Nigerian Security and Executive chiefs need Re-education on security Matters

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As the Nigerian government struggles to manage and quell the continued targeted and strategic acts of wide-scale terrorist violence in recent times and even  just a few days ago, it is not unusual to read or hear some of our nation’s federal officials dismissing warnings of bombing from security tested societies like the United States of America.  In the least, this shows that the Nigerian security and executive chiefs need professional development and educational orientation on security talk and matters.

A case in point is the blatant, open and the careless dismissal of the United States of America’s warning that Abuja the nation’s capital could possibly and soon face planned terrorist attacks. This open disregard ironically came from the federal ministry of information/communications through the painful and now laughable words of the nation’s topmost head of Information, MrLabaranMaku.

He is not the first to utter dismissive words on terror warnings as others have thrown out same type of verbiage in the past.

Mr. Makushockingly  rebuked the United States Government “not to create public panic in our country.” America had warned us on  April 17, 2012 and in nine days Abuja was attacked!

For a country swimming in systemic darkness, open insecurity, devastating violence, poverty of infrastructures and insufficient terror alerts, one would think that every information regarding possible attacks should be fully pursued vigorously.

Especially when such aid is coming from a globally tested anti-terror power like America who before the  9/11 terror disaster, had not fully toughened its anti-terror readiness.

But today, America can openly and publicly show full evidence of thousands of terrorist arrests, prosecutions and convictions, as well as show a profound global cognizance, control and reduction of terrorism.

Therefore, for our federal security/information chiefs and agencies to continue to downplay these warnings over and over, and doing it openly show signs of lack  understanding for a complex matter like fanatic violence, lack of political imagination of the seriousness of radical-based violence or simply  shows a sign of  gross miscalculation on matters that require second-by-second watchfulness.

Terrorist-based violence occurs in almost all societies of the globe, but the values for combating it is the understanding the Nigerian people wants to see inand hear from our law enforcement, security and other public officials.

President Jonathan should begin to direct a new understanding and call for a full responsibility in matters that continues to give tremor to our internal democracy as Nigerians are just tired of complacent or unworried governance, and mannerisms that should not be occurring at these unpredictable times.

What we need now in our war against Nigeria-based terrorism is a line of scholarly thoughts in order to get additional, current and objective home-grown understanding of  terrorists and terrorism as well as the influencing factors in the psychology of people who threaten or use violence against others while willing the perish in the process.

We need scholars to begin to find ways to study how to reduce the complexity surrounding terrorism as it relates to the sympathy that terrorists could be getting from some Nigerians.

The interpretation of terrorist violence in Nigeria must include evidencebased external, political, economic, religious and intellectual treatments of terrorism. An all-out thinking and contributions from scholars in our Nigerian universities could assist in the interpretation of the patterns of violence we are currently experiencing and these studies could help uncover the psychological , sociological, economic and political as well as the scientific aspects of terror pacification, counterterrorism, and other forms of terrorist Violence.

Unlike many terror and security tested nations that see so much value in constantly using terrorism  specialists and law enforcement scholars in the fight against terrorism, the Nigerian federal and state governments have been slow in this type of strategic collaboration.

In fact many of our public officials and some scholars appear to be equally shortsighted in  regards to pressuring each other to join hands together in order to draw lessons from their own everyday work and scholastic research on terrorist violence.

We need vital collaborations that will not only assist individual and structural levels of analysis on terrorist mindset and strategies but would educate public officials on the need to be extraordinarily careful on the use of words as well as educate them on common modern usage of the words when dealing with the public, or explaining to the citizens and analyzing non-nationals predictions on terrorism matters.

The current government of Nigeria and its security and executive chiefs should  bring in psychological scholars  to take on and study the revelation by the  President that terrorists have  infiltrated the executive, parliamentary, judicial sections of government and other sections as this type of follow up will be the main road to initiatea line of solutions to control our everyday worry of when and where the next high-level simultaneous bomb and gun attacks on a public place across various cities will occur.

We need our law enforcement and judicial agencies to show actual numbers or data, successful prosecutions and court convictions on terrorism cases for the public to see, as such move will undoubtedly be the best way for our security, ministerial or executive chiefs to reduce public panic, ensure some degree of public confidence and show that we are not relenting on our anti-terror fight just like America, China, Pakistan, and Spainappears to be currently doing successfully.

No reasonable mind is asking that Nigeria becomes authoritarian government which could lead to unnecessary multiple raids, and unnecessary detention.

At this time and right now our preparedness is in doubt as evidenced by the “Jabi” surprise among others, therefore our officials should not wait for external bodies and agencies like American organizations  to tell them or communicate to them their source of information on terror alerts as that will be clandestinely  foolish, instead our officials must view all public instruments as targets and that include but not limited to media houses, markets, children play grounds, public eateries, higher institutions, hospitals, eateries, and others.

The next time we hear of terrorwarnings from credible sources and powerful authorities internal or external, let us start to see leaflets, mailshots, and fliers in different dialects in homes, shops, markets, schools, hospitals, fire stations, police stations, airports, post office, and other avenues educating us and giving info on terrorism warning, emergency preparedness and rescue tactics, and emergency evacuation methods.

In truth, these are trying times for  our beloved country and the distresses Nigeria is currently going through remain similar to those of Americabefore the 9/11 attacks, therefore scholars and policy makers alike must find away to collaborate and seek out important transformation strategies and answers  to help tackle  various typologies of violence as in native terrorism or self-induced terrorism, cold blooded terrorism, religious-perpetrated violence, and situational terrorism as well as silent terrorismwhich as we all know is arising on a daily basis and it is being committed by those afflicted by what could be called “corruptomania”—a common monetary disorder among many public and private officials in particular.

John Egbeazien Oshodi, Ph.D., is an Abuja-based Forensic/Clinical Psychologist. Jos5930458@aol.com 08126909839

Amaechi, Nigerian Idol And Other Talented People

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Written by Odimegwu Onwumere

The affirmation by Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State that Mercy Chinwo, the conqueror of the Nigerian Idol season 2, should anticipate the state government’s support towards her education and music career, is a hope given in good faith that must be lauded.

 

 

In his eulogies, Amaechi said that Chinwo is a good ambassador of the state, when she paid him a polite visit at the government house in Port Harcourt recently. His advise that she should not find any middle-ground on her education or have a swollen-head because of her win, is rationally.  And Chinwo’s expression of gratitude to the government and people of Rivers State for being their sister’s keeper during the competition, is praiseworthy.

 

 

Now that we have seen that Chinwo emerged the winner of the Nigerian Idol 2012, it should remind us of the many people in the state who also have talents that have not been harnessed, not because they don’t want, but because they are financially incapacitated to do so, and there are dearth of platforms where their talents could be explored. Feedback mechanism from any government when a citizen wins in a renowned competition is good, but would have been better if the citizens can earnestly boast of government’s owned competitions where they have to go and showcase their talents and hence have support from the government to further their career whether they won or not, after all, not every winner in a competition would be a success by tomorrow, and winners are always not the best.

 

 

Such initiative, if instituted by the government, would re-structure the mindset of the people, and they wouldn’t develop High Blood Pressure (HBP), while thinking the way forward to their talents and how to bring them to limelight, and make them go beyond the despair of not knowing what to do, they will have a clear report of where they are and a business plan concerning where they are going. Mercy Chinwo’s explanation that her success demonstrates that Rivers youths are blessed with enormous talents and prospective, should spur the government to begin now to harvest these talents; even though that the government has been doing its best to train people in education abroad, we still need moral talents to be developed, just as are done to technical education.

 

 

The government should always do its part to better the lots of the citizens and shun any iota of promise and fail, just as Chinwo has called on youths to shun violence and pursue their goals. It is erroneous for anyone to support people with talents selflessly. This will provide a training ground and a ground for residence. Money should be released for the rehabilitation and renovation of the talented people and the cultures. People should be trained for leadership skills and talents acquisition. Let funds be deployed and assistance rendered to establish them to own their individual businesses.

 

 

Despite the dazzling performance by Governor Amaechi in many sectors of the economy, the deplorable condition of most talented people have caused untold hardship to even the non-indigenes in the state with talents that would also have been good ambassadors of Rivers State if supported. The Nigerian Government supported Amnesty, why can’t talents be supported?

 

 

We wish Amaechi the best.

 

 

Odimegwu Onwumere, Poet/Author, Media/Writing Consultant and Motivator, is the Coordinator, Concerned Non-Indigenes In Rivers State (CONIRIV); and Founder, Poet Against Child Abuse (PACA), Rivers State. Mobile: +2348032552855. Email: apoet_25@yahoo.com

ACN Youths’ Aborted Cuba Trip Must Be Investigated – PDP

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The South West chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked
security agencies to go beyond just stopping the Action Congress of
Nigeria (ACN) youths visit to Cuba, saying; “The youths should be
investigated to know the level of their involvement and knowledge of
the main mission for the trip.”
Security agents at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, on
Thursday night reportedly stopped the youths, numbering more than 50
from embarking on the Cuba trip, which was sponsored by the Osun State
Governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola.
PDP Zonal Publicity Secretary, Hon Kayode Babade, alleged in a
statement issued today that; “as against claim by the ACN government
in Osun State that the trip was for student activists to witness the
May day celebration in Cuba, we have information that only seven out
of the over 50 youths billed to embark on the trip were students.
The party said “other youths that were part of the trip were drawn
from Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States and they were not student activists.”
“We wish to commend security agents at the Murtala Mohammed
International Airport for aborting this Aregbesola’s evil trip to
Cuba, a development that has vindicated us on our earlier stand that
the Cuba trip was inimical to the corporate existence of Nigeria.
“However, it is our belief that security agencies in the country must
go beyond mere stoppage of the trip. They must investigate the youths
that are involved in this trip with a view to finding out their level
of involvement and understanding of the real mission of the trip.
“Also, background check must also be done on the affected youths so as
to ascertain their past activities, political views and sources of
livelihood.
“Our concern on this issue is premised on the present security
situation in the country vis Governor Aregbesola’s radical political
and religious views, which has remained a source worry not only in
Osun State, but in the country.
“Nigeria cannot afford another Boko Haram, hence, our concern that
activities of Aregbesola and his party, especially in relation to
religious extremism and disintegration of the country must not be
treated with levity.
“For instance, Governor Aregbesola’s continued defence of his change
of Osun State to ‘The State of Osun’ is enough pointer to the fact
that he (Aregbesola) and his party are desirous of precipitating
crises in the country and this must be nipped in the bud before
another Boko Haram begins to stare us in the face,” the PDP said.

 

Update: Church Explosion in Kano, 20 Dead

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Murdered in Jos

New information available to 247ureports.com from sources within the Bayero University Kano old campus indicate that the death toll from the early morning attack on Christian worshippers at the lecture theater may have risen to beyond 20 people.

This is as a member of the rescue team who pleaded anonymity revealed that over 20 dead bodies have been identified at Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital and the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital located at Hawusawa in Kano State. The source explained that the dead included women and children.

More information to the bomb blast available to 247ureports.com indicates that the two lecture theaters that were struck [Lecture theater 1 &2] was being use by a Catholic congregation comprising of university workers and their family members – the the non-catholic congregation worshipped at another theater – which was reported to be under-going renovation – and so the congregation were not at the lecture hall -instead they were congregated at an open–air stadium for their service.

For this reason most of the non-catholic’s who were attacked -sustained gunshot injuries. Among those that sustained gunshot injuries were:

  1. Mrs [Dr.] Ololobu
  2. Mrs Aliyu – lives at the new campus of Bayero University – she is receiving treatment at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital
  3. Patricia
  4. Taiye Oni

—

  1. Prof Ayodele – dead

Other injured persons are reported to litter the clinics and nearby hospitals. A source within the police department indicates that the death toll might number above 30 by the time the final numbers come in.

No group has taken responsibility but it is believed to be the actions of Boko Haram.

Stay tuned

0813 669 7979

Nwobu-Alor Hits Back: ‘Umeh Must Go’

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The war of words between APGA national boss, Chief Sir Victor Umeh, and the special adviser to the governor on parks and markets, Chief Sylva Nwobu-Alor, has taken a new turn with the latter calling for the exit of Umeh.

Chief Sylva Nwobu-Alor has accused the National Chairman of the party, Chief Victor Umeh, of being the greatest problem militating against the growth of the party.

In a release he made available to the Press over the weekend, Chief Nwobu-Alor said that rather than tell the whole world how he manages the N20m made available to him every month for the management of the party, he was busy, going around, telling people that Obi did not empower the party and blaming the Governor for the party’s failings.

Nwobu-Alor remarked that those of them who did not like the way Umeh was running APGA, and had the guts to call for a restructuring had become objects of attack from him on daily basis. “Today”, he continues, “he is not in good terms with the governor because he, Umeh, wanted him to conduct the local government elections the Nigerian way, and get all those he had handpicked into positions for his selfish ends, even if it amounts to offending the law.”

Continuing, Nwobu-Alor said that not only was Umeh fighting him, that the APGA National Chairman was at daggers-drawn with virtually everyone serving in Obi Government that Umeh perceived as being as stringent and thorough as the Governor. In his words, “he has gone ahead at public fora to castigate the Governor and those in charge of awards of contracts because of Governor’s insistence that merit must guide every process, rather than people bringing names of incompetent, rate-paying contractors.”

Nwobu-Alor said it was particularly painful for Umeh to claim that he made Obi the Governor, pointing out that he never wanted Obi to become Governor. Nwobu Alor revealed that the same man claiming to have made Obi told those that went to meet him during the impeachment time that “Peter should forget about being a Governor again.” He said that part of the problem Nigeria had today is the overwhelming presence of opportunists, like Umeh.

Annoyed by what he sees as lack of respect by Umeh for the Governor, he said that the young man, Obi, was busy attracting so many things for the State, only for ingrates to feign annoyance because they are greedy and wanted everything for their pockets.

On the issue of the shooting down of members of Government Task Force on Parks and Markets at Nnewi, Chief Nwobu Alor wondered why Victor Umeh should be so naïve to blame the Government Task Force when every Tom, Dick and Harry, including Victor Umeh, knew that the unarmed, law-abiding Task Force who were in Nnewi to recover Government revenue were shot down by armed hoodlums probably sponsored by interested groups.

For the avoidance of doubt, he submitted, the Government of Anambra has no outfit known as Ndimpiawa Azu.

The Government Task Force on Parks and Markets has helped the Government immensely in the revenue generation effort and should be praised and not condemned. Above all, they do not carry guns, machetes or any offensive weapon.

Sincerely it is the wish of 85% of our party members that Victor Umeh leaves the party now to allow the party to grow.

 

Nnewi Killings –ACN Demands Judicial Panel

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‘Life has suddenly become very cheap in Anambra State’

 

Last Friday about six persons lost heir lives in Nnewi following a gun battle between the task force of Anambra Task Force on Markets and Parks (Mpiawa Azu), ostensibly on a mission to collect revenue from Nnewi and the Youth of Nnewi.

While we cannot assess all the fa cts inthe build-up to the matter, we are appalled that added to the plethora of needless deaths arising from the inability of the Anambra State government to secure the state, there could be further deaths caused by, premeditated attacks from agents of the State government in Nnewi to the tune of six lives,which could be more, as the media-which is usually conservative in reporting casualties.

We wonder why a state apparatus should shoot live ammunition to kill those it seeks to obtain revenue from and better their lives, instead of effecting arrests with a view to facilitating the due process.Before Nnewi, such massive resistance and violent clashes have taken place in Onitsha, Nkpor, Obosi and a few other market towns, with heavy casualties.

We are quick to observe scathing comparisons between the crude mode of operations of the Anambra State Task Fore on and the defunct ‘Bakassi Boys ‘under the Chinwoke Mbadinuju era which if it ever added value to our lives in Anambra ,has been overtaken by superior human develop drive and therefore should be consigned to the dustbin of history.

At some point, the Bakassi Boys, constituted more of a source of terror to the majority of citizens than the criminal elements they were meant to check. We see parallels in Mpiawa Azu.

That an organization of the state could fail to act within the law setting it up and move into a different era of extra-judicial killings of those that were supposedly to benefit from setting up those organizations is a serious matter that should not be glossed over by the Nigerian Police, and the Anambra State House of Assembly.

Once again we condemn the excessive violence e deployed by the Anambra State Task Force on Parks and Market, which only last year was responsible for the violence perpetrated by political parties outside the ruling APGA in the state including Senator Chris Ngige in Onitsha and Se. Annie Okonkwo in Awka.

We also recall with a very painful heart that the same task force was used by the APGA–led state government led by o e ‘Iko Nso’to burn three campaign vehicles and inflict bodily harm on the person citizens of Anambra State on three occasions in Agulu.

We do not envisage an Anambra of any vision where people daily die like fowls under the seeming supervision of the government that should protect them. Life has suddenly become cheap in Anambra State, given the increasing reports of violence and deaths. We consider it a failure of governance by the APGA government in Awka.

Whatever revenue was sought to be recovered on Friday in Nnewi ended up not being collected, because what ought to be a civil operation in a clime that means well ,ended up being mission to annihilate which saw the movement of ‘troops’ from far away Onitsha to conquer territories in Nnewi.

If the Task Force was a well –organised and a well-intentioned body, there is no reason why its Nnewi branch cannot carry out the revenue drive and resort to the Policce in Nnewi when overpowered or overawed. Rather they sought to enlist the cover of their troops commanded by Sylvester Nwobualor and the Governor of Anambra State, as if civil liberties should continue to elude Ndi Anambra on end.

Besides the duty which this suspect body sought to do in Nnewi is nothing more than the duties of a properly constituted local government which unfortunately is not in place because the state government operatives led by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Mr Dubem Obaze, urged on by Governor Peter Obi, insists on preventing local government elections, so that monies belonging to the third tier of government would continue to be siphoned by individuals.

We urge the Anambra State Government to set up a judicial panel of enquiry to unravel the immediate and remote causes of the unfortunate killings Nnewi and rise up to the responsibility of protecting life and property in Anambra State.

WE urge the State House of Assembly to undertake a comprehensive review of the enabling laws and mode of operations of the Anambra State Task Force on Parks and Markets, more popularly known in the state as Mpiawa Azu.

We commiserate with the families of those who died in the avoidable and unprovoked war in Nnewi and trust that those who lost their lives will not die in vain.

For: ACTION CONGRESS OF NIGERIA, ANAMBRA STATE CHAPTER

Okelo Madukaife

State Publicity Secretary

 

“Arrest Nwobu-Alor Now” APGA Chairman Urges Inspector General of Police

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by Jude Atupulazi, Awka

Following the wanton killing of three innocent citizens of the commercial city of Onitsha last week by the group known as Mpiawa Azu, the national chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Sir Victor Umeh, has called on the inspector-general of police, Mohammed Abubakar, to immediately arrest the special adviser to the Anambra State governor on parks and markets, Sylvester Nwobu-Alor, and one Mr. Iko who is the leader of the notorious group.

Umeh while addressing newsmen in Agulu at a public function, frowned at the wanton manner the group had been operating, noting that several appeals he had made to the state governor, Peter Obi, for the proscription of the group had fallen on deaf ears. According to Umeh, the activities of the group had been causing incalculable harm to the people of the state and he used the opportunity to distance his party, APGA, from the menacing group.

He accused Nwobu-Alor of using the group to terrorize innocent citizens in the name of task force and equally accused the governor of shielding Nwobu-Alor. ‘The I-G of police should immediately arrest Nwobu-Alor and Iko for their nefarious activities. We can no longer fold our hands and watch them terrorize the public,’ Umeh stated.

On the purported call for his removal as APGA national chairman as a result of incompetence, Umeh laughed it off and described Nwobu-Alor as suffering from senility. He wondered what an 88-year old man was still doing in Obi’s cabinet and called for his replacement with a young, capable person.

Umeh also wondered where Nwobu-Alor was when he, Umeh, returned Obi for the second time as governor and where he was when he was fighting to save APGA from the grips of its enemies led by Chekwas Okorie. ‘Was I incompetent then? Why is it that after I have secured the party for them and returned Obi for second term they now say I’m incompetent?’ Umeh queried and asserted that no one was capable of removing him as he enjoyed the support of a vast number of APGA faithful.

He also condemned the non-conduct of local government elections by the governor and said that it had affected democracy in the grassroots. He also carpeted Obi for not empowering his party people and said this had been responsible for the poor run of the party in recent elections as party members out of hunger collected money from opponents to work against the party. He accused Obi of killing APGA by his style but assured that they were doing something to save the party. ‘I can assure you that APGA will retain Anambra State in 2014. Nobody can stop us. We will make sure nobody anoints anyone to succeed him but the people. We will bring out a popular person to give us what we want,’ Umeh assured.

He said it was because of his opposition to the non-conduct of council polls that some people were now fighting him because of what they gained from council funds.

 

Explosion Rocks Church In Kano

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Information available to 247ureports.com indicates that a Church in Kano located inside the Bayero University has experience a deadly bomb blast.

According to the information received, the explosion occurred at a lecture theater used for Church services by Christian sudents and residents of the university campus on Sundays. The bomb was reportedly planted under one of the staircases inside the lecture hall.

Along with the bomb blast, sporadic gun shots at the Kabuga junction near the entrance to the University campus was heard by eyewitnesses who also stated that the assailants shot openly at church attendees trying to flee the scene.

The Chief Press Secretary to the State Governor, Malam Dantiye  confirmed the explosion to our correspondent.

The number of casualties was not immediately available.

A little over two weeks ago, a bomb planted under a vehicle parked at a popular outdoors bar joint in Sabon Gari – an area occupied by predominantly Christains exploded without death reported. The explosion was pegged a warning to the “infedels” to depart the “muslim areas of the north” according to the Islamic group, the boko haram.

“The Federation Should Be Restructured and Unbundled” – South/South Economic Summit Communique

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COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE SECOND SOUTH – SOUTH ECONOMIC SUMMIT HELD AT ASABA, APRIL 26 – 28, 2012

The second South – South Economic Summit, organised on the broad theme “Integrating the South – South for Sustainable Development” (with special emphasis on Development, Investment and Security) was held at the Convention Centre, Asaba, Delta State under the auspices of the BRACED States – Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta.

The Main Objective of the Summit was to show-case the rich investment potentials of the South – South Region of the Country thereby attracting new investors as well as servicing external investments.

The Summit was graced by the presence of His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (represented by Vice President Namadi Sambo, GCON), His Excellency Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda (represented by Mr. John Gara) and many other distinguished personalities and functionaries, notably Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka and other Summit Speakers and Participants.

The Summit acknowledged the active participation of the private sector and key Federal Ministries.

The Summit noted the progress made since the maiden edition was held in Calabar on April, 22 – 25, 2009. This include the signing of the BRACED Agreement on June 13, 2011 which provides the legal framework for the co-operation of the BRACED States; the establishment of the BRACED Commission, the appointment of the pioneer Director General of the BRACED Commission and the adoption of the common Priority Focal Areas of development (Agriculture, Environment, Infrastructure Development, Human Capacity Development and Industrialization) by the BRACED Commission Governors’ Council.

The Summit reaffirmed the imperative of regional co-operation as a practical path towards national development and welcomes the emergence of other Regional Development Commissions with expression of readiness for co-operation with them by BRACED Commission.

The Summit recognised that there has been tremendous improvement on the security situation in the region and further the South – South as a region of peace, stability and immense investment opportunities and called upon its development partners to support the region. It called for continued pro-active approach in managing security in the region.

It was noted that while the proceeding was ongoing, the facilities of three Newspaper Houses in Abuja and Kaduna were bombed. The Summit condemned the dastardly act and condoled with the families of the victims of the bombing.

The Summit urged BRACED Commission to boldly provide developmental leadership for Nigeria as this is consistent with the historical antecedents of the South – South region and its resourcefulness.

The Summit also adopted the following recommendations:

1. That the Federation should be restructured and unbundled including the review of the current revenue allocation formula, to give more powers, responsibilities and funding to the States and Local Government as centres of growth.

2. To strengthen the nascent governance structure in the Region to incorporate private sector and other non-state actors with a view to creating favourable policy, legal and regulatory environment that will stimulate greater private sector participation in the development initiatives of the Region.

3. To review the current policies and regulations on power and gas to enable the States generate, transmit and distribute power to complement the efforts of the Federal Government and facilitate the utilization of moribund capacity in the Region. This will promote and accelerate economic development in the South – South Region. In pursuit of this, the Summit accepted the development of a Niger Delta Energy Corridor, a project with potentials for connecting the people, industry and natural resources and creating jobs.

4. To accelerate the implementation of agricultural development initiatives as the Region’s Priority Focal Area. This will complement the Federal Government Transformation Agenda on Agriculture.

5. To develop integrated transport facilities in the Region, through a balanced development of rail, roads, waterways and airport facilities.

6. To partner the Federal Government and the Private Sector in the development of the Lagos – Calabar Railway Lines Project and press for the urgent completion of the East – West Highway.

7. To ensure quality education in the Region and the adoption of ICT and collateral equipments for all levels of education (primary, secondary and tertiary). A renewed impetus in the areas of curriculum development, teachers’ preparation, re-certification (in-service and professional education) and holistic training approach was recommended.

8. Supports the conveying of Regional Education Conference.

9. To encourage research and development and use of technology to promote the desired accelerated development of the Region.

10. To adopt and implement policies that will release vast potentials of service economy of the Region in the areas of creative industry, entertainment, culture and tourism. In pursuit of this a follow-up Culture and Tourism Forum should be organised to draw up the Sector’s Road – Map for economic development.

11. To adopt pro-active and inclusive approach to security in the broad sense which will include public safety, food job security and accordingly link investment to same and harness the untapped energies and creativity of the youth population through job creation.

12. The immediate adoption of mitigation and adaptation measures in climate change, bio-diversity conservation, land – use planning and infrastructural designs by BRACED States and key into investment opportunities opened.

13. To revitalise the public service as a key development driver.

The Summit directed the BRACED Commission to translate the recommendations into a measurable and achievable Plan of Action and engage the appropriate stakeholders on Post – Summit issues as elaborated in the Summit ’s presentations and dialogues.

The Summit expressed its appreciation to the six Governors of the BRACED States – Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River , Edo and Delta, and urge them to continue to show exemplary leadership and commitment to good governance. The Summit also commended the people and Government of Delta State for hosting the grand event. The Summit appreciated the Planners, Paper Presenters and Participants and endorsed the annual event as a veritable platform of interaction, information and knowledge sharing which should be sustained.

ISSUED AT THE 2ND SOUTH – SOUTH ECONOMIC SUMMIT OF THE BRACED STATES HELD AT CONVENTION CENTRE, ASABA, DELTA STATE ON SATURDAY, 28THAPRIL, 2012.

Signed By:

H.E. Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson

Governor – Bayelsa State ………………………………………………………….

H.E. Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, CON

Governor – Rivers State ……………………………………………………………

H.E. Obong (Dr.) Godswill Akpabio, CON

Governor – Akwa Ibom State ……………………………………………………

H.E. Senator Liyel Imoke, CON

Governor – Cross River State ……………………………………………………

H.E. Adams Oshiomhole, CON

Governor – Edo State ……………………………………………………………

H.E. (Dr.) Emmanuel Uduaghan,

Governor – Delta State …………………………………………………………..

Amb. Joe Keshi, OON

Director-General, BRACED Commission………………………………………..

 

 

Gov Okorocha Converts Oguta Lake to Movie Village

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As part of the efforts to make the Oguta Blue Lake of treasure the
greatest tourism centre in Africa, the Imo State government has
reached agreement with the Actors Guild of Nigeria [AGN] towards the
lake to a movie village.

The State Governor, Rochas Okorocha disclosed this to newsmen while
touring the site with some actors in the Nollywood Industry.
Owelle Okorocha added that in order to ensure that the facilities are
improved and managed effectively, the supervising ministry, the ministry of culture and Tourism would be re-located to the Oguta Lake.

He said that the state government would erect befitting buildings
needed for movie activities as well as a grant free access to the
state owned oguta motel and other facilities to the movie industry in
the country.

On the need for security, the governor said that the road leading to
the lake would be barricaded with a gate while a police post would be
built at the lake.

Governor Okorocha equally directed government ministries and the 27
local government councils of the state to erect a building each at the
vicinity of the lake to fast track the development of the area.

He disclosed that about $500 million is needed to develop the lake to
international standard while the state government is expected to
provide the initial fund of $1 million.

Governor Okorocha equally disclosed that government is creating
jetting beach, procuring over 10 speed boats to ease transport at the
lake as well as launch a boat regatta festival on the lake in a short
period.

The governor who decried Nigeria’s over-reliance on oil noted that Imo
State has the potential to realize millions of dollars from tourism as
inherent in the lake.

Mrs Patience Ozokwo, a Nollywood star thanked the governor for giving
them opportunity and promised that the actors would make an optimal
use of the facility available at the lake.

She stated that a lot of wealth is left wasting in Nigeria and called
on other state government to emulate the efforts of governor Okorocha
in developing tourism in Nigeria.

Ace Comedian, Nkem Owoh popularly known as Osufia said the lake is a
good historic site capable of promoting Nigeria movie industry to
greater heights.

Modestus Okafor
For SSA Media to the governor
27th April, 2012

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