A Call to Accountability: Emeka Woke Condemns Fubara’s Unfortunate Remarks against his benefactor and Leadership Missteps

In an alarming display of political naivety, the recent comments made by Governor Sir Siminilayi Fubara at the launch of projects in Ahoada and Etche have ignited outrage among the citizens of Rivers State. Engr. Chukwuemeka Woke, Director General of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), did not hold back in his rebuke, reminding the governor of the allies who paved his way to power.

 

"To publicly denigrate those who stood by you is not just shortsighted; it's a betrayal," Woke declared. "The Governor's remarks reveal a troubling pattern of vindictiveness disguised as governance."

 

Woke specifically expressed concern over Fubara's cancellation of contracts with those he labels as "enemies," despite their proven competence. "What message does that send?" he asked. "To cancel projects not based on performance, but on petty political squabbles, is a dangerous precedent and egregious executive impunity at its worst."

 

He pointedly criticized the Governor's dismissal of vital infrastructure projects by mocking a road constructed in Omuma Local Government Area, labeling it a “Farm Road that leads to nowhere.” "This kind of rhetoric is unbecoming for a Chief Executive," Woke countered. "How can you belittle essential infrastructure that connects farmers to markets, while simultaneously promising new contracts for road projects to aid transportation? This is hypocrisy draped in ignorance."

 

Moreover, Woke took issue with Fubara's recent jabs at Nigerian youths who leverage social media as a platform for engagement. By referring to a young man as a "Data boy" simply for voicing concerns about poor road quality and project delivery, the Governor has illustrated a profound disconnect from the evolving societal landscape. "Labeling a young citizen attempting to hold you accountable reveals an alarming lack of respect for the voices of the next generation. Rather than dismissing their contributions, our leaders should listen, engage, and learn from them."

 

Continuing his critique, Woke addressed Fubara's lack of respect for his predecessor, Chief Barrister Nyesom Wike. "To ridicule Wike's work, especially when it provides substantial benefits to the community, is not just factually incorrect but disingenuous. If anything, it shows a failure to acknowledge the foundations laid before you. Your promise of new infrastructure rings hollow when you mock the existing projects that enhance the lives of Rivers people."  To even give a thought of not executing any project in Wike's community, if he were a bad person, speaks volumes of the governor's insidious nature that should be worrisome to the public, particularly those who barely know him. We were all deceived by his pretentious disposition while he served as the Account General of the state, having been promoted above his contemporaries by Wike.

 

Offering advice to the Governor, Woke emphasized, “It’s clear that maturity in leadership requires more than a title. Understanding the weight of your decisions is crucial; only through prudent governance can you truly represent the people’s interests.”

 

Woke went on to suggest that, instead of sidelining past allies, Fubara should aspire to unite the state by fostering collaboration and learning from the experiences of those who came before him. “The people are looking to their leaders for integrity and wisdom. A wise leader knows that enduring relationships and mutual respect are vital for effective governance.”

 

In a poignant conclusion, Woke stated, “We sympathize with the Governor for being thrust into leadership under less-than-ideal circumstances. However, he must realize that leadership is not merely about filling shoes but understanding the nuances of governance. A wise adage reminds us: it is only when a child washes his hands well that he is fit to dine with elders. The Governor must take stock of the speed bumps on his journey.

 

Rivers Ports: Eastern Ports Positioned For Increased Investment, as Dantsoho Tours Onne

In continuation of his resolve to galvanize port concessionaires and terminal operators into increasing their In-Country investments in Port infrastructure equipment, the Managing Director Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho on Wednesday 4th and Thursday 5th December, 2024 undertook an operational and investment campaign tour of Onne and Rivers Port Complexes.

This visit which is coming on the heels of his tour of Lagos Ports of Apapa and TinCan earlier on 27th November, 2024 signposts the current administration's readiness to deepen Nigeria's competitiveness in vessel and cargo traffic to match the needs of Nigeria's huge population of over 200 million inhabitants.

The tour covered BRAWAL Oil Services Ltd, Onne Multipurpose Terminal, INTELS, INDORAMA,West African Container Terminal (WACT), NOTORE, and the terminals at Rivers Port Complex Port Harcourt

Speaking in the course of the tour, Dantsoho stressed that "with the quantum of investments, our maritime neighbours especially along the West & Central African Coast are attracting, we can only stay competitive if we redouble our investment drive in order to provide requisite infrastructure and equipment to attract the sizes of vessels that scale up our cargo throughput to adequately serve our huge population".

His words, "as far as this Management is concerned we have the mandate of the Honourable Minister of Marine & Blue Economy Adegboyega Oyetola to create the enablers for increased investment, and we are poised to do just that".

Continuing, he added, "let me seize this moment to reiterate my earlier plea to investors to take maximum advantage of the investor-friendliness of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to infuse greater Investment and be assured of guaranteed return on investment".

The NPA helmsman who was recently elected as the first ever Nigerian President of the Port Management Association of West & Central Africa (PMAWCA) concluded the tour by stating that "the reality of Nigerian Ports processing Two Million Containers of cargo to service a population of over Two Hundred Million is an anomaly that has to be urgently addressed through deployment of huge investments."

Earlier, in his welcome address, the Onne Port Complex Manager, Mr Abdulrahmon Hussain said," on

behalf of the Management and staff of Onne Port Complex (family Port), we warmly welcome our indefatigable Managing Director and his Management team to Onne Port Complex."

He emphasized that both the Management and staff of Onne Port Complex were happy to receive and host the MD, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho whom he praised for his due diligence, commitment and hard work, strong passion for efficient service delivery, as well as his desire and determination to actualize the Federal Government Directive, on the Ease of Doing Business, for a more customer friendly business environment in and around the Port even as he added the MD' visit would have a positive impact on Onne Port Management which would lead to improved efficiency and effective service delivery to their customers.

He however, insisted that it is worthy to note that the Management policies are yielding progress in Onne Port Complex, as could be seen in the following areas suh as port infrastructure, Quay Apron, Road, Call up system, internal and external stakeholders engagement, security and corporate social responsibility among others.

The Port Manager also stated that despite, the progress recorded more needed to be done in the area of perimeter fencing of the vast swamps (creeks) and Lands, rehabilitation of Road networks at Onne, purchase of more Tug Boats, more supply of Diesel for bunkering of NPA crafts and Lubricants.

Others include, biffing up of the manpower strength and the construction of state of the art, fire service stations to fight oil fires at FOT and FLT.

He however thanked the Managing Director, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho and his management team for taking their time to visit the ports even as he pledged his unwavering adherence to the policies of the MD and his team to achieve more revenue for the nation.

In the same vein, while speaking at the West African Container Terminal WACT, the General Manager, government and public Relations Mr Innocent Ogbuji, who welcomed the Managing Director, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho on behalf of WACT expressed satisfaction in his visit insisting that the cordial relationship that has existed between his organization and NPA would continue even as he expressed WACT desire for more investments at Onne.

Present, at the event include, top brass, of NPA management team, the Customs Area Controller, Onne customs command Area11, Port Harcourt, Comptroller Mohammed Babandede, the Commissioner of Police Eastern Ports Mr Moshood Jimoh, various trade unions at the ports, maritime stakeholders among others.


Credit: Bon Peters

Ogoni Congress Moves to Resolve Decades of Conflicts over Oil in Ogoni

The Ogoni people have adopted a new orientation geared towards peace and development within the locality, charting a path to a permanent resolution of over three decades of conflicts with the government and Shell over oil production and underdevelopment.

 

This follows resolutions taken at an Ogoni congress held Saturday, November 30, 2024 under the aegis of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP). From speeches to interactive sessions, attendees resolved to move forward on the path of development and ledged commitment to support the leadership of MOSOP to achieve these goals.

 

Addressing the Congress, President of MOSOP, Fegalo Nsuke said it's time to permanently solve the Ogoni problem. He noted that the Ogoni people must stand up to defeat both internal and external repression. Nuke regretted Ogoni's inability to address its critical challenges of underdevelopment since the struggle was launched 34 years ago.

 

According to him, "We launched the struggle in 1990. We are thirty four years into it and the problem

was that we were protesting underdevelopment. For thirty four years, we have been unable to address this problem."

 

He expressed dismay over the growing number of splinter groups in Ogoni, attributing it to the commercialization of the struggle which he says had been “very costly in lives and assets invested and lost in the process."

 

"The reason you see all these splinter groups is that we have left the primary goal of the struggle and have started chasing money and our pockets" he said.

 

He urged the Ogoni people to be ready and committed to resolve the problem permanently noting that the Tinubu, being a listening president, provides a rare opportunity to permanently resolve the Ogoni problems.

 

"While I am not speaking for the government, I want you to know that the current president is a listening president and offers an opportunity to resolve the problem. Let us take the advantage" He said.

 

Also speaking, former deputy president of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People, MOSOP, Chief Dr Fortune Okwa Chujor urged the Ogoni people to support the development initiatives of Nsuke describing him as a non-commercial and non-political president of MOSOP.

 

A former president of the National Youth Council of Ogoni People (NYCOP) and an elder of MOSOP, Chief Emmanuel Nkala said he stands with the MOSOP President, Fegalo Nsuke and called on Ogoni youths to do the same. Chief Nkala canvassed for unity amongst Ogonis urging the people to give the MSP development initiative a chance.

 

Ogoni youth president, Theophilus Mbagha Esq, in his contributions urged the Nigeria authorities to dialogue with the Ogoni people to resolve the Ogoni problem. He also backed the Nsuke-led initiative as acceptable to Ogoni youths.

 

Spokesperson for the Federation of Ogoni Women's Association (FOWA) Lady Immaculate Kpopie assured the Congress of the support of the Ogoni women for the development drive led by Nsuke. Congress then resolved and mandated the MOSOP President Fegalo Nsuke to initiate and conclude discussions on the issue and to win a fair share of Ogoni Ogoni resources which will be committed to Ogoni development.

 

At the end of deliberations, Congress resolved as follows:

 

1. Congress passed a vote of confidence on the leadership of MOSOP led by Fegalo Nsuke and declared willingness of the Ogoni people to work with that leadership.

 

2. Congress resolved that the leadership of MOSOP led by Fegalo Nsuke should negotiate 20 percent interest for the Ogoni people in natural resource extraction in Ogoni.

 

3. Congress demanded compensation for livelihood losses due to decades of oil pollution.

 

4. Congress resolved to set up a resolution committee bringing everybody including dissenting voices together.

 

5. Congress resolved that the leadership of MOOP should set up a conflict resolution committee to address inter and intra communal conflicts in Ogoni.

 

Signed:

 

Alex Akori

Secretary-General,

MOSOP

November 30, 2024.

 

Below are images from the Congress held November 30, 2024