DELTA 2024 LGA Polls: Ozobo unveils amazing blueprint for Burutu LG

DELTA 2024 LGA Polls: Ozobo unveils amazing blueprint for Burutu LG

Warri _____ An activist and a political philosopher Comrade Ozobo Austin has unveiled a stupendous blueprint for Burutu people as he joined the upcoming local government council race in Delta state.

Following a document titled, "My Transmission Agenda For Burutu LGA", which a copy was sent to journalists on Thursday, said he would address gender equality and create jobs through massive skill and entrepreneurship trainings when elected as chairman Burutu Local Government Council.

According to him, he would revitalise students' bursary and scholarships for best-performing students in sciences and mathematics, adding that he would provide financial support for Burutu students admitted to NDA and other military and paramilitary trainings. 

He maintained that the best-performing students in the senior secondary schools would get free WAEC and  NECO Registration, stating that he would take drastic steps to address issues of lack of teachers in the primary and secondary schools, including lack of poor infrastructures and basic amenities in the riverine schools in the LG.

The bravely crafted document posited that the security challenges in the waterways would be addressed, including provision of infrastructures within the purview of the LGA. 

He said his administration would attract the state high court in Burutu to effectively address judiciary needs at such a level, adding that he would ensure Burutu area commander resides in Burutu Local Government headquarters.

Talking about health, he said the dilapidated health institutions would be overhauled, including provision of Nurses and doctors. 

The Document reads, "My transformation agenda will address issues of gender equality and create massive jobs through massive skill acquisition and entrepreneurship programmes with starter packs to beneficiaries. I will revitalise students' bursary, and scholarships for best-performing students in sciences and mathematics and provide financial support for Burutu students admitted to NDA and other military and paramilitary trainings. 

"In the same vein, the best-performing students in the senior secondary school will get free WAEC and  NECO Registration. We will address issues of lack of teachers in our primary and secondary schools, issues of lack of poor infrastructures and basic amenities. On areas of joint responsibility, the council in conjunction with the state government will timely address such needs. 

"The security challenges in our waterways will be addressed. Infrastructures within the purview of the LGA will be provided. We will attract the state high court in Burutu to effectively address judiciary needs at such a level. I will ensure Burutu area commander resides in Burutu and issues of annual flooding will be a critical concern. Our dilapidated health institutions will be overhauled. Nurses and doctors will be provided, also dilapidated school buildings will be given adequate attention.

He stated further, "bottlenecks of our main occupation which is fishing will be addressed, Fishermen and fisherwomen will be provided with canoe and fishing nets, hooks and traps as a way of empowerment. These include the empowerment of local farmers and the provision of soft loans for small and medium-scale trades and businesses among Burutu people.

"Again, l will run a system in which we may not necessarily wait for federal allocation to pay local government staff, we can't continue to suffer workers in the slightest delay of federal allocation. I will run a special medical outreach programme to attend to the medical needs of the old people, pregnant women and children between 1 to 10 years and the less privileged persons. This is inclusive of periodic financial support for people with particular medical challenges. 

"We will also launch a food outreach programme. Under this programme, the council will provide food items and financial support for old people and others with special needs.

"I will run an organised system of government. My people deserve the best, and I am fully prepared to give them the best. I will practically implement the MORE agenda of our dear governor of the state, His Excellency Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborewori in Burutu Local Government Council.

"Thanks my people!, join the moment. One Delta! One Burutu!".

THE GILDED OTUARO AND HIS THEORIES: BY EKANPOU ENEWARIDIDEKE

THE GILDED OTUARO AND HIS THEORIES: BY EKANPOU ENEWARIDIDEKE

Travelling is the bridge to beneficial interaction,integration,

cross-cultural fertilisation of ideas and globalisation. The world feels bruised and embittered when travelling is banned. The world is peopled by travellers.A known traveller was recently garlanded academically. High Chief Dennis Brutu Otuaro is  the known traveller. 

Dennis Otuaro is a traveller whose journeys had taken him virtually to all corners of the world on a 'Kuru' canoe paddled dexterously. It was this traveller, this sailor, called  High Chief Dennis Otuaro who had been away from home for years, waited for eagerly in the Gbaramatu home of Gbaramatus,  that got academically laurelled at the University of Benin, Benin-City, Edo State on the 25th of November 2023 as the Doctor of Philosophy in Comparative Politics and Development Studies. 

Educationally grounded as his foundational pier for engagement of developmentally and ideologically hostile institutions in Nigeria and beyond, for Dennis Otuaro the era of systematic 'mumufication' and 'zombification' of oil-rich communities, the era of sitting 'zigidi'  and manipulating them histrionically as bribable puppets and giving them derogatory epithets to justify the targeted unabated developmental 'zigidification' is over.

Beleaguered by teleologically explainable and excusable interruptions and disruptions, the sailor called Dennis Otuaro  journeyed like the current-governed crests of waves on River Forcados to Ayakoromo Grammar School  and Ogbe-Ijoh Grammar School  for his secondary education between 1991 and 2007.However the dictate of the teleological distractions, his gargantuan thirst for secondary education was at last assuaged like the journey of the magi at ease when they saw Jesus ultimately and honoured him.This Kuru canoe journeys also took him to the Delta State University, Abraka where he had first degree in Political Science in 2005 and journeyed further to the University of Benin where he had two Master degrees in International Relations, and Public Administration respectively in 2008 and 2009. At the peak of his rigorous paddling journeys he was deservedly clothed in the academic regalia of a Doctor of Philosophy in Comparative Politics and Development Studies at the University of Benin. In all his rigorous canoe journeys from the Gbaramatu Kingdom, Dennis Otuaro was fired and inepired by Aime Cesaire’s  thought that: 'No race has a monopoly on beauty, or intelligence, or strength, and there will be a place for all at the rendezvous of victory'.

Vis-a-vis Dennis Otuaro's inspiration by Aime Cesaire's thoughts, implicated here is that the predisposition to monopolization or hegemonisation of the common space of existence by the enemies of Niger Delta development, grounded in educational height and strength, could be curtailed or minimised with rigorous canoe journeys like Dennis Otuaro's to different corners of the world because a gilded designated seat awaits one at the end of the journeys like the  glorious world   awaiting the good ones at the end of this age if we  must speak eschatologically to dignify  some biblical teachings set down dogmatically for ages.

Always around Dennis Otuaro are building blocks of vibrations of anti-establishment thoughts and  quite early in his life as a  member  of the Presidential Council on  Social Economic Development of the Coastal States  of the Niger Delta at a meeting convened, he painstaking let loose his anti-establishment posture by asking President Olusegun Obasanjo salient questions on the Niger Delta.

Dennis Otuaro is an anti-establishment personality whose roots theoretically find grip or traction on the soil of Nietzsche's recommended appropriation of 'forgetfulness' and 'memory' in a selective manner in the optimistic reconstruction of the future as some memories merit relegation while others merit retention.With a conviction in the theoretical appropriateness of Nietzsche's theorised 'forgetfulness' and "memory' and their applicability to the Niger Delta situation in terms of the historical injustices and inanities heaped on it, Dennis Otuaro occasionally creates spaces for governmental and private institutions to engage his resources and capabilities in specific areas.It is with this balanced theoretical conviction that he had over the years

accumulated stimulating working experiences from his solicited engagements with governmental institutions and professional bodies that did not pose a threat to his anti-establishment build at the specified period.With a professional membership of The United States Institute of Peace(USIP), Nigerian Political Science Association and fellowship of The Alternative to Dispute Resolution in Africa(ADR-Africa) and Chartered Institute of Public Management, Dennis Otuaro was appointed members of Delta Waterways Security Council, Delta State(2007-2015), Presidential Committee on Environment of the Niger Delta(2004-2005) and Presidential Council on Social Economic Development of the Coastal State of Niger Delta(2003-2004).

Experientially and professionally engaging and resourceful  at any level whenever his services are engaged, Dr Dennis Otuaro is today appointively engaged as the Special Assistant on Special Duties to the MD/CEO of NDDC.

Dennis always feels temperamentally destabilised, uprooted, sickened and smothered by any indicator of injustices around his environment and he is a genius at discovering injustice no matter how it is disguised.He has tentacles adapted to injustice-discovery.He noises the injustice everywhere in oppositional language to be uprooted without wasting time.This is what inspires and underpins his anti-establishment posture precociously unveiled at a  very young age.It was this anti-establishment posture that powered his canoe journeys to Ayakoromo,Ogbe-Ijoh, Abraka and Benin  - a cumulative result of which is his internalisation of the theoretical thoughts of Ernst Bloch, Ka Mana and Bhabha Komi in their restructured, reconstructed and reconceptualised format applicable to the Niger Delta question. By his creative restructuring of Bloch's 'Marxist utopianism', Ka Mana's 'Imaginaire', and Komi's 'reconceptualisation' of eurocentric discourse weighted to birth  creative hybridisation, purely from political angle, Dennis has demonstrated the capacity of an academic doctor for independent intedisciplinary thinking  and domestication of theories from  other fields -  an independent thinking bound to give him the edge to confront the challenges in his environment that necessitated his canoe journeys to the storehouse of knowledge at different levels of education.

Journeys anywhere are driven by superior reasons. For Dennis Otuaro, his rigorous canoe journeys were driven by his spirit of resistance to exploitation, oppression and objectification masterminded either by individuals or government  - a reason he democratically sought the space of the presidency of the National Union  of  Izon-ebe Students when he was a student of the Delta State University and got it democratically. He had always faulted the exploitative attitude of government  towards Niger Deltans at every level. A strong believer of the utopian theorist Ernst Bloch who is credited with initiation and development of Marxist utopianism, and the Congolese philosopher and theologian Ka Mana who created the theory of 'Imaginaire' as the 'entire framework of beliefs, patterns of thinking and drives that motivates one’s social being', capable of giving Africans clear direction and visibility in government in the wake of the colonial   hangover, Dennis Otuaro would be adequately equipped to pulverise the oppressors and exploiters when educationally grounded to the peak. The philosophy of resistance to oppression is better pursued and executed when people are educationally equipped as they now have the power to view the past and recreate the future in line with present realities through historical reconstruction with a tincture of utopianism as the ideological aphrodisiac.

Educationally equipped, history can be drawn on to execute the war of resistance as it carries both the good and bad memories of the past. However, Dennis Otuaro intellectually questions too much infatuation with history as viewed by Nitzsche in his essay  'The Use and Abuse of History': history 'mutilates and degrades lives’ 'since it drains the vitality needed to build the future’ as critically held by Bill Ashcroft in his essay ‘Remembering  the Future: Utopianism in African Literature'. For a socially healthful and balanced culture, individual or community, some memories got from history must be forgotten , others retained. This is the balance recommended by Nietzche and it is this balance that  is anchored by  Dennis Otuaro in his anti-establishment stands, even with all the education in the world. 

Dennis Otuaro reasons post-colonially in his adoption and appropriation of Bhabha komi’s reconceptualisation as an integral component of his philosophy of resistance though only in a manner described as domesticated and naturalized within his own world of conceptualization. Komi desires reconceptualisation of 'eurocentric representations of the location of  culture'(Studying Literature 212) towards the production of a third space’ centred on interaction and integration without domineering tendencies displayed either by blacks or whites. It is a productive hybridization called into beings here for cohabitation between black people and white people. In a corresponding degree Dennis Otuaro holds that there should be progressive cohabitation between Niger Deltans and the oppressors now that Niger Deltas have been sufficiently educated. Education should produce the hybridised space conceptually breathed by Dennis Otuaro as a conceptual appropriation from Bhabha Komi.

High Chief Dennis Otuaro's movement of the conceptual theories of Ka Mana's Imaginaire, Bloch's Marxist utopianism and Komi's reconceptualisation of Eurocentric discourse  from the literary field to his political field to anchor his anti-establishment stand is what I contextually term 'theoretical naturalization' or 'theoretical engrafting' because it echoes a movement from a terrain of familiarity to a terrain of unfamiliarity that demands theoretical adaptation and acclimatization.

Seemingly on wings of Bloch's Marxist utopianism, Dr Dennis Otuaro and Gbaramatu Kingdom hold theoretically that with education, the injustices done against Niger Deltans in the past by the exploiters would be corrected for proliferationof productive branches from the tree of life, and Niger Deltans strategically positioned as the captains of their future. Seemingly Utopian, outlandish and antediluvian in outlook, yet totally meaningful and acceptable, Bill Ashcroft reveals that 'without a coherent sense of utopianism, liberation is impossible’. It is a theoretical necessity that the liberation thoughts of Dr Dennis Otuaro and Gbaramatu Kingdom be fired by utopianism because utopianism is the sacred reservoir of visionary and revolutionary thoughts.

The decoration of High Chief Dennis Otuaro as an academic doctor who hails from Gbaramatu Kingdom, among many others, carries echoes of targeted Colonialism birthed by Gbaramatus in Gbaramatu Kingdom. Heaving into sight in endless stream from the canals of Gbaramatu River are canoes of doctoral degree holders.It seems the Gbaramatu Kingdom is on a 'Colonialism' mission.Historically, the colonialists that once colonised us pontificated that they were on a civilising mission and dismantled our cultures and perfected cultural superimposition thrown at us.As the contextual colonialists in the Niger Delta with an 'educationing' mission that would see the Gbaramatus acquire PhD in all fields of human endeavour, let us name the Gbaramatu Kingdom the benevolent colonialists whose well-intentioned posture is to occupy the pinnacle of education in every field and apply their acquired theoretical and practical skills in research to solve the problems confronting their terrain in particular and the Niger Delta in general.The mission of Gbaramatus as colonialists is different from the multi-faceted civilising mission of the white colonialists.

Before further journey into the world of Dr Dennis Otuaro and Gbaramatu Kingdom, something historically important must be injected here: though 'Gbaramatued" in Warri South-West Council of Delta State, it cannot be denied and deleted that Dennis Otuaro  aboriginally carries the DNA of Burutu Local Government Area because a part of his biological roots are buried in Obotebe town.Therefore, Obotebe Kingdom in Burutu Local Government Area has as much biological and historical claim on High Chief Dennis Otuaro as Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South-West Council.

Undaunted by waiting accusations of walking on my own repeated lines and thoughts, I dare voice again that with the doctoral decoration of Dennis Otuaro and many others from Gbaramatu Kingdom, they have metamorphosed into benevolent colonialists. With  tendentiously crafted Eurocentric discourses the colonialists once controlled and dominated the colonised and superimposed the Western culture on them. Theoretically strengthened by thoughts of Ernst Bloch and Ka Mana, the Gbaramatus appear determined to hegemonise the intellectual space with degrees in all fields from first degree level to the doctoral level. In few years doctoral spaces in every field will be so filled by them that there will be no space for others to occupy. By this the Gbaramatus must have become the benevolent colonialists in the Niger Delta whose colonialism would be limited to the educational space with a potential to win global recognition on behalf of the Niger Delta region on the educational space. 

For Chief Dennis Otuaro driven by  Ernst Bloch's Marxist utopianism  and Ka Mana's Imaginaire  to journey rigorously through a network of rivulets, rivers and oceans on a Kuru canoe, now laurelled a Doctor of philosophy in Comparative Politics and Development Studies, it is with pride and 'Biritorutoru' you are applauded home as the Ozidi of education by Niger Deltans. Proudly hailed also are the Gbaramatus, the benevolent colonialists of Niger delta region  -  whose theoretically based utopian thoughts have admirably become the springboard of doctoral degree holders in the Nigger Delta. May utopianism forever stick to Gbaramatu Kingdom as the tree of educational life so that their benevolent colonialism can perpetually resist the aggression of decolonization and bring global recognition to us in the Niger Delta

By: Ekanpou Enewaridideke

Writes from Akparemogbene,Delta State.

N/Delta youths Commend Tantita for a Job well Done on fight against oil Theft

N/Delta youths Commend Tantita for a Job well Done on fight against oil Theft

..... Presents Award of Excellence to GM Godfrey as King of the youths 

Warri_____ A coalition of various youth bodies in Bayelsa State represented by eminent youths drawn from each organization have unanimously commended the sterling performance and achievements of the indigenous private security firm, Tantita Security Service Nig Limited.

During their visit to the company's office in Warri, the Lead - Convener, Apostle Bodmas Kemepadei who expressed that the essence of the coalition of remarkable youth leaders in Bayelsa State was a clear representation that Tantita Security Service is highly appreciated for their enormous contribution to Youth development and curbing menace in all ramifications. 

Speaking on behalf of the coalition at the event, Comr. Prince Oweibi commended the tremendous achievements and accomplishments of Tantita Security Service. 

" Tantita has helped to curb crude oil theft and Bunkering which illegal process has been a disease to our environment and economy to the Nation at large. Today ; we are happy that the remediation on our lands will begin with us. Tantita has created jobs for teaming youths and has brought about sustainable peace through engagement of youths. We are very happy with the operations as we seek for more collaboration". 

The group further lauds the positive impacts of Tantita Security Services Limited in Bayelsa State, recounting its contribution to security, job creation, economic growth etc.

Moving forward, in what looks like a parliament during plenary section, a motion seeking for a vote of confidence to be passed on Tantita Security Service Limited in continuance and extension of their operation in Bayelsa State was moved by Comr. Owebi Prince,  Seconded by Comr. Elvis Ere and was voted by all 35 representatives of the Youth groups. 

Highpoint of the visit was witnessed by a presentation of award of recognition to Mr. Godfrey Tare Pondi as KING OF THE YOUTHS, owing to his selfless services and contribution to the development of Youths across the Niger Delta Region.

The Coalition also presented an award of excellence performance to the management of Tantita Security Service Limited. 

Receiving the award on behalf of Tantita Security Service Nig Limited, Mr. Godfrey Pondi extolled the coalition for finding the firm worthy of the award and creating an ample time to visit. 

Mr Godfrey Pondi further expressed commitment of Tantita Security Service Limited to fighting illegal Bunkering, also revealing that H.E   Bola Tinubu has approved the extension of Tantita contract for another three years. He stated that the extension will witnessed more contribution and robust engagements for Youths development not forgetting the total commitment of shutting down all menace of crude oil theft as he seek for partnership and collaboration from various organizations.

Kuku visits Ndiomu, urges him to revive vocational centres in N/Delta

Kuku visits Ndiomu, urges him to revive vocational centres in N/Delta

Anuja _____ Kingsley Kuku, former Special Adviser on Niger Delta Affairs to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, has urged the Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) Major General Barry Ndiomu (rtd) to revive and complete all Vocational Training Centers in the Niger Delta region.

Kuku who also served as Chairman of the PAP under the Jonathan administration, made particular reference to the vandalized Vocational Training Center in Kaiama, Kolokuma Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, carried out by hoodlums in 2019.

Making the passionate plea at the Presidential Amnesty Office in Abuja on Wednesday while he paid a courtesy visit to the Interim Administrator, Kuku regretted that the facility will undoubtedly cost billions of naira to revive.

“Bring back the center, no matter what it will cost you,” he said, adding that the facility when revived, can serve as advanced training centers for universities in the region, even beyond being a facility for training ex-agitators.

Kuku commended late President Umar Yar’Adua, ex-Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari, as well as incumbent President Bola Tinubu for the creation and sustenance of the Programme respectively.

On malicious media attacks against Ndiomu, Kuku urged the Interim Administrator to remain steadfast in his “commendable” resolve to impact lives in the Niger Delta. “Nobody will thank you or appreciate you as Interim Administrator. The only thing you will get are abuses. But they will thank you tomorrow,” Kuku added.

Commending the Aviation Resuscitation Programme for Pilots/Aircraft Maintenance Engineers under which some of the beneficiaries are currently undergoing their Type-rating Programme in South Africa, he said, “In today’s Aviation Industry, any Pilot without Type-rating is nothing. You are touching lives. After what you are doing for them now, they will get jobs easily”.

He expressed delight that Ndiomu has brought back hope to the Niger Delta, and assured of his unalloyed support towards sustaining the gains of the Amnesty Programme.

Earlier in his remarks, General Ndiomu told Kuku that his administration is resolutely building on many of his legacies, adding that the enormous number of graduates under the Amnesty Scheme today, can be traced to his (Kuku’s) doggedness to better the lives of ex-agitators.

The Interim Administrator regretted that after such hard work and efforts put in by Kuku, it is “disappointing” and “embarrassing” that his administration came on board and inherited huge debts. “For me, it was a bit irresponsible and reckless. But I came in her to surmount these challenges,” he said.

While noting that the Amnesty Programme has not fully lived up to its objectives, Ndiomu recommended a possible transition of the scheme into “a Social Investment Agency” to directly impact the lives of youths in the region.

Ndiomu futher lamented the vandalization of the Kaiama Vocational Training Center in Bayelsa. He disclosed that when completed, the Vocational Training Center in Agadagba-Obon in Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State will be named after Kuku.

The Amnesty Office also disclosed that 106 out of over 800 beneficiaries have been trained and certified in various digital skills, in its partnership with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). This is as over 600 are currently undergoing various digital courses.

How stubborn Women fail in their Marriages, and Relationships with Relatives

How Stubborn Women Fail in Their Marriages, and Even in Their Relationships with Relatives.

By Amina Al-Harbi, social consultant.

Women who lack emotional intelligence and flexibility in dealing with people around them are the biggest failures in their marriages and their lives. Why? Because,

1- She enters into an egoistic tug of war with her husband, and prefers the voice of her ego to try to overcome him, and in fact she fails before the ego of her husband and the ego of those who are around her, because men become more stubborn in front of a stubborn wife and stubborn sister, and they become more gentle in front of a submissive woman.

2- A headstrong woman thinks that she can win while insisting on her opinion, and she can stand in front of any opposition. She forgets that even if she wins by her obstinacy in her opinion and stand, she loses the heart that was loving her and caring for her.

3- Many narrations and wise proverbs in all the cultures have praised an easy-going, soft, friendly, patient and enduring woman. Even the Messenger (peace and blessings be on him) and the Companions after him, recommended and praised a woman who respects her husband and speaks with softness and wisdom, and in turn he will love her and never leave her.

4- The woman who will obey her husband and stoop to let the storm pass; she is the wise, rational woman who thrives, and holds the family together. The woman who stands like an unyielding dry stick is the one who breaks, suffering irreparable damage.

5- The uncompromising woman clings to her opinion. She tries to constantly perpetuate the illusion of her victory: I win and you lose, I am right and you are wrong. Such a woman destroys herself before destroying others. And she lives a life of sorrowful despondency in this world and the hereafter.

6- From my experiences in marital counseling, I found that mulish women end up in divorce. And bitterly fail in their family and social life.

7- The advice of a bedouin Arab woman to her daughter on the day of her marriage, is considered  by all the successful women the best advice for a woman. She said:

"Be his slave......and surely he becomes your imminent slave".

"Men are kind, generous and benevolent, but a stubborn, foolish woman turns them into enemies."

Finally I quote a wise Sheikh (may God have mercy on him):

I was a civil court judge  for 27 years.........and I found that most of the divorce incidents are caused by the anger of a man, and by the foolish responses of a woman.

In other words, the stubbornness of a woman makes a man ten times more stubborn than her.

Well, in these days of feminism and female affirmative action, l find that the perceptions young women have about what should be their relationship with their spouses is seriously blighted by ego and impatience. They are not willing to work on their inherent flaws and feel the man should be the one to adjust to their own idiosyncrasies. I personally think the above tips works and any woman who wants to make a success of her marriage will do well to follow them.

Bring Developement to ljaw nation, Tamsokunbiri, Okolo tell ljaw leaders

Bring Developement to ljaw nation, Tamsokunbiri, Okolo tell ljaw leaders 

... As Nengi James, Binaebi, Alagoa, Okotete Saibakumo, Elaweremi, others bagged ljaw National Merit Award 

Francis Tayor

Yenagoa ______ The 7th Edition of Proudly ljaw National Merit Award, PRINMA Award Symposium 2023 was successfully held on Sunday 26th November, 2023 at Banquet Hall, Government House, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State Capital with many dignitaries in attendance from all walks of life across the Niger Delta Region.

This year's edition was chaired by the member representing Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency in National Assembly Abuja, Hon. Fred Agbedi.

In his opening address, the organizer/CEO PRINMA, the proudly ljaw Ambassador, Hon. Tamsokunbiri MMD, thanked and appreciated ljaw people, especially those that graced the 7th edition of PRINMA Award 2023.

He said the focal point of PRINMA is to advocate for ljaw unity, good governance, ljaw nation development and the wayforward.

Tamsokunbiri reiterated that ljaw nation is richly blessed with abundance natural resources of oil and gas but disunity and bad leadership had brought underdevelopment to the region.

He stressed that the pains of ljaw nation underdevelopment and disunity amongst ourselves provoked him to come up with PRINMA to unite us together as ljaw people, as well as to discuss the wayforward for ljaw nation development.

He noted that Proudly ljaw National Merit Award, PRINMA was also packaged to recognize and appreciate illustrious sons and daughters of ljaw nation who had rendered selfless humanitarian services to the society as well as contributed immensely towards the development of ljaw nation.

Speaking on the 'Theme' ljaw Unity, Leadership and Educational lnstitutes and ljaw Development, the keynote speaker, Prof. Okolo Philips PHD, said the ljaw people in the Niger Delta were very free, unique and united before the 1914 Amalgamation by the colonial masters. 

He noted that the ljaws have a unified leadership structure in their various communities and kingdoms.They have common interest, unity of purpose and lived peacefully among themselves and her neighbors in the past.

He emphasized that it was the amalgamation of the Southern and Northern Protectorates by the colonial masters,  the British Government of divide and rule system that brought disunity among the ljaws. He however noted that despite the problems of colonial masters, the ljaws still have some internal problems ranging from bad leadership, pull him down syndrome among others.

Emphasizing on underdevelopment of ljaw nation, Prof. Okolo identified lack of unity, bad leadership and absence of accessable quality federal and state educational institutions in ljaw land as a major problem.

Prof. Okolo concluded by calling on ljaws, both the business and political class to be united devoid of political party's in order to attract even development to ljaw nation.

The lecture was immediately followed by presentation of awards to various recipients by the CEO PRINMA, Hon. Tamsokunbiri in recognition of their selfless services to humanity as well as their contributions to ljaw nation development.

Responding on behalf of the award recipients, Dr. Felix Tuodolo appreciated the organizer of PRINMA, Hon. Tamsokunbiri MMD for the good work he is doing for ljaw nation. 

He further urged ljaw illustrious sons and daughters to continue do their best for the over all development of ljaw nation, adding that one day God will reward them for their sacrifice.

The event also featured display of comedy by Mr. Right Eyerin as well as display of promoter of ljaw traditional songs by FC Story Teller amongst other side attractions.

However, amongst those in attendance at the event include a renowned Niger Delta Environmental Rights activist, Comrade Morris Alagoa, Dr. Felix Tuodolo, Prof. Okolo Philips PHD, ljaw Yin Hon. Barr. Chief. Motere Juliet Yeiwareneghan, Dr. Ahmed Saibakumo, High Chief. Alabo Nengi James, Chief. Tokunbo Godspower Binaebi, Dr. Collins Okotete, Actor Glean Elaweremi, Sir Bright Maya, CEO Bolowou Resort, FC Story Teller, Mr. Right Eyerin among many others.

Amnesty: Ndiomu Urges Ex-agitators to Appreciate FG, PAP Mgt Team

Amnesty: Ndiomu Urges Ex-agitators to Appreciate FG, PAP Mgt Team

Abuja _____ The Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Major General Barry Ndiomu has told ex-agitators of the Niger Delta region to be appreciative of the Federal Government’s efforts and support towards sustaining the amnesty programme. 

General Ndiomu who was speaking when he received the national exco of the Third Phase Ex-agitators of the amnesty programme in his office in Abuja, implored them to also cherish the efforts of the PAP management team for the innovations and initiatives it has introduced to address the welfare needs of beneficiaries in a sustainable manner.

The delegation was led by its National Chairman, Mr. Elaye Slaboh. 

General Ndiomu noted the efforts of the Federal Government to fund the PAP adequately and consistently in the face of scarce resources amidst competing demands and said, “We need to understand that these are financially difficult times and knowing that the Federal Government is doing its best and the PAP administration is working with an unchanged budget in addressing the needs of the ex-agitators are efforts worth applauding”. 

The Interim Administrator explained that the Presidential Amnesty Programme was not established as a social welfare programme for the Niger Delta but rather to address the needs of ex-agitators through formal and non-formal education, skills, and empowerment programmes to reintegrate them back into society.

General Ndiomu stated that “It is agreed the Programme derailed and this is being corrected through the various policy reform initiatives, but it is regrettable that some of the ex-agitators who are supposed to be direct beneficiaries of these policies are ignorantly supporting the old ways which failed to add value to the Programme”. 

On the scholarship scheme, he assured that those ex-agitators who were interested in furthering their academics would be considered on merit since individual universities have spelt-out criteria for admitting students into various disciplines in their respective institutions. 

The Interim Administrator however noted that considering the age of most ex-agitators, what would be more beneficial to them was an empowerment programme such as the PAP cooperative scheme designed to unlock their entrepreneurial potentials. “PACOSOL is deliberately designed to end over dependency and over reliance on monthly stipends. The cooperative is sustainable, and I will do my best to make it work for the good of beneficiaries.” 

General Ndiomu expressed the hope that the Third Phase under Mr. Elaye Slaboh would usher in peace and show more understanding and enjoined those of them from states where the off-cycle elections will be holding this weekend not to allow themselves to be used and vote according to their conscience while eschewing the temptation to engage in acts inimical to democratic principles.

Earlier, the National Chairman of Third Phase Ex-agitators, Mr Elaye Slaboh had intimated that the visit was to appreciate General Ndiomu for the good work he is doing as Interim Administrator in the Presidential Amnesty Programme. “The cooperative scheme is a novelty which has been widely accepted and more ex-agitators are eager to subscribe. Those who have received their loans have established businesses while others have upscaled their existing enterprises". 

Mr. Slaboh assured that the Exco of the Third Phase Ex-agitators under the new leadership will work closely with the management team of the PAP to realize set objectives and take advantage of existing opportunities such as scholarships, empowerment, and training programmes to improve on the welfare of their members. 

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The group presented a plaque to General Ndiomu in recognition of his efforts in steering the Presidential Amnesty Programme towards safe Harbor.