The much talked about youth group of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) the PDP Youth Circuit (PDPYC) has finally been given affiliate recognition by the PDP leadership. The approval was given on Wednesday the 10th of October, 2012 after several months of waiting.
The PDP Youth Circuit Chairman, Mr. Lai Labode expressed delight and excitement over the approval. ‘We are quite elated over this affiliation to the mother party which has taken us several months to get. We have invested so many resources into this…time, intellect, funds and a lot of goodwill to make this happen. We are glad and what this means is that we can start helping to reform our party in line with the agenda of our National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur. More importantly, we will carry out programmes and activities that will support the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan’.
The political youth group which has been an item of discourse in the social media in the past few months is intended to ensure that the PDP has a strong and vibrant youth wing. The age limit for membership has been set at below 45 years and members who attain the age of 45 automically have their membership withdrawn. Labode explained that several programmes have been developed and would be implemented in the near future by the group. ‘We are not an ordinary political group, we are here to make changes and those changes will manifest. Nigerians will see them and bear us witness. We will be very practical and articulate in our approach’, Labode said.
Excerpts from the approval letter read ‘I am directed by the National Youth Leader of our great party PDP to convey to you the approval of your application for Registration/Affiliation based on the satisfactory report of the inspection done to your office’. The letter further stated ‘you are directed to collaborate with the PDP led government and the National Working Committee of our great party to promote good governance’.
The PDP Youth Circuit which intends to grow its membership base to about 10 million in the next two years already has members across various geo-political zones of the country and is currently mobilizing its members across the 36 states and the FCT to start building state structures. According to the Youth Circuit’s Vice Chairman, Chief Raymond Dopkesi (Jnr) ‘becoming one of us is simple, first you must be a registered member of the PDP. The next thing is your age which must not be more than 45, it’s that simple. Our membership cuts across as we have members who are professionals: doctors, lawyers, bankers, engineers, businessmen and women. We also have artisans such as welders, carpenters, barbers, mechanics, farmers and so on.’ Dopkesi further explained that the Youth Circuit should not be perceived as an elitist body rather it should be seen as a mass movement of members of the PDP who believe in the unity of Nigeria as an indivisible entity.
The National Coordinator of the PDPYC, Umar Magaji reiterated the mood of the members as regards the successful registration of the group as an affiliate of the PDP saying, ‘we are happy and understand the huge responsibility that has been given to us and we intend to make huge impact every step of the way’. Magaji mentioned that the body is currently planning a formal inauguration ceremony which is expected to be attended by the PDP leadership, President Goodluck Jonathan and PDP governors. This event and a world press conference are expected to formally kick-off activities for the PDPYC.
Signed:
Sola Oyekanmi Paschal Metuh
National Publicity Secretary Dep. National Publicity Secretary
As the nation grapples with the flood disaster that has wrecked havoc and untold hardship on many riverside communities across the country citizens of Anambra state have already started looking beyond the flood.
The restoration of the basic infrastructures like roads, electricity, healthcare, churches, schools/education, agriculture, water supply, houses, bridges, drainages, farmlands and personal belongings have already agitated the minds of many.
Senator Emma Anosike who stormed the camps with a mobile hospital, as well as assorted foodstuff and cash gifts said he was worried about the hygiene in the camps and other crowded family homes and locations.
He appealed to the Federal Government and the international bodies to come to the rescue of the people. He urged that plans should commence now on how the communities would be resettled at the end of the flood. People’s private homes and public residences would need proper official assessment and certification before anyone would be allowed to go in. because the axis of the flooding nationwide happen to be the food basket of the nation, Anosike expressed concern that the flood disaster which swept away a lot of the crops, swallowed up others and forced some to early harvest could lead to food scarcity next year.
He therefore urged the FG and the National assembly to be mindful of all that especially as they consider the 2013 appropriation bill which is already before them.
He would like the state government to help the communities with health facilities, school buildings and other social infrastructures like police stations, roads, and pipe borne water amongst others.
Senator Margery Okadigbo had disclosed that she intended to use the foundation she just established in memory of her late husband to touch the lives of the victims. According to her, the foundation would canvass assistance from individuals, corporate citizens and international organizations for the benefit of the needy.
She therefore appealed to traditional rulers of the affected areas to donate plots of land where to construct tents, boreholes, toilets, clinics, bathing facilities, mosquito nets and sanitation facilities.
Her predecessor, and Special Adviser to the President Goodluck Jonathan on National Assembly Matters, Senator (Mrs.) Joy Emodi also appealed to wealthy citizens and indigenes of Anambra State to rise up now, come together and set up a Trust Fund for the rehabilitation of the flood victims.
The Presidential aide who visited the refugee camps where she donated cash, foodstuffs and other basic necessities suggested that the trust fund, when in place should be managed by select group of eminent persons in the state in conjunction with the state government.
The Special Adviser to the President also visited to commiserate with Krisoral Group of companies at Ogbaru commissioned recently by President Goodluck Jonathan, but which complex was entirely submerged by flood.
The Group Managing Director of the company, Mr. Oranu Chidume said the flood which over ran his company and kept the 1,000 work force at home was from the over flown bank of the Niger River, adding that the effect was overwhelming because the River was not properly dredged.
Emordi lamented that the flood has brought both immediate and long term hardship on the people. She feared for the health, and the effect on the education of their children. She however believed that as soon as their resettlement was sorted out, other needs would be addressed.
Emeka Anohu, a member of the state Assembly, representing Ihiala whose motion on the need for an organized state controlled care-givers and an Emergency Relief Fund into which all donations and gifts should go for proper and accountable handling led to the establishment of the Oseloka Obaze committee, want the government to consider setting up tent schools, open spaces for the victims to ventilate and exercise.
And to reduce the risk of cholera and other epidemics he wants waste disposal facilities, medical facilities from the Ministry of Health even if on intervals. While thanking the indigenes for their quick response to the situation by donating basic needs to the victims, he feared that though emergencies were hardly announced, the after effects were staring us in the face, for example, the security problem, population explosion due to idleness.
Senator Annie Okonkwo who was among the early callers to the Anambra East and West locations, said while presenting his donation of foodstuffs, toiletries, clothings, cash and other items, said he was handy to render more assistance to them.
He urged them to take heart, pointing out that hard times do not last forever but would only be for a short time. He said he was forced back from a foreign trip when he heard about the disaster.
Okonkwo who stormed the various camps with his political followers along with their gifts sympathized with the families, their leaders and loved ones. He urged the governments at local, state and Federal levels to begin now to formulate plans on how to rebuild infrastructures in the areas. He also appealed for the inclusion of all the newly flooded areas like Ugbenu, Awba-Ofemmili, Ihiala, Okija and Ozubulu among the list of those to be taken care of by the FG.
Chief Goddy Ezeemo, a philanthropist and industrialist took with him a team of doctors drawn from the state’s chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), foodstuff, cash, and toiletries, had volunteered more assistance as long as the flood lasted. He urged the government to set up a round-the-clock presence in all the camps. Also that there must be a system of gradual integration of the displaced persons into the society before the flood recedes.
Senator Chris Ngige, while addressing the victims at Ogbaru warned against diversion of relief materials meant for victims of flood disaster in the state.
He said he had been inundated with complaints of diversion of relief materials sent to the victims of the flood disaster when he visited them in their various camps in some council areas of the state yesterday. He had before that toured the flooded areas.
His warning was coming on the heels of protests in Ogbaru local government area by some of the victims who alleged that the relief materials brought to them were being diverted by authorities in the area. According to him, “These materials are meant for the victims of flood disaster in our state in order to cushion the effect of their predicament. We know that no amount of relief materials would be enough to assist the victims but we must make sure that they get to the target audience”.
“I am also here to ensure that those relief materials that were bought from Enugu, South East branch of NEMA were distributed judiciously to those they are meant for
He gave personal donation of food stuffs, drugs for adult and children, mosquito nets, cartons of disinfectants in view of the fact that as a medical practitioner the victims are being exposed to germs while the children are being exposed to cold and mosquitoes”, he said
He further urged the state governments of the affected areas to make good use of their security votes, because the flood is a threat to the security of lives and property of Nigerians.
He called on the state to send doctors and nurses should be sent to the refugee camps for medical attention in order to avert an out break of epidemics in those areas.
“There should be periodical checks on the affected people by medical practitioners at the camps and drugs should always be made available to the victims while their stay lasts,” he said
Former Minister Establishment and central committee Chairman North East Forum for Unity and Development Alhaji Bello Kirfi (Wazirin Bauchi) has threatened that the region would pull out of Nigeria and take their destiny into their hands if the need arise.
Kirfi stated this yesterday in Bauchi during the inauguration of its action committee at the indoor sports Hall Multipurpose Bauchi saying that the region “cannot afford as history shall not forgive us nor shall we be worthy children of our forefathers in allowing their labours to go down the drain”.
According to Danjuma, Kirfi’s statement was “This has serious ambiguity and weighty stamen to make. As someone who went to the war front and survived it, I must warn that this statement be withdraw immediately.”
Having realized the implication of Kirfi’s statement , Chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Adamu Ciroma, came to the podium and announced that the statemen had been withdrawn, a move that elicited applause and in compliance Kirfi swiftly announced the withdrawal of the statement but stressed it was “ for the meantime
The inauguration meeting which attracted prominent elders and politicians from the zone include General Theophilus Danjuma, Adamu Ciroma, Yayale Ahmed, and Professor Jibrin Aminu, Nuhu Ribadu, Professor Ango Abdullahi, Maina Waziri, General Timothy Shelpidi and three ministers.
Others include General Yakubu Usman, deputy senate leader Abdul Ningi, Senator Aisha Alhassan, former minister of Women Affairs Inna Ciroma, Emir of Fika former education Minister Alhaji Dauda Brima among top prominent citizens of the region.
However, the North East Governors absence at the inauguration, according to General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma who is the special guest at the occasion said that was as a result of their suspicion that the meeting had political undertone rather than genuinely address the problems bedeviling the region.
The retired general explained that, “I was that all the six governors of the region will attend the meeting but three days ago one of them called me and told me that all of them have resolved not to come and even advice me to stay away that there is hidden agenda.
On this note he proposes that the inauguration should not be carried out except that of security and giving his assurance to be a part of the security committee, the former war lord said.
The former defense minister said he went back to read the minutes of the meetings held by the Forum including the draft speech adding, “I am not in a position to pass judgment but this development has created doubt in my mind regarding the motive of forum. I therefore suggest that this meeting should be adjourned immediately and be reconvened later at a later date when we would have been able to persuade the governors to join us in this noble undertaken.”
Danjuma who was to supervised the inauguration therefore proposed that the inauguration of the action committees should not be carried out except that of the security adding that, “ I suggest that the security committee when inaugurated should approach and persuade the governors them in fact be the convener of the meeting.
In conclusion, I would like to dissociate my self from the concluding part of Bello Kirfi speech that The sentence I want to draw attention to is the concluding part professor the speech which he said, “In fact we must as a matter of obligation carry it out to its logically conclusion by; I dare say that if need be by puling out of Nigerians. We must take our destiny into our hands”
It will be recalled that the meeting was first held in June 13, with the name North East Forum of Concerned Leaders and later changed to North East Forum Forum for Unity and Development (NEFUD). The forum was worried about the current insecurity and economic underdevelopment of the region blaming on marginalization, corruption among others
They are either living overseas or in States other than Abia. They hardly come home and had long lost touch with realities of life. Their senses are beclouded in emotions. When you open their bags, what you see is a multi – media phone, camera, ipad and colored spectacle. They have no good paid jobs and are willing tools in the hands of political jobbers, criminals and disgruntled elements. Unfortunately, you will find no records of their positive impact on their immediate communities.
For 24hrs, they get their eyes and hands fixed on a computer. They vowed never to see any good, hear no good and talk no good about their own Abia State. They grumble, blackmail and incite the rest of the people against the Governor and institution of the State. They see glasses of water as half empty and not half full. Every day, they inundate visitors to social network sites with gory pictures. They are wet blankets. Development is only when their brother mounts the saddle of leadership. Meanwhile, they have neither voted nor voted for. They are armchair critics who masquerade as super champions.
They have failed to appreciate that the TAO government is known to have favored NDI NGWA more than any other in the history of Abia authoritative allocation of values. It is therefore foolhardy to claim to represent a people who are blessed with:
Nine out of sixteen Commissioners (Works, Rural Development, Environment, Petroleum, Housing, Special Duties, Women Affairs and Social Development, Sports and Agriculture) in Abia State. By the way, those are choice ministries.
Twenty four out of Forty three Special Advisers
Two out of three federal senators
Five out of eight members of the Federal House of Representatives
Accountant General of the State
Auditor General of the State
Chairman of State Civil Service Commission
Acting Chief Judge
Heads of Religious organizations
TC Chairmen of all Local Governments in Abia South and partly central including the two metropolitan Local Governments in Aba (first of its kind). The implication is that they control nine (Aba North, Aba South, Isiala Ngwa South, Isiala Ngwa North, Ugwunagbor, Osisioma, Ukwa West, Ukwa East, and Obingwa) out of seventeen LGAs
The under listed people should be held accountable for any breach of peace or in event of any orchestrated hate against NDI NGWA. They are fighting a lost battle and further criminally enriching themselves at the expense of their kinsmen who have been promised better days ahead.
Let Abians know them:
· Obioma Ugochukwu Ubani (+49170237608)
Obioma was accessory to, before and after most of the kidnap incidents that occurred within the Obingwa area of Abia State where he led a group of unscrupulous and dissident NGWA elements to cause hurt, untold hardship and untimely death of others.
At the heat of intervention by the Military, Obioma escaped through the help of notable NGWA politicians, though his family house and those of his immediate co – conspirators were torched. It was also gathered that this Abaribe’s cousin was quickly sponsored by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Senator Nkechi Nwaogu and some others to flee the country and invariably escape being brought to justice.
Obioma who currently resides in Denmark with personal phone number +49170237608 and email obi@ubani.info has been paid heavily by Abaribe and other authors of confusion to destabilize the government of Abia State, cause disaffection, rancor and acrimony amongst Igbos. He was basically directed to set up social network pages like Abia Awakening, Abia Tower and Abia Peoples Voice to achieve this purpose.
Obioma it was who was sponsored to convene a meeting of disgruntled elements at Rowmay Hotels, Opobo Road Aba in December 2011 where they founded The Abia Awakening (TAA), that he has been using to cause confusion in Abia State
· Maxwell Nwadike (229-97-571168)
He is the Founding Chairman of The Abia Awakening (TAA). Maxwell has a Cotonou wife, leaving behind in Aba, his other wife and children who he left at the mercy of poverty and hard life. A greedy Ngwa man who erroneously jumped into the business of selling used (okirika) clothings and bags, his grouse against Old Bende people was that while they made so much money selling used clothings, they refused to show him the way. He ran out of Abia to live in Cotonou and operated with the name Samax International Co,Sarl situated at C / 213 gbenonkpo; Benin. The idea was to stay at the centre of used clothings which Cotonou is. Several years after trying without success in his Okirika business, he resorted to blackmail as a quick way of making money. He does not know where Ohafia is, has never been to Umuahia and does not appreciate the challenges being faced by Isuikuwato, Arochukwu and Umunneochi people. All he wants to achieve is to discredit OLD BENDE people as a means of paving way for the Ngwa man to become Governor in 2015. He has questionable character and exhibits unbridled quest for get rich quick, hence his acceptance of becoming a willing agent of confusion just to make ends meet.
· Patrick Amalaha (+18327578903)
Bad boy of America, Patrick is a disgruntled NGWA man who went in search of greener pastures overseas. Several years on, no tangible progress can be traced to him. He shuttles between overseas and here, people take advantage of their positions to attract genuine government presence and not spread dangerous rumors capable of scaring investors away. Nothing is known of his business as his native home remains his father’s forty six year old house. No wife, no children; Patrick is the Secretary of the infamous TAA. Once known to deal in dangerous drugs and illicit products, Patrick has tried unsuccessfully to get the attention of the State Government for being gratified. He is a
celebrated blackmailer and conspirator of note. Patrick Amalaha is Reagan Ufomba’s kinsman and by association a wet blanket.
· Chinedu Nwogu
He lives in Lagos and also an active member of TAA who was planted by Ochiagha Reagan Ufomba to sell him (Regan) to Abia electorate. For identifying with Reagan, an underachiever and fellow with questionable integrity, Chinedu has proven that he lacks wit and purposefulness.
Chinedu who hails from Isiala Ngwa had written a letter in the past to the State Government pleading for financial assistance. His stiff opposition to the government may not be unconnected to the rebuff he got from a government who feels informed him that the days of holding the givt to ransom were long gone. Chinedu it was who attempted to organize his kinsmen for amnesty when it was certain that his immediate interest was personal gain. His wife confirmed to be a member of the red light district is left to fend for the rest of the family while he carries on with the business of blackmail and criminal conspiracy. · Lawrence Ehiliegbu (08036725809)
He is a founding member of TAA, a group poised to make Abia comprehensively ungovernable. He is married to Ngozi, daughter of a traditional native doctor in Isiala Ngwa. Lawrence who lives in Lagos was a former staff of defunct Aba Textile Mills where he was initially employed as a casual worker. Though much younger, he was relieved of his job when he was caught stealing finished products. He was to later resurface from his hiding when he got wind of the ‘lucrative’ business of kidnapping. This was not to be as security operatives had taken over his village in Isiala Ngwa. He is working closely now with a serving Senator who is aspiring to be Governor in 2015. He has been contracted to destabilize the polity, blackmail other groups and inadvertently swing favour on the side of an NGWA man. He is a chronic liar and trades in deception, selfishness and greed. Lawrence Ehilegbu is one of the Administrators of Abia People’s Voice, his brainchild dedicated to foisting the NGWA agenda on the rest of Abians.
· Sussan Uzoma (Separated from her husband)
He (yes, he because her kind of woman are those addressed as Mr and Mr because she knows how to oppress even her former husband) is also a co – founder of TAA. Susan who is an NGWA woman claims to be a lawyer (must have attended an Indian College as her command of English is horrible) is separated from her husband. She lives in Lagos from where she imagines a failed Abia. Susan got the boot from her husband for acts of infidelity and criminal association with men. This is evident in the fact that she is the only female Admin of TAA matching the other men wickedness for wickedness. Her known occupation is being an ACTIVIST which is the same as saying she is idle and unfortunately unemployed. Susan who is one of Maxwell Nwadike’s concubines is equally determined to cause trouble in Abia.
· Igwe Samuel Obioma ( a murderer)
Igwe lives in the UK. An Ibeku man who is known to have murdered one Aham while he lived in Umuahia. Igwe has a murder case pending in court. Having tried without luck to get the Governor, a fellow Ibeku man to criminally protect him, Igwe went on self exile. He has never hidden his disdain for the Governor. An active member of TAA who has refused to highlight the amazing developments going on in his native Ibeku, it is yet to be seen how Igwe; a confirmed murderer would be gifted with the moral justification to criticize the Abia State government. It is however certain that he cannot hide for too long as the long arm of the law awaits him.
· In the coming days, I will reveal Chinedu Ngaranwere (08032004399) and others like them who vowed that Abia must be held spellbound. I watch as events unfold to see how far they can go.
Until two years ago, not many Nigerians know much about disaster management or the existence of its coordinating body in the country, alias NEMA. When Muhammadu Sani Sidi, a former Commissioner in the then Architect Muhammadu Namadi Sambo led Kaduna state government, was appointed to oversee the affairs of NEMA as its Chief Executive Officer and Director General in September 2010, little or nothing was known about the agency. Since assuming office, Sani Sidi as an astute administrator, humanitarian and a politician with a difference, has tried all he can to re position the agency as a fast growing disaster management arm of the government of the federation. He has with all seriousness emphasized the need for collaboration and partnership with all stakeholders in disaster management (DM). He has embarked on a transformational programme for the agency and shifting it from being a mere relief intervention outfit to being an active proactive agency working day in and out to deal with disasters through a number of disaster risk reduction (DRR) measures. Indeed, DM in this country has now moved up to the next level. He has in the last two years prioritise DRR through international cooperation, experience sharing and capacity building. He has placed so much emphasis on the cycle of disaster through prevention, mitigation, preparedness and rehabilitation at all times.
Local and foreign Capacity building for staff and all critical stakeholders by Sani Sidi is no doubt one area that has continuously attracted his attention and funding. This is done though normal training sessions and also through simulations, particularly at the Jaji armed forces simulation centre. This further enhances the state of preparedness of all stakeholders.
The total, timely and commensurate funding of six Nigerian universities to offer courses at post graduate levels on DM in the country has further boosted the profile of DM in the country. Such Universities are ABU Zaria, FUT Minna, University of Port Harcourt, UNN Enugu campus, University of Ibadan and University of Maiduguri. This is in the area of promoting research activities within the context of DM in the country.
Today, even an editorial in one of the Nigerian newspapers- Leadership Weekend of September 22, 2012 said: “NEMA is one agency that works. Its impact has been felt by almost every one and everywhere, at least in the last two years”. There is no gainsaying in the fact that NEMA under the focused and able leadership of Sani Sidi has gone beyond provision of relief materials, resettling victims of disasters and responding with all its might to disasters like fire, flood, road accidents and lately bomb blasts among others. Regrettably, the states’ SEMAs and LEMCs at the local levels are certainly missing in action. Even though they also receive funding from the ecological accounts, the states and the LGAs respectively always look on to NEMA for all disasters in their areas of jurisdiction even where the disasters are within their coping capacities.
The NEMA DG has left no stone unturned in his advocacy visits, information dissemination and public enlightenment on all DM issues at the headquarters and in the 7 zonal offices of the Agency across the country. Such approach has greatly improved public image and perception of the agency in the eyes of its stakeholders and members of the public. The relentless efforts of Sani Sidi in ensuring that DM in the country is practiced within the confines of global best practice is an evidence of his commitment to move DM to the next level in the country. This effort has paid off with the development of policy documents that will stand the test of time. The national disaster framework and the national contingency plan are today legacies that will outlive the tenure of Sani Sidi in NEMA. These documents are to respectively be a manual for coordinating DM structures in the country and provide requirements and plans for humanitarian responses for 10 000 displaced persons during emergencies.
In his attempt to improve response time by NEMA and its stakeholders to disasters and with a view to containing minor disasters and reduce the chances of them growing to full scale emergencies, Sani Sidi created a toll free line of 0800 CALL NEMA (0800 2255 6362) for the purpose of responding promptly to distress calls. Added to this, is the state of the art full operational capacity (FOC) of its mission control centre(MCC) by the COSPAS-SARSAT secretariat which is a satellite based equipment that provides maritime, aviation and land distress alerts and location information for search and rescue services.
Satisfied with the giant strides in DM by Sani Sidi in Nigeria, The Gambian government recently commissioned NEMA to assist it set up a national emergency management agency for the country.
Sani Sidi’s modest landmarks in NEMA in general and DM in particular are too numerous to mention in one swoop. His other achievements are put in the archives for now. So far, the story of DM in the country under the leadership of Sani Sidi has been so far so good. What he needs now and forever is continuous support and collaboration from all stakeholders and staff to further improve on his achievements.
Obama for America headquarters near 9th Avenue and Acoma Street in Denver on Friday, Oct. 12, 2012. Daniel Petty, The Denver Post
Police say someone fired a shot at an Obama campaign field office in Denver on Friday afternoon.
No one was injured, though people were inside the offices when the incident occurred, said Denver police spokeswoman Raquel Lopez.
“It looks like it was one shot that was fired into the structure,” she said.
The incident happened at about 3 p.m. at the campaign’s offices on West Ninth Avenue near Acoma Street, Lopez said.
Sam Levin, a reporter for the alternative newspaper Westword, later posted a photo on Twitter showing one of the office’s large, front windows broken out. By early evening, the window shards had been removed and a glass company was putting plywood up.
Lopez said police have a description of a “possible vehicle of interest.” She said she could not release that information while detectives are reviewing any available video footage of the incident and pursuing leads.
An Obama campaign spokeswoman declined to comment on the incident, instead referring a question to the police.
John Ingold: 303-954-1068, jingold@denverpost.com or twitter.com/john_ingold
COMMUNIQUE BY THE FORUM OF CLAIM AGENTS FOR CHEVRON GAS EXPLOSION AT KOLUAMA APOI NORTH IN BAYELSA STATE OF NIGERIA AFTER AN EXTRA-ORDINARY MEETING HELD AT YENAGOA ON THE 10TH OCTOBER, 2012
COMMUNIQUE
In an extra ordinary meeting held at the OMPADEC GROUND OF YENAGOA
CITY by the forum for the compensation to the Southern Ijaw
communities affected by the Chevron K.S. ENDEAVOR RIG GAS EXPLOSION on
the 16th January, 2012, Forum agreed on the following:-
1. There was negligent gas explosion at the facility of Chevron
Nigeria Limited K.S. ENDEAVOR on the 16th January, 2012 which
continued to spew gas and fire till 2nd March, 2012 when an attempt to
stop the fire was made.
2. That the workers of Chevron are responsible for the explosion and
so Chevron should be responsible for every damage done to the Ecology
and Property of coastal Territory aborting the facility.
3. That individual claims have been made to Chevron Nigeria
Limited/Chevron Incorporated USA jointly and severally for payment of
compensation.
4. That the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria through its
Agencies had demanded compensations to no avail and we are ready to
work with them.
5. That the cleanup has failed to negotiate or contact the
Agents/Attorneys for the payment of adequate compensation
6. That the cleanup is not complete as Gas still bubbles up to the
coast and affects adversely the Ecosystem and is advised to quickly do
something to stop the Trespass, Nuisance and Assault.
7. Forum has agreed that if Chevron Nigeria Limited/Chevron
Incorporated USA did not pay the demanded compensation on or before
the 15th November, 2012 Forum shall allow the communities and Fisher
folk to use every means to seek Reparations/Compensation.
Signed:
1. CAPTAIN GEORGE G.N. ABADI (RTD).
FORUM CHAIRMAN
2. BARRISTER HENRY APELI, ESQ.
FORUM VICE CHAIRMAN
3. CHIEF JONES ABIRI, (JP)
FORUM ADMIN SECRETARY
last saturday at International conference centre Abuja,the management of Gembach communication services,presented SAVANNA EXPRESS magazine to the Nigerian public.
The event attracted men and women from all walks of life,who graced the occasion.
Two illustrious Nigerians were duly honoured with award.
A scientist of International repute Dr.samuel okore,currently a lecturer at federal polytechnic Nekede bagged special scientist of Nigeria in digital ICT chemistry award.
Dr.okore has evolved lots of chemical practices and invented myriads of scientific things ,pivotal to the development of education in Nigeria.
Dr.okores contributions to the educational sector in Nigeria cannot be overemphasised.
Also chief tobias Idika the president of ohanaeze Ndi.igbo kano,and the president General leaders of the ethnic communities in kano bagged leadership award of excellence,for making non.indigenes to live at peace with kano indigenes.
In a lecture TITLED;CURBING SECURITY CHALLENGE IN OUR NATION NIGERIA; delivered by kalu peters of Nigeria renaissance forum,stated that political power gave rise to insecurity being experienced in Nigeria today.
he described boko haram the killer sect activies as a political protest amongst the aggrieved politicians.
He lamented on the hazardous effects of boko haram which created mass exodus,between Nigerians from the North,and Nigerians from the south,creating an ethnic dichotomy amongst Nigerians.
In curbing the menace of boko haram,major security challenge facing the nation Nigeria,kalu peters suggested that patriotism,sincerity is imperative amongst Nigerians to address this insecurity monster,only if Nigerians could show patriotism in reality, by exposing the locations of boko haram sect to the security agencies.
In his welcome address the managing Editor of SAVANNA EXPRESS magazine,
George Oraeki JP said SAVANNA EXPRESS magazine was borne out of the dire need to fill in the loopholes noticed in tourism and event reporting.
George Oraeki said SAVANNA EXPRESS would focus on Investigative JOURNALISM,POLITICS.
He lamented on the neglect of the media industry in Nigeria by the state,federal governments,who refuse to fund the private media sector,while in other developed democracies,the private media receives subventions direct from their central bank,which is an act of the parliament.
Highpoint is the unveiling of the magazine by His Royal Highness Christopher Jatau JP.chief of kube kingdom nasarawa state
The Obama administration has now publicly announced that it deployed U.S. troops near the Syrian border in neighboring Jordan without ever seeking congressional permission, supposedly in an effort to help the Jordanian government deal with refugees from Syria while ensuring that the civil war does not spill over into the broader region. Concerns about chemical and biological weapons falling into the “wrong hands” were also cited to justify the latest deployment, but some lawmakers are upset, warning that the U.S. is now even closer to overt military intervention in Syria.
U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, speaking at a NATO conference in Brussels, said the Obama administration had been cooperating closely with the government of Jordan’s King Abdullah II. Apparently both sides are concerned that Syria’s chemical weapons stockpiles could end up in the hands of al- Qaeda-linked Islamic extremists currently battling the secular Bashar al-Assad regime with support from the Western establishment and assorted Sunni dictatorships.
“We continue to be concerned about security at those sites,” Panetta said after the NATO meeting of defense chiefs. “We want to ensure that security is maintained and we want to be very sure that those [weapons] do not fall into the wrong hands.” The embattled Syrian dictatorship has reportedly tried to secure its stockpiles, but fears about them remain, especially in neighboring Turkey. “They are obviously concerned about the (weapons storage) sites as well,” Panetta said about the Turkish government. “So we’ve worked with them to do what we can to monitor the situation.”
Also part of the U.S. mission, according to officials from both countries, is supporting the Jordanian government. “We have a group of our forces there, working to help them build a headquarters and to ensure that we make the relationship between the United States and Jordan a strong one so we can deal with all of the possible consequences,” Panetta explained after the summit. “We’ve also been working with them to try to develop their own military and operational capabilities in the event of any contingency there.”
Numerous reports have suggested small teams of U.S. and Western government forces may already be operating in Syria. It remains unclear exactly how large the now acknowledged U.S. government presence along the Syria-Jordan border may be, but news reports citing officials claimed there were some 150 American Special Operations troops as well as so-called “trainers.” Also uncertain is where the Obama administration believes it found the lawful or constitutional authority to deploy U.S. troops to Jordan or Syria.
Some lawmakers, though, are outraged that the administration apparently thinks it can simply deploy American forces wherever it pleases without even obtaining permission from Congress. Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio), who blasted the decision, also warned that the lawless deployment means the U.S. government is now “immeasurably” closer to being directly and overtly involved in the long-running Syrian war.
“I can see in a moment how it happens: we’re a few dozen miles from the Syrian border and all of a sudden we are within the reach of physical danger. All it takes is a single incident,” Kucinich told U.S. News, adding that talk of weapons of mass destruction was an argument for trying to reduce the violence rather than intensify it. “Putting U.S. troops on that border draws the U.S. much closer to war in Syria, which is a nightmare already and can be more of a nightmare for our country.”
According to Kucinich, who along with Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) has developed a reputation as one of the fiercest congressional critics of the bi-partisan war-mongering establishment, putting American troops on the border of a conflict area dramatically increases the potential for U.S. involvement. “There’s a trail of causality here,” he explained.
Despite the recent public announcements, however, American forces have been there for months. In fact, the Obama administration’s military scheming in Jordan related to the Syrian conflict has been underway since at least May. According to news reports, the U.S. government organized a massive “training exercise” with more than 10,000 troops from almost 20 countries in Jordan. American forces remained there after the exercise was finished.
“We have been working closely with our Jordanian partners on a variety of issues related to Syria for some time now,” Pentagon press secretary George Little was quoted as admitting by the New York Times, citing concerns about chemical and biological weapons. “As we’ve said before, we have been planning for various contingencies, both unilaterally and with our regional partners.”
Pointing to previously released “regime change” strategies for Syria developed by the U.S.-based Brookings Institution, analysts said the latest developments are actually part of a broader plan. Essentially, the positioning of American troops in Jordan along Syria’s southern border while Turkish troops and U.S. “intelligence” agencies focus on the northern border is meant to divert the Syrian military’s attention away from its opposition, allowing Western-backed Islamic extremists and rebel forces run wild within the nation.
Other analysts said that the public announcement of U.S. troops in Jordan could be interpreted by the Islamist government in Turkey, which is a member of NATO, as a sign that it should step up its role in supporting rebel groups. Turkish forces have already engaged in multiple cross-border skirmishes with Syrian troops, and observers worry the situation could spiral out of control quickly. Some experts say all-out war could even break out.
The Jordanian government, meanwhile, downplayed the presence of U.S. forces on its soil, claiming it was just an effort to protect citizens. “There are dangers involved, and we have to ensure the safety of our country and the well-being of our citizens,” an unnamed “senior government official” told the Associated Press in the first public Jordanian confirmation of the deployment. “We are benefiting from the experience of our allies as we prepare for the worst scenarios.”
Estimates suggest 100,000 or more Syrian refugees may already be in Jordan, and many more have fled to other neighboring countries as the conflict intensifies. For over a year and a half, Islamic terrorists seeking Sharia law and opposition forces long backed by the U.S. government have been waging war on the despotic but secular regime of Bashar al-Assad. And as the violence rages, more refugees are expected.
Minority groups and especially Christians, who found one of the region’s final refuges in Syria, have become among the main targets of rebel forces aside from government supporters. Tens of thousands have already poured across the borders seeking shelter, going to Lebanon, Iraq, and other nations.
Western governments and oil-rich Sunni Arab regimes are hoping to oust the Assad dictatorship using mostly proxies on the ground. If all goes as planned, the Muslim Brotherhood-dominated “Syrian National Council” — an umbrella organization with extensive links to the Bilderberg group and the world government-promoting Council on Foreign Relations — is expected to take over from the current despot. If not, a Brookings Institution report suggested it may be worthwhile for the U.S. government to just “bleed” the Syrian government and leave the nation in disarray.
Tens of thousands of innocent civilians, however, have been killed in the crossfire. And the conflict threatens to spark a regional conflagration that could eventually directly involve Western governments, the Iranian regime, the Russian government, the communist Chinese dictatorship, and more. Despite Panetta’s pronouncements, how U.S. troops on the border fit into the picture remains unclear, for now at least, though observers are deeply suspicious.
During the lawless UN-approved war that destroyed Libya, which bears striking parallels to the current tragedy unfolding in Syria, the Obama administration told Congress that it would wage its war no matter what lawmakers thought about it. The Constitution, also disregarded, gives the war-making power to Congress, requiring a formal declaration of war before the president can invade foreign countries or overthrow governments.
Whether President Obama would overtly intervene militarily in the conflict remains to be seen — so far he has indicated publicly that his administration prefers to support rebel forces from a distance. However, as has been the case on numerous occasions throughout U.S. history, one minor incident could change all of that in an instant.
