By Guardian Nigeria 05 January 2024 | 12:18 am A pressure group and think tank, the Niger Delta Peace Advocates (NDPA), has flayed ex-militant leader and self-styled Urhobo Mayor, Eshanakpe Israel, a.k.a Akpodoro, for making inciting comments capable of affecting peace in the region. A pressure group and think tank, the Niger Delta Peace Advocates (NDPA), has flayed ex-militant leader and self-styled Urhobo Mayor, Eshanakpe Israel, a.k.a Akpodoro, for making inciting comments capable of affecting peace in the region. The NDPA, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, said that very reasonable and right-thinking people should be concerned over the unguarded statements from some ex-militants and their so-called leaders. The statement jointly signed by NDPA Chairman, Ebitimi Kurowei, and Secretary, Amangiye Thomas, faulted Akpodoro for playing the ethnic card in a period where Nigerians needed to be more united to overcome the current challenges threatening the country’s nationhood. The group said: “It is most unfortunate that the self-styled Mayor of Urhobo and others like him are fanning the embers of disunity and ethnicity to further divide the people of the Niger Delta who need to close ranks to make their voices heard in this era of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.” They stressed that accusing the Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) of favouring one ethnic group over others is not only an absurdity, but a mindset that must be condemned in strong terms. “The interim administrator has been a distinguished officer of the Nigerian armed forces, who retired as a Major General in the Nigerian army, apparently living all his adult life in ensuring that Nigeria remains indivisible and a united country.” The group also emphasised that it observed that since his assumption of office, the interim administrator has been pragmatic in managing the amnesty programme by blocking areas of leakages and redirecting scarce resources to schemes to impact directly on genuine beneficiaries who have been neglected in the past. The group added: “Akpodoro and others are either ill-informed or were being mischievous, as everyone knows that those captured under the programme are structured into phases. “Threatening to attack critical national assets is criminal, a threat to national security and should be treated as a treasonable felony. The security agencies should not hesitate in arresting and prosecuting them to serve as a deterrent to others. “The culture of entitlement among some ex-militants must not only stop, but must be discouraged because this has seriously promoted laziness and crime among youths across the region.” 49 mins ago A pressure group and think tank, the Niger Delta Peace Advocates (NDPA), has flayed ex-militant leader and self-styled Urhobo Mayor, Eshanakpe Israel, a.k.a Akpodoro, for making inciting comments capable of affecting peace in the region. 1 day ago The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare on Thursday inaugurated the National Health Research Committee (NHRC), to boost translational research on health-related issues, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. Dr Tunji Alausa, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, inaugurated the 13-man Committee at a programme held at the Nigerian Institute… 1 day ago President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of new Executive Directors in two agencies under the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy headed by Adegboyega Oyetola. Under the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), President Tinubu on Thursday appointed Ms. Vivian C. Richard Edet — Executive Director, Finance & Administration, Engr. Olalekan Badmus — Executive Director,… 1 day ago * Ganduje’s Dawakin Tofa kinsmen pray for Yusuf’s victory at Supreme Court President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State on his 61st birthday. In a statement today by Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity), President Tinubu recognized the steadfastness implicit in the political trajectory of Governor… 1 day ago The Federal Government of Nigeria, on Thursday, embarked on discussions with Luan Steel Holding Group, a well-known Chinese company, to establish a new steel plant in Nigeria to begin manufacturing military hardware at the Ajaokuta Steel Plant. The partnership between the Federal Government and Luan Steel Holding Group signifies a commitment to revitalizing the steel… 1 day ago As the new year 2024 begins with a positive outlook, Nigerians can look forward to a great and economically rewarding year as the Federal Government is set to launch a massive consumer credit system in the country. While seeking the mandate of Nigerians during the last electioneering season, President Bola Tinubu was big and loud… 1 day ago … Laments gaps between govt, citizens A former member of the House of Representatives, Mayowa Akinfolarin, who represented Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo/Odigbo Federal Constituency, has vowed to reconfigure Ondo State if he emerged as governor of the state. Akinfolarin, who decried the gaps between the government and the citizenry in the state, emphasised that the state needs urgent… 1 day ago A former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has said there is no option for the next generations of Africans to enjoy any relief than to pay the continent’s huge debts. In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo made this disclosure during an engagement with 2023 awardees of the Future Africa… 1 day ago The Federal Ministry of Work and Housing said it has begun reviewing applications for allocation of houses under the National Housing Programme. This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works and Housing, M. Mamman who also called on interested Nigerians both home and abroad to apply. Mamman said the… 1 day ago The Benue Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says it is unperturbed by the defection of its officials to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The state PDP publicity secretary, Mr Bemgba Iortyom, said this in a statement in Makurdi. ‘’PDP notes the departure to the APC of two of its officials, namely Mr Yandev…
Comments