Ogonis in Diaspora Wants Nigerian Senator Barinadaa Mpigi Investigated For Murder

 The National Union of Ogoni Students, USA, also known as NUOS USA, a not-for-profit refugee agency with headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona, has called on Nigeria's Acting Inspector General of Police to direct the Rivers State Police Commissioner to launch an investigation into the alleged involvement of Senator Barinada Mpigi in the attempted murder of Chief Gani Topba. Gani Topba was shot  in Bori, Ogoni.on Sunday, March 12, 2023. He survived that attack.

 

President of NUOS USA, Freddie Idamkue made the call in a statement released at the end of its mid-year emergency meeting held in Phoenix Arizona USA. Idamkue said the insecurity situation was creating a refugee crisis and forcing migrations especially in Ogoni where a lot of high profile killings are never investigated. 

 

Chief Gani Topba had on Saturday July 22, 2023 while featuring on "Point Blank", a current affairs radio programme on Super FM 93.3 Port Harcourt accused the current Senator representing Rivers South East Senatorial District Barinada Mpigi of being behind the assassination attempt.

 

Chief Gani Topba had also accused the Senator of poisoning the former governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike on two occasions.

 

Reacting to the allegation, Idamkue said the police cannot treat such a weighty allegation lightly especially given the level of high profile killings which has ravaged Ogoni without anyone being held accountable.

 

Chief Gani Topba had challenged the Senator, Barinada Mpigi to act in denial of the allegations by petitioning the state security if the allegations are false.

 

Idamkue said Senator Mpigi was also named in the January 2nd 2020 assassination attempt on the life of the president of MOSOP, Fegalo Nsuke. MOSOP President Nsuke escaped by the whiskers and remained in police detention for two days before his release in the late evening of January 4.

 

Citing other high profile killings in the Ogoni area,  Idamkue said Barr. Joseph Paago, a university lecturer was adopted in Kira, and murdered in cold blood in Agbonchia Eleme  on his way to Port-Harcourt. The police have not identified his assailants since then.

 

Richard Nimaa, a MOSOP chieftain and an aspirant for the chairmanship of Khana local government area of Rivers State and native of Sogho was assassinated in his home in Eleme just before the party primary elections. 

 

In 2010, Mr Pius Gbarazia, an Ogoni born Canadian who visited Nigeria and a lecturer at the Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Port Harcourt, Engr. Clement Faah, both native of Yeghe in Gokana local government, were killed by gunmen in their hometown. There have been no investigations into those killings.

 

On 25th, March 2019, Mr. Fidelis Nwiyor,  a Director of Federal Ministry Education who visited his home town Bien-Gwara for his brother's funeral was assassinated without arrest or investigation until date.

 

It is disturbing that relatives, like the wife of late Dr.Lucky Kina,  a Port-Harcourt based ophthalmologist assassinated on 24th November 2018 and others who attempt to seek justice for the victims are trailed by assailants (unknown gunmen) who kill and persecute citizens with impunity.

 

Prior to the 2016 election rerun for the Rivers South East Senatorial District, at least 26 persons were killed including traders and students who came to the Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic to pick up their NYSC call-up letters. No one had been held accountable for these killings.

 

The disappearance of notable persons and killing of political actors is  something that deserves more serious attention especially with the revelation by Chief Gani Topba that Senator Barinada Mpigi is responsible for the attack and attempt to murder him in March 2023.

 

NUOS expects and demands that public officers and a serving Senator, as in this instance, should live above board and uphold the integrity that is expected of holders of such positions. 

 

NUOS USA notes that it is particularly striking that Chief Gani Topba during the radio programme challenged Senator to prove him wrong and repeatedly emphasised his readiness to prove his case.

 

NUOS USA makes bold to state its rejection of people whose credibility are questionable from holding public offices that require trust and integrity and notes that this instance involving Senator Barinada Mpigi is not only an embarrassment to the nation but could suggest a strong alliance between the police and criminal elements in the Ogoni area if no serious action is taken.

 

Recalling the role of some police officers in the attempt on the life of the president of MOSOP on January 2, 2020, NUOS USA believes that an investigation into the strong allegations made by Chief Topbaa will not only expose one of the criminal cabals in Ogoni but also help the dwindling reputation and negative image held about the Nigerian Police especially in respect of dealing with politically motivated murders.

 

 

Signed

 

Freddie Idamkue

President 

Group Applauds Customs New MGT Team

 

The Business and Maritime Writers' Association of Nigeria, BUMWAN, has congratulated the newly appointed three Deputy Comptroller Generals of Customs, DCGs, and three Assistant Comptroller Generals of Customs, ACGs, by President Bola Ahmed TINUBU.

 

Recall that the Nigeria Customs service has announced the appointment of DCG Festus OKUN, DCG MUSA Baba Abdullahi, DCG Albashir HAMISU, ACG Kamarudeen   OLUMOH, ACG AUWAL Baba MOHAMMED and ACG Adeogun OLAJOGUN as the new management team that would pilot the affairs of the service following the appointment of acting Comptroller General of Customs and the retirement of some senior officers.

 

This decision was reached at an emergency executive meeting held today in Port Harcourt, Rivers state. 

 

Commenting on the development, BUMWAN National president, Peter Ihejirika applauded the president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu for rewarding what he termed as hard work and dedication shown through the appointment of those whom he said have grown through the ranks and have contributed immensely to the soaring venue profile of Nigeria Customs Service over the years.

 

Ihejirika, posit that, "With the recent appointment , the Nigeria Customs Service will witness an astronomical growth both in manpower development, service delivery and in fact the federal government fiscal policy stimulus which would be enhanced."

 

Adding,  "Smugglers and those that engage in unwholesome trade should think of another business as the new management team are known for their averred compliant with extant laws guiding import, export and cargo clearance and also the core mandate of Nigeria Customs Service which includes Revenue generation, Trade facilitation, Anti-Smuggling among others."

 

He enjoined all officers and men of the service, other stakeholders in the Maritime industry to work together with the new management team to ensure the achievement of their mandate.

 

In his remarks, the National Secretary of BUMWAN, Apostle Tony Nzekwe, said, “The appointment of the six senior customs officers is an affirmation of Merit, Professionalism, discipline and productive results driven Nigeria Customs Service. It’s a new dawn of enhanced technological driven Service delivery, robust stakeholders synergies and improved geometrical revenue generation into the federal coffers."

 

He asserted, "The newly appointed 3 DCGs and 3 ACG s are Senior Customs Officers who have consistently over decades remained astute, Pragmatic, Transparent, resourceful and compliant to the fiscal policies of the federal government of Nigeria."

 

His words: "These are distinguished Senior Officers who have killed self interest over national interest, Security and Prosperity. And all critical stakeholders and operators in the Maritime industry should give them adequate and needed cooperation and support to excel in their new assignment."

Neuro Spinal Hospital and Rivexcel Health Partner to Give Africans Affordable World-Class Healthcare in Dubai

RivExcel Health, a leading international medical tourism facilitator, is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with Neuro Spinal Hospital (NSH), a renowned healthcare institution with advanced services in comprehensive oncology, orthopedics, neurology, neurosurgery, and spinal surgery.

RivExcel in a statement circulated to media houses said, “This collaboration aims to expand and enhance the medical tourism services provided by RivExcel Health, further solidifying their commitment to offering high-quality medical solutions to patients from Africa seeking treatment in Dubai.”

The press release noted that, “as part of this partnership, RivExcel Health has independently vetted and selected NSH based on their exceptional reputation, expertise, and commitment to patient care. Neuro Spinal Hospital, known for its state-of-the-art facilities and highly skilled medical professionals, aligns perfectly with RivExcel Health's mission to connect patients with reputable healthcare providers in Dubai.”

"Our partnership with Neuro Spinal Hospital marks a significant milestone for RivExcel Health," said Tonye Princewill, CEO of RivExcel Health. "Neuro Spinal Hospital's specialization in oncology, orthopedics, neurosurgery, spinal surgery and rehabilitation perfectly complements our existing network of healthcare providers. We are confident that this collaboration will greatly benefit our patients by providing them with access to world-class medical expertise and cutting-edge treatment options."

The statement read further, “Through this partnership, RivExcel Health will offer patients seeking the

latest treatment options, a seamless and comprehensive experience. In addition to connecting patients with Neuro Spinal Hospital's highly skilled specialists, RivExcel Health will provide personalized assistance with travel arrangements, visa applications, language interpretation services, accommodation, and overall patient comfort. This holistic approach ensures that patients can focus on their health and well-being while receiving top-quality medical care in Dubai.

“RivExcel Health and Neuro Spinal Hospital are dedicated to upholding the highest standards of patient safety, quality of care and ethical practices. By combining their expertise and resources, both organizations aim to provide patients with unmatched medical solutions and an unparalleled experience throughout their medical journey.”

About RivExcel Health: RivExcel Health is an international medical tourism facilitator that connects patients from Africa with reputable healthcare providers across the globe. With a commitment to exceptional patient care, RivExcel Health offers a wide range of medical solutions and personalized services, ensuring a seamless and stress-free experience for patients seeking treatment in Dubai. The website www.rivexcelhealth.com is simple and easy to navigate, a perfect gateway to all your medical needs.

About Neuro Spinal Hospital: When commissioned in 2002, Neuro Spinal Hospital was the first private subspecialty hospital in the region. Over the years NSH has grown their patient base and reputation as a dynamic medical and academic centre and remains today, the leading centre of referral for complex neurosurgical, spinal, orthopedic and rehabilitation diseases. NSH has launched its NSH Cyberknife cancer centre using robotic technology to treat tumors without surgery or anesthesia and minimal side effects, the most comprehensive cancer centre existing in the UAE.

Combining expertise from around the world with cutting edge technology, NSH provides patients access to the latest diagnosis and treatment options, such as the first Cyberknife in Dubai. Now patients can have all they need from diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation under one roof. The values that drive NSH are all centered on the needs of patients and their families. Its purpose is noble; to bring patients the best care possible in a compassionate environment and to raise the standards of healthcare in the Arab world.