DELTA STATE TRADITIONAL RULERS WALK OUT ON VISE PRESIDENT
Vanguard reports that it was a hectic one-day visit to Delta State for Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, as he witnessed the explosive nature of the region, with the Ijaw and Itsekiri ethnic groups disagreeing on the ownership of the site of the Nigerian Maritime University, NMU, Okerenkoko, whose take-off is a major demand by the Ijaw of Gbaramatu Kingdom.
Prof Osinbajo also found himself in another tight spot when monarchs, who waited for several hours for his arrival at the Petroleum Training Institute, PTI, Conference Hall, Effurun, got tired and angrily stormed out of the venue The appearance of the Vice President, who made an emergency landing at about 5p.m. with his chief host, the governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa,
moments after they staged a walk out, did not persuade some of the monarchs from returning, but security operatives locked the entrance, stopping their drivers from leaving the premises. Some reluctantly returned in the circumstance. Osinbajo was accompanied on the visit by the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, Coordinator, Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP and Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Matters, Brig-Gen. Paul Boroh (retd.) and others. Governor Okowa led the state delegation, which included his deputy, Deacon Kingsley Otuaro, while the co-chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Amanyanabo of Twon Brass, HRM Alfred Diete-Spiff, led the former Minister of Police Affairs, Alaowei Brodrick Bozimo, Pastor Power Aginighan and HRH Anabs Sara Igbe to the event. Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (left) receiving the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Yemi Osinbajo, during his one day working visit to Delta state, at Osubi Airport
At the troubled Gbaramatu Kingdom, in Warri South-West Local Government Area, the people complained that they have become more endangered and estranged by the current Nigerian state, calling on the Federal Government to reconcile them back to the national union.
The Vice President, who touched down at Oporoza onboard a Nigerian Navy 231 helicopter, at about 1209hrs, first held closed door talks with the Pere (King) of Gbaramatu, HRM Oboro Gbaraun II, Aketekpe, Agadagba and his Council of Chiefs as well as host governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, among other stakeholders before an open and broader open air interaction.
Maritime varsity must take-off now — Gbaramatu Chief Godspower Gbenekama, spokesman of Gbaramatu, who presented the kingdom’s position, told Osinbajo that they expected his visit would represent a game-changer capable of building genuine confidence in the people and Niger Delta at large.
He said: “Coming at a time of national economic recession and when the Niger Delta, especially Gbaramatu, has become more endangered and feeling estranged from the Nigerian nation, we believe this visit will truly build confidence in the people of Gbaramatu and Niger Delta on Federal Government’s commitment beyond hitherto frustrating rhetorics, not just in developing but according dignity and pride of place to the oil-rich region. “Gbaramatu Kingdom is tall and rich in national oil infrastructure that enriches the nation but lamentably lacking in infrastructure that benefits the people. Against the foregoing pitiable background, we herein raise issues of immediate concern, hoping the Federal Government will leverage on same to reconcile Gbaramatu, the Ijaw nation and Niger Delta to the Nigerian nation.”
Among pertinent issues, Gbenekama noted: “Gbaramatu’s entire landscape wallows in utter government neglect. It was against this backdrop that the immediate past administration established the Maritime University at Okerenkoko, the only Federal Government initiative that rekindled hope of meaningfully engaging restive youths and prospect of endearing the people to the Nigerian project.
“Sadly, no sooner than the President Muhammadu Buhari administration was inaugurated, academic activities slated for commencement September 2015 were suspended over varied interests just as construction works at the permanent site were halted due to discontinued funding.
“A visit to Kurutie, the take-off site would reveal a campus that can compete in infrastructure with similar institutions in the world. It is our appeal that you use your good offices to remove all restraints and ensure commencement, soonest, of academic activities in the university to the benefit of all Nigerians.”
Prof Osinbajo also found himself in another tight spot when monarchs, who waited for several hours for his arrival at the Petroleum Training Institute, PTI, Conference Hall, Effurun, got tired and angrily stormed out of the venue The appearance of the Vice President, who made an emergency landing at about 5p.m. with his chief host, the governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa,
moments after they staged a walk out, did not persuade some of the monarchs from returning, but security operatives locked the entrance, stopping their drivers from leaving the premises. Some reluctantly returned in the circumstance. Osinbajo was accompanied on the visit by the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, Coordinator, Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP and Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Matters, Brig-Gen. Paul Boroh (retd.) and others. Governor Okowa led the state delegation, which included his deputy, Deacon Kingsley Otuaro, while the co-chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Amanyanabo of Twon Brass, HRM Alfred Diete-Spiff, led the former Minister of Police Affairs, Alaowei Brodrick Bozimo, Pastor Power Aginighan and HRH Anabs Sara Igbe to the event. Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (left) receiving the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Yemi Osinbajo, during his one day working visit to Delta state, at Osubi Airport
At the troubled Gbaramatu Kingdom, in Warri South-West Local Government Area, the people complained that they have become more endangered and estranged by the current Nigerian state, calling on the Federal Government to reconcile them back to the national union.
The Vice President, who touched down at Oporoza onboard a Nigerian Navy 231 helicopter, at about 1209hrs, first held closed door talks with the Pere (King) of Gbaramatu, HRM Oboro Gbaraun II, Aketekpe, Agadagba and his Council of Chiefs as well as host governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, among other stakeholders before an open and broader open air interaction.
Maritime varsity must take-off now — Gbaramatu Chief Godspower Gbenekama, spokesman of Gbaramatu, who presented the kingdom’s position, told Osinbajo that they expected his visit would represent a game-changer capable of building genuine confidence in the people and Niger Delta at large.
He said: “Coming at a time of national economic recession and when the Niger Delta, especially Gbaramatu, has become more endangered and feeling estranged from the Nigerian nation, we believe this visit will truly build confidence in the people of Gbaramatu and Niger Delta on Federal Government’s commitment beyond hitherto frustrating rhetorics, not just in developing but according dignity and pride of place to the oil-rich region. “Gbaramatu Kingdom is tall and rich in national oil infrastructure that enriches the nation but lamentably lacking in infrastructure that benefits the people. Against the foregoing pitiable background, we herein raise issues of immediate concern, hoping the Federal Government will leverage on same to reconcile Gbaramatu, the Ijaw nation and Niger Delta to the Nigerian nation.”
Among pertinent issues, Gbenekama noted: “Gbaramatu’s entire landscape wallows in utter government neglect. It was against this backdrop that the immediate past administration established the Maritime University at Okerenkoko, the only Federal Government initiative that rekindled hope of meaningfully engaging restive youths and prospect of endearing the people to the Nigerian project.
“Sadly, no sooner than the President Muhammadu Buhari administration was inaugurated, academic activities slated for commencement September 2015 were suspended over varied interests just as construction works at the permanent site were halted due to discontinued funding.
“A visit to Kurutie, the take-off site would reveal a campus that can compete in infrastructure with similar institutions in the world. It is our appeal that you use your good offices to remove all restraints and ensure commencement, soonest, of academic activities in the university to the benefit of all Nigerians.”
.jpg)
No comments: