“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.

-By Albert OGRAKA/ Prosper EDO:

The Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Bashorun Askia Ogieh FCNA, CrFA, has assured that the present management is committed to driving the vision of His Excellency, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa through the legal instrumentality of the Commission.

Bashorun Askia who stated this during a three-day Workshop for Building Creative Communication/Public Relation Platforms For Strategic Repositioning organized for the Press and Public Affairs Department of DESOPADEC at Sheraton Hotel, Lagos, said “we shall not rest on our oars until every man, woman, boy or girl across our mandate areas feel our impact. We fully understand the mandate and the enormity of the responsibilities before us and we know with clarity of purpose, and our resolute resolve to making a difference, we cannot let Deltans down.”

The capacity building programme which was attended by all Executive Directors of the Commission, according to him, is intended to put in place the right structure that will drive sound mental framework to optimize staff capacity for operational efficiency at the Commission, and to achieve the noble goals and mandate of DESOPADEC.

“One of the cardinal thrusts of this management will be Human Capacity Building. It is our firm belief that, if our human capital resource is well grounded with fresher perspectives, current techniques and is exposed to best practises in work ethics and operational effectiveness, then excellent service delivery will come as a second nature.”

“All our efforts and struggles may end up in futility if they are not properly, professionally and timely communicated with deft precision and creativity. So we have designed this very workshop to set the groundwork for a vibrant Press and Public Affairs unit with a view to enabling the department cultivate and firm up relationships with the media, master the art of crisis communication, handle all forms of reputational risk associated with dealing without publics and most important of all, building a virile image occasioned by our hard work with a view eliciting the right perceptions we deserve from our mandate areas, Deltans and Nigeria at large.”

While calling on all hands to be on deck to actualize the vision of the Commission, Managing Director/ CEO promised not to relent in giving the participants the needed tools, training and motivation to get the work done, insisting that “management requires nothing but the right attitude, discipline and commitment from you all to reposition this Commission.”

-From Crime Desk:

A Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Delta State who was allegedly kidnapped at the weekend along the Benin-Asaba-Onitsha expressway has regained freedom after an alleged payment of N3 Million ransom.

But the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adeyinka Adeleke however denied the incident and the subsequent payment of ransom.

The victim whose name was simply given as Mr. Okoro is in charge of Galilee Police Station, Ute-Ogbeje community in Ika North East Local Government Area of the state.

An insider source at the state police command headquarters in Asaba told our correspondent that the victim was freed by his abductors after a ransom of N3 million was paid.

The said DPO was said to have been kidnapped between Onicha-Ugbo and Issele-Uku on the expressway last Friday by gunmen who shot sporadically before whisking him to unknown destination.

A police source who begged for anonimity revealed that the DPO was on his way to Asaba for official assignment when the hoodlums swooped on him.

He was said to have regained his freedom on Sunday after the negotiated ransom was dropped at a designated location for the abductors to grab.

Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adeyinka Adeleke however denied the incident and the subsequent payment of ransom, saying that it was the DPO’s friend that was allegedly kidnapped on the fateful day.

Adeleke who said he was in touch with the DPO, added that the police will never encourage anybody to pay ransom for their kidnapped friend or relative to be freed.

-From Mike Sogbola:

Borno Governor, Professor Babagana Umara has called for prayers for those in the trenches fighting Boko Haram.

This is just as his Yobe state counterpart, Alhaji Mai-Mala Buni called for prayers for improved security, unity, peace and socio-economic development of Nigeria.

Professor Babagana Umara, in his Eid-el-Kabir message, said the festival should be dedicated and used to offer to soldiers, other armed forces, the Civilian JTF, hunters and vigilantes who despite the festivities, are currently in front lines, making sacrifices in fighting Boko Haram insurgents.

He said many are currently engaging Boko Haram through ground and air operations, particularly around northern Borno, in a continued determination to fully regain peace, and they need to be prayed for by all.

In the Sallah message, sent to our e-mail by the Special Adviser on Public Relations and Strategy, Malam Isa Gusau, the governor said: “With the Eid-el-Kabir being about faith and sacrifices in obedience to Allah, citizens should without losing focus on spiritual essence, also reflect very deeply, that even as we all gather in exciting congregations, share moments with our loved ones, exchange visits and gifts with families and friends, there are soldiers, policemen, other armed forces in the paramilitary and the DSS, volunteers from the Civilian JTF, hunters and vigilantes who are in war fronts sacrificing their safety, sacrificing proximity to their loved ones and sacrificing all the Sallah excitements mainly to ensure that those of us who celebrate the festivities, do so in an atmosphere of sustained peace.”

He said: “As we celebrate, each of us owes these patriotic soldiers, other armed forces and volunteers portions of our time to remember and pray that Allah keeps all of them safe and make them consistently victorious over the Boko Haram insurgents.

“Beside prayers, I appeal to citizens to share whatever they can with families of fallen soldiers, policemen, civilian JTF, hunters and vigilantes within their reach, in recognition and appreciation of the sacrifices made by their bread winners to help in Borno’s desperate search for peace.”

The Governor also urged citizens to remember that there are thousands of fellow brothers and sisters, who are celebrating the Sallah outside their communities as a result of displacement inflicted by insurgents.

He said: “Thousands of orphans; hundreds of old and weak women and men‎ will be celebrating the sallah as displaced persons in government camps within Nigeria and as refugees in republics of Niger, Cameroon and Chad. We owe them prayers for permanent peace and restoration of livelihoods in their communities so that insha’Allah, this will be their last Sallah as IDPs and refugees. Aside prayers, we owe them support. I appeal to citizens to extend kinds gestures to displaced persons within their reach.”

Meanwhile, the governor of Yobe state, Alhaji Mai-Mala Buni, in his Eid-el-Kabir message sent in from Saudi Arabia where he is presently performing the Holy Pilgrimage, asked that: “As part of the lessons of the Eid, we should emulate the examples set by Ibrahim and Ismail (AS) by sacrificing for the good of society and by obeying Allah’s commandments wholeheartedly.”

He said: “We should therefore strive for the attainment of a happy society where we are all our brother’s keepers. This will serve to strengthen our quest for a harmonious, peaceful, disciplined, and just society.”

“I urge all our citizens to continue to uphold the ties that bind all of us either as Muslims or followers of other religions together by showing and exhibiting the well cherished values of respect, kindness, love, generosity and faithfulness in furtherance of our collective wellbeing,” Buni said.

He added that: “I wish to stress that our administration will remain focused and committed to implementing programmes that will take our State to the Next Level in keeping with the policy pronouncements that I made earlier.

“I urge all our people to work with commitment, dedication and make meaningful contributions to enable us collectively build a very robust, vibrant and prosperous State, where all of us will be proud to belong and proud to live in.”

The governor further said that: “In order to achieve our objectives of post-insurgency rehabilitation and peace building following the security challenges that we have faced, I appeal to our citizens to remain vigilant and report the movement of any suspicious individuals or groups to security agencies.

***Seeks Judicial Panel Of Inquiry

The minority caucus of the House of Representatives, has condemned in strong terms, the killing of three police officers allegedly by military personnel in Taraba State and the purported escape of a kidnap kingpin, Alhaji Hamisu Bala Wadume, saying these incidents have further demonstrated why the country was far from winning the war against insecurity.

The caucus said the situation where security agencies turn their guns at one another, leading to the questionable “escape” of hardened criminals pointed to leadership failure in the security sector.

Baring its mind in a press release endorsed by the Minority Leader, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu on Friday 9th August, 2019 and made available to newsmen in Abuja, the caucus’ statement reads in part:

“We are very aggrieved by the killing of three members of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) by soldiers on Ibi-Jalingo road in Taraba State. The gruesome murder of some of Nigeria’s anti-kidnapping and anti-insurgency police intelligence officers shames us before the entire world and highlights, once more, the seeming lack of operational synergy and the unhealthy inter-agency rivalry and sabotage, that keeps Nigeria far from winning the war against escalating insecurity across the nation.

“A situation where policemen on lawful duty are mowed down so gruesomely at the hands of a sister security agency is untenable and demonstrates leadership failure of unspeakable proportions in the security sector. It portrays the nation’s security agencies as working at cross-purposes and infested by fifth columnists.

“We therefore, as opposition lawmakers in the House of Representatives, call on the Federal Government to immediately institute a judicial panel of enquiry into the incident, with a view to unraveling the circumstances that led to the unwarranted incident. It must not be swept under the carpet as usual.

“Whereas the House minority caucus will take up this matter upon resumption of plenary, we also call on the Federal Government of Nigeria to institute a full judicial enquiry into the death and circumstances surrounding the supposed vanishing into the thin air, of an alleged billionaire kidnap kingpin, who has been a high security risk to the society.

“The investigation ordered by the National Security Council at the end of its Thursday, August 8, emergency meeting, appear all too banal and may not yield much if investigations into related events of past years is anything to go by.

“Furthermore, Caesar’s wife must be above suspicion and those entrusted with securing the lives and property of Nigerians must never be above suspicions of conspiracy, aiding, and abating crime or of sabotaging the solving of crimes.

“We, therefore call on the security agencies, particularly the military authorities in this instance, to launch a manhunt for Alhaji Hamisu that will produce him to face the law. Allowing such a dangerous character to reintegrate into the society is a security risk of monumental proportions”, the caucus stated.

The lawmakers sympathised with the Nigeria Police and the family of the deceased over the loss of their officers and loves ones and prayed God to grant the fallen security agents eternal peace, noting that they were heroes, having died in active service to their fatherland.

African Action Congress (AAC) has slammed its 2019 Presidential candidate and convener of #RevolutionNow, Omoyele Sowore suspension for six months.

The suspension took place during a Special Congress of the party held in Owerri, Imo state on Friday, August 09, 2019.

A motion moved by a representative from Plateau state condemned Sowore’s actions of calling for a revolution without the knowledge of the part, saying that the action was a breach of the constitution of the African Action Congress (AAC).

***Watch out for more details…

DELTA Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, has called for greater collaboration between the Federal and State governments to attract positive development to the people at the grassroots.

Speaking on Thursday (08/08/19) when he commissioned The Goldcoast Memorial Market built in memory of Madam Goldcoast Dickson, late mother of the Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr Seriake Dickson, Governor Okowa noted that the people at the grassroots will fare better with good collaborative efforts between the Federal and State Government.

The commissioning exercise which took place at Toru-Orua Town, Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State in the presence of Governor Dickson, Special Adviser to the President on Social Investment, Maryam Uwais, among other dignitaries coincided with the one year remembrance anniversary of Madam Goldcoast Dickson.

“I want to thank God for this project; it is important that when mothers make requests, it should be granted as our mother before her death, requested for the construction of this market, and it is gladdening that the market has been constructed.”

“It is also, heart-warming that the Special Adviser to the President on Social Investment is here to give out Trader’s Money; the beneficiaries are our people at the grassroots because, our people at the different communities benefit more when there is collaboration between the Federal and State government to engage in developmental programmes.”

“I know that 95 per cent of those who trade in markets are women and we are aware that when women have money, the family cannot go hungry; I am glad Trader’s Money is coming to the women who are trading in this market and I congratulate my brother for granting the request of his mother to build this market,” Governor Okowa said.

Dickson had said that he was spurred to construct series of projects, especially, granting his mother’s request to construct the market following his invitation by Governor Okowa to commission projects in Delta State.

He explained that apart from the excitement seen on the faces of the people in areas where roads were commissioned, the ovation that greeted him when he commissioned markets were overwhelming.

Dickson disclosed that though, the mother requested that he construct the market, his experience in Delta was a great inspiration as to how important market is to the women.

As part of the memorial event, a thanksgiving service was held, there was also, fund raising for Seriake Dickson Foundation and a ground breaking ceremony of the Goldcoast Dickson Memorial Cancer Centre.

Export quality yellow garri, the pilot product of the Delta State Government’s Foods Export Initiative has hit grocery shops in the United Kingdom.

This is another significant milestone achievement in Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s determination to develop the agricultural value chain and to diversify the economy towards a stronger Delta.

The cassava product packaged in 2kg and 10kg bags was produced under the utmost hygiene to meet international export standard by the project committee on Delta Foods Export Initiative, chaired by Prof Eric Eboh, the Chief Job and Wealth Creation Officer.

Speaking on behalf of the project implementation committee, Prof Eric Eboh, stated that the Delta Foods Export Initiative is a market-oriented agricultural value chain development intervention, with garri as its pilot product.

According to him, the central goal was not only to create a sustainable assured market for Delta State agricultural products based on fair prices and to breach the gap between farmers and processors, but to create jobs and wealth towards building a stronger Delta.

He said the export quality yellow garri meets all the required international standards of food quality, particularly, the limits to moisture content, hydrogen cyanide and crude fibre as well as being free from microbial contaminants and extraneous materials and organoleptic properties of colour, taste and odour.

Accordingly, the Delta Foods Export Initiative has secured product trademark registration of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investments and quality certification by the National Food and Drugs Administration Council (NAFDAC).

It could be recalled that the 2kg and 10kg high quality packaged Delta Yellow Garri was launched by the State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, on the 24th of January, 2019 in Asaba.

-By Albert OGRAKA:

DELTA State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has said accountability is as an indispensable tool of management and hallmark of his administration and charged all political appointees to embrace it.

The governor stated this on Wednesday in Asaba at the inauguration of the Board of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC).

While congratulating the appointees, he specifically urged members of the Board of DESOPADEC to ensure that projects were executed according to the needs of the people.

“Do not exclude the locals from the process of project execution; I recognize that quite a number of the board members are proven grassroots politicians.

“I trust that you will do the wise thing of involving the host communities in your decision-making process, because it is imperative for peace, cooperation and development, team work, discipline, mutual understanding and cooperation are prerequisites for your success.

“You must be fair, equitable and just, and let me hasten to add that this administration will NOT hesitate to sanction any erring board member in accordance with the provisions of the law.”

The governor, who scored his administration high in project delivery through DESOPADEC, asserted that “after four years of the new regime, I believe there has been better synergy in the management of the agency, quality representation on the board and responsiveness on the part of the agency to the developmental aspirations and environmental concerns of the host communities.

“This is, because during the course of my first tenure, I inaugurated notable infrastructure projects executed by DESOPADEC and I was impressed not only by the quality of these projects but by the fact that they were in tandem with the expectations of the host communities.”

Those inaugurated as members of DESOPADEC Board were Hon. Michael Diden (Chairman), Chief Askia Ogieh (Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer) and Mr Shedrack Agediga, Barr Leonard Anoka, Hon. Daniel Mayuku and Hon. John Nani as Executive Directors respectively.

Others who were inaugurated as representatives of oil producing areas in the state are Mr Grifton Omastsuli, Dr Paul Oweh, Chief Kent Okiemute, Hon. Joyce Overah, Arch. Anselm Nwokenye, Mr. Paul Bebenimibo, Mr. Ikechukwu Akozor, Chief Vincent Oyibode and Dr. Ossai Ochonogor Samuel.”

Responding on behalf of members of DESOPADEC, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Bashorun Askia Ogieh assured the Governor that the new Board would be focused towards ensuring a fair deal with host communities.

He said that there would be a rebranding in the Commission’s activities to meet the yearnings of the oil producing areas in the state, adding the present Board is made up of dedicated and result driven members.

The Delta Online Publishers’ Forum (DOPF) has congratulated Ogbuehi Patrick Ukah on his appointment as a member of the Delta State Executive Council and subsequent deployment to the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education as commissioner.

The body aso felicitated with the Communication Manager, Government House, Mr. Jackson Ekwugum on his re-appointment by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

The congratulatory messages were conveyed in separate letters, and signed by the Chairman Mr. Emmanuel Enebeli and the Secretary, Mr. Shedrack Onitsha.

Felicitating with Ogbueshi Ukah, DOPF stated: “Of course, it needs no telling that in the Governor’s first tenure, you discharged the responsibilities of your office as Commissioner for Information with uncommon zeal, zest and candour. You were able to mobilize and galvanize the entire media genres in the state, and beyond, in a dimension that engaged their respective sense of belonging for effective information dissemination for the full delivery of the administration’s SMART Agenda.

“Today, the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa SMART Agenda is a well known phenomenon in every house hold in Delta State, and into which many have keyed in and are enjoying the resounding benefits. So much so that even external forces have applauded and appreciated what the Governor is doing by giving him awards in recognition of his good deeds, all in just four years.

“It was, therefore, not a surprise when the Governor proposed you again to the House of Assembly for their consent to re-appoint you as a commissioner and member of his cabinet for the second term. It is an expression of his trust in you as a diligent and loyal aide with focus for mandate delivery.

“For us in the Delta Online Publisher Forum (DOPF), you are a friend indeed, and a good bridge builder between us and the government.”

And for Mr. Jackson Ekwugum, DOPF wrote: “Your re-appointment is testimony of the diligence and candour your brought to bear in your work that has endeared you to him as a loyal team player, one that knows his onions.

“Besides, your skill as a tested journalist and an expert in strategic communication has helped in no small measure in bringing the government and the people together through effective communication of the policies, programme and intentions of government to the people.

“The fall out is that Deltans, as well as external publics are kept abreast of the doings of the state government and they have come to appreciate them.

“You are a friend of the Delta Online Publisher’s Forum (DOPF) and we celebrate with you on your re-appointment for the second term.

“As you settle down to work in this second term, we wish you God’s strength, wisdom, protection and good health as you carry on the onerous work as the Communication Manager.”

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) today praised leaders at the World Bank for quickly committing $300 million in aid to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for its efforts to contain and eliminate an outbreak of Ebola in that country that has claimed nearly 1,700 lives.

As of July 12, there have been 2,477 Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that have resulted in 1,655 deaths. In addition, the virus spread to neighboring Uganda, where as of June 24, there have been a total of three confirmed cases of Ebola. All three individuals had recently traveled to the DRC, and all succumbed to the disease.

The World Bank’s commitment of aid comes after the World Health Organization (WHO) finally declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) in the DRC on July 17—a long overdue acknowledgement that the current Ebola outbreak remains uncontained and still poses a significant threat to global health security.

A PHEIC declaration carries legal obligations requiring affected states to cooperate with the WHO in coordinating an outbreak response plan and also puts the global public health community on notice signifying a substantial health security risk to the world.

“We thank the World Bank for stepping up so quickly with this much needed aid to help contain and eliminate the current Ebola outbreak in the Congo,” said AHF President Michael Weinstein. “We have been highly critical of the World Health Organization and its leader, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, for their unconscionable delay in formally recognizing this outbreak as a public health emergency in DRC, but also as the significant global health threat it poses to the world. An emergency declaration is only effective if it’s followed by swift action and we applaud the World Bank for its both its compassion and alacrity delivering this aid. And in order to mount a truly robust response, all available vaccines must be fast-tracked for approval so that a large-scale inoculation campaign can also begin immediately.”

According to a news report by the BBC, the WHO is currently facing a shortfall of $54 million needed to address the outbreak.

AHF operates healthcare programs in two countries currently being affected or being threatened by the outbreak—Uganda and Rwanda. Despite lessons learned from the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa, basic medical equipment and supplies are still in short supply. AHF recently donated thirty-thousand dollars’ worth of medical supplies to Uganda to help protect medical staff in Western Uganda near the DRC border.

*AETOS Wire

-By Albert OGRAKA:

Deltans from oil producing communities, comprising Urhobo, Ijaw, Itsekiri, Isoko and Ndokwa ethnic nationalities, have expressed satisfaction over the appointment of the new Board of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) by Governor Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa.

The host communities, in their numerous statements of appreciations, particularly praised Governor Okowa on the appointment of Bashorun (Hon) Askia Ogieh FCNA, CrFA as the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, after having served meritoriously as the Executive Director of Finance and Administration at DESOPADEC and ensured enduring development policies in the mandate oil bearing communities in the state.

Meanwhile, Bashorun Askia, who was on Tuesday, July 23, 2019 screened and confirmed by the Delta State House of Assembly as the MD/CEO of DESOPADEC, expressed immense appreciation to His Excellency the Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa for his consistent commitment to the development of the DESOPADEC mandate areas.

“In the face of economic challenges, the Governor has continued to fund the activities of the Commission. We (Deltans) are lucky to have Okowa as Governor. We are lucky to have a Man who understands the dynamic of the political, economic and social life of contemporary Deltans and has successfully managed the resources accruing to the State.”

While commending Governor Okowa for his zeal and commitment towards building a Stronger Delta state, Bashorun Askia assured that the team of DESOPADEC Board presently put together by the Governor is competent and determined to ensure that the Commission sustains the prudent financial management of resources and execution of people oriented projects in the DESOPADEC mandate areas of the state.

-From Mike Sogbola:

Over 60 persons were killed at a graveside in Borno State, Chairman of Nganzai local government, Muhammad Bulama, told journalists on Sunday.

Bulama, lamented that the insurgents who were pushed back two weeks ago returned on a reprisal mission on Saturday, killing over 60 persons and injuring 10 others.

The council boss, said the insurgents attacked Badu village and killed over 60 persons and injuring 11 others.

He said: “Two weeks ago, Boko Haram insurgents attacked Badu village but the attack was repelled by the villagers and members of the vigilante group.”

He said in the first attack, the villagers were able to resist the attackers, killed 11 insurgents and recovered 10 AK-47 rifles in the encounter.

He lamented that: “On Saturday at about 11:40 am, the insurgents came on a reprisal mission, attacking mourners at a grave yard in the area, killing over 60 persons and injuring 11 others.”

He said the wounded were brought to the Specialist Hospital, Maiduguri, for treatment.

Attempt at getting the reactions from the military on the attack was unsuccessful as calls to the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Operation Lafiya Dole, Col. Ado Isa, did it go through.

Meanwhile, Borno Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara has reiterated his commitment to supporting security agencies to protect lives and property in the state.

The governor, who visited Gajiram, headquarters of Nganzai local government area of the state, to commiserate with the people over the murder of 60 villagers by Boko Haram insurgents, said the state government would not relent until permanent peace was restored to the state.

Umara while condemning the attack, called on the people to be vigilante and cooperate with security agencies in their communities.

He prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased and the families, the fortitude to bear the loss.

The governor also visited Specialists’ Hospital Maiduguri, and sympathized with persons who sustained injuries in the attack.

By EA Uzumnism

The pendulum swung in favour of Festus Keyamo SAN who took the Senate Chamber on a voyage of legal tourism and moot suggestions during his clearance as a Minister designate. I congratulate him.

As expected, Keyamo seized the floor eliciting his legal sagacity and eloquence. This did not fall short of expectations especially from the gallery. However, an aspect that requires further clarification was the learned SANs attempt to bandage a wound without proper first aid. He suggested: “Unbundling the Supreme Court”.

To the layman, it means creating more Supreme courts in the various regions or federating units. Let’s accept without conceeding that this is the way to go.

The final interpretation of our statutes rests on the Supreme Court and that is where courts of lower jurisdictions draw their ultimate precedent. The doctrines of Res Judicata and Stare decisis are ultimately hinged on it.

Note that we have hierarchies within our judicial system: From the lowest courts – Customary/Magistrate/Area courts to the State High Courts and Federal High Courts (though both are of concurrent jurisdiction), the Court of appeal and finally, the Apex/Supreme court.

At this point, the SC is the final arbiter. Now, an appraisal of some contradictory rulings of High courts and conflicting judgements from the various divisions of the Appeal Court even on very sensitive National issues have been a major pitfall in the development of our legal system.

We have judgements emanating from a competent High Court but the same precedents are not followed even by inferior courts. Some High Courts decline jurisdiction on issues that a court of concurrent jurisdiction in another state assumed jurisdiction. It is even worse at the appellate level where some judgements are clear deviations from established case law authorities even from the Supreme Court.

These issues are very fundamental as it weakens the true taste of justice, erodes the confidence of citizens in the judiciary.

Corruption, Nepotism and conflicting legal orientation play roles here but to a large extent, these issues are most times resolved at the Supreme court.

At the Supreme Court, we have 21 judges with 7 seated and 4 as Quorum but all within the Supreme jurisdiction and it’s jurisdiction is without bounds. I want to believe that the solution is not by increasing the number of Supreme courts but strengthening Judicial Institution with National Judicial Council functioning optimally.

How will increasing the numbers of supreme court eradicate the judicial haemorrhage we have as a Nation?

Now, if we UNBUNDLE the Supreme Court as suggested by Festus Keyamo SAN how does that help the National Judicial Council manage the fallouts of conflicting judgements, or corruption within the judiciary. What about Executive encroachment in terms of references of the NJC? How does UNBUNDLING the Supreme court forestall the appointment of less competent judges in the face of qualified legal luminaries, rather it reinforces ILLEGALITY.

Another question is, which of the courts will be more Supreme? is it the South South Supreme court , the North East supreme court, South West supreme court or North Central Supreme Court?

This is already playing out even in our straitjacket supreme court system where it is believed in some quarters that Western State Judges are believed to be Pro West which I totally disassociate myself from that view. However if you ask average Southerners their opinion on our former CJ, most persons will tell you that His Lordship Justice Walter Onnoghen CJ as he then was, paid the price for being a Southerner.

Today some of the Northern elites are very comfortable with the leadership status-quo of our Apex court even with the attendant challenges it faced during the removal of the former and confirmation of the present.

The suggested legal surgery by Festus Keyamo SAN may lead to more conflicting judgements as our judicial system and nascent democracy cannot guarantee or support such.

Conflict of judgements is a recipe for anarchy, thus let’s strengthen our judicial institutions rather than unbundling the Supreme court to create regional mushroom court which will definitely be easier to compromise.

Amid the intrigues surrounding the Minority Leadership positions of the House of Representatives, it has emerged that a recent petition sent to the Peoples Democratic party, PDP leadership, discrediting the Committee set up by the PDP Board of Trustees to investigate the circumstances surrounding the emergence of Hon. Ndudi Elumelu as Minority Leader and three other Minority Officers, was authored by persons still nursing the futile hope of undoing what has already been concluded, gazetted and reflected appropriately in the votes and proceedings of the House of Representatives.

It will be recalled that a petition entitled: ‘Iyorchia Ayu Committee-Need for Chairman and Secretary to Rescue Themselves,’ dated 17th of July and signed by Solomon Maren, Representing Mangu/Bukkos federal constituency of plateau state and Amos Magaji Gwamma, representing Zango kataf/Jaba Federal Constituency, kaduna state, was made available to an online news portal TheNewsGuru.com, in which the lawmakers, under the aegis of Concerned PDP Reps, demanded that the Ayu investigative panel should stop functioning as there are clear indications that it has been compromised.

In the said petition, the lawmakers, proceeded to accuse the chairman of the Probe panel and former Senate President, Dr Iyorchia Ayu and the Secretary and former Deputy Speaker of the House, Chief Austin Opara, of bias and even stated clearly that Senator Ayu had already compromised himself before the impasse by instructing some Benue Reps to vote for a particular candidate and so cannot be a judge in his own case, while Rt. Hon. Austin Opara, who is from Rivers state and is a Godfather to one of the candidates that contested for the minority House leadership position, will not be expected to go against his political godson.

The petitioners, who further revealed that one of the prominent members of the committee allegedly collected N15m and had insisted to continue the work until he was prevailed on by other members, then went ahead to pleaded with the party’s top hierarchy to politely remove all members of the committee with tainted records immediately, if the party must forge ahead, and while claiming that they earnestly respect members of the committee as leaders of proven integrity, noted however that these leaders are not infallible, warning that justice should not only be seen but must have been seen to have been done.

However, investigations within the PDP and inside the House of Representatives reveal that there is definitely more to the petition signed by Solomon Maren and Amos Mogaji, as multiple and very reliable sources confirm that they were not the original authors of the document, but their signatures had purportedly been procured for a fee by the original authors, in a plot masterminded by a very prominent PDP South South Governor and orchestrated by one of the contestants for the Minority Leader position in conjunction with others who lost out in the minority leadership race.

Deeper findings confirm that the plot behind the petition is actually targeted solely at discrediting and removing the Chairman of the BoT probe Committee, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, who is well known and respected across the rank and file of the party as a Man of impeccable integrity and the fear of the petitioners, according to solid PDP sources is that since Dr. Ayu does not come from South South where the two contestants for the post of minority leader come from, his position, as a true party man, will be to act in the interest of the party rather than that of an individual.

Sources claim that since there is no way of influencing his opinion, the grand ploy of the petitioners, is to discredit him and the committee members through levelling unwarranted accusations of graft and bias against them and painting them in a bad light, especially as there are no tangible reasons to warrant these insults, on such respected and reputable leaders of the party, by alleging that money changed hands, amongst other claims.

Impeccable sources within the PDP House caucus further confirm that the petition discrediting and calling for the removal of the committee chairman and Secretary, was the handwork of particular persons who lost out in the Minority leadership tussle and galvanized by two former immediate past principal officers from the South East and Kogi State, respectively, at the behest of the prominent Governor from the South South,. But the sources are quick to point out that it is only God that gives power, not man. In this case God has chosen His anointed Children and so all the glory must go to God not any man.

Their actions, according to the sources, were meant to further exhibit their desperation in their desire to see if they can upturn things, even when they have no concrete or substantial facts to support their allegation against the person of Senator Iyorchia Ayu.

Further investigation also suggest that the Secretary of the Committee Rt. Hon. Austin Opara, may also be a willing and inevitable accomplice in the plot to initiate the petition, given the fact that one of the contenders for the position of Minority leader is from his state and since the position of the PDP National Chairman, who is also from Rivers State is very clear, he had no choice but to allegedly become culpable, especially since the reason for asking for his removal was very obvious and would go a long way to influence the decision for them to recuse themselves from the committee.

Knowledgeable inside sources within the House of Representatives affirm however that both the petitions and all other covert and clandestine moves to discredit the Committee and upturn the announcement of Ndudi Elumelu and other Minority principal offices may just be a bridge too far for the plotters, in any case, by virtue of the fact that the Minority Leadership positions as announced by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiala, has already been gazetted and the officers in question have resumed their duties, so it will pay PDP better to sheath their sword and embrace the newly inaugurated principal officers from their party, in order to avoid losing out completely in the long run.

This position, according to insiders, is because, inspite of the intrigues and allegations, the petitioners and their spibsors have no powers to change what has already transpired, bearing in mind that the election of the principal officers has authoritatively been endorsed by the gavel, which also culminated in the votes and proceedings being adopted by the House. Besides, it will take two thirds majority of the whole House, under Order 7 Rule 14, to change the tide and PDP does not have such numbers to decide otherwise. The sources also suggest that even in worst case scenario, that the party decides to expel them, they will still be minority leaders from any party at all, since they have already taken oath as members of the House and that will amount to PDP shooting themselves in the foot because it will end up not having any principal officers on the floor.

The sources also hint that the hide and seek game using indirect ways to speak, just like the hand of Esau, voice of Jacob should stop forthwith, for the fact that it will not in any way benefit the PDP, since the majority of the members of the House who believe strongly in the instrumentality of the rule of law and the independence of the legislature, have put that matter behind them.

Investigations also revealed on good authority that Solomon Maran and Amos Mogaji have been attempting to meet and plead with the newly inaugurated principal officers to forgive them as it was not their intention to get at them in any way and they had even also been claiming that the intention of the petition was even meant to favour the the principal officers. The sources reveal further that every attempt made by Maran to get the ear of the newly inaugurated principal officers were shunned by the officers, for the fact that they felt Hon. Maran was mischievous and an interloper who has no locus standi in terms of the matter because he neither contested for any of the positions nor is he from the South South region.

Further investigation equally revealed that when Hon. Solomon Maran was the chairman of the North Central Caucus, it was before his eyes, that the same Northern Caucus endorsed all the Minority officers of the party for the positions, so it becomes pertinent to ask why Hon. Maran is crying more than the bereaved, even when he has been claiming that one of the principal officers is his good friend and House sources went further to reveal how the said Hon. Maran complained that his pain was that he was not allowed to be the one to market this particular Minority officer in his zone. However the question that will continue to seek for a credible answer is if all this is enough for Hon. Solomon Maran to be mischievous and at the same time be a Judas?, the sources opined.

However, it is also the firm position of the multiple sources that for the petitioners to be truly sincere, they should prove and give substantive evidence that indeed money changed hands, especially the purported N15 millon and other allegations that “it was disheartening to see rich men go hungry and collect a morsel of porridge to destroy the party” as they so clearly stated in their petition, otherwise they should shut up their mouths and face what their constituencies elected them to do.

It was also revealed in the course of the investigation, that the duo of Hon. Solomon Maran and Hon. Amos Mogaji have not been showing up regularly in the House of Representatives chamber in line with the stipulation of the relevant laws, since Parliament was inaugurated and there are hints, gathered from credible authority, that the House has taken cognizance of this infraction and will soon invoke the provision of the constitution as it relates to attendance, which if activated, would automatically open the way for their various constituencies to call for their recall, for reason of not attending sitting of the House in consonance to the mandate given to them as their representatives.

Polity watchers will recall that a couple of days after it was set up, the Dr. Iyorchia Ayu committee met with Hon. Ndudi Elumelu and six other lawmakers; Wole Oke, Lynda Ikpeazu, Anayo Edwin, Gideon Gwadi, Toby Okechukwu and Adekoya Abdul-Majid, who were suspended by the PDP over the House of Representatives Minority leadership crisis.

The five-man committee, which is made up of eminent past leaders and principal officers of the National Assembly including, Sen. David Mark, Sen. Ibrahim Mantu and Sen. Adolphus Wabara, had been set up to intervene in the matter and submit their findings in Seven days, from the inauguration date of July 9.

The Chairman of the Committee, Senator Ayu, who spoke with journalists after the meeting with Elumelu and the others, had affirmed at that time that the matter was a family affair being handled by the elders of the party and assured categorically that the decision of the committee would be in the best interest of the party and the committee will not take any decision that will end up fictionalizing the PDP.

PDP and National Assembly watchers who spoke in the course of the investigation, noted that the Dr. Iyorchia Ayu Committee had a mandate of seven days to address the crisis and so was expected to have submitted its report to the PDP National Working Committee by July 15. They wonder therefore, why the petition of Solomon Maran and Amos Mogaji is coming on July 17, two days after the Committee report must have been submitted, if not perhaps that the plotters of the petition may have been privy to the contents of report which may not have been in their favour, and so embarked on this ploy to discredit the entire membership of the Committee for their own selfish interests.

And so, as the National Assembly, particularly the House of Representatives and indeed the entire nation, await the decision of the PDP on a matter which many people believe has already been settled, it is left to be seen, according to analysts, whether the leadership of the PDP would do the honourable thing by submitting to the democratic will of its elected members in the House of Reps or choose the other option which will ultimately and eventually end up dividing the party against itself irrevocably.

-Blank NEWS Online Education Desk:

The Delta State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Chief Patrick Ukah, has warned School Heads in public secondary schools in the state to stop the practice of engaging their students in labour exercise just before the commencement of their examinations.

Chief Ukah gave the warning after he rounded up the monitoring of the conduct of 2019 promotion examination which ended on Friday in the state.

He expressed surprise that students, who were scheduled for an examination by 9am, were being engaged by some school authorities in manual labour exercise before writing their examination which he said would stress out the children and could make them not to perform well in the examination because of fatigue.

He, however, advised the Principals of affected schools to come up with a better strategy to engage the students in labour exercise at the beginning of each term or after the examination.

Chief Ukah cautioned School Heads to desist from the habit of collection of money from students to buy foolscap sheets to write examinations, instead the students should be made to provide them for the school authorities to stamp for authentication.

The Commissioner also frowned at the shortage of question papers for the examination in some of the schools and directed that it should be investigated and a report be sent to his office this week.

FROM SUNNY A. DAVID / AWKA

The Commissioner for Women and Children Affairs, Lady Ndidi Mezue says the Ministry is desirous of riding Anambra State of Mentally Challenged People and Beggars.

Lady Mezue disclosed this while parading Fake Beggars in her Office in Awka.

The Fake Beggars who operate under the name, Rescue Helpers People Foundation Incorporated, were in the business of using Children for alms across the State.

The Commissioner who regretted that most of the beggars in the State are from the neighbouring States, explained that her Ministry in Collaboration with the Caring Family Enhancement Initiative of the Wife of the Governor train people who are unemployed at the various Skill Acquisition Centres, after which they will be empowered and warned that nobody has any reason to be begging along the road. 

The Mother of one of those arrested, Mrs. Uju Obiekwe from Ihiala Council Area, told newsmen   that she joined the syndicate after the death of her husband and that they pay her One Thousand Five Hundred Naira daily. 

The Rescue Helpers People Foundation Incorporation was located in Oba, Idemili South Council Area.

 When the Fake Beggars were arrested at the Unizik Junction, Awka, they were using a young girl whom they used bandage and cello tape as well as ink to cover her stomach, deceiving people that she was having stomach problem.

• From Mike Sogbola:

Suspected members of Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) have attacked a convoy of aid workers in Borno State, killing one person and believed to have abducted six others.

A statement signed by Shashwat Saraf, Country Director of Action Against Hunger said on Thursday 18 July, 2019, a convoy of vehicles was attacked on the road to Damasak, Borno state, Nigeria.

The Country Director lamented that one of the drivers was killed, while one Action Against Hunger staff member, two of the drivers and three health workers are missing.

He said: “We are deeply saddened by this tragic incident as these are colleagues dedicated to providing life-saving assistance to individuals and families affected by the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the north east of Nigeria.

“We are very concerned and want to ensure that they are safe and can be reunited with their families.”

He said: “Action Against Hunger strives to ensure that millions of people in need of humanitarian assistance in north east Nigeria receive the essential services required for their survival, especially women and children.

We express our deepest condolences to the family of our driver and we extend our support to the family of our missing colleagues as well as others affected by this incident. We appeal to the media and the public to desist from circulating unverified information about the situation above.”

A statement by Edward Kallon, the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria said his thoughts and that of the humanitarian community are with the victims and their families.

He said: “I am deeply disturbed by reports of an incident involving aid workers from International NGOs in northern Borno State. As details are still coming in and information has yet to be confirmed, the humanitarian community in Nigeria is concerned about the safety of our ACF colleague, partners and contractors involved in the attack against an aid convoy reported on 18 July on the Gubio-Damasak road.”

Kallon said: “They devote their lives to helping vulnerable people and communities in an area heavily affected by violence. I call on all who may have influence to do everything they can to keep them unharmed and work towards their safe return.”

He however said: “Out of respect and consideration for the families, the humanitarian community in Nigeria is also asking the general public, including the media, to refrain from sharing any unconfirmed information. The spread of misinformation may put the concerned aid workers at risk and jeopardize their way back to safety.”

He noted that: “This attack occurs only a couple weeks before the ongoing crisis affecting the states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe enters its tenth year. Today, 7.1 million people still need humanitarian assistance. Violence, insecurity and inaccessibility to remote areas of Borno State continue to hamper the response to urgent needs.”

He lamented that: “These acts of violence affect the very individuals, families, and communities that we support, and deprive vulnerable people of vital services.”

He advised that: “All parties should protect and facilitate the delivery of aid.”

He said: “Despite constraints, the humanitarian community remains committed to do its utmost to provide lifesaving assistance and help the people in north-east Nigeria rebuild their lives.”

From Michael EKOKORUWE:

The President General of Isoko Development Union, High Chief Iduh Amadhe and Hon. Emmanuel Egbabor, Chairman Isoko North local government area, has averted Oyede community traditional monarchy crisis at Oyede, Isoko North local government area of Delta state.

Anonymous source stated that the crisis started when HRM Odio Joseph Emasibeta Idiareh who was installed as the Odiologbo of Oyede kingdom on 17th of Febuary 2017, suddenly changed the choice of Mr. Ighoadue Idiareh who represents him as the Odiologbo of Oyede kingdom.

The monarch, according to the source has not been comfortable over time with Mr. Ighoadue Idiareh whom he alleged of misrepresentation and decided to change him with his son as old age demands in Oyede tradition and custom.

The source maintained that Mr. Ighoadue Idiareh became apprehensive when HRM Joseph Emasibeta Idiareh during a town meeting declared one of his sons as the man to represent him as the Odiologo of Oyede kingdom.

Irked by the development, Mr. Ighoadue petitioned the three founding families of Oyede kingdom (Athuaro, Okro and Ekoye) that installed the monarch whom he represents to police zone 5 at Edo state Benin City.

The source noted that sensing impending crisis in the community, High Chief Iduh Amadhe conveyed emergency meeting with representatives from the three founding families to the secretariat of Isoko Development Union Oleh, Isoko South local government area to proffer solution.

The monarch during another meeting at the community town hall, was attacked by forces suspected to be loyalist to Mr. Ighoadue Idiareh, saying the meeting is illegal, but were resisted by the Area Commander Police Ozoro sent by Hon Emmanuel Egbabor.

The source noted that the youths of the community became violent and resorted to rampage but were curtailed by a combined team of the Nigeria Army that dispersed the rioting mob and restored peace to the community.

When contacted, High Chief Iduh Amadhe confirmed the incident and commended Hon. Emmanuel Egbabor, Chairman Isoko North, the police, Nigeria Army and the State Security Service for immediate response towards averting the crisis in the community.

Amadhe stated that the situation was about to degenerate to more serious crisis even as some disgruntled elements in the community supported the illegality. He warned those involved in the community crisis to steer clear and allow peace to reign.

Amadhe also commended the prominent sons of the community and other stake holders for prompt response at ensuring that peace returned to Oyede community. He further warned those behind fueling the crisis to rescind their nefarious attitude or be prepared to face the wrath of Isoko Development Union and the law enforcement agents.

It could be recalled, that His Excellency Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor of Delta State, represented by Barr. Kingsley Otuaro, Deputy Governor of Delta State, installed HRM Odio Joseph Emasibeta Idiareh as the Odiologbo of Oyede kingdom on the 17 of February, 2017.

Operation of the soldiers in 19 Battalion, Koko, Delta State of Nigeria against illegal oil bunkering has began to yield tremendous result says the military.

In particular, incessant oil bunkery activities within Benin river along Abide community, an area our source described as “a major crossing point of bunkerers has been nipped and checkmated.

A soldier who pleaded anonymity told newsmen who were at the area to access and investigate report of the activities of indiscriminate oil theft said, “with the 19 Battalion troop from Koko dominating the general area, serious destruction of boats and vehicles hitherto used in conveying illegal products are being carried out.

A community leader in Aside at the Benin river who simply gave his name as Opus Meshack corroborated the claims of the soldiers, affirming that the soldiers actions has yielded immeasurable result.

“We the people of Aside community truly appreciate the efforts of the soldiers in checkmating bunkering activities in the riverine. Our water is now safe and clean and as you can see, bunkering camps within the area are being burnt BT the soldiers”.

The people of the locality therefore commended the soldiers and urged them to sustain efforts.

Meanwhile, the soldiers have revealed and asserted that they decided to storm the area in order to reduce the rate and effects of oil theft which has greatly affected the economy assuring that the operation which has stopped the movement of bunkerers both in the land and water would be sustained.

**Recommends standard walkway of 1.5m high to discourage anyone who might want to jump from the bridge into the river

FROM SUNNY A. DAVID / ONITSHA

The Federal Controller of Works in Anambra State, Mr. Adeyemo Ajani, on Saturday said the second Niger Bridge may be redesigned to prevent suicide attempts.

Ajani stated this when the Abuja branch of the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE) inspected the on-going works at the Ogbaru site of the project, near Onitsha.

He said he would take up the NSE recommendation with the appropriate authorities.

“What we have on the walk lane is our standard design but what the engineers are talking about is a kind of review.

“If we have to do abnormal design to take care of suicidal situations, it will require another design.

“There has been rapid progress on the project. The last time the minister and the vice-president came, it was 15 per cent level completion but today it is above 21per cent.

“When you look at it from the time the project started, we are now at 24 per cent completion.

“The main bridge has begun.; we have done all the piling and the structures above water level have been done considerably.

“At the Asaba end, we have raised the structure to the deck up to 80 per cent,” Ajani said.

During the inspection earlier, the NSE Abuja Chairman, Mr Chinasaokwu Okoli, recommended a suicide-proof design of the pedestrian walkway of the bridge to prevent cases of suicide.

Okoli recommended a standard walkway of 1.5m high to discourage anyone who might want to jump from the bridge into the river.

“We are 25 engineers from Abuja, here to see for ourselves the second Niger Bridge.

“The project is fully crafted and the work is being handled and supervised well.

“Our concerns are positive. All the places that could raise concerns have been properly tidied up.

“The only area we have concerned is the pedestrian walkway.

“With what we are hearing about people jumping over the bridge and committing suicide, we feel it could be raised up a bit to make it a little difficult for those who may think of committing suicide here.

“There should also be an attachment at the end of the 1.5m so that even if one wants to climb, he will be discouraged,” the chairman, said.

Okoli advised the consultants and the contractors to go back and try to reflect the concern that suicide attempts might be considered on the bridge if not raised.

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for embarking on the project and expressed satisfaction with the quality and progress of work at the site.

-FROM SUNNY A. DAVID / ONITSHA:

In an effort to improve the standard of education in her community, wife of the Traditional Ruler of Atani in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, HRH Odua Nwanyj Adaeze Ngoddy, alongside her friend Mrs. Pamela Okwuosa Nwiloh donated assorted text books to Primary and Secondary Schools in Ogbaru communities.

The beneficiaries for the items  were, Technical College Osssamala, Community Secondary School Atani, Kings Ambassador Seminary School Atanj, The Seat of God’s Power Academy Atani and Archbishop Valerian Secondary School, Atani.

Also, Urban Primary School Atani, Central School Atani, The Seat of God’s Wisdom Primary School Atani, Okpoko School 3 Okpoko and St Jude’s Primary School Atani, were the primary Schools which benefited.

Speaking to newsmen, the Igwe of Atani, HRH Igwe Augustine Azuka Ngoddy who was absolutely delighted at the event revealed that his wife who is based in American embarked on sharing of reading items to the students of Ogbaru for the period of  three years now.

The Traditional Ruler attributed such magnanimous acts of his wife to her passion for Education.

The Monarch said that “I am also very interested in our school in Ogbaru In doing well and improving well in the standard of education and could be able to compete in  any where in the world.”

He further advised the students to be more studious, shun
thuggery and occultism, just as he urged the indigenous people of Ogbaru living in diaspora to emulate his wife.

Also, Mrs. Patricia Ngoddy who represented Odua Nwanyi hinted that the main cardinal points of the dooner to under take such humanitarian acts was to inculcate the students in Ogbaru the habits of reading culture.

In their separate speeches, Mrs. Ogbonnaya Chioma Principal of Archbishop Valerian Secondary School Atani and Mr. Francis Okechukwu of Kings Ambassador Seminary School Atani commended the initiative of Igwe’s wife in encouraging students of Ogbaru in their studies, assuring that they will use the books to impact knowledge on the students.

Similarly, the organizer of the event Mrs. Udenyi Nneka extolled the donor and asked God to bless her, saying that the items would properly shared equitably to the schools accordingly.

Some of the students, Miracle Simon and Ginika Oluchukwu who spoke on behalf of the students thanked the donor and pray God to bless her.

Income alone cannot be used to classify rich and poor people, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has said.

According to the United Nations body, findings from the 2019 global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) have shown that there are disparities in how people experience poverty, revealing vast inequalities among countries and among the poor themselves.

A statement on Thursday from the UNDP said: “”The traditional concept of poverty is outdated.”
Relying on a new report released today by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI), the statement said: “New data demonstrate more clearly than ever that labeling countries – or even households – as rich and poor is an oversimplification.”

The statement, quoting Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator, said: “To fight poverty, one needs to know where poor people live. They are not evenly spread across a country, not even within a household.””He noted that: “The 2019 global Multidimensional Poverty Index provides the detailed information policy makers need to more effectively target their policies.”

The statement revealed that the MPI goes beyond income as the sole indicator for poverty, by exploring the ways in which people experience poverty in their health, education, and standard of living.

Particularly the report revealed that “in Nigeria, even though the proportion of people who are multidimensionally poor has remained constant at just over 50% over the past decade (upto 2017) the actual the number of people who are multidimensionally poor increased from 86 million to 98 million over the same period.

Also, important to note from the report is that when compared to the national poverty line which measure income/consumption, a larger proportion of Nigerians (51%) are multidimensionally poor than those that are income poor (46%).”

The statement added that: “This year’s MPI results show that more than two-thirds of the multidimensionally poor—886 million people—live in middle-income countries. A further 440 million live in low-income countries. In both groups, data show, simple national averages can hide enormous inequality in patterns of poverty within countries.”

Also showing the example of Nigeria, the statement said: “Even though the national average shows that around 50% of Nigeria are multidimensionally poor, state and local government levels will reveal a completely different scenario – higher or even lower levels.”

It added that: “There is even inequality under the same roof In South Asia, for example, almost a quarter of children under five live in households where at least one child in the household is malnourished and at least one child is not.”

The statement quoted Pedro Conceição, Director of the Human Development Report Office at UNDP, as saying that: “We need—even amongst those living in poverty—to understand people’s different experiences of deprivation. Are they malnourished? Can they go to school? Only then will poverty reduction policies be both efficient and effective.”The statement said: “”There is also inequality among the poor. Findings of the 2019 global MPI also paint a detailed picture of the many differences in how – and how deeply – people experience poverty. Deprivations among the poor vary enormously: in general, higher MPI values go hand in hand with greater variation in the intensity of poverty.”

The statement said: “Results also show that children suffer poverty more intensely than adults and are more likely to be deprived in all 10 of the MPI indicators, lacking essentials such as clean water, sanitation, adequate nutrition or primary education.   

It indicated that more staggering, worldwide, one in three children is multidimensionally poor, compared to one in six adults. That means that nearly half of the people living in multidimensional poverty—663 million—are children, with the youngest children bearing the greatest burden. 

It however said that new data have shown a positive trend that those furthest behind are moving up the fastest.
“We looked at data for a group of ten middle- and low-income countries and we found encouraging news that the bottom 40 percent were moving faster than the rest,” Sabina Alkire, OPHI Director, was quoted as saying, adding that there is: “A pro-poor pattern that reduces inequalities in several Sustainable Development Goals.”

The 2019 global MPI paints a detailed picture of poverty for 101 countries and 1,119 subnational regions covering 76 percent of the global population, going beyond simple income-based measures to look at how people experience poverty every day.