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MOSOP accuses unnamed security forces of disrupting Ogoni Day Celebration in Rivers
The Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) says it is saddened that some unnamed security operatives disrupted its annual Ogoni Day Celebration on Monday.
MOSOP President, Mr Lazarus Tamana, told the Newsmen in Port Harcourt on Tuesday that some security operatives mobilised and disrupted its celebrations without offering any explanation.
“We are worried that our Ogoni Day Celebration which we commemorate on Jan. 4 every year was disrupted by security forces.
“On that day, Ogoni people came out en-masse from their villages to celebrate, but were prevented by the operatives after permission was granted a few weeks ago.
“It is supposed to be a day when every Ogoni person will have the opportunity to express themselves. We had already started when they took over the venue.
“We feel this is another plot to silence and gag Ogoni people as well as the non-violent MOSOP to carry out our activities,’’ he said.
Tamana said the group was concerned about the conduct of the unnamed security outfits and called for restraint.
He further said that MOSOP had concluded plans to move its headquarters to the Peace and Freedom Centre in Bori town, Khana Local Government Area of Rivers.
The MOSOP president called on the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) to follow all the recommendations of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Report on Ogoniland clean-up.
“We are worried that deviation from the UNEP report released in August 2011 will amount to serious violation of the rights of the Ogoni people.
“We are also planning to initiate a reconciliation process to bring on board all Ogoni sons and daughters to come together towards achieving the aspirations of the Ogonis,’’ he said.
As President Bola Tinubu’s tenure as the Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the ECOWAS elapses on July 9, 2024, presidents and representatives of 12 member states are currently meeting at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, for the 63rd Ordinary Summit.
The meeting, which began at 1pm, would likely see the West African leaders announce a new chair to steer the affairs of the bloc for the next one year.]
However, there are indications that leaders may extend Tinubu’s tenure to give him time to possibly win back Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso into the bloc.
Details later…
Gov. Ahmad Aliyu of Sokoto State has directed local government Chairmen and Local Government Education Authority officials who tampered with the N30,000 sallah gifts to return the money.
This is contained in a statement issued by Malam Abubakar Bawa, the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Aliyu on Sunday.
‘The money was given to the workers in the state and some unsculous staff diverted the funds and they have been directed to return it immediately or face serious consequences.
“I wonder how somebody would deny our workers the stipends we gave them in order to make them financially stable during the Sallah festive season.
“Those who diverted those funds must return them immediately or else we will take serious punitive measures against them.
” We will ensure that the culprits reap what they sowed to serve as a deterrent to others, ” he warned.
Meanwhile, the state government has declared Monday as a public holiday in recognition of the Islamic New Year of Hijrah calendar.
Bawa announced that Monday would be observed as a public holiday throughout the state to enable people of the state to celebrate the new Islamic year 1446AH.
He further stressed the need for the Muslim Ummah to use the new Islamic calendar for a sober reflection and to carry out a self assessment to see where they have gone wrong with a view to making corrections in this new year.
The Federal Government has assured Nigerians that it is addressing incidents of rail derailment in the country, through proactive measures.
The Minister of Transportation, Sen. Said Alkali gave the assurance in a statement he personally signed and made available to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja.
`The recent incidents involving our trains are currently being addressed through proactive measures.
“ a significant number of such incidents were the direct result of incidents of vandalism and criminality along the rail tracks by deviants who do not wish our country well.
“ I wish to also direct that all stakeholders in safe and secure operations in the railway industry should immediately put their best foot forward for continuous service to our people and our dear motherland, “ Alkali said.
Speaking on the July 4 rail derailment between Itakpe in Kogi and Warri in Delta, the Minister said he has directed investigations into the incident, as well as safety and welfare of all passengers on board.
“My attention has been drawn to the reports of derailment of some coaches of a scheduled train service operated by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) between Itakpe, Kogi State and Warri in Delta State, which happened on July 4.
“Upon receipt news of this unfortunate incident and enquiries made, my observation is that the unfortunate incident did not result in any fatalities.
“The incident occurred at Ujewhu near Abraka in Delta State at about 7.15pm on Thursday night.
“ I have directed the NRC, as the operator, to immediately ensure the safety and welfare of all passengers on board the train, “ he said.
Alkali assured that NRC would evacuate the distressed coaches from the tracks in order to guarantee resumption of services as soon as possible and produce a comprehensive report of the incident for his consideration.
According to him, NRC had commenced steps in the above direction and all indications point to the fact that normalcy was gradually being restored on the service.
The minister sympathised with all persons who were on board the train at the time of the incident and further assured the general public, particularly those patronising the train services of their safety and welfare
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