The State House of Assembly has amended the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) law of 2015 giving powers to the Governor to extend the tenure of the Board for not more than one year.

The amendments were sequel to a motion moved by the Deputy Majority Leader and member representing Bomadi constituency, Hon. Oboro Preyor for the notice of presentation and first reading of the DESOPADEC amendment bill and was seconded by Hon. Daniel Mayuku and adopted.

Hon. Preyor said the sections to be amended include Section Five by deleting the word “Communities” and replacing it with “Areas”.

While in Section seven sub section two, a new section was added which reads that the Governor may through a request to the House of Assembly, extend the tenure of the Board for a period of not more than one year only.

Honourable Preyor thereafter moved for the House to suspend Order 12 rule, 75,76,77,78,79 and 80 in order for the House to take the third reading and pass the bill and was seconded by Hon. Orezi Esievo.

The Speaker, Rt Hon.Chief Sheriff Oborevwori who presided over plenary on Thursday. thanked members of the House for the timely attention given to the DESOPADEC amendment bill which was sorted by the executive.

-By Albert OGRAKA:

Immediate past Technical Director of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and Head of the Security sub-committee in the recently concluded African Senior Athletics Championship, Navy Commodore Omatseye Nesiama (rtrd) has said the tournament which held at the Stephen Keshi stadium, Asaba, was hitch-free because of the synergy that existed between his committee and all security, paramilitary and safety agencies in Delta state.

The IAAF licensed Athletes representative, who said the successful security measures was not devoid of certain challenges, noted that the synergy had helped in tightening all loose ends from the time of arrival of athletes to their time of departure from Asaba.

“I thank God that from beginning to the end, we didn’t get any record of security related issues. We prepared very hard for it and I’m very happy that the security strategy worked. I engaged all the security agencies, both the military and paramilitary despite the fact that a sub-committee was set up, I expanded the subcommittee to include every security and paramilitary agencies as well as the fire service, red cross and some other safety agencies and it became an all encompassing body.”

Speaking to newsmen in Asaba, Navy Commodore Nesiama (rtrd) also said the feat recorded by his committee has proved both local and international skeptics wrong about security concerns throughout the Championship and especially those who claim that the Niger-Delta region is unsafe.

“I have traveled round competitions based on my position as Technical Director, so I know how these things are done. I know the expectations and particularly because of our own clime and terrain, there was every need for us to prove the skeptics wrong that Niger-Delta isn’t safe, a place where they get kidnapped and so on and so forth.”

Navy Commodore Nesiama (rtrd), who is a member of CAA International Technical Officials Panel and CAA Technical and Competitions Commission, however said “the water tank incident which occured towards the end of the event was not a security incidence, hence the main goal of the security sub-committe was the planning strategy that ensured no life was lost and we achieved it.”

On the effective management of the crowd within and outside the Stephen Keshi Stadium, venue of the athletics tourney, Navy Commodore Nesiama (rtrd) noted that tact and security intelligence were deployed to curtail the surge and with the help of trained private security personnel, the crowd was carefully managed according to acceptablespecification.

“I used the CCTV cameras to access both inside and outside the stadium and when we saw the surge we decided to allow people in from the entrance point to decongest the main gate. And when I now realized that the stadium was full to capacity, the only option was to now work on the safety aspect of our job which was to inform those outside that the stadium is filled up to capacity. We adviced those that were outside to return home or nearby viewing centers to watch the event which has be granted rights to be broadcast live. So they can be part of it without necessarily being inside the stadium.

“We also announced that at the end of the event every one inside the stadium should remain seated while the security personnel, especially the private security agencies/personnel would manage the crowd to leave in an orderly manner and every one will be evacuated in a short time and all these were part of our plan and thank God everything went well.”

Speaking on some of the challenges he faced with the athletes, he said the security sub-committee having planned for unforseen circumstances, they were ready to tackle such situations.

“When you plan and everything works perfectly well, there’s something wrong and when you plan, you should be ready to hear some little errors. So based on that we experienced one or two challenges. When such situations come, we consider it not out of our power and try to tackle it as much as we can.

“For example events like this requires fewer hotels than what we actually got, which provided extra challenge. If we had hotels that could accommodate between 500 and 1000 guests, we would have proudly located everybody in one or two, especially the International or foreign guests. It would have given us more consideration of security, less number of personell and reduced the cost of transporting or escorting them to and fro in their areas of activity.”

When asked to comment on the recently reported alleged vandalization of facilities at the Stephen Keshi stadium, Navy Commodore Nesiama (rtrd) said: “My committee’s work ended with the last delegates leaving the country. While the championship lasted, our security was all over the place and after the championship, we knew that the collapsed fence will provide an entry into the stadium, if not protected. We made a recommendation that there will be need to quickly secure the stadium in our reports but we dont know if that report has gotten out or not.”

The private security consultant therefore appealed to the state government to ensure that the stadium and its facilities are maintained to sustain the good works of the Delta state governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa.

“The stadium and its facilities have to be maintained. We need to enhance the security of the stadium and we need to restrict access to certain sensitive areas to ensure that the facilities that people saw during the championship are still there to make the place beautiful.”

As felicitations trail the the celebration of Eid-el-Kabir by Muslims around the world, Delta state Governor Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori and the Executive Director (Finance and Administration) at the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Bashorun (Hon.) Askia Ogieh JP, have joined the calls for unity among Nigerians, devoid of religion and ethnicity.

They urged Nigerians to put aside their religious and political differences and push for a united country by imbibing the ideals of sacrifice exemplified by the holy Prophet Muhammed.

In a Sallah message, Governor Okowa said: “I enjoin you to use the period to uphold the spiritual benefit of the celebration by extending a hand of friendship and solidarity across all divides and imbibing the spirit of sacrifice and obedience to the higher authority as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim and upheld by Prophet Muhammed.

“This is an opportunity for us to reflect and pray for our nation; and for all those in leadership positions so that God in his infinite mercy will continue to guide them as they steer the affairs of the country.”

While thanking the state Muslim community for the consistent support that they had always extended to his administration, Governor Okowa assured them that his administration would continue to partner them to move the state forward.

On his part, Rt. Hon Oborevwori who is also the National Treasurer of Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures in Nigeria, implored the Muslim Ummah to see the period as time to render selfless service to God and humanity.

In a Press Statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Dennis Otu, theSpeaker told the Muslim faithful to show love to one another, make selfless sacrifice and tolerate each other, adding that the period should be used to for self examination.

“Let this period also be used to pray for our beloved country and our leaders at all levels. Let us work collectively for the progress of our Country. We should continue to pray for peace and harmony in our nation, especially now that we are approaching election year.”

In his message, Bashorun (Hon.) Askia Ogieh JP, re-emphasized on the need for Nigerians to see themselves first as a united people with the common idea of peaceful co-existence and development rather than clinging onto illusions of disunity which does no one any good.

“I wish all Muslims in Delta State, Nigeria and the world a happy Eid-el-Kabir celebrations. May this celebration further help to usher peace, joy, progress and good governance to this great nation.”

Blank NEWS Online can authoritatively report that vandals have allegedly carted away multi million naira wire cables at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, Delta state.

***Details later

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will not postpone the 2019 elections because of the delay in the passage of its budget.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made the clarifications while fielding questions from State House correspondents on Friday in Abuja.

He said that there was no provision under the law for postponement of elections.

“I have said this over and over again; there are no conditions under which elections should be postponed, under section 26 of the Electoral Act.

“The date is formed and fixed, February 16, 2019; we issued the timetable way in advance; for the very first time in the history of our nation, citizens of Nigeria know when elections will take place one year in advance. It has never happened before.

“Secondly, for the very first time in the history of our country, citizens know the budget of the electoral commission; citizens know line by line how much the commission proposed; what the money is going to be spent on.

“ I think I am very happy with this process.’’

He said that as provided in the constitution, INEC had, since April 27, 2017, been registering voters consistently in response to appeal by Nigerians.

Yakubu said that INEC had created more centres for the registration but finally decided that it should suspend the process as provided for by the law, six months to the elections.

He said however that in response to appeal by Nigerians, again, INEC extended the exercise to the end of August.

“As at Saturday last week- Aug. 11- we have registered 12.1 million citizens; this will eventually be added to the 70 million voters that are already registered for the 2019 general elections.

“We have voters register of over 80 million citizens.

“Let me make this very important clarification; the registration is going to take place between 9am in the morning and 5pm daily including weekends but excluding the public holiday. You know Tuesday and Wednesday next week have been declared public holiday.

“The second important clarification that I should make is that the end of the continuous voters’ registration is Aug. 31 but that does not mean the end of the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

“Collection of PVCs will continue until at least one week to the general election in February 2019,’’ he said.

The INEC boss said he was not worried that the virement for the conduct of 2019 election was still before the National Assembly as he remained optimistic.

He said he had made the clarifications that the National Assembly asked for; adding the two committees on INEC expressed satisfaction on his clarifications.

He said he looked forward to hearing what the National Assembly would say.

Yakubu said that Nigerians needed to know that what the commission requested for was N189.2 billion which the executive proposed to the National Assembly.

According to him, there are no discrepancies in the figures.

He said he was in the Presidential villa to fine-tune modalities on how Nigeria would help Guinea-Bissau in its forthcoming elections as the country had requested Nigeria’s assistance.

(NAN)

-By Albert OGRAKA:

A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) House of Assembly aspirant in Oshimili North Constituency, Hon. Frank Ngozi Chukwuka Esenwah, has listed the gains for his constituents and expressed his readiness to render unequal service to the people, if nominated and elected into the Delta state House of Assembly.

Esenwah, a former member-elect in the Federal House of Representatives for Aniocha-Oshimili Federal Constituency in 1998, said he is desirous to utilize the proximity of Asaba, the Delta state capital and the commercial and industrial cities of Onitsha-Obosi-Nnewi to enhance the human capital needs of his constituents for greater technology and business innovation.

“These feats on techno-commercial growth is achievable if given the enabling environment for the private sector to thrive because it remains the best option to generate employment, hence technology is a veritable means to profitably engage our teeming youths in productive ventures.”

He further pledged to ensure that his constituents enjoy meaningful education for human capital development, health care delivery services, rural integrated development, as well as agriculture for economic emancipation and transformation.

On his mission to the House of Assembly, Esemwah said he would synergize with stakeholders to enkindle available development potentials through robust, effective legislation and interventions that will have positive impact on the lives of the people of Oshimili North constituency.

According to Esenwah, “My record of service to humanity and my exemplary political experience over the decades has greatly endeared me to the people and I am fully ready to give the people of Oshimili North constituency a very effective representation at the Delta state House of Assembly, where I will canvass our common interests, towards attracting democratic dividends to my beloved constituency.”

Speaking on how to break the jinx of the perceived marginalization of the North North communities, namely Illah, Okpanam, Akwukwu-Igbo, Ebu, Ugbolu and Atuma by the North South Ibusa axis who still wants the House of Assembly seat zoned to them, after having occupied the legislative seat for 20 uninterrupted years in Oshimili North local government area, Esenwah said,”there is no jinx. Its not about just breaking jinx, its all about the best person occupying the position. I believe its all about opportunities because those who are there today were nowhere when we were doing politics. They also have the right to contest elections. I won’t want us to go into ethnic and geographical lamentations. In the present circumstance I am the best aspirant in Oshimili North. I have also worked for the system. I am a totally committed and loyal member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State.”

The development lawyer, who appealed to the electorates to ensure that their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) are handy ahead of the general elections advised them to always evaluate their gains and pains during the tenure of past representatives at the House of Assembly before voting their consciences.

Esemwah told the delegates and electorates to remain resolute and committed to standing out for the best aspirants during the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primaries and general elections. “I can do better for Oshimili North Constituency than what we have now at the House of Assembly”, he insisted.

10 percent of people over the age of 70 may need a pacemaker implanted in their chest to improve their heart function and living condition

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: If you meet 70-year-old Maria, a Nigerian national, you’d never know she has a dual chamber pacemaker to keep her heart beating well. Full of life and vigour, Maria came to the UAE to treat her atrioventricular (AV) block. An AV block is a serious heart condition where the heart beats irregularly and much slower than usual. It can cause loss of consciousness or complete collapse. Patients with this condition need to have a pacemaker – a small device that rests inside your upper chest and connects to your heart with special wires where it operates steadily and silently. As such, when doctors in her home country advised Maria for an implant, she knew that this procedure required the services of an expert. Without wasting any time, she decided to travel to the UAE and approached Emirates Hospital Jumeirah for this surgery.

“When Maria visited us for the first time, her reports indicated that her heart was struggling to send electrical signals between the upper and lower chambers of her heart. This may lead to sudden collapse of the patient and could cause significant detrimental effects due to major injuries and sometimes death if a pacemaker wasn’t implanted immediately. As such, we implanted the most advanced dual chamber pacemaker, which is MRI compatible. This feature allows patients to perform scans and MRIs in the future without a cause to worry,” said Dr Allam Alkowatli, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist and Chief of Cardiology at Emirates Hospital Jumeirah, who recently implanted the first device at the facility.

Almost the size of a wrist watch, Dr Allam and his team implanted the pacemaker connecting to Maria’s heart within an hour. She was kept under observation for 24 hours and offered discharge the very next day. On the morning of her surgery, she was offered medication to make her feel sleepy and comfortable.

“An implant is a day surgery procedure but requires the services of an expert. Having this surgery by inexperienced cardiologists or surgeons can be harmful and may lead to major complications including lung puncture, significant bleeding, , blood clots, wound infection, fluids around the heart and rarely death.. While physicians in countries all over the world perform similar procedures and implant pacemakers, the UAE is now known for its great reputation in having such high expertise available, drawing several patients from all over the world to the country,” continued Dr Allam.

According to research report Global Medical Tourism Market it was noted that the global medical tourism market is projected to display a robust growth represented by a CAGR of 1.65 percent during 2018 – 2023. In the past few years, the UAE has become a central destination for world-class medical tourism, with Dubai ranking first in the Middle East due to its advanced treatment and facilities.

“While pacemakers are opted by several people to improve their living conditions, scepticism surrounding this device is yet very high. However, recent developments and advancements in technology have made the device so small and seamless that there’s no bump in the chest and the patients can barely tell they have a pacemaker at all,” concluded Dr Allam.

Known to be a device of the old, around 10 percent of people over the age of 70 have a pacemaker implanted in their chest. Approximately one million pacemakers are implanted annually, providing electrical stimulation to regulate a patient’s heartbeat. Conventional pacemakers are surgically placed under the skin of a patient’s chest, with wires, or leads, stretching from the shoulder vein and attaching to the heart. The cost of a pacemaker is higher than the average, but is covered under insurance and can last for 8-12 years.

(AETOSWire)

Delta State Government has declared Thursday August 16 and Friday 17, 2018, as work free day to enable public servants participate fully in the ongoing voters registration exercise.

A statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Hon Festus Ovie Agas, stated that all Public officers who have not registered before now are expected to take advantage of the work-free days to do so and ensure that they are not disenfranchised.

The statement also urged public servants that are yet to collect their permanent voters card (PVC) to take advantage of the period to do so and conclude this important aspect of the nation’s political process. 

Jack Ma Foundation will recognize 100 African entrepreneurs over the next 10 years focused on grassroots innovation, economic empowerment of women and small businesses.

The Netpreneur Prize – named for empowering a new generation of entrepreneurs, and focusing on small business growth, grassroots innovation and women founders – will award US$10 million to 100 African entrepreneurs over the next 10 years. Starting in 2019, the Jack Ma Foundation will host an annual pitch competition, with ten finalists selected from across the continent to showcase their talent and business ideas and compete for US$1 Million in prize money. All ten finalists will receive grant funding from the Jack Ma Foundation, as well as access to the Netpreneur community of African business leaders to leverage the community’s shared expertise, best practices and resources.

Jack Ma said, “As a fellow entrepreneur, I understand the importance of getting support during the early days. This prize demonstrates our support of the next generation of young entrepreneurs across Africa who are paving the way for a better future and imparting positive change in their communities. I am inspired and encouraged by these entrepreneurs who, together, will help build a sustainable, inclusive economy for Africa and for the world.” The “Netpreneurs: The Rise of Africa’s Digital Lions” conference – jointly organized by Alibaba Business School, the Jack Ma Foundation, and United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) – brought together more than 800 entrepreneurs, policymakers, academics, students, banks and venture capitalists to address the challenges and opportunities facing Africa’s entrepreneurs. Across Africa, e-commerce platforms alongside payments, logistics, tourism and big data partners are helping to lift national economies. The event explored the barriers facing a new digital Africa and the role that the public sector, investors, entrepreneurs and educational organizations play in this transformation.
Ban Ki-moon, Former UN Secretary General and Co-chair of the Ban Ki-moon Center for Global Citizens, said, “With the rapid development of the global digital economy and the availability of technology, the next century belongs to Africa. I am excited to join the advisory board of the Africa Netpreneur Prize. Through this prize, we aim to support African entrepreneurs to build a more inclusive and prosperous Africa and dramatically shape the future prospects of the continent for the better.”
The Netpreneur Prize is the second initiative launched by Jack Ma to support African entrepreneurs. Last year, Alibaba Business School and UNCTAD announced the eFounders Fellowship Initiative, a program that will train 1,000 entrepreneurs from emerging markets, 200 of whom will come from Africa, with the purpose of building a community of young entrepreneurs committed to creating digital platforms to build more inclusive economies. This program supports the aims of the UN Sustainable Development Goal of ensuring no one is left behind in the digital economy. To date, 52 African entrepreneurs have participated in this two-week fellowship at Alibaba’s headquarters in Hangzhou, China. Participants make a two-year commitment to improving society through their businesses. The graduates of the first two African cohorts reunited with Jack Ma and UNCTAD Secretary-General Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi in Johannesburg on August 8. Since completing the program, many graduates have made significant progress with their businesses and become catalysts for digital transformation in their home countries, including raising rounds of investment as well as launching their own training programs.
“The rise of the digital economy provides growth and opportunity to the developing world, but it is up to us to make sure no one is left behind. The work that Jack Ma and UNCTAD are doing together will help empower the emerging generation of young African business leaders to participate in and lead that growth,” said Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi.

-(BUSINESS WIRE/AETOSWire)–

Chelsea are splashing a world record 80 million euro or $92m on Athletic Bilbao’s goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga after they agreed terms with Real Madrid for the transfer of Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

No fee was revealed for the transfer of the Courtois, who had just one more year to run on his Chelsea contract, although Spanish media claimed that the deal is worth around 35 million euros.

Chelsea added in a statement that subject to the completion of the Courtois deal, Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic would join the Blues from Real on a season-long loan.

The English giants have been forced into finding a replacement for Courtois, 26, after he failed to report for pre-season training on Monday.

Courtois joined Chelsea from Genk in 2011, but spent three seasons on loan at Atletico Madrid before returning to London where he won two Premier League titles in four seasons.

And with his two children still resident in the Spanish capital, Courtois’s agent claimed earlier this week family commitments were a motivating factor in forcing a move to the European champions.

“He has made it clear to the club that the best option for him is to move to Madrid,” Christophe Henrotay told the Sun newspaper.

“For him this is a big decision because he wants to be near his family, and there is an offer in place for Chelsea to accept.”

Just weeks after Liverpool broke the record transfer fee for a goalkeeper in a deal worth up to 72.5 million euros for Brazilian international Alisson Becker, the inexperienced Arrizabalaga, 23, is now set to inherit the title of the world’s most expensive goalkeeper.

Earlier on Wednesday, Bilbao confirmed that Arrizabalaga had paid his buyout clause at the league’s headquarters in Madrid to free him from his contract with Athletic.

Arrizabalaga has played 53 times in La Liga for Bilbao over the last two seasons, and made his international debut in a 5-0 friendly win over Costa Rica in November 2017.

He was also in the Spain squad for the World Cup in Russia as back-up to David De Gea, but has yet to make his competitive debut for Spain.

But for a late change of course due to the wishes of former Real boss Zinedine Zidane, Arrizabalaga could have joined Madrid himself in January when his buyout clause was just 20 million euros.

However, after that move collapsed, he signed a new seven-year deal with the Basque side that dramatically increased his release clause and has cost Chelsea dear.

(NAN)

Nigeria’s Under-20 female team the Falconets defeated Haiti 1-0 on Thursday to keep hope alive in their quest to move into the knockout stage at ongoing FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup in France.

The match played at Stade de Marville in the French city of Saint-Malo saw team captain Rasheedat Ajibade netting the only goal of the match through a first half penalty kick.

The victory which earned Nigeria the maximum three points started at a furious pace but neither side were able to put up any real goal-scoring threat.

It took until the 36th minute to see the breakthrough, with Nigeria being awarded a penalty kick after Anam Imo was fouled in the area by Haiti’s Dougenie Joseph.

Ajibade, who is Africa’s top scorer in qualifying for France 2018, made no mistake when presented with the opportunity and converted what turned out to be the winning goal from 12 yards.

Haiti responded to going behind almost immediately but Nerilia Mondesir was denied by the post after a swift counter-attack.

The Caribbean side continued to push for the equaliser but goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, who was later picked “Player of the Match’’, proved to be equal to every challenge that came her way.

Mondesir and Melchie Dumonay took much of the initiative going forward, looking dangerous at times, but the Nigerian backline, marshalled by Nnadozie, held on for the victory.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the win pushed Nigeria up the group’s table from fourth place after Monday’s opening matches to second place after Thursday’s matches.

Germany, 1-0 winners over Nigeria on Monday, remained firm as Group D leaders after beating China PR 2-0 in the group’s other MatchDay 2 fixture earlier at the same venue.

Nigeria now need at least a draw in their final group phase match on Monday against China PR to be able to finish second and pick the group’s other quarter-final ticket.

Germany face Haiti on Monday at Stade de la Rabine in Vannes in their final group phase game and look sure bets to emerge group leaders, even after a slim loss.

The Falconets can be sure of emerging group runners-up with at least a draw against China PR at Clos Gastel Stadium in Lehon, at Dinan-Lehon, even if Haiti beat Germany.

(NAN)

The World Bank will support Nigeria with $611 million dollars to get children back to school under the Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) programme, the Coordinator, Prof. Gidado Tahir, has said.

Tahir made this known in Kaduna on Friday at a meeting with officials of Kaduna State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), on modalities for the implementation of the programme.

The BESDA national coordinator explained that the project is being supported by the World Bank to tackle the problem of out-of-school children in the country.

According to him, the alarming rate of out-of-school children has remained a worrisome phenomenon in the country that must be addressed.

“Whenever you attend international conferences and conventions, Nigeria is being described as one of the top nations with huge number of out-of-school children.

“The Federal Ministry of Education therefore decided to make the issue one of its top priority areas to find a way of tackling the issue.

“This attracted the World Bank who accepted to provide the Nigerian Government with $611 million dollars to implement BESDA in line with Universal Basic Education Commission programme.

“UBEC is focusing on increasing access, quality and ensuring equity; BESDA is also tailoring its attention towards doing that, but specifically focusing more on out-of-school children,” Tahir said.

He explained that BESDA would essentially focus on increasing access for out-of-school children and ensuring that children who attend school could read, write and manipulate figures.

The coordinator added that another basic objective of the programme was to strengthen accountability in the school system which has been very week over the years.

He said that 17 states with the highest number of out-of-school children in the country would participate in the programme.

The states include Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, Yobe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Niger, Ebonyi, Rivers, and Oyo.

According to Tahir, the states have more than 30 per cent of their school-age children out of school.

Also speaking, Malam Iro Umar of UBEC Coordination Support Team, explained that the meeting was organised for Kaduna SUBEB as implementing partner to understand the processes involved in the implementation of the programme.

“We are here to share with you the processes involved so that we will all understand what needs to be done before implementation of the programme begins.

“At the end of the meeting, every participating agency and individual would know what BESDA is and what their responsibilities are in the course of the implementation of the programme, “he added.

Umar said that out of the $611 million dollars, $578 million would be expended on Programme for Result (P for R) and $33 million on Technical Assistance (TA).

He explained that under the P for R, states would be rewarded for result achieved within a given period based on the number of out-of-school children they were able to return or enrol in school by gender.

On the technical assistance component, Umar said that $33 million dollars would be spent on various activities to strengthen the capacity of Federal and State government officials to improve monitoring and evaluation as well as data evaluation.

“The component will also increase effectiveness and transparency in UBE programme management and strengthen intergovernmental coordination in areas of policy formulation, strategic planning and monitoring of UBE programme implementation.

“Design and implementation of national learning assessment and a research agenda to inform UBE programme implementation and provide the analytical underpinning for future initiatives focused on out-of-school children.

“This would greatly improve the quality of basic education, “he added.

Earlier, Nasiru Umar, Executive Chairman, Kaduna SUBEB, thanked the Federal Government and UBEC for including Kaduna State as a participating state in the programme.

According to him, the programme will go a long way in helping the state to get over 700,000 out-of-school children back to school.

(NAN)

There are a lot of actors who could play 007 once Daniel Craig retires from the role he despises: Tom Hardy, Michael Fassbender (even though he’s Irish), Tom Hiddleston (of Hiddleswift fame), David Oyelowo (who actually voices the character in the audiobooks). Hell, even controversially-mustached human man Henry Cavill thinks he has what it takes.

But there’s only one actor who should be the next James Bond, and that’s Idris Elba.

There’s been some back and forth on the subject of Elba as Bond. It began back in 2014, when emails released during the massive Sony hack revealed that then-studio co-chair Amy Pascal told a colleague, “Idris should be the next Bond.” And for the last few years, Elba has very strictly maintained that he is NOT going to play James Bond. In fact, he thinks the next Bond should be a woman (might we suggest Thandie Newton or Naomie Harris?).

Now, new reports indicate that James Bond producers are starting to lean toward the idea of Elba taking the role. As the Independent reports:

Director Antoine Fuqua revealed the details of a conversation with Bond producer Barbara Broccoli, in which she said “it is time” for a non-white actor to take on the iconic role. Fuqua discussed who might be next in the running with Broccoli, who’s certain the progressive move “will happen eventually”, with Idris Elba a reported frontrunner for the role.

It’s not much, but it’s a good sign that Bond producers are at least leaning in the right direction. (Esquire has reached out to the producers for comment and will post an update if we hear back.) What’s interesting though, is that when it comes to the topic of Bond, Elba’s response is often that no one is really considering him for the role.This certainly changes things.

Nothing but respect for my James Bond.

Should Idris Elba be the next James Bond?

-By Ashibuogwu Olisakwue:

With the Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa resolving to be totally neutral and allow delegates of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to freely decide who they desired as their candidates for the approaching elections, the contest in the state, particularly his home district, Delta North promises to be keen.

Two PDP gladiators, the incumbent, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi from Oshimili North Local Government Area and a former member of the House of Representatives, Prince Ned Nwoko from Aniocha North Local Government Area are locked in a crunchy battle over the party’s ticket for the Senatorial District ahead of the 2019 National Assembly election.

There are striking differences between the two aspirants. While Ned Nwoko is a self-made political leader who is used to cracking his own coconut by himself, his chief opponent, Nwaoboshi had in most of his political battles since 1999 depended on the anointing and support of officialdom to compete. However, the scenario is fast changing for him in the current dispensation as Governor Okowa has sworn to be unabashedly neutral and detached by refraining from endorsing any aspirant.

Even some powerful forces in the state that Nwaoboshi had in the past flaunted as his godfathers and kingmakers such as former Governor James Ibori have joined Okowa’s principled stance that there should be a level playing field for all. Okowa and Ibori are definitely aware that foisting unpopular candidates on the people could backfire and result in PDP losing not only the senatorial but also the governorship election next year.

It is for this reason that the two powerful contenders for the Delta North Senatorial election and their foot soldiers have swooped on the nine constituent local government areas of Delta North to sway the party delegates to their respective sides.

An independent exit poll survey carried out by Image online newspaper (www.image.org.ng) gave a fore knowledge of how the nine LGAs that constitute the district may vote at the PDP senatorial primary as most of the delegates have taken their considered positions.

The survey further reveals that as the September 18 D-Day for the senatorial primary contest draws nearer, Senator Nwaoboshi is increasingly finding himself on unsteady legs to face his major opponent, Prince Ned Nwoko whose political rating in the district has been surging like hurricane. The survey by www.image.org.ng shows that Ned Nwoko is clearly ahead of Nwaoboshi in at least seven out of the nine local government areas that make up Delta North district.

The survey upheld Ned Nwoko as the clear favorite to emerge the PDP senatorial candidate and go all the way to win the election proper. The survey revealed these statistics:

ANIOCHA NORTH: Nwoko 90% – Nwaoboshi 10%

This local government area with its headquarters in Issele-Ukwu is the home base of Prince Ned Nwoko and he is sure to carry the day with as high as 90% margin. His hometown, Idumuje-Ugboko is located in this local government area. Ostensibly due to his strong moral character, philanthropic gestures including massive scholarship awards and empowerment. Ned Nwoko is adored throughout the area as a shinning example of a selfless , responsible and caring leader.

ANIOCHA SOUTH: Nwoko 60% – Nwaoboshi 40%

By extension, this is another home base of Ned Nwoko considering the usual solidarity between the two sister local governments. The fact that Hon Paschal Adigwe, one of Directors of Nwaoboshi’s campaign organization hails from this local government is expected to reduce the margin of victory for Ned Nwoko.

This constituency presents a peculiar scenario. While a good number of the party leaders including some local government executives here have pitched tent with Nwaoboshi, a vast majority of the councilors and ward delegates are staunch supporters of Ned Nwoko. He is expected to win this state constituency with 60 percent of the votes here.

IKA NORTHEAST: Nwoko 50% – Nwaoboshi 50%

This local government where Governor Okowa hails from is a veritable battleground zone for the two contenders. They are equally keeled here and both are expected to share the spoils of battle apiece by splitting the delegate votes 50 – 50.

IKA SOUTH: Nwoko 70% – Nwaoboshi 30%

In Ika South Constituency, Prince Ned Nwoko enjoys an upper hand with most of the voting bigwigs on his side. On the d-day no fewer than 70 percent of the delegates would queue behind Ned leaving 30 percent for Nwaoboshi and others to share.

Nwoko is projected to win here by as high as 70 percent.

NDOKWA EAST: Nwoko 75% – Nwaoboshi 25%

In this oil-rich but largely swampy local government area, Ned is sure to chalk up no fewer than 75 percent of the delegates’ votes while Nwaoboshi would make do with 30 percent . The people of this local government are unhappy with Senator Nwaoboshi for not doing anything to ameliorate their plight despite serving as the Chairman of the strategic Senate Committee on Niger Delta which supervises the NDDC. For instance, Abala-Uno and Abala-Obodo people are suspicious of him being complicit in the stalling of the 18km road project linking the two communities to the Warri-Asaba express road via Oloa-Ossissa junction. Also, Okpai indigenes are furious over his inaction concerning the problem of gas flaring at Okpai Gas Plant which has been on since 1965.

NDOKWA WEST: Nwoko 78% – Nwaoboshi 22%

As for Ndokwa West, Ned’s popularity among the leaders and delegates has been soaring. Here, he is projected to notch up as high as 78 percent leaving 22 percent for Nwaoboshi.

UKWUANI: Nwoko 85% – Nwaoboshi 15%

A similar scenario as in Ndokwa West and Ndokwa East will play out in Ukwuani Local Government Area, although the margin there is expected to be higher with Nwoko harvesting as much as 85 percent leaving a paltry 15 percent for Nwaoboshi. The Director General of Ned Nwoko Senatorial Campaign Organization, Hon Leo Esegbue and many other PDP stalwarts are from this local government area.

OSHIMILI NORTH: Nwoko 30% – Nwaoboshi 70%

If the primary election holds today, Nwaoboshi may garner as high as 70 percent in his native Oshimili North to Ned Nwoko’s 30 percent but that is about the only local government area where the incumbent is expected to run away with victory. This is the local government area where most of the NDDC projects awarded in the last three and half years of Nwaoboshi’s stay in the Senate are located. Also most of the beneficiaries of his okada empowerment scheme are youths from Oshimili North.

OSHIMILI SOUTH: Nwoko 55% – Nwaoboshi 45%

This highly metropolitan local government has its headquarters located in Asaba, the state capital. This is a battleground local government but Nwoko is projected by pundits to win most of the delegate votes marginally here. The ratio has been put at 55 – 45 in his favour.

Image News investigations revealed that generally, credibility, trust, perception and equity are critical factors that will influence the voting pattern of delegates. Money as usual may play some limited part as in other political climes but such role would not be overriding as the Delta North senatorial district is a place where high moral value prevails.

There is also the factor of equity and fairness in rotation of the senatorial seat among the four political blocs and cultural quadrants that make up the district. These are Oshimili, Ndokwa, Ika and Aniocha. Out of the four zones, only Aniocha bloc is yet to produce a senator from the onset in the First Republic to date.

In fact, Oshimili zone where the incumbent Senator Nwaoboshi hails from has produced four elected senators since the Second Republic. These were Senators Nosike Ikpo, Azinge, Nwajei and Nwaoboshi. Ndokwa produced a three-term senator in the person of Senate Patrick Osakwe while Ika axis has produced the current governor, Dr. Okowa as Senator between 2011 and 2015.

The survey equally showed that many influential political stakeholders including elders, youths, women and party stalwarts in the Delta North district are of the view that it is Aniocha’s turn to produce the next Senator for the district come 2019. This reasoning puts Prince Ned Nwoko in pole position of landing the PDP senatorial ticket next month.

September 18, 2018 will inexorably tell the rest between Nwoko and Nwaoboshi as to who emerges the PDP senatorial flagbearer but the prevailing variables favour Ned Nwoko.

The growing fear that the National Assembly may have deliberately reneged in passing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) N242 billion budget for the 2019 general election, have been put to rest.

The National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), said there was hope that the 2019 election budget would be passed by the National Assembly next week, saying that the National Assembly may reconvene to consider the N242 billion budget for the 2019 general election.

The INEC boss made this known in Abuja on Wednesday shortly after a meeting with the leadership of the National Assembly.

The meeting was scheduled to hold earlier on Tuesday but for the siege laid to the National Assembly by the operatives of the State Security Service, SSS.

Yakubu who spoke with journalists said the National Assembly had expressed its commitment to ensuring an efficient general election.

“The most important thing to say is that INEC was invited to meet with NASS leadership on how the proposed budget for the 2019 elections can be speedily considered and appropriated by the National Assembly.

“We have been assured of speedy passage of the budget, perhaps as early as next week. N242 billion is the total amount proposed,” the INEC boss said.

Praising the leadership of the National Assembly for the meeting, Mahmood said it was confident that the plans for the coming general elections were on course.

According to him, the meeting had given assurance that the election would be supported with the needed fund.

Said he: “We have from today, exactly 191 days to the opening of polling units at 8 a.m. on Saturday the 16th of February, 2019.

“There are activities that we have to undertake for a minimum of six months to the election date.

“Six months to the election date kick starts from 15th of August, which means we have only eight days to the commencement of these activities.

“We are confident that with this meeting, all the grey areas will be ironed out and as we are concerned, our component of the cost of the election will be speedily appropriated by the National Assembly.

“This is the first time in the history of our election that the budget for the election will be subjected to approval by the National Assembly this way.

“We want to thank you for the reassurance that the commission will not be constrained in any way in the conduct of the election.”

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Delta State chapter, has commended the state governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, on the successful hosting of the 21st Confederation of African Athletics, CAA Senior Athletics Championship, 2018, in the capital city of Asaba, from August 1st – 5th 2018.

A statement issued by Dr. Ifeanyi Michael Osuoza, State Publicity Secretary, PDP, Delta State and made available to Blank NEWS Online on 06th August, 2018 reads:

“The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Delta State chapter, heartily congratulates our dynamic and visionary party leader, His Excellency, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, the Executive Governor of Delta State (Ekwueme) on the successful hosting of the 21st Confederation of African Athletics, CAA Senior Athletics Championship, 2018, in the capital city of Asaba, from August 1st – 5th 2018.

”We note with satisfaction that since March 2017, when His Excellency, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, presented our Letter of Acceptance to the visiting President of CAA, Hamad Kalkaba Malboum and his delegation in Government House, Asaba, indicating the willingness of Delta State to host the 2018 Confederation of African Athletics’ African Senior Athletics Championship, Ekwueme has answered his name not only by working with the Athletic Federation of Nigeria, also headed by our own indefatigable Chief Solomon Ogba, but indeed proceeded to deliver the brand new, state-of-the-art, Stephen Keshi Stadium, which hosted the championship and has, in its own right, become one of the major legacy infrastructure projects, amongst many others, in the first tenure of his administration.

“The Delta PDP is particularly proud of the fact that Delta State and Governor Ifeanyi Okowa played a heroic and patriotic role by rescuing Nigeria from the shame and embarrassment of failing to host the 2018 African Athletics Championships, which had been ceded to the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, after Lagos failed to concretize plans for hosting. Indeed, the President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria Shehu Gusau, captured it perfectly when he said, “I want to thank the Delta State government for putting this competition together and making sure that it succeeded despite the challenges faced. The Delta State government saved Nigeria after there was a mix up following the award of the rights to another State.”

“We are quite thrilled with the inspiring comments and praise showered on His Excellency, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa by the Confederation of Africa Athletics President, Hamad Kalkaba Malboum who equally confirmed that Delta State practically rescued the CAA from the dilemma of choosing who to host when it was obvious that Lagos State had developed cold feet after accepting to host in 2016. He said; “I asked Solomon Ogba who was AFN president then what is going to happen and he told us Delta was ready to host. We are indeed lucky to be here at Asaba 2018. The efforts of the Delta State government at hosting must be appreciated by all.”

“We most respectfully join our brothers and sisters in Nigeria and the African continent, to express our heartfelt appreciation to the IAAF President Lord Sebastian Coe, for describing our able and trust-worthy Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa as a visionary leader. He said; “IAAF is grateful to the host city, [Asaba] and the State for their support towards the championship. Sports need visionary leaders like Governor Okowa and we are grateful that the stadium is ready and will be utilised for so many other competitions for years to come.”

“Our profound gratitude also goes to the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), who deemed our Governor and leader Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, as worthy to be conferred with the prestigious NOC Merit Award, presented to him by the President of NOC, Engr. Habu Gumel, in recognition of his outstanding roles and contributions towards the development of sports in the country and we are even personally gratified to hear that the positive impact which Delta State has made in the hosting of the of the 21st Confederation of African Athletics Senior Athletics Championship in Asaba, has spurred the AFN President to declare boldly that Nigeria will be bidding to host the 2025 World Athletics Championships and motivated the IAAF President Lord Sebastien Coe to openly declare, after watching the excellent hosting of the CAA in Asaba, that Africa could host the competition in 2025 and the continent would be awarded the rights to host the world, when the bid comes.

“Of course, we undoubtedly recognize the nuisance value and pathetic belly-aching campaign of calumny by the opposition and some detractors who, in their usual garrulous manner, attempted to make a song and dance over an isolated incident that had no recognizable impact on the successful prosecution of the events and satisfactory conclusion of the championships. It is only to be expected that they would be lurking in the shadows like sinister hawks, waiting, praying and hoping for any kind of misfortune to happen, but they were sadly disappointed that all the elements, including the beautiful weather, worked together in unanimous consonance to make Asaba 2018 a resounding success.

“To the winners of the 21st African Athletics Confederation, CAA Senior Athletics Championship, we say a big congratulations and to all the other participating countries we say well done. Hosting 52 African nations in such a massive sporting extravaganza is no mean feat, especially as it concerns security, guest relations, hospitality, brand and human management and indeed the huge expectations it offers in terms of igniting some economic revival in its wake. But we did it successfully.

“We in Delta PDP are very impressed with the excitement and enthusiasm shown not only by the government under the able and dynamic leadership of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in the preparations, hosting and conclusion of this historic continental sports showpiece on the shores of our State and we are fully convinced that this monumental event will definitely serve as a veritable platform to build on other continental and global events in the future and further advance on the path of excellence, astute governance and more visionary engagements, which our ‘Ekwueme’ is quite capable of achieving.

“Most importantly, we express our overwhelming thanks to Deltans who once again exhibited their overflowing love for the PDP and their Governor, His Excellency, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, by turning out enmasse to support, cheer and ultimately create a carnivalesque atmosphere of pomp, fanfare and celebration, which not only embraced our guests from the continent with our unrivalled warmth and hospitality but equally put Asaba, Delta State and Nigeria on the continental and global map in international reckoning.

“Africa came to Delta and Asaba was a fantastic host. Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has distinguished himself as a patriotic Nigerian by making it possible for Asaba to host the 21st Senior Athletics Championships successfully. Thank you Ekwueme. Your word is your bond and you have made Delta, Nigeria and Africa proud.”

By Andy Emephia:

The Delta State Chairman of Labour Party, Chief Tony Ezeagwu has advocated for part time status for State and National Assembly members, noting that such a move will nip desperation by politicians in the bud.

Chief Ezeagu also said that making such offices part time will in no small measure determine those who genuinely want to serve the people.

The Labour Party Chairman also condemned the high cost of governance which he said has led to desperation to seek elective office by politicians.

On the current gale of defections across the country, Chief Ezeagwu said it was a normal phenomenon that precedes elections and said it was mostly based on self interest.

On the recent MOU signed by the leadership of the party and other political parties to oust President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC at the national level come the 2019 presidential elections, Chief Ezeagwu said he was awaiting further information from the party hierarchy on details of the MOU.

–By Albert OGRAKA:

Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has ordered an investigation into the remote and immediate cause of the collapsed Water Tank behind the main bowl of the Stephen Keshi Stadium during the ongoing African Senior Athletics Championships holding in Asaba.

Blank NEWS Online checks revealed that a metal construction carrying the water tank collapsed, destroying some cars, a wing and section of the stadium fence while no life was lost.

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa received approval from the Delta State House of Assembly for a loan request of N1.9billion to complete the stadium scheduled for completion in December 2017 but has allegedly gulped up much more undisclosed funds and lagged on till August, 2018 when the competition started.

Alarmed by the incident which happened on Thursday, August 2, 2018, the second day of the African Senior Athletic Championship, many observers have blamed the collapse on the shoddy and hasty completion of the stadium, giving room for inadequate monitoring of construction materials to ascertain if they were substandard or not while others described it as a white elephant project.

A dependable source close to the engineering firm handling the project, who pleaded anonymity said the marching orders and ultimatum issued by the state governor, Ifeanyi Okowa may have contributed to the near shoddy completion, as he quoted the governor as saying:
“We are expecting that the stadium should be ready by the end of June. I have also advised the contractors on what they need to do; what I need to do is to ensure that I am more regular in the project inspection. They are working hard but I believe that they need to work faster than they are doing now because there is a lot more to be done,” he said. Okowa who also inspected the project at the Asaba Airport, said that the ongoing work on the runway would be completed by the end of the month. He said that as soon as the airport runway was completed, the airport could be re-opened to flight.

Many watchers have derided the state government and the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for not adequately ensuring that everything is put in place before the commencement of the competition, explaining that during the opening ceremony, the Scoreboard had not been installed, making many people question how an Athletic meet could be held without a scoreboard. Others queried why an event of such magnitude is not broadcast live and non accreditation of most local journalists as is usually the case with internationally accredited sports meet.

The final construction work at the stadium was allegedly handled by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s younger brother and Chairman of the Delta State Sports Commission, Tonobok Okowa, who was recently reportedly alleged to have assaulted the State Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Mr Festus Agas, while admonishing him for not handling matters pertaining to the hosting of the African Senior Athletic Championship expeditiously. But Tonobok Okowa has serially denied the allegations.

Reports have it that many of the athletes from other African countries could not attend the opening ceremony of African Senior Athletic Championship, because they were stranded at the airport in Lagos due to lack of flight to Asaba. The Asaba airport which is alleged to be another elephant project by members of the Ibori dynasty is not functional for the major airlines to ply the route as only small aircrafts are taking the chance to land at the airport.

Reacting to the unfortunate development, the funcional Permanent Secretary and Director of Information, Mr. Paul Osahor said: “There is no doubt as I learnt that there were some issues concerning airlifting people to Asaba and I need to make a comment on this because of the general view about it. I did ask last night at the award ceremony what went wrong but the information I got was that initially only 46 countries enlisted to participate in this game but in the last two days the number went from 46 to 52 and some countries actually arrived in Lagos before they even knew they were participating in the championship which of course brought up the situation because our airport’s runway is very good, it is one of the best in the country but due to major rehabilitation going on in the airport, we have limited aircrafts coming in but the chartered flights that were put down that was supposed to airlift all the athletes was such that it could not accommodate them all but the athletes that have been airlifted this morning with three aircrafts has arrived Asaba. The fault was not that of the local organizing committee, these challenges do occur and they have been well attended to.”

In a statement made available to Blank NEWS Online on Thursday, August 2, 2018 by Charles Aniagwu, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Okowa,shortly after the collapse, he described the incident as regrettable but thanked God that no life was lost.

God Okowa who expressed concern over the collapse of the water tank behind the Stephen Keshi Stadium Asaba, thanked God that no life was lost to the incident.

The Governor has directed an immediate investigation into the cause of the collapse of the water tank with a view to unravel the circumstances surrounding the collapse.

He also emphasised that discilplinary actions will be taken against anyone culpable in the collapse of the water tank if it is discovered that someone failed to do the right thing abinitio.

The statement further assured that Government will take necessary steps to avert future occurrence.

He called on the Athletes and the very enthusiastic spectators to continue to savory the beauty if the competition which so far has recorded appreciable success.

-By Albert OGRAKA:

One good turn, they say, deserves another. Nineteen years after Hon. Prince Ned Nwoko, awarded scholarship to 30 indigent and non indigent citizens of Anioma from various tertiary institutions in Nigeria, little did he know that the good seeds he had sown on fertile soil would yield good fruits.

Prince Nwoko, a former member of the House of Representatives and Senatorial aspirant for Delta North, who has distinguished himself as a worthy son of Anioma in his sublime and great virtues of humility, meekness, kindness, accessibility, transparency and generosity, expressed appreciation for the honour,saying, he believes in good governance and transparency.

On Sunday, July 29, 2018, Bar. Anthony Uchechukwu Onwueme led a team of the scholarship beneficiaries to dumuje-Ugboko, Aniocha North local government area of Delta state, to present an award to Prince Ned Nwoko for the scholarships they benefited from him in 1999 when he was elected to the House of Representative in Aniocha-Oshimli Federal Constituency.

They vowed that because of Nwoko’s generosity, “We have put up a structure which is known as Anioma Movement For the Actualization of Ned Senatorial Mandate (AMfOANSEM) to work for the actualization of the senatorial ambition. We are going to mobilize voters and work effectively for your victory come 2019.

“Immediately Prince Ned Munir Nwoko as a worthy was sworn in as an  Honorable member, he swung into action by awarding scholarship to indigent and non indigent citizens of Anioma. I can recall we where up to 30 that were given scholarship from various tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

“Hon (Prince ) Ned M. Nwoko did not only give scholarship to students, he was also instrumental to then for the completion of Asaba – Benin Federal High way, the Paris London Club refund to Nigeria and numerous projects so much to mention here.

“It is of note to stress that the scholarship he gave to 30 indigent and non indigent citizens of Anioma was not only for one academic year but it was given to us throughout out study in various tertiary institutions.

“It is because of this your great virtues and what you did for us in our schooling days that we decided to confer on you today the title: Ochili Ozua 1 of Anioma Land. A title that befits your humilty and milk of kindness to poor and all Sundry.”

While responding, Prince Nwoko, who noted that youths must be given the right exposure to be able to appreciate the deficiencies in the various sectors of the economy, urged them to come together to make the political system work, by voting for the right people and making them accountable.

“You may never know what results come from your action. But if you do nothing, there will be no result.

“They have been collecting your money and giving you stipends and when you maintain silence they think you are foolish. No, you aren’t. Its because there is no voice to speak for you. And it is exactly that voice I represent. I want to speak out against whoever will fight against you. I want to go out there to speak against those who will collect job slots meant for our youths and give it out to their friends. I want to speak for you and more. But I can only speak when you give me the mandate. I can only be heard when you give me the voice, when you elect me as your Senator.”

Controversial Nigerian senator, Dino Melaye who recently decamped to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the All Progressives Congress (APC)has reportedly been kidnapped.

Nigerians have however expressed mixed feelings following the alleged abduction of Senator Dino Melaye by unknown gunmen.

Senator Dino Melaye

Senator Dino Melaye representing Kogi West in the Senate has been abducted by unknown gunmen.

This was made public by his colleague in the senate, Senator Ben Bruce (Bayelsa East) on his Twitter page.

Sharing the news, Bruce wrote: “I have just been informed by Moses Melaye, @dino_melaye’s brother, that Dino has been abducted by unknown persons in a Toyota Sienna that blocked their car and overpowered them on their way to Kogi to answer to Dino’s court case. Lets be on the watch out. Will keep you updated.”

Prior to his abduction, Melaye was arraigned yesterday before an FCT High Court in Apo, Abuja on a six-count charge bordering on attempted suicide. He was also charged with the offences of attempt to escape from lawful custody and damage of police property.

Nigerians have taken to social media to react.

Recall that the news of Dino’s alleged abduction was made public by Senator Ben Bruce who shared a tweet saying, ’I have just been informed by Moses Melaye, Dino Melaye’s brother, that Dino has been abducted by unknown persons in a Toyota Sienna that blocked their car and overpowered them on their way to Kogi to answer to Dino’s court case. Lets be on the watch out. Will keep you updated.”

See how Nigerians reacted below:

@john_danfulani wrote: “That @dino_melaye has been adopted by armed men.Nigeria has become too insecure for dissidents & political opponents.Shame on Buhari & his men.”

@abbasiddiq wrote: “Dino Melaye gets abducted on his way to a Court case and buhari is getting blamed? Like ffs what does buhari have to gain by abducting him?”

@mizcarzolar1 wrote: “Who will rescue Dino Melaye?

 

“This man has been shouting that his life is in danger. The police ignored him,withdrew his security & APC herdsmen mocked him saying he faked his neckbrace. Did he also fake his own kidnap?!”

France has won the 2018 FIFA World Cup, defeating Croatia 4-2

Mario Mandzukic scored an own-goal to open scoring, with referee Nestor Pitana awarding a penalty to Les Blues after a confirmation from the the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) after 38 minutes. Antonio Griezmann converted the spot kick, sending goalkeeper Subasic the wrong way.

Paul Pogba scored the third on 59 minutes, before Kylian Mbappe found the net for France in the 65th minute

Ivan Perisic and Mario Mandzukic however got the goals for the Croatians in the 28th and 69th minute.

The final is a perfect summary of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in total, as included an own goal, a VAR decision and a penalty.

By Michael EKOKORUWE:

The president general of Isoko development union, high chief Iduh Amadhe, has expressed displeasure and decried the plight Isoko nation is going through over the excavated portion of Iyede / Ughelli road as the contractor is yet to complete the re- construction of the road project as promised.

Speaking to newsmen on the bad state of the road after accessing the present stage of work, Amadhe said, Oghara – Iyede, Ekiugbo – Iyede and Eboh – Iyede link and internal roads have all been destroyed due to heavy trucks plighting the road as the major Iyede/Ughelli road has been cut off.

He noted that, Isoko people are not happy at the state of the road even as he was informed of mass protests of all the villagers around Iyede axis due to the destruction of all the link and internal roads in the area by heavy traffic of vehicles.

The president general condemned the company failure to provide enough equipment, men and materials to complete the road project as economic life of the people have been destroyed and commuters groaning over the bad state of the road.

Amadhe called on the project director to invite the contractor for a meeting at Isoko Unity House to factor out immediate solution on the completion of the road project.

On his part, the project director, hon Onuoseke Sonny assured of completing the road before Sunday this week as more equipment and materials are on the way. He said, the volume of work ongoing is massive and the company will not fail Isoko people and the State government.

In another development, the president general of Isoko Development Union, High Chief Iduh Amadhe, has appealed to the director monitoring of project to CCC company hon. Onuoseke Sonny during a meeting at Isoko Unity house to inform the governor of Delta State Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa on the maintainance of the internal link roads within Iyede community that has been damaged by heavy trucks and other heavy duty vehicles plieghing constantly on the road.

He also appealed to all illustrious sons of Isoko and Urhobo both in government and private sector to rise up to the challenge of the impending danger the road posses to Isoko people even as the movement of people from Asaba axis, Portharcourt and Warri axis has become an embarrassment to the government and entire Isoko nation.

While responding, hon. Onuoseke said, the governor is aware of the state of the road as he passes the road often to Warri and other area of Delta Central. Onuoseke noted that the maintenance of the internal link roads will be fixed by the contractor of the project in collaboration with the ministry of works Delta State, stressing that the internal link roads were not original part of the re – construction of the road project.

He maintained that the paucity of funds contributed to the delay in early completion of the project, adding that slight management change and earth moving equipment maintenance in the cause of waiting for funds added to delay of completing the road as promised. Onuoseke assured that the completion of the road project is now a priority to the contractor and the staff of the company due to the suffering of commuters on the road.

By Michael EKOKORUWE:

Motion for the re – election of Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa as governor of Delta State during the 2019 general election, has received mass support by Isoko youths during a mega rally organized by Isoko National Youth Council, tagged ‘Okowa Again’, held at Ellu Isoko North local government area of Delta State.

Moving the motion, comrade Fidelix Utomudo, president Isoko National Youth Council said, Isoko youth pass vote of confidence on Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa as governor of Delta State in the 2019 general election. Utomudo commended Okowa for Isoko unity house, roads, infrastructural development and empowerment of Isoko youths, emphasizing that Okowa has done much for Isoko people and deserves re – election to consolidate on the development of the area.

Comrade Innocent Eseweje, director general Delta State community youth association who seconded the motion, commended Okowa for employing the youths into various position of leadership throughout the State and assured Isoko youth of more employment opportunities in the months ahead.

The youths in their numbers from Isoko South and North endorsed the motion with a massive ovation. Dressed in colorful T – Shirts with inscription of ‘Isoko Youth Mega Rally for Okowa Again’ in 2019 from Oleh, Ozoro, Olomoro, Uzere, Irri, Iyede, Owhe, Ellu, Aviara and other communities from Isoko South and North, pledged their loyalty to Okowa administration and declared support for his re – election bid in 2019 election.

Speaking during the rally, Chief Victor Egbo, senior special assistance to Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa on youth and community development said, Okowa has kept to his promise of infrastructural development and has empowered the youths of Delta State just as the prosperity for all Deltan is dedicated to the youths and women of the State.

He noted that Okowa believes in the youths and appealed to them to get their permanent voters card and queue behind comrade Fidelix Utomudo and Comrade Agbama Paul, both president and vice president of Isoko National Youth Council and vote Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa again as governor of Delta State. Egbo commended Okowa for the construction of roads and bridges in the State and endorsed Okowa again during the 2019 election.

Also speaking, hon. Bino Owhebe, youth leader Peoples Democratic Party Delta State, thanked the president Isoko National Youth Council, comrade Fidelix Utomudo for the mega rally and appeal to the youths to remain committed and support the election of Okowa again in the 2019 election.

The special assistant to Okowa on youth mobilization Prince Lawrence Owhe, reiterated the support for Okowa again in the 2019 election, emphasizing that Okowa has commissioned many projects both infrastructural and human capital development. He maintained that Isoko youth will stand for Okowa during the 2019 election.

In attendance are comrade Agbama Paul, vice president and other executive members of Isoko national youth council, a cross section of the youth groups and their leaders from various communities of Isoko South and North local government area of Delta State.

–By Albert OGRAKA:

Delta state Commissioner for Special Duties, Government House, Hon. Henry Sakpra has said that the Delta State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) are working out modalities to ensure that buildings destroyed by rain storm in Emevor community in Isoko North Local Government Area are put in place.

Sakpra stated this when he briefed Journalists on the activities and achievements of his Office at the ongoing Ministerial press briefing in Asaba.

The Commissioner who stated that the destruction was highly devastated stated that government was working seriously through SEMA and NEMA to bring relief to the community.

Following the tragedy, which rendered several thousand people homeless, the community has been thrown into a state of despair, as over 200 houses had their roofs completely or partially torn off while economic trees, electricity poles and cables, some churches, government owned and private schools were not also spared.

Some structures at James Welsh Grammar School, Emevor were among property destroyed by the natural disaster, which began at about 8.25 pm on Wednesday, April 18, 2018 after a downpour.

President-General of Emevor Community, Engr. Moses Agboro had called on individuals and corporate bodies for support, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), as well as the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to come to the aid of the community and affected families.

The political differences between the Reformed All Progressives Congress (R-APC) and the APC took a different dimension on Thursday as the Alhaji Buba Galadima-led R-APC filed a suit seeking an order of perpetual injunction restraining Mr Adams Oshiomhole and 53 others from parading themselves as or claiming to be officers of APC.

The suit which was filed on Thursday at the Federal High Court, Abuja, also wants the defendants restrained from performing any duty as officers of the party in any capacity.

Respondents in the suit are the National Executives, led by Oshiomhole, members of National Working Committee, the chairmen of each of  36 states executive council, INEC and APC.

The suit was filed by Mr Tolu on behalf of Alhaji Buba Galadima, Mr Kazeem Afegbua, Mr Nicholas Asuzu and Hadi Ametuo as plaintiffs.

The plaintiffs are among other reliefs, asking for a declaration that the APC national convention election of June 23 be declared as invalid, null and void.

“We, who are members of R-APC want a declaration that having regard to the constitution of the APC, particularly Article 20, the Constitution, and the Electoral Act, the election conducted by the party at Eagle Square Abuja, on June 23 as invalid , null and void.

“Particularly the purported election of the following persons into the following  offices;  National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole, National Welfare Secretary Alhaji Ibrahim Masari, National Financial Secretary Alhaji Tunde Belio, National Physically Challenged, Misbahu Didi, Zonal Secretary North-Central Dr. Zakari Muhammed and Zonal Organising Secretary North-Central Ibrahim Abdul.

“Others are, Zonal Women Leader North-Central, Hassana Abduliahi, Ex-Officio North-Central, Nelson Abba, Zonal Secretary North-East Abubakar Sadiq, Ex-Officio North-East, lsah Azare, Zonal Secretary North-West Tukur  Gusau, and Zonal Organising Secretary North-West Abdulmunab Muhammad.

“A declaration that there being no valid election at the June 23 National Convention of the APC, thereby leaving a vacuum, the reform-minded faction of APC known as R-APC validly constituted the plaintiffs and the other national officers and state executives of APC to fill the vacuum and act in interim capacities as officers of the APC.

“An order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from parading themselves or claiming to be officers of the APC or performing any function as officers of the party in any capacity as their elections and swearing-in as officers of APC is invalid, null and void.”

In a 39- paragraph statement of claim, the plaintiffs claimed that the APC was harbouring intractable divisions and the party was awaiting a massive implosion.

The statement also claimed that the party might finally collapse unless steps were taken by reform-minded members to address the issues.

They also claimed that APC had become factionalised and it was no longer a secret as the crisis tearing the party to pieces at the national and sub-national levels was in public domain.

They further claimed that the manner in which the national convention of the party was conducted had deepened the division within the party and exacerbated the leadership crisis.

In the suit, they also claimed that most members of the party felt alienated which had resulted in open and massive divisions, fractionalization, and disenchantment within the rank and file of the party.

The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) reports that a date has, however, not been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

The R-APC is a body unknown in law and has no registration certificate from INEC.

(NAN)

Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Thursday, July 5, 2018, refused a bail application filed by Fred Ajudua, a serial fraud suspect.

Ajudua is facing trial alongside one Joseph Ochunor on a 12-count charge bordering on fraud and conspiracy.

The defendants were alleged to have defrauded one Ziad Abu Zalaf of Technical International Limited in Germany of a sum of $550, 000 in 1993.

At the last adjourned sitting on June 13, 2018, counsel to Ajudua, Norrisson Quakkers, SAN, had urged the court to grant bail to his client on health grounds.

“We filed a seven-paragraph affidavit dated June 12, where we stated the medical situation of the defendant,” Quakkers had said.

However, counsel to the prosecution, Temitope Banjo, who stood in for the lead counsel, Seidu Atteh, had told the court that Ajudua’s claim of ill health was no longer a valid reason for him to be granted bail.

The prosecution had further described the defendant as a flight risk, adding that “The defendant has relied so much on health grounds for his bail, but an investigation by the Commission revealed that whenever court grants him bail, he will start to write letters of adjournment.”

Consequently, Justice Dada had adjourned to July 5(today) for determination of the bail application by the defendant.

Ruling on the application today, Justice Dada held that granting Ajudua bail would further truncate his trial that had suffered a setback since he was first arraigned on March 5, 2009 before Justice Oyefeso.

The Judge, therefore, ordered Ajudua to be transferred to Kirikiri Prison custody pending the determination of his bail application and commencement of trial.

Ajudua was re-arraigned before Justice Dada, following the re-assignment of the case file by the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Opeyemi Oke, for accelerated trial.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have been rated as “team with the best travelling uniform” in Russia by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), few days to the commencement of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

The rating comes days after a world fashion magazine GQ rated Nigerian Super Eagles jersey as the best for the 2018 World Cup.

See the travelling uniform in pictures below:

Kieran Trippier’s magnificent early free-kick had seemingly set England on course to reach their first final since they lifted the trophy on home soil back in 1966.

But it wasn’t to be, as Croatia came roaring back in the second half and equalised through Ivan Perisic before somehow finding the energy to win despite being taken to extra time for the third time in 10 days.

The biggest winners of the night could well be France, who have had an extra day’s rest for Sunday’s final after edging out Belgium 1-0 on Tuesday.

That will not matter too much right now for Croatia, who are the smallest nation to make it to the final since Uruguay back in 1950.

England had been the ones hoping to make history, in what was their first appearance in the semi-finals in 28 years.

Then they were beaten on penalties by West Germany. Having ended their famous penalty curse by beating Colombia in a shootout in the last 16, they might have fancied repeating here.

But Croatia, having won on penalties against Denmark and Russia in the last two rounds, saw the game out, dousing the World Cup dream of Gareth Southgate’s side that had gone from the improbable to the possible over the last month in Russia.

Southgate stuck with the same starting line-up as that which eased past Sweden in the quarter-finals, while Inter Milan’s Marcelo Brozovic replaced Andrej Kramaric in the Croatian line-up.

Pundits were looking to the inspirational Luka Modric to control the game, but instead it was he who gave away the early free-kick from which Trippier put England ahead.

It was a fantastic curling effort from 25 yards from the Tottenham Hotspur full-back, and England’s first goal direct from a free-kick at the World Cup since David Beckham against Ecuador in 2006.

England could not have imagined a better start.

Croatia were stunned, and Ivan Rakitic, usually so accomplished, was especially off his game.

Zlatko Dalic’s side did gradually grow into the contest, but they could still be relieved to go in at half-time only one goal down, especially as Harry Kane was denied by a combination of goalkeeper Danijel Subasic and the woodwork on the half-hour mark.

Croatia hung on and it was to their immense credit that they turned the tide after the break in what developed into an epic encounter.

Shooting towards the end of the Luzhniki Stadium where most of their fans were gathered, they equalised in the 68th minute, as Sime Vrsaljko crossed from the right and Perisic stole in front of the stooping Kyle Walker to score with his left foot.

Having looked so comfortable earlier, England’s young side were rattled, and they were lucky not to go behind soon after as Perisic sent a low shot across Jordan Pickford and off the far post.

Unable to get the second goal while they were on top, Croatia were forced into extra time again.

Vrsaljko cleared a John Stones header away from in front of the line, but England had Pickford to thank for a brilliant save as Mandzukic connected with a devilish Perisic cross.

It was a wonder the Juventus forward did not break a limb as Pickford crunched into him.

He managed to carry on after treatment, and he was on hand to sweep the ball low past Pickford after Perisic’s header back into the area caught the England defence on the hop to finally decide a brilliant contest.

–By Michael EKOKORUWE

The senior special assistant to Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, governor of Delta State on youth and community development Chief Victor O. Egbo, has donated 100 plastic chairs, 12 tables, 6 standing fans and 6 wall clocks to the five wards of Isoko South constituency 1 , at the People’s Democratic Party’s secretariat Oleh, Isoko South local government area of Delta State.

While presenting the items to Mr. Raphael Odorewu, Chairman People’s Democratic Party Isoko South, Chief Egbo said, “My consultation visits to the various wards in the constituency reveals that several items are required for the comfort of the constituents during their meeting”. He noted that some of the wards have no office and others have no furniture’s in the five wards visited.

Egbo assured the various wards chairmen that henceforth; he will be responsible for the payment of office rents of the five wards in the constituency, adding that the ward that has no office should get one as he will be responsible for the payment. He said some of the items are for the office of the local government party chairman.

Mr. Raphael Odorewu commended Chief Victor Egbo for the donation, noting that Egbo has been magnanimous in other areas and have effected new transformation into the party. Odorewu prayed for God’s blessing and urged Egbo to do more as the items were received by the party chairman and the chairmen of the five wards from Oleh kingdom, Irri and Emede communities.

The youth coordinator, Delta South Senatorial District and former president Isoko National Youth Assembly in continuation of his consultation, visited Sir Itiako C. Ikpokpo, Chairman Isoko South local government area, HRM Anthony W. Ovrawah Omogha 1, the Odiologbo of Oleh kingdom and Chief Aaron Akelemor, chairman Emede ward 05 to appeal for support in his election bid as member Delta State house assembly representing Isoko South constituency 1.

In his words Sir Ikpokpo said, Egbo is qualified for the position as he has been in position of leadership overtime. He noted that Egbo relates with people which according to him is key to the present dispensation. Ikpokpo urged Egbo to campaign vigorously; assuring that there will be free and fair primary election in the local government area. He prayed for good heath, sound mind and good followers to ensure success in the herculean task ahead.

On his part, the Odiologbo of Oleh kingdom sued for peace in Oleh during the coming elections even as he urged every aspirant to avoid litigation during the campaigns and election period. The monarch prayed for long life, peace, prosperity and wisdom to succeed in the race to the Delta State House of Assembly, Isoko South constituency 1. The monarch said, “I am sending you forth, be strong and have good relationship with people”.

In attendance are palace chiefs from Oleh kingdom, Mr. Okogba Pius, the secretary to Odiologbo of Irri community, ward chairmen from the constituency, PDP stalwarts from Isoko South and a cross section of youth and women from the constituency among others.

The Delta State SEEFOR now has a new Project Coordinator, Mr Frank Apokwu who succeeds Mr Benson Ojoko.

Meanwhile, the Delta State Commissioner for Economic Planning, Dr Kingsley Emu, commended the outgoing SEEFOR Project Coordinator, Mr Benson Ojoko, for the stream of successes recorded under him and enjoined the new Project Coordinator, Mr Frank Apokwu, to justify the confidence reposed in him by ensuring the continued growth of the project.

Dr Emu gave the commendation in Asaba at a meeting he had with the new Project Coordinator, Mr Frank Apokwu, the outgoing Project Coordinator, Mr Benson Ojoko and the staff of SEEFOR Project in Asaba.

The Commissioner described Mr Ojoko’s track record and performance as uncommon especially as he had brought his wealth of experience to bear in coordinating the affairs of the project.

The Commissioner maintained that SEEFOR project was important to the state government, saying that it was the reason he attended all critical meetings concerning the project with a view to fashioning out ways of ensuring sustainability of the project.

He reiterated that the Okowa-led administration in its determination to complement infrastructural drive in the state had leveraged the SEEFOR platform for this purpose, saying that SEEFOR projects had been rated very successful by the World Bank on all its sub-components.

Dr Emu, who harped on the need for staff to adhere to World Bank procedures at all times, charged staff of SEEFOR to always put in their best, adding that Mr Benson Ojoko was a hardworking officer who the commissioner opined had impacted immensely to the project.

The Economic Planning Commission warned staff agianst peddling false rumours on the project and its activities, saying such was capable of portraying the project in negative light.

Speaking earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Economic Planning, Mr Ben Igo, urged staff to shun unnecessary and unguarded statements that could impact negatively on the project, advising evil elements in the SEEFOR project who were bent on writing unnecessary petitions to stop.

In his remarks, the new Project Coordinator, Mr Frank Apokwu, pledged to contribute his quota to the successes recorded so far in the SEEFOR project, adding that he would carry his staff along, just as he maintained that the outgoing Project Coordinator was a man full of humility.