By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has tabled three demands before President Bola Tinubu, including a call for urgent assent to the South-South Development Commission bill.

The Forum wants the three issues to be addressed by the Tinubu administration in 2025. In a statement issued on Tuesday by the National Chairman of PANDEF, Ambassador Godknows lgali, the Forum wants Tinubu to address the persistent issue of environmental degradation, the deplorable state of federal roads in the region, and the under-representation of persons from the region in the management cadre of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL). Igali added that the federal government should announce the definite and measurable policies, programmes and steps it plans to take in the comprehensive clean- up of the polluted Niger Delta ecosystem.They demanded an immediate declaration of a state of emergency on the deplorable state of federal highways in the region and the under- representation of qualified sons and daughters of the region in top management positions in the NNPCL.Part of the statement reads: “Nevertheless, we also take pride in the significant strides made toward progress, largely due to the tireless efforts of our leaders, elder statesmen and grassroots organizations, who continue to make deep personal sacrifices for the progress of our region.“As we look ahead to 2025, the prospects for the Niger Delta are filled with promise and opportunities for greater peace and security, enhanced economic development, and political stability. “However, it is essential that we do not rest on our oars because in spite of progress made, there remains much work to be done to bring the quality of life of the average Niger Deltan in line with the level of natural resources we are blessed with.“Our region, despite contributing significantly to the nation’s wealth, continues to struggle at the very bottom of most of the recognized development indices and it is now time for us to redouble our efforts to ensure that the benefits of democracy and good governance get to every corner of our region.

“It is PANDEF’s top agenda to work tirelessly with our stakeholders to elevate the standard of living of our people, especially in our rural areas, most of which bear the brunt of disastrous environmental consequences of oil and gas extraction activities in the region.“It is noteworthy that beyond oil and gas, we are fortunate to be blessed with abundant natural resources, fertile soil, and ideal climatic conditions conducive to large-scale agricultural production.“Additionally, our extensive coast and shorelines present immense potentials to underpin a globally competitive blue-economy industry covering areas such as fisheries, silicon from river sand, sea salt industries, mining of rare coral deposits, mangrove roots for water desalination, water-based mud for drilling operations, miles of sandy waterfront for tourism, beaches, marine sports and coastal transportation, to mention a few.The group said to realize these lofty goals would require the collective efforts of all stakeholders up and down the leadership chain, with a very effective cross-sector collaboration from the National Assembly members to the state governors and the local governments, including the intervention agencies.

The Nigerian Youths for Atiku (NYFA) has urged Dr Rabiu Kwankwaso, the 2023 President Candidate of the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP) to stop attacking the reputation of  former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

The Director of Communications of NYFA (Nigeria & Diaspora), Mr Dare Dada, made the call  in a statement on Friday in Lagos.

Dada spoke against the background of a recent  media interview granted by Kwankwaso, in which he  accused Abubakar, the 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), of peddling lies at 80 years of age.

Kwankwaso,in the interview,had  claimed that  Abubakar’s camp had falsely told some Northern elders that the ex-VP  had reached  an agreement with him  and  the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr Peter Obi, to take turns at the presidency from 2027.

Dada , who described the   claim  as untrue, said that the former vice president was not a problem to Kwankwaso’s presidential ambition.

“It is so sad that someone of Kwankwanso calibre will make frantic efforts to denigrate the person of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, a former Vice President of Nigeria, just to score some cheap political points.

“The former Vice- President needs no validation from him to be relevant politically as far as the Nigerian political space is concerned.

“Engaging in such level of falsehood just to make a point is not only ridiculous but demeaning,” Dada said.

He said that such attacks on opposition figures were not good at this time when opposition leaders were supposed to be strategising on an alliance to give Nigerians a better deal in 2027.

Dada said that opposition leaders must shun divisive tendencies and rhetorics, capable of undermining the unity and progress needed in the nation.

The youth leader urged Kwankwaso to rather dissipate energy on issues confronting the Northern Nigeria and speak up.

He added: “The youth of this nation are determined to stand for integrity and ensure that politics of deceit and manipulation are relegated to the past.

“It is our collective belief that politics of honesty and integrity will always triumph over self-serving lies.

“The NYFA remains committed to supporting visionary leaders like Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who prioritise national development and the well-being of all Nigerians over personal ambition.” (NAN)

A former Governor of Abia, Sen. Orji Kalu, has expressed appreciation to Gov.

Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi for endorsing the second term in office of Chief Stanley Okoro-Emegha as Chairman of (APC) in the state.

Kalu stated this on Thursday at Ekoli, Edda Local Government Area of Ebonyi during his New Year visit to Okoro-Emegha whom he described as his political son.

“The endorsement is a good development, as Okoro-Emegha is a hardworking person.

“I did not make the endorsement but the governor, who is working with Okoro-Emegha, did,” Kalu, who is representing Abia North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, said.

He said that his visit to the APC chairman was an annual event, which showed the level of affinity between them.

“I promised him that as long as God gives me the life, I will be visiting him every new year,” Kalu said.

Okoro-Emegha, in his response, thanked the former governor for the visit, stating that the bond between them would continue to wax stronger.

“I cannot assess myself, while the governor could not have endorsed me if the press, party faithful and the entire citizens didn’t assess me rightly.

“APC has never had it so good because there is no problem within it,” he said.

The party chairman said that he would not relent in his efforts at ensuring that all the political gladiators in the opposition joined APC.

“I will be visiting the members representing Ohaoazara/Onicha/Ivo and Afikpo North/Edda Federal Constituencies in the House of Representatives.

“I will urge them to join APC and let them know the benefits for all us being under one roof.

“They have roles to play in complementing the governor’s efforts to uplift the state,” he said.

Okoro-Emegha urged the people of the state to continue supporting the governor and hope for a better 2025.

“2024 was tough but we will reap all we have sown in 2025. We should know that one person cannot run a government; he needs our collective efforts,” he said.

Daily Asset recalls that Okoro-Emegha was Kalu’s aide when he was governor of Abia from 1999 to 2007.  (NAN)