June 25, (Blank NEWS Online) – 

A few days ago, when information started trickling in that the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, may be considering bombing a supposed ex-militant and kidnappers’ hideout in Calabar, Cross River State, some of us did not believe it. Part of the reason why we questioned the veracity of the information, was the simple fact, that except for relocating the military command to Maiduguri, Borno State, the Nigerian military has done nothing substantial in curbing the antics of the terrorist group Boko Haram in the North Eastern part of the country. The unconfirmed fact that the so-called military high command have actually lodged in a billionaire’s compound, is not the issue right now. Also, we will defer to the President as to the reason for his failure to appoint Ministers to date, including not even the essential Secretary to the Government of the federation (SGF), almost four weeks after swearing-in and twelve weeks after his election victory. Those decisions are executive prerogatives.
 
The summary of the story reported by a few media houses was that the Nigerian Air Force bombed militants’ hideouts in the Cross River creeks on the orders of the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshall Adesola Amosu. The order followed supposed frequent attacks on vessels, police stations, and seafarers by gunmen suspected to be pirates and militants on the Calabar waterways. Allegedly, Amosu ordered deployment of the M17 gunship helicopter to survey and bomb  all suspected hideouts of militants and sea robbers along the creeks of Calabar, according to the Commander of the 207 Special Mobility Group based in Calabar, Air Commodore Charles Ohwo. The air attack which lasted over one hour is expected to be a continuous exercise. They bombed suspected targets in the entire creeks of Calabar waterways up to Bakassi and environs, and that the raid may extend to creeks in Akwa Ibom State. The exercise was planned in conjunction with the Navy, Army and police, but led by the Air Force because of reach and air advantage.
What most of us will not be quiet about is bombing that could potentially cause the death of innocent civilians, when the basis for the attacks are probably specious at best. In late 2012, when the rift between the then President Goodluck Jonathan and former President, Chief (Gen.) Olusegun Obasanjo (rt.) started, over comments on Odi and Zaki Biam, I was quick to pen a piece titled “Obasanjo vs. Jonathan.”  The problem as I stated then “was the statement by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GCFR) a.k.a. GEJ at his press briefing on Sunday, November 25, 2012 … that the method utilized by OBJ in handling the Odi problem was not effective.”
 
Now that another retired military General has decided to bomb a section of the country that is not in the core North, it is important that we look at the similarities by revisiting Odi and Zaki Biam.  In Odi, there were alleged militants that had attacked soldiers. In response, Gen. Chief Obasanjo ordered the annihilation of that village on November 20 1999. Essentially, every building in the town was razed to the ground. Our then Commander-in-Chief stated as the Commander in Chief of the armed forces, he could not just stand by and watch his soldiers be killed by civilians.
 
Two years later, between 22 to 24 October 2001, the people of Zaki Biam in Benue State were not any luckier. Under Obasanjo watch, soldiers murdered over 100 civilians based on alleged killing of peacekeeping soldiers, when a simple argument over the siting of local government headquarters could not be amicably settled.
 
It has always been postulated that retired military men do not make good civilian and democratic leaders because of their training and antecedents. I will hate to believe that a President that I have met and highly respect, is could add credence to the argument. In my comparative analysis of Obasanjo and Dr. Jonathan, I asked, “So, which do we prefer? A President that appears weak because he is seeking workable solutions to an ethno-religious terrorism problem, even if it may involve dialogue, or a President that will order the razing of a village because it potentially may harbor terrorists inside even if it results in killings of women, children and innocent civilians?” I also stated that” it could be that since GEJ is not a former soldier, he is not familiar with the rash methods of the military. Or is it that as a brilliant academician, the President may be restrained by intellectual analysis paralysis that the military is not prone to utilize?
 
Should we not be turning our attention to Boko Haram or are we using the recent military aid from America to fight the wrong battle? I understand the importance of Oil to the country and international community, but must oil wars that have claimed the lives of people like Ken Saro Wiwa continue? In light of the recent Amnesty International report of human rights violation allegedly perpetrated by Nigeria military personnel, including extra-judicial killings, one would have expected that our security forces will be more circumspect in their operations.
 
We are all waiting for un-doctored casualty figures from the Calabar Creeks raid. In the meantime, let us rise and speak up!
 
*Rev. Alex Osondu Atawa-Akpodiete, a public Affairs Analyst and media consultant, writes from Asaba. 

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June 23, 2015 (Blank NEWS Online) – 
 
Delta State Government said it will meaningfully engage journalists for the actualization of the five-point agenda of the government tagged SMART.

The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Rt Hon. Festus Ovie Agas, made this known while playing host to members of the Executives of the State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), led by its Chairman, Comrade Norbert Chiazor.

The SSG explained that the place of journalists was very paramount in governance, stressing that no government can succeed in its programmes if stakeholders like journalists were not engaged constructively.

Hon. Agas gave an assurance that the State Government would attend to some of the challenges facing the State Council of the NUJ, adding however that the prevailing economic crunch would slow down its pace of assistance.

He nevertheless advised journalists to be more ethical and professional by ensuring their stories were properly authenticated, balanced and objective, saying that such would give credibility to their respective medium and personality.

​Earlier, the Council Chairman, Comrade Norbert Chiazor congratulated the SSG on his appointed and thanked the State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, for the wise choice in appointing Hon Agas SSG.

​He appealed for assistance in the completion of the Council Secretariat which the immediate past administration built to foundation level, as well as capacity building for journalists in the State.

​Comrade Chiazor also asked the SSG to use his good offices to ensure that due recognition was given to hierarchy when dealing with journalists in the State, stating that 15 chapels currently exist as units under the Council.

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Blank NEWS Online can report that the Delta state House of Assembly, on Tuesday gave an express approval to the to a N10 Billion Term Loan being sought by the state governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa.

Governor Okowa, who is soliciting for the loan from Zenith Bank Plc, hinted that the new administration in Delta state met a huge bank/capital market debt burden of about N96.62 billion.

This is contained in a letter dated 22nd June 2015 with Ref: GHA.858/73, and titled “Restructuring of Existing Loan Facilities and Offer of N10 Billion Term Loan by Zenith Bank Plc”

The letter which was addressed to the Speaker of the Delta state House of Assembly reads in part:

“On it’s inauguration on May 29, 2015, the new administration in Delta state met a huge bank/capital market debt burden of about N96.62 billion with a scheduled monthly repayment of N4.6 billion, in addition to the monthly repayment of Delta state Infrastructure Development Bond of N50 billion obtained in 2011.

“The state has, therefore, reached an unsustainable level of indebtedness exacerbated by declining oil prices and consequent lowFAAC receipts.

“Constrained by the foregoing and in order to free resources for other development purposes, this administration has resorted to the lead banker, Zenith Bank Plc, which has offered to restructure the state government’s existing loan facilities and that of the House of Assembly as well as to avail the state government a term loan of N10 billion.

“The restructuring of the existing facility and obtaining of N10 billion loan was consented to in principle, subject to the approval of the Honourable House, by His Excellency, the Overnor on 19th of June, 2015.

“The restructuring of the existing facilities and acceptance of the of the N10 billion term loan will mitigate the harsh impact of the liquidity crises, reduce the time lag in the payment of salaries, pensions and overhead costs as well as ensure the take-off of some key projects germane to the agenda of this administration.”

The House however unanimously gave an approval for the loan facility.

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Delta state governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa has submitted the first set of Commissioner nominees to the state House of Assembly for consideration and eventual confirmation as members of the State Executive Council.

The letter was dated 22nd June 2015 with Ref: No. GP/HE/14/68 and made available to Blank NEWS Online.

The nominees whose names were read on the floor of the House by the Speaker, Hon. Monday Igbuya on Tuesday, June 23, 2015 include Barr. (Mrs) Mary Awhotu Iyasere, Hon. Barr. John O. Nani, Dr. Kingsley Emu, Chief James Augoye, Mr. Incent Uduaghan and Mr. Newworld Safugha.

Others are Arch. Joe Ogeh, Sir. Fidelis Okenmor Tilije, Rev. Omatsola Williams, On. Austin Chikezie, Hon. Joyce O. Overah and Hon. Chiedu Ebie.

Hint on Nominees Profile:

Dr. Kingsley Emu, Barr. Neworld Safugha, Rev. Shola Williams, Arc. Joseph Ogeh, Hon. Mary Iyasere, Hon. John Nani, Hon. Joyce Overah, Chief Fidelis Okemuor Tilije, Hon. James Aguoye, Chief Vincent Uduaghan, Hon. Austin Chikezie, and Mr. Chienedu Ebie are the first set of Twelve (12) names submitted to the Delta State House of Assembly by Governor Okowa, as Commissioner Nominees for his new cabinet.

Rev. Williams served in Governor Uduaghan’s first term cabinet, while Dr. Emu and Barr. Safugha served in his second term but were dramatically relieved of their portfolios by Uduaghan for their alleged political sympathies with the then Senator Okowa and Senator James Manager, who was in contention with Uduaghan for the Delta South Senatorial seat.

Hon. Overah has been a member of the House of Representatives, Mrs. Iyasere was a very prominent woman leader in the James Ibori Government, Hon. Nani was a member of the Delta Assembly, while Hon. Chikezie was a former Vice Chairman of Aniocha South LGA and a very close contender for the Aniocha South House of Assembly seat.

Chief Aguoye was the Okowa Campaign Cordinator for Okpe Local Government Area, Arc. Ogeh is the Commissioner representing Isoko ethnic nation in the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, Chief Tilije decamped from the Labour Party, LP, where he was the running mate to Chief Great Ogboru, to the PDP in the last days of the general election campaigns, Chief Vincent Uduaghan is a Cousin to immediate past Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and Chiedu Ebie is the son of one of Nigeria’s most renowned Estate Surveyors and first General Manager of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Sir Fortune Ebie. 

The House of Assembly has however requested the nominees to make available their credentials for effective consideration.

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Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has called on those that contested the gubernatorial election with him in the state and were not successful not to despair but to join hands with him in moving the state forward.

Okowa also disclosed that his administration would be all inclusive as no Deltan would be left behind.

Olorogun O’tega Emerhor contested the just concluded governorship election under the All Progressive Congress (APC) while Chief Great Ogboru was fielded by the Labour Party (LP) as its governorship flag-bearer.

Senator Okowa enjoined the gubernatorial candidates to set aside their differences and collaborate with his administration to bring about more development to the state and called on all political leaders to provide selfless service and ensure the delivering of democratic dividends to the people.

Governor Okowa spoke at the weekend in Otu-Jeremi, during  a thanksgiving service and reception to celebrate the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) Delta Central Senatorial District victory at the polls.

He explained that as leaders elected into positions by the people they had a responsibility to deliver on the promises made.

“The real thanksgiving is by developing a stronger relationship with the people and selfless service and my administration will continue to make efforts to ensure that dividends of democracy comes to Deltans”, Governor Okowa said, assuring that his administration would redeem its promise of prosperity for all Deltans.

He expressed gratitude to the people of Delta Central for the role they played in delivering PDP candidates during the elections saying “In Delta Central it gladdened my heart that PDP got the majority votes during the elections thereby delivering our candidates into the various positions vied for”.

The governor called on leaders and public office holders to stay committed in their service to God and humanity saying “It is by His grace we are where we are today and it is only when He builds our foundation can we stand firm”.

Senator Okowa explained that appointments given in his administration would not be gender specific as women and youths would be given opportunity to thrive in the state.

“I want to appeal to our leaders that you must create space for our women because I am making appointments from a list given to me from the party in the various local government areas so please leaders include women for we do not intend to leave anybody behind”.

The governor also disclosed that the reorganization of DESOPADEC would be beneficial to all Deltans assuring that no part of the state would be marginalised as “his administration’s watchword is fairness, equity and justice for all”.

Dignitaries at the occasion were the former Deputy Governor Prof. Amos Utuama, Senator Ighoyota Amori, Prof. Sam Oyovbaire, Chief Edwin Uzor among others.  

Blank NEWS Online can disclose that President Muhammadu Buhari has plans to totally remove fuel subsidy and use the proceeds for the provision of free and compulsory primary and secondary education across the country.

The federal government will set up committee to work out the modalities to achieve the set goals, our sources have revealed.

The special investigation team on subsidy claims verification have also recommended payment of the controversial N160 billion claimed by oil marketers.

The proposal, which include the provision of free meals for students as incentives for school enrolment is part of the recommendations of the transition committee put in place by President Buhari to work out a blueprint for his administration.

“The total removal of fuel subsidy has been recommended with adequate provisions for palliatives on free education and social welfare for the unemployed”, a member of the transition committee said.

It is also revealed that ex-president Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, through the finance ministry had paid a part of the subsidy claims totalling about N131 billion while the fuel supply imbroglio lasted, even as the former Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala expressed doubts over the additional N160 billion claims ascribed to exchange rate differential and interest rate charges on banks’ funding for the petroleum products imports.

She had subsequently set up a special investigative team made of representatives of Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Committee (PPPRC), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Debt Management Office (DMO) and the finance ministry to investigate the claims for approval of payments before her exit from office as coordinating minister Nigeria’s economy.

FATHERS Day was today celebrated in Catholic Churches all over the world with the Rev. Fr. John Konyeke of the Catholic Church of the Ascension Asaba charging fathers to be molders of good society by ensuring good parental upbringing for their children.

According to Rev. Fr. Konyeke, “the fatherhood is a gift from God, today, we appreciate you, fathers for the numerous roles you played in bringing us up, speak something good into your children every day, make them to be good citizens for us to have a better society.”

“Teach them (your children) how to go so that they will be better in life, teach them how to pray, buy Christian books, Christian gifts for your children,” the Catholic Priest said.

He added, “have time for your children, build your homes as true Christians, love your wives and for fathers with broken families and broken homes or do not have children, do not despair that you don’t have children, God is the giver of children, Jesus is the healer of broken homes, look up to Jesus at all times and if you go to Jesus, don’t be too critical when you are approaching Jesus, meet Him as a child and He will listen to you.”

The Priest who traced the history of Fathers’ Day celebration to more than a century ago when Sonora Dodd initiated the celebration in recognition of the roles his father, Smart Dodd played in their upbringing when their mother died when they were young stated that it was important for fathers to be celebrated but, emphasized that fathers should also, at all times play their roles as responsible and caring fathers.

This year’s Father’s Day celebration in the church which also witnessed a novelty football match between the Catholic Men Organization of Catholic Church of the Ascension and that of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church culminated in thanksgiving service at the church.

The Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation (AGF) has expressed the belief that one sure way the Federal Government can reduce the quantum of graft within public life is for President Muhammadu Buhari to quickly assent to the Audit 2015 Bill passed recently by the National Assembly.

Passed alongside others in the twilight of the 7th National Assembly, the bill, among other objectives, is meant to grant the office of the auditor-general full autonomy and insulate it from the influences of the bureaucracy that it is meant to audit.

According to the Auditor-General, Samuel Ukura,“Our work is being hampered, first because we are not on first line charge.”

Mr. Ukura, who recently submitted to the National Assembly the audited accounts of the federal government for the year 2013, was quoted to have lamented that in the absence of the Audit Bill, “we depend on the same bureaucracy that we carry out financial interrogation on for releases of funds to do our job. Sometimes, these releases are delayed or don’t come at all and they hamper our activities.”

“Again, we depend on the Federal Civil Service Commission for our members of staff’s needs. Sometimes, we don’t get the requisite needed manpower to execute our mandate. That is why assent to this Bill is very important to us because it will grant us financial and establishment autonomy as we will thereafter be on first line charge and also be able to recruit, promote and discipline our own members of staff,” he explained.

A Director in office of the AGF, who buttressed the point during the week, said signing of the Audit Bill into law “will in no small measure enhance our efficiency as well as grant us the latitude to cover almost every MDA of government and curb the excesses of graft in public life which we are at the moment not able to do due to the limitations I just listed earlier.”

Head of Abuja-based Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) and one-time former Federal Commissioner of the Nigerian National Human Rights Commission, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, also tressed the need for the independence of the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation.

While attributing the large scale corruption in the country to lack of independence of the Office of the AGF, Onwubiko urged President Buhari not to waste time but sign it into law without further delay, pointing out that the law is even coming late.

“Yes, this Bill ought to receive priority attention by President Muhammadu Buhari for the fundamental reason that it will formidably strengthen the institution of checks and balances in the accounting system of Nigeria and it will serve as effective mechanisms to check the severe/grave problem of corruption and economic crimes which has crippled our country,” Onwubiko said.

to the HURIWA boss, the development would also strengthen enforcement of procurement laws since the holder of that strategic office could find out how federally-disbursed funds are spent by ministries.

“Interestingly, the dimension of the bill that makes more sense is the aspect that grants autonomy to the office of the Auditor-General for the Federation to shield them from the bureaucratic bottlenecks and stifling control of Federal Government officials,” he added.

Continuing, Onwubike noted that “the problem we have is that even with the passage of bills that are revolutionary, the matter lies with the lack of capacity and the zeal to enforce these provisions and thereby cripple the workability of those institutions.

“So, passing the bill into law and the approval through presidential approval isn’t the major concern but how committed will the enforcement of those independent clauses be by the operators? Nigerians hardly adapt to new anti-graft regime, which the new bill is set to activate should it be approved or assented to. Therefore, there has to be law and order without which granting more powers will simply create a tiger who will not be tamed.

“Whilst we support the bill to become law as rapidly as possible, we do also appeal that a lot of measures be put in place to ensure the effective workability of the new law so that the important institutional frame-works of checks and balances in the administration of public accounts and finances are done.

“For example, the National Human Rights Commission has for over two years been empowered with funding independence and operational independence but the operators of that agency still run it in a business as usual fashion and most Nigerians whose rights are violated are complaining that the rights violation resolution mechanisms are still too slow and the officials are still not professionally competent to drive the process in line with the new powers conceded to the agency by the recent amendments and passage of the enabling law.

So, the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation, if granted autonomy, must be led by competent and non-corruptible professionals who would discharge their functions without fear of being blackmailed because of some hidden crimes.”

CHAIRMAN of Delta State Council of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Chief Ifeanyi Obi has described Senator Ifeanyi Okowa as a peaceful and progressive Governor.

Chief Obi made the description today, Friday, June 19, 2005 while reacting to the non-forceful collection of buses given to the Union by the Delta State government.

According to Chief Obi, “our Governor has done it again, he has shown that he is a peaceful man working for a progressive Delta State, his intervention has made us to retain our buses and our members are very happy.”

“Some persons in the Ministry of Transport wanted to cause disaffection in the state following the emergence of a new government but our Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has intervened and we are very grateful,” he said, adding, “from beginning, we have supported him, he is one of us and we want his government to succeed, God will make him to succeed.”

He added, “if those buses were collected from our members, there would have been trouble for travelers, the buses are not enough and the few we have, some persons wanted to collect them.”

Chief Obi while calling on Deltans to join NURTW to thank Governor Okowa, assured of the Union’s continuous partnership with government to make transportation affordable to the people.

“Businesses will grow, the people will be happy, goods and services will be cheaper if transportation is not only readily available but, it is also affordable and our Union will continue to serve Deltans, cooperate with the state government and work with the Governor for him to succeed,” Chief Obi said, reiterating, “those persons wanted to collect our buses, we cried to the Governor and in less than 24 hours, we are happily, going about our businesses.”

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A Federal High Court Judge sitting in Asaba on Thursday, June 18, 2015 asked the Peoples Democratic Party, the All Progressive Congress (APC) and the Labour Party (LP) in Delta State to seek redress at the Election Petition Tribunal in a matter brought by the PDP challenging the eligibility of all the candidates of the APC and LP in the April general elections in the state .

Delivering judgment, Justice Olatunregun Ishola ruled that even though the case “has merits, it is an inter-party issue and a post-election matter which can be resolved at the Election Petition Tribunal.”

Justice Ishola held that “the plaintiffs did not show sufficient evidence to prove that their rights have been injured by the defendants in the matter.” She subsequently struck out the matter and urged the parties not to use the courts as “a play ground.”

Speaking to reporters, counsel to PDP , Akinnolu Timothy Kehinde (SAN) said the judgment of the court would be studied and a position will be taken by his clients, adding that “as a senior counsel and a lawyer, I am bound by the decision of the court. We will take the next step when we get to that bridge.”

In the suit ((FHC/ASB/CS/28,29,30/2015), the PDP had asked the court to disqualify all the candidates of the three political parties standing for election in the state on the grounds that their parties violated sections 85(1) of the Electoral Acts , 2010 (as amended) which provides that: “Every registered political party shall give the commission at least 21 days’ notice of any convention, congress, conference or meeting convened for the purpose of electing members of its executive committees, other governing bodies or nominating candidates for any of the elective offices specified under this act.”

According to the plaintiff, APC, Accord and Labour Party breached this constitutional provision having held their primaries less than 21 days after the notices they gave to the Independent National Electoral Commission for the holding of their primaries to choose candidates for the 2015 election.

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DELTA State Governor, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa has assured multinational Oil corporations in the state of peaceful and contusive working environment.

He also assured that the state government will partner with the oil companies to generate employment for the people.

Senator Okowa gave the assurance Tuesday, June 16, 2015 when the Chairman/Managing Director of Chevron Nigeria Limited, Mr Clay Neff led executive of the company to pay him a courtesy visit at Asaba.

According to the Governor, it is impossible for the multi- national companies to operate successfully in a restive setting, hence the need for the government to provide the enabling environment for peace to thrive.

Governor Okowa said , “it is in our joint interests to get these youths engaged so that your working environment will be conducive.”

“We will do all that is within our reach to provide good business environment for you and your expansion programmes and any area you think we can be of service to you as a government, let us know,” the Governor assured.

Senator Okowa said that government alone can not absorb the teeming number of unemployed Deltans, stating that it was important for multinational companies to key into the employment programmes of government.

“There is no doubt that Chevron has a good relationship with government and the people of Delta State, it is our hope that your operations grow in the state as it will be more beneficial to our people,” he said, noting, “we advise that between you and other service companies, you should engage more Deltans, not only on contract jobs but, on permanent basis because, this will seal your relationship with the host communities.”

The governor added, “government cannot fill the gap in terms of the large number of unemployed youths in our society, the way forward is to get a lot of them involved in agricultural and entrepreneurial scheme so that they can become small scale employers of labour, this is where we need to partner with you in your robust agricultural and entrepreneurial scheme.”

Earlier, Mr Neff congratulated Governor Okowa on his victory at the polls and subsequent assumption of duty, stating that Chevron has been operating in Delta State for more than five decades and “has good partnership with the government and the people of the state.”

DELTA State Council of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has called on Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to urgently intervene to avert crises over retrieval of vehicles given to members of the drivers’ union by the state government.

Chairman of the NURTW in the state, Chief Ifeanyi Obj who briefed the press on Tuesday, June 16, 2015 said the move to retrieve the vehicles were in bad faith.

According to him, “we want to let our Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa through you to know that people are out to retrieve buses given to our union members, this action is retrogressive and we are pleading for him to intervene.”

“We are aware that the issue of buses have not been discussed anywhere, the buses does not belong to government but our members and the manner with which they are going about collecting our buses is capable of causing crisis because owners of the buses may resist them,” Chief Obi said.

He added, “we are begging for more buses to ease transportation challenges of commuters and the few that we have are being retrieved, this will cause hardship for Deltans which I know the Governor will not be happy with.”

Chief Obi reiterated, “nobody wrote officially to us or came to discuss the issue of vehicles with us and all of a sudden, they want to seize the vehicles, we believe that the Governor will call these people to order.”

The NURTW Boss lauded Governor Okowa’s administration for the steady efforts to create job opportunities for Deltans and begged the people to support the administration rather than engage in action that will cause hardship for others.

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Nigerians have been called upon to contribute their quota to the infrastructural and educational growth of their alma mater within their possible capacity.

The Delta State Deputy Governor Barr Kingsley Burutu Otuaro made the call at Ekpoma, Edo State when the Ambrose Ali University during a Special Convocation Ceremony conferred a Doctor of Science degree (D.Sc) on the President and founder of the Believers Love World aka Christ Embassy, Rev Chris Oyakhilome.

Barr Otuaro who spoke to newsmen said tertiary institutions needed the input of all in terms of development as government cannot do it alone. He congratulated Rev Oyakhilome on his honorary degree and urged him to see it as a call to higher service in the propagation of the gospel and development of the society. He said no effort will be spared by the present government in bringing the needed change and transformation to the education sub-sector.

The Vice Chancellor, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Prof. (Mrs.) Cordelia Agbebaku while conferring the honorary award on Rev. Oyakhilome on behalf of the university senate, noted that the awardee is an alumus of the university who built and donated a befitting auditorium as well as solar lamps and solar street lights to the university.

Prof. Agbebaku noted that the award of Doctor of Science on the man of God is due to his outstanding service to God, humanity and Ambrose Alli University in particular. She urged Rev. Oyakhilome not to relent in his act of philanthropic gesture to the university and the society at large.

While praying that God should continue to light up his life and prosper his endeavours, she used the occasion to call on other alumni as well as well-meaning Edolites/Nigerians to emulate the awardee and write their names in gold letters in the sand of times.

Pro-Chancellor of the University, HRH (Prof.) Gregory Akenzua said the honour of doctorates award to the Rev. Chris is due to his sterling attainment made through his ministry saying that his preaching of love throughout the world has changed many society.

He asserted that Rev. Oyakhilome has been able to change souls in every nooks and cranny, through personal encounter, the application of modern technology have brought comfort to many souls throughout the world.

Reponding, Rev. Chris Oyakhilome thanked the entire management staff, the governing council and the senate of the university for the honour done him. He said he will continue to do everything by God’s grace to assist in any capacity when such opportunity arises.

Rev. Oyakhilome urged other alumni to join hands together to contribute their quota to the great institution. According to him, they can collectively achieve great height in assisting the University.

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His Excellency, the Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, warmly congratulates Mr Sam Amuka-Pemu, the publisher of Vanguard newspaper, on the occasion of his 80th birthday.

According to a statement signed by Mr. Jackson Ekwugum, Communications Manager, Government House and dated June 13, 2015, “The Governor notes that Uncle Sam, as he is fondly called by admirers, is an icon of journalism in Nigeria with his impeccable credentials as a columnist, editor, and publisher, spanning over four decades.

“The Governor recalls that Amuka-Pemu’s “Sad Sam” column in the Daily Times in the 60s and early 70s was a must read and contributed immensely to the library of thought and information on public policy and national development. Dr Amuka-Pemu’s trail blazing strides in the pen profession continued when he co-founded The Punch with the late Olu Aboderin in 1973.

“The advent of Vanguard, the “refreshingly different” newspaper in 1984 greatly shaped the course of the journalism profession with its emphasis on racy news, balanced reporting, and incisive commentary. His Excellency is delighted that the Vanguard has continued in this tradition, and is thus a significant force in the socio-political evolution of Nigeria.

“Dr Okowa is proud of this illustrious Deltan and urges him not to relent in his efforts to continue to mentor the younger generation on the fine art of journalism and newspaper management. He prays for good health and God’s strength and wisdom for Mr Amuka-Pemu as he joins the club of octogenarians.”

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GOVERNOR Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has said proper Policing of the country will boost the confidence of foreign investors to do business in Nigeria.

Speaking when the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 5, Mr Musa Daura paid him a courtesy visit in Asaba on Thursday, June 11, 2015, Senator Okowa stated that a lot of foreign investors were interested in doing business in Nigeria, especially, Delta State following the successful elections held in the country, but, observed that they desire a conducive and peaceful environment.

“Today, because we all worked with each other in partnership, we have come out from the elections as a very peaceful nation, we must thank the Police for ensuring peace during the elections, the more peace we keep in our state, the more peace we see in our country the more investment we are going to see nationally and we will be able to provide employment for our teeming youths,” the Governor said.

He added, “we have a lot of investors willing to invest in Nigeria, especially, Delta State and they need a peaceful and encouraging environment, the Police has a great role to play in ensuring that law and order is maintained.”

Governor Okowa reiterated that “Delta State is a peaceful state and we will work with the law enforcement agencies to sustain the existing peace, because we want speedy development.”

While lauding the Police for the roles they played during the last general elections in the country, Senator Okowa observed that it was important for security agencies to partner with electoral bodies for peaceful elections to be held.

He said, “I must thank the Police for the role they played during the elections, in every growing democracy, the Police must be in partnership with the electoral bodies to deliver a free and fair elections.”

Earlier, AIG Daura had told the Governor that they were in Asaba to congratulate him on his successful assumption of office and to solicit the support of his administration for proper policing of the state.

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DELTA State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has called for synergy between the political office holders and the masses to attain a progressive and democratic society.

The Governor made the call Thursday, June 11, 2015 during the swearing-in ceremony of Chief Festus Ochonogor as the Senior Special Adviser and Chief Omimi Esquire as the Political Adviser to Delta State government.

According to Senator Okowa, when there is good linkage between the governed and those in positions of authority, democratic dividends will get to the people and there will be peace and orderliness in the society.

“It is expected that our people are yearning for partnership with government after the elections, because of the paraphernalia of office, it is difficult for our people to link with the various arms of government, it is important for there to be linkage so that our people will have full dividends of democracy,” he said, asserting, “everybody must have good sense of belonging in the democratic government.”

He described the appointments as well deserved stating, “these positions are very key to the survival of this administration and positions that will serve as a linkage with the political class and the masses, I worked with both of them over a period of time. I gave them difficult tasks during the campaign and both of them worked as a team to give the desired results.”

“It is necessary for us to have a proper union with our different communities because only in that partnership that we can maintain peace and order, we need to utilize the various focus groups to develop our people,” the Governor said, “adding, “if you deepen this linkage, we can link them with the micro-credit agency of the state government, we want a situation whereby the beneficiaries will be well identified and known among us.”

Governor Okowa used the occasion to disclose that there were plans for the implementation of the health insurance policy for Deltans which he said, “will touch the lives of families, make them healthier both in terms of economy and good health.”

While congratulating the appointees, the Governor urged them to always know that they represent the whole of Delta State, conceding that it was impossible for his administration to appoint all those who worked for his emergence as Governor into political offices and the appointees should ensure that they link up with all stakeholders fir them to have benefits of governance.
Responding on behalf of the appointees, Chief Ochonogor assured the Governor of their commitment to sustain and consolidate on the political goodwill in the state and make the state more homogeneous.

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