The Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, has commended the Judgment of the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Asaba on Friday, September 20, 2019, which affirmed the victory of Senator Okowa as the winner of the March 9, 2019 Governorship election in the State.

Hon. Elumelu, in a Statement from the office of the Minority Leader, House of Representative, National Assembly Complex, Abuja on Friday, September 20, described the tribunal Judgment as well deserved, saying the people of Delta State spoke with one voice by voting massively for the Governor in the last Governorship election in the State.

The Minority Leader noted that the people of the State clearly demonstrated their preference for Senator Okowa, based on what the Governor achieved across the three senatorial districts, where he established proactiveness, sincerity, unity of purpose, transparency, prudence and the fear of God with the people oriented projects he delivered, adding that Deltans could not have voted for whom they have not tested and confirmed his proven capabilities.

“The Governor’s capacity has been tested and proven by the people. That is what the judgment of today has demonstrated. He was voted for by every segment of the society in an election that was free and fair, he was voted in an election where Deltans came out in their numbers to exercise their right and express their freewill by voting the candidate of their choice.

“It was an election that complied in all ramification with the INEC guideline and was in consonance with the Electoral act, and the Tribunal was only doing the needful by affirming the election of Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa as the authentic winner of the election.

“We are gladdened by the Judgment of the tribunal, it is another way of affirming the will and wishes of the people who demonstrated trust in him and also in our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

“On behalf of the Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives and the people of my primary Constituency, Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency of Delta State, who voted overwhelmingly for him and our party, we greet and congratulate His Excellency, Senator Dr. Ifeany Okowa, Governor of Delta State, on this great and wonderful occasion.

“God has vindicated him and the people of Delta State as well. God has once again affirmed the Governor’s calling to the service of the people of Delta State and it is our collective prayer that He who called him will guide, protect and give him the wisdom and enablement to move our great state to another level of prosperity, in line with the Governor’s new mantra of a Stronger Delta State,” the Statement concluded.

-Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA):

The Managing Director/CEO of e Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Bashorun Askia Ogieh (FCNA,CrFA), has reiterated that the ongoing town hall meetings across various ethnic nationalities in the mandate areas of the Commission is to brainstorm with the stakeholders in order to plan for developmental projects that woud impact in the lives of the people.

Bashorun Askia stated this during a town hall meeting organized by DESOPADEC for the Ijaw ethnic nationalities held in Wellington Hotel, Warri on Wednesday.

He urged the Ijaw monarchs to always calm their subjects to maintain the existing peace in the state to attract development.

He further said that theIjaws have a lot more to gain under his excellency, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, ‘‘The commission is ready to develop the Ijaw oil producing communities as well as impacted communities to have a sense of belonging from the 50% Delta state government share of the federal 13% deverivation fund for oil producing communities in Niger Delta.’’

He thanked the royal fathers and other stakeholders for the peace enjoyed in Ijaw communities thus far, adding that the Ijaws in Delta have a similar developmental challenges and assured the people to remain calm as Governor Ifeanyi Okowa would focus on the development of all mandate areas.

The event attracted various Ijaw traditional rulers, include HRM, Charles Ayemi Botu, HRM. Capt. Joseph TimIyan, HRM. Samuel Eva and others as well as youths leaders, women and other stakeholders.

-Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA) -By Albert OGRAKA:

Living up to his promises to rebrand the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), the Managing Director/CEO of the Commission, Bashorun Askia Ogieh (FCNA,CrFA), led the Executive Directors and Board Members to the commissioning of some mega projects in parts of the state.

The projects include Re-Constructed Six classrooms block with offices allocated and well furnished at Owholomu Primary School, Olomoro, Isoko South LGA.

The DESOPADEC boss also leading his team, commissioned ENURU Street (Isoko Standard Road) close to Yanga market, Oleh, Isoko South LGA.

During the commissioning, Bashorun Askia appealed to the people to jealously guard the projects executed by the Commission, adding that DESOPADEC under his watch would ensure that communities within the mandate area of the Commission are not left out in the development agenda of DESOPADEC.

He noted that the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa led administration, through its Stronger Delta agenda is poised to fast rack development across the state, especially in the areas of infrastructure and human capital growth.

According to him, “For the school, having completed the project, we discovered that there are no furniture for the teachers and pupils, hence we decided to supply the school with the needed furniture.”

On road project, the DESOPADEC Project Director, said: “The road is a 350meters with covert and it connects Yanga and Irri communities.

“The road was awarded through the efforts of the DESOPADEC executives and today it is ready for use. We commend the contractor for embarking on a wonderful job.”

Meanwhile, the benefitting communities expressed delight in the renewed efforts in the activities of the intervention agency, saying that the commissioning exercise is an indication that they would not be left out in the delivery of dividends to oil producing communities in the oil and gas wealthy Delta state.

The MD/CEO Bashorun Askia Ogieh was accompanied by the Executive Director EDFA, Barr. John Nani, Executive Director Projects ,Hon Daniel Mayiku, Commissioner Representing Isoko Ethnic Nationality in DESOPADEC, Dr Barr. Paul Oweh and HODs of various Departments as well as DG Hope Alive, Chief Obaro Godspower during the commissioning ceremony.

The President General of Isoko Development Union (IDU), High Chief Iduh Amadhe, member representing Isoko South Constituency 1 in the Delta state House of Assembly, Hon. Kenneth Ogba, President General Oleh Community and other notable personalities were on ground to welcome the DESOPADEC team.

–Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA):

The Government of Delta says it will spend more than N1 billion to rehabilitate degraded federal roads in the state.

The Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, made this known while briefing newsmen on the outcome of State Executive Council meeting on Tuesday in Asaba.

Aniagwu, who was in company with his Economic Planning counterpart, stated that the meeting which was presided by the Deputy Governor, Mr Kingsley Otuaro, also approved the construction of some roads in the state.

He listed the federal roads whose failed portions would be rehabilitated by the state government as Benin-Sapele, Benin-Onitsha and Agbor-Abraka-Eku.

He disclosed that Federal Government’s permission to Delta Government to rehabilitate the roads was received on Thursday, adding that contractors had been mobilised to the spots.

“You are aware that commuters are facing a lot of hardship on the roads; it has become so difficult to enter Onitsha, because the road at the Asaba end of the bridge is very bad.

“The good news is that Federal Government has reached out to us to repair these roads and we are very optimistic that by the time we are done, the government will attend to us for the purpose of refunds.

“We are more concerned with the safety of our people and that is why we are committed to fixing these roads which will take more than N1 billion,” Aniagwu said.

He said that the council approved the construction of 2.3 km Benekrukru road in Warri South West and that it also approved Obi Frederick Egbankonye as the traditional ruler of Aballa Kingdom in Ndokwa East Local Government Area.

At the briefing which was also attended by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, the commissioner stated that the establishment of 19 new technical colleges across the state.

He stated that the approval was not only in line with fulfilling the campaign promises of the governor, but for the consolidation of the successes recorded from the revamped technical schools in the state.

He also stated that to check the impact of flood on Deltans who are living in coastal communities, five amps for internally displaced persons was approved to be set up in Asaba, Kwale, Patani, Ozoro and Ashaka.

Aniagwu added that more than 10 camps would be set up “depending on the impact of the impending flood on the people”.

On his part, Gbe said that the council had approved for the governor to present the 2020 Appropriation Bill to the House of Assembly in October.

He added that the Fiscal Strategy Framework for the state was presented to the council at the meeting and that it discussed and approved.

-Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA):

President Muhammadu Buhari has constituted an eight-man Economic Advisory Council (EAC).

The council which would report directly to President Buhari has former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Prof Charles Soludo and renowned economist, Bismark Rewane as members.

The Council members are made up of the following:

1. Prof. Doyin Salami – Chairman
2. Dr. Mohammed Sagagi – Vice-Chairman
3. Prof. Ode Ojowu – Member
4. Dr. Shehu Yahaya – Member
5. Dr. Iyabo Masha – Member
6. Prof. Chukwuma Soludo – Member
7. Mr. Bismark Rewane – Member
8. Dr. Mohammed Adaya Salisu – Secretary (Senior Special Assistant to the President, Development Policy).

This advisory council will replace the current Economic Management Team (EMT) and will be reporting directly to the President.

The Economic Advisory Council (EAC) will advise the President on economic policy matters, including fiscal analysis, economic growth and a range of internal and global economic issues working with the relevant cabinet members and heads of monetary and fiscal agencies.

The EAC will have monthly technical sessions as well as scheduled quarterly meetings with the President.

The Chairman may, however, request for unscheduled meetings if the need arises, Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President, (Media & Publicity), said in a statement on Monday.

-Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA):

The royal family of Ogwashi- Ukwu monarchy has faulted claims making the rounds that the newly crowned Obi of Ogwashi- Ukwu, His Royal Majesty , Obi Ifechukwude Chukwuka Okonjo , was crowned in error .

In a statement jointly signed by the Acting Diokpa; Umu Obi Obahai Royal family, Prince Emmanuel Nwokolie Ohei; Ozoma of Ogwashi –Ukwu, Prince Okolobi Nkemjika Lawrence and Palace Secretary ; Prince Ifeakanachukwu Emordi (PJ), they urged the general public and the people of Ogwashi- Ukwu to disregard any misinformation currently been peddled by some disgruntled individuals who have a determined effort to bring the community’s royal institution to ridicule .

The seven paragraph statement reads in parts: “It has come to our attention that one Patrick Okonjo , a renegade and serial petition writer has issued a statement in which he claims to be speaking for the Umu Obi Obahai Royal family .

“We want to make this known: Patrick Okonjo does not speak for the family; he speaks only for himself as he has always done.

“We urge our people, the public, media and all stakeholders to ignore the reckless comments of Patrick. He has been issuing such frivolous statement and filling frivolous court cases in pursuit of his selfish interest for over a decade.

“The Umu Obi Obahai Royal family is united in its decision which produced Obi Ifechukwude Chukwuka Okonjo. And this decision has been endorsed by Agidiehe and Ikelike , the Kingmakers. The successful installation, enthronement and the joy of the people last Friday (13th September 2019) knows no bounds and goes to show that the people of Ogwashi- Ukwu are happy with this decision.

According to the statement, the new Obi is rounding up the rest traditional processes and set to begin his reign, adding that, “we thank him he God for making the process smooth and we also ask the Ogwashians to pray for the progress and development of our great kingdom”

-Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA):

The Kingmakers in Ogwashi-Uku kingdom, Delta state have crowned a successor to the throne, following the passing on of His Royal Majesty (HRM), Obi (Prof) Chukwuka Okonjo.

Dependable sources disclosed that son of the Late monarch, Ifechukwude Okonjo, a financial management expert and CEO of Chevy Chase Consulting, was installed midnight Thursday and presented Friday morning as the new Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State.

According to the kingmakers, the ascension of Ifechukwude Okonjo followed the passing of his father Okonjo at the age of 91 and the completion of necessary traditional rites.

The processes include the new Obi’s endorsement and presentation by the Umu Obi Obahai Royal Family of Ogwashi-Uku and the traditional chalking and crowning ceremonies conducted by the Ikelike and Agidiehi Kingmakers in Ogwashi-Uku.

The new Obi, who also worked for Halliburton Nigeria, attended Federal Government College, Enugu. He obtained his A levels as an external student of the University of London before proceeding to United States of America where he bagged two bachelors degrees in Economics and History from University of Maryland, College Park and an MBA from University of Edinburgh, Scotland. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in Business Administration from University of Paris, in France.

-Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA) —From Michael EKOKORUHE:

The remains of the veteran journalist and media practitioner, James Odafe Othihiwa, has been laid to rest as friends and family members eulogized him at Owhodokpokpo – Igbide community , Isoko South local government area of Delta State.

Speaking to newsmen after the interment at the family compound, Sir Ayodele Oghogho Othihiwa, one time candidate House of Representatives, Isoko federal constituency, under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party said, Odafe Othihiwa lived a fulfilled life for 77 years and thanked God for the good legacies he left behind.

Sir Oghogho Othihiwa described the media veteran as a role model who attained height of the profession as news editor of the Nigeria Observer from 1977 to 1981, former general manager Daily Times and at one time the general manager African Independent Television.

He maintained that Odafe Othihiwa was a great man that groomed family members and friends to become journalist like himself and was generous; saying his legacies will live after him in Isoko nation, Lagos state and entire Nigeria.

Sir Oghogho Othihiwa emphasized that Odafe Othihiwa was a journalist per excellent who retired and set up personal newspaper company in Lagos but could not sustained it. He stated that Odafe Othihiwa became a reference point as a media consultant for long period before his death.

Also speaking, Mr. Dele Eloho Othihiwa, senior son of Odafe Othihiwa, described his father’s death worthy of celebration even as he did a lot to all the children who will continue to remember him. He said, “My father was dogged and wants everything done as scheduled without getting tired”.

The president of Isoko Development union, Chief Iduh Amadhe, represented by Mr. Dan Odhomor described James Odafe Othihiwa as a true patriot of Isoko Nation. Amadhe stated that Othihiwa was the first to publish on Isoko ethnic nationality to the world, adding that his contribution in the history of Isoko nation will be remembered.

Mr. Alex Ovie, a frontline Isoko journalist also described James Othihiwa as a man that taught and mentored him in journalism. Saying “I thanked God for the life he lived, being inspiration to the younger generation”.

In attendance was hon. ferguson Onwo, member Delta State house of Assembly representing Isoko South constituency 2, Barrister Chief Mike Edegware, secretary Delta State board of internal revenue, Sir Mathias Eto, former commissioner public complaints commission Delta State, Mr. John Oraka, former Editor Daily Times, members of Nigeria Union of Journalist Isoko correspondent chapel, clergymen, cross section of Igbide community youths and women, friends and well wishers.

-Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA):

Middle Belt PDP Progressive Youth Forum, a socio-political pressure group made of PDP youths in the Middle Belt region of Nigeria, has lambasted Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State over his recent statement, accusing the panel set up by the PDP Board of Trustees (BOT) of Corruption.

The Panel which has prominent leaders of the Party from the Middle Belt region of Nigeria was set up to resolve the Minority Leadership crisis in the House of Representatives.

The group in a strongly worded statement titled, “INSULT ON AYU, MARK, MANTU: WIKE HAS CROSS THE RED LINE, signed by the Chairman, Gabriel Mudgat, Secretary, Alh. Ibrahim Nadama and Women Coordinator, Hon. Liatu Daniel, condemned the statement in its entirety and said that it was an unwarranted abuse on the highly regarded leaders of their region and Political party.

The youths in the statement made available to journalists on Friday 13th September, 2019 in Abuja, described Governor Wike as an irresponsible and disruptive character in party politics who cannot thrive without crisis. “But let it be known to him that the Middle Belt is not part of his political fiefdom. He has certainly crossed the red line by insulting the cream of Middle Belt political leaders and statesmen,” the group stated, warning and demanding, that Governor Wike “must immediately withdraw the defamatory statement against Senators Ayu, Mark, Mantu and others with unreserved public apology”.

The Statement Reads in full:

INSULT ON AYU, MARK, MANTU: WIKE HAS CROSSED THE RED LINE

As a group with a clear mandate to protect and promote the principles of democracy, justice, equity, and the political and socio- economic emancipation of the people of Middle Belt Region of Nigeria as enunciated by the founding fathers of the Region led by the Great Joseph Sarwuan Tarka of blessed memory, we express our utmost displeasure over recent reports wherein the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Governor Nyesom Wike, abused our foremost leaders.

In the reports, Governor Wike described Distinguished Senator (Prof) Iyorchia Ayu, a former President of the Senate; Distinguished Senator David Mark, a former President of the Senate; and Distinguished Senator Ibrahim Mantu, a former Deputy President of the Senate as well as other respected National leaders from other regions, including the Distinguished Senator Adolphus Wabara, another former Senate President, etc. appointed into the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT) to investigate the Minority leadership crisis in the House of Representatives as most corrupt.

As if that was not enough, he not only congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari, candidate of the APC, on his victory over the PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, even when the party had just indicated that it would appeal to the Supreme Court, but also thoroughly insulted brother PDP Governors. Wike boasted and threatened to deal with the PDP, which built him from the scratch, politically.

Much as we find these statements very distasteful, disrespectful, embarrassing, arrogant, and bombastic, they only go further to affirm Governor Wike as a disruptive character in party politics. To characterise Middle Belt leaders, including elder statesmen, whose political exposure dwarf his, shows that he needs some housekeeping in his political manners.

Now, we are further convinced that Wike is a man, who cannot thrive without crisis; hence where there is none, he creates one. Wike not only levies war on the people of Rivers State, but also does so against anybody that holds contrary views, including the military, parliament, judiciary, fellow governors, PDP, and political chieftains. It is either Wike’s way or the high way.

Governor Wike’s threat to deal with the PDP and PDP Governors further confirms that the evils of impunity of one man dictating the tune and everyone else dancing sheepishly to it, which dethroned the PDP from power, has inadvertently mutated to Rivers State Government House.

Wike’s threats are part of his annoying and erroneous assumption that one state is equal or above the other 35 States and Abuja. Such impressions are a sufficient notice that power should not be concentrated in one hand, especially in a power drunk fellow, for power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Indeed Wike’s reckless statements, excesses, and brigandage are clear pointers to what awaits the nation and the PDP if he finds himself in higher corridors of power and influence, for no nation or party can survive his combined effects of Donald Trump, Boris Johnson, and Buhari constituted in one man.

By threatening to fight the PDP to a standstill, Wike is putting everyone on notice of intention to disrupt the party again and move on. That would be good riddance to bad rubbish. In truth, his character weaknesses, including impunity and hubris have been a heavy burden weighing down the PDP. For instance, he singlehandedly recruited and imposed the former Governor of Borno State with alleged Boko Haram baggage, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, who almost dismantled the PDP. The same Wike posed as the saviour and gladiator of the PDP in order to impose a National Chairman and convert it to Wike Democratic Party.

If he has the self-proclaimed political Midas touch as he claims, how come it did not come to play in the 2019 general election? Wike was the last governorship candidate to be declared winner despite having no challenger in the real sense of it. But his fellow PDP governors he insults today won their elections or reelection at a go, with some unseating APC incumbents or their anointed ones even without the economic leverage that Wike enjoys.

Lastly, Wike’s uncanny and mischievous congratulatory message to Buhari when the PDP is still going to court is quite remarkable and speaks volumes when viewed alongside his threat to deal with the PDP in 2018 over efforts to shift the venue of the National Convention and Presidential Primary from Port Harcourt. If his congratulation of Buhari is not anti-party, what else is, especially when he has sabotaged the intention of the party to go to the Supreme Court because his congratulatory message is a persuasive authority for the Supreme Court to rule against the PDP?

Wike, the cricket is roasting in the fire, but claims he is emitting oil. But let it be known to him that the Middle Belt is not part of his political fiefdom. He has certainly crossed the red line by insulting the cream of Middle Belt political leaders and statesmen. He must immediately withdraw the defamatory statement against Senators Ayu, Mark, Mantu and others with unreserved public apology. Those, whose palm kernels were cracked by benevolent spirits, should learn to show humility.

Thank you all.

Long live Middle Belt PDP Progressive Youth Forum,

Long live PDP

Long live Middle Belt Region

Long live Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Signed:

Gabriel Mudgat
Chairman

Alh. Ibrahim Nadama
Secretary

Hon. Liatu Daniel
Women Cordinator

By Albert OGRAKA –Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA):

The Managing Director/CEO of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Bashorun Askia Ogieh (FCNA,CrFA) has put measures in place to engage oil and gas prospecting companies operating within the Commission’s mandate areas to enhance the growth of the host communities in the state.

Bashorun Askia, who was on a business development tour of the corporate head offices of major oil and gas prospecting companies operating in the mandate area of the Commission, revealed that DESOPADEC spend nearly N500million annually to minimize theft, vandalism and youth restiveness in oil bearing communities in the state in the past 10 years.

The MD/CEO Bashorun Askia Ogieh stated this when the management of SEPLAT Petroleum Development Company, led by Mr. Austin Avuru played host to him and other executive members of the Board on Thursday in Warri.

He therefore said that DESOPADEC intends to collaborate with SEPLAT in the training of youths through skills acquisition schemes and scholarships, which has been borne by the Commission since its establishment.

“Maintaining security in our oil bearing communities will no doubt make operations seamless and bring on rippling positive effects in the mandate areas”, Bashorun Askia also noted.

Responding, Mr. Avuru, who assured of the possibility of collaborating with DESOPADEC, said that SEPLAT which has been engaging with host communities communities through scholarships, skills acquisitions and health programs will expand in the areas of security and community development in the intended collaboration.

-Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA):

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has been berated for congratulating President Muhammadu Buhari over his victory at the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal.

The PDP youths under the aegis of PDP South South Youths Vanguard, also criticised Wike for describing the panel set up by the PDP Board of Trustees (BOT) to resolve the Minority Leadership crisis in the House of Representatives which the governor described as the most corrupt in the history of the party.

The governor had on Wednesday congratulated President Buhari on the validation of his election by the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal, urging him to use his victory to work for all Nigerians, irrespective of their political leanings, and also to work towards the unity of the country, as the country is divided.

Reacting to Wike’s position, the PDP South South Youth Vanguard, in a statement by its National Chairman, James Efe Akpofure, said that the governor was biting more than what he can chew.

He said that the governor is not bigger than the party, adding, “how can the leadership of PDP say that the party is heading to the Supreme Court and Wike who was approved by the party to fly its flag at the governorship elections, and a member of the party is congratulating the President, who benefitted from a faulty judicial system that has been gagged by the executive.

“Wike should know that he’s not more than the party and as such, he should stop bad mouthing and ridiculing the PDP. If he thinks because he was the one that brought the National Chairman he can do whatever he likes, he should have a rethink.

“The party cannot take a position on issues and he’s taking a contrary position by congratulating the President the whole world says manipulated the election that brought him on board.”

-Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA):

The Managing Director/CEO of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) Bashorun Askia Ogieh (FCNA,CrFA) has assured the Isoko nation that the Commission will engage in legacy projects as part of the infrastructure and human capital development agenda of His Excellency Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for DESOPADEC.

The MD/CEO Bashorun Askia Ogieh made the promise during the Mid Year ISOKO conference and DESOPADEC TOWN HALL MEETING with Stakeholders held at the Isoko Development Union (IDU) secretariat in Oleh on Monday, 09, 2019.

At the well attended meeting, each Clan in Isoko had three representative each of the Traditional Rulers, Presidents General and their secretaries across Isoko land respectively who brought their inputs into the forthcoming 2019/2020 DESOPADEC proposed budgets for the oil producing communities.

Bashorun Askia emphasised that “Governor Okowa is interested in some legacy projects that he can personally commission to show that we have changed from DESOPADEC of old to that of present because we have actually rebranded and we have gone through all the rebranding processes.”

Bashorun Askia who was accompanied by Executive Directors, Commissioneed and key staff of the Commission, revealed that the budgeting system of DESOPADEC which is in two fold, the centralized project (legacy) and the ethnic nationality project, would ensure that all very areas are carefully tackled in the ensuing process.

He urged the President General of IDU, High Chief Iduh Amadhe, to make the compedium of list of the projects available as “We intend to start a proper budget process after meeting with all the ethnic nationalities that make up the mandate areas as enshrined in the law establishing DESOPADEC. “

He also expressed hope that the Presidents General have consulted adequately with the people in their various communities and with relevant inputs from the traditional rulers, so that government will implement the wishes of the people.

He said that Governor Okowa had emphasized on infrastructure and human capital development in the mandate areas, assuring that relevant departments at DESOPADEC will look into issues raised during the interactive session.

Although he emphasized that funds accruing to the Commission are limited, he promised that the 14 percent due to Isoko people will be given to the Isoko nation, saying that every Isoko clan will be carried along in DESOPADEC plan to ensure that all the communities are touched.

According to him, “We are not there for ourselves but to serve you.”

On Umeh road, he directed the Executive Director Project to embark on a site inspection to ascertain the scope of work to be done as he pledged to make it a legacy project.

On the demand for the review of scope of all old and existing projects and their designs, he said DESOPADEC will interface with IDU to identify the projects.

While assuring that all ongoing projects earlier embarked upon by DESOPADEC will be completed, he said that “As an approach, we have agreed that 60 percent of every of our projects will be devoted to ongoing projects while 40 percent will go for the new ones.”

He also emphasized that every project handled by DESOPADEC is usually executed based on the quantum of oil production with Itsekiris – 29 % production, Ijaws – 27 % production, Urhobos – 21 % production, Isokos – 14 % production and Ndokwas – 9 % production

Responding shortly after the meeting, HRM Joseph Idiare Oriagha1, Odiologbo of Oyede who submitted that “DESOPADEC under Bashorun Askia has woken up to the new system of constructive governance”, saying that the fulfilment of the Commission’s agenda would be awesome for the Isoko people and Deltans in general. He said that the representatives of Isoko nation in DESOPADEC are persons who have good integrity.

The President General of Ozoro clan, Mr. Areh during a vote of thanks lauded the Managing Director/CEO of DESOPADEC and his team for the meeting and prayed for God’s enablement to fulfill the promises made to the people.

Present at the enlarge meeting were Traditional Rulers across Isoko land, all DESOPADEC team led by the MD/CEO, all Presidents General, Chairmen and Secretaries of various Clans.

*Albert OGRAKA writes from the office of the MD/CEO DESOPADEC.

-Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA):

The Committee constituted by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Board of Trustees, BOT, to look into the Minority leadership crisis in the House of Representatives, has finally submitted its report.

Chairman of the Committee and former President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, along with a member of the committee, former Senate President Senator Adolphus Wabara, submitted the report to the PDP BOT Chairman, Senator Walid Jibrin on Monday, 9th September, 2019 in his Legacy Building office, Abuja.

Other Members of the Committee included; former Senate president, Senator David Mark, a former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ibrahim Mantu and a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Austin Opara.

In the report sighted and perused by our correspondent, the committee unanimously exonerated Hon. Ndudi Elumelu and 6 others of any complicity in the nomination and official announcement of the minority leadership of the House of Representatives.

The committee in its recommendation, also advised the National Working Committee, NWC, of the PDP to work with Hon. Ndudi Elumelu and other minority leadership officers of the House, for the purpose of having a united and stronger PDP in the National Assembly, even as it admonished the leadership of the Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives to, at all times, continue to carry members of the minority caucus and the leadership of the party along, in consonance with the rules and tenets of democratic principles.

Speaking at the brief, but impressive ceremony, the PDP BOT Chairman, Senator Walid Jibrin, commended the Chairman and members of the committee for a job well done and said that the BOT will look into the report and come up with its ruling and recommendations soon.

-Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA): -From Michael EKOKORUWE:

The executive members of Olomoro community over the weekend held the community conference and rendered stewardship of successful administration to the people of the area. The conference was held at Olomoro civic center, Isoko South local government area of Delta State.

Speaking to newsmen, the president general of Olomoro community, pastor Blessing Agboro enumerated some of the achievements of his administration within the past two years to the quarter’s representatives, branch representatives from various states in Nigeria and selected representatives from villages of the community.

He stated that for the first time, Olomoro community illustrious son, hon. Ferguson Onwo won Isoko South constituency 2 seat to become member Delta State house of Assembly. Agboro added that, his administration also installed new transformer for the transmission of electricity to the people of the area.

“The construction of internal roads through DESOPADEC, especially the interlocking of the palace road, installation of street lights and other infrastructural developments in the community were attracted during my tenure “, he said.

The president general posited that, among other projects lined up for completion in few months time are; the renovation of Olomoro community quarters town hall, coppers lodge and construction of more internal roads using interlocking methods in the community.

Agboro said, during the conference, Olomoro community electoral committee members were constituted to organize the community election scheduled to hold few months time even as the tenure of the present executives ends by December 2019.

In attendance were Chief Sunny Akpotu, secretary OML 30 Community Development Board, past president generals of the community, Branch representatives from various states in Nigeria and a cross section of Edio, Iletu, women and youths from the three quarters and villages of the community.

-Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA):

The O5 Initiative pet project of the wife of the Delta state governor, Dame Edith Okowa, has commemorated the World Charity Day with patients at the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Delta state by paying the hospital bills of 23 patients who had spent several months at the hospital after their discharge.

The Founder of the O5 Initiative and First Lady of Delta State, Dame Edith Okowa, who was represented by the Wife of the Delta State Deputy Governor, Engr. (Mrs) Ebierin Otuaro PhD, admonished Nigerians not to only think of themselves as there are needy people around them.
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“We have the needy around us, some are faced with health concerns and cannot afford to buy drugs or pay their hospital bills. Many children are roaming the streets due to their parent’s inability to pay their fees”.

She therefore called on well-meaning individuals and organizations to come to the aid of the down trodden, saying the occasion calls for the opportunity to raise awareness and provide a platform to carry out charitable work, “that is why we are cashing in to contribute our quota to humanity”.

The governor’s wife appreciated the management of FMC for partnering 0’5 Initiative and congratulated the beneficiaries who God’s grace saw them through.

The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of FMC, Dr. Victor Osiatuma, commended the governor’s wife and her team for their charitable works especially her role in the health facility on yearly basis.

“We have on record numerous philanthropic gestures and developmental activities herself and her husband, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa have contributed to the growth of our hospital. They have given massive succour and alleviated the plights of our patients through regular defray of unsettled bills”.

He recalled that in 2017 and 2018, Dame Okowa defrayed the bill for 13 indigent patients totalling N4.5 million and 22 other patients for N5.12 million respectively.

One of the beneficiaries, James Mordi who spoke on behalf of others commended 0’5 Initiative for coming to their rescue.

Speaking in an interview, Mordi, a 23-year-old driver with a new generation bank under contract, disclosed that he has lost his job as a result of the accident.

Mordi, who hails from Onicha-Olona, Aniocha north local government area of the state, while narrating his ordeal, disclosed that a trailer which failed brake ram into them in Lagos on 5th of May 2018.

He revealed that the general hospital in Ikorodu area of Lagos tried their best but could not get positive result which forced him to demand for discharge and subsequent referral to FMC Asaba.

Hear him: “They tried their best in Ikorodu general hospital but they could not. They now referred me here since on 25 of December 2018. So, since then till now I have been here.

“I could not pay, the point was that the leg was really bad, they wanted to amputate the leg but I refused; with God on my side and i have faith in God the leg will be restored and this is where they treated the leg”, disclosing that he spent over N350, 000 in Lagos before coming back home”.

According to him, he was charged over N812, 000 but was able to offset it to N717, 150, 000 which was settled by the wife of the governor, “I spent almost seven months in Lagos and before my discharge, I spent another seven months here and about three months after my discharge because I could not pay the bills”.

He thanked Dame Okowa for her heart of gold and prayed God to bless her while soliciting for more financial assistance as he returns home.

-Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA):

A pan Niger Delta group, the Esan Solidarity Movement of Niger Delta, ESMOND, has applauded President Muhammadu Buhari for the well meaning decision to constitute a substantive Board for the Niger Delta Development Commission. NDDC, with his approval of the appointment of seasoned administrators, professionals and well respected sons and daughters from the region, to manage the affairs of the interventionist agency.

Their nod of consent for the President’s action, was contained in a statement issued and jointly signed by the National Coordinator of the group, Princess Edugie Laura Enosegbe, Secretary, Mr. Owobu Ellias and the Publicity Secretary, Prince Franky Okojie, after a crucial meeting in Warri, Delta state.

Highlighting the fact that the Niger Delta Development Commission is a federal government agency established by former president Olusegun Obasanjo in year 2000, with the sole mandate of developing every corner of the oil-rich Niger Delta region of Nigeria, the group noted that what President Buhari has done with the appointments into the new NDDC Board, is to ensure that there is a balance in the development of the Niger Delta area and every oil producing community is made to feel the impact of Federal presence with appointments into the NDDC top management.

The statement reads: “For the avoidance of doubt, we are in support of the appointments into the NDDC Board, for the simple and clear fact that every single member of the new board, including the Chairman designate and Managing Director designate, is from an oil producing community in the Niger Delta, as stipulated by the NDDC Act.

“We are indeed pleased to inform Nigerians that Rt. Hon. (Dr) Pius Egberanmwen Odubu, the NDDC Chairman-designate and immediate past Deputy Governor of Edo state, is a distinguished Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, with over 33 years cognate experience, and he hails from Urhomehe in Urhonigbe North Ward, Orhionmwon Local Governrnent Area, which is one of the oil producing communities of Edo State.

“The Managing Director, MD-designate, Olorogun Bernard Okumagba, who served Delta state meritoriously as a multiple commissioner of Finance and Budget and Economic planning at different times, is a banker per excellence, financial guru and an economist of the highest repute, and he comes from the great Okumagba Dynasty of Okrere Urhobo Kingdom of Warri South West LGA, paternally while his mother is from Ukpiovwin, an oil and gas producing community in Udu Local Government Area.

“His paternal grand mother is from Edjeba and it is on record that the area where you have NPDC largest office in Delta state, is jointly owned by the Edjeba and Okere Urhobo Communities, which are both heavily oil impacted and involved Urhobo Communities in Warri South Local Government Area.

“Based therefore on the same NDDC Act of 2000, which has been quoted copiously out of context in this matter, both the excellent Dr. Pius Odubu and the brilliant Olorogun Bernard Okumagba, who have served the whole of Edo State and Delta state individually and with great distinction, are eminently qualified for the Chairman and MD, positions of NDDC, since they are paternally and maternally from oil and gas producing and oil impacted communities in Edo and Delta States, respectively.

“We have no doubts whatsoever that all those appointed into the new NDDC Board are men and women of integrity and proven track records of quality service in all their endeavours and we are convinced that they will bring their professional skills and administrative competence to bear as they discharge their new responsibilities, in turning around the fortunes of NDDC for the good of the Niger Delta people.

“We therefore urge Mr. President to proceed with the confirmation of these distinguished Niger Delta and Nigerian sons and daughters he has already appointed to make up the new NDDC management, as we are very confident that his resolve to reconstitute a permanent board for the Commission, will definitely strengthen and transform the interventionist agency in line with the mandate for which the idea of a Niger Delta Development Commission, was conceived and inaugurated,” the statement concluded.

-Blank NEWS Online (Philadelphia, USA):

Chief Ighoyota Amori, Chairman, Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency has called on Urhobo People all over the World to unite more than ever to ensure that an Urhobo Son or daughter emerges as Governor in 2023.

Making his impressions after the Plenary Session of the Urhobo Progress Union, America (UPUA) Annual Convention at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel, Philadelphia, United States of America, he stated that the Unity, Progress and Pride of Place of Urhobo Nation is Non negotiable and that Urhobo People all over the World must speak with one voice more than ever as the greater good of Urhobo Nation producing the next Governor of Delta State in 2023 must never be compromised.

He commended the Leadership and Members of the Urhobo Progress Union, America (UPUA) led by Dr. Bernice Onome Dema for forging a United Front and for making Urhobo Nation Proud in America.

Chief Ighoyota Amori a foremost Patriot of Urhobo Nation called for the continuous support by Urhobo People in America for the administration of His Excellency, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa’s whom he described as very Urhobo Friendly.

-Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA):

In a bid to sustain the payment of its counterpart fund to the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Delta Executive Council has approved the release of N1.5 billion for funding of primary education in the state for 2019.

The outcome of the Executive Council meeting presided over by the state governor, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa in Asaba on Tuesday was made known to media representatives by the Commissioner for Information in the state, Mr Charles Aniagwu at a well-attended briefing organized by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Olisa Ifeajika.

Aniagwu, in a joint briefing with his Youths Development counterpart, Mr Ifeanyi Egwuyenga, said that Delta was one of the few states consistent with payment of the counterpart fund to UBEC.

He explained that the state government was consistent with the payment because of the premium it attached to education and resolve that Deltans should have the best of every positive development in the country.

“Delta is a peculiar state and our governor is passionate about education and as such, when the issue of counterpart-funding for UBEC was raised and deliberated on, it was approved by the Exco.

“This has made Delta the most consistent in paying of the counterpart fund,’’ he said.

The commissioner also stated that “because of influx of people to Delta and Asaba in particular due to the peaceful and progressive nature of the state, Exco approved the establishment of one new primary school and another secondary school in Asaba metropolis.

“We know the importance of education to the lives of our people and we are also aware of the passion of the people when it has to do with education, so, we should expect more schools to be established in the future.

“We must give accolades to the administration of our Governor, because a lot of schools were also established during his first tenure.

“It is also gladdening to note that a Project Monitoring Unit was approved by the Exco to ensure that projects executed in the state are done to specifications and delivered on schedule.

“The approval is in line with our governor’s desire to deliver projects that will touch the lives of the people for a long time to come.’’

He added that Exco also approved the review of the cost for construction of Igbide-Irri internal roads.

Aniagwu decried the deplorable state of federal roads in the state, and urged the Federal Government to speedily intervene in the reconstruction of the roads.

He disclosed that in addition to other approvals, Exco also approved the 2020 Work-Plan for the Job Creation Office, and that all markets constructed by the state government had been were handed over to local government councils for management.

“The issue of job creation was also discussed and based on the need to ensure that more Deltans, especially the youths, are positively engaged in the next four years, the Directorate of Youths Development will collaborate with other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to engage the youths.’’

On his part, Egwuyenga said “our governor wants collaboration across MDAs to ensure the effectiveness and opening of more frontiers for the youths to be engaged.

“He wants that opportunity for youths to be employed and also be employable.

“Exco agreed that there was a need to expand other entrepreneurial opportunities and to look critically into the mindset and value orientation of youths, because it is clearly so desired.

“So, we have a direction and a value system where youths need to have a different perception as we currently have.

“We looked at value orientation for youths and the need to expand every opportunity that will ensure that youths fare better.”

-Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA):

River Niger Sand Dealers in Asaba, Delta State, have absolved the police of alleged complicity and favouritism in the subsisting feud between the group and their opponents of Sand Dealers Multi-Purpose Co-operative Society led by David Ossai (aka Jah Dave).

David Ossai of the Sand Dealers Multi-Purpose Co-operative Society recently petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Mohammed Adamu, and addressed the press, alleging failure by the State Commissioner of Police to enforce a Benin Federal High Court judgment granting members of the group right to dredge banks of the Asaba River Niger.

But in a swift reaction, the Secretary of the River Niger Sand Dealers, Comrade Victor Nnalue, while also briefing the press, revealed that the said Benin Court judgment had expired, having been voided by a Lagos Court of Appeal judgment, which granted the Federal Ministry of Mines and Power the authority to issue dredging licenses as against the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), where the said Jah Dave and his group obtained their outdated licenses.

He referred to a letter to the Commissioner of Police, Delta State, by their legal representative, Mr. C. F. Ebu, which was dated July 22, 2019, whereby they urged the police boss to disregard an application to issue Jah Dave and his group policemen to enforce the said stale judgment by the Benin Court.

The lawyer, in the said letter stated that “in FHC/B/15,259/2008 – River Niger Sand Dealers Multi-Purpose C0-Operative Society Limited Vs Engineer Emmanuel Aguda and others, the Federal High Court upheld their contention that the Minister of Mines had the power to issue licenses for sand dredging”, adding that the decision was upheld by the Court of Appeal, Lagos in CA/B/589/2008 – National Inland Waterways Authority Vs Construction Support Nigeria Limited.

They stated that the River Niger sand dealers obtained their licenses from the appropriate authority and had been carrying out their sand dredging business peacefully without interference.

Speaking further, Comrade Nnalue posited that police were only obeying lawful orders of the court and should not be dragged into enforcing illegality as being canvassed.

-Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA):

The Federal Government has commended Delta State Government for the quality of facilities at the Asaba International Airport, saying the facilities are of international standards.

Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika stated this on Sunday in Asaba shortly after he inspected facilities at the airport.

He noted that the state government has done well in developing the airport to meet international standards especially in the area of upgrade of the runway and other ancilalliary works.

He particularly commended Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for sticking to standards and for ensuring transparency in the concessoning process of the Asaba airport.

“Governor Ifeanyi Okowa is always a very serious minded person, very focused, principled and always committed to doing the right thing, I have been informed how he ensured transparency in the concessioning of the Asaba Airport, adding some of his friends bidded for the Airport and lost and in the interest of his people he didn’t interfere and didn’t care whether his friends lost but what he wanted was quality and the right people to run the airport and I think this is what will help our nation.

“The Asaba airport is strategically located, it is right there at the centre of very many good locations in the country, it is good for business, good for civil aviation, and we are delighted that the Delta State Government has taken aviation as one of the catalyst for growth and development and for identifying and also understanding the importance aviation could add to the economy of the region.

“Am here because we believed that the best way to manage our airports is to concession them to private hands to make them better managed and better operated and to get value for our money.

“The Delta State Government took up the challenge and they attended to so many conferences with us, they dialogued with us at the ministry and they decided on their own to concession the Asaba Airport and here we are after three tedious years, and being fully guided by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission ICRC to put this to reality.

“The Asaba Airport is on its way to being fully concessioned, they have feeder airlines that will operate as well as a principal airline coming in to Asaba and feeding other stations, they have a hotel, Business park, cargo and they have everything here an international airport needs to operate and all of these are from the private sector and if it works, this is a classical example of partnership with the private sector to develop our infrastructure for the common good of our people”.

“This is a modest example of how things should be, we will carry out more of these inspections, as a ministry we are responsible for civil aviation and air transportation in general and we will not be found wanting in this regard. Coming here excites me, it shows me the courage and determination by the State Government to partner with the private sector to develop this airport.

“From what I have seen here and from what we have on ground and also the planned expansion of the terminal building, the Asaba Airport is indeed an international airport in that regard,” he said.

The Minister who was conducted round by the Delta State Commissioner for Information Mr. Charles Aniagwu and Senior Policy Adviser to the Governor Prof. Sylvester Monye was accompanied by the Acting Permanent Secretary Ministry of Aviation Engr. Hassan Musa; Managing Director of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria FAAN Capt. Rabiu Yadudu; and Technical Assistant to the Minister Engr. Ben Tukur.

-Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA):

The Delta State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education is to partner with corporate bodies, individuals and the political class to fully actualise it’s “Back to School Programme”, which is an offshoot of Support-a-School Programme, starting from this new academic session.

The Delta State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Chief Patrick Ukah, made this known during the continuation of a stakeholders meeting and interactive session with Heads of Schools and Chief Inspectors of Education (CIEs) held at Snaps Hall, Federal Government College, Warri.

The commissioner said part of the strategy put in place by the ministry is to liaise with corporate bodies, individuals and the political class to launch the Back To School Programme in public schools by way of cleaning up classrooms, weeding of over-grown grasses and fumigation before school resumption.

Also included in the programme are; the conduct of Refreshers Continuous Assessment Test (RCAT) that forms part of a student’s Continuous Assessment and organisation of Mentoring and Coaching sessions to instill in students the right values and mind-set re-orientation for academic and community volunteer services through social clubs, scholars and role models and to get children of school age off the streets during school hours.

The commissioner said that the Back To School programme hopes to address social vices such as cultism, drug abuse, bullying among others in public schools, which had become a source of worry to the Okowa-administration.

Chief Ukah also informed the Heads of Schools that other measures in place includes the introduction of compulsory inter house sport competitions while the annual Zenith Bank Principals’ Cup, Headmaters’ Cup and School Sports Festival should be taken seriously.

During the interactive session, principals and school heads commended the commissioner for deeming it fit to meet and interact with them and promised that they would continue to put in their best to ensure that the education sector of the state contribute towards building a Stronger Delta.

The stakeholder holder meeting was organized for principals, head teachers and chief inspectors of education in Burutu, Ethiope East & West, Okpe, Sapele, Uvwie, Warri North, Warri South and Warri South West.

-Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA):

A pressure  group,  United Front For Niger Delta  ( UFFND)  has hailed the  appointment of former Commissioner for Finance in Delta State,  Olorogun  Bernard Okumagba as the new Managing  Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission  ( NDDC ) by President Muhammadu Buhari, saying his appointment is in order. 

In a statement at the weekend  signed by its President, Mr Yede  Gerke   the group    congratulated Olorogun Bernard Okumagba on his appointment, saying that he will not disappoint the people of the oil-rich Niger Delta Region 

While describing the appointment of Olorogun  Okumagba, who was also   a former Commissioner for Economic Planning in Delta State  as well deserved, the UFFND  stated  that the new NDDC Managing Director is tested and trusted and has distinguished himself both in private and public life.

According to the group; “We want to commend  President  Muhammadu  Buhari for the appointment  of  Olorogun Bernard    Okumagba,  a renowned technocrat as the new Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission  (NDDC). The President did not make a mistake in  his choice of the new Managing Director of the Commission. He is very capable and he will bring his wealth of experience to bear in the discharge of his duty”.

 “We want to make it clear here that it is the turn of oil-rich Delta State to produce the Managing Director of the Commission and the President did the right thing by picking the Managing Director from  Delta State and so those from Bayelsa State kicking against Delta State producing the Managing Director should join forces with the NDDC Managing Director to chart a new path for the overall development of the Region. Olorogun Bernard Okumagba knows the pains of the people of the region and he is more than qualified for the position of the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission”, the group stated. 

 The group also said; “Olorogun Bernard Okumagba is determined to tackle the  numerous challenges facing the region and so we should all give him the needed support because he cannot do it all alone,  together we can do it better and make the Region the envy of others and the new Managing Director will not let us down , he should be supported as soon as he hit the ground running.

 “He has never failed in any given assignment and the issues affecting the Region are very dear to him and we know that he will  address them  to the betterment of all.   We therefore urge all Stakeholders to give him maximum support”, UFFND added. 

–Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA):

The Isoko National Youth Council (INYC), a body of Isoko youths has has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for approving the appointmentt of the new Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Board.

National President of INYC, Comrade Utomudo Fidelis Obokparo, in a chat with Blank NEWS Online said the new Board members are of good integrity, adding that the entire youths in Delta state are fully behind the choice of Mr. President.

He appealed to all stakeholders in the Niger Delta struggle to support the composition of the Board as approved by President Buhari, saying that anything short of that would become a huge disservice to the oil rich region of the country.

The new Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is made up of the following persons:

S/N Position Name State
1 Chairman – Dr. Pius Odubu – Edo
2 Managing Director – Bernard O. Okumagba – Delta
3 Executive Director Projects – Engr. Otobong Ndem – Akwa Ibom
4 Executive Director Finance & Admin. – Maxwell Okoh – Bayelsa
5 Delta Rep – Prophet Jones Erue – Delta
6 Edo Rep – Chief Victor Ekhator – Edo
7 Rivers Rep – Dr. Joy Yimebe Nunieh – Rivers
8 Abia Rep – Nwogu Nwogu – Abia
9 Bayelsa Rep – Theodore A. Allison – Bayelsa
10 Akwa Ibom Rep – Victor Antai – Akwa Ibom
11 Cross River Rep – Maurice Effiwatt – Cross River
12 Ondo Rep – Olugbenga Elema – Ondo
13 Imo Rep – Hon. Uchegbu Chidiebere Kyrian – Imo
14 Northwest Rep – Aisha Murtala Muhammed – Kano
15 Northeast Rep – Ardo Zubairu – Adamawa
16 Southwest Rep – Engr. Badmus Mutalib – Lagos

-Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA):

Asaba international airport on Friday was besieged with a mammoth crowd of men, women and youths who came from the Aniocha/Oshimili federal constituency, Delta state, to receive Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, minority leader of the Federal House of Representatives, as he visited his constituency for the first time, after emerging minority leader of the House.

Rt. Hon. Elumelu arrived at the Asaba airport with eight members of the House of Representatives cutting across PDP, APC, ADC, from across different states and religions in the country.

Addressing newsmen at the airport, Elumelu said members of the House who visited his constituency with him showed that as soon as they are sworn in as members of the national assembly, party affiliations, tribal and religious inclinations are no longer recognized as they now work together for the good of Nigeria.

He said: “We are one family. We have APC, PDP, APGA, ADC, all of us are here, we are one family. From the day we were sworn in, we became one. And the essence of that is for us to build a formidable nation for our people and ensure that the good dividends of democracy get to our people. So we don’t talk about party once we are on the floor and that is what they are showcasing by coming here with me.”

Elumelu, who was highly elated on seeing the turnout of his constituents to welcome him, told journalists, that he was visiting his constituency, in line with the reformist agenda of the Ninth National Assembly part of which is visiting of constituencies regularly for consultations on what he needed to take back to the floor of the house so that, “we can have a better and a united Nigeria.”

He said the crowd that welcomed him at the airport was a testimony of the love the people has for him, adding that it shows they are happy that for the first time they voted for whom they wanted to represent them in the national assembly.

“They are here to showcase their joy and happiness that they did not only vote for somebody with capacity, but for their son who has gone there to get something home for them,” he enthused.

Answering a question on why he visited former military President Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida in Minna, Niger state, immediately after swearing in, Elumelu said Babangida was the leader of the nation, hence he visited him to pay homage, seek for advise and offer himself for any services or assignments the distinguished leader would wish for him to perform or deliver in the interest of the nation, for the next four years.

On the issue of power probe which the house is demanding in the new assembly, Elumelu said what the people are asking for is not just a probe but they want to know what happened in the power sector and why power has been inconsistent in the nation.

“They want to know why we do not have constant electricity. And of course the house is a vibrant house, you can see them behind me, those are my bosses, they decide what happens on the floor of the house.

“We don’t decide for them, ours is to say what they decide and they have said they want to know what is happening why we don’t have constant electricity in Nigeria. We will do what they want,” Elumelu conceded.

Shedding light on the controversy that surrounded his emergence as the minority leader of the House and the current situation, Elumelu said: “I don’t think there is any more to say. First when you have a parent who feels that you should go to study medicine and you go ahead to study law, there is tendency for them to be upset that you have not taken the line they asked you to follow. But after some time coupled with your humility, by going to ask them for forgiveness, everything will go down well in the end.”

Having emerged minority leader of the House, he said he would run a transparent and open office that would accommodate every member of the House, noting that it is what the members decide at the executive sessions that is brought to plenary for robust debate and deliberation for the good of all Nigerians.

He said: “The function of the leadership of the house is to say what the members have decided. We go into executive sessions, they tell us what they want us to tell the public and what the public should know about and we just say it. So, mine is to bring everybody together, no victor,no vanquished.”

Elumelu, who expressed displeasure over the killings of Nigerians in South Africa and indeed the spate of insecurity in the country, noted that the federal government has a commission on Diaspora and the House of Representatives also has a committee which it has inaugurated, saying: “I believe that as soon as we resume, one of the first things we will look at is that issue and other killings ravaging us in the country. There is no doubt; we have the capacity to handle all these issues.”

He also decried the invasion of the national assembly by the Shi’ites saying the insecurity situation in the country would be on the front burner in the House when it resumes from its recess, even as he stressed that the timely intervention of the Reps, following the invasion by the Shi’ites, led to the release of El-Zakzaky and he was given the opportunity to go to India for treatment.

Speaking on the sidelines of the constituency visit, a member of the House of Representatives from Abia state, Rt. Hon. Darlington Nwokocha who was amongst the eight members that accompanied Rt. Hon. Elumelu to his constituency, declared that the PDP caucus in the House, under the leadership of Elumelu, would carry out a robust opposition that would lead to a better Nigeria.

“Everything you may define as a robust opposition as obtained in the international clime, that is what you should expect from us because we have people that are well experienced, we have people that are fearless, we have people that are constructive.

“We are not going to fight physically, but we will use our intellectual capacity to make sure we achieve anything achievable for Nigerians. And at the end of the day all of us will be glad we did.”

Rt. Hon. Nwokocha, who is the House committee chairman on insurance, described Elumelu as a man with extra-ordinary qualities which attracted the eight members who visited Elumelu’s constituency with him.

According to him: “For you to see this cream of legislators that have come with him, that means he has some extra-ordinary qualities that must have attracted us to this place. If you look at the cream of people that are here, it cuts across regions, Muslims, Christians, tribes, Hausas, Yorubas and every tribe.

“Elumelu is a special breed. He is a man with a very vast knowledge of interpersonal relationships. He is a man that will make sure he feels your pulse at any point in time. He is a man that can guide you aright. His leadership qualities and excellent which I believe every person that wants to grow should emulate.

“I thank God that we are here today. I was thinking that the kind of cordial relationship we have is maybe because we are in Abuja. But today, I can see from the kind of crowd that received us from the airport down to his home that means he is on ground and has a robust relationship with his people even outside his home. So, he is a good man.

“From what I have seen and the kind of projects he has attracted to his place, I pray that the people of this constituency will always send him to represent them in any capacity because it takes a man with great onions to have come up with these kinds of laudable projects. I think the people here will be better off if they continue sending him to represent them.”

Other members of the House of Representatives who joined Hon. Nwokocha on the visit were; Rt. Hon. Jonathan Gaza from Nasarawa state, Femi Bamishe from Ekiti state, Jafaru Ribadu from Adamawa state, Benjamin Mzondu, Benue state, Vincent Ofuwelu, Anambra state and Dr. Okwudili Ezewnakwo from Anambra state.

-Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA):

Delta State Government has reiterated the imperativeness of regular update and upgrading of those charged with the responsibility of driving the implementation machineries to ensure that processes and derivables are in tune with international best practices.

The State Governor, Senator Dr Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa stated this today in Abraka, Ethiope East Local Government while declaring open the third edition of the annual two-day training for civil engineers in the Minisyry of Works.

Governor Okowa who was represented by the Deputy Governor Barr kingsley Burutu Otuaro, disclosed that his administration highly values the partnership of the civil service establishment in the implementation of her programmes.

One of the cardinal programmes of my administration is rural-urban intergration/ urban renewal through massive development of sustainable infrastructure which is critical to achieving the Stronger Delta Vision, the Governor added.

He stated that since the inception of his administration in 2015, government has significantly advanced urban-rural integration with the construction of 455 road projects comprising of 1,269,42kms of roads and 517,34kms of drainage channels across the State.

Governor Okowa maintained that the provision of roads and physical infrastructure is critical to building a stranger and more resilient economy.

“It helps to decrease inequality, creates employment, enhances I dividual productivity, stimulates growth of micro, small and medium scale enterprises and facilitates better living conditions in our communities and cities,” Governor Okowa stated.

He also said that the provision of physical Infrastructures provided services that meet daily requirements of citizens and increased aggregate demand for goods and services that stimulates more production and expansion of the economy.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Works, Chief James Augoye said that the ministry had decided to organize the third edition of the training to keep engineers in the employ of the state government abreast with modern construction techniques and to sharpen their skills while carrying out their assigned responsibilities.

Chief Augoye who noted that some noticeable and positive gians were derived from the first and second editions of the training in respect of projects supervision explained that this made the ministry to institute the training as an annual event.

He appealed to the participants to be serious with the training as the state government had put a lot of mental and financial resources together to organise the programme.

At the closing of the 2-day Annual training, commissioner for Works chief James Augoye disclosed that five engineers will be sent to Las Vegas in the United States of America to attend the 2020 International Civil Engineers Conference.

According to the commissioner, another set of four engineers have been nominated to understudy concrete Mattresses at submar West Africa in Lagos next week.

Chief Augoye also stated that the next technical meeting of engineers in the ministry would be held at the second Niger Bridge under construction to enable the engineers understudy the bridge and have firsthand information about bridge construction.

The commissioner assured the engineers that the communique on their findings at the training workshop would be sent to the governor, as it would form the basis of road construction in the state.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr Fred Edafioghor, thanked Governor Okowa for giving the ministry the opportunity to organize the training.

-Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA):

Sand Dealers Multi-purpose Co-operative Society has cried out over failure of the Delta State Police Command to implement directive given by the Inspector General of Police over the legitimacy of their dredging business at the river banks in Asaba.

As a result of this, David Ossai has called on the Office of the Inspector General of Police (IG) to set up an independent body to ensure the implementation of directive given by the court.

Referring to a legal advice by the Office of the Inspector- General of Police (IG) dated 3rd May 2019, the AIG Zone 5 and the Delta State Commissioner of Police were instructed to obey the court order of the Federal High Court of Benin in suit No. FHC/ B/ CS/ 157/ 2000,to arrest suspects and charge them to court for conspiracy, faceable entry, attempted murder amongst all.

Likewise, on 26th July, 2019, the AIG in a legal advice tagged “ Case of Flagrant disobedience of orders of the Federal High Court With Impunity Criminal Trespass, Forcible Entry, directed the Delta State Police to obey the court order.

Despite all orders given, David Ossai noted that no action has been taken by the police to abide by the judgement of the court.

President of the cooperative, Mr David Ossai alleged that despite having been issued a license by the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to conduct business activities, people have Illegally been carrying out dredging activities on beaches in Asaba.

He alleged their inaction to a perceived compromise of the Police, stating that the present Commissioner of Police in Delta state has made no intent in carrying out orders of the IG and the court.

“Some police are stationed in our beaches to protect those who are in unlawful occupation of our beaches, threatening to arrest us if we come close to the beach” he asserted.

He disclosed that the continuous arrest and imprisonment of members of the Sand Dealers Multi-purpose Co-operative Society have been used as means to disrupt them as illegal workers have taken over their business since 1999.

However, he also mentioned that himself alongside eight of his members were unlawfully imprisoned in 2011 until they were released in 2018, of which they had been refused bail on several occasions.

Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA) –

President Muhammadu Buhari, has, subject to Senate
confirmation, approved the composition of the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The confirmation was contained in a Press statement, issued by Olusegun A. Adekunle, Esq, (KJW) Permanent Secretary (General Services Office), for: Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

It listed the names of the members of the new NDDC Board that will take over from the interim management board headed by Prof. Nelson Brambaifa.

The list has Dr. Pius Odubu, former Edo State Deputy Governor to Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, as Board Chairman, Chief Bernard Okumagba, a former Delta State Commissioner for Finance as the new Managing Director and Prophet Jones Ode Erhue, Delta State All Progressives Congress, APC Chairman, as Delta state Rep on the board, among others.

The new Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is made up of the following persons:

S/N Position Name State
1 Chairman – Dr. Pius Odubu – Edo
2 Managing Director – Bernard O. Okumagba – Delta
3 Executive Director Projects – Engr. Otobong Ndem – Akwa Ibom
4 Executive Director Finance & Admin. – Maxwell Okoh – Bayelsa
5 Delta Rep – Prophet Jones Erue – Delta
6 Edo Rep – Chief Victor Ekhator – Edo
7 Rivers Rep – Dr. Joy Yimebe Nunieh – Rivers
8 Abia Rep – Nwogu Nwogu – Abia
9 Bayelsa Rep – Theodore A. Allison – Bayelsa
10 Akwa Ibom Rep – Victor Antai – Akwa Ibom
11 Cross River Rep – Maurice Effiwatt – Cross River
12 Ondo Rep – Olugbenga Elema – Ondo
13 Imo Rep – Hon. Uchegbu Chidiebere Kyrian – Imo
14 Northwest Rep – Aisha Murtala Muhammed – Kano
15 Northeast Rep – Ardo Zubairu – Adamawa
16 Southwest Rep – Engr. Badmus Mutalib – Lagos

2. The interim management headed by Prof. Nelson Brambaifa has been directed to hand-over to the most senior Director in the Commission.

3. The Chairman and members of the newly composed Governing Board are by this release invited to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on Monday, 2nd September, 2019 at 2.00 p.m for proper documentation and briefing. They are to come along with their updated CVs and valid identification.

Olusegun A. Adekunle, Esq, (KJW)
Permanent Secretary (General Services Office)
for: Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

“We Have Achieved Purposeful Governance, Delivery Of Democracy Dividends” -Bashorun Askia MD/CEO DESOPADEC

-By Prosper Edo/Albert OGRAKA:

WARRI – As Deltans, all over the world celebrate the 28th anniversary of the creation of Delta state today, August 27, 2019, tthe Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Bashorun Askia Ogieh FCNA, CrFA, has enjoined Deltans to be steadfast and committed to the spirit of one Delta as we celebrate.

The DESOPADEC MD/CEO in his goodwill message reassured Deltans of better days ahead under the leadership of His Excellency Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, saying the state has accomplished purposeful governance and delivery of democracy dividends to the electorate.

“I strongly believe in the Delta spirit and in the ideology of a Stronger Delta that is so visible with Okowa as Governor and the overwhelming support the People are giving him”, Askia stated.

The DESOPADEC MD/CEO said that Delta state, despite myriad of socio-economic and developmental hitches, has weathered the storm as a result of the leadership prowesses of those who held the mantle of governance of the state since its creation in 1991.

Speaking on the state of DESOPADEC, he assured that the present management, in readiness to driving the vision of His Excellency, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa through the legal instrumentality of the Commission, has initiated a well planned strategy, through consultations with key stakeholders, to fairly represent the interest of all oil producing communities in the state.

Bashorun Askia revealed that the road map for the new DESOPADEC Board is aimed at changing the erstwhile narratives and bringing about a rejuvenation of the fortunes of the people, through adequate provisions of basic amenities, people-oriented infrastructure projects and human capital development programmes among the youths.

He assured that his administration would continue to build on the gains recorded by his predecessors in order to achieve the Commission’s goals and objectives.

He emphasized that the enduring development activities of DESOPADEC in the mandate oil bearing communities in the state, coupled with the establishment of the Warri/Uvwie and Environs Development Agency, and the existing Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency by His Excellency, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, have further scaled up development across the state, especially in rural and riverside communities.

While urging Deltans to sustain and intensify their support for the state government’s policies, programmes and projects, he assured them that the successful re-election and inauguration of His Excellency, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, have re-energised the present administration’s resolve to vigorously deliver on its mandate to build a Stronger Delta.

Delta Governor, Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, has congratulated Deltans on the 28th anniversary of the creation of the State.

In a message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, in Asaba, the governor thanked the people of the state for their resilience, patience, cooperation and support to all administrations that had governed the State in the last 28 years.

He assured that his administration would continue to build on the gains recorded by his predecessors in order to create a stronger Delta .

Felicitating with citizens of the State on the anniversary, the governor said “our beloved State has continued to blossom in spite of challenges confronting us as a people.

“My administration appreciates Deltans for their resilience and peaceful co-existence among us.

“In the last four years that we have been on the saddle, we have continued to build on the gains recorded by our predecessors and I assure you that better days are here for all Deltans as we work towards building a stronger Delta of our dream.

“Through Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency, we have done a lot in the past four years, to make Asaba and environs a befitting state capital.

“We have initiated measures to resolve the nagging flooding in the capital territory through network of storm drainages, which are nearing completion, in addition to two new ones whose contracts were recently awarded.”

The governor restated his appreciation to the people for renewing their mandate to him through a resounding victory at the last general elections, engendered by their overwhelming votes.

“With the re-election and inauguration, we have been re-energised to vigorously deliver on our SMART Agenda drive. I assure Deltans that with their support, we will do more,” he said.

He added that to address critical infrastructural needs in Warri and Effurun axis, “we have created Warri/Uvwie and Environs Development Agency, and we will continue to scale up development in rural and riverside communities in the state.

“The recent inauguration of road projects in Ijaw and Itsekiri coastal communities by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is a testimony of our resolve to build a Stronger Delta for our people.

“As Deltans, we have every reason to celebrate our 28 years anniversary as a State as we remain on the right trajectory to development.

“We will continue to operate within the principles of equity, fair play and friendship, which have largely created the atmosphere for peace and development in the State.”

Delta and 11 other states, including Edo, were created on Aug. 27, 1991 by the military regime headed by Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.

–From Mike Sogbola:

The Boko Haram insurgents have set ablaze 73 houses and 28 shops in Thursday’s attack on three Borno villages, the state government revealed on Saturday.

The governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Umara, had complained to President Muhammadu Buhari of the increased attacks by insurgents in the state.

At a meeting with the President, the governor had said three local governments, Gubio, Magumeri and Konduga, were attacked in the last one week.

The governor, who arrived the state capital Maiduguri on Friday evening after the meeting with the President, was told by the chairperson of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Hajiya Yabawa Kolo that a total of 73 houses and ‎28 shops were torched in the attack by Boko Haram on three villages of Konduga local government on Thursday night.

The Governor was informed by the chairperson while undertaking an impact assessment visit to affected villages in Konduga on Saturday.

In Borri, one of the three villages torched by the insurgents, the governor was informed by Kolo that around 8pm of August 22, the insurgents attacked and set ablaze 17 houses and four shops in the village.

Kolo also told the governor that in Wanori village, 34 houses and 18 shops were set ablaze and in Kaleri-Abdule village, 22 houses and six shops were torched.

The Governor, who went round to see things before meeting residents and community leaders affected ‎by the attack, promised the immediate reconstruction of houses destroyed.

He said modern houses will replace those destroyed, he disclosed that he had received assurances from President Buhari previous day with respect to concerted efforts by the federal government to enhance security in Borno State.

During the visit, the governor held discussions with youth volunteers under the Civilian JTF, who have been helping with community policing.

The volunteers told the Governor they were short of patrol vehicles with the Governor promising them two brand new patrol vehicles to be given to them immediately.

The Okpe Advocacy Group (OAG) has castigated the Centre for Human Rights and Anti-Corruption (CHURAC) for its attack on the Chairman of the Delta state Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) Hon. Michael Diden, aka Ejele, and seeking to go to court to nullify his appointment.

AOG in a statement Thursday, August 22, 2019 and signed by its National Chairman, Mr. Austin Okubor and Secretary, Comrade Efe Dafe called attention to a story published recently in a national newspaper, in which CHURAC was said to have stated in a statement by its Board of Trustees (BOT) Mr. Oyikedi Fuofegha that the group was going to court to ask it to nullify the appointment Hon. Diden by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

OAG picked holes in the claims of CHURAC to the effect that Hon. Diden’s appointment is a negation of Section 7 (1) a, b, and c, and (2) a and b of the DESOPADEC law 2015 as amended in 2019, arguing that Diden cannot be validly appointed as DESOPADEC’s chairman when the governor had previously appointed one Godwin Ebose from the same Itsekiri ethnic nationality as DESOPADEC’s board chairman.

CHURAC was also quoted as insisting “that by virtue of Section 15 (1), (2) a and b and (3) of the DESOPADEC law 2015 as amended, that Governor Okowa cannot nominate for appointment any person as a member of the governing board of DESOPADEC whose ethnic nationality produced the immediate past board member of the same office. Therefore that an Itsekiri man cannot by virtue of the DESOPADEC law as amended be appointed chairman after another Itsekiri man , Godwin Ebosa was chairman of DESOPADEC in 2015. To CHURAC therefore, Diden’s appointment “is an aberration” , arguing that “no ethnic nationality who has produced or is producing either the chairman, the managing director or the executive directors can succeed itself without following the rotational circle as provided in the DESOPADEC law.”

OAG, a socio-political pressure group for the advancement of Okpe interests, took serious exception to the statement of CHURAC saying that it sympathized with the group for exhibiting poor understanding of issues about Hon. Michael Diden.

OAG stated: “The group needs to be informed that Hon. Diden is a well-rounded political figure who is very well acknowledged by all for his good works as a person, politician and community leader across many divides, including maternal and paternal.

“It is therefore, important to ask CHURAC if it is wrong for a Nigerian citizen, and specifically a Deltan, to be a product of a father and a mother of distinct ethnic nationalities. It was expected of the so-called anti-corruption group to have done some home work by trying to find out why the governor chose to appoint Diden as chairman, even when he was the same governor that appointed Godwin Ebosa as chairman in 2015.

“We believe that if they had cared to find answers to what seem to them a puzzle, their findings would have removed the fog and make this their journey to nowhere unnecessary.”

Arguing further, OAG stated: “While we will not dignify CHURAC and its shameless sponsors by educating them on the biography of the amiable Hon. Diden, they should be instructed that the one they are bellyaching and up in arms against is not DESOPADEC chairman on the slot of the Itsekiri ethnic nationality, but on the slot of the Urhobo ethnic nationality by virtue of his father being an Okpe man. Of course, it is an obvious fact that Okpe is the core of Urhobo ethnic nationality.

“The good thing going for Hon. Diden is that whenever he appears in Itsekiri land or Urhobo land, he is a son. It is this attribute of sonship in both places that made the Itsekiri in Warri North Local Government to find him worthy, and elected him as Council chairman, and extended same gesture to him when he was elected again to represent them in the Delta State House of Assembly. Those were elective positions.

“We make bold to say that this value that his mother’s people, the Itsekiri, found in him, that made them to consider him worthy of casting their votes for him, and lead them at the Council as Chairman and as their representative in the House of Assembly did not reduce the value which his father’s people in Okpe, in the Urhobo ethnic nationality also have in him.

“This is the reason that when the governor consulted with us as stakeholders for our consent to appoint Diden as DESOPADEC chairman, we welcomed the idea wholeheartedly because Diden is our son, and we cannot deny him.”

OAG therefore, debunked CHURAC’s claims, stating: “We therefore, disprove CHURAC’s churlish claim that the appointment of Diden as chairman of DESOPADEC board is an aberration, and we dismiss its ranting as infantile, crude, vulgar, and a misplaced aggression that is uncalled for.

“The exploits and good works rendered by Diden in Warri North LGA and in the state House of Assembly will remain indelible and will continue to rebound to his credit as a political craftsman. And now that his father’s place requires his services on their slot as DESOPADEC chairman, he cannot be denied.

“It is against this background that we berate CHURAC for dabbling into what it cannot defend; not being a stakeholder in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the politics of the party,” OAG stated, adding: “Indeed, CHURAC’s rude and ill-bred attack on the person of Hon. Michael Diden should be seen for what it is, the posturing of a meddlesome interloper.

“Is the group which claims to be a human rights body opposed to the right of Diden to be nominated by his father’s people for appointment?”, it asked.

Abia
Dr. Uchechukwu Ogah
Minister of State Mines and Steel Development

Adamawa
Muhammadu Musa Bello
Minister of Federal Capital Territory

Akwa Ibom
Sen. Godswill Akpabio
Minister of Niger Delta

Anambra
Dr. Chris N. Ngige
Minister of Labour and Employment

Anambra
Sharon O. Ikeazor
Minister of State Environment

Bauchi
Adamu Adamu
Minister of Education

Bauchi
Amb. Mariam Y. Katagum
Minister of State Industry, Trade and Investment

Bayelsa
Timipre Sylva
Minister of State Petroleum Resource

Benue
Sen. George Akume
Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs

Borno
Mustapha Baba Shehuri
Minister of State Agriculture and Rural Development

Cross River
Goddy Jedy – Agba
Minister of State Power

Delta
Festus Keyamo, SAN
Minister of State Niger Delta

Ebonyi
Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu
Minister of Science and Technology

Edo
Dr. Osagie Ehanire
Minister of Health

Edo
Clement IKanade Agba
Minister of State Budget and National Planning

Ekiti
Otunba Richard Adeniyi Adebayo
Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment

Enugu
Geoffrey Onyeama
Minister of Foreign Affairs

Gombe
Dr. Ali Isa Ibrahim Pantami
Minister of Communications

Imo
Emeka Nwajiuba
Minister of State Education

Jigawa
Engr. Suleiman H. Adamu
Minister of Water Resources

Kaduna
Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed
Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning

Kaduna
Dr. Muhammad Mahmoud
Minister of Environment

Kano
Sabo Nanono
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development

Kano
Maj. Gen. (RTD) Bashir Salihi Magashi
Minister of Defence

Katsina
Mr. President
Minister of Petroleum Resources

Katsina
Sen. Hadi Sirika
Minister of Aviation

Kebbi
Abubakar Malami
Honourable Attorney General and Minister of Justice

Kogi
Ramatu Tijjani
Minister of State Federal Capital Territory

Kwara
Lai Mohammed
Minister of Information and Culture

Kwara
Gbemisola Saraki
Minister of State Transportation

Lagos
Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN)
Minister of Works and Housing

Lagos
Sen. Adeleke O. Mamora
Minister of State Health

Nasarawa
Mohammed H. Abdullahi
Minister of State Science and Technology

Niger
Amb. Zubairu Dada
Minister of State Foreign Affairs

Ogun
Arch. Olamilekan Adegbite
Minister of Mines and Steel Development

Ondo
Sen. Tayo D. Alasoadura
Minister of State Labour and Employment

Osun
Rauf Aregbesola
Minister of Interior

Oyo
Sunday Dare
Minister of Youth and Sports

Plateau
Pauline Tallen
Minister of Women Affairs

Rivers
Rotimi Amaechi
Minister of Transportation

Sokoto
Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi
Minister of Police Affairs

Taraba
Eng. Saleh Mamman
Minister of Power

Yobe
Abubakar D. Aliyu
Minister of State Works and Housing

Zamfara
Sa’adiya Umar Farouk
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development

From Michael Ekokoruwe :

There was pandemonium as residents of Irri and Oleh communities struggled to catch a glimpse of a strange woman alleged to be a witch, who allegedly fell down after an Owl was killed by security night guard at Christ Chosen Deliverance Church Irri, Isoko South local government area of Delta State.

The strange woman alledged to be possessed with witchcraft when confronted said, she flew as a witch from Kwale, Ndokwa East local government area.

When further interrogated, the strange woman with the death owl in hand said, she is waiting for her father and was looking confused even as she could not identify the community and environmental she found her self.

Coincidentally, the General Overseer and founder of Christ Chosen Deliverance Church, Apostle M. T. O. Oki was holding the usual Wednesday morning service at the church auditorium.

Apostle Oki while speaking on the subject “the God of Suddenly” noted that, miracles happen suddenly to those who believed in God’s ability to make impossibility possible.

The news of the strange woman spread to the community just as the crowd rushed to see the owl and the strange woman suspected to be a witch.

The struggle by the people to see and take photograph of the strange woman who was moved from the entrance to the church almost disrupted the morning service as everyone moved into the church auditorium devoid of usher”s control.

Apostle Oki seeing the population of people tripping into the church, preached to them and prayed God to deliver everyone from the bondage of Satan and family enemies.

The clergyman however promised to handover the strange woman alleged to be a witch and the dead owl to the police to avoid the crowd lynching her to death.

Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA):

Babatunde Fashola
Fashola born June 28, 1963 in Lagos State is a lawyer and a politician. He won the governorship election of Lagos State in 2007 and 2011 on the platform of the defunct All Progressives Congress (APC). He was appointed the Minister of Power, Works and Housing by President Buhari in 2015 and has been re-nominated as minister.

Olorunnibe Mamora
Mamora, a medical doctor, is a former speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly. He was elected senator for the Lagos East constituency in 2007. He was appointed Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) in 2018.

Mohammed Abdullahi
Abdullahi was born on December 11, 1956. He began his career in the civil service and rose to become the Bauchi State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice. He won election as governor of Bauchi in 2015 but could not secure a second tenure in 2019.

Godswill Obot Akpabio
Akpabio served two terms as governor of Akwa Ibom State between 2007 and 2015, after which he was elected to the Senate to represent Akwa Ibom North West (Ikot Ekpene) Senatorial District; he served as the Senate Minority Leader of the until he resigned in August 2018 when he defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Earlier in his political career, he had also served as Commissioner for Petroleum and Natural Resources; Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, as well as Lands and Housing between 2002 and 2006 during the administration of Obong Victor Attah.

Akpabio was born on December 9, 1962 and attended Methodist Primary School, Ukana, Essien Udim LGA, Akwa Ibom State, the Federal Government College, Port Harcourt, Rivers State; and the University of Calabar, Cross River State, where he obtained a Degree in Law.

Chris Ngige
Ngige was born on August 8, 1952. He graduated as a medical doctor from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) in 1979 and joined the civil service, serving at the National Assembly and State House clinics at different times before he retired in 1998 as a Deputy Director in the Federal Ministry of Health.

He contested the governorship election in Anambra State in 2003 and won. In August 2005, the Election Petition Tribunal nullified his victory. He challenged the verdict of the tribunal at the Court of Appeal. In March 2006, the appellate court upheld the tribunal’s verdict. In 2010, he contested for governor again and lost. In April 2011, he won senatorial election to represent Anambra Central, on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). Ngige lost his re-election bid in April 2015 and was appointed minister of Labour and Employment in November same year.

Sharon Ikeazor
Ikeazor obtained an LLB Hons in 1984 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1985. In her career, she worked with international oil companies, international consulting and engineering firms, and rose to become the senior vice president of an international consulting firm. She joined politics in January 2011, contested and won the post of the national women leader of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). On the formation of the APC in 2013, she emerged the interim national woman leader of the party.

Adamu Adamu
Adamu was born on May 25, 1956 in Katagum, Bauchi State. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Ahmadu Bello University and a master’s degree in Journalism from Columbia University. He is the immediate past Minister of Education. Before his appointment in November 2015, he was a backpage columnist with Media Trust’s titles.

Timipre Sylvia
Sylva, former governor of Bayelsa State from May 27, 2008 to January 27, 2012 was born July 7, 1964. Before, he was a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly in the 1990s. He served as a Political Adviser to former Bayesla State governor, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha and resigned in 2002. He attended the University of Port Harcourt in Choba, Rivers State where he studied English and Linguistics.

George Akume
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and a Master’s degree in Labour Relations from the University of Ibadan. He became a career civil servant and rose to become a permanent secretary. He became governor of Benue State in 1999 and was re-elected in 2003. In 2007, he won election to represent Benue North-West senatorial zone and was re-elected in 2011 and served as the Minority Leader of the Senate from June 2011 to June 2015. He won a third consecutive term in the 2015 election before he lost in 2019.

Mustapha Baba Shehuri
Shehuri was the immediate past minister of state Power, Works and Housing. He graduated from the University of Maiduguri in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology and Anthropology. Between 1996 and 1997, he served as a Councillor representing the Lamisula/ Jabbamari Ward of Maiduguri Metropolitan under the old non-party electoral system. He was born on July 4th , 1961.

Goddi Jeddi Agba
Agba was born on August 20, 1958. He bagged his first degree in International Studies from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State in 1983 and a Master’s Degree in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos, Akoka. He joined the Federal civil service in September 1984 as an Assistant Secretary II. He has worked in various capacities including personal assistant to the minister of special duties under the presidency, and personal assistant to the minister of state on foreign affairs, personal assistant to the secretary of the state. He joined the Nigerian national Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in 1995 where he rose to the position of head market research, crude oil marketing department and later became the head gas/gas liquids/condensate sales, GGLU Crude Oil Marketing Department. In 2014, he left NNPC to join politics.

Festus Keyamo
Keyamo was born January 21, 1970 in Ughelli, Delta State. He attended Model Primary School and Government College, Ughelli, where he obtained the West African School Certificate in 1986. He later proceeded to Ambrose Alli University at Ekpoma, Edo State where he received a Bachelor of Law degree in 1992 and was called to the Nigerian Bar on December 1993.

He began his legal career in 1993 at Gani Fawehinmi’s Chambers before establishing Festus Keyamo Chambers. He was counsel to the leader of the Niger-Delta Peoples’ Volunteer Force, Mujahid Dokubo-Asari in his trial for treasonable felony and lead counsel in the treason trial of Ralph Uwazuruike, the leader of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB). He was also a counsel in the murder of Bola Ige. Keyamo was elevated to Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in July 2017. In April 2018, he was appointed as the Director of Strategic Communications (Official Spokesperson) of the 2019 re-election bid of President Buhari.

Ogbonnaya Onu
Onu was born December 1, 1951. He obtained grade one with distinction in his West African School Certificate Examination. He also sat for the High School Examination at College of Immaculate Conception (C.I.C) Enugu, graduating as the overall best student. He proceeded to the University of Lagos and graduated with a first class degree in Chemical Engineering in 1976. He went for his doctoral studies at the University of California, Berkeley and obtained a PhD in Chemical engineering in 1980.

He started his political career as an aspirant for a Senatorial seat in the old Imo State on the platform of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN). He also contested for the governorship seat of Abia State in 1991 under the umbrella of the National Republican Convention and won. In 1999, he was the Presidential flag bearer for the All People’s Party (APP) but relinquished the position to Chief Olu Falae after a merger of his party with the Alliance for Democracy (AD). He became the national chairman of the All Nigerian People’s Party (ANPP) in 2010. In November 2015, he was appointed Minister of Science and Technology.

Osagie Ehanire
Born November 4, 1946, Ehanire attended Government College Ibadan, Oyo state and Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Germany where he studied medicine. He went on to the Teaching Hospital of the University of Duisburg and Essen and to the BG Accident Hospital in Duisburg, Germany for his post-graduate education. In 1976, he attended the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland where he obtained postgraduate Diploma in Anaesthetics. He got his Board Certification in both General Surgery and Orthopaedic Trauma Surgery at the Medical Board of North Rhine Westphalia in Duesseldorf, Germany. In 1984, he became a Fellow of West African College of Surgeons.

Clement Agba
Agba attended the then Bendel State University, now Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma and graduated with a B.Sc Economics degree in 1985. He also holds two Masters Degrees in Business Administration, one from the University of Benin, Benin-City with specialization in Management and the other from Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA with specialization in Supply Chain Management.

Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo
Adebayo is a former governor of Ekiti State May 29, 1999 to May 29, 2003. Born February 4, 1958, he attended University of Lagos where he studied Law and obtained (LL.B Hons). He is a member of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the International Bar Association (IBA).

Geoffrey Onyema
Onyeama is the immediate past Minister of Foreign Affairs. Born February 2, 1956. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A) degree in Political Science from Columbia University, New York in 1977 and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A) degree in Law from St John’s College, Cambridge in 1980. He holds a Masters of Law (LL.M) from the London School of Economics and Political Science in 1982 and a Masters of Arts (M.A) in Law from St John’s College, Cambridge in 1984. Onyeama was admitted as a Barrister-at-Law of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 1983 and was also called to the English Bar of the Grey’s Inn in 1981.

Isa Ibrahim Patami
Pantami was October 20, 1972. He attended Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi from where he obtained BTech and MSc degrees. He is a fellow of both British Computer Society (FBCS) and Nigeria Computer Society (FNCS). He was the Director General and CEO of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in Nigeria before his appointment.

Emeka Nwajiuba
Nwajiuba was born on August 20, 1967. He holds an LLM from University of Lagos and PhD University of Jos. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 1999 and served as chairman, House committee on Land, Housing and Works from 1999 to 2003 before contesting for the Imo governorship seat on the platform of APP/ANPP in 2003, 2007 and as CPC candidate in 2011.

Suleiman Adamu
Adamu is the immediate past Minister of Water Resources. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.) from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria Kaduna state

Zainab Ahmed
Ahmed, an accountant is the immediate past Minister of State for Budget and National Planning. She attended Queen Amina College, Kaduna, and later proceeded to have her A’Level in Zaria. She obtained a degree in Accounting from the Ahmadu Bello University in 1981 and an MBA from Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye in 2004.

Ahmed has served the Nigerian public in various high ranking positions, including as managing director of the Kaduna State of Nigeria’s investment company, and also the Chief Finance Officer of the Nigeria mobile telecommunications company.

Mariam Kategu
Katagun is Nigeria’s Permanent Delegate to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

Mohammed Mahmud
Mahmud is a former member of the Kaduna House of Assembly and the current chairman of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC ). He is also the chairman of the Buhari Support Organisation.

Sabo Nanono
Nanono was born in April 11, 1946 and he comes from Tafai-Zakiria district, Kano. He attended Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and later began his career as a clerk in the Central Bank of Nigeria. He worked at the African International Bank for many years but at present, he is retired.

Major Bashir Sani
Sani was appointed governor of Sokoto from August 1990 to January 1992 during the regime of General Ibrahim Babangida but he was retired along with other military chiefs in 1999. He was a legal adviser for the defunct All Nigeria’s People Party (ANPP) and governorship candidate of Democratic People’s Party (DPP) in Kano.

Hadi Sirika
Sirika is from Katsina. He is a former pilot, former member of the House of Representatives and former Senator who represented Katsina North Senatorial district on the platform of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in 2011. He assumed office as the Minister of State on Aviation in November 11, 2015.

Abubakar Malami
Malami was born on April 17, 1967 in Birnin Kebbi, the capital of Kebbi State. He studied law at the Uthman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto and was called to the bar in 1992. He was the legal adviser of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and assumed office as the Minister for Justice and Attorney General of the Federation in 2015.

Ramatu Tijani
Tijani was born June 12, 1970 and hails from Kogi State. She graduated from the Ahmadu Bello University and later worked at the Federal Ministry of Housing. She was the national woman leader of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) but later emerged the national women leader of the APC, a position she held from 2014 to 2018.

Lai Mohammed
Mohammed was born in 1952 and is a native of Oro in Kwara State. He studied French at the Obafemi Awolowo University but later got a degree in law from the University of Lagos. He later co-founded Edu and Mohammed law firm in 1989. In 2003, he contested for governorship of Kwara on the platform of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) and lost. He then went on to serve as chief of staff to former Lagos governor, Bola Tinubu. He was the national publicity secretary of the All Progressives Congress but was later appointed as the minister for information in 2015.

Gbemisola Saraki
Saraki represented Kwara Central Senatorial district on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from 2003 to 2011 but was succeeded by her brother, the immediate past Senate President, Bukola Saraki. She defected to the APC in 2015 and in February 2016, she was appointed as the pro chancellor of the Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa State.

Zubairu Dada
Dada was born March 28, 1952 in Minna, Niger State and attended Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He was the former Nigerian ambassador to Poland under former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Olamilekun Adegbite
Adegbite is the immediate past Ogun State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure.

Omotayo Alaosuadura
Alaosuadura was born in 1949 in Akure, Ondo State. He was appointed the Commissioner for Finance and Planning from 2003 to 2009. In 2015, he won election to represent Ondo Central District at the Senate.

Rauf Aregbesola
Aregbesola born May 25, 1957, served previously as the Lagos Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure. He also served as the governor of Osun State between 2010 and 2018.

Sunday Dare
Dare born May 29, 1966 is a veteran journalist. He hails from Ogbomosho in Oyo State. He was nominated by President Buhari as the executive commissioner at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in August 2016.

Pauline Tallen
Tallen hails from Plateau State and was born January 8, 1959. In 1999, she was appointed Minister of State for science and technology by former President Olusegun Obasanjo. In 2007, she became the deputy governor of Plateau State. She is presently a member, Board of Trustees of the APC.

Chibuike Amaechi
Amaechi born May 27, 1965 served as the fifth governor of Rivers State from 2007 to 2015 on the platform of the PDP. Before then, he was the speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly on the platform of the PDP from 1999 to 2007.

Sale Mamman
Mamman is a long standing member of the APC in Taraba State but not much is known about him besides the fact that he is an engineer.

Abubakar Aliyu
Aliyu was appointed deputy governor of Yobe State in 2009 after the death of his elder brother, the late Governor Mamman Ali and he served as deputy governor for 10 years, making him the longest serving deputy in the country’s history.

Sadiya Umar Farouk
Farouk from Zamfara State graduated from the Ahmadu Bello University in 1998. She is the Federal Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons.

Uchechukwu Samson Ogah
Ogah was born on December 22, 1969. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Banking and Finance from Ogun State University and a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from University of Lagos. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN); Fellow, Institute of Brand Management of Nigeria; Fellow, Nigerian Institute of Shipping; Fellow, Employment & Career and member, Chartered Institute of Bankers.

Mohammed Musa Bello
Bello from Adamawa is the immediate past Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and was born January 8, 1959. He holds a B.Sc. in Management with bias for Banking and Finance as well as an MBA in the same field from the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria. He was the officer in charge of credit and marketing at the ICON Merchant Bank Plc and later served as a Director at Habib Bank Plc, and Managing Director of the Bakabure Industrial Complex, Yola. He was Chairman of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) from 2007 until May 2015 when President Buhari first appointed him a minister.

**Courtesy SUN

The tragedy of our time is the continuous repetition of history by the so called book makers.

Ordinarily one won’t even veer into sordid matters as less time and attention should be thrown at inconsequential issues but history and posterity will not judge us right if we fail to once again point out salient reasons why the most entrepreneurial people, the largest in population in Africa, the African tribe that is most widespread across the globe has boxed itself below regional enclave.

Trending at the moment is the alleged embarrassment, in fact humiliation of one of today’s defender of the Igbo race in Nigeria’s history Sen Ike Ekweremadu.
For them that do not know, Sen Ike Ekweremadu represents Enugu West Senatorial district. He is the immediate past Deputy Senate President. Sen Ekweremadu is one of the finest and most refined senators in the 6th,7th and 8th Senate. He is a very senior ranking member of the red chambers, in fact one of the oldest senators onboard the National Assembly.

A pan-Igbo machinery, Sen Ekweremadu has always stood for Nigerians particularly his Igbo jurisdiction to the admiration of the opposition. These are incontrovertible facts. Sen Ekweremadu demonstrated more during the Operation Python Dance meted out on the Igbo nation in the guise of pushing back Igbo Biafran separatists. He rallied round South East governors to speak out and act against extra judicial killings going on within the country particularly in the South East and ensured that Nnamdi kalu the leader of Biafran separatist was released.

Ekweremadu no doubt is a believer of Igbo emancipation but with a realistic and human approach to issues.

Beyond party lines Sen Ekweremadu has paid his dues as a Nationalist in all ramifications. Asides law making, he has presided meritoriously over the National assembly. Hounding an Ekweremadu reflects the fact that IPOB does not have an understanding of the real issues.

His manhandling in far away Nuremberg Germany by IPOB separatists is to say the least, a concentrated act of cowardice and is grossly despicable.

The above takes us to the mindset of the proponents of Biafra. No doubt they have a very myopic understanding of Nationhood and uncanny sense of history.

They lack the proper understanding of governance and unfortunately trail in wanton arrogance. Their inability to even identify their challenges is most unfortunate. Their lack of material understanding of modern rules of engagements and destroying their best amidst a nation with drought of leadership is most elementary.

In an article I did and published through gamji.com in 2005 I pointed out key Igbo political pitfalls which include pulling down their best. No doubt the Igbos are tagged group B society and very republican. However being a republican does not foreclose identifying credible leadership. Nigeria is going through a horrendous situation arising from a gruesome foundation with the amalgamation of southern and northern protectorate in 1914 and a weird cum weak independence affirmation on a wrong pedestal by the British which the military boys of the 60s through the 70s and 80s took advantage of and reduced Nigeria to shreds of corruption, nepotism, barn of insecurity and nearing a failed state.

For God’s sake Sen Ekweremadu is a lawmaker. His duties are lawmaking, oversight and representation. This he has done excellently well and beyond. As leader of ECOWAS parliament Sen Ekweremadu demonstrated leadership and capacity.

The best and worst of our political class has a sense of belonging within his or her enclave. The Buhari’s, El rufai’s, the Oshiomhole’s, Tinubu’s, the Lai Mohammed’s and more of our time still have a place to lay their hat amongst theirs so why must Ohaneze always dance naked in public? This brings us to the South South mentality question. A Nation which thrives on conquering her best, places so much premium on money and lacks value for proper dialogue cannot go too far in modern parlance and that is why the South South can never ever go with the Biafran theory, never!

When a few rascals sit down, carve out an entity, name it Biafra, adopt a National language, religion, capital etc without recourse to the entities that make up the larger territory, is at best described as territorial terrorism and that is how the South South region see IPOB and the failed Biafran struggle. How would they have shaved the hairs of Urhobo, Ijaw, Efik, Ibibio,Isoko, Istekiri, Anioma, Idoma,Igala, Edo and more in their absence?

The whole world is watching as IPOB has resorted to pulling down its best, disgracing its finest to the admiration of Hausa Fulani hegemony. The harassment and disgraceful conduct of IPOB in Germany is one mis-step too many.

IPOB should immediately apologise to Sen Ekweremadu and seek retribution by going back to the drawing board to set it’s priorities right.

Delta Governor, Sen. (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa, has condemned the attack on Sen. Ike Ekweremadu at the 2nd Annual Igbo Cultural Festival held in Nuremberg, Germany, on Saturday.

Okowa said in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, on Sunday in Asaba, that the incident was pathetic, shameful and an embarrassment to Nigeria.

He stated that Ekweremadu, the immediate past Deputy President of the Senate, had been a great patriot and defender of his people as well as the down trodden, and did not deserve the kind of ill-treatment meted to him by Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) members in Germany.

“I join men of goodwill in condemning the attack on Senator Ike Ekweremadu, who has been a great patriot and leader of exemplary behaviour.

“It is pathetic and shameful that an event organised to chart the way forward for the Igbo race and Nigeria in general ended up in such a disgraceful and embarrassing manner to the country.

“As Nigerians, we are trained to respect our elders and leaders as well as people in authority.

“I am particularly happy that some of the culprits have been arrested and I urge the German authorities to take necessary action on the perpetrators of the heinous act.

“I urge all Nigerians, home and abroad, to be of good behaviour wherever they find themselves as such acts of lawlessness do not bring glory to the nation,” he said

The State Task Force on Human Trafficking and Illegal Migration set up by the Delta State Governor Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa is already being courted by foreign partners as the Grand Explorer Production GEP studio of Russia and Dublin seeks for its collaboration.

The Director of GEP, Debbie Gahan who led her Nigerian counterparts of Vision 360 to a courtesy visit on the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice who is also the Chairman of the State Taskforce on Human Trafficking, Mr. Peter Mrakpor says her organization which was partnering with the Dublin Justice Department was already collaborating with NAPTIP and other relevant government agencies in Nigeria to tackle the menace frontally.

Debbie Gahan who disclosed that her organization produced the Osato movie premiere that captured the experience of a young Nigerian girl trafficked to Dublin, hinted the Attorney-General of their plans to take their advocacy visit to all states of the federation to drum up grassroots support against the human trafficking and illegal migration scourge.

She added that the visit was to seek for partnership with the Delta State Government in the fight against human trafficking in the state.

The Chairman of the State Task Force on Human Trafficking and Illegal Migration, Mr. Peter Mrakpor who expressed delight on the visit, said that the Task force was ready to collaborate with her team and other inter government agencies and NGO’s to create adequate awareness on human trafficking.

While stressing that the Taskforce was not leaving any stone unturned to curb the menace, Barr. Mrakpor disclosed that his team was already partnering with the National Agency for the Prohibition Against Trafficking in Persons NAPTIP, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA and other law enforcement agencies.