Rivers
NDDC Summit: MOSOP Lambasts Ogbuku
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The Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) has decried the comment credited to the Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, over the exclusion of Ogoni from Niger Delta summit which took place in Port Harcourt, last week.
The NDDC boss was quoted to have said that the reason for not including MOSOP and relevant stakeholders from Ogoni in the summit was because Ogonis had denied the Federal and State governments access to crude oil in their area.
“Assuming without conceding that the comment was made in his right frame of mind, then it means Niger Delta has successfully handed over NDDC to someone who doesn’t know the antecedents of the past Niger Delta leaders who stood their grounds against military dictatorship and some eventually lost their lives in protecting the common patrimony of our people”.
MOSOP was reacting in a press statement issued last Thursday in Port Harcourt by its Publicity Secretary, Comrade Oscar Imeabe.
”A flash back of NDDC mission and vision reads respectively: ‘to offer a lasting solution to the socio-economic difficulties in the Niger Delta region’. ‘To facilitate the rapid and sustainable development of the Niger Delta into a region that is economically prosperous, socially stable, ecologically regenerative and and politically peaceful’.
“If you were indeed honest that you are there to truly represent the people of Niger Delta, and of course if you’ve read through the mission and vision statements of NDDC, then you would have been abreast and inundated with the fact that the reason you are there in NDDC is to ensure the devasted ecological system of the Niger Delta is regenerated to sustain the people, but the reverse seems to be the order of the day,” the statement said.
MOSOP described the comment by the NDDC MD as an affront to the sensibility of the Movement and the Ogoni nation at large.
”This is more like killing the goose that laid the golden egg because for over decades that the federal government through Shell has exploited us, Ogoniland has been ecologically devasted and has lost all her major sources of livelihood.
“We are aware that he sits and supervises over a kleptocratic form of government and he is there to make a fortune and feather his own nest as against the norms and he feels that inviting the Ogonis will expose certain untold stories about his activities since his assumption of office.
“It would have been nice if he had cast his mind back and acknowledged the fact that ab initio, the federal government through Shell has had its own fair share in Ogoniland and Ogoniland has been used, re-used and over used, hence the implementation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) which gave rise to the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP),” MOSOP said.
“The unfounded and naive comment points to the fact that Dr. Ogbuku doesn’t mean well for us and should know that most states in the nation that have no single drop of crude are the chief beneficiaries of the nation’s crude, and he claimed the crude has been untapped and for that singular reason, MOSOP shouldn’t be invited for a submit that has to do with Niger Delta which Ogoni people are critical stakeholders in the region.
“The question is, why was the UNEP report implemented by the former Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, on the 2nd day of June, 2016?.
“These and many more questions are begging to be answered and stare him on the face. The stark reality is that, whether Ogoni oil is used or not used, the terms and conditions listed must be followed all through before oil resuscitation in Ogoniland,” MOSOP said.
Also speaking, the President National Youth Council of Ogoni People (NYCOP), Comrade Nwibani Raymond Marcus, said it was pathetic and disdainful that the NDDC boss had refused to tell the people of the area the truth.
According to him, what Dr. Ogbuku is doing is to instigate youths against themselves, causing unrest in Niger Delta region.
“We all know that NYCOP is an affiliate body to MOSOP and we are concerned about the well-being of the people of Ogoni and Niger Delta at large.
“It is pathetic and disdainful that NDDC boss has refused to tell people the truth, rather he is busy instigating youths against themselves, and as a result youths no longer listen to themselves again. This is another way to fuel crisis in the area”, Comrade Marcus said.
He also called on the authorities to urgently address the problems confronting the Ogoni people, saying MOSOP cannot be neglected as it has a critical role to play in Niger Delta region.
By: Tonye Orabere & Kiadum Edookor
Rivers
Crisis Looms In Emohua Over Land Grabbing Allegation On Awuse
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There are palpable indications that if urgent steps are not taken promptly, major crisis may errupt in parts of Emohua Community in Emohua Local Government Area of the Rivers State.
This is sequel to land grabbing allegations against its King, the Nne Nwe Eli Emohua, HM, King Sergeant Chidi Awuse, by members of the Mgboh Royal family.
The people penultimate week, in a peaceful protest, called on the Rivers State Government and other relevant authorities to urgently come to their rescue.
Speaking during the protest walk to Government House in Port Harcourt, one of the protesters, Chief Nwosu Okachukwu, alleged that the land grabbers, working under the directives of King Sergeant Awuse, have commenced fencing of the disputed land despite a court order barring them for proceeding with work until the court hears the substance of their case.
“We are protesting because this land belongs to Mgbo family. We’ve written several times to the Commissioner of Police and others, no any action. The matter is also in the court.
“Sergeant Awuse and the group, they are the ones. We want government to intervene over this, come to our aid and hear what we are shouting, what we’re crying, because we want peace, we’re the peace-loving family”, he said.
Another member of the Mgboh Royal Family, Ogbondah Samuel, while appealing for swift government intervention, said the land in question is where their farms were and where they also rear animals.
Speaking in pidgin English, Samuel said Awuse is not a member of the Royal Family and that he just came and took over what belongs to them because nobody gave it to him.
He continued that if the land was officially given to Awuse, he would have also gotten the C of O, and with the Seal of the Royal Family.
“Let government come and help us. Give us what belongs to us because we don’t have strength. As you are seeing us, we’re facing hunger”, he said.
The protesters carrying placards with various inscription appealed for urgent government intervention to salvage the situation and prevent violence that may arise between Mgboh Royal Family members and agents of the land grabbers.
Some of the inscriptions read: “Our Land is not for sale”, “lies cannot prevent our truth”, “Awuse, you are not from Mgboh Royal Family and will not be”, “Awuse, you cannot purchase Royalty with money”, and “live the way God has created you”.
In his reaction, His Majesty, Ohna Chidi Sergeant Awuse, Nye Nweli Emohua XIII, Oloh IV, and Paramount Ruler of Emohua Kingdom, described the protesters as merchants of crimes and vices, who have through financial inducement taken advantage of a less fortunate circumstance of some individuals to stage a defamation protest against the personality of Ohna .
The monarch, who reacted through a statement issued by his press team, wondered the reason for a protest in a matter which the protesters had already taken to court and is still pending .
The statement further alleged that those behind the protest are the same group of people that peddled the death rumour of Awuse sometime last year while he was on medical trip abroad .
The statement further alleged that the sponsors of the protesters are fully aware of the absence of the King, who is again away on a medical trip in London, and for which they consider a good opportunity to manipulate lies against facts.
While exonerating the Emohua King of the protesters’ allegation of any other wrong doings, the statement appealed to the unsuspecting members of the public, the Emohua people, and the Rivers State Government to be wary of the protesters and to advise Royal Father’s accusers to purge themselves of evil capable of triggering break down of peace and order in the Kingdom, which it said has witnessed peace and stability since the Ohna Sergeant Awuse mounted the saddle of leadership.
Rivers
NAFDAC Destroys N4.7bn Worth Expired, Substandard Products In Rivers
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The National Agency For Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sai it destroyed fake, expired, substandard drugs worth N4.7 billion in Rivers State.
The Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Christiana Adeyeye, made the remark during the destruction exercise at the Rivers State dump site in Port Harcourt on Friday.
Adeyeye, represented by Mr. Chukwuma Oligbu, the NAFDAC Director, South-South Zone, explained that the products were all seized from the six states of the South-South region.
The states are Rivers, Bayelsa. Edo, Delta, Akwa Ibom and Cross River.
She stated that the investigation, enforcement and destruction exercise was an unwavering resolve and commitment of the agency to protect the lives of the people.
According to her, the destruction of these harmful products was not just a routine exercise.
“It is a firm statement of our unwavering resolve and commitment to protect the lives of the people from the dangers of counterfeit and substandard medicines, unwholesome food, medical devices and other hazardous regulated products.
“These products, if allowed to circulate, could cause untold harm including treatment failures, drug resistance, prolonged illnesses, and even loss of lives”, she said.
Adeyeye explained that the products destroyed were made up of substandard and falsified medical products, unwholesome processed food products and food additives, unsafe cosmetics counterfeits.
She mentioned others as expired NAFDAC regulated products seized by the agency from manufacturers, importers and distributors.
According to the DG, some damaged and expired products were voluntarily handed over to the agency by compliant companies, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Association of Community Pharmacists (ACPN) and Trade Unions.
She stated that the feat was achieved through intelligence gathering in July, 2024, adding that the estimated street value of the destroyed products was N4.7 billion.
Adeyeye further said the agency discovered several warehouses in Port Harcourt where some alcoholic beverages were being re-validated and re-introduced into circulation.
“After a properly coordinated surveillance, the warehouses were raided and products confiscated.
‘’Also, through this operation, a warehouse of unregistered cosmetics product was raided and products worth several millions of naira were confiscated.
“Seized unregistered imported vegetable oil without Vitamin A fortification and assorted unregistered cosmetics product from Delta state were also among the products destroyed”, she explained.
She acknowledged that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Edo State handed over two 40ft containers of various Pharmacological classes of unregistered and substandard drugs which was part of the items destroyed.
The DG commended the sister agencies who assisted NAFDAC in the feat for their unflinching support in the fight against substandard and falsified medicines and harmful products.
The agencies included Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Department of State Security (DSS), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
She also recognised the assistance of Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) and the media, assuring the agency’s commitment to protect the public from the harm of such products.
Adeyeye called on all stakeholders including health professionals, law enforcement agencies, industry players and the general public to support the fight by reporting suspicious activities and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
The dignitaries present at the occasion were the Commander of Narcotics, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the Comptroller, Nigeria Customs Service Eastern Marine Command,
Others include, the Deputy Commander, NSCDC; the Rivers Chairman, Association of Community Pharmacists; the Sole Administrator, RIWAMA; the State Fire Service, and the Coordinators of NAFDAC, South-South Zone.
Rivers
Don Proposes Group Matrix In Organisational Efficiency
A Professor in the Business Education Department at Rivers State University (RSU), Port Harcourt, Prof. Joy Amesi, has proposed Group Matrix model system to help assess staff and students towards achieving proficiency.
She said it can also be applied in a work place setting to determine individual performances and hence will propel staff to work more effectively.
According to her, the benefits and importance of Group Matrix cannot be over-emphasised as it is capable of enabling staff to improve their efficiency, and strategically improve on their work.
Group Matrix, she added, “is not just for products, but also for organisational efficiency”.
Amesi stated this recently while delivering her inaugural lecture during the institution’s 108th inaugural lecture on the topic, “Group Matrix Imperatives: Epistemological And Pedagogical Perspectives Of A Business Education”, held at the senate building of the University.
She further explained that the Group Matrix can be used for both academic and non-academic, business organisations, and students in academic institutions.
“Group Matrix can be used to assess staff in an organisation. It’s not only for products and also not only for marketing, but can be used to assessing staff and students, knowing their performances and to enable them work better than the way they should have worked previously.
“This year academic institution should have applied Matrix in their assessment of staff and students for better equipment”, She stated.
Prof Amesi recommended, among other things, that institutions and organisations should select the most appropriate matrix and model to be utilised in the assessment of staff and learners.
In his speech the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Nlerum Sunday Okogbule, said the inaugural lecture is special for them because it provides an opportunity for them to tell the world that as a university they are working, adding that the University is carrying out teaching, research and community services which is the three primary objectives of every university.
“Education is central to all that we do as a people, as a state and as a nation. Without education, we cannot make progress”, Prof. Okogbule said.
He commended the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Simeon Amadi, for coming for the inaugural lecture, adding that when Prof Amesi was promoted to the rank of Professor, Justice Amadi hosted her, and he was privileged to be part of the event.
“My lord, I thank you very much for recognising the ability, quality in this young lady.
“There is no doubt you see that today in Prof Amesi, that Rivers State University did not make a mistake to promote her to the rank of Professor in the business education faculty in the university”, he said.
By: Kiadum Edookor
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