After an exclusive vetting of all political leaders and office holders in Ndokwa Nation since inception of democracy in 1999, the Ndokwa Transformers, a non-governmental socio-political group have given credit to Monday Onyeme, saying he has contributed to the socio-ecomomic development of Ndokwa Nation.

The coordinator of the Ukwuani chapter of the group, Comrade Monday Okikili,Coordinator of Odoziani Ezinne Supporters Group for Okowa in Ward 5 Ukwuani local government area, disclosed this to Blank NEWS Online, after the Editor Nwador Ifeanyi arrived the venue of the meeting at Obiaruku, headquarters of Ukwuan local government area.

He said that Monday Onyeme, Chairman Delta State Board of Internal Revenue, has contributed in uplifting lives of people and infrastructural development in Ndokwa Nation.

Blank NEWS Online sources have it that he has the mandate of the conscience of the youths who has common ideology of transformation agenda of the Ndokwa people.

Russian businessman, Sergei Mavrodi, whose MMM pyramid scheme deprived millions of Russians and money enthusiasts all over the world of their savings in the 1990s, has died of a heart attack, according to Russia media.

According to reports, the 62-year-old was rushed to the hospital late on March 25 with pain in his chest and died several hours later.

Mavrodi’s MMM financial pyramid was a typical Ponzi scheme in which earlier investors receive their profits from subsequent investors.

Mavrodi promised returns of 20 per cent to 75 per cent a month, as well as lotteries and bonuses for investors.

As soon as the number of new clients stopped growing, the pyramid collapsed, causing huge financial losses for at least 10 million people, in some cases leaving them poor.

In 1994, Mavrodi was elected as a lawmaker, a decision he later said was to ensure he received immunity from prosecution.

In 1996, he lost his parliamentary mandate.

In 2007, a Moscow court found him guilty of financial fraud and sentenced him to 4 1/2 years in a penal colony.

In 2011, Mavrodi launched another pyramid scheme called MMM-2011, calling on investors to purchase so-called Mavro currency units in a bid to get rid of the “unfair” financial system.

Some 15 months later, Mavrodi halted the project.

From 2011 to 2016, Mavrodi launched Ponzi schemes under the MMM brand in India, China, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Nigeria.

In many of those countries, Mavrodi’s operations were subsequently shut down or suspended.

Source: Radio Liberty

The Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr Oghenekaro Ilolo, has called on the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), to carry out a proper audit of all voluntary organizations in the State to identify the real ones.

Mr Ilolo made the call when the Executive members of the NYCN, Delta State Chapter, paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Asaba.

Mr Ilolo stated that for a proper audit of voluntary organizations in the State, the Delta State Government needed visible, tangible partnership and collaboration of the NYCN.

According to him, proper audit would not be business as usual as the State Government was committed to paying subventions to genuine voluntary organization to empower them for their duty.

Mr Ilolo urged the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Delta State Chapter, to work closely with the Directorate and look for a common goal to achieve their aim of promoting the welfare of youths in the State.

“NYCN is the catalyst with which every youth organization must identify with henceforth every youth body must be anchored by NYCN,” he said.

The Youth Commissioner appealed to NYCN to put aside all litigations and chart a common course to promote youths in the State, even as he urged the leadership of the body to operate an open door policy.

Mr Ilolo revealed that the State Government had plan for training of selected voluntary organisations in the three senatorial districts of the State this year.

The Commissioner, who used the occasion to equally call on women to participate actively in youth activities in the State, said stated that he was happy to see women participate in activities that promoted the welfare of youths.

He said that more women should endeavour to join youth organizations and politics, be involved in programmes that promote the girl child and women empowerment.

Women, he observed, formed the substantial part of the society and were more coordinated, even as he charged them to come out en mass, be pro-active and participate actively in youth activities in the State.

Responding, the Chairman, NYCN, Delta State Chapter, Comrade Kenneth Okorie thanked the Delta State Government for giving the body a youth as its Commissioner, even as he promised to cooperate with the Commissioner to ensure that voluntary youth organizations in the State were well coordinated.

Comrade Okorie appealed to the Commissioner to assist the youth with the release of 32 seater buses provided for the youth by the immediate passed administration of Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan.

Highpoint of the visit was an observance of a minute silence for the pioneer NYCN Chairman, Chief Kahli Ofomukoro who passed away recently.

Dr Cairo Ojougboh, a former Deputy National Chairman of the Ali Modu Sheriff’s faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). In this interview, he speaks on diverse political issues and insecurity challenges in the country.

He insisted that the Nigerian masses that vote during elections are with the Muhammadu Buhari led APC government because they understand that the root cause of the  current problems of the country was caused by the last PDP government.

Excerpts:

You talked about the PDP being desperate to return to power but the party has witnessed defections from its fold of late. How do you think the development will impact on its chances in 2019?

You know the reason some of us in Ali Modu Sheriff’s faction of the PDP left the party? Almost everybody in that faction has moved to the APC. Prof. Jerry Gana and Prof. Tunde Adeniran left the party recently. So, more people are leaving; and more people will still leave. That tells you that when people shout that APC cannot win in 2019, Buhari cannot win in 2019, they talk out of political naivety. This is politics and Nigerians should be careful about what they say. The people who make such utterances play politics in the media and on the Internet. But the masses that vote during elections are with this government. Let me ask you: how many times have you voted in elections in this country? A lot of these people who read newspapers, watch television and surf the Internet cannot go and line up with the masses to vote. And it’s the vote that counts. Did you see the huge crowd that welcomed the president during his visit to Plateau State? People were climbing electric poles and water reservoirs to catch a glimpse of him. It’s because the people understand the root cause of the problems of the country. They appreciate the president’s anti-corruption efforts. They want him to send all those that have stolen our common wealth to jail. Now, if you are talking about the PDP returning to power in 2019, how are they going to do that? Look at my state, Delta, for instance. How can the governor win a second term in office? The man does not even have an idea of budgeting. He is completely incompetent. After three years in office, he has nothing to show as his achievement. The only thing he has to show is the Paris Club refund, which his administration has not been able to explain how it was expended. This is not to talk of the loans his administration has been taking from the banks. They have been using the name of the Asagba of Asaba to campaign for his second term, but a chief recently came out to declare that the Asagba never endorsed him for a second term. That says much about the dishonesty in the PDP. How can a governor allow people to go and be saying that the Asagba has approved a second term for him when indeed nothing like that happened? Are these the kind of people you want to handover the government to? God forbid! Nigerians will not allow PDP to come back to power; they caproblems.

President Muhammadu Buhari has, of late, been visiting states that are battling with one security challenge or the other. How do you think his visit would rub-off on the state of affairs in those states and the entire country?

I have said it times without number that the president is a very caring man. He means well for this country. You see, the foundation for these skirmishes and herdsmen’s menace across the country was laid years ago. But the president has put machinery on ground to tackle it. The military has been deployed to the affected places, which has made it possible to have some level of peace under which Mr. President could visit. With the visits, the people now know that he means well for the country. So, those who feel offended will now calm down and explore the alternatives towards restoring peace.

Now, the conflict point is that the herders move their cattle to graze and look for water. In the process of doing so, they injure and violate farmers who pursue their own businesses in a particular location; they are static. That is the cause of all these problems. So, government must do everything within its powers to separate the herders and farmers so that there will be no contact. Once that is done, we will have peace everywhere in the country.

The president has ordered that any herder seen with arms must be arrested and charged to court. That is the position of government. But as with every issue like this, people are bound to hold divergent opinions. There are those who say that the president didn’t visit the states early. They just take one-off issues like the shooting in California and the 9/11 attacks in the U.S. and begin to draw comparison. But this has been an ongoing problem, so there was no need for the president to rush to the place. What was uppermost at that point in time was to provide security for the people. The president is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and he promptly ordered the security agencies to provide security for the affected areas. So, we must separate governance from politics; we must separate religion from politics. We must not politicise everything. Because the PDP is desperate to come back to power, they are willing to tell any lies and do anything to discredit the government of the day and the person of the president. It is most unfortunate.

You said the foundation of the present security challenges was laid a long time ago. How?

APC was not in power when herdsmen started kidnapping people in this country. Have you forgotten? Was the APC in power when the killings in Plateau and Benue states started? By 2011, these killings had been pronounced and APC wasn’t in power then; President Buhari wasn’t in power then. So, the problem has been there.

But some Nigerians are saying that this administration should stop giving excuses and find solutions to the problem?

Nigerians saw the president in Benue when he castigated the Inspector-General of Police. The president has mobilised battalions to the affected areas to provide security and restore peace. But remember that the police had been perennially and perpetually under-funded. The police don’t also have enough personnel. The number of policemen in the country is about 250,000 but this government has ordered that the personnel should be increased to almost 500,000. The government is now funding the police like never before. When we have enough policemen and they are well funded and equipped, they can deal with these skirmishes. It’s not every situation that you bring in the Army. This herdsmen’s menace is something that the police can handle properly if they are well equipped. This administration is already trying to achieve that.

**Plans To Investigate Alleged Officials’ Corrupt Practices

Delta state governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has denied that Mr. D.O Nwachukwu, founder of Nwachukwu Auctioneering Services, currently handling the ongoing auction of unserviceable assets in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the state, is his biological cousin.

The governor made the denial during a quarterly press briefing on Wednesday, March 21, 2018 while reacting to an alleged involvement of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Barr. Festus Ovie Agas, Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and Secretary, Board of Survey on Unserviceable Assets, Mr. Jaho Adams, among other top government officials in a N350 million fraud.

They were alleged to have conned unsuspecting buyers of the disposable items which include vehicles, power generating plants, hospital equipment, electrical appliances, computers, furniture, beds, generators, Marcopolo buses and machinery across the state, into paying amounts ranging from between N2 and N20 million into a private Zenith Bank account bearing Afam Dynasty Limited (account number 1015329614), operated by one Mr. Afam Adingupu, Operations Manager of Nwachukwu Auctioneering Services.

It was also alleged that instead of issuing the official receipts reflecting the true amounts paid for the items, the board, in connivance with the auctioneer, has been issuing receipts reflecting N150, 000, to be supposedly paid into the government coffers through the Board of Survey on Unserviceable Assets account (0066875580) at Sterling Bank.

Governor Okowa reacted thus:
“I want to thank all of you and I also want to appeal very promptly. Sometimes we know that there are lots of reports that go on and in the social media all manner of things are said. When you sit on this kind of office, you have to tolerate all manner of things but it is only just fair that sometimes we should carry out what is called investigative journalism before you come out here to make assertions.

“D.O Nwachukwu is not my cousin in the first instance, you would have been able to find out that and secondly I’m aware that long before I came into government, D.O Nwachukwu has been a licensed auctioneer for several years, right from the defunct Bendel state. So its not not a question of whether he is competent or not but he is not my cousin. That information was not correct.

“As to whether there are corrupt practices, it is for me to check to see what is going on. I have just asked them to verify the Zenith Bank account number and they said it does not exist in Zenith Bank. I am going to investigate it still to the end but please be sure that your information is credible because sometimes when you accuse somebody wrongly, it is not about me, when you accuse somebody wrongly, it is not fair because you may not have this gathering again to refute the story and I think that there is the need to check that out.

“But till tomorrow, I have enough confidence in the Secretary to the State Government. I have more than enough confidence in him.”

Former Delta State Governor, Chief James Ibori, has filed an appeal against his conviction on Wednesday at London’s Court of Appeal.

Ibori who was jailed and spent years in UK prison after pleading guilty to laundering a stolen fortune in Britain, is out to challenge his conviction.

Reuters reports that the former governor has also raised allegations of corruption against the ranks of British police.

At stake are about 90 million pounds ($130 million) of Ibori’s assets, which have been frozen for years.

The British authorities aim to confiscate them and return them to the Nigerian state, but if Ibori’s conviction were overturned he would regain control of them.

As governor of oil-producing Delta State from 1999 to 2007, Ibori became one of Nigeria’s most powerful men and enjoyed a millionaire lifestyle, with properties and luxury cars in several countries.

At the time of his arrest he was in the process of buying a $20 million private jet.

His conviction in 2012, after he admitted 10 counts of fraud and money-laundering, was a rare example of a big player in Nigerian politics being held to account for the corruption that has blighted Africa’s most populous nation.

But Ibori’s lawyers allege that one of the British police officers who investigated him took bribes in 2007 from a private detective, hired by a British law firm working for Ibori, in return for inside information about the police investigation.

They also allege that British anti-corruption police who were supposed to investigate the alleged bribery instead covered it up to avoid scuppering Ibori’s trial and tarnishing the reputation of the police.

All the people against whom allegations of corruption or bad faith have been made have denied them.

The appeal hearing, being held before three judges at London’s Court of Appeal, is due to last three days.

Ibori was released from jail in December 2016 after serving half of his 13-year sentence, as is normal in Britain, and he returned to Nigeria in February 2017. He has re-emerged in public life and been feted at various events.

He was due to give evidence on Wednesday via video-link from Nigeria, and he appeared briefly on a screen in court, but the connection was lost and could not be restored. The court was told a power cut in Nigeria was the reason for the glitch.

Despite being a major oil and gas producer, Nigeria has daily electricity cuts – a result of decades of corruption and mismanagement in the power sector.

The judges instructed that a new attempt be made to establish a video-link to Ibori on Thursday.

The leading opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has described the abduction and release of the students of Government Girls Science and Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State, by Boko Haram as stage-managed.

The essence of the alleged stage-managed abduction, the party said, was to score cheap political point all in a bid to ensure that the All Progressives Congress, APC, remained in government beyond 2019.

Speaking at a press briefing, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, said his party considered the alleged shenanigan as wicked, callous and tormenting.

According to him, it was a terrible thing to allegedly use innocent schoolgirls as pawns in a script that was designed to hoodwink Nigerians and orchestrate a great rescue and security prowess of a conquering general, all to in an effort to push a 2019 re-election bid.

He stressed that it was “an unpardonable gamble with human lives.”

Ologbondiyan stated further:

“While this failed Dapchi drama remains a poorly crafted tragicomedy: a scam of no equal dimension, Nigerians are not ready to forgive the APC and the Presidency for the torments inflicted on the girls, their parents and the human community worldwide just to score a cheap political point.

“Nigerians know that the main aim of this devilish act was to delude the public, set the stage for an orchestrated rescue, create a heroic myth and false sense of achievement around the APC administration and serve as a spur for President Muhammadu Buhari’s declaration to contest the 2019 presidential election, perhaps in the coming weeks.

“As a political party, we want to further state unequivocally that by all ramifications, this is a war crime against humanity and gross violation of human rights on the part of the APC administration, all in the bid to push a selfish and ill-lucked 2019 ambition.”

Ologbondiyan said as far as his party was concerned, there was no evidence that the Boko Haram insurgents or any militant group abducted the schoolgirls in the first place.

He said rather, what was evident to all was the high level official manipulation of security movements in Dapchi both in the staged abduction and the returning of the traumatised schoolgirls.

He said it was instructive to note that till date, no report had been presented by the National Security Adviser (NSA), who had been charged by President Muhammadu Buhari with investigation of the abduction.

According to him, that was in addition to deliberate efforts by the government to suppress free flow of information around the abduction.

“Even the regular Nigerian on the street has examined the events leading to this abduction of our daughters as well as their release and can deduce the obvious.

“Nigerians are all aware that both the abduction and return of the schoolgirls were dramatically preceded by questionable withdrawal of troops and all security apparati at checkpoints and flashpoints in the Dapchi area.

“They are also aware that the Buhari Presidency, as the principal command centre of military operations, has refused to come out clear on the compromising of security and why no arrest has so far been effected in the entire saga, thus betraying a high-level of government conspiracy against the citizens for political reasons,” Ologbondiyan stated.

He said the PDP therefore called on the United Nations (UN) and the International Criminal Court to declare “this evil by the APC Federal Government a war crime against humanity and immediately commence investigation on the matter.”

He said the PDP demanded the arrest and prosecution of all those involved in the alleged stage-managed abduction.

He stated further: “In the same vein, we join Nigerians to demand for the setting up of a UN monitored Truth Commission to unravel the facts around the Dapchi event as well as the abduction of schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State in 2014.

“While we commiserate with the families of our loved daughters and rejoice with those whose daughters were brought home safely, we urge Nigerians to be alert and continue to monitor the activities of the APC as we approach the 2019 general election since it is now clear that this government will stop at nothing in its desperate bid to perpetuate itself in power against the will of the people.”

*Gov. Okowa Reaffirms Commitment To Service Delivery, Transparency, Accountability For Economic Stability

Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to realizing the administration’s SMART agenda policies through a culture of effective service delivery, transparency and accountability in all its transactions in its new procurement regime.

Governor Okowa stated this after declaring open a two-day workshop on new procurement regime for political office holders and selected senior management personnel in the Delta state Public Service, on Wednesday, March 20, 2018 at the Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba.

The governor, who was represented by the Special Adviser to the Delta state governor on Urban Renewal, Hon. Basil Ganagana, urged participants to seize the opportunity of the workshop to clarify grey areas in the public procurement law, adding that the workshop is timely and in line with the due process in the public service delivery initiative of the state government.

He disclosed that the enactment of the Delta State Public Procurement Law in 2016 is part of the state government’s desired commitment to further entrench prudence in management of the state resources towards achieving long-term economic stability.

“Our interest is to restore prompt services delivery, transparency, competition, integrity and value for money in the award and execution of public contract procurement and other services. We are also interested in restoring openness in budgetary discipline, efficient project execution and improvement in service delivery.”

In his welcome address, the Director General, Delta State Public Procurement Commission (DSPPC), Mr. Joseph Duke Okeze said procurement is at the center of development in every part of the world, hence good governance thrives when the public procurement processes are governed by rules and effective institutions.

He said that, as part of his quest for effective governance, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has embarked upon far-reaching institutional, legal and regulatory reforms since he assumed office in 2015, leading to the enactment of the Delta State Public Procurement Law in 2016, in a bid to achieve transparency, competitiveness and value for money in public procurement.

According to him, “Public procurements play important roles in determining the extent to which government’s social and economic targets will be attained. The business of government is conducted through policies, plans and framework with the aim of achieving socio-ecomomic development. Policies include those on various sectors such as education and health, whilst frameworks include development targets such as Sustainable Development Goals. All these are dependent on effective procurement systems to achieve their short, medium and long-term goals.”

Paper presentation for the two-day workshop include, “Implementing the Procurement Reforms: the Edo State Experience by the Managing Director, Edo State Procurement Agency, Mr. Henry Idogun and “Overview of the Delta State Public Procurement Law – Introduction and Interpretation by the Lead Director, Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), Abuja, Mr. Eze Onyekpere Esq.

The sensitization workshop slated for Tuesday March 20 and Wednesday March 21, 2018 is intended to introduce participants to the major provision of the Delta State Public Procurement Law to explore opportunities for socio-economic growth inherent in the implementation of the reform legislations.

It will also enable participants understand the basic principles for procurement planning under the revised Delta State Public Procurement Law.

Participans at the interactive workshop included State Commissioners in charge of various ministries, departments, and agencies (MDA’s) Special Advisers, Permanent Secretaries, Directors General of Agencies, and executive secretaries.

The Ijaw People’s Development Initiative (IPDI) has threatened to boycott the proposed Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s Town Hall meeting in Burutu over the governor’s alleged deliberate resfusal to release fund for the commencement of work on the abandoned Ayakoromo bridge project earlier approved by the governor.

They resolved to mobilise people in the poorly governed riverine communities to stage a protest against the Governor.

The rresolution was contained in a statement signed by Comr. Ezekiel Kagba of Ijaw People’s development Initiative (IPDI); Comr.Arerebo Yerinmene, Acting Spokesman, Burutu Activists Forum (BAF); Mr Ebibofa Azeez, Representative of Burutu Riverine communities; Comrade Williams Welemu, National spokesman, Coalition of Niger Delta voices (CNDV).

The statement reads:
“We are perturbed over the delay and the deliberate failure to release fund for the commencement of the abandoned Ayakoromo bridge project by Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State.

“We are not also comfortable with the non-commencement of works for some of the few state road projects despite the media alarms that the contractors have mobilised back to site.

“It is pertinent to note that Okowa is taken our silence over his misrepresentation of Ijaw areas for granted and we will tell him that gone are the days of failed promises. He promised one billion take-off funds for the abandoned Ayakoromo bridge but it is turning out to be a political promise. We will not accept it.

“We have resolved to boycott the proposed Okowa’s Town Hall meeting in Burutu. We will instead, mobilised the poorly governed riverine communities to stage a protest against the Governor.

“In an enlarged meeting comprising all the affected communities in Burutu LGA, we have agreed to show to the world through Governor Okowa’s visit to Burutu township, how the Governor has used politics to shortchange us. Our resolve is that, it would have been better he (Okowa) should not come to Burutu without releasing the approved funds for the bridge and the immediate commencement of work on other abandoned projects in the LGA because no riverine community will attend the meeting. This is not a threat but a reality. We will stage one million man protest against against the Governor because we are running out of patient.

“It is becoming clear to us that Okowa does not have any regard for Burutu people. The delay is a deliberate attempt to abandon Ayakoromo bridge project and we will not accept it.

“We are already preparing for another mega protest to tell the wall how we have been marginalised by the Okowa Government despite the fact that Burutu LGA is the economic live wire of the State. This protest at the Town Hall meeting will serve as a follow up call to expedite action for the completion of the above projects because we have perceived that Okowa is playing politics with Ayakoromo bridge projects. Over five months since he approves one billion for Ayakoromo bridge project, no fund is yet to be released for the commencement of work. We are not comfortable with the new fold of events.

“The Governor should be reminded of his promise to us during our meeting with his representatives at Asaba where he said paucity of funds will no longer be an excuse because there is an improve in the State’s IGRs and the Federal allocations since the Forcados terminal has started operation.

“In conclusion, we wish to state unequivocally that we have no business with Okowa until funds are released for Ayakoromo bridge project and commence work on the project site.”

“Aside from the 2017 Winter Olympics, the annual meeting of the African Development Bank this May in Korea, is the most important event on our calendar,”  – Kim Dong Yen.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Strategy and Finance, Kim Dong Yen while hosting a delegation led by Bank President, Akinwumi Adesina in Seoul, said Korea has been provided with an opportunity to deepen relationships with the African Development Bank, African governments, and the private sector.

Yeon mentioned that as part of a larger strategic engagement with Africa, Korea is interested in developing an Tech Corp human exchange and learning platform that would provide talented young Korean professionals with opportunities to serve in the public and private sector of the bank’s member nations.

Adesina, noted that asymmetrical or insufficient information and communication about African investment opportunities was a problem that needed to be fixed. He said a bilateral Tech Corp exchange would provide talented young Africans with much needed exposure and experiential learning in Korea.

During meetings with Mayor Suh Byung-Soo of Busan, Korea’s technologically innovative ‘smart city,’ Adesina promoted the Bank’s African Investment Forum in November 2018, stating that Africa was open for business, and that the forum would be ‘short on talk’ and ‘high on transactions and project pipelines.’

According to Mayor Byung-Soo, his country is highly interested in a Korea-Africa business forum that would open up doors for investment and development in Africa, and in leveraging opportunities for technological exchanges with Africa.

The African Development Bank team also visited Silla University, where school President Tae-Hak Park took the delegation on a tour of the country’s largest drone testing site and the University’s live simulation center. Silla is at the forefront of Korea’s industrial drone technology and the development of platforms supporting artificial intelligence, robotics, and Busan’s dynamic transition into a knowledge economy.

The Chairman and President of the Korea EXIM Bank, Sung-Soo Eun, said, “if the African Development Bank in conjunction with other MDBs can help de-risk investments and stabilize local currencies and exchanges rates, and continue commitments to regulatory and policy reforms, there will be significant Korean investments on the continent.”

Kang-rae Lee, the President of Korea Expressway Corporation, highlighted Korea’s Cooperative Intelligent Transportation System, a national road network using a combination of CCTV, data, cloud computing, drones, and real time simulation, to create an efficient road network. Korea Expressway Corporation collected close to $4 billion in tolls in 2017.

While noting that only 15% of Africa’s trade was internal, Adesina said one of the Bank’s key agendas, Integrating Africa, was essential for the rapid movement of people, goods, and services, as well as Africa’s economic and social transformation.

Earlier, Adesina hosted members of Africa’s Diplomatic community in Seoul to a dinner reception. Guests included Ambassadors Albino Malungo, Angola; Sylvestre Kouassi Bile, Cote d’Ivoire; Mohammed Gello, Kenya; Nozuko Gloria Bam, South Africa; Amin Mohammed Dalhatu, Nigeria; Nabih El Abed, Tunisia; Wilbur Simuusa, Zambia; Hazem Fahmy, Egypt; Emma Francois Isumbingabo, Rwanda; Chafik Rachadi, Morocco; Shiferaw Jarso Tedecha, Ethiopia; Difie, Agyarko Kusi, Ghana; Ruth Solange Akoume, Gabon; and Adrian Theater of Belgium.

Noting that Africa will be home to 500 million people by 2050, Ambassador Malungo said, “while the continent is urgently diversifying its economies, it is now time to dream of and create a new Africa.”

Busan will host the Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank from May 21 – 25, 2018.

Indian authorities have seized a solar power plant and some 134 acres of land belonging to billionaire jeweller Nirav Modi in connection with the country’s biggest-ever bank fraud of 1.8 billion U.S. dollars.

“The Enforcement Directorate took possession of the land and solar power plant in Ahmednagar in western India Sunday.

“Earlier, it attached 21 immovable properties worth 5.24 billion rupees belonging to the jeweller and his companies,” a senior official said Monday.

Indian authorities have already sought Interpol’s help to track down Modi and and his uncle and business partner Mehul Choksi in connection with the bank fraud.

India’s External Affairs Ministry has also revoked their passports.

Modi is said to have defrauded Punjab National Bank, India’s second largest state-run bank, of 1.8 billion dollars, though he has said that he owed the bank only 775 million dollars, in a letter sent to the bank’s management.

Indian investigators have so far arrested nearly 20 people, including some senior executives of companies owned by Modi and Choksi as well as high-ranking officials of state-owned Punjab National Bank, in the fraud probe.

However, they have not yet been able to arrest him and his uncle.

The celebrity jeweller is said to have fled the country and was reportedly last seen in New York after his appearance at World Economic Forum in Davos as a member of the Indian delegation.
(Xinhua/NAN)

*Delta State Government should synergize with security agencies to halt Fulani herdsmen menace.

*Condemns security agents’ molestation of NUJ members performing legitimate duties.

*Commends Delta Government for re-awarding failed projects in Asaba capital territory.

*Appreciates Government’s linking of Delta Broadcasting Service (DBS) Asaba to 330 KVA Line to end epileptic broadcast.

*Implores Government to explain current situation in Delta Line Transport Company since it was concessioned to God Is Good Motors.

*Urges Journalists to adhere strictly to professional ethics.

*Urges NUJ members to show concern for wellbeing of colleagues.

COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT THE CONGRESS OF THE NIGERIA UNION OF JOURNALISTS (NUJ), DELTA STATE COUNCIL, HELD AT THE SECRETARIAT OF THE NIGERIA LABOUR CONGRESS (NLC), NTA ROAD, ASABA ON THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2018

Congress deliberated exhaustively on sundry issues ranging from welfare of Journalists in the State to issues of urgent state and national importance. The Congress which witnessed an impressive presence of members from across the state with all the 16 chapels well represented, was attended by the Vice President, Zone F (South-South), Comrade Edward Ogude and a former Chairman of the Council, Comrade Osita Biose. At the end of the Congress, the following resolutions were reached.

1. The Delta State Council of the NUJ calls on the Delta State Government to synergize with relevant security agencies in the State to urgently address the menace of alleged killings by Fulani Herdsmen in communities across the State to forestall the situation from degenerating to full blown crisis.

2. The Congress condemned the attitude of some security agents who wilfully molest members of the NUJ in the course of performing their legitimate duty. It explains that just as the security agents are Constitutionally empowered to do their job that is how Journalists are also backed to carry out their assigned roles, noting rather that both parties should see themselves as partners in progress.

3. The Congress commended the Delta State Government for taking the bold step in re-awarding failed projects at the Asaba International Airport and the deplorable Maryam Babangida Way (Road) in Asaba to a competent contracting firm, Setraco and also thanked the State Government for its effort at finding lasting solution to the perennial flood in Asaba through the construction of deep drains and giving priority ntion to construction/ rehabilitation of major roads in Asaba capital territory.

4. Congress equally appreciated the Delta State Government for linking Delta Broadcasting Service (DBS) Asaba to the 330 KVA Line which has made public electricity supply to the outfit stable and invariably put an end to epileptic broadcast of programmes to the viewing and listening public.

5. Congress however implores the Delta State Government to explain the current situation of Delta Line Transport Company since it was concessioned to God Is Good Motors with a view to highlighting how much value has been added to the company.

6. Congress expressed utmost concern at the spate of alleged misconduct of Journalists, particular those operating within platforms in the social media and urged members to adhere strictly to the ethics of the journalism profession by ensuring that their reportage are factual, fair, objective and balance. It warned Journalists to desist from blackmail and publication of stories capable of destroying the hard earned reputation of members of the public, warning that member found wanting would be adequately disciplined even as it noted that they are liable to be prosecuted in court of law.

7. Finally, Congress urged members to at all times demonstrate in deed concern for the wellbeing of their colleagues, particularly those with health challenge.

Communiqué Drafting Committee:
Kola Eke- Chairman
Ejime Udueme- Secretary
Chris Misindi- Member

Signed:
Michael Ikeogwu (State Chairman)

Churchill Oyowe (Secretary)

Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire – On Wednesday, March 14, 2018, the African Development Bank, rated Aaa/AAA/AAA (Moody’s/S&P/Fitch), priced a new US $2.0-billion 3-year Global Benchmark bond due 22 March 2021.

This bond issue represents the Bank’s first public market deal of 2018. It follows the US $2.0-billion 5-year Global Benchmark priced in November 2017, and is in line with its strategy of issuing larger size, more liquid benchmark transactions. The Global Benchmark was very well oversubscribed, with an order book in excess of US $4.25 billion. More than 80 investors participated in the transaction, including six that were new to the Bank, demonstrating that the deal was well placed across diversified geographies and investor type. The high quality of the order book is illustrated by the strong participation of Central Banks and Official Institutions.

The African Development Bank decided to take advantage of the positive market backdrop and of the widening in US dollar swap spreads to issue its first Benchmark of the year. The issuer announced the mandate on Tuesday, March 13, at 2:50pm London time with Initial Pricing Thoughts (IPTs) in the context of mid-swaps plus 1 basis point (bp) area.

The deal enjoyed a very strong reception from the outset. Indications of Interest (IOIs) from the high-quality investor base accumulated at a rapid pace, and by the end of the US trading session, IOIs exceeded US $2.0 billion (excluding Joint-Lead Managers interest). Books officially opened in the European morning at 8:00am London time, with price guidance reviewed to mid-swaps flat, 1 basis point tighter than IPTs, reflecting the strong dynamics of the transaction.

Momentum continued to build throughout the European morning, with books exceeding US $3.0 billion within an hour, and US $4.0 billion (excluding Joint-Lead Managers interest) by midday London, allowing the issuer to set the spread 1bp tighter at mid-swaps minus 1bp. Investors showed strong commitment to the transaction through limited price sensitivity.

The transaction was priced at 4:50pm London with a re-offer yield of 2.661%, equivalent to a spread of 26.35bps over the 3-year US Treasury benchmark 2.375% March 2021.

As a way of fine-tuning the quality of education in the local government area, the Chairman of Warri North, Mr Aduge Okorodudu has inaugurated a 13-man education committee to assist in the provision of quality education to children.

The council boss, who made the inauguration in Koko, headquarters of Warri North, charged members of the committee to be serious with the task ahead of them because of the strategic place of education in laying foundation for building the future of children.

Okorodudu, who was represented by the Vice Chairman of the council, Mr sunny Abilo said the committee was set up in line with the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s vision of providing quality education to all Deltans and to restore the pride in education in Warri North .

He said the committee is made up of men of integrity and seasoned educationists with Elder Sam Bobi as chairman and E. A. Madamedon as Secretary respectively, while Mr Frank Olu was also appointed Chairman of Warri North LG Revenue Waterways Committee.

Speaking on behalf of his members, the chairman of the committee Elder Sam Bobi thanked the council boss for the opportunity given to them to serve and promised that the committee will work acidiously to achieve their terms of reference.

The occasion was attended by party chieftains, clergies, legislators including the Leader of Warri North LGA legislative arm, Hon. Jolomi Esiategiwa, the Head of Personnel Management Warri North LGA, Mr Onetesirosan D. Akambe and others.

Panic has allegedly overwhelmed the political camp of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta state, as Chief Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, a gubernatorial aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), insists that the era where politicians manipulate elections dishonestly for personal gains, was over.

Findings have revealed that despite the wealth allegedly ammased by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa ahead of the 2019 general elections as well as successes recorded for the PDP in the last local government elections, members of the party have remained uncomfortable with the entrant of Dr. Cairo Ojougboh into the governorship race.

Ojougboh had during a recent launching of “One Man One Vote Campaign” in Warri said that “one man one vote campaign is a process of burying the PDP style of electoral malpractice in Delta state”, adding that “The Delta state government under the administration of Okowa, has no capacity to govern so we must take power back from Okowa. They don’t have ideas and that is why you see that the government is a government of nepotism and misappropriation of the state funds through inadequate budget. But the APC has gotten a better program to move Delta state forward just like the peer states”.

Ojougboh stated categorically, that he would do only ONE TERM (2019 – 2023) in order not to abuse the zoning arrangement in Delta state, disclosing that the agenda and policies of the APC which will be executed if voted into power, include free and compulsory education, free health care services and infrastructural development, security of lives and properties, among others.

In his words, ” I am not contesting this election because I am from Delta North neither am I claiming superiority over any person. I believe the APC must take power so that there will be change in Delta state. The party is supreme, therefore, there must be synergy between the government and the party from the Ward level to the state level and that is the way to go”.

The gubernatorial aspirant further called on all Deltans to get their permanent voter cards (PVCs) in order to elect candidates of their choice to represent them at all levels of government.

Recall also that a veteran labour leader and chieftain of All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Frank Kokori, has expressed confidence that Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, if elected governor of Delta State, could turn around the fortunes of the state.

Frank-Kokori had lamented what he called failure of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administrations over the years, claiming corruption had become the byword in the state.

He said: “I have known Dr. Cairo Ojougboh for a long time and I have witnessed all his political battles and efforts. Corruption has killed Delta State. I will support any person from Delta State who wins a free and fair congress for the 2019 general election.”

Similarly, a former Commissioner for Education in the state, Dr (Mrs.) Veronica Ogbuagu, remarked that the APC had all it takes to win the 2019 governorship election in Delta state due to its people-oriented programmes, explaining that the state is yet to recorded meaningful progress under the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa led administration.

She therefore called on Deltans to vote massively for the APC in 2019.

Abidjan/– The President of the African Development Bank, Akinwumi Adesina, has commended the Government of Japan for its strong support of the Bank and its multi-billion economic transformation partnership with Africa. Adesina identified the private sector, energy and infrastructure development as key sectors that have benefitted from Japan’s support.

Speaking at the Nobel Prize Dialogue in Yokohama as a global expert on food, agriculture and development, the President of the African Development Bank, Akinwumi Adesina highlighted huge business opportunities for Japanese investment in the agribusiness sector. He also emphasised the strategic importance of two new initiatives: The Transformation of the African Savannah Initiative (TASI) and the bank’s Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) programme for scaling up agricultural technologies for millions of farmers. Both initiatives are aimed at reducing Africa’s widening and increasingly expensive net food trade deficit.

Adesina emphasized the importance of good nutrition, especially for young mothers and babies, and said Africa’s most important infrastructure is “the grey matter infrastructure” of babies and young children. “Stunted children today mean stunted economies tomorrow”, said Adesina, who is championing a continent-wide initiative to end the burden of malnutrition in Africa – the African Leaders for Nutrition (ALN)

During his official visit to Japan, Adesina met top officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso, Vice Minister of Finance for International Affairs, Masatsugu Asakawa, key Government Ministers, and stakeholders, to consider issues of mutual concern.

Speaking at the meetings, President Adesina recalled the Bank’s long, close and friendly relationship with the Government of Japan. He commended Japan for committing $6 billion to fund energy projects in Africa through the Japan Africa Energy Initiative facility, which allows Africa to access Japanese technologies and expertise.

He described the recently signed $6 billion Japan-Africa Energy Financing Facility as “a product of the personal engagement and close relationship the Bank has with African Ambassadors resident in Japan, as well as a special relationship between the Bank and the Government of Japan.”

Adesina assured Japanese officials that the Bank’s planned General Capital Increase would predominantly benefit Africa’s lower income countries.

During meetings with executives of the Toyota Tsusho Corporation, the Africa-Japan Relations Committee, the Japanese Association of Corporate Executives, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the African Development Bank made a case for enhanced private sector participation in Africa’s development and new methods of financing.

According to Adesina, “the Africa Investment Forum (AIF), scheduled for November 7-9, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa, is an ideal platform for this new approach to funding projects in Africa. Through the Africa Investment Forum, the bank and other partner multilateral development banks will create a platform for bankable projects, investment financing, and opportunities for growing infrastructure investment across Africa.

“The Africa Investment Forum is a 100% totally transactional platform, where deals will be concretized and executed. I expect the platform to become Africa’s premier investment marketplace.”

During meetings with Japan’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Kazuyuki Nakane, the bank shared its keen interest in co-organizing the 2018 Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD VII) in Yokohama, in order to strengthen business ties between Japan and Africa.

Adesina also commended the African diplomatic community in Japan for its prominent role in promoting business and investment between Japan and Africa. “On account of your work, the business ties and understandings between Japan and Africa have never been stronger.”

Numerous African Ambassadors in Japan commended the Bank for strongly supporting Africa’s business development. Ambassador Jérôme Kloh Weya of Cote d’Ivoire conveyed his country’s appreciation for the African Development Bank’s role in refinancing Air Cote d’Ivoire in 2017, and for opening up bright prospects for business opportunities in the West African region.

The Delta State Government has approved the award of contract for the completion of the second phase of outstanding works in the Stephen Keshi Stadium (formerly known as Asaba Township Stadium) in Asaba.

Making this disclosure, the state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Patrick Ukah, said that the approval was part of the decisions taken during the State Executive Council meeting held in Asaba on Tuesday.

He said that the approval is to ensure that the stadium is ready to host the 2018 Africa Senior Athletics Competition scheduled to hold in August this year.

Mr. Ukah said that the hosting right of the event, given to the state by the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA), will not only harness the budding talents that abound in the state, but will further promote grassroot sports development in Delta State.

The Commissioner for Information also stated that the Executive Council approved the appointment of Obi Julius U. Enueme, as the Agadagba of (Obiava) Adiai Kingdom in Ndokwa West Local Government Area.

He said that the construction of Delta Development and Property Authority (DDPA) Housing Estate Road in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area, was equally approved.

According to Mr. Ukah, the construction of Efeizomor 11 Road, Owa-Alero in Ika North East Local Government Area, the construction of Main Axial Road in Erowha Community (from Patani end to the river) in Isoko South Local Government Area and the rehabilitation and expansion of Access Road to Uwvie Modern Market, Ugbolokposo, from PTI Road/Alegbo Road junction to DSC Expressway in Effurun, Uwvie Local Government Area, also got the nod of the state government.

Ahead of the 2019 governrship election in Delta state, the Delta Central Youths For Good Governance has thrown its weight behind the ambition of Dr. Cairo Ojougboh.

Coordinator of the group Mr. Samuel Kuku, urges Dr. Cairo Ojougboh to run for the governorship position in the 2019 election.

Mr Samuel Kuku, who went further to say that the youths in Delta Central have seen Dr. Cairo Ojougboh’s past antecedent and his popularity among other candidates from Delta North.

“You are the only candidate from Delta North who can defeat incumbent Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, come 2019 governorship election”, the political pressure group said.

*Buhari Approves N5 Bn Take-Off Grant

*Delta Govt Gives 1000KVA Generators 

The Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta, is set to admit students into the institution for the 2017/2018 academic year, and start lectures in April.

A total of 196 students have so far been accepted into the university while 76 applications were pending.

President Muhammadu Buhari had approved an increase in the take-off grant allocated to the university from the N2 billion earlier announced to N5 billion.

This sum was included in the 2018 budget presented to the National Assembly in November 2017.

Similarly, an additional N1 billion was approved by the president to support essential infrastructure works and staff recruitment in the university in November 2017.

The Delta State Government has also donated two 500KVA generators to the University.

The Maritime University was granted approval in January by the National Universities Commission (NUC) to commence undergraduate degree programmes in three faculties namely: Transport, Engineering and Environmental Management, beginning with 13 departments from the 2017/2018 academic session.

In attendance at the meeting were the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Usani Uguru Usani; Minister of State for Environment, Ibrahim Jubril; and the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. Nsima Ekere.

Also in attendance were the Director-General, Nigeria Maritime Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside; and the Special Adviser to the President on the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Brig.-Gen. Paul Boroh (rtd).

Others include the Executive Secretary of NUC, Prof. Adamu A. Rasheed; the Vice-Chancellor of the Maritime University, Prof. Mrs. Ongoebi Etebu, and representatives of other relevant MDAs.

China’s parliament has successfully removed presidential term limits from its Constitution, allowing President Xi Jinping to remain in office indefinitely, after it almost unanimously passed a series of constitutional amendments on Sunday.

The announcement of the vote, witnessed by reporters in the Great Hall of the People, passed with two “no” votes and three abstentions among almost 3,000 delegates.

China’s ruling Communist Party proposed the amendment last month and there was never any doubt it would pass as parliament is packed with loyal party members who would not have opposed the proposal.

In the run up to the vote, critics on social media attacked the move and drew parallels to North Korea or suggested a Mao Zedong-type cult of personality was forming.

But the government quickly mounted a propaganda push, blocking some articles and publishing pieces praising the party.

The party loyalists who attend the annual session of parliament have said the decision is popular with ordinary Chinese people and asserted that China was lucky to have a leader of President Xi’s calibre.

Xi began his second five-year term as party chief in October and at the end of the week will be formally appointed by parliament.

The limit of two five-year presidential terms was written into China’s constitution after Mao’s death in 1976 by Deng Xiaoping, who recognised the dangers of one-man rule and the cult of personality and instead espoused collective leadership.

The government has said lifting the term limits is about protecting the authority of the party with Xi Jinping at its centre.

The party’s official People’s Daily has said that that did not mean life-long terms.

The party gave Xi the title of “core” leader in 2016, a significant strengthening of his position at the time.

While the presidency is important, Xi’s positions as head of the party and head of the military are considered more important, and these titles are always given first by state media.

With the passage of the amendment, now none of the posts have formal term limits.

The amendments also include inserting Xi’s political theory into the constitution, something that was already done for the party constitution in October, and clauses to give a legal framework to a new super anti-corruption department.

Source: Reuters

Fifty-four severed human hands have been discovered inside a bag in Eastern Russia.

How did 54 severed human hands end up in a bag in Eastern Russia?

Russian police launched an investigation after a mysterious bag of 54 severed human hands was discovered at a popular fishing place near the Siberian city of Khabarovsk, the Siberian Times reports.

A single hand was spotted first, and then the bag containing the remains was found on an island in the Amur River.

It is unclear why the hands were chopped off and the identities of the hands. Fingerprints have been found on one of the hands as others are checked, according to the Siberian Times.

Local media reported that medical bandages and hospital-style plastic shoe covers were found next to the remains.

In a bid to keep its prisons free of Nigerians, the United Kingdom is paying to improve the capacity of Nigerian prisons.

The UK has agreed to pay up to £700,000 ($967,954) to build a new 112-bed wing at Kirikiri maximum security prisons, one of Nigeria’s largest.

Boris Johnson, UK’s foreign secretary says sponsoring the prison will allow for some of the over 320 Nigerian inmates currently serving time in the UK to complete their sentences in Nigeria—in line with a 2014 prisoner transfer agreement between both countries.

In the larger scheme of things, however, UK’s spend will likely not make too much of a dent on Nigeria’s prisons system. Kirkiri prison, established since 1955, has long been overcrowded with far more inmates than its official capacity of just over 1,000. The problem of overcrowding is rooted in the culture of arbitrary arrests and a slow-moving criminal justice system. Data from Nigeria’s statistics bureau shows that 72.5% of Nigeria’s total prison problems are serving time without being sentenced.

In recent years, European Union countries have tried various methods to extradite illegal immigrants more quickly while also trying to tighten border controls in their home countries. In 2015, the EU set up a fund in 2015 to pay for border security in African countries like Libya but, last year, EU leaders warned that the fund was reaching its limit.

Mauritian President Ameenah Gurib-Fakim and africa’s only female head of state, is to quit office over a financial row, having been accused of using a bank card provided by a charity to make personal purchases worth tens of thousands of dollars.

She is expected to step down after ceremonies to mark the 50th anniversary of independence on March 12.

The Mauritian President’s planned resignation was mentioned by the Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth on Friday.

“The President of the Republic told me that she would resign from office and we agreed on the date of her departure,” Jugnauth told reporters in Port Louis, capital of the Indian Ocean archipelago nation without revealing the chosen date.

“The interests of the country come first.”

When Gurib-Fakim, 58, took the honorary position of president in 2015 she became the first woman to do so in Mauritian history.

A scientist and biologist of international renown, she had been under pressure since the Mauritian daily L’Express published bank documents showing that Gurib-Fakim had used a credit card given to her by the London-based Planet Earth Institute to make thousands of dollars worth of personal purchases.

The NGO is funded by the controversial Angolan billionaire Alvaro Sobrinho who is himself being investigated for fraud.

Former commissioner and erstwhile Executive Assistant to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressive Congress (APC).Erstwhile Executive Assistant to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and former commissioner during Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan’s tenure, Dr. Tony Nwaka, has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressive Congress (APC).

Nwaka posted his move on his Facebook page on Monday, March 5, 2018. The post titled, FINALLY, I SAY GOODBYE TO PDP, reads:
“I shall not go into the details of my recent political experiences, for the palm wine tapper does not disclose all that he sees from the treetop.

“Suffice to say that, after a critical evaluation of the journey so far, it is now time to heed the advice of my followers and seek an alternative vehicle for the actualization of my political convictions.

“Although there are many political platforms, every politician craves for genuine accommodation and a sense of belonging.

“Accordingly, whilst I wish all my former fellow PDP men well, I step forward in faith to join the next available major option, the APC. I pray that my vision of politics and public service would find true expression with the progressives.

“I do this believing that, ultimately, no matter your sentiments for a political platform, effective service delivery remains the final goal of political parties, and it is on that score we shall all be judged by the people. Thanks and God bless.”

Although Nwaka is yet to make his political ambition public, many political analysts suggest he could be going to contest for the House of Representative while others say his new intentions is a curtain opener to unexpected exit of some PDP stakeholders who have hideously expressed discontentment with Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s alleged sole-administrative style of governance.

Nwaka, a two-time Commissioner in erstwhile Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s administration is also known to have played a major role in the former James Ibori administration when he hosted Deltans to the PDP governorship primary election which held in Ogwashi-Uku as Chairman of Aniocha South Local Government Council.

Nwaka who is also claimed to have been in Okowa’s political bad books because of his open support of former gubernatorial aspirant, Sir Anthony Obuh against his ambition, was however, to the surprise of many political book readers, appointed by the same man he allegedly worked against.

Political pundits have claimed that the appointment which came during two years of the administration, was one of Governor Okowa’s tacit plots to whittle down opposition strategies that may undermine his political stronghold within and outside the PDP.

Nwaka came on board the Okowa administration in September 2017 as Executive Assistant to the Governor but resigned recently before his eventual defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Nwaka’s exit from the PDP has however attracted reactions.

According to the Executive Assistant to Governor Okowa on Communications, Barr. Latimore Fred Oghenesivbe, “This is a clear case of political bewitchment and unnecessary cross carpeting. What is worrisome is something that I consider to be a political voodoo or spell which has enveloped and fractured Tony’s decision.”

“I have come, I have witnessed with utmost appreciation of members of the party and by special grace of God, I have intention of going back again to represent my people.”

The Minority Leader and member representing Isoko constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Leo Ogor Okuweh has declared his intention to re-contest for the seat he is currently occupying, come 2019.

Rt Hon Ogor made his intention known during the enlarged Stakeholders PDP family Delta South Senatorial meeting hosted at his country home in Ozoro, headquarters of Isoko North local government area, Delta State.

The Minority Leader in the House of Representatives, expressed his profound gratitude to God Almighty for saving his life and for returning home hale and heathy after some months on ill health challenges.

Rt. Hon Ogor, who also thanked members of PDP, friends and family, churches for their fervent prayers performed on his behalf, reiterated that the meeting is an epoch making event in the entire Senatorial district to bring about solidarity of a people and unity as members of the party.

While reviewing his representation of his people, he maintained that he served with spirit of transparent humility, depth of vision and selflessness which he said has endeared him to the grassroots as well as the political elite in Isoko, the entire Delta State and Nigeria at large.

In an emotion laden statement, he said serving the party and the state in the House of Representative marked the beginning of new dawn for him.

“I have come, I have witnessed with utmost appreciation of members of the party and by special grace of God, I have intention of going back again to represent my people.

“This is the beginning of a new dawn for me and I thank God for saving my life”, the erudite and gallant legislator, Rt. Hon Leo Ogor opined.

It could be recalled that as early as 2003, with the full support of the Isoko people he contested and won election into the House of Representative under the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Although, going by the platform of the political terrain one could succinctly say one of the banes of politics in the third world is lack of continuity in policy formulation and most importantly cognate experience is everything and without experience among ones peers, one will count for nothing.

To this end, this understanding has been the driving force why Isoko people have always supported Rt Hon Leo Ogor in his quest for re-election into the National Assembly.

Thus in 2007, he was re-elected into the House of Representative and re-elected in 2011 for a third term.

On assessment which speaks volume of his personality, this level of acceptability is a function of his achievements and good conduct and adequate representation prowess in display which he has exhibited in touching lives positively.

According to some beneficiaries of his disbursement of dividends of democracy, they maintained that his wealth of experience in the National Assembly had actually paid off.

It is worthwhile to note that right from day one in the hallowed chambers, Rt. Hon Leo Ogor has never been a bench warmer.

He is currently the Minority Leader of the House of Representative. A position he has maximized to the advantage of the Isoko people and to the envy of his colleagues, as a ranking member of the House of Representative with a high political will, understanding and wisdom to bear in all ramifications.

Most importantly, his pursuit of the desire to transform Isoko land by attracting social infrastructure such as Solar powered Street lights, roads, drainages and water projects, empowerment, employment and others are loud testimonial of a man keen on charging the fortunes of his people.

No wonder in his glowing tribute the Delta State Deputy Governor, Barr Kingsley Otuaro, said Rt. Hon Leo Ogor is a blessing to the Isoko land and prayed God to fulfill his destiny here on earth.

Highlight at the occasion was centered on the need for the collection of the PVCs, with much expression and optimism that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will conduct credible elections which will make the votes of Nigerians count.

The meeting equally had an agenda for those who are yet to register to do so because their voter’s card is their right and power to exercise their franchise come 2019.

The PDP Delta South Senatorial meeting was well attended by top politicians from the senatorial district including former Governor of Delta state, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, Sen. James Manager, Rt Hon Daniel Rayenju, Rt Hon Nicholas Mutu, Rt Hon Julius Pondi, Honorable members of the Delta state House of Assembly from Delta South Senatorial District, local government chairmen from Delta South Senatorial District, Delta South political aides and appointees, women wing and others.

*By Theo UZI-

Ahead of the 2019 general elections, the Ebu Traditional Council in Oshimili North local government area of Delta state has unanimously endorsed Comr. Israel Amadi-Emina Jnr as the best aspirant for Oshimili North Constituency at the Delta State House of Assembly in 2019

His Royal Highness, the Regent of Ebu, Sunday Ofunne who received Comr. Israel Amadi-Emina Jnr and his supporters in his palace on Sunday 25th February 2018
prayed and blessed the son of the soil, tasking him to brace up himself for the developmental of the constituency.

The Royal Father said the people of Oshimili North would enjoy the dividends of democracy if they elect the right candidate and urged them not to betray their consciences for money only to regret their actions later.

Comr. Israel Amadi-Emina Jnr has declared his intention to contest for the House of Assembly seat to represent Oshimili North Constituency under the auspices of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The House of Assembly aspirant, who hails from Ebu in Oshimili North local government area of Delta state, said his decision to contest was to render genuine representation and service to the people, adding that he has all it takes to compete for the state House of Assembly seat both at the primary and general elections.

Amadi-Emina Jnr therefore appealed to the people of Oshimili North for total support of his political ambition for youth emancipation, women and youth empowerment, genuine representation, unhindered access, as well as constituency consultations and development through prompt delivery of democracy dividends.

He further enjoined the people to be very careful in choosing their representatives henceforth, saying that the choices they made in the past has yet to make meaningful impact in the lives of the constituents due to poor representation and quest for personal enrichment at the expense of the people who voted them into offices.

While pledging his loyalty to the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the ward, local government and state level, he promised to give credible and effective representation to the people of Oshimili North constituency which will make the leaders, women and youths proud.

“Comrade Israel Amadi-Emina jnr. who is currently vying for the House of Assembly Oshimili North Constituency in Delta state has all it takes in view of his administrative mien which he intend to bring to bear on the lives of the people.”

It is quite comforting recently when the call on Nigerian youths to take up the gauntlet and assist in demonstrating their leadership skills in terms of management of human and materials resources. We are aware on a sound note that the bill to give young Nigerians to lead is being given all sense of consideration that it deserves. There is no gainsaying the fact that this is a welcome development capable of reshaping or re-firing more youths to come out of their hiding as the new call beckons.

Comrade Israel Amadi-Emina jnr. who is currently vying for the House of Assembly Oshimili North Constituency in Delta state has all it takes in view of his administrative mien which he intend to bring to bear on the lives of the people.

He is a young man with clear headedness. He has served in different capacities. Those who have been fortunate to have met him or interacted with him can readily attest to his unassailable love for service. A committed, creative and visionary person with a background of successful achievements in human relations, organizations management.

I recalled with deep enthusiasm when he said he wants to serve at the level of his Constituency. I was not surprise because he has always been serving with determination and vigor quite uncommon. Throughout our sojourn, he has proved he is a man of strong and committed personality. He doesn’t discriminate. He welcomes everyone with an open arm. It takes a true and dogged leader to have stand shoulder to shoulder with him. He has demonstrated time without number that he has all it takes to lead by example. A man who takes the interest of serving others more than anything. A man driven by selfless passion.

He is the current President, Elite consolidative Forum for Good Governance in Nigeria, a member of the Human Rights Commission and als holds the position as Coordinator, African Youth Union Commission AYUC, Delta State.

He holds a Certificate in Computer Engineering and in Political science and Public Administration from the prestigious University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State.

Nevertheless, his passion for education knows no bounds. He has also disclosed as a challenge to him that he will ensure that young and indigents students are supported in helping them to realise their ambition through education. He maintained that he will key into the education policy pursuit of the present administration to see that it is giving all the needed attention and supports it require such that his Constituency becomes a centre for academic pesdester to look up to by others.

He is humble, kind, responsible, accommodating, hardworking and God fearing. A man bless with ideas and beautiful innovations. He wants to set the record that with young minds on the saddle alot and more can still be achieved through a committed and serious personality like him.

For Some Elites and intellectuals who still remember the Late CHIEF ISRAEL AMADI-EMINA CON. And his great achievements in Delta State, The deformed Bendel State and Nigeria at large should know this Comrade has fire in veins.

Let us support a youth such as, Comr. Israel Amadi-Emina jnr willing to break the jinx that with the youth there are more like him willing to make a difference with purposeful leadership.

#ProjectDelta –By Joy Nkem Omeanu

“The mill with a capacity to process 16 metric tons of paddy rice per hour, when completed, will in a year process paddy rice worth N14 billion bought directly from the famers in Jigawa at market rate.”

Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online)/ — The Dangote Rice Outgrower Scheme in Jigawa State reached a turning point yesterday when the President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote laid a foundation stone for the construction of a multi-billion Naira rice processing mill in Hadin, Jigawa state.

The mill with a capacity to process 16 metric tons of paddy rice per hour, when completed, will in a year process paddy rice worth N14 billion bought directly from the famers in Jigawa at market rate.

Speaking at the ground breaking ceremony in Hadin, Kaugama local government area, Dangote said the commencement of the construction of the integrated rice processing plant was the culmination of series of events which began with the signing of a $1billion agreement with the federal government for the integrated rice production in Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kano, Niger and Jigawa.

“We have continued to pioneer new approaches to empowering our primary stakeholders and our farmers, through the Dangote outgrowers programme thereby creating thousands of jobs, increasing incomes, poverty reduction in rural communities by providing high quality agro-inputs, technical support and secured market for farmers. Also, creating access to finance, mechanization and irrigation services so as to enhance agricultural productivity.”, he stated.

Recalling that the Dangote Rice limited started the outgrowers scheme in 2016 with thousands of hectares of land  in Hadejia, Jigawa state, creating over 10,000 jobs (direct and indirect) to farmers, the business mogul said with the new ultra modern mill enough paddy rice will be grown and harvested for processing.

According to him, the mill which will take only months for installation and commissioning is the first in the series of five other mills coming up in Kano, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi and Niger States in the first phase, while in the second phase, other mills will be built in Nasarawa, Kogi, and other states.

Said he: “When these planned six mills come fully on stream, we will achieve a capacity of seven hundred thousand metric tons per annum of Parboiled rice, which will make Dangote Rice the largest rice producer in Africa and will make a bold step in making Nigeria self-sufficient in Rice production, stop importation Nduka save the nation foreign exchange.”

Dangote stated further that towards co-creating value for all stakeholders, the company has engaged about 20,000 out growers who are expected to produce an average of 180,000 tons of paddy rice on about 30,000 hectares of land. “We are focused on engaging in the region of 300,000 farmers in the next 12 months when our rice mills are all functional and we achieve steady state.”

“We will continue to launch massive agricultural projects across the country in rice and dairy farming. Our push for backward integration in providing our own raw materials on a massive scale has led to the planned investment of $4.6 billion over the next three years in sugar, rice and dairy production alone. That will eliminate the country’s reliance on imported materials, and the foreign exchange headaches that comes with it.”

In his opening remarks, the Dangote Group Executive Director, Devakumar Edwin explained that the Dangote Rice team has been involved in scaling up the outgrower operations to a least 5,000 hectares this season and this will very soon increase and grow to over 15,000 hectares cultivated per cycle or season to fully optimise operations.

He said the establishment of a Multi-billion Naira state-of-the-art integrated rice processing facility to process at least 260 metric tons of rice paddy per day grown which is produced from thousands of local rice out growers within Jigawa state is a giant step forward and expresses his company’s confidence and faith in local farmers to continuously stand with Dangote to make this project a success.

Located on 25 hectares site in Hadin, Edwin noted that the mill is earmarked to begin operations in the last quarter of 2018. “During the construction phase and when it becomes fully operational, hundreds of employment opportunities will be created, knowledge transference and skills developed among our teeming youthful population thereby boosting local economy.”

According to him, “the Jigawa famers are in for a good times as the 125,000 metric tons of paddy rice that this plant requires for processing will be brought from the farmers of Jigawa for an estimated purchase price of N14 billion per annum. This is a huge benefit for the farmers in Jigawa. This mill will be producing high quality parboiled rice that competes with the best in the world this is in-line with our continuous aim to touch the lives of millions who believe in the Dangote brand.”

“Jigawa State is endowed and blessed with vast fertile land, water resources, climate and progressive people, as well as one of the fastest growing agricultural destinations in Nigeria, was identified as an ideal location for us to set up our first facility in Nigeria. This obviously reinforces our commitment to supporting the efforts of the present administration in developing a robust agro-industry in Nigeria.”

“We made commitment to Nigerians that we will produce 1 million metric ton of quality parboiled rice. Since then we have embarked on several initiatives towards achieving this objective with support and collaboration from state and federal government agencies, ministries and departments, non-governmental organisations, community based organisations, traditional and financial institutions, etc., we continue to pioneer new approaches to empowering our primary stakeholders and our farmers, through the Dangote outgrower program thereby creating thousands of jobs, increasing incomes, poverty reduction in rural communities by providing high quality agro-inputs, technical support and secured market for farmers.”

Jigawa State governor, Alhaji Abubakar Badaru expressed delight at the stage of the Dangote Rice project in the state saying it was in line with the vision of the Invest Jigawa, an organ set up to accelerate investments in the state.

He said Jigawa is one of the States reputed to be on top on ease of doing business in Nigeria saying the Dangote Rice presence in the state is a pointer to the fact. He added that the state is also in the forefront of the diversification efforts of the federal government from oil to non-oil ventures especially agriculture.

He promised that the state will be willing to do whatever it will take to ensure the Dangote rice operate smoothly to the satisfaction of all parties in the state.

On Friday, March 02, 2018 Deltans witnessed the commissioning of Premium Steel Rolling Mill, exactly 36 years after Delta Steel Company was commissioned In Ovwian-Aladja.

The multi-billion dollar Premium Steel Rolling Mill was commissioned by Delta State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa to commence full operations after years of inactivity of the erstwhile moribund Delta Steel Company (DSC) Plc, Ovwian- Aladja, originally commissioned in 1982.

According to the Chief Executive Officer of Premium Steel Rolling Mill, Mr Prasnata Mishra, “The company’s one million ton liquid steel capacity plant responsible for reinforcing Nigeria with steel and allied products, is targeting at least 5,000 jobs directly and indirectly, and expected to touch the lives of over 30, 000 Nigerians in the first instance before calculating the secondary opportunities it creates.”

After the acquisition of the steel company with its plants in total shamble and deplorable shape, the new owners Premium Steel retooled it with state-of-the-art equipment for competitive production.

Governor Okowa, while commissioning the Premium Steel Rolling Mill on Friday, March 02, 2018 said: “This is the right step if we must develop in Nigeria, as a nation, we must encourage development of infrastructure. It is sad that this place was abandoned for years because, there is no doubt that if we must grow technologically, we must produce our own steel.”

The Governor however disclosed that the management of Premium Rolling Mill would harness the huge oil and gas deposit in the area to also, establish a petrochemical company in the area.

He commended the Federal Government, Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria and other stakeholders for the different roles they played for the company to be back on stream asserting, “obviously, there is a lot to be gained as a people and government, we will remain peaceful and the company should take note of local content in their activities.”

Minister of Mines and Steel, Mr Kayode Fayemi and the Managing Director of AMCON, Mr Ahmed Kuru who spoke through Mr Okoronkwo Onwukwe lauded the roles played by the state government for the steel company to be back to life.

“We sincerely thank Delta State government ably led by Dr Okowa for all his supportive roles, without which, we would not have been here for this commissioning; we must do everything under our power to protect this industry,” Mr Kuru said.

About 19 million babies born globally every year are at risk of permanent yet preventable brain damage and reduced cognitive function due to a lack of iodine in the earliest years of life.

A UN-backed report released on Thursday said the figure represents 14 per cent of the total global population of children, according to UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Senior Nutrition Adviser, Roland Kupka.

The report from UNICEF and its partner, the Global Alliance of Improved Nutrition (GAIN), noted that insufficient iodine during pregnancy and infancy resulted in neurological and psychological deficits, reducing a child’s IQ by eight to 10 points.

“The nutrients a child receives in the earliest years of life influence their brain development for life, and can make or break their chance of a prosperous future.

“By protecting and supporting children’s development in early life, we are able to achieve immense results for children throughout their lifespan,” he added.

The UNICEF official noted that salt iodization was both cost effective and economically beneficial at only 0.02 to 0.05 dollar per child annually.

According to him, every dollar spent on salt iodization is estimated to return 30 dollars through increased future cognitive ability.

Titled “Brighter futures: Protecting early brain development through salt iodization,” the report also notes that more than one in four affected children – 4.3 million – lives in South Asia.

While South Asia is home to the largest proportion of babies at risk globally, the region has the second highest iodized salt coverage rate at 87 per cent of the population, preceded by East Asia and the Pacific at 91 per cent coverage.

The lowest coverage with iodized salt was seen in Eastern and Southern Africa, where around 25 per cent of the population do not have access to iodized salt, leaving 3.9 million babies every year unprotected against iodine deficiency disorders.

The earliest moments of life, from conception up to age two, are the most critical for a child’s development, UNICEF said.

It added that nutrition, along with protection and stimulating activities like play and early learning, during a child’s first 1,000 days shape brain development for life.

The report outlined urgent steps to reduce the risk of mental impairment to babies’ growing brains.

This includes the integration of salt iodization into national plans to support children’s nutrition and brain development in early childhood and the establishment of surveillance systems to identify unreached populations.
(NAN)

Nigeria’s lower chamber at the National Assembly has described members of the Federal Executive Council and Ministers appointed by Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as unfit to occupy their ministerial positions.

TThe declaration followed the non-appearance of the two ministers at the session on the revival of the moribund Ajaokuta Steel Company holding in Abuja.

The House of Representatives at its plenary session on Thursday, March 1, 2018 passed a vote of no confidence on the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and the Minister of State in the same ministry, Abubakar Bwari.

The implication of the vote of no confidence means the call on the president to relieve them of their ministerial portfolios, according to legislatives procedure and extant laws.

The legislative house described them as unfit to occupy the ministerialpositions, adding that their non-appearance was not only contempt to the House but an act of executive recklessness.

It is revealed that prior to the summit, the House had through a letter dated 16th February, 2018 invited Kayode Fayemi, Minister of Solid Mineral and Bawa Bwari to the sectoral debate slated for Thursday, March 1, 2018, between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. with special focus on the steel sector, particularly on how to revive the moribund Ajaokuta steel company.

However, the ministers through a letter signed by Abdulkadir Muazu, Permanent Secretary of Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals, dated February 27, 2018, with reference No: MMSD/S/BUDG2017, explained that the ministers had prior official engagements.

“The Honourable Minister has prior diplomatic schedule engagement in preparation to the focal labs of ERGP relating to the Mining Sectors while the Minister of State will be leading the Ministry’s delegation to Canada to attend the PDAC Conference.”

Speaker Yakubu Dogara unsatisfied by the reply from the ministry had observed in his letter that the sectoral debate would have provided opportunity for officials of Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals to debunk the widespread allegations that the proposed concessionaires had tied their hands.

“In your letter under reference, you said the two ministers in the Ministry would not honour the invitation due to prior commitments. According to the letter, ‘The Honourable Minister has prior diplomatic schedule engagement.’ I am further directed to respectfully state that the House considers the attendance of one of the Ministers in the Ministry of crucial importance to its legislative intervention in the steel sector to ensure timely completion of the Ajaokuta Steel Plant, and consequently requests you to reconsider the apparent boycott of the House’s sectoral debate.

“We think that the debate presents an opportunity for the Ministry to debunk the widespread allegations that the proposed concessionaires have tied the hands of the Ministry.

“We are worried that the apparent boycott of the session by your Ministry can only lend credence to the allegations that the top echelon of your ministry is deeply conflicted in the matter.

“In view of the cordial relationship that has always existed between the two Honourable Ministers and the Speaker and the institution of the House of Representatives, we urge you to take all reasonable measures to reinforce this relationship more so that the session is widely advertised and will go on with or without your participation,” the Speaker wrote.

Meanwhile, the embattled Minister Fayemi in a statement signed by his Special Assistant, Olayinka Oyebode, said there was more to the action of the legislators than meets the eyes, describing it as most unwarranted and unfortunathe

The statement reads: “The attention of the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, and the Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Hon. Abubakar Bawa Bwari, has been drawn to the “Vote of No Confidence” reportedly passed on them by members of the House of Representatives following their inability to attend the House’s Sectoral Debate on Iron and Steel Sector on Thursday, March 1, 2018.

“While the offices of the two ministers have been inundated with countless media enquiries regarding their absence shortly after the pronouncement, it is important to state unequivocally that the inability of the two ministers to attend the debate was duly communicated to the leadership of the House in two separate letters. One then wonders why the House members took such a draconian stance against the two ministers who have very cordial relationships with the National Assembly.

“It is rather unfair for the House members to categorise the ministers’ absence as “boycott” when they were adequately notified.

“Tolerance and moderation are essential ingredients in public service engagement. In this particular case, they appear to be in short supply and the ministry believes that there is more than meets the eye on this matter.

“After all, the ministers are always willing to engage the honourable House and its leadership at all times. It is on record that Minister Fayemi was the first minister to address the sectoral debate in 2016 and the Ajaokuta Steel Complex was extensively addressed on that occasion.

”Subsequently, the House Committees on Privatisation and Public Petitions held special sessions on Ajaokuta and the Minister of State, Hon Bawa Bwari, addressed the members on those two occasions.

“Given this past record, today’s action is most unwarranted and unfortunate.”

***CP Muhammad Mustafa Vows To Prosecute Defaulters

The Delta State Police Command has constituted a task force to commence the mopping up of various categories of weapons in the state with effect from 1st March, 2018.

The state Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Mustafa told Blank NEWS Online in Asaba on Thursday, March 1, 2018 that the move was in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police for total enforcement of the firearm Act banning the possession and use of illegal and prohibited firearms, ammunition, weapons and devices locally fabricated or modified that can cause death or injury to persons.

The already constituted task force, headed by the Assistant Commissioner of Police in-charge Operations Department, ACP. Wagbara Peter has been directed to immediately commence the mopping up of the afore-listed categories of weapons across the state.

Those affected by the new directive include vigilantes, neighbourhood watch, town unions, hunters, watch night men among others.

“Consequently, the general public, individuals and groups such as vigilantes and neighbourhood watch, town unions, hunters and watch night men or any group or association under any capacity or guise other than statutory Security Agencies recognized and gazetted by the Federal Government of Nigeria to bear firearms of specified category.

” Those who are currently possessing and using prohibited/illegal firearms such as pump action gun of all categories and the likes for whatsoever purpose in the state are hereby given twenty-one (21) days with effect from today, 1st March, 2018, to surrender them to the Commissioner of Police through the Area Commanders of their places of domicile.”

CP Muhammad Mustafa further said that “No license will be given or recognized in respect of prohibited firearms and ammunition except if granted by the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria upon the recommendation of the Inspector-General of Police.”

He implored concerned citizens, general public and Local Government Authorities to prevail on their vigilantes, neighbourhood watch, civil security outfits and watch night men and others attached to any organization including public and private institutions in the state to surrender all the prohibited firearms in their possession within the time limit of 21 days.

The Delta Police boss warned that “Anyone found with prohibited firearms after the expiration of the 21 days will be arrested, investigated and prosecuted, as the police will not hesitate to apply the full weight of the law on any individual or group whose conduct, under any guise, run contrary to the law of the land.”

He therefore called on members of the public to report anyone bearing, possessing or in custody of the prohibited firearms anywhere in the state to Commissioner of Police, Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers nearest to them in a bid to reduce crime to the barest minimum level.