News
Economic Discourse Series: FG Urged To Strengthen Presidential Amnesty Programme
… Discussants Suggest Solution To N’Delta Challenges
Participants at a day Niger Delta Economic Discourse Series, Tuesday, November 29, called on President Muhammad Buhari to urgently strengthen the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) in order for it to achieve its original Strategic Implementation Action Plan designed to massively develop the Niger Delta region.
The discussion programme, with the theme: ‘Presidential Amnesty Programme and Proposed Modular Refineries,’ was organised by GbaramatuVoice Newspaper held at BON Hotel, Effurun, Delta state.
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Speakers at the event include Prof. Tosan Harriman, Lecturer, Bayero University, Kano, as keynote while Navy Commodore Nesiama Omtseye (Rtd), NNPP Delta South Senatorial candidate and Alabo (Dr.) Nengi James, 2nd Vice President, Ijaw National Congress (INC), also presented papers.
Others who spoke at the event are: representative of NDDC Delta State Director, Engr. Jeremiah Oritsejolone; Assistant Director, NDDC, Chief (Engr.) Don Ben Douyegha; PANDEF Youth leader; Engr. Jato Abido; National Coordinator, Niger Delta Youth Council (NDYC), Comrade Austin Ozobo, President, Ijaw Peoples Development Association (IPDI), Comrade Jackson Timiyan, community leader; Comrade Ellington Bakumor, ex-agitator, among others.
Participants at the event in unison queried the Federal Government’s current non-participatory approach to development in the Niger Delta region, as well as its protracted inabilities to embrace a broad-based consultative approach that will give the people of the region some sense of ownership.
While noting that the challenges confronting the Niger Delta as a region dates back to as far as the 15th century, the discussants submitted that to effectively resolve the Niger Delta crisis, government at all levels and other Nigerians should begin to see the problems of the Niger Delta as a national one and not restricted to the region.
The speakers at the event expressed displeasure at greed, selfishness, tribalism and brazen absence of political will arising from poor leadership in the country, which according to them has become potent factors that derailed the well-conceived Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) created to tackle youth restiveness resulting from galloping unemployment in the region as well as hindered the actualization of Federal Government’s proposed but now abandoned modular refineries in the rejoin.
They further regretted that thirteen (13) years after the presidential proclamation, the programme had neither dealt with the fundamentals of the Niger Delta struggle nor faithfully addressed the three pillars of the Amnesty Programme: Disarmament, rehabilitation and reintegration, but painfully left the targeted beneficiaries of the programme more as victims of political deceit and manipulation by selfish politicians and other non-state actors that have recently hijacked the programme.
They observed that the amnesty programme had become a cesspool of corruption and avenues for revenue leakages which must be blocked for efficient management of the programme.
The discussants further argued that the Presidential Amnesty Office must stop giving handouts to beneficiaries and in its place develop a workable and democratized roadmap that will ensure that all amnesty beneficiaries are gainfully employed or adequately empowered.
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They opined that for the challenges presently confronting the region to be frontally tackled, Federal Government must take both practical and pragmatic steps to hold a sincere conversation with Niger Deltans aimed at operationalizing modular refineries in the region anchored on the tripod of receipt system, transparent pricing and supervised via a statutory body established by enabling acts for that purpose/objective.
The programme was graced by dignities and well meaning Niger Deltans drawn from the academia, members of specialized groups, presidential amnesty beneficiaries, students at various institutions of higher learning in the country among others.
News
DSS Issues Warning, Arrests Man For Circulating Fake Recruitment Materials
The Department of State Services (DSS) has disclosed the arrest of one Mr. Eze Ezenwa Benard, who was recently apprehended for circulating fake DSS recruitment past questions and answers on Facebook.
The agency, while warning the public in a statement on Saturday, said the suspect operated through a page known as “Jobs and Education”, where he advertised the fraudulent materials and charged unsuspecting members of the public one thousand naira (N1,000) for access.
“The public is hereby cautioned to disregard any materials, as the DSS does not sell or distribute recruitment questions, answers, or examination guides through private individuals or social media pages. Recruitment into the Service, when necessary, follows specialised procedure in accordance with extant laws and due process,” the statement reads.
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Continuing, DSS said Ezenwa’s arrest underscores the Service’s determination to safeguard Nigerians from the fraudulent schemes of unpatriotic elements. “Citizens are therefore encouraged to remain vigilant, verify information from official sources and report suspicious recruitment adverts or individuals attempting to extort money under false pretense.”
The agency assured that it will continue to protect the integrity of its recruitment process while ensuring that perpetrators of fraud face the full weight of the law.
News
‘Na Only People You Gave Work Love You,’ Singer Speed Darlington Tells Tinubu
Singer Speed Darlington has told President Bola Tinubu that public admiration cannot be bought, warning that only those who received appointments or jobs from the government truly support him.
In a video posted on Saturday, August 23, the singer said, “Everything isn’t about the economy! There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you.”
READ ALSO:Before You Leave Office, Reform The Police — Speed Darlington Urges Tinubu
Darlington, an Igbo man, urged Tinubu to focus on police reform and respect for human rights. “The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.
“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate. Please, before you leave office, please speak to your Yoruba brother IGP man,” he added.
News
Before You Leave Office, Reform The Police — Speed Darlington Urges Tinubu
Popular controversial singer Speed Darlington has called on President Bola Tinubu to reform the Nigerian Police Force, urging the government to prioritise citizens’ rights alongside economic growth.
In a video posted on Saturday, the entertainer criticised what he described as the police’s systemic human rights violations and oppressive practices.
“Mr President, before you leave office, whether you secure a second term or not, try your best to improve Nigeria. Everything isn’t about the economy!
“There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you,” he said.
READ ALSO:Obi Blames Tinubu For 70% Investment Crash
The singer, who identifies as Igbo, urged Tinubu to engage with the Inspector-General of Police and implement reforms.
“As an Igbo man, the advice I can give you so people will know your name and remember you for something good is to reform the police. Reform the police.
“The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.
“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate,” he added.
READ ALSO:Tinubu Subsidises Kidney Dialysis Cost By 76% In Federal Hospitals
Darlington also recounted his personal ordeal with law enforcement, highlighting the system’s abuse of power.
“I was held for two months after the judge had ordered my release. FID held me for two months. According to my lawyer, the Nigerian law gives only 28 days for investigation.
“They held me for two months. What is the extra month for? Because they can. If you give them money, they oppress your enemy. I have experienced it,” he said.
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