensive proposal he sent to President Buhari and the National Assembly last year has the perfect solutions to the lingering problems of the country, and appealed to the President to without further delay, implement the proposal which he said will solve the problems of the country if well implemented.
He said, he is saddened that he has not got any feedback from the President or the National Assembly since he sent the document, adding that there is nothing to show that they are doing anything about it.
He felt the only reason they do not want to do any thing about the proposal is to continue to embezzle the resources of the Niger Delta and keep oppressing the oil producing Niger Delta and her people.
“There is no way you can get the best of yam without slicing or peeling it. The same way, Nigeria needs to be sliced for everyone in the country to enjoy the benefits of being a citizen of Nigeria and the slicing of the country is restructuring the country into six autonomous zones that will control their resources and pay taxes to the centre which is true federalism. Each of the zones should be headed by a Vice President that will be voted into power for a single tenure of 12 years which means there will be six Vice Presidents in the country”, he added.
He said in a statement in Port Harcourt that each Vice President will serve as a President General for two years on a rotational basis, which are all well articulated in the proposal.
“Every presidential aspirant that is contesting or willing to contest should contest in their zones for the Vice President”, he intoned
According to him, “this will drastically reduce the huge amount of money spent on election in every four years and also lessen the tension in the country in every four years due to electioneering activities”. He also said “the politicians will not use our God-given oil to play politics again.”
He also called on the British Government to come to the aid of the Niger Delta people “because it is the CORE states of Calabar, Ogoja and Rivers that gave them the trump card to win when 14 European countries were scrambling for Africa, Nigeria in particular at the Berlin Conference in 1884-1885”, It is the core states of Calabar, Ogoja and Rivers that brought in the Europeans, that is why the headquarters was in Calabar before it was moved to Lagos after amalgamation. The amalgamation document was only signed by the Obong of Calabar and the British should remember the commercial treaty signed in 1775 at the Bight of Brafia that opened way for trading between them and the Rivers people. Then, they were known as seafarers and the Rivers people, were known as bay farers. Seafarers are the sailors while the bay farers are the people living at the front of the sea. The Bight of Brafria is where the seafarers and the bay farers met to sign the commercial treaty” he said.
Soberekon who described himself as an agitator, emancipator and Senior Advocate of Niger Delta (SAND) said he was instrumental to the establishment of the oil derivation formula during the Second Republic under the watch of former President of the country, Alhaji Shehu Shagari in 1981. He is the General Overseer of Christ Jesus Link Gospel Publishers Church.
The management of the Rivers State University, (RSU), Nkpolu Oroworukwu Port Harcourt has admitted eleven thousand and eighty-three students to study in various disciplines and courses for 2024/2025 academic sessions in the university.
The vice chancellor of the university,prof Isaac Zeb-Obipi disclosed this during his address at the 43rd matriculation ceremony of the institution held at the convocation arena in Port Harcourt, last Friday.
Zeb-obipi expressed delight that it was a privilege to welcome everyone to the momentous occasion, marking the beginning of an exciting academic journey for the new students and described matriculation as an important ceremony organised by institutions, especially universities.
“Though this is the 43rd matriculation ceremony of the university,it is the first under my watch as vice chancellor, and I am highly excited that I am having my tail cut in the conduct of this significant ritual of matriculation.”
“Once again, I give God all the glory and thank the State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the 14th Governing council under the leadership of Her Excellency, Hon. Justice Mary Odili and the host of others who played one role or the other in my emergence as the vice chancellor. May I also use this opportunity to acknowledge my co-contenstants that made the selection a worthy competition, especially Prof Adolphus J. Toby and prof Nkalo H.Ukoima. There is no doubt that they all mean well for the university and as such i am studying the various vision statements they had submitted for possible inclusion in the efforts to implement what we have, “he stated.
He explained that his vision is to transform the university into a world class, innovative, inclusive institution, fostering a culture of excellence, creativity, and social responsibility through the re-engineering of the university’s academic, administrative, and community engagement frameworks to ensure that they are student centric, faculty driven, community oriented responsive to the need of the 21st century.
According to him the university aim to achieve the visions by enhancing academic programmes to meet global standards, strengthening research capacity and promoting innovation and improving infrastructure and facilities to support teaching, learning research, and fostering partnerships with industries, government, and other stakeholders to promote community engagement and entrepreneurship among others.
The VC while giving the statistics of the administration said a total of 29,107 candidates took the university as first choice in the 2024 JAMB Examination, 16,172 qualified the institution 190 cutoff mark, 15,348 registered for the post UTME, while 15,014 participated in university test and out of the number,11,083 was admitted.
The VC while congratulating the matriculants, urged them to shun any forms of social vices such as cultism, examination malpractices, sorting and indicent dressing, adding that the the school has zero tolerance on indiscipline and other anti social behaviours that are detrimental to societal growth.
Akujobi Amadi
The Vice Chairman of Opobo Council of Chiefs, Alabo Edwin Cockeye Brown has joined the chorus of voices calling for an immediate end to the suspension of democratically elected officials in Rivers State.
The Opobo chiefs Council’s vice chair who was speaking on the sidelines at an emergency stakeholders’ congress of the INC held at the Ijaw House in Yenagoa last Wednesday, emphasized the gravity of the suspension of a state governor, deputy and legislators, characterizing it as an unprecedented assault on the democratic process.
He argued that suspending an elected governor and the state legislature not only undermine the mandate given by the electorate but also poses a significant threat to the political stability of the state. Brown further declared the suspension as “an aberration and travesty of the constitution.”
His words, “Even though the Nigerian Constitution grants the President powers to declare a state of emergency under Section 305, it does not authorize the suspension of democratically elected officials, such as governors or members of the legislature. The proper procedure for removing a governor is outlined in Section 188 of the Constitution, which requires legislative processes rather than executive fiat”.
Brown went on, “The unconstitutional suspension of democratically elected government officials is a Slowly but surely dismantling of democratic structures. This will not help our fledgling democracy, but will destroy all the gains so far made in this democratic dispensation”.
“This is not just about Governor Fubara; it is about every citizen of Rivers State who participated in a democratic election,” he stated. He added, “Injustice in Rivers State is injustice all over Nigeria because we are all governed by one constitution.”
He expressed concern that such actions could set a dangerous precedent, eroding public trust in the electoral system and democratic institutions across Nigeria.
He further articulated the historical context of the Ijaw struggle for
representation, highlighting the community’s long-standing grievances
regarding political marginalization.
“For over 24 years, we have fought to regain our rightful place in governance,” Brown remarked. “To have that struggle undermined by a unilateral decision from the federal government is not just
frustrating—it is an affront to our identity and aspirations as Ijaw people.”
Brown called for a united front among Ijaw leaders and communities,
urging them to resist any attempts to divide or silence their voices.
He underscored the importance of dialogue and reconciliation as vital
pathways to resolving the ongoing crisis, rather than resorting to forceful measures that could exacerbate tensions. “We must engage with
the federal government, but we will do so on our terms,” he insisted.
In closing, Brown reaffirmed his commitment to the principles of
justice and equity, emphasizing that the Ijaw people would not back down in their quest for recognition and respect.
“We are prepared to stand firm and advocate for our rights. Our
history is rich with leaders who have fought for us, and we will not
allow their sacrifices to be in vain,” he concluded, rallying support
for a peaceful resolution that honors the democratic process and the will of the Rivers people.
The high-profile one-day stakeholders’ meeting brought together
influential Ijaw leaders, including Bayelsa State Governor, Douye
Diri, his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo; former Rivers State
Governor and Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass, King Alfred Diete-Spiff; former Rivers Governor, Chief Rufus Ada-George; and former Bayelsa Deputy
Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah.
Also in attendance were the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of
Assembly, Abraham Ingobere; National Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta
Forum (PANDEF), Dr. Boladei Igali; prominent traditional rulers from
various parts of Ijawland; the President of the Ijaw Youth Council
(IYC), Jonathan Lokpobiri and many other notable Ijaw leaders from across the Niger Delta.