News From Nigeria
The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, on Monday expressed concerns about misconduct in Ajaokuta Steel Company and urged President Bola Tinubu to order a thorough investigation into reported mismanagement.
‘’If there are individuals or group of individuals protecting the corrupt managers of the Ajaokuta Steel Company and hereby shielding them from any form of probe and judgement, it simply means that they are beneficiaries of the ill-gotten proceeds of the mismanagement or they have other personal interests that are not people-friendly and that are tantamount to water down or nullify President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s fight against corruption. These set of people should also be probed. They may even be part of those used by these selfish leaders to loot the treasury of the steel company dry.’’
The student body implored the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices & Other related Offences Commission (ICPC) to stand their ground against every form of intimidation or shielding, as they probe and investigate mismanagement in Ajaokuta Steel Company.
‘’While the revamping of this company is going on, the probing of these culprits should aggressively continue. Both can go concurrently, and one will not affect another. As a matter of fact, the probing is an essential part of the revamping because investigators and other Stakeholders may discover in the course of probing that some bad eggs are still on the management and staff of this Steel Company. With these probes, many unveilings will take place, giving way to a holistic revitalization and resuscitation of the Ajaokuta Steel Company’’.
The umbrella body with over 50million members across the nation in a press release said those involved in the mismanagement of this company must be brought to book immediately:
‘’This is simply because if these offenders are brought to book, it will serve as a deterrent to others who are aspiring to steal from the company as soon as it starts operation again. Bringing them to book will help the company grow in the sense that the money recovered from these offenders would be pumped back into the company and it will give it a higher lift in every sense’’.
In the release signed by NANS Universal President, Comrade Lucky Emonefe, GCNS, the association vowed not to back down on fights of this peculiarity, especially one that is against the tenets of financial accountability and transparency.
‘’Power intoxicates, and absolute power intoxicates absolutely. Having a Sole Administrator for the past 12 years to oversee a public and national company like Ajaokuta Steel is not good enough. This gives room to corruption in the sense that there will be no one else to check the excesses of the Sole Administrator and this may give him/her an ample chance to misuse the trust and powers given to him/her. Hence, power in this institution should be broken down to the Managing Director, Executive Director Technical Services, Executive Director Finance and other directorates for more effectiveness, accountability and productivity that will culminate in efficacious checking and balancing’’.
The association stressed the importance of addressing concerns raised by Nigerians and ensuring that no single tribe, out of the over 200 tribes in Nigeria has the right to lay claim of sole ownership to this government project built from the nation’s taxpayers’ money.
‘’In as much as this company is Federal Government owned, one particular group should never claim ownership and control of it because it’s built on their land. Just the way no single tribe is laying claims to the oil in the Niger Delta and the Hydroelectric dams in Kanji and its environs, This company should be a haven of massive employment opportunities for us Nigerian Students upon graduation and it should also be a technology site where our potential engineering students all over the country could come and experience technological innovations at its peak as they aspire for greatness in the field of engineering. So, no single tribe, out of the over 200 tribes in Nigeria has the right to lay claim of sole ownership to this government project built from the nation’s taxpayers’ money. This must be checkmated’’.
The association underlined Bola Tinubu’s commitment to the development of the country.
‘’We want to sincerely appreciate H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for the humongous effort he has put into the development of the Ajaokuta Steel Company and National Iron Ore Mining Company, Itakpe, since he assumed office. From history, apart from the Shehu Shagari era, this will be the first time that this company would be having this kind of unusual support from the Federal Government. This is highly commendable. We also want to appreciate the office of the Senate President, Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio for his huge and tireless efforts in making sure that this company comes back on its feet and deliver the purpose with which it was founded. All his efforts are seen, and they won’t go unappreciated’’.
It commended members of the National Assembly, especially Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who raised one issue or the other in support of the growth and development of the company.
‘’We believe that their efforts shall not go unrewarded and their wishes towards the progress of Ajaokuta Steel Company will come to materialization in no distant time’’.
The association highlighted the dedication of the government and the stakeholders.
‘’Ajaokuta Steel Company and National Iron Ore Mining Company have remained in operational, but resuscitation plans of the projects are near with the attraction of investors in topmost gear. The government and the stakeholders alike are working assiduously to see that the company comes back to life. This is a good omen for the Renewed Hope Agenda to continue to flourish amidst the global economic crisis that has engulfed the world right about now.
It pointed out that individuals who brought the Ajaokuta Steel Company to this comatose are still walking the street un-investigated and unpunished.
‘’These people who have been indicted to the tune of several millions of US dollars further siphoned $496m in September 2022 through Buhari’s administration. They have neither been probed nor punished. This is not a good precedence at all and if unchecked would create an avenue for dabbling into President Tinubu’s efforts of resuscitating the steel plant’’.
‘’These individuals including past corrupt government executives denied the public, most especially the youth, the benefit of experiencing the exodus of job opportunities, technological exposure and economic emancipation that would have been massively accrued to us all these while if they had done what was expected of them. These people selfishly and callously mismanaged Ajaokuta Steel Company and grounded it with the notion that nothing will happen in the end. If acts like these go un-investigated and unpunished, what is now the tendency that after rebuilding, some other people would not come and do the same thing to loot and ground it again the umpteenth time? This should not be so’’.
NANS CALLS FOR PROBE OF MISMANAGEMENT IN AJAOKUTA STEEL COMPANY LIMITED AS ITS
RESUSCITATION CONTINUES
APPRECIATION:
The leadership of National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, the umbrella body with over 50million members across the nation, wants to sincerely appreciate H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for the humongous effort he has put into the development of the Ajaokuta Steel Company and National Iron Ore Mining Company, Itakpe, since he assumed office. From history, apart from the Shehu Shagari era, this will be the first time that this company would be having this kind of unusual support from the Federal Government. This is highly commendable.
We also want to appreciate the office of the Senate President, Distinguished Senator Godswill Obot AKPABIO, CON, for his huge and tireless efforts in making sure that this company comes back on its feet and deliver the purpose with which it was
founded. All his efforts are seen and they won’t go unappreciated.
Finally we want to thank the members of the National Assembly especially Senator Natasha Uduaghan, who raised one issue or the other in support of the growth and development of this company. We believe that their efforts shall not go unrewarded and their wishes towards the progress of Ajaokuta Steel Company will come to materialization in no distant time.
THE STATUS QUO:
Ajaokuta Steel Company and National Iron Ore Mining Company have remained inoperational but resuscitation plans of the projects are near with the attraction of investors in topmost gear. The government and the stakeholders alike are working assiduously to see that the company comes back to life. This is a good omen for the Renewed Hope Agenda to continue to flourish amidst the global economic crisis that has engulfed the world right about now.
It is also worthy of note that the set of individuals who brought the Ajaokuta Steel Company to this comatose are still walking the street uninvestigated and unpunished. These people who have been indicted to the tune of several millions of US dollars
further siphoned $496m in September 2022 through Buhari’s administration. They have neither been probed nor punished.
This Ref No: NANS/VOL1/GA1/ A73 10 March, 2024 is not a good precedence at all and if unchecked would create an avenue for dabbling into President Tinubu’s efforts of resuscitating the steel plant.
These individuals including past corrupt government executives denied the public, most especially the youth, the benefit of experiencing the exodus of job opportunities, technological exposure and economic emancipation that would have been massively accrued to us all these while if they had done what was expected of them. They selfishly and callously mismanaged Ajaokuta Steel Company and grounded it with the notion that nothing will happen in the end. If acts like these go uninvestigated and unpunished, what is now the tendency that after rebuilding, some other people would not come and do the same thing to loot and ground it again the umpteenth time? This should not be so.
OUR STANCE AS NANS:
This is simply because if these offenders are brought to book, it will serve as a deterrent to others who are aspiring to steal from the company as soon as it starts operation again. Bringing them to book will help the company grow in the sense that the money recovered from these offenders would be pumped back into the company and it will give it a higher lift in every sense;
While the revamping of this company is going on, the probing of these culprits should aggressively continue. Both can go concurrently and one will not affect another. As a matter of fact, the probing is an essential part of the revamping because investigators and other Stakeholders may discover in the course of probing that some bad eggs are still on the management and staff of this Steel Company. With these probes, many unveilings will take place, giving way to a holistic revitalization and resuscitation of the Ajaokuta Steel Company;
Power intoxicates and absolute power intoxicates absolutely. Having a Sole Administrator for the past 12 years to oversee a public and national company like Ajaokuta Steel is not good enough. This gives room to corruption in the sense that there will be no one else to check the excesses of the Sole Administrator and this may give him/her an ample chance to misuse the trust and powers given to him/her. Hence, power in this institution should be broken down to the Managing Director, Executive Director Technical Services , Executive Director Finance and other directorates for more effectiveness, accountability and productivity that will culminate in efficacious checking and balancing; and
In as much as this company is Federal Government owned, one particular group should never claim ownership and control of it because it’s built on their land. Just the way no single tribe is laying claims to the the oil in the Niger Delta and the Hydroelectric dams in Kanji and its environs, we see no reason why the Ebira people will turn the Ajaokuta Steel Company to their personal property and would never want others to benefit from the largesse that should come with it. This company should be a haven of massive employment opportunities for us Nigerian Students upon graduation and it should also be a technology site where our potential engineering students all over the country could come and experience technological innovations at its peak as they aspire for greatness in the field of engineering. So, no single tribe, out of the over 200 tribes in Nigeria has the right to lay claim of sole ownership to this government project built from the nation’s taxpayers money. This must be checkmated.
Conclusive, if there are individuals or group of individuals protecting the corrupt managers of the Ajaokuta Steel Company and hereby shielding them from any form of probe and judgement, it simply means that they are beneficiaries of the ill-gotten proceeds of the mismanagement or they have other personal interests that are not people-friendly and that are tantamount to water down or nullify President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s fight against corruption. These set of people should also be probed. They may even be part of those used by these selfish leaders to loot the treasury of the steel company dry. The Nigerian Students are not the type to back down on fights of this peculiarity, especially one that is against the tenets of financial accountability and transparency. Hence, we implore the EFCC, ICPC and other related agencies to stand their ground against every form of intimidation or shielding, as they probe and investigate these heartless people.
SIGNED:
Comr. Lucky Emonefe, GCNS
NANS Universal President
LEGAL PRACTITIONERS, ARBITRATORS & NOTARY PUBLIC
GOTTGUNST VILLA
27, Gbiaye Street
3rd Marine Gate, Warri, Nigeria
Tel: 08033136059
E-mails: info@amaetulegal.org
amaetulegal@yahoo.com
ama.etuwewe@amaetulegal.org
www.amaetulegal.org
JANUARY 2, 2023.
THE HONOURABLE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE
ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS
MINISTRY OF JUSTICE MAITAMA,
ABUJA.
Dear Sir,
RE: PENDING SUIT FILED BY THE ITSEKIRI ETHNIC NATIONALITY; ORDER OF THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT ABUJA, TOGETHER WITH AN APPLICATION TO SET ASIDE THE PURPORTED SCREENING AND CONFIRMATION OF MRS. L
AURETTA ONOCHIE AND CHIEF SAMUEL OGBUKU AS CHAIRMAN AND MANAGING DIRECTOR RESPECTIVELY OF THE NDDC BY THE SENATE OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY CARRIED OUT ON DECEMBER 21, 2022, IN THE FACE OF THE PROCESSES AND ORDER OF COURT IN SUIT NO. FHC/ABJ/CS/2294/2022, IN WHICH YOU ARE A PARTY.
MATTERS ARISING THEREOF:
As you are aware, we act as Solicitors to the ITSEKIRI ETHNIC NATIONALITY ably represented by CHIEF EDWARD EKPOKO, MR. EDWARD OMAGBEMI & ENGINEER VICTOR WOOD, whom we shall hereinafter refer to as our Clients and we write to you on their precise, concise and unequivocal instructions.
iii. A Declaration that the nomination of the 5th Defendant who hails from a non-oil producing area in Delta State as the next Chairman of the Niger-Delta Development Commission is unlawful and contrary to the intent and purpose of the Niger-Delta Development Commission Act.
vii. A declaration that by virtue of the provisions of the Niger-Delta Development Commission Act, 2000 as amended, the Plaintiffs as suitable members of the ltsekiri nationality of Delta State are qualified to be nominated as the next Chairman and Managing Director respectively of the Niger-Delta Development Commission.
viii. Any further order(s) as this Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances.
10.0. Our Clients on December 12, 2022, filed an ex-parte application seeking the following reliefs from the Federal High Court, Abuja, to wit;
AND/OR
11.0. As is customary, our Clients accompanied the ex-parte application with a motion on notice filed on December 12, 2022, seeking the following reliefs to wit;
AND/OR
12.0 The Federal High Court on December 15, 2022, in refusing reliefs 1 and 2 of our Clients’ ex-parte application filed on December 12, 2022, ordered the parties in the suit not to take any step that will render nugatory our Clients’ pending application for interlocutory injunction filed on December 12, 2022.
13.0 The Court also emphatically ordered that any act or step or action taken in order to render nugatory. the outcome of our Clients’ motion for interlocutory injunction filed on December 12, 2022, and scheduled for hearing on January 11, 2023, shall be a nullity. A copy of the said Order has been duly served on all the parties including your office.
14.0 Despite the fact that all the Defendants, your office inclusive, were served with the originating process, our Clients’ application for interlocutory injunction and the order of the Court restraining all parties from acting otherwise, the leadership of the Senate of the National Assembly proceeded to screen and confirm Mrs. Lauretta Onochie and Chief Samuel Ogbuku as the substantive Chairman and Managing Director respectively, of the Niger Delta Development Commission, on December 20, 2022.
15.0 Further displeased by the brazen act of the National Assembly in proceeding defiantly to screen and confirm Mrs. Lauretta Onochie and Chief Samuel Ogbuku as the substantive Chairman and Managing Director respectively of the Niger Delta Development Commission in gross and total disregard to the order of Court restraining all parties from taking any step capable of rendering nugatory our clients’ motion on notice for interlocutory injunction,, our Clients on December 22, 2022, filed an application at the Federal High Court seeking inter alia the following relief;
AN ORDER setting aside the purported screening and confirmation of the 5th and 6th Defendants on December 20, 2022, by the 3rd and 4th Defendants during the pendency of the order of this Honourable Court delivered on December 15, 2022, restraining the parties from taking any step that may render nugatory the outcome of the Applicants’ pending application for interlocutory injunction.
All the Defendants have been served with the said application.
16.0 Whilst our Clients’ suit and in fact their most recent application to set aside the screening and confirmation of Mrs. Lauretta Onochie and Chief Samuel Ogbuku as Chairman and Managing Director respectively of the NDDC by the Senate of the National assembly has not been determined, our Clients are aware and already in the public domain, that the Honourable Minister of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs is making plans and has circulated letters to that effect, to inaugurate Mrs. Lauretta Onochie and Chief Samuel Ogbuku on January 4, 2023, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja, as ·the substantive Chairman and Managing Director respectively of the NDDC. The Minister has hinged his brazen disregard of the order of the court and the due process of law, on the purported approval of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who is the 1st Defendant in the suit under reference.
17.0 As the Chief Law Officer of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and a party in the suit, you are doubtless aware of the position of the law which is to the effect that once there is a pending litigation, all parties to the suit are expected to stay every action that will adversely affect the outcome of the adjudicatory process so as not to render the said process a nullity and foist upon the court a fait accompli. We most humbly refer you to the case of EZEGBU v. F.A.T.B. LTD. (1992) 1 NWLR PART 220 PAGE 699 PARTICULARLY AT PAGE 724, where NIKI TOBI J.C.A. (as he then was) stated thus:
“Where a matter is before a court of law, none of the parties can legally or lawfully take any unilateral decision that will prejudice or tend to prejudice the hearing or adjudication of the matter by the court. Parties who have submitted to the jurisdiction of the court are under a legal duty not to do anything to frustrate or make nonsense a possible court order. They must, whether they like it or not, wait for the court order. They must whether they like it or not wait for the court to take a decision one way or the order. The procedure at arriving at a decision may be slow. It may even be sluggish. But the parties cannot jump the gun and do their own thing their own way. That will be tantamount to undermining the integrity of the court. What I am saying in effect is that a party who has submitted to the jurisdiction of the court is not entitled to resort to self-help. That will be chaos and disability of the social equilibrium if the opposing party reacts.
None of the parties to a litigation process before a court of law is allowed to take the law into his own hands and foist upon the court a fait accompli thereby rendering it impossible for the court to arrive at a decision one way or the other on the merit of the issue before it render any decision it may take nugatory or futile”.
18.0 Furtherance to the reliefs being claimed by our Clients in the suit, there is a pending application filed by our clients seeking an injunction against the Defendants for an order of Court restraining the Defendants from taking steps capable of rendering nugatory the pending application for interlocutory injunction and an application seeking to set aside the confirmation made by the Senate of the National Assembly, which step more to undermining the Judiciary’s role and the Rule of Law, has pre determined the issues presented by our Clients for judicial determination in the substantive suit.
19.0 Having notified your humble self and the other Defendants of the pendency of an application for injunction, we wish to draw your attention to the following judicial authorities on the duty of a party or parties where there is a pending application for injunction. In the case of ELF MARKETING (NIG.) v. J.L. OYENEYIN 8: SONS (1995) 7 NWLR PART 407, PAGE 371 AT 380 PARAGRAPHS A-8, the Court held thus:
“Once the court is seized of a matter, no party has a right to take the matter into his own hands. Thus, after a defendant has been notified of the pendency of a suit seeking an injunction against him, even though a temporary injunction be not granted, that party acts at his peril and is subject to the power of the court to restore the status wholly irrespective of the merit as may be ultimately decided…”
20.0 Furthermore, in the case of OKEKE-OBA v. OKOYE (1994) 8 NWLR. PART 364, PAGE 605 AT 617-618 PARAGRAPHS H-A, the Court stated as follows:
“The general practice is that an application for an order of interlocutory injunction, all activities affecting the res, here the land in dispute, are automatically terminated as a mark of respect to the court before whom the application is pending. Such practice is encouraged by counsel in good chambers consistent with the ethics of the profession”.
21.0 THE LEGAL IMPLICATIONS OF SUIT NO. FHC/ABJ/CS/2294/2022: CHIEF EDWARD EKPOKO 8: 2 ORS. v. THE PRESIDENT, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA 8: 5 ORS.
22.0 We wish to state without any iota of doubt that in the light of the development set out herein, no step whatsoever should be taken by the Federal Government to inaugurate Mrs. Lauretta Onochie and Chief Samuel Ogbuku as same will not only jeopardize the outcome of the litigation process but concomitantly operate to completely erase the confidence reposed in the Judiciary by the common man and a clog in the wheel of the administration of justice.
23.0 We have cause to believe, as documentary evidence clearly suggests, that the Federal Government through the Minister of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, is making frantic and brazen efforts to inaugurate Mrs. Lauretta Onochie and Chief Samuel Ogbuku as the substantive Chairman and Managing Director respectively of the Niger Delta Development Commission despite the pendency of the suit as well as several applications, and order made by the Court, with the sole aim of stealing a match, stultifying the ·court process and bringing the Rule of Law to ridicule.
24.0 CONCLUSION:
Our Clients have done all that is required of them by submitting for judicial consideration and determination their grievances against the Executive and Legislative Arms of Government, it behooves these Arms of Government to resist the urge to defy the Judiciary and indeed the judicial process by refraining from conducts which will render nugatory issues presented by our Clients to the Court.
25.0 The attendant implications on the faith and belief of the common man are dire and would almost be dampened if the Executive and the Legislative Arms of Government continue to bond towards shattering the fabric and fibre of the judicial process upon which true democracy is enshrined; which the Judiciary seeks to mend and this certainly does not bode well for the Rule of Law if a precedent of Executive and Legislative disregard to court orders, is so easily displayed with impunity, just before the forthcoming general elections.
26.0 Having fought to ensure that there is peace and stability in the Country, it would be manifestly antithetical to the goals of this Administration of which you are a key player, if solely for a refusal to await and comply with the judicial process, all the Executive has worked for in the past seven (7) years, translates to naught.
27.0 We are of the firm belief, taking into cognizance the judicial authorities referred to above, that as the Chief Law Officer of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and a strong proponent of the Rule of Law, you will not in any way advise the President and indeed the Minister of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, to proceed with the inauguration of Mrs. Lauretta Onochie and Chief Samuel Ogbuku on January 4, 2023, as the Chairman and Managing Director respectively of the NDDC and or concretize their positions, pending the outcome of the adjudicatory process already initiated by our Clients.
28.0 Trusting you will advise the relevant parties on the need to allow the judicial process take its course and refrain from taking steps which will ridicule the Rule of Law and further weaken our nascent democratic structure.
We remain,
Very truly yours,
PP: AMA ETUWEWE (SAN) & CO.
AMA ETUWEWE, SAN.
CC: THE HONOURABLE MINISTER
MINISTRY OF NIGER DELTA AFFAIRS
ABUJA.
AMA ETUWEWE (SAN) & CO.
LEGAL PRACTITIONERS, ARBITRATORS & NOTARY PUBLIC
GOTTGUNST VILLA
27, Gbiaye Street
3rd Marine Gate, Warri, Nigeria
Tel: 08033136059
E-mails: info@amaetulegal.org
amaetulegal@yahoo.com
ama.etuwewe@amaetulegal.org
www.amaetulegal.org
JANUARY 2, 2023.
THE HONOURABLE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE
ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS
MINISTRY OF JUSTICE MAITAMA,
ABUJA.
Dear Sir,
RE: PENDING SUIT FILED BY THE ITSEKIRI ETHNIC NATIONALITY; ORDER OF THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT ABUJA, TOGETHER WITH AN APPLICATION TO SET ASIDE THE PURPORTED SCREENING AND CONFIRMATION OF MRS. LAURETTA ONOCHIE AND CHIEF SAMUEL OGBUKU AS CHAIRMAN AND MANAGING DIRECTOR RESPECTIVELY OF THE NDDC BY THE SENATE OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY CARRIED OUT ON DECEMBER 21, 2022, IN THE FACE OF THE PROCESSES AND ORDER OF COURT IN SUIT NO. FHC/ABJ/CS/2294/2022, IN WHICH YOU ARE A PARTY.
MATTERS ARISING THEREOF:
As you are aware, we act as Solicitors to the ITSEKIRI ETHNIC NATIONALITY ably represented by CHIEF EDWARD EKPOKO, MR. EDWARD OMAGBEMI & ENGINEER VICTOR WOOD, whom we shall hereinafter refer to as our Clients and we write to you on their precise, concise and unequivocal instructions.
iii. A Declaration that the nomination of the 5th Defendant who hails from a non-oil producing area in Delta State as the next Chairman of the Niger-Delta Development Commission is unlawful and contrary to the intent and purpose of the Niger-Delta Development Commission Act.
vii. A declaration that by virtue of the provisions of the Niger-Delta Development Commission Act, 2000 as amended, the Plaintiffs as suitable members of the ltsekiri nationality of Delta State are qualified to be nominated as the next Chairman and Managing Director respectively of the Niger-Delta Development Commission.
viii. Any further order(s) as this Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances.
10.0. Our Clients on December 12, 2022, filed an ex-parte application seeking the following reliefs from the Federal High Court, Abuja, to wit;
AND/OR
11.0. As is customary, our Clients accompanied the ex-parte application with a motion on notice filed on December 12, 2022, seeking the following reliefs to wit;
AND/OR
12.0 The Federal High Court on December 15, 2022, in refusing reliefs 1 and 2 of our Clients’ ex-parte application filed on December 12, 2022, ordered the parties in the suit not to take any step that will render nugatory our Clients’ pending application for interlocutory injunction filed on December 12, 2022.
13.0 The Court also emphatically ordered that any act or step or action taken in order to render nugatory. the outcome of our Clients’ motion for interlocutory injunction filed on December 12, 2022, and scheduled for hearing on January 11, 2023, shall be a nullity. A copy of the said Order has been duly served on all the parties including your office.
14.0 Despite the fact that all the Defendants, your office inclusive, were served with the originating process, our Clients’ application for interlocutory injunction and the order of the Court restraining all parties from acting otherwise, the leadership of the Senate of the National Assembly proceeded to screen and confirm Mrs. Lauretta Onochie and Chief Samuel Ogbuku as the substantive Chairman and Managing Director respectively, of the Niger Delta Development Commission, on December 20, 2022.
15.0 Further displeased by the brazen act of the National Assembly in proceeding defiantly to screen and confirm Mrs. Lauretta Onochie and Chief Samuel Ogbuku as the substantive Chairman and Managing Director respectively of the Niger Delta Development Commission in gross and total disregard to the order of Court restraining all parties from taking any step capable of rendering nugatory our clients’ motion on notice for interlocutory injunction,, our Clients on December 22, 2022, filed an application at the Federal High Court seeking inter alia the following relief;
AN ORDER setting aside the purported screening and confirmation of the 5th and 6th Defendants on December 20, 2022, by the 3rd and 4th Defendants during the pendency of the order of this Honourable Court delivered on December 15, 2022, restraining the parties from taking any step that may render nugatory the outcome of the Applicants’ pending application for interlocutory injunction.
All the Defendants have been served with the said application.
16.0 Whilst our Clients’ suit and in fact their most recent application to set aside the screening and confirmation of Mrs. Lauretta Onochie and Chief Samuel Ogbuku as Chairman and Managing Director respectively of the NDDC by the Senate of the National assembly has not been determined, our Clients are aware and already in the public domain, that the Honourable Minister of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs is making plans and has circulated letters to that effect, to inaugurate Mrs. Lauretta Onochie and Chief Samuel Ogbuku on January 4, 2023, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja, as ·the substantive Chairman and Managing Director respectively of the NDDC. The Minister has hinged his brazen disregard of the order of the court and the due process of law, on the purported approval of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who is the 1st Defendant in the suit under reference.
17.0 As the Chief Law Officer of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and a party in the suit, you are doubtless aware of the position of the law which is to the effect that once there is a pending litigation, all parties to the suit are expected to stay every action that will adversely affect the outcome of the adjudicatory process so as not to render the said process a nullity and foist upon the court a fait accompli. We most humbly refer you to the case of EZEGBU v. F.A.T.B. LTD. (1992) 1 NWLR PART 220 PAGE 699 PARTICULARLY AT PAGE 724, where NIKI TOBI J.C.A. (as he then was) stated thus:
“Where a matter is before a court of law, none of the parties can legally or lawfully take any unilateral decision that will prejudice or tend to prejudice the hearing or adjudication of the matter by the court. Parties who have submitted to the jurisdiction of the court are under a legal duty not to do anything to frustrate or make nonsense a possible court order. They must, whether they like it or not, wait for the court order. They must whether they like it or not wait for the court to take a decision one way or the order. The procedure at arriving at a decision may be slow. It may even be sluggish. But the parties cannot jump the gun and do their own thing their own way. That will be tantamount to undermining the integrity of the court. What I am saying in effect is that a party who has submitted to the jurisdiction of the court is not entitled to resort to self-help. That will be chaos and disability of the social equilibrium if the opposing party reacts.
None of the parties to a litigation process before a court of law is allowed to take the law into his own hands and foist upon the court a fait accompli thereby rendering it impossible for the court to arrive at a decision one way or the other on the merit of the issue before it render any decision it may take nugatory or futile”.
18.0 Furtherance to the reliefs being claimed by our Clients in the suit, there is a pending application filed by our clients seeking an injunction against the Defendants for an order of Court restraining the Defendants from taking steps capable of rendering nugatory the pending application for interlocutory injunction and an application seeking to set aside the confirmation made by the Senate of the National Assembly, which step more to undermining the Judiciary’s role and the Rule of Law, has pre determined the issues presented by our Clients for judicial determination in the substantive suit.
19.0 Having notified your humble self and the other Defendants of the pendency of an application for injunction, we wish to draw your attention to the following judicial authorities on the duty of a party or parties where there is a pending application for injunction. In the case of ELF MARKETING (NIG.) v. J.L. OYENEYIN 8: SONS (1995) 7 NWLR PART 407, PAGE 371 AT 380 PARAGRAPHS A-8, the Court held thus:
“Once the court is seized of a matter, no party has a right to take the matter into his own hands. Thus, after a defendant has been notified of the pendency of a suit seeking an injunction against him, even though a temporary injunction be not granted, that party acts at his peril and is subject to the power of the court to restore the status wholly irrespective of the merit as may be ultimately decided…”
20.0 Furthermore, in the case of OKEKE-OBA v. OKOYE (1994) 8 NWLR. PART 364, PAGE 605 AT 617-618 PARAGRAPHS H-A, the Court stated as follows:
“The general practice is that an application for an order of interlocutory injunction, all activities affecting the res, here the land in dispute, are automatically terminated as a mark of respect to the court before whom the application is pending. Such practice is encouraged by counsel in good chambers consistent with the ethics of the profession”.
21.0 THE LEGAL IMPLICATIONS OF SUIT NO. FHC/ABJ/CS/2294/2022: CHIEF EDWARD EKPOKO 8: 2 ORS. v. THE PRESIDENT, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA 8: 5 ORS.
22.0 We wish to state without any iota of doubt that in the light of the development set out herein, no step whatsoever should be taken by the Federal Government to inaugurate Mrs. Lauretta Onochie and Chief Samuel Ogbuku as same will not only jeopardize the outcome of the litigation process but concomitantly operate to completely erase the confidence reposed in the Judiciary by the common man and a clog in the wheel of the administration of justice.
23.0 We have cause to believe, as documentary evidence clearly suggests, that the Federal Government through the Minister of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, is making frantic and brazen efforts to inaugurate Mrs. Lauretta Onochie and Chief Samuel Ogbuku as the substantive Chairman and Managing Director respectively of the Niger Delta Development Commission despite the pendency of the suit as well as several applications, and order made by the Court, with the sole aim of stealing a match, stultifying the ·court process and bringing the Rule of Law to ridicule.
24.0 CONCLUSION:
Our Clients have done all that is required of them by submitting for judicial consideration and determination their grievances against the Executive and Legislative Arms of Government, it behooves these Arms of Government to resist the urge to defy the Judiciary and indeed the judicial process by refraining from conducts which will render nugatory issues presented by our Clients to the Court.
25.0 The attendant implications on the faith and belief of the common man are dire and would almost be dampened if the Executive and the Legislative Arms of Government continue to bond towards shattering the fabric and fibre of the judicial process upon which true democracy is enshrined; which the Judiciary seeks to mend and this certainly does not bode well for the Rule of Law if a precedent of Executive and Legislative disregard to court orders, is so easily displayed with impunity, just before the forthcoming general elections.
26.0 Having fought to ensure that there is peace and stability in the Country, it would be manifestly antithetical to the goals of this Administration of which you are a key player, if solely for a refusal to await and comply with the judicial process, all the Executive has worked for in the past seven (7) years, translates to naught.
27.0 We are of the firm belief, taking into cognizance the judicial authorities referred to above, that as the Chief Law Officer of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and a strong proponent of the Rule of Law, you will not in any way advise the President and indeed the Minister of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, to proceed with the inauguration of Mrs. Lauretta Onochie and Chief Samuel Ogbuku on January 4, 2023, as the Chairman and Managing Director respectively of the NDDC and or concretize their positions, pending the outcome of the adjudicatory process already initiated by our Clients.
28.0 Trusting you will advise the relevant parties on the need to allow the judicial process take its course and refrain from taking steps which will ridicule the Rule of Law and further weaken our nascent democratic structure.
We remain,
Very truly yours,
PP: AMA ETUWEWE (SAN) & CO.
AMA ETUWEWE, SAN.
CC: THE HONOURABLE MINISTER
MINISTRY OF NIGER DELTA AFFAIRS
ABUJA.
Zipowei, Crown Troupe of Africa and Blackedge Productions will perform in Lagos.
Gifted Steppers, JP Artistic Troupe and selected up-coming solo artistes will also perform at this year’s National Theatre Festival of Unity
Zipowei, a graduate of the University of Ibadan and currently participating in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), made her debut in the music scene with the official release of her first single, “Free Falling,” in October 2022″ a statement issued Friday morning by the Director of Communications, MediaGate Nigeria, Mr. Victor Oki said.
The 2022 National Theatre Festival of Unity with the theme Celebrations is designed to consolidate upon the gains of the first two editions.
The theme was carefully chosen to give Nigerians an opportunity to take stock of God’s abundant blessings in their lives.
The edition which runs from 16-18th December 2022 falls within the last four months of the tenure of the President Muhammadu Buhari led democratic government.
‘’It is therefore only fitting to leverage this festival to take stock of the achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari despite daunting challenges foist on Nigeria by escalating global economic recession and daunting security challenges’’.
The festival shall commence on Friday 16th December 2022 with a new addition to the activities- a virtual roundtable on play creation anchored by the Nigerian Centre of International Theatre Institute (ITI-UNESCO).
The innovative roundtable shall feature two leading Nigerian playwrights and former Chief Executive Officers of the National Theatre of Nigeria, Professors Femi Osofisan (2004-2007) and Ahmed Parker Yerima (2007-2014) as mentors and lead speakers.
The panellists shall include the three National Theatre Play Reading Series-award winning playwrights.
The National Theatre Festival of Unity was introduced in 2020 as an annual event by Professor Sunday Enessi Ododo, (fsonta, fta, fnipr,fsna, fana, FNAL), the General Manager/CEO of the National Theatre.
The maiden edition which featured music, dance, and stand-up comedy held at the National Theatre complex, Iganmu-Lagos from 10-13th December 2020.
The festival was conceived to celebrate life, build bridges of unity, promote peace and harmony as well as rekindle hope in humanity following the disruption by the Coronavirus pandemic which rocked the globe.
Accordingly, the maiden edition had the theme: Healing Nigeria. In Nigeria, besides the pandemic, there was also the unprecedented youth protest that engulfed the nation shortly thereafter.
The maiden edition offered Nigerians and residents alike fresh opportunity to engage and enjoy live performances which were temporarily suspended because of the pandemic.
Continuing in its tradition of preaching hope and perseverance amongst Nigerians, the National Theatre hosted the second edition of the festival from December 10th- 12th, 2021 under the theme Enduring Optimism.
The 3-day event which also held at the National Theatre, Iganmu- Lagos featured more events than the maiden edition. The new events include carnival procession, film show, visual arts exhibition and awards ceremony. These were in addition to the usual live-theatre performances, music, stand-up comedy and dance.
The festival aimed to encourage advancement of the performing arts throughout the country, create opportunities for up- coming Performing Artistes and aid the promotion of social development and improvement of quality of life.
Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Zi always knew she wanted to be involved in the music scene. From primary school choirs to secondary school mini sessions in her classrooms during free periods, she always seized the opportunity to belt out a few tunes.
On some occasions, this involved approaching random classmates in hallways and singing to them.
Writing songs since age 13 has helped Zi develop her formula as she delivers lyrics laced with vulnerability and soul in expressions of love, hope, healing, and fun
PRESS RELEASE
SANWO-OLU INAUGURATES STATE TECHNICAL, MONITORING COMMITTEES ON ENGINEERING REGULATIONS MONITORING
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Thursday inaugurated the State Technical Committee (STC) and State Expatriate Monitoring Committee (SEMC) on Engineering Regulations Monitoring (ERM).
Governor Sanwo-Olu while inaugurating the committees at Lagos House, Ikeja, urged them to ensure that all infrastructure in the State meet the global standards of engineering practice.
The Governor warned that nothing short of the best standards will be tolerated and therefore urged the Committees to come up with stringent regulations that will guide the ethics and practices of the profession, as well as adherence to project specifications.
He said: “We have, with all sense of responsibility, given priority to the development of infrastructure. My tour of the State will demonstrate the attention of our administration to massive construction of roads, bridges, housing, water infrastructure, among others.
“The inauguration of the Lagos State Technical Committee of the Engineering Regulations Monitoring of COREN is the birth of a new dawn in what I consider COREN’s effort to revolutionalise the practice of engineering in Nigeria in general and Lagos State in particular.
“With this inauguration, the era of mediocrity should be gone. Engineering must take its pride of place and be the driver in our development effort in the State.
“Let me reiterate that in carrying out engineering projects in Lagos State, there will be no tolerance for quackery. In the same token, no Engineer will be allowed to supervise any project except he/she is duly registered by COREN and possesses current practising license. Possession of current Practising License shall be a condition for prequalification by Licence by all companies assigned to carry out engineering projects in the State.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu who congratulated members of the Lagos State Technical Committee and Lagos State Expatriate Monitoring Committee, for being found deserving of the selection, urged them to justify the confidence reposed in them and perform the assignment with maximum commitment and credibility.
He said “In selecting, the members of the Lagos State Technical Committee and Lagos State Expatriate Monitoring Committee, extreme care and diligence were applied. It is also ensured that these nominees are from very reputable organisations.”
Speaking earlier, the President of Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) Engr. Ali Rabiu FNSE, commended Governor Sanwo-Olu for being strategic and deliberately enhancing available human and material resources to serve the people of Lagos State.
He said Governor Sanwo-Olu led administration is being applauded for many projects in the State, which are transformational projects meant to improve the qualities of life in Lagos State
“You are transforming the state into an industrial and economic wonderland of the continent. This is particularly true in Mr. Governor’s efforts in the construction of over 308 roads and the delivery of the red and blue rail project, which he promised to be operational by the first quarter of 2023,” he said.
The Committees are to be guided by the responsibilities of locating document organisations and practitioners and report to the Registrar; verify and monitor the professional competence of works approving Officers; act as COREN watchdogs on maintenance, upholding Engineering codes of practice in public works, prohibit default, and ensure that all such works are in accordance with Engineering design and specification by Registered Engineers; among others.
SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
15 DECEMBER 2022
A group, Delta Women Vanguard, on Sunday described the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Senatorial Candidate in Kogi Central, Chief Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, as the defender of the people.
‘’What the time demands is a woman with strength, who by practical, creative and visionary leadership can embark on a new beginning; a woman with a sense of mission in a rescue operation; a woman of vision and focus; a woman with courage to face difficulties. Chief Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is dedicated to the uplifting of the Ebira man, woman and youth’’
The group also declared its readiness to host the PDP, Kogi Central flag bearer in Warri on Saturday, November 19, 2022.
A statement issued in Warri urged Kogi Central voters to reject narrow minded, untrustworthy, manipulative, selfish and unpatriotic candidates.
‘’Chief Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is polished, beloved by the wonderful people of Kogi State and her name is etched in their minds. We are determined to convince Kogi Central people. We shall urge the voters to reject Kogi APC in 2023’’
DWV National Publicity Secretary, Mrs. Esther Umukoro in the statement in Warri, applauded Akpoti-Uduaghan for raising a lot of women and youths to a higher level of existence and sacrificing to enable them to enjoy good life.
‘’We will make Kogi Central voters be aware of the issues involved in the 2023 senatorial election and the advantage they stand to gain by voting for PDP. We will explain her ideals and priorities and how best to solve the problems of Kogi Central. We will then tell why they have to vote for Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’’
The statement underscored the desire of the good people of Kogi Central to break away from the stranglehold of Governor Yahaya Bello and his cronies.
‘’They will know who has a better grasp of the issues at hand and who is better equipped to solve them. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is not a typical Nigerian politician who speaks from both sides of the mouth’’
The statement also emphasized Akpoti Uduaghan’s benevolence, wisdom, charm, competence, roles played at critical points in the development of Kogi Central and identification with public worthy causes.
‘’Kogi Central is behind in development requirements. Kogi APC will no longer be allowed to pollute the stream from which the people drink’’
The group accused those parading as Concerned Delta Women of advertising ignorance and prejudicing the minds of people by deliberate lies and perversion of the truth.
‘’It is foolish talk and sheer nonsense. These renegades do not have the rectitude to speak on marriage, development and the future of Kogi Central’’.
‘’No crumbs, however tempting, should distract Kogi Central voters from ensuring the electoral victory of Akpoti-Uduaghan in 2023’’ the statement added.
Royal families in Okere-Urhobo have condemned the role of Chief Louis Okumagba in the 30 plots released by the Delta State government to the Olodi, Oki and Ighogbadu families of Warri in the Okere – Urhobo kingdom of Delta State.
They described it as a negative development and a minus for peace and development in Delta State.
In a letter titled: ‘’Attempt / efforts to cause communal war, fanning the embers of communal dispute, conduct likely to cause breach of peace and criminal defamation of characters of our clients; Olodi, Oki and Ighogbadu families of Warri in the Okere – Urhobo kingdom of Delta State, all committed by Mr. Louis Okumagba – a call to investigate the allegation herein, the families urged the Inspector General of Police to use his good office to investigate allegations against Louis Okumagba, so as to prevent a monumental communal war/crisis between Itsekiri and the Urhobo of Okere Urhobo Kingdom.
’’God forbid a repetition of what happened in 1997/98 in Okere-Urhobo Kingdom’’
Counsel to the Olodi, Oki and Ighogbadu families of Warri in the Okere – Urhobo Kingdom, L O. Egboyi & CO said in the 1974/76, the then government of Mid-Western Nigeria acquired a part or portion of our client’s land for public purpose.
‘’In 2017, the Delta State government gave part of this acquired land to Messrs. Seriviri Nig. Ltd. for the purpose of partnership (Leisure Park) with the state government, covered by a certificate of Occupancy. Considering the size of the land given to Seriviri Nig. Ltd, for the partnership, it could not utilize the entire land. So, it entered into agreement with our client family, wherein, it released 30 plots thereof back to the family – our clients’’
The Olodi, Oki and Ighogbadu families of Warri are made up of the popular Okumagba family of Warri, Okere- Urhobo kingdom.
‘’Our clients are the owners of all the land in the entire Okere-Urhobo kingdom Warri. Certain Mr. Louis Okumagba who is the black sheep of the family started to foment trouble, disturbing and threatening Seriviri Nig. Ltd, with thugs and dangerous weapons which led to his arrest in 2019 to the Police Force Headquarters’, Abuja. After being granted bail by the police, the suspect (Mr. Louis Okumagba) rushed to file a fundamental Human Rights action against the Police, at the Delta State High Court, sitting in Warri. The action stalled the prosecution of the suspect (Mr. Louis) by the Police’’.
The families said the suit of the suspect against the Police was dismissed by the Delta State High Court, sitting in Warri, with a specific order of the Court directing the police to arrest and prosecute the suspect (Mr Louis Okumagba).
‘’While the Police were looking for the suspect for arrest and prosecution as directed by the Court, the same suspect went to social media (Opera news) to declare that “there will be looming danger of war/crisis between the Itsekiri and Urhobos”, thereby inciting, promoting and instigating communal war between the two peaceful co-existing communities of Itsekiri and Urhobo’’.
This incitement, according to the families, created several apprehensions in the minds of locals, which has affected the hitherto peace that reigned and pervaded the two communities.
‘’Furthermore, the suspect posted on the same social media that some named members of our clients namely, Chief Gideon Okumagba, Stanley Oki, Chief Victor Okumagba, Engr. Prince Ojuvwu Okumagba and others, sent assassins to his house to kill him, but he escaped by the whiskers. He confirmed that he had a one-on-one confrontation with the assassins, who confirmed the named members of our clients above, as the people who commissioned them to eliminate him’’.
The legal practitioners described Olodi, Oki and Ighogbadu as bunch of responsible families
‘’Olodi, Oki and Ighogbadu families are known throughout Nigeria for their peaceful disposition. The named individuals are distinguished and respected members of the Okumagba family and the Nigeria Society. Our clients therefore take the allegation of hiring assassins by its members very seriously, especially in this era of Security challenges in the country’’.
The families also deplored the actions of Louis Okumagba and urged the Inspector General of Police to use his good offices to investigate the allegations and anyone found culpable to be brought to book.
‘’So, if investigation reveal the named individuals as assassins or connected to the attempt assassination of the suspect, as he alleged, they should be so indicted and prosecuted. But otherwise, the law on criminal defamation as enshrined in the Criminal Code and status in Nigeria are still very potent and alive. We assure you of our client’s co-operation with your men in the investigation of this petition’’.
……………………………………………………
Legal Practitioner, Corporate & Property Consultants
No 9, Effurun / Sapele Road
Opposite High Court Junction,
Effurun .
TEL: 08035759764
Email: luckyegbuyi@ gmail.com
Our Ref: LOE/IGP/COM/BREA/OKUMAGBA/1/22 Your Ref……………
THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE,
NIGERIAN POLICE FORCE
EDET LEWIS HOUSE
ABUJA.
Sir.
RE: ATTEMPT / EFFORTS TO CAUSE COMMUNAL WAR , FANNING THE EMBERS OF COMMUNAL DISPUTE, CONDUCT LIKELY TO CAUSE BREACH OF PEACE AND CRIMINAL DEFAMATION OF CHARACTERS OF OUR CLIENT ; OLODI, OKI AND IGHOGBADU FAMILIES OF WARRI IN THE OKERE – URHOBO KINGDOM OF DELTA STATE, ALL COMMITTED BY MR. LOUIS OKUMAGBA – A CALL TO INVESTIGATE THE ALLEGATION HEREIN
We are counsel to the Olodi, Oki and Ighogbadu families of Warri in the Okere – Urhobo Kingdom, herein called our Clients.
The Olodi , Oki and Ighogbadu families of Warri, make up the popular Okumagba family of Warri , Okere- Urhobo kingdom.
Our clients are the owners of all the land in the entire Okere-Urhobo kingdom Warri.
In 1974/76, the then government of Mid-Western Nigeria acquired a part or portion of our Client’s land for public purpose.
In 2017, the Delta State government gave part of this acquired land to Messrs. Seriviri Nig. Ltd. for the purpose of partnership (Leisure Park) with the state government, covered by a certificate of Occupancy. Considering the size of the land given to Seriviri Nig. Ltd, for the partnership, it could not utilize the entire land. So it entered into agreement with our Clients family, wherein, it released 30 plots thereof back to the family – our clients
Certain Mr. Louis Okumagba who is the black sheep of the family started to foment trouble, disturbing and threatening Seriviri Nig. Ltd, with thuggery and dangerous weapons which led to his arrest in 2019 to the Police Force Head Quarters, Abuja. After being granted bail by the police, the suspect (Mr. Louis Okumagba) rushed to file a fundamental Human Right action against the Police, at the Delta State High Court, sitting in Warri. That action stalled the prosecution of the suspect (Mr. Louis) by the Police.
We wish to inform you that suit, of the suspect against the Police, has been dismissed by the Delta State High Court, Sitting in Warri, with a specific order of the Court directing the police to arrest and prosecute the suspect (Mr Louis Okumagba). A copy of the enrolled order is herein annexed as annexure as Annexure A.
While the Police were looking for the suspect for arrest and prosecution as directed by the Court, the same suspect went to social media (Opera news) to declare that “there will be looming danger of war/crisis between the Itsekiri and Urhobos”, thereby inciting, promoting and instigating communal war between the two peaceful co-existing communities of Itsekiri and Urhobo.
This incitement has created several apprehension in the minds of locals, which apprehension has affected the hitherto peace that reigned and pervaded the two communities.
Furthermore, the suspect posted on the same social media that some named members of our Clients namely; Chief Gideon Okumagba, Stanley Oki, Chief Victor Okumagba, Engr. Prince Ojuvwu Okumagba and others, sent assassins to his house to kill him, but that he escaped by the whiskers. He confirmed that he had one on one confrontation with the assassins, who confirmed the named members of our Clients above, as the people who commissioned them to eliminate him.
Our Clients are bunch of responsible families known throughout Nigeria for their peaceful disposition. The named individuals are distinguished and respected members of the Okumagba family and the Nigeria Society.
Our Client therefore takes the allegation of hiring of assassins by its members very serious, especially in this era of Security challenges in the country.
It is against the background of the foregoing that we have the instruction of our Clients to petition you to use your good office to investigate these allegations against the suspect, so as to prevent a monumental communal war/crisis between Itsekiris and the Urhobos of Okere Urhobo Kingdom. God forbid a repetition of what happened in 1997/98 in Okere-Urhobo Kingdom.
So, if investigation reveal the named individuals as assassins or connected to the attempt assassination of the suspect, as he alleged, they should be so indicted and prosecuted. But otherwise, the law on criminal defamation as enshrined in the Criminal Code and status in Nigeria are still very potent and alive.
We therefore urge you to use your good offices to investigate these allegations of our Client and cause anyone found culpable to be brought to book.
We assure you of our clients co-operation with your men in the investigation of this petition.
Yours faithfully
L.O. EGBOYI ESQ
CC;
The Head:
Olodi, Oki and Ighogbudu families,
Of Okere-Urhobo Kingdom, Warri
Women in the Niger Delta on Friday denounced promoters of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) interim management committee, describing them as the greatest friends of illegality and the most pronounced foes of the region.
‘’The interim management committee will breed hostility among the oil states in the country. The inauguration of substantive board is the best possible course under existing circumstances’’
They also urged President Muhammadu Buhari to dramatize the end of one man or a three man rule in the commission.
At a gathering in Port Harcourt, the women appealed to leaders of key nations and world statesmen to implore Buhari to constitute the commission’s board.
‘’It would be a tragedy if Mr President let himself be diverted from consideration of the NDDC Board by the proposal of another interim management committee. Such a tendency shows a singular lack of understanding of the region’s problems and a failure to remember the larger purposes for which the NDDC was established. The composition of a substantive board is primary and fundamental’’
They also appealed to presidential candidates, traditional rulers and religious leaders to impress on President Muhammadu Buhari to constitute a board for the Commission.
The women described interim management committee agitators as predators, destroyers and zombies.
A statement read to newsmen by the President of Niger Delta Women in Politics (NDWIP), Chief Josephine Ekong said without the board, it would be practically impossible to assume a leading role in attempting to bring about a lasting peace and development in the oil rich region’’
‘’At inception, NDDC gave the Niger Delta people new confidence and a tremendous sense of regional solidarity. It taught the people the meaning of development’’.
The women said they would have nothing to do with the interim management committee or another sole administrator.
‘’The delay in constituting the board and the zero implementation of the recommendations of the NDDC Forensic Audit Report are enough to move the people of the region to anger.
They expressed complete satisfaction over the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr Umana Okon Umana’s good faith.
The women also praised the NDDC Sole Administrator, Mr Effiong Akwa for displaying leadership.
‘’The obligation of the government is to supply the focal point where problems could be integrated and resolved. The way out lies not in attempting to sack Akwa and putting in place interim management committee but in completely inaugurating the commission’s board’’
Notable leaders in the Niger Delta on Sunday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to accept the need for a new board for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
‘’The board is needed to assure the nine states interests in the region’s development process’’
The leaders in a statement in Port Harcourt urged the president not to dally with the Niger Delta problem.
‘’Fundamental to the forensic audit report is the question of implementation. The evidence so far is that the Federal Government is not rising to the occasion admirably’’
The statement signed by the Chairman of Niger Delta Front (NDF), Chief John Harry, suggested that if Buhari cared so much about developing the region and making the government wide-ranging, he should quickly constitute a new board for the commission.
‘’The Niger Delta people have suffered in silence from the hardship deriving from the advice of interim committee promoters’’
The leaders commended the Federal Government for the forensic audit, the advantage being that the people of the region has been galvanised into lending full support to President Buhari in his campaign to curtail corruption in the region’s development agency.
‘’Three issues likely to have negative effects on government plans for the region are the personnel audit, delay in constituting a new board and moves to put in place another interim committee to run the commission’’
They described the ploy to constitute another interim committee as impractical and unnecessary.
‘’It is a matter of sorrow and regret to see a man or woman betray his region and people. The proposed interim committee will not only make NDDC a weak but scrappy agency’’
Specifically, the leaders referred disdainfully to individuals and groups urging Buhari not to constitute the commission’s board.
‘’In order to avoid a repetition of our recent past experience whereby government engaged in all sorts of interim strategies, the commission’s board should be constituted’’
The leaders expressively proclaimed sympathy for the workers, describing the proposed personnel audit as a moment of total aberration.
‘’For purposes of implementing the personnel audit, the agenda will present enormous problems’’
The statement called for rapid departure from past concepts.
The leaders commended the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Umana Okon Umana for his largeness of vision.
They also applauded NDDC Sole Administrator, Mr Effiong Akwa for playing his part creditably.
The statement underscored the people’s unexpected qualities of endurance, the fear of dismissal and Umana’s energy, knowledge and dedication to public service.
‘’We must act, and act quickly. We have to plan our way out from this mud hole and that must be done by the Commission’s board’’ the men and women of intellectual and financial abilities said.
JANUARY 1, 2022
*Dear Fellow Members of the Okpe Union,*
Few hours ago, we bided farewell to 2021, a year that brought us several challenges in our stewardship of the Okpe Union. We had the challenge of organising national elections in circumstances of an international plague in the form of COVID 19 as well as the unfortunate disagreement between the Okpe Union and HRM, Orhue I, the Orodje of Okpe surrounding an attempt to take over the administration of the Union which all branches rejected in the General Assembly of the Union. I strongly commend your resolve as individuals and collective for remaining steadfast and committed to the ideals of the Okpe Union bequeathed to us by our forefathers.
Unfortunately, we lost some prominent members of the Okpe Union, like Mr. Chadrick Idjeneba of Lagos Regional headquarters, Mr. Johnson Usieta of Jos Branch, and close family members, including Mrs. Delphina Akpederin, the mother of our indomitable General Secretary who schooled him and a number of other Okpe nationals in the virtues of Okpe Identity. Many of you represented Okpe Union in giving all of them a glorious and befitting funeral, respectively. We thank you all and pray for their souls to rest in perfect peace. On their behalf and on behalf of all departed family members and leaders of the Okpe Union, we dedicate our activities to the rebuilding of Okpe Union.
The success of the national elections of the Union was a welcome relief. It was peaceful and the outcome was without any protest despite the fact that some offices were keenly contested. We charge the leaders of the different regions and branches of the Union to focus on rebuilding the branches now to ensure that more Okpe nationals in various towns and cities of the country and the globe are attracted to join the body.
As we take our first steps into 2022, I invite all members to sharpen our awareness and consciousness in developing a strong and united Okpe Union. We must be aware that, no matter how genuine our objectives are, there will also be some elements hostile to Okpe Union. Our weapon is to continue with our task of promoting, defending and protecting the interests of the Okpe Nation on the constructs of Okpe Identity. We shall continue to rely on superior argument and logic in doing so, as we deepen democratic principles of leadership in all structures of Okpe Union.
We shall embark on a series of sensitization campaigns focusing on Okpe Identity in all branches of the Okpe Union. We shall institute a series of entrepreneurship workshops to assist our youths and women in acquiring needed skills to sustain themselves. We shall also launch a mentorship programme to assist our youths and women. All these initiatives shall employ the now well established women and youths wings of the Union as well as the National Association of Okpe Students (NAOS) .
We recognize the youths’ and students’ categories as the future leaders of the Okpe Union. In this regard, we shall continue the support we began last year 2021 to the campus chapters of NAOS to enable them organise their various Okpe Cultural Day events in the campuses that they are active.
We recognize that the path to achieving these programmes will not be smooth. It will be filled with potholes, curves, hidden valleys and road blocks. With FAITH in our belief and God’s continued guidance and blessings we shall succeed in our mission and mandate to transform Okpe Union into a formidable institution to build a prosperous Okpe Nation.
We shall achieve this noble historical mission by collaborating with all institutions in Okpe Nation, including the Udogun Okpe, political leaders and civil societies in Okpeland.
We shall also build on our close relationships with other ethnic organizations in Delta State and across Nigeria in a united endeavour to construct a strong Federal Republic of Nigeria on the basis of equity, equality and justice; a strong Federal Republic of Nigeria where the democratic rights of all ethnic nationalities, irrespective of their sizes, are recognized and upheld. Our success in this undertaking depends on our collective efforts at solidifying the various organs of the Okpe Union, from the branches to the National Executive Council, the National Congress, the Board of Trustees and finally, the General Assembly which is the highest organ of the Okpe Union.
My Dear Brothers and Sisters, I welcome you all to the year 2022. May God grant us the wisdom and guidance to serve our Okpe Nation selflessly.
God Bless the Okpe Union!
God Bless the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom!
God Bless the Okpe Nation!
*Prof. Igho Natufe*,
*President General*
RE PROF. IDOLOR’S ILLEGAL INTERIM NEW YEAR MESSAGE; HOW COULD HE SPIT ON HIS FATHER’S GRAVE?
It is difficult to understand how Professor Emurobome Idolor could describe the Okpe Union as having been moribund for over eighty years. The status of the Okpe Union with the CAC began to have issues with the CAC after the death of Chief P.A. EWETUYA the former President General and last trustee of the Union. He transited on the 1st of March, 2014.
How could the Okpe Union which mobilised the Okpe people to resuscitate the Orodje stool in 1945 with the coronation of Esezi II; brought stability to the Okpe Nation with the coronation of Orhoro I in 1972 and also played a notable role in preventing crises in the Okpe Kingdom by the coronation of Orhue I be said to have been “moribund for over 80 years by Prof. Emurobome Idolor? People need to be made to understand that the relocation of the CAC Headquarters from Lagos to Abuja and subsequent conversion of operations to online that made some old organisations to have several issues with their documents with the CAC. This is in addition to the nonchalance of the subsequent leadership of the Union in ensuring update with the CAC. Several other ethnic unions have same issues with the CAC. The Okpe Union current elected leadership is currently on top of regularising the status of the Union with the CAC. Suffice to state that the law and CAC regulations provide for the entire procedure for replacement of trustees and the issue ought not generate any furor but the sworn poise of some persons to distabilise the Okpe Union.
It is worth informing Okpe people that Prof. Emurobome Idolor joined the Okpe Union in 2009 for the first time when the National Headquarters of the Okpe Union in Lagos inaugurated the Sapele LGA Branch of the Union and he became the first chairman of that Sapele LGA Branch that year. The question to Prof. Idolor is if the Okpe Union he joined in 2009 (twelve years ago) and became a new branch chairman is the same Okpe Union that he describes in his new year message as purported illegal Interim PG as moribund for over eighty years?
This action by Prof. Idolor can be likened to a boy who was convinced by enemies of his family to spit on and desecrate his father’s grave and do several other sacrilegious commands against his family in exchange for some promise of bread or other immediate need. May God help the Okpe Nation.
Signed:
Akpederin K.E. Esq., General Secretary.
3rd January, 2022.
THE BATTLE OF IDEAS IN OKPE NATION: PART 1 By Prof. O. Igho Natufe, President General, OKPE UNION
January 19, 2022
*_INTRODUCTION_*
Let us forget, for a moment, that Nigeria is a Republic where it is incongruous to have monarchies in any part of the country. Let us pretend, for a moment, that Nigeria is *_“a parliamentary monarchy”_*, like the United Kingdom is. In this pretentious situation a Monarch, like the Orodje of Okpe, is to *_reign_* but not to *_rule_*, just like the Queen (or King) is in the United Kingdom. The various levels of parliaments rule/govern by enacting laws for the administration of the federal, state and local governments, respectively.
As is well known, it is contradictory for a *_monarchy_* to coexist with a *_republican system_* in the bowel of the same polity. This contradiction is exacerbated when a monarch attempts to *_rule_* a polity in which he possesses no defined constitutional authority to *_rule._* When Nigeria became a Republic on October 1, 1963 it retained a House of Chiefs in each of the then four federating regions, in an attempt to replicate the British House of Lords, as the upper house in each of the regions. This gave the chiefs who were traditional rulers in their respective domains, a constitutional role as parliamentarians. Thus, they saw themselves as both parliamentarians in the House of Chiefs and as monarchs in their respective kingdoms. This admixture was a conceptual blunder infused into the political system by the Nigerian political leaders in 1963. This blunder has been aggravated by the continuous failures of succeeding political leaders to resolve the contradiction resolutely by deciding on this crucial issue: Remain a *_Federal Republic of Nigeria_* and abolish traditional rulership *_OR_* declare the country a *_United Kingdoms of Nigeria._* In the former, traditional rulers will be extinguished as their existence contravenes the diktat of a Republic, while the latter recognizes their constitutional role as heads of states of their respective kingdoms.
Even as a head of state of a given kingdom, if we were in a *_United Kingdoms of Nigeria,_* the role of a Monarch, like the Orodje of Okpe, will be defined by whether the system is a *_constitutional monarchy_* (like the United Kingdom) or an *_absolute monarchy_* (like Saudi Arabia). If Okpe Nation were a *_constitutional monarchy_* the Orodje will *_reign_* but cannot *_rule._* Conversely, if Okpe Nation were an *_absolute monarchy_* the Orodje will possess and exercise an unquestioned political and legislative power and authority to *_reign_* and *_rule_* as he pleases in accordance to the mediaeval concept of the “divine right of kings”, whose pronouncements are considered law, final and binding on all citizens.
Constitutionally speaking, Nigeria is not a monarchy. Therefore, it is severely injurious to the political system to speak of monarchies in the polity. This injury is exemplified by the way several political leaders have used and abused traditional rulers across the country since 1960. The intent of this piece is to provoke a scholarly debate based on reason and logic on how to get out of this quagmire.
*_GOVERNANCE AND THE ORODJESHIP_*
A monarch is the symbol of a given nation under a monarchical regime. This is equally true of the Okpe monarchy as it is a symbol of the Okpe Nation that unifies the Okpe people. The concept of democratization of a system implies some inadequacies or absence of democratic norms in the given system. Some might ask: why democratize the Okpe monarchy?
In the preceding section we agonized over the contradictory construct of the Nigerian polity where a *_republican_* political system is forced to share the same space with an assemblage of *_monarchies._* Instead of rectifying this blunder that defies reason and logic, we are being urged to democratize the incongruity. Since the collapse of the First Republic, monarchy (or traditional rulership) has been a non-recognized element in the governance of Nigeria by its absence in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). However, at every election circle politicians of all political stripes promise a role for traditional rulers in the constitution, if elected. They have failed repeatedly. This failure leaves traditional rulers in a limbo.
The purported dissolution of the democratically elected National Executive Council (NEC) of the Okpe Union, by HRM Orhue l, Orodje of Okpe on October 3, 2020, has introduced a divide in Okpe Nation. Note that the Orodje’s purported dissolution took place 42 days before the scheduled Annual General Assembly/Meeting of the Okpe Union to elect a new NEC. It was a stratagem to convert Okpe Union to an administrative arm of the Palace under the Orodje’s control. This became evident in August 2021 when the head of the interim regime he imposed decline to participate in a mediation process on the ground that he would only participate if instructed by the Orodje.
The Orodje’s purported dissolution is challenged by the Okpe Union as an illegal action that violates the Constitution of the Okpe Union, while a group of fellow Okpe endorsed the Orodje’s action, arguing that the Orodje must be obeyed and that his word was final. They compared the Orodje of Okpe to the Oba of Benin whose decrees are alleged as final by the Binis. The comparison is based on false historical premises. Let us consider the following: –
Thus, the action of the Orodje on October 3, 2020 is akin to the action of an *_absolute monarch._*
Unfortunately, very unfortunately, the first Orodje of Okpe, Esezi l abandoned the democratic structure and embraced *_absolute monarchy,_* an action which led to his demise and ushered in a period of almost 200 years interregnum of the Okpe monarchy.
HRM, Orhue l’s action of October 3, 2020 is a throw-back to the medieval concept of the “divine right of kings” which challenges the fundamental thrust of democratic practice in Nigeria. It also ridicules the basis of the democratic election process that the Orodje cultivated during his campaign for the Orodjeship in 2004-2006.
This prompted a prominent Okpe Scholar/Journalist to lament:
“I worry for Africa and Nigerians. More for the Okpe who are still buried in the womb of medieval mentality.” (An Okpe Scholar/Journalist, January 15, 2022.)
The Orodje’s purported dissolution of NEC of the Okpe Union in October 2020, and the banning of its leaders from contesting future elections has created a huge schism in Okpe Nation. While the Orodje’s action is challenged by a group of *_pro-democracy_* Okpe nationals, a *_pro-absolute monarchy_* group is propagating the deceased medieval concept of the “divine right of kings.” This division caused by the Orodje’s unprecedented intrusion into the administration of the Okpe Union has facilitated an inimical atmosphere injurious to peace, law and order in Okpe Nation. Several Okpe belonging to the *_pro-democracy group_* are being harassed and intimidated by some members of the *_pro-absolute monarchy group_* whose source of authority is left to conjecture. This is reminiscence of events in the (then) Soviet Union when scores of Soviet citizens, at the minutest of criticism framed in Marxist-Leninist prism, were labeled “dissidents and revisionists”, arrested and incarcerated in the infamous gulag system of imprisonment scattered across the Soviet Union. Interestingly, the Udogun Okpe has categorized the Okpe Union as “mischievous” and “dissidents” for speaking truth to power.
*_IN LIEU OF A CONCLUSION_*
Traditional rulership is part of the poor governance crisis that has bedeviled the development of Nigeria for decades. Writing in 1947, Obafemi Awolowo recognized this conundrum when he stated:
“There is a mutual distrust verging on antagonism between the educated few and the Chiefs in Nigeria. The latter fear that the former are out to oust them from their privileged positions.” (Obafemi Awolowo, Path to Nigerian Freedom, London, 1947, p.32.)
Unfortunately, Nigerian governments have not been able to resolve this problem since independence. All they have done so far is to employ traditional rulers as mere tools in their respective competing policies, similar to the role traditional rulers played under the colonial regime.
A vexing phenomenon is the proliferation of traditional rulers by political leaders across the country since 1960. Recently, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi lll condemned this senseless proliferation of traditional rulers, who are glorified bales or village chiefs, a phenomenon which has corrupted the value of traditional rulers. (*_A CONVERSATION WITH THE ALAAFIN OF OYO, OBA LAMIDI ADEYEMI lll,_* Sunday, October 24, 2021. 5:00 PM Nigeria. ZOOM Platform. 50th Anniversary of the Coronation of Oba Lamidi Adeyemi lll.)
Prof. Tony Afejuku aptly captured this troubling trend when he wrote:
“Our high chiefs who are out of wisdom are the wisest animals in their heights of folly. This makes them the most dangerous animals in our every land and every kingdom. They are more dangerous than the serpent in each and every one of us. How do we rightly dub them?”
He continued:
“Our chiefs and high chiefs, the majority of them, are a pack of foxhounds. They know that our politics, like our local culture, currently is run by those riding to hounds.” (Tony Afejuku, “Of chiefs and high chiefs,” The Guardian, Lagos, Nigeria, January 14, 2022.
How do we make sense out of this incongruous contraption? It is instructive to note that, the only serious attempts made by any Nigerian government to grapple with this issue occurred under the military regimes of General Muhammadu Buhari in 1984 and General Ibrahim Babangida in 1986, respectively. In 1984 General Buhari’s government sponsored a national conference on the theme “THE ROLE OF TRADITIONAL RULERS IN THE GOVERNANCE OF NIGERIA” which was organized by the Institute of African Studies at the University of Ibadan in September 1984, while General Babangida established a Political Bureau to, inter alia, “review Nigeria’s political history and identify the basic problems which have led to our failure in the past and suggest ways of resolving and coping with these problems.” (Federal Republic of Nigeria, Government’s Views and Comments on the Findings and Recommendations of the Political Bureau, Lagos, 1987, p.3. (Hereinafter referred to as the Political Bureau).
The Political Bureau, chaired by S. J. Cookey, comprised of some prominent academics as members. Concerning tradition rulers, the Political Bureau recognized the significant role of traditional rulership in Nigeria’s political system, a view which was accepted by the Ibrahim Babangida military Government (The Political Bureau, p.4.), but recommended contending options vis-à-vis traditional rulership that the Babangida regime and subsequent Nigerian governments have failed to address. The Political Bureau submitted the following options: –
The Political Bureau made the following assertions on traditional rulers:
Therefore, the Political Bureau argued that, it
Even though the Political Bureau recommended that “traditional rulers should have no specific role to play in government beyond the local government level, where they have relevance”, the concluding section of its recommendations is more telling when it declared:
“They possess no special qualities to enable them to be used in enriching the political system or instilling moral rectitude in public life.”
As reasoned by the Political Bureau, traditional rulers are of no use to contemporary *_federal republican political system._*
The failure of Nigerian governments, including the Babangida regime, to implement the recommendations of the Political Bureau has significantly worsened the relationships between traditional rulers and political leaders. The political leaders are aware of the incongruity of having traditional rulers in a *_republican polity,_* but it serves their contending interests to disregard the anomaly. It benefits political leaders to opt for a “maintenance of status quo” where traditional rulers are treated as their vassals to be exiled and punished as they deem fit, while no politician is advocating for an “outright abolition of the institution.” On the other hand, the option of “co-optation in government” will formally convert traditional rulers to agents or warrant chiefs of the government as in the colonial era. Since the 1979 elections several traditional rulers have expressed their preferences for contending candidates, thus positioning themselves as partisan politicians. Is it wise for traditional rulers to inject themselves in partisan politics? What impact would this have on their constituencies if their preferred candidates are defeated? These are some of the troubling questions that must be grappled with by the traditional rulers and the political elites.
The recommendations of the Political Bureau that are of interest to us are: *_“democratisation to conform with process of modern government”_* and *_“the determination of their relevance and future by the people.”_* Regarding the Okpe Nation, how do we “democratise” the Orodjeship to “conform with the process of modern government?” How do we determine the “relevance and future” of the Orodjeship? These are vital questions which Okpe nationals of all political and ideological persuasions are invited to wrestle with.
These are tough questions to grapple with under the framework of a Republic. But since there seems to be no appetite to rename Nigeria as the *_United Kingdoms of Nigeria,_* or to abolish traditional rulership as one of the recommended options of the Political Bureau, then we have to accommodate traditional rulership in the *_Federal Republic of Nigeria_* under the guise of a *_constitutional monarchy._* Under this pretentious framework, the Orodje will *_reign_* but not *_rule_* in Okpe Nation. Like the Queen of the United Kingdom, the Orodje is a ceremonial head of the Okpe Nation, while the two local government councils, currently in Okpe Nation, are to *_rule_* without any interference from the Orodje and/or the Udogun Okpe. This applies to all civil societies and Okpe organizations, including the Okpe Union. As Nigeria is a federation, implying that each federating unit is free to develop at its own pace, including the establishment of traditional rulership, it is reasonable to postulate that each federating unit and components thereof are to determine the utility and stipend of their respective traditional rulers.
[06/08, 11:01] Ebireri Ovie Henry: CUTTING THE NOSE TO SPITE THE OKPE FACE
All real men should accept responsibility for their actions and the consequences of their actions and positions. The Asagba of Asaba could not have be been more correct in his position that he did need to consult further than he had done in the matter of the proposed summit of Delta State Traditional Rulers on the rotation of the Governorship seat of Delta State. His consultation was based on ethnic groups. He had consulted with the head of Urhobo Traditional Rulers who happens to be the Ohworode of Olomu who heads the group that the Orodje has agreed to be a member. Can we approbate and reprobate at the same time?
I once asked the immediate past leadership of the Okpe Youths Council who were confused about the urgency of achieving Okpe identity at that time if the OYC would be invited by the Governor if he wants to meet with the leaders of youths organisations of all ethnic nationalities in Delta State, if Okpe is considered as Urhobo? They could not respond as the answer was not only obvious but ignominious. Indeed this played out when the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo held a consultation visit to Delta State at the PTI Conference center a couple of years back. The Presidents General of all ethnic groups spoke on behalf of their people and only Okpe was excluded as the Urhobo Progress Union President General was there.
The repercussions the naive and self denigrating denial of Okpe distinct ethnic identity by the forces within the Okpe Nation have led to so much real poverty and underdevelopment of the Okpe Nation. The projects in Okpeland from both NDDC and DESOPADEC are a tiny fraction of the projects in similar or smaller territories than Okpe because of the consideration of of Okpe as an appendage of Urhobo. It does not even favour the Urhobos too except the feeding of the subjugation ego of some of them. Till tomorrow, Okpe Students do not get their bursary allocation from DESOPADEC like Itsekiri, Isoko, Ika, Ukuani and Ijaw who get 1500 slots each but must scramble from the Urhobo slots. The last time less than 200 Okpe students got. This is because Okpe is not recognised as an ethnic nationality in our own DESOPADEC. A recognised ethnic nationality in DESOPADEC immediately gives you an exclusive Commissioner, an Executive Director and an exclusive budget head.
The list of the consequences of this self inflicted malady is endless. Without the recognition of Okpe as a distinct ethnic nationality, Chairmanship of Delta State Traditional Rulers’ Council gives the Okpe Nation nothing. If Urhobo Traditional Rulers visit Buhari today, it is the Ohworode of Olomu and his EXCO that would be in front. During the last visit, our revered Orodje was at the back and was hardly seen. If the ethnic configuration of Delta State remains, what the Asagba of Asaba said that he needn’t consult with the Orodje would play out and continue to hurt the Okpe Nation. It is not he who pointed out that an illness would kill a patient that killed him if he eventually dies.
Mortgaging Okpe ethnic identity for any office or temporary benefit amounts to spiting the Okpe face. We pray the series of such acts or inactions of recent do not constitute total damage that the next generation cannot recover from. Let us use our tongue to count our teeth.
Okpe wadooo!
Akpederin Kingsley Ehensiri Esq.
CUTTING THE NOSE TO SPITE THE OKPE FACE (A REJOINDER TO THE CLAIMS OF THE ASAGBA OF ASABA)
All real men should accept responsibility for their actions and the consequences of their actions and positions. The Asagba of Asaba could not have be been more correct in his position that he did not need to consult further than he had done in the matter of the proposed summit of Delta State Traditional Rulers on the rotation of the Governorship seat of Delta State(reported on the Vanguard Newspapers issue of March 20th, 2022). His consultation was based on ethnic groups. He had consulted with the head of Urhobo Traditional Rulers who happens to be the Ohworode of Olomu who heads the group that the Orodje has agreed to be a member despite the position of Okpe historically as a distinct ethnic nationality which has always been maintained by the Okpe Union. Can we approbate and reprobate at the same time?
I once asked the immediate past leadership of the Okpe Youths Council, who were confused about the urgency of achieving Okpe identity at that time, if the OYC would be invited by the Governor if he wants to meet with the leaders of youths organisations of all ethnic nationalities in Delta State, if Okpe is considered as Urhobo? They could not respond as the answer was not only obvious but ignominious. Indeed this played out when the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo held a consultation visit to Delta State at the PTI Conference center a couple of years back. The Presidents General of all ethnic groups spoke on behalf of their people and only Okpe was excluded as the Urhobo Progress Union President General was there.
The repercussions the naive and self denigrating denial of Okpe distinct ethnic identity by the forces within the Okpe Nation have led to so much real poverty and underdevelopment of the Okpe Nation. The projects in Okpeland from both NDDC and DESOPADEC are a tiny fraction of the projects in similar or smaller territories than Okpe because of the consideration of of Okpe as an appendage of Urhobo. It does not even favour the Urhobos too except the feeding of the subjugation ego of some of them. Till tomorrow, Okpe Students do not get their bursary allocation from DESOPADEC like Itsekiri, Isoko, Ika, Ukuani and Ijaw who get 1500 slots each but must scramble from the Urhobo slots. The last time less than 200 Okpe students got. This is because Okpe is not recognised as an ethnic nationality in our own DESOPADEC. A recognised ethnic nationality in DESOPADEC immediately gives you an exclusive Commissioner, an Executive Director and an exclusive budget head. Okpe Nation oil wells are currently grouped into Urhobo Nation oil wells.
The list of the consequences of this self inflicted malady is endless. Without the recognition of Okpe as a distinct ethnic nationality, Chairmanship of Delta State Traditional Rulers’ Council gives the Okpe Nation nothing. If Urhobo Traditional Rulers visit Buhari today, it is the Ohworode of Olomu and his EXCO that would be in front. During the last visit, our revered Orodje was at the back and was hardly seen. If the ethnic configuration of Delta State remains, what the Asagba of Asaba said that he needn’t consult with the Orodje, even though the Orodje is the Chairman of the Delta State Traditional Rulers’ Council, would play out and continue to hurt the Okpe Nation and people. It is not he who pointed out that an illness would kill a patient that killed him if he eventually dies.
Mortgaging Okpe ethnic identity for any office or temporary benefit amounts to spiting the Okpe face. How can a people have a distinct migration history, a distinct language, one traditional ruler whose jurisdiction covers two exclusive Local Government Areas and beyond, have the largest kingdom of Delta State and yet still hesitate to claim a status that is rightly hers? We pray the series of such acts or inactions of recent do not constitute total damage that the next generation cannot recover from. Let us use our tongue to count our teeth.
Okpe wadooo!
Akpederin Kingsley Ehensiri Esq.
OKPE UNION AT 92: AN ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS BY PROF. O. IGHO NATUFE, PRESIDENT GENERAL, OKPE UNION ON MAY 16, 2022
Exactly 92 years ago on this day, May 16, 1930, a group of young Okpe nationals residing in Lagos established the Okpe Union, the oldest registered ethnic nationality organization in Nigeria. It was registered under the Land (Perpetual Succession) Ordinance of 1924, on the 13th of December, 1934. As descendants of these Okpe nationals, we are gathered today in all branches across Nigeria and in the Diaspora to commemorate their vision and patriotism in paving the path for the building of a strong Okpe Nation anchored on Okpe Identity. We salute them and revere the legacies they bequeathed us.
As the umbrella organization of the Okpe people, Okpe Union is primarily concerned about the growth and development of the Okpe Nation and the enhancement of Okpe in the comity of ethnic nationalities in Nigeria and in Delta State. It was on the basis of this fundamental that the Okpe Union successfully agitated for the resuscitation of the Okpe Monarchy in 1945 when HRM Esezi ll was crowned as the Orodje of Okpe (1945-1966). This followed an interregnum of almost 200 years. Esezi ll was succeeded by HRM Orhorho l (1972-2004), who was succeeded by HRM Orhue l (2006 till date). Thus, the modern Okpe monarchy was birthed by the Okpe Union.
Since its foundation, the Okpe Union has played and continues to play vital role in the development of the Okpe Nation. A critical challenge confronting the Okpe Nation is the restoration of the independence of Okpe as a distinct ethnic nationality, a status which was illegally extinguished by the British Government and subsequent governments in Nigeria. The unjust classification of Okpe as a sub-unit/clan of another ethnic nationality contradicts the fact that Okpe Kingdom was never established as a sub-unit or clan of any other ethnic nationality. The Okpe Union has since the colonial times always represented to various governments that Okpe is a distinct ethnicity.
The current status ridicules the historical and linguistic facts that Okpe is the most populous monolithic nationality in Delta State. I am pleased to inform you that the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Okpe Union is working assiduously with internal (traditional and political leadership) and external stakeholders in Delta State for the recognition of Okpe as a distinct ethnic nationality. This is our sacred historical responsibility to restore Okpe to its legitimate position in Delta State. The benefits of this recognition include the following: –
As we gather today to celebrate our Founder’s Day, I want to assure you that your NEC is working very hard to ensure that the above objectives are realized in due course. Your continued support and steadfastness in the defence and promotion of Okpe Identity is required.
In February 2023, state and federal elections shall be held to elect new political leaders for Delta State and Nigeria. We are closely monitoring the campaigns of all Delta State aspirants vying for elective positions as Delta State Governor, and for members of the Delta State House of Assembly, with special interests on their respective positions on Okpe Identity, which will guide the stance of the Okpe Union. The NEC considers this an existential matter for the growth and development of the Okpe Nation, a historical feat in memory of our forefathers and founders of the Okpe Union.
On behalf of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Okpe Union, I wish you a successful celebration of the 92nd Anniversary of the founding of the Okpe Union.
*God Bless the Okpe Union!*
*God Bless Orodje of Okpe Kingdom!*
*God Bless the Okpe Nation!*
26th May, 2022.
*THE OKPE UNION FELICITATION MESSAGE TO RT (HON.) SHERIFF FRANCIS O. OBOREVWORI AS DELTA STATE PDP FLAG BEARER.*
The Okpe Union, the umbrella socio cultural organisation of the Okpe people, hereby sends her congratulations and best wishes to Rt. (Hon.) Sheriff Francis O. Oborevwori on his election as the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2023 gubernatorial election for Delta State.
As the Okpe Union joins other Deltans to wish you well in the coming general election, we also seize this opportunity to thank Deltans of the People’s Democratic Party represented by the delegates for considering our son worthy for a shot at this all important office of huge responsibility.
The Okpe Nation has always been known to be a people desirous of promoting peace, unity and fairness to all people around them. The choice of Rt. (Hon.) Oborevwori will therefore ensure an opportunity for Deltans to be so united for the overall development of the state.
The Okpe Union and indeed all Okpe people pray for a smooth and hitch free campaign as you, Okakuro Rt. (Hon.) Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori, the Ukodo of Okpe Kingdom, and your team, criss cross the length and breath of Delta State in your continuing consultations and campaign for the governorship seat of our dear Delta State.
Congratulations once more and congratulations to all Deltans.
*Signed:*
*Prof. Igho Natufe,*
President General
*Barr. Kingsley E. Akpederin,*
General Secretary
*Mrs. Atarhe Abuh,*
National Publicity Secretary.
*PROFILING OF OKPES, REAL DANGER FOR SHERIFF OBOREVWORI’S CHANCES FROM HIS HOME FRONT*
One Okpe chief of recent told me that if Sheriff Oborevwori becomes governor, he cannot appoint or give anything to any Okpe person not approved by the Orodje no matter how the person labours to support him in his governorship bid. This obviously underscores why Okpe has been where it is as the least developed area of Delta State and the Niger Delta for some time now.
During a recent recruitment by Seplat Petroleum, another Okpe chief saw the application of a very qualified Okpe and declared “enemy of the Orodje can never get a job in Okpeland…”. He made the remark in reference to the applicant as one of those who opposed the attempt by the Palace to undemocratically take over the administration of the Okpe Union which has had a democratic transition for over ninety two years, and founded long before the restoration of the modern Okpe monarchy.
Though I personally do not believe that Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori believes in such dark and evil profiling of fellow Okpes along the line of being pro or anti Orodje or the current strange classification of some patriotic Okpes as “dissidents” it nevertheless casts a very dark and unfortunate shadow on the quest for Okpe governorship. Indeed if the long practice since 2006 of some freeborn Okpe being asked rhetorically “who is your father…” as they are turned away from the Palace which Okpe people collectively built, is extended to political patronage, it would be difficult to salvage the Okpe Nation.
The likes of Esezi II, Orhoro I, the Late Chief Ewetuya (who served the Okpe Union as Secretary General and President General for over forty years) and the several heroes of the Okpe Union who ensured the taxing of Okpe Union members and branches throughout the world to build the all Okpe Orodje Palace would all be turning in their graves today when they see what the Okpe Nation which they laboured for is turning to.
It is not late for Okpe leaders to embrace love and unity. If this heinous and self depraving profiling of some freeborn Okpes just because they stood for the truth that the Okpe Union, being a registered organisation with its constitution should determine its leadership instead of a one man imposed leadership, is permitted to continue, then Okpe is being pushed to a precipice difficult to step back from. Those responsible for this are said to be so vile that they have threatened to go to the extreme position the worst for those they have now declared the enemies of Okpe and the Orodje.
We call on the Governor of Delta State to step in and the Speaker of the state and candidate of the state ruling party to disassociate himself from the evil position. All Okpes are freeborn; being descendants of one of the four “gates” of Okpe. Slavery must not be permitted in a kingdom in which any male child can aspire to be an Orodje (Okpe King). May the Okpe Nation escape any self inflicted affliction. Amen!
*Akpederin Kingsley Ehensiri Esq., General Secretary, the Okpe Union,*
Sapele,
3rd August, 2022
*OKPE UNION IS DISTINCT FROM OKPE KINGDOM AND IS INDEPENDENT OF THE ORODJE OF OKPE*
Let me even ask those who criticise the stance of the elected Okpe Union National Executive Council in protecting the autonomy of the Okpe Union, if they know that the Okpe Union is a registered organisation with a legal personality separate from Okpe Kingdom and with registered members who pay monthly dues and that only members of the Okpe Union in a General Meeting can decide on its leadership? If we all know this but the traditional ruler goes against the law by claiming to have power to dissolve the elected leadership of the Okpe Union and impose non members as its leadership and members of the Union point it out to him severally, does that amount to insult?
Does it mean that if our King puts on an apparel that reveals his nakedness, we should all keep quiet and not let him know so that the throne would not experience disgrace?
All Okpe people must understand and act as a people in the modern era. The Okpe Nation is in a global community and must therefore operate with a mindset of civilised norms and best practices. Elected officials of registered organisations take oaths of office to abide by and defend the constitution of the organisation. The elected National Executive Council of the Okpe Union cannot do the opposite of that. Every responsible loving father would advise his children to observe the letters and spirit of the constitution of the organisations they are elected to serve. In the Holy Bible, the book of Luke (11: 11) says: “What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead?” Indeed the Okpe Union and its elected National Executive Council hold the ancient throne of the Orodje of Okpe in highest esteem and would do everything to promote it. It is prayers and advice that the Union demands for and expects from the monarchy.
Lastly, it needs to be emphasised, in addition to the above, that to be a member of the Okpe Union, a person must be an Okpe and take steps to join a branch of the Union and periodically pay his or her monthly dues and other obligations. It is not every Okpe person that is a member of the Okpe Union. No non member of the Okpe Union can be an official of the Union. By the provisions of the Okpe Union Constitution, only dues paying members can hold any office. In conclusion, it is the constitution of the Okpe Union that governs its administration and transition from one leadership to another. It has been so for over ninety years. Woe betides any official of the Union that betrays this sacred history, norm and convention of the Okpe Union.
May God open our eyes and our hearts to realise that those who point out these real issues and speak truth to power are the real patriots of the Okpe Nation. May God give us and the leaders of the Okpe Nation courage to design a pragmatic pathway to ensure love, unity and advancement of the Okpe Nation.
Okpe oo! Agbamua-eni!
*Akpederin Kingsley Ehensiri Esq., General Secretary, the Okpe Union.*
5th August, 2022.
*FOR THOSE WHO THINK THE OKPE UNION ARE UNNECESSARILY EXPOSING THE OKPE THRONE TO RIDICULE*
For eighteen months now we have been doing so much to resolve the issues behind the scenes. There has been four Reconciliation Initiatives in all now. The most robust one was headed by Rev. Dr Charles Osume and Secretary was the late Prof. Idamoyibo. Chief Moses Asini(an Udogun Okpe member), Prof. Hope Eghagha, Mr. Philip Mebradu, and Madam Dora Omuvwie were also of that Reconciliation Committee. After submitting their recommendations which the Okpe Union accepted and started implementing, the Orodje received it and said he would get back to them. One month’ later, he wrote to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), that his Prof. Idolor imposed group is the authentically elected leadership of the Okpe Union. The CAC invited us to react after they received our objections.
We pray there is more intervention to nip this embarrassing crises in the bud. None of us is paid in what we do. It is selfless service that we spend our personal resources on. However, there is
nobody or group of persons that would keep quiet when unjustly demonised. Okpe Union National Leadership cannot be different.
Akpederin K.E. Esq.,General Secretary, the Okpe Union.
“The three new projects will also be delivered to the traditional great quality, the Julius Berger standard, and on time as contracted”, Says Engr. Dr. Lars Richter, JBN PLC MD.
Nigeria’s leading and most reliable engineering construction company, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, has signed new contracts with the Rivers State Government for the construction of two new flyovers and a new road project in Port Harcourt.
The contract signing ceremony, which held at the Council Chambers, Government House Port Harcourt was presided over by His Excellency, Governor Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, CON. Also present at the ceremony was the Deputy Governor of the State, Her Excellency, Dame Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo. Honourable members of the Rivers State Executive Council, Speaker and members of the Rivers State Assembly, Elders, Chiefs, senior civil servants also attended the ceremony in Port Harcourt.
Governor Wike at the ceremony and thanked the leaders of the State for their support to his administration. He also commended the ever-dependable construction company, Julius Berger, the State’s trusted infrastructure development partner for its commanding engineering standards, reliable project delivery, and for its brilliant and standout quality.
On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger Plc, Engr. Dr. Lars Richter said that the engineering construction company had earlier successfully delivered six flyovers, which have been commissioned by the Rivers State Government for the beneficial use of the Rivers people and indeed for Nigerians. He also said three more flyovers are at completion stage by Julius Berger, with one ongoing flyover works fast rising. Richter thanked Governor Wike for the trust he has continued to repose in Julius Berger for the construction of these major infrastructural development works. While congratulating Governor Wike for the success of the already completed and commissioned projects, Dr. Richter, on behalf of the Board and Executive Management of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, further confidently promised that, as it is the constant contractual culture of Julius Berger, the three new projects will also be delivered to the traditional great quality, the Julius Berger standard, and on time as contracted.
The flyovers, which have a completion period of ten months, will be located at the Rumuokuta-and NTA-Choba Road Obia Akpo LGA. A contract was also signed for the dualization of Azikiwe Street, Iloabuchi road in Port Harcourt with a completion period of six months. Gov. Wike called his administration’s construction of twelve flyovers amongst other infrastructures in Rivers State within four years since 2019 a record-breaking feat in the history of Nigeria.
On the team of the Julius Berger managing director to the event were the company’s Regional Manager, South east/South south, Engr. Juergen Fischer, South east/South south, Project Coordinator, Chief Sam Ngbor, Special Projects Manager, Rimon Marisho, Project Manager, Engr. Terna, Contract Manager, Mrs Efe and the Head, Media Relations Office, Prince Moses Duku.
Alhaji Nureni Oluwatoyin Animashaun is dead.
The top Lagos leader died on Tuesday, July 19, 2022 in Surulere.
He was 76.
A totally detribalized Nigerian, Animashaun was known for being outspoken and for not shying away from the truth.
Tributes from relatives, friends and neighbours have described him as a straightforward and a deeply committed family man.
“Alhaji Animashaun was a pillar of his family. His passing is a great loss to the family, Lagos Island and Alaka-Iponri Community.
Animashaun was buried according to Muslim rites on Wednesday, July 20, 22 at Ikoyi Cemetery, behind Radio Nigeria.
The 8 days Fidau Prayer will hold on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at Block 135, Iponri Housing Estate, Alaka