By Sam Akadoro Special Correspondent, Sapele

‘To dust thou commest and to dust thou goest” were the words of the  officiating priest that sealed the earthly sojourn of late Mrs.
Christiana Uviejitobor Orumere (nee Faruku).

According to her children, family members and community leaders, Mrs  Orumere lived a vibrant and successful life and positively touched the
lives of her children and the  entire community. She hailed from Egini community, Udu local government area of Delta where she was also committed to earth.

She surpassed the biblical three scores and 10 years as she clocked 74  years before the cold hands of death snatched her from her loved ones.

Mrs. Christiana Orumere was the mother of Chief  Peter Okagbare Uviejitobor, a successful industrialist and merchant of  cement, iron rods and other construction materials. Uviejitobor, a  political scientist, is a member of the transition committee of the Udu local government area and is

also a high Chief of the Udu Kingdom. According to him, “I find it difficult to write, read and hear my mother being referred to in the past tense, but we would move on because I know she is always present. Mama, as I called her, loved me so much, believed so much in me and had such a strong faith in me that I should always take care of my brothers, sisters and relatives which I promised to do. But today my mother, you have gone ahead of us.”

Uviejitobor noted that he remembered the love and selfless devotion her mother showed to him and his brothers and sisters, pointing out that even in pain and sickness, she wanted the children to be comfortable and happy. He said that the mother gave her best at ensuring that they got the best from life, adding that the mother was selfless, accommodating, humble, and sincere, open minded and related well, was selfless, telling educating stories to the children and visitors with uncommon
frankness.

He described his mother as loving, caring, hardworking industrious, kind and mindful of other people’s welfare, adding that she taught them to be industrious, kind, humble, selfless, giver and helper to others and above faithful Christians.

“Mama, you lived a wonderful and fulfilled life. The legacy you left behind is great. Your name will surely be immortalised; you died in Christ. May you continue to live with our Lord Jesus Christ forever, Amen.”

Mrs. Christiana Uviejitobor Orumere was born on 15th February 1940 at Egini to the
late Mr Faruku Abakpovwunuta and late Mrs. Maduku Osio of Magburu
family in Ekregbenyevwen quarters of Usiefurun in Ughelli South local government area, Delta State.

Her birth was said to be a thing of joy to the family. Mama, as she was
fondly called, did not have Western education although she was
thoroughly educated in the customs and traditions of the Urhobo in
general and the Udu/Ughievwen communities in particular and suffice to note that
all her children are graduates before her heavenly sojourn.

Mama had a blissful married life as she married in the traditional and church systems to Chief Julius Uviejitobor Orumere of Ekreseha
quarters of Orhuwhorum in Udu local government area of Delta State and
the marriage was blessed with nine children, one was a female
child.

According to elders who knew her closely, Mama as a young girl lived with her family, dedicated her time assisting the family searching for opportunities and ventured into mat making business in Egini before she started her tailoring career as soon as she got married in 1958. She began to sell before she went into the sales of garri as a distributor with
its attendant risks and stress of long distance traveling. She also delved into the business of selling fish and on the advice of her children traded in timber which had reduced risks and stress.

Mama was described as a devoted Christian after converting from idol worship in 1958 to become a strong Catholic Church member. She got
baptised in 1958 according to the Catholic faith.

However, mama was said to have converted to the Christ Missionaries
Crusaders International and got baptised again by water immersion according to the Pentecostal faith and since them remained a faithful
member of Christ Missionaries Crusaders Church, Koloko branch,
Enerhen.

Mama was a member of the women prayer group, she was a great  oral historian and a humour merchant and was said to be a peace
maker and a unifying force of the family, friends and the community  who brought the entire family and her extended family into a peaceful  co-existence throughout her earthly sojourn.

In Mama’s last days she was said to be entertaining as  she called all her children by their nicknames, showed appreciation,  cracked jokes, “asked about our well being and that of those we left  at home whenever she was visited”.

By her death, according to the  children, they lost a rare gem, a pillar of justice and peace, symbol of  unity, love, humility and kindness, informing that Mama was survived by  a brother, a husband, eight children, 20 grand children, two great  grand children, four sons-in-law, four
daughters-in-law, cousins and relatives.

In the continuation of their tributes to their late mother, Engr. Efe Uviejitobor noted, “Sweet Mother, your inspiration and prayers you  gave to me made me complete my project in the month of March 2014. Mama you could not wait to see the completed project before you passed on to the great beyond even my wife you always nursed on how best she  could take care of her pregnancy gave birth this month just after  death snatched you away from us.”

Efe pointed out that he wished Mama could wait and see her   20th grandchild and the completion of the project whispered by her,
adding that he would not have cried so much when he was writing the tribute. He  said he missed Mama so much but “God Almighty loves you most hence He  has chosen to take you at His own will and time. Just some weeks to share my blessings, God’s ways according to Him are not men’s ways,”  adding that in life “there is a season and time, there is time to be  born and a time to die, and mama has completed her life circle”. He
described mama as a source of inspiration to many people who looked  upon her for direction and guidance, a unifying source and he cannot
forget her love and prayers towards the children and prayed  that he would have mama again as a mother if God permits.
For Barrister Lawrantta Edigbe who went poetic, “Mamaly, Mumskoko,  Mama human, smile and open your hands for me to run to and receive
your usual embrace, Sincerely mama I miss you to the extent I want to  come over to the mortuary just to hug you and tell you once again how
much I love you. Your love for us was so strong that you corrected us  with love and never used the cane on us because you felt no time was
right to beat a child, You care so much about us that even on  your sick bed you still woke up midnight to pray for us and worried  over little illness like headache disturbing us. You were such an awesome  mother that every breath of my being will keep praying that in my next
life you will be my mother. Rest in peace till I see you in heaven
….hugs”
.

Ose Eseoghene, a grand child said, “Mama, its so painful I  never met you the  way I left before I want to school, you are the only woman without
known mistakes, you treated everyone equally. You were my role model and  heroine.”
Others who paid tributes to Mama included, Engr Akpeve Uviejitober,  Engr. John Uviejitobor, Grace Uviejitobor, Hben Uviejitobor, Anote
Uviejitobor, Omo Uviejitobor, Honda Gomet, Hon. Oyibo Yarhere, Peterson  Diakpa, Evans Eferakeyen Oghenetega, Barr. Dick, Fidelis Umukoro and  others.

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By Sunday Apah Special Correspondent, Ughelli

THE family of Erekaro, Ogbehahen Quarters, Eyara Community, Ughievwen Kingdom, Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State has refuted the claim by Djogbe and Rugba families of Obi-Ayagha community that they owned Okedu family land situated along Otu-Jeremi/Oghior road.

In a statement by Mr. John Efeakpokrire and Rev. James Efeakpokrire, chairman and Elder of Erekaro family, respectively, the family stated that the late Djogbe is a son to late Mr. Rugba of Ekrendo family, Uduvwame quarters of Obi-Ayagha community who gave birth to Mr. Gere and Akpomreta whose children, (Revd. Canon J. Okorodudu and Evang. O. Okorodudu) are fermenting trouble.

They stated that the said Okedu land is owned by Erekaro family of Eyara community and not Djogbe and Rugba as claimed in a recent newspaper publication, adding that both Rugba and Djogbe are indigenes of Obi-Ayagha community and have no link with Eyara community.

They explained in the statement that “the court permitted us to develop the land, and not our personal decision. The said publication is wrong in its entirety. We want to advise developers at the Okedu land including HRM Matthew Ediri Egbi, Okobaro of Ughievwen kingdom to continue with their development”.

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By Andrew Utulu Correspondent, Lagos

Facts have emerged on how the Inspector General of Police Task Force arrested a  medical doctor, Felix Onuoha; a graduate of Economics, Chukwudi Ogadi; and a receiver of stolen goods, Chukwuemeka Martins.

They were among the  23 suspected kidnappers and armed robbers arrested by operatives of the Inspector General of Police Task Force on terrorism and detectives from Cross River State Police Command between March 23 till date.

The suspects, nabbed at their various hideouts by law enforcement agents, according to a source, killed, maimed and robbed several persons in three geo-political zones of the country.

According to the source, acting on a tip off, the commander of the Task Force, Mr. Baba Umar Garba, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), sent a team of operatives led by a Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mr. Ogwenu Edwin, to Oru Local Government Area of Imo State where the medical doctor, the economics graduate, a notorious receiver of stolen goods and three others said to have terrorized residents and visitors of Abia, Anambra, Imo, Lagos and Ogun states in recent time were arrested.

The six suspects nabbed in Imo State confessed to have killed a police inspector, a community leader, Chief Henry Okafor, a business woman, Mrs. Lillian Duru, whose Toyota Camry car was taken away by them.

The Police also recovered an AK-47 riffle, a pump action gun, two Jeeps, a Toyota Camry, Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla and five live cartridges from the suspects.

A source disclosed that an attempt by the receiver of the stolen goods to offer the operatives of the IGP special task force N5 million was turned down by the officers.

An officer who does not want his name in the print said that with the arrest of the suspects, arm banditry in Abia, Imo, Lagos and Ogun states has been reduced as they were the states that the suspects in the past two years had traumatized several persons.

Similarly, the police in Cross-River State foiled an attempt by two persons to Kidnap a medical doctor in the state.

The spokesman of the State police command, ASP Hogan Bassey, disclosed that a distress call to the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Kola Shodipo, that the medical doctor was being Kidnap led to state police boss to raise a rescue team to the scene. Bassey said on sighting the police, the two suspects fled and abandoned the doctor and his Jeep.

The Police Spokesman confirmed the arrest of no fewer than 16 suspected persons who robbed passengers and motorists along Mpani/Ekori Highway in Yakurr Local Government Area of the state. He therefore called on law-abiding citizens in the state to report suspicious persons to the police.

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By Sam Akadoro Special Correspondent Sapele

The people of Ovwore Community in Sapele Local Government Area ofDelta State have inaugurated their executive members, charging them with the responsibilities of effectively handling the affairs of the community for a two-year tenure.

They have also awarded a total of seven youths of their community studying in different higher institutions across the country scholarships. The persons sworn-in to direct the affairs of Ovwore Community include Harrison Ekeleme (President General), Mr. Monday Agbakara (Vice President), Mr. Mereti B. Julius (Secretary General), Mr. Aboloje Daniel (Asst. Secretary General), Sunday Asini (Financial Secretary), Mr. Bethel Kpokoro (Asst. Fin. Secretary), Mr. Henry Ifude (Treasurer), Mr. David Sajere (Speaker), Mr. Friday Ifude (Asst. Speaker), Mr. Uwusuena Friday (P.R.O), Mr. Charles Eyeta (Welfare Officer).

Others are Mr. Kelly Erute (Asst. Welfare Officer), Mr. Romeo Uchoma (Chief whip), Mr. Sunday Ibiokoro (Asst. Chief whip), Mr. NigeriaOlokpa (Executive member), Mr. Festus Akalugwa (member), Dr. Collins Komori (member), Mr. Josiah Ekakitie (member), Mr. Love Douglas (member), Mr. Emmanuel Oghwe (member) and Mr. Philip B. Ebireri also member.

He also appreciated Pa Biokoro Etadaferua, Sir G.A.U. Komori, Mr. Emmanuel Atiku, Mr. Samuel Ifude, Umukoro, Oyibo Paul, Mr. Nigeria Victory during their struggle. The new president, Harrison Ekeleme, a member of the SapeleTransition Committee of the Council, thanked God Almighty for the privilege given him to serve his people, all through different stages of development in the community, referring to the different offices he had served so far, till his present appointment asking God for Solomonic wisdom to serve his people uprightly, honestly and faithfully, while appreciating the efforts of all who have helped him to steer them through the outgone administration.

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By Sam Akadoro Special Correspondent Sapele 

The Ethiope Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ETCCIMA) has slated April 15 through 25, 2014 for its 2014 exhibition of business prospects and products from companies both local and national to stimulate the economy of the area.

At the end of executive members meeting of ETCCIMA, the Chairman Planning Committee, Okiemute Dukuye, said that the Ethiope Trade Fair will take place at Benbo Game Resort, Abraka in Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State.

He disclosed that over 100 local and national companies will be participating at the Trade Fair including small and medium enterprises.

The fair with the theme: “Economic development through Small and Medium Scale Enterprises,” would harness the economic potentials of the area.

ETCCIMA therefore invited manufacturers, traders, distributors, importers and exporters to participate in the Ethiope Trade Fair to further boost their economic potentials.

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By Felix Igbekoyi

Correspondent, Asaba

The ward and local government congresses of the All Progressives Party (APC) in the nine local government areas that make up Delta North has been adjudged to be free, fair and credible.

Hyacinth Enuha, leader of the party in Delta North observed in Asaba during the ‘thank you’ gathering of representatives of the party in Delta North and the five members of the committee from Abuja that supervised the congress in the state, saying with the success recorded, the state congress is going to be credible too.

He said the conduct of the congress was peaceful, fearless and portends justice, equity and in a situation where there is no complain nor agitation about the conduct, saying the committee was determined, as it did what was right with the hope that those at the national headquarters would accept the result.

Earlier, Ngo Sylva, Chairman of the committee, flanked by other four members, praised the support received from other members of the committee and the members of the party in the state, especially Delta North, which resulted in the success of the congress.

He said the congress was hitch-free because the committee members came to the state with open minds despite complaints and threats from some places, assuring that the doors of the committee is still open to listen to complaints from the members.

Sylva assured that there would be justice at the end of the day from such complaints once they are genuine and truthful, assuring that nothing would be hidden from the national secretariat of the party so that when the result would be out, members of the party would have course to rejoice and have absolute hope in the state congress.

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By Sunday Apah

Special Correspondent, Ughelli

The proposed Delta State Polytechnic, Bomadi, is set to kick off in September 2015. The information was disclosed by Hope Eghagha, Commissioner for Higher Education in the state.

The Commissioner said to bring tertiary education closer to the riverine communities in the southern part of the state, the government was committed to ensuring that the polytechnic kicks off in a temporary site.

Eghagha stated this on Tuesday at Bomadi, headquarter of Bomadi Local Government Area while inspecting the polytechnic project site, saying when the institution kicks off, it would boost the socio-economic development and enhance cultural exchange amongst the host community and its environ.

He, however, expressed displeasure over the spate of work done on the site, calling on the contractor handling the project to speed up work.

The Amananaowei of Bomadi, HRH M. B. Mieyebo, who also spoke to journalists, described education as light, saying the institution would redirect the mindset of the people and encourage the youths to avail themselves of the opportunities.

Continuing, Mieyebo noted that the only and fastest way of developing an environment is through the establishment of tertiary institutions in an area which he said would help to engage the youths positively and reduces crime rate.

Earlier, in welcome addressed presented by Godspower Oporomo, the Bomadi community donated three buildings and N5 million to the polytechnic for its smooth take off.

‘’We thank Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and the former governor of the state, James Ibori, for having Bomadi community at heart, their deeds is going to be in the sound of time, as far as the record of Bomadi is concerned. We are aware that he is aspiring to go to the Senate, he should count on us’’, he stated.

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By Austin Oboh

Ag Politics Editor, Lagos

Delta State governorship aspirant, Tony Prest, has stressed the potentials in the tourism sector, saying the industry could be a money-spinner for Delta State if properly harnessed and promised to use it to further develop the state’s economy.

Prest, speaking over the weekend, announced Ayo Binitie and Enotie Ogbebor as Director of Innovation and Strategy, as well as Director of Campaigns, for the Tony Prest Delta State governorship campaign volunteers.

“Economic benefits resulting from tourism can take a number of forms, including Jobs; employment may be associated directly with tourism, such as tour guides or managerial positions; or in support industries like food production or retail suppliers,” he said, adding, “It can also bring about the diversification of the state’s economy.”

Binitie is a member of the Adobe Advisory Board for the development of Adobe Media Interactive Server.

He has co-authored and contributed to various books and publications on RIA application development and published a number of apps on Google Play.

On his part, Ogbebor has worked in various capacities as Managing Director, Neuewelt limited; Managing Director, Paulosa Rubber Factory; Managing Director, Paul Knight Media and Communications Limited.

He is a graduate of Economics and Statistics from the University of Benin and is very active in Nigeria politics.

He was Director of Communication for Door2Door, the Information and Communications Technology (ICT)-driven campaign strategy deployed for the President Goodluck Jonathan 2010 Presidential campaign.

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By Sunday Apah

Special Correspondent, Ughelli

Influential Niger Delta Activist, Bello Oboko, has advised President Goodluck Jonathan to put off the foundation laying ceremony of the Escravos Export Processing Zone (EPZ) project billed for next week in order not to risk the anger of stakeholders, who are alleging neglect.

Citing the case of Kpokpo/Okpeleama communities, Oboko said though not less than 335.554 hectares of land belong to Escravos EPZ land area, the dwellers of Kpokpo/Okpeleama land are not allowed to participate in the on-going work carried out in the Escravos EPZ site.

Oboko spoke to newsmen ahead of Tuesday’s stakeholders’ forum on Securing Oil and Gas Investments in Effurun, insisting that stakeholders should be guided by the experiences of the past in charting a way forward in securing oil investments.

Oboko, President of the Federated Niger Delta Ijaw Communities (FNDIC), who was once approached by former President Olusegun Obasanjo to resolve foreign hostage taking and pipeline vandalisation in the Niger Delta, said apparent neglect of required action by all stakeholders resulted in destruction of oil investments in the past.

Listing vandalised oil investments to include Dibi, Alero, Sahara Oil Flow Stations owned by Chevron Nigeria Limited, Opumami Flow Station owned by Elf, Warri-Lagos Gas Pipeline and Crude Oil Pipeline owned by the Petroleum Pipeline Marketing Company (PPMC), Oboko said there was the need to avoid repeat by changing ways.

Following revocation of their land, Oboko said, “local economies dislocated with nagging hunger and humanitarian crises in the affected communities”. He added that it was provocative that the people were de-inherited of their land against God’s assurance in Ps 37:3 “dwell in the land and enjoy safe pastures”.

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Delta State has put in place measures to eradicate illiteracy among its citizens. The state Deputy Governor, Amos Utuama, stated this on Tuesday when the Chairman, National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education, Esther Uduehi, led members of the commission on a courtesy visit on him at Government House annex, Warri.

Utuama told the delegation that the state, by its policy, ensures that every child, from the point of conception to secondary school, is well catered for, both medically and educationally, and so should not grow up to be an illiterate.

“Here in Delta State, through the policy of human capital development, which is part of the three-point agenda of the Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan administration, adequate provision has been made for every child in this state to grow up as a literate individual. From conception, the pregnant mother is given free ante-natal medical treatment; from birth to the age of five, he is given free medical treatment; from age one through primary and secondary school, and he is given free education. With this, we expect our citizens tomorrow to come out as literate citizens, who are adequately equipped to contribute their quota to the development of the state and the country in general”, he said.

Earlier, Uduehi told the deputy governor that the commission was on an advocacy drive to sensitise various government levels of the need to get the country’s one-third illiterate population to learn how to read and write.

“The slow progress towards mass literacy delivery in Nigeria is becoming very worrisome, leading to increased unemployment and poverty. Current statistics show that out of a population of 167 million Nigerians, over 56 million adults, representing 35 per cent of the total population, are illiterates”, she said.

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By Francis Onoiribholo  / Bureau Chief Benin

Women’s Health and Action Research Centre (WHARC) has donated essential drugs to three community health centres in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State.

During the presentation, WHARC’s Project Officer, Miss Osasu Aigbogun, said the centre made the donation as implementation partner of the TY Danjuma’s Foundation Maternal Mortality prevention project.

She said the donation to the three community primary health centres at Oligie-Ottah, Urhonigbe and Evbonogbon  was part of the quarterly donation to enable the health centres actively  manage  pregnant women during ante-natal, labour  and post-natal periods respectively as well as to save mother and child throughout the period.

Aigbogun also noted that the benefiting centres were carefully selected for the donation of the essential drugs which included Haematinics, Anti malarial drugs, Misoprostol, Oxytocin and consumables which she said were needed for ante-natal and post-natal care for both mother and child.

Receiving the items, the officer-in-charge of Oligie-Ottah Primary Health Centre, Mrs. Elizabeth Omocogieva, described the gesture as timely, pointing out that ‘‘the fourth quarterly donation of pre and post natal drugs from WHARC has been of help to the pregnant mothers in the community’’.

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Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, is the representative of Cross River Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly. In this interview with journalists in Calabar, he speaks on unfolding events ahead of the 2015 elections and other national issues. Correspondent Bassey Inyang was part of the interview session. Excerpts:

Some ranking PDP members believe that for zoning of governorship seat to Cross River North to work, other positions like the National Assembly, federal and state constituencies and so on, should also be subjected to zoning by the party. What is your view on this?

I don’t know where that is coming from but we are not known in our party to eat our words. As a party we have said the position of governor for 2015 should go to the north. I agree that in spite of that people still have the right to contest. But as faithful party people, the moment the party has taken a position we should stand by that position. This doesn’t stop members of the party from exercising their rights to say that in spite of the party’s position I want to contest. But once you work against that understanding, then it is going to be an uphill task.

You have said many times that you would re-contest to retain your position in the senate. And uptil now nobody has indicated interest to challenge you for the Cross River Central Senatorial District seat. How do you feel about this scenario?

Well, I don’t know how to answer this without being misquoted. Democracy is maturity.  You will recall that from 1999 to 2003 there was a lot of instability especially in the senate. As our democracy matured we began to see greater stability. It is the maturity of our democracy that has produced that stability to the point where we have senators who have been there since 1999, such as the Senate President, David Mark and the Chief Whip, Senator Bello Hayatu Gwarzo.

You could even see how that has affected the leadership of the senate, the most senior coming from among the longest serving. Now from the ninth class of senators (2003); from that class of six you have the deputy and then you have the Senate Leader from that class. If you take the deputy leader he has been in the National Assembly since 1999 but he was in the House of Representatives where he rose to become leader of the House of Representatives.

So you can see how the leadership has emerged.

And this is common to the opposition too?

Even if you go to the other side, that is the opposition, the Minority Leader is a ranking senator; his deputy is a ranking senator; the Minority Whip has been in the National Assembly since 1999; his deputy was there for two terms and left.

The consequence of maturity of our democracy also has implications on leadership recruitment. The legislature is a very peculiar institution in the sense that our institutional memory is an aggregate of every member’s memory, so the more members you lose that much of your memory you lose; the more members you retain that much of your memory you retain; and not everything is recorded. So we need people who just remember when an issue comes up.

It is becoming obvious that there is need for the National Assembly, which not only symbolises our democracy, its institutional memory is to be retained as possible.

The political terrain of Cross River looks famished in terms of governorship aspirants. Some people want to be governor but won’t come out. Do they want to be governor in secret? What is responsible for this fear by some politicians including the PDP to come out and declare?

Political power is not donated. The only power that is donated is Power of Attorney, so it is the person who wants it and who works for it that will get it. We have gone past that point of accidental leadership; anybody who wants it should come out and work for it.

The APC has made some inroads into the Cross River political terrain. Will this present a challenge to the PDP?

Inroad is when you win an election. But opposition is the fuel that drives democracy. For me democracy just means or presents an opportunity for political choices, and the moment that choice is there it means that debates, discourse is deepened and informed. It is a welcome development.

Can you comment on your empowerment programme to the people of your constituency and the state?

In the next few weeks, I will be inspecting my projects in the central senatorial district. It is going to take us a while because they are many. They are very many. I am estimating that it will take us at least one full week. I am just putting you on notice. After that I was hoping that I will do my empowerment this month. But we are having a major challenge of time for the senate President who personally wants to be here rather than delegate somebody. We are now thinking of May this year. It is going to be a major programme. We will redefine empowerment programme.

Recently, President Goodluck Jonathan gave an indication that decisions at the National Conference could be subjected to a referendum. How feasible could that be when at the moment there is no law approving anything like that?   

If there is no law it cannot be subjected to a referendum. Right now we are in another round of constitutional amendment, you know that Section 9 of the 1999 constitution that provided for amendment does not provide for the making of the new constitution. So as it is, we can just go on amending and amending and amending the constitution.

So within the committee we started thinking that a time will come that we will want a brand new constitution; that the society is dynamic and the constitution at every time should be a moving document. So we now said among ourselves that why don’t we now contemplate a provision that will allow for the making of a new constitution?

In the provision that we have proposed we have made a referendum out of that proposal. But whether that proposal will pass or not is another matter because it was hotly debated on the floor of the Senate few days ago. A lot of people thought we were trying to create an opportunity for the report of the conference to pass through us. But that is not correct.

For now there is no provision for a referendum. But if the report is sent to the National Assembly it will be subjected to our normal legislative processes and debated like any other report before us.

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By Sunday Apah  /  Special Correspondent, Ughelli

The law establishing the Delta State Direct Labour Agency (DLA) was apparently the first passed into law by the Delta State House of Assembly at the inception of the current democratic dispensation in 1999. Though the law was enacted by the Chief James Ibori administration as an interventionist agency to support and complement the developmental efforts of the Delta State Ministry of Works, many saw it as duplication of duty, especially as the task the agency was being created to undertake fell within the job description of the Ministry of Works.

More so, its establishment was also seen by many as gambit by the Ibori administration to reward and engage close political cronies. However, 14 years down the line, it’s a different tune altogether, the agency has evolved to become one of the most effective and strategic agencies the Delta State government has established since the creation of the state on August 27, 1991.

The agency has since its establishment gone on to bring great reprieve to Deltans through its prompt intervention in infrastructure (construction and rehabilitation of
roads) challenges confronting the state. Enviably, the agency from being an agency that was mainly known for parching and amending failed portions of roads across the state has evolved into an institution that builds and constructs major
roads.

One factor that has particularly set the agency apart is its quality of work. It in fact attests to the actuality that the agency is truly purpose driven and result oriented. If anything, the agency has, through the years proven that it is irrevocably committed to serving Deltans in the best way possible. Going through the three senatorial districts of the state, one is amazed and astounded by the achievements of the agency.

To say the least, the agency has justified the idea behind its establishment. No doubt, behind the success story of any organisation lays the team that drives the
organisation’s vision. There is no gainsaying that from the beginning of its establishment the DLA has had its affairs piloted by capable and experienced hands.a  But, again, it’s difficult to take away the fact that its present board as constituted, stands out for exhortation and commendation in relation to its vision, commitment to duty and quality of services delivered.

Having acknowledged the remarkable performance of the present DLA board as constituted, it would nevertheless be pertinent to extol the member representing Delta Central District on the board of the agency, Chief Luck Ayomanor for his
dedication and commitment to ensuring that he attracted and influenced massive
construction and rehabilitation of roads in the senatorial district. From 2011
when the current board of the agency was constituted by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, the agency has constructed and rehabilitated over 57 roads in the Delta Central Senatorial District. The rehabilitation and construction of these roads has no doubt brought great reprieve to the people of the senatorial district.

Notably amongst these roads are: Airport road, Refinery road, Urhobo College by-pass, Omimi/Niger Cat Link road, Oil Field road, D.D.P.A Police Station road, Alegbo, Akpagha and Sokoh Estate roads.  It is pertinent to say that all of the
aforementioned roads are in Warri. Other roads that have been rehabilitated and
constructed by the agency in some other parts of the Senatorial district, for
instance, in Ughelli, include the following: Awhinawi road, Uduere road, Aro
road, Olori road, Osia road, Akpodiete road, Esemodafe street, Oghenewheta street, Uloho Avenue, Orho Agbarho road, Amekpa and Okorodafe roads.

In Sapele local government area, the agency has reconstructed the following roads: Otite road, Abeke road, Owumi road, Ogodo road, Oleh road, Okpe road, Adeola road and Commercial Avenue. Others are Akintola road, Gana/Ugberikoko road, Awolowo road, Reclamation, Ogodo road extension, Ikomi and Akpoisi roads. For the
constraint of space it will be impossible to list the other roads the agency
have either constructed or rehabilitated in some other parts of the senatorial
district. But the fact remains that there is hardly a local government in the
Delta Central Senatorial District that has not tasted the developmental stride of
the agency.

According to Chief Lucky Ayomanor, the member representing Delta Central Senatorial district on the board of the agency, the agency’s main objective is to meet the yearning and aspiration of Deltans, particularly in the area of infrastructure development and needs. Ayomanor has assured the people of the senatorial district that there will be construction of more roads in the current year. Apparently, we would all agree that the achievement of the current DLA board would have been impossible without the understanding and support of the state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, who has gone out of his way to ensure that the agency succeeds in its primary responsibility to Deltans.

To say that Ayomanor has served the people of Delta Central Senatorial District very well is perhaps saying the obvious; he has indeed meritoriously served his people especially he has made the impact of the DLA felt in the senatorial district.

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By Idongesit Ashameri  /Special Correspondent, Uyo

Professor  of Economics in University of Uyo, Edet Akpakpan, has stressed the importance of entrepreneurship as a key component which will give impetus to the transformation agenda of the Federal Government.

Akpakpan made the assertion in Uyo at the presentation of certificate of apprenticeship to a leading wood making firm, Golden Destiny Investment Limited, by the Uyo area office of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) under the national training apprenticeship training programme.

The varsity administrator acknowledged that development policies of successive governments have been well crafted, but regretted the inability of the drafters of the policies to implement them.

He advocated soul searching, sincerity of purpose, commitment to hard work, and judicious application of funds as the antidote to prolonged years of under development.

“There has never been anything wrong with economic and development policies right from DFRII to the present Vision 20:20; the problem is that Nigeria has been very unfortunate in policy implementation”, he, said, stressing, “there is need for soul searching, getting less corrupt, getting committed to hard work. There is nothing wrong with praying, but let us pray more and also work more in the interest of this great country”.

Presenting the national apprenticeship certificate to the management of the firm, the Uyo Area Manager of ITF, Mrs. Christy Onwubu, said the furniture making firm merited the award having met a set of requirement stipulated by the head office of the fund. She added that the presentation was done after routine evaluation of the activities of the firm by officials of the fund.

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By Francis Onoiribholo  / Bureau Chief Benin              

Edo State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Abdul Oroh, has described Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole’s administration as one which is developmental driven and does not segregate in its commitment to bringing the dividends of democracy to the doorsteps of the people.

Oroh who made the assertion while hosting the Edo State chapter of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), who paid him courtesy visit in his office admonished critics to ensure that whatever remarks they made were based on facts.

The commissioner emphasised that the governor has transformed all the areas of the state economy through the renewal of the decrepit state of infrastructure in Benin City the state capital as well as across the state.

Commenting on the diffuse Islamist sect, the Boko Haram insurgency which has been unleashing mayhem on Nigerians irrespective of their religious and political linings, he said they are certainly not Moslems but only using Islam as a cover to perpetrate evil and urged the Islamic scholars and leaders to be fervent in prayers for the nation to surmount the menace.

Oroh however promised to channel their request to the appropriate quarter for consideration.

The Acting Chairman of the Edo State Chapter of NSCIA, Alhaji Osayawe Asani Ebowe told the commissioner they were in his office to congratulate him on his re-appointment by the Comrade Governor which they said was due to his former performance and expressed appreciation to the Governor for believing in one of their own.

Alhaji Ebowe who expressed appreciation to the commissioner for the assistance rendered to them during the vandalisation of the Central mosque and to the fire victims urged him not to relent in his humanitarian work, sought the assistance of the state government through the commissioner in the area of provision of beverages during fasting and rams during Eid Kabir and later presented the list of their new Exco members and their entitlement to the commissioner.

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By Igoniko Oduma  / Correspondent, Yenagoa

Commander of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta code-named ‘Operation Pulo Shield’, Major General Emmanuel Atewe, has called for new synergy among security agencies in Beyelsa State in the battle against illegal oil bunkerers in the region.

Atewe, according to a statement in Yenagoa by JTF’s head of Reportorial Desk, Sargent Emeka Onuigbo, made the call during his maiden visit to heads of military and paramilitary organisations in the state.

He said the new synergy will ensure zero-tolerance in the fight against oil theft and other related crimes in the region.

He suggested that the new cooperation should focus on the area of information sharing, harmonious relationship and renewed efforts among the security operators to fight crimes including oil theft, pipeline vandalism and illegal oil bunkering in the state.

The security outfit’s commander emphasised that the mandate of the security agencies was to protect oil facilities and create the enabling environment for persons and organisations to carry out legitimate businesses in the region.

“Our mandate in the Niger Delta is to protect oil installations and create an enabling environment for individuals and organizations to carry out their legitimate duties by fighting against oil related crimes and this the JTF will carry out professionally”, he stated.

At the Central Naval Command, Atewe,who was received by the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Rear Admiral Peter Age, was assured of the marine component support to the task force in carrying out its mandate.

He was received at the Mobility Command of the Nigerian Airforce by the Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Air Vice Marshal Samuel Abosede, where he sought support and cooperation in the area of aerial surveillance to checkmate the activities of criminals in the creeks.

He described air support as vital to JTF operations considering the environment in which it operates.

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By Francis Onoiribholo  /  Bureau Chief Benin

The rescheduled congress of the All Progressive Congress (A PC) has been held successfully across the 10 wards in Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State.

At Ubiaja in ward six, the congress kicked off at 11am with virtually all former executive members under the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) unanimously retuned unopposed but with the exception of the vice chairmanship position which is now occupied by a former ward chairman of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).

The position of the assistant auditor is now occupied by a former member of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Mr. Pritlove Udae Obitto.

However, a new woman leader, Rita Omongbale, was voted in to succeed Madam Theresa Atagamhe, who vacated her position to contest for a position at the local government level.

Presenting the candidates to the enthusiastic party faithful at the ward secretariat, a leader of the party and member of Edo State Law Review Commission, Cyril Odiboh, noted that the day marks a new beginning in the party, while assuring them of conducting the congress according to the party’s constitution.

He added that, “some leaders of the party were earlier directed to put in all necessary machinery for a consensus position to reduce the perceived tension.

According to him, “we the leader at home met and came up with a position to ensure the success of the local government congress upon which some persons in the defunct A.C.N exco, signified their interest to run for the vacant seats at the ward level’’.

In a remark, a leader of the party, Prince Miracle Ogbebor, appreciated all for the peaceful manner at which they comported themselves.

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By Harris-Okon Emmanuel  /  Correspondent, Warri

When two lawyers Horrace E. Eguonor – Dafiaghor, principal counsel of Wyhtfort Jurisconsult and his junior in chamber, Samuel Ekuwangji, left their chamber that fateful morning on March 27 in Udu for Ozoro for a ruling in a habeas corpus suit they had filed in Suit No. HCZ/M/2C/2014 Ogaga Enueme vs Commissioner of Police, they might not have got premonition that it was a journey of no return.

The two promising lawyers did not reach the courtroom for the ruling in the matter, which involved the kidnap of the son of the Secretary to the State Government, Markson, as they were mowed down by bullets from yet to be ascertained which source, whether from the police or assassins. Sources said they had received countless threats to their lives to withdraw from the case but the intimidations did not deter them.

Their assassinations have been condemned in many quarters as senseless, barbaric and satanic. Fearing for his life, the presiding judge washed his hands off the case and requested that it should be assigned to another, as it was bloody.

The plot of the case is high in drama with accusations, claims and counterclaims and all like things, thus putting the state in a nightmarish situation.

Many believe that like previous unresolved murders, this one too would prove a hard nut to crack.

The chronology of the case

Daily Independent checks showed that Eguonor- Dafiaghor had two suits he was prosecuting at the High Court of Justice, Ozoro , namely, HCZ/9C/2013, the state vs. Sunday Ugbebo and Anor and  HCZ/M/2C/2014 Ogaga Enueme vs. Commissioner of Police.

It was gathered that HCZ/9C/2013 the state vs. Sunday Ugbebo and Anor was a two-count charge suit of conspiracy and kidnap, involving the kidnap of the SSG’s son.

In March 2013, plea was taken and trial began in the charge without any lawyer representing the two accused persons.

However, on June 5, 2013, Eguonor – Dafiaghor, opted to appear for the first time for the two accused persons. In the course of the trial, I.F. Ifenedo reportedly held a watching brief for the actual complainant while P. Mekako, an assistant director in the state Ministry of Justice appeared for the state.

Eguono – Dafiaghor, in the course of defending the said charge, was said to have complained on several occasions in open court about several threats to his life via phone calls and text messages to withdraw from the case, but on each occasion the court advised him to report same to the police.

On February 12, 2014, the 2nd accused person gave evidence in court and in the course of the trial one Ogaga Enueme, who had come to court as a sympathiser with the accused persons was arrested by policemen in the court premises and the matter was reported to  Eguonor – Dafiaghor, who promptly drew the attention of court to the development, but was denied by the police inspector, who led the said policemen to court.  Adding to the mix was the allegation that one Victor Macaulay, the younger brother of the Secretary to the Delta State Government was accused by Eguonor – Dafiaghor  of issuing threats to his life in the presence of I.F. Ifenedo, counsel holding watching brief for the actual complainant, the allegation was, however, rebutted in open court by I.F. Ifenedo.

Sources said Eguonor – Dafiaghor, later went to the state police command headquarters, Asaba,  to inquiry about Ogaga Enueme, who was detained by the police , was also detained in the process for about three hours and was asked to write a statement under caution before he was allowed to go.

Eguonor – Dafiaghor, was to file a habeas corpus application on behalf of the said Ogaga Enueme and on March 11 the application was argued by  Eguonor – Dafiaghor  for the applicant and assistant superintendent of Police (ASP) O. Agbede stood in for the respondent and the case was fixed for March 27 for ruling at 12 noon.

Agbede recounted before Justice O.A. Onojovwo the event of March 27 how Ogaga Enueme and Efe Edeki, who were taken by the state police command headquarters, Asaba to the Magistrate Court, Oleh, for arraignment were ambushed by some unknown gunmen at Oboh – Oghwasi at about 8:15 a.m. and the patrol van that conveyed them was riddled with bullets, leading to their deaths  even as one Sergeant Suleiman Ahabi sustained serious gun injuries.

In what could best be described as a twist of fate, on the same day that the two suspects were killed by gunmen,  Eguonor – Dafiaghor and Samuel Ekuwangju, who were also on their way to the High Court of Justice, Ozoro for the ruling in the habeas corpus application in Suit no HCZ/M/2C/2014, Ogaga Enueme vs. Commissioner of Police, were ambushed at Emevor by gunmen and their corpses found in their car by policemen from the police station, Oleh, along the lonely Olomoro Shell location road.

According to a  source, while Eguonor – Dafiaghor, was shot on the head, Samuel Ekuwangju was shot in the chest.

Judge ruling and washing of hands

Having waited for the applicant’s lawyer, Justice O.A. Onojovwo eventually delivered the ruling in the said suit at about 1:30 p.m.

In the court’s ruling, it   described as wrong the arrest and detention of Eguonor – Dafiaghor  by the police when he went to the Delta Police Command Headquarters, Asaba, to make inquiries about his client, Ogaga Enueme, contrary to Section 35 (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended,  and  said that Ogaga Enueme be brought to court on April 2 for the police to show cause why he should not be released by court.

But when the suit was mentioned in court, Agbede told the court that Enueme and one Efe Edeki were murdered on  March 27 and owing to the death of the applicant and his lawyers, the suit was struck out by  Justice Onojovwo and he reportedly transferred suit no: HCZ/9C/2013  the state vs. Sunday Ugbebo and Anor to the Chief Judge of Delta State for re-assignment to another Judge in the state as the said case, according to him, had turned  bloody, and that nobody, including himself was safe to adjudicate over same.

The Judge, before ordering the said transfer called for a bowl of water in open court and he symbolically used same to wash his two hands off the bloody case just like Pontius Pilate before making the above pronouncement.

NBA protest

Ever since the incident occurred, lawyers and the police, who are supposed to have congenial working relationship, have been on collision course or so it seems. And not even kind words from the state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, seem to have calmed their frayed nerves and none would in the meantime.

The Warri branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, (NBA) while taking to the streets to vent their spleen over the act, pointed fingers at the police, stating succinctly that the police have a case to answer in the alleged murder of their two colleagues.

At a post protest briefing at the Warri High Court, NBA, Warri branch chairman, Ben Oji, accused the police of jumping to conclusions with respect to the police recent statements on the matter.

Oji was reacting to April 2 statement in which Delta State Commissioner of Police, Ikechukwu Aduba, absolved the command of involvement in the matter.

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By Igoniko Oduma  /  Yenagoa

Immediate past Commandant of the National Defence College of Nigeria (NDCN), Abuja, Rear Admiral Thomas Jonah Lokoson, has donated 800 books to the Bayelsa State-owned Niger Delta University (NDU), Willberforce Island, Amassoma.

The books cut across the various disciplines in the arts, social science, engineering, science and health sciences, among others.

It was facilitated by Philips Okolo, a Political Science lecturer in the university, who is also a part-time teacher at the war college.

Lokoson, who is an indigene of the state, also instituted two awards of N20,000 each for best graduating student in the Departments of Political Science and Marine Engineering to encourage scholarship in the university.

Making the formal donation to the NDU management led by the acting Vice Chancellor, Humphrey Ogoni, represented by the Registrar, Tonbra Odubo, at Amassoma, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, he stated that the gesture was to challenge other endowed Ijaw indigenes to contribute their quota to human resource development in the Niger Delta.

Lokoson, who headed the NDCN between June, 2010 and November , 2013, also said that currently 13 students of the university are beneficiaries of his scholarship scheme with each of them receiving N30,000 per academic session.

“I want to use the opportunity to challenge my other brothers and sisters who God has blessed to also come forward and contribute their books and quota in whatever form to the development of human resource in the Niger Delta”, he said.

While thanking the management of the institution for giving him the opportunity to make his modest donations, he assured that the amount for the awards and the scholarship would be upwardly reviewed to N50,000 in the nearest future.

Lokoson explained that education was too important to be left only in the hands of government, stressing that public-spirited individuals and corporate bodies need to support the development of education for the benefit of society.

In his remarks, the acting Vice Chancellor, Humphrey Ogoni, thanked him “for the magnanimous gesture”, and called on other worthy Ijaw sons and daughters to emulate him.

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By Idongesit Ashameri / Special Correspondent, Uyo

Over the years, many wars have been fought in the world; instances of civilian conflicts have escalated into full-blown terror and wars.

The reasons for such wars can be power, dirty politics, tyrants, oil, money, religious extremism, and numerous attempts to resolve such conflicts at early stages to prevent destruction to life, property, money and the human race may have gone unheard.

In 1967, a civil war broke out in Nigeria. The war was fuelled by the attempt of the South-easterners to secede from the country,. The move was condemned by the Nigerian government as injurious to the country’s oneness and a catalyst for an extensive disintegration of the nascent republic. By 1970 when the war ended, casualties numbered well over two million on both sides of Biafra and Nigeria.

As part of the country’s geographically located in the South-eastern Region of the then Nigeria, the then Cross River State, which Akwa Ibom was part of, had her fair share of lost as many sons and daughters from the area were brutally slain or dragged into the Biafran and Nigerian army where many lost their lives either by warriors at the opposing ends or betrayed to be killed by their fellow brothers due to conflict of interest stirred by propaganda.

Four more than decades after the end of the 30 month-civil war, the Akwa Ibom State Government under the administration of Chief Godswill Akpabio, decided to honour sons of the state, who died during the Nigerian civil war at a memorial service to pray for the repose of their souls. This measure, the state government considered, was most necessary for the sad chapter in Nigeria’s political history as it concerns Akwa Ibom State, being part of the then South-Eastern region to be peacefully closed.

In what could be considered the most solemn of all assemblies, Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State went on his knees and prayed to God for forgiveness, even as he later led the congregation to unveil the memorial plaques in honour of the slain heroes. The measure, he said was, to ensure that those heroes were accorded their deserved respect and rightful place in the society they toiled for.

During the special intercessory prayers at Ibom hall grounds, Uyo, one could easily see the seriousness, the unity of purpose and the desire to be heard by God, as people from all walks of life in the state joined senior clerics, who took the lead to pray for  peace, unity and progress of the state and the repose of souls of about 31 heroes, who were brutally murdered in the state during the Nigerian Civil War.

Speaking during the memorial service in honour of Akwa Ibom heroes murdered during the war, Governor Akpabio, on a very solemn note said, “I invite all Akwa Ibom indigenes at home and in the Diaspora to share with us our sense of repentance and consecration in this memorial service for our innocent leaders, who were the victims of extra-judicial executions in the Nigerian Civil War. Repentance and consecration because we have come to this hallowed spot in response to God’s merciful promise in 2 Chronicle 7:14”.

For all the blackmail, despite his efforts at transforming Akwa Ibom State, which is today a place everyone wants to be identified with, Akpabio traced root of the challenges to curses placed on the state by those killed during the Nigerian Civil War.

“It is true that Akwa Ibom children are still stoning their leaders till today. All our past leaders have scars to show for it. In spite of the uncommon transformation, am I still not slandered on a daily basis?” Akpabio lamented.

He identified assassination of leaders’ character as another pressing problem facing the state and expressed disappointment that some natives of the state have opened offices in Abuja as blackmail centres against him despite his efforts at transforming the state. He attributed every odd and negative attitude of Akwa Ibom people to curses placed on the state by the murdered heroes before they passed on. “They placed a curse on the land and on the people that murdered them,” he stated.

It is only fitting that Akpabio did not only urge the people of Akwa Ibom to ask God for forgiveness of their sins and those of their forefathers for the curses to be lifted, but took the lead in doing so and reasoned that the idea of killing innocent people who might have even taken active part in the war, had robbed the state of leaders who could speak for them at the national level.

“Even when they started the three Rs – Reconciliation, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation, it started from the West where no bomb was dropped leaving us, who were devastated by the pangs of the war. Yet, there was nobody to speak for us because we had maliciously murdered our brothers and sisters on account of the war,” he stated.

The forebears as noted by Akpabio “fought for what the nation is today; they were the first set of people in the country to tax themselves and send their children abroad on scholarship. No one bothered whose child was awarded scholarship, because every child was seen as the child of the community. The community’s interest superseded personal consideration.  They were the first to build community schools for the education of their children. They got deeply involved as leaders in driving our national aspirations”.

He lamented, “Unfortunately, at the peak of their glory, there was an eclipse, and darkness was cast over our land. It was the fratricidal civil war. Evil men and women crawled out of their covens to unleash horror on our land. Wickedness bared its fangs and flourished in the land. The devil laid it upon the hearts of his infernal agents to destroy our leaders. The finest men in our clime, some of the best in our country were not only murdered, some met very gruesome deaths.

“Innocent men were tied to cars and driven on the road until they died. Decency would forbid me to give you more details of how some of them met their deaths for they are indeed gory. I fear that some of you here might become sick, and it would further traumatize their families. Innocent, righteous men were killed because of petty jealousies and envy. The devil left a trail of blood from one end of this state to the other. Our state capital became the Golgotha (the place of the skulls) of our leaders. We lost the finest crop of leaders in our clime and some of the best this country has ever had.

“What was the consequence of this? We had no leaders to speak for us when states were created in Nigeria – because our leaders who were the first to demand state creation were dead.  We had no leaders to fight for us when we were cheated in the promulgation of the onshore/offshore oil dichotomy. We had no leaders to stand up and push us forward when we were consigned to the backwaters of our country’s politics. We were like sheep without shepherds, he said.

In a sermon entitled “Restore, I pray you, to them, even this day…”, Dr. Isaiah Isong identified “Cainism, Soulism and Absalomism as spirits plaguing the state”, and pleaded with politicians vying for positions in 2015 to bury bitterness, hatred and wickedness to usher in meaningful development.

For Aniekan Umanah, the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Information and Communication, the occasion signalled the beginning of peaceful co-existence as it is expected to mark the end of bitterness, hatred and character assassination provoked by the roving blood of slain heroes.

Umanah who commended Governor Akpabio whom he described as a man of peace,  for his interest in the growth, peace and future of the state, as evidenced in the memorial service which has enabled the state to accord her slain  heroes  their deserved respect and rightful place in society they toiled for, expressed optimism that the calm, harmony and peace expected from the prayers will take the state beyond the 2015 election.

Etido Inyang, Special Adviser, Bureau of Technical Matters, on his part thanked Akpabio for taking up a course that has been ignored by past leaders in the state and expressed confidence that Akwa Ibom will come alive again as he, the Governor has been bestowed with such unique wisdom by God.

“Go into the world’s history, you will see that those great men who suffered and were killed when they were not supposed to die are always honoured, so ours should not be an exception. Most of them were deliberately and unjustly killed and a leader on our land has decided to honour them, give them the right place, pray for the repose of their souls and even comfort their families, calls for appreciation. That is why many have prayed for Akpabio for taking the initiative that no leader has ever thought of, for the purpose of peace and leadership in the state,” he said.

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