Ijaw Youths Seize Chevron Facility In Delta, Chase Out Workers

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Angry Ijaw youths, Friday, took over Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) gas pipelines project after chasing away workers from the site in Abeteye, Escravos, near Warri, Delta State.

This came as the Nigerian Navy denied giving approval to any firm to commence the evacuation of petroleum products from wrecked vessels arrested by the military for illegal oil bunkering activities in the Niger Delta region.

The protesting youths said they were against the recently renewed Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) between Chevron Nigeria Limited, Egbema/Gbaramatu Communities Development Foundation and the Delta State Government in which their community was allegedly misrepresented.

They were also furious on the failure of Chevron to provide basic social amenities for their community.

The angry youths, numbering over 500, stormed the 16-inch gas pipelines being constructed for Chevron from the Abiteye Flow station to Escravos, seized it and chased out the workers.

The fierce-looking Ijaw youths said they were not comfortable with the GMoU and the foot-dragging of Chevron to sand fill Benikrukru community, pile it and sweep the canals in their community. They also protested what they described as the failure of Chevron to define their stake in the regional development council.

According to the youths, their representatives from Benikrukru community who signed the GMoU never got the approval of the community to do so. They added that besides the GMoU, Chevron failed to provide the community with amenities needed badly.

It would be recalled that at the wake of the signing of the GMoU, members of the Benikrukru community, after an emergency meeting held on November 13, sanctioned those who signed the GMoU and threatened to mobilise women and children in the days ahead to cripple the Abiteye Flowstation and other facilities of Chevron.

They made good this threat yesterday when they seized the multi-billion naira gas pipelines project of the oil giant being handled by an indigenous firm.

It was learnt that the protesting youths arrived the site with several boats and ordered all workers from site, but no one was hurt.

Chairman of Benikrukru community, Chief Jeffrey Ojogun, when contacted, described the action as a tip of the iceberg in view of what will happen to other facilities of the company in the coming days.

He claimed that Chevron was trying to cause disaffection and disunity in Benikrukru community, imploring the company to stop meddling in the affairs of Benikrukru community in the interest of peace.

“We want to warn that this is just the beginning of our planned action against Chevron Nigeria Limited, a company that has murdered sleep in our community and we have vowed not to allow the company to know peace,” he stated.

According to him, “Apart from the issue of the vexed GMoU, we are demanding from Chevron the sand-filling of our community, pilling of the community, sweeping of the canals and our stake in the regional council; and these demands must be addressed urgently by the company.”

All efforts to get reactions from Chevron officials proved abortive as at the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, the Naval Headquarters, Abuja has denied giving approval to any firm to commence the evacuation of petroleum products from wrecked vessels arrested by the military for illegal oil bunkering activities in the Niger Delta region.

Making this clarification, the Chief of Training and Operations (CTOPs), Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogboi, noted that there was no truth in the claim by a firm, Fenix Impex Nig. Ltd., that an approval had been given for evacuation operation along the Delta coastal area.

According to him, “We have not issued approval to Fenix Impex or any other firm to commence the evacuation of product from any seized vessel in Niger Delta waterways and we do not intend to until the Directorate of Petroleum Resources (DPR) provided answers to very many questions we have asked them concerning this exercise.”

Ogboi, stated further: “We have been asking DPR to furnish us with detail information as to the nature of the product in these vessels, estimated quantities, the destination of the evacuated products and hazards posed in the course of the exercise. But up till now, we are yet to receive such information.

“We cannot therefore issue any approval to any company when we are yet to get these details, so it will amount to fraudulent act and mischief for any firm to come up to say the Navy has given it approval to commence evacuation.”

He described such claim as false, baseless and unfounded. He also advised security agents to be on their guard to ensure the arrest of any vessel seen on the waterways claiming to be on evacuation operation based on the approval from the Naval Command.

It would be recalled that in 2009, two vessels, MT Concept and Ezomo, came up with similar claim of evacuating a seized vessel at the Warri Jetty but such approval was later discovered to be fake.

Investigation revealed that the claim of evacuation was a diversionary tactics being used by illegal oil bunkerers to carry out their illicit oil deal, as they often present the approval document as a way of beating the watching eyes of security agents while embarking on their nefarious activities.

** Reporting by Joe Ogbodu in Warri, Delta State.

PhotoNews: Burial of President Goodluck Jonathan’s Junior Brother

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Sambo Ditches Jonathan Burial, for Daughter’s Wedding

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The vice president of Nigeria, Arc Namadi Sambo, according to information available to 247ureports.com will not attend the President’s event in Otueke Bayelsa State on Saturday December 8, 2012 for the burial of the President’s half brother. The vice president is reported to have a schedule conflict – two of his daughters are scheduled to be married on Saturday December 8, 2012.

As gathered, the wedding is slated to be a lavish affair – with the wives of 20 State governors already in Kaduna for the wedding.

Stay tuned

Irate Okada Operators Invade Owerri Capital Development Authority over Extortion

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.Vandalize offices, cart away 86 impounded motorcycles
Angry youths and commercial motorcycle operators numbering over 500 Tuesday invaded the headquarters of the Owerri Capital Development Authority (OCDA) along PortHarcourt road, Owerri, destroying and vandalizing properties of the agency.
The rampaging youths believed to have been constituted largely by Okada operators plying their trade within and around the Umuguma area of the state capital, were allegedly armed with machetes, locally made pistols, broken bottles, clubs and other dangerous weapons.
The youths who also reclaimed and carted away impounded motorcycles in the custody of the OCDA numbering over 86 were said to have been reacting to alleged incessant harassment and impounding of their source of livelihood by the OCDA.
While the OCDA maintains that there is a law restricting the operation of commercial motorcycles in the state capital of which the impounded motorcycles ran foul; some of the youths insists that they operate only within unrestricted areas, accusing the OCDA of premeditated extortion.
Some of the operators who were interviewed by our correspondent around the Umuguma junction but craved anonymity, unanimously maintain that the OCDA officials were charging N10,000 for the release of impounded motorcycles.
They were angered by the fact that after paying the said N10,000, the same okada operator would still be impounded again and made to pay all over again.
Responding, the Special Adviser to the General Manager of the OCDA, Ikechukwu Akumonye denied their claims in its entirety saying that, ‘no kobo was collected from any okada operator as the impounded motorcycles were not to be released without the directive of the state governor. Our mandate was to impound, not to release’.
Commenting also, the General Manager, Rev. Johnson Ayozie stated that a taskforce was formed on the directive of Governor Rochas Okorocha to force the okada operators out of the city centre. He noted that before the taskforce went into operation, a meeting was held with the operators a mutual understanding was reached.
Said he,  “Surprisingly, last Monday, over 200 okada operators attacked my workers around Chibyke filling station area near Naze and beat them to stupor for enforcing the Governor’s directive. Some of them were arrested and later released. We went back to work so it came as a shock to hear that they invaded our head quarters and thoroughly vandalized it.”
While some public commentators maintain that the OCDA has no business enforcing the restriction law of the state, Ayozie had this to say: “I work for the governor and all I know is that we were following the directive of the governor. And that is all that matters. Our mandate is to drive away every trash from the state capital and that is what we are going to do.”
The General Manager however informed newsmen that the governor has also directed that the police now join the taskforce.
Meanwhile, Police have confirmed the arrest of 10 suspects in connection with the attack on the OCDA. Speaking when he visited the OCDA for an on-the-spot assessment of the situation, the Imo state Commissioner for Police, Mr. Adisa Bolanta assured that the hoodlums who attacked the agency would not go unpunished as police have intensified investigations into the attack on the government facility.
 

Court Stops Police, PDP ‘Fresh Congress Group’ In Awka

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The Federal High Court sitting in Awka and presided over by Justice M.T. Salihu, yesterday restrained the Inspector General of Police and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or any of their proxies or whatever name called from authorizing, holding or organizing a rally or congress of whatever form or magnitude in Anambra state today or any other date whatsoever.

The order was sequel to a motion exparte application brought before the court by the state chairman of the party, Prince Ken Emeakayi in suit Ref FHC/AWK/CS/300?2012 against one Pastor Emma Obiora, Maurice Anolue and Chris Uche Okoye, respondents.

The order therefore restrained the trio above who were priding themselves as Chairman, secretary and the Chairman Planning Committee respectively of the Anambra state Fresh Congress Group of the party, from parading or holding out themselves or any other as such from convening or continuing to convene meetings and or rally of the Anambra state Fresh Congress Group of the PDP today Dec 8, 2012 at Emmaus House premises, Awka or any other location pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.

SURE-P: New Trouble for Nze Akachukwu Nwamkpa

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Nze Akachukwu Nwamkpa

The SURE-P project hatched by the federal government of Nigeria following the abrupt hike in petrol price from N65 per liter at the pump to N97 per liter – may have run into lock jams as the implementation and execution of the projects promised by SURE-P appears to have faltered. Information available to 247ureports.com obtained through sources within the SURE-P national committee indicates that the national coordinator of the SURE-P project, Nze Akachukwu Nwamkpa has begun exhibiting symptoms of unraveling amidst mounting pressures from sensitive quarters.

Firstly, it was gathered that the presidency may have found the national coordinator of SURE-P as untrustworthy and/or corrupt. This was as the national coordinator, Nze Akachukwu Nwamkpa was turned down for the position of executive secretary for the SURE-P projects by the President of the federal republic of Nigeria, Dr. Jonathan Ebelemi Jonathan. Nze Akachukwu Nwamkpa had recently applied for the position of Executive Secretary – the application was submitted to Mr. President. A source familiar with the happenings at the committee revealed that Nze Akachukwu Nwamkpa lobbied heavily along with pleadings to the President to allow him become the Executive Secretary.

Nze Akachukwu Nwamkpa, as gathered, sought the position of executive secretary for financial reasons. The position of executive secretary would give the Nze Nwamkpa the authority to exercise executive powers over the finances of the committee. It would enable him the opportunity to maneuver and exercise influence over contract awards and the-likes.

Meanwhile, one of the notable members of the SURE-P program – Sani Mohammed – recently resigned abruptly following a run-in with Nze Akachukwu Nwamkpa.

Sani Mohammed – a former director in two federal ministries and a one-time ambassador – and a current retired civil servant – resigned abrupty following a near physical confrontation with Akachukwu Nwamkpa. According to eyewitness account, Akachukwu Nwampka had confronted Sani Mohammed in a shouting match – in response to Sani Mohammed’s request for his unpaid allowances which was in the possession of Akachukwu Nwamkpa’s office. The confrontation resulted to Sani Mohammed’s resignation.

 

As Sani Mohammed submitted his hand written resignation letter, he was quoted to say that “he never wants to see Akachukwu’s again in his life“.

Akachukwu Nwankpa has been charged with corruption at the SURE-P office. The monies [N1billion] meant for the set up of Sure-P office in Abuja is said to have been cornered by Akachukwu. Nze Akachukwu Nwamkpa serves as the Special Adviser on Technical Matters to the President.

Press Release: UN Human Rights Day – Don’t Forget Child Participation

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Child rights NGO Stepping Stones Nigeria today called upon all Nigerians to recognise the value of child participation and to support children to participate in Nigerian society. In a statement signed by Dr Emilie Secker, SSN’s Advocacy Programme Manager, the NGO said that it was important to remember that child participation is a right under Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child which gives every child “who is capable of forming his or her own views the right to express those views freely in all matters affecting the child”.

Dr Secker said “Today the UN is upholding the right of everyone to participate in public decision-making. It is very important to also remember the value of child participation and that children have a right to participate. People often think that children have nothing to add to decision-making, but children will often have particular knowledge that other people in the community do not have, and being included gives children confidence as well as helping to protect them from abuse”.

Stepping Stones Nigeria has just completed a research project in partnership with the University of Sheffield on ‘Facilitating Children’s Participation in the Niger Delta’. The study, which took place between June and November 2012, explored how child participation is understood by NGOs in the Niger Delta and the ways in which children are able or not able to participate in society[1].

Dr Afua Twum-Danso Imoh, lead researcher on the project, said “This project produced some extremely interesting results. In particular, we discovered that children have a very good understanding of the problems in their society and clear ideas for how these should be solved. We also found that although there are a great many obstacles to child participation, opportunities for child participation do exist in Nigeria and these should be supported by those working on child rights issues. There is clearly a need for more attention to be paid to child participation if children in Nigeria are to enjoy their rights to the full”.

Dr Emilie Secker

Advocacy Programme Officer

 

Abia: Ngwa Youths Urged To Shun Political Apathy

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Ngwa Youths have been urged to shun political apathy and embrace active political participation if they want to remain relevant in the politics of Abia state.

Barr. Ikenna Anyanwu, who was the guest speaker at the 2012 Ngwa Bu Otu Youth Association’s Annual General Meeting, made this call while delivering a lecture titled “Economic and Political Empowerment in Ngwa Land”, at the Eastern Comfort hotels, Umuahia.

Anyanwu said until Ngwa youths show much interest in the election of candidates to various political offices, they will still remain irrelevant in the scheme of things.

He stressed that a total emancipation of Ngwa Land from its present state will only come when Ngwa youths wake up from their economic slumber, embrace education and active political participation.

According to him, political power always carry economic undertone. “Economic revolution needed in Ngwa land will only come when they (Ngwa youths) participates actively in determining who leads them.

“Ngwa people should participate in the process of enthronement of government. When they participate, they see the enthronement of that government as their own and therefore, the maintenance of such a government becomes their responsibility. Both the ruler and the ruled work together for the good of all”. He asserted.

Describing unity and education as a vehicle that will drive the process of emancipation of Ngwa land, Anyanwu posited that until both the old and young in Ngwa land embrace literacy in all ramifications, Ngwa land will not make any headway.

The chairman, Board of Trustee of Ngwa Bu Otu Youth Association, Chief Ogbonna Nwannunu called on Ngwa indigenes at home and in Diaspora to see love as a virtue they must imbibe to make progress.

He further condemned the attitude of some Ngwa people who have promote acts that cause disunity, describing such actions as capable of undermining the progress of the Ngwa race.

“It is only when love and peace reigns among us that we may be sufficiently empowered to stand eyeball to eyeball with our peers across any divide to demand whatever rightly belongs to us and be taken seriously.

For as long as brothers and sisters keep maligning one another, our salvation will remain remote,” he remarked.

The President –General of the Association, Chief Gabriel Onyendilefu in his remarks stated the annual conference of the association provides opportunity for various chapters of the group to come and render account of stewardship and also to fulfill the legal act establishing the association.

Onyendilefu who is also the Accountant General of Abia state called on Ngwa indigenes to always carry their identity and embrace their language as a means of communication when they come in contact with one another as a means of propagating the rich cultures of Ngwa land

 

PhotoNews: Flag-Off Of Polio Eradication Initiative at Illah

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President Jonathan at 55 – By Charles Ikedikwa Soeze

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The President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Dr. Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan, GCFR, popularly known as “GEJ” recently celebrated his 55th birthday.

It is on record that Dr. Jonathan started holding leadership positions during his school days. He was class captain in classes 3 and 4, Secretary, College Food Committee (CFC) class 3; house prefect, Matterson House classes 4-5. At the Rivers State College of Education, Rumuloumeni, Port Harcourt, he was secretary, Biology Department Academic Staff Meetings as well as department timetable officer (DTTO). He was also member, senior staff appointments and promotions committee. He has received several awards, best performing state Deputy Governor, an award by the Institute of Public Administration of Nigeria; Honourary Fellowship, Nigeria Environment Society (NES).

From his employment history, Dr. Jonathan could also be described as a core civil/public servant. This is because he first worked as a preventive officer in the Department of Customs and Excise from 1975 to 1977. Science Inspector of Education, Rivers State Ministry of Education, Port Harcourt from 1982 to 1983; Lecturer, Dept. of Biology, Rivers State College of Education, Port Harcourt from 1982-1983; Lecturer, Dept. of Biology, Rivers State College of Education, Port Harcourt 1983 to 1993; Assistant Director (Ecology), Head Sub-Dept. of Environment Protection, OMPADEC from 1993 to 1998; he was sometime Deputy Governor, Governor of Bayelsa State as well as Vice President and acting President of Nigeria. He is currently the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria since 2010.

Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan who is from Otuoke, Ogbia local government area of Bayelsa State, attended St. Stephen’s Primary School (now state school) Otuoke from 1961 to 1965; St. Michael’s Primary School, Oloibiri, Bayelsa State (where oil was first discovered in commercial quantity in 1956) from 1965 to 1969; Mater Dei High School, Imiringi, Bayelsa State from 1971 to 1975; University of Port Harcourt from 1977 to 1983 (first degree); also bagged his masters and doctorate from the same university. From these, one can say he is a core south-south brought up.

He is a member of different professional bodies like Science Teachers Association of Nigeria (STAN); Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON); Fellow, Nigeria Environmental Society (NES); Fellow, Institute of Public Administration of Nigeria; Fellow, Nigeria International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA).

Dr. Jonathan is a humane administrator who is simple minded and loved by his people; friends and colleagues. Nobody expected he will venture into the Nigerian politics. That notwithstanding, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan saw the need to boost the socio-economic with political interest of the common man as well as bridge the lacuna of rural/urban dichotomy of his people through the provisions of social infrastructure. Based on all these, he took to politics in the Fourth Republic and joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the biggest political party in Africa. He was picked as running mate to the party’s flag bearer, D.S.P. Alamieyeseigha. The duo won the polls in 1999 gubernatorial election; consequently, Dr. Jonathan became the first deputy governor of Bayelsa State. After a fine and successful tenure, Dr. Jonathan repeated the feat where he led Chief D.S.P. Alamieyeseiga popularly called ALAMCO campaign machinery. By the grace of God and the desire for Bayelsans to have a good government, the duo won the gubernatorial election again in 2003. As a result, Dr. Jonathan became a deputy governor for a second time.

His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan is a man of great honour and outstanding integrity. He is a true statesman whose meritocracy, selfless services and exemplary leadership qualities bear eloquent testimonies to his professional and political successes. A seasoned administrator, an accomplished academic, a democrat and known technocrat.

Without mincing words, His Excellency has endeared himself to the common man on the street. To this end therefore, it is true to say that Dr. Jonathan’s administration will continue to fight against corruption, shun ostentatious life-style, indiscipline and arrogance. I am quiet convinced that he listens to genuine advice and constructive criticism from both old and young. This is because he is well exposed, educated, enlightened and astute politician cum academic who is being jealously and rigorously guided by elders and fathers to enable him move Nigeria to the next level.

One may boldly and proudly say that Dr. Goodluck Jonathan was identified to be a great chld right from is tender age because of his attributes and rare disposition. I think that was why his paternal grand mother “nicknamed” him ‘Azikiwe’ as a striking smile to the great Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Benjamin Nnamdi Azikiwe, the first and only ceremonial president Nigeria has ever got, the first Nigerian media mogul and the founder of the first indigenous and autonomous university in Nigeria, that is, the university of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) to connote another great Nigerian to come in the nearest future.

As His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan celebrates his 55years on this earth, my special advice as a mass communication scholar and public relations practitioner based on my commitment to my country through informative, incisive, analytical including projecting and protecting image write-ups, I am to use this opportunity to say that presidency must not neglect public relations (P.R.). God Himself even used PR at the beginning of creation when He said: “Come let us make man in our own image and likeness”. Consequently, I don’t think there is any individual, organization or nation that would survive without PR because it goes beyond media relations. It is abundantly and crystal clear that since Dr. Jonathan assumed office as the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, the nation has been set on a new pathway that is now bringing democratic stability and political serenity.

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Charles Ikedikwa Soeze, fhnr, fcida, fcai, fscam. cpae, son, emba, ksq, is a mass communication scholar from first degree to doctoral level, public affairs analyst, and Assistant Director (Administration)/Head, Academic and Physical Planning (A&PP) at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun, Delta State, Nigeria. (08036724193) charlessoeze@yahoo.ca

 

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