Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) By Albert OGRAKA– Delta Commissioner for Information, Mr. Patrick Ukah addressing the press on the development
The Delta state government has adduced reasons for the delay in payment of January 2016 workers salaries in the state to an alleged attempt to defraud the state government of about N7billion.
The disclosure was made at a Press Briefing by the state Commissioner of Finance, Olorogun David Edevbie on Tuesday, February 09, 2016 at Government House, Asaba.
According to a press statement read by the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Patrick Ukah and made available to Blank NEWS Online, some persons involved in the alleged fraud have been arrested and quzzed by security agents.
“The State policy with regards to the payment of worker’s salaries is to ensure that its general workforce are paid on or before the end of the month.
“However, in the case of January 2016, where salaries were paid between 8th and 9th of February 2016, it has become necessary to brief the press and the general public on the reason for this delay.
“First, it is important to mention that the payment of salaries monthly is based on the receipt of funds from the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting which hold monthly . For the month of January FAAC was held from 25th to 26th January 2016.
“After FAAC meeting, the funds are released to the States based on the distribution approved at the FAAC meeting. FAAC funds were received in the State Account on Monday 1st February 2016.
“Transfers were immediately carried out on the same day to the State Account for payment of salaries to workers in the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies, Delta State University, Polytechnics as well as pensions.
“While the payment of pension and Salaries of staff of DELSU was paid as scheduled, that of the MDA(s) as well as the Polytechnic staff was delayed due to an alert received on Wednesday evening 3rd February 2016 of attempts to defraud the State through the payment of salaries.
“The Permanent Secretary / Accountant –General on receiving the threat immediately informed His Excellency , the Governor who directed that the Security Agencies in the state as well as the bank should be informed immediately . He also directed the Permanent Secretary / Accountant – General to put in place additional control measures to forestall future attempts on the Account.
“It is very important here to mention that the Security Agencies have made arrests and measures have been put in place to strengthen the controls in the payment of salaries.
While it is necessary to sympathize with workers in the state for the delay, it is also important to commend your co-operation.
“I would like here to emphasize that this administration has a zero tolerance for fraud and assure all who have such intent to desist from such.
Meanwhile, five persons are currently cooling their heels at the detention cells of the Delta State Police Command headquarters, Asaba, the state capital, following attempt to defraud the state government of about N7billion.
It was learnt that the suspects, a syndicate group, were at the verge of withdrawing about N7billion from the state treasury when they met their waterloo.
The suspects are currently telling the police detectives all they know about the plot to fleece the Delta State government of such large sums of money , their various role , and those who are involved in the crime.
Confirming the development, the state police commissioner, Usman Baba Alkhali said, “I may not be able to disclosed to you the number of arrest we have made , or our level of investigation on the matter as revealing such information might jeopardize our efforts, but all I can tell you is that we have made some arrest and we are getting to the root of the matter”.
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Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) – Gov. Okowa
The Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Monday Igbuya on Tuesday reacted to the alleged abduction and killing of the traditional ruler of Ubulu-Uku, Obi Akaeze Ofulue III by Fulani herdsmen, saying the Delta State Government will take “appropriate action”
Igbuya who spoke in Asaba not only condemned the murder of the monarch but said “the government is committed to protecting the people”.
“This highly provocative act poses a great threat to peace and security. Deltans and non Deltans must choose a better path” he said.
Protesters under the auspices of Anioma Security Watch Network (ASWN) stormed the Delta State House of Assembly to vent their displeasure over the murder of the monarch and the activities of Fulani herdsmen in the state.
They urged the Delta State Government to provide a permanent place for the Fulani herdsmen.
Addressing the protesters, the speaker urged them to shun violence.
“I understand the issues but you must shun violence. I’ll continue to encourage and support all efforts to prevent crisis in the state” he said.
Igbuya promised to present the issue of the Fulani herdsmen and other grievances to Governor Okowa.
In another development, the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Monday Igbuya Tuesday afternoon described Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa as God sent.
“Governor Ifeanyi Okowa is here to develop Delta State” Igbuya was quoted as saying.
Receiving delegates of the First Didactic Young Star Summit, Igbuya praised Okowa for mapping programmes aimed at making the people independent and prosperous.
He appealed to the people to support the administration of Governor Okowa.
“Yesterday, we depended on oil, today; there is the need to look beyond oil. Please encourage your parents to pay taxes. We need the money to look after you. We need the money to develop the state” he added.
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Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) – from right; Chairman Governing Council, School of Health Technology, Ofuoma-Ughelli, Dr. Nelson Ejakpovi; Chief Nursing Offices Owa-Alero Mrs. Anyahaebi Josephine; Mr. Sunny Tatauzugu and Councilor Ward 2a Owa-Alero, Hon. Moris Nwadibie, during an Inspection at the Primary Health Care, Owa-Alero Delta State.
THE Chairman, School of Health Technology, Ofuoma-Ughelli, Delta State Dr (Pharm.) Nelson Ejakpovi has decried the deplorable state of primary health centres in the country.
Dr. Ejakpovi accompanied by members of the Governing Council, Mr. Sunny Tatauzugu and others, while inspecting the Primary Health Centre at Owa-Alero, Ika South local government area of Delta State, kicked against the neglect of such centres.
He observed that the Primary Health Centre at Owa-Alero “has been abandoned despite the huge benefits the community was supposed to get from it and this is the situation in most of the health centres across the country.” Delivering Room
“Primary healthcare centers are very vital to the healthcare delivery system, we cannot afford to toy with them because, there are some level of healthcare services that requires that the first point of call should be the health centers,” Dr Ejakpovi said, adding, “even in developed countries you have health centers that are close to the people, but, we don’t have that consciousness, we need to build it and encourage people to use the health centres
He disclosed that efforts would be made for the state government to acquire the Primary Healthcare Centre at Owa-Alero for it to serve as one of the practical training centres for the School of Health Technology, Ofuoma-Ughelli.
According to him, “in a nutshell, the place is abandoned, nothing is working, a community like this need a very functional health centre,” adding, “primary health centers are run by the local government councils but, the School of Health Technology is interested because, we train people who are supposed to be masters of primary health care delivery, community healthcare delivery, and it is part of our curriculum to get this people to go the rural areas, stay with the people, observe and see the challenges in the rural areas; it is part of their training so that when they graduate, they become officers of their different disciplines in terms of community representations.”
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Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) – Okowa (middle) proving his point.
Delta State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has dispelled claims of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB to the effect that Anioma Nation in Delta State belongs to Biafra Republic.
Governor Okowa stated that the Anioma ethnic nationality was never a part of the South-East region and does not subscribe to the renewed agitation by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.
The Governor stated this during an interactive session with newsmen at the Government House Press Centre Asaba.
“Biafra agitation, we have criticized it. Anioma land as it is said, from here, was part of Bendel State, it was part of the Midwest Region.
“We were never part of the South East and obviously we cannot be said to be part of them. We may speak the same language but we were never part of the South East. We were part of the old Midwest, we were part of Bendel, we are now Delta State and we are Deltans.” he said
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Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) – From left; Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa; Commissioner for Information, Mr. Patrick Ukah and NUJ State chairman, Comrade Norbert Chiazor, during the Governor’s Interactive Section with Journalist, in Asaba
DELTA State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has ordered the immediate release of funds for the ongoing building of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta state council Secretariat.
Okowa, who gave the directive during an interactive session with Journalists on Wedneday assured that his administration was open to all practising Journalists in the state for effective delivery, urging them to verify their facts before publishing.
While expresing disappointment at the delay in the release of funds to the Delta state council of the NUJ for the project, the governor said that the state government had vowed to ensure the successful completion of the NUJ Secretariat.
The interactive session which was the first the Governor was having with the media, took place in Asaba and lasted for more than two hours with journalists asking questions on different issues, including national issues after Governor Okowa took time to enumerate activities of his administration since he assumed office on May 29, 2015.
According to the Governor, “I cannot do without the press, through the press, our people would be informed and educated about our activities; Journalists are free to reach me directly, through the Commissioner for Information or the Chief Press Secretary because, we are running a transparent government based on trust.”
On allegation that some of his Commissioners were not press-friendly, the Governor reiterated, “that cannot be; we are all public servants and as politicians too, they are all willing and ready to talk with the press but, it is important that when you reach them on the phone, properly identify yourself and the medium you are working for because, these days people are conscious of so many things.”
He described journalists as partners in progress in achieving the S.M.A.R.T. agenda of his administration, assuring that he will remain transparent and accountable to the people.
The Governor also, debunked claims that his administration was working to phase out Keke (tricycle) operations in the state, noting that due to security reasons, restrictions have been imposed on the use of the Keke as means of transportation in certain towns and cities in the state within specified period of the night.
“We don’t have plans to phase out Keke, ours is to concentrate on the construction of roads; Keke is still quite useful, but, the only thing that we are saying is that in some localities, we restrict their movements at nights because, we have discovered that they were being used for nefarious activities,” he elaborated.
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Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) – Dame Edith Okowa (2nd left)
The First Lady of Delta State and founder of 05-Initiative, Dame (Mrs.) Edith Okowa has encouraged Nigerian women to be positive in their thoughts and actions to endear prosperity and goodwill to trhe society.
Dame Okowa stated this during the 9th edition of the Delta Mothers’ Day Of Prayer, tagged “Mothers Arise: Let your voice be heard”, on Tuesday, February 02, 2016 at the Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba.
She described women as ambassadors of the Lord who are endowed with the good news of life, transformation and abundant blessings which must be transfered to the children, as future leaders.
The prayer session was attended by hundreds of women from within and outside Delta state and witnessed the rendition of hymns, songs of praise to God and worship, the Governor’s wife and host of the event told women to be fervent in prayers and seek God’s wisdom in their efforts to bring up their children in the ways of the Lord.
Earlier, Mrs Ngozi Nwama, who prayed that God helps Dame Edith Okowa to continue to nurture the programme to the glory of God, said the Delta Mothers’ Day Of Prayer, which started in 2007 is an annual programme of women coming together to nurture Delta state spiritually.
While quoting Ezekiel 22:30, she said there was the need to pray for Delta state and Nigeria, adding that being in harmony with God’s words is a mark of preservation which will usher in deliverance, healing for the sick and salvation of souls.
Speaking on Exaltation, Barr. (Mrs) Christiana Samson espoused on “The power of spoken words” with Bible reference on Numbers 14:38, Proverbs 18:21 and Numbers 27.
While declaring that spoken words can make or mar destinies and create or destroy lives, she urged women to speak life and deliverance that will add value to their lives by being pathfinders rather than fault finders.
Prayers to prosper Delta state were cconducted by Pastor Godwin Oyenache, Pastor Chuks and Ven. Charles Osemene.
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Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) – Andy Uba
Senator Andy Uba (PDP-Anambra South) has boasted that the January 29 judgment of the Supreme Court in respect of the political situation in Anambra State did not void his election into the Senate as being misrepresented.
This was contained in a statement he personally in Abuja on Sunday.
Uba, in the statement, urged his supporters to remain calm, law abiding and disregard the misrepresentation of the court’s ruling.
The statement said the Supreme Court ruling dealt primarily with the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state.
The statement further explained that the spirit and letter of the judgment were misrepresented as none of the National Assembly members from the state was a party to the suit, adding that their positions could not have been affected by the court ruling.
Uba said: “It should furthermore be noted that neither I, Sen. Andy Uba in particular, nor all the other members of NASS from Anambra State was ever mentioned in the body of the ruling.
“This is not my first encounter with the Supreme Court. I have a history of subjecting myself to the ruling of the Supreme Court, however unpalatable they may be to my person.
“Nigerians will recall that in 2007 when the Supreme Court, in it’s wisdom, ruled against me as the then governor of Anambra State, that as a law abiding citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and in spite of personal consequences to my person and the people of Anambra State, I vacated office as ordered.
“I, therefore, having been so advised by my lawyers and having gone through the contents of the ruling of the judgment, understand it to what the Supreme Court intended unequivocally to be a suit determining the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party in Anambra State and no other matter.
“I will, therefore, enjoin my supporters, the people of my constituency and all well-meaning Nigerians to disregard previous misrepresentation of the informed ruling of the revered Justices of the Supreme Court.”
It would be recalled that Senator Stella Oduah had also in a statement on Friday in Abuja described as “a misinterpretation” media reports, which quoted a Supreme Court judgment to have sacked her and other federal lawmakers from Anambra State.
In a statement Cynthia Ferdinand, Oduah said the report in the media was misleading as the apex court did not order the withdrawal of her certificate of return.
Meanwhile, the media said the apex court had ordered the replacement of Oduah and other federal lawmakers from the state, adding that their nomination to contest in the 2015 election was wrong.
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Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) – President Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari has said that the African Union’s (AU) vision to silence the guns and reduce preventable conflict-related deaths in the continent by 2020 must be achieved “now’’.
This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja by Mr Femi Adesina, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Buhari.
The statement said that the president was speaking at the 26th AU summit in Addis Ababa on Sunday.
President Buhari decried the use of scarce resources in Africa on armed conflicts rather than economic and social development of the continent.
The President challenged fellow African leaders to engage decisively with the people and government of South Sudan and Burundi to bring the conflicts they faced to a speedy end.
He added that African leaders must also forge a united front to rid the continent of the scourge of terrorism and face together with determination the noble goals of Agenda 2063, as espoused by the AU.
“We have all shed blood for Africa to be free, but the irony is that, today, we are now killing each other.
“Rather than facing the developmental challenges confronting us, we are spending our scarce resources killing our children and inflicting unspeakable horrors and unimaginable hardship on our brothers and sisters.
“That is truly a tragedy and it must stop. Enough is enough!
“Within the framework of the African Union, we have to, as a matter of urgency, reach a consensus on how to silence the guns. Not by 2020 but now.
“Why must we wait? We must say “NO” to wars and conflicts on our continent,’’ the President maintained.
He restated Nigeria’s determination to wholly defeat terrorism and bring the war against Boko Haram to an end.
President Buhari said Nigeria would continue to partner with other member states of the Lake Chad Basin Commission, and Republic of Benin, through the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) to address the menace of Boko Haram insurgency.
He reaffirmed that Nigeria would soon fully redeem its pledge of 100million dollars to enhance the operations of the Task Force, having released the sum of 21million dollars to the task force in June 2016.
The President reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to the unity, peace and prosperity of the continent.
“We in Nigeria have always been attached to the idea of African unity.
“During the struggle to win freedom for our brothers and sisters in Angola, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, Nigeria was considered a front-line State, although we were not geographically on the frontline.
“This was because we took to heart the words of President Ben Bella of Algeria that we all had to die a little for all our brothers and sisters on the continent,’’ he said.
Courtesy (NAN)
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Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) – Dakuku Peterside
Dr Dakuku Peterside, All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Rivers in the April 2015 election, says he has accepted the Supreme Court judgment which upheld Gov. Nyesom Wike`s election.
Peterside disclosed this on Friday in a phone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
“ I thank God for giving me the opportunity to go this far.` The learned Justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria have arrived at a decision, which was a clear departure from the earlier findings of the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal and Court of Appeal.
“We accept the verdict. We magnify God for giving us the will to go thus far,“ he said.
Peterside, a former member of the House of Representatives (APC-Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency), thanked the people of the state for their support during and after the election.
According to him, the party fought for the good and interest of the state and not a selfish fight.
“ They know that we were not fighting for ourselves. We were fighting for the good and interest of all Rivers people and those who live in the state.
“ We urge all of them to take a cue from us and accept the verdict, same way we did and remain peaceful and keep trusting the Almighty God,“ he said.
Peterside said the party would work for peace and development of the state by being a vibrant opposition.
He urged the state government not to take it personal, any time the party criticises its policies and decisions.
“ Whenever he (Wike) needs our suggestions on issues, we will be readily available to offer it,“ he said.
(NAN)
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Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) – Dr. (Pharm.) Nelson Ejakpovi
Dr. (Pharm.) Nelson Ejakpovi
CHAIRMAN, Governing Council, School of Health Technology, Ofuoma (DESCOHTECH), Dr. (Pharm.) Nelson Ejakpovi has urged host communities of institutions of higher learning to be part of the development processes of such institutions.
Dr. Ejakpovi made the call Thursday, January 28, 2016 when he led members of the Governing Council and management of School of Health Technology, Ofuoma-Ughelli to pay a courtesy visit on the Ovie of Ughelli, HRM Oharisi III.
According to him, at the education summit convoked recently by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State held at Asaba, it was observed that for a progressive education sector, there must be synergy between the institution, the community and parents.
“Your Majesty, just few days ago, because of the importance our Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa attaches to the education sector, a summit was held in Asaba to look at the challenges bedeviling the education sector and proffer solutions and the importance of host communities to the development of tertiary institutions were highlighted,” he said, adding, “we are here to introduce ourselves to you and to ask for your cooperation and the cooperation of your Kingdom in the development of the School of Health Technology, Ufuoma.”
He emphasized, “we are aware that every year, the community have inputs into projects to be executed by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), as partners in the development of the institution, we will appreciate if projects are sited in the institution as community projects.”
Dr. Ejakpovi reiterated, “we need your support because, we cannot do it alone, government alone cannot do it without the support of the host community, the community can attract projects from the NDDC, DESOPADEC, the oil companies and the illustrious sons and daughters of your kingdom, because, we can assure you of our commitment to improve on what we have seen; in the next three years, we want to leave the institution proud of our achievements and to the glory of God.”
HRM Oharisi III who observed that he was having such visit for the first time, thanked Governor Okowa for appointing serious-minded persons as Chairman and members of the Governing Council of DESCOHTECH, assuring that his Kingdom would partner with government and other stakeholders for the growth of the institution.
In a related development, the Chairman, Governing Council, School of Health Technology, Ofuoma-Ughelli (DESCOHTECH), Dr. (Pharm.) Nelson Ejakpovi has said disciplined and hard work would not be compromised in running the affairs of the institution.
Addressing management and staff of the DESCOHTECH yesterday (28/01/16), Dr Ejakpovi who resumed with members of the Governing Council, Dr Chris Oharisi and Hon, Sunny Tatauzugu, said the Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa desires a disciplined workforce and there would be no compromise on such in ensuring a competitive education environment.
According to him, “this is my third coming as Chairman, Governing Council of this institution; I took my appointments as what destiny has in stock for me; you all know that I don’t compromise on discipline and hard work, that is what we are going to experience.”
He added, “what we want is a total commitment to service, we are going to encourage what is progressive and change what is not progressive, we will cooperate with you, we all will be partners in progress but, we will not tolerate any act of indiscipline.”
“We thank Ofuoma community and those who have piloted the affairs of this institution, we pray for peace in the community because, if the community is peaceful, we will all live in peace,” he reiterated.
Earlier in a welcome address, the Provost of the institution, Dr. (Mrs) Agnes Olojoba congratulated Governor Okowa for the appointment, disclosing that “the school train Middle Health Care Manpower under the Primary Health Care Sector of the economy.”
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Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –
Most state governments in Nigeria run an opaque budget system opening rooms for deep seated corruption and non delivery of good governance , a report of several weeks of study has revealed.
The report by the Civil Resource Development and Documentation Centre (CIRDDOC) scored most state governments as low as 26 out of hundred on budget transparency while procurement information is around 30 over 100.
The report sheds new light on the question of value for money, the critical importance of state governments in the delivery of good governance and the excessive focus on the central government when issue of corruption is under debate.
Its findings are based on a sub-national survey measuring budget transparency, participation, and the availability of public procurement information in all 36 Nigerian states.
As with national budget transparency, the survey found large gaps in the amount of state-level budget information being made available: the average state budget transparency score was just 26 out 100 (the average score for participation was also 26; while the provision of procurement information was 30).
Beyond averages, however, the survey uncovered considerable variation from state to state. Two states (Ekiti and Cross River) score much higher than the rest across all three measures.
Lagos, the country’s commercial capital, comes a distant third. Six states (Kaduna, Edo, Kwara, Katsina, and Oyo) languish at the bottom of the composite index, performing poorly across all three measures.
Budget transparency was assessed based on whether states produce and publish seven key budget documents. Unlike the Open Budget Survey, which only scores budgets documents that are published in a timely manner, states were given points for producing the document, scoring higher if the document was actually published.
The report found most documents were produced by at least half the states, but far fewer were available to the public. Just one state (Cross River) was found to have published a Citizens Budget.
The report explores whether income level, legislative environment, or degree of oil dependence explain differing scores.
Interestingly, none of these factors seem to account for the wide variation in scores. Wealthier states don’t seem to be more transparent or participatory, all states are relatively dependent on oil for revenue, and states with legal provisions on budget transparency in place seem to be failing to implement the letter of the law.
Political will, the report concludes, seems to be the decisive factor at play: progress has been largely driven by individual state governments prioritizing reforms and ensuring their implementation.
While the report noted that a new government led by President Muhammadu Buhari provides a platform of cleaning up the government, the report said ” beefing up oversight from within government will only drive progress so far.
” Civil society and the media should be recognized as important allies in the drive for greater efficiency and accountability.
“As the results of both the Open Budget Survey and the Nigerian States Budget Transparency Survey show, the ability for CSOs and the media to hold the government to account is severely constrained by a lack of budget information and a lack of space to participate in budget decisions.
” Beyond establishing new units in the finance ministry, the Buhari government should be encouraging scrutiny by CSOs and journalists by the public publishing the information needed to point out poor budgeting and inefficient practices.
“While the political will and mandate for change seems exists, the question remains: will the government drive change by opening up or by tightening its grip?”,the report asked.
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Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) By Albert OGRAKA– Akpabio
The Minority Leader of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has denied news of an alleged foiled attempt by him to withdraw $7.2 billion from his foreign accounts in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates
In a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Anietie Ekong, Friday in Abuja,the senator said he did not own any foreign account.
“The attention of the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio has been drawn to a report circulated in the internet linking him with ownership of houses/mansions in Dubai.
“We state categorically that Senator Akpabio does not own any foreign account in any part of the world.
“If such account is found, the Federal Government of Nigeria should seize the money and investigate the origin of such account, and prosecute the owner.
“In addition, he does not own any property in Dubai or in any foreign country.
“Akpabio served his people diligently for eight years as the governor and the transformation of the State within this period, which has gained world acclaim, is there for all to see.”
The statement said two foreign groups, Wikileaks and The Global Peace Movement Group, UK, had in 2010 cleared Akpabio of having any foreign account, while he was governor.
It accused the opposition in Akwa Ibom State of masterminding the reports of quest to withdraw money from his foreign account.
I“That some people out of political mischief should publish a purported attempt by the senator to withdraw through a CBN source a phantom sum of 7.2 billion dollars is ridiculous.
“It is the height of character assassination. We challenge these purveyors of falsehood to publish the full details of the purported $7.2 billion account.
“We urge the Federal Government of Nigeria to seize such sum and prosecute the owner if it does exist.”
Courtesy: NAN
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Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) By Albert OGRAKA– Nnamdi Kanu
Leader of the Independent People of Biafra and Director if Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has been refused bail by a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.
Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi charged along with Kanu were also denied bail.
Delivering ruling, Justice John Tsoho held that the applicants failed to meet up with the requirements to be admitted on bail.
“The application is hereby refused and the applicants are ordered to be remanded in Kuje prison pending the determination of the case,” Tsoho held.
Specifically, the judge held that the bail was refused because of the nature of the alleged crime against the accused persons – treasonable felony, conspiracy and possession of unlawful firearm.
Tsoho said if granted bail, there was higher propensity for the applicants to continue with the agitation for the actualisation of the State of Biafra.
He held: “The contention between the prosecution and the defendants hinges on the un-disclaimed readiness of Kanu and his group to continue with their agitation and the mandate of the Federal Government to maintain law and order.
“The court is, therefore, inclined to believing that the applicants are prepared to stir unrest as submitted by the prosecution.
“The first applicant (Kanu) is said to have a dual citizenship, being a citizen of Nigeria and Britain.
“This dual status widens probability to escape from justice.”
Tsoho further said that in line with the provisions of Sections 162 and 168 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, applicant for bail shall fulfill some criteria.
He added: “These criteria include, but not limited to: the nature of charge, security of listed witnesses, pending criminal record of applicant, probability of applicant of not surrendering himself for trial and punishment allotted to crime committed.
“From the addresses before me, it is clear that the applicants have failed to dispel the fears raised by the prosecution team.
“The prosecution has urged the court to take judicial notice of the veracity of the charge and the life punishment the treason allegation attracts.”
The Judge also held that it was wrong for the defendant’s counsel to insinuate that the ACJA makes granting of bail mandatory.
The Judge adjourned till February 9, 10, 11 and 12 for definite trial.
Speaking to newsmen after the session, Chief Chucks Muoma (SAN), counsel to the applicants, said the decision would be appealed.
The Court’s insistence that Kanu must remain in prison pending his trial for alleged treason, has however resulted in lamentation among frontliners of the Biafra secession plan from the Nigerian state.
Bail granted him twice by the Courts were refused as fresh charges were brought against him. He was earlier charged for acts of terrorism.
He has been in detention since his arrest in October 2015 by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Lagos, shortly after he arrived Nigeria from the United Kingdom.
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While the dust on the sack of Senator Uche Ekwunife by the Court of Appeal is yet to settle down, Nigeria’s apex judicial body, the Supreme Court has sacked Stella Oduah and Andy Uba, the two remaining senators in the National Assembly from Anambra State.
The Supreme Court sitting in Abuja, on Friday, sacked the senators and members of the House of Representatives from Anambra State. The senators, including Ekwunife, emerged on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Chris Uba, younger brother to Andy Uba, and Prince Emeka are expected to take over seats vacated by Andy Uba and Stella Oduah respectively, while former Senator Annie Okonkwo is in line to represent the PDP in a forthcoming election to fill a senatorial seat held by Uche Ekwunife who was sacked last December by the Court of Appeal.
Friday’s ruling by the Supreme Court upheld an earlier decision by Justice Chukwu of the Federal High Court laying out the proper procedures for selection of the PDP’s legislative candidates.
In December 2014, the Federal High Court had ruled that it was only the constitutionally recognized state party leadership led by Ejike Oguebego that could organize the party primaries.
The Supreme Court’s ruling reaffirmed the High Court’s verdict, declaring that the Ejike Oguebego-led PDP executive had the sole right to hold the primaries in Anambra State.
Oduah was a former Minister of Aviation, while Ubah was a former Special Adviser to former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Domestic Affairs.
It could be recaled that Chris Uba had dragged INEC and PDP to the Supreme Court over a concocted list of nominated candidates for the 2015 general elections in Anambra state for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Chief Ejike Oguebego as party chairman.
The apex court was to determine who were the legal and validly nominated candidates of the party to stand for the general elections for the party in the state.
They had held party primaries where Uba, Sen Annie Okonkwo and Prince John Emeka emerged the Anambra South, Central and North respectively. While Charles Odedo(Idemili), Julius Ofoma(Nnewi), Tony Offiah(Aguata) and others emerged candidates for the House of Representatives.
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Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) By Albert OGRAKA– Wike
A Seven member Panel of Supreme Court Justices headed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria Justice Mahmud Mohammed has upheld the election of Nyesom Wike as the governor of Rivers State.
In a unanimous Judgement delivered on Wednesday in Abuja,the Supreme Court frowned at the Decision of the Justice Suleiman Ambursa led three member panel of Justices and that of Justice Dougban Mensem led five-member Appeal Court Justice which nullified the April 11 governorship election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission in Rivers State on grounds of Card Reader and failure to follow the Guidlines stipulated by INEC.
The court ruled that Card Reader cannot invalidate an election because the accreditation of voters by INEC in Rivers State during the APRIL 11th governorship election was legally done by using both the Card Reader and Manual accreditation process via the voter register.
One of the Justices asked Chief Akin Olujinmi SAN whether the guideline by INEC is bigger than the electoral Act,that question was not answered by Counsel to the Governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress in Rivers State.
The Supreme declared that Barr Nyesom Wike was validly elected as the governor of Rivers state.
Okowa Congratulates Wike, Umahi on Supreme Court Victory
Meanwhile, Delta State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has congratulated Governors Nyesom Wike and Dave Umahi of Rivers and Ebonyi States on the affirmation of their electoral victory by the Supreme Court yesterday.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Charles Ehiedu Aniagwu, Governor Okowa, said that by this judgment, the Supreme Court, lifted a burden off the shoulders of well meaning people of Rivers and Ebonyi State and tasked both Governor Wike and Umahi to reciprocate the gesture by running an inclusive government.
“Rivers State, her friends and neighbours waited with baited breath for this favourable judgment. Your ‘long walk’ to victory must not be taken for granted. You must reward the state with open, transparent and purposeful leadership. Rivers people can’t settle for less” Governor Okowa noted.
Governor Okowa also called on the candidate of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Dakuku Peterside, to demonstrate maturity by appealing to his supporters to take the judgment in good faith. This, the Governor said, would provide even ground that would accelerate development in the state.
” This judgment brings to an end all contests for the office of Governor of Rivers State and governance can’t be pigeon-holed if it has to address the good of the people” he said.
The judgement of the apex court on the cases of Governors Wike and Umahi is a victory for our democracy and a reaffirmation of the divine mandate freely given to them by the people of both states and commended the Apex court for ensuring the sanctity of the people’s mandate.
” The ruling of the Supreme Court will go a long way in restoring the hope and confidence of the Nigerian people on the sanctity of the judiciary”.
Okowa who sited the broad- mindedness of Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti state, as demonstrated by Fayose’s recent visit to Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun state and called on politicians; particularly those of Niger Delta extraction to emulate such principle and begin to align forces for the progress of the region, irrespective of political affiliation.
“We should all learn to be good winners and good losers” Governor Okowa said, and called on residents of the state to refuse to be drawn into bitter confrontation with one another on account of pecuniary interest of any politician.
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Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) By Albert OGRAKA– Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier-General Johnson Olawumi
The end to the continued rejection of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) graduands from participating in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is not near, as the Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier-General Johnson Olawumi, has disclosed that the National Universities Commission (NUC) is yet to act on the request made by NOUN.
Brigadier-General Olawumi, who disclosed this during the flag-off of the 2016 NYSC Annual Management Conference at Asaba, Delta State, on Wednesday, January 27, 2016 said the NYSC cannot admit NOUN graduands into the national service except with the express approval of the NUC.
He noted that the NYSC management has no jurisdictional competence in matters of who to mobilize or exclude from the scheme as that was purely the responsibility of the Federal Government and relevant agencies like the National Universities Commission (NUC).
He further revealed that the National Youth Service Corps is yet to receive a response from the National Universities Commission on the request of the National Open University of Nigeriia.
Meanwhile, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Scheme has introduced a new measure to strengthen the machinery for ensuring the safety of all corps-members serving in any part of the country with the introduction of electronic devices which enables the NYSC to receive alert from any corps-member in distress situation.
In this regard, special toll-free numbers or codes have been issued to corps-members to enable them live and work safely anywhere in the country with the confidence that help would speedily come to them when in distress.
Olawumi also disclosed that appropriate response was still being awaited on a proposal he sent to Federal Government to allow for mobilization of graduates for the mandatory national service to be quarterly in order to accommodate the greatly increased current number of corps-members.
The director-general noted that with the current figure of “close to 250,000 graduates mobilized annually, which might hit the 300,000 mark in no distant future”, up from 2,364 when the scheme began in 1973, the present intake of graduates three times a year was no longer realistic.
Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, who declared conference open, sued for concerted effort among the stakeholders to help the scheme overcome its operational challenges against the backdrop of the large number of graduates the scheme now caters for as well as other external factors militating against it.
Okowa, who was represented by the secretary to the state government (SSG), Mr Festus Ovie Agas, noted that the challenges that corps-members had faced in recent time, especially in the light of the current security situation in the northeastern parts of the country, could not be over-stressed.
The governor described the NYSC scheme as “success story” in the country in its over 40 years of existence, saying the orientation of the corps-members should now be slanted towards self-employment while the respective governments create the enabling environment.
“I believe the NYSC has been a success story in this nation despite the challenges that we have. It is one scheme that has brought unity, enabled our youths to be exposed to various states in the nation and has served as a stabilizing tool for our nation”, Okowa noted,
Earlier, during a courtesy call by the NYSC Director-General, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa advocated for a system that would encourage young graduates to “acquire skills while they are in camp to enable them to be engaged in agriculture and other self-sustaining skills.”
In his introductory address, the Director, a planning, Research and Statistics, Mr Akinolu Trmitope Ajayi, gave insight into the objective and design of the conference.
Ajayi said, “The theme of the conference, “Strengthening the operational strategies of the NYSC Scheme for Effective Youth Management”, is very profound an cannot come at a better time most especially in view of the fact that the operations of the Scheme are affected by the political, socio-economic and other dynamics of the society. It is, therefore, intended to generate ideas and formulate strategies with the aim of enhancing productivity and service e delivery for the effective of our youth.”
Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr Baba Usman Alkali, Commander of 61 Airforce Detachment Warri, Air Commander A.D. Dudusola Hcief Judge of Delta State, Justice Marshal Umukoro and Professor Temi Akpohonor of Delta State University Abraka were among the special guests who attended the opening ceremony at the Grand Hotel Asaba.
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Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) By Albert OGRAKA– Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (left) and Prof. Pai Obanyan
Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, has said low oil prices in the global market and attendant decreased revenue also pose a threat to Nigeria’s education sector, stating that the recent economic downturn necessitated the education summit hosted by the Delta state government, aimed at enabling and re-engineering the education system in the state.
Okowa said this during the Delta State Education Summit 2016 at the Events Centre, Asaba, on Tuesday. The theme of two-day the summit is “Leapfrogging Education in Delta State”.
“It does appear we have reached a crossroad in the education sector. The sector is currently being plagued by funding gaps necessitated by the demands placed on systems struggling to cope with increased enrollment, decaying infrastructure, obsolete curriculum, out-dated teaching methods, and generally falling standards in the quality of education.
“In an increasingly competitive global economy where the most valuable skill you can sell is knowledge, a good education is no longer an option; it is necessary. Hence, a cardinal policy objective of our S.M.A.R.T. agenda is the pursuit and implementation of educational policies/reforms with the overall purpose of tuning out products that will be able to complete and excel in the 21st Century.
The governor, who stressed the need to place greater emphasis on the training and support of teachers, also noted that the huge challenges in funding of the education sector now requires that parents and communities should be more involved in funding education. “This administration has already made provision in the 2016 approved budget for the establishment of a Teachers Professional Development Centre for regular in-service training.”
“Since the adoption of the Education for All (EFA) and Millennium Development Goals in 2000, Delta State has made remarkable strides in the implementation of the concept of universal participation in education. There are currently 1,113 public primary schools with total enrollment of 370, 611 while the number of secondary schools, inclusive of six functional technical colleges, stands at 446 with a corresponding enrollment figure of 262 242 students. At the tertiary level, there are three polytechnics and colleges of education each and a university owned by the state government.
“As the demand for education continues to rise, we have also witnessed rapid growth in the number of of privately-owned schools. Currently, the number stands at 2,306 comprising 1,548 nursery and primary schools and 758 secondary schools. The exponential rise in the number of private schools means the state government has to regularly strengthen its oversight and monitoring functions to ensure compliance with the extant laws and regulations, and enforce quality standards.
Chief Afe Babalola, legal luminary and President of Afe Babalola University, while presenting an opening address, attributed to the series of military intervention in the politics of the country as disruption to the stabilization of the education sector in Nigeria.
The destabilization of Nigeria’s educational system has been attributed to the series of military intervention in the politics of the country because it disrupted the established and progressing education sector then existing in Nigeria.
Babalola, who was represented by a member of the governing council of Afe Babalola University, Prof Israel Olatunji Olobunloye, noted that the disruption of the educational system by military governments created the problem of poor management of schools, poor remuneration, strikes, dilapidated infrastructure as well as poor hostels, water, electricity, equipment of school libraries and laboratories.
Babalola noted that government’s unnecessary bureaucracy has negatively impacted on the country’s education sector, saying the challenges he faced as a two-time pro-chancellor of the University of Lagos prompted him to establish the Afe Babalola private university in order to help rescue declining educational standards in Nigeria.
He however expressed the need for parents, community and the government join hands in the addressing the critical challenge of funding of education in our respective states and in the country.
Prof John Okpako Enaohwo, in his presentation on “Fiscal Planning and Development in Nigerian Education: The Paradox of Autonomy and Dependence”, decried the continuous over-centralization of the education system in Nigeria.
He suggested the removal of Education from the Recurrent Expenditure in the annual budget of the Federal Government, saying this was responsible for most of the problems
He also suggested that the Joint Admission and Matriculation (JAMB) should be scrapped, because we do not need JAMB because it is an impediment to students desirous of learning or getting higher education, Enaohwo also said.
Similarly, he said that the National University Commission (NUC) should also be scrapped, saying what Nigerian universities really need are the various professional bodies like the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) doing the accreditation which the NUC has been doing even without qualified personnel.
In a keynote paper titled “Advancing Education in Delta State”, Prof Pai Obayan noted that the greatest challenge militating against the education sector in Delta State and Nigeria in general remained the “lack of access.”
He said that access to quality education goes beyond physical access to education or learning saying features like enrollment, participation, success, progress and advancement were all important elements in determining the level of people’s access to education.
Aside the enormous challenges of policy inconsistency, curriculum and funding, the lack of reliable and regular data remains the greatest issue in the education system in Nigeria, Obayan noted.
On the “problem of examination failure, ” he advised government at all levels to to jettison the current over-emphasis on many examinations and instead adopt the model of assessment of educational performance operational in Ghana and five Anglophone countries called “Monitoring of learning achievement” or MLA Model.
Earlier, the chairman of summit’s organizing committee, Prof Patrick Muoboghare explained the objective of the education summit and gave details of the programme, stressing that Governor Okowa had agreed that the discussions should be frank and inclusive of all participants.
The event was well-attended by serving and retired eminent educationists and renowned scholars as well as senior government officials, proprietors of schools, religious and traditional rulers, including the acting chairman of the state traditional council and Obi of Owa, HRM Emmanuel Onyeike Efeizomor, 99-year old Ovie of Olomu Kingdom, Ovie Richard Layeguen Ogbon Ogoni-Oghoro 1, the Ohworode of Olomu Kingdom, and the father of the state governor, Chief Arthur Okowa. ***Read Blank NEWS Online for regular news updates…Also like us on Facebook & follow us on Twitter @blanknewsonlin1
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Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) By Reuben Abati– Reuben Abati
Something sad has happened and is happening, and is getting worse in our society: the decline of public intellectualism. And so I ask, where are the public intellectuals? Once upon a time in this country, the public arena was dominated by a ferment of ideas, ideas that pushed boundaries, destroyed illusions, questioned orthodoxies and enabled societal progress. Those were the days when intellectuals exerted great influence on public policy, and their input into the governance process could not be ignored. Ideas are strong elements of nation building, and even where interests are at play, you know the quality of a country by the manner in which a taste for good thinking propels the leadership process.
Public intellectuals are at the centre of this phenomenon: they include academics who go beyond their narrow specializations and university-based scholarship to take a keen interest in public affairs and who use their expertise and exposure to shed light on a broad range of issues. They also include journalists, writers and other professionals who question society’s direction, and offer alternative ideas. The beauty of public intellectualism is that the intellectual at work is a disinterested party, he is interested in ideas not for his own benefit, but for the overall good of society, and he does not assume that his opinions are the best or that he alone understands the best way to run society and its organs. The product of this attitude is that discourse, a culture of debate, is encouraged and in the cross-pollination of ideas, a good current of thought is created; truth is spoken to power.
We have had glimpses of this in Nigeria, and without trying to sketch a history of public intellectualism in our country or attempt a ranking of public intellectuals, let me just say that between the 60s and the 90s, there was so much fascination with ideas in this same country, it was as if the public mind was on fire. Academics from various disciplines took a keen interest in the prospects of the new Nigeria, and they went to the public arena to project ideas. Journalists became revered as sages, so much that certain newspaper columnists almost single-handedly sold newspapers.
Public lectures were organized which attracted persons who were just interested in ideas. Writers did a lot more than the professional task of producing novels, poems and plays and wrote public essays. The vendor’s stand every morning attracted not just buyers and free readers, but also young Nigerians who every morning debated major topics of concern. On television also, there were debates and those in the corridors of power also took ideas seriously. So influential were intellectuals in the public space that they soon got invited to be part of government and although the military had always opposed intellectualism, at least one government, the Babangida government had the largest collection of intellectuals in office since independence. Many who lived during that era will remember the debates over the IMF/Structural adjustment Programme.
As the years went by however, public intellectualism began to decline. In 2006, Jimanze Ego-Alowes published a book titled How Intellectuals Underdeveloped Nigeria and Other Essays, an allusion to the complicity of intellectuals in the crisis that had by then engulfed the country. Four years later, Rudolf Okonkwo in an article titled “The Comedy of Our Public Intellectuals” observed as follows: “the world of the Nigerian public intellectual is a zoo. It is a zoo full of nihilists. Some are sectarian in their outlook and others are humorless. Some are eccentric while others are comical. But one thing they all have in common is an over-inflated ego of their importance in the scheme of things.”
I don’t know about over-inflated ego, but I do know that the flame of public intellectualism in Nigeria is now almost a flicker. There are extremely few new significant voices, saying anything of consequence, the soldiers of old have become old, the fire in their belly, now subdued. It is as if our academics have lost interest in public affairs, as only a few of them maintain a column or write an occasional piece or take on public issues in the manner of the likes of Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe, Segun Osoba, Claude Ake, Bade Onimode, Ola Oni, Mokwugo Okoye, Mahmud Tukur, Yusuf Bala Usman, Ayodele Awojobi, Biodun Jeyifo, Femi Osofisan, Stanley Macebuh, Odia Ofeimun, Niyi Osundare, Chinweizu, Kole Omotoso, Yemi Ogunbiyi, Bode Sowande, Patrick Wilmot…The opinion pages of the newspapers are no longer vibrant. There is so much “opinionitis”, but debate is rare and rejoinders are always self-serving.
What has happened is that politically neutral intellectuals have now become scarce; the typical intellectual of today is not public in the sense in which that word is used; he is in reality affiliated to partisan and sectional interests. The intellectual influence in Nigeria’s affairs is thus diminished because of obsession with individual interests: academics are now at best “acadapreneurs”: the intellectual as an entrepreneur. Business and partisan interests have compromised media houses; those once vibrant platforms are no longer offering vibrant ideas. Within the cultural sphere, there is a total dumbing down. Where are the creative writers? They are still writing, but few want to get involved in the issues of the day and offer ideas.
The effect is that we are in the age of clichés, of jargon writing, of mundane, unimaginative commentary. Whatever appears intellectual is written off as arrogant and there is no quality debate on anything because people have resorted to making fashionable statements that suit the moment and every one is locked in their own little corner, not willing to listen to the other side of the story. The reading public, whatever is left of it, is also not interested in ideas or anything that requires rigorous thinking. We have thus lost a critical element of public intellectualism: an audience. The people are interested in easy stuff, in fashionable opinions that align with their own partisan interests. Nobody wants to read any long commentary; there is an obsession with short thinking, and whereas brevity may be a good technique, there are certain ideas that just cannot be reduced to a tweet. It is really sad that today, intellectualism is seen as a threat.
Even when corporations and politicians in power draw intellectuals close; they end up usurping the powers of the intellectual, compelling him to hold his intelligence within the scope of the definition of his assignment. Intellectuals can be inside or outside, and there are classical cases of intellectuals in power making a difference, but that age appears ended, the disdain of intellectualism has turned politicians and corporate gurus into wise men that they are not, and the intellectual into an organic element of power. The greatest power of the intellectual lies in his freedom; when he is denied that under any circumstance, society turns off its energy source and gradually, it is the self-imposed wisdom of clowns that prevails.
The gap that has been created seems to have been easily filled by internet gladiators who spend the day shuffling from Instagram to Facebook to Twitter and other social media threads. These new culture activists project a democratic impression of public intellectualism – and yes, there is a sense in which everyone is an intellectual, from the village priest to the village idiot- but I don’t see the rigour, the breadth and depth and the aesthetic alienation that can elevate this genre and its promoters to the grade of public intellectualism. For the most part, social media in Nigeria is predominantly at the level of tabloid sensationalism, and it accommodates and offers the same degree of freedom to the ignorant and the mischievous, as well as the entrepreneur and the uncouth. There is no doubt however that its content and the quality can be raised, but that will require innovation, the intervention of thinkers and the creation of new audiences that will be interested in something more than the quick and formulaic.
What we have lost is not the intellectual, as there are many educated Nigerians who are experts in their narrow fields, what we have lost is active intelligence as a tool for social progress. The rub is in the intelligence part of being intellectual. Being intellectual is about living a life of ideas and using those ideas to engage society intelligently in a committed manner.
In addition to other reasons, it may well be that our intellectuals are tired of engaging Nigeria. Having tried over the years to engage the governance elite with ideas and to show that only good ideas should govern society and having been spurned by the politicians, Nigeria’s intellectual elite seems to have become so frustrated, it has retired largely into a state of indifference and inertia. What is the point knocking one’s head against a wall? But intellectuals in society cannot take such a stand. That will amount to an abdication of responsibility: when intellectuals do no more than make righteous noises, the harvest in the long run, is counter-productive.
Another factor is the emergence of a “climate of fear,” and a culture of silence/co-optation/acquiescence. Politicians distrust intellectuals; they can’t tolerate anyone around them speaking truth to power or raising disturbing questions. The intellectual is expected to keep his ideas to himself and respect constituted authority. He is expected to enjoy his freedom in his head and dare not go public with it. Ideas cannot thrive if the man of ideas is afraid to think, and whisper or speak. Rather than insist on the freedom to differ, many academics, journalists, writers and thinkers have since dropped the baton, and surrendered the public space.
But that is unhelpful cowardice. Those who know better must continue to engage the public vigorously with ideas about governance and public policy, and encourage open debates, for the good of the entire society. Those ideas must however, be relevant for them to be of any value; they must not be abstract theories that disconnect with the people’s realities, but ideas that offer intelligent solutions to practical problems.
Right now, there are critical areas where such intervention is needed: budgets, economic planning, handling a currency crisis that is fast turning into a nightmare (France has declared an economic emergency and yet was not in as bad a position as we are in…Argentina made changes to its export taxes to address its own dilemma…). We have had schizophrenic interventions by the Central Bank of Nigeria and yet where are the intellectuals to come up with analysis and desired alternative views, beyond bellyaching? Where are the inorganic public intellectuals to guide public thought? Who are those thinking for government, the opposition and indeed the public space?
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Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) By Albert OGRAKA–
DELTA State Council of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has raised alarm over potential crisis in Udu local government area of Delta State as a result of the Council Chairman, Hon. Solomon Kpomah constituting a parallel driver’s union.
Speaking with journalists in Asaba, the chairman, Delta State Council of NURTW decried interference by the Udu Council Chairman which he said was capable to lead to the breach of peace.
According to him, “I feel sad that I am talking to you about what is happening at Udu local government area, but, it is a sad development where a local government chairman could be functioning as a Union leader, allocating units where people should work or not; this is a new development that should not be encouraged, the NURTW is working with local government officials with defined roles, but, in Udu, the functions of the branch chairman is being usurped by the local government chairman which is wrong.”
“The situation if not well handled could lead to breach of peace as there is already tension between the Union members under the leadership of the local government chairman and those who are under the leadership of our recently sworn-in branch chairman of Udu “A” branch of our Union, Comrade Elvis Akpokona,” he said, adding, “we want to make it clear that politicians should play their politics while we run our affairs as a Union and accord respect and necessary dues to constituted authorities as enshrined in our Union constitution.”
Chief Obi called on government at all levels and security agencies to wade into the issue to avoid crisis where the NURTW would be mentioned, reiterating, “Udu Chairman wants crisis and our members wants peace but, we don’t know how long the local government chairman will continue to constitute a parallel executive of the union.”
Reacting to the allegations, Hon. Kpomah in a telephone interview said what he desires is peace and his to boost the internally generated revenue of the Council.
According to him, “my business is to collect my revenue, I don’t want to be involved in the politics of NURTW, but, they must operate in such a way that there will not be crisis,” adding, “what I am bothered with is how to generate revenue in Udu Council because, we are finding it difficult to pay salaries, so, we have decided to look inward.”
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Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) By Albert OGRAKA– From left>>Delta Speaker Igbuya, Delta NUJ boss Chiazor and NUJ Vice Chair Igbekoyi
Speaker of the Delta state House of Assembly, Rt. -Hon. Monday Ovwigho Igbuya has urged media practitioners, especially members of tthe Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ) to be more proactive in reporting activities of government and shun unethical practices.
Igbuya stated this on Wednesday, January 20, 2016 when the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta state Council, Comrade Norbert Chiazor led members of the Union to present an award of excellence to the Speaker at the Delta State House of Assembly Complex, Asaba.
The Speaker enjoined Journalists practicing in Delta state to engage in development journalism and use their profession to improve the status of Deltans, build trust and help showcase government’s laudable people oriented policies.
Igbuya who decried the use of sensational media reports to attack public office holders, instead of showcasing policies of government and settting agenda for discourse, encouraged practising journalists in the state to always verify facts before publishing stories.
While informing members of the NUJ that he is open to constructive criticisms, Igbuya said: “Journalists should not disseminate information that are based on heresay and gossip only. They should ensure that stories are properly verified to balance their reports.” He however warned that “I will not tolerate anybody who wants to drag my name in the mud.”
He therefore advised the leadership of the NUJ to devise means of ensuring that journalists abide by its professional ethics and rid the profession of quacks and also ensure that disciplinary actions are metted out to erring members.
The state Chairman of NUJ, Comrade Norbert Chiazor who presented the award described Igbuya as a very media friendly person with exemplary leadership qualities which he has exhibited as Speaker of the House of Assembly and other political circles.
Chiazor, who said the award was given in recognition of the Speaker’s transparent background and experience in governance, said the award is also expected to spur the Speaker to be more focussed in his iegislative duties. He emphasised that he NUJ award is not for sale and strictly given out on merit to deserving individuals.
Comrade Chiazor hinted that “the activities of our members is guided by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and ethical Code of Conduct as enshined in the Union’s constitution.
He assured Igbuya that practising Journalists in Delta state are determined to contribute their quota to the growth and development of the state.
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Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) By Albert OGRAKA– Hilary Ibegbulem
The Principal Secretary to Delta state governor, Senator Dr.Ifeanyi Okowa , Mr .Hilary Ibegbulem says prompt and regular payment of workers salary ,against all odds had established the governor as a prudent and disciplined leader with uncommon passion for workers welfare.
Speaking at a thanksgiving service organized by the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to mark Okowa ‘s Appeal Court victory , Mr.Ibegbulem said the state government had continued to meet its financial obligation to civil servants , even with Nigeria’s worsening oil economy.
He noted that the Okowa administration had also given attention to critical social infrastructure like roads, schools and markets and commended the governor for keeping faith with his S.M.A.R.T Agenda.
According to Ibegbulem, Okowa had demonstrated exemplary leadership qualities in time of severe economic hardship, through shrewd fiscal management.
Commending workers and labour unions for their patience and understanding, the governor’s aide expressed optimism that the government would navigate its way out of the financial crisis.
He described the victory as an act of God ,as the Appeal Court panel was faithful to the law and justice .Mr ibegbulem said Okowa is blessed with a popular mandate”as he won 21 out of 25 local government areas in the state, a feat no governorship candidate had achieved in recent history.”
In an address, the state Chairman of the NLC, Comrade David Ofoeyeno said Okowa deserved the goodwill and support of Delta workers., having shown commitment to their welfare.
Comrade Ofoeyeno said the labour union have confidence in the governor’s quest to bring prosperity to all Deltans.
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Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okopwa (sitting 2nd left); Speaker, State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Monday Igbuya (left); Clerk of the House, Mrs Lyna Ochulor (2nd left) and Commissioner for Finance Mr David Edevbie as the signs the 2016 Appropriation Bill into law in Asaba.
Governor of oil and gas wealthy Delta state, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has assented to the 2016 Appropriation bill of N268 billion for the fiscal year.
The 2016 appropriation bill showed an increase of N2.5 billion from the N265.6 billion earlier presented to the State House of Assembly by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in December 2015.
While signing the appropriation bill into law, Okowa assured that the projected Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of N75 bilion would drive the implementation of the budget, explaining that the increase of N2.5 billion was to facilitate the completion of ongoing project at the Asaba Airport.
The Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Monday Igbuya accompanied by the Deputy Speaker, Friday Osanebi, the Clerk of the House, Mrs Lyna Ochulor and other principal officers on Tuesday, presented the appropriation bill christened, “Budget of Renewed Hope And Inclusive Development,” to the Governor for his assent at the Government House, Asaba.
At the signing of the appropriation bill, Governor Okowa lauded the legislators for its speedy passage which would translate into massive infrastructure development of the state before the commencement of the rains.
“This budget that have been assented to in good time, gives us enough room to utilise the dry season in our infrastructure development plans and I must appreciate the Speaker and members of the Delta State House of Assembly for taking their time, during the festive season to truly work on the budget, ensuring that we had a very speedy passage of the budget,” he said, disclosing, “with the bill that was signed into law, we have appropriated N153 billion as recurrent expenditure and N114 billion for capital expenditure and by God’s grace, we hope to work very strongly to generate the revenue to implement the budget in full.”
He added, “it is our hope that the Board of Internal Revenue (DBIR) would exceed the target of N75 billion from the N40 billion that we had last year; I believe that it is achievable because, we are going to block all loopholes and ensure that more people come into the tax net.”
The Governor specifically urged Deltans to pay their tax, assuring, “we will do our best to be accountable and money collected from taxes would be ploughed back to the development of the state.”
Governor Okowa commended the good working relationship between all arms of government in the state, noting that such partnership would lead to faster delivery of his administration’s mandate of prosperity for all Deltans.
Rt. Hon. Igbuya had told the Governor and members of the state executive council who were present at the occasion, that the Assembly members, “took time off and did justice to the bill in line with your administration’s drive for good time and prosperity agenda.”
Recal that the Delta State House of Assembly had on Tuesday, January 12, 2016 passed the 2016 Appropriation bill of N268 billion for the fiscal year.
The passage of the appropriation bill followed a report presented by the Chairman of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Erhiatake Ibori, during the proceedings of the state of the Assembly in Asaba.
The 2016 appropriation bill showed an increase of N2.5 billion from the N265.6 billion earlier presented to the State House of Assembly by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in December 2015.
The sum of N153.2 billion was approved for Recurrent Expenditure, while the Capital Expenditure had N114.8 billion.
According to the budget breakdown, the economic sector had a total of N25.7 billion, while the social sector had N17.4 billion.
The sum of N27.7 billion was approved for the environmental sector, while the sum of N15.2 billion was appropriated for the General Administration sector.
The chairman of the committee, while presenting the report noted that the approved budget was specific, realistic and implementable.
Ibori also said that the budget would effectively kick-start the ‘SMART’ agenda of the present administration as well as ensure the commitment of the state government on the provision of critical infrastructure, including roads, hospitals, schools and electricity.
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Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –
Delta State Governor, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa, has condemned in strongest terms, the recent attacks on the oil and gas facilities across the state and called on all Deltans to cooperate with the security agencies to unmask the criminals behind the heinous crime.
The bombing took place few days after a Stakeholders Summit organized by the Delta State Government which held on Wednesday, 13th January, 2016 in Effurun to address the challenges of oil and gas pipeline vandalism and bunkering in the State.
Specifically, on Thursday, 14th January, 2016, these elements blew up the Escravos-Warri-Abuja-Lagos pipelines and the Chevron Nigeria Limited’s Utunan-Makaraba crude oil pipeline in the early hours of Friday, 15th January, 2016. This act of sabotage was further perpetrated in the early hours of Saturday, 16th January, 2016 when the Olero gas pipeline was bombed.
In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Charles Ehiedu Aniagwu, the Governor urged the security agencies to intensify their surveillance over the oil facilities and pledged the commitment of his administration to support all measures that would restore the confidence of all stakeholders in the oil & gas industry operating in Delta state.
“These attacks should be condemned by all well meaning Nigerians, particularly compatriots from Niger Delta. This is an attack on our soul. The state is bleeding again and its implication for the economy and image of Delta state grave”, he said.
The Governor noted that only last week, his administration hosted a stakeholders’ summit on the effects of the VANDALISM of oil and gas facilities in the state; where the various arms of the security agencies, the oil and gas operators and the host communities converged to brainstorm on measures to stem the activities of vandals.
He noted these attacks, coming just few days after the summit, was not a good way of reciprocating the good intentions of his government and the enormous resources that are being invested in turning around the fortunes of the state.
He called on community leaders and youth groups to resist any temptation to be drawn into these nefarious activities as this might jeopardize the on-going intervention of federal government, in the lives of the youths, through the Amnesty Office.
“Do not be part of this crime and refuse to listen to any leader or politician who would want to pitch one ethnic nationality against the other as a result of these incidents. The destruction of oil facilities is purely criminal and we reject attempts to label it otherwise”, the Governor observed.
Meanwhile, soldiers have invaded Okpelama community, Gbaramatu kingdom, Warri South West Local Government Area, Delta State, in search of militants, who commenced bombing of crude oil and gas pipelines in state, few hours after a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos issued a bench warrant for the arrest of ex-militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo.
The soldiers were also keeping surveillance on Kurutie, the hometown of Tompolo and Oporoza, the traditional headquarters of Gbaramatu kingdom.
The Joint Task Force Commander of Operation Pulo Shield in the Niger Delta, Major General Alani Okunola, has said that the task force was closing in on those blowing up oil pipelines belonging the Nigeria Gas Company, Chevron Nigeria Limited and Nigeria National Petroleum Company, NNPC. He vowed that JTF would fish them out.
JTF commander, Major General Okunola, who led his troop to inspect one of the blown up pipelines at Egwa II community in Warri South West, said the army would hold community leaders in whose domain such bombing took place responsible for any act of sabotage in their area.
Tompolo, however, has continued to plead his innocence in the attacks, saying he did not carry out any bombing and did not send anybody to destroy oil installations. He insisted that his enemies sponsored the mayhem to spite him.
Chief Patrick Bigha, in a statement said “The Warri Ijaw Peace Monitoring Group wishes to condemn the renewed wanton destruction of oil facilities in the Niger Delta region. We are truly disturbed with this happening as the Nigerian economy is in a bad shape; therefore, we are calling on those behind this act to cease hostilities immediately.
“We are not happy over the incident as it look like a smear campaign against the person of High Chief Government Ekpemupolo.
“It is worthy of note that Tompolo will not embark on such self destructive mission as one that fervently believes in the Nigeria project, and has contributed to peace building and development of Nigeria.”
The Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, which on Sunday condemned the attack on oil facilities in some parts of the state, has called for a halt to the military siege to five Ijaw communities of Ikpokpo, Saghara, Opuedebubo, Okpeleama and Tebujo, all in Gbaramatu Kingdom.
Three other Ijaw groups: Ijaw People Development Initiative, IPDI, National Association of Izon-Ebe Law Students, NALS and Niger Delta Youths for Positive Change, NDYPC, also condemned the latest attacks on oil installations by yet to be identified militants
The Foundation for Human Rights and Anti-Corruption Crusade, FHRACC, in a statement by its national president, Alaowei Cleric, however, cautioned the federal government to handle the face-off between it and Tompolo with care.
The development has also led to the Chair, Itsekiri Regional Development Council, IRDC, Chief Ayiri Emami to express concern over the attacks which he claimed were targeted at oil facilities in Itsekiri towns and villages, saying it might metamorphose into another Ijaw/Itsekiri war.
He alleged that those carrying out the attacks were Ijaw militants known to the security agencies, state and federal governments, and challenged them to rein in the gunmen.
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Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –
A case of Lassa fever has been confirmed in Delta State. It is a 65-year-old lady from Ifiogwari village, Ayamelunu, Anambra State who came for treatment in Asaba, Delta State.
She was first admitted at St. Joseph’s Hospital before she was referred to Federal Medical Centre, Asaba when her conditioned worsened.
The case was confirmed at the virology laboratory, Specialist Hospital, Irrua, Edo State. Two other samples sent to the same laboratory tested negative.
The Delta State Rapid Response Team said it has placed 22 persons who had contact with the confirmed case on surveillance, while five samples have been sent for laboratory investigation.
The Delta State Government has already informed the Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja on these developments and the State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has provided the necessary logistics to enhance contact tracing and other control measures.
Lassa fever is caused by a virus found in the urine and faeces of a species of rat when they contaminate food or water or come in contact with broken skin of humans.
Infected persons spread the disease when their body fluids such as blood, faeces, urine, sperm and vomit come in contact with others.
Some signs and symptoms of Lassa fever infection include cold and fever, sore throat, headache, pains in different parts of the body, nausea, cough, diarrhea and general sense of being unwell.
Severe stage of the infection comes with swellings on the face and hand, bleeding in different parts of the body such as ears, mouth, nose, anus and virginal.
Residents are advised to maintain a high level of personal and environmental hygiene, keep their food and water away from rats and promptly report any one with the above signs and symptoms to the nearest health centre or hospital or call the following numbers 08037438829, 07037120510 and 08179338777.
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The Okpala-Uku of Umusadege, Utagba-Uno, Ndokwa West local government area of Delta State, Ogbu-Ewu Egbononwu Ojugbeli has raised alarm over threat to peace in his domain and postponed the annual general meeting of the community.
According to the Okpala-Uku, as a result of the imminent and confirmed threat, the annual General Meeting of the community scheduled for Monday, 18th January, 2016(tomorrow) has been post-poned.
The Okpala-Uku who also wrote a “save our soul (S.O.S) letter to the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command said the cancellation of the Annual General Meeting was unavoidable in the interest of peace in the community.
“There is a plot to cause trouble in the community during the annual general meeting and I cannot fold my hands and allow such to happen, our Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa should use his good offices to intervene, all security agencies, especially, the Police should take note of this development,” the Okpala-Uku said, adding, “crisis of any kind can only take us back, we have a new government in the state, we want a peaceful state, a peaceful community.”
In a letter to the Police, the Okpala-Uku said, “I, Egbononwu Ojugbeli, the Okpala-Uku (traditional ruler) of Umusadege Community, Utagba-Uno, hereby, write to notify you of the postponement of Umusadege annual general meeting earlier scheduled forJanuary 18, 2016 in my Palace owing to an imminent threat to peace and security,” reiterating, “I most sincerely implore the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command to deploy policemen to Umusadege, Utagba-Uno on Monday, the 18th of January, 2016 to enforce this cancellation and help maintain peace and order in my community.
He added, “I sincerely appeal to all the Ikpalas and other interest with contrary or divergent views to religiously respect the culture and tradition of our people by hearkening to the voice of wisdom and reason by keeping the peace and remain law abiding.”
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The member representing Ika South Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Okoh Festus Chukwuyem, has warned against any attempt to cause crises in Ika South local government in the guise of fighting for supremacy in the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).
Hon. Chukwuyem gave the warning at the weekend when Chairman of the Delta State Council of NURTW, Chief Ifeanyi Obi led some officials of the Union to meet with him on possible ways to nip in the bud impending leadership crises in the area.
Contenders for the chairmanship position for the local government branch of the NURTW were also in attendance at the meeting.
According to Hon. Chukwuyem, “what we want is peace, there is nothing that we are fighting for that we will take when we are leaving this world and I can confidently tell you that anybody who wants to cause trouble in Ika South will be dealt with according to the law.”
“We don’t want trouble of any kind, nobody can be pleased 100 per cent, so, accept the situation and let us live in peace,” the law maker told the chairmanship contenders.
He commended the efforts of the Delta Council of the drivers’ union towards having peace in Ika South NURTW which has led to the creation of four branches of the Union in the local government.
Chief Obi had told the Assembly member that after series of deliberations on how to solve the crises in the area, State Council of the NURTW decided to create another branch of the Union.
He appealed on those involved to accept the situation as one of the measures to attain peace, stating that Ika South was one of the very few areas that were causing challenges for the Union.
While commending the Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa for his understanding of the situation in the area, Chief Obi appealed to those involved to have the spirit of give and take in the interest of all stakeholders.
“I want to thank our Governor for the way he is handling activities in the state, for his patience and understanding, and I want to call on our members to accept the situation of things which is in everybody’s interest; we have created Ika South branch “D” for peace to reign, we should all work together, accept the situation and avoid encroaching in other people’s branches so that we can have peace,” he said.
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Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) – Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (middle); his Deputy, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro (left) and the Chairman, State Advisory and Peace Building Council, Prof Sam Oyovbaire during a One-Day Stakeholders Summit on Vandalization of Oil & Gas Facilities and Installations at P.T.I Conference Centre, Effurun
DELTA State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has called for strategic alliance between host communities in oil producing areas, the international Oil companies (IOCs) and security agencies in securing oil and gas investments in the state.
The Governor made the call today (13/01/16) during a one-day stakeholders summit on vandalism of oil and gas facilities and installations with the theme, “security and environmental challenges in oil and gas sector in Delta State – the way forward,” at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) conference hall, Effurun.A cross section of service Chiefs
According to Senator Okowa, while the downward trend in crude oil price had led to a sharp drop in allocation to the state from the Federation Account from N20 billion to as low as N6.7 billion, the Governor said, “our problem is further compounded by the recurring decimal of crude oil theft and pipeline vandalization which by most accounts, about 400,000 barrels of oil are stolen daily, accounting for trillions of naira loss to the economy and when we add the value of the gas condensate lost also, the figure become astronomical.”
He stated, “the summit should provide insight and proffer solutions to the types of threats faced by oil and gas installations because, we need to have a clear understanding of the various threat groups, the dangers they represent, their goals, capabilities, opportunities, past attacks and possible future attacks,” reiterating, “to boost our earnings from oil – which is what this summit is all about – we should construct creative and enduring strategies that will enable strategic alliances among the host communities in oil producing areas, the IOCs and security agencies in securing oil and gas investments in Delta State.” Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (right) in hand shake with traditional rulers
“I must also stress the need for appropriate sanctions to be meted out to oil thieves when they are caught, we need to deal decisively with these economic saboteurs,” he asserted, noting that “they need to be fished out and the full weight of the law brought to bear on them to deter others.”
Governor Okowa who stated that his administration was committed to maintaining law and order to boost investor’s confidence, decried the relocation of some oil companies, especially, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) which led to the state losing “a billion naira in monthly revenue from royalties and taxes,” while more than N2 billion monthly was also, being lost in taxes and royalties as a result of some oil companies operating in Delta State failing to domicile their offices and staff in the state. Commissioner for Oil & Gas, Mr, Mofe Pirah (left) and the Special Adviser to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa on Petroleum Matters, Barr. Bosin Ebikeme
Governor Okowa assured the people of his administration’s determination to develop the non-oil sector, disclosing that the Export Processing Zone which was being developed by the Federal Government which has the capacity of creating 100, 000 direct jobs and hundreds of thousands of indirect jobs when fully operational was still on course.
Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Sam Oyovbaire, former Minister of Information commended the Delta State government for organizing the summit and called on the National Assembly to revisit the Petroleum Industry Bill which he said would proffer solutions to some of the challenges facing Nigerian Oil and Gas Sector.From left: Commissioner for Water Resources Development, Chief Fedelis Tilije; Commissioner for Information, Mr. Patrick Ukah and the Commissioner for Transport, Mr Vincent Udaghan
Lectures were delivered by resource persons while officials of oil and gas companies and representatives of security agencies gave talks on different issues on the way forward.
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Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) – Igbuya
A fresh insight into the precise role of the Delta State House of Assembly was on Tuesday given by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon Monday Igbuya.
The Speaker at the first sitting of the House for 2016 said the House would ensure accountability, probity, transparency and efficiency in the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the 2016 budget.
“I wish to quickly reiterate that the Delta State House of Assembly has been adequately positioned to meet the demands of making well focused research and people oriented laws that will impact positively on the people of the State. This is contingent on our firm belief that as the pillar of democracy, the legislative arm must be a catalyst of change, working in concert with the other arms of government in providing democratic dividends to the people” he said.
He asked his colleagues to brace up for the ever-evolving and unfinished business of state development as the months ahead will no doubt be challenging.
“We have shown uncommon resilience, maturity and understanding. Our display of competence, patriotism and commitment to duty which we demonstrated while carrying out our legislative duties and other assignments, has in no small means translated to the success the House has enjoyed. We should not compromise or betray the mandate the people gave us for pecuniary gains. We must work hard to secure a better life and greater opportunities for them through viable and pragmatic laws and other legislative instruments that would ensure viable socio-economic and infrastructural transformation in all the 29 constituencies in the state. We must also renew our priorities, listen to one another more attentively and remind ourselves of the ways by which our aspirations and destiny are intertwined as a people.”
Igbuya who expressed worries over the nation’s economy, said “presently the price of crude oil at the international market is put at around $38. In the face of declining crude oil price, it is clear that our over-reliance on a mono-product is unhealthy and unsustainable. This reality makes it even more pertinent that the Federal and State governments work assiduously to develop other sources of revenue outside the oil and gas sector. The continued diversification of our economy into other sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, trade and services is now inevitable. In this era of paucity of funds occasioned by the drastic fall in crude oil prices, the responsibility of curtailing wasteful and unnecessary spending falls solely on us.”
Igbuya also listed the passage of Delta State Territory Development Agency Law, 2015, Delta State Technical and Vocational Education Board Law 2015, Delta State Contributory Health Commission Law, 2015 and the Amendment of the Delta State Oil Producing Development Law, 2015 as major achievements of the House.
“Distinguished colleagues, as we look forward to another year of robust and fulfilling legislation, we cannot but pat ourselves on the back for what we have achieved thus far. In the last seven months, this great House made appreciable progress in some very vital areas in the life of this administration. In 2016, we intend to push ourselves further and accomplish even much more to the benefit of Deltans.”
He expressed dismay over the attitude of some people in the state thus, “Let me also use this medium to educate our numerous constituents that it is time we do away with the entitlement mentality whereby we over burden our legislators with mundane requests borne out of the fact that you have supported and helped them to win elections. While I agree that the legislators have the moral responsibility to assist their constituents within their means, constituents should not overstretch their request to the extent that legislators would be afraid or discouraged to run their constituency offices with utmost efficiency or even run away from their constituency”.
Igbuya praised the judiciary for the victory of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and others at the Court of Appeal.
“It is equally proper at this juncture to thank God for victories at the Court of Appeal. Let me congratulate everyone who experienced this sweet victory. Let me also commiserate with those who were not successful at the Court of Appeal. I also welcome members who will be joining us in this assembly as a result of their victory at the Court of Appeal. In the same vein, I want to congratulate His Excellency, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa for his resounding victory at the Court of Appeal. Infact, it was the best Christmas gift to Delta state.”
For the interest of the growth and development of the state, Igbuya urged Chief Great Ogboru and Chief O’tega Emerhor to work with the present administration.
“Governor Ifeanyi Okowa is an advocate of an all-inclusive government. Instead of continuous litigations that distract and impede growth, it is for the interest of the people of our dear state for them to work with the government to move delta state forward.”
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Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) By Albert OGRAKA– Rt. Hon. Friday Ossai Osanebi,
Ahead of the 2016 undergraduate Scholarship for Anioma students in accredited Nigerian tertiary institutions, The Friday Osanebi Foundation (FOF) has pledged to sustain the goal of producing best students from the area.
At a meeting with stakeholders and National Presidents of Anioma students Mr. Agbanashi Obinne, on behalf of the foundation, urged the student leaders to ensure that the forms were evenly distributed to the indigent students, adding that the foundation was established to enhance students’ capacity at the tertiary institutions.
The meeting which held on Monday, January 11, 2016 at the House of Assembly in Asaba was attended by national students’ presidents of the Federated Union of Ndokwa Sudents (FUNS), National Association of Aniocha/Oshimili Students (NAAOS) and National Association of Ika Students (NAIS).
The stakeholders commended the founder of The Friday Osanebi Foundation (FOF) and Deputy Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Friday Ossai Osanebi, for approving the commencement of the 2016 undergraduate Scholarship for indigent Anioma students in accredited Nigerian tertiary institutions.
Meanwhile, forms have been given out to the national leaders of students’ groups from Delta North to be distributed to eligible students in various institutions across the country with an aim to ensure a smooth process and check fraudulent actions.
The education scholarship scheme is open to all students of 100 level from the Nine local government areas in Delta North, namely: Aniocha North, Aniocha South, Ika North East, Ika South, Ndokwa East, Ndokwa West, Oshimili North and Oshimili South with a transparent selection process through the screening test.
The scholarship is sessional from year of entry till graduation, depending on the successive performances of the benefitting undergraduates in the nation’s universities, polytechnics and monotechnics by sustaining a CGPA of 3.5 or 2nd Class Upper and above.
The best graduating student from each of the nine local government area with the highest CGPA, will at the end of the scheme be given instant employment in various multi national oil companies.
Deadline for submission of completed forms and FOF Scholarship screening examination is 23rd and 30th January, 2016 respectively.
Completed forms are to be submitted at the collection point with the following documents: Photocopy of school ID Card, Local Government Identification, Admission Letter, SSCE and other relevant documents.
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Sitting Bayelsa state Governor Seriake Dickson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been re-elected for a second term in office, after a fierce electoral battle with main rival and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timipriye Sylva.
The Returning Officer, Prof Akpagu, on the night of Sunday, January 10, 2016 declared Seriake Dickson duly elected after collating the results from all the Local Government Areas, where Governor Dickson polled a total of 134, 998 votes while the APC candidate, Sylva garnered 86, 852 votes.
After the re-run election conducted on Saturday, January 9, 2016, in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, the PDP candidate floored his main challenger, scoring 23, 081 votes as against former Governor Sylva’s 10, 216 votes.
The election witnessed violence which led to the death of over 10 persons and others injured, in what the PDP alleged was the handiwork of the APC.
Recall that the governorship election which was held on December 5, 2015 was declared inconclusive by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The electoral body had anchored its decision of widespread violence and glaring cases of ballot snatching, in the Southern Ijaw hence, the decision to order a re-run election in the area.
Okowa Congratulates Dickson on his Election Victory
Delta State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, has congratulated Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson, following his victory at the governorship polls in Bayelsa State, which held on December 5th 2015 and January 9th, 2016.
This was contained in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Charles Ehiedu Aniagwu, wherein the Governor described the win as “well deserved” for Dickson, a member of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP.
Governor Okowa while commending INEC, security agencies and Bayelsans for a successful election in Bayelsa State, condemned in strong terms the reported cases of violence and killings which characterized the Gubernatorial election in the state.
The Governor expressed sadness over the violence, unwarranted loss of lives that characterized the election and called on the relevant security agencies to bring the perpetrators to book.
“On behalf of the government and people of Delta State, I congratulate you on your hard earned victory at the Bayelsa State Governorship Election. Your victory is well deserved because you campaigned vigorously, selling the party’s policies and programme to Bayelsans. Your victory in seven out of eight local governments in the state showed too that Bayelsa State is home to the PDP,” he stated.
“Your reelection for a record second term is a fulfillment of the clearly expressed wish of the people of Bayelsa State, I therefore urge you to be humble and magnanimous in victory, remain focused and ever committed to your Restoration Agenda and work for the advancement of the interests of all Bayelsa people irrespective of their political affiliations or loyalties,”
Governor Okowa further called on Hon. Seriake Dickson to regard his reelection to serve as “a sacred mandate from God Almighty and his people which he must discharge with immense dedication, wisdom and vigour to achieve a much more rapid pace of socio-economic development in Bayelsa State for the benefit of its people who resoundingly reaffirmed their trust in his leadership by voting overwhelmingly for his election in the just concluded polls.”
Okowa urged the opposition to accept defeat in good fate and cooperate with the Governor to move the state forward. He wished “Hon. Dickson continued good health and a very successful second tenure as Governor of Bayelsa State”.
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Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –
LEADERSHIP tussle which rocked the Udu ‘A’ branch of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has been put to rest following the inauguration of a new executive for the union.
Contenders for the chairmanship position, Comrades Elvis Akpokona and Mathew Uparan agreed that in the interest of peace and progress in the Union those elected should function without hindrance.
Secretary to the Delta State Council of the drivers’ union, Comrade Raymond Adeyemi thanked members of the Union for towing the line of peace, insisting that nobody should engage in anti-union activities.
In the new executive, Comrade Akpokona emerged as Chairman, while Comrades Sikprako Felix, Solomon Sodje and Frank Muwen clicked the positions of 1st and 2nd and 3rd Vice Chairman respectively.
Comrade Bikawei Russia emerged as Secretary while others who were elected into different positions were Comrades Dolor Peter (Assistant Secretary), Shalokpe Freeborn (Auditor), John Tere (Financial Secretary), Richard Agididotan (Assistant Financial Secretary), Festus Magege (Treasurer), Frank Diamond (Public Relations Officer), Moses Bokwe (Provost), Isaiah Masheni (Organizing Secretary), Christopher Jebishi, David Rheriobore, Lucky Jitokun (Trustees) and Amos Atele (Provost).
Comrade Akpkona thanked members of the union for believing in him and pledged to work with all stakeholders, especially, the local government council, the traditional institution for a progressive NURTW that will attract development to Udu.
On his part, Comrade Mathew Uparan said leadership is not a do or die affair, stating, “today is for you, we want peace in Udu, elections will still come up in the future, we should work for progress,” while the State Treasurer of the Union, Comrade Amaechi Igumbor thanked the interested parties for been peaceful stated that it was important for everybody to be carried along.
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E.I.C: Albert Eruorhe Ograka*News *Literati* Adverts
Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) By Albert OGRAKA–
The Delta state Government has warned residents in the state of the current spread of Lassa Fever disease is in parts of Nigeria.
In separate statements, the Delta State Ministry of Information and the Office of the Senior Special Assistant (Special Duties) to Delta State Governor on Orientation and Social Development (SSA-OSD) have respectively advised on prompt report of any suspected case of Lassa Fever to the nearest hospital or health centre for timely professional care.
A statement made available to Blank NEWS Online by the state Ministry of Information on Saturday, January, 09, 2015 reads:
“It is hereby announced for the information of the general public particularly residents of Delta State that the disease called Lassa Fever is fast spreading in parts of the country.
“Recently, many persons have been affected in Bauchi, Nassarawa, Niger, Taraba, Kano, Rivers, Edo, Plateau, Gombe and Oyo States and there have been reported cases of death of infected persons.
“Lassa fever is caused by a virus. It can be transmitted to human through contamination of broken skin via direct or indirect contact with infected rat excreta or urine on floors, home surfaces, in food or water. Transmission is also possible where rats are caught and consumed as food.
“Person to person transmission occurs through infected bodily fluids, such as blood, saliva, urine, excreta or semen.
“For the avoidance of doubt, early signs of Lassa fever include Cold and Fever, Headache, Body Pains and Sore Throat. Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea or Cough may also occur. Severe cases manifest with swelling of the face and bleeding.
“Prevention of the disease is very important. Residents are advised to avoid direct contact with rats and their excreta or urine. They are also to keep or store food in rat proof containers.
“It is also important that residents avoid contact with bodily fluids of an infected patient to prevent persons to persons spread of the disease by the use of gloves and regular hand washing. Burial of victims must be carried out under strict hygiene conditions.
“Health workers are advised to strengthen the practice of infection control in all public and private health facilities in the state.
“Residents are advised to promptly report to the nearest hospital or health centre any suspected case of Lassa Fever for timely professional care.
“For more information residents are advised to call 08037857479.”
In a similar development, the Office of the Senior Special Assistant (Special Duties) to Delta State Governor on Orientation and Social Development (SSA-OSD) has also embarked on regular SMS and Social Media alerts to all Deltans to be wary of the recent outbreak of the Lassa Fever in parts of the country.
“Dear Deltans, Lassa Fever Alert. 40 Persons Dead across Nigeria. Keep off RATS. Keep environment clean. Report suspicion to nearest Govt. Hospital. –SSA-OSD.”
Lassa Fever: 7 Things You Should Know About The Deadly Viral Illness.
Compiled By Albert OGRAKA on behalf of SSA-OSD
1. Lassa fever is a viral illness
It’s an acute viral illness caused by Lassa virus which was first discovered in Nigeria. Lassa virus is a single-stranded RNA virus that belongs to a family called Arenaviridae. The natural host or reservoir of this virus is a rodent known as the ‘multimammate’ rat that belongs to the mastomys genus. It’s been observed that mastomys rats breed very frequently and readily colonise homes, hence the easy spread of this zoonotic virus from infected rodents to unsuspecting humans.
2. Lassa fever is quite common in West Africa
Lassa virus infections are common enough in West Africa to warrant public health concern. Averagely, about 300000 cases are recorded each year with 5000 deaths. Unfortunately, the present Lassa epidemic in Nigeria has already spanned 7 states and affected at least 150 people with 7 casualties already reported.
3. How is Lassa virus spread to humans?
Humans can contract the virus when they come in contact, directly or indirectly with the urine and droppings from infected rats or by breathing in tiny particles from air that has been contaminated with rodent excretions. Some humans who eat infected rodents can equally contract the virus. Lastly, if adequate precautions are not taken, care givers who handle or treat infected persons can contract the virus from contaminated blood, tissues, secretions or excretions of such patients. However, it cannot be spread through casual skin-to-skin contacts, provided there are no cuts or bruises.
4. Lassa fever usually produces symptoms
Lassa virus has an incubation period of 1 – 3 weeks following which signs and symptoms of the infection emerge. Initially, non-specific symptoms such as fever, sore throat, cough, back pain, abdominal pain or pain behind the chest wall may be felt as well as vomiting, diarrhoea and facial swelling. As the disease progresses, mucosal bleeding and bleeding from body orifices may follow.
5. Lassa fever can be treated
Provided the affected person presents early enough and prompt diagnosis of Lassa fever is made, an antiviral agent called Ribavirin has been shown to be quite effective in reducing morbidity and mortality from the disease. In addition to ribavirin administration, supportive treatment may also be given to maintain fluid and electrolyte balance as well as the blood pressure.
6. Untreated Lassa fever often results in death
It was estimated that 15 – 30% of patients who are admitted for Lassa fever end up dying from the illness. Moreover, death rates are even higher for pregnant women, especially those in the third trimester and their unborn babies. Sadly, mortality rates in the latter group sometimes approach 95%. Furthermore, up to one-third of Lassa fever survivors may suffer from varying degrees of hearing loss which may be permanent.
7. Lassa fever is better prevented
Prevention is better than cure. Since no vaccine has been developed yet for Lassa virus infection, people must employ every possible means to avoid contact with rodents and infected people. Our homes must be kept clean and rodent-free, foods should be stored in rodent-proof containers. Health care givers must practise barrier nursing methods such as isolation of infected patients and consistent use of face masks, gloves, gowns and goggles when attending to such patients.
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E.I.C: Albert Eruorhe Ograka*News *Literati* Adverts
Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) By Julius Oweh–
For the past three weeks or so, I have wrestled with the idea of writing this article. Theissue is not the absence of the muse`s inspirations or materials to write on but I was caught between professional loyality and solidarity and the urge for the truth and high ethical standards that could advance the progress and development of the fourth estate of the realm and by implication the social, political and economic run of the nation. If the professional dilemma conquers and allow the rot and inertia to continue, the Nigerian vibrant press shall be the loser. As a former editor of a state owned newspaper, I experienced the pains and agonies of media ownership and I was a victim of town crier journalism, the euphemism of not seeing anything wrong with the activities of those in government. That is one of the reasons state owned media are not viable and depend on government for financial stability. That plague is subtly creeping into the so called independent media houses. I am talking about the fallout from the former national security adviser overture to newspapers owners.
The news gaining currency is that sometime ago, the Jonathan administration in its avowed bid to stamp out the Boko Haram insurgency decided to confiscate newspapers because of the security report that some terrorists were using them to transport arms across the country. It turned out to be false alarms and to mitigate the consequences of court action against the government, the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN) and government agreed on out of court settlement of N120 million for the twelve newspapers affected. This deal was under seal until the trial of the former national security adviser and the cover was blown open. Some of the affected newspapers have distanced themselves from the affairs. Peoples Daily, New Telegraph, the Leadership, Tribune and the Guardian have totally denied any relationship with the money and the leadership of NPAN. The Sun newspaper has returned Nine million naira and promised to pursue the case in court. On the part of Punch newspaper, it has suspended its membership of NPAN.
Mrs Funke Egbemode, the managing director and editor in chief of New Telegraph came out with a statement denouncing the NPAN leadership. Listen to her views on the matter :`Therefore, it is nothing but sheer falsehood for the NPAN president who claimed he received the money on behalf of the association, to have included New Telegraph newspapers as one of the beneficiaries of the funds, which as it has now emerged was disbursed by the former NSA`. On the part of NPAN, the executive secretary Mr. Feyi Smith maintained that it was a collective decision of the body to accept the N120 million compensation from the government and that the meeting was held at Daily Trust office, Abuja on March 17, 2015. Smith further said thus on the resolutions of the meeting :`That each member organization accepts to donate N1 million from the compensation to the association for the upkeep of the secretariat and that members should bring their membership account current, by paying all past dues to the secretariat before collecting their cheques`.
Despite the defence of NPAN leadership and the latter day denial of the newspaper houses affected, the whole scenario is very unfortunate and brings to the mud the reputation of media houses. The logic is that if the highest leadership of the fourth estate of the realm can be compromised, what moral authority has the press to lambast political leaders, public office holders and public figures should they stray from the path of moral rectitude. It is highly unfortunate that members of the fourth estate of realm who are supposed to hold the government accountable to the mass of the people are also swimming in the gutter of corruption and dark corners deals. Even more unfortunate is the conspiracy of silence by senior members of the pen fraternity, those opinion and editorial writers who are always around to pontificate on how society can progress. Today they cannot summon enough courage to criticize the activities of NPAN and those newspaper houses that compromised. The danger is that if the society loses its trust of the mass media, the way some senators have passed a vote of no confidence on the social media, then we are in serious trouble. There are ethical standards which the media houses are supposed to obey and the captains of the industry ought to know better. If it was a collective agreement that media houses affected by the seizure of their newspapers should be so compensated, there was no reason to link that to payment of dues to run the NPAN secretariat. If this slip can be forgiven, how do you explain the non-disbursement of the money to some of the affected newspapers houses? Even more scandalous is the inclusion of a newspaper that was not given a dime and not on the list of the original twelve newspapers that were supposed to benefit from the federal government compensation.
There are many shades of journalism practice round the globe. In the advanced countries of the world, there is a brand of journalism that protects the national interest and security of such countries. That is why the press in UK tried to pull wool over eyes some years ago that a man that was found in the bedroom of the queen was a madman. It is this strand of journalism that CNN and other important media houses would not talk about the ghetto in Washington, the gun violence in America and the assimilation of the Red Indians but would rather focus on Ajegunle and crimes in Lagos. The truth of the matter is that there is no ideal mass media in any part of the world and the advent of the internet and social media is making it more complex. In Nigeria, the journalism varieties are many. We have pepper soup journalism, brown envelop journalism, yellow journalism and even corporate blackmail journalism. But the ethical standards of some journalists are the saving grace. That is why committed members of the pen fraternity should condemn without reservations the mess which the one hundred and twenty thousand naira has put the press. As watch dogs of the society, we should have higher ethical standards and the members of the society should not doubt our commitment in the pursuit of truth and justice to benefit of the society. As the English writer, Geoffrey Chaucer once said that if gold should rust, what would happen to iron. The self imposed duty of the watch dog of the society places the burden of living above board on all journalists. It is not too late to correct this professional transgression. ***Read *Julius Oweh, a journalist, Asaba, Delta State.08037768392.
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E.I.C: Albert Eruorhe Ograka*News *Literati* Adverts
Delta State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has challenge legionnaires in the state as senior citizens to exhibit very high level of ethical values and self-discipline.
Dr. Okowa who gave the challenge, Thursday, at the launching of the Armed Forces Remembrance Emblem Appeal Fund, held at the Unity Hall, Government House Asaba, noted that this administration will not encourage any organisation that does not believe in the rule of law or respect the fundamental human rights of other citizens.
The state governor who was represented by his deputy, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro, asserted that members of the Nigerian Legion as experienced and retired ex-servicemen have the responsibility to see that peace reigns in their various communities and whatever organization they find themselves.
He noted that the government of Delta State has always demonstrated great concern for the welfare of legionnaires in the state and expressed hope that the legion would reciprocate this gesture by organizing themselves and embarking on meaningful projects and programmes that would complement the effort of government to improve the living standard of ex-servicemen.
He said the sale of the Armed Forces Remembrance Emblem which is an annual event and a tradition in the state is aimed at raising funds for the rehabilitation of orphans and widows of our fallen heroes and the surviving disabled ex-servicemen and women in the country and appealed to all Deltans to be part of the programme.
The governor urged Deltans and Nigerians in general to use this period to reflect on the need to avoid future violent conflicts in the society by doing everything possible to promote peace and harmony at all times.
“It is my hope and expectation that the present security challenges facing the nation especially in the North-Eastern and South-Eastern parts of the country do not degenerate further. I will like to use this opportunity to exhort all Nigerians to embrace dialogue and abstain from provocative utterances and action that will create tension in the country”. Okowa stated.
The governor asserted that Nigerians owe it as a duty to the nation to seek the path of peace, reconciliation, justice and equity at all times in order to create a conducive atmosphere for the consolidation of democracy in the land.
Dr. Okowa noted that the Armed forces remembrance week long celebration is designed to accord fallen heroes the honour they deserve for their sacrifices to our fatherland by laying down their lives so that peace may reign.
Earlier, the State Chairman, Nigerian Legion, Delta Chapter, Lt. Col. Daniel Amereh, in an address noted that the day’s events is to mark the flag-off of a week-long program to honour the heroes of world wars 1 and 2 and the Nigerian civil war.
Col. Amereh, noted that the annual event which provides a forum to raise funds for the welfare of disabled soldiers, widows and orphans of soldiers who died during peace-keeping mission and all over the world.
He expressed hope that members will use the occasion to reflect and forge a better understanding of their aspirations as a nation and solicited the assistance of the society.
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“Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household, but he who hates bribes will live.” –James 4:3.. IgbuyaMakinde
The duo of Rt. Hon. Monday Owhigho Igbuya and Olorogun Williams Makinde makes a good story, as both have reached certain peak in their political careers as Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly (DTHA) and Managing Director of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC).
They have also been speculated to be greedy and fairly corrupt fellows who have risen to their present heights because of their level of political contribution to help entrench governance in one way or the other.They both hail from Sapele local government area of Delta State.
Recently, the media was awash with unconfirmed reports of Olorogun Williams Makinde’s height of alleged financial impropriety and bribery among others at the stable of DESOPADEC.
Surprisingly though, Makinde’s DESOPADEC recently cried out that it is currently under intense pressure from the Delta House of Assembly led by Speaker, Monday Igbuya to part with an undisclosed percentage of the Commission’s N28 billion annual allocation in the 2015 budget, as honorarium to legislators before it is passed into law.
Recall that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa had late last year presented N265 billion budget proposal for the 2016 fiscal year to the Delta State House of Assembly, thus setting the stage for agencies/ministries to commence the budget defence procedures of the House.
The unfortunate development has however led to the Managing Director of DESOPADEC, Olorogun Williams Makinde, threatening to resign his position in the Commission following the quibble between him and Igbuya over the commission’s budget.
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E.I.C: Albert Eruorhe Ograka*News *Literati* Adverts
MORE than 100 fire incidents ravaged property worth millions of naira in Delta State, during the 2015 Yuletide season, the Commissioner in charge of Bureau for Special Duties, Hon. Chika Ossai has said.
Hon. Ossai made the disclosure during on the spot assessment of fire incidents in different parts of Delta State and visits to the victims.
Accompanied by staff of State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Hon. Ossai visited Asaba, Agbor, Ughelli, Warri, among others, commended the fire fighting skill of staff of Delta State Fire Service which ensured that no life was lost in all the incidents.
“First of all, we give thanks to God that no life was lost, but, it is very sad that at this difficult time in the nation’s economy, Deltans lost their property to fire,” he said, adding, “our Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa is very sad and we join him to commiserate with those who were affected by fire because our men attended to 41 fire incidents in Asaba, 32 incidents in 32, 10 incidents in Agbor and others that we are awaiting documentation.”
The Commissioner added, “from available records and reactions from the fire victims, you can see that the fire fighters were very active during the season, they helped in putting out the fire in several places.”
On what the state government will do to ameliorate the sufferings of those affected by the fire, Hon. Ossai said, “it is unfortunate, the SEMA will collate data and we will see what we can do to assist the victims, but this is time, for all if us to be our brothers keepers by assisting the victims.”
“Obviously, too, we are not to conscious about fire, we are not taking measures to check fire outbreaks; people are still engaged in bush burning,” he said, asserting, “we should learn to switch off our electrical appliances when they are not in use and we should develop a culture of having fire extinguisher.”
The Managing Director of Anioma Petroleum Resources Limited, Asaba, Mr Ukwandi Sylvester, thanked the state Fire Service for their efforts which stopped the fire that ravaged his petrol station from spreading to adjoining structured while the Principal of Ika Grammer School, Agbor, Venerable Charles Okunbor disclosed that the quick response of the fire service also, checked the fire that razed classroom block at Ika Grammer School from spreading to other buildings.
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Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) — From Mcdonald Onu– Ebonyi State Governor, Chief David Umahi,
In keeping with his promise to accord priority to the welfare of workers, the Ebonyi State Governor, Chief David Umahi, has assured workers that their January salaries would be paid on the 15th.
Umahi gave the assurance in his country home, Uburu when the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress paid him New Year homage.
The governor, who noted that he had to step down every project last December to give junior workers 100% extra salary and 50% to senior workers, said “in the next 13 days workers will receive salary for January.”
He stated that the initial misunderstanding he had with the organized labour in the state “was brought by God himself because it made us to be on our toes.”
Umahi attributed the success so far recorded by his administration to God’s instruction, and promised workers of better welfare this New Year.
“There is no how we will implement an N101bn budget without the lives of workers changing, absolutely, no how,” he stressed.
The governor maintained his commitment to implementing the 2016
budget 100%, and assured that his fight against corruption in the state was total.
Umahi told the leadership of the organized labour that after the festive period, “we will try to organize properly and move together as a people.”
He added, “I won’t forget your labour of love; I won’t forget your commitment and I won’t forget all the struggles. We do remember.”
Earlier, in his remark, the Chairman of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council, Comrade Ikechukwu Nwafor, said the delegation came to identify with the governor in this season of the Yuletide.
Nwafor said, “Labour cannot afford to celebrate this Christmas and New Year without coming to identify with this government and to pray that this year will be a better year for the government and workers of Ebonyi State.”
Meanwhile, Umahi has appealed to the people of Ohaozara Local Government Area to unite to attain greater heights this year.
Speaking when the stakeholders of Okposi Okwu and Mgbom Okposi autonomous communities visited him, the governor regretted that the seed of disunity caused by some disgruntled politicians had robbed the area of meaningful progress.
Umahi informed the stakeholders that the street light project of the state government would be extended to Okposi while the Okposi-Ugwulangwu- Ukawu road would be constructed.
He stressed the intention of his administration to develop the salt deposits in the area into modern salt factories as soon as the necessary tests were carried out to ascertain
their quantity and quality.
The governor also announced that all issues relating to “Ezeship” of Okposi Okwu has been put on hold pending the burial of a former Minister of Education, the late Dr.Igwe Aja Nwachukwu.
He warned the youth against cultism, stating that his administration would not fail to prosecute anyone found to be involved in activities that negated the peace of the area.
Governor Umahi later took some time out to inspect the on-going construction of the Amasiri- Okposi-Uburu Road.
He directed the construction company (Conrock Nigeria Ltd…) to stop further work on the road, pending its deployment of four bulldozers, three graders, ten tipping trucks and four water tankers to the site.
The governor warned that if after 10 days the contractor failed to meet his directive, he would terminate the contract.
Governor Umahi also inspected the failed “Akwa Etiti” bridge which links Amangwu Edda in Afikpo South Local Government Area and Amasiri in Afikpo North LGA.
He said that construction of another bridge would commence in the next four
weeks to save the people of the area from being cut off totally from the rest of the world.
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Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) – Chief Omene
The Urhobo United Front UUF has berated the ex-President-General of the Urhobo Progress Union UPU, Chief Joe Omene over his comments on the Appeal Court judgment on the Delta Central Senatorial election describing him as the worst misfit in the history of the Urhobo nation.
Rising from a meeting at the weekend in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, the UUF in a statement signed by its National President, Chief Ovie Oghenevo described Chief Omene’s comments on the court verdict as not only self-seeking but misdirected.
The group noted that Omene’s comments further reveals his unquenchable desire to use the platform of the UPU for money making and self-aggrandizement adding that the UPU did not adopt any candidate for the position of Senate for Delta Central Senatorial District in the 2015 elections which was contested by three Urhobo sons.
“We frown seriously at the satanic attitude of Chief Omene who with his lavish lifestyle, womanizing and ostentatious living has started dancing naked in public because there are no contestant for any position to extort money from”.
The UUF observed that Omene’s recent comments in some dailies where is pure sycophancy that he is known for.
“Omene who is today impersonating as an engineer from an institution in Germany is now declaring support for the Labour Party candidate on account of his victory at the Appeal Court and the financial benefit he hopes to gain from him. Those he is attacking today are those who have empowered him beyond his competence” the statement said.
“The outcome of the 2015 elections in Delta Central cannot be said to be predicated on the position taken by the UPU. Others Urhobo candidates for various positions who were purportedly sanctioned by Omene’s fraudulent leadership won their elections and judgments at the Election Petition Tribunal which sat in Asaba and the Appeal Court in Benin-city”.
The Urhobo United Front recalled that Omene had before the 2015 general elections in one of his clandestine moves to Aso Rock in Abuja unilaterally after collecting over a billion naira from the PDP announced the adoption by the UPU of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.
“It is on record that the squabbles and disagreement that arose over the refusal of Chief Omene to disclose and share the PDP Abuja election money resulted in the crack and split of his executive which could not be reconciled together until the Urhobo traditional rulers took the initiative to formally dissolve the exco”.
“We therefore called for the investigation and probing of the fraudulent activities of Omene in the 2015 general elections whereby he turned the UPU into a making venture. And recommend that Urhobo sons and daughters who in the future seek to occupy positions in the UPU should be people who neither are apolitical nor card carrying members of any political party”.
“Omene’s comments further portray him as an impostor whose reign as UPU President-General has put a taint to the vision of the founding fathers of the apex Urhobo socia-cultural body and the successes recorded by past PGs”.
The UUF takes serious exception to the taboo being committed by Omene in Urhobo over his attack on Urhobo traditional rulers who have in the past years taken similar action that brought the likes of late Chief James Edewor and Chief Benjamin Okumagba to become President-General of UPU.
We therefore call for urgent steps to be taken by members of the Urhobo political class irrespective of party affiliations like the traditional rulers did to save the image of the UPU from the hands of Chief Joe Omene who has antecedents for failure and is bent on continue smearing of the reputed name of the UPU and the Urhobo nation in the committee of nations of the Nigeria State.
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Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –From Dr. Mcdonald Onu– Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State
Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State and former Governor Sam Egwu on Wednesday openly narrated how they outwitted the immediate past governor, Martin Elechi and his allies, to emerge victorious in the April 2015 elections.
They said during a thanksgiving service by Egwu, who is the current Senator representing Ebonyi North senatorial zone, in Umuebe in Ohaukwu Local Government Area that they formed a prayer quartet and handed over their struggle to God. former Governor Sam Egwu
While Egwu, who was the first to disclose this, described Umahi as the arrow head of the struggle,the Ebonyi governor said Egwu’s wife, Eunice, was their consultant.
The senator disclosed that a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim and the deputy of the state, Kelechi Igwe, were the other two members of the quartet.
He told the large gathering which included Anyim and members of the Ebonyi State Executive Council that they found out that Elechi was opposed to his candidature and that of Umahi because he wanted his inlaws to occupy the two positions.
The Senator said, ” I remember a particular day,myself, Pius Anyim,David Umahi, and Kelechi Igwe sat down in the dining room of the former SGF(Anyim) and we prayed about our mission. former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim
“We asked God to support us in the mission we had embarked upon. We knew it was very difficult but we committed it into the hands of God. Four of us prayed that we were going by the grace of God to contest the elections; we prayed that Engr.David Umahi becomes the governor of Ebonyi State; myself to be the senator and Kelechi Igwe to be the deputy governor.
“Of course, senator Anyim said he was not going for any position,but he would solidly be behind us.”
Egwu, who thanked God for answering their prayers, hailed Governor Umahi and
Senator Anyim whom he described as the force behind his victory, and the face of the struggle in Abuja.
He called on political office seekers to always seek God’s endorsement. The outwitted immediate past governor, Martin Elechi
Umahi, in his remark, also narrated the struggle with former governor Elechi,even after he (Elechi) was advised by the the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to allow Egwu and himself to contest the elections.
He disclosed that after their prayers at SGF’s home, they became stronger and more determined to contest the elections.
The governor said, ” We can’t thank you enough our dear Senator Anyim; we can’t thank you enough. You got all the important personalities to help us; you also brought the funds needed alongside with your friends.
“At a time, we were more interested in former governor Egwu going to Senate than myself going for governorship position.”
He praised Eunice Egwu for lending her support to the struggle, adding that she was their main political consultant.
Senator Anyim said he was elated because their prayer for Umahi to become the governor of Ebonyi State and for Egwu to become a Senator was answered by God.
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Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) – Alex Otti of APGA (left) and Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of PDP (right)
The Court of Appeal, sitting in Owerri has sacked Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), winner of the April 11 Abia state governorship election and the April 25 supplementary election respectively.
The five-member panel of the Court of Appeal, headed by Justice Oyebisi Omoleye, delivered judgement on the election petition on Thursday, December 31, 2015 and declared Alex Otti of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) as the winner of the election, ordering his immediate swearing-in.
The APGA candidate scored 164,444 valid votes to defeat Ikpeazu of the PDP, who secured 114,444 votes.
The justice said the cancellation of the elections held in three local govenment areas, Obingwa, Osisioma Ngwa and Isiala Ngwa, was unlawful. The returning officer has the right to only declare the results, but not to cancel the election.
Omoleye had previously struck out the preliminary objections by Ikpeazu’s (PDP) counsel to the effect that the appeal lacked merit. The court also affirmed the arguments of APGA’s counsel that the members of the panel were wrongfully constituted.
The justice noted that there was no need for a re-run, as the results of the polls show Otti is the genuine winner of the exercise, without any doubt.
The court therefore directed the Independent National Electoral Commission to issue a certificate of return to Otti and conduct the swearing-in.
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