Re: Formation of NDDC Board Not Part Of My Responsibilities

My attention has been drawn to sponsored write ups in the media, claiming that I passed the buck on my responsibility for the constitution of the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC.

 

The write ups deliberately published while I am outside the country on national duty, reportedly quoted my media aide, Jackson Udom, claiming that I have denied responsibility for the constitution of the board of the Commission. I have checked with Mr Udom, and he has clearly said he was misquoted.

 

While I am not shocked by the mischief inherent in the publication, I am alarmed at the extent of falsehood the writers went in pushing their anti- Niger Delta agenda, to scuttle the due consideration of the report of the Forensic Audit by stampeding the government. More alarming is the attempt to drag the hallowed name of our president into this plot.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, Mr President has set out to reposition the NDDC after 19 years of rot saw to the undermining of the dreams of the fathers of the region, to fast track its development through the setting up of an interventionist agency.

 

Part of the strategy was a forensic audit to understand what went wrong, despite the resources committed to the Commission over the years.

 

The report of that audit has just been submitted to Mr President, who is studying it to come up with a formula for a commission fit for purpose. That formula is what the board being put together will work with.

 

It is not in the interest of the region to stampede the government into aborting the reform process. The President has demonstrated immense love for the Niger Delta and its people. This is reflected in the support he has given to the NDDC to complete some of the projects abandoned over the years, like the headquarters complex in Port Harcourt, the Students' Hostel at Uyo,  and the electrification project in Ondo State.

 

The President wants to give to the region an interventionist agency that will realize the dreams of our fathers for our people and generations yet unborn.

 

The greatest disservice we can do to the region is to attempt to stampede him, through ingeniously crafted media campaigns.

 

I am irrevocably committed to assisting Mr President to leave behind a legacy for the Niger Delta people, particularly, saving the NDDC from dying like past developmental agencies put together for the region since 1958.

 

 

Senator Godswill Obot  Akpabio CON

Honorable Minister

Niger Delta Affairs

What makes Afrozons Dubai Sound off authentically captivating and irresistible

As the global Dubai Expo 2020 kick starts, there lines a number of tourist side attractions designed to add world-class tourism flavour to the event. One of such prominent world class tourism side attractions, is the Afrozons Dubai Sound off which has more Countries Join the March 2022 trip, as it gains global attention.

It is noteworthy that the AFROZONS DUBAI SOUND OFF, a premier, one-of-a-kind, travel experience, courtesy of Dubai Tourism and AfroZons Radio (USA), has gained so much momentum, since its launch on October 1^st, 2021. News about the Sound off has travelled far and wide, covering all corners of the globe. Celebrity radio hosts from the USA, Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya, Ghana, Zambia, and Angola have been projecting the Sound off on their shows.

Projections show that over 1500 Afrobeat fans will partake in this project, purchase packages and join in on the fun. This means that Celebrity Radio Hosts and International Afrobeats Artistes will join over 1500 of their fans to witness guided tours of Dubai, experience EXPO 2020 and have a never done before Afrobeats party in the desert. These amongst other activities would build the 6 nights Afrobeat Dubai Sound off experience.

The official website for this event is www.afrozonsdxb.com. The website hosts further information on the travel packages and how to stand a chance to win a giveaway. The winners of the giveaways will receive flight tickets, hotel accommodation, tours, airport transfers, and visa’s (where necessary).

The global acceptance of the Sound off has motivated Afrobeat fans and travel agencies from other parts of the world to push for participation in the Sound off. Two countries, Uganda and Zimbabwe are launching their entry to the Sound off family, today, 1^st November 2021, while other countries are being

considered to follow shortly.

SalimAli Mohamed Dahman, Senior Manager Campaigns of Dubai Corporation for

Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Hosts of the Soundoff, said: “It is a privilege for Dubai Tourism to afford this opportunity to lovers of Afrobeat music worldwide. Afrobeat is now a global brand, the fastest growing music genre out there, and so it's a good marriage for the best destination in the world, Dubai, to also give Afrobeat its due. The trip promises to be a great experience, showcasing so much more fun in Dubai, a new series of adventures, a desert safari party, and Expo 2020, that can only truly be experienced, in person. 

“We launched the Afrozons Dubai soundoff on Oct 1st with Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, USA, and Angola. Overwhelming success has prompted us to add Uganda, Zimbabwe, and it looks like the United Kingdom is next on our list. It’s great to see the enthusiasm that has already been generated and we haven’t even announced the Afrobeat artist that will be joining us yet. Stay tuned, it promises to be an amazing event.”

The AfroZons show is the first-ever Afrobeats show on a major US radio FM network. AfroZons, is the hottest weekly US nationally syndicated radio show created by Sheila O.

Media Mogul, Sheila O, every week, covers the latest trends and new music throughout the African Diaspora, including Hip-Hop. The number one place in Afrobeats to hear the latest conversations about the hottest topics from celebrities, influencers, tastemakers, world leaders, and more is AfroZons! AfroZons is here to bridge the social and cultural gap between Africans, African Americans, and all the people of the African Diaspora.

With the ultimate vision of positioning Dubai as the world’s leading tourism destination and commercial hub, Dubai Tourism’s mission is to increase the awareness of Dubai among global audiences and to attract tourists and inward investment into the emirate.

Dubai Tourism is the principal authority for the planning, supervision, development, and marketing of Dubai’s tourism sector. It markets and promotes the Emirate’s commerce sector and is responsible for the licensing and classification of all tourism services, including hotels, tour operators and travel agents. Brands and departments within the Dubai Tourism portfolio include Dubai Business Events, Dubai Calendar, and Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment.

           

Hashtags: #afrozonsdxb #visitdubai #rivexcel #dubaitourism

 

 

 

Rivers APC is One Step Closer to the Brick House ~ Eze Reacts

... As Chief Emeka Beke Emerges State Chair-Elect

 

 

...Commends Chizi Nyeomasila, for Staying True to His Pledge

 

 

....Commends Amaechi for being a true Promoter of Democracy

 

 

Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and erstwhile National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New People’s Democratic Party, (nPDP), Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has congratulated the Rivers APC Chairman-elect, Chief Emeka Beke, for his victory at the party congress held yesterday at Polo Club, GRA, Port Harcourt. 

 

In a statement made available to media houses in Port Harcourt, Chief Eze said Emeka’s emergence is a plus to the party and has equally added another feather to his cap.

 

“Chief Emeka Beke, my brother and leader, congratulations for adding a very great cap to your over-crowded head by emerging the second duly elected State Chairman of our great party. 

 

I am so happy that you went straight to your Church to give thanks to God for the well deserved victory. God is truly behind your success so let Him play a great role in your execution of this onerous task.”

 

“I sincerely pray God to use you to accomplish our common aspiration of victory in 2023 as I have no doubt that the hitch-free congress which produced you to lead the party is a step closer to taking over Brick House come 2023.”

 

While urging all stakeholders and party faithful to queue behind Chief Emeka Beke, Eze assured the in-coming Chair of his unflinching support at all times.

 

The party chieftain commended Chizi Nyeomasila, the closest rival in the contest for staying true to the common pledge he made with Emeka, to support whoever emerges amongst them. 

 

“During the screening exercise, I and Chief Emeka Beke agreed to support whoever emerges amongst us. On that standpoint and coupled with several other reasons earlier canvassed, I congratulate him and all others who emerged and pledge to work together with all stakeholders to strategically overhaul the party with feasible policies and programmes as we begin to make adequate preparations ahead of the 2023 elections” Chizi had said.

 

Describing Chizi Nyeomasila as a man of integrity, Chief Eze called on those still laboring in malice and ill-will against the APC to learn from the former Chairmanship aspirant who placed public interest beyond personal gains, noting that his public spirit reflects a thorough understanding of the Chibuike Amaechi model of politics.

 

Eze commends Amaechi for helping in no small measure to ensure that APC has a creditable platform in Rivers State no minding all the attempts and efforts by Governor Nyesom Wike and other external forces using confused Senator Magnus Abe in their devious plots to jeopardize a functional platform in the State.

 

In the same vein, Eze congratulated Dr. Abubakar Idris Giedam-led State Congress Committee for conducting a very transparent and peaceful election expressing delight over the thoroughness and fairness exhibited during the election. 

 

Those elected include: 

Chief Emeka Beke ; Chairman, Omiete Eferebo; Deputy Chairman, Sam Sam Etetegwung; Secretary, Frederick Oyor; Assistant Secretary, Pius Kpa I; Senatorial Vice Chairman Rivers South East, Emine Awoala Joybe; Senatorial Vice Chairman Rivers West, Obidinma Igwe; Senatorial Vice Chairman Rivers East, Uzor Abueh; Senatorial Women Leader  South East, Juliet Mchilips; Senatorial Women Leader  Rivers West, Urey Ejims Princess; Senatorial Women Leader  Rivers East, Carlos Kakue; Senatorial Youth Leader Rivers South East, Ogboka Chisa;  Senatorial Youth Leader Rivers West, Ohochukwu Peter; Senatorial Youth Leader Rivers  East, Dike Iheanyichukwu,  Esq; Legal Adviser, Nemi Erema, Esq; Asst. Legal Adviser, Christian Don-Pedro; Organizing Secretary and China Ezekwem Bamidele as Asst. Organizing Secretary.

 

Others are, Senibo Chris Finebone; Publicity Secretary, Darlington Nwauju; Asst. Publicity Secretary, Chidi Nweke; Auditor, Festus Agbomor; Asst. Auditor, Chigbo John; Financial Secretary, Gift Loveday Igoma; Asst. Financial Secretary, Akwe Maxwell; Treasurer, Emmanuel Nnah; Asst. Treasurer, Beatrice Dappa-Amobi; Women Leader, Ndidi Farooq; Asst. Women Leader, Baridakara Gbarato K; Youth Leader, Godwin Jumu; Asst. Youth Leader, Tamuno Nancy Stephen; Welfare Secretary, Israel Iboms; Asst. Welfare secretary, Memiten Alabo Wariboko; EX- Officio 1, Hajiya Ramatu Ashe; Ex- Officio 2, Mohammed Rabi; Ex-officio 3, Amadi Brilliant; Ex-officio 4 and Enyinda Chike as Special Leader.

 

Eze prayed to God to give Chief Emeka Beke and his team the  foresight and all that it takes to lead Rivers APC to the next level.

 

NDDC Boosts Police Morale: Donates Housing Units Named After President Buhari

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has, in pursuant to its corporate social responsibility, boosted the wanning morale of the Nigeria Police Force, with the donation of housing units to the Special Protection Unit of the Police.

The project, renamed President Muhammadu Buhari Nigeria Police (Special Protection Unit) Bade 6 Barracks, is located at Omagwa in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, comprises of 68 standard blocks of flats. This is in addition to features such as gate house, Admin Building and Commandant Quarters, among others.

While speaking to journalists in his office in Abuja recently, the Hon. Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, announced that the project would be commissioned by President Buhari this Tuesday.

The Hon Minister expressed appreciation to Mr. President for seeing to the eventual completion of this all-important project after 7 years it was abandoned.

The Hon Minister stated that President Buhari's special interest in the project was anchored on the president's commitment to boost the work of the Nigeria Police Force in the Niger Delta, as well as efforts at facilitating sustainable regional development.

While reassuring the people that the new NDDC is renewing the confidence of Niger Deltans in Government's seriousness to bring development to the communities, the Minister expressed the hope that the project would boost the morale of the Nigeria Police Force in the maintenance of law and order in the society.

It would be recalled that following deafening outcries of people of Niger Delta, over the rot in the Niger Delta Development Commission, especially in the areas of non-execution of and abandonment of projects duly awarded to contractors, Citizens Quest for Truth Initiative (CQ), embarked on several quests to situate the veracity or otherwise of the outcries.

The non-governmental organization on the 25th day of July, 2019 visited the project site. With the physical assessment of the state of the abandoned project, Citizens Quest, articulated and used it's broad media platforms to call the attention of the federal government to the deplorable state of the project.

Reacting to the news of the completion and planned official commissioning of the project, the founder/President of Citizens Quest for Truth Initiative, Chief Obiaruko Ndukwe, thanked the Hon. Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, for following through his assurance to the CQ that the project would be given expeditious attention. She also commended the sole Administrator of the Commission, Mr Effiong Akwa, for acting true to power in seeing to the delivery of this project.

#CitizensQuest

#Search4DTruth

#C4Urself

#JoinUs

Act On the Deplorable State of Oyigbo -Afam Road, Group Tasks Concerned Authorities

 

….Describes it as a total neglect

 

Citizens Quest for Truth Initiative, an accountability advocacy Non-Governmental Organization has implored the Rivers State government, the Federal Government, multinational companies, their subsidiaries and all concerned to swiftly and immediately act on the deplorable state of Oyigbo-Afam Road, describing it as total neglect

 

The advocacy group who quoted Abraham Lincoln thus, "To sin by silence when they should protest makes cowards of mankind” explained that the quote above reminds of the present situation in Oyigbo Local Government area in Rivers State, Nigeria.

 

Citizens Quest in a news report made available to newshounds  in Port Harcourt opined that a local government area with twenty one (21) well inhabitated autonomous communities that hosts many multinationals such as: Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED), the renowned Afam Power plant, Genco, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Nigeria Gas Company (NGC), Alcon Gas Plant, Daewoo Gas plant, NNPC Gas gathering Plant, Transcorp Power Plant and Cassava Processing Plant Afam of the Rivers State Government should have the best of good road network.

 

According to the group, after the rumoured deplorable state of the access roads that criss crosses the entire Oyigbo LGA, the Citizens Quest for Truth Initiative (CQTI) thought it wise to embark on a See-for-yourself (C4urself) quest to ascertain, first hand, what the true situation is about the roads.

 

“True to it, Citizens Quest was leg-stocked as what greeted them in this very crucial quest was the indescribable state of the roads. The situation can simply be described as BAD” the group bemoand.

 

Text of the report reads: “The Oyigbo-Afam Road led the quest to the popular Kom-Kom road to the railway, at Obeama-Mirinwanyi community. It begins from Umusoya junction and it is a major access for all the multinationals (aforementioned) and other businesses operating in the LGA is not passable.  .

“Residents decried the long neglect by government and wonder why even the companies in the area

cannot effect their corporate social responsibilities (CSR) to the people.

 

“In a chat with some residents and motorist/commuters, they lamented that the Government of the day in Rivers State have abandoned Oyigbo to their fate and only those with fleet of SUVs packed with well armed/riot looking Police officers can ply the road whenever they want to have any function in the area.

 

“Some motorist lamented their almost daily visits to their auto-mechanics due to the damages the failed road cause their vehicles.

 

“Some tricycle (popularly known as Keke) operators expressed pains in what they describe as dead traps because of their daily collapse with their passengers into the ditches on the roads.

 

“Commuters say they pay as much as N500  per passsenger on a tricycle (Keke) from the Umusoya junction to Railway/market which is not up to 1 kilometer.

 

“Small scale business owners told the Quest that the neglect has crippled businesses in the area and that has made life unbearable for the people.”

 

It would be recalled that the Federal Government has given approval for the complete reconstruction of Afam Road in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State to Transcorp Group to construct the 13.5km Oyigbo-Izuoma-Mirinwayi-Oklama-Afam Road.

 

#CitizensQuest

#Search4TheTruth

#C4Urself

2023: Eze Commends Jonathan for rejecting the Bite of the Northern Presidency Sour bait

...States that the move is a trick to deny the South her two terms after the two terms of the North through President Buhari

...Describes Plot as an Unacceptable insult on both Jonathan and the entire southern political class

 

Having carefully perused through the series of articles on the deadly scheming of some Northern Leaders to lure former President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan into the 2023 Presidential contest, chieftain of the All Progressives Congress and erstwhile National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New People’s Democratic Party (nPDP), Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has said it smacks of deceit for anyone or group to concoct interest over the reemergence of Dr. Jonathan as Nigerian President in 2023.

 

In a statement made available to media houses in Port Harcourt, the party Chief said the scheme is a trick packaged by some Northern leaders in order for Jonathan to be President for one term which would be the completion of the four years remaining of his tenure and retake power come 2027 thereby denying the Southern part of Nigeria a complete term of eight years.

 

Eze said that the Northern schemers knowing very well that with President Buhari successfully completing his second term by 2023, the South, in all honesty and fairness will produce the next President and so to truncate a southern eight-year rule, they intend to feature Jonathan who would reign only four years thus, throwing the 2027 Presidential election open for a fresh zoning arrangement and contest favourably to the North.

 

Eze urges all Nigerians to speak up and condemn such a dastardly act that may plunge this nation into unprecedented chaos.

 

 Eze is consoled by the fact that Jonathan has rejected such a devious plot. I therefore commend him for his foresight, sagacity & wisdom by rejecting the bite of the Northern Presidency sour bait as this is a deadly trick to deny the South her two terms after the two terms of the North through President Buhari. This Plot is an unacceptable insult on both Jonathan and the entire southern political class as if we lack credible political leaders from the South that can turn the fortunes of this country around.

 

He said it is imperative to commend Dr. Jonathan for reading through the deceit of these leaders, trashing their dishonest entreaty and ensuring that his political feats and present status as a great promoter of democracy is not ruined, tarnished but kept intact by keeping these undemocratic elements at bay.

 

“I am very glad that Dr. Jonathan has done his best to keep these undemocratic forces at bay who are hellbent to deny the South  the chance to preside over the affairs of this country according to the terms of power rotation between the North and South, not minding that the Northerners have through the military and Democratic dispensations, governed this country to their heart contents.

 

Funny and sad enough, same leaders who ensured that Dr. Jonathan was not reelected in 2015 are the same crop of leaders that are doing everything to lure him back to finish whatever that  is left of him politically.

 

As much as I am not a supporter or sympathizer of Dr. Jonathan and his type of politics, as I was one of those who saw to him not been reelected, I will not seat and allow his haters drain the little integrity left of him.

 

Luring him to contest the 2023 does not  in any way wash him off the sins and reasons behind why he was not reelected in 2023 but a careful ploy to portray the Southerners as lacking better and credible leaders to improve on the fortunes of the country.”

 

In this vein, the party chieftain commended Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State for insisting that he will not support Dr. Jonathan if he decides to contest the 2023 general election, not minding that he was instrumental to his imposition as the Governor of Rivers State.

 

If Wike, who Jonathan did everything to impose on the good people of Rivers State could reject him, Eze said he is very much convinced that if he succeeds to allow himself to be fooled by those luring him, the worse political defeat awaits him come 2023.

 

Eze counseled Jonathan to continually read in between the lines and avoid the deadly bait that will make both the North and South politicians to derign him further.

 

Eze further highlighted that Dr. Goodluck Jonathan who based on his Democratic feats earned through his handing over power peacefully to the incumbent President in 2015 unlike most African Leaders shouldn't allow any situation that will cause division and tension in the country because of this deadly plot.

 

This 2015 feat has earned him an International figure and he shouldn't allow himself to be rubbished and reduced to a local politician by these politicians that don't mean well for the unity of this country.

 

Eze postulated that Dr. Jonathan while in Mali urged the Malian transitional government to hasten the process of developing an electoral framework and the establishment of the priority actions needed to be taken in order to hold the presidential and legislative elections as scheduled. The Mali election is scheduled for February 2022.

 

Although the Mission appreciated the renewed expression of the transitional authorities to respect the agreed deadline of the transition before the international community, it however noted in its communiqué that it was concerned “about the lack of concrete action in the effective preparation of the electoral process.