Agency Report

By Sani Idris

A Northern group, Coalition of Arewa Civil Society Groups, has rallied its support on award of the multi-million dollar pipeline surveillance contract to a former Niger Delta militant, Government Ekpemupolo, known as Tompolo, by the Nigerian National Petroleum Limited.

The group also called for similar measures by the Federal Government on securing other critical national assets including rail lines, in complementing the efforts of the armed forces.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Tompolo, a former militant leader and Commander of the defunct Movement for Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND), license for the pipeline survelance contract was renewed.

Addressing the press on Tuesday in Kaduna, Spokesperson of the Coalition, Malam Aminu Abbas, distance themselfs from an earlier reports by another Northern group who kiked against the Federal Government's insight on awarding the contract to Tompolo.

"The condenmnation call is baseless hence we distance the good people of Northern Nigeria to such actions of some group in the name of Arewa,"he said .

Abbas noted that what is expected of any concern Nothern Group at such times is to engage all stakeholders from within and outside the region on how best to address the lingering problem of insecurity and bringing it to a logical end.

Abbas said that at times like this which Nigeria is facing insecurity challenges, it justified the Federal Government and NNPC's action of contracting pipeline surveillance as step in the right direction.

"It is our request and agitation for the government to protect people and property in the North and the entire country just as they have began a move outside the usual way.

'We feel it is high time the government and people of our region reach out to respected people like Tompolo and other brave and gallant individuals to deploy their native strength and expertise to assist our conventional security agencies on security within and outside our region.

"Considering Tompolo's vast experience and capacity in peace and conflict resolution, there is nothing wrong if the federal government engage such peoples services to help secure other critical economic prone infrastructure facilities,"he said

Abbas expressed confidence that the Government's awarded contract to Tompolo's company was based on his track record, dedication to the nation and his familiarity to the terrain, noting that it will help reduce oil theft and bunkering by over 85 per cent.

He stressed the need to join hands in building Nigeria by eshewing all forms of ethnic sentiments.

"The federal government has done the right thing by awarding the contract to Tompolo for the sole purpose of protecting part of our vital national wealth and infrastructure"Abbas said.

He thanked President Buhari for taking the decision, noting that Nigerias National asset would be more secured by engaging the host communities to join hands with l security agencies in protecting the facilities which will in return boast the economy.

"Nigeria as a country depends on the proceeds from the sale of crude oil and when such facilities are being destroyed on daily basis, the production and sales of oil reduces drastically".

"We as the Coalition have decided to come out in mass within seven days to thank President Buhari for taking the decision that will secure our National assets," Abbas said.(NAN)

News Politics

Southeast youths reject Obi for president, back Tinubu

IMA ELIJAH

August 23, 2022 3:37 PM

We have nothing personal against our son, Peter Obi, but...the Presidency is not for unprepared people - Southeast youths

Presidential candidates of the APC, Bola Tinubu and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (Punch)

A section of Southeast youths have thrown their weight behind the presidential ambition of the APC candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and his running mate, Kashim Shettima.

Who are these youths: The youths, under the aegis of Conference of South East Progressive Youths (CSEPY) in a statement, said at this time in the life of Nigeria, people must jettison sentiments, ethnicity and religious affiliations, and opt rather for candidates with pan-Nigerian outlook, urbane, cerebral, track records of achievements, and above all, those with unifying capacities.

Why they support Tinubu: National President of the group, Emeka kalu said they made bold to say that, a Tinubu/Shettima joint ticket, had all that they had enumerated above, hence their resolve to commit to its actualisation and realisation.

“By benefit of hindsight, we will like to remind Nigerians that it was Tinubu’s dogged spirit, and resilient character, that enabled him to weather the storm of seized Local Government Allocations, brought upon Lagos State by the then President Olusegun Obasanjo-led Administration.

“On his part, Shettima braved the odds of biting insurgency in Borno State, and enthroned a regime of infrastructure transformation, human-capital development, and religious harmony.

“We have nothing personal against our son, Peter Obi, but we must say that the Presidency is not for unprepared people; it is for serious people, and requires hard work beyond social media noise.

“We appeal to all the people of South East to join hands with the APC-led Government, in order to deliver Senator Ahmed Tinubu and his running mate come 2023."

Finally: Kalu , therefore, wondered what other indices were needed to demonstrate capacity and capability to cause growth and development to happen, at a time of want such as being experienced in the country today.