Okowa’ll Deliver On Promises—Otuaro

*says God is key to prosperity

From Bulou Kosin

Deputy Governor of Delta State, Barr. (Deacon) Kingsley Burutu Otuaro, reiterated his conviction that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa will continue to deliver on his promises despite challenging economic times and qualify for a second term in office.

Otuaro gave the assurance after Pastor Samuel John of Living Faith Church Worldwide (aka Winners Chapel), Ibusa Road, Asaba, charged politicians to make a mark in office or be disqualified for further term. They both spoke, yesterday (Tuesday), at Aboh during the 2nd edition of the annual Festival of Praise programme put together by the Ndokwa East Local Government Council and the area’s Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). The ceremony doubled as a thanksgiving service by the council chairman, Mrs. Nkechi Chukwurah who recently survived several volleys from assassins’ guns.

Pastor John had earlier commended the Ndokwa East Council for the initiative to praise God in keeping with God’s commandment. He listed the benefits of praising God to include divine blessings/ideas, presence and security that enrich, banish fear and prevents evil from befalling children of God.

Saying he was glad to have attended the “Festival of Praise” programme, Otuaro stressed that the Ndokwa East Local Council initiative was in tandem with the Okowa administration’s standard. He said: “Okowa instituted the praise to God night initiative from the beginning of this administration. We worship Almighty God every morning at the Government House chapel in Asaba and dwell on the things of the Spirit on which the success of man and society depends. We are therefore confident that by God’s grace, we’ll deliver on our electoral promises and qualify for more terms”.

“My friend, Mrs. Nkechi Chukwurah, had been having series of challenges that culminated recently in surviving 22 bullets from assassins. When I got the news of her survival, I exclaimed it could only have been God!”, Otuaro said, adding: “God made her a bullet proof”.

Otuaro who prayed for the council boss to fulfil her mission and exceed her own expectations, said life was about acknowledging God who is the key to prosperity. He thanked the massive crowd that attended the event, especially the royal fathers from various kingdoms in the area, “for gracing the event with their majestic outfits”. The Deputy Governor described the culture of praise to reverence God as “awesome, commendable and worthy of

Okowa’ll Spread Dev’t to All Deltans—Otuaro

From Bulou Kosin

Acting Governor of Delta State, Barr. (Deacon) Kingsley Burutu Otuaro says Governor Ifeanyi Okowa will not deprive any part of Delta State from the spread of development projects, stressing that the present economic recession will not derail the “prosperity for all” agenda.

Otuaro spoke, weekend, in Oleh, Isoko South council area, during a stakeholders meeting of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of Delta South Senatorial District where a vote of confidence was passed on Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and his deputy, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro, in running affairs of the state. Chairman of Delta South senatorial district of the PDP, Prince Emmanuel Amgbaduba said the meeting was convened to unite aggrieved members over the last congresses to enable the party move on in strength and deliver on its promises.

Otuaro’s assurance of development to all parts is coming against grumblings in few quarters that their areas were left out in Governor Okowa’s remarkable performance in the past one year in office. The acting governor, who sued for patience, told newsmen that having regard for Okowa’s commitment of the administration to the guidance of God, he had confidence that prosperity will spread to all corners of the state.

In the confidence vote by Hon. Solomon Funkekeme, former Deputy Speaker of the State’s House of Assembly, seconded by Mr. Solomon Areyinka, and unanimously adopted, the PDP stalwarts lauded Okowa and his deputy, Otuaro, for managing scarce resources in a recession to a harvest of projects in just one year.

Party stalwarts who attended the meeting include Comrade Macaulay Ovuozuorie, Hon. Denghan Macauley, Rtd Wing Commander Peter Biakpara, Hon. Emmanuel Egbabor, Hon. Ithiako Ikpokpo, among several others.

Avengers Claims Bombing Another Agip Pipeline In Bayelsa

Rampaging militant group, Niger Delta Avengers on Friday said it blown up the Obi Obi Brass Trunk line, a major crude oil pipeline belonging to Italian oil giants, Agip in Bayelsa state.

Industry source said an explosion rocked the pipeline around 3:am Friday morning, leaving the crude lines shattered.

The militant group which claimed responsibility for the attack on its Twitter handle said; "3:am of Friday @NDAvengers blow up the Obi Obi Brass Trunk line belonging to Agip ENI. It is Agip's Major Crude oil Line in Bayelsa State".

NDA in a footnote that followed the tweet however expressed delight that foreign refineries had allegedly stopped buying Nigerian crude oil ostensibly because Nigeria state has been robbing the Niger Delta of her oil and gas resources, the group added.

Meanwhile, source said an oil facility believed to be operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, around Ogidigben, Warri South West Local in Delta State was blew up Thursday evening.  

The blast occurred along the Chanomi Creek around Ogidigben area about 8.00 pm, sources said.

No group has claimed responsibility for the said attack.

Niger Delta Avengers Says ‘Enough Is Enough’, Call On World Powers to Come To N’Delta Aid Before Nigeria Goes Sudan Way

Resurgent militia group, the Niger Delta Avengers have declared “enough is enough” to what it called history of terror, oppression, injustice, poverty in the oil-rich Niger Delta region by successive government in Nigeria.

The group declared on Thursday that before Nigeria will go the Sudan way, the international community should come to the aid of the region to achieve its quest for peaceful self-determination and control of oil resources derivable from the region.

Specifically, NDA called on Britain, France, and United State of America, Russia, China and European Union to speak up against the “terror” meted out on the Niger Delta region by the successive government in Nigeria.

In a statement by its spokesman, ‘Brig-Gen’ Mudoch Aginibo, NDA vowed to resist with any means necessary the years-long “injustice and underdevelopment in the Niger Delta, declaring that they have nothing to lose in the “battles ahead”.

It recalled that since the day crude oil was discovered in commercial quantity and quality in Oloibiri in the present day Bayelsa state; “what we have being asking from successive governments in Nigeria is portable drinking water in the midst of plenty of water mass, electricity, roads, employment, quality education/educational facilities, resource control, participation in the oil business and inclusive governance that will engender substantial freedom”.

The Avengers which have wreck some much havoc to oil installations in the country in recent times, held that what the region has gotten all the years has been; “terror of poverty, inhumanity and desolate living conditions”.

According to them, successive government in Nigeria had used resources from the region since the days of Oloibiri to develop mountains, rock, valleys, deserts and lagoon outside the region but have continue to “alienate the Niger Delta region from all types of development and all essence of quality human life”.

The group mentioned oil facilities in the region of which the Nigeria state have allegedly ripped off the region to includes; “Oloibiri, Brass LNLG and Export Terminals in Bayelsa; Bonny LNLG and Export Terminals in River state; ExxonMobil in Akwa Ibom; Escravos EGTL/ Tank Farm and Export Terminals; Forcados Tank Farm and Export Terminals in Delta state operated respectively by Anglo-Dutch Shell, Chevron/Texaco Overseas, Agip ENI, ExxonMobil”.

They said that those who operate these facilities in the region live like “Kings and Presidents” whereas the region which produce Nigeria main economy stay is stripped of any tangible infrastructure.

The group therefore vowed to correct what it called “history of terror” by successive governments in Nigeria which it declared “worships the crude oil taken from the region”.

They maintained that instead of doing the needful the government had decided to “mobilise her military might to intimidate, torture, maim, victimise and bombard a section of the nation state and her citizenry to allow the free flow of our oil.

“For over five decades, we have given the multinational oil corporations and their collaborators, the Nigerian State, peace, cooperation and love for the crude oil to flow unhindered from our land.

“The continuous tranquility is only manifesting in the development of mountains, rock, valleys, deserts and lagoon but the Niger Delta territory continually alienated from all types of development and all essence of quality human life.

“Meanwhile all successive governments worships the crude oil taken from the region. Our communities and the people are only good at securing the pipelines, oil and gas facilities. What a tragedy?

“We are calling on the international community especially Britain, France, the United State of America, Russia, China and European Union to speak up against this ongoing terror and come to the aid of the Niger Delta, as witnesses to this grave inhumanity and history of terror perpetuated against the people of the Niger Delta daily.

‘This history of terror, we the Niger Delta Avengers will resist and correct with every means necessary.

“We have nothing to lose in the battles ahead; justice they say is only found within the structure of a nation state, rather than provide this justice the Nigerian government has decided to mobilise her military might to intimidate, torture, maim, victimise and bombard a section of the nation state and her citizenry to allow the free flow of our oil.

“They says the progress and success of a nation state is the reflection of her constitution that is not manufactured to favour some section and excludes the yearning and aspirations of others; but the indwelling spiritual and historical development of its people.

“Since the amalgamation of Nigeria in 1914 to date, our resources have been used to sustain the political administrative live wire of Nigeria to the exclusion of the Niger delta.

“Finally, we are calling on the international community, to come and support the restoration of our right to peaceful self-determination from this tragedy of 1914 that has expired since 2014.

“We want our resources back to restore the essence of human life in our region for generations to come because Nigeria has failed to do that. The world should not wait until we go the Sudan ways. Enough is enough”.

Attacks On Oil Installations Is A Threat To Success Of 2016 National Budget - Delta Govt Committee

Advocacy Committee Against Oil Facilities Vandalism set up by Delta state Government has said that the increased spate of oil facility bombing is a threat to the success of 2016 national budget of N6.6trillion naira which is predicated on three indexes of borrowing, taxation and 2.2million barrel per day production target.

The Committee position came after a one-week campaign tour against pipeline vandalism in the riverine communities of Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State.

Bombing of oil pipelines in the delta by militia group had reduced Nigeria oil economy and country’s  oil output, taking it down from 2.2m barrels a day to 1.4m with militia group, Niger Delta Avengers mainly laying claims to the attacks in the renewed insurgency.

Since the attacks, there have been claims and counter claims, allegations and counter allegation about the mastermind of the attacks, some pointing accusing finger at wanted ex-MEND warlord, Chief Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo).

The development had prompted the Delta state Government to set up an Advocacy Committee to traverse the creeks which had been a hotbed of renewed militancy in the delta to campaign against the menace as well as gather intelligence on those involved and remote cause of the attacks.

The Committee headed by the state Deputy Governor, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro which was set up on 16 May, 2016 by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa said that it consulted widely with stakeholders, communities leaders, youths, oil companies in its bid to ensure the cessation of the spate of bombings of critical oil and gas infrastructure in the state.

Addressing newsmen in Government House Annex in Warri on Tuesday, the state Deputy Governor Otuaro said that the Committee whose members relocated to the riverside communities at the week of the attacks, conferred with several traditional rulers, among them was the Olu of Warri Kingdom, the Agadagba of Egbema Kingdom, the Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom in its bid to deepen intelligence on the activities of those involved directly or indirectly and to identify the remote and immediate cause(s) of the unwholesome acts.

He said that in a bid to achieving its set goals, the Committee had accessed the Otunana Crude pipeline blast site after visiting the Ugborodo-Escravos multi-billion dollar Escravos Gas Plant operated by Chevron. It also discussed with management of NGC and SPDC Forcados Terminal after flying over SPDC  46-inches trunk-line that was blasted by the vandals.

Otuaro said that the Committee recommended that the Federal Government needed to be properly brief of the grievances of those who may be involved in the attacks so that the Committee can create platforms for dialogue and avert crises that may not necessarily discriminate the innocent and the non-guilty within the society.

He disclosed that the communities visited by the Committee, whether involved or not in the unwholesome acts, needed to cooperate, in partnership and to collaborate with government in providing intelligence.

According to him, the communities were told that the cooperation and strategic partnership would help ward off the vandals that can attract an avoidable military invasion that will not differentiate the innocent.

“We have crisscrossed rivers and rivulets and have spoken to the people. We have heard from the communities and the message was clear. We sounded it clearly that the bombings are a shot in the foot of our people as environmental degradation further endangers the ecosystem and hence our source of livelihood.

“The continued bombing of critical oil facilities is inimical to the national/state economy and hence growth. We cannot continue same that worsens an already bad economy occasioned by dipping oil price in the world market, he said.

While reiterating that attack on oil installations is a threat to the success of the 2016 national budget of N6.6trillion which is predicated on the three indices of massive borrowing, taxation and 2.2million barrel/day production target, Otuaro said that with the increased spate of oil facility bombings leading to drop in production quantum, it is doubtful if the expectations of the budget can be fulfilled, pointing out that the message of the Advocacy Committee to the communities was vividly clear.

Otuaro said that the Committee however observed that there is an apparent consensus that the Government/Oil companies have continued to neglect the communities resulting in underdevelopment or development not commensurate with production output.

Reeling out other observations, he said that there is total willingness by the communities to help the federal government end oil facility vandalism provided there is a recognized platform to do so without being misconstrued.

He said that the Committee further agreed that military option/invasion, would not help resolve the issue adding that the Advocacy Committee cannot, in that circumstance, find a pathway that may lead to permanent solution as commissioned.

“That seemingly, there should be no end to dialogue until such a time where both communities and government take full responsibility for and willfully commit to one another on best possible ways to ensure safety of our national assets and enhance development of our communities, he added.

Otuaro while expressing optimism that the advocacy campaign would yield purposeful result, he also disclosed that a lot of organizations and oil companies have identified with the work of the Committee and have indicated interest to collaborate with the team.

He however expressed delight that while the Committee was going about its work in the creeks, the defunct militia group, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) including ex-agitators had also condemned the act of vandalism and dissociated itself from the Niger Delta Avengers laying claim to the recent acts of vandalism in the state.

According to him, these are positive developments in the horizon adding that “the Committee, in seeking for peaceful resolution of the current spate of vandalism has also appealed to the identified elements to stop the bombings and channel their grievances through a more acceptable module”.

While expressing thanks to Governor Okowa for setting up the Committee, the state Deputy Governor said that the Committee in the day ahead would visit more communities adding that the Committee is committed to maintaining sustainable network of structures that will help deepen intelligence in finding the root cause

How Inmates Allegedly Smuggle Cell Phones Into Prisons In Delta

 ***Delta Govt Summon Comptroller of Prison

Cell phones which ought to be contraband in Nigeria prisons are now prevalent in prisons in Delta state, Bigpenreports has learnt.

Dependable sources told Bigpenreports that though cell phones are banned, they are often smuggled into the prisons by inmates who allegedly connived with some dubious prison officials.

The prisoners allegedly use the phones to control the flow of drugs both in and out of the prisons premises, control activities outside the prisons as well as relate with members of their families, a source who didn’t want his name on print disclosed.

The source disclosed that some of the hardened prisoners were allegedly using the cell phones to give directives to their gang members, thus jeopardizing the security of the state.

Bigpenreports learnt that the development however came to the fore on Monday when Delta state Governor, Dr Ifeanyi  Okowa was fielding questions from journalist who sought to know what the state government was doing about the menace.

Confirming the development, Governor Okowa disclosed that the Comptroller of Prison in the state has been summoned to attend the state Security Council Meeting to explain the alleged security breach which could pose grieve danger to the state peace and security agenda.

Governor Okowa who was speaking during a media briefing to herald this year’s Democracy Day and his first year in office celebration, said that he was already aware of such issue which has since come to the knowledge of members of the state security council .

He disclosed that based on the development, an invitation has been sent to the Comptroller of Prisons in the state to attend the next State Security Council meeting.

“I got to know about the situation about a week ago, I had to find out from the Commissioner of Police and he has confirmed that some kidnappings which has occurred was controlled by some individuals in the Prison and we intend to invite the comptroller of Prisons in our next security meeting because we need to know why that is happening and why it is being allowed because it is a very dangerous trend and it is not the best for our security.”

According to him, his administration does not handle the issue of security with kid’s gloves, disclosing that on assumption of office, a 41-member Delta State Peace Building and Advisory Council comprising men and women of proven integrity and exemplary character were inaugurated to tackle the teething problem of peace and security in the state.

 “They (Delta State Peace Building and Advisory Council) have been very active in working to implement policies and programmes to increase public safety in Delta State.

“Our strategy is to strengthen, sustain and create the institutions and structures that enable peaceful co-existence among diverse ethnic groups and communities; we are committed to seeing that our cities, towns and communities become places where people feel safe to work, live and do business, he added.
Speaking on the menace of Fulani herdsmen, Governor Okowa disclosed that his administration has taken proactive measures to curb the menace.

“We have been talking about it at the national level; also at the state level a committee has been set up which is made up of the SSG, Police, SSS, Civil Defence, our communities and some Fulani leaders because, we want to ensure that there is an identification of the herdsmen groups that we have in our localities and to create an interface between them and our communities so that together the communities and the herdsmen can work to identify the criminal elements and ensure that those criminals are made to face the law.

“We have gone to the extent of appointing a Special Adviser on the Fulani herdsmen who has been helping us to reach out to the various groups in the state, even to the leadership of the Fulanis that bring in these cattle to the state.”

The governor also spoke about the spate of pipeline vandalism in the state saying that currently, an Advocacy Peace Committee headed by the Deputy Governor Barr. Kingsley Otuaro has been traversing the length and breadth of the riverine communities to hold talks with traditional rulers, community and youth leaders on the need for peace in the region adding; “we are confident of positive outcomes from these interactions”.

He said that on assumption of office, his administration had in collaboration with the local government councils had organised a well-attended One-Day Stakeholders Summit on “Vandalisation of Oil and Gas Facilities” on Wednesday, January 31, 2016, at the Petroleum Training Institute Conference Centre in Effurun, Warri .

Oil Facility Vandalism: Ogulagha Kingdom Assures Otuaro-led C'ttee of Oil Installations Protection

By Bulou Kosin

Delta State Deputy Governor and Chairman of Advocacy Committee Against Oil Facility Vandalism, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro, says "Ogulagha Kingdom is critical to national and state economy" while tasking the kingdom to sustain it's "peaceful disposition and collaborate with government to end the recent spate of oil facility vandalism".

Speaking in like manner, Secretary of the Advocacy Committee and former Ijaw Youth Council President, Dr. Chris Ekiyor, who said Ogulagha Kingdom with its oil concerns would have been a developmental wonder if in Europe, also pleaded for support and collective vigilance to stop the bombings. He stressed the need to avoid what he said was looming war from apologists of military option.

The Otuaro-led Advocacy Committee yesterday (Wednesday) visited Ogulagha Kingdom where HRM, Joseph Timiyan, the Pere of Ogulagha Kingdom who assured the Committee: "We'll support Government to stop the vandalism. As a kingdom, we have several oil concerns namely, Forcados Terminal Crude Loading Platform,   South Bank Flow Station, North Bank Flow Station, Estuary Flow Station, Forcados/Yokri Integrated Gas Project, amongst several others. We do not harbour militancy and the oil companies operate in a conducive environment".

The royal father was, however, peeved that despite contributions of his peaceful kingdom to the national economy, the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo shunned his palace in his recent visit to the kingdom to inspect oil installations. This, he said, was coming upon sustained political marginalization over the years.

"Ogulagha Kingdom has never produced the chairman of Burutu local government area where we belong. The state government has never seen fit to appoint an Ogulagha son as Commissioner in the State over the years let alone recommendation for federal appointment. We thank the Okowa/Otuaro administration for appointing a Special Assistant from Ogulagha Kingdom. We hope we'll not continue to be marginalized", he said.

While promising to take up to appropriate quarters, the concerns of the Ogulagha Kingdom, which he acknowledged as "one of the most peaceful oil-rich kingdoms", Otuaro solicited support of the Kingdom to protect oil concerns and hence the national economy for development.

"The 2016 National Budget of 6.6trillion naira, Otuaro stressed, is predicated on borrowing, VAT and a 2.2mbd production expectation. A sustenance in bombings without collective efforts to stop same,  he explained, will worsen our already bad economic situation".

The Ogulagha Monarch, who expressed delight that it was the first time a sitting Deputy Governor would visit his Palace, prayed for the success of the Otuaro-led Advocacy Committee in its assignment.

Delta Monarch Says Army Alone Can't Secure Oil Installations

*Assures Otuaro-led Advocacy C'ttee of Support

By Bulou Kosin

Paramount ruler of Ogbe-Ijoh Kingdom in Warri South-West Local Government Area Of Delta state, HRM Couple Oromoni Mobene III, The Pere-Amakosu of Ogbe-Ijoh-Warri Kingdom has said that the military can't protect oil facilities because of lack of knowledge of Niger Delta terrain" .

The Ogbe-Ijoh-Warri Monarch made the declaration when he played host on Thursday to the Advocacy Committee Against Oil Facility Vandalism led by the Delta State Deputy Governor, Barr. Kingsley Burutu Otuaro, which sought partnership and collaboration in ending the ongoing spate of bombings in the delta.

While condemning the spate of pipeline attacks, the Pere-Amakosu of Ogbe-Ijoh-Warri recommended the formation of Pipeline Guards, which he said should combine efforts of the locals and the Army.

Assuring the Advocacy Committee of support, Mobene III, said: 'There is no youth in the Kingdom that would go out there to commit atrocities and return without information coming to me from my youths many of who sleep freely with me in my Palace".

He advised youths across the Niger Delta that endangering oil facilities was foolish as possible oil company contracts would disappear or relocate with the companies. 

He expressed surprise that oil facilities would be vandalized within metres to the house-boats quartering the military only for the military to vent anger on innocent and defenseless Indigenes. 

The monarch however expressed concern over the recent killing of  a sand scooper by an over zealous soldier who was in their stock of extorting money from locals by intimidation instead of protecting oil installations.

“I hereby call for court-martial of the soldiers in the vicinity of the bombings who now go about causing more havoc on the Indigenes for their own dereliction of duty".

The Ogbe-Ijoh-Warri king however advised that development was key to solving the Niger Delta question, stressing that it was surprising that a school such as the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko, which should have engaged idle minds meaningfully in our area was reportedly taken away.

Speaking on the ongoing training of Amnesty beneficiaries, the Ogbe-Ijoh Monarch said; "How can you spend over 30 million naira on a trainee on a course at the Philippines that can take care of 30 persons in Nigeria?".

Saying that training was necessary to avoid relapse of militants to militancy, he said only special courses with proper training not possible in Nigeria should be done abroad.

Earlier, the state Deputy Governor who led the team to the monarch’s palace, said that with a budget hinged on borrowing, taxation and 2.2mbd production expectation, “we cannot afford more bombings and expect to advance the national economy and fulfill our electoral campaign promises”
.

Former Ijaw Youth Council President, Dr. Chris Ekiyor, and Secretary of the Advocacy Committee, reinforced need for every Ijaw Kingdom to collaborate and stand against vandalism and ward off looming danger, rationalizing: "If a man calls for rain, it falls on all". He added: "No war is won at the battlefield, but on the table of dialogue".

Some of the chiefs from the palace who spoke including; Chief Favour Izoukumor, representing Ijaw nationality on the board of DESOPADEC, women leader Madam Queen Azenetolu, youth leader Comrade Christmas Ikare and Barr. Alex Akemotubo, Chairman Ogbe-Ijoh Governing Council had expressed resolve of the Ogbe-Ijoh people to partner with government to stop vandalism of oil facilities.

Stop Media Persecution of Amaechi – SNYA Tells Rivers State Government – Press Release

​

The Southern Nigerian Youth Alliance (SNYA) has called on foreign media to always balance their news before publications.

In a press release jointly signed by Kelvin Adegbenga (the Coordinator) and   George Nwachukwu  (the Publicity Secretary ) of Southern Nigerian Youth Alliance in Abuja today, and made available to newsmen, the group said Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi remained innocent as nobody has brought up any allegations against him in the Law court, EFCC and the ICPC.

The group said the Rivers State Probe Commission set up by Governor Wike was totally a political commission even though the main white paper did not mention of Rotimi Amaechi in her final report.

 Below is the full text of the press release:

Re: Is Nigerian Leader’s Pal ‘Fantastically Corrupt’? Friend Of African President Accused Of Stealing £500million.

The attention of Southern Nigerian Youth Alliance (SNYA) has been brought to a publication by one Paul Cahalan for The Mail On Sunday, UK.

Paul Cahalan said Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, remains in his post as Minister of Transportation despite being accused of misappropriating £338million by a commission investigating the sale of state assets. We wish to remind Paul Cahalan that the so called Commission NEVER indicted said Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi in the white paper available to the public.

Secondly, the Commission knows the right channel to take her report to if anybody is indicted in their report.

Cahalan claimed that in the Nigerian press, that Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi has been dubbed ‘ATM’ – the American term for cash machine – because of his ability to produce vast sums of money at short notice, we want to know which of the Nigerian press he cited for this biased publications.

Cahalan also alleged that Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi misappropriated £338million according to commission investigating the sale of state assets, how much is the total allocations to Rivers State under his administration?

“Separately, Amaechi is accused of diverting £140million of state funds into Buhari’s presidential campaign, with reports he paid for media, consultants and private jets.” Can Cahalan please publish the receipt or evidences for the media, consultants and private jets done by Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi for Buhari’s presidential campaign?

We want to remind Cahalan and his sponsors that if Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi stand indicted, President Buhari won’t nominate him neither sent his name for confirmation at the National Assembly for confirmation as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Even though Cahalan ended is article with “Mr Amaechi has denied the allegations against him”, we still find his article ridiculous as it is purely sponsored by political opponents of Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi and the Buhari’s administration from Rivers State.

If any group or individual have anything allegations against Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, such group or individual should go through the right channels; Law court, EFCC and ICPC, instead of embarking on unnecessary media persecution.

Finally, we called on foreign media to always hear from both side for balance reportage before publications to avoid libel and also called on the Rivers State Government to go through the right channel if they have any allegations against Rt. Hon Rotimi Amaechi.

Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi remains the Hero of Democracy in Nigeria and we have no doubt about that.

Poll Bribery Scam: ‘Wike Ordered Me To Collect N700m From Fidelity Bank'-Witness

The detained Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mr. Samuel Johnson Okpoko has told the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission that he collected N700million poll bribery cash from Fidelity Bank on the instruction of Governor Nyesom Wike.

But while Okpoko will soon be charged to court, the anti-graft agency might put the invitation of the governor on hold because of constitutional immunity.

The immunity however does not prevent the EFCC from investigating the allegation against the governor and keeping vital information for his trial after his tenure.

According to a source in EFCC, Okpoko admitted that he collected the cash in two tranches at Trans Amadi branch of Fidelity Bank Plc in Port Harcourt.

The source said: “Operatives of the EFCC, have grilled the Rivers State Secretary of  the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mr. Samuel Johnson Okpoko , for collecting N700million from the controversial $115milloon lodged with Fidelity Bank Plc, by the immediate past Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Allison- Madueke

“Okpoko, who was the Rivers state’s PDP  campaign coordinator in the 2015 Presidential Election collected the sum of N700 million in two tranches of N600 million and N100 million respectively at the Trans Amadi branch of Fidelity Bank Plc, Port- Harcourt. Investigations by the EFCC revealed that Okpoko cashed N600 million on March  27 and N100 million on March 31,2015.

“Explaining how he became involved, Okpoko said he was instructed by the then PDP governorship candidate, Nyesom Wike to go to the branch of Fidelity Bank to cash some money there.

The source quoted Okpoko as saying: “I was with my governor in his house sometime 27th day of March 2015, when he got a call and Chief Barrister Nyesom Wike after the phone call told me that the call was from Fidelity Bank and they have some money for him”.

But Special Assistant to Governor Wike on electronic media Mr Simeon Nwakaudu said: “We are not aware of what you talked about in your test message”

He said Okpoko was already in the custody of the EFCC and would be charged to court soon.

Responding to a question, the source said: “Since the governor enjoys immunity by virtue of Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution, we cannot invite Nyesom Wike now for interrogation on the allegation by Okpoko.

“This however does not prevent the EFCC from probing issues connected with the payment of the N700million and asking for refund from the beneficiaries.”

Section 308 of the constitution reads in part: “Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this constitution but subject to sub-section 2 of this section- (a) no civil or criminal proceedings shall be instituted or continued against a person to whom this section applies during his period of office; (b) a person to whom this section applies shall not be arrested or imprisoned during that period either on pursuance of the process of any court or otherwise; and (c ) no process of any court requiring or compelling the appearance of a person to whom this section applies, shall be applied for or issued.

Pipeline Attacks: Otuaro To Gbaramatu Youths: Peace Is Path To Development

× Youths Cry Out Over military Harassments and Oil Companies Denials

From Bulou Kosin.

Chairman of Advocacy Committee Against Oil Facility Vandalism and Deputy Governor of Delta State, Barr. Kingsley Burutu Otuaro has appealed to the youths of Gbaramatu Kingdom to rise up to protection of oil facilities in their domain whether or not they were perpetrators of vandalism, stressing that peace by any means remains the platform from which development and progress can be launched.

The Otuaro-led Advocacy Committee, yesterday (Tuesday) , visited Oporoza, headquarters of Gbaramatu Kingdom where it retired to a Town-Hall meeting with youths and ex-militants in their numbers, after conferring with HRM, Oboro-Gbaraun II, the Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom.

The youth after youth who spoke at the Town Hall meeting, lamented that innocent citizens were being harassed by the military in occupation. A youth leader, Moses Yabrade, apparently hit the bull's eye when he recommended a path to safety of oil installations not implemented by oil companies and government.

He lamented that while the youths were willing to be involved despite their lamentable condition, there was no synergy between the government and its agencies for opting for surveillance, stressing that the arrest and incarceration of 5 persons/agents of the Pipeline Surveillance/Protection Services (PSPS) as confirmed by Chevron was a frightening experience. He advised that the Otuaro-led Advocacy Committee should help create the platform for the required synergy and work.

"In history, violence upon violence has never produced peace. Innocent ordinary people suffer for military harassment and intimidation that has made Gbaramatu Kingdom an endangered species. Gathering and working with intelligence is better", Yabrade said, adding: "Nobody will destroy or allow the destruction of what or where he feeds from".

"If the Nigerian Gas Company (NGC) gas line was engaged to generate electricity, for instance, for the communities in its path, no community will allow such vandalism that negatively affects its comfort, without confronting the perpetrators", he continued.

Yabrade added that the Pipelines Products Marketing Company (PPMC) should re-introduce its abandoned but beautiful proposal of development award/projects for  peaceful communities, an idea he said could galvanize communities to active protection of oil facilities.

To the applause of the youths, Yabrade opined that the employment of Niger Deltans and grants of meaningful contracts in the Oil Industry could help motivate communities to protecting oil installations. He said the non engagement of people of the state in pipelines repairs contracts with non employment of youth of the area poses a serious problem for the people. He also said the Federal Government should kick-start the Export Processing Zone(EPZ) project capable of employing over 150, 000 youths.

He concluded that over 80% of pre-amnesty issues were left unattended to by Government.

The youths also expressed concern that people of the region close to the previous Goodluck Jonathan administration were being hunted, like High Chief Government Ekpemupolo aka Tompolo, who was zealously protecting oil installations from vandals.

They also recommended that the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko, be funded and allowed to kick off to  further engage the youths to meaningful ends.

The Deputy Governor, while agreeing that Gbaramatu Kingdom was 'an endangered species", noted that "war was hardly founded on justification". Otuaro stressed that it was better to pursue peace so that as leaders, even before now in the struggle, we could engage federal government to grant some of the requests you have made.

Otuaro, who told the youths that his Advocacy Committee was open to privileged information even in private, asserted: "We seek your partnership and collaboration to finding a permanent solution to the challenge. It's upon this honour you'll do to us your leaders that we'll engage the federal government to grant your requests. A dead man can't ask for light or employment".

Labour Strike Ground Activities In Govt House Asaba

Activities at the Government House Asaba, Delta state were grounded as members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Delta state chapter protest hike in fuel price.

It was leant that the state chapter of NLC had mobilized its members to protest the recent removal of fuel subsidy which gave rise to the increase in pump price of petrol to N145.

First Vice Chairman of the state chapter of NLC, who led the protesting workers to Government House, Comrade Jonathan Jemiregbe said that the only panacea to the indefinite strike was for the Federal Government to reverse its unilateral decision.

“We are here to execute the labour ordered industrial strike. The Governor (Ifeanyi Okowa) should by this peaceful demonstration know that the strike has been brought to bear in Delta state.

“Government offices are now under key and lock. The strike is not directed against the state but against the Federal Government.

On the restrain order secured by the Federal Government, Jemiregbe said, “Yes, we disobeyed the court order because the order was obnoxiously obtained.

“President Muhammadu Buhari himself has acknowledged that the judiciary is his headache. The law says the two parties must argue the matter before such order can be granted. That did not happen in this regard.

“This is a government that is not sensitive to the plights of Nigerians. It unilaterally increased electricity tariff, as if that was not enough, it went ahead to increase the pump price of petrol, we say no to this”, Jemiregbe said.

The protesters were addressed by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s Chief of Staff, Hon Tam Brisibe who apologized that his boss was in a crucial security meeting and commended them for conducting their affairs with honour, assuring them that their grouse would be addressed.

The unions which participated in the protest march included; Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU), as well as Academic Staff Union of Polytecnics (ASUP).

The protesters trooped out as early as 7am at the popular Traffic-Light Junction in Asaba, where they marched through the streets of Asaba to Government House.

Chanting solidarity songs, the unionist vowed not to return to work unless the Federal Government revert to the old pump price and discontinue with the high electricity tariff.

Some of the inscription bore by the workers are; “Nigeria Jaga-Jaga, Everything Scatter, Scatter”, “Electricity Na Wayo-Wayo”, “Food No Dey, Water No Dey, Light No Dey”, “Labour Say No to High Electricity Tariff”, “We Need Employment, Not Fuel Hike”, “Labour Say No to Fuel Hike”, “Buhari Heal Us, Don’t Kill Us” and “Election Na Wayo-Wayo”.