Front Pix
Disowning The Political Jobbers …You Are On Your Own – Arewa Youths
In spite of the varying views on the now contentious zoning arrangement allegedly foisted on the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), moments before the 1999 Presidential elections and its obviously unpopular appeal to a good many Nigerians, arrow-heads of the project are reluctant to give it up.
Instead, they have been putting in every thing including the kitchen sink, as American politicians often muse, in hope that their view would miraculously create a united North that would, at once, hypnotise many gullible Southerners into their ranks. Emerging from one nocturnal meeting, after another the likes of General Ibrahim Babangida, a former military President who ruled Nigeria for nearly a decade, Malam Adamu Ciroma, former minister of finance for very many years and several times Presidential aspirant and their cohorts, have continued to insist that the Presidency should return to the North, as of right because they willed it so.
So vitriolic are their vituperations against the likelihood of President Goodluck Jonathan’s joining the electoral fray in 2011, that even the most progressive of minds are forced to ignore the history of the Nigerian Presidency and the number of years Northern elements ruled Nigeria. Not only that, the assembly of strange political bed-fellows, has in every turn created the impression that theirs was representative of the general North’s opinion.
With that misleading identity, they have remained disagreeable to reason, tactless in debate and threatening in summations, as if the so called PDP zoning arrangement, which as they say, allows the South eight years and then the North, its eight, was ever discussed and agreed upon by either the PDP National Convention where, the party’s laws are often made or by the National Executive Committee (NEC).
Infact, until last week, many, including this writer were forced to think that the zoning enjoys the support of all Northerners, since they were presumed to have been part of it from onset.
But in a strange twist of sorts, the Arewa Youth Forum, the umbrella body of politically proactive youths last week lambasted the PDP for even mooting a zoning arrangement, if it truly did.
Condemning the concept of zoning, as propounded by the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, ostensibly before the Obasanjo Presidency, (if it did) the Arewa Youth Forum said, “we are not in support of zoning and therefore appeal to all advocates of zoning that they should be guided by the letters of the constitution and jettison any unconstitutional methods in their quest to grab power … they should apologise to Nigerians for criminally decentralising our Presidency in their own concept of reform and class consideration”.
Even so, the randomly recycled set of self-seeking politicians largely responsible for the shameful under development of not just Nigeria and the Niger Delta region in particular, but indeed the entire North, which they pretend to love and represent, are determined to reclaim the Presidency and keep it till 2015.
In what I consider their gushing groans of greed, they repeatedly hide under protecting Northern interest while, infact, what they seek are political relevance necessary to secure a stronger voice in days to come; another opportunity to enlarge their already amazing personal estates and more importantly, to increase the level of charity between the affluent few and the very worrisome Northern poor, up to their fourth, even fifth generations.
Judging by, the manner of the gang-up, the desperation in their drive and their lack of respect for history, a political history that has frequently found the South-South region on the side of the North, it is very clear that the arrow heads of the zoning arrangement are driven not by their intellect or reason but, I do suspect, by their individual desires and appetites.
That is why, I am tempted to agree with Alabo Tonye Graham-Douglas who on behalf of South-South political leaders last week in Abuja said, the North (meaning, the self-seeking Northern leaders) “have been taking us for a ride”. Douglas, did add that the North alone would never have been able to produce a single elected president without the South-South since independence. Infact, at the start of the Second Republic in 1979 when, the so called three big tribes, in an ethno-political clash floated the United Party of Nigeria (UPN); by the West, the Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP) and the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), it took the support of the Niger Delta region for the NPN to wear the national outlook which that party eventually earned and later abused.
Sadly, arrow-heads of the South-South support, Chief Melford Okilo and others were virtually forced on their knees in relentless appeals for an upward review of the Derivation principle. Typical of the annoying arrogance, insensitivity and greed of most self-seeking politicians, then Transport minister, Umaru Dikko boastfully said that since all Nigerians were not scavenging for food from public bins, the poverty of the people, particularly Niger Deltans was over-exaggerated.
But that mess, which eventually gave birth to the armed militancy that the Yar’Adua/Jonathan joint Presidential ticket has been battling to clean-up, is without doubt, by – product of the greed of the same crop of politicians now clamouring for a return of the Presidency to the North, denial of the South, discrimination against the East and only occasional compromise with the South West, notwithstanding.
This scenario clearly presents them as a bunch of Generals Without Loyal Troops, as confirmed by the Arewa Youth Forum and countless other voices of protest among Nigerians both at home and diaspora.
That was the exact point made in far away United Kingdom, when, well-meaning Nigerians from all tongues and tribes, diverse in unity, launched what was largely viewed as the true foundation of a new Nigeria, where, the interest of the peoples, all the peoples of Nigeria take precedence over the selfish needs of a select few , who would device several means of rotating political power among themselves. And with unbelievable arrogance.
Together, those Nigerians in Diaspora, most of them Northerners, sounded a wake-up call for, and invitation of President Goodluck Jonathan to heed the voice of wisdom and accept the challenges posed by the emerging new Nigeria, by contesting the 2011 Presidential elections.
To do otherwise, these Nigerians warned, is to undermine the spirit and letters of the Nigerian National Anthem
“Arise O! Compatriots
Nigeria’s call obey
To serve our fatherland
With love and strength and faith
Surely, if the labour of our heroes past is not to be in vain, then, Jonathan must not allow himself to be cowed into cowardice or submission. Instead, he should realise that Nigeria needs stability, unity, mutual respect, an egalitarian society, where, every Nigerian, not only ethno-political bigots, enjoy a sense of belonging and safety but indeed one that addresses the core needs of a rich country with very poor people and resolve today not later, that nothing constitutionally bars him from obeying, Nigeria’s call.
President Goodluck Jonathan has left many guessing for too long, even if I must concede that the element of surprise is a potent weapon in combat, ask IBB, but time is still of essence. He should step forward soon as a well-prepared competent, free, reformist, proactive, nationalistic, patriotic and indeed selfless leader that Nigeria needs at this time.
But I have a worry. Who would tell them that the Presidency of any free country is never decided upon in the dingy chambers of a political tin-god, by self-styled tin- gods in the dead of night? But by the people.
My Agony is that seeing and painfully feeling decades of deprivation, depression and degradation, some politicians from the Niger Delta region are still making clandestine moves to truncate a Niger Delta Presidency, through unguarded public comments forcing: “Jonathan should wait till 2015, and then vie for the presidency”, using pseudo names, not because they think it’s the right thing to do, but because the hope that it will afford them an arrival at the familiar self-seeking political corridor, as made men.
Truth however, is that apart from the constitutional guarantees, his political charisma and his popularity, here and abroad, Jonathan hails from the Niger Delta region whose oil and gas resources account for the economic mainstay of the nation, but sadly has been denied the required political space in about 50 years.
Now therefore, is the appointed time and no general without troops should attempt to change that, if for nothing else for the better future of Nigeria and her peoples. That’s the peoples’ stand.
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.