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ON THE ROAD FOR OIL RESUMPTION IN OGONI LAND
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BY BLESSING WIKINA.
Just as the last car in the Governor convey turned right onto the East/West road, and the siren roared to clear traffic from Road ahead, so also the air of expectation, doubts, and wishes came to an end.
Days ago, news had covered every household in Ogoni land, that Mr. President had accented to the take off of what will be known as Federal University of Environment Technology, Ogoni land.
What was not certain is when and how that will materialise, as the information came with an early morning sickness of double location, Sakpenwa and Koroma. How come a new University came with two campuses, when older University with only one campus can barely breath in Nigeria.
Predictably, Ogoni’s went to town with permutations, and suspicion that maybe Government had come again, with what late Music Maestro Fela called “instruments of Magic”
Some openly accused the Senator who sponsored the Bill of bias, as Ogoni leaders in the past, like late Chief Albert Badey, who brought the Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, selflessly located in Bori, not in Bado his home town. The Bill earlier sent by a former Senator, Magnus Abe, did not also propose his home town Bera as location for the university.
But with one visit, one inspection, one decision, Governor Sim Fubara showed wisdom, by handing over the facility, built by the Amaechi administration, at Kira-Tai, known as the “New Model Secondary School. For administration convenience, Government documents had labeled it as Sakpenwa, like the Refinery, and the Airport, whose place of location was swallowed by the Port Harcourt convenient town name.
Kira is a confluence town in Ogoni, and serves as an important historical junction leading to Bori on one flank, to Gokana via another artery, to Okirika, to Akwa Ibom, to Port Harcourt, and to Tai communities. Even the entrance into the new University is designed to veer conveniently form the old Kira road side.
In the colonial era, the first Court house in Ogoni was at a location called Maawoo, before it was rebuilt at the place mapped out an a land given by Kira and Boten communities and called Sakpenwa, by the colonial masters.
On April 20th 1968, late Ken Saro-Wiwa wrote in the book. The Ogoni Nationality, Today and Tomorrow, that on the ruins of the old. A greater story be told “adding
” we can no longer be excluded from the Blessings which modern education showers on most of our contry man……….. to this end the secondary schools at present in the Divisions must be converted to comprehensive schools”.
As if by divine promptings and in agreement with the Ogoni Dialogue Committee, led by Prof Dan Baridum, the Rivers State Governor accompanied by members of the Committee drove to Kira-Tai, and handed-over all that facilitor, as the Take off Campus for the new University of Environment Technology, Ogoni land.
This gesture would mean that the Matriculation Day for the new University would be Faster, quicker and sooner than Ogonis imagine.
In the words of a former Governor of Rivers State, Dr, Peter Odili, “those who make history, never realize that they are making history.
An Educational facility, via the University of Environment, may had added to softening the ground for the successes recorded in the oil resumption consultations by the Dialogue Committee.
As usual, the stake holders meeting in the communities and Local Government Areas, though largely successful, had some minor hiccups, as some Ogoni leader still displayed entitlement mentality. Some felt left out in the composition of the committee, and decided to sponsor contrary narratives about the dialogue.
For instance, at the main congress in Bori, after event picture, and video clips were cropped, copied and posted an their walls, purporting that the event was marred by violence.
Also, some notable politicians from Ogoni loyal to a particular bloc tried to subvert the process by shunning the stake holder meetings in their Local Government Areas, Noticeably, in Gokona, these politicians stayed away from the Local Government Council headquarter venue of the meeting, an the idea that “it would amount to supporting the Chairman”.
Some of this persons, had also shunned the first meeting between Governor Sim Fubara and the committee barely 24 hours after their inauguration I Abuja by President Tinubu.
But Arch-Bishop Ignatius Kattey, the alternate Chairman of the Ogoni Dialogue Committee, repeats at every venue, that the committee work is strictly for an all inclusive dialogue and consultation with every Ogoni citizen. “This is not a political exercise” Bishop Kattey said.
Barrister Tom Orage, the secretary of the Ogoni Dialogue Committee would re-echo that persons who are not present physically to publicly submit via the email:
[email protected].
THE LEDUM MITEE EXAMPLE
In a demonstration of the committee’s openness and Trust, former, Mosop President, Ledum Mittee pointed the way forward at the Bori Congress Meeting. While he was addressing the crowd, some sponsored persons emerged with placards bearing “Mitee and Ribadu leave Ogoni Oil alone” etc.
But rather than stop his speech, or get angry, Ledum continued his speech without stopping, a pointer that the committee will not allow any distraction to affect the process.
This approach may had guided the Committee to adopt their all inclusive stance at all meeting venues, as everyone was given access to the Microphone, every document received, and every group contented.
As the Committee rounds up their consultations, one prayer in the heart of Ogonis will be that Mr. President shows further sincerity by honoring the demands and concerns of Ogoni people as collated and presented by the Ogoni Dialogue Committee for a smooth resumption of oil activities.
*Blessing Wikina a journalist and public communicator, retired as Director from the Rivers State Civil Service*
News
Association of Medical, Dental Academics in Nigeria gives FG three week ultimatum or face strike
The Nigerian Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA) has given the Federal Government a three-week extension to conclude negotiations over its outstanding demands, warning that failure to reach an agreement could trigger a three-day warning strike.
The association issued the ultimatum in a communiqué released to journalists in Uyo on Friday, following its Emergency National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting.
The communiqué, endorsed by the President, Nosa Orhue, and the Acting Secretary-General, Aniekan Peter, said the extension would run until August 31, 2026.
It stated, “A three-week timeline extension was adopted for a possible further consideration. E-NEC further resolved that the extension period should be utilised by government to resolve all outstanding issues.
“Failure to achieve meaningful resolution at the expiration of the period ending on the 31st of August 2026 shall result in the declaration of a three-day warning strike to be announced by NOC.”
NAMDA also directed all its branches nationwide to engage their members through congresses and sensitisation programmes at least twice during the extension period.
The branches are expected to submit evidence and reports of the mobilisation activities to the National Executive Council through the secretariat, indicating their level of preparedness for possible strike action.
The association expressed concern over what it described as the government’s reluctance to conclude negotiations, while commending the Department of State Services (DSS) and other stakeholders for their interventions in the process.
NAMDA also appreciated its members for their patience and cooperation in maintaining stability within the university system.
The association further lamented the alleged neglect of medical education and training amid the shortage of medical and dental doctors and the increasing migration of professionals, popularly known as the “Japa” syndrome.
It reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing the full implementation of all approved benefits for medical and dental lecturers and urged its members to comply with all directives and decisions reached at the meeting.
The Senate has explained why the Federal Capital Territory will not be included in the proposed state police structure, saying Abuja lacks the constitutional institutions required to operate one.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Yemi Adaramodu, said the FCT has no governor or State House of Assembly and remains directly under the control of the Federal Government.
Adaramodu said the territory is administered by a minister who takes directives from the Federal Executive Council, while the National Assembly performs legislative functions for the FCT.
“I have heard many people raise a lot of questions on why the Federal Capital Territory is not among the plan for state police. The FCT issue is different. It is under the Federal Government,” he said.
He added that because Abuja does not have a governor or state legislature, it cannot operate under the same policing arrangement being proposed for the 36 states.
“The federal capital does not have an assembly. It is the National Assembly that legislates for the FCT. This is why it can’t be different from what the Federal Government does. Therefore, the federal police are in charge,” Adaramodu said.
The clarification comes as the Federal Government pushes ahead with plans for a new policing structure amid mounting calls for decentralised security across the country.
President Bola Tinubu is expected to receive the draft Executive National Policing Bill on September 3 as part of efforts to provide an operational framework for the proposed system.
Chief of Staff to the President and Chairman of the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, Femi Gbajabiamila, had also unveiled a public information portal through which Nigerians can submit memoranda and position papers on the proposal.
Under the constitutional amendments being considered, state Houses of Assembly would have powers to legislate on the establishment, administration, funding and oversight of state police.
States would bear the primary responsibility for funding their police formations, although the Federal Government could provide grants or assistance on the recommendation of the National Police Council and subject to approval by the National Assembly.
The FCT, however, would remain under the federal policing structure because of its unique constitutional status and direct administration by the Federal Government.
News
Gov Abiodun Commends Army, Police, DSS, Others for Intelligence-led Rescue of 5 Kidnapped Poly Students, 2 Others
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has lauded the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Police, as well as Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), for rescuing five kidnapped students of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, in Remo North Local Government Area of the state.
The students, who were abducted by suspected kidnappers earlier this week, were rescued in the early hours of Friday, in an intelligence-led operation around Alamala community, off Ayetoro Road Roundabout, of the state capital. Also rescued were two non-students.
The governor described the rescue as a major breakthrough in its fight against kidnapping, even as he reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that kidnappers and other criminal elements have no hiding place in the state.
He described the operation, which included members of the State Security Network Agency (Amotekun Corps), local vigilantes and hunters, as a demonstration of the success that can be achieved when security agencies work together.
“One of the victims sustained a gunshot injury during the incident and was immediately evacuated for medical attention. The student has since been stabilised.
“This operation is still ongoing, and I wish to assure the good people of Ogun State that our security agencies remain on the trail of every individual connected with this criminal enterprise,” said the governor.
“Our resolve is very clear. Ogun State will remain hostile to criminality and safe for every law-abiding citizen, resident and investor,” the Governor declared, stressing that
According to him, recent joint security initiatives, particularly Operation Kò S’Áyé, have demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence sharing, inter-agency collaboration and sustained operational pressure against criminal elements.
The governor also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his administration’s commitment to combating banditry, terrorism and kidnapping across the country, noting that the recent rescue of 308 abducted victims by Nigerian security forces underscores the growing effectiveness of coordinated security operations nationwide. (Reuters)
“At this juncture, I must acknowledge the purposeful leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose administration has placed the restoration of peace and security at the centre of Nigeria’s development agenda through sustained investment in the operational capacity of the Armed Forces and other security agencies.
“The strengthening of intelligence coordination, the acquisition of modern security assets and his deliberate reforms have continued to deepen inter-agency collaboration,” he said.
The governor further noted that the Federal Government has continued to strengthen the nation’s security architecture, adding that the recent approval of a substantial salary increase for officers and men of the Armed Forces would further boost personnel welfare and morale.
“One of the kidnapped victims sustained a gunshot injuries during the operation and was immediately evacuated for medical attention and has since been stabilised.” disclosed a security source.
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