Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –: 

In a Media parley with members of the Delta Online Publishers Forum, DOPF, on Sunday, 24th December, 2017 in his Country Home at Onicha-Uku, Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State, Elumelu revealed that his saving grace was his penchant to uphold due process in all his transactions, while he was the chairman of the House Committee on Power at the House of Representatives, adding that his induced investigation and subsequent arraignment in court by the EFCC was aimed at punishing him for instituting a comprehensive probe of the power sector in Nigeria.

“Coming to the National Assembly, I took a number of decisions; one, I will never do a letter of recommendation for anybody to be given contract, two I will not also be a part of it. The only thing I cannot swear in my life is about insurance because it is my business.

“If they had said that they gave me insurance of one place and that was what I did, I will probably find it difficult to say that I did or I didn’t. Probably what I will do is to call my people and say please cross check our books and see if we got that job or that insurance business. So that was the first step”, he said.

Elumelu stated further, that the rot as at that time in the power sector was of immense proportion and very many top guns in the country were far deep in the sleaze that led to the rendering of the power sector comatose, hence, his vow not to spare anybody found wanting irrespective of status in the society.

He affirmed that his determination to do a good job for the benefit of the country led him to stepping on very powerful toes of the untouchable in the country and they did everything possible to stop him by all means, for the fact that he was very critical about rural electrification processes in the power sector at that time.

“If you recall, Liyel Imoke was the minister then, his cousin was made the MD of Rural Electrification Agency. So when I did the probe, I found out that in every state, they were duplicating what the state was doing on paper not in reality. By duplication, I mean if I put this Electric Pole here, I will put up a sign post and call it Delta State Rural Electrification project. Then the national Rural Electrification team will come there, take cognizance of where these poles are, come for appropriation and include it in the budget of that same spot. Thus, by the time the budget is passed, they would award that contract for the same spot, all in a space of one month after doing all the necessary contract award documentation and processes as stipulated by the due process code.

“They will award and say it has been executed and the day auditors will go, the auditors will obviously notify them. They will come to that place and paste Rural Electrification Sticker, so when auditors of the Federal Government leave, they will remove the sticker and leave the state government sticker, which was a clear duplication.

“So what I did, in every state I went, I took the Federal Rural Electrification and the State Rural Electrification heads, I said, Commissioner, you will follow me, MD you will follow me and in each pole, we will ask them, show me your own. In the whole federation, we found out that, that was what was happening. So first of all, my recommendation was first; remove the MD of the Rural Electrification back to the ministry to give room for further EFCC investigation of our recommendation for possible prosecution. Of course in so doing, there were hands that had benefited.”

The former federal legislature stated that the power committee recommendation ruffled the feathers of some very power persons and that led to various strategies by them to pull him down, even as he added that the constituency project, solar street lights, which were projects he included in the budget that were his  constituency projects were used against him.

“So after looking at what to use to catch me, they didn’t see anything, they saw those projects and said i was the one who made Rural Electrification to award the contract. By the time they calculated the contract for the whole nation for rural electrification, it was N5.6bn. So the MD, they awarded the job to, they called him and begged him to be a witness, claim that he forced you to award those contracts without due process, they instructed him. But unfortunately for the MD, he didn’t know what they were telling him because it means he circumvented the law and the law of Procurement Act has no provision for influence. So he didn’t even read it, and they picked him first,” Elumelu revealed, while confirming that the MD was made to write a statement indicating that he influenced the award of the contract by the Rural Electrification Agency, adding that he equally alleged that even the Solar Light project in Onicha-Uku, his community, were awarded and as at that time it had not even been done.

Elumelu further revealed that the former Efcc Boss Mrs. Farida Waziri, also brought her own intimidation strategy, even employing the influence of family members to sway him, but according to the astute politician, he stood his ground, stressing that he was able to convince those employed to dissuade him, which even made his elder brother to take up the matter with the then President of the Country who he noted expressed surprise at the probe.

He quickly added that the action of the president did not however stop them from taking him to Court, even when it was very clear that there was no evidence of fraud to warrant his persecution, for the fact that everything that has to do with the contract followed due process, with an advance payment guarantee  by 10 Banks including  Zenith Bank, housing the 5.6billion component which was alleged to be owned by him, stressing that his persecutors, in the cause of what he called media trial, did not tell Nigerian about the Bank guarantees.

“So that was how my lawyer now took them on and now challenged them on the foundation of the arraignment, because to proffer charges on any suspect, you must have reasons to proffer charges and the court ought not to have granted them leave to proffer charges if there are no reasons for that. So, we sued them on the wrong foundation for the court to have even abinitio allowed them to profer charges. So they came and the only way to allege that you have proof to prefer charges is on proof of evidence and they could not defend it.

“All they said was that oh no by the time we open the case you will see evidence, we said this is the evidence. It was then Justice Oniyongi tongue lashed EFCC. He said look, I’m so ashamed in this country, the man did a probe, alleged that they stole $13.8bn and instead of going after those who stole that money, you are talking about N5.6bn. Let us even assume that the man took N5.6bn, you didn’t go after $13.8bn, you are going after N5.6bn.

“It was the same day my lawyer moved the motion, that I was discharged and acquitted.”

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Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) – 
E.I.C: Albert Eruorhe Ograka

Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –By Albert OGRAKA: 

The Special Assistant to Delta state Governor on DESOPADEC Matters, Mr. Prosper Edo has insisted that Delta State Oil Producing Development Commission (DESOPADEC), only operates the social, security and surveillance fund which has a process that is run throughout the entire five ethnic nationalities in the oil and gas producing communities in Delta state.

Mr. Edo made the statement in a bid to correct the wrong insinuations and claims made by a factional President of Isoko National Youth Assembly (INYA), Comrade Umuakpo Ovie, who led some uninformed miscreants to barricade the Ughelli-Asaba expressway in a protest, alleging that the social, security and surveillance fund belongs to his youth group.

Meanwhile, many Deltans and commuters, traveling through the Ughelli-Asaba expressway on the day of the protest have called on the security agencies to urgently curtail the excesses of the factional youth leader whom they claim has been causing security breaches in Isoko nation, especially barricading a major highway which they described as a criminal act.

According to them, “Many traders on their way to Onitsha and those who have businesses in and around the area have been lamenting the loss of time and other negative effects of the road blockade. Commuters, mostly traders and civil servants going to Onitsha and Asaba have been stranded here since 7am. The state government and security agencies should urgently call this youth to order because his actions are criminal. ”

A statement issued on Monday, December 11, 2017 by the Special Assistant to Delta state Governor on DESOPADEC Matters, Mr. Prosper Edo reads:

“There is nothing like youth money in DESOPADEC. DESOPADEC is made up of five ethnic groups: Isoko, Itsekiri, Ijaw, Urhobo and Ndokwa. What some people claim to be youth money is what we all know as social, security and surveillance fund.

“There is no where any youth body in the five ethnic nationalities that makes up DESOPADEC lay claims to that fund and say it is youth money, there is nothing like that.

“As an Isoko man and Special Assistant to Delta state Governor on DESOPADEC Matters, I am urging members of the public to clear that misconception from their minds.

“Presently, there are so many youth bodies in Isoko with several factions and for one particular group to make claims to any youth money, assuming, but not conceding that there is youth money from DESOPADEC, is completely erroneous.
“We have decided stand to correct all these misconceptions because there are persons who will take it as the right thing for people to hear. It is completely wrong.

“You cannot on your own take laws into your hands to claim that you are the youth president of a faction of a youth body in Isoko and block government highways. It is criminal and I condemn it in the strongest terms.

“If anybody can come out with facts to say that the social, security and surveillance fund is youth money, I stand to be corrected. Let the person come out to tell us.

“In Isoko, we have Isoko National Youth Assembly which has two factions and to the best of my knowledge, it is an issue before a court of competent jurisdiction and as a government agency, we have decided to stay clear of it. We don’t want to get involved with issues that are in court.

“When the court comes out to give a verdict about the legality of a faction, then government agency or government as an institution will recognize it but as it stands, the staus quo remains. We don’t want to get involved.

“There is Isoko National Youth Assembly that is fractionized with two presidents, there is also Isoko National Youth Congress and another Isoko Volunteer Group Force with different presidents, so if each president mobilizes its group or supporters and start blocking the highways, what image are you creating for the Isoko people? It is wrong and is highly condemnable.

” I need to set this records straight that there is nothing like Isoko youth money in DESOPADEC. What we have is social, security and surveillance fund that has a process that is run throughout the entire five ethnic group that make up DESOPADEC and not some group of youths coming out to say the money belongs to them and that some persons are with the money. It is completely wrong.”

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Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) – 
E.I.C: Albert Eruorhe Ograka

Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –: 

Copyright © Blank NEWS Online.
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Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) – 
E.I.C: Albert Eruorhe Ograka

Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –By Albert OGRAKA, With Agency Reports: 

Mugabe, 93, the world’s oldest living leader, was unable to leave his home, according to Jacob Zuma, the President of neighboring South Africa. Troops were reportedly stationed at Zimbabwe’s Parliament and the presidential palace.

In a dramatic televised statement early Wednesday, an army spokesman denied a military takeover was underway.

But the situation bore all the hallmarks of a coup: The military was in control of state TV in Harare, a significant army presence was at the city’s international airport, and Mugabe has not been seen in public.

>>Key developments:
Military in charge: An army spokesman announced on the state-run Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corp. at 4 a.m. that it was conducting an operation to target “criminals” close to Mugabe who were causing “social and economic suffering.”

>>President’s location:
The spokesman said Mugabe and his family were “safe.” South Africa’s Zuma later said Mugabe had been confined to his home but was feeling fine. Zuma spoke with Mugabe by phone.

>>Situation on streets:
The capital was quiet, but there were lines outside banks with army checkpoints at key locations and armored vehicles on the streets.

Sources suggest Grace Mugabe, who was being positioned to eventually take over from her husband, has left Zimbabwe for Namibia.

The sacked vice president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, was reported to have returned to Zimbabwe on Wednesday morning from South Africa, where he fled after being stripped of his office.

The president of neighbouring South Africa, Jacob Zuma, said he had spoken to Mugabe, who was “fine” and that he was sending special envoys to meet both Zimbabwe’s president and its senior army officers.

The UK government warned British nationals to stay indoors until the situation becomes clearer. The foreign secretary, Boris Johnson, called for restraint.

President Muhammadu Buhari has warned political and military stakeholders in Zimbabwe against taking any action capable of plunging the country into unnecessary conflict.

Buhari spoke in reaction to the military “take over” of government in Zimbabwe on Wednesday.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the president said there was need to ensure peace and respect for the constitution of Zimbabwe.

According to him, “every attempt must be made to resolve all contentious issues by constitutional means in Zimbabwe to save the country from avoidable political instability.”

Meanwhile, Zimbabwean army has cordoned off the presidential seat of power and parliament building in the capital while helicopters circled the city centre, after the military announced it had taken over control of all government institutions.

Zimbabwean defence forces seized control of the state broadcaster ZBC, with their spokesman Maj Gen SB Moyo screening a statement declaring they were “targeting criminals” around Mugabe.

In a statement broadcast overnight, Moyo insisted:
We wish to make this abundantly clear this is not a military takeover of government. What the Zimbabwe defence forces is doing is to pacify a degenerating political, social and economic situation in our country, which if not addressed may result in violent conflict.

But the statement made it clear the army had acted in response to a purge of Zanu-PF members, including the vice-president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, who was sacked by Mugabe last week, and had been angered by the failure of state media to report on a warning issued by the army chief, Gen Constantine Chiwenga, on Monday:
The situation in our country has moved to another level … To members of the Zimbabwe defence forces, all leave is cancelled and you are all to return to your barracks with immediate effect …

Let it be clear we intend to address the human security threats in our country. Therefore, any provocation will be met with an appropriate response.

Armoured vehicles and troops have on Wednesday morning blocked roads in central Harare around government buildings and the presidential residence.

There are reports that at least one minister, Ignatius Chombo, who holds the finance brief, has been detained by the military.

Chombo is a leading member of the G40 faction of the ruling Zanu-PF party, led by Mugabe’s wife, Grace, who is vying to succeed the 93-year-old president. This faction is believed to be the target of the military’s action.

>>Updates:

Robert Mugabe’s grip on Zimbabwe ebbing away after military takes control
Head of state, who sacked his vice president last week in apparent attempt to give power to his wife, meets senior military officers after a day of house arrest

Soldiers have blocked access to Zimbabwe’s parliament, some of its government offices and courts in the capital, Harare. Access to the president’s official residence was also prevented by troops, Boris Johnson, the UK foreign secretary, told the House of Commons.

Johnson would not be drawn when asked by Labour’s Kate Hoey whether or not he would support, should Mugabe be removed, the elevation to the Zimbabwean presidency of the sacked vice-president Emmerson Mnangagwa, who she said is “probably the one person in Zimbabwe who inspires even greater terror” than the current president. Johnson replied:

It would be wrong for us, at this stage, to comment specifically about any personalities that may be involved, save perhaps to say this: that it is not obviously a particularly promising development in the political career of Robert Mugabe.

The UK foreign secretary, Boris Johnson, has made a statement to the House of Commons on the situation in Zimbabwe.

He said the government has received no reports of any of the 20,000 British nationals living in Zimbabwe being injured. All embassy staff and their families are accounted for.

We cannot tell how developments in Zimbabwe will play out in the days ahead and we do not know whether this marks the downfall of Mugabe or not, and we call for calm and restraint.

Johnson claims Britain has only ever wanted self-determination for the Zimbabwean people, while Mugabe has subverted democracy and harmed the country’s economy. “We will never forget the strong ties of history and friendship with that beautiful country; accurately described as the jewel of Africa,” he told the Commons.

The foreign secretary also called for free and fair elections to be held as scheduled next year and said the UK would work to ensure they offer Zimbabweans a “genuine opportunity … to decide their future”.

One high-profile opposition leader said there was “a lot of talking going on”, with the army reaching out to discuss the formation of a transitional government after Robert Mugabe steps down.

The official said Mugabe would resign this week and be replaced by Mnangagwa, with opposition leaders taking posts as vice-president and prime minister. There was no independent confirmation of his claim.

Zimbabwe’s fragmented opposition has not publicly condemned the military move. Nelson Chamisa, the deputy head of the opposition MDC party, called for “peace, constitutionalism, democratisation, the rule of law and the sanctity of human life”.

Tendai Biti, an opposition leader, called for a “roadmap back to legitimacy”.

“What is key is that a traditional authority is set up which is inclusive with the opposition and the ruling party … We need a dialogue too with [regional organisations], the African Union and the United Nations. We can’t solve this problem on our own,” Biti said.

The former Africa minister James Duddridge has asked Theresa May during prime minister’s questions what support the UK government could provide to Zimbabweans to help the country’s recovery. May said the situation was fluid and urged restraint on both sides. She called for the avoidance of violence and said the primary concern was for British nationals in Zimbabwe. She advised any Britons in Harare to stay at home.

The EU, which first imposed sanctions against Zimbabwe in 2002 over its human rights record, has called for a “peaceful resolution” to the crisis. A spokeswoman, Catherine Ray, said:

It is a matter of concern for the EU. We call on all the relevant players to move from confrontation to dialogue with the aim to a peaceful resolution.

We are following very closely what is happening on the ground, underlining that the fundamental rights for the citizens need to be respected and the constitutional order and democratic governance to be upheld.

The foreign secretary, Boris Johnson, says he wants to see stability in Zimbabwe.

It’s very fluid and it’s hard to say exactly how this will turn out. The most important point to make is that everybody wants to see a stable and successful Zimbabwe, and I think we are really appealing for everybody to refrain from violence.

The shadow foreign secretary, Emily Thornberry, urged the UK government to continue providing assistance to British nationals in Zimbabwe.

Amid the uncertainty of these ongoing events, three things are clear: first, a descent into violence, recrimination and reprisals from any direction must be avoided at all costs; second, the continuation of authoritarian rule does not represent a sustainable way forward for Zimbabwe, no matter which faction ends up in control; and third, it must ultimately be for the Zimbabwean people to determine their own future government through free, peaceful and democratic elections.

Grace Mugabe is abroad, it is claimed

Opposition sources are saying Grace Mugabe, Zimbabwe’s first lady, is in Namibia. The claim is unconfirmed, but seems to partially match reports in other outlets.

The full statement on the situation in Zimbabwe from the South African presidency reads:

President Jacob Zuma, in his capacity as chair of SADC (the Southern African Development Community), is sending special envoys to Zimbabwe and Angola in light of the unfolding situation in the Republic of Zimbabwe.

The president is sending the minister of defence and military veterans, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and the minister of state security, Adv Bongani Bongo, to Zimbabwe to meet Robert Mugabe and the Zimbabwean Defence Force.

President Zuma spoke to President Robert Mugabe earlier, who indicated that he was confined to his home, but said that he was fine. South Africa is also in contact with the ZDF.

The special envoys will also be sent to the Republic of Angola to see President João Lourenço, chair of the SADC organ on politics, defence and security, to brief him on the situation.

President Zuma has reiterated his call for calm and restraint and for the ZDF to ensure that peace and stability are not undermined in Zimbabwe.

SADC will continue to monitor the situation closely.

Robert Mugabe should be removed as Zimbabwe’s president and first secretary of the ruling Zanu-PF party, the secretary-general of the country’s War Veterans Association, Victor Matemadanda, said on Wednesday.

According to the Reuters news agency, Matemadanda added that the military takeover of power was for the good of Zimbabwe.

A UK government minister will provide an update on the situation in Zimbabwe in response to an urgent question by the Labour MP, Kate Hoey, in the Commons this afternoon.

The British embassy in Harare has released a statement reiterating the Foreign Office’s updated travel advice for UK nationals in Zimbabwe.

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Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) – 
E.I.C: Albert Eruorhe Ograka

Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –By Albert OGRAKA: 

The state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Patrick Ukah, said that the approval was part of the decisions taken at the state Executive Council meeting held in Asaba on Tuesday, November 14, 2017.

Mr. Ukah said the approval is in line with the avowed determination of the state government to link riverine and upland communities in the state to bring about economic and social integration.

According to Mr. Ukah, with the construction of the Ayakoromo Bridge, Burutu town, which hitherto has not been accessible by road, will soon become a beehive of social and economic activities with vehicular movements witnessed for the very first time.

He stated that the bridge will also connect other riverine communities to other parts of the state.

The Delta State Executive Council also approved the establishment of an agro-industrial park at Aboh Ogwashi-Uku in Aniocha South Local Government Area. 

He said that the agro-industrial park will provide common dedicated infrastructure and facilities for agro-processing, value addition and agribusiness as a means to improving the ease-of-doing business and promoting economic diversification and growth of the state, including creating more than 5,000 jobs along the agricultural value chain. 

According to the Commissioner for Information, the park will be executed through public-private partnership between the state government, Mirai Group in Israel and Norsworthy Investments Limited. 

The Executive Council further approved the rehabilitation and asphalt overlay of Market and Crudas Roads, construction of Kings Street, reconstruction of Apollo/Palm Avenue and the construction of Low Cost Housing Estate Road, off Shell Road, Sapele, Sapele Local Government Council. 

Also approved is the rehabilitation of Issele-Uku/Issele-Mkpitime/Onicha-Olona Road in Aniocha Local Government Council. 

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Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) – 
E.I.C: Albert Eruorhe Ograka

Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –By Albert OGRAKA: 

In pursuance of the zeal to entrench basic education for Delta children and ensuring best clinical services to Survival Success People living with sicke cell anaemia across Delta state, the wife of the governor and founder of 05 Initiative, Her Excellency, Dame Edith Okowa, has commissioned Divine Excellence Schools in Asaba and the 11th sickle cell clinic at Issele-Uku, Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State.

While commissioning the Divine Excellence Schools in Asaba, Her Excellency, Dame Edith Okowa noted that the Proprietor of the school, a survival and success person absolved himself of the reality of his troubles but chose to excel in his prowess by undermining his situation to build towards human capital uplifting to attain his goals geared towards societal growth.

Proprietor of the school, Mr. Mobosi Anslem Chukwuemeka, in his address said the school which started since 2005 has witnessed tremendous growth in teaching and learning standard, adding that the goodwill and Christian faith of Dame Okowa has endeared many underprivileged persons to perfection and excellence in their respective endeavours.

He revealed that the gesture of Her Excellency, Dame Edith Okowa, founder of the 05 Initiative through charitable and humanity services has earned her the accolade of a “God Sent.”

Chairman of the ocassion, Rev. Dr. Dan Ojeh commended the governor’s wife for helping to build a realistic future for children, especially the less privileged in the society, saying that the commissioning of a citatel of learning by Her Excellency, Dame Edith Okowa, was the right vision which would help to sustain the goals of the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa led administration.

Also, as part of efforts to bring succour to the less privileged, especially persons with sickle cell disorder, wife of the governor and founder of 05 Initiative, commissioned the 11th sickle cell clinic at Issele-Uku, Aniocha North Local Government Area with a plea to handlers of sickle cell patients, to avail themselves of the services in the various clinics across the state.

In her address, during the commissioning of the sickle cell clinic at the General Hospital, Issele-Uku on Wednesday October 15, 2017, Dame Okowa, said the event was significant in the journey of the O5 Initiative as a result of the goodness of God, emphasizing that as part of the 05 Initiative commitment to bringing succor to the poor in the society, the team’s goal is to establish Sickle Cell Clinics in every local government of the state.

Dame Edith Okowa stated that despite the huge task of meeting the needs of all the less privileged people in the state, God has made it possible for the 05 Initiative to record huge support from Deltans in achieving set goals in line with the Health policy as enshrined in the PROSPERITY agenda of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s administration which is aimed at giving hope to the hopeless and transforming lives.

The Delta First Lady, who lauded the O5 Initiative team for effectively educating and sensitizing members of the public against acts of stigmatization and misconceptions surrounding the sickle cell disorder, said the world class medical equipment which include Hematology auto analyzer, Haemoglobin electro-phoresis and Hematocrit centrifuge provided by the 05 Initiative is evident of the need to alleviate the sufferings of the people and restore joy to the Survival and Success Children.

She therefore enjoined good spirited individuals, bodies, corporate organizations among others, to come together to ensure improved advocacy and support at all times for persons with sickle cell disorder, adding that the fight against sickle cell disorder should not rest on parents, care givers and sufferers alone.

Earlier in her welcome address, the Director General of the 05 Initiative, Mrs. Oghenekevwe Agas, whose address was delivered by the Focal Person of the 05 Initiative, Mrs. Lizzy Umukoro, said the project was passion driven, adding that the scheme was established to ensure that the survival rate of people with sickle cell disorder is higher, just as the equipment at the clinics were to help eradicate encumbrances faced by Survival Success People in accessing health facilities.

Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Azinge, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Delta state Ministry of Health, Dr. Mrs. Mimi Oseji described the efforts of Dame Okowa in providing world class medical equipment for sickle cell clinics as the first of its kind in Nigeria.

Speaking separately on the “Importance of genotype, nutrition in management of sickle cell and investigation, Dr. Mrs. Uche Okwe and Mr. Benedict Oven, a laboratory technician, who spoke in local dialects urged concerned persons to seek medical screening in ascertaining genotype statuses and called on parents and guardians who have “success children” (SS) to avail themselves to the world class medical facilities provided by the 05 Initiative for effective management of their child and wards.

The events were marked by cultural displays as well as sharing of mosquito treated nets by Her Excellency, Dame Edith Okowa to the admiration of all.

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Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) – 
E.I.C: Albert Eruorhe Ograka

Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –: 

Governor Okowa stated this when he received the Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Barr. Babatunde Fashola who led the management team of his ministry and agencies on a courtesy visit on Monday, November 13, 2017 in Asaba, said that there the need to create urgent awareness among the populace on the billing system, energy theft, reduce agitation among the populace and ensure prompt payment of bills.

“I wish to appreciate you for the good work you are doing, this consultative monthly meeting is innovative, we are happy that power generation has reach over 7,000 MVA, there is the need for advocacy to get people to pay bills, people have to be educated on the billing system, when you get bills you need to know how it was generated, it will reduce agitation. We need to sensitisize our people on the need to curb energy thefts”, he said.

He stressed that the state would work with the Distribution companies to look at the issues and possibly enact legislation on energy theft.

Senator Okowa commended the Minister on the improvement on power generation stating that it was important for the socio-economic development of the country.

While assuring Barr. Fashola on the state government’s readiness to intervene in the resolution of the compensation issues on the Sapele-Agbor Road, the Governor also called for immediate rehabilitation of the failed sections of the Asaba Head bridge end of the Benin-Asaba Road, stressing that “if nothing is done, the road will get worse during the December rush period and can pose security risk”.

Earlier, Barr. Fashola said that they were in Asaba for a Monthly Power Interactive meeting hosted by Benin Distribution Company [BEDC] to review the power issues in the country and resolve peculiar local electricity issues.

He opined that his ministry has generated over 7,000MVA of electricity and that measures were being put in place to improve the capacity of the DISCOs to distribute the generated power.

The minister appealed to Governor Okowa to intervene in the compensation issues on the Sapele-Agbor Road to enable the contractor move to site.

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Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) – 
E.I.C: Albert Eruorhe Ograka

“There is something you can do, no matter how little, help make a world of difference in the life of an orphan, by showing a little bit of love, a little care and giving a little support. In so doing, we can change our world. One person at a time.”

Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –By Albert OGRAKA: 

As the world mark this year’s Orphans Day set aside by the United Nations, Wife of the Delta State governor, Dame Edith Okowa, has put smiles on 41 orphanage homes and families across the state by providing them with food items and cash.

Speaking while delivering the items to the orphans on Monday, November 13, 2017, during this Year’s World Orphans Day held at the premises of her pet project, 05’ Initiative in Government House, Asaba, Dame Okowa, said, “This special day aims at drawing attention to the needs of orphans suffering from discrimination, violence, poverty, deprivation from education and to encourage the promotion of rights to a healthy and fulfilled life”.

She said the day should serve as reminder to society to actively participate and help to raise the awareness, support and funding for orphans as their situation has been constantly made relevant by the UN.

In a tear-laden speech, she said: “No one chooses to be an orphan, living without the care and love of parents can be traumatizing, sometimes these orphans stay without food, shelter, clothing and even health care”, she stressed, adding that orphans faces emotional stress and total rejection in the society.

She therefore, appealed to well meaning Deltans, concerned residents and corporate organizations to show support and regularly be reminded about the plight of orphans, who she said have been traumatized due to the emotional stress of constantly living without the care and love of parents.

The governor’s wife commended the partners of the 05 Initiative who have been involved in the provision of food and learning materials for registered orphanages as well as children adopted by the 05 initiative.

While enjoining care-givers and owners of orphanages in the state to imbibe acceptable standard in their activities by registering with the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and Social Development , she encouraged them to handle the orphans with adequate care and constantly teach them the ways of the Lord.

According to her, “There is something you can do, no matter how little, help make a world of difference in the life of an orphan, by showing a little bit of love, a little care and giving a little support. In so doing, we can change our world. One person at a time.”

In her welcome address, the Director General, 05 Initiative and wife of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mrs Kevwe Agas, said it is a day set aside by the UN to remember orphans, “to draw our attention that there a lot of children that are orphans as a result of wars and earthquakes”.

She said some of the children were orphans as a result of situations that were not their faults, “a day like this is a day for us to remember these children in orphanages that people have set their lives aside to ensure that they have a future”.

In his thought provoking exaltation, Pastor Olutosin Sedeinde sermonized from Lamentations 5: 3, James 1: 27, Deuteronomy 14:39 and Matthew 25: 32-40, saying that there is a Godly reward for this who support the less privileged, especially orphans.

He also called for the sensitization of members of the public through counseling, to desist from acts of abandoning children to orphanages.

Mrs. Pat Enechete, in her health talk, expounded on care-giving through physical, social, educational and spiritual means for effective child development and growth.

Speaking in an interview, the representative of St Barnabas Orphanage home, Cable Point, Oshimili South local government council, Christian Okonji, said the home was amazed at the sight of the items given to them.

Pastor Emmanuel Oletu, Children Revolutionary Foundation, Irri, Isoko South local government area, said the gifts given to his foundation is quite overwhelming, “God has positioned the wife of the governor to be there in order to make these food items available for the less privilege, is impactful”.

Mrs Ogbo Josephine of Kings Kids Compassion Home, Warri, said she was grateful to the governor’s wife who made herself an extension of God’s hands to them.

According to her, “it is a blessing to us because the eldest of the orphans has graduated from higher institution and has completed the one year NYSC while four others just got admission to higher institutions; we have been on for 25 years now”.

Mr Kenneth Imadiagben, who is presently taking care of four children belonging to late pastor Martins who died with his wife in an accident, said God would continue to bless Dame Okowa for putting smile on the faces of children.

On the challenges he faces in caring for the children, the pastor said, “all challenges have been taken care of by God because I believe solely in God. They are my children, whatever my children wear, that is what they wear.

Highpoint of the event was the special presentation of food items to 41 orphanages, drawn from the 25 local government areas of the state and three families.

Items distributed to the beneficiaries include bags of rice, garri and beans; tubers of yam, vegetable and palm oil; cartons of tomatoes, crayfishes and indomie among others.

Thirty eight registered orphanages and three families received food and cash donations.

The world orphans day is set aside by the United Nations on the second Monday of November each year to raise sympathy to the plight of orphans across the world.

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Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) – 
E.I.C: Albert Eruorhe Ograka

Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –: 

Concrete facts have emerged on the achievements of the Delta State Government that made it possible for the state to be placed on the 2nd position behind Lagos State among the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The National Competitiveness Council of Nigeria (NCCN), in partnership with Ford Foundation and Tony Elumelu Foundation, recently released the Sub-National Index Overall State Ranking for 2017 which saw Delta closely occupying the 2nd slot on the table behind Lagos State.
Addressing a press conference in Asaba on Tuesday at the Ministry of Information conference hall, the state Commissioner for Economic Planning, Dr. Kingsley Emu, disclosed that four critical parameters were used by the independent body to arrive at its final decision.
He revealed that Delta State placed tops on Human Capital Overall Ranking (Education, Health, Migration and Gender Equality), 5th on Infrastructure Overall Ranking (Roads, Electricity, Airport, Telecom, Waste and Water), 23rd on Economy Overall Ranking (Access to Finance, State Finances, Business Sophistication and Tax), and 7th on Institution Overall Ranking (Security, Transparency, Justice, Corruption and Permits).
The Economic Planning Commissioner, who was accompanied by his Information counterpart, Mr. Patrick Ukah, stated that a total contract sum of N170,412,772,742.90 has so far been awarded by the state government on the construction of 149 roads of 764.39 kilometres and 225.59 kilometres of drains.
Dr. Emu stated that N37,637,333,366.09 is for 49 roads of 252.12 kilometres and 55.31 kilometres of drains in Delta Central, N51,458,906,454.84 for 65 roads of 325.43 kilometres and 126.02 kilometres of drains in Delta North, and N81,316,532,921.97 for 35 roads totaling 186.84 kilometres and 44.26 kilometres of drains in Delta South.
He specifically said that a total of 67.58 kilometres of roads and 34.43 kilometres of drains are currently ongoing in the riverine areas of the state with a view to linking the dwellers there with people living upland for both economic and social integration.
Some of them are the Trans Warri- Ode-Itsekiri Access Roads Phase 1: Section 1 Ubeji to Ode-Itsekiri Roundabout with Spurs to Ijala Ugbodede, Orugbo and Ajigba – Inorin – Usele Communities and Section 11(iii) Ode-Itsekiri Internal Roads, construction of Oporoza Palace Road in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South West Local Government Area and the construction of Burutu Township Roads in Burutu Local Government Area.
Others are rehabilitation/widening of Access Road to Beneku community, Ndokwa East, main axial road in Okerenkoko, Warri South West, construction of internal roads in Ikpide-Irri community, Isoko South, construction of rigid concrete pavement at Obitobon-Elolo-Ajaokurogbo-Orubu Road, Ogidigben, Warri South West, construction of Okenrekoko township roads (Phase 11), Warri South West and the rehabilitation and asphalt overlay of the Obutobo1-Obutobo11-Sokebolou-Yokri road, Burutu Local Government Area.
Dr. Emu revealed that the state has a total of 1,121 public primary schools and 463 public secondary schools with a total population of 443,813 and 326,004 respectively, adding that the state also has 4882 students and 1,094 trainees in its 6 Technical Colleges and 4 Vocational Centres respectively.
He further said that so much work, in terms of physical structures such as new classrooms, renovation of existing ones and provision of furniture, are ongoing at a high scale as well as content issues.
The Economic Planning Commissioner noted with joy that what is outstanding is that all these are being done in a recession and at a time our resources as a state are at the lowest ebb arising from the Niger Delta crisis as evident in our rating on Economy within the time under review.
The Commissioner for Information, Mr. Patrick Ukah, in his contribution, attributed all the lofty achievements of the Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa led administration in the state to the prudent management of available resources by the Governor.
Mr. Ukah said that the ranking did not come to him as a surprise as Governor Okowa is determined more than ever before to take the state to greater heights in order to earn more recognitions from other reputable independent organisations across the country and beyond.

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Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) – 
E.I.C: Albert Eruorhe Ograka

Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) By Albert OGRAKA–: 

Governor Okowa, who stated this during a courtesy visit on the Orodje of Okpe kingdom, HRM Orhue I, said that his administration is determned to execute people oriented projects, despite the constraints faced by the state government as a result of the poor economic situation in the country.

Receiving the governor in his palace at Orerokpe, the Orodje of Okpe kingdom, HRM Orhue I, expressed delight on the development prowess and activities of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, saying that the people of Okpe kingdom and all Deltans were proud of him for excuting laudable projects across the state.

While commissioning the Orerokpe modern market, the governor emphasized on the need to properly put the market to effective use, assuring that such markets will be replicated in Ozoro, Isoko North; Burutu, Burutu local government and Oghara in Ethiope West.

He disclosed that the state government has handed over the Orerokpe modern market to the local government council at no cost, urging the council to manage the market with clearance from the Orodje of Okpe to ensure fair distribution of the stalls at reasonable cost.

The governor also commissioned the Aragba/Okobia/Owhetolor/Okuagbude/Warri-Sapele Junction and Okuovo-Kpokpogri-Opuraja/Iriama junction road in Okpe local government area

Earlier, during the commissining of the reconstructed Ovwian main road, off Udu road in Udu local government area on Tuesday, October 17, 2017, the governor reassured the people that the state government will continue to provide more inrastructure projects within available resources.

He enjoined the people, especially the youths and women, to ensure that peace is sustained in the local government to attract more democracy dividends, as his administration is poised to deliver on campaign promises.

The Commissioner for works, Mr. James Auguoye said the 3.1 kilometre reconstruction job with 1,100 metres drain on both sides was awarded to an indigenous construction firm on March 3, 2017 and completed within six months.

On Wednesday, October 18, 2017, the governor is expected to inspect the YAGEP fish farm cluster with 154 fish ponds in Ugbokodo-Okpe before proceeding for the Town Hall meetings with persons drawn from different groups in the state at the Otor-Udu Hall, Otor-Udu in Udu local government and Edion Hall, Orerokpe in Okpe local government areas respectively where he will give his score card and allow people to react and ask questions.

Eleven Local Government Areas were visited during the first phase. They are Isoko North, Isoko South, Sapele, Ethiope West, Aniocha North, Aniocha South, Oshimili South, Oshimili North, Ika South, Ughelli South and Uwvie.

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Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) – 
E.I.C: Albert Eruorhe Ograka