Front Pix
FG Names Amnesty Committee For Boko Haram
President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday set up a committee to consider the propriety or otherwise of granting amnesty to members of the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram.
It was gathered that the committee, whose names of members had yet to be released, was set up during a meeting the President held with security chiefs. It has two weeks to prepare its report and it will work with the office of the National Security Adviser.
The committee, apparently to assuage the agitators for amnesty for Boko Haram, according to sources in the Villa, has three terms of reference, viz: to consider the propriety or otherwise of granting amnesty to the violent sect; collate request arising from the different groups asking the Federal Government for amnesty for Boko Haram; and recommend the modalities for granting amnesty in case it becomes imperative.
Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, had last Wednesday said Jonathan was seriously considering granting the sect members a pardon, notwithstanding the President’s declaration in Yobe State recently that he would not grant amnesty to those he described as “ghosts.”
Jonathan’s declaration in Yobe State had been in apparent reaction to the demand by Sultan of Sokoto, Abubakar Sa’ad, for amnesty for Boko Haram as a means of promoting peace in the country.
The Sultan’s request had however opened a floodgate of demands for amnesty by many leaders and groups from the north even as the Christian Association of Nigeria, with hundreds of members already killed by the sect members, kicking against it.
CAN again yesterday restated its opposition to amnesty for Boko Haram.
Special Assistant, Media and Publicity Affairs to CAN President, Mr. Kenny Ashaka, in a statement said the call by Northern leaders for amnesty for the sect amounted to being insensitive to the plight of their victims.
A top member of the Jonathan administration on condition of anonymity confirmed the setting up of the committee, and that the President’s action “only shows that the administration respects public opinion.”
The source said, “I can tell you authoritatively that the meeting the President had with security chiefs was devoted to Boko Haram.
“You will recall that the President during his recent visit to Borno and Yobe states did not say that government would not grant amnesty to members of Boko Haram at all.
“What the President said was that the government cannot grant amnesty to those that have not come forward. The issue of Boko Haram and the amnesty proposition is a complex one.
“Since the President’s declaration, there has been growing calls for amnesty with the northern elders at a meeting with the President last night (Thursday) still insisting on amnesty.
“In response to this clamour, government has to show that it respects public opinion.
“A committee consisting of some members of the National Security Council and others has therefore been set up to consider the clamour for amnesty and its feasibility.
“The committee members who will sit for two weeks and report back to the Security Council are also expected to make recommendations for modalities on how government can go about the amnesty if it is found to be a possible option, if it is something government can do.
“The President asked the Committee to work with the Office of the NSA. The Security Council will meet again in two weeks.”
Our correspondent learnt that Jonathan convened the emergency meeting which had service chiefs and the Inspector-General of Police, Muhammed Abubakar, in attendance following growing calls, especially from the north, for amnesty for the violent sect.
The source said the President was concerned that his comment during his recent visit to Borno and Yobe states that he could not grant amnesty to “ghosts” had not gone down well with the elders in the north.
He was said to have observed that rather than agitation for amnesty which was started by the Sultan to subside after his declaration, the issue had remained on the front burner.
Vice President Namadi Sambo; Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Muhammed Adoke (SAN); Minister of Interior, Abba Moro; Minister of State, Defence, Olusola Obada; National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Pius Anyim, also attended the meeting which lasted over three hours.
The meeting which later dovetailed into the meeting of the Presidential Committee on Police Reforms came barely 12 hours after Jonathan met with members of the Northern Elders Forum, led by Alhaji Maitama Sule, on the same issue.
The northern elders had during the meeting insisted that amnesty remained one of the major solutions to the menace posed by the sect.
At the meeting the President held with security chiefs, attendees were said to have weighed the various options opened to the Federal Government as far as amnesty was concerned.
The security chiefs refused to speak with journalists at the end of the meeting, except for the Chief of Defence Staff, Ola Ibrahim, who, when pressed, simply said, “Nigerians should sleep with their two eyes completely closed.”
Obada confirmed that the meeting was on the spate of insecurity in the country but when asked whether amnesty was discussed, she simply said, “Some issues to ameliorate the situation were discussed.”
“The meeting was on the spate of insecurity, I mean what we can do to ensure that it is brought to absolute minimum,” she said.
At the end of the meeting the President had with northern elders which lasted till 11:20pm on Wednesday, a member of the delegation, Prof. Ango Abdullahi, had told State House correspondents that the elders restated the need for members of the sect to be granted amnesty.
Abdullahi said, “What we discussed is that general opinion in the country that amnesty should be factored into all efforts being made by government to overcome the security challenges all over the country, or in most parts of the North.
“Fortunately the President is already thinking hard on it and he assured us that there is a special meeting on the matter and I’m sure that tomorrow (Thursday) something substantial will come out of that meeting.”
Maku had also told journalists that the government had not foreclosed the possibility of amnesty for the sect.
He confirmed that Jonathan had told the elders that he was still consulting extensively on the matter.
He however said the President insisted that certain conditions must be met before amnesty could be granted.
At the meeting alongside Sule and Abdullahi were Mrs. Paulen Tallen; Sheikh Ahmad Lemu, Paul Unongo and Solomon Dalung, among others.
L-R: President Goodluck Jonathan, Vice President Namadi Sambo, elder statesman/leader of the delegation, Alhaji Maitama Sule and Mr Paul Unongo, during a meeting of the President with the Northen Elders Forum in Abuja last Wednesday.
Front Pix
DEPLOY YOUR CAPACITY, TECHNICAL KNOWHOW TO REVITALISE SONGHAI FARMS, FUBARA TELLS TASK FORCE
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that diversifying the economy of the State has become inevitable because of the need to solve the problem of food shortages while also providing jobs for the teeming unemployed youths.
These, he said, are the reasons why great care has been taken to critically look at the prospects of revitalising the Songhai Integrated Farms, which is located in Bunu Tai, in Tai Local Government Area of the State.
Governor Fubara insisted that if the problem associated with food shortages is tackled with good intent and purpose, about 40 to 50 percent of current problems of economic hardship plaguing the country and its people would have been solved.
Governor Fubara made the assertion while inaugurating the Chairman, Mr Biedima Oliver, and members of the task force saddled with the responsibility of supervising the revitalization of Songhai Integrated Farms by its partners: Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Other members of the task force included, the Rivers State Commissioner for Agriculture, Engr Victor Kii; Commissioner for Finance, Barrister Emmanuel Frank-Fubara; Dr Ayebaesin Beredugo; and Mr Maurice Ogolo.
The Governor explained that it took him time to approve the constitution of the task force being inaugurated because of the ugly experience with the previous group that shown such interest.
Governor Fubara stated that a process was initiated and driven halfway into the handing over of Songhai Farms on concession to an interested partner who latter showed a total lack of the needed capacity to undertake such task.
He said, “As a matter of fact, if few of you could remember, we even conceded the place to an investor who came in after he had made his presentation, and we, believing that he has the capacity, we said okay to him, and we had already signed up.
“But something happened. He came back to tell us that he wanted us to give him a N5billion bank guarantee. We then asked him, why? If we have the N5billion, why do we need you to come and even revitalize Songhai Farms? We would have put that N5billion there ourselves. For that reason, we cancelled that arrangement.”
Governor Fubara said now that two separate companies have come together to indicate interest and given the assurance of having the needed capacity to drive the process, he is delighted to see them meeting that expectation.
Governor Fubara pointed to the expectation of the people who want to see the Songhai Farms back on stream on a sustainable basis.
That expectation, he insisted, is also what his administration wants to see actualised within its lifespan.
He noted, “We want to see food sufficiency, because we know when Songhai Farms comes on board, there will be food, which is one of the problems we are having in this country. If we are able to tackle the issue of food, 40 to 50 percent of our problem will be solved.”
Governor Fubara also stated that although he believes in the presentation made by the group and has taken their assurance to heart, but warned that he would not tolerate a repeat of what happened before.
The Governor said, “I hope your story will not be (end) halfway too. I hope you have the capacity and all the technical knowhow to handle it. It is not when we start now, after we had finished inaugurating the task force, you will come back to tell us that you need $2million. If we have $2million, we won’t need you. We will invest it by ourselves.”
Governor Fubara, however, praised the capacity of the Chairman of the task force, Biedima Oliver, saying that incidentally, he was one of the personnel that convinced the then administration to develop the Songhai Farms, and had worked with the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) to manage the project.
He said, “He knows and understands the workings of Songhai, and now that we are making you the chairman of the task force, we want to believe that you will make that place come back to life.
“I don’t have any doubt in your capacity. A few things you’ve touched, you turned them to gold. Please, bring it back to what we used to see in Songhai. Bring it back with the help of your committee.”
Governor Fubara assured that his administration will remain committed to providing all the necessary support that they may require to make their assignment a success.
He added, “So, I hereby inaugurate you. Your task is very simple: Do everything within your powers and with our support to make sure that Songhai becomes operational to the benefit, not just the people of Tai, but to the entire Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole”.
In his acceptance speech, the Chairman of the Task Force to Supervise the Revitalization of Songhai Farms with Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, Mr. Biedima Oliver, expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for the opportunity and confidence reposed in them to revive Songhai Farms.
Mr. Oliver assured that they will deliver the expected goal on Songhai Farms, and doing so on time and on target so that the good people of Rivers State can eventually be happy and also benefit from the huge investment.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that all the policies and programmes of his administration are tailored towards the protection of interest of Rivers people, especially the youths.
This, he said, is borne out of the importance his administration attaches to youths’ development and empowerment as leaders of tomorrow.
Fubara, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, disclosed this when he received the youths of Emohua Local Government Area under the auspices of “Emohua Youths For SIM” on solidarity visit to Government House, Port Harcourt, last Friday.
He said that his administration has put in place modalities that will boost the livelihoods and well-being of Rivers citizens, which youths of Emohua will also benefit when they materialise.
The governor, who spoke through the Rivers State Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, pointed out that the recently awarded Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku Road, the ongoing Emohua-Kalabari Road, reinstatement of illegally sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Area and the approval for electrification of the area, are part of deliberate measures to open up the area to make life conducive and more meaningful for the people.
According to him, “Everything about the governor is putting the interest of Rivers State first. He is looking at and taking action on those things that we need to do to restart the wheels of progress in Rivers State.
“There are many things the governor has planned and is already doing that will boost the life and welfare of every citizen of Rivers State, but most importantly the youths.
“Growing up, I learnt that Egbeda is one of the biggest communities in the whole of Ikwerre, and it’s predominantly an agrarian community. They have food in Egbeda, they have food in Ubimini, they have food in Omudiaga and other natural resources. The whole world is tilting to agriculture, and this is the way to go.
“The Elele-Umudioga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Omoku road, when completed, will open up the area for real development. Your food and everything you produce there will now have value, they will no longer be thrown away. In all these, you the youths are going to be the utmost beneficiaries.”
He added, “Same will be applicable to the Emohua-Kalabari Road which will also, trigger development in the area, and you will be the greatest beneficiaries. When the LGA is also electrified, you will be having 24 or 20 hours of electricity, and those things the youths can do with electricity, you can stay at home and create wealth for yourself and children.
“All the totality of what the governor is doing, when they are completed, or even as some are completed now, the youths are going to be utmost beneficiaries.”
While acknowledging that youths are the true leaders of tomorrow and any government that fails to carry them along in the scheme of things is doomed to fail, the governor assured them of his administration’s commitment to always address issues concerning youths and ensure that they are part of his government.
He commended the youths for toeing the path of truth by identifying with his administration, urging them to sustain the tempo and shun evil, as his government will ensure that the trend whereby politicians turn youths to beggars are over.
He said, “Youths are, indeed, the leaders of tomorrow. The time of youth is a very important time. It a time that your parents or whoever is your leader at that time have to make the greatest investment in you. And any Government that decides to only carry the elderly, chiefs aling and abandon the youths is bound to fail,” he asserted.
“But I am happy that Governor Fubara has concentrated his energy on everything that will benefit the society, especially the youths.
“And based on these, I want to thank you for recognising what is good and calling it good, for shunning what is evil, for saying the Governor is standing for you.
“Let me tell you, you are on the right direction. Let me tell you again, Rivers State is the bride of Nigeria. The whole Nigeria is looking at what will happen here. As they look here and see you standing on the path of truth, this is a very important step that you have taken to right all the wrongs of the past, to make Rivers State stand on the tripod of justice, peace and security. That is what we are going to gain through the governor, taking all the wise actions that he has already initiated.
“The projects the governor is embarking on are meant to prepare nets for the youths to fish and put food on their table, hence you should continue to follow him.
“The SIMplified Movement brought upon by the governor will ensure that Rivers youths stop the habit of going to bow down before politicians, pledging loyalty before they can eat.”
Earlier, spokesman for the Emohua Youths for SIM, Comrade Ovamale O. Ovamale, had said that the visit by youths from the 14 political wards in Emohua Local Government Area was to thank the governor for the award of the Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku road, the approval for electrification of the area and reinstatement of sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Council, of which the youths were mostly affected.
According to him, “Siminalayi Fubara of recent has given Emohua Local Government road that links Elele to Omoku, which comprises over four communities in the local government.”
“Emohua Local Government has also been in darkness for eight years. No community in the local government that has light. But, of recent, because of the passion and love the governor has for the people of Emohua, he has approved the electrification of the local government.
“Also, the illegal sack of Emohua Local Government workers, for which the youths were mostly affected and without the approval of the Local Government Service Commission, the governor, in his compassionate nature, has reinstated them, and that is why we said we must come and thank His Excellency”, he said.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that his administration will collaborate and continue to consult widely in delivering a liberated State experiencing enduring peace.
Fubara said, in doing so, he would not operate as a dictator but as a member of a team that has the best interest of the State at heart and determined to leave a lasting legacy that can be celebrated.
The governor spoke during the formal presentation of Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Michael Tom, as first class tradition ruler, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Fubara stated that, during the Sixth State Executive Council meeting, N80.8billion was approved with 50 percent contract value paid already as the Government awarded the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
He said the project will be funded from the savings from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to underscore his administration’s prudence without also borrowing to complete the project.
“We are at a crossroad in our State where we all need to stand for what is right. It happens once in a life time. So, for now, be one of those people that will be in the course to liberate and free our dear State.
“And I know strongly that having the support of a peace-loving Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, having the support of the wonderful Council of Chiefs, having the support of the great people of Rivers State, we will bring peace in our State. We will do those things that are right to develop our State.
“We will continue to consult. We will not act as dictators. We will act as people who know that one day, we will leave, and when we leave, the way we have acted will speak for us. We will not force people to talk good about us. Our legacy will be a signature for how we led”, the governor said.
Fubara explained that he acted within the ambit of the law to upgrade the traditional stool upon which King Ateke Tom sits in recognition of his efforts in promoting peace in Okrika, and indeed, the State, and urged him to continue to do justice to everyone.
In his speech, Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon Charles Amadi, congratulated King Ateke Tom for being formally presented with the Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office as first class traditional ruler.
Also speaking, former Transport Minister, Chief Abiye Sekibo, thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise of upgrading the traditional stool of Okochiri Kingdom, and pledged the support of Kirike Se people to his administration.