# Tags

PRESIDENT TINUBU CALLS FOR ADHERENCE TO RULE OF LAW TO RESTORE PEACE IN RIVERS STATE

President Bola Tinubu emphasized the critical need for adherence to the rule of law in Rivers State to ensure lasting peace and prosperity, during a meeting with representatives and leaders of the Niger Delta under the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) on Tuesday in Abuja. Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy), Bayo Onanuga, said in a statement that President Tinubu reiterated that respect for the judiciary is crucial in upholding democracy and fostering harmony. The President advised the leaders to be more broadminded, selfless, and focused on the larger vision of salvaging the region, politically and economically, by insisting that the judiciary’s interpretations of the Constitution be respected. “I am here by the grace of God, appreciating your support, prayers, and concern. I cannot complain. I campaigned for this position and begged for the job. I must do it with all my heart, whatever it takes,” President Tinubu said. He noted that stakeholders must make sacrifices for the state to move forward by recognizing the Constitution. “This is a nation governed by the rule of law. I should not be here as President without a rule of law. I have total confidence in our judiciary. We have expectations. Human beings can make errors. But once the court has spoken, that is it.” President Tinubu told the delegation that his priority remains community development, particularly projects and programs that positively impact citizens. “Go back home and take charge of peace. If you need me, let me know. I have given the situation enough time and enough consideration. We cannot fall back, and we will not. The people of Rivers State will not suffer because of democracy.” Onanuga added that President Tinubu commended the leadership of the Niger Delta, saying, “I have seen what you have tolerated in the region. Community development is very close to my heart. The leader of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, is doing a great job and should be encouraged to do more.” King Alfred Papapreye Diete-Spiff, Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass Kingdom and Co-Chairman of the PANDEF Board of Trustees, thanked President Tinubu for his commitment to South-South well-being and appointments given to Niger Delta indigenes. Obong Victor Attah, former governor of Akwa Ibom State and co-chair of the PANDEF Board of Trustees, called for further intervention in the Rivers State crises. Onanuga stated that the PANDEF delegation included former governors, legislators, ministers, traditional leaders, religious figures, and youth and women groups. Bayo Onanuga noted that President Tinubu thanked the delegation for acknowledging the efforts to stimulate the economy for more sustainable and predictable growth.

PANDEF RECEIVES ROYAL BLESSINGS FROM BAYELSA STATE COUNCIL OF TRADITIONAL RULERS

The National Executive Committee (Exco) of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), led by Ambassador Godknows Igali, has received royal blessings from the Bayelsa State Council of Traditional Rulers. The Exco paid a courtesy visit to the council at Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, to intimate the royal fathers of their activities and receive their blessings. Igali In a statement, PANDEF National Publicity Secretary, Olorogun (Sir) Obiuwevbi Ominimini Ph.D, said the visit was a significant milestone for the organization. Ambassador Igali, in addressing the royal fathers, emphasized that PANDEF belongs to the people of the South-South geopolitical zone and that the Exco is responsible for delivering the messages of the people of the region. He also stressed the unity PANDEF has brought to the region, saying “Niger Delta now speaks in one voice through PANDEF.” Ambassador Igali reiterated the need for the region to invest in agriculture, likening the Niger Delta to Vietnam, where the people have made huge investments in rice cultivation. He commended the people of the Niger Delta Region, describing them as peaceful and law-abiding. He also emphasized the need for speedy environmental cleanup of the devastated ecosystem, which may take up to 30 years to achieve. Without mincing words, Ambassador Igali stated that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) can stand alone instead of being merged under the Ministry of Regional Development. He also categorically stated that the next Chief Executive of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) must be appointed from the South-South geopolitical zone. Ominimini said that Ambassador Igali reported that he has addressed a memo to President Tinubu, duly endorsed by the Co-Chairmen of the PANDEF Board of Trustees, on the signing into law without delay of the South-South Development Commission bill as passed by the National Assembly. In his remarks, the Chairman of the Bayelsa State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM King Bubaraye Dakolo, expressed happiness to receive the PANDEF Exco. He urged the Exco to develop a new strategy capable of bringing development and preventing others from taking undue advantage of Niger Deltans. He presented two of his published books, including an award-winning book, to PANDEF through Ambassador Igali. Ominimini stated that HRM King Dakolo emphasized the fact that the Niger Delta has fed Nigeria for over 60 years but has nothing to show for it. However, he expressed confidence in the Igali-led Exco, saying they are people of high scorecards capable of making a difference to attract development to the region.

NIGERIA SEEKS SOLUTIONS TO NIGER DELTA CRISIS, OIL INDUSTRY CHALLENGES

A one-day symposium on the Nigerian Petroleum Industry: The Way Forward, was organized by Classmasters Limited, publishers of Development Agenda Magazine, at Rockview Hotel, Abuja. The event brought together stakeholders, policymakers, and experts to discuss the challenges facing the oil industry and the Niger Delta region. Chief Paddy Ezeala, Chief Executive of Classmasters, stated that the program aimed to provide positive solutions to the problems plaguing the Petroleum Industry and foster its development. He emphasized the need for more interactive events, citing the Niger Delta region as a major example. Professor Kayode Soremekun, of the Department of Political Science, Lagos State University, delivered the first keynote address, titled “Nigeria, Oil and The Global Cabal.” He analyzed the responses of the state to the Niger Delta problem, highlighting the establishment of the Niger Delta Development Board in 1960 and its ineffectiveness. Soremekun noted that the board was not established until 1960 and made no significant impact in its six years of existence. He also discussed the Presidential Task Force (PTF) set up by the Shehu Shagari administration in 1979, which was allocated 1.5% of the Federation Account to address the region’s peculiarities. The professor emphasized that the 1.5% allocation represented neglect and indifference towards the crises in the Niger Delta. He compared Nigeria’s experience to that of Norway, which successfully managed its oil resources, and Malaysia, which developed an authentic oil industry through its national oil company, Petronas. Soremekun quoted Perez Alfonso, Venezuela’s Oil Minister, who warned about the dangers of oil wealth, citing the example of his treasured 1950 Singer car, which was left to rust at the docks and eventually became unusable. The professor concluded by highlighting the need for Nigeria to overhaul its policies and develop a new approach to managing its oil resources. He praised the Dangote refinery as a game-changer and emphasized the importance of leveraging Nigeria’s revitalized interests with France to explore nuclear energy options. Other keynote speakers included Professor Edem Eniang, who spoke on the impact of oil industry operations on the Niger Delta environment, and Professor Osita Oshita, who addressed security challenges facing the Nigerian oil industry. The event featured panel discussions and was attended by stakeholders, media representatives, and security agencies.