NEWS
Pa. Clark Lived for Others, Says Jonathan
From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa
Prominent leaders from the Ijaw ethnic nationality, including former President Goodluck Jonathan, Bayelsa State Governor, Sen. Douye Diri, his predecessor, Sen. Seriake Dickson and President, Ijaw National Congress (INC), Prof. Benjamin Okaba, among others yesterday, paid tributes to the late Ijaw icon and Niger Delta leader, Pa.
Edwin Clark. At the lying-in-state and commendation service held at the Ijaw House in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Dr. Jonathan said Chief Clark lived a life of service to others and for a cause he was relentlessly committed to.The former president noted that the only way to honour the Ijaw hero was for his ethnic group to be united, irrespective of kingdom or clan.He said Clark’s innate qualities singled him out as a leader not just to the Ijaws but also to other ethnic nationalities as attested to by the frequent visits of people from other parts of the country to his home.His words: “The key thing for us the Ijaw people from Arogbo in the coastal part of Ondo State to Eastern Obolo in the coastal part of Akwa Ibom State to honour Pa Clark is to unite and not to discriminate against ourselves.”Clark has done very well for us. He was a face of the Niger Delta and not just for the Ijaw ethnic nationality. He was also the face of the oppressed people from the Middle Belt and other tribes visited him more than the Ijaws.”He was very vocal, brave and can tackle any human being at any time if you raise issues that are against his philosophy.”In his tribute, Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, said the Ijaw nation was blessed to have had a father in the mould of Clark, who was known for his fearlessness, courage, intelligence and love for his people and Nigeria as a whole.According to Senator Diri, “we are not mourning but celebrating the good deeds of Chief Clark.“l like us to take a cue from his steadfastness and love for his people as he always spoke about the unity, and development of the Ijaw people until his last moments.”The Bayelsa governor disclosed that the state executive council had constituted a committee to consider naming iconic structures and streets after living and dead prominent Ijaw personalities like the late Clark, Jonathan and Dickson among others as part of efforts to immortalise them.He urged Ijaws to demonstrate genuine love for one another and not only for political gains.In his remarks, Senator Dickson, who represents Bayelsa West in the National Assembly, noted that Clark was a voice respected across the country due to his selflessness.He said the Ijaws lost one of their best as he lived his entire life for the service of his people and prayed that such a leader would emerge from the ethnic group again.The INC president, Prof. Okaba, eulogised Clark as a supreme advocate and fearless defender of the marginalised, describing him as an irrepressible voice for the voiceless and a pillar of national unity whose legacy transcended the realm of politics.He said his passage should be a reminder of the collective responsibility to build a Nigeria that is just, equitable and prosperous for all.Okaba also stated that the late nonagenarian was one of the few notable champions of the Ijaw struggle whose influence transcended regional boundaries in Nigeria and beyond, saying he was an extraordinary personality.In eulogising the late elder statesman, chairman of the Bayelsa traditional ruler’s council, King Bubaraye Dakolo, said his legacies will endure in the hearts of all Ijaws and people of other ethnic nationalities.King Dakolo lauded Clark for his selflessness and said his voice was the loudest and audacious in Nigeria in speaking truth to power for justice and equity.Also, national chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, (PANDEF), Dr. Godknows Igali, captured the late sage’s last moments, revealing that the departed Ijaw icon urged his people to stay united, strong and never give up.He said Clark embodied the essence of the Ijaw man and always professed his identity.The first son of the deceased, Pinaowei Clark, read the only Bible lesson from Ecclesiastes 3:1-6.President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Comrade Jonathan Lokpobiri, also paid glowing tributes to the late Ijaw national leader.Chief Clark died on February 17 this year at the age of 97.Present at the event were the Bayelsa Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party candidate in the 2023 presidential election, Mr. Peter Obi, former Nigeria’s First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, House of Representatives member for Sagbama-Ekeremor federal constituency, Dr. Fred Agbedi, state legislators, members of the state executive council among other top government functionaries and dignitaries.
From Sylvia Udegbunam, Enugu
The Enugu State Government has reiterated its commitment to hosting a seamless and memorable Annual General Conference (AGC) of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) scheduled for August.The State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr.
Kingsley Udeh made this known during the first plenary session with the various sub committees tasked with organizing the high-profile legal gathering in Enugu. Udeh charged the committee members to work diligently and introduce innovative ideas that will ensure the 2025 AGC is not only well-organized but also sets a new benchmark for future conferences.He emphasized Enugu’s longstanding reputation as a pace-setter among Nigerian states in hosting major national events.Reflecting on past achievements, the Attorney-General recalled that the widely-adopted breakout session format was first introduced during Enugu’s hosting of the NBA AGC in 2003—a practice that has since become a standard feature of the conference.He also conveyed Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah’s enthusiasm about welcoming legal practitioners and judicial officers from across the country, describing the upcoming event as an opportunity to etch Enugu’s name in history once again. Udeh, who is the chairman of the planning committee and sub committees, confirmed that he will personally oversee the planning process to ensure the success of the event.With the right level of dedication and teamwork, we are confident that this event will set a new standard for professional gatherings in our state, he concluded.On his part, Special Adviser to the Enugu State Governor on Legal Matters, Osinachi Nnajieze reaffirmed his commitment to ensure that the conference turns out to be a huge success.The Special Adviser and also Secretary of the Planning Committee, Nnajieze emphasized the importance of collaboration and dedication among members of the committee.He assured that all hands would be on deck to meet the expectations of the Attorney-General, who inaugurated the committee, said that we cannot afford to fail.“This conference has the potential to unlock significant investment opportunities for Enugu State and position us as a hub for legal and economic discourse,” Nnajieze declaredHe revealed that the committee would be strategically divided into two key sub-committees: the Secretariat and the Finance & Budget, and would work together to ensure seamless planning and execution.Nnajieze also stressed the need for every committee member to demonstrate commitment and accountability in fulfilling their assigned duties.
From Ayinde Akintade, Osogbo
Citizens of Osun State have been enjoined to ensure proper management of government assets in ensuring long-term benefits for both the present and future generations.According to the Special Adviser to Governor Ademola Adeleke on Osun State Assets Management Agency (O’SAMA), Alhaja Fausat Sarumi-Adebanjo while featuring as guest on the Imole Ayo programme which promotes the activities of the present administration in the state, explained that, the agency is tasked with disposing of unserviceable government assets, eliminating resource-draining property and overseeing the procurement of government assets.
The Special Adviser noted that proper asset management is a collective responsibility of all citizens as the government cannot do it alone, emphasizing that all government assets require effective management and regular maintenance to ensure their longevity.Alhaja Sarumi-Adebanjo explained that the government has regularized the documents of house owners whose property are built on government land across the state in such a way that, certain amount of money will be paid to the government coffers annually.The Ijesha born politician said, the agency resorted to regularization in order to create pain for those who had encroached government lands while warning the affected group of people to desist from the ugly act.The O’SAMA boss while urging the entire people of Osun not to relent on their efforts to ensure complete support to Governor Adeleke’s led administration said, the efforts of Asiwaju Adeleke in transforming the whole state cannot be over emphasised as betterment and welfare of the people of the state is very paramount to him.The weekly Yoruba simulcast programme is put in place by the office of the Spokesperson to Governor Adeleke, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, to showcase the outstanding achievements of the incumbent Governor Adeleke’s led administration in Osun.
By David, Torough Abuja
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and various stakeholders have raised the alarm over the detrimental effects of cybercrime on the mental health of young boys in the society.This was noted during the annual essay competition organized by the Great Achievers Initiative for Youth and Community Development (GAIYD) in Abuja.
The event, held in celebration of the International Day of the Boy Child 2025, focused on the theme “Boy’s Health and Wellbeing” and the essay topic, “Where are the Mentors? The Missing Role Models for Boy’s Growth and Development. ”The Chairman, Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, who was represented by the Commission’s head of Enlightenment and Reorientation, Aisha Muhammad, emphasized the urgent need for integrity and guidance among youth.“Girls are just there for the enjoyment, either the boyfriends or the wives, and that’s it. They are just there as a supporters club, so the boys are the ones doing this,” she stated.Olukoyede explained that the EFCC has established integrity clubs in primary and secondary schools to instill ethical values.“We have zero tolerance clubs in the tertiary institutions, trying to catch them young, to instill the spirit of integrity and talk to them about what they should know, what they shouldn’t do,” he added.The discussion highlighted the pervasive threat of cybercrime, which poses significant risks to the mental health of young boys.The EFCC Chairman warned that cybercrime can lead to anxiety, depression, and stress.“The issue of mental health and well-being of the male child is crucial and it is at the heart of the 2025 International Day of the Boy Child Celebration.“The weight of secrecy, fear of detection, and potential prosecution can be overwhelming,” he cautioned.Olukoyede therefore called for collective responsibility from parents, educators, and mentors to guide young people towards positive alternatives and foster digital literacy.Also speaking, the wife of Ooni of Ife, Her Regal Majesty, Olori Temitope Enitan Ogunwusi, addressed the gathering, urging stakeholders to be proactive in supporting boys.The Olori emphasized the importance of being a voice for boys. She challenged adults to reflect on their roles in nurturing boys.“Who is going to be the voice for our boys? As a mentor, as a parent, as a guardian, are you a voice for your boy or for your boys? How have you been a voice for that boy child? For that son that you birthed?,” Ogunwusi queried.The Olori further encouraged boys to recognize their potential and urged parents to be positive role models, emphasizing that the responsibility of raising boys falls on the entire community.“You have God’s kind of mind. Everything that determines your future is right here in your head.”The Keynote speaker at the event, Kayode Adaramodu addressed the critical issue of mental health, emphasizing the importance of healthy habits and open communication.“You need to sleep well. Sleeping is very, very important. Exercising is very important. Open communication, developing open skills, positive information, embracing the good side of social media. Learning, connecting with people, and having opportunities to express yourself. These are good ways of promoting your mental well-being,” Adaramodu urged.He therefore encouraged boys to seek professional help when needed and to utilize mental health resources available to them.“And you can also find professional help and resources. Psychologists are there. These are people who study human behavior, the way we think, the way we feel.“The same way you have WhatsApp, the same way you have Facebook, TikTok, and other things like that, for entertainment. To also take care of your mental health related issues, there are apps out there that can help you to become mentally alert and resourceful,” he said.Speaking earlier, the Founder of GAIYD, Dr. Hillary Akpua, noted the need for a dedicated focus on the boy child and expressed gratitude for the growing advocacy for boys.“If you have not been paying attention to your boys, please start doing so. Send them for training where they can develop more because the girls you are training today might meet the boy you left untrained tomorrow. I’m sure you won’t want that girl you are busy training today to marry such an untrained boy.“In order word, for the efforts we put into raising our female children not to be counterproductive eventually, we really need to do better in raising these young men God has blessed us with,” Akpua said.The highlight of the event was the official launch of One Boy One Skill Project by Olori Temitope Enitan Ogunwusi. The project is aimed at engaging young male adults in different vacations to empower for the future ahead.Also, there was a presentation of prizes to winners of the essay competition.While the first position received a scholarship worth 150,000 Naira, the second position was awarded 100,000 Naira, and the third position received 50,000 Naira.Additionally, consolation prizes were provided for runners-up and sponsored gifts for all participants.”GAIYD, a non-governmental organization dedicated to community and human development, places special emphasis on the growth and empowerment of the male child.
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