Headlines

2023: Usman Okai Austin: A harbinger for united, prosperous Dekina/Bassa people, by Jeremiah Abutu

Published

3 years ago

May 11, 2022

In a country humbled by terrorism, subjugated by people with little or no sense of right and wrong and ruined by a greedy few, it does not only take advocacy and social actions to conserve the entire value system of such a country, it takes more.

It must be genuinely admitted that for any country to make great strides, two things are needed, one is good governance championed by people in a leadership position and the other which although appears a little less, but powerful is advocacy advanced by Reformers. In 1983 when “Africa’s Che Guevara,” Thomas Sankara birthed “Land of incorruptible” which led to the rebirth of Burkina Faso, he was judged wrongly by international communities and a few Foes within the gate and subsequently assassinated by “god’s whose conscience are dead.”

He was overthrown and killed by Blaise Campaore who would later subvert Sankara’s visionary and creative policies- dragging Burkina Faso once again into the mud. During Sankara’s few years as the leader of his country, he reduced his salary to 450 USD per month, sold off expensive official cars, spoke against neocolonialism, and built the first supermarket in Burkina Faso, composed the national anthem and fought corruption to a standstill. Sankara was not only a voice or “An Activist” as we all know today but also active military and political leader whose groundbreaking records have become a reference point for many great leaders all over the world. Just like Thomas Sankara, the journey of Austin Usman Okai into political space has begun.

Our loyalty as good citizens of this nation is not to corrupt politicians and mediocre but to those who are ‘Pure in heart.’ At a time when oppression has become the benchmark of governance in Nigeria, Austin Usman Okai is not only the right choice for the Dekina/Bassa people but also a harbinger that will herald the birth of a prosperous and united people and a Visionary leader that can rekindle the hope of both the young and old.

For the past few years, we have had leadership failure with dire consequences in Kogi East and the entire state in general. We have had cases of political leaders eating fat and milking the public treasury at the expense of the masses, traditional rulers endorsing the ploy of corrupt politicians, sycophants peddling deception and fairy tales for a morsel of bread and thugs endangering their lives for peanuts. The good citizens of Nigeria and Kogi, in particular, have consequently become the prey of sour political practices. We must as a people, united in a common goal, strive to put the right peg in the right hole in the forthcoming primary and general elections. We must be intentional to create a peaceful and united society where prosperity, peace and good governance blossom.

The people of Dekina/Bassa are civil and friendly people with a great penchant for progress. Their peaceful nature and willingness to always unite for one common purpose undisputedly make them a leading light in the nation. Their green and rich soil, mild and gracious weather, serene environment, plain topography and other rich natural deposits make the region one of the most enviable geographical region in Nigeria. The great people of Dekina/Bassa federal constituency have almost all it takes to make a ‘Mighty oak from little acorns grow’ but bad leadership has over the years derailed the region.

Although Usman Okai had not held any elective position before now, he had on all counts represented the good people of his constituency in lawful advocacy and also without doubt assisted the state to progress with the little he has. As an appointee of UNESC and recipient of many numerous awards, he will be committed to replicating more of his selfless service at the national assembly to represent the poor, rich, small, great, men, women and the entire people of Dekina/Bassa federal constituency.

Usman Okai may not be as perfect as the color and beauty of the morning sun, but surely, he was the shelter that shield the oppressed in Nigeria and Kogi in particular during their witching hour.

@Jeremiah Abutu, a Writer and newspaper Columnist writes from Akure.

Africa

Customs hands over illicit drugs worth N117.59m to NDLEA

Published

4 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Matthew Eloyi

Customs hands over illicit drugs worth N117.59m to NDLEA

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun Area 1 Command, has handed over illicit drugs worth N117.59 million to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The Comptroller of the command, Mr James Ojo, disclosed this during the handing over of the drugs to Mr Olusegun Adeyeye, the Commander of NDLEA, Idiroko Special Area Command, in Abeokuta, Ogun, on Friday.

Ojo said the customs handed over the seized cannabis and tramadol tablets to the Idiroko Special Command for further investigation in line with the standard operating procedures and inter-agency collaboration.

He said the illicit drugs were seized in various strategic locations between January and November 21, 2024, in Ogun State.

He added that the illicit drugs were abandoned at various locations, including the Abeokuta axis, the Agbawo/Igankoto area of Yewa North Local Government Area, and Imeko Afton axis.

Ojo said that the seizure of the cannabis sativa and tramaling tablets, another brand of tramadol, was made possible through credible intelligence and strategic operations of the customs personnel.

“The successful interception of these dangerous substances would not have been possible without the robust collaboration and support from our intelligence units, local informants and sister agencies.

“These landmark operations are testament to the unwavering dedication of the NCS to safeguard the health and well-being of our citizens and uphold the rule of law,” he said.

He said the seizures comprised 403 sacks and 6,504 parcels, weighing 7,217.7 kg and 362 packs of tramaling tablets of 225mg each, with a total Duty Paid Value of N117,587,405,00.

He described the height of illicit drugs smuggling in the recent time as worrisome.

This, he said, underscores the severity of drug trafficking within the borders.

“Between Oct. 13 and Nov. 12 alone, operatives intercepted a total of 1,373 parcels of cannabis sativa, weighing 1,337kg and 362 packs of tramaling tablets of 225mg each,” he said.

Ojo said the seizures had disrupted the supply chain of illicit drugs, thereby mitigating the risks those substances posed to the youth, families and communities.

He lauded the synergy between its command, security agencies and other stakeholders that led to the remarkable achievements.

Ojo also commended the Comptroller General of NCS for creating an enabling environment for the command to achieve the success.

Responding, Adeyeye, applauded the customs for achieving the feat.

Adeyeye pledged to continue to collaborate with the customs to fight against illicit trade and drug trafficking in the state.

Economy

Customs intercepts N30m worth of PMS in Operation Whirlwind

Published

4 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Matthew Eloyi

The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) on Friday said that it had intercepted 849 kegs of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), worth over N30 million in retail price from Operation Whirlwind.

The Comptroller of Customs, Hussein Ejibunu, made this known during a news conference in Ikeja.

“Today, we have another seizure of 849 kegs of PMS containing 25 litres each. This translates to 30,225 litres with duty paid value at N30.225 million only at the NNPCL retail price.

“Today marks yet another success recorded by the operatives of Operation Whirlwind, Zone “A” Lagos/Ogun Axis.

“About five weeks ago, same PMS products were displayed before you here on the parade ground of the college where several seizures were made,” Ejibunu said.

“On this note, we wish to thank the National Security Adviser and the Comptroller-General of Customs for their unwavering support,” Ejibunu said.

The coordinator of the Operation Whirlwind said that two vehicles of means of conveyance were intercepted along with the seizures.

Ejibunu said that they evacuated 80 Jerry Cans each from a vehicle.

He assured the public that Operation Whirlwind remains steadfast in its efforts to clamp down on PMS smugglers, ensuring no room for their illegal activities nationwide.

Africa

Ann-Kio Briggs Faults Tinubu for Scrapping Niger Delta Ministry

Published

4 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Matthew Eloyi

Prominent Niger Delta human rights activist and environmentalist, Ann-Kio Briggs, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s decision to scrap the Ministry of Niger Delta, describing it as ill-advised and detrimental to the oil-rich region.

Briggs expressed her concerns during an appearance on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political programme aired on Channels Television.

“The Ministry of Niger Delta was created by the late (President Umaru) Yar’Adua. There was a reason for the creation. So, just removing it because the president was advised. I want to believe that he was advised because if he did it by himself, that would be terribly wrong,” she stated.

President Tinubu, in October, dissolved the Ministry of Niger Delta and replaced it with the Ministry of Regional Development, which is tasked with overseeing all regional development commissions, including the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), North-West Development Commission, and North-East Development Commission.

Briggs questioned the rationale behind the restructuring, expressing concerns about its feasibility and implications. “But that’s not going to be the solution because who is going to fund the commissions? Is it the regions because it is called the Regional Development Ministry? Is it the states in the regions? What are the regions because we don’t work with regions right now; we are working with geopolitical zones,” she remarked.

She added, “Are we going back to regionalism? If we are, we have to discuss it. The president can’t decide on his own to restructure Nigeria. If we are restructuring Nigeria, the president alone can’t restructure Nigeria, he has to take my opinion and your opinion into consideration.”

Briggs also decried the longstanding neglect of the Niger Delta despite its significant contributions to Nigeria’s economy since 1958. “The Niger Delta has been developing Nigeria since 1958. We want to use our resources to develop our region; let regions use their resources to develop themselves,” she asserted.

Reflecting on the various bodies established to address the region’s development, Briggs lamented their failure to deliver meaningful progress. She highlighted the Niger Delta Basin Authority, the Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC), and the NDDC as examples of ineffective interventions.

“NDDC was created by Olusegun Obasanjo…There was OMPADEC before NDDC. OMPADEC was an agency. Before OMPADEC, there was the Basin Authority…These authorities were created to help us. Were we helped by those authorities? No, we were not,” she said.

Briggs further described the NDDC as an “ATM for failed politicians, disgruntled politicians, and politicians that have had their electoral wins taken away from them and given to somebody else.”

Her remarks underscore the deep-seated frustrations in the Niger Delta, where residents continue to advocate for greater control over their resources and improved governance.