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It is now becoming part of the life of the people of Rivers
State and visitors alike, to look left, right and back as they
move out of their houses for their daily bread and other
purposes.
There seems to be a sudden increase in the rate of killings
and abductions in the State as every day news of assassinations
and abduction are heard.
On Saturday, January 3, 2009, one Theophilus, said to be a
former member of Green Landers cult group was shot dead by
unknown gun men.
Sunny Opuambe, leader of 'Bush Boys' alias 'Peace Makers'
of Okrika was shot dead the following day at Abuloma while
relaxing with friends.
On Wednesday, February 4, 2009, Mr. Ayowari popularly known
as Agiji, alias Chief Toru-Okibo 1 of Ederemebiri, Okrika, was
killed by gunmen at the National School, Okrika, where he worked
as a night guard.
He was a former prominent member of the 'Bush Boys', before
he left them.
The killing was carried out despite the current curfew in
Okrika.
Several abductions have also been carried out successfully,
the latest victim being the wife of the Amayanabo of Nembe and
former Minister of Energy, Mrs. Gladys Edmund Daukoru.
National Network investigations revealed that residents of
Port Harcourt and environs now live in fear as the presence of
the members of the Joint Military Task Force, JTF, no longer
guarantees anyone's safety.
They pleaded that the government should seriously look into
the operations of the J.T.F. with a view to upgrading their
performance.
At present, some lamented, innocent ones seem to bear the
brunt of their presence, including drivers, while criminals seem
to have their way.
Meanwhile, the Okrika warlord, Ateke Tom has condemned the
murder of Sunny Opuambe.
In a release signed by him, he said the leadership of the
Niger Delta Vigilante and Patriotic Force condemn the Brutal
Murder of Opuambe.
“The leadership of the Niger Delta vigilante and Patriotic
Force condemn the brutal murder of Sunny Opuambe. Though we
cannot trace the reason and people behind this murder at the
moment, we want to say that, there was no sentiment between the
various factions in Okrika that could have led to the brutal
murder of our brother. Late Opuambe was a signatory to the
famous Okrika peace pad that was entered by all the waring
factions in Okrika in July, 2007 and as such, it was most
unpatriotic for any man from Okrika extraction to have
contributed to his death. The demise of Opuambe is a painful
thing to everyone of us. He was a brother who had cause to meet
with us in the creeks to discuss ways of strengthening the peace
in Okrika.
We will all miss him.
“We want to use this opportunity to appeal to Okrika people
to lay down every sentiment and come together and face our
common challenges of cultural, traditional, economic and
political extinction that are upon us. We cannot afford to be
indifferent to the cultural and political decadence that has
engulfed our town. Enough is enough of the killings amongs
ourselves. We cannot afford to be killing ourselves any longer,
when we also have the JTF in our communities engaged in all
manners of extra judicial killings of our people.
“This is the time for all well meaning sons and daughters
of Okrika to forget all kinds of internal conflicts among us,
and come together to step up a vanguard against the
intimidation, oppression, maiming and killing of our people by
the JTF sanctioned by the parochial, callous and ethnic oriented
imposed governor of our State, Ateke Tom said.###
Insecurity
In Rivers State:
PENGASSAN Embarks On
Strike This Week
By Tony Amadi
Despite series of assurances by the authorities in Rivers
State, the high degree of insecurity in Port Harcourt and some
local councils seems to be taking a huge toll on life and
activities within the State.
For, angered with the number of kidnaps and attempted
kidnaps of oil workers and their family members in the State,
the senior staff association of oil and gas workers, PENGASSAN,
is to embark on a strike action to protest the unacceptable
discomfort suffered by its members.
National Network learnt from the zonal chairperson in the
State, Evang. Preye Grace Olowo that there is a directive from
the national headquarters of the body to the effect that senior
staff of oil and gas companies should embark on the said action
with effect from today, Monday, February 9, 2009.
The zonal chairperson said there would be no going back on
the proposed action, adding that the zone would implement the
national directive to the letters, except otherwise directed by
the national body.
It has also been reported that the national president of
the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has already thrown the union's
weight and support behind the proposed action by PENGASSAN.
While this medium waits to monitor the imminent action, it
is noteworthy to reiterate the consequences of a prolonged
military offensive against those branded as militants in the
Niger Delta region and Rivers State in particular.
Denying Rivers State peace by enthroning the rule of arms
rather than good will for all can only destroy what is left of
this over-used State, our respondents have often stated,
advising the Amaechi-led government to drop ego and discuss
peace and progress with the militants who they say have been led
astray by the egocentric political leadership of the State and
region which armed them in the erroneous belief that they would
ever remain loyal, sir-sir house dogs.###
Excesses Of
Private Police Escorts:
Reports Indict Junior Officers
…Incivility, Brutality On Innocent Civilians Condemned
By Tony Amadi
The propensity for the privileged class in Nigeria to show
inhumanity and extreme disrespect to those who ought to benefit
from their protective capacity has largely been condemned.
But despite the wide condemnation and official statements
against the attitude, the practice seems far from abating as
those who mete out these wrong treatments seem to cherish having
a field day rather than building or encouraging love and
orderliness in the society.
Following the seemingly unchecked and unabating incivility
of most overzealous junior officers, especially those of the
mobile police unit who parade as escorts to private individuals,
it is a well considered opinion in several quarters that today's
society must rise for their defence if they will not suffer
perpetual humiliation and recurrent brutalization.
National Network has it on good authority that pockets of
this incivil harassment are strewn all over Rivers State and are
a strong reason for indigenes and residents living in fear,
especially where they are ignorant of the law.
The way things are, it is not even easy for those who know
and abide by the law to the best of their ability to be treated
with human dignity and respect, let alone those who live like a
candle light in the wind, blown about by the capricious state of
the wind.
A good case in point, National Network learnt, was reported
to have occurred not long ago along Tombia Street in GRA. A
reverend gentleman dropped his wife in her office in GRA and met
a hold-up on his way back. While all vehicles respected the
queue, we learnt, a company vehicle with a police escort went
off the queue and drove against the opposite traffic to a point
where it needed to give way to on-coming vehicles from the
opposite direction.
But rather than seek understanding from those vehicles that
respected the queue, the company saloon sought to force its way
urgently back into the line and when that did not work as
smoothly as intended, the mobile personnel in the car got off
and before long was raining blows on the Pastor whom he accused
of being stubborn in the circumstance.
Unfortunately, the traffic police around were said to have
supported his cause and as all of them were beating the clergy
man, bullion van escort that came by simply joined the
“massacre” without knowing the issues involved. They were simply
in a sympathetic vibration with their colleague without knowing
if he was right or wrong.
But reportedly rescued by a passing team of JTF escort, the
pastor abandoned his car and all it contained and escaped for
dear life, from where he consulted a lawyer who, in conjunction
with media men alerted in the midst of the battering, followed
up with a petition from the office of the commissioner of police
to the area command, Port Harcourt.
Eventually, all the unknown parties were uncovered and,
despite the gross and unwarranted incivility to the pastor, the
policemen involved in the battering only attempted to level
against the victim an allegation of hitting a company vehicle
and escaping after fighting police officers and inflicting
severe injuries on the private escort.
This medium learnt that, even though the truth was
determined and the pastor who lost a huge amount of money and a
pair of shoes, when his car was eventually returned, pardoned
his offenders, the police escort still threatened brimstone and
fire, giving no thought to the illegality or otherwise of his
duties where only a company sales girl was in the private
saloon.
The brutalization of the innocent road user definitely
meant nothing, observers commented, adding that if such excesses
remain unchecked in the society, the meek and law abiding
citizens will, before long, pay dearly where they do not
outrightly stand up for their rights and let these military
personnel know that the society is not inhabited by rats and
lizard but by human beings that deserve honour and love.
While it might not be totally ruled out that the masses, on
the other hand, could be troublesome and stupid at times,
observers opine that the command must check the excesses of
those officers it posts out to various duty posts, especially
the roads, before the society rises from its helplessness and
undeserved pains to take tough stands against the inhuman and
incivil actions of some junior officers.
At all times, both the police and the masses should be able
to answer without hesitation how much or to what extent the
police are friends of the masses.###
 Almost one year after the gruesome murder of Onyinyechi
Osuji in cold blood, the long arm of the law is yet to catch up
with the perpetrators of this heinous act.
Consequently, the Umuezeala-Ama autonomous community in
Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State has petitioned
the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), zone 9, Umuahia
to ensure that this crime against humanity is not just swept
under the carpet while the murders are still living a normal
life as though their victim was one of those wild animals.
In a strong worded protest letter to the AIG, signed by the
traditional ruler of Umuezeala-Ama Community, HRH, Eze (Sir)
Alloy O. Igwe and the leadership of the community, copies of
which were sent to the Imo State governor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim,
Inspector-General of police (IGP), Mike Okiro and the Imo State
Police Commissioner among others, the protesters insisted that
the suspects which include Young Ohaechesi, Sylvanus Ohaechesi,
Progress Nnamdi, Amarachi Nmezie and a host of others have a
case to answer in the unwholesome murder of Onyinyechi.
The 24 yr old Onyinyechi, the petitioners claimed was a
humble budding talent and precious daughter of the community who
did nothing to deserve such cruel death in the hands of satanic
agents who they said had been on the run since the commission of
the crime in May, 2008.
Reliving the circumstances surrounding the brutal murder of
Onyinyechi, the petitioners said the last bet she had with death
was on May 4, 2008 when she was kidnapped by the principal
suspect, Young Ohaechesi and others, beaten to coma and
abandoned in the forest. She later died and was not seen until
after nine days.
Prior to that incident, Onyinyechi Osuji as stated in the
protest letter had left home for Nkwerre in Nkwerre Local
Government Area, also in Imo State to stay with her senior
sister married to an indigene of the area and had spent about
two years there during which period she met her alleged killer,
Young Ohaechesi who was also said to have developed interest in
marrying her.
But the girl and the family were said to have turned down
the offer of marriage from where hostilities began and one thing
led to the other, resulting in the violent killing of the once
beloved.
But intriguing to the petitioners and the entire
Umuezeala-Ama Community is the way the case is being handled by
the police so much so, that almost one year after, nothing has
been heard of the heinous crime nor the perpetrators brought to
book.
The case which was later taken over by the zonal police
Umuahia (Zone 9), due to the unsatisfactory handling of the
investigations by the police at the State CID, Owerri sequel to
a petition to the AIG by the Senior brother of the deceased,
John Osuji and dully approved by the AIG was allegedly
terminated midway by the deputy commissioner in charge of
investigations and later referred back to Owerri.
No reason according to the petitioners was given for the
referral and since then nothing is being heard about the case.
The petitioners therefore want to know at whose instance
the case was referred back to Owerri, whether the action of the
deputy commissioner of police is right and proper, what other
instructions did he leave with the IPOs, what is the position of
the body of the late Onyinyechi, and the post mortem examination
and what is generally happening to the case etc.
Not until explanations are given to these questions will
the Umuezeala-Ama and all other interested parties be convinced
that Justice is indeed taking its course and the perpetrators
may not have just been let off the hook on special arrangement
with the investigators. ###
By Chris Konkwo
 To
help actualize the vision of the State governor, Rt. Hon
Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and challenge his impatience to ensure
that the State occupies its rightful position in the nation's
education sector, the Special Adviser (SA) to the Governor on
Parastatals, Batom Mitee and the Vice-Chancellor of the State
University of Science and Technology, Prof B. B. Fakae have
agreed to close ranks in this effort.
The radicals in their various vocations took this stand
while discussing on the myriad of challenges confronting the
State owned University Tuesday, February 3, 2009 during a
familiarization visit to the University by the Special Adviser.
Prof Fakae while earlier welcoming the SA and his team had
described the University as 'new improved' and 'rebranded'
University of Science and Technology far from what was on ground
when he came on board about a year ago.
Besides being the VC of the institution, Prof Fakae said he
also had the mandate of His Excellency upon appointment to
rescue the University from decay and prevailing academic
decadence and reposition same for excellence accordingly.
The VC was however the excited to announce to the SA that
the University of Science and Technology notwithstanding the
challenges ahead is now and could be proudly seen as a
University in the true sense of the word with improved
infrastructure, quality lecturers, the right attitude to duties
and lectures by both staff and students, free from cultism etc.
According to Prof Fakae, RSUST is the only University in
the country today that can boost of a full fledged e:function
that enables one to know and recall the details of every student
at any point in time or part of the world with ease, the only
institution where Microsoft is currently hosting their services,
all aimed at erasing the discomforting notion that Rivers State
is educationally less developed with all its resources and
better feeding than the rest of the country.
Prof Fakae stressed that it was his plan to bring the State
to the front burner of the education sector, producing a host of
'first class' materials at the law school and other disciplines
and not just a few in a while.
To realize this therefore, the VC said those basic things
necessary for the establishment of a real university which
hitherto, were not there have now been put in place, notably
the law, masterplan and academic brief.
The university will also according to the Vice Chancellor,
soon begin to flush out postgraduate students that have
overstayed to start all over again and henceforth, will no
longer admit any student for postgraduate studies without a
supervisor to avoid hanging around etc.
In response, the Special Adviser to the Governor on
Parastatals, Hon Batom Mitee commended the VC for his giant
strives in so short a time, stressing that as an alumnus of the
university there had been some marked changes in all departments
courtesy of the new administration.
Hon Mitee said the visit to the university was firstly
informed by the creation of the office of the Special Adviser to
the Governor on parastatals among which the university belongs,
but most importantly to liaise with the VC, a brother Ogoni, on
the best way(s) to fasttrack the Governor's plan to reposition
the Ivory Tower given the huge resources being earmarked for
such projects and the like.
The Special Adviser expressed the preparedness of his
office to be in the picture of all the activities of the
university that would enable them meet the Governor's
expectation.
Impressed by the marvelous job and the ethical
re-orientation being introduced in the university by Prof Fakae,
Hon Mitee called for the same magic wad in the area of research
with a view to coming out with more and better ideas to
facilitate technological growth, baseline for better assessment
and measurement of progress on periodic basis, educational
policy that could also be marketed to lawmakers for the general
improvement of the education system in not only Rivers State but
the country as a whole.
The Special Adviser also harped on the need for budgeting
which he said has been discovered to be lacking in many places
as a result of which other extra-academic but necessary features
of the university have suffered neglect such as yearly
convocation etc.
Hon Mitee also advised that every visit of the Governor to
the university be marked by at least a new development to
attract regular attention, and pledged his support behind the
consolidation of the good jobs Prof Fakae is doing in the
University.###
By Womah Josiah Ugo
The Rivers State Universal Basic Education, UBE would soon
ground to a halt, if the recent agitations of principals
responsible for it are not nipped in the bud.
The principals are crying out that they have been used as
Guinea pigs to establish the UBE in the State and are now being
relegated to the background.
Over 40 principals of grade level 13 and 14 are vehemently
kicking against their transfer out of the UBE schools, making
them to deputise for newly posted principals.
According to a source who spoke under anonymity to National
Network, the very principals they were asked to work under, had
earlier rejected to be trained as UBE teachers.
They were to be trained at the National Institute for
Education Planning and Administration, NIEPA, according to the
guidelines of the Federal Universal Basic Education Board Abuja
to equip them with the knowledge to manage the junior secondary
schools.
According to the source the training was a difficult issue,
when it came up. Some of the teachers in the senior secondary
schools were asked to reduce themselves to junior secondary
school teachers in order to establish the UBE system in the
State, while many teachers of grade level 15 and 16 rejected the
offer, saying it would not work in Nigeria.
“Many of the teachers on grade level 13 and 14 risked their
positions, not minding if it would lead to the loss of their
jobs and decided to take the bull by the horns in order to make
a difference in the education sector of the State,” the source
said.
However, the source continued, they were surprised when
they were asked to hand over to the very persons who earlier
rejected the offer for fear of losing their jobs.
A senior secondary school principal who also craved for
anonymity said it was wrong to train someone for a purpose, even
at the risk of losing his job and later relieve him of his
position for the sake of political interest.
The principal added that transfer of teachers is done
during the first term and not in the second or third term,
especially at this period of JSS and Common Entrance
examinations.
Appealing for a rethink, the principal said it would
encourage fraud, cause much hardship to the staff that have not
received their November and December 2008 salaries and
jeopardize the easy identification of Academic and non-academic
staff by bio-metric data capture exercise, among others.
When contacted, the Ag chairman of UBE Board, Dr. Solomon
Ibulubo, said it was purely a government decision as there are
many level 15 and 16 teachers in the system.
He referred National Network to the Special Adviser to the
Governor on primary schools, Hon. Sam Sam Etetegwung.
The adviser said it was done in error in the past by the
former administration and that he never knew why the newly
posted principals previously rejected the offer.###
By Tony Amadi
The voice of the labour movement in Nigeria has been crying
out like a lone tone in a wilderness.
Not only is the movement, through its leadership, making
genuine effort to bring government in the country to appreciate
the need to align workers remuneration with the economic
realities of the time, it is also saying it loud and bold that
economic managers of the country are heading in the wrong
direction.
The senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has recently
come up with a finding that the NNPC deliberately abandoned the
refineries in the country just for them to do business with the
nation's crude by exporting it and buying refined petroleum
products from overseas.
With such self-centred management idea, government
functionaries have only grossly engaged in sharp practices with
the destiny and welfare of the people of the country, leading to
the enthronement of wrong ideals on the entire polity.
But in the words and conviction of the TUC president in
Rivers State, Comrade Edward Orupabo, the country must return to
the basics if it intends to survive and run a vibrant economy.
In his opinion, it is unbelievable that a country like
Nigeria which increased prices of petroleum products because of
escalating cost of crude on the international market cannot give
a corresponding reduction in the prices of the same products
following a radical drop in the price of crude on the same
international market.
It is observed with dismay that petroleum product marketers
in the country are uncompromising even over a mere N5 reduction
ordered by the federal government. This shows how wrongly
directed the economic forces in the country are. It is difficult
for the Nigerian petroleum marketers to bring down the price of
petroleum products in the same circumstance that marketers in
London have reduced prices, substantially, for about three times
within the same period the global melodrama lasted.
Let's hear the labour leader: “We must make the conscious
decision to move Nigeria forward, and the only way to do this is
to ensure that everybody is conscious of who and what he is.
Those elected into offices must realize that the job they do is
not their private business. Those in business must know that
policies revolve around the people, not around their whims and
caprices.
“The economy must be made productive. Therefore, policies
that engender production must be made. The naira slide we
experience today is so because our economy is not productive. We
are a consumer nation, buying almost everything, everyday and
hardly selling. We must go back to the basics”.
To engender production, however, the labour leader conceded
that the necessary factors are not on ground and, here faulted
the various tiers of government for not placing on ground the
right infrastructure and energy policy.
“Labour in Nigeria is one of the cheapest in the world”, he
further said. “This, under normal circumstances, should attract
investors, but it is not so because those factors that engender
production are not there, especially power and infrastructure.
This is why small scale industries are dying off. I know what it
take to supply yourself power.
“Nigeria is a country where there is no provision for the
elderly and the unemployed and, as a result, there is pressure
on the wages of those working. Government must live up to its
responsibilities to take care of the needs of the People by
addressing the basic issues and not doing smart business with
the people and the economy. Unfortunately, nobody knows how much
oil we have or we drill and sell. Nobody gives proper account or
provides accurate figures. This is our major difficulty”.###
The 21st Matriculation Ceremony for fresh students of the
Federal College of Education (Technical), Omoku, Rivers State
holds on Friday, February 13, 2009.
The Registrar of the College, Mr. Azubuike Nwokocha (JP)
who disclosed this in a press statement issued by the
institution's Public Relation's Officer, Prince Charles
Amadike-Otoboh JP, stated that as part of activities marking the
ceremony, a matriculation lecture titled “TEACHER EDUCATION AND
THE BUILDING OF A DYNAMIC ECONOMY” will be delivered by a
renowned Educationist and Associate Dean, Faculty of Education,
University of Port Harcourt, Dr. (Mrs.) J.M. Ebong on Thursday,
February 12, 2009.
According to the Registrar, the matriculation activities
which are compulsory for all the present year one students will
be presided over by the Provost of the College, Dr. N.S. Oguzor
(JP).
He has therefore requested parents, guardians and friends
of the college to grace the ceremony.
Consequently, the college is now wearing a new look
preparatory to the matriculation ceremony, the statement further
said.###
…Challenges Any Person To Prove The Contrary
By Kenneth Amabipi
The Chairman of Andoni Local Government Area, Hon. Apostle
Felix Fyneface Ayayi has declared his LGA free of cultists and
has challenged any person to prove the contrary.
Hon. Ayayi made the declaration on Friday, February 6, 2008
during a press briefing held in Port Harcourt.
The chairman who castigated the press for publishing news
of disturbances in his LGA without proper investigation, said he
has taken two Port Harcourt based tabloids, The Moonlight and
Weekly Watch Newspapers to court, accusing them of false
publications concerning cult activities in his LGA.
Giving details of his efforts that have resulted into a
peaceful LGA, the chairman said he undertook a tour of his LGA
on assumption of office and decided to handle, step by step, two
major problems besetting the area.
The problems were chieftaincy wranglings and
cultism/militancy, he said.
Hon. Ayayi said it was difficult to maintain peace and
order due to the trouble among the chiefs and the actions of
cultists and militants and so he chose to tackle them frontally.
For the chieftaincy problems which he said have lingered
for over 20 years, the chairman said he held meetings with them
on different occasions and constituted a committee headed by
him, with the Adviser on Chieftaincy Institutions as secretary,
to work out modalities for settlement.
The committee comprised of HRH U.D Ngere, Chief Mbu
Ibirien, Chief K. D.G. Etuete and Chief Jacob Ayaowu,
representing one faction and Chief Dr. Silas Eneyo, HRH. J.W.
Okuruket, HRH M.M Egwenre and Chief O.M.A. Awoh, representing
the other faction.
“Resolutions were made and we were able to achieve 80% of
the settlement,” the chairman stated, adding that the remaining
20% was as a result of a clause that they have to go to court to
withdraw all suits, which was agreed by all.
In the case of cultism and militancy which he said were not
peculiar to Andoni LGA but rather a Niger Delta problem, and
which were existing before he came on board, the chairman said,
he held meetings with men of God at home and abroad, held
stakeholders meetings and also met with all chairmen of
Community Development Committees, CDC, to find lasting solutions
to the menace.
The chairman who said he was Assistant State Publicity
Secretary of the People's Democratic Party, PDP, said he has
never been a cultist and so he moves about freely and even
without armed guards.
He said at a period when the issue of cultism became
complex at the Headquarters of the LGA, the community came
together and dealt with the cultists, arresting some of them who
are still in prison custody, bringing peace to the community.
After sometimes, he said, the chiefs and people of Ikuru
town also took the same action.
He said militants are migrants who move from one LGA to the
other and that efforts are being made to liase with the State
government to chase them out of the State.
Apostle Ayayi stated that he has executed several projects
to bring development in his LGA and they include Skill
Acquisition Programmes, Loan Scheme, Executive Pier Latrines,
provision of light, Band sets for youths, renovation of schools
and legislative chambers, construction of Abattoir and three
star hotel of 40 rooms, among others.###
By Polycarp Nwaeke
A care-taker committee has been inaugurated and mandated to
take charge of youth activities in Rumuodara community pending
the time a youth constitution is signed into law and election
conducted.
Inaugurating the committee, Okpobiri Ikechi, Special
Adviser to Obio/Akpor local government chairman on community and
chieftaincy matters, charged them to work towards bringing peace
and reconciling factionalized youths in Rumuodara community,
noting that without peace, there would be no development.
While advising them to adhere strictly to the existing
constitution, the SA to the council boss urged them to conduct
the youth election within the stipulated three months period.
Also speaking, the Paramount Ruler of the Community, Eze
Ohia Chuku said the committee was set up to checkmate the
activities of bad boys in the community who have been going
about imposing and collecting illegal levies from individuals
and companies operating in the area and advised the committee to
stop all forms of illegal levies within the three months they
are mandated to work.
Mr. Chuku also urged them to review the MOUs the community
had with the companies operating in the area with a view to
using them to secure employment for his people.
In a chat with National Network after the inauguration,
Comrade Brown Onukem Ogunda, the committee chairman promised to
carry out the assignments given to them within the stipulated
three months and urged all the youths to cooperate with the
committee.
He listed the work they were asked to do as fellows: To
ensure that the youths constitution is signed into law to visit
companies and review MOUs entered into with them, to secure
office accommodation for the youth body, to incorporate women
into the youth body and to conduct an election.
The members of the care-taker committee include: Comrade
Brown Onukem Ogunda, chairman, Prince Chinwo, Secretary, Ike
Chinwo, and Prince Lawrence Chuku. Others are Elechi Nwagwagwu,
Emmanuel Wali and Stone Wopara.###
The Action Congress, A.C, in Rivers State has condemned in
its entirety, the kidnap of Mrs Gladys Daukoru, wife of His
Majesty, Edmund Daukoru, Amanyanabo of Nembe and former Minister
of Energy.
In a statement signed by Chief Eze C. Eze, Publicity
Secretary, the party said the kidnap was unfortunate,
distasteful and disgraceful.
The party called for the immediate release of the lady and
advised against such negative acts in the future.
Part of the statement reads, “This abduction of harmless
and great sons and daughters of Niger Delta at intervals is
madness stretched too far.
“To us, this is becoming an embarrassment. It is shameful
that such evil and notoriety will be associated with us as
people due to wickedness and madness of very few disgruntled,
debased and confused elements in our midst.
“This shameful act is no longer acceptable to us as there
is no basis for justification of such idiotic and unholy acts.
Our people are known for decency, forthrightness, hardwork and
light to the rest of other sections of Nigeria and not for
kidnapping or any other form of criminality.
“We therefore urge not only for the immediate release of
this innocent and hapless woman, but that the region should rise
against such ungodly acts aimed at tarnishing our hard earned
reputation as a region.
“Yes, we have suffered a lot of deprivations in the hands
of the Federal Government of Nigeria and the rest of the
country, but the fact remains that there is a sincere effort by
the present Federal Government and the South-South governors to
develop the region.
“Is it by this madness that we can attract development or
investment to the region? Of course not.
“So please, we urge all those involved in these nefarious
acts to stop forthwith as they are enemies of the region than
children of the region.”
Mrs. Gladys has since been released by her abductors.###
By Polycarp Nwaeke
Oro-Olozu Youth Congress (OYC) Elekahia has commended
Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi for initiating and executing
developmental projects that have impacted positively on the
people of Rivers State.
Making the commendation during a chat with National
Network, Comrade Emmanuel Woluchem, the group president-general,
after listing Amaechi's achievements in the areas of road
construction and rehabilitation, Healthcare, education,
reduction in crime rate, scholarship to indigent students, ban
on okada and demolition of illegal structures said he would
mobilize the youths of Elekahia in support of the governor's
effort.
Woluchem who praised the youths of his community for their
peaceful disposition said the good impact of the demolition
exercise would be seem in Port Harcourt metropolis where streets
have become cleaner and less congested. On the ban on okada, the
youth leader said the public should not see it as a kind of
witch-hunting or a device to drive people out of the State but a
genuine intention of governor Amaechi to sanitize Port Harcourt,
adding that the goodness that would emerge from the exercise
would manifest in the future.
Praising Amaechi for building and equipping a hospital in
Elekahia community, Woluchem said that has alleviated the plight
of the people especially the elderly who had trek long distances
to receive medical attention. “Now a hospital is at their
doorstep and they have already started taking advantage of it.
The elderly people go there now to receive medical attention” he
said.
The youth president expressed joy the governor has
fulfilled a good number of the promises he made when he assumed
office and appealed to youths, elders, traditional rulers,
opinion leaders and king-makers in every community in Rivers
State to support his administration achieve set goals.
He however appealed to His Excellency to rehabilitate the
roads that are bad as well as offer more scholarship to
indigenes of his community.
Speaking in the same vein, the Secretary of the body,
Etitinwo Chika while commending Amaechi, noted that it was the
first time in history that a hospital of that standard was seen
in the whole of Elekahia. Like his president, he said people now
go there for all sorts of medical attention and expressed
happiness that the hospital is well equipped to handle any
medical problem.
Chika said for the laudable achievements of the Governor in
just one year, the youths of Elekahia have decided to make him
Golden governor of Nigeria.###
Gov Ohakim Reshuffles
Cabinet -Stories By Ifeoma Opara, Owerri.
 The multi purpose Hall, Owerri, close to Imo State
Government House was filled to capacity as people trooped out to
witness the swearing in of seven new commissioners by Justice
Paul Onumajuru, the Chief Judge of the State with Governor Ikedi
Ohakim and all the members of the State Executive Council and
House of Assembly in attendance.
The new commissioners and their portfolios are
Dr. Amanze Obi, Information and Strategy, Hon. Jeff Ojinika,
Commerce and Industry, Barr. Kezie Ogaziechi, Chieftaincy and
local Government Affairs and Chief Levi Oguwuike, Lands, Survey
and Urban Planning.
Others are Mrs. Aniagam Ononuju, Women Affairs
and Social Development, Chief Tony Uzoukwu, Youth and Sports and
Mrs. Eucharia Anyikwa, Ministry of Planning and Economic
Development.
There were also members of the State executive
council that swapped position as a result of the cabinet
reshuffle. They include, Mrs. Chinwe Chukwu, Commissioner for
Education now in charge of works, Housing and Transport
while Barr. Ralph Nwosu who was the Oracle of Ministry of Works,
Housing and Transport takes over the Ministry of Public
Utilities just as Chief Chuma Nnaji of Information and Strategy
now goes to Culture and Tourism.
In like manner, Prof. Jude Njoku of Lands, Survey and Urban
Planning now oversees Ministry of Education.
Five Commissioners retained their Ministries. They are, Dr.
Vincent Udokwu of Ministry of Health, Chief Longas Anyanwu of
Agriculture and Natural Resources, Barr. Ken Njemanze (SAN),
Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Hon. Aloysius
Aguwa of Petroleum and Environment as well as Engineer George
Irechukwu of Finance Ministry.###
… Correspondents Chapel Commends Gov. Ohakim Over Appointments
The recent appointment and elevation of some journalists
into the cabinet of Imo State Government by Governor Ikedi
Ohakim has received serious commendation by the members and
leadership of Correspondents Chapel of Nigeria Union of
Journalists (NUJ), Imo State Council.
The chapel under the leadership of Rotarian
Everest Ezihe considered the Governor's action as a proof of
absolute confidence and appreciation of the inputs of
journalists in the State.
The Chapel recalled that it was the first time
a practising journalist in the State was appointed as the Chief
Press Secretary (C.P.S.) to the Governor.
Mr. Henry Ekpe, a newly promoted Managing Editor of
Announcer Express Newspapers and Dr. Ethelbert Okere were
appointed CPS. and Special Adviser to the Governor on Public
Affairs and Documentaries, respectively.
The Chapel expressed satisfaction with the
appointment of the two Owerri based journalists into positions
of trust by the State government unlike before when such
appointments are given to only journalists based in Lagos or
Abuja at the detriment of the home based journalists who have
been publicising the activities of the state to the outside
world.
The Chapel stated their resolve to work in
harmony and partnership with the duo “because we know them and
they know us.” They commended the Governor for being a
grassroots man and media friendly as demonstrated by these
appointments.
The Chapel also commended the Governor for
appointing Dr. Amanze Obi. a professional journalist of repute
to head the Ministry of Information and Strategy.
The Chapel declared their willingness to work
with Dr. Obi in ensuring peace and stability in the State as
well as publicizing all the activities of the State government
but advised the new Commissioner on the absolute need to partner
with the leadership and members of the chapel as a veritable
group well grounded on the socio-economic and political
activities of the State.
They appealed to Mr. Ekpe, Chief Okere and Dr.
Obi to ensure the earlier proposed programme of having a monthly
interactive forum with the Governor christened “Governor Ohakim
Speaks” commenced immediately as a strategic measure of
publicizing the State Government activities.###
Expectedly, the Appeal Court in Port Harcourt will decide
the fates of some appellants before it as it sits on Tuesday and
Wednesday to determine their cases.
This is the natural expectation and what should hold where
justice or respect for the rule of law is not only the watchword
for all and sundry but their utmost joy as well.
To the astonishment of many, nevertheless, this might not
be the case come the awaited session as there are strong
indications that sharp practices within the legal and judicial
environment might stifle the expected results.
Having successfully substituted Gov Rotimi Amaechi for Barr
Celestine Omehia, it is expected that Femi Falana and his
clients would be seeking to wrap up their briefs and obtain a
date for judgment, barring the unforeseen.
National Network, however has it from the grape vine that
there are internal moves to retain Omehia on the list before the
judges instead of replacing him with Amaechi who has been
substituted.
The effect, this medium learnt, is that if Omehia does not
appear in court, having been substituted, and Amaechi is not
served to be court, the Rivers guber issue could be thrown to an
indefinite date.
This, we understand, is a time-buying strategy that would
give leverage to the interested party to play for gains for as
long as possible.
Given the reports of Gov Amaechi's appeal against the
ruling that substituted him for Omehia, many an observer have
questioned the rationale behind the Appeal Tribunal's approval
of such purported appeal at the Supreme Court in a governorship
election matter, knowing fully well that it (the CA) is the apex
authority on the issue.
They opined that Gov Amaechi and his counsel should have
been allowed to approach the Supreme Court on their own and not
given the unnecessary, easy approach to their vain trip to the
nation's Apex Court which, by the provisions of the laws of the
land is not competent to handle governorship election matters.
Instances of heavily paid-for maneuverings, as this medium
gathers to be the stock-in-trade of some persons in government
can only further subject Rivers State to the disappointing
status it has occupied as goose that lays the golden eggs
without benefitting from it, since State resources would most
likely go to appease those that may have worked magic for the
highly ambitious to the detriment of the people's welfare.
National Network's trusted sources also revealed that a
high network of connection has been on, reaching out with the
aim to influence the minds and opinions of tribunal judges to
achieve either a broad day miscarriage of justice or delay the
State guber appeal for as long as possible.
Sources close to Amaechi's camp revealed to this
publication that processes from Appeal Court that were meant to
be served on Gov. Rotimi Amaechi, were served and received by
one of his lawyers (names withheld).
However, in a bid to prolong the case not the appeal
tribunal, on the orders of Amaechi returned the processes he had
signed for to the Appeal Tribunal.
Whatever the internal manoeuvrings, Rivers people are all
ears and open eyes following the goings-on at the tribunal in
whose hands, they say, lies the power to give Rivers State a
lasting peace based on justice or to deny it such peace by a
miscarriage of obvious justice.
Meanwhile, the Federal High Court in Abuja last Monday
reserved judgment to a date to be communicated to parties, in
the constitutionality case brought against Gov Amaechi by Dr
Precious Sekibo and Hon Gabriel Pidomson.
In its avowed commitment to objectively inform the society
and speak out for truth, National Network promises to keep
tabs on these vital happenings in the State or outside it, which
ever tunnel they may tend to pass through.###
By Tony Amadi
As the court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt storms the
shrine of justice to deliver judgment on governorship appeals
before it, the numerous appeals and cross-appeals from Abia
State stand out on the minds of many Abians and their friends
across the country.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Wole Olanikpekin, had
successfully reduced all arguments to constitutionality and
according to observers, if the constitution does not include
Gov. Theodore Orji in his capacity as chief of staff to Ex-gov.
Orji Kalu, then joyous might be the incumbent's day.
As all eyes look up to the panel of five learned jurists,
the outcome of the legal tussle can only be largely determined
by what the laws of the land say on the issues in contention as
brought to the awareness and consideration of the court by the
contending parties.
But having exhausted all arguments for and against the
position, counsel on both sides will only listen to hear the
panel's understanding of, and agreement with, their line of
reasoning as the judges sit over the appeals which many say
intend to entrap the parties from all directions and make escape
for any one of them very difficult.
What happens during the session will only remain to be seen
at the end of the day. Will the tribunal’s verdict in Umuahia be
reversed or will it be upheld.
Governor Theodore Orji will either retain his seat as chief
executive of Abia State, or Chief Onyema Ugochukwu of the PDP
will saddle the leadership of the State.###
Fraud In
High Places:
Geofrey Otokito Petitions EFCC
By Dressman
Ebikeseye
Irregularities amounting to unacceptable fraud have pitched
a former Special Adviser (SA) to former Governor Goodluck
Jonathan, who is now Vice President of the Federation, against
her close confidant and colleague.
To this end, the close confidant, Hon, Geogfrey Otokito has
petitioned the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC)
for a quick recovery of N25 million being total sum he said he
made up from friends and other sources to assist Hon. Evelyn
Orukari in a claimed attempt to clear merchandise imported from
India at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos
between August 2007 and July 2008.
Hon. Orukari, former SA to Jonathan on women empowerment
and one time PDP women leader in the State was said to have
sought the loan from her colleague and friend within the period,
claiming that she had 25,000 “raw slicks” and 15kg of 75 karat
English gold arriving from India.
In the petition made against Hon. Evelyn Orukari, Aunty
Orukari and Fiye Orukari, Hon. Otokito disclosed that in order
to secure the money from him the lady used an international
airways bills, now found to be fake, with “Global Diplomatic
Consultants” inscribed on it and a security number,
AH2/GS1/525346881/B55 to attract his sympathy.
He said sums of money were borrowed from friends and money
lenders in Port Harcourt with large collaterals after his
personal accounts went dry.
National Network enquiry revealed that the petition was
written to the EFCC sometime in November last year. But the
petitioner said he was arrested in July 2008 by the Area
Commander, Ahoada in Rivers State by those he borrowed money
from.
This medium further learnt that investigations led to the
arrest of Hon. Orukari who was discovered to have imported no
goods from India while forty rounds of live ammunition for AK 47
riffles, rubber band and charms were said to have been found in
her possession.
Hon. Orukari, we learnt, was detained but released after
three weeks by police in the State who also charged her with
illegal possession of fire arms even as the case continues. ###
 The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has
reiterated its determination to work within the ambit of the law
in the discharge of its responsibility of fighting all forms of
economic crimes in the country.
The assurance was given on Thursday February 5, 2009 by the
Chairman of the Commission, Mrs Farida Waziri when she presented
the sum of N3 million as damages to Dr. Sylvester Odigie a Lagos
based business man who was detained by the Commission between
May 24 and July 6 2006.
In a release signed by Femi Babafemi, head, Media and
Publicity of EFCC, the presentation of the sum was in obedience
to a Federal Capital Territory High Court ruling ordering EFCC
to pay damages to Dr. Odigie. While presenting the letter of
instruction to Odigie, the EFCC boss stressed that the gesture
was in fulfillment of the Commission's resolve to respect court
judgments
“As a law enforcement agency, we have chosen to abide by
this court judgment to further buttress our determination to
always work within the ambit of the rule of law”, the release
quoted Mrs Waziri as saying, adding that the rule of law policy
as exemplified by the Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua's
administration has given beauty to the practice of democracy in
the country.
The EFCC chair further assured Nigerians that as a law
enforcement agency, the Commission was determined not to repeat
the mistakes of the past. “We are committed to upholding and
protecting the laws we are established to enforce”, she stated.
Reacting to the development, Dr Odigie who said he was
wrongfully detained by the EFCC between May and July 2006 over
some land transactions expressed gratitude to Mrs Waziri for
boldly upholding the court order.
“This is a special day, I never knew this day will ever
come in Nigeria. It is here, and I want the world to know that
this is a new era altogether, an era of rule of law.”
He said Mrs. Waziri was a bold woman who must be supported
by Nigerians. “She had an easy way out and could as well say the
incident did not happen at her own time”, he stressed.
Dr. Odigie equally thanked the Commission, the judiciary
and the government saying that his prayer was for God to grant
the judiciary the courage and wisdom to do the right thing as it
is the last hope of the common Nigerian.###
The Truth About Judgement
By Ben Unbgbu
Many a time we hear many people talk about judgement: "Do
not judge ... Do not judge", they say. This message is one moved
by God to clarify issues relating to this matter of judgement.
Yes, human beings are not supposed to judge others if their
own hearts are dirty. But if your heart is clean, you can rebuke
others against sin. If you are saved, you can help others to be
saved. When people say "do not judge", a lot of things are
involved. You are only judging others when you yourself are a
criminal or a liar. In deed, a liar is a dangerous person. But
if you have repented, if you are saved, you can help others.
That is, if you are interested and have behaved as God demanded
through Christ in Matthew 4:17 by being sorry for your own sins
in genuine repentance and forsaking or leaving them. This is
because the word of God says in Proverbs 28:13 that "he that
covereth his sins will not prosper; but he that confesseth and
forsaketh them will find mercy." The problem in judgement is
that people refuse to repent of their own sin, while they go
about preaching to others. That's the warning in Matthew chapter
7 verses 1 to 5. If you are yet sinning and you are not ready to
repent and leave your own sin, you have no right to preach to or
judge others as seriously warned with question in Psalm 50:16.
If you are telling sinners to leave sin, when you yourself
continue in sin, you are judging them and you are judging
wrongly.
Things have to be explained properly so that people will
not fall into the trap of Satan. Matthew chapter 7 verses 1 to 5
reads: "Judge not that ye be not judged; for with what judgement
ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure you mete it
shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote
that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that
is in thy own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me
pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in
thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of
thine own eye; and then thou shalt see clearly to cast out the
mote out of thy brother's eye". The problem here is that
somebody is in trouble of sin and is preaching to others or
rebuking them to leave sin. The advice here in verse 5 is that
you should repent of your own sin first, remove the big log of
wood that covers your own eyes so as to see very well to rebuke
others who are still sinning. There is nowhere the word of God
says you should not judge when you are in a position to judge
righteously. If you have repented genuinely, you have the right
to show others the love of God by rebuking them, because the
word of God reveals in Proverbs 27:5-6 that open rebuke is
better than secret love. If you rebuke people genuinely, when
you might have repented and also amended your own life through
the power of God in Christ in the company of the Holy Spirit,
you have the right to rebuke or to show genuine love to your
fellow human beings. Do not cover people's sin by keeping the
kind of silence that kills, just because you do not want them to
say that you are judging them. Remember that the word of God
reveals in John chapter 7 verse 24 that we should judge, but
must judge righteously. Pay attention to that John 7 verse 24,
which says: "Judge not according to the appearance; but judge
righteous judgement".
If you are judging and looking at faces or judging on top
of your own sin or preaching to others while you are committing
sin then you have to be very careful. You have to look well. But
if you have repented fully from your own sins, you are qualified
to judge or preach to others. You are qualified to rebuke others
just as our brother Paul judged them in 1st Corinthians chapter
5. He was able to rebuke them there about the sins of
fornication and adultery because his own stand was very clear to
him. If you say that the day of judgement is yet coming it means
we should not preach the gospel any more but wait for the day of
God's own judgement when you will then not be able to help your
brothers and sisters again. No! That time you will not be able
to help anyone again. It is now that you should show genuine
love by rebuking preaching or judging the un repented sinners.
Genuine love! Open rebuke is better than secret love. Therefore
we are told to judge, but to judge righteously. Say the truth
and damn the consequences, because unless that is done in your
life without looking at faces or without partiality, there will
be disaster.
I will also take you to Romans chapter 2 verses 1 to 3,. 9
to 12 and even the whole chapter. Read it quietly, sincerely and
with action. In that Romans chapter 2, you will also see that if
you are a sinner, such as a fornicator, who have refused to
repent and you are telling others to stop fornicating, you are a
hypocrite. If you are a thief and you are telling others to stop
stealing, you are not doing the right thing. In that Romans
chapter 2. you will also see such questions as: you who continue
telling others not to steal, are you a thief? You who continue
to tell others not to fornicate, are you a harlot, are you a
fornicator? That is the only time you are judging others. If you
are telling others to stop sinning when you yourself are filled
with iniquitous activities, you are judging them. That's the
reason you are told not to judge in that Matthew 7, because you
have not been able to remove the big log of wood in your own
eyes. How can you help others to be renovated or to come closer
to Jesus for salvation when you are still dubious and
questionable in your own life? So, you have to be very wise and
serious and fast in your decision in this serious and urgent
matter for the survival of your soul.
Romans chapter 2 especially verse 1 reads: "Therefore thou
art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest. For
wherein thou judgest anotl1er, thou condemnest thyself; for thou
that judgest doest the same things." You are doing the same
thing and you are telling others to stop it. There is no way.
That's the only time you are judging them, and as you judge
others you will be judged. The best for all to do is to repent
and surrender to God fully first. Then, you can stand on a
better ground to rebuke others of their own iniquity. It is not
when you are a sinner, a liar who refused to repent, you also
refused to behave like the prodigal son, and you are preaching
and telling others to repent. It means that you are judging
there and you are in danger. Verse 2 of the same Romans 2 says:
"But we are sure that the judgement of God is according to truth
against them which commit such things” it asks a question in
verse 3: "And thinkest thou this, 0 man, that judgest them which
do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the
judgement of God? God judges righteously". You are telling
others to leave sin while you are deeply in sin. You are tiling
others not to take bribe, but you are the chief bribe-taker. Do
you think that because you are very sharp in rebuking others to
stop stealing, while you remain a thief, that God will be
confused? No! You will be judged according to your own sin.
So, if you repent, you have the right to tell others the
truth, to preach and rebuke others, to call them to order,
presenting Christ (only) to them, because He is the only person
that can save all from sin, as confirmed again in Matthew 1:21
and Acts 4: 12. It is very important for you to repent first
before you preach to others. If not, you are causing confusion.
That's exactly what the word of God is saying. Read that Romans
chapter 2 carefully and prayerfully again. The passage is one
for a 'soul x-ray'. Examine your life through that chapter. If
you claim that you are circumcised physically, when you are
dubious spiritually, your circumcision is useless. Do you claim
to know God, or to be a man of God, while you are wicked? You
are judging others when you are doing the same thing! But it
should not be when you know that you are doing evil and somebody
(who has repented and surrendered to Jesus like the prodigal
son) is preaching to you, you begin to shout on the fellow: "Do
not judge! Do not judge!" If you do that, you are killing
yourself.###
Tension
Mounts As US Oil Firm Sacks Nigerians
Tension is currently mounting in the bustling commercial
island of Bonny, home of the multi-billion naira Nigeria
Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) plant, in Rivers State, as Baker
Energy, a United States of America (US) oil servicing company
threw over 30 senior Nigerian officials into the labour market
last week.
The affected Nigerian staffers mostly from the Niger Delta,
the nation's main oil and gas region, are seeing the US firm's
action as ''crude'' and capable of worsening the security
situation in the volatile oil region.
Although the company did not give any reason for its
action, the affected Nigerian workers have sent protest letters
to the Senior Vice President of the company incharge of
International Operations, Mr. James R. Johnson.
In one of such protest letters that was made available to
our correspondent yesterday in Port Harcourt, by a senior
fuctionary of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff
Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) from Mac Inoma Diri, from
Degema Local Government Area of Rivers state, the
affected staff said he was happy that he was leaving not on account
of fraud.
The letter, however, reads in full:
''I am constrained to write you to complain to you and
explain how I have been forced to resign my appointment with
your company here in Bonny. I am writing also to inform you
about the obnoxious policy of hatred and apartheid being
practiced by the duo of Mr. Richmond Leeb and Barend Bootha who
lord it over the affairs of the Overseas Technical Services here
in Bonny. They have the final say and do not have any respect
for the right to free hearing in their system of operation as
Managing Director and Admin Manager respectively in the Bonny
office of the Baker OTS. I wish that you will intervene before
further casualties occur in the name of cleansing the system. I
wish also to request that you call them to order and reinstate
me or I will refer the matter to the US Embassy and other
international bodies competent to fight my cause.
''I am happy that I am leaving not because of fraud or any
financial irregularity but because we have managers who behave
like warlords in a military camp. But I seek your immediate
intervention in the manner workers are sacked at will without
decorum and against the practice in developed countries. It is
absurd that an American firm could accept such a bad policy of
firing her employees without due process.
''Accept my deep appreciation for the opportunity you me
gave to serve the company in all these years since I joined your
firm in June 2005. I have added value to myself and even to the
company in my added responsibility as Editor-in-chief of the
Mirror of Competence, which I had published for the last four
quarters. I am proud to add that in all these years I was never
found wanting in my official duties even as I had always done my
job with the best of intentions.
''Nonetheless, as a result of the workers' strike (which
ordinarily should not have occurred if the duo of Richmond and
Barend Bootha had been effective as managers) we had to resort
to pay our staffers new rates with effect from January 1, 2009.
In this regard, we had to compute the differences for the work
done in December 2008 in a separate spreadsheet done in excel.
This was what I did and sent by mail to the staff who are now
barred from visiting the new office complex for payroll
enquiries (see the attached). I wish to add that I am the only
person who had been attending to such enquiries from the staff
on a monthly basis and was therefore obliged to give information
on the payroll. Unfortunately, Richmond saw my mail as an
attempt to expose company secret and immediately cut my line
without giving me the opportunity to clear the issue. My efforts
to explain the best intentions I had by sending the mail were
rebuffed by Richmond who claims that I am inciting workers by
giving away their rates. I am happy that the workers have
indicated that they do not have any case against the mail.
''However, it beats my imagination that I will be fired in
this era of freedom and justice for only one 'mistake' while
trying to explain how payroll is calculated to the staff who
were frequently making enquiries. Since I joined your company on
June 1, 2005 as Accountant, I have never been queried nor
suspended for any offence, whether financial or otherwise, yet
in one instance I am asked to leave even for an allegation which
does not have any basis. They claim that union officials will
use the rates to cause trouble but most of the union members and
officials claim that they were already aware of the rates paid
to staff of the various categories even before my mail. The
unfortunate thing is that as a senior officer in the company I
had refused to join the workers' union (something I thought
management would have applauded) but this is what I am getting
in spite of the fact that I defied all odds to work when union
members were on strike. Needless to add that the CBA stipulates
that 'no one should be sacked without following the due process.
''Until January 31, 2009 I was the Editor-in-Chief of the
in-house 'Mirror of Service Competence' newsletter which had
faithfully published in the last year with favourable
commendations from Mr Johnson and several others. I am yet to be
paid any dime till date for the efforts. I therefore found it
unfortunate that I could be forced to leave on a single
'mistake' without due process in an American firm such as the
Baker organization. Even in the recently signed document termed
'Collective Bargaining Agreement or CBA', there is provision for
warning or suspension for offenders. I was not given such an
opportunity and had been sacked because the duo of Barend Bootha
and Richmond Leeb decide to do whatever pleases them.
''In addition, I have been informed that Mr. Leeb is also
interested in sacking me because of my outstanding loans for
which I got his approval. This is pure blackmail! I have records
to prove that all loans were approved by Mr Bootha and Richmond
Leeb before cheques are raised for the individuals and there is
no way any one would have been granted loans without their
Richmond or Barend confirmation (please see the attached where
Mr Leeb approved loans that are within my loan limit). My only
'sin' is that with the approval of the Financial Controller - Mr
Roque Valenzuela - I allowed a month's grace to one or two
workers who asked for such waivers.
''Having been forced to leave your company, I find it
convenient to inform you that Mr. Richmond runs the company like
an empire with the duo of himself and Mr. Barend Bootha
operating as 'Lords of the manor'. No meetings of senior
managers are held to take decisions even as he has completely
destroyed the confidence of the Accounts Supervisors - Rudy and
Roque - who only do what he wants them to do. He only summons
managers and officers to shout at them all the time. A case in
point was when he had to order them to pay a photocopy of a
supplier's invoice whereas the Accountant was insisting on
seeing the original copy. For fear of being sacked the issue was
not reported to Houston , like several executive directives.
''Several managers and even senior staffers have become
disillusioned about the way the company is run and had often
questioned if only South Africans are competent to run a
Nigerian company. I hear that my case is ignored by the NUPENG
officers because I do not belong to the union. You may need to
invite the union officials independently to ascertain my claims
and worries. You may also wish to hear that not less than ten
experienced technicians had left the company in the last three
months as we had equally reported in the newsletter. With the
trend, most of us have queried the qualification of Mr Bootha
(who claims to be a retired Bank Manager in one of our
publications) who had shown lack of administrative skills since
he was 'dashed' the position in spite of the existence of
several more qualified indigenes. He was only a purchasing Clerk
before he was made the Admin Manager by his 'brother'. Did he
attend any university in your records to be so qualified?
''I would request that you revisit the administrative
policy of Mr. Richmond Leeb who has transferred his country's
'apartheid policy' here with the incessant strikes by workers
here in Bonny. I have been wondering if our Houston office is
interested in how the Nigerian offices are being managed.
''I have had to complain to my superiors about the manner
Mr Bootha talks to the Finance staff here in Bonny. He had on
several occasions made it known to us that he hates us Roque,
Rodolfo, Mac, Paul, Ike and Chima. Only on Friday (January 30),
he repeated to the last three who went to speak with him on my
behalf what they had done to him and for which he was seeking
revenge. He had on several occasions threatened to 'sack' me for
having the courage to explain how allowances were calculated. It
is unfortunate that my two immediate bosses - Roque Valenzuela
and Rodolfo Lizardo - have been intimidated to the extent that
they dare not act like watch dogs over the finances of the
company, as expected here in Bonny. They have been shouted down
on several occasions that they do not have the effrontery to
advise the 'powerful apartheid duo' of the best accounting
practices such that only Richmond and Barend (always using their
language) have done whatever they liked in the company.
''I wish to use this medium to intimate you that I had long
been denied what is due to me for the period I had relieved Mr.
Rodolfo Lizardo when ever he went on Leave. I have made several
efforts to get my cash but Mr Leeb had vetoed same. It may
interest you to note that I have been paid for the past years
until Richmond , with the instigation of Mr Bootha, stopped the
payment for the year 2007. In spite of my appeals nothing has
happened till now that I have left the company. I need your
assistance to enable me get my reward for relieving Mr Lizardo
adequately when he went on Leave. You are aware that if I had
done something silly during that period I would have been fired
like I have been treated in this case.
''As a result of the premature but forceful termination of
my employment I am indebted to several creditors and banks who
had given me credit with the hope that I will be able to pay
over a long term. The company will have to defray such debts as
they have decided to terminate my employment without just cause.
I wish to add that I had published four editions without any pay
and would wish that you direct them to pay me whatever is
necessary for such a job that has promoted your company here in
Bonny.
''I am out of your company as I write this mail and will
not be able to provide further evidence but God is my witness.
If I do not get your intervention in the next two weeks I will
have no other option than to send this and other documents to
other agencies where I hope to get justice.
''Thanking you in anticipation of your timely
intervention''.###
Eze
Ogba Mourns Late Victor Masi Mamman Ali
 The
Oba (Eze-Ogba) of Ogbaland and Chairman, Rivers State Council of
Traditional Rulers, His Eminence, Sir (Dr) Chukumela Nnam Obi II
(OON, JP) has joined other Nigerians to mourn the passing-on of
a one time Minister in the second republic, Engr. Victor Igwe
Masi (JP) who joined his ancestors on Sunday January 25, 2009.
The Ogba monarch in a statement described the late Engr.
Victor Masi as one of the illustrious sons of Ogba Ethnic
Nationality who used his privileged positions to bring rapid
development, unity and peace to the old Rivers State and indeed,
the South-South geo-political zone of Nigeria while in public
service.
According to the traditional ruler, the Late Engr. Victor
Masi was a patriotic young man who was always ready to do
anything for the betterment of the country and described his
sudden death as shocking, saddening, painful, and a great loss
not only to the people of Ogba Kingdom but the entire nation.
Oba Chukumela Obi who prayed the Almighty God to grant his
soul eternal rest also prayed the good Lord to give the family
of the former minister and indeed the people of Rivers State the
fortitude to bear this great loss.
In a related development, the Oba (Eze-Ogba) of Ogbaland
has also commiserated with the government and people of Yobe
State over the demise of the State Governor, Senator Mamman Ali.
He described the late Governor Ali who died on Tuesday
January 27, 2009 in a United States Hospital, as a promising
young man with uncommon vigour and passion not only for his
people but the entire country.
The Royal Father on behalf of himself, traditional rulers
in Rivers State and the entire people of Ogba Ethnic Nationality
prayed God to grant the soul of the former governor a peaceful
rest and to the government and people of Yobe State the grace to
bear the painful and irreparable loss.###
Reps
Member Empowers 200 Obio/Akpo Indigenes
By Womah Josiah Ugo
It was a day of joy in Obio/Akpo Local Government Council
as not fewer than 200 persons on Friday, February 6, 2009
benefited from the Obio/Akpo Empowerment Support Initiative of
Hon. (Chief) Ike B. Chinwo (KSC), member representing Obio/Akpo
Federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Abuja.
According to the chairman of the occasion, Chief (Barr.)
O.C.J. Okacha (SAN), “this is a way to show appreciation to your
people for voting you to power.”
He said Hon. Chinwo has demonstrated his commitment to
positively change the lives of many in the area, and advised
others to emulate him.
In a welcome address presented by Chief (Dr.) Tony A. Chuku
who is also the chairman, organizing committee of the
Empowerment initiative of Chief Chinwo, five persons were said
to have, so far, represented the council in the federal house
which include Hon. G.B.Wodi of Elelenwo, Hon. Ovunda Nsirim of
Rumueme, Hon. Felix Igwe of Choba, Hon. Edwin Oluchi of Rumueme
and Hon. Chinwo who has distinguished himself and is rated well
above average. He said the Empowerment Support Initiative is
premised essentially on the philosophy of people oriented
development variant, which emphasizes human capacity
development, wealth creation and employment generation
particularly, at the micro level, as a basis for the
actualization of a sustainable development.
The ceremony, according to Chief Chuku, was preceded by a
two day intensive workshop/training organized under the auspices
of the committee and the Small and Medium Enterprises
Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), with 200 persons
participating, which included widows, women in politics,
students and youths.
In his good will messages, the celebrant, Chief (Hon),
Chinwo adviced the beneficiaries to make good use of the money,
and promised to set up a committee to monitor and bring back
reports after six months even as he promised to increase the
empowerment of those who judiciously utilize the money given to
them.
Other dignitaries that graced the occasion include the
speaker of the House of Representatives Dimeji Bankole who was
represented by the chairman, House Committee on Agriculture in
the Green Chambers, Gbenga Makonjiola, Wife of Rivers State
Governor, Lady Judith Amaechi, represented by the commissioner
for Education, Barr, Alice Nemi, Georgeford Nwosu, Rep Member
Omuma/Etche Fed. Constituency, Senator George Sekibo and Ven.
F.N. Aka, among others.
Given the laudable effort by Hon. Chinwo, Eze Gbaka Gbaka,
HRM, Eze (Prof) Frank Eke, Remarked that he (Chinwo) has set the
pace for others to follow.###
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