News

PAP: South South Royal Fathers Back Otuaro’s Reforms

Published

8 months ago

November 4, 2024

The South-South Monarchs Forum has backed reforms being carried out by the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Otuaro, to reposition the programme for greater and better service delivery to the Niger Delta people.

The first-class traditional rulers’ body particularly applauded Otuaro for his robust policy of stakeholders engagement aimed at strengthening the peace-building process and development in the Niger Delta.

Chairman of the SSMF and former Minister of Petroleum Resources, His Royal Majesty, King Edmund Daukoru, stated this during a meeting with Otuaro on Friday.

The meeting held at the instance of the forum at the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council secretariat in Yenagoa.

This was just as some Niger Delta youths made up of members of the Ijaw Youth Council, Central Zone, and Phases Two and Three of PAP staged a solidarity rally in the Bayelsa State capital to express their support for the leadership of Otuaro and the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

IYC’s national director of mobilisation, Harry Fubara, and the Central Zone Chairman, Perekosufa Ineife, warned sponsors of negative campaigns against Otuaro to stop their ill-advised activities, noting that the PAP Administrator had achieved a lot since he was appointed.

A statement signed by the Special Assistant on Media to the PAP Administrator, Mr Igoniko Oduma, quoted Daukoru as having noted that Otuaro’s practical approach to stakeholder engagement was a testament to his desire to serve the region.

Daukoru, who was represented by the Chairman of the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, HRM King Bubaraye Dakolo, expressed approval of Otuaro’s appointment and his genuine effort to reinvigorate the programme for sustainable peace, security, and stability in the region.

The royal fathers assured Otuaro that he would complete his tenure in office and urged his detractors to allow him to do his job.

Daukoru, who is the Amanyanabo of Nembe Kingdom, advised the Federal Government to dismiss calls from anti-Niger Delta elements to terminate the PAP, stressing that the issues that necessitated the establishment of the programme had not been resolved.

The former Secretary-General of OPEC noted that Otuaro had, since assuming office, demonstrated a full understanding of his job and the programme’s mandate.

He said, “You understand the Niger Delta and your coming here underscores that because you have chosen the path of dialogue, and meeting with all stakeholders at all levels. There is no better way to achieve peace and development in the Niger Delta. We want to applaud you very specially.

“This time, it would not be like before when administrators did not finish their tenures. You will serve your term through. Furthermore, in the past, there had been an attempt by the Government of Nigeria to cancel out this programme.

“But we have always said that you cannot cancel out this programme. Because until peace is completely restored and all those youths have been trained and rehabilitated, even if you have spent N3 trillion, the aim has not been achieved.

“So we cannot end a programme that was aimed at achieving a particular result when the result has not been achieved. We are using this opportunity to reiterate that the PAP must first of all achieve its mandate in full. We are here to ensure that that happens. So the Federal Government of Nigeria should allow you to lead the PAP to achieve that.

“For those who have been disturbing everyone else, this (PAP administrator) is one person you should not disturb. You should allow him to do his job, which is to ensure that the Niger Delta people who are supposed to be rehabilitated are rehabilitated, not only on paper but are practically trained and fully rehabilitated, and then peace is restored in the Niger Delta.”

Several members of the SSMF from Akwa Ibom, Delta, and Rivers states, among others, including the Eze Gbakagbaka of Evo kingdom, HRM King Leslie Eke; the Pere of Akugbene-Mein kingdom, HRM King Pere Luke; and HRM King Ogurimerime Ukori, Ovie of Agbon kingdom, in their solidarity speeches, commended Otuaro for hitting the ground running.

While thanking President Tinubu for appointing Otuaro, they equally urged the PAP boss to remain focused on his job and not be distracted by those who did not mean well for the peace, economic growth, and security of the region.

Responding, the PAP administrator stated that he was driven by passion and dedication for service to the people of the region, assuring the kings that President Tinubu was interested in the progress of the Niger Delta.

Otuaro pledged his commitment to reforms and deepening of his policies of stakeholder engagement, inclusivity, and continuity of the schemes that had been strategically reviewed due to the expanding scope of the programme.

“I will always seek your majesties’ advice. I deemed it necessary to come and interact with you, my fathers, because that is the right thing to do. As revered traditional rulers under the auspices of the South-South Monarchs Forum, you mean the business of peace and development of the region,” he added.

News

Idahosa Optimistic Shaibu Will Perform As National Sports Institute DG

Published

10 hours ago

June 22, 2025

Editor

The Edo State deputy governor, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, has expressed optimism that his predecessor in office, Hon. Philip Shaibu will excel in his new role as Director General of the National Institute for Sports (NIS).

The deputy governor expressed his optimism during the Thanksgiving Mass to celebrate the appointment at St. Paul Catholic Church in Benin on Sunday.

Idahosa, who appreciated President Bola Tinubu for the appointment, said Shaibu will bring to bear on the new job his experience as an astute sports administrator.

“We are indeed grateful for what God has done. We will continue to thank God on his behalf, because, he has served our state.

“Now, God has given him the opportunity to serve the nation. We will continue to pray for him for a successful tenure,” he stated.

The former deputy governor appreciated Idahosa for according him the honour with his physical attendance at the Thanksgiving Mass.

He assured the state of his readiness to effectively be a good ambassador effectively by working to reposition of the NIS in line with the renwew hope agenda of the President.

“I will try my best to bring the institute back to life. I will ensure that the reason for setting up the NIS is achieved,” he stated.

News

Falana Slams Government Over Failure To Prosecute Suspected Killers In Benue

Published

11 hours ago

June 22, 2025

Editor

Human rights lawyer and senior advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana (SAN), has criticized the Federal and Benue State Governments for consistently failing to prosecute suspects arrested in connection with ongoing violent attacks across Benue State.

In a statement issued under the platform of the Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond (ASCAB), which he chairs, Falana lamented that although hundreds of suspects have been arrested over the years for crimes ranging from illegal possession of firearms to mass killings and kidnapping, most of them are never charged or brought to trial.

The legal luminary’s reaction follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent visit to Benue, during which he directed the Nigeria Police Force to arrest and prosecute all those involved in the latest wave of violence in the state. However, Falana described the president’s order as potentially symbolic, pointing out that previous arrests had not led to convictions or justice for victims.

Falana also berated the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, for alleging that residents of Yelwata community provided shelter for the killers. He described the statement as an attempt to shift blame onto victims instead of addressing the systemic failures of security and governance.

Providing a timeline of law enforcement actions, Falana stated:

On December 30, 2024, the Benue State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hassan Yabanet, announced the arrest of 273 suspects involved in capital crimes, along with the recovery of 20 firearms and 51 rounds of ammunition.

On January 17, 2024, Police spokesperson Olumuyiwa Adejobi revealed that an illegal firearms factory had been uncovered in Benue. Two suspects—Friday Aduduakambe and Iorwashima Iornyume—were arrested, and a cache of weapons, including nine locally made pistols and one unfinished AK-47, was seized.

On April 17, 2025, Governor Hyacinth Alia disclosed that three herdsmen were arrested over the killing of 11 people in the Otobi community, Otukpo Local Government Area.

On June 19, 2025, Community Volunteer Guards apprehended three suspected kidnappers at the Otukpo motor park with ransom money collected from their victims.

According to Falana, between January and June 2025 alone, dozens of violent crime suspects have been arrested, including 43 suspected killers in the last 10 days. Despite these arrests, no significant prosecutions have been reported.

“It is undoubtedly clear that the authorities have continued to treat suspected killers in Benue State like sacred cows,” he said. “The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Benue State, Mr. Fidelis Mnyim, must take immediate steps to ensure that justice is served.”

Falana stressed that the right to life, guaranteed under Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution, is meaningless unless the state acts decisively to punish those who violate it.

He warned that unless concrete action is taken, the ongoing culture of impunity will only worsen the bloodshed and erode public trust in the rule of law.

News

Troops Nab 8 Kidnap Suspects, Rescue 2 Victims In Kwara

Published

11 hours ago

June 22, 2025

Editor

Troops of the 22 Armoured Brigade, deployed at the Forward Operation Base (FOB) Patigi, in Kwara have nabbed eight suspected kidnappers and rescued two victims.

This is contained in a statement signed by Lt. Stephen Nwankwo, Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations of the Brigade in Ilorin on Sunday.

“Acting on credible intelligence, troops launched a tactical operation on Saturday, targeting a hideout on the outskirts of Latandaji Village in Patigi Local Government Area.

“During the engagement, troops encountered mild resistance, but swiftly subdued the criminals with superior firepower,” he said.

Nwankwo said that the operation led to the rescue of two kidnap victims, identified as Amos Moses and Philip Michael, while eight suspected kidnappers were arrested.

He, however, said that one Mohammed Mohammed sustained gunshot wounds during the exchange of fire and had been taken to hospital for medical attention.

The brigade spokesman said that further operational exploits in the area led to the recovery of two motorcycles and two expended cartridge shells, believed to be used by the suspects.

“All arrested individuals are currently in military custody for preliminary investigation and will be handed over to relevant authorities for prosecution,” Nwankwo said.

He said that the operation underscores the Nigerian Army’s unwavering commitment to ensure safety of lives and property across the country.

“We urge members of the public to continue providing actionable intelligence to security forces in order to dismantle criminal networks.

“The Nigerian Army remains resolute in its mission to safeguard communities and restore lasting peace in all regions of deployment,” he said.