Huge Prices Make The Times Difficult

December 27, 2009 at 200900000031p00000031: 2:19 p12 (Community, Journalism Education, NIGERIA, SEARCH, africa, africapoets, business, create the change, education, god is not a lie, health, investment, leadership, niger delta, politics, science)

Officers of the Rivers State Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps [FRSC] mounted strategic positions around the Kaduna Junction along the Port Harcourt Expressway. From there they accosted, arrested and took traffic law offenders to the mobile road court tables for trial.

This happened barely four days to Christmas. Motorists charged with various offences including failure to use seat-belt, over loading, wrong plate number, over-speeding and absence of passengers’ manifest put up defenses to evade stipulated penalties.

The Sate Sector Commander, Mr. Osadebamwen said enforcement of traffic regulations is a daily exercise and the special mobile court including the regular patrol team will also be extended to Isiokpo and Ahoada towns. He said the command is collaborating with the Rivers State ministry of Justice to ensure fairness in traffic laws enforcement to eliminate accidents on the roads as the people travel to their respective country sides.

Many believe that the exercise will succeed with the cooperation from members of the motoring public.

Just a day to Christmas, passengers were seen sitting or standing alone and in two’s over their luggage bearing anxiety on their faces. These ones were not sure when a vehicle would be made available for them. But others who were already allocated spaces in available vehicles shared mixed feelings bordering on increase in fare, uncomfortable sitting positions and overloading of the vehicles by the drivers.

Some drivers said the number of travelers this year is low compared to last year insisting that they are willing to serve their cherished customers despite the scarcity of petroleum products. Government had continued to promise to make the product available.

But the promise had not seen a marching command that will make the plumbs at the filling stations run out petrol. The black market had remained the ready solace though the price is huger than the muscle of personal pockets could cope with.

The drivers also noted that the number of police check points on the high ways has increased the huge toll they collect is frustrating. The State Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Rita Inoma- Abbey had insisted that no driver should patronize such police check point and report any officer who insists on any toll [one hundred naira] to the central police station.

 Mr. Shola Fashokin is the Vice Chairman, National Road Transport Workers Union of Nigeria, and Eleme Junction Unit who said that the economic hardship experienced by the people is manifest in the low traveling interest adding that they are poised to provide efficient service to the motoring public.

As anxiety heightens, commuters are advised to patronize certified motor parks to avoid being victims to thieves and ritualists who see the rush as golden opportunity to carry out their nefarious activities. The state sector commander of FRSC said commuters must be safety conscious.

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Another Focus on Rights Violation

December 10, 2009 at 200900000031p00000031: 2:19 p12 (Africa Poets Society, Community, Journalism Education, NIGERIA, SEARCH, africa, business, create the change, education, god is not a lie, investment, leadership, niger delta, politics, science)

As Nigeria join the world to mark this years human rights day with the theme ‘embrace diversity, end discrimination interest is raised about the universal declaration that stipulates that human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They should enjoy right to life, social services, education, liberty and security despite race, colour, sex, language, religion and political affiliation.

 But in spite of this provision, human rights abuses have persisted in the society.

A social scientist with the University of Port Harcourt Dr. Kinikanwo Anele noted that poor infrastructure and corruption have continued to hinder economic growth as well as subjected the majority to live on one hundred and fifty naira per day, an abuse that should be corrected.

Dr. Anele highlighted extra-judicial killings, vigilante violence, harsh prison conditions, human trafficking and child labour as some of the major violations of human rights in the country. He emphasized the need for Nigerians particularly relevant agencies to respect human rights.

To Mrs. Florence Fiberesima, head directorate for citizen’s rights, ministry of justice however, human rights practice has improved significantly in the country due to intensive public enlightenment campaigns carried out by government agencies saddled with rights protection tasks and civil society groups.

She noted that cultural practices, background, religion, and illiteracy among the people have remained major handicap to actualizing the benefits of the United Nations declaration. While condemning the abuse of human rights by some law enforcement agents Mrs. Fiberesima advised people whose rights have been violated to discard fear and seek redress in court.

A member of the public Samuel Okujagu said he was denied possession of a piece of land he inherited from his parents by some individuals in his community and has resigned fate to god to defend him against his oppressors.

Other respondents who recommended due process to redress abuses regretted that few individuals are seen living above the law, creating an offensive imbalance in the society made worse by increased poverty, lack of basic amenities, and increased materialism in the society.

All the respondents agreed that the universal day for human rights has become a point of reference to examine efforts and spur for greater human rights protection across the world.

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Raising Political Awareness Among Christians

December 2, 2009 at 200900000031p00000031: 2:19 p12 (Community, Journalism Education, NIGERIA, SEARCH, africa, business, create the change, education, god is not a lie, leadership, niger delta, politics, science)

 To continue to provide support services to the church and its members, a non-denominational organization, Divine Elect Sapphire Club [DESC] orgainsed its end of year seminar to encourage Christians to assume their roles and give positive leadership to the society.

The seminar with the theme  ‘Christians in Politics’ had the deputy leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr. Hope Ikiriko, the deputy speaker of Ogun State House of Assembly, Mr. Remmy Hazzan in attendance.

The lawmakers noted that some Christians despise politics because of the conception that it is rough and evil forgetting that the products of every political process also determine their fate as citizens of the country. They observed that when Christians refuse to participate in politics, they deny the society godly leadership. While noting that increased Christian participation and amendment of some sections of the nations constitution will change the fate of politics, they urged Christians to identify and register with political party of the choice right in their local government wards.

They said Christians must be bold to display their Christ’s brand which will check the kind of issues that may be brought to them and they can not be compelled to walk wrongly. There is room to fail and Christians should not fear to fail but hold up discipline, loyalty, respect circular leaders, be diligence, integrity and be interested to read up political news and activities.

Other speakers like Mrs. Christy Bature-Ogbuifu and Pastor Ola Soji dismissed the thinking that politics was ungodly pointing out that prophets like Daniel, David and Esther were strategically positioned to influence government policy and ensure adherence to God’s injunctions. They said the essence of the cross that demand self sacrifice and service including proper education and mobilization of Christian youth into politics would do a difference.

Mr. Anthony Ikpor is the president of the club that was inaugurated in 2002 with ten persons and had grown to have twenty members who are all professional and donate resources to keep the club going. Mr. Ikpor said the club had engaged in welfare services to the less privileged and assisted in eradicating various forms of social discrimination in the society. He said the club will continue to provide useful education to Christians on how to become investment giants, know how to set achievable goals, inculcate positive virtues and know their HIV/Aids status.

The seminar, he said was organized to tell Christians that politics should not be left for the ‘so called corrupt people,’ who had ploughed the nations into untold lack of developmental problems.

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Enduring the Gullies on Port Harcourt Roads

September 16, 2009 at 200900000030p00000030: 2:19 p09 (Africa Poets Society, Community, business, create the change, education, god is not a lie, health, investment, politics)

Motorists and other road users in Port Harcourt, Obio/Akpor and its environs have continued to have drudgery experience occasioned by pot holes and gullies in the wake of the persistent rain fall that has frustrated massive road construction work in the area.

Disturbed by the complaints from the daily road users Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State had issued a directive to the relevant authority; the State Road Rehabilitation and Maintenance Agency and the construction companies to fill the gullies with hard core as an interim measure to cushion the inconvenience experienced by motorists is yet to be heeded leaving the people with their pains unabated.

As I drove to the Eleozu junction along the East-West road, Workers of the Bulletin Construction Company, the firm handling the flyover project were not at the site but the roughness of the road with gullies dotting every section encumbered movement.

Along the Rumuola road, Monier Construction Company workers were seen working with shovel, bare hands and slippers along with the asphalt laying machine discharge its content unto the rough road surface to protect it from further damage from the rains. However the gullies on the lane used by the motorists are yet to be filled. The site manager, Mr. Umana told me that the daily heavy vehicular pressure pulverize the cores or push them deep into the ground whenever the gullies were filled.

At the Ada George road axis, motorists lamented the poor state of the road with insufficient cores poured on select positions of the road. While movement at the section is done with ease the longer stretch of the road with pot holes and gullies need prompt interim attention for the required respite.

But the situation is worse at the Rivoc junction along Trans-Amadi lane, the oil mill and the Elelenwo road as the ditch at those sections created complex vehicular cluster made worse by impatience on the part of the motorists. The expected hard core is yet to be seen at that section thereby consuming productive man-hour.

The Director, Kunde- Marines, Mr. Noah Kunde said continues water log at those sections of the road created the ditch and want a ‘well meaning public drain’ be constructed linking the rivers to solve the problem. I met a situation of heated words exchange between motorists who were struggling to pull out of the ditch created.

At the Elabuchi road. The chairman of the Diobu Timber Market, Mr. Nemi- Michael Fubara said the road is cut into two halves and has hampered the Timber Market activities.

At the Elelenwo road by the Police Station and the Oil Mill junction along the Port Harcourt Aba express-way including the Rumuokwurushi road, we saw a gradual caving-in of sections of the road despite the core that has been dumped there severally.

Motorists and commuters have a similar prayer that the hard core to serve as interim measure will be seen on the gullies that frustrate smooth traffic.

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Re-Branding of Nigeria Launched

March 25, 2009 at 200900000031p00000031: 2:19 p03 (1)
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The Nigerian government has launched a national image campaign aimed at reversing the negative perception held by people about that country and its people. The campaign kicked off with the launch of the slogan and logo in Abuja, Nigeria.
The vice President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, who unveiled and presented the logo/slogan to the public said the re-branding launch does not mean a quick solution to the plethora of problems prevalent in the country.

The problems he listed included poor road network, epileptic power supply, poor health service, corruption, unemployment, election rigging, internet scam, drugs and other negative attributes that Nigeria has been associated with over the years. These he said will not just disappear but as the re-branding campaign subsists there will be a national ethical revolution that would nip them in the bud.

He urged Nigerians to continue to make valuable sacrifice, develop a positive mindset that things can work well in the country, be committed to upholding community value and live by integrity. While the government would pursue the Millennium Development Goals in building the institutions that would encourage national re-orientation, moral re-armament, and holistic push to inculcate believe in Nigeria as government is run with a responsive spirit to the need of the people on the pedestal of the rule of law.

The Chairman of the occasion, Yakubu Gowon, said no matter the negative perception held about Nigeria and its people, the problem can be redeemed if all Nigeria will develop positive attitude towards Nigeria and stop running it down with acts and words.

He urged the leadership to lead by examples and work to make better lives for the average Nigeria. Then it will be difficult to neither celebrate the ills nor be held ransom to the criminal few whose activities are seen as representation of what Nigeria is.

The Minister of Information and Communication, Professor Dora Akunyili, said though similar image re-branding projects had been undertaken in the past like the MAMSER, WAI and HEART OF AFRICA PROJECT, the present version is different because it is home grown, launched in Nigeria and propelled by Nigerians to make Nigeria be seen as a positive and good world citizen.

With the project, other nationals will not be trusted to tell Nigeria stories from their perspectives. Nigerians must therefore acknowledge their good attributes and celebrate them with believe in themselves. Then with systematic information dissemination activities minds will be re-orientated and Nigeria can be equipped to tell Nigeria stories.

The re-branding she said, will attract foreign investors, tourists, create employment for Nigerians, reduce crime, build trusted institutions, make Nigerian want to do things for Nigeria, stop harassing of Nigerians at embassies, airports in other countries and build a strong Nigeria spirit of wanting to ‘die for one’s country’.

Professor Akunyili said the project is people centered, internally based, motivate, inspire and promote the Nigerian and national values. It is people private public partnership venture to create rigorous awareness, encourage participatory/consultative approaches and regular national tour to every state of the federation.

The focus will beam on school children also for value orientation, build honesty and get valuable feedback from all the regions with the committee of information commissioners in the states headed by Edet Asim of Cross Rivers State coordinating their state activities.

The slogan is ‘Nigeria, Good people great Nation’ created by Chike Obinah. Already the slogan will be sent via cell phones to 60 million Nigerians.

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2009 World TD Day; I AM STOPPING TB

March 25, 2009 at 200900000031p00000031: 2:19 p03 (1)
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2009 world tuberculosis day has been observed with a focus to raise public awareness on the danger associated with the disease in Nigeria.

This year’s theme being I AM STOPPING TB is based on the need to check the spread of the disease in the developing countries of 22 in number with Nigeria rated the fifth TB burdened country.

The opinion of a cross section of the public in Port Harcourt and Obio Akpor local government in Rivers State and Yanagoa was sampled Tamunobarabi Gogo Ibulubo who observed that most of them claimed ignorance of the effect of tuberculosis and any meaning full effort done either by the government or individual to stem TB.

They called for more public enlightenment campaign by the government to enable members of the public to identify the infection and how to access medical facilities.
According to them, they encourage their friends or relations who show signs of protracted cough to consult relevant medical practitioners for assistance.

The state TB control officer Dr. Bamidele Agborubere and the World Health Organisation south-South Zonal officer for TB Dr. Michael Jose said TB is a killer disease and advised that any one who has experienced persistent cough for two weeks to go for TB screening test and treatment .

They encouraged members of the public to avail themselves of the twenty two TB diagnostics centres located at health centres in eighteen local government areas in Rivers State. Members of the public can also go the one hundred and thirteen Dot-centres for attention. The treatment for TB is free with modalities being concluded to make diagnosis free also.

The noted that most of the death witnessed among HIV/AIDS victims is reinforced by TB presence in the person and called for commensurate attention for TB situation as given to HIV/AIDS.

They advised affected people not to expose their sputum, avoid overcrowded places, and open their windows and doors for cross ventilation in order to check TB in the society.

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A Writer Can Not Be Quiet

March 11, 2009 at 200900000031p00000031: 2:19 p03 (Africa Poets Society, Community, Journalism Education, NIGERIA, Nephrological society, africa, africapoets, business, create the change, education, god is not a lie, health, investment, leadership, niger delta, politics, science)

 

They flow, the writers, that is, through the lanes,from different professions into the writing sphere.There are also born writing individuals.

First, they get the inching; worried about the need to make public the content of their thoughts.By this, they devise the best technique of approach to tackle the write-able topic.

This could be propelled by what they have observed,heard or read.Others,spontanously,flow into it without understanding the reason for the drive.

They write a first copy,cancell it ,write a second copy and cancell again.If that copy is not good enough,satisfying what they intend to give out,they write again and lock it away from the public eyes.A few of such writers make further effort to go public.

They are so dicouraged because of the cost implication of publishing.Even the internet could be very expensive for them to use.

The traditional publishing avenues may not look in their direction because they are not a ‘name’ that could be accorded attention.Some of such desirous writing prospects,move further to seek a freelance opportunity to do so for free,giving out their thoughts on paper to contribute to public pool of information.

Most publishers may accommodate this position because it removes all financial obligations on them. All such times the published items are judged on the premise of their relevance to comtemporary issues and the beauty of the language used.

Sometimes, the approach/angle the issue is discussed also becomes an attraction.When the writing propect knows that he is now and always, an accepted contributor, his morale grows daily and gradually, he becomes a pro.

The pro’ writer never would cease to contribute his quota to enrich the columns,pages,weblogs and the stalls the daily published books must fill.This consciousness keeps the writer alive.

He lives and is active because he is writing and attending talk sessions that his written works has created/elicited for him.But can the writer stand at the rostrum and not utter any word? The audience would think that he must have suffered a momentary speech ceasure and would sympathize with him.

They could also want to volunteeer assistance to move him back to his seat or home.Such writer would feel a greater sickness not for what he said verbally but for what he was unable to say.

The writer would not always desire such situation, so will crave another opportunity to correct whatever impression that must have been built..This urge is what qualifies the thinking that to be silent is unlike a writer.

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Imperative of mentoring

March 11, 2009 at 200900000031p00000031: 2:19 p03 (Community, Journalism Education, NIGERIA, Nephrological society, africa, africapoets, business, create the change, education, god is not a lie, health, investment, leadership, niger delta, politics, science)

 

It will be a great comfort if one had come to your assistance to solve or get a task done that you have spent longer time fixing. This is what mentoring avails the ill experienced individual and helps him/her attain set or required goals faster and maximize potentials.

We all want gain but at what price? If gain was free and easy we would all sign up. However, it is not. In order to gain something we need to lose something. Trying to plow our way through life and accepting the rewards of  hard work often times seems like a good enough gain. What seems like great gain and steady progress to you, might be far less than what God has planned for you.

One form of being mentored is discipleship. A disciple is simply a learner. If we take what we learn from another guy who has traveled the long and dusty road before us, and apply it to our life we gain wisdom.

Want some mentoring help then look for a mentor in your community.

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Cultural Festival 2008

December 5, 2008 at 200800000031p00000031: 2:19 p12 (Africa Poets Society, Community, Journalism Education, NIGERIA, Nephrological society, africa, africapoets, business, create the change, education, god is not a lie, health, investment, leadership, niger delta, politics, science)

The procession of floats and troupes that participated in the Rivers State cultural festival christened ‘Carniriv 2008,our culture our pride’ began at about nine thirty five this morning 5th December 2008 when the Nigeria motorcycle club members led by Charley Boy drove their powered bikes, not only to pull out more spectators from where they lurking but to trill them.

 

Thereafter, the floats, numbering about 29, depicting various indigenous sea animals, birds and other cultural identities of the accompanying groups, drove out from the premises of the Catholic Institutes of West Africa along the Port Harcourt Aba expressway unto the road.

 

All  the twenty local governments have floats including some corporate organization ,hoteliers, Nollywood actors as well as National Youths Service Corps members that lined up the stretched of Port Harcourt Aba expressway between the Rumuomasi, market and the artillery junctions.

 

It was at this point that the State government right honourable Chibuike Amaechi and members of the State executives councils joined in the procession climbing up to the leading float, a well decorated typical canoe.

 

From this point , the floats processed to Airforce, Rumuola  and the Waterlines junctions where some of the cultural groups found some convenient spaces to display their dance steps with  enormous excitement at with repeated cheering by spectators.

 

Some of the spectator expressed great joy for the carnival, noting that it has provided a forum for common sharing and play together to show case the rich culture of the state.

 

They said the carnival has defied the fear that has enslaved the people and given them the liberty to come out without any doubt to display the rich culture of the people of Rivers State.

 

Already, Governor Amaechi said the carnival would be a yearly event.

 

The last time such carnival was organized in Rivers State was in 1988.

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Elechi’s Students at ANA Poetry Reading Evening

November 14, 2008 at 200800000030p00000030: 2:19 p11 (Community, NIGERIA, business, create the change, education, god is not a lie, health, leadership, niger delta, politics)

The evening of poetry reading at the Delta Hotels in Port Harcourt to mark the November 2008 edition was more colourful and exciting in many ways than one. It attracted a large attendance; enthusiastic lovers of literature, up-coming and published poets who were desirous to read their poems to the pool of critical audience who offered useful critiques.

 

There were laughter and clapping of hands to each reading but be sure that high ovation and applause never attend reading of good poems. At best, what was observed was a rapped attention displayed by them and a  deep mind contemplation to find out possible meanings  of each of the poems. For the audience would have been lost in such intellectual travel to remember to clap.

 

Among the number of readers at this Rivers State branch of the Association of Nigeria Authors [ANA] was Tamunobarabi Gogo Ibulubo who read two of his poems; Pronounce the sentence and Okrika rising which are part of the collection he has earmarked for paper cover publication in 2009.It got critique and stood out as an effort that matches the poet’s standard and meet the taste of poetry. It was the first time for him to do such public reading and with the commendation, his is determined to make public more of his poems.

 

Also lined up for the evening were graduands of class nine of the Elechi Amadi school of creative writing. Only seven of the ten students succeeded considered under categories of assessment; participation, merit, credit and distinction scaled through the huddles. Ms Enemesit Omofia emerged as the best graduating student with a gift of cash and Elechi Amadi’s ‘book the concubine’

 

The  Elechi Amadi school of creative writing  was set up to offer a plat form that would attend to the common problems Dr. Amadi had observed with scripts that has been brought to him by prospective writers. Dr. Amadi said that instead of the students being asked to pay forty thousand naira as fees, he has subsidized the fees allowing students to pay twenty thousand naira only.

 

The state chairman of ANA Minima welcomed the writers, lovers of literature and the graduands and reminded of the writer’s unbounded and parallel  world.

The 2009 literary competition for all secondary students in Rivers State will commence in  December 2008 while the BBC playwriting competition for 2009 is rolling  and would end in March 2009 as explained by the British Council, Rivers State Center Manager, Ms Patience Nwoke.

 

  

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