Towards the Depoliticising of the Forensic Audit on NDDC

Niger Delta people will, for a long time, remain wholeheartedly grateful to President Muhammadu Buhari, for the immense goodwill he has shown to the good people of the Oil rich but beleaguered region, through the various projects and programmes aimed at the total development and emancipation of the Niger Delta region. We must acknowledge the concerted effort towards the completion of the East-West highway, the reintroduction of the Petroleum industry Bill (P.I.B) to the National Assembly, the construction of the national headquarters of the Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board (NCDMB) in the heart of the Niger Delta region, the monumental Bonny-Bodo road project, as well as the move to reposition the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) through the institution of the Forensic Audit of the Commission, just to mention but a few of the projects and programmes which has definitely put the region on the spotlight and assures that the region is on a steady path of growth and development as well as liberation from the clutches of entrenched stagnation and backwardness which has kept the region utterly underdeveloped and abandoned, over the decades. While we are grateful for this effort, we emphasize that there is still a vacuum and a yearning, to do more for further development of the Niger Delta region. 

Certainly, when the recap of events that made news in 2020 is done, one of the stories that will easily come to mind is the much-publicized probe of the Niger Delta Development commission (NDDC) by the National Assembly. And, for sure, a lot of people will love it, not just because it is a sordid and seamy commentary on the Niger Delta struggle, but mainly because recent events have exposed, albeit inadvertently, that whole exercise for what people have always termed it; a terrible, terrible entertainment. 

The very sight of the Acting Managing Director of NDDC, Prof. Kemebradikumo Daniel Pondei losing his breath before the glaring cameras of National and International Television should, ordinarily evoke solemnity and somewhat of sadness at the near loss of life, in the course of dedication to national service but this will be reduced further down the slope of horrific spectacles when the cardinal issues that gave rise to that probe, which includes the Forensic Audit ordered by President Buhari on NDDC, is discovered to have been highly politicized, and designed to be poorly executed, by high calibre politicians, seeking with a highway exit ramp out of the impending expository series which the Forensic Audit is sure to kickstart. Needless to say, even party chieftains from both sides of the frontline political divides in the country sought to nail the Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, rather than live to see the exercise succeed. 

Many a group who stood in the gap, intent and determined to brave the odds to ensure that NDDC does not fail in the mandate given to it as a creation of law, to salvage the Niger Delta from environmental degradation and entrench a developmental ideology, will be at a loss and in utter consternation at the sudden twist of fate. It is sad that the NDDC which some civil society and advocacy groups of goodwill fought to defend and liberate from the jackals and hyenas have become a prisoner of sorts, to what looms the selfish interest of a selected few. It does appear that the collective heritage of the entire Niger Delta region, comprising nine states (Abia, Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross-River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers) have become the estate of not just the National Assembly members (especially principal officers and members of National Assembly Joint Committee on NDDC), but also of the NDDC management and senior staff as well as the Ministry of Niger Affairs! 

The sordid tales of the rape of the Niger Delta has dominated the National discourse, this year, 2020 and has sadly not taken even a casualty, because the dramatis personae of this tragicomedy have insisted on a political solution, rather than a humanitarian approach to the issues raised, whereby the people of Niger Delta will have a breathe a fresh and for once in a long time, benefit from their Natural endowment, which is the oil at their backyard. It is so sad to note that in December 2020, the budget details for the 2020 budget of the NDDC has neither been approved by the National Assembly, nor released to the Commission. What this means is that the Commission is technically grounded and unable to function effectively or even meet up with its expectations to the Niger Deltans. 

As though that is not enough setback, to a beleaguered people, reports have it that the much talked about Forensic Audit on the account of NDDC, from inception till date, is gradually becoming a reality, that paucity of funds has been programmed to frustrate the development of the region under Buhari, through the non-release of the 2020 budget details of the NDDC by the National Assembly. The target could be to ensure that the Commission engages in extra budgetary spending, or rather, unbudgeted expenditure, so as to have a reason to nail the Forensic Audit report, and make it stillborn. This is because the key perpetrators of these shenanigans have concocted allegations against the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs saying that he is clearly being browbeaten into shielding his friends and associates, as well as cronies and fellow party men from being exposed by the audit, through a careful removal of files containing their shady deals and bloated cum unexecuted but fully paid projects, from the records of the Commission, thus making it impossible for the Forensic Auditors to unmask the pillagers and looters for who they truly are. On the other hand, they expect that he should kill, completely, the whole idea of a Forensic Audit. 

It will be a profanity of the anti-corruption stance which Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari professes, if this onslaught by people obviously determined to thwart the goodwill of Africa’s celebrated anti-corruption Crusader and President of the Federal Republic Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, towards the Oil rich Niger Delta region.

Those bent on frustrating the efforts of the Minister for the sake of hijacking the treasury of the Commission to feather their nests towards the 2023 elections had succeeded in crippling the activities of the last Interim Management Committee, under Prof Daniel K. Pondei while plotting a careful takeover of the affairs of the Commission through a list of surrogates as members of the substantive Board of Directors, albeit illegal and skewed. 

It may not be common knowledge for those who are ignorant of the behind the scene happenings at the Commission that for over four months, the NDDC has had it's accounts frozen and a lien placed on the said accounts, deliberately forcing the Oil and Gas Companies to pay their statutory 3% and 5% Commission into a special account named EFCC/NDDC instead of the NDDC account domiciled with the Central Bank of Nigeria. 

While the yearly federal allocation dropped from N80bn to N45bn and exhausted within five months on payment of contractors, foreign scholarships amongst others; the Commission became cash-strapped as a highly placed Principal Officer of the Nigerian Senate in active connivance with the longest serving Member of Staff of the Commission, wrote petitions to the EFCC and ICPC, forcing the anti corruption agencies to move against the IMC. In a rather unfortunate twist, instead of  commencing investigations while allowing the Commission to function, the EFCC has simply halted payment of Contractors 

Thus, there is an urgent need to address this impasse to before it snowballs into a National embarrassment as the ex agitators in the region have begun threats to stall the flow of Oil through the pipelines. The damage to the economy cannot be imagined, if the situation is not nipped in the bud.

 

Written by Obiaruko Christie Ndukwe, President, Citizens Quest for Truth Initiative, Abuja

 

Email: CitizensQuest247@gmail.org

 

Rivers APC: Sack Aguma, Abe and their cohorts from party now, Eze tells Buni

 

... Recalls their past attempts at weakening party

 

... Congratulates newly sworn-in state CTC

 

After several efforts by the Buni led Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at reconciling members and rebuilding the distressed chapter of the party in Rivers State, hope still seems not to be on sight as peace appears to have taken perpetual flight from the circle of the Rivers Progressives family which has long been enmeshed in the turbulent waters of legal mechanics and acrobatics and which culminated in the denial of the party its  constitutionally guaranteed right to field candidates for national and state parliamentary seats and other positions in government during the 2019 polls.

 

This revelation was made by the erstwhile National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (A PC), Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, in a statement made available to media houses, Wednesday 16 December, 2020.

 

According to the party chief, a critical scrutiny and in-depth analysis of the body languages and verbal expressions of Chief Igo Aguma and Senator Magnus Abe on recent developments in the All Progressives Congress succinctly suggest that the duo may have sworn to an oath with the devil never to allow the Rivers APC take up the responsibility and play the necessary roles befitting of a responsible, progressive, people-oriented and democratically inclined political organization in the state.

 

With the litany of available facts and records in connection with their satanic artifice against the party and her teeming members and supporters, Chief Eze said it will be foolhardy for the leadership of the APC to tolerate their renewed onslaught and treat them with kids gloves given the fact that this times are too serious for the party to continue to accommodate serial saboteurs.

 

For the duo to continue to boast in the open that the party will no longer exist let alone participate in the 2023 general elections is enough reason not only to sanction but expel them as a matter of urgency, unless the party hierarchy is conniving and cooperating with this same known mercenaries of the Peoples Democratic Party and Gov. Wike, to exterminate the Rivers state chapter of the APC.

 

"The singular fact that Abe, Aguma and their cohorts have defiled the directive of President Mohammadu Buhari and the leadership of the party to the effect that court cases instituted by party members should be withdrawn is enough reason to lead the moles to the exit door and allow for sanity within the progressives fold". Eze lamented.

 

Given the reality that majority of their allies have left them for the PDP which clearly indicates that they will no longer have the capacity to compete for any position in the party after the membership update and revalidation excerise billed to commence by January, 2020, the duo prefer to ensure that the excerise will not take place in the State. This is nothing but sheer witchcraftcy, gross cowardice and it is diabolical and highly  condemnable.

 

Eze described Aguma's recent statement questioning Amaechi's credentials to aspire for any higher position in Nigeria though laughable as coming from a misguided, demented and dammed mind that needs our collective prayers Psychiatric evaluation For a fellow  like Aguma who because of hunger and questionable political intents to question Amaechi's credentials knowing whom Amaechi is and what he has achieved politically in Nigeria simply demonstrates that Aguma has gone so down and needs an immediate help before his case becomes irredeemable.

 

The party stalwart specifically pointed out that recent statement credited to former Rivers  South/East representative at the Red Chambers of the National Assembly, Sen. Magnus Abe, unambiguously suggests that the Ogoni-born politician and his band of goofy and sycophantic followers may be scheming to throw the party into yet another round of crisis in the continuous pursuit of their selfish private vendatta notwithstanding the shame and fatal misfortune they brought to the APC during the electioneering period preceding the 2019 polls which was the nadir of the whole misadventure.

 

Sen. Magnus Abe, had in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Parry Saroh Benson, described as an act of impunity, the inauguration of the local government and ward Caretaker Committees of the APC in Rivers State, adding that "it was the same attitude of insensibility that has kept the party comatose in Rivers State".

 

Further excerpts from the statement read "It is this imperial approach to the challenges facing the party without the input and consultation of other stakeholders, that is responsible for the crisis in the party. It is clear that those who believe in the power of man are once again on the move.

 

"It is indeed unfortunate at this critical time in the political game, that the APC in Rivers State has learnt nothing and forgotten nothing, it appears that the minister and his supporters are still hell-bent on “their way or the highway”.

 

"The end result of this kind of behaviour is not difficult to predict. As usual, it will end in failure. When it fails, Nigerians should note that the choice of impunity, disrespect for party members, exclusion of critical stakeholders, contempt for judicial pronouncements and petty arrogance, over humility and inclusiveness is the foundation of our serial failure as a party”.

 

Reacting to the balderdash and stuff and nonsense, Chief Eze said Abe may have gone conscienceless, pointing out that only a man who has lost cognitive orientation will display the level of desperation over an inordinate ambition as Abe did in 2018/19, and without remorse, still reserve the temerity to make reckless comments with impunity in the public space.

 

He said in saner climes, the likes of Abe would not only be hiding their faces in shame, but also be isolated from partisan politics, having traded the very fair electoral fortunes of the APC for a paltry bowl of stew like the biblical Esau and loosing everything remaining of his integrity and sense of morality.

 

Admonishing the APC to be weary of Sen. Abe and his usual satanic schemings and artifice, the party stalwart said investigations have revealed that the People's Democratic Party has declared Sen. Abe a persona non grata, and as a result, he is bared from seeking membership of the party, given his antecedents and defective political moorings which wrecked havoc on the Rivers APC in the recent past.

 

He described the continuous stay of Sen. Abe, Igo Aguma and others in the All Progressives Congress as a gross misnomer, a huge threat to the much desired peace and anticipated tranquillity and called on the Gov. Mai Mala Buni led Caretaker Committee to expel the former Rivers South/East Senator and his ally, Aguma, from the party for making themselves willing tools in the hands of Gov. Wike and the PDP at the detriment of a party they claim to be members.

 

The party Chief said the APC has shown more than fair leniency to Abe to the tune of considering him for an appointment. He averred that allowing Abe to always get away with undue concessions will only empower him to ask for more without respect for what is right.

 

He described the antecedents of the former Secretary to the State Government as a practical exhibition of crude desperation for power, stressing that his ambition, if unchecked, is capable of relegating democracy to the background as it remains a nightmare to the free exercise of franchise by citizens as guaranteed by national laws and international treaties.

 

Eze commended members of the Caretaker And Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee of the All Progressives Congress, led by Gov. Buni of Yobe state, for their commitment towards stabilizing the party across the states and assured them the support of all progressives of good will.

 

The party stalwart also congratulated the Rivers APC Caretaker Committee headed by Barr. Isaac Abbott Obuogbula for their appointment and subsequent inauguration. He described the constitution of Caretaker Committees at the local government area and ward levels as a strategic step to fill every speculative gap in the leadership of the party at all strata.

 

Eze lauds Amaechi, Umahi, Onu, others for their roles in Father In-law’s final journey home

.... Appreciates Amaechi's assurance on linking Owerri to Railway, fixing Umaku-Ntu's road

 

... Describes late Pa Nwaorgu as embodiment of honesty, humility and one of the pioneers of education advancement in Imo State

 

The sleepy town of Ntu in Ngor Okpala Local Government Area of Imo state went agog, Saturday 27 November, 2020 as
people from all walks of life, crème de la crème of society and the friends and  associates of the erstwhile National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP), Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, converged in the ancient community to bid farewell to his beloved in law, Pa Paulinus Nkemjika Nwaorgu, a father of nine, revered patriarch, retired teacher and one of the foremost students of Christ the King College (CKC), Onitsha, who died on the 3rd day of March, 2020, at the ripe age of 94.

 

The elaborate burial ceremony which held at Nwaorgu's compound in Ntu Community came to its peak after the funeral service at St. Paul's Catholic Church, Umuodagu Ntu, where the congregation took time, as is customary, to pay their last respects to the departed, with the admonition to always live life with the consciousness that someday, the living will account to his maker on answering the inevitable call to the great beyond.

 

Speaking at the funeral, the deceased first son, Prof. OGB Nwaorgu, appealed to the government of Imo State to give a thought to the deplorable state of the road linking Ntu to Umajaku which he described as one of the worst in the country, notwithstanding the very close proximity of the community to Owerri, the state capital. The renowned academic, a Professor of Otorhinolaryngology, also made a case for the electrification and provision of portable water for members of the community whom he said have suffered years of neglect from government at all levels.

 

Prof. Onyekwere George Benjamin Nwaorgu went further to thank their guests for finding time to identify with the family, as they were honouring their late father as well as celebrating his 95th birthday post luminously, described his late father as a great man, a disciplinarian and an educationist, who carried everybody along while alive.

He stated that his late father played well by not leaving issues hanging, as he trained all his children well and ensured that they engaged in meaningful ventures for the sake of survival. He however thanked God for his life and the way he related with people.

 

Sympathetically reacting to the plea, former Rivers Governor and Nigeria's Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, assured that the Ntu/Umjaku road will be given priority by 2021.

 

Ably represented by a party stalwart, High Chief Emeka Beke and others, the Transportation Minister said the road will be reconstructed by the new Management Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) expected to be constituted by President Mohammadu Buhari by first quarter of 2021.

 

Also speaking, Technical Assistant (TA) to the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, Lady Monica Chidinma Ada Eze (aka) Ada Ebonyi, told the community that the concerns raised will be channeled to the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma through her boss, Gov. Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State while giving an ironclad assurance that the community will soon hive a sigh of relief.

 

Meanwhile, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, married to the deceased first daughter, Evang. Henrietta Chioma Ada Eze, presented a cow, drinks, tubbers of yam, Rice, etcetera, to the community. The APC chieftain also gifted dozens of football jersey, balls, undisclosed sum etc., to the community youth in honour of Late Pa Nwaorgu, whom he described as a lover and pillar of sports in Ntu community and Imo State in general.

 

Other in-laws; Prof. Innocent Agu, Engr. Collins Maduforo Agharanya and Mr. R. Nkwocha and their spouses, families, friends and associates were also at hand make presentations and bid farewell to the Late Sage.

 

According to a first-hand account presented by Chief Theophilus Amadi and Sir Nwosu, the Late Pa Nwaorgu pioneered education advancement within his community as he was the first to gain admission into a secondary school and it took another ten years thereafter to have another student to achieve that feat.

 

He attended the Bishop Shonahan Teachers' Training College, Orlu, in the old Eastern Region (now in Imo State), from 1952 - 1954 after which he was appointed a teacher in the same institution. Available records reveal that Pa Nwaorgu taught many of the past and present political leaders in Imo and Abia States of Nigeria.

 

The Patriarch retired in 1986, but also taught in several other institutions including Baptist High School, Omuehie, Ngor Okpala, where he served as Dean of Students till 2006.

 

In 1958, Pa Nwaorgu got married to his wife, Mrs. Celine Adanma Nwauzoma Ekenwachukwu of Umuohie Ngor and the union was blessed with nine children all of whom are left to mourn him.

 

According to Chief Eze, even in death, Pa Nwaorgu lives on like a deity, a supernatural being with a swelling rank of influence who will remain a symbol of peace and good parenthood, a rallying point for lovers of discipline and sane society and a mortal threat to all negative reactionary forces. He was a custodian of sound societal ethics and norms whose legs were firmly planted in the world of peace and good neighbourliness.

 

Appreciating his friends, associates and all those who ensured that the funeral turned out a huge success, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, specifically recognized the special contributions and presence of the Transportation Minister, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi CON., which significantly added colour and spiced up the ceremony.

 

Similarly, the party Chief commended the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, Apostle Dave Umahi; the Hon. Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu; the Chief Medical Director (CMD), University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Prof. Henry Ugboma; Ex-DG., NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside; the Prince of Niger Delta, Prince Tonye Princewill, Hon. Barr. Asita O. Asita, Chairman, NIMASA Board, Hon. Brown Onari, Prof Steve Okodudu, Mal. Muhammed Bello Koko, Ambassador Oji N. Ngofa, Dr Godstime Orlukwe, Hon. Chisom Dike member, Federal House of Reps, Hon. Gift Okere and Mr. Fortune Oguru

 

Eze also thanked the former South-East Zonal National Vice Chairman of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Austin Umahi, family of AIG Dr Grace Okudo Retd and a host of others for their show of love, special commitments and supports during the funeral.

 

Eze specially thanked Prof Innocent E. Agu an Orator extraordinary who anchored the event successfully and colourfully.

 

The event was attended by Captains of industry, political and religious leaders, traditional rulers and Community leaders, various cultural groups who performed at the event, rendition presented by women of Ebony State and citations presented by Pa Nwaorgu’s grandchildren made the ceremony colourful.

 

Some of the special dignitaries that graced the celebration includes:

 

Elder Enoch Azunna former Cordinator, NPC and wife, Coordinator and staff of NPC Enugu Branch, in-laws and special Guests from Ebonyi, Abia and IMO States. Hon Blyden Okenze Amajirionwu, SA to this Executive Governor of IMO State and Mr. Greg Obioha.

 

Other Special Guests that graced the occasion:

 

1. Captain Dada Adekunle - Worthy President, Knights of St. John International Ascension Commandery 573, Bodija Ibadan

 

2. Prof. Nwazuoke - Chairman Otu Umunna, University of Ibadan

 

3. Prof. Ken Nwalor - onu na ekwuru Otu Umunna. University of Ibadan

 

4. Dr. Gerald Nweya - Secretary Otu Umunna, University of Ibadan

 

5. Dr (Engineer) Jeff Okoroafor - Provost Otu Umunna University of Ibadan.

 

Representatives of Owerri Grammar School Old Students Association:

Prof. Akujuobi Linus E

Engr. Cyprain Eke

Mr. Augustine Anyanwu

Mrs Stella Nwanneri

Barr Arthur Nkwocha

Sir Felix Nwoke

Okoronta John

Mrs Pauline (new Ukaegbu)

Eke Elistius

 

Representatives of Otorhinolaryngological Society of Nigeria (ORLSON):

- Prof. BC Ezeanolue - Eze Ugo nmuta 1 of Akwaeze

 

- Prof. TS Ibekwe Secretary Faculty of ORLHNS National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria

- Prof Onotai Lucky

- Dr. Owoicho

- Dr. Gbujie Onyema

- Dr Ajero, Head of Dept of ORL, FMC Owerri & his residents - Drs Iwueze & Ibekwe

 

Representatives of the ORL Dept, UCH Ibadan:

 

 Consultants:

1. Dr. P.A. Onakoya

2. Dr. (Mrs) Mercy E. Jatto

3. Dr. Ibrahim O. Musa

4. Dr. J.O. Ijitola

 

Residents:

1. Dr. Akande F.J

2. Dr. Ogundoyin O.A.

3. Dr. Sule S.O.

4. Dr. Babarinde J.A.

 

ORL NURSES:

1. ADN Adeyemo Adeola O.

2. ADN Adekanye Catherine.

 

He will be missed by his wife, Mrs. Philomena Nwaorgu; children, Prof. OGB Nwaorgu (Son), Sir Rommy Nwaorgu (Son) - President General of Ntu Community, Mrs. Ada Chioma Henrietta Eze (Daughter), Mr. Martins Nwaorgu (Son), Mrs. Ulu Mary Madufolu (Daughter), Lady Ndidi Mary Collect Nwaorgu (Daughter), Dr. Mrs. Chidiebere Agu (Daughter), Mr. Henry Nwaorgu (Son) and Mr. Chilee Faustinus Nwaorgu (Son); his four in-laws, 23 grand children, his community and a host of others.

 

Ends

 

Signed

 

Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze

 

APC Chieftain & former National Publicity Secretary, nPDP

 

15 – 12 – 20

Jessy emerges winner of ‘Help the Hard Worker’ Award Contest

 

Prince Jessy has emerged winner of the monthly Princewill Trust Help the Hard Worker competition. The monthly competition is put together by the hard working team of the Princewills Trust

 

Prince Jessy emerged the winner of the November, 2020 edition, after a fairly contested competition, beating both Igbigierebo Amachree and Ediyekio Nelson Tamuno imiete also known as Mc Nellyp to win the N100,000 cash prize.

 

A statement from Princewills Trust quoted Prince Tonye Princewill, who presented the cash award on behalf of his Trust, as saying the aim of the Trust was simply to encourage hard workers and move away from the mindset of entitlement. He called on the winner to make judicious use of the money and “give others like him, the inspiration to do well, work hard and upgrade their businesses too.”

 

The “Help the Hard worker” monthly competition is organised by the non-governmental organisation, The Princewill’s Trust for entrepreneurs, youths and Rivers state residents engaged in micro business ventures and all forms of hard work in Rivers State.

 

The winner said he was in need of funds to upgrade his photography world, but was helpless, adding that it had always been his wish to get support financially. He said he's not different from those that need help, just lucky. He thanked Princewills Trust and prayed for God to bless them well, saying that the sweat he poured to win this award has made it all the more valuable. Finally, he pleaded with others in a position to help, to do the same and continue to give back to the society. “Nothing is too small.” he said.