Akpabio-i-will-fast-track-board-inauguration By Mike Odiegwu, Port Harcourt and Elo Edremoda, Warri

Niger Delta Affairs Minister Godswill Akpabio yesterday said the process of constituting a substantive Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) board will be fast-tracked. He spoke after an emergency consultative visit to Oporoza, headquarters of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri Southwest of Delta State. It was over the seven-day ultimatum issued by ex-militant leader, Chief Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo) on Sunday. Akpabio stormed the creeks in the company of the NDDC sole administrator, Mr Akwa Effiong, Deputy Governor Deacon Kingsley Otuaro and top military officers. Traditional rulers from Bayelsa, Edo and Ondo states joined the Pere of Gbaramatu kingdom to receive the minister. The minister said: “We had a robust discussion and consultation. The meetings have been fruitful. The consensus of stakeholders is that there is a need for more representation in the NDDC and so a board needs to be constituted. “I have also assured them that as soon as I get back, I will commence the process and fast track the process. “We have agreed that my office will fast-track the process of the constitution of the new board. We have also looked at what is affecting the region. The youths applauded, but they want to see more progress, more employment opportunities.” Asked about the fears surrounding the ultimatum, he said: “It is not a function of the ultimatum; it is a function of the fact that it was a call for the government to react to the aspirations of the people. “The issue of ultimatum is not something I can speak on because there is a process and it has to start with the minister. The major thing is that we have committed to work together to make sure that we give what the people want”. Otuaro added that the processes for the constitution of the board are to commence today. “We must not allow our region to boil. There has been a process set in place. The process is such that a critical set of people are meant to work very closely with him to ensure that the processes are expedited almost immediately by tomorrow, as soon as he gets to Abuja”. He said a communiqué on the consultation would be issued in due course. Akpabio arrived in Delta three days before the expiration of Tompolo’s ultimatum to inaugurate a substantive NDDC board. INC calls for calm as IYC insists on protest Also yesterday, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide rejected the appeal by its parent body, the Ijaw National Congress (INC) to call off the protest. Rising from their meeting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, the elders called for the suspension of the ongoing mass action by the IYC and other Niger Delta agitators. The INC said its appeal was to enable it to interface with stakeholders to avert renewed hostilities in the region. The INC called on the Federal Government to immediately inaugurate the NDDC board to reduce the brewing tension in the region. A statement by the INC after its meeting was signed by its President Benjamin Okaba; National Secretary Ebipamowei Wodu and Publicity Secretary Ezonebi Oyakemeagbegha. The statement reads: “The INC expresses concern about the growing tension in Ijawland and the Niger Delta region arising from the protests by Ijaw youths and the ultimatum issued by High Chief Government Ekpemupolo and some Niger Delta agitators over the non-constitution of the board of the NDDC. “The INC recalls that governors of the Niger Delta region had months ago reviewed the matter and called for the constitution of the board of the NDDC, which indeed reflects the position of the vast majority of the people of the region. “There is currently overwhelming anger over the state of affairs in the NDDC and except President Buhari takes proactive steps, things may go out of hand. “The INC, as the apex Ijaw organisation, worried by the brewing tension in the region, has commenced the process of engagement with critical stakeholders to prevent hostilities in Ijaw land and the Niger Delta region. “However, the INC repeats its earlier demand during the inauguration of the current national leadership on May 14, 2021, for the board of the NDDC to be constituted as a matter of urgency with a Bayelsan as Managing Director and a Deltan as Chairman in line with the NDDC Establishment Act 2000. “The INC leadership calls on Ijaw youths to be calm, while a committee has been set up to investigate the issues arising from the IYC protest and will continue with the engagement of relevant stakeholders to address the issue of constitution of the board of the NDDC and the award of new marginal oil fields”. But the IYC President, Peter Timothy Igbifa, praised the elders for their intervention but said the youths would continue with the protest pending the inauguration of the NDDC board. He said the youths had given the Federal Government and Akpabio a reasonable time to address the injustice and unfairness in the management of the NDDC, insisting that there was no going back on the protest. Igbifa called on all the youths to remain resolute in their agitation for a board that would drive the development of the region. He said: “The only thing that will stop further protest is the immediate inauguration of the NDDC board. In the absence of the board, our protest continues. Our elders have tried and we appreciate their intervention. “We appeal to them to prevail on Akpabio and the Federal Government to quickly inaugurate this board. Our agitation is for justice, equity and fairness. “Nobody should tell us that it is the forensic audit that is delaying the inauguration of the board. It is a big lie.” The youth wing of the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) yesterday shut down the Delta State office of the NDDC in Edjeba, Warri South. The youths, who are protesting the failure to inaugurate the NDDC board, vowed that the office would remain shut until their demand is met. Tompolo, in a statement Sunday, warned that the ongoing protests by the IYC and other groups would be child’s play compared to what will happen in the region should the Federal Government fail to inaugurate a substantive board within seven days. The ultimatum, which has received backing from other groups like the Egbesu Brotherhood, has since caused tension in the already volatile region.

PUNCH Diaspora: Nigerian emerges first African student rep in Scottish varsity’s 438-year history by Victoria Edeme

Sokoto-born Aisha Akinola, has broken records as the first African to become a Sabbatical Officer at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. A sabbatical officer is a students representative. Akinola currently serves as the Vice President, Welfare in the Scottish University’s Student Association. While chatting with our correspondent, Akinola said her mother motivated her to run for the role at a point when she felt discouraged. “After giving my manifesto, I felt so down and depressed because I was the only person of colour. I called my Mum and she encouraged me to continue,” she said. “During my campaign, I gave it my all and I was determined that even if I fail, I would fail gloriously but lo and behold, I won,” she said. Akinola emerged the first African sabbatical officer and the first African to hold the role of the Vice President Welfare in her University’s 438 years history. Akinola revealed that she became aware of the sabbatical officer role while she was getting her visa to travel to Edinburgh. “When I was preparing my visa at the airport, they asked me if I wanted to go on sabbatical. So, I was intrigued and checked out the meaning of the word. From that moment, I started looking forward to it,” she said. As a sabbatical officer in her University’s Student Association, Akinola hopes to carry out campaigns on her campus to solve issues relating to racial segregation and students support. She is also passionate about embedding equality, diversity, and inclusion into the experience of students at the University of Edinburgh. According to her, she hopes that the University embraces diversity and inclusion under her tenure, as these factors are personal to her. She revealed that during her meetings with other officials, people always get to notice her as she is the only person of colour and that her religion makes her stand out too. Being a person of colour and a Muslim, Akinola sees herself as a person of complexities. Asides being a sabbatical officer at the University of Edinburgh, Akinola is also a model, hair stylist, and henna artist. For her, modelling is a passion while hair styling and henna artistry are side hustles. She said, “As a child, I was making toffee and ‘chin chin’ to sell at school. I have always had that entrepreneurial spirit and that’s how I’ve been able to manage my passion, role and side hustles.”

Why Nigeria must legalise cannabis cultivation –Akeredolu by Kayode Oyero

Ondo State Governor and Chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum, Rotimi Akeredolu, says it is important for the country to legalise the cultivation of cannabis for medicinal purposes. He spoke on Thursday on a live interview programme tagged ‘Governor Speaks’, which is part of activities lined up in commemoration of his 100 days of his second term in office. Akeredolu was sworn in for a second term on February 24, 2021 after he won the October 10, 2020 governorship election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress. Speaking during the live interview, the governor said cannabis could be a strong foreign exchange earner for Nigeria if its cultivation was legalised. Akeredolu said, “We must find a way to legalise cultivation of cannabis for medicinal purposes. There is nothing wrong about it. We are only shooting ourselves in the foot. It is a foreign exchange earner for people outside the country. People want this. We ourselves, even our pharmacies want to develop… “I travelled out of here and I was in Thailand trying to study the cultivation of cannabis for pharmaceutical use. We did all these, we even went there with NDLEA (National Drug Law Enforcement Agency), the chairman at that time went with us, maybe he came and said what he went for was for a different thing but that was why we went and all I felt that let us look at the way they did it over there. “Everybody has drug problem, most country has drug problem. We are having it here, it is not as pronounced here as in other places but there are ways they went about these things that those who are involved in drugs, those who are selling, those who are exporting had other ways of doing things that they had to leave it. So, when we talk about cultivation, we are saying in which it is a monitored one, in which NDLEA will have an office (near farms).” The PUNCH had earlier reported on January 7, 2021, that the House of Representatives was proposing legalisation of cultivation and trading in cannabis for medical and cosmetic use, research purposes as well as revenue generation for Nigeria. This is being proposed in the Cannabis Control Bill 2020, sponsored by Miriam Onuoha, which is awaiting second reading but the bill has been met with stiff criticisms and opposition. The legislation is titled, ‘A Bill for an Act to Regulate the Cultivation, Possession, Availability and Trade of Cannabis for Medical and Research Use, and Related Purposes.’ Cannabis cultivation and sale are presently outlawed in the country. If the bill becomes law, hospitals and doctors will be allowed to prescribe doses of cannabis for treatment of patients, while pharmacies and stores will be allowed to sell the drug.

Ayade: International community funding secessionists — foreigners want to sell guns

Ben Ayade, governor of Cross River, has accused foreign countries of supporting agitators for secession. There have been calls in some parts of Nigeria for secession. Speaking to journalists after he visited President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa on Thursday, the governor called for combined efforts to tackle insecurity. He also noted that some foreign countries target nations with natural resources, and support secessionist agitations because they want to boost their gun trade. He, however, did not name any country. “The country is snowballing into a civil strife. We need to come together and support Mr. President to overcome the insurgency which is characterised by external militias who are paid for the purpose,” he said. “I know very clearly that they have basic interest in our natural resources, especially our tantalite and cobalt-related derivatives, as well as diamond and gold. As you know, what this international community does for Africa, once they see large deposit of natural resources, they will be glad to see such country go to war. “On one side, they’re funding enemies of state; on the other hand, they’re funding secessionists so that they can be in the business of guns.” Speaking on his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ayade said while he still respects his former party, he decamped because he trusts Buhari’s leadership. “I am one of the strong Nigerian governors who have risen beyond party lines and ethnic lines by virtue of my education and exposure. My choice to join APC is generating a lot of concern for the PDP occasioned by the fact that it came as a rude shock. And sincerely, it is indeed a rude shock because until I defected, I was a very strong member of the party in truth and in spirit,” the governor said. “I’m not here to discuss PDP, because I still have my respects or regards for that party. It’s a party that gave me opportunity to be a senator. It’s a party that gave opportunity to be a governor. And so, at all times, I have chosen to focus on APC and my dreams and reasons for my movement to APC. “I moved into the APC because of my personal relationship with Mr. President. I have watched him and I find honesty, integrity and I see his wish and commitment to the Federal Republic of Nigeria. To that extent, I have a leader that I trust.” He faulted the activities of the opposition, especially in matters relating to insecurity, and called on all Nigerians to work with the present administration to foster peace. “The increasing insecurity in Nigeria suffers attacks from extraneous aggressors, paid militia and bandits. The opposition party only celebrates that because they believe it gives them a chance to win in 2023. So, opposition becomes very cannibalistic. You rejoice over the bloodbath in your country; you rejoice over the level of insurgency and killings in your country just because you are playing opposition,” he said.

Presidency berates ex-US envoy, magazine over ‘Nigeria is failing’ report by Stephen Angbulu

THE Presidency on Thursday knocked an American magazine of international relations and US foreign policy, Foreign Affairs, for publishing what it called a facts-shifting article on Nigeria. It said this in its reaction to an article titled ‘The giant of Africa is failing’ which appeared in the current edition of the magazine. The Presidency’s position was contained in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, titled, ‘Re: Giant of Africa is failing: Stating the facts.’ The statement reads, “The latest article on Nigeria in Foreign Affairs titled ‘The Giant of Africa is failing’ is unfair both to a magazine with such an esteemed pedigree and to its readers. “Ambassador Campbell has been predicting the collapse of Nigeria for several years. He is of course entitled to his opinions, even where events consistently prove him wrong. But facts should not be bent to support distorted opinions.” Shehu cited example of the claim in the article that the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), at an April meeting with US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, reportedly requested that the headquarters of the US Africa Command be moved from Germany to Nigeria so that it would be closer to the fight against jihad groups in the country’s North. He added, “It’s not just a question of the invented addition of ‘to Nigeria’ with regard to AFRICOM. It sums up a piece that attempts – subtly but revealingly – to shift facts to suit an argument. “Nigeria faces multiple challenges, not least of which is the dissemination of fake news and prejudiced opinion. “This is something we have come to expect from partisan blogs and politically motivated lobbies. It is still a surprise, and a disappointment, to see them joined by Foreign Affairs.” PUNCH.

Soyinka denies social media post on Yoruba nation by Samson Folarin

Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, on Thursday, denounced a fake WhatsApp post on the Yoruba state agitation, which was attributed to him. Soyinka, in a statement titled: ‘They are back’, urged the public to ignore the post and utterances of people, who stole his identity, to pass messages on social media. According to him, he does not participate in Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp and other offerings of social media. He noted that any views he wanted to express on any issue would be done through the print media. The statement said, “Professor Wole Soyinka wishes to denounce the fake WhatsApp posting on the Yoruba state agitation being attributed to him. I will curse politicians frustrating Yoruba nation –Gani Adams “Once again, he requests the public to ignore the utterances of those contemptible interlopers, who lack the courage of their conviction and thus take to identity theft for the furtherance of their views. For a start, Wole Soyinka does not participate in Facebook, tweet, blog, WhatsApp or other offerings of the social media. “Any views that he wishes to express on national and other issues routinely go through the print media.” PUNCH.

JUST IN: NECO appoints Ogborodi as acting Registrar By Justina Asishana

The Governing Board of the National Examinations Council (NECO) has approved the appointment of Mr Ebikibina John Ogborodi as new acting Registrar. The appointment of Ogborodi as Acting Registrar/Chief Executive of the Council was contained in a circular issued by the Director, Human Resource Management, Mr Mustapha Abdul in Minna on Thursday. Until his appointment, Ogborodi was the Director of Special Duties in the Council. The Circular explained that the Acting Registrar’s appointment was endorsed by the Governing Board at its emergency meeting held on 2nd June, 2021. Read Also: NECO registrar wasn’t killed, say police The Circular explained that the Acting Registrar’s appointment was as a result of being the most Senior Director in the Council. The Circular stated that all activities of the Council are to continue unabated as earlier planned. Ogborodi hails from Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. He joined the service of NECO in 1999 and had served in different capacities. He was a former Acting Director, Examination Development Department; Acting Director, Office of the Registrar; Director, General Services and Director, Human Resource Management among others.