BY HENRY TYOHEMBA, Abuja

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) hasurged Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to reconsider her approach and contribute positively to Nigeria’s legislative discourse, rather than perpetuating division.

Jeremiah Friday, NANS Financial Secretary, who spoke on behalf of the president, Comrade Oladoja Olushola, during a peaceful protest in solidarity with the 10th National Assembly, said the unfolding drama within Senate chambers has reached a critical juncture that demands collective attention. He also called for civility in the Nigerian Senate, urging lawmakers to put an end to the ongoing political disruptions that have marred the legislative process. “The recent exchanges in the Nigerian Senate, marked by attacks and counterattacks, have raised serious concerns. As Nigerian students, we find it necessary to weigh in on these developments. “The Senate floor, once a sanctuary for reasoned debate and policy formulation, has devolved into an arena of personal vendettas and political brinkmanship. “This is concerning, especially at a time when the Federal Government is making concerted efforts to reshape the country’s economic trajectory, combat inflation, reduce the cost of living, and promote socio-cultural respect, dignity, and harmony. “President Tinubu’s administration has embarked on ambitious economic reforms that require legislative partnership, not parliamentary paralysis.” NANS stated that the Senate should not be a battleground for political warfare. “Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s decision to exploit flak from her unfortunate misunderstanding of Senate rules reflects a troubling trend, prioritising personal ambition over institutional integrity. “Such actions blur the lines between legitimate political argumentation and seemingly manipulative tactics designed to incite conflict rather than foster constructive dialogue.” NANS, therefore, advocated for an environment where healthy debates thrive, emphasising the need to draw the line when personal vendettas destabilize legislative peace in a nation where the price of a bag of rice outweighs the nation’s monthly minimum wage. “By perpetuating these distractions, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan not only puts the reputation of her fellow senators at risk but also endangers the integrity of the Senate itself,” he added.

By David Torough, Abuja

Tiv people living in Nasarawa state have raised the alarm over plan by the state government to forcefully takeover their ancestral land in Nasarawa South Senatorial District especially in parts of Awe, Keana and Obi Local Government Areas without recourse to due process with intention to evict them from the state.

The people cried out during a press conference in Abuja on Friday led by thePresident, Mdzough U Tiv, Nasarawa State chapter, Philip Nongu. Nongo alleged that key conspirators holding brief for the Nasarawa State Government and claiming ownership of the Tiv ancestral farmlands in parts of Awe and Obi are the Osoho of Agwatashi, Dr. Umar Abubakar Apeshi and the Sarkin Jangwa, Alhaji Adamu Shehu. According to him, the conspirators have adopted blackmail and mischief to subdue and take undue advantage of the helpless landowners, using security apparatus to cover and arbitrarily execute this “evil agenda, which is an existential threat to thousands of Tiv farmers”.He said that the land, handed down to them by their forefathers which have earmarked for grabbing, is estimated to be over 10,000 hectares in parts of Awe and Obi as well as thousands of hectares in Keana, has been inhabited and cultivated by the Tiv people for centuries, serving as their source of livelihood. “As we speak, bulldozers and excavators are pulling down trees and clearing the designated 10,000 hectares of land with insinuations that additional thousands of hectares will be added, thereby forcefully taking over people’s farmlands without an interface. This has never been heard of in any part of the world where there is regard for law and order. And no Tiv farmer.is.ready to give out his heritage and source of livelihood for whatever reason.”In a similar manner, farmers in the Azer community of Keana Local Government Area woke up one day to discover a signboard with the inscription: ‘Obi Local Government Rice Farm Ome, Powered by Hon. Isa Sani Muhammad (KK), Executive Chairman Obi LGC. Keep Off!'”Chiefs of Keana, Giza, Kadarko and Kwara are allegedly the brains behind heavy mobilisation of strangers from outside the state to settle on Tiv existing farmlands. This is a deliberate ploy to displace the locals and take possession of their land. This should be thoroughly investigated. “It is even more worrisome that we suspect the state Governor, Alhaji Abdullahi Sule is annexing those farmlands for himself or a certain powerful business man in the country whose conglomerate he (Sule) once worked for and has been the governor’s benefactor for decades. “The fact that the governor ceded a vast portion of land to the business man in Awe local government for a sugarcane farm gives credence to our suspicion. Imagine Tiv farmers renting unused portions of the Dangote farms, which previously belonged to them for cultivation before they were dispossessed of those lands forcefully using executive powers. So sad,” he said.Nongo narrated that there is ongoing clearing of land by the intruders, Beaconing of farmlands without their consent, Coercion of leaders to consent to the sale of land and Toppling of rice farms in the affected communities.He appealed to President Bola Tinubu, the National Assembly, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), international community and other relevant stakeholders to prevail on the Nasarawa State government to stop the forceful takeover of their ancestral farmlands.”We also appeal to the Emir of Lafia, His Royal Highness, Justice Sidi Bagel (Rtd), Tor Tiv, His Royal Majesty, Professor James Ayatse and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Dr. George Akume, to put heads together and halt this unjust treatment of Tiv farmers in Nasarawa State.”We state unequivocally that we are bonafide indigenes of these communities and ancestral farmlands, where we are being forced to leave, and we beg concerned authorities to intervene by using all legitimate approaches to protect our livelihoods. This is a democracy where the rule of law must be protected,” he added.According to the 2006 census, over 255,000 Tiv people comprising five LGAs are indigenes in Nasarawa state.

The Federal Government has urged Host Community Development Trusts (HCDTs) in the Niger Delta to maximize the three per cent funds to ensure that communities reap the benefits of such funds.

The Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 mandates oil firms to set aside three per cent of its operational expenses for development of its host communities.

The Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Oil), Sen.

Heineken Lokpobiri, gave the charge during the KEFFESO Stakeholders Forum in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa capital.

NAN reports that the theme for the event is “Envisioning Sustainable Community Development in Niger Delta Host Communities: Identifying Challenges and Actualizing The PIA Paradigm Shift.

According to Lokpobiri, in a bid to bring stability to the oil sector and to address the agitations occasioned by lack of development in host communities, the federal government enacted the PIA and set aside three per cent operational expenses by oil and gas firms for host communities development.

The Minister pointed out that infighting amongst stakeholders in host communities has made it difficult for oil bearing communities to access the funds accruing to the HCDTs.

He called on host communities to collaborate with the federal government and operating companies to ensure that oil production services are not disrupted, stating that host communities will be the eventual losers if oil production are disrupted.

“This KEFFESO Stakeholders Forum is to see how host communities can maximize the benefits from the Host Communities Trust Funds as prescribed by the PIA.

“I came to speak to them about taking ownership of oil and gas facilities that are located in different parts of the country.

“Any time there is disruption in oil production everybody loses, the federal government, oil production companies and the host communities.

“That is why I said it is important they take this message home, let them work with all stakeholders, the federal government, oil companies and host communities should work together.

“As stakeholders who have their respective stakes in oil and gas operations in the country, we should work together to ensure that we maximize the benefits of oil and gas.

“Don’t forget there is a global campaign against the continuation of production of fossil fuel.

“Fossils fuel will never go away. Fossil fuel will not have any value unless you bring it out of the ground or from the sea to the market that is why we need this collaboration,” he said.

According to him: “I want to recommend this KEFFESO model to all parts of the country that are into oil and gas that when you have sustained peace you will benefit.

In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, Engr. Omotsola Ogbe reiterated the commitment of the Board to leverage on the provision of the NOCGIiC Act.

He equally said that the NCDMB’s Community Content Guidelines aim to ensure sustained community engagement and play the part vested on the Board and ensure that the community content is respected and recognized in the entire oil and gas value chain.

Represented by the Director Legal Services of the Board, Mr Naboth Onyesoh, commended the KEFFESO Host Community Development Trust.

First E & P and the Minister of State Petroleum Resources Oil towards the support government to the KEFFESO trust fund.

On his part, the MD/CEO of First E & P, Mr Ademola Adeyemi-Bero said the KEFFESO Stakeholders Forum is a veritable platform to discuss and strategize for a meaningful and sustainable future for host communities.

He noted that the forum marks a pivotal commitment of the company’s journey towards tackling the present challenges faced by the marginalized communities in the Niger Delta. (NAN)