National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
South South
Friday, November 15, 2013
11
Sea pirates attack passengers, kill head teacher in Bayelsa EMMA GBEMUDU YENAGOA
A
gang of suspected sea pirates have attacked a passenger boat and killed a head teacher, Weky Akparakazi, along Tuomo- Aleibiri water ways in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. The suspects also carted away teachers’ salary and other valuable items from Akparakazi. Investigation revealed that two victims, Daula Garuwa a native of Isampou in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area and a former Education Secretary in Ekeremor Local Government Area were injured during the attack. It was gathered that the late Akparakazi, who was the Head Teacher of the Community Primary School in Foutorugbene and other passengers were attacked on November 9 at about 9:45pm by the sea pirates. Apart from the passengers’ valuables carted away, the suspects forced them to
jump into the river. The sea pirates also carted away the boat’s engine during their raid. A senior staff of the State University Basic Education Board (SUBEB), who did not want his name mentioned, confirmed the incident to National Mirror, adding that the late Akparakazi had visited Yenagoa to receive teachers’ salary before the sea pirates attacked the boat. A family source, who pleaded for anonymity, expressed shock over the untimely death of the head teacher. The source said: “Akparakazi was with us and visited some of his friends along the Imgbi Road in Yenagoa. He came for teachers’ salaries. He left and was in a good mood. “The pirates attacked the boat and unleash mayhem on the passengers. They dispossessed the passengers of their money and valuables. “They pushed the injured passengers into the river and upturned the speed boat after detaching
CBN cashless policy’ll frustrate voters’ inducement – Akpabio
G
overnor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State has hailed the recently introduced cashless policy of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and expressed hope that d it would eliminate the influence of money politics in Nigeria. Akpabio, who stated this when the Chairman of Committee of e-Banking Industry Heads, Mr. Chuks Iku, paid him a visit at the Governor’s Office in Uyo, the state capital, said: “Until money is eliminated from politics, it will still become a bit difficult. Our prayer is that one day money will be totally eliminated from politics so that we can vote according to our conscience.” He, however, said that the cashless policy would discredit politicians who induce voters with cash to get their votes. The governor described e-banking “as a major innovation worldwide and still new in Nigeria because Nigeria still remains a major cash economy”. Akpabio said: “Coming on a retreat to the state will afford you the opportunity
to lay the foundation for major e-revolution in the banking sector. If you really want to sit down and discuss the way forward, I think you should also go to a state that is taking the lead in transformational leadership.” The Chairman of Committee of e-banking Industry Heads, Mr. Iku, said the committee was holding a retreat in Akwa Ibom State to address issues bordering on electronic banking in Nigeria, noting that the choice of Akwa Ibom for the retreat was based on the prime role the state is playing in the advancement of technology and infrastructure. Iku said: “For us, Akwa Ibom represents e-business to an extent. We are aware that Akwa Ibom has a digitalised library and we are also aware that the state is currently undergoing biometric exercise for all civil servants, including the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and local government workers. Above all, we also know that in term of infrastructure, a lot is happens here.”
• JTF boss worried over losing personnel to attack the outboard engine.” Contacted on the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Alex Akhigbe, said no report had been received on it. Akhigbe, however, said the police had directed its marine unit to be on red alert. Meanwhile, the Commander of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta, Maj, Gen. Bata Debiro, yesterday expressed worry over the frequent killing of his personnel by
sea pirates. Debiro said it was painful losing members of the JTF, just as he advised the officers and men to be alert and careful while on duty. He said: “I hate losing our officers to attack by sea pirates; the Nigeria Army has been losing many of its officers.” The JTF boss spoke yesterday in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, while decorating the Media Coordinator of the security agency, Col. Onyema Nwa-
chukwu and Lt. Col. Opuwari George with their new ranks. Until their recent promotions, Nwachukwu and George, who are alumnus of the Universities of Ibadan and Port Harcourt, were in the ranks of Lt. Col and Major respectively. While stressing that the promotion of both officers were based on merit, Debiro urged them to be focused and diligent in their duties as senior officers. Debiro assured that
hardworking personnel would be promoted and warned against indolence among the troops. The JTF Commander appreciated the mutual relations existing between the media and the security agency, adding that it would be sustained. “We are happy today to witness the promotion of two of our officer, “We rejoice with the families of Colonel Onyema Nwachukwu and Lt Col Opuwari John George for their new promotion in the Nigeria Army,” Debiro said.
Navy trainees displaying tactical manoeuvring during their passing out at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School in Onne, Rivers State, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN
Bayelsa, private sector to create 30,000 jobs
T
he Bayelsa State Government in partnership with the Organised Private Sector (OPS) is set to create at least 30,000 jobs in oil and gas and other sectors of the economy. In line with its Restoration Agenda, the government has stressed the need for a private sector driven economy and this has led to the proposed establishment of a fertilizer plant, the Maritime Academy and
Brass LNG at Brass Island, airport, pharmaceutical products and many others in the state. This development will provide a platform for youths to acquire training and become employable in various aspects of the economy. To further achieve this goal, the government has entered into a bilateral agreement with a United Kingdom-based firm, Heritage Oil Plc, to broaden the
base of the economy, generate employment and create high level skills in the state. In view of the fore-going, Governor Seriake Dickson has expressed optimism that with the enforcement of the Federal Government’s Local Content Development Policy, the problem of unemployment would be minimised and a an enduring peace and stability would be enthroned in the state and the Niger Delta region.
Speaking during the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding in Yenagoa, Governor Dickson said the state was ready for active participation in the oil and gas industry. Under the agreement, Heritage Oil Plc, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange, has an equity share of 45 per cent while Bayelsa Oil Company would take charge of 55 per cent in the joint venture, named Petrobay.
Suspension: Bishops threaten CAN with legal action SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN BENIN
T
he disagreement with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) over an attempt by some bishops from the Niger Delta to reconcile the G-7 Governors with the Presidency took a new dimension yesterday after the suspension of the Bishops by South-South Chairman of the assiciation, Archbishop God-Do-Well Avwomakpa. Reacting to the alleged
• Flay Oritsejafor’s comment suspension, leader of the bishops pursuing the peace deal on the platform of Global Peace Relief Initiative, Prophet Jones OdeErue, threatened legal action against Avwomakpa and CAN leadership. According to Ode-Erue, South-South CAN has no power to suspend them. “Avwomakpa has no capacity to suspend us. He is not our member. We only invited him to join us when our delegation visited Rivers State Governor
Rotimi Amaechi. We give him 48 hours to retract the announcement of our suspension and all the bad things he said about us on Delta Television or else we will institute legal action against him and CAN,” Ode-Erue threatened. It will be recalled that the angry clergymen under the aegis of the Niger Delta Bishops and Christian Forum as well as those of the South-South Christian Forum had on Wednesday blasted the
President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, for making disparaging comments about them. Reacting to Oritsejafor’s comment that labelled the bishops as “unknown to CAN and unregistered by CAC but merely seeking relevance by attempting to wade into the political disagreements between President Goodluck Jonathan and G7 Governors,” the angry clergymen clarified that they did not seek to settle the disagreement under the name of CAN.