Rivers
Association To Partner PHCCIMA On Oil, Gas Training
The National Executive Council of Oil and Gas Trainers Association of Nigeria (OGTAN) is seeking partnership with the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA) on the training of skilled workers in Rivers and Bayelsa States.
President of the Association, Mazi Sam Azoka Onyechi, disclosed this when he led a delegation of National Executive of the Association on a courtesy visit to the President of PHCCIMA, Eze, Sir Mike Elechi, at the Chamber Secretariat in Port Harcourt, recently .
Onyechi said partnering with PHCCIMA will enhance its aim in shaping the future of the younger generations in the aforementioned states.
According to him, the body has over 400 members across the nation with the aim of training workers to become professionals in their chosen fields of endeavor particularly in the oil and gas sector.
He also used the medium to inform the PHCCIMA President of the Association’s planed Oil and Gas Trade Fair and Exhibition scheduled to hold in April, this year, at the Hotel Presidential in Port Harcourt, noting the need for collaboration, sponsorship and participation by PHCCIMA members.
Responding, the PHCCIMA President, Eze Elechi, thanked the Organization for siting its Corporate office in Port Harcourt and proposing to hold Trade Fair and Exhibition, which, he noted, will contribute in business growth in the region.
He expressed regret that Rivers and other Niger Delta States have Oil and Gas, but the multinationals have deliberately moved their Corperate offices to Lagos State , thereby denying the oil rich states of growth and development.
Sir Elechi also noted that PHCCIMA is a premier Chamber and a member of International Chamber of Commerce, which operates on trade groups.
He, however, promised to direct the Oil and Gas trade group to work out the modalities of their request on partnership and participation during and after the planned Trade Fair in Port Harcourt.
Highlight of the visit was presentation of souvenir by the Chamber President to the National President of OGTAN.
King Onunwor
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The Founder of the Not Too Young To Lead Initiative, Engr Banigo Boma Edward, has extolled the excellent qualities of the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, as he celebrates his 50th birthday today.
Engr Edward, who poured encomiums on Governor Fubara in a statement issued in Port Harcourt, said the group is honoured to celebrate with the Governor, describing him as an exceptional and visionary leader, saying today marks a significant milestone in his life.
As the Executive Governor of Rivers State, Engr Edward noted that Governor Fubara has demonstrated unwavering dedication and commitment to the welfare and prosperity of Rivers people, saying his leadership style has been a beacon of hope, inspiring countless individuals to strive for excellence.
“On this momentous occasion, we acknowledge your tireless efforts to drive growth, development and progress in Rivers State.Your commitment to creating a better future for all is truly commendable.As you celebrate five decades of life, love and service, we wish you continued good health, wisdom and success.May this new chapter in your life bring you joy, peace and fulfilment,” he said.
The group, therefore, wished Governor Fubara many more years of leadership, innovation, and making a positive impact on the lives of Rivers people and Nigerians as a whole.
Concerned Civil Society Organisations have called for restraint on the planned resumption of oil extraction in Ogoniland, citing environmental degradation, social injustices, and a lack of meaningful community engagement.
The groups, representing various stakeholders across the Niger Delta, issued their statement after a meeting at the Port Harcourt office of Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria.
The statement was endorsed by several organisations, including Environmental Rights Action, Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), and Ogoni Solidarity Forum-Nigeria.
According to the groups, the call for a restraint follows an invitation by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, for select Ogoni leaders to attend a private meeting to discuss resuming oil production.
The civil organisations criticised this approach, describing it as dismissive of the collective will of the Ogoni people whose lands and livelihoods have been devastated by decades of reckless oil exploitation.
“Ogoniland remains a stark example of environmental degradation, with decades of oil spills, gas flaring, and poor remediation efforts leaving land, water, and air heavily polluted.
“The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Environmental Assessment of Ogoniland in 2011 highlighted the catastrophic effects of oil activities, including severe health impacts and economic losses for the Ogoni people.
“Despite the report’s recommendations, implementation has been slow, with the Nigerian government and oil companies accused of neglecting cleanup efforts.
“The attempt to resume oil extraction without addressing these environmental crises is an affront to the Ogoni people’s right to a safe environment”, the statement read.
The groups outlined a series of demands aimed at ensuring justice, environmental restoration, and sustainable development in Ogoniland and the broader Niger Delta.
They called for the allocation of $1 trillion for the cleanup of the land and compensation for lost livelihood.
“Full and transparent execution of the UNEP report’s recommendations and increased funding for the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP).
“Review of the military trial and execution of Ken Saro-Wiwa and other environmental activists, along with their exoneration.
“Enforcement of strict regulations and holding oil companies, particularly Shell, accountable for past damages.
“Prioritising a shift away from fossil fuels to mitigate environmental harm and address climate change”, the coalition said.
They urged the Federal Government to recognise Ken Saro-Wiwa, an Ogoni environmental activist executed in 1995, as a hero of the environment, similar to the national honour conferred on MKO Abiola for his role in democracy.
The Kirike Divisional Council of Chiefs in Okrika Local Government Area has expressed confidence in their king, HRH, King (Air Com.) T.O Ogube (rdt.) over what they call his tremendous achievements since assuming the throne.
Speaking with newsmen during the annual banquet for the chiefs of Kirike Division, the Chairman, Alabo, Prof. Sotonye Ogan, said King Ogube deserves commendation for engendering peace in the kingdom since ascending the throne.
The banquet, which held last weekend at Abam in Okrika, was home coming for the reverred chiefs hosted by King Ogube.
Prof. Ogan, Chairman Kirike Divisional Council of Chiefs, sued for peace and unity among the people, stressing that no meaningful development takes place in an atmosphere of rancour and acrimony.
He urged the youths to tow the line of peace, follow the foot steps of their fore fathers as a panacea for advancement of the kingdom.
He further encouraged the youths to promote their culture, saying that no society grows without culture bequeathed by their fore bears.
According to him, “the end of the year banquet is geared towards counting our loses and gains as custodians of the people. It affords us great opportunity to discus issues of great importance of the kingdom and moving it forward.
“It’s an occasion every chief looks forward to, to make merry above all annual home coming where the chiefs dance and eat to the glory of God.
“We also engage on health talk to promote their health status. We commend our King for having volunteered to make it an annual event.
“Our reverted king uses the banquet to thank his chiefs for supporting and assisting him in the kingdom”, he said.
Prof. Ogan explained that peace is key to re- engineer peaceful co-existence among the communities, saying that living together, which attracts development, can’t be compromised under King Ogube, no matter the provocation by some few elements as their king had been a manager of violence.
He pledged total support of the chiefs as he reigns on the throne, urging the Judas among them to refrain and join hands with King Ogube to move Kirike forward.
On an alleged threat by one sacked Chief, Tam George, to disrupt the event, Prof. Ogan said the people are with the king.
In his swift reaction, Chief Tam George denied sponsoring the said attack, saying as at the time of the attack, he was in Port Harcourt, urging them to respect the directive of the State Government through the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Community Development.
Kevin Nengia
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