THE NATION
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•Masquerades at the event
•Drummers at the Shendam celebrations •Continued from page 25
Tiemlong Shekarau, Deputy Speaker, Plateau State House of Assembly; Hon Sylvanus Dongtoe, Commissioner for Tourism; Hon. Timothy Parlong Special Adviser to the Governor on Security and Conflict Management and Hon. Fidelis Long Ba’an, Special Adviser to the Governor on Peace Building. Nshe further said: “We have chosen to-day to celebrate our own because we have never had it so good since the history of the local government which was created in 1976. We want to use the opportunity to commend Governor Jang for the confidence he reposed in our sons by not only giving our people those appointments but also giving those appointed key roles and responsibilities to play at this historical moment in Plateau State.” The Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly in his keynote address said: “This is a day to thank Governor Jang
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AYELSA Maritime Union has stated that the state is ripe for at least two sea ports. It has therefore urged the Federal Government to develop the facility which it said would be in the interest of the Niger Delta. It also pleaded with President Goodluck Jonathan to ensure the realisation of the dream for sea ports during his tenure. Comrade Lloyd Sese, State Chairman of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) in a chat with Newsextra in Yenagoa recently argued that being a major oil-producing state in Nigeria, Bayelsa State
Community celebrates development for giving four citizens of this local government, opportunities to serve in his government. I must say that we have quality and credible human resources in this local government who are ready to serve our state in whatever capacity.
So, we have to show our appreciation to Governor Jang for choosing some of these good hands to work with him.” He therefore called on the people of the local government to stand by Governor Jonah Jang for them to reap dividends
We want to use the opportunity to commend Governor Jang for the confidence he reposed in our sons by not only giving our people those appointments but also giving those appointed key roles and responsibilities to play at this historical moment in Plateau State
closed to them that they are Igbo, pointing out that the revelation gave her sleepless nights on what to do about the Igbo race of “my African American brothers and sisters.” Expressing happiness over the numerous achievements of Umuada Igbo Nigeria, Ezeofor further said: “Today is the happiest day for Umuada Igbo Nigeria. The journey that started about 13 years ago for the sole aim of helping the needy in our society has today cli-
of democracy. “We should be loyal, supportive and prayerful for this governor. He has done a lot for us by these appointments because the appointments on their own are capable of attracting positive development to the local government.” The civic reception was attended by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Shedrack Best, Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Hon. John Clark Dabwan who was accompanied to the occasion by other principal members of the House, Senator representing Plateau South Senatorial zone, Senator Victor Lar, Member representing Shendam/ Mikang/Quan Pan Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives Hon. Innocent Tersel, traditional rulers and other top government functionaries from the state.
Union demands sea ports, fuel stations From Isaac Ombe, Yenagoa
deserves sea ports. Sese observed that besides being a major oil producing state, it also has better geographic advantage for several sea ports due to its nearness to the sea. According to him, the proposed sea ports could suitably be located in Koloama, Brass, Furupa Ekeni and
Ejetu areas of the state which are very close to the sea. “These are areas very close to the sea. They are entrants from the sea, areas in the coast of the state,” noted the maritime union chairman who lamented that “it’s too bad that the state where oil was first struck in 1968 has not even one sea port. “It is very necessary to have at least two sea ports in the state because we have the location, the terrain and the
Igbo group, UN partner on women •Continued from page 25
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2011
maxed with meeting the pillars of United Nations.” The Umuada Igbo Nigeria President-General further stated: “I find it difficult to believe .This meeting will spur on us. When we get back to Nigeria, we will work harder. Please, be rest assured please God, we shall contribute our quota in the United Nations and National Committee for the United Nations Women.” In a later proclamation by the Council City of New York, signed by the Speaker, Christine C. Quinn for the entire council, the council
Today is the happiest day for Umuada Igbo Nigeria. The journey that started about 13 years ago with the sole aim of helping the needy in our society has today climaxed with meeting the pillars of United Nations
commended the Umuada Igbo Nigeria National Committee for UNWomen for “honouring the legacy of our mothers and grandmothers and for its unwavering commitment to empowering women today and for generations to come.” The proclamation further reads in part: “That the council of the City of New York is proud to honour the Umuada Igbo Nigeria National Committee for UN Women –The Tracing Your Ancestral Roots Projects.” Recall that Umuada Igbo Nigeria, which was inaugurated on January 29, 2000 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe ultra-modern multi-million Naira stadium, Enugu , has a very large population of about 15 million members drawn from the seven Igbo-speaking states of Abia, Anambra, Rivers, Delta, Imo, Ebonyi and Enugu and Igbo daughters living in all states of Nigeria and in the Diaspora. Umuada Igbo Nigeria, which is an umbrella body of Umuada (daughters of Igbo land), is a charitable, cultural, corporate and non-governmental organisation (NGO), registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Abuja.
facilities.” Enumerating the advantages of locating sea ports in the state, Comrade Sese noted that the presence sea ports will generate employment, attract foreign investments, and reduce piracy in the waterways, among others. He also spoke on the security challenges being experienced by the union in the state. He said: “We have security challenges in the waterways of the state such as piracy and we want the Federal Government to assist the state by ensuring security on the waterways.” Another challenge being faced by the union, according to him, included the absence of feeling stations in the riverside communities for the convenience of members of the un-
ion. He noted that members of the union have been waiting for the proposed feeling station at the Swali maritime jetty. He therefore appealed to the state government and Minister of Petroleum Resources who is indigenous to the state to come to their aid. “The state government and the Minister of Petroleum Resources who incidentally is from this state should please come to our assistance. The early construction of the fuel station will go a long way to ameliorating our fuel problems,” Sese said. He said the state needed at least five floating fuel stations to add to the existing one at Nembe.
It is very necessary to have at least two sea ports in the state because we have the location, the terrain and the facilities…The state government and the Minister of Petroleum Resources who incidentally is from this state should please come to our assistance