Politics
Ohanaze Ndigbo Endorses Diri In Bayelsa Poll
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, the Ohanaze Ndigbo, Bayelsa State Chapter, on Monday endorsed the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, for a second term.
The Tide gathered this at a meeting convened by the group in Yenagoa, the State capital, in which the leadership of the group said though the group is apolitical, they have resolved to work with the incumbent administration of the state governor, Senator Diri, and his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, due to their track record of achievements in the past three years in office.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after their meeting, the national financial Secretary of the Ohanaze Ndigbo Youth wing (Worldwide), Hon. Chinedu Arthur-Ugwa, said the unity of Igbos in the state was paramount, noting that though there were leadership crises which has hitherto rocked the state Chapter of the group, the national Secretariat of the Ohanaze Ndigbo has waded in and has therefore accorded recognition to the Mr Ekwem Remitus-led chapter of the Ohanaze Ndigbo in the state upon fulfilling the mandatory requirements for registration.
“As a National Executive of the Ohanaze Ndigbo Youth wing (worldwide) and the South-South coordinator of the Ohanaze Ndigbo Youth wing, I told the leadership of the body here in the state that I’ll not work with any unregistered group or affiliate body of the Ohanaze Ndigbo until they’re registered with a proof.
“However, while the Mr Onuma Johnson’s led faction of the Ohanaze Ndigbo went about parading itself without registration even after being suspended, the other group led by Mr Ekwem Remitus was able to secure registration by the national Secretariat of the Ohanaze Ndigbo, and so I’ll like to work with them.
“I’ve been preaching peace, I took the matter to the State Deputy Governor, and he has been doing all within his powers to bring lasting peace and unity to the Ohanaze Ndigbo, Bayelsa State Chapter.
“Our unity as an ethnic group is important to us as a people. I’ve always called on all to work together for a peaceful and united Ohanaze Ndigbo in the State”, he said.
The Tide reports that at the endorsement meeting, Barr. Agama Vitus Okonkwo was also unveiled as the Chairman of 2023 Igbo day celebration in the state.
In his acceptance speech, Okonkwo promised to give the group a befitting Igbo day celebration, saying the event would be held on the 29th of September, 2023, in the state.
He advised Igbos to be wary of any body or group who comes under the guise of Igbo day celebration to collect levies or demand for money from any person of Igbo extraction in the state.
Meanwhile, the duo of the Chairman, Igbo Traders Association, Bayelsa State Chapter, who also doubles as the Chairman of Phone village, Yenagoa, Prince Williams Eze, and the Ohanaze Ndigbo Women Wing Coordinator, Gbarain Clan, Yenagoa Local Government Area, Mrs Chika Okonkwo, have restated their continued commitment to the unity and progress of the Igbo ethnic nationality in the state.
In their separate responses while fielding questions from newsmen during the meeting of the group, they thanked Hon. Chinedu Arthur-Ugwa and others for ensuring a peaceful resolution of the lingering crises in the state chapter of the Ohanaze Ndigbo.
They also called on the Mr Onuma Johnson’s faction of the group to toe the path of Peaceful coexistence.
A grassroots organisation known as Sir Siminalayi Fubara Peace Initiative, Friends For Good Governance, has passed a confidence vote on the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara over his development strides in the state within a short time in office.
Apart from the numerous development projects embarked upon by the governor in the state, the body expressed delight over the recent payment of N85,000.00 minimum wage to civil servants in the State to reduce the economic burden of workers and their dependants.
Spokesperson of the organisation, Chief Felix Ologara, who addressed newsmen in Bori, headquarters of Khana Local Government Area described Governor Fubara’s administration as the most compassionate, peace-loving and labour-friendly in Nigeria.
Coordinator of the NGO, Comrade Felix Nnaa, also lauded the governor of Rivers State for staying focused on the development of the state despite the challenges by detractors of his administration.
The NGO also commended the newly elected local government chairmen in the state, particularly the chairman of Khana LGA, Hon Martin Nwigbo and his Tai counterpart, Hon Mathew Dike for modelling their leadership style after Governor Fubara’s in providing essential services to the people.
On his part, the Chairman of Khana Local Government Area, Hon. Martins Nwigbo, who also spoke with the press assured that his administration will give priority attention to the development of Khana, particularly in providing security, economic empowerment, human capital development and restoration of power in the area.
Former President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Professor Atuboyedia Obianime, has called for a people centred governance in Nigeria.
Prof. Obianime said this at the Rivers Liberation Summit and Awards organised by the Ijaw Wari Initiative Worldwide in Port Harcourt.
He said projects execution are good but government must come up with policies that will create employment opportunities for the people.
The former INC president particularly urged the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, to revive all moribund industries with the view to creating jobs for the teeming unemployed youths in the state and stressed the need for the revamping of the agricultural sector in the state.
Also speaking, a former chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Dr Sam Sam Jaja, said the Ijaws will never surrender their rights for any reason.
“We know where we come from and we know where we are now; we know the battle we fought and we know the battle we are still fighting and one thing is very important among us, we will never surrender our rights for any reason”, he said.
Dr Jaja said the Ijaws have been known to fight against oppression and marginalisation and commended the Ijaw Wari Initiative for complementing the INC.
“What we are doing today is to honour Ijaw sons and daughters who deserve to be honoured and of course we have one of our elderly sons to tell us what we have done in terms of pursuing leadership”, he added.
He also described the Ijaws as symbols of leadership, adding: “it starts from us and it will continue to remain with us for a long time”
Dr Jaja also declared that with an Ijaw man at the saddle of leadership in the State, the people will see a new phase of governance, adding that areas neglected will be touched, while expressing optimism that the event would equip the participants to face the challenges ahead.
In his welcome address, the president of Ijaw Wari Initiative Worldwide, Somina Wokoma, said the event was to “commemorate the October 30th, 2023, failed attempt to impeach our dear Governor which marked a turning point in our democratic journey”.
“As we converge on this epoch making occasion, we celebrate the triumph of democracy, people oriented leadership and the resilience of Rivers people”, he said.
John Bibor
A non- governmental organisation in Rivers State, the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force ( (NDPVF), Opobo/Nkoro Chapter, has tasked Chairmen of the 23 Local Government Areas of the State to urgently focus on aggressive infrastructural and human capital development projects.
This is contained in a statement released by the group in Port Harcourt shortly after her Chapter Executive Council ( CEC) meeting in Opobo Town, and signed by its Coordinator, Commander Idawari Brown; Secretary, Comrade Success Dinne Ebranga and Public Relations Officer, Comrade Lucky Ubani.
The group urged the chairmen and councillors to be proactive in the discharge of their assignment of dispensing quality service delivery in their areas of jurisdiction and admonished them to follow the leadership example of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
“There is need for the Chairmen of various Councils in the state to ensure that they emulate the leadership style of the governor by building bridges of transformation, human capital development and youth inclusiveness in governance of their LGAs”, the statement said.
The group further admonished the chairmen of the various councils and their Councillors to put in their best in the leadership of their local areas for the well-being of the people.
“The people are in dire need of your contributions for better development bridges in terms of even distribution of development projects and programmes that will have direct- bearings on the people’s welfare and lives.
“They should include those who have what it takes to develop the areas through their contributions to move the area forward developmentally.
“We urge the chairmen of various councils and their councillors not to appoint anybody on political patronage in order to siphon the treasury of the councils.
“We would not tolerate this lackluster attitude from any council chairmen Councillors. The real thing should be done through those with leadership expertise and are ever ready to join forces with them to build a pleasant and virile Local Government Areas administration for posterity.
By: Bethel Toby