MOSOP, NLC, TUC LEADERS MOURN MADAM ABE
ORLU JOSEPH ORLU



Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) and Labour Union executives in Rivers State among others, have mourned the passing on of Madam Margaret Nnena Abe, mother of Senator Magnus Ngei Abe, who died on Tuesday August 9,2011.


MOSOP, led by its President, Ledum Mittee and the Union executives led by Comrade Chris Oruge,NLC, Rivers State and Comrade Chika Onuegbu,TUC, Rivers State, were in Abe’s residence to commiserate with him on the incident.


Speaking while receiving the delegation, Senator Abe said his mother’s death has further strengthened his quest for a restructured Nigeria that will prioritize the improvement of the standard of living of an average citizen.


He noted that life was too transient and therefore would work towards ensuring that Nigerians suffering from economic hardship are giving succour pointing out that unless the nation attains productivity status, the average citizen would continue to suffer.


Senator Abe therefore, sued for support in the crusade to create enabling environment for increase in economic productivity through the restructuring of the federation.


Earlier,Barr. Ledum Mittee, MOSOP President, described Madam Abe as a great Ogoni daughter who left an indelible footprint in the sand of our time.


On his part,the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Rivers State, Comrade Chris Oruge, said workers in the State received with shock the death of madam Abe and prayed for God’s protection upon the Senator and the entire family.



For Comrade Chika Onuegbu, the Chairman of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Rivers State and Dr. Sunny Mbazie, a lecturer of the Department of Linguistics, Faculty of Humanities, University of Port Harcourt, the death of Madam Abe was a deep loss that is difficult to recover.

In his condolence message, the former President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ndagene Akwu, described late madam Abe as an epitome of hardwork and meekness.


Prof. Bariene Fakae, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Science and Technology, Rivers State, said, ‘’late madam Abe’s contributions to the community and mankind stand out leaving us with a challenge’’.


Adokiye Oruwari, PDP Secretary, Rivers State, Kadilo Brown, Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Office, SSG’s Office, Rivers State, Kenneth Kobani, National Treasure ,ACN and Okey Amadi, a Commissioner in the Rivers State Government, also expressed their condolences.

IMO COMMUNITY REJECTS EX-PRINCPAL AS UNION PRESIDENTIAL ASPIRANT

BY ORLU JOSEPH ORLU

The people of Uru community in Isi-Ogwa, Mbaitoli local government area of Imo State over the weekend rejected the imposition of a retired secondary school principal, Mr. Reuben Chukwuagwu as one of the aspirants for the position of the president-general of Uru Improvement Union (UIU).

Ogwareports gathered that the non-acceptability of Chukwuagwu, who was contesting against the immediate past national financial secretary of UIU, Mr. Adolphus Jacob Nnadi, by majority of indigenes of the community.

The rejection of the presidential aspirant, however led to the cancellation of the election, billed to hold on Saturday, July 30, 2011 while a new date for the election is yet to be fixed.

It was further gathered the non-acceptability of the former principal was based on a report he allegedly wrote to Imo State Primary Education Board (SPEB), where he accused the community of forcefully taking away a piece of land belonging to the community’s primary school.

A member of the community, Mr. Nnamdi Onuoha told Ogwareports that, though, SPEB had concluded investigation on the said allegation and found out that the said piece of land does not belong, Chukwuagwu cannot become a leader in the community he intended to destroy.

“We thank God that SPEB conducted their investigations and found out that Mr. Reuben Chukwuagwu told a lie against this community. We are not saying his kindred; Ndikpa should not produce the next president-general.

“We are not saying that our zoning arrangement is no longer there, but what we are saying is that Ndikpa should give us a responsible candidate. We will not accept Mr. Chukwuagwu, he has shown us that he cannot be a good leader,” he said.

Meanwhile, the people of Umuokwaraebere Kindred in Uru community have decried the call on the immediate past national financial secretary of UIU, Mr. Adolphus Jacob Nnadi to step down from the presidential race and accept the post of vice President-General of the union.

In a statement signed by the general secretary of Okwarabere Family Union (OFU), Anayo Onukwugha, which was obtained by Ogwareports said the call was undemocratic, pointing out Nnadi remained one of the most qualified candidates to move  the community forward.

“The call on our son, Adolphus Jacob Nnadi, former national financial secretary of UIU to step down for whoever would come from the other side as presidential candidate is undemocratic.

“Nnadi is unarguably one of the most qualified candidates for the presidential seat and we view every attempt aimed at frustrating him from clinching the post of president-general of Uru as unacceptable”, the statement said.

NIGERIA'S UNITY UNDER SIEGE –PRINCEWILL

NIGERIA'S UNITY UNDER SIEGE –PRINCEWILL

 

Prince Tonye Princewill, an engineer and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was the governorship candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) during the 2007 general elections in Rivers State. In a chat with newsmen recently, the scion of the Kalabari monarch spoke on some burning national issues. ORLU JOSEPH ORLU was there.

 

Excerpts:

 

How do we address religious and ethnic challenges in Nigeria?

 

So many reports on these twin subjects have been prepared without any implementation. As a ‘victim’ of this policy of setting up committees only to ignore reports at the end of the day, I am aware that many true and real solutions exist if only leaders will listen. Suffice it to say, I believe that by positively addressing employment and other social issues we stand a greater chance of reducing this challenge that is itself a critical factor militating against the unity of the nation. In Rivers state we encourage social integration. I hope we all start to become more accepting of each other. I think we may soon see a Commissioner in our state that is not from our state. That is progress. We cannot stop there. Mr President should take the lead in promoting harmony and reconciliation. Nobody is too big or too small. They are all important. He remains the President of the good the bad and the ugly. Recent developments do not leave me with that impression. I hope I am wrong. Even bad people have some good within them and vice versa. Having said that I must appeal to all those who believe that crawling back into an ethnic shell provides a cover for tomorrow to have a rethink. If we all do that, where is the future for Nigeria? We need a Nigerian agenda, not a Northern agenda or a South West agenda or Ijaw agenda. There is no place for this in mainstream politics.

 

If you were in Jonathan's position, how would you address the Boko Haram and insecurity issues?

 

My philosophy has always been the philosophy of engagement even the governor of my State Amaechi and I disagree on certain issues but that does not in any way affect our relationship.  I don’t believe that everybody is a criminal; I believe there are people who have good intentions but pursue it through illegal means. My view on it is to isolate these people and then take on all well-meaning Nigerians and bring them on board; for me that is the first thing I will need to do. If anybody denies that Nigeria is more divided than ever before, then that person is merely living in denial. From all indications, the fabric of the unity of the Nation seems to be under siege, the Nigeria of today is perceived to be more divided than ever before and I believe the best way to heal these wounds is to show without prejudice that the good, the bad, and the ugly from across the North, East, West and south are all stakeholders in the entity Nigeria. In which case it behoves on all and sundry to work towards ensuring that governance becomes participatory to encourage transparency and a capacity to accommodate different views and opinions. If we can’t do that we leave the people with no option than to rebel. Yesterday it was us; today it is them, who know tomorrow? A never ending story. I think Jonathan needs to be open and transparent.  Next thing he needs to do is to tackle the issue of unemployment and the only way he can do that is by power, if he tackles power then he becomes well on his way to tackling unemployment. If we take a closer look, we will certainly find that the majority of youths involved in violent pursuits do so as an alternative to gainful employment. If he does that and we start to improve on the social security of people especially those in the North, then we can certainly say we have found the way forward. But as it is, I foresee that the resolution to the Boko Haram issue may likely end in Amnesty with the BH requesting a share of the amnesty budget. There is a lot to say for why any one group will be justified in requesting for the same treatment/outcome as was meted to a similar group conducting similar ‘business’ as them. And at the end of the day we have a government whose overheads are firing out of control because it needs to ensure the youths desist from violence? This is not practical, this is not sustainable, and this is not good for our government. Look at our budget and how much we spend on recurrent as opposed to capital expenditure and then ask yourself ‘are we developing or maintaining poverty for the poor and riches for the rich?’ others have spoken and where ignored, Iweala has said the same thing, let’s hope she would be listened to.  Thankfully with the minimum wage, we will all be forced to rethink how we spend the people’s money.

 

Don't you think there are some cabals that are behind this ugly incident and are bent on making Nigeria ungovernable for Jonathan?

 

It is not out of character.  There is every possibility. There is no doubt that there are some organisations that are hell bent on making sure the status quo does not favour the sitting president. But I think this goes beyond Jonathan, even at the level of the state governments and smaller units of government, there are still attacks and these happened even before Jonathan became the President. I think the agenda is wider than Jonathan.  But as I said, the best way to tackle the issue is to isolate the radical elements. If you isolate the radical elements you can identify them and the way to do this is not to go from outside in. Inside the communities is where you start this process of isolation, in other words the moderate individuals who are dissatisfied but do not subscribe to the violence need to be recruited and brought onside. To me this is where Atiku and the likes need to be involved. If people who are dissatisfied with this government are brought on board then absolutely we can eradicate the radical elements.

 

How do you think the President can effectively address the   problem of unemployment and power generation?

 

 Well, without any doubt unemployment is a major issue, it is a major challenge. It can be very destructive. We have heard about it and seen it in the North as was in the Niger Delta. I have mentioned this severally before now. The absence of productive employment is clearly an issue. Power generation is also a clear issue that must be addressed to encourage business and diversify the economy but how many people can run businesses competitively while having to buy diesel to keep their company running? This is a clear index that exposes the failure of government. Few serious companies can look at Nigeria as a serious entity if they can’t provide the basics for their people. We have the population, bright people, low labour costs, flexible labour laws and very adaptable people but we can see that the big organisations prefer neighbouring countries. What am I saying? I am saying that the more you encourage private investors to come and invest, the more likely you are going to provide jobs. So power is essential and must be addressed now.

 

Are you satisfied with post amnesty programme in the Niger Delta region?

 

No. I am tired of talking about this. Refer to the Niger Delta Technical Committee report. We need to move beyond rewarding the youths that carried arms to also encouraging the ones that did not. What we achieved was a reduction in arms not a removal of arms. Recent clashes show they still exist. We are only delaying the inevitable. Only a multi-faceted approach will address it. The Niger Delta Ministry has no business being in Abuja. When this is addressed, you will start to see the beginnings of a holistic solution.

 

What is your take on the Rivers ACN withdrawal of its Electoral Petition against Gov. Chibuike Amaechi and the Rivers PDP?

 

This occurrence at this time is evident of the ACN leadership commitment to patriotic ideals and that Dr Abiye Sekibo has shown himself to be a true son of Rivers State. Though the decision may not be an easy one to make giving past aggravations, between all concerned, is evident of Sekibo’s decision to cast aside differences for the good of the state. This withdrawal also serves to concur on a widely held opinion during the course of the electoral campaigns, when political pundits stated that Governor Amaechi did not have any formidable opponent. In this regard, I expect Sir Celestine Omehia to toe the path of honour and withdraw his petition in the wake of ACN’s decision.

 

 Rivers State in hosting the just concluded National Sports Festival has raised the bar in hosting such a big event – what is your stand on this?

 

If you noticed the opening and closing ceremonies of that event including the facilities put in place during the meet are not only applauded as the grandest so far in the history of the games but the most organised. That event serves if for nothing else finally put to rest any fears and misgivings people had following the state’s decision to host this edition of the games. This is because at a time several States in the country shied away from the responsibility of hosting the 17th National Sports festival because of the financial implications it would have on their state’s coffers, the Rivers State Governor Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, accepted the challenge of hosting the 27 event Sports fiesta at a time his administration was also involved in widespread capital intensive infrastructural development around the State. 

 

We have through hosting this sports fiesta gained international sports facilities obtainable in any part of the world if you have witnessed the 37 hectares expanse of land along Igwuruta road where the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium and Sports Complex is situated. The Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium Complex is an impressive architectural masterpiece comprising a FIFA-standard 26,000 seat capacity main bowl stadium. Within the complex is the Garden City Sports Centre home to a handball court, a hockey court, four tennis courts, two outdoor basketball courts, two Olympic-size swimming pool, four squash courts, one mini sports hall, two volleyball courts and the football arena made up of two artificial turf training pitches, one standard football pitch and a synthetic running track to provide the athletes with the best of facilities that conform to the highest standards the world over.  Apart from the discovery and exposure of new talents which would hopefully add a new lease of life to our performance potentials at International Sports Events the event demonstrated the sheer doggedness in Governor Amaechi in meeting targets he sets for himself and the state as well and with the Presidency’s endorsement for Rivers State as venue is a vote of confidence for the State of Security in the state. As you may know the National Sports Festival took place at a time wrong signals where coming from certain parts of the country with undertones of instability.

 

What is your message for the Lagos State Government and her people over the recent devastating flood experience that took place in the State?

 

Though I was outside the country when the incident happened, I commiserated with the Government and people of Lagos State over it the moment I got wind of the sad news. Notwithstanding, my heart continues to go out to all those who lost loved ones and also those who suffered loss of property which would no doubt result in untold hardship if intervention has not been done at a scale expected by this time. I remain confident that Fashola is on top of the matter and would do the needful to help the victims, allay the fears of Lagos residents, and do the necessary infrastructural intervention to prevent further occurrence. Having said all these we should bear in mind that since the world weather report has indicated that the changing weather patterns occasioned by global warming would be accompanied by more of these natural occurrences at a higher rate, there is a need for government to take a more systemic and sustainable approach on environmental issues and infrastructural especially in areas prone to such disasters.

 

What is your take on the two ministerial posts accorded to Rivers State?

 

The inclusion of Ms Ama Pepple and Barrister Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike as Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is a laudable step and significant leap towards redeeming the promises Mr. President made to the Nigerian people..I must commend President Jonathan for keeping faith with the Rivers State people and appreciating the State with two great Ministries which will be the turning point for his transformational vision for the country.

 

The two Ministers will come to the cabinet with antecedents that would add value to the cabinet. In Ms Ama Pepple’s case, she has an enviable record as one of the few Nigerians to have held sway in both arms of governance at the National level as the Clerk of the Senate and the second woman in our history to serve as the Head of Service of the Federal Republic of Nigeria while Barrister Nyesom Wike’s appointment as Minister having previously served in two tiers of government as two term Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government and Chief of Staff of Rivers State Government for four years is a fitting transition which he would no doubt justify.

 

Finally, let us have your stand on the Labour’s decision to call off the nationwide strike?

 

The decision by Labour to call off this strike is not only bold, commendable but a demonstration that dialogue is the key to any disagreement. Truth be told, all Nigerians would have been hard hit if the Strike action had taken place. The negative multiplier effects would have been devastating to commercial and economic activities. The events surrounding and leading up to the threat of strike and also Labour’s decision to suspend the strike action should serve as a lesson to administrators and all elected officials at the different tiers of government. A lesson I hope will give them the much needed impetus to realise the importance of delivering on promises made to the people.  I must add however, that the resolution to call off the strike cannot stand if the National Assembly fails to expedite action on the review of the constitutional provision on Revenue Formula between the three tiers of Government to enable the States and Local Government councils successfully implement the new minimum wage and in addition embark on development agendas in their States. 

 

 Any final comments on the Presidency?

 

I have watched Mr President’s body language and his words and I can see where he is going. He will be very difficult to stop if things go according to what I perceive his plans are and hopefully we will have a new order where merit will have precedence. His greatest asset is the incompetence of those who came before him. His greatest liability will be his next four years.#

WHY WE ARE ISSUING N250B BOND -AMAECHI

WHY WE ARE ISSUING N250B BOND -AMAECHI

BY ORLU JOSEPH ORLU 

Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State in South-South Nigeria has again explained why his administration plans to issue bond at the capital market for funding major developmental projects.

Amaechi, in a statement signed by his media aide, David Iyofor, which was obtained by Ogwareports stated that the bond would be tied to funding specific developmental projects.

The projects, he said, include the Greater Port Harcourt City, the Port Harcourt Monorail project, the new Rivers State University of Science and Technology Phase 1, Monte@Rivers (an entertainment complex), the Port Harcourt Ring Road(that would connect the old city and Greater Port Harcourt) and a new M-10 Highway (a beltway that would link the Port Harcourt International Airport to the Onne Sea port).

The governor explained that such audacious gigantic projects would need immediate and massive funds injection to complete them. Hence Rivers State plans to approach the capital market in October, 2011 to raise these funds.

He stated  that already the State House of Assembly has given the nod for the governor to go ahead and obtain the bond as such projects cannot be accomplished by sheer reliance on Federal Allocation and Internally Generated Revenue that comes in trickles.

Explaining further the details of the bond, Rivers State Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Chamberlain Peterside said, “These long term capital projects that are capable of catalyzing the industrialization and transformation of Rivers State require massive financial investment that can only be obtained from the capital market.

“The proposed size of the first tranche of the bond will be about 100 billion naira with five years tenures, whereas the total bond programme of 250 billion naira is envisaged over the next several months.” Peterside said.

Rivers State remains very buoyant financially with sizeable revenue accruing from both the Federation Account and IGR. The State has set a target of earning at least half of its total revenue from IGR over the next one to two years.

According to Peterside, “whilst energy prices remain relatively high on the world market in an atmosphere of somewhat low to moderate interest rate, Rivers State would benefit from a bond issue at this stage through leveraging its high income potential and favourable credit rating, coupled with a debt portfolio that is currently low at less than 30 billion naira.”

“The economic indicators of the State, including annual Gross Domestic Product of about 30 trillion naira compared to its debt stock are positive attributes that Rivers State can ride on to raise additional funds to finance its long term development agenda and fast track social and economic growth,” he said.

Peterside however noted that the State has moved further to institutionalize its efforts, giving no room for future administrations to violate loan covenants of bonds.

“To ensure that proceeds of bond are efficiently and prudently deployed for the benefit of generations yet unborn, the Government through the Ministry of Finance and other agencies is making conscious and relentless effort to modernize and automate Public Accounting System, strengthen the Debt Management Office and establish relevant institutions that can transparently monitor projects, while acting as checks and balances of fund utilization in the public sector.”

“With all this in place it is inconceivable that Rivers State will default on the bonds or allow any future administration to violate loan covenants of bonds, thereby laying the groundwork for predictability and continuity in the economic and financial planning process of the State.” he added.

Restating the Rivers State Governor’s commitment to continued infrastructure development for long term sustainable development, Iyofor explained the significance of the huge projects to the State and its people:

“The Greater Port Harcourt City Master Plan shows massive development cutting across over 8 Local Government Areas of the State covering an area of approximately 1900 square kilometers (40,000 hectares of land) with a projected population of about 2 million people.

We have master plans for roads, housing, power, water, waste water, storm water, and integrated waste management among others. We already have the new Stadium and Sports Complex built within the Greater Port Harcourt axis. The proposed M-10 Highway and the Central Spine road designed with interchanges would link the New city to the Old City in the space of 15 to 20 minutes.”

“Completing the Monorail project is a priority. It would cause an optimal decongestion of traffic on Port Harcourt roads and provide a competitive mass transportation solution to the State as the monorail would conveniently transport people in large numbers at a time from one point to another. It would also enhance the aesthetic view of the city,” the statement said.

“While the new ultra-modern campus of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology which has a larger land mass would give our children a better and befitting environment to study.”

“These are projects that must be completed and the bond which the State plans to issue in October, coupled with our IGR and Federal allocation would provide all that and much more.”

opinion

Amaechi’s True Enemies



Written by Odimegwu Onwumere



"A critic is anyone who expresses a value judgement," defined lexicographers, but the interpretation of "a critic" by somebody who is close to the Rivers State government shocked me recently. He said and saw anyone who “expresses a value judgement" about Governor Chibuike Amaechi-led administration as authomatically an OPPOSITION.



After a meeting he invited us and was driving a senior colleague and I in his car, he told the colleague to warn me that I am controversial in my writings and that since he noticed that, he decided to withdraw from me. He averred that some persons would be shocked if they hear that I was in the meeting, because of what he described as "your controversial writings against Amaechi." Even, he said that if the Amaechi’s network of people hears that he invited me for the meeting, they will not want to do anything with him again. What is the entire hullabaloo for!



I don’t think that my admonisher actually understands or have checked the meaning of OPPOSITION apart from the myopic meaning given the word among Nigerian politicians before labeling me as one and saying that I am CONTROVERSIAL. Please, do we take CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM to mean OPPOSITION?



Please, what is CONTROVERSIAL? Is it CONTROVERSIAL when I tell his principal that he is losing his followership? Is it CONTROVERSIAL when I tell Amaechi about the issues in the society he has failed to address or has addressed? Please, does OPPOSITION not attack the Government and wants to take over because it comprised a group of politicians, while a CRITIC "expresses value judgment" about the government? Is a critic not somebody who forms and expresses judgments of the merits, faults, value, or truth of a matter which government is also part of?



Maybe, because I have been doing these things outlined under the job of a critic, that was why my admonisher saw me as a "controversial writer who is not straight forward in my writings." I would not understand what my admonisher meant by “you write like this today and tomorrow you write like that.”



If he sees me as an OPPOSITION to Amaechi-led government, then I ask how many agenda by the government has the OPPOSITION supported? Opposition condemns but a critic "forms and expresses judgments of the merits, faults, value, or truth of a matter." And I have been faulting and valuing Amaechi’s agenda as they come. The records are there.



I think there is something about my admonisher and whenever he sees anybody going in that direction, he runs from the person or begins to attack the person. But for how long shall he continue with this kind of chameleonic lifestyle? He forgets that everything has an expiry date. He boasts of trying to help me, but I have been obediently with him for 3yrs now and could not boast of anything meaningful I have gotten from him.



What is wrong with my articles about Amaechi that my admonisher is so embittered with me? His principal even commends most of my works, but my admonisher will never find anything good in them because I do not praise Amaechi from the beginning of my works to the end, so that he will know that he has trained another sycophant he portrays. Journalism is not like that.



If we all should continue to praise Amaechi so that we make money from him as in the eyes my admonisher, which he has been doing, this Rivers State will be in a total collapse. Look at Reuben Abati, he criticized President Jonathan the night before he was appointed SA, but my admonisher will never learn to talk good about me. He even talked about a person who wanted to make me his media aide, but said that the person was discouraged by whom he was discussing this with, because of my "controversial articles."



However, whether anybody who says the TRUTH now becomes an OPPOSITION to Amaechi or not, please Amaechi’s Rivers State is gradually going down and Amaechi does not know this because of the feedbacks perhaps he gets from his field men like my admonisher that all are well. Amaechi, please all are not well.



I give anybody a task to take a ride round Port Harcourt and its environs. Have an open mind while you are on this tour, and be shocked with a collapsing environment therein. Please, do not tell me what you saw, so that I do not become A MADMAN either, in the eyes of my admonisher, because I will write about them. Do you now understand the true enemies of Amaechi? No wonder ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo reportedly said “I dey laugh o!”



Odimegwu Onwumere is the Coordinator, Concerned Non-Indigenes In Rivers State (CONIRIV). Mobile: +2348032552855. Email: nirivpol@gmail.com