Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –By Albert OGRAKA: IgbuyaSheriff Oborevwori, new Delta Speaker
In what could be termed “good riddance” in the legislature, the Delta State House of Assembly Speaker, Hon. Monday Ovwigho Igbuya has been impeached.
His unpredicted impeachement was carefully hatched by the legislators in the early hours of this morning, Thursday, May 11, 2017, during a session of the state House of Assembly.
Igbuya’s impeachment was signed by 22 out of the 29 members of the state’s legislative assembly.
Igbuya was immediately replaced with the lawmaker representing Okpe constituency, Sheriff Oborevwori as the new speaker.
The House at the plenary presided over by Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon Friday Osanebi, also sacked Hon Tim Owhofere as majority leader and elected Hon Johnson Erijo in his place.
Earlier moves to impeach Igbuya in the past were scuttled due to leakeages of classified information in the plot.
A Delta Assembly legislator who pleaded anonimity is quoted to have said: “Igbuya is known to have negated the rules of the House and has portrayed the leadership of the House in bad light by openly jettisoning laws made by the legislature to suit his personal interest.”
Meanwhile, embattled Igbuya instead of reacting from his hideout, has instead issued a statement signed on behalf of the Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, Hon. Cairo Ojougboh.
The statement made available to Blank NEWS Online by Henry Ebireri, media aide to the ousted speaker also indicates that Igbuya has been a clog in wheel of progress in the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa administration.
Governor Okowa is an avowed supporter of the Markafi led faction against that of Sherrif in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The statement signed by Mr. B Alli, Personal Assistant to the Deputy National Chairman, PDP reads:
“The attention of Hon. Cairo Ojougboh, the Deputy National Chairman of the PDP have been drawn to the criminal removal of Hon. Monday Igbuya as Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Asaba.
“Dr. Cairo Ojougboh in a statement issued in Abuja today, 11th May, 2017 has advised Hon. Monday Igbuya not to despair that his removal is a victory for his person and the genuine democratic forces in Delta state. He also says that Igbuya was removed from office because he accompanied His Excellency, Chief James Ibori to visit the governor and good people of Bayelsa State. His problem with Gov. Okowa started immediately after that visit but we must state that Hon. Monday Igbuya has served creditably well and we are proud of his services to the people of Delta State.
“Gov. Okowa should be reminded that power belongs to God and that it is transient. He should also be reminded that eight years is not forever and therefore, be mindful of how he treats people while in power.”
*Facts about Delta State House of Assembly Speaker’s impeachment process…
– The impeachment process occurred as early as 6:am;
– 22 Members signed the Impeachment Notice;
– 21 Members plus the Clerk of the House were present at the sitting;
– The Assembly premises was reported to be cordoned off by Armedpersonnel.
– The Members moved to the Government House to meet with Governor Okowa just after the Impeachment.
– Delta State House of Assembly workers are in a jubilant mood;
– Activities at the Delta State Government House has been grounded as negotiations are currently on-going;
– The Sitting was presided over by the Deputy Speaker;
– The impeached speaker has been slapped with a three months suspension;
– The Majority Leader, Barr. Tim Ohwofere was also suspended. The Length of the suspension not yet confirmed but reports indicates that he was hammered with an indefinite suspension;
– Hon. Johnson Erijo now Majority leader of Delta State house of Assembly;
– Reasons for the impeachment not yet revealed but might not be so far from the recent face-off between some top members in the House.
Watch out for more details only in…..Blank NEWS Online
The 6th Edition of the Delta State Sports Festival, tagged Unity Games, has kicked off in Ozoro, Isoko North local government area.
Declaring the festival open, the state governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa who was represented by Mr. Oghenekaro Ilolo, Commissioner for Urban Renewal recalled that the sports festival started in 1973 under Dr. Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia.*Ilolo
He stated that the festival was designed to foster unity, friendship, understanding and mutual respect among the teeming youth of the state adding that sporting activities form part of the state government SMART agenda targeted towards empowerment of the youth.
He therefore called on youths to avail themselves of the opportunites offered by the festival and venture into sporting activities as a vocation which can earn them a living, urging the participants to exhibit a true spirit of sportsmanship while the officials should conduct the sporting events without manipulations.
While insisting that the state government will not renege on its determination to groom sports talents across the state, Governor Okowa promised to bring sports to the forefront of his administration’s development initiatives.
Earlier in his address, the Executive Chairman, Mr. Tonobok Okowa stated that although the Unity Games had become moribund in the past, his Commission was determined to revive the festival and it has come to state, adding that sports talent hunts cannot be undermined.
He commended Governor Okowa for ensuring its revival, which serves as a testimony of his love for grassroots sports. He also praised the efforts of the various local government chairmen for providing the enabling environment for the festival.
The Sports Commission boss stated that the sports festival is a veritable avenue for youths to develop their sporting potential adding that sporting activities is one of the highest paid vocation worldwide. *Ukah
In his remarks, the state Commissioner for Information and Chairman Publicity Sub-Committee, Mr. Patrick Ukah said the sports festival is a unifying force put in place to hasten peaceful co-existence among Deltans.
The Sports Festival which was held last in 2005 is being organized by the Delta State Sports Commission, headed by its Executive Chairman, Mr. Tonobok Okowa with participants drawn from the 25 local governments in the state.
The sports fiesta is billed to hold between May 8th and 12th.
Facts from the Commission indicates that the opening and closing ceremonies will hold at the Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro Sports Stadium, while all indoor sports will take place at the Asaba Indoors Sports Hall, Swimming at Obiaruku and Cycling in Agbor respectively.
The festival, targeted at building up grassroots sports and grooming talents from the rural parts of the state has been described as a welcome development by sports pundits and enthusiasts, but not without complaints of having been untapped by successive governments in the state.
Two amateur football clubs, Ika Rangers FC and Isoko United FC locked horns to hallmark the opening ceremony.
Highpoint of the event was the arrival of the festival touch tagged Unity Touch and lighting of the festival fame, followed by march past by contingents from the 25 local government areas of the state as well as cultural and musical performances by the Delta state Arts Council and Fretless Band respectively.
Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –: Patrick Ukah, Delta Commissioner for Information
Journalists have been advised to uphold their professional code of ethics at all times.
The State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Patrick Ukah, gave the advice in a press statement to felicitate with Journalists in Delta State on the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day celebrated yesterday with the theme “Critical Minds for Critical Times: Media’s Role in Advancing Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies”.
Mr. Ukah said when Journalists learn to work according to the ethics of the profession, they would enjoy the protection of the Constitution, which according to him, is strong enough to defend them.
The Commissioner expressed joy that Journalists enjoy freedom in the course of carrying out their jobs in the state, stating that the administration of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa had always maintained a cordial working relationship with the Press.
He said that Pressmen all over the world, and in particular our own environment, should learn to work according to the ethics of the business, stressing that if that is done, Pressmen will continue to enjoy freedom of the press because the constitution is strong enough to defend pressmen in the country.
“As a government, we are particularly happy because we have had a very good relationship with the media because we allowed them the freedom to do their job,” the Commissioner stated.
While paying glowing tribute to journalists who died in the course of duty, he encouraged practicing journalists to keep the flag flying by ensuring that they imbibe the ideals the fallen heroes stood for.
As the global community marked the World Press Freedom Day with the theme, Critical Minds for Critical Times, Media Role in Advancing Peace, Just and Inclusive Society on Wednesday, May 03, 2017, Blank NEWS Online brings to you a thought provoking yet interesting insight into the real business of professional journalism in this exclusive interview with Mr. Charles Ehiedu Aniagwu, Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Delta state governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa. *Charles Ehiedu AniagwuExcerpts:
Que:Freedom of the press and expression are fundamental human rights which must be upheld. Do you think there is absolute freedom of the press in Nigeria?
Ans:Freedom of the press is not fundamental. Freedom of expression is fundamental. We need to separate them. For you to express yourself and be free is fundametal. Fundamental means that it is inalienable and they cant take it away from you but that of the freedom of the press, for you to write is not inalienable. Those other ones are given to you by God. The one of the press is your on volition. You either choose to become a practitioner or you are employed and somebody gives you responsibilities but to express yourself is natural.
Now having made that distinction, let us even ask ourselves what is the essence of the World Press Freedom Day. For us to be able to appreciate it, we must also first know the role of the media. If you narrow it down to Nigeria, as to what the media is, Section 22 of the Nigerian constitution is very clear. It says that the media’s responsibility is to hold government accountable to the people. It may not have provided for journalists but since journalists are the ones that operate the media, it invariably means that the journalist is in a vantage position to be able to hold government accountable to the people. Be that as it may, the question now is what is our responsibilities viz a viz the expectations of those we are going to hold accountable. The first responsibility is just as it is in John 8: 17 in the Holy Bible when Jesus Christ said for you to cast the first stone on the harlot, you must make sure that you don’t have blemishes. So in which case, you must come to equity with clean hands. Having said that, if you narrow it down to this year’s theme which talks about critical minds for critical times, the question is how critical are you in your mind? How informed are you to go to look at the critical times and what it takes to also report the critical times and what makes this time critical?
This particular time in Nigeria is critical because there is an attempt to emasculate these responsibilities given to the media by the present government. Examples abound of different aspects of non observance of the rule of law. And when we report the activities of government, we must take away sentiments that you see today. Let me give you one example of such sentiments. When the Federal Government released the Paris Club refunds to the states, the media joined members of the public to say that the Federal government have asked the states to use the funds to pay salaries without first of all looking at the powers of the Federal government viz a viz the constitutionally guaranteed powers of the state as an independent tier of government.
So the Federal government cannot become the headmaster that can just pick up a cane and say a teacher must teach in tthe classroom. The Federal government is not supposed to dictate for the the States how to spend the money that belongs to the state because that money belongs to the state. The Federal government can only advise on what the state is expected to do. The state is bound to define its priorities and apply these funds in line with its own priorities. But what did the media do? The media said they say you should go and pay salaries. What if everybody is about dying on account of Meningitis? Between saving the lives of the people and paying teachers’ salaries, which one becomes a priority to such state? Now assuming without conceding that we are not owing teachers’ salaries and the Federal government has advised that states should go and pay salaries, do we keep such money somewhere until such a year or time that we begin to owe salaries? The media needed to move away from the sentiments of members of the public who assume that salaries must be paid and then look at the powers of the Federal government to be able to advise because it is not a bail out fund.
Coming back to the essence of the World Press Freedom Day, it is also a day just like the Labour Day for us to remember our matyrs who have died in the course of the business of journalism because the business of journalism is to hold “Big Boys” accountable to the people and often times they don’t want to be accountable. These “Big Boys” are inherently dangerous in their own approach in most instances. I am using the word “Big Boys” because I am not talking about only politicians, even some businessmen, even some other persons who are in the work places who want to cut corners. The Media is the one who is supposed to expose them and make sure that they are accountable and sometimes for them not to be accountable, they do the untoward. The case in point is that of Dele Giwa. In the course of the press freedom day, you are able to remember the martyrs. In the course of the press freedom day, you are also able to look back on how well have you also have been able to exercise your responsibilities given to you within the context of social responsibility. In which case, how developmental are you in your reportage?
The four-way test also in the media, as to whether is it for the common good? In which case, even if you want to expose corruption and such exposé can drag the government into the mud and finish the entire society, you keep it. There is a theory that talks about to report and be damned. Do I just report? It doesn’t matter what happens or do I first of all look at it to see if it is for the good of the majority? All those things come in when you are doing your press freedom, to be able to remember the milestones. What are the impediments? How do we cross them? What are we not doing properly and we are able to draw attention to it? What step do we need to take to improve? How do we also remember those who have paid the supreme sacrifice so that others who are alive are not intimidated by what must have happened to those who passed on?
Que:Which are the areas you think that media personnel can improve on in the discharge of their duties?
Ans:The most important thing is for us to be confident. That is what we lack at the moment. There is a dearth of confidence on the part of the journalist. No thanks to poverty. A situation whereby a journalist wants to ask you questions and he first of all look at whether the question will make him make more money or will it make him not to make more money. That brings about self defeatism in the first place and having been defeated in terms of your self esteem, the ability to churn out with the necessary question that would now conform with your requirements as stated in Section 22 of the Constitution becomes already compromised because you have now engaged in self sensorship. Once you begin to self sensor yourself, you are not even able to ask the necessary question. Self confidence is the number one important step.
Number two, the journalist must also, like the critical mind be well informed. Some journalists have locked up their mind and become parochial in their approach to how they view things and do not want to use an expanded lens to have a much more focal view of the subject matter. That is also another challenge. But a much more interesting challenge is the challenge now posed by citizen journalism. Thanks to the proliferation of ICT, especially in the area of the Internet which have made it possible for people to take advantage of the New Media to report without subjecting such report to the crucibles of editorial principles and those reports are based on sentiments. It is not a crime to the extent that these are some of the latitudes allowed in a democratic setting. It is a challenge because most journalists now go to the New Media to take reports and then flash it as if that is the true position. That principle of cross-checking the facts is now buried. It is also a major challenge that we need to take à look at.
Que:Apart from some of these shortcomings in the eyes of the public, the media is also a catalyst which promotes information and strategies that helps socio-economic and political developments as well as peace and integration. Would you say they have operated within reasonabe ethical standards?
Ans:There is one particular adage which says, you don’t go into a rotten mouth and begin to look for healthy teeth. The mouth is rotten, expectedly the teeth within that buccal cavity is also expected to be rotten. How do I mean? The journalist operates within the context of the society that is rotten, that is plagued by these many other social adversities. That being the case, it means that the journalist is not exempted from that plague that has gotten the better part of the politician, that has gotten the better part of the teacher who leaves the children in the classroom and begin to sell things by the roadside in the form of private practice, and gotten all facets of our society. What has that done to the journalist? It means that the journalist have also gradually abandoned what is expected of him to hold the government accountable.
Be that as it may, to a reasonable extent, the journalism profession in Nigeria have also helped in the entrenchment of democratic principles and norms in Nigeria because journalism in this case, is like Christianity where you have the Churches. Individuals have had cause to say there is proliferation of crime in the midst of growing spiritual base of practitioners. The question is, if there were no Churches, what would the society have been? So, if there were no Journalists, what would politicians and those saddled with the responsibility of governing would have done? Perhaps, they would have become much more corrupt in terms of the use of power. Dont forget the views of A. V. Dicey and then coupled with the issue of Montesquieu in terms of separation of power. In the case of A. V. Dicey, it was very clear in terms of the Rule of Law that absolute power corrupts absolutely. So, if there were no media practitioners, most powerful people would have become so drunk because in politics, morality is first of all pushed to the background. It becomes more of exigencies of the time and when such exigencies clash with your own desire to progress in a certain direction, the tendency is that you would want to give much more strength to the one that favours you. But with the position of journalists and media practitioners at large, those notoriety are able to hold back a little because they are also interested in maintaining their integrity even when they are thick, they want to be painted clear. To that extent, the activities of the media practitioners have also helped for us to have a saner society.
That could we benefit from much more intuitive position on the mouth of the journalist? Yes, we could. It is work in progress. I believe that if we progress along that trajectory, we are most likely to have much more progress in the entrenchment of democratic principles and ethos.
Que:The media, as the Fourth Estate of the Realm monitors performances of institutions and report activities of governments but often times some of the practitioners are improsoned, maimed or even killed in the line of duty. What do you think can be done to check these actions against practicing journalists?
Ans:Thank you very much. You are very correct but first of all, like I said earlier in terms of critical examination of also the responsibilities of the media, there are certain facts we must tell ourselves. When a media practitioner also progresses in error because he believes that he has a responsibility to hold the government accountable, he fails to realize that he must come to that equity with very clean hands. In a number of instances, media practitioners, believing that that sole responsibility of holding the government accountable have been vested in them by the laws of the land progress in the direction that is untoward, unprofessional and begin to malign the credibility and integrity of these individuals just because they hold public office and when you malign the credibility of an individual because you think you are a media practitioner, you are also bound to be subjected to the crucibles of the legal process.
That is to say that it is not everybody that is imprisoned is imprisoned unjustly. The media practitioners have not also been immune from these legal processes if they progress in error, whether it is using the law of libel or other such laws, we are also expected to operate within certain frame recognised by the law.
Having said that, there have also been instances of those in authority taking the powers in their hands and then not wanting the media to report issues the way they are because reporting the way they are may either bring them down or would do something that might not be palatable either to their integrity or to those they think they love. So, to that extent there is risk. There is usually a very thin line with having to hold people accountable and having to report based on the conviction that you are really doing that and not for your own selfish reasons.
Sometimes, people just wake up and say there is oppression, that in the last one year, 20 journalists have been killed. We must ask ourselves a question. If they threw a bomb when you are filing a report and you die, is that oppression? There are other people who died in the course of that bomb. You are only just unfortunate to be at the scene. So when they count the number of journalists who have lost their lives in the course of the profession, they must be able to draw the difference between those who died their natural death in the course of the action because other persons were affected and they couldn’t have been exempted because they are journalists and those who were shot because they are doing some form of probing. But often times, we jam all of them and say in the last one year we lost these number of journalists. It paints a picture that is not too clear and too current.
Que:Would you say the media have fared well under the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s administration?
Ans:Very well. The media has fared well and the reason for that is not in terms of whether we have given them the necessary welfare. Its in terms of allowing them that media space. Hundred percent, we have allowed the media space even to the extent of allowing those who could not report facts. We just assume that that is their own level of understanding and we have always done it too to try to clarify the issues with a view to getting them informed and assuming they are not actually intending to be mischievous because if somebody wants to be mischievous even when you are correcting him, you are only wasting time because he already know the facts but just want to be mischievous. To that extent, we have done well in encouraging the free space under which the media practitioners can effectively operate and maybe carry out their business.
In terms of the other welfare packages, we may not pat ourselves in the back because our resources have been so dealt with, going back to the issue of healthy teeth in a rotten mouth. So if we don’t have the money to do the things we needed to do, the journalists and their welfare cannot also be an exception. But in this last two years, I can beat my chest and say that we have done much more reasonable than anybody can imagine. Today, as we speak by the Grace of God, the Nigerian Union of Journalist’s Press Centre is almost completed within a space of two years of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s administration and that is a state that have existed for more than 24 years. Before we came in, they didn’t have that. Today, as we speak, a number of Chapels are beginning to have much more conducive Secretariat and that wasn’t the situation when we came in. So its a question of us having left the shore and the ship is sailing smoothly.
We may not have gotten to the harbour but the fact is that every other thing is going to the positive direction and we are optimistic that if we continue along that trajectory, we are likely to make more progress.
We must also commend the practitioners in Delta state. They have been very wonderful. They have shown a lot of cooperation that inspite of the hard times, they didn’t take the frustration on us and we are hoping that God willing, we are able to also meet them half way so that it becomes a win win situation for all of us.
Que:As a media practitioner, what is your word of advice to journalists operating in Delta state?
“The programme is financed by a US$ 500,000,000 International Development Association credit to the Federal Republic of Nigeria over a period of four years with each state receiving US$1,500,000.” –Dr. Nicholas Azinge
Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –: Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa (right) with Dr. Nicholas Azinge
The Delta State Government has initiated a project for the development of Vaccine Production Facility in Delta State University Teaching Hospital (DELSUTH), Oghara.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Azinge, who stated this during the 2017 World Malaria Day broadcast in Asaba, said the project was championed by the Ministry of Health which initiated collaboration between DELSUTH and Merck Biopharmaceutical Company.
Azinge, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Minnie Oseji, noted that the project, in line with Governor Okowa administration’s SMART Agenda, will create job opportunities and generate income for the state, once it was actualised.
He also disclosed that the project will further provide an enabling environment to attract researchers to Nigeria for the development of new vaccines.
While calling on local and international investors to contribute to the venture, he revealed that Ghana, Kenya and Malawi have been selected to pilot the world’s first malaria vaccine (Mosquirix) from 2018.
Azinge disclosed that through the timely intervention of Governor Okowa, the state became a beneficiary of the Saving One Million Lives Programme for Results, a programme initiated by the Federal Government on maternal and child health, supported by the World Bank.
According to him, “The programme is financed by a US$ 500,000,000 International Development Association credit to the Federal Republic of Nigeria over a period of four years with each state receiving US$1,500,000.
He said that malaria control was one of the six pillars the programme was expected to address, adding that it will provide for strengthening community participation in distribution of long lasting insecticide treated nets with the use of trained community volunteers, who will distribute, install and conduct house to house sensitisation on the use of the nets.
The Commissioner said that the programme will also ensure the provision of long lasting insecticide treated nets to all pregnant women and children under-five who attend Ante-natal and Child Welfare Clinics, as well as collaborate with Private Health providers for wider distribution of the long lasting insecticide treated nets.
He called on the general public to cooperate with the health ministry and ensure judicious utilisation of the nets to enable the state score high enough and attract more funds when the programme is evaluated.
Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –: Patrick Ukah, Delta Commissioner for Information
Delta State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Patrick Ukah, has called on the Federal Government and the Inspector General of Police, Idris Abubakar, to take urgent and proactive steps in disarming Fulani Herdsmen in the state and elsewhere so as to prevent total breakdown of law and order in the country.
Mr. Ukah, in an interview in Asaba, lamented the youths uprising that led to the vandalization of the palace of a royal father and other properties in Abraka communities, adding that the Federal Government and the law enforcement agents are not doing enough to stop the broad daylight slaughtering of innocent farmers across the state.
The Commissioner for Information said that the state government will continue to prevail on the Federal Government to do something very urgent because the situation is taking a different dimension.
According to Mr. Ukah, “The state government will not encourage our people and the youths to take laws into their hands but it is obvious that the police and APC Federal Government have shown sufficient lukewarm attitude towards the arrest and prosecution of the Fulani Herdsmen who are regularly killing our men, raping women and defiling young girls in their farmlands after feeding their cattles with cassava, yams and other cash crops. This development is ridiculous and the state government is worried and concerned about the plight of our people and families affected by the criminal activities of Fulani Herdsmen”.
He stated that the State House of Assembly is currently working on a bill in respect of the criminal activities of Fulani Herdsmen in the state, assuring that by the time the bill is passed, the Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, will not hesitate to sign it into law.
The Commissioner for Information disclosed that the state government will continue to appeal to the people not to take laws into their hands, but the security agents and the Buhari administration must realise that they are foot dragging in this matter which is why some persons are now left with the option of reprisals resulting in the wanton destruction of properties as a way of venting their anger.
Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –By Prosper Edo: Bashorun Askia addressing the mammoth crowd.
OLOMORO – It was a mammoth gathering of PDP Elders, Leaders, Stakeholders and party faithfuls of Isoko South Constituency 2 in a Get – Together meeting at High Chief Dr. Idodo Umeh compound, Olomoro, Isoko South LGA, Delta State.
The gathering afforded the PDP family the opportunity to merry and reflect on the happenings in the party.
Bashorun Askia Ogieh, Sen. Chief Mrs Stella Unuezi Omu, High Chief Dr. Idodo Umeh all spoke in unison in support for true unity among party members, appealing to all members to remain steadfast and sustain the unity in the party.
In an opening remark, the Isoko South PDP LGA Chairman, Mr. Raphael Odorewu expressed deep satisfaction and appreciation to all who honoured the invitation and came. The LGA Chairman used the opportunity to present over 100 members of the APC in Aviara Ward 03 who decamped to the PDP to the Chairman, Delta South Senatorial District Chief Emmanuel Agbaduba. The Delta South Senatorial Chairman on behalf of the State Party Chairman received the decampees.
The Isoko South LGA Chairman recounted how the decampees expressed happiness over the developmental strides of His Excellency the Governor of Delta State Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa and thus decided to join the PDP. They were warmly received in an LGA meeting on Thursday 27th April, 2017, at the PDP Secretariat at Oleh by the Aviara Ward 03 Chairman Mr. England Omodero who then presented them to the LGA Chairman who received them on behalf of the Isoko South PDP family.
Addressing the mammoth crowd of PDP faithfuls, Bashorun Askia Ogieh expressed deep satisfaction in the unity in the Party and urge all Party faithfuls to go out and win more people from the opposition parties to the PDP.
A visibly elated Bashorun Askia pledged to join forces with the leadership of any Ward were they have difficulties in wooing opposition parties members to the PDP fold.
The highlight of the ceremony was a resounding vote of confidence passed on Gov Okowa and an endorsement for a second term as Governor of Delta State.
Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –:
The Alanza Oduah of Oko-Ogbele, Chief Dr. Benjamin Anwasia JP has expressed pity and disgust at the ignorance of one Onihe Odumegwu Nwanze over his written reaction published in this medium in reaction to his recently launched book on Oko history.
Chief Anwasia said that in a press statement while reacting to the said publication in this medium titled: “RE: HISTORY OF OKO WRITTEN BY CHIEF B N ANWASIA,” wherein he (Onihe Odumegwu Nwanze) exposed his crass ignorance by raining unprintable vituperations on his person for his painstaking efforts through research of many years to put together a book on the history of his beloved place of birth, Oko kingdom.
He said that he will not join issues with him, bearing in mind that he and his cohorts are acting in ignorance, sheer malice and frustration, having been denied claim to the Onisheship of Oko Amakom by a court of competent jurisdiction in 1997, which case is still in the Supreme Court and therefore, will amount to subjudice if he belittles his knowledge of judicial processes for people who do not deserve this response.
Quoting from a High Court judgement of November 4, 1997, titled Enrolment of Judgement in suit no. A/147/94 before His Lordship, Honourable Justice M.C.U. Odita made available to the press, Chief Anwasia said that Odumegwu Nwanze has no legal or customary claim to the title of Onihe that he claims since the aforesaid court jugement indicate as follows; “from the totality of the evidence before me, which I have seriously considered … I declare that the Uwaile Quarters of Oko Amakom which the defendants represent is not entitled to install or to have any person from that quarter installed the Onihe of Oko Amakom.
“An order of injunction restraining the defendants and their people of Uwaile from holding out any person from Uwaile Quarter as the Onihe of Oko Amakom or for any person from Uwaile Quarter of Oko Amakom parading himself as the Onihe of Oko Amakom or from doing anything in contravention of the rights and privileges of the Onihe of Oko Amakom……”
He advised Odumegwu Nwanze to either undergo his own research and come up with his own book on the history of Oko or commission somebody to do so for him as it is obvious that he lacks the ingredients and frame of mind to appreciate good academic research, at least to prove how much of a distortion his book is and for posterity to vindicate him.
Chief Anwasia also urged reasonable people to read the book and make their own objective judgement. He also advised and encouraged any person, group, interest or community that feels misrepresented to take legal action if they feel aggrieved.
On Odumegwu Nwanze’s claim that “It is also interesting to note that Chief B N Anwasia real lineage in Oko History is allegedly still in doubt,” Chief Anwasia said that as a law abiding citizen of this country, he is discussing with his lawyers and will take action at the appropriate time.
Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –:
The High Court of Justice, sitting at Otor-Udu, Delta State and presided over by Hon. Justice C.E Achilefu (Mrs.) today Friday, the 28th day of April, 2017 in Suit No: OUHC/111/2016 OGHENEJABOR IKIMI, ESQ., VS. GOVERNOR OF DELTA STATE AND 2 OTHERS, declared the collection of the Passengers Welfare Scheme levy and the daily Motorcycle and Tricycle Taxes collected from operators of Motorcycle and Tricycle in Delta State as illegal since same is contrary to the provisions of Part II of the Schedule to the Taxes and Levies (Approved List for Collection) Act, 2004 (as amended).
The Court also declared the assessment and collection of taxes and levies by private tax consultants or private individuals or bodies as illegal as same contravenes the provisions of Sections 2 (1), 3 and 4 of the Taxes and Levies (Approved List for Collection) Act, 2004 (as amended) the Court further declared that the Delta State Government cannot collect any tax or levy not listed in Part II of the Schedule to the Taxes and Levies (Approved List for Collection) Act, 2004 (as amended).
Consequently, Hon Justice C.E. Achilefu (Mrs.) further restrained the Delta State Government perpetually from further using private tax consultants or private individual or bodies from assessing and collecting Taxes and Levies on behalf of the State.
The Court also went further to restrain the Delta State Government perpetually from further collecting Passenger’s Welfare levies from commuters in the State and Motorcycle and Tricycle taxes from Motorcycle and Tricycle operators in the State as same contravened the provisions of Part II of the Schedule to the Taxes and Levies (Approved List for Collection) Act, 2004 (as amended).
The Court also restrained the Delta State Government from further collecting taxes and levies from her Citizens which are not listed in Part II of the Schedule to the taxes and levies (Approved List for Collection) Act, 2004 (as amended).
Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –:
A former Counsellor and a Staff of Delta State Judiciary to die by hanging for stabbing his co-flatmate’s wife to death
A Delta State High Court sitting at Ughelli Judicial Division has sentenced one Narebor Stephen Donbrapade, a staff of the Delta State Judiciary to death by hanging for using a kitchen knife to stab his co-flatmate’s wife to death.
The Court presided over by Honourable Justice F. O. Ohwo in suit number UHC/21c/13 in State Vs Narebor Stephen Donbrapade found the accused guilty on a one count charge of murder proffered against him by the State Attorney-General through the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The accused, a 49 year old Administrative Staff of the Delta State Judiciary from Esama town in Bomadi Local Government Area, on or about the 31st day of January, 2013 at Otobor Street, within the Ughelli Judicial Division, murdered one Stella Avwenayerhe by stabbing on her on the chest, an offence punishable under section 319 of the Criminal Code Cap C.21, Volume 1, Laws of Delta State, 2006.
Narebor Stephen Donbrapade popularly known as “Honourable” shares a room in a three bedroom flat with the husband of the deceased located at No 15 Otobo Street Ughelli with a separate entrance to his room. On the fateful day, the accused and the victim were said to have had a minor altercation after he walked through the rug in the sitting room without removing his shoes. The altercation occurred after being reprimanded by the deceased. To teach his co-flatmate’s wife a lesson for having the audacity to challenge him, the accused was reported to have dashed into his room only to appear with a knife and immediately stabbed Stella Avwenayerhe on the chest. She was confirmed dead on arrival by doctors at the Ughelli Central hospital where she was rushed to by neighbors who came to her rescue.
In his defense, the accused who pleaded not guilty to the one count charge alleged that the victim was stabbed to death by some unidentified hoodlums in the area.
While delivering the death verdict, Justice F.O. Ohwo of the Ughelli High Court ruled that he disbelieved the accused whom he described as not a witness of truth and believed the evidences of the four prosecution witnesses called by an Assistant Director in the Ministry of Justice including the husband of the deceased, Mr. Lucky Okorodudu. He further ruled that prosecution proved beyond all reasonable doubt the essential ingredients of the offence of murder against the accused person. “I hereby sentence you to death by hanging on the neck until you be dead, may God have mercy on your soul” Justice Ohwo ruled.
Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –BY Johnson EBIGIDE: Johnson Ebigide
The Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of contemporary English Language defines corruption simply as ‘’ dishonest or illegal behaviour, especially of people in authority’’ . That is, corruption is using ones official power dishonestly and illegally for personal aggrandizement and undue advantage over others. When the law empowers an individual to make use of his statutory position for the welfare of the generality of members of the society, but he decides to turn around, using such entrusted power to defraud the society for his personal gains, such an individual is said to be corrupt.
However, one form of corrosive corruption that is ravaging the country is when a government establishment or institution uses the law establishing it to rip off members of the public in the name of revenue generation, and sometimes for the purpose of forceful protection of the interest of the citizens; unsolicited protection that keeps the protected economically depraved. Laws, from the Mosaic days till date, are primarily made for the smooth coordination of human affairs and relationship in the society. Even the Orwellian animals knew the importance of law; although the more clever ones among them like some Nigerians saw to the falsification of the generally accepted made laws to safeguard their personal livelihood against the welfare of the majority other animals
Contemporary Nigeria is replete with many institutions applying the laws establishing them in a corrupt propensity so much so that but for the fearlessness and commitment of a few elite Nigerians in confronting them legally and frontally, the masses would have been suffering serious disadvantages in the name of enforcement. The Nigerian Police ‘’force’’, the Army, Customs, National Drug Laws Enforcement Agency(NDLEA), NAFDAC, EFCC, FRSC and other traffic regulatory establishments, Code of Conduct Bureau, National Pension Commission, INEC, and even the law making institutions, to mention just a few, are enmeshed in institutional corruption.
For example, sometime ago, the Federal Road Safety Corps(FRSC), the statutory role of which is primarily to ensure safe monitoring on the highways felt that its role was not enormous enough and had gone ahead through the national law making organs for greater statutory strength to enforce the replacement of old vehicle plate numbers in the country. Desirable as that move could have been if the new plate numbers were not simply a recodification and designing of same features of the old ones in a reversed mode, owners of such vehicles were to pay for fresh registration of their vehicles before their old plate numbers were to be replaced. But for the general outcry and the spirited effort of a Lagos-based lawyer, such a rip off would have been entrenched in the country.
Only recently, the National Pension Commission, published yet another horrifying threat to employers of labour, particularly concerning the civil service. The core message is that employers henceforth must deduct forcefully certain premium from the latter’s monthly salaries, adding in a note of finally that the troubled contributory Pension scheme already on ground is now incomplete without the present insurance scheme. To a cursory observer this move is quite laudable, but a critical inward analysis of pension administration in the country would further send the jitters down the spines of the already financially crawling civil servants in the country.
The fear of pension days is becoming depressing for even the regular civil servants, who are still in service in the country. There have been reports of some pensioners dying owing to non-payment of their pensions many years after their retirement; there have been reports of some very elderly retired civil servants being subjected to very rigorous verification exercises after which nothing is forthcoming for years as pensions for them; reports abound of some state governments’ failure to remit the deducted percentage of money from the salaries of their workers as part of the latter’s contribution in the new pension scheme to their pension administrators, talk less of the contribution of such state governments, and it is still hazy as to whether retired civil servants are still entitled to the erstwhile bulk payment, called gratuity, upon retirement from active service. In the face of all these worrisome atmosphere and uncertainties, why worsen the plight of workers, nay, civil servants, through a further depletion of their low income which is constantly being pummeled by rising inflation and cost of living?.That explains why the Nigerian Police and Army have forcefully but cleverly opted out of the new contributory pension scheme with its ambivalence connotations; knowing fully well that nothing good comes out of the house of Judah.
Then comes the issue of the Code of Conduct Bureau. Declaiming one’s assets to stem the tide of corrupt acquisition of assets in the country is commendable, but surely not desirable for most civil servants whose salaries can barely feed their families. Besides, the exercise is quite stressful, particularly concerning the financial aspect. Why, for example, should a civil servant with a monthly salary of less than N18, 000 after several deductions and taxation be made to pay N1000 at the court of law before his or her asset declaration form is stamped officially?
There is a litany of other manipulative corrupt moves of some institutions in the country, all draining the meagre earnings of the civil servants. Is it the National Housing Funds to which every civil servant must subscribe every month throughout his working days to own a house, and yet has no easy access to the funds thereafter, or the erstwhile, defunct National Providence Funds (NPF) to which every worker was forced to part with N4.00 monthly, and yet not reimbursed after leaving employment of the company he or she worked before the late 1990s?
Corruption is also rife in the civil service as an institution in the use of official positions to victimize supposedly, perceived rivals and radical subordinates. It is corruption of highest order for a superior officer to subjugate any of his or her subordinates to constant intimidation, victimization, constant vexatious posting to drab offices, and habouring unrepentant propensity for profligacy and rapacity. The story has it of a military officer who got a subordinate detained in the barracks, just to make use of the short absence of the subordinate to seize his beautiful girl friend, who had strongly rebuffed the debauchery advances of the said morally corrupt officer.
It is against this backdrop, therefore, that efforts should be geared at all times and cost to put necessary monitoring mechanism(whistle blowing inclusive) in place towards checkmating not only the excessive inclination of some institutions in the country to abuse the laws establishing them, but to ensure that the ultimate organs from which they derive their statutory mandates do not encourage corruption in the country through enactment of porous laws with yawning lacunas, through which the masses could be hoodwinked or arm-twisted into forfeiting their fundamental rights .
*Johnson Ebigide, a journalist writes from Asaba, Delta State.
Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –:
Delta State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Barr. Mrs. Mary Iyasere, has inaugurated the Project Implementation and Strategy sub committee of the state Committee on Export Promotion.
The ceremony took place yesterday (27/04/2017) at conference room in the office of the commissioner during a meeting of the state Committee on Export Promotion.
Barr. Iyasere said that the inauguration of the sub committee has become expedient due to the inability of producers in the state to export their products.
She charged members of the sub committee to work towards the provision of suitable platforms for farmers in the state to export their products.
The Chairman of the committee, who is also the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Arthur-Prest Umukoro, thanked the Commissioner for giving members of the sub committee the opportunity to contribute their quota in the export promotion drive of the state.
During the meeting of the committee, two possible products for exportation, palm oil and cassava, were penciled down, while more investigations will be carried out to find out the comparative advantage of each product over others.
This is in line with the one-state-one-product programme initiative of the Federal Government aimed at boosting export.
Members of the Sub Committee are the Permanent Secretary, Government House and Protocol, Director of Commerce in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, representatives of Delta State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (DACCIMA), Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Shippers Council, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Ministry of Economic Planning, Bank of Industry, Bank of Agriculture, Nigerian Immigration Service, Nigerian Customs Service and Delta State chapter of the National Youth Council.
Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –:
Police operatives investigating the case of alleged rape of 15-year old Princess and secondary school student (names withheld) in the palace of the Obi of Idumuje-Ugboko, Aniocha North Local Government Area, Delta State, recorded a success on Tuesday, April 25, 2017 with the arrest of two suspects accused of complicity in the matter.
The suspects, Prince Richard Nwoko and Prince Ejimofor Nwoko, were reportedly arrested in the premises of the Magistrates Court, Asaba, after several unsuccessful attempts by the police to pin them down over alleged offence of compounding felony.
Police sources told newsmen on Tuesday that efforts were on to arrest the principal suspect and others, including the crown Prince, Nonso, so as to unravel the true position concerning the case that had attracted reactions from sections of the society.
According to the source, the arrested suspects made statement to the police and were detained while investigation continued, adding that the arrests reduced tension in the community that was almost in tensed situation since after the incident.
Police investigation into the case was spurred by a petition written by Walter Eziashi, a former President-general of Idumuje-Ugboko Development Union, alleging that after the rape, some royal princess and others allegedly covered up the case after sanctioning the suspect and imposing fine of for goats and the sum of N400,000 on him.
The alarm raised by Mr. Eziashi also attracted female layers in Nigeria, under the aegis of FIDA, and they called for thorough investigation to give justice to the teenager.
The Public Relations Officer (PRO), FIDA, Delta State, Mrs. Stellamaris Mejulu, expressed delight with the arrest of the suspects and urged the police to prosecute all those linked to the case.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Anthony Aniemeka, when contacted said that police were still investigating the case.
Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –: His Highness, Onihe Odimegwu Nwanze, the Okakwu of Oko-Amakom, Elders and Elites of uwaile (Isi-ani), quarters Oko-Amakom deem it necessary to debunk all the distorted stories and put the following facts straight and clear before the Author, Chief B N Awasia, and the general public, especially the Oko indigenes.
That Chief B N Anwasia work on the History of Oko was a distortion of facts in the History of Oko and mythical which may mislead Oko indigenes and future generation of the kingdom.
That Oko kingdom was not founded by Odeaja alone but with many other people like Uwaile (Isi-ani), Umu-ogwu, Umu-okpai, Inyele, Igbulie and Umu-Ngwu, as he falsely wrote in his book to suit his claimed lineage.
The self acclaimed historian, Chief B N Anwasia fabricated stories have forced us to write a brief History of uwaile Isi-ani, Quarters in Oko kingdom.
That Uwaile Isi-ani people of Igala extraction under the leadership of prince Ajor from a royal ruling house in Uwaile quarters in Idah, Kogi State sailed down to a virgin forest by the west bank of river Niger, a settlement which they named Ajor-Oko meaning Ajor farm/settlement situated by Ajabukwu and Akpu- umunnenabo area in 16th century. For clarity and record purposes, the settlement was named after prince Ajor, the head/leader of the Uwaile-Isi-ani people in the settlement as a mark of respect.
This settlement, much later with the arrival of other groups like Odeaja children, Umu-ogwu, Inyele, Umu-okpai, Igbulie and Umu-Ngwu was jointly and unanimously named and called Oko as a clan.
That Akor title(kingship) is not a prerogative of Odeaja children alone as written by chief B N Anwasia because Uwaile Isi-ani people of Igala origin from Idah also came with their royal staff of office ( Ofor-Eze) to the settlement named Ajor-Oko before the arrival of Odeaja children and other groups to the settlement later jointly called Oko. And the Author wrote in his book that the children of Odeaja became jealous of the prosperity of Uwaile(Isi-ani) people because they nearly outnumbered the children of Odeaja. They were also wealthier because they owned many fishing lakes. And that their immediate aim of ambition was to contest for kingship. Hence, the children of Odeaja secretly planned and executed mass killing of Uwaile Isi-ani people. This is a good evidence that Uwaile isi-ani is a royal lineage of Igala origin who came down to the settlement later called Oko with their royal staff of office (Ofor-Eze).
The following is a list of kings/Akors in Oko kingdom till date:
1. EZE ONU – OKO-ANALA
2. EZE OSUME – OKO-ANALA
3. EZE IDUU – OKO-ANALA
4. EZE EZEJIOFOR – OKO-OGBELE
5. EZE ANOCHIE – (UWAILE ISI-ANI) OKO-AMAKOM
6. EZE OGBOME (UWAILE ISI-ANI) OKO-AMAKOM
7. EZE ODILI (IDOKONMADU) OKO-AMAKOM
8. EZE EDEMUZOR (IDOKONMADU) OKO-AMAKOM
9. EZE IFEAKWAZIA (IDOKONMADU) OKO-AMAKOM
10. EZE OGWUMIKE – OKO-OGBELE
11. EZE OJUGBANA – OKO-ANALA
12. EZE OSAKWE – OKO-ANALA
13. EZE ANYAFULU – OKO-ANALA
14. EZE NWOHA – OKO- OGBELE
15. EZE EGBUNE – OKO-ANALA
16. EZE ATISELE – OKO-OGBELE
17. EZE EMEAGWALI – OKO-OGBELE
18. EZE IJEOMA – OKO-OGBELE
19. EZE OLISA I – OKO-OGBELE
20. EZE ANICHE – OKO-ANALA
21. EZE CHUKWUMA – (UWAILE ISI-ANI) OKO-AMAKOM
22. EZE OPUTA I – OKO-ANALA
23. EZE OLISA II OKO-OGBELE
24. EZE OSITA I – OKO-ANALA
The above list of the past and present kings in Oko kingdom has exposed and proved, the Author self acclaimed Historian, Chief B N Anwasia wrong in his claims that only Odeaja children are entitled to kingship in Oko kingdom.
That it was the Odeaja children and other groups that met Uwaile (Isi-ani) people at the settlement called Ajor-Oko (Ajor farm/settlement) situated by Ajabukwu/Akpu umunnenabo. This fact was made clear when the Author mentioned in his book that it appeared Uwaile Isi-ani people were living there before Odeaja children and others came to the settlement. That there was never a time in the history of Oko that Uwaile Isi-ani, children were admitted by Odeaja children into their fold. Uwaile Isi-ani has been an independent royal lineage, Quarters and autonomous before Oko was founded as a clan.
It is interesting to note that Uwaile Isi-ani people sailed down from Idah to the settlement with their royal staff of office (Ofor-Eze), titles, festivals, Burial ceremonies, shrines, all that are needed in a kingdom before the Odeaja children and others came to live with them side by side. All what Uwaile Isi-an- people were doing with Odeaja children and others were Joint ceremonies like Egwugwu festivals as people of the same origin and neighbours of the same kingdom in accordance with the custom and tradition of Oko.
To put the record straight, the Umu Odeaja and others met and Joined Uwaile Isi-ani quarters at the Ajor-Oko settlement on Afor –Ofor day during Ofor festival and they were happily received as people from the same Igala kingdom. But then the issue of knowing the actual date for the Ofor festival (Ogaigai) came up. The Umu Odeaja and others claimed that the actual date was adopted and announced before they left Idah that Uwaile quarters left Idah long time ago. But the Uwaile quarters disagreed and insisted on the date by their calculation. Hence this mixed up in the veracity for the actual date for the festival caused the Uwaile quarters celebrating the festival nine(9) days (Oge-ato) after the other Oko communities have celebrated it.
However, after a long time the whole Oko clan adopted and agreed on a common and general date for the Ofor festival. It is pertinent to mention here that Uwaile quarters willingly agreed on the accord because they suffered economically in hosting other Oko communities when they were celebrating it on a different date.
That Uwaile Isi-ani lakes were never confisticated by Odeaja children any time as written by Chief B N Anwasia. But Uwaile Isi-ani people out of magnanimity willingly donated their lakes for general use by Oko people. However, the reason behind this kind gesture was due to financial difficulty in raising fund for the land case between Oko and Umu Ezenei, quarters in Asaba. Hence the big lakes being rich in accommodating fishes were often sold in order to raise fund for the land case. Although, at times the lakes were fished during Ulor and Ofor festivals.
That during the Uwaile Isi-ani massacre by the Odeaja children, some of them that escaped fled to Ogwashi-uku, Asaba, Onitsha, Oko in Anambra State is axiomatic but Uwaile Isi-ani people still relate with them till date as people of the same origin. We thank Chief B N Anwasia for reminding Uwaile Isi-ani children of our bad past experience but no regret for the loss of lives and we can not question God since it was just part of History of our great lineage.
That there was never a time in oko History that Amakoji, was a name of a title Odeaja gave his son as wrongly wrote by the Author, Chief B N Anwasia, a self acclaimed Historian who believes in fabrication of stories for cheap popularity. Amakom community means Amalgamation of the five quarters that make up Amakom. They are Uwaile (Isi-ani), Idokonmadu, Umu-Okpai, Umu-Ogwu and Inyele. This is a known fact in Oko History till date.
For History and records purposes, that in as much as Uwaile Isi-ani believes in unity of Oko and we are enjoying good neighbourliness with Odeaja children and others, Uwaile Isi-ani quarters don’t want to join issues with anybody, family, quarter or community in Oko kingdom based on what Chief B N Anwasia falsely wrote in his book to suit his lineage, that “OKO” originated from Ojo-Oko which is not true. But if the truth must be told Oko originated from Ajor-Oko meaning Ajor farm/settlement which was the name of the settlement occupied by Uwaile Isi-ani people before Odeaja children and others came to the same settlement that was later generally and unanimously called and named Oko.
For clarity and records purposes, the settlement was named after the Head/Leader of Uwaile Isi-ani people, PRINCE AJOR who was denied his installation as the Attah of Idah by the king makers because of his deformity caused by the lost of one of his eyes and this accident happened when he was playing with a fishing implement (Ndudu) at a tender age in Idah. So prince Ajor felt cheated and decided to leave Idah and establish his own kingdom by the west bank of the river Niger.
For the sake of history and fact findings, the Author, Chief B N Anwasia in his book wrote and made Oko indigenes and the world over to understand that Odeaja returned to Idah from Ani-Oto and did not reach Ajabukwu (Akpu-Umunnenabo) or the settlement where his children met Uwaile Isi-ani people called Ajor-Oko before it was unanimously proclaimed, named and called OKO by all the different groups that founded Oko as a kingdom or clan. Hence, it is erroneous and unacceptable for the Author, Chief B N Anwasis to write or claim that Odeaja founded Oko when Odeaja himself did not reach or know the settlement that was later named and called Oko. It is interesting at this juncture to note that Chief B N Anwasia a self acclaimed Oko Historian is only trying to distort facts and steal a glorious moment in Oko History.
However, we the people of Uwaile(Isi-ani), want to remind Chief B N Anwasia and his cohorts that Uwaile people were called Uwaile Isi-ani as a mark of honour for being the first settlers on Oko land. Hence we advise the Author of the History of Oko, Chief B N Anwasia to withdraw his books on the History of Oko out of circulation because of the fabricated stories in the book which may mislead Oko people and the future generation and this can encourage crisis and disunity in the kingdom.
We also understand that Chief B N Anwasia did these fabrications in his Associateship Certificate of Education project in view of an award of Advance Certificate of Education (ACE). We are happy and congratulate him for his success in obtaining the Advance Certificate of Education (ACE) with these distorted facts in his book on the History of Oko Kingdom. It is also interesting to note that Chief B N Anwasia real lineage in Oko History is allegedly still in doubt.
Finally, we challenge the Author to launch his book in the palace of the Akor of Oko or any other venue where the sons and daughters of Oko kingdom will be invited to know the accurate History of Oko kingdom.
*His Highness, Onihe Odimegwu Nwanze is the Okakwu of Oko-Amakom
Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –By Albert OGRAKA: Governor Ifeanyi OkowaAskia OGIEH
The Executive Director (Finance and Administration) at the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Bashorun (Hon.) Askia Ogieh, JP, KSJI, CNA, has affirmed that the current endorsement of Governor Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa as as sole candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for 2019 governorship election by the three Senatorial Districts in Delta state is a proof of the outstanding landmark achievements of the state government in delivering democracy dividends across the state.
Bashorun Askia made the affirmation during an enlarged PDP meeting on Saturday, April 22, 2017, hosted by the immediate past Governor of the State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan in his Warri home, where the Delta South Senatorial District unanimously passed a vote of confidence on the governor of Delta State, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and endorsed him as sole candidate for 2019.
He described governor Okowa as a Pan Delta leader, considering his humble, proactive leadership abilities and good governance initiatives which has turned everywhere in the state to construction sites by using the meagre resources available to government in laying solid foundation for the socio-economic remodelling of the state.
He also praised the human capital development and economic empowerment policies of the Governor Okowa led administration which has transformed the lives of the majority of youths in Delta state.
While revealing that Deltans have resolved to sustain power rotation in the state and allow Delta North to complete her eight years tenure, he appealed to all Deltans at home and in the Diaspora to rally round Governor Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa for his re-election in 2019 for the sake of equity, good conscience and natural justice.
He therefore urged all PDP faithful in Delta South Senatorial District to queue behind the Governor of Delta State, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, the state PDP Chairman, Barr. Kingsley Esiso and the Delta South PDP Chairman, Prince Emmanuel Amgbaduba in a bid to keep the party strong and united.
Bashorun Askia further encouraged all PDP faithful in Delta South, Delta North and Delta Central Senatorial Districts respectively to participate actively in the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise which will commence on Thursday, 27th April, 2017, and would provide opportunities for Deltans who have attained the age of 18 to register “as a matter of routine until a few months to the 2019 general elections.”
Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –: Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu
THE Niger Delta Indigenous Movement for Radical Change (NDIMRC) has dismissed allegation of selective Town Hall Meetings in the Niger Delta Region against Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu.
The oil monitoring group described the Minister as a transparent person with burning desire to transform the region.
A group, the Grassroots Initiative for Peace and Social Orientation (GIPSO), had on Thursday warned the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, to stop frustrating the peace process in the region by his selective town hall meetings.
GIPSO had said the minister’s alleged selective town hall meetings with some groups and former militant leaders in the region was capable of creating tension and dividing interests against the peace package put together by the Federal Government for the region.
But in a press statement signed by its President, Nelly Emma, Secretary, John Sailor and Public Relations Office (PRO) Stanley Mukoro, the group kicked over the accusation against the Minister of selective Town Hall Meetings in the oil rich Niger Delta Region
Frowning at the allegation, the group warned those determined to frustrate the peace process of the Minister to desist forthwith and support him to restore the needed peace and attract more investors to the region.
” It is not true that our dynamic Minister of State for Petroleum is involved in selective Town Hall Meetings in the oil rich Niger Delta Region. The Minister has been very transparent in his Town Hall Meetings and he should be commended for his initiatives in driving the peace process in the region. The price of oil has gone up as a result of the relentless efforts of the Minister who wants nothing but the best for the oil rich Niger Delta Region and it’s people”, the group said.
The group added that;” It is unfair for some elements to accuse the Minister of selective Town Hall Meetings with some groups and former militant leaders in the Region. The Minister to the best of our knowledge has carried all critical stakeholders along in his Town Hall Meetings. The peace process of the Minister in the region is yielding fruits on a daily basis and we should all join hands with the Minister who has a burning desire for the development of the Region”.
According to the group also;” As a result of the efforts of the Minister, many investors have indicated interest in the establishment of Modular Refineries across the Region and this will go a long way in curbing insecurity, create job opportunities for our people, save the environment from pollution and end attacks on oil facilities and at the end of the day, we will have a better Niger Delta Region that all of us can be proud of”.
“We should all support the Petroleum Minister who has succeeded in ending attacks on oil facilities in the region, rather than accusing him of selective Town Hall Meetings with some groups and former militant leaders in the region. We are all enjoying the benefits from his peace process. The Minister is a capable hand and has helped the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari greatly in the restoration of peace to all parts of the Region and he should be given a pat on the back for his initiatives”, the group stated.
Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –: Hon Kennedy Daubry
The member representing Burutu state constituency 2 at the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon Kennedy Daubry, has pledged full allegiance and loyalty to the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), urging all members of the party in his constituency to cue behind the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa led government and Barr. Kingsley Esiso as state party chairman.
He also said that there is no division in the party in Burutu local government area.
He said this during a Thank You visit to the people in his constituency, comprising of all the wards in Burutu state constituency 2.
The Town Hall meeting which held on Friday at Ogbobagbene town in Burutu witnessed a large turnout of youths in all the wards in Burutu state constituency 2,
The lawmaker encouraged all party members to ensure that they participate in the Voter Registration exercise and urged them to mobilize their people from across the country as well as to come out enmasse for the forthcoming Census exercise which he described as the strength of the people in the constituency.
In his speech, the Burutu LGA PDP Chairman, Hon Ebike Oromoni commended Hon. Kennedy Daubry for deeming it fit to come to his constituency to meet with the youths, saying it is a right step in the right direction. He added that the party faithful in the constituency will remain undivided and support the people oriented policies and agenda of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
Those who spoke in support include the Pioneer PDP Chairman of Burutu LGA, Chief Okoloba Dimaro and the immediate past PDP Chairman, Pastor Kenneth Ogeibiri who is also SSA to Governor Okowa on Water Resources.
Bashorun (Hon.) Askia Samuel Ogieh (JP)Ejeba Efe Michael
The Executive Director (Finance and Administration) at the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Bashorun (Hon.) Askia Ogieh, JP, KSJI, CNA, has been commended for funding numerous social media platforms to secure victory votes for the Big Brother Naija 2017 winner, Mr. Ejeba Efe Michael.
Recall that Bashorun (Hon.) Askia Ogieh expended huge personal funds into various platforms where recharge cards were freely given out to members of the public through an outstanding youth empowerment Non Governmental Organization (NGO), HOPE ALIVE and other platforms to ensure that votes poured out for the upcoming rapper, song writer, actor and reality television show star.
The Director General, HOPE ALIVE, Hon Obaro Godspower who applauded Bashorun (Hon.) Askia Ogieh for providing the financial support base for the successful outcome also revealed that the Team Efe were on ground to coordinate the transfer of airtime to willing voters through numerous platforms funded by Bashorun Ogieh and ensured that the Votes kept pouring in for Efe.
Some of the campaign messages on its Facebook pages read: “Show evidence of voting Efe by SMS “Vote Efe to 32052″ and you get N200 airtime. The more you show evidence of Voting Efe the more airtime you get. Post evidence of Voting Efe under this post.
Text Vote Efe to 32052. All For Efe…All For Warri…All For Deltans…Based On Logistics…”
Meanwhile, the DESOPADEC Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Bashorun (Hon.) Askia Ogieh, congratulated Mr. Ejeba Efe Michael, for emerging the winner of The Big Brother Naija 2017.
He said that during the 24-hour three month long live show, Efe displayed a high level of proper conduct, humility and has shown the real Deltan character, describing his victory as a source of pride not just for the family but also for all Deltans.
He called on youths in Delta state to emulate such virtues that promote peace, growth and development and always work against anti social tendencies to enable them achieve greater goals in their respective endeavours.
He further commended the management of HOPE ALIVE for standing up for Efe, as well as other celebrities in Nigeria for endorsing and voting for him to emerge as the overall winner.
Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –: Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered an investigation into the allegations of violations of law and due process made against the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr David Babachir Lawal, in the award of contracts under the Presidential Initiative on the North East (PINE).
The President has also directed the suspension of the SGF from office pending the outcome of the investigations.
In a related development, the President has ordered a full scale investigation into the discovery of large amounts of foreign and local currencies by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in a residential apartment at Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos, over which the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) has made a claim.
The investigation is also to enquire into the circumstances in which the NIA came into possession of the funds, how and by whose or which authority the funds were made available to the NIA, and to establish whether or not there has been a breach of the law or security procedure in obtaining custody and use of the funds.
A statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President (Media and Publicity), Mr. Femi Adesina and made available to Blank NEWS Online on April 19, 2017 also revealed that the President has directed the suspension of the Director General of the NIA, Ambassador Ayo Oke, pending the outcome of the investigation.
A three-man Committee comprising the Hon. Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, and the National Security Adviser, headed by the Vice President, is to conduct both investigations.
The Committee is to submit its report to the President within 14 days.
The most senior Permanent Secretary in the SGF’s office, and the most senior officer in the NIA, are to act, respectively, during the period of investigation.
Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –By Doris Yeri Warri Aboh:
FOLLOWING the Delta State Governor, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa’s SMART agenda, encapsulating strategic wealth creation project and provision of jobs for all Deltans, meaningful peace building platforms aimed at political and social harmony and more, the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Deacon (Barr) Kingsley Burutu Otuaro, has evolved more than a few measures to define the peace program of the SMART phenomenon.
Given his tutelage in peace and conflict resolution from the premier University of Ibadan, between 2004 and 2007, it is not unexpected that Otuaro has become a rallying point in conflict resolution and peace initiatives in the state.
Programmed for greatness
Born April 16, 1968 at Oporoza, Warri South-West Local Government Area (LGA), Delta State, to family of Mr. and Mrs. Napoleon Burutu Otuaro, who hail from Okerenkoko and Obotebe in Warri South-West and Burutu LGAs respectively of Delta State, he attended Asoro Primary School, Benin City, in the then Bendel State and in 1980, obtained his Primary School Leaving Certificate.
He began his Secondary School career in Immaculate Conception College, Benin City, Edo state, from 1981 to 1983, and later completed same in Isaba Grammar School, Isaba, Delta State, from 1983 to 1985 when he obtained his West African School Certificate (WASC). On completion of Secondary School in 1985, he worked with NISCO Nigeria Ltd at Jones Creek Flow Station in SPDC Northern Swamp Operations as a Technical Support Staff and later with Nigerian Dredging and Marine, Warri, Delta State, as Deck-Hand in the Marine Department. Otuaro subsequently got admission in 1994 into the Edo State (now Ambrose Ali) University, Ekpoma where he obtained his LLB with honours in 1999/2000. He afterward attended the Nigerian Law School and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2005.
Between 2005 to 2007, he served as Special Assistant on Community Affairs to Delta State Governor, His Excellency, Chief James Onanefe Ibori. In 2008, he was appointed by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan as a member of the Delta State Technical Support Committee, led by Prof. Sam Oyovbaire. While in 2009, during the Military Joint Task Force bombardment of the Niger Delta agitators, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan again appointed him as Chairman of Delta State Rehabilitation Committee for Internally Displaced Persons.
Square peg in square hole
His Masters Degree in Peace and Conflict Resolution was propelled by his quest to learn new ways of achieving peaceful environment, the comprehension that properly fit him into the implementation of Okowa’s SMART agenda, principally pivoted on peace-building. Barr Otuaro, who could be likened to an army ‘Lieutenant’ that believes in achieving the goals and chains of command of his ‘General’ in enhancing the military, obviously has been driving Dr. Okowa’s peace-building plan in retrospect to conflict resolution from contending parties, across the state.
For over 365 days in office as second-in-command to Dr. Okowa, Barr. Otuaro, bearing in mind that no meaningful agenda can succeed in an atmosphere of rancor, has not relented in making sure that every community and communal conflict is matched with adequate and appropriate actions to maintain cordial relationship.
Putting knowledge into action
He had waded into the crisis between companies and oil communities employing persuasive techniques and warning that government would not hesitate to invoke the full weight of the law on communities involved in the breach of peace, law and order where necessary. Otuaro adumbrates the fact that the present administration under the leadership of Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa believes in equity, fair play and justice, assuring that nobody will be short changed and no one will be intimidated in the process.
In a case between SETRACO and Gbaregolor community, where the community pressurized the firm to sack some indigenes and replace them with others, he ruled that it was unhealthy and thus, pushed a Memorandum of Understanding, (MoU) between SETRACO and the community that put the matter to rest. Also, following the shutdown of Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) operations by host communities, he moved in, held meetings with president generals and community leaders to reconsider their decision and re-open the shut down oil facilities of NPDC for operation.
“We have come a long way, we have a common future and together we must salvage this common future, you cannot do it alone and government cannot do it alone, so there is need to be a great synergy among us in order to move forward. While frantic efforts are been made at the top level to resolve this matters, the communities and government must work hand in hand until the issues are resolved”. Barr Otuaro stated.
The synergy that works
Of course, there are several dimensions of communal conflicts, community disputes and oil companies/ host communities feud, as well as traditional stool tussles, kingship and administrative struggles, orchestrated as if to truncate the peace and smooth leadership of the Okowa-led administration, but with Governor Okowa acting as the ‘General,’ giving matching orders, his ‘Lieutenant’, Barr. Otuaro, armed with his expertise on conflict resolution and peace building, readily availed himself to wade into the storm of disputes from across the state.
From the chairmanship tussle at Ojobo community in Burutu local government area, the leadership dispute at Alagbabiri in Ewu town, Ughelli South local government, land and boundary dispute between Ozoro and Oleh community, Isoko South and Isoko North local governments respectively, Ofagbe crisis, Emuebu and Obiaruku dispute, Nsukwa Patriotic Union and Obi of Nsukwa, Aniocha South local government imbroglio, Otuaro, acting on the orders of his boss, spared no bound at nipping the conflicts in the bud.
From state to federal advocacy
As Chairman of Peace Advocacy Committee Against Oil Facility Vandalism in Delta State, Barr Kingsley Otuaro and members of his committee was marshaled by Governor Okowa to the creeks to campaign for an end to pipeline vandalism. It was not an easy task for him, the governor and members of his committee because the constant crisis between the youths of the region and the Nigerian nation is hinged and powered by the philosophy of moral relativism, arising from the secularization of human existence, which has no connection with God and religion.
The implication is that every action and conduct is justifiable, a notion which makes personal gain more justifiable than anything else. Thus, many are of the view that in an oppressed society, terrorism is justified. But Deacon Otuaro and his committee members were able to push for peace.
As the ‘general,’ Okowa found his lieutenant a veritable asset in energizing the peace-building plan of the Federal Government. He was in the thick of the earlier efforts by the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, and later the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, to return peace to the region. The behind- the- scene moves culminated in the fact-finding mission of Osinbajo to the Niger Delta, as endorsed by President, Muhammadu Buhari .
The endeavors are already paying off, ranging from the firm assurance by the federal government on the take-off the Nigerian Maritime University, NMU, Okerenkoko, Osinbajo’s order on oil companies to relocate their headquarters back to the region, willingness to support establishment of modular refineries and collaborate with illegal oil refiners and lots more.
God revealed my deputy to me – Okowa
Governor Okowa has not failed to acknowledge the good working relationship between him and his deputy. During a meeting with leaders of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, from Delta South senatorial district, he disclosed that God revealed his deputy to him (Okowa) even before he chose him. The governor stated that on several occasions, he tried to wave off the revelation, but the celestial revelation kept hitting him that his deputy would come from the Christ Embassy Church.
“So when Mr Otuaro’s name came, I had to confirm to find that he was truly of Christ Embassy Church, God did not make a mistake, so we will continue to work as brothers in this government,” Okowa asserted.
Confirmed fidelity
Okowa’s confidence in Otuaro dates back to the very beginning! This explains the understanding and partnership between the two, which has placed the state on the path of prosperity, despite daunting economic challenges. Not long after they took over the reins of administration of the state, Okowa permitted Otuaro to chair the first state Executive Council meeting of the administration, a testament to Okowa’s liberal disposition and his assurance in Otuaro’s loyalty. And sooner than later, he went on a two-weeks leave break, but not many Deltans knew in point of fact that he went on leave because they did not sense the void. This was due largely to the bond between the duo.
Solomon’s wisdom
Consequently, Okowa had delegated many demanding assignments on his deputy,ranging from,Representing the governor at Nigeria Governors forum,’NGF’ National Economic Council Meetings and Other notable federal function,another very rare act of Liberalism from a ‘Sublime General’ not minding what those who do not understand the power at play would say. And like a committed deputy who would never betray the trust of his commanding officer, Otuaro, during the absence of his principal, re-enacted the wisdom of Biblical King Solomon at the Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba, at one of the sessions where feuding factional women leaders of a market women association in Asaba threatened to pull down the roof.
The ensuing fierce altercation almost disrupted the event, as the two women claiming to be the president of the association wanted to respond on behalf of the women to the statement of the Federal Government that the state had keyed into the initiative. Protocol officers and security personnel battled to return the situation to normalcy, but to no avail. Calmly, Otuaro called the protocol officer and implored him to allow both women to speak in turn. This diplomatic and democratic resolution immediately brought tranquility and you could hear a pin drop in the hall.
By the time Otuaro mounted the podium to explain the programmes encapsulated in the SMART agenda of the Okowa-led administration in a down-to-earth manner to the people, what followed was a manifestation, as even commissioners and other government officials in the hall wondered if Otuaro sat down with his boss to plan the prosperity blueprint before he made him his deputy.
Soul winning continues
For Deacon Otuaro, political office is not and cannot be a hindrance to the Lord’s work. To this end, he has continued to champion the redemption of souls through ministerial messages in the vineyard of God. Interestingly, Otuaro has committed himself to delivering gospel messages and ministration in various churches and prisons, a ministry he has maintained passion for, several years before becoming the deputy governor. Unarguably, the meeting of Governor Okowa and his deputy, Barr Otuaro can be described as a physical actualization of what was programmed spiritually.
*Doris Yeri Warri Aboh is SSA, Media at the Deputy Governor’s Office, Delta State.
Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –By Albert OGRAKA: Comrade Monday Agbeyi
Chairman, Association of HPMs and TLGs in Delta State, Comrade Monday Agbeyi has urged staffers of Local Government councils in the state to be committed to duty and be supportive to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led administration that is working round the clock to ensuring that staff of LG councils in the state live better lives.
The association’s chairman who was speaking in a meeting held in Asaba, charged staffers of LG councils to see the current economic situation in Nigeria as temporary, which the country has already overcome, adding that the untiring efforts of the state government will automatically bring good standard of living and ensure regular payment of workers’ salaries.
He said, “LG councils will bounce back to their glorious days. Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor of Delta State is committed to meeting the yearnings of workers.”
He charges workers of the state Local Government councils not to look at the current situation facing LG councils in Nigeria, rather they should be committed to their duties.
He however, reacted to the call by Osun state Governor, Rauf Aregbesola who said “granting autonomy to local government councils is an aberration since local government councils are controlled by the state governor.” explaining that the assertions are capable of causing disunity between the governor and workers.
“The statement is not true and laughable to emanate from a higher officer like a respected governor. The laws for the establishment of local government is not made by the state government rather the federal government created it as a third tier of government to bring rapid development to the grassroots people. Therefore, such an organ of government cannot be said to be and appendage of the state.”
Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –By Albert OGRAKA: Azinge
THE Delta State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Nicholas Azinge, yesterday urged citizens of the state not to panic over the reported case of meningitis in the state.
Azinge, who made the appeal when he spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, said that one case of meningitis could not be taken for an outbreak, adding that the state is safe.
He said the reported case of meningitis in Delta State was only one officially reported case, which could not be regarded to as an outbreak.
“There is no outbreak of meningitis in Delta State. To refer to a case as an outbreak, you must have witnessed five cases out of 100,000 cases among the population. It is true we have few cases reported, but only one was confirmed and unconfirmed maybe two people.”
“Meningitis is not like Lassa fever that spreads easily. If we have a reported case of one victim, then that is not an outbreak, we need to have at least five cases.
“Delta State is safe from meningitis. We have measures in place to combat it. We are ready medically.
“We may have to address the state to clear the air on the reported case soon. The Ministry of Information will see to that,’’ he said.
NAN reports that the case is the first to be recorded in the state since the outbreak of the pandemic some weeks ago in the country.
It was disclosed that a female patient, whose identity was undisclosed, had arrived the hospital with typical symptoms of meningitis.
A Consultant Physician at the hospital, Dr. Ngozi Chukwubeni, said the patient had no previous exposure to the endangered meningitis belt of the country in recent time.
According to her, the patient has been taken through the appropriate examinations and
laboratory tests and assured that the patient was responding to medication.
“We have a female patient. She came with classical symptoms of meningitis, headache, vomiting, neck pain and stiffness.
“There was no history of recent travel to the meningitis belt or exposure. We did a dumber puncture. We made an assessment, clinical features and laboratory investigations when you are keeping with spinal meningitis.
“We placed her on antibiotics. The patient is doing very well,’’ he said.
The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, had on Tuesday confirmed 489 deaths from the meningitis outbreak in Nigeria.
Adewole, at a meeting convened by the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, to tackle the outbreak of meningitis in the northern region of the country, said 428 deaths were recorded as at Friday.
The recorded cases of meningitis have hit about 26 states of the federation. 171 were confirmed to be the Type C meningitis with Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, Niger and Kebbi States most affected.
Adewole said that the Federal Government had earmarked over 1 billion dollars to procure vaccines to combat meningitis in the five most affected states in the northern region.
He also said that 823,000 doses of attenuated Type C had been delivered to the Federal Government by the UK Government, while UNICEF had delivered over 1 million Type A of the vaccines.
“The Federal Government needs 1.087 billion dollars to procure vaccines and administer on some 21 million persons against meningitis in the affected states,’’ he said.
Adewole advised states to join hands with the Federal Government in combating the deadly epidemic by investing more in the health sector.
NAN also reports that Meningitis is an inflammation (swelling) of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.
A bacterial or viral infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord usually causes the swelling.
(NAN)
Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –By Albert OGRAKA:
Palpable fear has enveloped parts of Delta state over cases of Meningitis outbreak in Warri and Asaba.
It was barely 20 hours after a case of Cerebro Spinal Meningitis was recorded in Warri, Delta state before a fresh case hit Asaba, the state capital and raising questions on whom the next victim would be.
The Permanent Secretary of the state Ministry of Health, Dr. Minnie Oseji, confirmed the Asaba case, noting that the victim, a child is responding to treatment but no death has been reported so far.
She disclosed that, “One suspected case of Meningitis in Asaba. No microscopy, culture and sensitivity done on the Cerebro Spinal fluid. “Another probable case of Meningococcal Meningitis in Asaba with positive microscopy but no culture and sensitivity done on Cerebro Spinal fluid.”
She added that, “There are no recorded deaths. Hence, there are three cases both in Asaba and Warri, two suspected cases and one probable case. The one in Warri is a suspected case but the government is taking the necessary measures to contain the spread.”
Recall that Doctors at the Central Hospital, Warri, disclosed the first case of the Cerebrospinal Meningitis in the state on Tuesday, April 11, 2017 in Warri South Local Government Area of the state, sparking fears among residents.
A Consultant Physician at the Warri Central Hospital, Dr. Ngozi Chukwubeni, told journalists in Warri that the female patient was diagnosed of classical symptoms of meningitis, headache, vomiting, neck pain and stiffness.
According to Chukwubeni said, “We have a female patient. She came with classical symptoms of meningitis: headache, vomiting, neck pain and stiffness. There was no history of recent travel to the meningitis belt, or exposure.
“We did a dumber puncture. We made an assessment, clinical features and laboratory investigations when you are keeping with spinal meningitis. We placed her on antibiotics. The patient is doing very well.”
She said the case has been reported with the state ministry of health for appropriate action, while taking necessary action to halt further spread of the disease to other patients within the hospital.
On his part, a Consultant Gynecologist, Dr. Stanley Nnoli, advised parents in Warri and its environs to be very observant and seek proper medical attention instead of personal medication.
Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –By Albert OGRAKA:
Delta State has recorded its first case of the rampaging Cerebrospinal Meningitis, which has so far killed about 438 persons across the country.
Doctors at the Central Hospital, Warri, disclosed on Tuesday, April 11, 2017 in Warri South Local Government Area of the state, sparking fears among residents.
A Consultant Physician at the Warri Central Hospital, Dr. Ngozi Chukwubeni, told journalists in Warri that the female patient was diagnosed of classical symptoms of meningitis, headache, vomiting, neck pain and stiffness.
According to Chukwubeni said, “We have a female patient. She came with classical symptoms of meningitis: headache, vomiting, neck pain and stiffness. There was no history of recent travel to the meningitis belt, or exposure.
“We did a dumber puncture. We made an assessment, clinical features and laboratory investigations when you are keeping with spinal meningitis. We placed her on antibiotics. The patient is doing very well.”
She said the case has been reported with the state ministry of health for appropriate action, while taking necessary action to halt further spread of the disease to other patients within the hospital.
“There is full cooperation. We cannot work in isolation. We work with government. This case has been reported. Action plan will be taken at the state level. We on our own are taking necessary measures to prevent further occurrence and also protect our staff from getting infected by applying basic precautionary measures,” Dr. Chukwubeni added.
On his part, a Consultant Gynecologist, Dr. Stanley Nnoli, advised parents in Warri and its environs to be very observant and seek proper medical attention instead of personal medication.
The Delta state government is yet to make a pronouncement on the recorded case.
Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –By Albert OGRAKA:
Veteran highlife musician and Ozimba crooner, Tony Grey died on Monday, April 10, 2017 despite pleas for help from the Delta state government, corporate organizations, non-governmental organizations and well to do individuals to help them with N10 million for medical treatment of Tony Grey abroad.
Reports quoted his son, Houston Grey to have revealed that his father has been receiving treatment at a private hospital in Warri since October 2016.
The Warri based veteran musician was diagnosed of prostate cancer and diabetes and have been soliciting for the sum of N10million naira for surgical operationabroad, just as an NGO, Onuesoke Foundation in conjunction with a group under the aegis of Friends of Tony Grey in the United States of America recently donated N512,000 for his treatment.
Help could also not come from the Performing Musician Association of Nigeria PMAN despite the fact that Tony Grey was the founder of the Delta state chapter of the PMAN.
Until his death, Grey popularly known as Ozimba of Africa has been ill for over eight months and is currently bedridden at his Cruz Land, Marine Quarters, Warri, Delta state
Grey hails from Aboh town in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State but until his death resided at Cruz Land, Marine Quarters, Warri in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta state.
Meanwhile, Delta State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has condoled with the Tony Grey family of Aboh in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State over the death of the veteran musician.
In a condolence statement issued in Asaba on Monday by his Chief Press Secretary, Charles Aniagwu, Governor Okowa noted that the late Tony Grey lived a life of service to humanity which was epitomized in the lives he impacted on by his hit songs.
Governor Okowa eulogized the late Tony Grey as a quintessential musician of high repute who will be greatly missed by all lovers of music.
“The passing away of the Ozimba King at this moment is no doubt a great loss to the family, the entertainment industry, Deltans and Nigerians who loved his genre of music as his advice and wise counsel was most needed by all. He was a man of integrity who sang with humility and passion to the admiration of all and faced life challenges with courage and determination”.
“On behalf of the government and people of Delta State, I mourn the exit of a great musical maestro and statesman, late Tony Grey, who will be missed by all those whose lives he touched in several ways”, he said.
Governor Okowa prayed God Almighty to grant the family and all his fans the fortitude to bear the loss.
Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –By Albert OGRAKA: Bashorun Askia Ogieh (JP, KSJI, CNA)
The Executive Director (Finance and Administration) at the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Bashorun (Hon.) Askia Ogieh, JP, KSJI, CNA, has lauded the efforts of the state governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, the leadership of Isoko Development Union (IDU) and other stakeholders which led to the restoration of full accreditation status to the Faculty of Law, Delta State University, Oleh campus by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
Bashorun Ogieh, who gave the commendation, following the recent NUC approval of the institution’s law faculty, described the feat as a “dream come true” which was made possible by the timely intervention of the State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, hence the institution can now proceed to admit law students.
He expressed gratitude to the Governor for his proactive leadership approach through prompt injection of adequate resources for the complete upgrade of the law faculty with quality equipment and study materials in terms of e-library updates, standard law books, among others.
While commending the President General of Isoko Development Union (IDU), High Chief Iduh Amadhe who led a delegation to NUC Abuja, he praised the people of Isoko Nation and Deltans in general, who are the major beneficiaries, for providing the enabling environment for the successful accreditation of the law faculty.
Bashorun Ogieh therefore called on the Delta State University authority to see the feat as an additional commitment to improve on high academic demand from the institution.
Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –By Dr Ebi Franklin Waboke:
The Niger Delta referred to and meant by the ijaw struggle is strictly and unchangeably the area occupied by the ijaws, the aboriginal tribe of the delta basin of River Niger partitioned into six states in the present geopolitics of Nigeria. It spans the coast of the bight of Biafra, from the Forcados river to the Opobo river and upstream to the Niger tributaries of Nun and Forcados rivers.
The ijaw areas are in present Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Edo and Ondo states known as the South -South region of Nigeria. This is a geographically very complex terrain with a criss cross of rivers, rivulets, canals and dense forest nourished by rains all through the year. The region full of natural resources and provided for the sustenance of Nigerian politics and the economy.
Unfortunately, the region has become the booty of successive regimes of the Federal Government of Nigeria’s majority tribes for exploitation, impoverishment, neglect, underdevelopment, environmental degradation and pollution. Recently causing slow death of ijaw people from the air poisoning in the ijaw areas of the Niger Delta.
This aroused the spirit of self determination in the Niger Delta culminating in the declaration of the Niger Delta People’s Republic by the Ijaw youth, Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro of Kaiama in present Bayelsa state, on the 23rd of February 1966, with himself as the General Officer Commanding the Niger Delta Volunteer Service(NDVS), as Force behind the struggle and executing it.
The Ijaw struggle for a Niger Delta People’s Republic was to demonstrate to the world what and how the Ijaws feel about oppression in Nigeria by the majority tribes. Ever since the struggle has undergone series of transformation and advancement in Nigeria in all facets. The Niger Delta struggle is the Ijaw struggle, the Ijaw struggle is for the Niger Delta People’s Republic for the Ijaw aborigines of the Ijaw territories in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.
This distinction and clarification needs to be made now even though the non aborigines in the present Niger Delta region making up the South -South geopolitical map of Nigeria are the major beneficiaries of the Ijaw struggle. The Ijaw struggle has brought a lot of resultant benefits and advantages to the entire region. Cases in point include the increase of oil derivation revenue, and the consistent and continual agitation for its upward review and further increase to the oil producing states, with majority of the resource locations being situated in the Ijaw aboriginal areas. And the establishment of development intervention ministry and agencies for the region.
Ironically, the Ijaws in most of their present states of origin are minorities except for Bayelsa and Rivers states. And they continue to suffer what they are suffering in Nigeria even in their present states due to their minority status. The majority tribes still continue to allocate the dividends from the Ijaw resources as booty for their advantageous expropriation, exploitation, impoverishment, neglect, stagnated development and personal accumulation. Against the development needs of of the Ijaw areas of the Niger Delta region.
The non Ijaw tribes of the Niger Delta region who make up the majority tribes in the South -South states, have turned themselves as the new hausa -fulanis in their respective states to supervise the non development, economic stagnation, continuous neglect, environmental spoilation of the ecosystem, and the Ijaw people. The Ijaws are the burden bearers of the nation. But for how long will this last?
So for Movement for the Development of Ezon Youths(MOVDEY, there is a need to properly posit that the original vision of the struggle remains, and the original territories remain, and the original struggle continues and transforms itself in the light of contemporary realities of the times. For the sake of emphasis, in Nigeria, there is no Niger Delta struggle but the Ijaw struggle, and finally to reiterate the position as ably amplified by Alhaji Mujahid Asari -Dokubo, the leader of the Niger Delta People’s Savation Force, that there is no nothing like Niger Delta struggle but Ijaw struggle and that other ethnic groups should leave the Ijaws to enjoy the benefits of its armed struggle it waged against the the Nigerian nation.
Dr Ebi Franklin Waboke.
MOVEMENT for the DEVELOPMENT of EZON YOUTHS (MOVDEY)
Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –: The explosion took place in the front rows
The fanfare of celebrating the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem turned bloody, Sunday April 9, 2017, when two Egyptian churches werebombed, killing at least 38 people and many seriously wounded.
The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the deadly attacks on the Coptic Christian minority, whose worshippers gathered to mark Palm Sunday.
IS claimed that its “squads” carried out both attacks, in a statement by its self-styled Amaq news agency published on social media accounts.
Crucifixes and icons were heavily damaged in the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Qaraqosh (also known as Hamdaniya), some 30 kilometres east of Mosul, on April 9, 2017, as Christians mark the first Palm Sunday event in the town since Iraqi forces recaptured it from Islamic State (IS) group jihadists.
Qaraqosh, with an overwhelmingly Christian population of around 50,000 before the jihadists took over the area in August 2014, was the largest Christian town in Iraq.
The first bombing struck the Mar Girgis church in the city of Tanta north of Cairo, killing 27 people, the health ministry said.
Emergency services had scrambled to the scene when another bombing rocked the Saint Mark’s church in Alexandria where Coptic Pope Tawadros II had been leading a Palm Sunday service.
Eleven people were killed in that attack, which the interior ministry said was caused by a suicide bomber who blew himself up when police prevented him from entering the church.
The ministry said Tawadros was unharmed, and a church official said he had left the church before the bombing.
At least 78 people were wounded in Tanta and another 40 wounded in Alexandria, the health ministry said.
Egyptian officials denounced the violence as an attempt to sow divisions in the country, while Francis sent his “deep condolences” to Tawadros.
Images broadcast by private television stations showed bloodstains smearing the whitewashed walls of the church in Tanta next to shredded wooden benches.
“The explosion took place in the front rows, near the altar, during the mass,” General Tarek Atiya, the deputy to Egypt’s interior minister in charge of relations with themedia said.
“I heard the blast and came running. I found people torn up… some people, only half of their bodies remained,” said Nabil Nader, who lives in front of the Tanta church.
The worshippers had been celebrating Palm Sunday, one of the holiest days of the Christian calendar, marking the triumphant entrance of Jesus to Jerusalem.
– Pope prays for victims –
Francis, who is due to visit Cairo on April 28-29, offered prayers for the victims.
“I express my deep condolences to my dear brother, his Holiness (Coptic Christian) Pope Tawadros II, to the Coptic church and to the whole of the dear Egyptian nation,” he said.
“Let us pray for the victims of the attack unfortunately carried out today,” he said in an Angelus prayer.
“May the Lord convert the heart of those who sow terror, violence and death and also the heart of those who make weapons and trade in them.”
Copts, who make up about one tenth of Egypt’s population of more than 92 million and who celebrate Easter next weekend, have been targeted by several attacks in recent months.
Jihadists and Islamists accuse Copts of supporting the military overthrow of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in 2013, which ushered in a deadly crackdown on his supporters.
In December, a suicide bombing claimed by IS killed 29 worshippers during Sunday mass in Cairo.
The group later released a video threatening Egypt’s Christians with more attacks.
The bombing of the church within a compound that also holds the seat of the Coptic papacy was the deadliest attack against the minority in recent memory.
A spate of jihadist-linked attacks in Egypt’s restive Sinai Peninsula, including the murder of a Copt in the city of El Arish whose house was also burned, have led some Coptic families to flee their homes.
About 250 Christians took refuge in the Suez Canal city of Ismailiya after IS released a video in February calling for attacks on the religious minority.
Reacting before the second bombing in Alexandria, Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid called the attack in Tanta “a failed attempt against our unity”.
“Terrorism hits Egypt again, this time on Palm Sunday,” he tweeted.
– String of attacks –
Prime Minister Sherif Ismail also condemned the attack, stressing Egypt’s determination to “eliminate terrorism”.
The Cairo-based Al-Azhar, an influential Sunni Muslim authority, said it aimed to “destabilise security and… the unity of Egyptians”.
Egypt’s Copts have endured successive attacks since Morsi’s ouster in July 2013.
More than 40 churches were attacked nationwide in the two weeks after the deadly dispersal by security forces of two pro-Morsi protest camps in Cairo on August 14, 2013, Human Rights Watch said.
Amnesty International later said more than 200 Christian-owned properties were attacked and 43 churches seriously damaged, adding that at least four people were killed.
President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who as then army chief helped remove Morsi, has defended his security forces and accused jihadists of attacking Copts in order to divide the country.
In October 2011, almost 30 people — mostly Coptic Christians — were killed after the army charged at a protest outside the state television building in Cairo to denounce the torching of a church in southern Egypt.
In May that year, clashes between Muslims and Copts left 15 dead in the working-class Cairo neighbourhood of Imbaba where two churches were attacked.
A few months earlier, the unclaimed bombing of a Coptic church killed more than 20 people in Egypt’s second city of Alexandria on New Year’s Day.
Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –By Albert OGRAKA: El-Rufai
Firebrand Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has taken a swipe at members of the National Assembly, claiming that they are not committed to the fight against corruption in the country, just as their budget is not transparent.
He expressed worries over-bloated budget, salaries and allowances of the lawmakers, especially those of the senators.
El-Rufai, who stated this in his good will message to the closing ceremony of the five-day retreat management personnel of the National Assembly which held in Kaduna said there was no transparency in its budget as nobody knows their budget and how much they are paid.
“I am going to be blunt. The National Assembly, particularly the Senate is seen as an opposition to the fight against corruption. They should purge themselves of the negative image this was likely to have against them.”
“Publications are made about your salaries and allowances that I don’t believe are true but cannot be defended because there is no transparency about your budget, personal cost and so on. I think you can do something about it to clear all the rumours and remove all the negative stories that are largely untrue”.
Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –By THEO UZI- OZORO:
The newly appointed Rector of the Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro, Prof. Akpodiete Job Orienru has lauded the human development strides of the former Rector Dr. Jacob Oboreh, citing high level Educational standards, infrastructural development and prudent management and accountability.
Prof. Akpodiete made this commendation during the handover ceremony that attracted personalities, management staff, friends of the institution andstudents.
The Rector speaking at the occasion said, “It is a new dawn in the history of the institution and a new record has to be created. I want this institution to be a family and a place of love, openness, unity and constructive criticism.”
“We have walked around and have seen all the projects; I acknowledged that the work already established can speak for itself. I will consolidate on what is on ground and with God and a concerted effort of everyone we will achieve success.”
He commended the entire staffs for their unity, humility in service which had actually displayed a successful achievement of goal with a vision of moving the institution to greater heights.
On his part, the out-gone Rector Dr. Jacob Snapps Oboreh, in his handover note, enumerated his achievement in both academic and physical development, emphasizing that, the massive infrastructural growth, including Internet facilities, accreditation of various schools, departments and programmes. were achieved through Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
He said, the Staff strength of the School was relatively poor hence, the engagement of part-time Staff after consistent cry to the State Government without response; just as he highlighted some of the on-going projects in the School for the attention of the new Rector.
Oboreh, who took over as Rector on the 28th of March, 2012 , disclosed that “the institution is not indebted to any bank, individual or organization “, saying he is leaving in the account of the School the sum of Three hundred and Sixteen million, Two hundred and Ninety-Nine thousand, Five hundred and Sixty-Six Naira, Two kobo, and that the asset of the institution is Seven billion, Twenty-five million, One hundred and five thousand, eight hundred and six naira, twenty seven kobo.
“I want to appreciate the Delta State Government, Board of Governing council, Staffs and Students for their back-up. It is this spirit of oneness that gave us the success and all we have achieved together,” Oboreh said in his valedictory paper.
Meanwhile, Rt. Rev. Bishop John Aruakpor of Anglican Communion, Oleh Diocese had eulogized Oboreh to have made the School the pride and treasure of Isoko and however prayed God to release His grace for the new Rector to sustain the name of the institution as well as improve on the infrastructural and academics development, adding that Dr. Oboreh has left indelible mark with a legacy worthy of emulation in Nigeria and beyond. Photo caption: Middle from left, Bishop of Oleh Diocese, Rt. Rev. John Aruakpor, new Rector, Prof. Rev. Job Akpodiete Orienru, Out-gone Rector, Dr. Jacob Snapps Oboreh and principal members of the institution after the handing over ceremony.
Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –By Albert OGRAKA: Governor Okowa
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta state, has at its enlarged general meeting on Monday, April 03, 2017, endorsed incumbent governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa as the unopposed governorship candidate for PDP in 2019 election in the state.
The endorsement was part of the resolution of the meeting attended by political leaders, political appointees, party executives at the ward local government and state level, traditional chiefs, community leaders and members of PDP in all communities that make up the local government area.
Having also appraised and appreciated the enormous work the governor and the party had done to develop the area, a vote of confidence was passed on the governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, the state party chairman, Barrister Kingsley Esiso, the Delta North Senatorial Chairman, Mr. Moses Iduh and the local government party chairman, Ogbueshi Dada Okonji.
The Chairman of Health Management Board (HMB) and a stalwart of the party, Dr Mordi Ononye, moved the motion for the endorsement of the governor while the Chairman of the Delta State Waste Management Board, Ogbueshi Douglas Okolotu, seconded the motion which was unanimously adopted.
Earlier, the Delta North Senatorial Chairman, Mr. Moses Iduh, who insisted that adequate funding is the key to the survival of the party, especially at the grassroots, said he was impressed by the unity prevailing in the party in the local government area, and commended Ogbueshi Okonji for carrying everybody along, hoping that the unity will guarantee higher votes in 2019 elections..
Other speakers, including Oshimili South PDP chairman Ogbueshi Dada Okonji, Pastor Chuka Obusom, Dr Nicholas Azinge, Lady Henrietta Omoko, Alanza Uche Ugboma, Senator Francis Nwajei and Engineer Smart Meka, posited that they were happy with development in the area and enjoined the governor to do more.
In a similar development, a life member of the Board of Trustees (BOT) of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Ide of Asaba, Chief Sunny Odogwu, has assured of his support to the party in Oshimili South local government area and urged the Dada Okonji-led PDP to ensure that peace and unity prevail in the party.
The Ide Ahaba also commended Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for the level of commitment and works the governor was doing in the area, calling on the people to support his administration.
Chief Odogwu gave the assurance when the leadership of the party in the area led by the chairman, Ogbueshi Dada Okonji, and the state Woman Leader of PDP, Lady Henrietta Omoko, paid him a consultation visit in Asaba to seek for guidance and support.
Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –By Albert OGRAKA: Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, former Governor of oil wealthy Delta state.
Immediate Past Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan has warned mischief makers and those seeking cheap popularity to stop using his name as a vehicle to achieve their evil plots.
Dr. Uduaghan gave the warning on Monday, April 03, 2017, in a statement issued and made available to Blank NEWS Online by Mr. Sunny Areh, his media aide, in reaction to two contradictory press releases purportedly authorised by the former Governor in the last two days and which have been trending on the social media.
The first release, signed by one Tony Oritseje, claiming to be Uduaghan’s Press Secretary, said that the former Governor had dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), a statement which is false in its entirety.
A second release, credited to an unnamed media aide sought to repudiate the first statement, pouring invectives on the APC and its leadership, claiming that it was authored by the ex-Governor.
But, Dr Uduaghan, disassociated himself from both releases, which he said were targeted at creating mischief and gain negative publicity, thereby smearing his name and reputation in the process.
“This is obviously the work of mischief makers and those seeking cheap publicity. It is a joke taken too far. None of my aides is named Tony Oritseje. It was obviously meant to create disaffection for me and my successor, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, the PDP and the Federal Government,” he stated.
The former Governor noted that he had maintained a very low profile since leaving office as a deliberate policy to allow current actors have enough space to attain their goals and fulfil electoral promises.
“People close to me know this is not my style. I have deliberately maintained a low profile to allow those in power today to have enough space to fulfil electoral promises to the people. It is not my style to seek cheap publicity or disrupt a peaceful process that is delivering democracy dividends to the people,” he added.
Uduaghan therefore warned against the use of his name to cause disaffection between him and the authorities, pointing out that he would not hesitate to go to seek redress in the law court should they persist.
Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –By Albert OGRAKA: UCCIMA President, Architect Avwaruroro O. Alfred (right) inspecting various aluminium roofing sheets types with the Sales Representative of Asaba Aluminium.
The President of Ughelli Chamber of Commerce Industries, Mines and Agriculture (UCCIMA), Architect Avwaruroro O. Alfred, has urges Companies to improve on products and expand services delivery in order to create new standards that meet present market and economic realities.
Architect Avwaruroro O. Alfred stated this during an inspectiion visit to Asaba Aluminium Company in Asaba, Delta state on Tuesday, March 28, 2017.
He assured the management of the company that UCCIMA was prepared to co-operate with manufacturers and business men who abide by set down standards while engaging mechanisms to attain higher standard in their various businesses geared towards boosting the nation’s economy.
In a meeting with the company’s Administrative Manager and Sales Manager, the UCCIMA President told them that UCCIMA is engaged in the sensitization of the public through public lectures and campaigns, aimed at protecting and sustaining businesses and corporate organizations operating within its catchment areas.
He reminded them of UCCIMA’s Annual General Meeting which held on 30th March, 2017 in Ughelli, Headquarters of Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.
Architect Avwaruroro O. Alfred, who was conducted round to inspect the various aluminium roofing sheets types by the Sales Representative of Asaba Aluminium, advised the management to intensify efforts at sustaining and improving on its standard to adequately meet the demands of their customers.
He recalled the Technical input by the Delta State Chapter of Nigerian Institute of Architects on how to improve on the performance of the Metcopo profile when it was introduced into the Nigerian market.
He praised the company’s efforts in partnering with organizations towards a robust economy but should look beyond the plant location.
He seized the opportunity to invite Asaba Aluminium and other net worth organizations to collaborate with UCCIMA in driving the forthcoming BUSINESS Luncheon tagged : “SUSTAINING AND GROWING BUSINESS EVEN IN RECESSION.” by not only sponsorships but also participating as it will benefit any vision committed attendee.
The event which is slated for Thursday 27th April 2017 at the De – Dome Event centre at Ughelli is being put together for Local and International participation. UCCIMA President, Architect Avwaruroro O. Alfred (right) inspecting various aluminium roofing sheets types with the Sales Representative of Asaba Aluminium.
Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –By Sunday Ikuesan: Sunday Ikuesan
Rhetorically we say the world is a global village. Everyone thinks he can take advantage of this and find home away from home in any part of the world, especially Africans in Africa. The advantage includes the inter-exchange of goods and service across the globe. But demographically, everyone has a place to call his home even if world leaders tell us through constitutional framework that one can live and work in the countries of his or her choice, xenophobic witch-hunt travails everywhere but very few are heard or known.
Among the respected countries of the world xenophobia has been order of all time. In 1982, Francois Mitterrand addressed the French parliament and made allusion to strangers living in his country that a stone can live a hundred years under water but will never become a fish. Strangers in foreign land must know this once and for all. Of all the forecasts and Opinion polls in favour of Hillary Clinton in recent presidential election in America Donald Trump came victorious because his campaign was established on xenophobic philosophy. It beat the imaginations of many in this 21st century.
In Africa, Many African presidents who saw Francois Mitterrand as their role model adopted his ideology that a stone under water can never become a fish and they make life unbearable for foreigners in their countries. Even if you are well established and respect the country’s immigration protocols you can always be embarrassed at will either through legislative framework or social chaos which put foreigners always at the loser end. As a Nigerian living in Diaspora I can authentically say that this barbaric act of xenophobic attacks is not limited to South Africa. Though, South Africa may have gone too far but the reality is that it happens across Africa. In many African countries that I know foreigners especially Nigerians are always the targets in the countries social mischiefs. Citizens blame their failure on the spirit of entrepreneurships of Nigerians. Nigerians shops and houses are being looted during political fracas and nothing happen. We have seen policemen assist their countrymen to loot Nigerians in African countries and with the slogans, go back to your countries……., go…….
The painful issue here is why xenophobic attacks on Nigerian in South Africa? South Africa of all Nation(. This could have been unbelievable story if I have not witnessed Nigeria’s effort to South Africa during the apartheid. This brings the credibility of African Union into questions. Should I say a fail of leadership or a fail of the Union. This obnoxious attitude happened at very period when a South African citizen Dr Nkosazana Dlamini ZUMA was leading Africa Union as its Chairperson. It gives me a lot of food for thought of what Union for the African people. With all the contents in African Union Charter which promote people’s rights and allow Africans to live and work in any country of his or her choice provided he or she abide by the internal regulations of the host country, you need to travel and see.
I think African leaders must engage in rigorous dialogues to stop this madness and avoid embarrassments to the continent. African Union Headquarters
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E.I.C: Albert Eruorhe Ograka*News *Literati* Adverts
Executive Chairman, Warri North LGA, Hon. Eyituoyor Francis Maku
The Itsekiri ethnic nationality has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently intervene in the 2017 Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) budget which did not include any specific Federal Project in Itsekiri communities in the distribution of the NDDC projects in the Niger Delta area.
The Itsekiri Communities staged a peaceful protest to the Commission’s office in Warri, Delta state on Thursday, March 30, 2017.
The aggrieved Itsekiri people therefore vowed to resist the continuous oppression and exclusion of the Itsekiri nation in the distribution of projects, which has led to the under development of the communities despite their massive contribution to the country’s revenue.
The Chairman of Warri North Local Government Area, Chief Francis Maku in a statement made available to Blank NEWS Online through his media aide, Mr Lucky Atu, lamented that “an ethnic nationality that is contributing over eighty percent (80%) resources to the Federal Government coffers cannot be said not to have a single project from NDDC while the chunk of projects are distributed to communities that offer little or nothing to the nation’s revenue.”
Chief Francis Maku said, “Good governance means good relationship between the government and the governed. It is only the respect for our human rights that would change our stand on this issue but not tactical deceit and arm twisting.
“There are sufficient issues plaguing us as a people and we cannot seat and watch deprivation of this magnitude before our very eyes. The Itsekiri people believe in justice, fairness and equity, hence this appeal to the relevant authorities and the National Assembly.
“Nigeria is one and some communities cannot claim to be more Nigerian than others. The hijacking of Federal projects to some quarters will steer up strife which can still be avoided at this stage.”
He insisted that the purpose of establishing the Niger Delta Development Commission has been defeated because the people for whom it was established are now victims instead of beneficiaries.
Chief Maku however called on Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari, the budget office and the National Assembly, including the Chairman Senate ccommittee on NDDC and his counterpart in the House of Representatives to urgently look into the ugly trend with a view to finding a lasting solution for the peace and overall development of the nation and the Niger Delta region.
Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –By Albert OGRAKA:
Ethnocentric chauvinism may have played out at the Delta State House of Assembly, Tuesday, March 28, 2017 when the legislature uniliterally approved the appointment of Barr. Aghoghovia Otto as the new Deputy Clerk, amidst claims by the legislative staff that the appointee is inexperienced and not yet qualified to hold such office.
The confirmation of Aghoghovia followed a motion moved by the Majority Leader, Hon Tim Owefere, seconded by Hon Oboroh Preyor and adopted.
The statement titled, Appointment as Deputy Clerk to the State Assembly, read in part: “I write to communicate to you the decision of the Assembly at its sitting on Tuesday March 28, 2017, approving your appointment as Deputy Clerk to the Delta State House of Assembly.
“This is in exercise of its powers as provided in the constitution setting up the body. The appointment takes immediate effect from the date of announcement.”
Some staff of the Assembly who craved anonymity, urged the leadership of the House of Assembly to always abide by the laws they enact, arguing that their action on the appointment of the Deputy Clerk runs contrary to the same laws enacted by them.
Facts made available to Blank NEWS Online stated thus: “Rule 36 of the standing orders of the House provides for the most senior legislative officer to act in the absence of Clerk and Deputy Clerk.
“The House of Assembly Service Commission law, Section 13 provides for the appointment of Clerk and Deputy Clerk by the Speaker and principal officers subject to confirmation of the House.
“The Deputy Clerk, accordingly must not be less than 14 years in experience and must not be below Grade Level 14.
“Therefore, Otto Aghoghovia who was employed effective March 01, 2004 has been erroneously appointed, despite the clear facts that he is not qualified.”
The Speaker, Mr. Monday Igbuya was alleged to have deliberately arm twisted the leadership of the legislature to undermine laid down laws by foisting one of his cronies and tribesman, who was s the Speaker sister’s son on the House, even when the said Otto Aghoghovia did not meet the requirements.
Unfortunately though, the emergency plenary which was summoned by the Speaker without intimating most vibrant members of the House, however caused a stir and angst among some members who held on to doing the right and lawful thing.
According to another staff, “Aghoghovia, a Grade Level 13 officer had other senior management staffs on Grade Level 14 as stipulated by law but Mr. Aghoghovia an Urhobo man from the Speaker’s Senatorial Zone was favoured.”
“A most qualified person for the position of Deputy Clerk is Dr. Ebi F. Waboke, a Director in the House of Assembly from Delta South Senatorial District but the Speaker’s kinsman, Mr. Aghoghovia from Delta Central Senatorial District was said to have been most favoured because some senior management staff who come from Delta North Senatorial District , whose senatorial district was originally zoned for the said position could not put their house together to take their slot.
“This plot has been on for over two years now. They have now carefully hatched it. The House leadership had deliberately ignored the appointment of a Deputy Clerk for two years despite the hues and cry by the entire staff of the Assembly. The Speaker is good at dishing out flimsy excuses because of his personal interest”, a management staff lamented.
Mr. Aghoghovia until his new appointment was an Assistant Director. He shall succeed Mrs. Lynar Ochulor when she finally completes her tenure as Clerk of the House.
Executive Chairman, Warri North LGA, Hon. Eyituoyor Francis Maku
Executive Chairman, Warri North Local Government Area, Hon. Eyituoyor Francis Maku, has presented the 2017 draft estimate of the Council Area to the legislative arm.
This years’ budget which is hinged on Governor Okowa’s SMART agenda is tagged “Budget of Consolidation and Growth.”
The total estimate amount of N3,736,128,907.89 with Capital Estimate of N1,034,950,000,00, Recurrent Estimate of N2,701,178,902.89, and sectoral allocation, has administration taking N1, 849,921,715.44, economic, N876, 190,793.45, social, N862, 851,704.00, and others, N142, 387,010.00.
According to the Council boss, this years’ estimate, which has a decline of 16% compared to last year’s budget reflects the current economic realities in the country.
The leader of the House, Hon. Solomon Oritsejafor, lauded the executive for the prompt presentation of the Council’s 2017 Budget and sued for its sustenance in subsequent budgets, and assured the House co-operation in the speedy passage of the budget.
Leader of the House, Hon. Solomon Oritsejafor with the Clerk, Mr. Oloma Eyewuoma
Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –:
Operatives of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Delta State Police Command have mounted a manhunt for one of the Princes in Idumuje-Ugboko community in Aniocha North local government area, for allegedly defiling a 14-year old Princess in the palace.
The suspect, who is currently on the run, allegedly perpetrated the act, which was reportedly covered up by eminent persons in the palace. In addition, the persons who allegedly conspired to cover up the case, are now wanted by the police.
Police sources revealed that following a petition written by one Prince Walters Eziashi, alleging that the act was brought to the knowledge of members of the royal family, who concealed the act and took the girl to St Joseph’s Hospital Asaba for treatment, police have spread their dragnet to catch the principal culprit and others.
According to the source, one of the suspects arrested over complicity in the matter, confirmed that the matter was resolved within the royal family.
According to police sources, Prince Mbanefo Nwoko, told the police to their amazement that the 14-year old consented to the rape hence the matter was “settled” in the palace, adding that “Police now suspect that Mbanefo and others have a case to answer for their complicity in attempts to cover the rape”.
The source told the police that the initial suspect, who was set up through the conspiracy involving Prince Nonso, Princess Uzor Nwoko, Princes Obiajulu, Ejimofor and Kachi Nwoko was fined four goats and other traditional items, to appease the gods and cleanse the palace.
But facts have emerged that the man who was fined is different from the suspect who committed the crime.
The police source told the press that several attempts made to arrest all the suspects were resisted by armed youths in the palace, who threatened violence and to burn the police van, adding that the only one suspect arrested so far was the outcome of reinforcement by the police.
“We are still looking for the suspects to answer charges of alleged group rape of the 14-year old girl”, the police source said.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPR0), Mr. Andrew Aniemeka, when contacted, confirmed that police were still investigating the case and making efforts to arrest the principal suspect.
He said police will inform the press of the outcome of the investigation at the end.
Meanwhile, activities in Idumuje-Ugboko have nosedived as women embarked on series of protests by women over the Idumuje-Ugboko royal stool.
Fear and apprehension now characterized Idumuje-Ugboko community in Aniocha North local government area, as the women group of contending parties in the Obiship stool last week took the streets and invoked curses against perceived opponents.
The development has forced many indoors, thus affecting social and economic activities in the town.
The community was factionalized after the death of His Royal Majesty (HRM) Obi Albert Nwoko 111, following the emergence of two contenders to the throne, namely Chukwunonso Nwoko and Uche Nwoko.
Reliable palace source revealed that as a result of continue stiff opposition, princes loyal to the crown prince, Prince Chukwunonso Nwoko, summoned some women from the royal family and push them to the streets to rain curses on those opposing the installation of Nonso Nwoko as successor to the throne.
“Some of the women did not know why they were summoned but were compelled to join others in the procession to curse those opposing Nonso”, another source said.
However, as early as 6 am the next day, opposing women from the royal family also mobilized others and women form Umuologbo royal family on a retaliatory mission.
It was gathered that the women matched round the palace and other streets, identifying some opponents and also invoking curses on them, indicating that if steps are not taking, the kingdom will break down into anarchy as opposing groups gear up for confrontation
Since the development last week, indigenes are now keeping to themselves and social and economic activities are being affected as they refuse to relate with one another on the strength of the curses.
“As it stands, every Idumuje-Ugboko person is now cursed depending on whether you are supporting Nonso or supporting Uche as their respective supporter’s rain curses on each other. Only those on the fence will escape the curse in this ancient kingdom”, a community chief told the press.
The immediate past President General of Idumuje-Ugboko Development Union (IUDU), Prince Walters Eziashi, confirmed the story, accusing some palace urchins of being responsible for the protests.
He expressed the belief that the protests were an off-shoot of the lingering kingship tussle and the arrest of one of the Princes for the offence of compounding felony due to his involvement in mediating in a case of rape involving a Prince and a 14-year old girl in the palace, recently.
Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –: Governor OkowaMr. Patrick Ukah! Delta Information boss
The Delta State Government has taken a decisive step towards the protection of landed properties owners in the state in order to encourage investors and developers in different communities.
In pursuant of this, the state Executive Council has approved that a bill for a law to prohibit the forceful entry and illegal occupation of public and private landed properties be sent to the state House of Assembly for consideration and passage.
Speaking after the State Executive Council meeting held in Asaba on Tuesday, the state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Patrick Ukah, disclosed that the bill, when passed, will also prohibit violent and fraudulent conducts in relation to public and private landed properties in Delta State and for purposes connected therewith to ensure sanity and encourage investors and developers in the state.
Also during the meeting, Mr. Ukah revealed that the EXCO approved the reconstruction of Bonsaac Road and the construction of Pat Kanayo Okonta/Amaechi Uzuegbu/part of Nze Francis/Onwa Nwachinemelu Streets in Asaba.
According to the Commissioner for Information, the continuation and completion of the construction of the storm water control measures in Direct Labour Agency (DLA)/Jesus Saves corridor in Asaba was equally approved.
Other road projects approved, according to him, include the reconstruction of Ovwian Main Road, Ovwian, Udu Local Government Area, the construction of Oporoza Palace Road in Oporoza, Warri South-West Local Government Area, and the rehabilitation of NPA By-Pass Road, from the new port to the old port gates, Warri, Warri South Local Government Area.
The continuation of the reconstruction of Amai/Ezionum/Abbi Road which is the completion of Phase III of the project covering a distance of 3.75 km between Ezionum and Abbi in Ukwuani and Ndokwa West Local Government Areas, the rehabilitation and asphalt overlay of Nsukwa/Ejeme-Aniogor/Agbor-Alidinma/Owa-Alidinma/Ndemili Road in Aniocha South, Ndokwa West, Ika South and Ika North East Local Government Areas and the construction of Okurekpo/Okunoh-Okpara/Okoruah/Onumane/Samagidi Road in Ethiope East Local Government Area were also approved.
Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –By Theo UZI -UGHELLI:
The Ughelli Chamber of Commerce Industries, Mines and Agriculture (UCCIMA) has outlined its activities ahead of the Annual General Meeting and Luncheon slated to hold on 30th March, 2017.
President of UCCIMA, Architect Avwaruroro O. Alfred told Blank NEWS Online at the Secretariat in Ughelli, Headquarters of Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, that despite the economic recession bedeviling the country, UCCIMA is determined to create awareness for greater excellence in the business world.
The Ughelli Chamber of Commerce Industries, Mines and Agriculture (UCCIMA) stands tall in the business world for including NACCIMA Business Women Group (NAWORG) Delta State Chapter by facilitating women participating in Commerce and Governance to fully identify profitable businesses and market opportunities for members to access loans.
They also provide business information for members to facilitate trade among local business women and other business women group in the West African Sub region as well as local and international business networking.
While advising both new and old members to urgentyly regularize their companies membership, the President said the ceremony will begin with sensitization of UCCIMA mandate areas which covers the entire Ughelli North, Isoko North, Isoko South, Patani and Bomadi Local Government Areas of Delta State respectively.
He further mentioned that there will be an award and business lecture at the grand finale on March 28th, 2017.
