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Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has again decried the deplorable state of affairs across the country encouraged by the inability of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government to provide effective leadership, and explained that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) now has the right leadership to turn things around for the country.
Wike made the observation when he led a delegation of some elders and chieftains of the PDP in Rivers State on a New Year visit to Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu in his country home in Umuobiakwa village, yesterday.
The governor noted how disheartening it has been for Nigerians, in parts of the country, to be left to fate in the hands of marauding abductors and killers, who were largely unchallenged or brought to book by the Federal Government, which controls the security apparatus.
Wike said what has become of Nigeria was not what the generality of Nigerians wished to have as a country.
The governor pointed out that there was the need to reverse the current situation by addressing the problem squarely, saying that only the PDP was now trusted and expected to perform that function.
“And this is not the country we wish ourselves. No reasonable Nigerian will say that he is happy that as he wakes up in the morning, what you hear of is death.”
He said his concern about the appalling situation in the country was the reason why he stated in Bauchi over the weekend that God will not forgive PDP if it does not rescue the country from the poor governance foisted on Nigerians by the APC.
“God will not forgive PDP. PDP has everything it takes to go for it now, and make sure we rescue this country.”
Wike explained that he chose the New Year visit to his Abia State colleague because of the quality of friendship they share both on official and personal levels.
He described Ikpeazu as a man of character, and a faithful ally who had provided support when it mattered most, and never allowed disgrace to come to him.
Wike also spoke of Ikpeazu as a true believer in the Nigeria project, and supporter of everything that would foster development.
According to him, Ikpeazu also championed the need to change of previous leadership of PDP to align with the expectations of Nigerians.
“There are people you have special relationship with. Yes, we are governors, no doubt about it. As governors too, we know how we relate. Ikpeazu is one of those I relate with officially and as a personal friend.
“You see, in life, money is not everything. Character is important. He is a man of character.”
Responding, Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu said it was a personal privilege and opportunity to host Wike, whom he described as the flagship of governance in the country, as his New Year guest.
He said in Abia State, the people share in Wike’s concern for a better Nigeria.
According to him, the country must be rescued from the brinks of extinction.
“So that we don’t continue to drift to abyss, because a situation where you can no longer offer hope for your youth, a situation where your yesterday seems to be better than your tomorrow, and certainly better than your today, is my definition of hopelessness.”
He noted that Wike was a determined and selfless leader who was not only focused on the provision of infrastructure in his state, but also providing true leadership for them to emulate.
He said Wike has the capacity to drive rectitude into the democratic process using the nation’s judicial system to address troubling national and constitutional issues.
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To check the environmental menace occasioned by black soot in parts of Rivers State, Governor Nyesom Wike has directed the chairmen of local government councils, particularly Port Harcourt City to go after all the illegal crude oil refining sites and shut them down with immediate effect.
He also directed all council chairmen and community leaders to locate, identify and report to his office all those behind illegal bunkering and crude oil refining sites in their localities for prosecution.
Wike, in his 2022 New Year message, said the directive stems from failure of the Federal Government and its security agencies to rein in those behind illegal oil bunkering and artisanal crude oil refiners in the state.
“As a state government, we have drawn the attention of the Federal Government to this problem, and requested for its intervention to stop the activities of illegal bunkering and artisanal crude oil refiners, which have been identified as the main sources of the soot pandemic.
“Unfortunately, the Federal Government has remained inexplicably silent over our request, and even complicit, to a large extent, with the security agencies actively aiding, encouraging and protecting the artisanal refiners to continue with their harmful activities unabated.”
The governor said the state government has equally appealed, without success, to persons engaging in the illegal business, to consider its negative effects on the economy, environment, public safety and public health, and disengage from it.
Wike assured that his administration would continue to do its best to meet the aspirations of citizens for a more peaceful, safe and secure society throughout the year 2022.
“We will continue to pursue our objectives for a stronger and more sustainable economy centred on fiscal discipline, revenue growth, job creation, and improved standard of living for all residents.
“We will continue to accelerate our development with the sustainable delivery of quality roads, bridges, schools, hospitals and other socio-economic infrastructure, and complete all ongoing development projects across the state.”
The governor reminded all government recognised traditional rulers that they were, at all times, subject to the authority and directives of the state government, and not to other allegiances, culture or otherwise.
“Therefore, the consistent absence of some first class traditional rulers, especially the Amanyanabo of Okrika, the Amanyanabo of Ogu, the Amanyanabo of Kalabari and the Gbenemene Nyo-Khana from participating in state functions is unacceptable and will no longer be tolerated.
“Should they, therefore, continue to absent themselves from state functions or in the regular meetings and activities of the State Traditional Rulers Council, we would have no option than to direct their immediate replacement.”
The governor commended the security agencies for working round the clock to make and keep the state peaceful, safe and secure throughout 2021.
To make the state safer, the governor said, government would from the second week of January, 2022, commence demolition of all shanties and makeshift structures in identified crime hotspots in Port Harcourt, particularly the Illaobuchi area of Diobu.
He warned that all those attempting to resume illegal trading activities at the closed Oginigba slaughter market have one week to vacate or be arrested and charged to court.
Wike stated that government would take over most vacant plots or uncompleted buildings in the Old and New Government Reservation Areas (GRAs) and some other parts of Port Harcourt City and Obio/Akpor councils that have been hijacked and inhabited by criminal elements.
The governor said government would recover and restore all landfilled or reclaimed wetlands and demolish all structures erected on natural water channels spanning from the Eastern Bypass area up to Abana and Eleme streets in Old GRA as part of measures to check perennial flooding challenge in parts of Port Harcourt City and Obio/Akpor councils, adding that only those with genuine government permits and allocation papers would be duly compensated.
Wike announced the immediate ban on activities of cart pushers who have become notorious for indiscriminate scavenging of manhole covers, and directed law enforcement agencies to arrest and prosecute anyone who attempts to violate the ban.
He further banned the disposal of refuse on the streets or open spaces in both the Old and New GRAs of Port Harcourt City and Obio/Akpor councils; pasting of posters, fliers, pictures, artworks, placards or inscriptions on or under flyovers, bridges, concrete walls, and safety barricades along the roads, adding that government would establish environmental marshals to enforce compliance with state sanitation laws.
The governor directed the chairmen of Port Harcourt City, Ikwerre, Obio/Akpor, and Oyigbo councils to, within three weeks from January 1, impound and or remove any trailer or articulated vehicle parked on the streets beyond 48 hours in their respective administrative jurisdictions.
Concerned about the operations and socially harmful activities of nightclubs within residential areas of the state, the governor placed an immediate ban on all nightclub activities, including night-time trading and street prostitution along Sani Abacha Road and surrounding streets in Port Harcourt to stop the harmful effect of the depraved activities on the moral development of children and society at large.
“No responsible government should continue to tolerate the open display and solicitation of sexual services, drug abuse and public intoxication that takes place along the streets and public areas abutting some of these nightclubs, lounges and bars by the youths, some, as young as under 14 years.”
The governor expressed sympathy to the victims of the recent fire incidences in the state, especially those who lost loved ones and valuable property.
He said the government would continue to strengthen the State Fire Service, and urged members of the public also take responsibility to prevent or avoid some of the fire incidents from happening.
Wike expressed concern over the poor compliance with the existing COVID-19 protocols by citizens and the effect on the transmission of the disease in the state.
He enjoined all residents to make themselves available for testing and vaccination whether it is for the first, second or booster jab.
By: Taneh Beemene
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The autopsy report conducted on the corpse of late Sylvester Oromoni, alleged victim of bullying, at the Dowen College, Lagos, is out.
This is as Consultant Pathologist, Clement Vhriterhire, of Central Hospital, Warri, who conducted the autopsy on Sylvester Oromoni, who died on November 30 last year, has established that he died of “acute lung injury due to chemical intoxication in a background of blunt force trauma.”
The report, however, exonerated the school’s house master and other students arrested in connection with the alleged murder.
Consequently, the suspects, who have been in police custody at the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Yaba, for over three weeks, were released last Thursday, on bail.
It would be recalled that the deceased, who was a Junior Secondary School 2 student of the school and a boarder, was rushed to his parent’s home in Warri, Delta State, two months ago, owing to some injuries he sustained while playing football, according to the school.
But his parents faulted the school’s claim, disclosing rather, that their son revealed that the injuries were inflicted on him by some senior students who wanted to force him to join their cult group.
Late Sylvester, died few days before he would be 12 years old, from internal injuries which included kidney enlargement.
In the course of investigation into the alleged murder, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command, Hakeem Odumosu, revealed that the autopsy report released did not show that late Sylvester was murdered.
He was, however, quick to add that investigation was still ongoing, part of which was the toxicology test that needed to be conducted on the corpse.
Shedding more light on the investigation, Odumosu, said, “We are not at the peak yet. But we have done our investigation, and have sent the report to the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advise on those arrested and DPP has replied.
“We have gone through the medical aspect which is the post mortem.
“Post mortem was carried out in Delta and Lagos states. The first one done in Delta State was only witnessed by parents of the deceased.
“But after I held a meeting with the parties concerned, at the instance and directive of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and my Inspector-General of Police, IGP Alkali Usman Baba, the second post mortem was carried out in Lagos.
“The corpse was brought from Delta State to Lagos, where the post mortem was carried out with all the parties involved, that is: parents of the deceased, parents of the students accused, the school authority and government. These were the four parties that witnessed the post mortem. And the result is out.
“The report of the post mortem did not bring out the issue of murder on anybody.
“Besides the result of the autopsy, the court order that we got has elapsed and we have released the house master and others on bail, because there was nothing that indicted them of murder.
“It is only a murder case that is not bailable. All other offences are bailable. They have been in custody for more than twenty days and that is infringing on their fundamental human rights. Since medical and legal reports have not indicted them so far, I think there is need to allow them have their freedom because bail is not the end of the case.
“Another forensic test known as toxicology, will be carried out on the corpse”, Odumosu said.
“By the way, the Toxicology test is to determine the concoction that was allegedly forced into the deceased mouth which peeled his lips”.
The test, according to Odumosu, would be conducted abroad.
He explained that “Toxicology test was being done in Nigeria before, precisely at the Lagos State medical facility in Lagos Island. But after the #EndSARS crisis, it is conducted outside the country.
“Until that one is effectively done, we won’t know the final report. But with the interim report, nothing showed murder”, Odumosu stated.
However, Consultant Pathologist, Clement Vhriterhire, of Central Hospital, Warri, who conducted the autopsy on Sylvester Oromoni, a student of Dowen College, Lekki, Lagos, who died on November 30 last year, has established that he died of “acute lung injury due to chemical intoxication in a background of blunt force trauma.”
This report came just as Oromoni’s family kicked against the decision of the Lagos Police to release the housemaster and other staff of the college.
The 12-year-old boy was alleged to have been attacked for refusing to join a cult group. Oromoni’s father had alleged that his child was beaten and fed a liquid chemical. But Dowen College had dismissed the claim, saying the boy sustained injuries while playing football with his colleagues.
Lagos Police Commissioner, Hakeem Odumosu, had ordered a probe while Dowen College was sealed off. Odumosu, briefing newsmen on Friday, said the schoolhouse masters involved in the case had been released since the court order to remand them had expired.
He also said that the police, which had concluded its investigations, had forwarded its report to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), and had received a response.
According to Odumosu, “The corpse was brought from Delta State to Lagos. The post-mortem was carried out in Lagos. The result is out, as of now, it has not brought out the issue of murder on anybody. Toxicology is still to be carried out, which is the final one. The interim one has not. Based on that, the court order we got has elapsed and we have released the housemaster and others on bail as of yesterday because they have not been indicted of murder. It is only murder cases that are not subject to bail. “Since the medical report has not indicted them so far, I think there is a need for them to have their freedom because bail is not the end of the case.
The development comes after the court had granted bail to five students charged with the alleged murder of Oromoni.
A member of the bereaved family, Perry Oromoni, who spoke to newsmen, kicked against the outcome of the police probe, accusing the Lagos Police Command and the state government of hoarding the second autopsy result of the corpse.
He accused the Lagos State Government of deciding to go in favour of Dowen College, Lagos and the alleged murderers involved.
“The Oromoni family has been quiet because we’ve been patiently waiting for the Lagos State Government to conclude their autopsy and also see how swift they are in carrying our justice for Sylvester,” he lamented.
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A delegation of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, yesterday, visited their Adamawa State counterpart, Hon Ahmadu Fintiri in Yola, and pledged to rescue Nigeria in 2023.
Those who visited Fintiri are Deputy Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu; Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike; and Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Ikpeazu said they were in Yola to identify with Fintiri and the people of Adamawa State.
“We have come to identify with you, and to say, we are grateful to God Almighty for how He has led you thus far. The good people of Adamawa State, we bring good tidings and wishes of a better New Year 2022.
“We pray that God will enable us, will help us join other well-meaning Nigerians to march forward, and indeed, rescue our country.”
While responding, Adamawa State Governor, Hon Ahmadu Fintiri commended his colleagues for the visit to identify with him and the good people of Adamawa State.
He disclosed that he was recovering fast, saying that their visit would give further impetus to his healing process.
“I also want to thank God for granting you journey mercy to come on behalf of PDP Governors’ Forum to identify with me. I am recovering very fast, and we give thanks to God.
“I’m well and good. I’m in very good condition. And with this visit, it will further give me more confidence, and the healing process will be faster. And it will be good for us, it will be good for PDP, it will be good for the country”, he added.
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