The Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has redeployed the Permanent Secretary of the State Sports Commission, Mrs Sabina Chikere, to the Central Admin Department, Government House in Benin City.

Chikere, who is an in-law to the state Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, until her recent redeployment, was the General Coordinator of Bendel Insurance Football Club of Benin.

The former Insurance general coordinator is the elder sister to Maryann Philip-Shaibu, wife of the deputy governor.

A source who confirmed the development to the Saturday PUNCH and said it was not unconnected with the rift between Obaseki and his deputy.

The development is coming barely 24 hours to Bendel Insurance crucial CAF Confederation Cup first round preliminary match against ASO Chief of Algeria, billed for Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin on Saturday.

The source said, “Mrs. Chikere’s rise to the position of Permanent Secretary was allegedly influenced by the embattled deputy governor as she (Sabina) was not a core civil servant in Edo and should not have been given the position.”

Shaibu had approached a Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking amongst others, an order rrestraining Obaseki, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Chief Judge of Edo State and others from commencing alleged impeachment process against him.

This governor refuted the claim but the relationship between the two men had degenerated.

The acting Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, has ordered States Commissioners of Police to establish Complaint Response Units in their respective command, noting that the new development was due to his zeal to sanitize and standardise the police system for accountability and transparency in line with his commitment to fortify the complaints response mechanisms of the Force.

Egbetokun also approved the appointment of CSP El-Mustapha Sani as the Head, CRU, following the posting of DCP Markus Basiran, as DC Homicide, Force Criminal Investigations Department Annex, Alagbon, Lagos.

This is coming on the heels of the recent visit of the Chief Commissioner, Public Complaints Commission, Abimbola Ayo-Yusuf and his team to the Force Headquarters, where the IG and the delegation discussed extensively issues of mutual interest and areas of collaboration.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi made the development known in a Friday night correspondence obtained by our correspondent.

Adejobi said, “El-Mustapha Sani, a seasoned officer with an exemplary record of service, brings a wealth of experience to this crucial role. His extensive background in complaint resolution in the Public Complaint Bureau of the Force Public Relations Department, coupled with his dedication to justice and fairness, makes him a fitting choice to lead the Complaint Response Unit.

“In the same vein, the IG reiterates his order that all Commissioners of Police in charge of State Commands should establish Complaint Response Unit Offices in their respective State Commands Headquarters to boost the IG’s unwavering zeal to fight corruption and unprofessionalism.

“The IG encourages all stakeholders, the public, civil society organisations, and other law enforcement agencies, to collaborate closely with Police Complaint Response Units and aid the smooth execution of their responsibilities of curbing misconducts, excesses, and unprofessionalism among police officers nationwide.

“He similarly stressed that the Force remains resolute in its pursuit of transparency, accountability, and the protection of citizens’ rights toward building public trust and fostering a harmonious relationship between the police and the people.”

The University of Lagos has explicitly debunked the claim that the institution has added extra charges to its earlier increased tuition fees.

Recall that the institution in July, increased their fees from N19,000 to N190,250 for students studying medicine and N140,250 for students whose courses require laboratory and studio use.

In a press statement made available on Friday, the Head of the communication Unit, Adejoke Alaga-Ibraheem, explained that the information making the rounds that the University has added additional unauthorised charges to its earlier increments is untrue and meant to misinform the public.

Alaga-Ibraheeem added that the institution did not issue any other notice of increment apart from the “Adjusted Obligatory Fees” for New and Returning Undergraduate Students.

The statement read, “The University of Lagos wishes to explicitly refute unsubstantiated claims making the rounds that the University has “slammed additional unauthorised charges to its earlier increments.”

“These completely untrue and misleading claims misrepresent the facts and aim to misinform the public into believing that there has been another adjustment of fees.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the University of Lagos Management hereby categorically states that this is not the case.”

She urged students and parents to disregard the information, adding that the management understands the economic situation of the nation.

She subsequently urged the public to avoid such misleading reports but to rely on the university’s official communication channels for announcements, updates regarding fees, and others.

“Management is not unmindful of the prevailing economic realities, and as of the date of this disclaimer, has not issued any other notice of increment apart from the “Adjusted Obligatory Fees for New and Returning Undergraduate Students” published in its Information Flash News Bulletin.

“The University Management understands the importance of accurate, verifiable and timely information, and views with utmost concern the attempt to spread false narratives that undermine its integrity.

“Members of the university community and general public, especially students and their families are, therefore, implored to rely on the official communication channels of the University for announcements, notice, or updates regarding fees, policies, or any other information relating to the University,” the statement read.

From childhood, Effiom Otu-Bassey loved the round leather game – football. He would go far away from his parents’ home in Lagos to nearby school fields to join other boys showcasing their skills. Despite his small stature, his mother, Aye, said he was always the best in the game among his peers.

“He would train as if his life depended on it, and he even trained more than he studied,” she told Saturday PUNCH in an interview. “We were even scared he wouldn’t finish his primary education, but he finished and we pushed him to do his secondary education.”

Aye admitted that at first, it was difficult for her to support Effiom’s dreams of going pro because she believed football was just a hobby and not something one should take as a career. Thus, she said she made sure Effiom concentrated more on his books so he would become an engineer.

However, that never happened.

Effiom, the youngest of three boys, was only one year and six months old when his father, John, passed after a brief illness. Life, according to Aye, took a deep and quick dive.

“We went from eating twice to not eating at all. I lost hold of myself. My husband was the one who did all the work and brought in all the resources. His passing broke the family,” she said.

Effiom’s eldest brother, Lawrence, was around 18 or 19 years old. The second child, Bassey, was five years younger. Thus, they barely knew how to survive but had to with the turn of events.

So, when Effiom told his mother at age nine that he wanted to play football professionally, she said it was a rush of mixed feelings.

“I didn’t want him to suffer. He had known suffering for a major part of his life, so I tried all I could to dissuade him but when I saw that he was serious, I let him be,” she noted, in a wearied tone.

Effiom’s little beginning

Before he clocked 12, Effiom was already playing football with boys almost twice his age. He said he would play at the Surulere stadium and people would wonder how he had so much energy. It was during one of those games that a young man told him about the Kwara Football Academy.

He said he applied and was asked to join some boys coming from the commercial city to Ilorin. His coming to camp, he noted, was a dawn of a new beginning for him.

“I wanted to make the best out of my life but I didn’t know I would end up like this – dejected, depressed and lost,” he added.

Originally a striker, Effiom said he mastered the midfield and manned his position well such that his coaches took note of him. He said whenever he got on the field, the suffering his family faced back at home inspired him to perform above par.

Although his mother said she was not in support of his going to Kwara to pursue his dream, especially because of his young age, she gave him her blessings.

“All I wished for him was to become successful and lift us out of poverty. If anyone had told me football would turn my child into this new person, I would not have believed it,” she added.

Lawrence and Bassey, his brothers, stated that they worked as sales agents for different shops in order to make sure they sent some money to him for his upkeep in Kwara.

Interestingly, it didn’t take long before he was signed to play for the Abubakar Bukola Saraki Football Club (founded as Bukola Babes), where they noted he performed extraordinarily well.

A man, who said he coached Effiom at the time but refused to give his name for personal reasons, described him as a ‘spring’ on the field.

He noted, “He was the very best we had. He could man both the midfield as a central midfielder and still play as a striker. He also played right and left midfield sometimes. The entire team knew his prowess. When most players went to sleep after a day’s game, you would see Bassey on the field practicing.

“He became a shining example, especially because he was very young; maybe in his late teens. This was when football really had value in Nigeria, not now that everything has been turned to something else.”

NPL and journey to Norway

After playing for the Nigerian Premier League from around 2009 to 2011, Effiom, then aged 19, was signed to Lillestrøm, a Norwegian club.

Aye said she felt elated when she saw on TV that her teenage son had been signed to play for a foreign club. She said though she wasn’t too happy that he didn’t tell her before leaving for Norway, that didn’t deflate her excitement in any way.

“It was on TV I saw that my son had travelled. I wanted to be angry at him for not telling me, but I told myself it would not change anything. After a few weeks, I got a phone call from him, saying he was still settling down and he would send us some money. It was a really beautiful experience,” she noted.

According to NRK TV, a local Norwegian news platform, the 19-year-old midfielder, Effiom, was signed on Thursday, August 11, 2011. The club had before then sold the duo of Anthony Ujah and Nosa Igiebor, who played for them for a few seasons. Thus, LSK decided to bring in a Nigerian whom they hoped would complement the team.

After the usual rigorous medical test the previous day, Effiom signed the contract, which was to run through the 2014 season.

Described by Romanian sports analyst, Romerikes Blad, as a versatile midfielder from Bukola Babes, who played at a top level in Nigeria, Effiom was expected to be the gamechanger.

In an interview sighted by Saturday PUNCH, Effiom had said, “I enjoy both offensive and defensive tasks. I have mostly played centrally, but can also play on the edges. It is up to the coach where he wants to use me.”

According to several reports by the Norwegian local media, Lillestrøm was to pay Effiom between 1.5m kroner (about N75m today).

Having been on trial at the club for around a month, an investment sporting director, Torgeir Bjarmann, was said to be ‘very happy with his performance’.

In fact, Blad said Otu-Bassey proved to be a box-to-box player who was good on the ball and extremely quick to be a midfielder. “That makes him a young and exciting midfielder who will now have time to develop,” he added.

Another sports journal in Nigeria, All Sports, stated that Otu-Bassey had combined well with his teammates to ‘embarrass’ household names in the country. “He played a vital role as Bukola Babes set an eight-match unbeaten run and scored five goals before his departure for Norway,” it stated.

Season of transfers

Effiom was not the only one who shone at the time. Bassey Akpan, recognised as one of the best goalkeepers in the Nigerian Premier League at the time, who represented Nigeria at the FIFA under-17 World Cup in Trinidad and Tobago, also got signed to Heartland FC, Owerri, Imo State.

He had played for Bayelsa United and Kwara United before heading for Heartland. He was also in goal when Nigeria won the inaugural WAFU Cup and was a fringe member of the Super Eagles.

Oke Akpoveta of Warri Wolves was also tipped to replace Ujah at Lillestrom. Akpoveta, who is said to be one of the best stars in the NPL, got another chance to convince officials of Denmark’s biggest football club, Brondby IF, where he was billed to play forward.

Clash of agents

Meanwhile, after a few months of playing with Lillestrøm, Effiom noted that an issue arose between the agents who facilitated his moving to Norway and the receiving agent in Norway, under whose supervision he played.

He added, “For weeks, I practiced in fear, because I was always called aside to speak to my agent to clarify an aspect of the contract. I was barely 20 years old then. I didn’t know what was happening, but I knew there was an issue.

“Later on, they said the management was no longer pleased with my performance and my contract was terminated. It was like a movie to me and is still like a dream. The arrangement was for me to go back to Nigeria to clarify some things before I could come back on a clean slate with a better agent,” he said.

Effiom said he never disclosed all he was going through to his family, adding that he only sent them some money once because he was still ‘servicing’ some of the terms of the contract that remained unclear to him to date.

“I had to pay some taxes. I also had a lot of other things I was paying for, so when I was paid the 1.5m kroner, I might end up with just about 600 kroner or thereabouts,” he added.

He also noted that the management of Lillestrøm changed following the 2012 season and he was released from the team despite his contract.

Otu-Bassey had to return to Nigeria, with nothing.

In an interview with Saturday PUNCH, Effiom said, “I was duped. I was looking for a way to stay back in Norway but an agent duped me. That is why people will look at me and say I am mad. Am I mad? I am not mad. I am frustrated. They took all my money in Norway. They left me with nothing. I will go back to Norway. I will play for Europe. Nothing can stop me. After all, I am still training. I am still very good.”

Battle with frustration, depression

On Otu-Bassey’s return to Nigeria, he said he went back to Kwara to play for the Bukola Babes (now ABS FC), his team before leaving for Norway, but during the summer of 2013, he said something surprising happened.

“The management there said I would not play until my performance improved. I knew I was struggling with my game but that was because I was and I’m still depressed. I am frustrated. When I returned to Nigeria before the end of my contract, I almost ran mad. I thought my life was gone,” he said.

Meanwhile, his 70-year-old mother said she had no idea her son was back in the country until a neighbour said they saw him in Kwara State.

She added, “We reached out to him and confirmed that he was indeed in Nigeria. We asked him why he refused to reach out or come home in Lagos but he said nothing. He visited for a while but left again for Kwara State. We were even the ones who paid for his transport, his rent in Kwara and sent him money regularly for upkeep.

“After a while, we told him it wasn’t sustainable. His eldest brother, Lawrence, now 49, is into laundry. Bassey, now 45, the second child, is a hotel receptionist. He had to return to Calabar, Cross River, where we are from, to start his life afresh. I also left Lagos to be with him in his father’s family compound in Calabar.

“To date, he has not told us what happened in Norway. He simply became a shadow of himself. He talks to himself and has become so lean and malnourished because he always refuses to eat, bathe or change his clothes. He fights anyone who tries to help him or talk to him about his attitude. He has become a terror.”

A man, Chief Ekpenyong Bassey-Edem, who introduced himself as Effiom’s uncle, his father’s elder brother, said Effiom had become a totally different person from whom they used to know.

He said, “Effiom has really changed. He acts really strangely. We know he is not okay ‘upstairs’ but there is nothing we can do because we do not have the means to. We enquired how to check him into a psychiatric home for examination and treatment because we know something is really going on with him from his time in Norway, but how do we do all these without money?”

The chief claimed that Effiom woke up one night and chased his mother out of the house after a heated argument over a pot of food. Although the young footballer dismissed this claim, multiple sources, including a close associate of his, Samuel Ibanga, who also studied at the Kwara Football Academy, confirmed it, saying Aye now lives with her younger brother.

Ibanga stated, “Effiom chased the woman away. We don’t know what is wrong with him. That is why we are calling on everyone who loves football and has watched him play to come to our aid.”

When Saturday PUNCH put these claims to Effiom, the 31-year-old said he was perfectly fine, adding that all he needed was to go back to his passion – football.

“I am fine; I am just frustrated,” he insisted. “I lost everything. I am now an artist. I do petty jobs for people but I want to play football. All these things I am doing are out of frustration and depression. I was duped. I want to play football.”

Attempts to reach the Executive Secretary, Nigeria Professional Football League Club Owners Association of Nigeria, Chief Aloysius Chukwuemeka, who was touted to have some personal relationship with Effiom, for a comment proved abortive as calls to his mobile lines rang out while the text messages sent to him were not responded to as of press time.

The United Nations Children’s Fund Representative in Nigeria has urged the federal and state governments to enhance their judicial systems to ensure proper prosecution of bandits for their various crimes before the courts of law.

The Representative of UNICEF in Nigeria, Cristian Munduate, was addressing newsmen in Maiduguri, on Friday, preparatory to the commemoration of the World Humanitarian Day, Saturday.

Munduate lamented the absence of proper prosecution and punishment for bandits for the various crimes they perpetrate against humanity.

“It scares me that bandits are not taken to courts in spite of the fact that they have been assaulting and killing children and women; abducting and raping.

“It scares me that no laws are applied to prosecute and punish them,” the UNICEF Representative said, even as he added, “If there is any legal process, I think there is the need for proper punishment for these people legally.”

The United Kingdom Health Security Agency has confirmed the first case of COVID-19 variant BA.2.86 in the country.

The UKHSA disclosed this on its website on Friday.

It said the case was confirmed in an individual with no recent travel history, which suggests a degree of community transmission within the UK.

The World Health Organisation and the US health authorities had on Thursday, said they were closely monitoring a new variant of Covid-19, although the potential impact of BA.2.86 is currently unknown.

WHO designated the COVID-19 variant BA.2.86 as a ‘variant under monitoring’ due to the large number of mutations it carries.

So far, only a few sequences of the variant have been reported from a handful of countries.

The BA.2.86 variant has also been identified in Israel, Denmark, and the United States of America.

It has been designated as V-23AUG-01 for the purpose of UKHSA monitoring.

The newly identified variant has a high number of mutations and is gnomically distant from both its likely ancestor, BA.2, and from currently circulating XBB-derived variants.

There is currently insufficient data to assess the relative severity or degree of immune escape compared to other currently-circulating variants.

The Deputy Director, UKHSA, Dr Meera Chand said, “V-23AUG-01 was designated as a variant on the basis of international transmission and significant mutation of the viral genome. This designation allows us to monitor it through our routine surveillance processes.

“We are aware of one confirmed case in the UK. UKHSA is currently undertaking detailed assessment and will provide further information in due course.”

The PUNCH reports that all viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, change over time; most changes have little to no impact on the virus’s properties.

However, some changes may affect the virus’s properties, such as how easily it spreads, the associated disease severity, or the performance of vaccines, therapeutic medicines, diagnostic tools, or other public health and social measures.

Globally, as of August 16, 2023, there have been 769,774,646 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 6,955,141 deaths, reported to WHO.

As of August 13, 2023, a total of 13,498,472,794 vaccine doses have been administered.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan, former vice president, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa and Rwanda President, Paul Kagame, have been named peace icons in Africa by an international peace-based organisation, Peace Ambassador Agency Worldwide.

Others on the list include Kenyan President, William Ruto, President of the African Development Bank, Akinwumi Adeshina; Chairman of United Bank of Africa Group, Tony Elumelu; Chairman Geregu Power PLC, Mr. Femi Otedola; President of LoveWorld Incorporated, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome; and the Sultan of Sokoto, Mohammadu Abubakar, among others.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday in Abuja during the unveiling of 100 personalities as “100 Most Notable Peace Icons In Africa,” the Project Director of the group, Ambassador Kingsley Amafibe, said the peace icons were being recognised due to their dedication to promoting peace and calm in the continent.

He said the beneficiaries have laboured continuously to reduce conflicts, advance social bonds, and establish connections amidst diverse communities in Africa.

Amafibe explained that among the notable peace icons in Africa, are economists, financial experts, sports personalities, religious leaders, industrialists, entertainment entrepreneurs, traditional rulers, activists, thinkers, and creators who have transcended boundaries and overcome challenges to leave in-erasable legacies.

“By sharing their narratives, we intend to amplify the ripples of their endeavours, and produce a collective resolve to foster a more calm and prosperous Africa,” Amafibe stated.

He added, “Within this illustrious roster of 100 Most Notable Peace Icons in Africa, we encounter a rich shade of leaders, economists, financial experts, sports personalities, religious leaders, industrialists, entertainment entrepreneurs, traditional rulers, activists, thinkers, and creators who have transcended boundaries and overcome challenges to leave in-erasable legacies.

“Each narrative stands as a tribute to perseverance and determination, enclosing the cherished values of Africa: unity, harmony, and progress.”

He also announced plans by the organisation to provide scholarships to 20,000 indigent students across the continent.

He said the group will rely on the contributions and support of the peace icons to make it easier for it to achieve its aims and objectives.

He said, “This scholarship programme is designed to empower and nurture the forthcoming generation of African leaders, equipping them with the knowledge and skills required to propel the growth and stability of their respective nations.

“Acknowledging the youth as the vanguards of transformation, we are unwavering in our commitment to empower them through comprehensive training and skill enrichment initiatives.

“We will furnish the youth with the tools of success, we invest not only in their course but also in the collective ascension of Africa.

“These programme encompasses a diverse array of domains, spanning from entrepreneurship to technology, enabling the youth to steer innovation and constructive change.

“Additionally, we recognise the profound import of access to clean water in rural communities. Addressing this critical imperative, we are inaugurating the Pipe Borne Water Project, ‘CleanAqua4All.’

“It is an initiative aimed at ensuring clean and safe drinking water for underserved rural regions.

“By guaranteeing access to this foundational resource, we enhance the quality of life, bolster health and well-being, and engender progress in these communities,” he stated.

Governor Godwin Obaseki has called on residents of Edo State to help themselves by contributing to the development of the state, saying that the federal government has thrown the country into an economic crisis.

“The country is in crisis economically. We can’t continue to fold our hands and wait for a country that can’t help us. Rather, we will do all we can to help ourselves and our state,” Mr Obaseki said on Thursday in Benin at a workshop to discuss the implementation of the state’s new Land Use Charge Law, according to a statement forwarded to PREMIUM TIMES by Crusoe Osagie, the special assistant on media project to the Edo State Government.

President Bola Tinubu’s reforms – removal of petroleum subsidies and forex exchange liberalistaion – have continued to push up the price of goods and services in Nigeria, with the high inflation rate and the economic hardship causing unease across the country.

The Edo State Governor, Mr Obaseki said the state government has resorted to “taking care of those who can’t feed themselves” in the state.

“From our revenue, we have decided to take money from our Internally Generated Revenue to look after those that can’t feed – the poorest of the poor. We are doing our best as an administration to make things easy in Edo State for our citizens who have trust in this government,” the governor said.

“If we are a truly thriving country, states will survive on their own, without relying on Abuja. Whether they give us or not, we would survive as a state. We have been surviving before now. Our administration is transparent and accountable, that is why the World Bank trusts us.”

Workers’ unions have kicked against the Nigerian government’s reforms, while Mr Tinubu has continued to appeal for understanding and calm, arguing that his actions are for the good of the country.

The federal government on Thursday announced N5 billion palliative to each of the 36 states to cushion the effect of the removal of petrol subsidy.

The Central Bank of Nigeria has announced measures to reintroduce Bureau de Change Operators in Nigeria into the foreign exchange market a few days after threatening speculators.

The bank announced its reintroduction in a circular addressed to BDCs and the public titled, ‘Operational Mechanism For Bureau De Change Operations In Nigeria.’

The development is coming amidst efforts for the naira to trade in fair value. The naira had traded around N955 per dollar on Monday before the CBN began the policy that crashed the price to N845 as of Friday.

In the new regime, the CBN said BDCs must submit periodic accounts of the activities through the Financial Institution Forex Rendition System (FIFX).

The CBN said, “In support of the drive to improve the efficiency of the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market, the Central Bank of Nigeria hereby announces the underlisted operational mechanism for the Bureau De Change (BDC) segment of the market.

“The spread on buying and selling by BDC Operators shall be within an allowable limit of – 2.5% to +2.5% of the Nigerian Foreign Exchange market window weighted average rate of the previous day.

“Mandatory rendition by BDC Operators of the statutory periodic reports (daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and yearly) on the Financial Institution Forex Rendition System (FIFX) which has been upgraded to meet individual Operator’s requirements.

“Operators are to note that with effect from the date of this circular, non-rendition of returns would attract sanctions which may include withdrawal of operating license. Where Operators do not have any transaction within the period, they are expected to render nil returns.”

THE WHISTLER had reported that BDCs were terrified about the recent threat of the acting CBN governor, Folashodun Shonubi.

Bureau de Change dealers in Zone 4 in Abuja had told THE WHISTLER that the CBN had asked for their financial records and threatened to withdraw their licences.

The intervention would be possible with the $3bn dollars deal signed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd with the African Import-Export Bank.

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has told President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to scrap the ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.

In a communiqué signed by its National Leader, Chief Edwin Clark and National Chairman, Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien and released at the end of their meeting in Abuja on Friday, August 18, the group stated that the ministry which was created by late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and sustained by the successive administrations of President Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari must continue to function.

PANDEF asked President Tinubu to nominate a minister for Niger Delta Affairs, threatening that scrapping the ministry would be met with “adverse consequences.”

The communique read;

“The meeting discussed issues pertaining to the ongoing appointment and assignment of ministers, as it affects the states of the Niger Delta region and South South geo-political zone, particularly, the omission of the ministry of Niger Delta Affairs. The meeting resolves as follows:

“Expresses great surprise that in the published assignment of ministers to their various cabinet portfolios, there is none designated for the existing ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.

“Reminds Mr. President that the Ministry of Niger Delta was created, specifically, to focus on infrastructural development, environmental protection and empowerment of youths in the oil-rich Niger Delta region, which continues to be greatly impacted by the oil and gas industry, and remains the live-wire of the national economy.

“That the ministry which was created by President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2008, and was sustained under his two immediate predecessors (Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari) to help advance the course of the peace in the Niger Delta region.

“Cautions that any misguided step towards scrapping or submerging the ministry, will create an unfavorable environment with adverse consequences.

“Further cautions the federal government to desist from tampering with any institution(s), which along with the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, have been flagship institution(s), to ensure peace and development in the Niger Delta region.

“We are hopeful that the federal government will be properly advised on this matter, even as we reiterate the commitment of the leadership of PANDEF and the people of the region to enduring the reign of peace and stability in the overall interest of country.”