Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –: 

In accordance with our republican custom, I, having been declared the winner of the presidential contest on 9th December, 2016, by the returning officer, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Charlotte Osei, have taken the oath of the high office of President of the Republic, in the presence of the newly sworn Vice President, His Excellency Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, and the newly elected Speaker of Parliament, the Rt. Hon. Prof. Michael Oquaye, an oath administered by the Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Georgina Theodora Wood, before the elected representatives of the people assembled in this 7th Parliament of the 4th Republic. This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Our nation is honoured by the presence, at this solemn ceremony of investiture, of leaders and representatives of friendly countries across the globe, in particular those of the sister nations of our regional body, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and of our continental body, the African Union. I salute the Chairperson of the Authority of Heads of State and Governments of the AU, His Excellency Idriss Déby, President of the Republic of Chad.

I salute the Chairperson of the Authority of Heads of State and Governments of ECOWAS, the historic figure, Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of the Republic of Liberia; our special guest of honour, His Excellency Alassane Dramane Ouattara, President of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, and we thank him for his excellent speech; His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of mighty Nigeria; His Excellency Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal; His Excellency Faure Gnassingbé, President of the Republic of Togo; His Excellency Alpha Condé, President of the Republic of Guinea Conakry; His Excellency Patrice Talon, President of the Republic of Benin; His Excellency Ernest Bai Koroma, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone; His Excellency Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, President of the Republic of Mali; His Excellency Roch Marc Christian Kaboré, President of Burkina Faso. We are grateful also for the presence of His Excellency Teodoro Obiang Nguema, President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea; His Excellency Ali Bongo, President of the Republic of Gabon; and His Excellency Edgar Lungu, President of the Republic of Zambia. To them and the representatives of all the other friendly nations who are here, and former presidents and leaders, I say ‘akwaaba’, our famous word of welcome.

I have, at the outset, to thank sincerely our departing President, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, for his service to our nation. He stepped into the breach of national leadership at a delicate moment in the country’s history, with the death in office, for the first time, of a sitting president, the late Prof. John Evans Atta Mills. He has since steered the ship of state with conviction.

His elegant, dignified acceptance of the verdict of the people on 7th December, 2016, will, without doubt, receive the approval of history, for it has contributed significantly to the process of democratic consolidation in Ghana. I wish him and his family well.

For myself, I am in the unique position of being able to draw on the wisdom and experience of three former Presidents of the Republic, their Excellencies Jerry John Rawlings, John Agyekum Kufuor and John Dramani Mahama. They represent the continuity of the institutions of our Republic, for which we thank God.

Mr. Speaker, I am deeply humbled by the exceptional mandate and extraordinary show of confidence that the Ghanaian people have conferred on my party, the New Patriotic Party, and on my modest person. I am determined to do all in my power to accomplish the tasks of the mandate and justify their confidence. I will not let you, the people of Ghana, down.

We have a proud heritage. We are the heirs of John Mensah Sarbah, Joseph Caseley Hayford, George Pa Grant, R.S. Blay, Joseph Boakye Danquah, Emmanuel Obetsebi Lamptey, Edward Akufo-Addo, William Ofori-Atta, Cobbina Kesse, Ernest Ako Adjei, Kwame Nkrumah, Komla Agbeli Gbedema, Kojo Botsio, S.D. Dombo, Kofi Abrefa Busia, Baffuor Osei Akoto and others, who taught us that fidelity to principles, courage, patience, resilience and collective action do yield results.

They fought with intelligence, guts, steely determination and patriotism to liberate our land and reclaim our worth as human beings. Their love for country continues to inspire generations of us to commit our lives to the search for an enduring democratic legacy for Ghana. It is not for nothing that when our forebears established the Ghanaian nation, they chose “Freedom and Justice” as our motto. Our generation has to give meaning to this motto.

On March 6, in a few weeks’ time, Ghana will attain 60 years as an independent nation. I suspect that those early nationalists would be disappointed, if they came today and saw the level of development we have achieved in 60 years of independence.

Our journey has had some highs and unfortunately many lows. Since we accepted a consensus on how we should be governed with the onset of the Fourth Republic, we have performed more creditably. It is within this period of 24 years that Ghana has witnessed a consistent period of development.

Sixty years after attaining nationhood, we no longer have any excuses for being poor. I stand here today, humbled beyond measure for the opportunity to lead this country at this time and take us to a higher level in our development.

The words of JB Danquah, one of the founding fathers of the Ghanaian nation, are compelling. He said as far back as 1960 that the duty of government should be “to liberate the energies of the people for the growth of a property owning democracy in this land, with right to life, freedom and justice, as the principles to which the government and the laws of the land should be dedicated in order specifically to enrich life, property and liberty of each and every citizen.”

We have an exuberant and young, growing population that wants the best of what the world has to offer and will not settle for “Third World” or “developing world” standards. We have an adventurous people who are in a hurry for success. I have no doubt that the talents, energies, sense of enterprise and innovation of the Ghanaian can be harnessed to make Ghana the place where dreams come true.

It took us a while, but the consensus on multi-party constitutional rule has been established, and, for the third time, we have had a peaceful transfer of power from a governing party to an opposition one. We have done it without any fuss and it is now part of what we do as a people.

Kofi Abrefa Busia, Prime Minister of the Progress Party government of the 2nd Republic, and one of the great Ghanaians, said in these eloquent words: “We regard politics as an avenue of service to our fellow men. We hold that political power is to be exercised to make life nobler and happier.

Our success or failure should be judged by the quality of the individual, by his knowledge, his skills, his behaviour as a member of society, the standard of living he is able to enjoy and by the degree of harmony and brotherliness in our community life as a nation.”

We should move on to deepen our democracy. It is time to make sure that we have a true separation of powers between the various arms of government. Our Parliament, the legislative arm of government, must grow into its proper role as an effective machinery for accountability and oversight of the Executive, and not be its junior partner.

The Ghanaian Parliament, the Ghanaian Member of Parliament, must stand out as institutions that represent all that we hold dear and citizens can take pride in.

Our judiciary must inspire confidence in the citizens, so we can all see the courts as the ultimate arbitres when disputes arise, as they would. A Ghanaian judge must be a reassuring presence and the epitome of fairness.

We have worked with our national constitution for 24 years and we now know the areas that require change. I believe a consensus is emerging that we must decentralize more. We must devolve more power with corresponding resources to the base of our political system and to our people, in the regions and communities. We must trust the individual and collective wisdom and good sense of our people.

We must restore integrity in public life. State coffers are not spoils for the party that wins an election, but resources for the country’s social and economic development. I shall protect the public purse by insisting on value-for-money in all public transactions. Public service is just that – service and not an avenue for making money. Money is to be made in the private sector, not the public. Measures will be put in place to ensure this.

We must create wealth and restore happiness to our nation. We can only do this when we have an educated and skilled population that is capable of competing in the global economy. We must expand our horizons and embrace science and technology as critical tools for our development.

We believe that the business of government is to govern. Ours is to set fair rules. We will provide vision and direction and shine the light down the path of our entrepreneurs and farmers. We are, indeed, counting on a vibrant private sector to drive growth and create jobs.

We will stimulate the creative juices of innovators. We will bring back to life the adventurer in you. It is time to imagine and to dream again; time to try that business idea again. We will reduce taxes to recover the momentum of our economy. The doors of Ghana are open again. The shutters are up again. There could not be a better opportunity to “Make in Ghana”, and to make it in Ghana. GHANA IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS AGAIN!

We will build a confident Ghana which is united, at peace with itself and takes pride in its diversity.

We will rekindle the spirit that made Ghana the leading light on the African continent, and make our conditions deserving of that accolade. We will work with our neighbours and friends on the continent to enhance peace, democracy and political stability in our part of the world. We will reassert vigorously the Pan African vocation to which our nation has been dedicated. Integration of our region and of our continent will be a strategic objective of Ghanaian policy.

It will not be easy. We have no illusions whatsoever about the enormity of the task that we face, but I know that Ghanaians at home and abroad will rise to the occasion; they always do.

It will require sacrifice, but it can be done. Others have done it. So can we. Our best days still lie ahead. Though our challenges are fearsome, so are our strengths. Ghanaians have ever been a restless, questing, hopeful people. And we must bring to our task today the vision and will of those who came before us.

The Ghanaian people have summoned the change we celebrate today. They have raised their voices in an unmistakable chorus. They have cast their votes without equivocation and have forced the change. Now we must do the work the season demands. To that work, I now turn with all the authority of my office. I ask the Legislature and Judiciary to join with me. But no President, no Parliament, no Government can undertake this mission all by itself.

Fellow citizens, you must be at the centre of the change. The change we have voted for will have to start with each of us as individuals. We can start with little changes in our own individual attitudes and practices. The change can and should start now and with us as individuals.

I ask you to be citizens: citizens, not spectators; citizens, not subjects; responsible citizens building your communities and our nation. Let us work until the work is done. Holy Scripture in Galatians 6:9 says “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

I assure you, my fellow citizens, who have entrusted me with this mandate, that I will advance my convictions with civility, I will serve the public interest with courage, I will speak for greater justice as well as compassion, and I will call for responsibility and I will live it, as well.

This is my solemn pledge.

I see exciting times ahead. The rule of law will be the underlying tenet of our lives; and the law will be applicable to all of us, and not just some.

We will have to work hard, harder than we have ever done before; and the hard work will be done by all of us, and not just some. There will be discipline in all sectors of our lives; and this applies to all of us, not just some.

Our public service will be accorded the dignity and respect it deserves, and be made to attract the bright young people it needs.

We acknowledge there will always be the need for a safety net for the vulnerable in our society, as in all other societies. Our nation will work when the marginalised and vulnerable are catered for and treated with respect.

Our elderly people will be recognised for their roles in building Ghana and assured of care in the dusk of their lives.

We should all recognise the danger we face by the alarming degradation of our environment and work to protect our water bodies, our forests, our lands and the oceans. We should learn and accept that we do not own the land, but hold it in trust for generations yet unborn and, therefore, have a responsibility to take good care of it and all it contains.

Ghana’s first President, Kwame Nkrumah, Osagyefo, said at the end of 1957, the year of our independence: “We shall measure our progress by the happiness which our people take in being able to manage their own affairs.”

Since March 6, 1957, we all say as a matter of routine that we are Ghanaians. It is time to define what being a Ghanaian ought to mean.

Being a Ghanaian must stand for something more than the holder of a birth certificate or a certain passport.

Being a Ghanaian must put certain responsibilities on each one of us.

Calling yourself a Ghanaian must mean you have signed up to a certain definable code and conduct. Being a Ghanaian puts an obligation on each one of us to work at building a fair, prosperous and happy nation.

And calling yourself a Ghanaian must mean we look out for each other.

There should be no higher praise than to be able to say I AM A GHANAIAN.

I thank the Almighty that I am able to say with pride, I am a Ghanaian. A new dawn has arisen in Ghana, which will enable us to build a new Ghanaian civilization which will be the beacon of Africa and the wonder of the world. I thank you all, my fellow citizens, for making me the president of this beautiful country.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and may God bless our homeland Ghana and make her great and strong. And may God bless us all and Mother Africa.

Copyright © Blank NEWS Online.
All rights reserved. Permission to reproduce, publish, broadcast, rewrite or redistribute in whole or in part is only granted subject to appropriate credit being given to Blank NEWS Online as the source.

***Read Blank NEWS Online for regular news updates…Also like us on Facebook & follow us on Twitter @blanknewsonlin1

Advertise in Blank NEWS Online. 
Visit Us @:
www.blanknewsonline.wordpress.com 
Email: blanknewsonline@ymail.com 
Phone: +234 8037 644 337 
Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) – 
E.I.C: Albert Eruorhe Ograka

Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –: 

Inspite of his Electoral College victory, President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team has told all ambassadors who are political appointees of President Barack Obama to vacate their overseas posts by Inauguration Day, refusing to provide even brief grace periods for special cases.

Lawmakers held a ceremonial final count in the House of Representatives chamber that affirmed the votes cast last month by the members of the Electoral College chose the Republican property tycoon as the nation’s 45th president.

“Donald Trump of New York has received, for president of the United States, 304 votes,” while his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton received 227 votes, Biden declared to assembled lawmakers after the counting was complete.

Seven electors defied their states’ results and voted for other figures, but it did not affect the outcome.

Biden said the official count “shall be deemed sufficient declaration” for Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence to take their oaths of office on January 20.

Vice President Joe Biden repeatedly told objecting congressman that their attempt to disrupt the usually staid moment that their objections were invalid because they did not have the signature of a United States senator. Biden, at times exasperated by the scene, at one point cautioned his fellow Democrats: “It is over.”

“There is no debate. There is no debate. There is no debate,” Biden repeated to Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, one of the frequent objectors in the Capitol.

“The Electoral College results are in. Donald J. Trump will be the 45th president of the United States,” House Speaker Paul Ryan announced in a tweet shortly afterwards.

Trump finished with 304 electoral votes and Democrat Hillary Clinton got 227. There were seven protest votes for other candidates. It takes 270 Electoral College votes to win the presidency.

At least three protestors were swiftly removed by security when shouting during the certification. US Capitol Police spokeswoman Eva Malecki said they arrested two males and one female and says they are being processed at U.S. Capitol Police Headquarters. They will release more information on charges later today.

Leaving the chamber, Republican Sen. John Cornyn said he thought the protests were “kind of embarrassing.”

Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team has told all ambassadors who are political appointees of President Barack Obama to vacate their overseas posts by Inauguration Day, refusing to provide even brief grace periods for special cases, several senior State Department officials and American diplomats said.

“Political” ambassadors often have close ties to the president or are major donors and almost always leave their post at the end of the term, while career ambassadors frequently remain in their posts.

In keeping with standard practices, the White House requested and received resignations from all politically-appointed chiefs of mission shortly after Election Day, several senior State Department officials said.

But, in a break with precedent to consider grace periods on a case-by-case basis, a subsequent State Department cable sent last month to all non-career ambassadors instructed them to finish their service by January 20 “without exceptions,” the sources said.

The move leaves the US without top envoys at key posts such as Britain, Germany, Canada, Japan and Saudi Arabia until President-elect Donald Trump nominates successors and they are confirmed, a process that could take months. In the meantime, the posts will be run by the highest-ranking career official until Trump nominates, and the Senate confirms, someone new.

The decision has also left diplomats scrambling to secure new visas, living arrangements and schools for their children.

Past incoming administrations from both parties have granted exceptions on a case-by-case basis for ambassadors requesting to remain at post for weeks or months.

The exceptions are generally granted as a courtesy to ambassadors with school-age children or who have unique family situations, but are also occasionally made to help with continuity as the incoming administration seeks to fill a large number of postings at home and overseas.

Secretary of State John Kerry said that it is a “perfectly normal request” to political ambassadors to leave their post, noting that “all political appointees serve at the pleasure of the President of the United States.”

The State Department estimates that roughly 70% of US ambassadors are career appointees. Those ambassadors were not asked to tender resignation letters.

>Courtesy CNN, Aljazeera

Copyright © Blank NEWS Online.
All rights reserved. Permission to reproduce, publish, broadcast, rewrite or redistribute in whole or in part is only granted subject to appropriate credit being given to Blank NEWS Online as the source.

***Read Blank NEWS Online for regular news updates…Also like us on Facebook & follow us on Twitter @blanknewsonlin1

Advertise in Blank NEWS Online. 
Visit Us @:
www.blanknewsonline.wordpress.com 
Email: blanknewsonline@ymail.com 
Phone: +234 8037 644 337 
Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) – 
E.I.C: Albert Eruorhe Ograka

Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –: 

The people of Delta North have pledged their support and total loyalty to the state government under the leadership of Senator Ifeanyi Okowa.

This was the high point of the decision taken on Friday during a get together of the political class led by Senator Peter Nwaoboshi and the leadership of the Delta North traditional Rulers Council held at the palace of the Obi of Owa, Dr. Emmanuel Efeizomor ll.

Speaking at the occasion, Senator Nwaoboshi commended Governor Okowa for prudent management of resources which has led to the accelerated transformation of the three Senatorial Districts in the midst of economic recession that rocked the country.

Senator Nwaoboshi said government has equitably distributed political appointments and developmental projects to all parts of the state and assured that every segment of the state will continue to benefit from the development efforts of Governor Okowa.

“I want to commend our revered traditional rulers for the roles you are playing in ensuring peace and security in your domains; and it was a very good development that you are galvanizing your subjects to contribute to the development of the state,” Senator Nwaoboshi said, reiterating, “we are proud of traditional rulers and we will continue to partner with the traditional institution to strengthen democracy in the country.”

The Chairman, Delta State Traditional Rulers Council., Dr. Emmanuel Efeizomor ll, described Senator Nwaoboshi as a true representative of the people at the national assembly, noting that Nigerians, especially, the people of Delta North Senatorial District were proud to have Barrister Nwaoboshi as their representative at the upper legislative chambers.

Obi Efeizomor II used the occasion to call on Deltans to close ranks and partner with Governor Okowa’s administration for a dream Delta State to be achieved.

“We are happy that our son, Senator Nwaoboshi is here today to tell us what is going on in the Senate, this is how it should be and we look forward to this type of meeting on regular basis because it encourages robust relationship,” the Obi said, asserting, “the traditional institution will always work for peace, development and stability of our state because, we are progressives and we know the value of peace to the lives of individuals.”

The meeting was attended by traditional rulers from Delta North while Senator Nwaoboshi was accompanied to the occasion by members of House of Assembly, Commissioners, Council Chairmen, members of the political class from Delta North Senatorial District and his followers.

Copyright © Blank NEWS Online.
All rights reserved. Permission to reproduce, publish, broadcast, rewrite or redistribute in whole or in part is only granted subject to appropriate credit being given to Blank NEWS Online as the source.

***Read Blank NEWS Online for regular news updates…Also like us on Facebook & follow us on Twitter @blanknewsonlin1

Advertise in Blank NEWS Online. 
Visit Us @:
www.blanknewsonline.wordpress.com 
Email: blanknewsonline@ymail.com 
Phone: +234 8037 644 337 
Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) – 
E.I.C: Albert Eruorhe Ograka

Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –Albert OGRAKA: 

Blank NEWS Online understands that the State Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Delta State chapter, Comrade Chidi Okonji purportedly forged the signature of the the state chairman, Prophet Jones Erhue and allegedly collected the sum of N600, 000 grant from the state government without the consent of the party.

Dependable sources disclosed that when the APC chairman, Prophet Erhue and his security details arrived the collection point on Tuesday, January 03, 2017, he discovered that his Secretary, Comrade Okonji had made away with the money, having presented a forged letter, purportedly signed by the APC chairman.

Angered by the unholy development, the absconding party Secretary was summarily suspended on Wednesday, January 04, 2017 during a meeting of the State Working Committee at the party’s state secretariat, Asaba.

The Deputy state chairman of APC, Chief Cyril Ogodo who presided over the meeting said that “the SEC at the end of the meeting resolved that the state secretary of the party, Comrade Chidi Okonji is here suspended from office indefinitely pending the report of a five-man disciplinary committee setup to investigate his anti-party activities in accordance with provision 21 of the party’s constitution.

“The allegations against him bother on criminal, forgery, fraudulent conversion, and connivance with the Delta State government where he unitarily collected the sum of N600, 000 as purported grant from the state government without the knowledge of the hierarchy of the party.

“This action became necessary as the party would not condone criminal activity within its fold which is capable of bringing the party to dispute and public opprobrium. The APC Delta State will not, cannot and would never collect any money from the failed Okowa led PDP government in Delta State.”

“The PDP led government for the sustenance of their evil machineries, decided to employ the services of our suspended secretary, Comrade Chidi Okonji and others whose identity would soon be unraveled to undermine our party and they will be dealt with soon.”

Meanwhile, speaking from his hideout, the runaway APC Scribe, Okonji while reacting to his suspension accused the state party chairman, Prophet Jones Erhue of allegedly withdrawing monies illegally from the party’s account for his personal se.

According to the embattled state scribe of APC “The meeting was an illegal meeting. The chairman is expected to call a State Executive Working Committee meeting before such decisions are made and they were not up to 11 persons in attendance at that meeting.

“Besides, the directive for the collection of that money which is N500, 000 was given to me by the state chairman. He was part and parcel of that money and specifically told me that the money was meant for interparty from the national fund for political parties and it’s our entitlement.

“So, if they want to probe me, they should also invite the state chairman, because out of the N500,000 which I collected, I gave him N250,000 and it will be out of place to single me out for persecution,” he added.

Copyright © Blank NEWS Online.
All rights reserved. Permission to reproduce, publish, broadcast, rewrite or redistribute in whole or in part is only granted subject to appropriate credit being given to Blank NEWS Online as the source.

***Read Blank NEWS Online for regular news updates…Also like us on Facebook & follow us on Twitter @blanknewsonlin1

Advertise in Blank NEWS Online. 
Visit Us @:
www.blanknewsonline.wordpress.com 
Email: blanknewsonline@ymail.com 
Phone: +234 8037 644 337 
Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) – 
E.I.C: Albert Eruorhe Ograka

Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –By Albert OGRAKA: 

It was fun, pomp and pageantry on Wednesday, December 21, 2016 as Dame Edith Okowa, wife to the Governor of Delta State and founder of 05 Initiative hosted a cross-section of Delta children from the 25 local government areas of the state to an exciting Children’s Christmas Party at Government House, Asaba.

The event which was heralded by a lot of activities lined up for the large number of Delta children, featured dancing competition, kiddies games, quizzes and lots more, carefully coordinated by Aunty Ella, who was accompanied by Spider man, Mickey Mouse, and Father Christmas amidst glamour.

In her speech, the First Lady, appealed to parents and guardians, especially mothers and care givers to continually teach their children and wards Godly principles and bring them closer to God, saying that “Mothers should bring up their children in the ways of the Lord, because God will ask you questions on how you trained your children on the last day.”

“As we celebrate Christmas, let us remember that Jesus Christ is the reason for the season, He is the solution to every situation”, she added.

Dame Okowa, who however acknowledged the current national economic recession thanked God for his faithfulness upon Deltans, as she said that Delta State has continued to move ahead, despite the economic downturn.

While expressing optimism that 2017 is going to be a good year because so many things will change for good, the 05 Initiative founder further assured Deltans that 2017 will yield more positive tidings if they truly dedicate themselves to God and give adequate support to the less privileged ones in the society.

“What God desires from us is to do His will, life is not about what we are, it’s about how many lives we have touched, if you have not done that, there is still time for you, this is the season to remember the less privileged people.”

Earlier in her exaltation, the Director-General, 05 Initiative, Mrs. Kevwe Agas reminded the children of the need to do away with sinful tendencies and habits, which according to her, negates the exemplary principles of Jesus Christ which could also hinder God’s good intentions for mankind.

The children who adorned themselves in various colourful Christmas outfits were later led to a temporary kiddies games village at the Government House complex, where they had ecstatic and memorable fun-filled pleasure.

Some of the children who spoke to Blank NEWS Online expressed delight at the cosy reception accorded them and the celebration with the Delta state First Lady, Dame Edith Okowa, whom they tagged “Our Mother.”

Highpoint of the glamorous event was the cutting of the Christmas cake by the governor’s wife with the children, members of 05 team, wives of political appointees, among others, and distribution of food, drinks and gift items to all children.

Copyright © Blank NEWS Online.
All rights reserved. Permission to reproduce, publish, broadcast, rewrite or redistribute in whole or in part is only granted subject to appropriate credit being given to Blank NEWS Online as the source.

***Read Blank NEWS Online for regular news updates…Also like us on Facebook & follow us on Twitter @blanknewsonlin1

Advertise in Blank NEWS Online.
Visit Us @:
www.blanknewsonline.wordpress.com
Email: blanknewsonline@ymail.com
Phone: +234 8037 644 337
Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) – 
E.I.C: Albert Eruorhe Ograka

Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –By Albert OGRAKA: 

The Executive Director (Finance and Administration) at the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Bashorun (Hon.) Askia Samuel Ogieh, JP, KSJI, CNA, stated this in his felicitation to Christian faithfuls across the country as they celebrate the birthday of Jesus Christ.

A statement issued by Mr. Prosper Edo, Special Assistant to the Executive Director (Finance and Administration) said that the season of Christmas should inspire sacrifices which give hope to the people, urging Deltans to yearn for the best, hence the state governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, through the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) is determined to bring prosperity to the doorsteps of all Deltans.

“As we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, it is appropriate that we all, Christians and non-Christians alike, exhibit the virtues of love, tolerance, honesty and peaceful co-existence with others.

“I appeal to our people, especially youths in the oil producing areas of Delta state to be law- abiding and place the greater interests of our state above all personal or sectional interests for the progress and development of our dear state.

“Let us all be more statesman-like, conduct issues-based criticisms, and eschew the promotion of falsehood and division. I am convinced that with greater commitment to God Almighty, we shall surely overcome our current economic challenges.”

Copyright © Blank NEWS Online.
All rights reserved. Permission to reproduce, publish, broadcast, rewrite or redistribute in whole or in part is only granted subject to appropriate credit being given to Blank NEWS Online as the source.

***Read Blank NEWS Online for regular news updates…Also like us on Facebook & follow us on Twitter @blanknewsonlin1

Advertise in Blank NEWS Online. 
Visit Us @:
www.blanknewsonline.wordpress.com 
Email: blanknewsonline@ymail.com 
Phone: +234 8037 644 337 
Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) – 
E.I.C: Albert Eruorhe Ograka

Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –By Albert OGRAKA: 

The Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE) has planned a major showdown with the Delta state government over its concluded plot to concession the state owned Delta Transport Services Limited, operators of Delta Line, following a recent public invitation for pre-qualification of bidders for the partial privatization of the transport outfit.

Meanwhile, Blank NEWS Online dependable sources have revealed that Governor Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa’s notable kinsmen, Mr. Kingsley Emu (Commissioner for Economic Planning) and Mr. Lawrence Oshiegbu, former Rural Development Agency (RDA) boss in the state have been pencilled down for the buy-off which stands at 60/40 percent equity shares between the private investor and Delta state government respectively.

The state government, through the Ministry of Finance has already advertised for bidders, an action that may have angered the leadership of AUPCTRE who claimed that the union had been sidelined, despite its stringent moves to resist such plot in the past.

In its defence and defiance, the state government insisted that Governor Okowa’s approval of the involvement of the private sector in the operation and partial ownership of the government owned transport outfit was in pursuance of its agenda to improve inter and intra-state transport.

On Thursday, December 15, 2016, the Union’s leadership addressed the workers at the Delta Line workshop on the Asaba-Onitsha express way, threathenig a peaceful protest to halt the sale of up to 60 percent of the equity of Delta Line to the governor’s surrogates.

While addressing the aggrieved workers, the state chairman of AUPCTRE, Comrade Jerry Okousun, accompanied by members of the state and branch executives, said the Union is taken aback by government for the partial privatization, explaining that the concessioning of Delta Line to a private owner at 60 percent is an indirect plan for jobs lay-off which strongly indicates that the buyer with an upper hand would dictate the fate of the nearly 750 workers.

Comrade Okousun, who appealed to the vexed workers to be patient and calm while the issue rages, therefore called on the state governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa to have a rethink by urgently halting the sale of the only state owned transport outfit, and instead restructure it in line with the aim of providing affordable transportation for Deltans, as part of fulfilling his campaign promises.

He promised the staff of Delta Line that the union will not rest on its oars in pursuing the welfare of workers since it is a known fact that privatization oftentimes lead to retrenchment, poverty and youth restiveness, saying that plot by government largely negates the governor’s advocacy of prosperity for all Deltans.

The workers, who were spoiled for showdown with the state government were chanting solidarity songs and saying “We don’t need recapitalization but restructuring.”

Also AUPCTRE, had in a letter addressed to the state governor and signed by its state Secretary, Comrade Emeni Fidel argued that the state government’s move for an outright sale negates the purpose of establishing the transport outfit which is purely for social services but not for profit maximization as envisioned by the present Governor Okowa led administration.

According to him, Delta Line company presently pay a monthly wage bill of N26 million with an average Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of N42 million, adding that the
new management of Delta Transport Services Limited have made giant strides with prompt payment of workers’ salaries, gradual loan repayment to Zenith and Wetland banks, payment of contractors and cooperatives as well as prompt maintenance of vehicles and retrieving of vehicles used as collaterals.

Recall, however that during his ministerial press briefing of Wednesday, November 30, 2016, the Commissioner for Transport, Mr. Vincent Amejuma Uduaghan, whose Directorate shoulders the responsibility of Delta State Transport Services Limited, operators of Delta Line, said “The Directorate has effectively keyed into the SMART agenda of His Excellency, Senator (Dr.) Ifeany Okowa’s administration as relates to transportation sector of the state economy.

“The Directorate has created an enabling environment and platform to fully deploy all available resources within its reach in providing a sustainable transport infrastructure and an efficient service delivery for the development of the transport sector of Delta state”, the Commissioner had claimed, even as he also complained that inadequate budgetary provision has hindered the overall performance of some of the Directorate’s projects.

The Delta Transport Services Limited was incorporated over 25 years ago primarily as a transporter of passengers with nearly 750 workers, 38 terminals as well as a courier operation for the movement of goods and packages.

It could be recalled that the company, according to verifiable facts, may have been used as financial drain pipe by successive governments to loot the state treasury of its resources.

***Read Blank NEWS Online for regular news updates…Also like us on Facebook & follow us on Twitter @blanknewsonlin1

Advertise in Blank NEWS Online. 
Visit Us @:
www.blanknewsonline.wordpress.com 
Email: blanknewsonline@ymail.com 
Phone: +234 8037 644 337 
Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) – 
E.I.C: Albert Eruorhe Ograka

Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –: 

A Delta State High Court sitting at Kwale presided over by Honourable Justice O. Jaloggo-Williams has sentenced eight accused persons responsible for the kidnap of the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly Honourable Monday Igbuya on May, 21, 2009 at Sapele to a total of 104 years imprisonment.

The accused persons are Godspower Ikoro, Godspower omoniyi (an ex soldier) , Ernest Atteh, John Adapamu, Ife Freedom,Sunday Uba Tiemo, kemi koinyang and Isaiah Mumbor.

The eight accused persons who were charged to court after their arrest by Security Agents on Charge No S/1c/2010 were later transferred from the Sapele High Court in 2011 to Kwale for trails on a six count charge of conspiracy to commit a felony to wit, kidnapping, Armed Robbery and the substantive case of kidnap of Monday Igbuya and demanding with menaces the sum 100 million as ransom.

Monday igbuya was subsequently released on 27th May 2009.

The Court in its ruling found all the accused persons guilty on the count of kidnapping and demanding property with menace and sentenced them to 10 years (for kidnapping) in jail each with hard Labour and three years in imprisonment (for demanding N100 million with menaces). They Court further held that the sentences are to run concurrently.

Justice Jaloggo-Williams however discharged them on the count of armed robbery for lack of sufficient evidence by prosecution.

The accused persons were charged under the criminal Code Law Section 364 (I.) & (in.) that prescribed 10 years jail term for Offenders before the Delta House of Assembly enacted Anti-Kidnapping Law, 2016 that now prescribed life imprisonment for Offenders.

Copyright © Blank NEWS Online.
All rights reserved. Permission to reproduce, publish, broadcast, rewrite or redistribute in whole or in part is only granted subject to appropriate credit being given to Blank NEWS Online as the source.

***Read Blank NEWS Online for regular news updates…Also like us on Facebook & follow us on Twitter @blanknewsonlin1

Advertise in Blank NEWS Online.
Visit Us @:
www.blanknewsonline.wordpress.com
Email: blanknewsonline@ymail.com
Phone: +234 8037 644 337
Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) – 
E.I.C: Albert Eruorhe Ograka

Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –: 

According to Governor Okowa, it was only in Delta State that some local government councils have the same salary structure with the state government and the federal government.

The governor who expressed sadness that staff of the third tier of government was suffering in the state as a result of salary arrears, noted that apart from the salary structure, some local government councils have more than 700 persons as their staff strength.

He spoke at Issele-Uku, Aniocha North Local Government Area of the state during electoral victory celebration cum empowerment programme of the member representing the area in the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Emeka Nwaobi.

While assuring that his administration would not encourage the sack of workers because of recession ravaging the country, Governor Okowa disclosed that the Councils have adopted an approach where only verified staff and “those who come to work are paid.”

He also, used the occasion to reiterated his administration’s commitment to equitable distribution of projects in the state, asserting, “we are doing a lot across, the state and Deltans in Central, South and North know that I am not discriminating.”

“Despite the tough time, we are doing a lot because God has given us the wisdom to utilize what we have to the benefits of our people, I am confident that our revenue will improve in 2017 and we will increase the tempo of what we are doing in the state,” the governor said.

He congratulated Hon. Nwaobi for the affirmation of his victory at the polls by different courts of the land, noting dedicating such victories to God was important because, political offices were to render service to God and humanity.

“We must be constantly reminded that we were chosen to serve for a reason; the real thanksgiving is to render selfless service mankind and to the service to God,” the governor said.

Copyright © Blank NEWS Online.
All rights reserved. Permission to reproduce, publish, broadcast, rewrite or redistribute in whole or in part is only granted subject to appropriate credit being given to Blank NEWS Online as the source.

***Read Blank NEWS Online for regular news updates…Also like us on Facebook & follow us on Twitter @blanknewsonlin1

Advertise in Blank NEWS Online. 
Visit Us @:
www.blanknewsonline.wordpress.com 
Email: blanknewsonline@ymail.com 
Phone: +234 8037 644 337 
Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) – 
E.I.C: Albert Eruorhe Ograka

Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –: 

The Commissioner for Information, Mr. Patrick Ukah, disclosed this in Asaba during a media lecture titled “The Media And Community Development: The Role Of Government” which was organized by management and staff of Radio Nigeria, Charity FM 104.4, Asaba.

Mr. Ukah who noted that the state government recognized the various challenges confronting Charity FM especially as it concerns its going live, however, said “we are ready to thinker with the management on finding lasting solutions to the challenges”.

This, according to him, is because, in all honesty, it is in our best interest to have a robust Radio Nigeria in Asaba that will help promote the government of the day’s policies especially as it concerns the rural dwellers.

Speaking through his Media Assistant, Mr. Sam Ijeh, the Commissioner, who was a co-speaker on the topic of the lecture, noted that radio serves as an agent of social mobilization  especially in rural communities where people could be moved to delivering certain goal based on the awareness of their rights and responsibilities to the society, adding that communication should play a significant role in helping rural dwellers to live a worthwhile life.

He, therefore, urged management and staff of the FM station not to get caught up with the pop culture that is evidence in most private radio stations, adding that they should consider themselves as the last gate in pursuing programming that embraces the yearning of the rural communities.

In his presentation, the Guest Speaker, Prof. Francis Osaweru Omoruyi, who is a Director, Centre for Distance Learning in the University of Benin, said that the media plays significant roles in community development, adding that the essence of community development is to integrate communities into national development.

Prof. Omoruyi noted that development is of the people who, according to him, must be involved in the developmental process of their communities, just as he observed that media messages are both intellectual and emotional.

While saying that the Nigerian media had played significant roles in promoting national unity and sustainable development, he stressed the need for adequate funding of media houses in the country as well as training and retraining of media personnel.

Earlier in his welcome address, the General Manager of Radio Nigeria, Charity FM, Mr. Ben Odiete, said that the topic of the media lecture was carefully selected to stimulate societal growth and development.

Copyright © Blank NEWS Online.
All rights reserved. Permission to reproduce, publish, broadcast, rewrite or redistribute in whole or in part is only granted subject to appropriate credit being given to Blank NEWS Online as the source.

***Read Blank NEWS Online for regular news updates…Also like us on Facebook & follow us on Twitter @blanknewsonlin1

Advertise in Blank NEWS Online. 
Visit Us @:
www.blanknewsonline.wordpress.com 
Email: blanknewsonline@ymail.com 
Phone: +234 8037 644 337 
Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) – 
E.I.C: Albert Eruorhe Ograka

Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –: 

The erudite 72-year-old human rights lawyer cruised to victory winning 53.8 percent of the votes, according to the country’s election agency.

“I will not let you down. I will do all in my power to live up to your hopes and expectations,” Akufo-Addo said to an ecstatic crowd at his house in the country’s capital of Accra.

“I will do my best to serve your interests and put our country back on the path of progress and prosperity.”

Incumbent John Mahama conceded defeat in the evening two days after a hotly contested race that was seen as a test of the country’s democracy in a region plagued by dictators and coups.

Mahama called to congratulate opposition leader Akufo-Addo, whose New Patriotic Party (NPP) supporters had been gathering for hours outside his house after local media gave him a clear lead following the Wednesday vote.

“Yes he has conceded defeat,” George Lawson of Mahama’s New Democratic Congress (NDC) party said.

Akufo-Addo had campaigned on a platform promising to boost growth and deliver jobs.

“The president of Ghana is president for every single Ghanaian,” Akufo-Addo said, as fireworks popped overhead and thousands of people cheered in the streets outside his house.

GAMBIA’S JAMMEH U-TURNS, SAYS HE REJECTS ELECTION RESULTS

Seated in front of microphones and between two flags, President Yahya Jammeh rattled off accusations of voter irregularities, from transposed numbers in tabulations to missing numbers that he said left in question the results of the election that handed the presidency to Adama Barrow.

“I hereby reject the results in totality,” said Mr. Jammeh, who has been in office for 22 years. “I will not accept the results.”

Mr. Jammeh, who first came to power during a coup, said he wanted “fresh and transparent elections, which will be officiated by a God-fearing and independent electoral commission.”

Copyright © Blank NEWS Online.
All rights reserved. Permission to reproduce, publish, broadcast, rewrite or redistribute in whole or in part is only granted subject to appropriate credit being given to Blank NEWS Online as the source.

***Read Blank NEWS Online for regular news updates…Also like us on Facebook & follow us on Twitter @blanknewsonlin1

Advertise in Blank NEWS Online. 
Visit Us @:
www.blanknewsonline.wordpress.com 
Email: blanknewsonline@ymail.com 
Phone: +234 8037 644 337 
Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) – 
E.I.C: Albert Eruorhe Ograka

Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –By Albert OGRAKA: 

Bashorun OGIEH, stated this shortly after the Managing Director of the Commission, Olorogun Williams Makinde, commissioned some projects executed in Abalagada, in Ndokwa East Local Government Area, on Thursday, 8, 2016 by DESOPADEC.

The Executive Director (Finance and Administration), disclosed that DESOPADEC under the government of Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa and the Managing Director of the Commission, Olorogun Williams Makinde, is determined to execute people oriented projects in communities within the mandate areas of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission and also create an enabling environment for investors.

According to him, “This team in DESOPADEC have exhibited a high level of transparency and prudency in the management of its resources to bring sucour to the people of Delta state within our mandate areas. You can see the huge number of projects being executed by the state government through DESOPADEC. The standard of these projects speak for themselves and the people who are the immediate beneficiaries are happy because they are given exactly what they want. ”

Bashorun Ogieh said this feat has further restored the peoples’ confidence on government and its policies, adding that despite the dwindling revenue accruing to the state, the state government under Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has remained resolute in delivering on its electoral promises to Deltans.

While soliciting the cooperation of all Deltans, especially the oil bearing communities, Bashorun Ogieh said that the government of Senator Ifeanyi Okowa and entire members of the Olorogun Williams Makinde led DESOPADEC Management Board were keen on transforming the nooks and cranies of Delta state to become a major economic hub of Nigeria.

The projects commissioned by the Managing Director of the Commission, Olorogun Williams Makinde, include a modern Civic Centre with 8,000 sitting capacity;
twin 3 classroom (6 classroom block) with toilet facility at Abalagada Secondary School, Abalagada; a staff quarter; water project and 6 bedroom bungalow (Low cost housing scheme) constructed and commissioned by DESOPADEC.

***Read Blank NEWS Online for regular news updates…Also like us on Facebook & follow us on Twitter @blanknewsonlin1

Advertise in Blank NEWS Online. 
Visit Us @:
www.blanknewsonline.wordpress.com 
Email: blanknewsonline@ymail.com 
Phone: +234 8037 644 337 
Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) – 
E.I.C: Albert Eruorhe Ograka

Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –By Our Crime Reporter: 

Residents of Obiaruku, headquaters of Ukwani Local Government Area of Delta state, were again subjected to untold harrassment as two rival cult groups clash in a supremacy conflict.

Blank NEWS Online reporter gathered that the incidence which took place on Sunday 27th and Monday 28th of November, 2016, saw many innocent people beaten and dispossesed of their money and valuables like GSM handsets, wrist watches and other valuables along the streets, especially around Ogbeaka area of the community.

Blank NEWS Online was reliably informed that trouble started when a member of one of the cult groups decided to defect to another cult which is contrary to the laws of his initial cult, thereby setting off a supremacy duel between the rival cults.

As usual, the police was unable to arrest the pandamonium that ensued for two days, only to arrest a few of the cult members after the two days incidence, after the major culprits had escaped into the bush and neighbouring villages.

In recent times, Obiaruku has become a major hot spot of cult activities and related criminal and anti~social acts in Delta state. Almost at quarterly intervals the entire community is put on the precipice by warring cult gangs, often killing each others in attempts to assert their supremacy in the community.

Equally, stakeholders including the state Police Command, community leaders and vigilante groups have held series of peace and security conferences in a collective bid to find a lasting solution to the challenge to no avail.

With this year’s Christmas coming close, residents of the community now sleep wait one eye closed as the teenage cultists have developed penchant to unleash violence on innocent people witout notice.

Copyright © Blank NEWS Online.
All rights reserved. Permission to reproduce, publish, broadcast, rewrite or redistribute in whole or in part is only granted subject to appropriate credit being given to Blank NEWS Online as the source.

***Read Blank NEWS Online for regular news updates…Also like us on Facebook & follow us on Twitter @blanknewsonlin1

Advertise in Blank NEWS Online. 
Visit Us @:
www.blanknewsonline.wordpress.com 
Email: blanknewsonline@ymail.com 
Phone: +234 8037 644 337 
Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) – 
E.I.C: Albert Eruorhe Ograka

Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –: 

The Delta State  Commissioner for Information, Mr. Patrick Ukah, has revealed that out of the N237 million approved for the ministry in the 2016 budget, the ministry was only able to access N147 million and was able to achieve 62 percent performance.

Mr. Ukah made this disclosure during the budget defense of his ministry before the Delta State House of Assembly Committee on Information in Asaba recently.

He said that the ministry have been able to ensure that the Delta Broadcasting Service (DBS), Asaba, is back on air,  adding that the state radio station is functioning well, while 2017 focus will be on the full digitalization of all government broadcast media.

The General Manager of the Delta State Printing and Publishing Company Limited, publishers of the Pointer Newspapers, Mr. Bosah Iwobi, revealed that the company was able to access only N3.9 million out of the N6 million in the 2016 approved budget, adding that with a projected revenue of N60 million from advertisements and sales, only N18 million was realized.

Mr. Iwobi, however, stated that the company has a forecast benchmark of N70 million from advertisements and sales for the 2017 financial year.

In his presentation, the General Manager of Delta Broadcasting Service, Warri, Mr. Tunde Omonode, revealed that the station was able to access N1.5 million out of the N6 million in the 2016 approved budget resulting in low performance of the station.

The General Manager of Delta Broadcasting Service, Asaba, Mrs. Evelyn Benitie, on her part, revealed that the station was able to generate N50.082 million in the 2016 financial year.

The Committee Chairman, Hon. Tim Owhefere, who spoke alongside Hon. Emeka Elekeokwuri and Hon. Pat Ajudua, who are members of the committee, stressed the need for ministries to harmonize their budget proposals to ease implementation by the government.

Copyright © Blank NEWS Online.
All rights reserved. Permission to reproduce, publish, broadcast, rewrite or redistribute in whole or in part is only granted subject to appropriate credit being given to Blank NEWS Online as the source.

***Read Blank NEWS Online for regular news updates…Also like us on Facebook & follow us on Twitter @blanknewsonlin1

Advertise in Blank NEWS Online.
Visit Us @:
www.blanknewsonline.wordpress.com
Email: blanknewsonline@ymail.com
Phone: +234 8037 644 337
Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) – 
E.I.C: Albert Eruorhe Ograka