Michael Botu's Blog

Delta EPZ and matters arising my take is on justice, equity and fairness – Tompolo So much has been said about the $16 Billion Export Processing Zone (EPZ) which is meant to galvanize Nigeria’s economic growth through adequate gas processing and supply, using our dear Delta State as the hub. For one, I am happy as a Deltan that this laudable project is being planned and nurtured in my time, especially on the heels of our fight for the need by government to industrialize and enhance our economic well-being in the oil-rich Niger Delta Region. Nonetheless, I am not persuaded by the nebulous and loudly-echoed ‘economic and industrial gains’ slogan being orchestrated by some forces hiding under the EPZ Project to re-launch a back-door move for the acquisition of lands belonging to the people of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State. In this regard, I stand on the side of my people as I have always done, to ensure that the voice of reason was r

THIS IS NOT DR. EMMANUEL EWETA UDUAGHAN "It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory, when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your Leadership." ~ Nelson Mandela ABDUCTION NOT KIDNAPPING The twist and turns following the cancellation of the Ground Breaking Ceremony of the Contentious $16 Billion EPZ Project is making interesting reading and attracting a lot of comments but the reality is that we are on the brink of another full scale crisis in Warri South – West Local Government Area in Delta State. I read Mr. Emma Amaize the Regional Editor, South-South of the Vanguard Newspapers detailed account of the events surrounding the abduction of 14 Journalist and some Youths by Ijaw Youths from Oporoza Community or ex militants as some reports called them or hooligans as Mr. Emma Amaize will rather classify them. The action of the Youths and the

EPZ PR0JECT IN JEOPARDY “The way and manner Governor Uduaghan was handling the issues (EPZ Project) could re-ignite the Warri inter-ethnic crisis.” ~ Newton Mala May 10, 2014 “The elders, community leaders and parties to the dispute over the location and ground-breaking event for the Gas Industrial Revolution Park who have resorted to threats and accusations of partisanship against the President in press conferences and paid adverts in newspapers are therefore being most unfair to him and doing a great disservice to continuing efforts to forge greater national unity and peaceful coexistence of all Nigerians. ~ Reuben Abati Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity) November 17, 2014 PREAMBLE: It’s doubtful if we will ever overcome the “We vs Them” syndrome, it’s part of the colonial  relics  that we have absorbed, imbibed and has been  ingrained  in our consciousness so strong that generations who never witnessed colonialism exhibits the straight

“Like all Technology, social media is neutral but is best put to work in the service of building a better world” ~ Simon Mainwaring In Politics, it not strange to be called names and mudslinging is expected from all quarters with the press acting as the cannon folder. Politicians will use whatever they can use against perceived stronger opponents. It is on this note that it was not surprising to read Sahara Reporters Claim that “Orubebe’s Hired Crowd Turns Against Him” The report began with a mocking claim by a protester “Why can’t he pay us common two hundred Naira that he said he will pay?” one of the protesters stated, admitting that he was recruited from Ogwashi Uku to pose as a supporter of the former minister. Surprisingly the reporter did not see the deliberate lie in the claim and Sahara Reporters perhaps in their quest for traffic that the name Orubebe will generate went on to publish the blatant fabrications without making any effort to confirm from the Delta P

“Tonight I remember all the challenges ROTIMI AMAECHI has faced and felt like praying for him...” ~ Dele Momodu I think it would have been fair to say “Tonight I remember all the Challenges Rotimi Amaechi had put himself through and felt like Praying for him” truth is everything Gov. Amaechi had gone through had been his own doing and YES CHIBUIKE ROTIMI AMACHI needs Prayers. I recall at the height of tensions between former President Olusegun Obasanjo and His Excellency Ahmed Bola Tinubu, we never witnessed these kind of belligerence from Gov, Tinubu towards OBJ. For starters; Bola Tinubu is a Democrat per excellence, it is a quality many who parade our Political Space lacks. He not only spoke about democracy he fought for it. He successfully ruled arguably a mini Nigeria of a State and produced a successor that is seen by many as a success himself. Former Gov. Tinubu could have seized every opportunity to denigrate OBJ, but he did not, why?