₦airaland Forum

I have followed the genuine comments that have flowed from this story. Everyone who has commented here is excercising his/her fundamental rights to free speech and I don't begrudge that. But let me be put on record about what transpired yesterday in Calabar. I was NOT ARRESTED BY THE POLICE in Calabar as this story has portrayed. I am not above the law, the police came to enforce an exparte order issued by an Akamkpa High Court. As a lawyer, even a layman knows that Calabar Municipality where the ceremony held is beyond the Akamkpa court's jurisdiction. Regardless, I had to out of courtesy and as a law abiding citizen opted to step in on behalf of my wife, Onari, and clarify issues with the Commissioner of Police and this didn't last more than about 20 minutes and I was back to venue. Please also note that, the health facility is being promoted by my dear wife Onari, so how could I have been arrested? If anyone needed be arrested, it is my wife not me and commonsense or logic should have cautioned the reporter not to insinuate as he did. I was a guest at the occassion, ditto other local and international dignitaries, including officials from the World Health Organisation(WHO), Shell, Mikano, Wampco, NAIRDA, Flour Mills etc. As the reporter rightly pointed out, the police first accosted my wife and then I stepped in to intervene. The reason being that, my wife, as host would not have abandoned the ceremony to accompany the police to see the CP; that would have further jeopardised the flow of the event and embarrassed her guests and ruined everything. So for stepping forward, is it now fair to interprete it that I was arrested? Now to the real issues. I would want us, especially those resident in our country to go round the council areas nationwide, assess and tell me the state of the NRC/SDP party secretariats today. When my wife mooted the idea of this project, a place to host it became a major challenge. Although the current building was abandoned and in a parlous state of disuse just like others nationwide, rather than appropriating the property, it was decided that a 25 year lease be taken on the property. What it means is that, regardless of what you invest there, the property remains that of the state. What is the benefit of this project? It is verifiable that through the help of the US Embassy, the hospital has been able to attract support from the world acclaimed Susan Koerman Breast Cancer Foundation and other international donors. In Nigeria, the project is being supported by SHELL, FLOUR MILLS,UBA, WAMPCO, NETCOM,AP,NOKIA,TRIQUEST,DELTA AFRIK, MONI PULO, JAGAL, EXXON MOBIL, ACERGY, FIRST BANK, SHLUMBERGER, MIKANO, CHEVRON and SAHARA. It has NOT benefitted from state funds under my watch. So far, in the entire South South, its facilities are unequalled. And as a not-for-profit non-governmental organisation, majority of its services targetted at women and children are absolutely free. Where does this leave us? Do I hold the state government responsible? No. But let me be clear here, this facility is not out to compete with whatever health programmes or facilities the state government is contemplating, if anything, it is to complement those efforts. I hope and pray that even with this confusion, we can still find a way, work together to benefit our people. Thank you. Donald