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Nelson Mandela

The Great Icon, former President Nelson Mandela has gone to rest.

What do you think about some of these famous quotes of his and Nelson Mandela himself?

“I dream of an Africa which is in peace with itself”. - Nelson Mandela.

“If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner”. – Nelson Mandela.

“It is what we make out of what we have, not what we are given, that separates one person from another”. – Nelson Mandela.

“After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb”. – Nelson Mandela.

“For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others”. – Nelson Mandela.  

  

Madiba, RIP!

‘Tunde Andrew 

GBARAMATU VS FGN/BUBA 

 The Federal High Court sitting in Asaba has awarded the Gbaramatu Kingdom of Warri-South Local Government Area, Delta State a total cost of about N100billion for the bombardment of 53 communities of the kingdom by the JTF in 2009.

  

On May 15, 2009, when the people of Gbaramatu Kingdom were preparing to kick start their annual Amaseikumor festival, the military Joint Task Force operating in Niger-Delta, bombarded the Kingdom in search of the now repentant leader of “Camp 5”, Government Ekpumopolo (aka Tompolo) and other members of his then militant group.

During the bombardment of the communities, properties were destroyed and thousands of people including women and children displaced.

This made the communities to institute a case led by Chief Nelson Ogelegbanwei and 52 others against the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and two others at the Federal High Court, Asaba with Suit No: FHC/ASA/CS/139/2009.

Delivering the judgement, Justice Ibrahim Buba in his judgement which last for about an hour said that the bombing of the communities by the 3^rd defendant, the then Commander of the JTF, Major-General Sarkin Yarkin Bello was carried-out beyond the ambit of the law which also went beyond the order of the 1^st defendant.

Justice Buba therefore ruled based on documented facts before the court by the plaintiffs, said that the sum of N49,498,165,494.16k (Forty-Nine Billion, Four Hundred and Ninety-Eight Million, One Hundred and sixteen kobo) only  should be paid as Special Damages by the defendants jointly and severally to plaintiffs.

The judge also ruled that the sum of N50,501,834,505.14k (Fifty Billion, Five Hundred and One Million, Eight Hundred and Thirty-Four Thousand, Five Hundred and Five Naira, Fourteen Kobo) should also be paid as aggravated and/ or punitive damages to the plaintiffs by defendants jointly and severally for the unlawful bombardment and sacking of the plaintiffs’ communities which resulted to in wanton demolition /destruction of their houses, household furniture and other wares, their domestic animals, canoes, boats, sacred places, artefacts etc  and which resulted in total displacement of members of the communities living in swampy mangrove forest in subhuman condition for about three months.

The lead Counsel to the Plaintiffs, Selekeowei Larry, SAN, described the judgement of the court as a “sound judgement”, and urged the federal government to abide by the ruling of the court. While the Counsel to the defendants Igbinomwanhia Osagie also described the judgement as a sound judgement, but attributed the loss of the case to the absent of the 3^rd defendant, Major-General Sakin Yarkin Bello for refusing to come to court to state his own part of the story.

Osagie said that his team gave a "good fight" as the case lasted, but he's yet to make a decision on appeal.

The judgement came after the people of Gbaramatu Kingdom were mourning the exit of the traditional ruler of the Kingdom whose palace was among the building that was bombarded by the JTF.

‘Tunde Andrew 

Ban of Okada and security situation in Delta State

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan

One of the Three- Point Agenda of the Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan is “Peace and Security”. Since 2007 when Governor Uduaghan assumed office as governor of the state, he has been putting measures in place to ensure adequate security for Delta citizens.

These efforts by the Governor have yielded positive results so far.

He provided Armoured Personnel Carriers, (APC) and hundreds of security vans equipped with modern communication gadgets, some of which were commissioned by the governor himself and others commissioned by the Inspector General of the Police, Mohammed Abubakar.

The IGP commended Governor Uduaghan for assisting security agencies including the State Police Command in the state by providing needed facilities to enhance their operations in combating crime.The weekly security meeting by the heads of security agencies and other stakeholders headed by Governor Uduaghan has tremendously helped to improve the security situation across the state.

Also the financial and moral supports to security Agencies in the state, the provision of street lights in major towns and cities (in the streets and highways), setting-up of water ways security committees and vigilante groups by the Uduaghan’s administration has no doubt reduced crime to the barest minimum and have encouraged the security personnel to do more. All these measures were put in place by the Uduaghan’s administration to enable Deltans move freely, carry-out legitimate businesses and sleep with their two eyes closed.

The decision by the government that has made Asaba, the State capital and the oil rich city of Warri one of the most peaceful cities in the country today, is the ban of commercial motorcycles popularly called ‘Okada’. The ban of okadas in some major towns in the state has done wonders in reducing crime.

In August 2012, when the government made the pronouncement on the ban of okada, lots of people frowned at the government decision.

A year later, the same people who frowned at the decision, are among those commending the government for taking such decision. The okadas were replaced with hundreds of tricycles, mini buses and some Marcopolo buses, even boats were purchased for the riverine areas.

Since the ban of okadas, criminal activities such as armed robbery, kidnapping, bank robbery, snatching of bags and etc., have become a thing of the past in recent times in Asaba, Warri, Ughelli and other affected towns. Businesses have been flourishing, people can move around at any time of the day without fear. Most people doing businesses across the Niger or travelling through the state (Delta) and even the politicians across the Niger now prefer to pass the night in Asaba.

Night life is now booming in the Delta State Capital, Asaba, as well as the oil rich city of Warri and other towns. Security vans are seen stationed in strategic areas in towns 24/7. Events such as Seminars, Conferences, workshops, shows etc., are being held in these cities and towns almost on a daily basis. Day after day, hospitality businesses are springing up in these areas and roads are getting congested due to increase in population.

The strategies put in place by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan which enables him to achieve success in his ‘Peace and Security’ agenda should be sustained, even after his tenure in office by his predecessor.

In my own opinion, other states in the region and in the country that are having similar security challenges which Delta State has experienced before, should take a cue from Delta State Government.

So, when next you are travelling through Delta State, stop and experience the fresh air of “Peace and Security” of Uduaghan’s administration through various strategies including the ban of okada which has improved security situation in Asaba, warri, Ughelli and other affected towns.

•Babatunde Andy, Asaba, Delta State.