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  • Benue PDP Crisis: G-14 tells Suswam to resign membership 

    Benue PDP Crisis: G-14 tells Suswam to resign membership 

    From Attah Ede, Makurdi 

    The crisis rocking the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has continued to tear the party apart, as group of elders of the party under the auspices G-14 on Saturday, told the former governor of Benue State, senator Gabriel Suswam to resign his membership.

    The group further said  Suswam lacks the powers to dissolve the it, but can only resign his membership, saying that the group exist as a voluntary, non-statutory body of the PDP with the objective of complementing the work of the statutory organs of the party towards fostering unity, harmony.

    The group added that their had strengthened the continual growth of PDP in the State and cannot be unilaterally disbanded as claimed by Senator Suswam.

    Senator Suswam had called a faction of PDP stakeholders loyal  to him to a meeting held in Makurdi on Friday where he announced that he had disbanded the group and promised to replace it with another group to be known as caucus members of the party with its  members to cut across the state.

    Recall that Gabriel Suswam and his successor, Samuel Ortom had been at logger head over who controls the party structure in the state which started during the ward congress.

    Ortom has also assumed the co chairman of the G14 since he joined the party in 2018.

    The G-14 is made of  elders of the party from the fourteen  Tiv speaking local government areas of the State. 

    However, the group in a statement on Saturday, September 28, 2024 signed by its Chairman, Dr. Laha Dzever which was made available to newsmen in Makurdi, maintained that the group was formed in 2015 when the PDP lost the Governorship and two Senate seats in Benue and was in disarray with the view of repositioning the party.

    The statement reads, “Our attention has been drawn to remarks credited to former Benue State Governor, Senator Gabriel Suswam, to the effect that he has disbanded the G-14 Group of Elders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and replaced it with another body.

    “We understand that those remarks were made at a meeting he held with leaders and members of our great party last Thursday in Makurdi, and following due consultations with members of the G-14 , we make the following clarifications:

    “That G-14 is a voluntary, non statutory body functioning in the PDP with the singular objective of complementing the work of the statutory organs of the party towards fostering unity, harmony and its continual growth. This objective essentially was the motivation behind the founding of the group in the year 1998 and remains its propelling force.

    “That G-14, by its nature and formative history, is not in the ownership of any individual and cannot be so disbanded, as is being claimed Senator Suswam purports to have done. Senator Suswam is a member of the G14, like every other member , and can only resign his membership if and when he no longer sees the need to continue with such membership. He has neither the proprietary right nor locus whatsoever to disband G14. 

    “That for emphasis, G-14 came into existence and embarked on a mission to rescue PDP in the aftermath of the disastrous loss of the 2015 elections under the leadership of Senator Suswam then as governor, including his own Senate seat.

    ” The group in pursuit of its Rescue Agenda had invited Senator Suswam as the Leader of the PDP in Benue State then, to take a place on its leadership structure as a Co-Chairman alongside the substantive Chairman in the person of Elder Dr. Laha Dzever.

    “That as is the established tradition, the Co-Chairmanship status in the group rightly fell to Samuel Ortom when he emerged as Leader of the PDP in 2018, a position her has been discharging to date with utmost sense of responsibility and statesmanship. 

    “This remains to date the leadership structure operational in G-14 and the status of the group remains unchanged as a voluntary group of party elders drawn from the 14 local government areas of the Benue North-East (Zone ‘A’) and Benue North-West (Zone ‘B’).

    “That as elder statesmen and women of proven integrity in the PDP, we are mindful of the unfortunate circumstances of the crisis which has befallen our dear great party, PDP, lately, and do see a need now, as we saw in 2015, to rise to the occasion to rescue PDP.  

    “The G14 will not relent in its efforts to rebuild the party, to reposition it to reclaim power in 2027, and for the re-strengthening of the common bonds which hold us together as a political family, and our shared values under the same political umbrella. We, therefore, will at all times tow the path of peace and oneness of purpose.

    “That we  are aware of Senator Suswam’s  contributions to this great party, the PDP, and as elders we understand the pressures which the current crisis in our party has occasioned on its leaders, Senator Suswam, inclusive. We, therefore, understand that he may have made such remarks purporting to disband G-14 without thinking clearly enough through it. For under different circumstances, Senator Suswam as a lawyer will be mindful that he is not either the PDP State Chairman nor the National Chairman of PDP and he is not in a position to disband G-14 but only has the right to resign his membership from G14.

    “That we remain more than ever committed to the ideals which motivated the founding of G-14 and in line with those ideals, we will redouble our efforts to find lasting solutions to those issues causing crisis in our great party. We will explore all avenues open to us to seek the achievement of reconciliation, peace and stronger unity in the ranks of the PDP in Benue just as we did in 2015 when PDP lost power to APC.

    “That we call for a de-escalation of tensions by leaders and members of our great party, no matter their grievances, and for all of us to take deliberate steps towards the convergence of ideas and efforts to place PDP above individual interests. The dialogue table, as always, remains superior to weapons and the passions of war.

    “That G-14 will continue to work with the statutory as well as conventional organs of the party towards the attainment and sustenance of its best interests at all times. We acknowledge the exceptional sacrificial support being given to the running of the party in state by its College of leaders led by His Excellency Chief Samuel Ortom; Senate Minority Leader, Senator Patrick Abba Moro and State Caretaker Chairman of the party, Senator Napoleon Bali and the Caretaker State Working Committee.

    “That in line with the best interests of the party, we acknowledge and express confidence in the work of the National Working Committee of our great party under the leadership of Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagun. We urge all party men ana women to sustain their loyalty to the party in the faith that we will weather the storms of crisis currently with us and emerge stronger than ever” they stressed.

  • Arewa Youths applaud Tinubu For Increasing NYSC  Allowance from 33,000 To 77,000

    Arewa Youths applaud Tinubu For Increasing NYSC  Allowance from 33,000 To 77,000

    From Ajiya Ayuba, Bauchi 

    The Arewa Youths Awareness on Leadership and Election in Bauchi State has commended President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for increasing the monthly allowance of the members of the National Youth Service Corps, (NYSC) from N33,000 to N77,000. 

    In a press statement signed by the chairman, Khamis Musa Darazo and made available to newsmen in Bauchi, described the increase in the monthly allowance of NYSC members as timely, considering the rising cost of living in the country.

    Darazo said that the new allowance will help the corps members to cushion the effects of rising inflation, the rising cost of living, hikes in transportation fare, electricity and the removal of fuel subsidy.

    He said that the president in his magnanimity approved N77,000 as allowance for Corp members, pointing out that the gesture portrays the government sensitivity for the plights of the masses who are currently traumatized by the hardship in the country.

    He further said that “Let me emphatically acknowledge the efforts of the federal government in being considerate to the plights of corp members at this critical time that Nigeria is going through a very harsh economic downturn.

     According to the chairman, Khamis Musa “The manifestation of hardship, and poverty as a result of the soaring cost of living, has negatively devastated Nigerians in all facets of life.I would like to extend my sincerest gratitude for this laudable gesture which  demonstrates the commitment of the president to empower Nigerian youths and acknowledge  their inevitable contributions to national development”

    “The president’s leadership and vision for a prosperous Nigeria are truly inspiring.This increase in allowance will  positively boost the morale of the corp members and make them to give their best during their service year.The President dedication to the welfare of corps members has reiterated the present administration commitment towards the welfare of its citizens, which corp members are inclusive ” he said 

    Recall that Mr Khamis Darazo had once donated his  NYSC allowance to support Tinubu presidential  ambition during the 2023 elections.

  • Gov. Nwifuru to demolish section of Ebonyi Olympic stadium 

    Gov. Nwifuru to demolish section of Ebonyi Olympic stadium 

    By Uchenna Okeh Abakaliki

    The governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru has reiterated his administration’s readiness to demolish sections of the Olympic stadium located at the centenary city Abakaliki, state capital.

    The Nations News Nigeria reports that the purpose for the demolition of parts of the state Olympic stadium, was to make it have an international outlook and standard.

    Nwifuru who made this known while addressing stakeholders of the state during the inspection of projects to mark the independent anniversary of Nigeria at 64 and Ebonyi at 28, said the stakeholders will consider renaming of the stadium which was named after Sani Abachi.

    According to him: “I have asked China Civil Engineering Construction Company, CCECC to check the cost of demolishing this to the end and demolishing the other side to the end and the implications of not having a complete line. So, the implication of having a complete line is that international and national activities can’t take place here. 

    “We are building here to compete with the Goodwill Akpabio International Stadium at Akwa Ibom. For us to get to that level, it may warrant us to demolish the two of the whole lines in order to get it right. But considering what we earn as a state, a lot of money has been spent here. And if you spend 50kobo in 2022, now you are going to use 10 Naira to get it right. 

    “The foundation of the decking has been there; this is not a complete decking. We are stepping up into that. This is not a stadium yet, this is just a taste of what is going to happen. That’s what we invite the Julius Berger to come and do. At the back, there is work that needs to be done at the facility for this place to qualify to be called an international stadium. 

    “Calling here Sani Abachi International Stadium, it has not been discussed because we are returning Abachi Lodge to Abachi. We have some good brothers, though Abacha did a tremendous job for us. So we can name him (Abacha) one of the best properties, and it forms part of what we are going to discuss. 

    “This project is going to to form part of the 2025 and 2026 budgets, and that’s why I deem it necessary to bring every stakeholder here to see the level of work done. And also to inform and educate them on the level of the work needed to be done to qualify  this project a stadium. That’s why we are here. I must commend my predecessor for initiating this project.

    “I was the Speaker then, and I did everything to convince him not to start this project based on the economic value. The economic value of this project is very good because we need to attract a foreign project. 

    “This stadium is such a project that attracts foreign investment to our state, so I am very grateful to my predecessor for starting this because in governance, as a leader, you must inherit assets and liabilities, and that’s what is happening now. 

    “We must work hard to make the vision of my predecessor, who conceived this project, come to fruition.  We have seen the inside but we need to go outside and see the level of work done as well” he stated 

  • Gov. Mbah vows to complete 1,000 ongoing projects, not to increase tax in Enugu

    Gov. Mbah vows to complete 1,000 ongoing projects, not to increase tax in Enugu

    By, Chinelo Kodilichukwu Enugu 

    Enugu State governor, Peter Mbah, has vowed to complete over 1,000 ongoing projects located across the state and will ensure the recruitment of 15,000 school teachers and skilled workers into the state’s workforce. 

    Mbah, who disclosed this on Wednesday in Enugu during a brief chat with some select youths and media practitioners drawn from across the Southeast zone who paid a courtesy visit to his office, also stressed that 11,000 new smart school teachers were undergoing recruitment and training process at the Centre for Experiential Learning and Innovation in the state.

    While fielding questions from the curious youths on why his administration was in a haste to develop the state, the governor said his leadership approach was borne out of a well-researched disruptive and innovative model that would radically change the trajectory of governance in the state. 

    He said the ongoing 260 Smart Green Schools in the state would redefine the way students learn and acquire knowledge that would help them compete with their peers in advanced countries, adding that the cut-off programme designed into the curriculum would introduce children at the age of 3 to new technologies and migrate them to the digital learning process. 

    According to him, new smart teachers that would impact knowledge at the smart schools were undergoing training that would professionalise their career in the teaching service as well as equip them with the requisite knowledge to navigate the new curriculum where students would be taught artificial intelligence, mechatronics, robotics, creativity and innovation. 

    On the administration’s efforts in the health sector, the governor said 260 Type-2 Primary Health Centres across the electoral wards were under construction with some of them already completed, adding that the state had recruited hundreds of doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers to provide services across the board. 

    While underscoring the significant renovation and re-equipment efforts the state has made on existing hospitals to meet the needs of the people, Mbah pointed at the recent contract awarding the construction and completion of a 300-bed world-class hospital at Rangers Avenue, Enugu, aimed at making Enugu the hub of medical tourism in Nigeria. 

    He further stressed that the completion of the ongoing International Conference Centre, 5-Star Hotel, Presidential Hotel, operationalization of the international wing of Akanu Ibiam International Airport, and the transport infrastructure terminals at the Market Road, Ogbete, Gariki, Abakpa and Nsukka, which will all be delivered within specified timeline, will make the state the tourist and investor’s destination of choice. 

    Governor Mbah equally seized the opportunity to refute the misinformation that his administration had increased taxes in the state, explaining that the state government does not have the power to increase tax arbitrarily without a legal backing from the federal government.

    Clarifying the state’s policy on taxation, Mbah said what the administration did was to merely expand the tax net to capture those at the informal sector who were hitherto not paying or had been evading tax but were captured under the existing laws. 

    “We have not increased tax in the state. In fact, we don’t have the power to arbitrarily increase tax. It is a matter of law. Any increment in tax must come from the federal government. We have only expanded the tax net, strengthened the procedure and plugged  leakages in the process of revenue generation through the use of technology,” he said. 

    The governor also revealed that his administration was presently empowering thousands of traders and small holder farmers, particularly in rural areas, with seed and start-up capital and other technical support as a way of lifting them out of the pit of poverty, investing in human capital development and increasing production.

  • Fuel hike: Petroleum Unions lift ban on sale of petroleum products in Akwa Ibom 

    Fuel hike: Petroleum Unions lift ban on sale of petroleum products in Akwa Ibom 

    By Maxwell Nwafor, Akwa-ibom

    Petroleum Unions in Akwa Ibom State on Wednesday lifted ban on sale of petroleum products in the state.

    Recall that the leadership of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria in a press release signed by it’s Chairman, Comrade Francis Udoyen and Secretary, Prince Ekom Idemudo, directed its members to close their fuel stations which made no filling station to sell fuel in the state since two days ago.

    The ban followed the confiscation of trucks of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) by the Joint Task Force (JTF) four months ago.

    The governor worried by the hardship the action has generated in the state convened a meeting with the petroleum unions in the state according to a press release signed by the Commissioner for Information, Ini Ememobong.

    The statement mentioned the leadership of the unions who were in attendance to include: Sir Michael Udofia and Joseph Otu of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Comrade Francis Udoyen and Joseph Okafor of the Petrol Tanker Drivers Association (PTD), as well as Comrade Godwin Okono and Comrade Raphael Chukwuwu from the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).

    The release noted that the union leaders agreed to lift the ban with immediate effect.

    “The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, met today with leaders of key unions in the petroleum sector to address the issues that led to the recent ban on the sale of petroleum products in the state.

    “During the meeting, the Governor was informed that two petroleum trucks were confiscated in Mbo Local Government Area by federal agencies and have been detained since May 2024. While acknowledging that the matter falls outside his jurisdiction, the Governor has directed the Commissioner for Internal Security and Waterways to liaise with the relevant authorities to ascertain the facts of the case.

    ” Additionally, he expressed his commitment to exploring the establishment of a petroleum depot in Akwa Ibom State.” The release read in parts.

  • Obudu Mountain Resort Workers lament over Unpaid 6 month Salaries

    From Ene Asuquo, Calabar 

    The Cross River State Government has come under fire for its failure to address the ongoing neglect of Obudu Mountain Resort (OMR) workers, who have gone unpaid for months despite repeated pleas and petitions. 

    The petitions, directed to the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly (CRSHA) and Governor Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu, were officially received by the office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Anthony Owen Enoh, on May 14, 2024.yet no action has been taken to resolve the workers’ grievances.

    The petitions, dated May 10, 2024, were obtained by The Nations News Nigeria reporter, revealing the workers’ plight of unpaid salaries spanning 14 months. 

    These workers have not only been deprived of their wages but also denied their allowances and other entitlements. Many have struggled to make ends meet, despite dedicating their services to the prestigious Obudu Mountain Resort.

    In an effort to uncover the truth, our reporter embarked on a fact-finding mission which revealed that the state governor had indeed released funds for the payment of salary arrears. However, to the dismay of many, only a portion of the workers were paid. 

    About sixty employees who had complied with a directive from former Governor Ben Ayade to transfer their services to their respective local government areas were left out of the payment exercise. These workers had obeyed the transfer orders, following the government’s move to reduce the resort’s overburdened staff count, only to be denied their rightful dues.

    One of the most heart-wrenching details in the petition involved a worker, Prince Godfrey Ichile, who tragically went blind while still in active service. Despite his condition, Ichile is yet to receive any of his entitlements—neither his 14 months’ worth of unpaid salary nor his gratuity. His case serves as a grim reminder of the human toll of this ongoing neglect.

    The petitioners are calling on Governor Otu’s administration to live up to the promises made under the “People First Mantra,” which emphasizes the welfare of citizens as a priority. The workers, particularly those transferred under Ayade’s directive, argue that the exclusion from payment is not only unjust but also a violation of their rights after years of dedicated service to the state.

    As the months drag on without a resolution, the plight of these neglected workers highlights the urgent need for a response from the Cross River State Government.

    The workers have voiced their faith in Governor Otu’s ability to reverse this trend and ensure justice is served.

  • APWEN boss, Osim laments poor funding for women engineers to embark on researches, projects  

    APWEN boss, Osim laments poor funding for women engineers to embark on researches, projects  

    From Ene Asuquo, Calabar 

    The President of the association of professional Women Engineers (APWEN) , Adebisi Osim FNSE, has lamented poor funding for women engineers to embark on researches, in order to boast their work in the country.

    Osim, made this known while addressing participants at the association’s international Conference and annual general meeting held in Calabar, the Cross River state capital.

    The Nations News Nigeria reports that the theme of the conference is; “Engineering Innovation and Energy” Security for Sustainable Future”.

    In her speech to declare  the event, open, the President of the association, Adebisi Osim maintained that the theme of this year’s event shows the critical intersection of technology, sustainability, and the viral roles that Engineers play in shaping a resilient energy landscape. 

    Osim stressed that engineering innovation are not mere tools but are foundation upon which they can build a sustainable future. “Our collective efforts in harnessing technology will be pivotal in ensuring energy security while addressing environmental concerns”, she stated 

    The APWEN president stated further that this year has been monumental for the association as they have executed several impactful programs, each designed to inspire the next generation of Engineers, especially Women while promoting excellence and innovation in STEM.

    She stated that World Engineering Day Event is aimed to break down barriers and promote inclusivity in STEM fields through engaging activities and discussions, and they also emphasized the importance of gender diversity and equity

    Enumerating their achievements for the year, Osim maintained that the association under her watch focused on innovation, sustainability and will support farmers to boast food security in Nigeria.

    “APWEN initiated the cultivating change project, where they empowered women farmers and young Engineers by providing corn seedlings, cassava sterns, fertilizer and chemicals to farmers in Calabar”. 

    She lamented lack of funding for the women association to carry out most of their projects

    “We also faced insufficient funding for women – led research as without adequate resources, women Engineers struggle to advance their work and make meaningful contributions to the field 

    Osim said the theme for this year’s conference is apt because they are in a crucial period in the country where every Nigerian is battling with energy generation and everyone is looking for alternative to beat the increasing energy tariff in  the country.

  • IPOB demands release of Nnamdi Kanu as ordered by court

    By Cyprian Ebele, Onitsha 

    The Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB), Monday , demanded for the immediate release of Nnamdi Kanu, as ordered by court, stating that his continued detention is against Nigerian and International law.

    The spokesperson of the group, Emma Powerful, made this known in a statement signed and issued to newsmen in Onitsha, Anambra state.

    The statement reads in part, “The continuous illegal Court trial of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is nothing but political and ethnic persecution and ethnic because the Appeal Court judgement that discharged him is still subsisting.

    “The Nigerian Government lacks prosecutory powers against Mazi Nnamdi Kanu per the subsisting judgement of the Appeal Court. Moreso, the Nigerian Government is in violation of the International laws for kidnapping and rendition of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from Kenya to Nigeria. Even the Supreme Court of Nigeria condemned his kidnap and rendition from Kenya to Nigeria. 

    “But for fear of the threat from a lawless and rascal Executive government, the Supreme Court Judges were afraid to affirm the courageous judgement of the Appeal Court. However, their condemnation of the kidnapping and rendition of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is enough evidence that the Nigerian Government is lawless and in violation of international laws. 

    “Let it be known to the Nigerian Government and their judicial accomplices that so long as IPOB is concerned our leader is being illegally detained and persecuted for a peaceful Biafra self-determination struggle in line with the UN laws and African and People’s Right Chatter.

    “IPOB worldwide is bringing to the attention of the public and the International Community that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu did not commit any crime known to law both locally and internationally. This position of the law has been affirmed by the Appeal Court of Nigeria  who dismissed all frivolous charges against him and ordered for his unconditional release and compensation.

    ” Hence, his continuous court arraignment is a political and ethnic persecution by the ethnic bigotry Government of Nigeria. Irrespective of all the National and Intercontinental Court judgements in his favour, the lawless Nigerian Government has refused to release him. Even when his health is deteriorating in the illegal solitary confinement of DSS, the Nigerian Government is adamant to release him as the Courts have said. 

    “The Nigerian Government sponsored violent criminals in the South East so as to invent evidence to be used against Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in the kangaroo persecution. IPOB will not allow their evil plot to happen.

    “It is already in the media that the DOS, leadership and wife of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu have requested that Justice Binta Nyako rescue herself from the case of the husband because she is biased. IPOB has made a similar call in the past. We are using this opportunity to support our leader’s wife once again for the demand that Justice Binta Nyako should rescue herself from the case of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

    ” She is ethnically biased and more so she is under duress from the Federal Government to deliver a prepaid judgement against Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in lieu of her husband’s corruption case at the EFCC. The husband of Justice Binta Nyako has an ongoing treasury looting case against him with the Nigerian Government through EFCC.

    ” She has been threatened to jail Mazi Kanu or the husband and son will be jailed by the Nigerian Government through EFCC. Therefore, we demand that she step down from the case. Our Leader is not a criminal or treasury looter or a terrorist and his liberty should not be short changed for another,” IPO stated.

    IPOB however,  warned those Igbo politicians who are colluding with the Federal Government to frustrate the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to be careful and avoid  inviting a crisis

  • Women group president, Ejukwa, denies involvement in Effi Community protest

    From Ene Asuquo, Calabar

    Women President Effi Community,  Okuni village, Ikom local government area of Cross River State, Mrs. EKim Ejukwa, has distanced herself from  Saturday’s protest that was led by a faction of women against establishment of white wood particle board production factory by Chinese nationals in the community.

    The women president made the assertion while answering questions from our reporter in a telephone chat  in Calabar, shortly after the purported  protest  by Effi community women yesterday.

    Ejukwa averred that it was only a fraction of the women who participated in the protest stressing that herself and other women who were opposed to the protest refused to participate in the protest given the fact that laid down rules were never followed before calling them out for the protest.

    Speaking in ‘Pidgin English’ the female traditional ruler said, “why I follow them go  protest, wey I no get proper  information say  them want do protest?  I no dey with them ooh. They just wear black clothes come stay for my house  My hand no dey inside ooh”. She maintained.

    The women president stated that she returned from Saturday’s church programme only to find  a group of women dressed in black gathered at her residence, made an  attempt  to convince her to join the protest but she  declined because she was not informed from the time the plan was hatched.

    “I don’t support them because they do not respect me like a chief”, . Stressing that it’s the reason behind her refusal  to participate  in the protest.

    When asked to explain if she participated in signing of agreement that authorized the Chinese nationals to do business in Effi community, the women president retorted, “I signed am I no fit lie”

    Recall that there had been a series of petitions written by

    conservationists who are also community leaders opposing the establishment of white wood particle board processing factory in the community.

    The development led to visitation to the community  by Forestry commission with  members of his team to ascertain if really the Chinese factory was set up in the forest 

    The forestry commission chairman  George Obene’chi discovered that the factory is in the heart of the community and not in the forest as earlier alleged.

    Again, lawmakers of the state House of Assembly led by a member representing Obubra  2 state constituency, Egbe Abeng, early this month also visited the community  to also find out if there was a factory in the forest incidentally none was found in the forest.

    women

    He said, “Contrary to claims in some quarters that Chinese nationals set up their word particle board  production factory in the forest, it has finally been confirmed that the factory isn’t in the forest but in the heart of the community and the matter has been resolved, he maintained.

    “The issue of asking who the Chinese are, and the content of the agreement, to me is unnecessary given the fact that the agreement had already been made available to everybody, particularly those who were at  the state house last Thursday.

    “I am surprised that some women are  still asking at this time, who the Chinese are, even when they visited Calabar Thursday last week and the law makers  asked those present at the complex  if they knew the firm,  they accepted.

    “I am surprised to see  a faction of  women coming to lead a protest raising the question about who the Chinese nationals are. They should leave our forest, this is absurd.

  • Women allegedly beat up Monarch, shutdown Chinese factory in C’River community 

    Women allegedly beat up Monarch, shutdown Chinese factory in C’River community 

    From Ene Asuquo, Calabar 

    Hundreds of women on Saturday took to the streets of Effi Community,Okuni village in Ikom local government area of Cross River State over alleged women exclusion from  agreement reached with Chinese nationals engaged in white wood processing factory in the community.

    The protesting women sealed up  the factory gate, leaving about four  Chinese workers to their fate, before hoodlums purported  to have been hired by one of the gladiators  in tbe struggle stormed the factory gate and beat up a  traditional ruler senior Chief Ntui Ojong-Nyambi, for untying  the palm fronts used by the aggrieved  women   to seal up  the gate of  Chinese factory.

    The women who protested wearing black clothes demanded full protection of their interest, and opportunity to make input in the content of the agreement which they claimed they were excluded on the day of drafting of agreement.

    Resentment by the protesting women led to the beating up of a senior monarch head of the 9 traditional rulers in Effi community , Chief Ntui Ojong-Nyambi, by hoodlums  alleged to have been hired by a certain individual who had been giving the community trouble. 

    The hoodlums pounced on the traditional ruler just as he led some persons to untie  palm fronts tied by the protesting women at  the gate  of the Chinese factory.
    In Effi community, palm fronts are  supposed  to be a form of communication  that bars individuals from entry and  exit 

    Answering questions from our Correspondent  shortly after the protest, spokesperson for the aggrieved Effi women,  Mrs.Mercy Akpet, said, “community men had been  looking down on us”. 
    “During their meeting with the lawmakers of the Cross River State  House of Assembly (CRHA), these  men were advised  to convene a meeting of women and youths  to dialogue with us, unfortunately they had not done so”.

    “We left a message behind that they should look for us but because the men underrated us, they went to loosen the palm fronts without our consent.

    “I  just heard that our most senior chief had been beaten by some young men. He should have reached out to us to appeal to us to loosen the palm fronts. We weren’t at war, we just wanted the Chinese to recognize us”.

    Reacting to what he described as assault and molestation by hoodlums purported to have been hired by one of their sons who had suddenly become a thorn in the flesh of the community traditional institution,  senior Effi Community monarch, chief Ntui Ojong-Nyambi, expressed dismay over the  assault.

    ” They accused us of sidelining the women. Let me inform you that the women president , Ekim Ejukwa, also had her signature in the agreement that we made with the Chinese nationals”.

    ” It’s the women who blocked the wood factory gate with palm fronts and I went there to remove the palm fronts so that these foreigners can have their way out of the factory.
    ” Someone mobilized  hoodlums to beat me up and they forced me to  tie the palm fronts back.

    “As I speak now the Chinese are still inside the factory. The women chief also signed that agreement that we did with Chinese nationals.We have reported the matter to the area command Ikom for necessary action”. He maintained.

    Neither the community lawyer, Barrister Ichire Okim, nor the forest conservationist Executive director Rainforest Resources and Development Odey Oyama, who are the two gladiators in the issue could be reached for comments as their telephone lines were said to be off as of the time of filing in this report.