Niger Delta

N’Delta Forum Withdraws From Nationwide Protest

Published

5 months ago

August 7, 2024

The Niger Delta Young Leaders Forum, a Civil Society Organisation (CSO), has announced its withdrawal from the ongoing nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest.
National Chairman of the group, Chief Imo Okoko, announced this in a statement released in Port Harcourt.
“Our young leaders of the Niger Delta region scattered across the country, we appreciate the solidarity shown us throughout this most trying period of our collective quest for good governance and a better standard of living for all Nigerians.
“It will be recalled that before August 1, we had repeatedly voiced the pains, anger, and frustration of our people over the soaring prices of almost every food item and essential commodities in the country.
“We equally forewarned of our readiness to join the planned protest, if nothing concrete was put on ground to cushion the hardship we are experiencing.
“We salute the courage of all our members and associates who have trouped out in their hundreds and thousands to solidarise with and support the protesters nationwide.
“Your sacrifices and the risks you have taken shall never go unrewarded, as both humanity and divinity have taken records accordingly”, Okoko said.
He said after Day 5 of the nationwide protests, it had become imperative to take stock and do an objective review of the progress made and the situation on ground.
The chairman of the group praised the protesters for showing a high level of civility and maturity thus far and also expressed appreciation to the security operatives for exhibiting professionalism in managing the protesters.
According to him, no government, in recent history has tolerated protests and accommodated the magnitude of public confrontations in such a manner.
He lauded the Presidency for the maturity it exhibited in managing the protests even in the heat of the moment.
He also applauded the government for the sustained empathy it showed in acknowledging the pains and hardships the people are facing.
Okoko then appealed to the youth for more patience and time for the government to implement the various policies and programmes it has designed to remedy the situation.
“Above all, we have observed the gradual hijack of the protests by criminal elements in parts of the country, a dimension that has led to the looting of shops and warehouses, violence, and the attack of innocent Nigerians.
“It is in light of these developments that we have decided to yield to the intervention and passionate appeal of the highly-respected leadership of the National Civil Society of Nigeria (NCSCN), under the watch of Amb. Blessing Akinlosotu, and suspend our participation in the ongoing nationwide protests against.
“We, therefore, direct all our members and associates to, henceforth, pull out of the protest and join forces with the NCSCN in their intense advocacy for further consultations and dialogue with the government”, Okoko said.
He commended the leadership of the Civil Society Council for brokering the resolution and applauded its members for the remarkable show of solidarity and loyalty.

Niger Delta

Fouchee Celebrates Asari’s Recognition

Published

9 hours ago

January 10, 2025

The Tide

The Amayanabo of Fouchee Community in Degema Local Government Area, Rivers State, HRH. A.C.Blakk-Iwerima, says the recognition of Alabo, Alhaji Mujaheed Dokubo Asari as the Amayanabo of Torusarama Piri is the icing on the achievements of the Rivers State Governor in 2024.

HRH. Blakk-Iwerima, who was speaking recently to newsmen after the annual thanksgiving service of the Fouchee Community, said the recognition of Dokubo Asari was fit and proper and sounds like music in the ears of all people of Ifoko ancestry.

He commended the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminialaye Joseph Fubara, for the recognition of Dokubo Asari, whose leadership role, he acknowledged, stands out.

He also commended the Governor for the many steps being taken to restore sanity in governance and dousing desperation through people-centered policies in the State.

According to him, “the Kings, Chiefs and people of Fouchee and Ifoko Communities in the Kalabari ethnic nationality are very proud of Alabo, Alhaji Dokubo Asari, whose links with Ifoko has been most rewarding”.

HRH. Blakk-Iwerima promised to give all the support needed to enable the team working on the Fouchee Atlantic Project to succeed, and expressed hope that the Rivers State Government would also give the needed backing.

He further called on Asari to use the recognition to strengthen the Kalabari Se Kobiri and bring all aggrieved persons and communities to see the need to work together.

Niger Delta

Kalabari Media Forum Hails Recognition Of Dokubo Asari As Amayanabo

Published

9 hours ago

January 10, 2025

The Tide

The Kalabari Media Forum has endorsed the recognition of Alabo, Alhaji Mujaheed Dokubo Asari as the Amayanabo of Torusarama Piri and the historical relevance of the award.

A communique issued after the 2024 end of year summit of the Forum also commends the Executive Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminialaye Joseph Fubara for the recognition which they described as the best end of year gift to the Kalabari people.

The Communique signed by the Coordinator of the Forum, Alabo Dagogo Clinton and the Secretary, Mr. Harry Awolayeofori Macmorrison states that the gesture should make the Kalabari people to get back to the drawing board and consolidate on existing inter and intra communal peace within the region.

According to the statement, Torusarama Piri was the first place where the founding fathers of Kalabari converged from different cultures, tribes and backgrounds. Adding that those saying that the Kalabari people are not united should think again.

” As the different founding fathers were able to form a formidable ethnic nationality, modern day Kalabari should be able to sink the differences between the constituent communities and with other non-Kalabari speaking neighbours to achieve the needed internal cohesion for development”. It states.

The Forum further congratulated Alabo Asari Dokubo on his recognition and urged him to use the opportunity to do even more for the Kalabari people and Rivers State as a whole.

According to the statement, the Forum is happy with the recognition of Dokubo Asari not because he is one of the patrons of the Forum, but because he is about the most Kalabari-centric figure living, who has also committed enormous resources for the protection of the Kalabari people.

They urged the Kalabari Se Kobiri and the entire people of the ethnic nationality to work with Alabo Dokubo Asari and put to rest speculations about Kalabari that some persons have exploited against the interest of the Kalabari people over the years.

Niger Delta

We’re Upgrading Tourism Sites Across C’River – Otu

Published

9 hours ago

January 10, 2025

The Tide

Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has said plans were underway to upgrade tourism sites across the state to meet international standards.

Speaking with newsmen in Calabar, Otu said this was to attract local and international tourists to the state.

He said the state was also working on creating the needed infrastructure to boost tourism in the areas of transportation and accommodation among others.

“We are currently training personnel within the state and outside the country to upgrade our tourism sites. We are partnering with investors to bring some of them to 21st century standard.

“Currently, we are trying to ensure our roads are taken care of. We are not waiting on the Federal Government again because it has become clear that priorities are too many, so, we have to help ourselves.

“We want to ensure people easily access those tourism sites with very little difficulty and we are looking at stabilising our product pricing by making sure transportation is improved. We will explore gas, electricity and train.

“We are going to improve aviation as well”, he said.

Speaking on the just-concluded Calabar Carnival, Otu commended the competing and non-competing bands for their remarkable imput which culminated to the success of the event.

He appreciated everyone who worked behind the scene in the nine months preparation period for the carnival.

According to him, with guidance from renowned professors, researchers, individual artistes and many more professionals, the carnival was improved on.

He said in view of the need to bring back the international carnival, the state would work on ensuring world-class accommodation facilities are put in place ahead of the next edition.

He noted that the state would have a post carnival review to assess the areas to be improved on and other programmes to introduce.

Otu said depending on the outcome of the review, the state would be considering establishing diaspora bands in 2025.

“International carnival is not scrapped, we are looking at the prospect of established diaspora bands in 2025. This time, we are going to have a post carnival review to put things right.

“We are aware that three to four months ahead of the Calabar Carnival, hotels were already fully booked. So, we are trying to make sure we do not only have enough hotels but also ensure they are upscaled to international standards.

“This is because next Calabar Carnival will be a bigger picture with our international carnival in place.

“We already have international hospitality facilities that are moving here, we have hotels that are almost completed which can compete with any hotel across the world”, he said.

Otu, expressed excitement over the exhilarating performance of physically challenged individuals in the carnival.

He said the possibility of having a dedicated carnival band for them in 2025 would be explored.

“We do not see them as being limited by whatever challenges they face. We are looking at some of the things they have put to us but there must be a policy.

“We are looking at setting up a proper structure in their favour. So, to encourage them on the carnival front, the chairman of the Carnival Commission will check if they actually need their own band”, he said.