Niger Delta: MEND Raises Dialogue Team.

Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) insists on dialogue with Nigerian Government

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) had on countless occasions within the past 10 years of the group's existence, resorted to taking up arms against the Nigerian state and the International Oil Companies with a view to bringing to national and international attention, the pitiable paradox of the Niger Delta region.

152 years after Otto Von Bismarck’s famous remark that, " the great questions of the time will be decided, not by speeches and resolutions, but by iron and blood," the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) precisely at 00:00 hours on May 30, 2014; in response to former President Goodluck Jonathan's Democracy Day speech of the previous day, unilaterally declared a ceasefire of hostilities against Nigeria's key economic and strategic interests.

Evidently, the ceasefire was an indication of the group's belief that, in this present age and time, "iron and blood" might only become fashionable tools in settling questions when dialogue and diplomacy fail.

Our message to the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) is simple: The Niger Delta struggle is beyond attacks on oil installations. Indeed, prior to the MEND ceasefire; the group had, among numerous daring attacks, on Thursday June 19, 2008 successfully carried out the spectacular attack on Royal Dutch Shell's offshore Bonga oilfield which is located at a whooping distance of 120 kilometres (75miles) south-west of the Niger Delta.

However, with the benevolent benefit of hindsight, the group realised that, after the initial euphoria of each successful attack, the gargantuan problems which confront our region; including environmental pollution and political corruption, increased geometrically. If indeed your cause is to avenge the injustice done to the Niger Delta region; then, we urge you to ceasefire and join us to the table of negotiation with the Federal Government; otherwise, the Niger Delta struggle shall be hijacked, once again, by selfish interests for their own personal aggrandizement. One such example is the recent purported NDA demand made through the region's governors that the Federal Government should drop charges of corruption against certain individuals and politicians from the region. This absurd and ridiculous demand, to say the least, is far removed from the Niger Delta struggle.

Following useful exploratory discussions held with high ranking officials of the current administration, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has constituted 'Aaron Team 2' to dialogue with the Federal Government on the immediate, medium and long-term future of the Niger Delta region.

Made up of patriotic and selfless men and women of proven track record, integrity and character; and drawn from different parts of the Niger Delta region, members of the MEND Aaron Team 2 are by no means members of MEND. The provisional list of members of the Team who have already accepted to serve include:
1. Henry Odein Ajumogobia SAN (Rivers)
2. Bismark Rewane (Delta)
3. Sen. Florence Ita-Giwa (Cross River)
4. Timipa Jenkins Okponipere (Bayelsa)
5. Ibanga Isine (Akwa Ibom)
6. Ledum Mitee (Rivers)
7. Lawson Omokhodion (Edo State)

Other members of the Team shall be made public in due course after due consultations with relevant stakeholders.

Jomo Gbomo

June 12, A Time in Times.

JUNE 12 A TIME IN TIMES.

The Martyr of this democratic voyage remains largely uncelebrated at the National stage 23years after, and we yet wonder why egotism rather than altruism pervade our space.

We have found it unwise to name a National Monument in the Federal Capital Territory after MKO Abiola, and we yet wonder why patriotism is in short supply.


Whilst speaking today at the June 12 event in late Chief Abiola's residence, I captured amongst other fundamentals the questions the nation must answer so the ship of State does not hit an iceberg.

Have we forgotten how a Muslim/Muslim (Abiola/Kingibe) ticket resonated indiscriminate of the dichotomies of region and religion? Have we forgotten the freest and fairest election in the annals of this nation? Have we forgotten the organic principle of Abiola's quest for the presidency which was 'farewell to poverty'? Have we forgotten how he trounced his rival Bashir Tofa in his electoral Ward in Kano? And have we so quickly forgotten the thousands who lost lives, limbs and livelihood seeking the actualization of the June 12 mandate, 23years after, where are we?

Countrymen and women, we can no longer continue to live a lie, we must be true to what we say on Paper. If we are the Federal Republic of Nigeria, then Power must devolve from the Federating Units. We must have true fiscal federalism and resource control. And in all governmental interactions and protocol we must make equity, justice, fairness, love and truth the summum bonum.

Restructuring of the Nigerian super structure holds the elixir to the internecine braggadocio of the Niger Delta Militants/Avengers. It is panacea to the festering agitation for Biafra. It is medicine for the villainy dealt the space by marauding Herdsmen. And it holds the magic wand against corruption.

Finally, we must in the words of MKO work such that 'no Nigerian goes to bed without food'.

God Bless Nigeria.

Christopher Mustapha Nwaokobia Jnr.
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Strange: Sex With Animals Are Legal in Canada.

In Canada, sex with animals are legal, so long there is no penetration. The problem is, how do you know if the animal enjoys it or not.

Financial Mess: Bayelsa Govt Can No Longer Fund Niger Delta University.

The Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr Seriake Dickson, on Thursday disclosed that the state government could no longer continue funding the state-owned Niger Delta University in Wilberforce Island, Amassoma.

Dickson, who spoke during a meeting with the Governing Council and principal officers of NDU in Government House, Yenagoa, noted that he could not sustain the existing funding system owing to the present poor financial standing of the state.

He called on the striking workers and management of the only state-owned university in the state to be more resourceful and innovative in generating revenue for the institution.

The governor noted that a situation where the state government’s monthly subvention of about N480 million is spent on only the university’s recurrent expenditure was ‘unsustainable’.

He harped on the need for the University leadership to be prudent in the use of funds, with a view to enabling the institution gain some degree of financial autonomy.

Dickson called on the Academic Staff Union of University, ASUU, to call off the ongoing strike action caused by the sharp drop in state revenues. Source: Thisday.

Opinion: Seem Bayelsa State is facing serious financial crisis. The state is in a financial mess. All these problem boils down to corruption. Well the university should device a means of raising revenues to sustain itself. Increase in tuition fees, might not be ruled out. More problems for the innocent poor students.

C.V.Akuta Media UK.

No Difference Between Boko Haram and The Niger Delta Avengers.

NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BOKO HARAM AND THE NIGER DELTA AVENGERS!

Written by Joe Igbokwe.

All things considered, the Niger Delta Avengers are no different from the Boko Haram criminality in the Northern part of Nigeria, and if I wanted to be too strict, I would say that the Niger Delta Avengers are more deadly, more destructive, more dangerous and consequently more devilish.

Boko Haram has been on a hit and run warfare that derives pleasure in hitting and killing soft targets, but the destructive Avengers of Niger Delta targets oil installations and the Power Sector, the two most critical sectors of our economy today.

As I write this, Nigeria has lost at least one million barrels of crude oil daily in the past one month or so. The power sector output hovering around 3000 to 5000 MW of electricity has been brought down to miserable level of less than 1000MW. What this means is that we have no economy any longer.

Nigeria runs a mono-economy that depends on crude oil sales, and if anything happens to that critical sector, it will affect every stratum of our society.

There will be no foreign exchange earnings , no money to pay salaries at the federal, state and the local levels, no money to service importation, no money to buy arms , no money to service foreign debts, no money to service foreign missions and no money to build infrastructure etc.

Without electric power, no nation on earth will be said to be serious in building its economy, attracting foreign investments or creating jobs. Most of the nation's power stations are driven by gas, a product of crude oil production process. Much of the gas comes from the Niger Delta.

Before the advent of gas turbines, we had hydro power stations in Shiroro and Kainji in the North and a coal powered stations in Enugu State and these are now almost obsolete as gas powered plants have proved to be more efficient, cheaper, cleaner and cost effective.

This is what these criminals are exploiting to continue to punish 160 million Nigerians.

They are blackmailers, exploiters, oil thieves, kidnappers, murderers, destroyers, oppressors, armed robbers, liars from the pit of hell, corrupt entities, reprobate minds , dolts, cultural savages , embezzlers etc. I lack words to describe these workers of iniquity. They blackmailed President Obasanjo, they blackmailed President Yar'Adua. They blackmailed and held President Jonathan by the throat and squeezed it without mercy until he helplessly and hopelessly surrendered.

They got everything, . They got NDDC , they got the Ministry of Niger Delta, they got 13% Derivation, they stole billions of barrels of crude oil, and got billions of dollars, they got oil wells without paying a dime, they robbed oil companies at gun point, they kidnapped for money, they got amnesty from President Yar'Adua and a deal worth more than a billion dollars.

Former President Jonathan opened the nation's Treasury for them and they carted away billions to build Universities, mansions and even buy arms and warships.

The school drop out called Asari Dokubo is building a University in Benin Republic and so is the silly old man called Edwin Clark.

Oh My God , these shameless idiots have had it all and have thoroughly enjoyed themselves. They married many wives like Asari Dokubo, owned night clubs, big hotels, estates, all kinds of Special Utility Vehicles, they painted the cities red and intimidated other Nigerians. They wished that the party and the bazaar continue until the 2015 general elections drew near.

When it dawned on them that Jonathan may not make it they began to issue threats and intimidation. They got desperate and fear gripped them that a president Buhari may not accept their criminal enterprise and excesses any longer.

A president Buhari came on board and removed the feeding bottles from their ugly mouths and hell was let loose. The corruption called the amnesty has to go. Easy money is gone . Extortion is gone . This is president Buhari's sin.

My take here is that there is no need negotiating with those who have had it all in the past 17 years. The battle has to be fought . We cannot win the battle and lose the war. This president is for everybody and for nobody. These people will not listen until they see that war brings death.

There is no difference between Boko Haram and the Niger Delta Avengers. If President Buhari can fight Boko Haram and Shiites to a standstill , these so called Avengers in the Niger Delta should face the same treatment.

They have destroyed government installations and facilities , they have killed soldiers and policemen and they have killed many innocent people through the destruction of power installations.

This is subversion . This is economic sabotage . This is treason and an open declaration of war on Nigeria as a political entity. Nigeria's armed forces must apply the doctrine of necessity, intelligence, tact and common sense in the war to reclaim the integrity and honour of Nigeria.

We must take war to their doorsteps. If they defeat us let them go with their useless oil and if we defeat them and they must be defeated, then other ethnic groups will learn yet another lessons from the war.

Since the massive destruction of facilities in the Niger Delta started, the Governors in the region have not met to condemn the brigandage.

The elders have not met to issue a statement to call the killers and destroyers to order. What we have heard has been a cacophony of weak voices drowned in deceit and lies. I saw complicity by this criminal silence.

The grave silence is sending potentially dangerous signals. It is shocking and at best unbelievable. Nigeria can survive without oil and gas. This is the truth we must accept with courage and call the bluff of these exploiters and blackmailers from the Niger Delta.

I repeat once again that there is no zero tribe, zone, ethnic group, state or culture in Nigeria. Every tribe or zone in Nigeria has something to bring to the table. Niger Delta is bringing oil and gas to the table while others are bringing food, technology, commerce, intelligence, ideas, workforce, etc. to the same table. Ours is a case of a symbiotic relationship."

Joe Igbokwe.
Lagos.

Opinion: Very correct. The actions of both groups kills people. Praying that the security agencies bring these groups under control.

C.V.Akuta Media UK.

Bayelsa State to Pay Only 50% Salary.

Yenagoa – Bayelsa State governor, Mr Seriake Dickson has ordered the immediate payment of 50 per cent of the salaries of workers in the state. Dickson, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, gave the directive after a meeting with the state Finance Committee in Yenagoa.

He said that the directive was in fulfillment of the agreement between government and organised labour represented by Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC. Dickson said that payment of the 50 per cent salaries would commence with the Ministries and Departments that have turned in the reports of their verification exercise. He urged others, especially those in the education sector yet to turn in their verification reports to do so as soon as possible. He commended workers in the state for their patience and understanding, adding that, the government will always strive hard to ensure that it meets its obligation to the workers and called for the cooperation of all Bayelsans. Source:vanguardngr.com

Opinion: This is so sad and pathetic. First the state governments couldn't save nor invested properly during the boom days. Now workers are to suffer for it. Many state governments are in deep trouble and unable to pay. To make matters worst, the Niger Delta Avengers are blowing oil in stallations. The impact would be less revenue and more pains for their people and other Nigerians.

C.V.Akuta Media UK.

Condemn Police Inspector General, Solomon Arase.

I Condemn Police Inspector General, Solomon Arase.

By Pius Adesanmi.

On Saturday, Chief Raymond Dopkesi, Chairman of DAAR Communications, escaped an assassination attempt. I am happy for the man and his family.

However, his police detail, Sergeant Den Gaius of the FCT Police Command, was not as lucky as the rich, powerful, and privileged private citizen of Nigeria he was assigned to protect.

Sergeant Den Gaius was felled by the assassins' bullets.

I hold the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, responsible for the death of this police officer.

Sergeant Gaius's death is predictably not on the national radar. In the ways of Nigeria, he was an expendable common man.

In the irresponsible habit of the Nigerian state and her officials, we have not even heard an official word about this police officer.

This is one death that the Federal Government and the Inspector General of Police cannot be allowed to greet with perfunctory silence.

The people of Nigeria are entitled to answers.

What, in God's name, was Raymond Dokpesi, a private citizen, doing with a police detail?

Chief Raymond Dokpesi was recently indicted for corruption by this same Nigerian state. He is in fact out on bail.

What kind of society provides a police orderly for a corruption indictee on the degoatification roaster?

These layers of corruption and irrationality have now led to the death of the police officer.

On occasions like this, I feel like shredding my Nigerian passport. How can I continue to lay claim to membership of the human race when my society insists on conduct that our hunter-gatherer ancestors would have found reprehensible?

How can corruption indictees go about in convoys boasting police details?

Who else is undergoing degoatification and still enjoys the privilege of police orderlies supplied by Solomon Arase and the Nigerian state? Olisa Metuh? Dasuki? FFK? How many police officers are on illegal duty in private residences in Maitama, Lekki, Banana Island? How many police officers are on illegal duty in Bourdillon street in Ikoyi?

I understand that some private citizens even enjoy the privilege of having police posted to their country homes even when such homes are empty. This is not a country. She is a zoo.

Solomon Arase must answer for the death of this police officer.

And pox on the Nigerian media! Many of our editors deserve to be lined up at the bar beach and shot for what they are doing to that society. The abdication of responsibility, the complete loss of any understanding of the role and duties of the fourth estate of the realm to society has reached the level of treason. Of all the media reports of this incident, not one raises an eyebrow on the oddity of Dopkesi having a police detail.

They just reported it as a matter of course: Dokpesi escapes assassination, his police detail killed. No questions for Arase. No questions for the Federal government.

We must reject this Nigeria. I cannot see myself as part of a society where corruption indictees and criminals openly enjoy privileges and perks of state. It hurts. It cuts straight to the bone.

We have to make an acceptable Nigeria.

We can start by coming together to hold Solomon Arase accountable. Sergeant Den Gaius must not die in vain.

Opinion: The Police IG has questions to answer. How on earth will someone on bail, who is facing criminal charges have police orderly? This is one death too many.

C.V.Akuta Media UK.