Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum has flagged off the 2023 tree-planting campaign with 1.2 million trees expected to be planted across the state.

The exercise, conducted at the premises of the Borno State University Teaching Hospital on Monday, according to a statement signed by the governor’s spokesman, Mallam Isa Gusau, aims at curbing desertification and other environmental problems.

This year’s campaign in Borno State has the theme: “Trees for Resettlement” which aligns with a broader theme of the United Nations: “Let’s Green Our City”.

Zulum, while delivering his address, advocated the use of gas cookers and wood-efficient stoves as against the mass use of firewood from felling of trees.

He said: “If (tree felling) is left unchecked, we may one day find that the whole of Borno State is a desert. We are all aware that we have lost more than 80% of our vegetation in the state to insurgency. All the trees around our village communities have been cleared for security reasons and some were cleared for firewood”, Zulum said.

The governor added that beyond Borno, “the issue of climate change and desert encroachment has been a great concern to the entire people of the northern states”, noting the urgent need “to arrest the menace of climate change in our state by planting trees”.

The governor also announced that Borno State Government will ambitiously target the planting of 10 million trees in 2024.

The governor explained that of the 10 million trees, each of the 27 local government areas of the state will raise 200,000 trees to make up 5.4 million trees while the State Government will raise about 5 million trees.

During the event, the governor directed the State Ministry of Environment to dump its traditional tree-planting campaign by innovating a more result-based model.

He also asked the ministry to come up with a working calendar that should be strictly adhered to.

The governor charged the ministry and the 27 local government areas to ensure seedlings were raised early so that tree-planting can commence early in 2024.

Highlight of the occasion was the symbolic tree-planting by the governor, his deputy, Umar Usman Kadafur, Speaker of the State Assembly, SSG, commissioners and other dignitaries.

Another highlight was a public enlightenment drama presentation by “Nakande drama group” based in Maiduguri on the impact of cutting trees.

Abuja, Nigeria, 4th September 2023 — ActionAid Nigeria said it was appalled by the recent actions taken by the Rivers State Government to “unlawfully” shut down the operations of Africa Independent Television (AIT) and Raypower FM in Port Harcourt.

A statement on Monday signed by the Country Director of Organisation, Andrew Mamedu said: “This unjust and draconian move made by telecommunications engineers hired by Rivers State Government and accompanied by armed security operatives, is a blatant violation of Media Freedom and Violation of Legal Processes.”

Mamedu explained that the Rivers State Government’s actions as reported, include dismantling the broadcasting infrastructure, disconnecting the wave guard from the antenna on the mast, and even deploying bulldozers to demolish the Transmitter Complex at the DAAR Communications PLC Broadcast Centre in Port Harcourt, insisting that: “These actions not only constitute a severe breach of media rights but also jeopardise the livelihoods of countless individuals who depend on these media outlets for their daily sustenance.”

He said: “It is concerning that this assault on the media comes despite ongoing legal proceedings and presumably fruitful dialogue related to the land dispute between the state government and DAAR Communications, Plc. We call upon River State Government to follow due process, respect the rule of law and refrain from any further actions until all legal options and processes are fully explored.

“We emphasise the significance of preserving the jobs and welfare of approximately 80% of the workforce, who are from the Ozuoba community, with the continued shut down of the broadcasting platforms. AAN amplifies the plea for the preservation of these jobs and the welfare of the affected families.”

He added that: “Furthermore, we urge the Rivers State Government to engage in constructive dialogue with Daar Communications PLC and all relevant stakeholders to seek an amicable resolution to this dispute. It is essential to find a solution that respects the rights of all parties involved and upholds the principles of justice and fairness. Media freedom is a cornerstone of any democracy, and actions that undermine it have far-reaching consequences for the public’s right to information and the functioning of a vibrant civil society. We call on the Rivers State Government to reconsider its actions and uphold the values of transparency, respect for the rule of law, and freedom of the press.”

Mamedu said: “ActionAid Nigeria also demands immediate and resolute action from the Inspector General of Police to intervene, investigate, and put an end to the blatant violation of media freedom by the Rivers State Government. It is crucial to send a strong message that such violations of legal processes and media freedom will no longer be tolerated in our democratic nation.”

He further said: “With the emergence of a new administration and the recently released Presidential 8-point agenda, which includes improved security, a fair playing field, and upholding the rule of law, one would expect that it will no longer be business as usual. The Rivers State Government should be informed that civil society organisations and citizens will resist any attempt to assault Media Freedom and violate Legal Processes concerning the press.

“ActionAid stands in solidarity with DAAR Communications at this difficult period and all media organisations in Nigeria, advocating for their right to operate freely and without undue interference. We will continue to monitor this situation closely and call for justice and accountability.”

The Ijaw Youths Network (IYN) has raised an alarm that there is an ongoing battle by some desperate oil thieves to sabotage ongoing war against them spearheaded by Tantita Security Services Limited, calling on the Federal Government and all Nigerians to give the requisite support to the ongoing campaign against oil theft in the country.

The pan-Ijaw group gave the admonition in a statement by its National Coordinator, Frank Ebikabo and Secretary, Federal Ebiaridor,.on Sunday.

The IYN expressed deep worry over the arrest of operatives of Tantita Security Services Limited by the Navy in Ibeju Lekki, Lagos, for alleged oil theft a few days ago.

The group said that it should be of concern to the government and the citizens of Nigeria and all those who mean well for the country that suspects of oil theft were shielded from arrest while those carrying out their legitimate duty of arresting them were picked up as alleged by Tantita with video evidence.

It noted that the Federal Government and the NNPC which took the commendable step to engage the private security outfits to fight the unprecedented theft of the nation’s crude resources in August 2022, should be firm against the surreptitious move to discredit the ongoing efforts.

The group said that it is indeed alarming, though expected, that those behind the criminal theft of the nation’s resources are deploying their massive intelligence, weight and resources to stifle the fight against oil theft.

It described the conflict in the statement made by the Nigerian Navy on the arrest of the rogue vessel MT Praisel and the arrest of five Tantita operatives for purported oil theft and the rush to the media to discredit the firm as confusing, unhealthy and suspicious.

It urged Nigerians not to forget in a hurry the terrifying facts about the daily theft of 200,000 barrels of crude oil by the rampaging oil thieves amounting to the loss over 120 million barrels of crude oil from January and September 2022 translating to $12.6 billion in less than a year.

The group recalled the frank statement credited to the Group Managing Director of the NNPC that the engagement of the private security firms to secure the nation’s pipelines had achieved tremendous result with the increase in the daily oil production from 900 barrels per day to between 1.4 and 1.5 million barrels.

It cautioned against public display of rancour between those entrusted with the responsibility of coordinating concerted action against the syndicates of oil thieves, describing the current situation as curious.

The group which called for the immediate release of the operatives of TSL in custody of the Navy, further said that what the nation needed at this critical phase was total onslaught against oil theft and not a show of division among the organisations fight the scourge.

The statement read, “We have watched with dismay the conflicting reports of arrests of oil thieves between the Nigerian Navy and Tantita Security Services Limited.

“We are indeed disturbed because these two critical stakeholders are supposed to put concerted efforts in the search for, and arrest of those perpetrating the criminal theft of the nation’s oil resources and the unconscionable sabotage of the nation’s economy.

“Recurrent indicators of seeming infighting among those entrusted with the responsibility of curtailing the massive theft of the nation’s oil resources seems to give the ominous sign that oil theft and its backers are fighting back.

“In the past one month, we have observed two incidents of conflicting reports on operational conflict between Tantita and the Navy on the arrest of rogue vessel MT Praisel at the Escravos, Delta State and the recent arrest of Tantita operatives at Lekki, Lagos.

“In these two incidents, while Tantita which arrested the MT Praisel said that it was on an illegal operation, the Navy said it was not. Similarly, Tantita has faulted the Navy’s rush to the media to claim that it arrested four operatives of Tantita for oil theft last week.

“We know that the campaign against oil theft is a tough job as the multi- billion naira crime project that has produced billionaires without conscience in various sectors of the Nigerian economy would put up a resistance.

“We therefore call on the President and indeed the NNPCL to be firm in sustaining the tempo of the ongoing campaign against oil theft.

“We also call on the Navy, a critical national institution, to keep a closer watch on the activities of its bases on the Niger Delta to avoid sending out a wrong signal to the society on this sensitive issue of the fight against oil theft.

“Nigerians remember the story behind the decision of the NNPCL to engage Tantita and two other private security firms to aid the efforts of the security agencies to fight the scourge which threatened the nation’s security.

“The Navy should not see Tantita as a competitor but a proactive ally making intensified patriotic efforts to rid Nigeria of a cancerous economic challenge.”

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted various quantities of ephedrine, skunk and nitrous oxide, popularly known as laughing gas concealed in semovita packs and dry pepper being shipped to South Africa and Kenya through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

The drugs were being transported by members of Transnational Drug Trafficking Organizations (DTO), some of who were promptly arrested, their mansions raided and their luxury vehicles seized.

A statement on Sunday by spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi said read that through credible intelligence, NDLEA operatives last Friday intercepted a notorious drug trafficker, Suleiman Oba who is a member of a cartel distributing cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and ephedrine between Nigeria, Brazil, Ghana, South Africa, Mozambique, and Europe.

According to Babafemi, Oba was arrested while attempting to board a Rwanda Air flight to South Africa with two boxes loaded with ephedrine sealed in semovita packs. He said the recovered substance is a precursor chemical and active ingredient in the production of methamphetamine.

He disclosed that Suleiman, who holds a South African passport and married to a South African woman and has lived there for over 20 years, in his statement,, identified Hakeem Salami who equally lives in Lagos and South Africa as the head of the drug ring.

Babafemi said a follow up raid in the house of Salami located at 75 Wosilatu Dawodu Street, Ijesha, Aguda, Surulere area of Lagos State last Monday revealed that he had fled the country on the same day Suleiman was arrested.

The spokesman said however, a white Toyota Venza car with registration number LSR 410 HT, a Mercedes Benz SUV marked LSD 998HP, phones and vital documents needed for further investigation were recovered from the house.

Babafemi recalled that in August 2021, the agency had seized 25.6 kilogrammes ephedrine from a trafficker, Arua Onwuka at the Lagos airport, a seizure that has also been traced to the same cartel whose identified members are currently on the run.

He revealed that an official of the airport, Godwin Shedrack (a.k.a Goddy) fingered as a member of the syndicate is also under investigation.

In the same vein, attempt by another syndicate to export 10.4 kilogrammes skunk concealed with scent leaf and pepper, going to Nairobi, Kenya, was equally thwarted by NDLEA operatives attached to the NAHCO export shed of the airport on Saturday 26th August. A suspect, Ekechukwu Ndubuisi, has already been arrested in connection with the seizure.

Babafemi said another bid to export a consignment of 180 cannisters of laughing gas to South Africa by a freight agent, Oyekola Gbenga for a fee of N2 million was also frustrated by operatives who seized the cargo and arrested the suspect.

Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives on Friday 25th August succeeded in arresting a drug kingpin, Ngene Onyedikachi, who recruited the fake couple, Ilonzeh Onyebuchi and Ilonzeh Nonyelum arrested for ingesting 1.82 kilogrammes and 1.5 kilogrammes of cocaine respectively at the Lagos airport on 1st August while on their way to India. The kingpin was picked at his residence located at 28 Afolabi Brown Street, Akoka, Yaba, after an intensive surveillance that lasted 25 days.

Babafemi said during his interrogation, Onyedikachi confessed that the two suspects: Ilonzeh Onyebuchi and Ilonzeh Nonyelum were introduced to him by another member of his syndicate, who he claimed he met at Zion Church in Cele area of Lagos. He explained that the drug was sourced from Guinea Conakry.

He said the suspect revealed that when he got information about the arrest of the fake couple, he threw away his old mobile phone along with the SIM cards to avoid being traced, adding that he became relaxed and refused to leave his house because the two couriers do not know his house since they have only met twice at different locations. He said he was living in India before he returned to Nigeria in 2022 after the Indian authorities discovered that he was using Ivory Coast International passport. A blue Acura Legend car was part of items recovered from his home during his arrest.

Babafemi disclosed that operatives of the Lagos state Command of the agency last Monday arrested a suspect, Peter Iwebema, at Ikorodu with 79 and a half bags of cannabis sativa, weighing 864.5 kilogrammes. He said their counterparts at Tincan port command intercepted 27 parcels of Colorado, weighing 13.5 kilogrammes, adding that the seizure was made from a container, MSMU 5664550 coming from Toronto via Montreal, Canada during a joint examination with men of Customs Service.

He said the synthetic substance was discovered concealed in a bag hidden in a Ford Edge SUV, which was part of three units of used vehicles and motor parts in the container.

In Sokoto, operatives last Tuesday arrested two male suspects: Nafiu Arzika, 30, and Jamilu Aminu, 35, with 330 kilogrammes skunk, while another suspect, Ismaila Razak, 38, was nabbed with 34.5 kilogrammes of same substance and 9.5 grammes of methamphetamine was seized last Saturday at Olodo area of Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.

Babafemi said across the states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, NDLEA Commands intensified the agency’s War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, advocacy campaigns to schools, worship places, palaces and local communities among others. He said for instance, the sensitization lectures were conducted at Holy Trinity Gospel Church, Ogbomoso, and for Muslim faithful at Jammatul Nasirul Islam mosque, Ilorin; members of the Association of Hair Stylists in Ado Ekiti; leaders of road transport union in Abeokuta; traders at Kwata market, Awka; pregnant women at primary health care centre, Bonny; Dekara district palace, Babana community in Borgu local government area and at Noorul Huda Islamiyya school, Kafin Maiyaki.

He said the Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) while commending the officers and men of the agency across the Commands for their efforts in drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction activities, charged them to remain steadfast.

Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited has cleared the air over the incident at the Lekki area of Lagos involving its operatives and some Nigerian Navy personnel on August 29.

The firm explained in a statement that its personnel who were on the trail of the suspected oil thieves were instead arrested and detained for carrying out their lawful duty.

“The continued detention by the Nigerian Navy of these five brave, selfless
Nigerians who risked their lives on the high seas to protect our commonwealth is a disservice to our nation,” TSL said in a statement on Saturday.

The Nigerian Navy had claimed that the Tantita patrol team was arrested following the realisation that the “four individuals are part of a movement of a large wooden boat laden with 11 x 1000L Geepee tanks with product suspected to be stolen crude oil.”

But narrating what transpired, TSL, which has been working to curb the large-scale theft of crude oil in the country, explained that its eight-man patrol team operating in Ondo State received credible intelligence on Monday that a motorised wooden boat was illegally loading crude oil from an Offshore Oil Well Jacket operated by Cavendish Nigeria Limited, where the MT TURA II was caught stealing crude oil a few months ago.

An advance team, it said, was dispatched to find the wooden boat while a back-up team of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps was assembled to follow through on the lead.

The TSL in its statement backed with a video of the incident, further said that the advance team with the help of local fishermen was able to determine that the motorised wooden boat was heading in the direction of Lagos and gave hot pursuit.

It stated, “Upon noticing the approaching Tantita teams, the crew of the motorised wooden boat abandoned the wooden boat for their speed boat.

“One team of Tantita and NSCDC personnel boarded the wooden boat to secure the evidence while another team gave hot pursuit.

“There is video evidence of the Tantita team together with NSCDC personnel.There is also evidence of the Tantita and GSA team giving chase to the crew of the boat.”

The statement was titled, ‘ARREST OF TANTITA OPERATIVES AND PARADE BY THE NIGERIAN NAVY – A
TRAGICOMEDY OF ERRORS.’

It read, “On 31st of August 2023 the world woke up to a news story credited to the Commander, NNS BEECROFT of the Nigeria Navy, Commodore Kolawole Olumide Oguntuga, that the Nigerian Navy arrested four Tantita personnel for alleged crude oil theft. It would have been comedy, if it was not also tragedy.

“The Navy is a constitutional institution mandated to keep Nigeria’s seaward
borders safe from invasion, criminality and free for economic activities. Tantita
respects the institution and its constitutional mandate. And it was out of that respect that a couple weeks ago when there was a face off between the service and Tantita over the MT Praisel, our organisation preferred to leave the Nigerian Navy to have the last word on the issue.

“It was our belief at the time that the matter was a misunderstanding which could have been better handled for the good of the nation and the common objective of Tantita and the Navy – the prevention of economic sabotage by oil thieves plying their nefarious trade on our nation’s waterways.

“However the present incident, coming barely three weeks after, does not seem to support that notion. What seems to be playing is a poorly written tragicomedy.

The Nigerian Navy’s story is that in the early hours of August 29th 2023 there was an attempt by Tantita operatives to steal crude which they foiled.

“They claim to have been responding to distress calls from youths in Itolou Community in the Lekki axis of Lagos, and “reviewing the information, Naval patrol teams immediately launched a response operation. Upon arrival at the scene, the Naval team met 4 individuals dressed in black polo shirts with TANTITA inscribed on the back, trying to recover a dismantled outboard engine from a local. The team recovered the engine and apprehended the 4 Tantita employees.

“According to the Nigerian Navy’s statement, “It was after this arrest that the patrol team realized that the 4 individuals are part of a movement of a large wooden boat laden with 11 x 1000L Geepee tanks with product suspected to be stolen crude oil.”

“So it would be seen that at the time of arrest, the only crime that the Tantita
operatives were alleged to have committed was trying to recover a dismantled outboard engine. Thus, recovering outboard engines is now a crime.

“More interesting is the absence of a link between the outboard engine recovery story and the sudden epiphany – the realization by the navy patrol team that the four individuals they arrested are part of a movement of a large wooden boat at sea carrying stolen crude oil. The disjoint in the story is jarring.

“On the other hand, this is what happened in fact. On Monday the 28th of August 2023 at about 0130hours a Tantita Security Services Patrol team operating in the Ondo State area received credible intelligence that a motorised wooden boat was illegally loading crude oil from an Offshore Oil Well Jacket – in fact the same Well Jacket in OML 110 operated by Cavendish Nigeria Limited, where the MT TURA II was caught stealing Crude Oil a few months ago.

“An advance team was dispatched to find the wooden boat while a back up team consisting of NSCDC component of the Government Security Agencies (GSA) was assembled to follow through on the lead. While we cannot name the NSCDC personnel for obvious reasons, they were six in number and our personnel were eight not four in number.

“The advance team with the help of local fisherfolk was able to determine that the motorised wooden boat was heading in the direction of Lagos and gave hot pursuit. Upon noticing the approaching Tantita teams the crew of the motorised wooden boat abandoned the wooden boat for their speed boat. One team of Tantita and NSCDC personnel boarded the wooden boat to secure the evidence while another team gave hot pursuit.
There is video evidence of the Tantita team together with NSCDC personnel.

“There is also evidence of the Tantita and GSA team giving chase to the crew of the boat. How then did the Nigerian Navy get involved in this operation? The video also shows the Tantita crew trying to secure the wooden boat which was
taking in water (this could have resulted from an attempt to scuttle the boat by
the escaping crew; anyone who understands Yoruba can listen in on the
conversations).

“Surprisingly the escaping crew of the motorised wooden boat fled in the direction of the Nigerian Navy Forward Operation Base at Ibeju-Lekki, so the Tantita and NSCDC personnel followed in hot pursuit believing that the criminals would meet their Waterloo there. They were wrong.

“Instead of the fleeing crew being arrested, it was the Tantita personnel who came down to apprehend the fleeing crew that was arrested. After arresting Tantita personnel and freeing the crew, the Nigerian Navy personnel then went to the motorised wooden boat and drove out the combined Tantita/GSA team trying to keep the boat and the evidence afloat.

“The Nigerian Navy press release was nothing but a smear campaign, the Navy has been sharing pictures in social media of the Tantita staff in their custody in various shades of undress but kept silent about the names of the boat crew whom they
were chasing? In short, where is the crew that the Tantita personnel chased into
Ibeju Lekki?

“Most importantly, where is the boat now? You can clearly see the boat in the video
provided below. Did the Nigerian Navy secure the boat? Can the Nigerian Navy
explain the whereabouts of the motorised wooden boat? They were the last seen with the boat.

“Nigerians can see why we are forced to say that the Nigerian Navy’s press release was nothing but a smear campaign against Tantita and possibly a cover up. Is it possible that the Nigerian Navy deploys costly assets in these days of expensive
petrol/diesel to respond communal distress calls involving commercial disputes as to ownership of outboard engines? Again, let us assume for the sake of argument that the distress call was with respect to shooting in Itolou community in Lekki area of Lagos State, what became of that investigation? Can the Navy tell the
nation, after four days of investigation, who was shooting?

“The time frames here are important. Tantita patrol team took off at 0130hrs (1:30at night) on Monday 28th August 2023, and spotted the wooden boat at
approximately 1400hours (2 in the afternoon) same Monday 28th August 2023 and were arrested by the Navy a few hours later on Monday 28th of August 2023. Why then did the Navy press release say it arrested Tantita personnel on Tuesday 29th August 2023? Why is the Navy saying it arrested 4 persons when in fact it arrested 5?

“The Nigerian Navy is quite good at publicising videos of their personnel boarding vessels suspected of conveying illicit crude and refined products. Where is the Navy’s video of boarding this wooden boat and arresting the Tantita personnel?
How do you arrest oil thieves you claimed were using a wooden boat to steal crude oil, on land?

“If indeed Tantita personnel were stealing crude with a boat, why did they need to abandon their wooden boat laden with crude oil, tens of nautical miles away from the crime scene to recover a dismantled outboard engine when the wooden boat had working engines? There are too many gaps in the Navy press prelease.
In one breathe the Nigerian Navy is saying Tantita employees were caught trying to steal an outboard engine and in another breathe they are saying the Tantita operatives were arrested for trying to forcibly employ the owner of the boat to do their bidding.

“Quite interesting. The arrest for four days and parade of Tantita staff by the Nigerian Navy as common criminals is to be deprecated by all right thinking members of society; at a time when our nation is in dire straits with the unparalleled loss of revenue from a monocultural export-based economy, these family men put their lives at risk for the good of the nation and are now being made to suffer ridicule for doing the right thing. It serves to demoralise good men everywhere who have sought and are seeking to do something to better our nation.

“As soon as these men were arrested the management of Tantita reached out to the Nigerian Navy seeking clarification of the situation, for four days the Navy said
they were investigating and that the men would be released. We now have the
outcome of their investigation in that poorly digested press release.

“There are even more damning revelations, which out of courtesy to the Navy hierarchy and the needs of national security we will not divulge on the pages of a newspaper.

“The continued detention by the Nigerian Navy of these five brave, selfless
Nigerians who risked their lives on the high seas to protect our commonwealth is a disservice to our nation.”

The Ijaw Youths Network has slammed critics of High Chief Government Ekpemupolo popularly known as Tompolo, over the pipeline surveillance contract awarded to his firm, Tantita Security Services Limited, by the Federal Government in 2022.

TSL has since August 2022 been in the forefront of the intensified campaign against oil theft which has brought the nation’s economy on its knees.

The pan-Ijaw group, in a statement on Thursday, alleged that the attacks were being sponsored by an ex militant leader from Ondo State, stating that it was shocking in view of the fact that the firm has been delivering on its mandate of stemming crude oil theft in the Niger Delta.

The IYN Coordinator, Frank Ebikabo and Federal Ebiaridor, Secretary, in the statement, asked President Bola Tinubu to ignore those calling for a review of the tripartite contract, describing them as “disgruntled elements in the corridors of power who are driven by mischief and a wild attempt to put an unfair scar on the face of history.”

IYN maintained that there is incontrovertible evidence that Tantita Security Services Limited offered the desperately needed solutions to the huge “existential economic crisis of mind-boggling proportion executed by a lethal criminal gang that targeted the soul of the nation’s economy.”

It added that in the past one year, the achievements of TSL in curbing oil theft in Nigeria can not be contradicted, noting that it is the height of absurdity for “the convoluted minds to posit that the best way to reward a child who has scored excellent marks is to make him to repeat his class.”

The group also cited the passmarks given to TSL by the NNPC GMD, Kele Kyari, who told Nigerians that the pipeline contract with the oil surveillance company had yielded massive result which is not comparable in monetary terms with the contract sum.

Kyari’s submission, it said, was based on the sterling performance by TSL in the campaign against oil theft in the country.

The group noted that the firm discovered 295 illegal connections to NNPC pipelines many of which have been in sabotage operations for years, and destroyed thousands of illegal refineries in the region in addition to the arrest of massive vessels involved in siphoning crude oil in the Niger Delta.

The group stated, “We have watched with shock the sponsored campaign of calumny by a group of frustrated individuals against the person of High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (TOMPOLO) over the pipeline security contracted awarded to Tantita Security Services Limited.

“As an organization whose membership spreads across the clans of the Ijaw nation, we had taken the decision to ignore the indirect attacks on the Presidency and the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited over the engagement of Tantita to stem the alarming theft of the nation’s crude resources in 2022.

“However, our investigation has shown that those calling on the President to initiate a review of the tripartite security contract are disgruntled elements in the corridors of power who are driven by mischief and a wild attempt to put an unfair scar on the face of history.

“Perhaps, only those who are behind this pitiable campaign of calumny and the incendiary narrative against Tantita Security Services Limited will opt to embrace a selective amnesia to forget the dire state of the nation’s oil economy and the desperate move by the Federal Government to salvage a bad situation.”

The Ijaw group recalled that the oil pipeline protection contract was earlier awarded to an Edo indigene, noting that no son of the Niger Delta wrote to the President to cancel the deal because it was awarded to ‘one man.’

It further noted, “We are baffled that these men who are trivializing the security of the nation’s pipeline forgot to raise hell that the pipeline security contract was given to a single company. It is important to reiterate as stated by proponents of the democratization of pipeline security contract that the contract erstwhile executed by the former company was split into three and a part of it was awarded to TSL.

“Curiously, the ex-militant commander who paid a hack writer in government to embark on a smear campaign against Tompolo opted to be silent about the other firms executing the same contract of securing the nation’s pipelines.”

Respected Human Rights Activist, Femi Falana has called on Nigerians not to leave violation of their fundamental human rights to God to judge, but insisted that they should approach the court to file a case.

Speaking in Abuja at a programme: “A strategic dialogue on accessing remedies for human rights violation in Nigeria,” organized by the National Human Rights Commission, Falana said: “God wants you to fight tyranny. When your rights have been violated don’t keep quiet about it.”

Falana advised that instead of leaving human rights violators to God, “Run to the office of your lawyer to file a case. You may be very lucky damages may be awarded.”

The legal jurist who equally alleged that Nigerian government is notorious for non payment legal charges, said: “My advice to government is that if you want to stop impunity you must pay charges.”

He equally advised that any security officers found to have violated human rights of citizens should be made to share in the payment of the penalty with the government or its institutions.

Falana decried the non adherence to the 35 percent affirmative action of women in public office, insisting that it was unfair and unlawful, he noted that if there had been a gender imbalance among the panel at the event, he would not have participated in the programme.

He however commended Kwara State Governor for ensuring gender balance in the appointment of commissioners which stands at 50-50 percent, advising other states to borrow a leaf.

The Executive Secretary of NHRC, Tony Ojukwu reaffirmed the commitment of the organisation to fighting against the violation of human rights of any Nigerian.

He insisted that the Commission is independent of government and has the power to ensure compliance to human rights.

…installs her as Immunization Ambassador and Nutrition Champion of Delta State.

The Delta State Primary Health Care Development Agency (DSPHCDA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have pledged to collaborate and support the programmes of the You Matter Charity Foundation of Her Excellency, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori.

The organizations which gave their solidarity to the pet project during separate visits to the First Lady’s office on Thursday, August 31, 2023, commended the foundation’s focus on creating a world where everyone is valued irrespective of their background.

Speaking during the visit, the delegation of the Delta State Primary Health Care Development Agency led by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Jude Winful-Orieke, said the essence of their visit was to decorate the Governor’s wife as the immunization ambassador and nutrition champion of the state and also, seek her support for the advocacy of a six-month maternity leave for breastfeeding mothers in order to achieve exclusive breastfeeding of newborns.

The agency noted that having seen the passion and commitment of Deaconess Oborevwori towards a better health care for Deltans even before her assumption of office as First Lady, she truly deserves the role bestowed on her. “These are well deserved honours that we are giving to you, we are not flattering you with them but what you have shown to us in the past and even now, makes it clear to us that it is well deserving for you to have these positions”.

On their part, the World Health Organization led by the state coordinator, Dr. Faith Ireye, said they were on a familiarization visit to the wife of the governor as part of their partnership with state government and appreciated the warm reception accorded them.

She commended Deaconess Oborevwori for the vision behind her You Matter Charity Foundation ‘Everybody is Somebody’ which aligns with the universal value of the Sustainable Development Goals “Leave No One Behind” and pledged to support the programmes of the foundation.

While urging the governor’s wife to spread her programmes to the grassroots, Dr. Ireye applauded the proactive steps of Governor Oborevwori in checkmating the challenges faced during flood through desilting of drains across state.

Responding to the delegations, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori appreciated their promise to partner with her foundation and urged them to also support the M.O.R.E Agenda of state Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori to enable his administration succeed.

“A healthy family makes a healthy nation and You Matter Charity Foundation is the vehicle which my office is riding on to reach out to everyone irrespective of social or health status.

“My foundation which first focuses on catering for children with autism, has an expanded mission to facilitate accessible healthcare through various outreaches to the vulnerable groups in our communities. I am confident that with your support, we will reach out to as many people as we can so that we can put smiles on the faces of Deltans.

“Our children are our treasures and I wholeheartedly support this advocacy of six months maternity leave policy for breastfeeding mothers and accept the investitures to work with you in order to serve our people well.”

Deaconess Oborevwori noted that regular interface between stakeholders and the state government, Deltans will truly benefit from the dividends of democracy and in return support the policies and programs of the administration.

“So, in partnership with your various programmes, we will create a world where Everybody is Somebody, where real-time medical care is easily accessible and preventive health measures are effectively implemented for the benefits of all Deltans.”

Highlights of the visits were the presentation of World Health Organization’s souvenirs to Deaconess Oborevwori and her investiture as immunization ambassador and nutrition champion of the state by the Primary Health Care Development Agency.

Salutes Civil Servants for being shining examples

 -By Harrison Akamule:

Delta State Head of Service, Mr. Reginald Bayoko, has expressed his deep appreciation to both past and present state Governors and Heads of Service for their stanch support and cooperation in upholding the core principles of the civil service, which prioritize unwavering service to the public.

Mr. Bayoko who acknowledged the instrumental role of past leaders of the State in enabling the civil service to uphold its fundamental virtues of serving the public at all times, noted that their continuous support had been crucial in ensuring that the civil service remains dedicated to its duty of delivering effective and efficient services to the people of Delta State.

In reflecting on the past 32 years of the State Civil Service’s existence, the Delta HoS attributed its remarkable efficiency and effectiveness to a series of deliberate policies, strategic capacity building initiatives, and optimal utilization of available resources.

While emphasizing that these efforts, implemented by various administrations since the creation of the state in 1991, had contributed significantly to the growth and success of the civil service, adding that “through these measures, the civil service has been able to adapt to evolving challenges and meet the ever-changing needs of the state and its citizens”.

“The Delta State Civil Service, under the guidance and support of past and present State Governors and Heads of Service, stands as a beacon of excellence.” Mr. Bayoko said.

On the occasion of the State’s 32^nd creation anniversary, Mr. Bayoko also took the opportunity to laud the commitment of the civil service workforce and commended them for exhibiting a high level of dedication to their duties.

Expressing admiration for their tireless efforts in contemplating ways to best serve the people of the State around the clock, Mr. Bayoko stated that their unwavering commitment and diligent work ethics had been vital in ensuring that the civil service remained responsive, proactive, and focused on delivering quality services to the citizens.

Furthermore, Mr. Bayoko acknowledged that the contributions of the civil service workforce extend beyond their individual roles, adding that their collective efforts strengthen and add value to the civil service as a whole. 

While commending the Delta State civil service for its commendable standing among civil services across the federation, the Head of Service averred that the Delta State civil service stands as a shining example within the federation, and affirmed its noteworthy performance as the administrative arm of the government.

He expressed optimism that the civil service would continue to play a pivotal role in the development and progress of the state, even as he affirmed that as the administrative arm of the government, the civil service would remain steadfast in its commitment to delivering quality services, upholding transparency, and fostering good governance principles.

Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has charged agency heads on the need to walk their talk as the country is at a critical point and in dire need of transformation.

Speaking at a brief with the Acting Comptroller General of Immigration, Caroline Adepoju, and Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Haliru Nababa, the Minister reiterated the order of the President on getting all hands on deck.

He said: “I am just returning from a meeting with the president. He is not interested in excuses. We must work and deliver. Anyone who cannot help Nigeria to record progress must be kicked out because we can actually be great.

“Let me know your challenges. I am here to help you solve them. When you solve them and record successes, I am also successful. The time of talks is gone. So, keep your talk. Let us discuss solutions.

“Nigerians should not have to queue endlessly to get passports. No, this must stop. This is not the Nigeria of our dream. I need to know the challenges the agency is facing.

“We must all come together to deploy and invest our expertise to resolve them. Nigerians will take us up on our promises. If we have officers who are not ready for this rigorous process, we will excuse them.”

He reminded the agency heads that the new administration was not interested in usual talks and essay presentations, but actions to deliver value and growth.

He said: “Talks have not taken us anywhere as a nation. We must get it right. The Ministry of Interior is the heart of any nation. I want you to return to your tables and bring up action plans. It is my job to ensure the ministry is working.”

The Minister also underscored the importance of leveraging technology as a means to enhance efficiency and accuracy within the immigration and correctional services.

The minister highlighted that the implementation of advanced technological solutions could significantly reduce delays and streamline the handling of critical challenges.

He said: “Technology has the potential to revolutionize our immigration and correctional systems, making them more agile and responsive. All I care, we need to embrace innovation and find ways to overcome the current challenges that often lead to bottlenecks in our processes. Our country is a great and important country. Let’s live up to expectations.”

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has unveiled an enhanced e-Passport Production Centre in Kaduna, Kaduna State.

At the official commissioning ceremony on Tuesday at the Kaduna State Command, the Executive Governor of Kaduna State who was represented at the event by his Chief of Staff, Alhaji Sani Kila, a former Comptroller of the Kaduna State Command, expressed profound gratitude to the NIS for establishing this cutting-edge facility in Kaduna State and emphasized that Nigeria is proudly at the forefront of technological innovation, being the first nation in Africa and fifth globally to embrace this remarkable achievement.

He assured the Nigeria Immigration Service of the State Government’s unwavering support and commitment to collaboration.

In her address, the Acting Comptroller General of Immigration, Caroline Adepoju, said the current leadership of the NIS is dedicated to the nationwide deployment of the enhanced e-Passport, encompassing all states within the country and NIS Missions abroad.

The Acting CGI underscored that the National Identity Number (NIN), remains a mandatory requirement for obtaining the enhanced e-Passport, and the information in both documents must be congruent.

She insisted that the NIS is steadfastly dedicated to delivering passports within the prescribed timeframe of three to six weeks, following biometric capture, provided there are no technical challenges or application discrepancies, such as discrepancies in the National Identification Number (NIN) of applicants.

Dignitaries at the occasion includes the Assistant Comptroller General of Immigration in charge of Human Resource Management Directorate, Usman Babangida, the Assistant Comptroller General of Immigration in charge of Passport and Other Travel Documents, Sadat Hassan, former Acting CGI, R B Musa and the Kaduna State Command Comptroller, Bashir Lawal. Others are the FCT and Katsina State Command Comptrollers, the Chiroman Zazzau and Heads of sister Security Agencies in Kaduna State.

–By Austen Akhagbeme:

There has been a growing concern recently in Africa about the return of the era of military coup d’etats as was witnessed in the late sixties and seventies.

The recent military overthrow of President Ali Bongo of the mineral-rich nation of Gabon following an earlier military ouster of President Bazoum of Niger has in no small measure, brought to the fore the issue of bad political leadership in Africa on one hand and the fierce elites’ power tussle on the other.

Not until the loaded gun visited the all-hegemonically powerful regime of President Ali Bongo, the ailing leader was ready to continue with his unconstitutionally imposed third tenure in office after ruling for fourteen long years.

From Guinea to Burkina Faso, from Mali to Niger, and now Gabon, it seems that the only nemesis to the issues of bad governance by the many self-acclaimed and widely-proclaimed Democratic governments seems to be the barrel of the gun. And I find this uncomfortably interesting.

One question that needs to be asked in the midst of all these is whether or not the re-emergence of military interregnum in democratic spaces has become the desired alternative to bad democratic governance especially when history tells us otherwise.

Again, could these incessant military coups not be regarded as a continuation of class struggle; the fight for supremacy by greedy ruling elites, this time, the civilians and their military counterparts?

Nigeria is a good example of how elite consensus has led to the cyclical game of musical chairs between the powerful military elite class and their civilian counterpart on one hand and the regrouping of the politico-military power elite blocs on the other.

These have led to the recycling of past top military brass to positions of political power as civilians and also top civilian elites being sponsored and supported by the retired military elites to hold political power in Nigeria.

Supporting the overthrow of a democratic government by a military junta is a hard nut to crack. Supporting a democratic despot while he runs riot and runs society on selfish grounds against the approval or acceptance of the majority public is a harder nut to crack.

Against this backdrop, the acceptance, legitimacy, and popularity of any regime must be determined by the pulse of the people and not necessarily by the status quo ante. This brings me to the conclusion that Africa must devise a homegrown system of government that takes from both divides to fit our peculiar reality. I call it Benevolent absolutism.

• Austen Akhagbeme Is a Columnist with Blank NEWS Online

The need for synergy and collaboration of all security agencies towards safety of schools across the country has been reiterated.

Speaking at the training of 91 officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on viable strategies to keep schools secured in the country, the NSCDC’s Commander of the National School Security and Emergency Response Centre, Dr Tersoo Shaapera, said the creation of a team to respond to distress call from schools by all the security agencies is important as security of the schools is uppermost.

He said that the various teams across security agencies should be able to work together during emergency to prevent attacks on schools or confront threats on schools.

The NSSRCC Commander said that participants would be taught the basics of safe schooling, with communities and schools taught strategies to keep school safe.

He disclosed that instructors would be trained on how to educate schools to get registered with the corps to promote visibility.

He said that the School Protection Response Squad that had been launched by security agencies would help in tackling reports of insecurity in schools.

He noted that: “The responsibility of the centre is to alert the squad when the need be to either tackle kinetic or non- kinetic crisis.”

The NSCDC Commandant-General (CG) Dr. Ahmed Audi, on his part while disclosing that the experts saddled with the responsibility of the training the participants were drawn from the Armed forces, Department of State Services (DSS), NSCDC amongst others, said that the National Safe Schools Response Coordination Centre (NSSRCC) is determined to develop capacities of instructors for the safe school training programmes.

Audi, represented by Deputy Commandant-General (DCG) in charge of Crisis Management, Nnamdi Nwinyi, said the workshop was a train-the-trainer workshop, intended to enhance the competencies of instructors and facilitators.

Audi said that another safe schools coordinators course is slated for senior officers of the Corps in the North-East Zone from Sept. 6 till Sept. 8, 2023.

He said: “North Central Zone is for Sept.18 till 20 while arrangements have also been completed for a similar training in all the other geo-political zones.

“This arrangement is in deliberate attempt to decentralised the training from Abuja to states and local government areas were majority of schools are situated.

“This will also allow host communities of schools the opportunity to participate in the trainings and be better equipped to join in the fight to protect schools in their domain,” he said.

The CG reiterated that the programme is developed by the Federal Government to enhance protection of schools and host communities against violence and attacks .

“Some of the responsibility of the Centre amongst others includes advocacy, awareness creation and capacity development of critical stakeholders.

“It is imperative to mobilise synergy among security agencies and to build security resilience with other relevant stakeholders,” he said.

According to him, all participants had been carefully selected after putting into consideration their level of knowledge, experience and past contributions in drill and arms handling.

While addressing the participants, he said he hoped that at the end of the workshop, they would be better informed and prepared to deliver on the mandate of preparing their subordinates for better service delivery.

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum on Saturday directed remodeling of the State’s Specialist Hospital in Maiduguri, with new structures to be built.

Zulum also ordered rehabilitation of ‘Buba Marwa House’ which serves as an accommodation for medical doctors working with Specialist Hospital.

The Governor gave both directives on Saturday afternoon during an assessment visit to the hospital.

“We have examined the capacity of the hospital, and we will soon embark on erecting more structures and make certain adjustments in such a way that doctors and other health allied staff will have offices in the premises.” Zulum said.

The Governor also announced that medical equipment will be procured and more medical staff, including doctors and nurses, will be recruited.

“Borno State Government will procure medical equipments that are currently not available at the hospital. We will recruit more doctors and nurses and ensure wash facilities are provided.” Zulum said.

He noted that “all these efforts are geared towards re-positioning the health care system in Borno State”.

Governor Zulum was accompanied to the assessment by Secretary to the State Government, Bukar Tijjani, and some top Government officials.

-From Uchechukwu Favour (Reporter On Campus):

The students of University of Cross River state, whom their school has become the 7th best University in Nigeria, according to Sahara report, has been celebrating their student week from 23rd August which will end on 24th of August 2023.

The student Union Government president, PAULINUS ONAH with the support of the vice Chancellor Prof AUGUSTINE ANGBA and the the director of socials of every faculty in the university, collaborated to ensure that the student week, especially the carnival which is their biggest event was successful.
The carnival consisted of the following bands…

1. The vice Chancellor band
2. Communication and technology band
3. Biological sciences band
4. Physical science band
5. Environmental science band
6. Education band
7. Engineering band
8. Architecture band.
   The entire band represented each faculty in unicross Calabar campus and each band is competing to win a prize of #50,000, #30,000 and #20,000 for the first, second and third positions respectively.
   The S.U.G. president comrade PAULINUS ONAH in his speech while addressing the students, promised effective representation be there for them always in line with his campaign promises.
   The director of social S.U.G COMRADE CHUSOM GODWIN in his speech, said he would always ensure that there is fun in the school at every time, because he believes that too much work and no play makes a student dull.
   The students however, came out enmass to participate in the carnival and support their various faculties in the competition.
   During an interview with some of the students to know how they felt about the carnival and the students week, one miss BLESSING EDEM from the faculty of biological sciences said that she is in her final year and this is the best student week she has ever experienced as a student and she was glad to have participated actively.
   Another miss FAITH OBONG from the faculty of communication and technology who is in 200 level showed her excitement about the carnival as she was one of the dancers in the band. She is glad to have been given the opportunity to exhibit her talent because according to her, dancing has always been part of her from birth.
   The judges of the carnival dance were yet announce the results for the competition as at the time of filing this report. Details would be made known on a later date.

The Federal Government has promised to take necessary steps to stem disaster driven poverty in the country.

The government equally promised to put in place legal framework to reward and punish citizens for environmental use.

Addressing members of Ogun State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) who paid him courtesy visit at the weekend in Abuja, the Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Ishaq Salako said Nigeria is currently facing a lot of environmental challenges from desertification, desert encroachment, land degradation, gully erosion, among others and that some something need to be done to address the decline.

He said: “I read it in the paper that if we do not take right actions in the country, in the next seven years or so, Nigeria would become one of the top ten nations in disaster driven poverty.”

He said to prevent this, not just the government but all Nigerians need to put in efforts at ensuring this never happened.

He said the NIPR has a duty to play in sensitizing the people on waste disposal and the need to pay for disposal of waste.

He said: “People do not believe you pay for waste disposal. We need to sensitize our people that if you do not pay for proper disposal of waste, it would eventually become a burden on the society.

“We also believe there is aspect of sustainable environment that must become obligatory civic duty just like you pay tax which is obligatory, sustainable environment and the way you use environment must become obligatory civic duty.

“It it not as if you would go to jail but you can be fined if you don’t do the right thing. You can also be rewarded if you put the environment to good use.”

He added that: “Our vision is to crave out this kind of encouragement using laws, using regulations to ensure that people take the issue of environment very seriously, and to know that it is their civic responsibility that the environment is well taken care of.”

Earlier, the chairperson of the Ogun State Chapter of the NIPR, Mrs. Oluwaseun Boye had promised to use the tools at the disposal of the association ti project the activities of the Ministry of Environment

Boye said: “The activities of the ministry would be projected, it would be in the media. We are ready to collaborate with you, we are ready to promote you and to ensure you have a successful tenure.”

The Minister of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy Barr. Hannatu Musa MUSAWA (Esq.) has officially assumed duty as the first Female Minister to hold the portfolio.

The Minister was received by the Permanent Secretary, Directors, and other Senior Officers as well as members of Staff of the Ministry with loud ovation.

In a brief remark, the Minister who expressed delight with the warm reception, specially appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for considering her worthy to serve in such capacity.
She promised to give her best to the rebranding of Nigeria’s image.

The Minister maintained that the Country can no longer be associated with negativity such as poverty, fraud, terrorism and other forms of criminality.

Barr Musa-Musawa however said to change the nation’s image positively beyond the shores of this country will require the collective support of all well meaning Nigerians.

The Minister also pointed out that one of her key plans in the immediate, is to have a NATIONAL TEAM SONG FOR THE NIGERIAN BRAND. She therefore encouraged Nigerian Song Writers and Music Artists from the Six Geopolitical Zones of the Country to begin to think in that direction.

For the Nigerian Arts, Culture and Creative Industry, She noted that the Nigerian Creative Industry has come of age and it is time to project it in a new exportable dimension for improved foreign earnings.

Hence, she said Nigerians should expect innovative and inspiring concepts that will drive and support this Sector in the coming weeks”.

The Minister of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy assures that all the necessary plan/ Mechanisms will immediately be activated, just as all relevant Stakeholders in the Public and Private Sectors will be meaningfully engaged for effective execution of the project.#

E-sign

Media Office of the Honorable Minister of Art, Culture and Entertainment Economy.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has underlined the importance of protection of all critical infrastructure within the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja

The newly deployed FCT Commandant of NSCDC, Olusola Odumosu said this while charging officers and men in his command to work assiduously in ensuring the protection of all critical infrastructure in the area.

Odumosu gave the charge while addressing all personnel, including Area Commanders and District Officers (DOs) across the Area councils in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

He said that his tenure of leadership under the NSCDC Commandant-General (CG), Dr Abubakar Audi is dedicated to ensuring results while actively carrying out the mandates of the Corps.

He said that the FCT Minister, Mr. Nyesom Wike, had tasked the Corps alongside sister agencies in the territory to provide proper security and cleanse the city of criminals and miscreants.

Odumosu while frowning at the high rate of vandalism of street lights, theft of manhole covers, railings, railway sleepers amongst others, in the FCT, said: “It is high time we work together to put an end to these nefarious acts because these criminals are beginning to feel too comfortable in sabotaging the asset of the country.”

He further said that the Minister had charged the Corps to treat those involved in vandalizing manholes as “Armed robbers”.

Quoting Wike, Odumosu said: “The people who steal manhole covers, don’t see them as just people who steal but treat them as armed robbers, when you do that they will run away”.

He enjoined officers and men of the Corps to work tirelessly in ensuring that citizens and all critical infrastructure of the FCT were free of vandalism and other nefarious activities.

He said: “The Minister has promised to provide us with the necessary tools to work and we must give him good results because as your Commandant, I wouldn’t tolerate any excuses for failure.”

According to Odumosu, the newly inaugurated FCT Minister, who is renowned for hardwork, has said he is on a mission to revamp all infrastructural amenities in the FCT, hence, the need for the Corps to live up to expectations in ensuring adequate protection of these assets.

He noted that: “As a security organisation in-charge of the protection of critical infrastructure, the expectations of the Minister will be high and so we must not disappoint.

“Strategies, structures and infrastructural development will be put in place and so we can’t sit-back and watch all efforts go down the drain,” the Commandant said.

He however urged officers on the need for civility, professionalism, discipline, hard work, dedication and commitment while discharging their duties.

Odumosu further advised all personnel to renew their mindset, be motivated, maintain a positive attitude, adding that, the issues of security will no longer be business as usual in the FCT as the current administration is dedicated to enforcing reforms.

As the race for the governorship seat in Bayelsa State hots up, the baggage that the deputy governorship candidate carries may end as albatross on Chief Timipre Sylva

The race for the Creek Haven Government House in Yenagoa is hotting up. With incumbent Governor, Senator Douye Diri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Minister of State for Petroleum Affairs, Chief Timipre Sylva of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are considered as the two formidable candidates for the most coveted seat. But recent happenings in the state has put Diri way ahead of his opponent who is having issues of opposition not only with his party, but also within his kitchen cabinet. The issues broke out into the open with his known loyalists coming out to oppose him in most devastating moves.

If it was designed to embarrassed Sylva, it was spectacularly effective and devasting. His son and political protégée, Mr. Israel Sunny-Goli, a former member of the House of Representatives had called the press to announce his verdict on the 11 November governorship election.

Sunny-Goli had told a crowded press conference that if the Bayelsa state governorship election was to hold today, Sylva will loose, and that Governor Douye Diri has proved his capability and capacity with unprecedented level of development that has taken place in the lost fours. He stressed that in the even of an election holding today Diri is mostly to take over 80 percent of the votes. It was a damning reality assessment of the political situation of the state.

The reason why the assessment was particularly damning was not only because Sunny-Goli was one of Sylva political sons, but someone who was known to face the reality of the politics in the state. He was a two-term member of the state House of Assembly and a two-term member of the Federal House of Representatives.

They say that in life, experience is the best teacher, and that we never stop learning; and that every experience we go through teaches us something new. But that not to say that every lesson learnt is of the life changing variety. But in the case of Sylva, it is.

Only in 2019, the election of Mr. David Lyon was overturned by a pronouncement of the Supreme Court because the deputy governorship candidate had issues with his names and certificate. Many people believed that the running mate to Lyon, Senator Degi, was nominated by Sylva and Sylva could not feign ignorance of the legal encumbrances against Degi. He was accused of not conducting due diligence on Degi before he was made the running mate to Lyon even when few persons saw the danger ahead and drew Sylva’s attention to the issue.

Yet, it was simply dismissed with a wave of the hand and everything was taken for granted. The Supreme Court simply nullified the election 24 hours before the swearing-in. Many of his party faithful still accused him of setting Lyon up to fail.

Today, Lyon is the biggest loser and he is still nursing the wound of having wasted his hard-earned resources in that election. Lyon has not been considered for any national appointment to comfort him.

Lightening, they say, never strikes at the same place twice, but for Sylva, the saying may not apply. The same situation seems to be repeating itself as Sylva who is the governorship candidate of the APC has in a most controversial move picked Mr. Joshua Maciver, who was accused of jailbreak as his running mate. This move, they insisted, is like setting himself to fail. A repeat of what happened to Lyon.

To most Bayelsans, Maciver was particularly remembered for his brutality against the people at the height of the militancy that rocked the Niger Delta between 1999 and 2007. This was why he was later arrested and sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment for murder.

To the people of the state, Maciver is ineligible to run for the November 11th, election going by records of his conviction and alleged jailbreak. A civil society group, Coalition for Social Justice and Equity Initiative (CSJEI) said that it has begun a process to approach the courts over the alleged ineligibility of the APC deputy governorship candidate. Lamenting that having a person of such criminal record in the highest level of government has security implication for the state and the nation.

The CSJEI contended that the risk and moral burden of such action will be too heavy for the state to bear at this most critical period of its history.

According to the Coalition, Maciver was allegedly convicted by a court of law and was sentenced to serve a 10 years jail term for murder and terrorism in a Kaduna state prison. Maciver, the group insisted, however, did not complete his sentence as he escaped from prison by allegedly pretending to be sick and needing treatment.

The group, through its Public Relations Officer, Ezra Areo, also claimed that despite being declared wanted by the Ministry of Interior and the decision of the administration of Late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua to offer Presidential pardon to militants during the militancy days in the Niger Delta, Joshua Maciver refused to embrace the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) fearing that the Amnesty programme was a clandestine ploy by the federal government to round him and others up.

Areo stated that “Maciver has over the years publicly claimed to have accepted the Amnesty programme, however, he never presented himself for proper documentation like the 30,000 Amnesty beneficiaries to the Presidential Amnesty team. Maciver was not alone in this reasoning as over 10,000 ex-agitators felt the same way.”

The group also accused Joshua Maciver of alleged forgery of Federal Government documents. He was alleged to have forged a Presidential Amnesty identification card purportedly issued in August 2009 and numbered BY/B4/007/09.

“It is common knowledge that sometimes on the 25th of June 2009 the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Late Musa Yar’adua issued AMNESTY PROCLAMATION wherein he granted amnesty to Niger-Delta Militants. It is also important to state that Amnesty is usually and generally, addressed to classes or even communities wherein it allows the government of a Nation or State to “forget” criminal acts, usually before prosecution has occurred. Amnesty has traditionally been used as a political tool of compromise and reunion following a war, which offences are usually politically inclined.”

“In the case Joshua Maciver, he was allegedly convicted by a competent court of jurisdiction sometime in 2006, for murder and terrorism and an alleged fugitive which conviction has no relation with militancy activity, therefore the amnesty proclamation of 2009 which cannot operate to serve as a pardon for the conviction of the offences committed by Joshua Maciver, which is not in any way associated with militant activities in the Niger-Delta.”

“At this juncture it is also imperative to understand the difference between amnesty and pardon. While AMNESTY is targeted towards group of people for forgetfulness of offences of political nature, PARDON seeks to set aside the punishment of an individual, for a criminal who has been TRIED AND CONVICTED. By the AMNESTY PROCLAMATION made on the 29th of June, 2009 same does not in any way seek to pardon or forget the conviction and sentencing of any individual howsoever called.”

The group insisted that this was the situation when the former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and APC governorship candidate, Timipre Sylva, presented him to the people as his Deputy Governorship candidate.

Meanwhile, the Presidential Amnesty office under Maj Gen Barry Tariye Ndiomu (rtd.) has disowned Joshua Maciver as not being a “beneficiary of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua pardon in 2009.”

Following the series of crises trailing the APC governorship candidate and his deputy and barely three months to the election, the likelihood of the APC candidate contesting the election with Maciver is dicey.

To most Bayelsans, Governor Douye Diri has no opposition and that if the election was held today, Governor Diri will win.

The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC Dr.Ahmed Abubakar Audi mni,OFR. has assured the new minister of interior Honourable Olubunmi Tunji -Ojo of the readiness and unalloyed commitment and cooperation of the NSCDC and other agencies in the ministry of interior to the continued safeguarding Of the internal security of lives and property of over 200 million Nigerian populace.

According to the national PRO of the Corps Afolabi Babawale, the CG restated the commitment on Monday during the maiden meeting of the new minister with the service chiefs and other key stakeholders of the ministry of interior.

” I want to assure you that we are all ready to work with you and deliever the dividend of democracy to Nigerians in line with President Bola Tinubu’s renew hope agenda and also sustain our continued effort to safeguard the internal security of the country” the CG assured.

Earlier in his address, Honourable Tunji-Ojo who was two times member of the national assembly representing Akoko North East and Akoko North West federal constituency in the green chamber tasked the agencies under his ministry and the service chiefs to let trust, cooperation and patriotism be their guide in their quest to form a synergy adding that he was ready to lead from the front.

” Our ministry is arguably one of the important and very strategic ministry in the country as we are concerned with the internal security, issue of identification among others and our action and inaction affect lives of over 200 million people, and a single moment of blinking of an eye can cause this country dearly”. The minister declared.

Honourable Tunji Ojo thereby called for the unalloyed coooperation of the NSCDC and other agencies tasking them to engage him intellectually in their collective bid to bring a desired change and achieve desirable results in the long run.

Signed:

BABAWALE AFOLABI
National PRO,
NSCDC NHQ, Abuja.