THE Chairman, Delta State Council of National Union of Road Transport Workers, Comrade Ifeanyi Obi has congratulated the newly elected President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba, describing the emergence of new leadership as progressive for the country.Newly Elected NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba
Speaking in Asaba, Delta State yesterday, Comrade Obi said the newly elected Deputy President of NLC, Nasin Usman was possible because he carried all workers along in his activities.
While congratulating the Deputy President, Chief Obi said members of NURTW are proud of him, adding that he has done a lot for the progress of NURTW and that he will replicate such for all Nigerian workers.
Comrade Obi urged all workers in the country to shelve their differences as a result of the electoral process and support the new leadership of the union to enable all workers get dividends of genuine leadership.
“Our Deputy President built a Secretariat for NURTW, he attracted foreign training for us and repositioned the NURTW, he is going to do the same for Nigerian workers,” Comrade Obi said, adding, “all workers union in the country should team up with the new executive for them to succeed and for our benefits as workers.”
He assured that all the unions in the state are calm and workers are happy that the NLC elections have been held at the national levels peacefully.
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As many Ngerians crave for the suspension of the use of card readers during the forthcoming elections, Delta State Commissioner for Information, Barr. Chike Ogeah has caled on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to jettison the plan due to persistent doubts over its efficacy and poor sensitization of the electorate by the electoral body.Child Ogeah Esq
Ogeah, during a live programme, Sunrise Daily, on Channels Television opined that the recent mock test of the card readers conducted by INEC in selected states across the six geopolitical zones of the country was not a true reflection of an election environment, particularly given the low turn-out of eligible voters recorded in the exercise.
He observed that recent developments proved that INEC was ill-prepared for the earlier polls scheduled for February 14 and March 28, the electorate still fear disenfranchisement as a result of inconsistencies in the distribution and collection of Permanent Voters’ Cards.
Ogeah, however assured that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is fully ready for the elections, despite the lapses exhibited by INEC in the equitable distribution of PVCs and attempt to demonstrate the use of the card readers.
He further emphasised the need for INEC to correct all the lapses including the issue of any emergent malfunction and management of the the card reder devise, before deploying it to use in an election of the magnitude of the 2015 general elections.
He urged Nigerian politicians, especially members of the opposition, to stop heating up the polity through hate campaigns, unnecessary criticism and rather dwell on critical issues in the nation’s interest.
Ogeah, who advised Nigerians to see INEC as an institution, saddled with the responsibility of conducting elections in the country, lamented he reverence of INEC Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega above the authority, independence and responsibility of the institutions.
He therefore called on Nigerians to seek means of assistng INEC to ensure the conduct of credible elections, rather than dwelling on the personality of who headed the election body.
Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that no Nigerian was disenfranchised in the forthcoming elections.UduaghanOjougboh
Governor Uduaghan who stated this when the Peoples’ Democratic Party [PDP] National Vice Chairman, South South zone, Dr. Caro Ojugboh and the zonal executive members visited him in Asaba yesterday (16-3-15), said that there were still a lot of Nigerians with valid temporary voters’ cards (TVC) who have not been able to collect their permanent voters’ cards (PVC).
“There are still many citizens of the state who have not been able to collect their PVCs, they have gone to INEC offices, filled forms, sent SMS but INEC has not brought the cards from Abuja. Nobody should be disenfranchised from taking part in the elections due to no fault of theirs”, he stated adding: “INEC should do something about it, so that we do not have issues that will affect the elections.”
Governor Uduaghan called for unity and cohesion among the party members especially at the unit level to ensure massive victory for the party in all elections.
While assuring the zonal executive members of victory for the party in all elections in the state, the Governor disclosed that the State Government and state party executives have embarked on massive grassroots mobilisation and sensitisation campaigns at the ward and local government levels.
“We are meeting various groups to sensitise them to vote for the party, a lot of grassroots campaigns is going on at the wards and local government levels and we are working assiduously to deliver the party, we want to get the maximum votes for the president, maximum votes for our governorship candidate, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, and maximum votes for our national and state houses of assembly candidates”, Dr. Uduaghan said.
Earlier, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh said that they were in the state to meet with the state executive members and party faithfuls on the need to ensure maximum support for the party in the forthcoming elections.
He charged members of the state and zonal executives who attended the party’s train-the trainers’ workshop in Abuja recently to embark on the training of party agents for the elections to ensure that the agents carry out their functions effectively.
DELTA State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan has decried the growing bitterness and hate-based campaigns by politicians saying that it would do the country no good.Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State (2nd right), Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (right), Prof. Sylverster Monye (2nd left) and National Vice Chairman PDP South-South, Hon. Cairo Ojuogboh during the Delta North Town hall meeting Professional group and Civil Society Organization
Uduaghan spoke on Monday at a town hall meeting with professional groups and civil society organizations in Delta North Senatorial district in Asaba, convened to sensitize them towards supporting President Goodluck Jonathan in the general elections.
According to him, it has been politics of distortion of facts and mudslinging, campaign of calumny, foul languge and hate-based campaigns that would only further create problems for the country.
“I do believe that in all my years in politics l have not experienced the kind of campaign that is going on now. Campaigns that has moved from issues to personalities, campaigns in which all sorts of things are been dug up that will not help the winners to be a good governor or a good president”’ he stated.
“But for us in Delta we have decided to remain focused and bring out issues that we will use to convince you to vote for our PDP candidates because we believe in discussing the issues”.
The Governor therefore charged politicians to engage in issue-based campaigns that will make post-election Nigeria a better country.
He explained that the town hall meeting with professionals and civil society organizations was important for facts about the achievements of President Jonathan’s administration to be presented to them, noting that as leaders of trade unions and organizations, they should be able to pass on such facts to their members to enable them make better judgments.
He urged them to support and vote for President Jonathan and all the PDP candidates because they have performed well to deserve being elected in the general elections.
Said he: “We are saying you should vote for Mr. President not because he is from Niger/Delta, we are saying you should vote for him because he has laid good foundation, a very solid foundation to move the country forward and he requires another four years to build on that foundation”.
Gubernatorial flag bearer of the PDP in the state, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa reiterated that President Jonathan deserves the votes of Nigeria as he has opened up democratic space by ensuring freedom of speech and association and has delivered on many sectors of the economy as well as sustained the fight against corruption.
“The President is a democrat and a gentleman, it takes a democrat to respect institutions of democracy, he has continued to respect freedom of speech and associations unlike past administrations that gagged the people and threw them into jail without course,” he said.
A former Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Performance Monitoring and Evaluation, Prof. Sylvester Monye delivered a lecture on ‘Governing Under Siege: An Assessment Of The President Goodluck Jonathan Administration 2011-2015’, at the town hall meeting.
Prof. Monye in his lecture, presented facts asserting that President Jonathan has performed better than his predecessors in office amidst applause from the audience.
He buttressed the essence of the town hall meeting saying, “we have left objectivity and issues in campaigning, we have elevated subjectivity and outright falsehood as basis of campaign, it is now evident that the more proficient you are as a propagandist, the more successful you are as a campaigner which is wrong.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on legal matters, Barr. Andrew Odum listed the professional groups in attendance to include, the Nigerian Bar Association. Nigerian Medical Association, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Conference of Registered Engineers of Nigeria, Nigeria Society of Engineers, Nigeria Union of Teachers, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Association of Secondary School Teachers, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Trade Union Congress, Nigeria Institute of Management, Nigeria Institute of Architects, Association of Professional Bodies, Nigeria Institute of Surveyor, among others.
CLERGYMEN from different parts of Delta State have gathered in Asaba for the maiden edition of Clergymen Lawn Tennis Tournament billed to kick off today, Monday, March 16, 2015 at the New Government House, Asaba.
According to the coordinator of the tournament and Parish Priest, Catholic Church of the Ascension Asaba , Rev. Fr. John Konyeke, the Governor of Delta State, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan will take the kick-off at 04:00pm.
While commending Governor Uduaghan for approving the tournament for clergymen, Rev. Fr. Konyeke said more than sixteen clergymen are already in Asaba for the tournament billed to take place at Government House, Asaba.
He observed that the tournament is an opportunity for clergy men to exercise themselves.
“We call this a unity tournament for clergymen, this tournament will provide avenue for us to unwind,” he said, adding, “this is the first of its kind and we believe it will be an avenue to also evangelise.”
He added, “we are conscious that this is period of lent, but to His glory, the Governor approved that it should take place now, we believe the tournament would help us as clergymen and those who will come and watch us in more ways than we envisage.”
“The tournament will commence on Sunday, March 15, 2015 and Governor Uduaghan as one of the best lawn tennis players around, we believe will regularly attend the championship,” Fr. Konyeke who is the Parish Priest, Catholic Church of the Ascension Asaba said.
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Ongoing construction work at the second Niger Bridge was temporarily halted, weekend, when unemployed graduates from Asaba, Delta State besieged the premises of Julius Berger Plc, the company handling the Bridge project, demanding for slots in the employment of the company.
They said the law governing employment in Delta State indicated that companies must employ 50 percent and 30 percent of their unskilled and skilled workers from their immediate environment.
The youths, under the auspices of Umu-Ezenei Association of Graduates, Artisans and Professionals (UAGAP), who were made up of both males and females, carrying placards and partially blocked the main entrance to the dredging site of the company, asserted that Julius Berger has failed in its responsibility to his host community.
Some of the placards read “Julius Berger, Employ Asaba Youths”, “We Are Graduates, Employ Us”
The leader of the youths, Engineer Christopher Onwuka, who addressed officials of the company, said they had written to Julius Berger and its subsidiary, B and Q Dredging, demanding list of employees to confirm the employment quota.
According to him, since there was no response from the companies, the youths representing thousands of others, embarked on a peaceful occupation of the company’s premises to attract their attention, adding that they were not asking for money but gainful employment for the youths of Asaba.
While noting that no Asaba indigene is in the employment of the company, he said the youths and people of Asaba in general were happy with the on-going work at the site of the second Niger Bridge, and urged Julius Berger to direct the employment of Asaba graduates in the company.
Engineer Onwuka said they would provide peaceful atmosphere for the Federal Government to complete the project on schedule and reiterated their demand for the company to live up to its social responsibility.
The Chief Security Officer (CSO) of Julius Berger in Asaba, Mr. Ferdinand Ugbomah, who said they had no Community Liaison Officer (CLO) intervened and reached out to the top officials of the company who then promised to address the grievances of the youths next week.
One of the officials and Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Julius Berger, Mr. Ojelabi, who spoke to the youth leader on telephone, commended the youths for their peaceful disposition, promising that the company will be ready to dialogue with them next Wednesday.
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THE All Progress Congress (APC) House of Representatives candidate for Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency, Hon. Eugene Okolocha has called on the Federal Government to include Ndokwa in the Gas City Project.
Hon. Okolocha said the call was necessary bearing in mind that Ndokwa plays host to the largest gas plant in the sub-sahara Africa and the proposed Gas City Project would rely a lot from gas supply from Ndokwa land.
The former Delta State law maker made the call at Kwale while speaking at a debate for candidates for House of Representatives in Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency organized by the Ndoka Arise, a political pressure group in the area in collaboration with a media outfit, Ndokwa Reporters.
According to Hon. Okolocha, “the Gas City project is a good project but, why would the Federal Government push Ndokwa people to the back ground, and those who have no gas in their domain are fighting over who should host the Gas City project.”
He emphasized that if elected as member representing Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, he would provide the needed voice for the people, asserting, “our people have suffered neglect for a long time because of no say, and we are going to be talking, dialoguing and ensure that our people are not shortchanged again.”
The first Minority Leader of the Delta State House of Assembly expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the debate, and urged the people of Ndokwa to always stand up for their right.
“Democracy has provided avenue for us to express ourselves, we should utilize the window of opportunities provided by democracy and make the best decision for ourselves and the future generation, we should look at the pedigree of those who wants to lead us and make sure we vote right,” he said.
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The Delta State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has
pleaded with the State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, to expedite
action towards completing the Ultra Modern Secretariat building of the
Union.
This is contained in resolutions reached at the Congress of the State
Council of the NUJ held in Asaba recently.
The Congress commended Governor Uduaghan for the initiative to provide
a secretariat complex for the NUJ, and expressed the belief that when
completed, the building would not only make accommodation problem a
thing of the past for the Union but would be a rallying point for the
advancement of journalism practice in the State.
The Congress praised the quality of work going on at the site of the
Secretariat building, saying with the timely release of more funds,
the project would be completed and commissioned before May 29 this
year, saying the critical aspects of a befitting foundation had
already been laid.
The Congress equally considered the report of the Screening Committee
of practicing Journalists in the State and extended the submission of
the final report by two weeks to accommodate those who missed out in
the initial screening exercise held at the various chapels.
The Congress gave chapels leadership that have overstayed their
tenures two weeks to conduct fresh elections and inform the State
Secretariat accordingly.
The Chairman of the Council, Comrade Norbert Chiazor, in his remark,
called on journalists to be conscious of the political atmosphere by
carry out their constitutional role objectively and truthfully and
avoid being used by politicians against their perceived opponents.
While tasking Chairmen and Secretaries of the fifteen chapels in the
State to hold regular meetings and organize activities that would
uplift journalism practice among their members, he commended the
leadership of the DBS Asaba Chapel for good initiative within few
months after its inauguration.
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A 24 man team made up of 18 players and six Officials of Dedebit SC Football Club from Ethiopia, arrived Lagos on this afternoon, Thursday, March 12, 2015 and were Air-lifted to Benin City before making it to Warri by road.
Dedebit SC Football Club is Warri Wolves FC opponents in the CAF Confederation Cup match fixed for Saturday this wee at the Warri City Stadium on n Delta state.
At the Same time, the match Commissioner, Al-Hadj Jawulu from Ghana and Match Officials, Hassan Mohammed Hagi, Hamza Hagi Abdi, Bashir SH Abdi Suleiman and Bashir Olad Arab, all from Somalia arrived Warri on Thursday afternoon for the 1st leg, second round of the Championship.
A statement released to Blank NEWS Online by the Media Manager of the Club, Etu Moses on Thursday evening, disclosed that the stage is now set for the match which promises to be explosive as both sides have what it takes to make it to the next round.
“I can confirm to you that the visiting team finally landed in Lagos on Thursday afternoon and we could not get a direct flight to Warri so we took them to Benin which is less than 100 km and from there, they travelled to Warri by road. As for the Match Officials, they arrived on time so they flew straight to Warri and we thank God for their safe arrival.
“With their arrival, all is now set for the match and we are praying for a good weather on Saturday. We will continue to appeal to our fans to come out in thousands to watch this classical match. In Ethiopia, we have been told that we will meet not less than 35 thousand fans so if we can get about 20,000 fans here, it will go a long way in motivating the players for a good victory” said Etu.
Warri Wolves Captain and Super Eagles defender, Azubuike Egwuekwe has warned his team mates that the match against Dedebit SC of Ethiopia on Saturday in the CAF Confederation Cup second round, first leg will be tough and urged the fans to come out in thousands to cheer them to victory.
Warri Wolves Captain and Super Eagles defender, Azubuike Egwuekwe has warned his team mates that the match against Dedebit SC of Ethiopia on Saturday in the CAF Confederation Cup second round, first leg will be tough and urged the fans to come out in thousands to cheer them to victory.
Azubuike spoke when reminded that Dedebit who plays their matches in Bahir Dar Stadium, about 700km, North of Addis Ababa has about 42 thousand fans in attendance in their last match, disclosed that they have to finish the work in Warri, otherwise, they will have themselves to blame.
According to Azubuike, the fans can win the match for them by cheering every move made by the players because Dedebit parades National team players and they need to double their effort to scale through.
“We are aware of the herculean task ahead because Dedebit is not a small team. About 42,000. fans were present in their last match so we want our fans to come out in thousands to cheer us to victory. They parade national team players, about seven, so we just have to work hard to see that we do well in the first leg because the second leg would be difficult.” said Azubuike.
Azu as he is fondly called by friends has however assured all stakeholders that they are ready to shed their blood to win the first leg by scoring many goals.
Meanwhile, as at Wednesday morning, no word has come from the visiting team as to the time of their arrival and they seem to be playing hide and seek game in the match which comes up on Saturday at the Warri City Stadium.
Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, Director of Media of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, wants Major-General Muhammadu, Nigeria’s former military Head of State, to account for his role on January 29, 1969 coup d ‘etat, which led to the alleged gruesome killing of many Igbo people of South Eastern Nigeria.Buhari (Now & Then)
Buhari is the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate in the March 28 Presidential election.
Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, who claimed he was in Umuahia, Abia State to attend some caucus meetings, where the alleged role of Buhari against the Igbos during the Civil War became a recurring issue, however urged Buhari to urgently address the issues now that he is seeking to become the president of the country.
Buhari is said to have served in the Army Division where the alleged massacre of defenseless Igbos took place.
Read Fani-Kayode’s speech:
“We attended caucus meetings with them and the questions that kept coming up on the issue of the presidential election centred on the role Buhari played in the very sad events of the night of January 29, 1966, when a coup d’état took place in our country, during which no fewer than 300 Igbo army officers, a sitting head of state, General Aguiyi-Ironsi and a serving governor of the old Western Region, Colonel Fajuyi, were killed in the most brutal fashion in less than 24 hours.
“It is important for us to look into this today, considering the fact that Buhari is aspiring to be the next president of Nigeria.
“The Nigerian people have a right to know the truth about Buhari’s role in the tragic events of that night, as they do not deserve to be kept in the dark. We deserve to know who did what, who to and how many times. That is the message I got from most of the Igbo leaders I met on this tour and that is certainly the feeling of most Nigerians. The days of feeding our people with half-truth and telling them not to discuss the ugly events of the past which were long over. It does not stop there.
“The other issues that were raised centred on the role Buhari allegedly played during the very tragic events in the core north in the mid 60s just before the Civil War, when no fewer than 100,000 innocent and defenceless Igbo civilians, mainly women and children, were killed within a period of three months by irate and armed local mobs.
“Many have asked and wondered whether it was true that Buhari was amongst those that covertly orchestrated and encouraged those killings, as well as supported the slaughter of those innocent and helpless citizens. We consider this issue most relevant today, because this same man, who some people have alleged was involved in this carnage and genocide, is desperate to become the next president of Nigeria.
“We give thanks to God that Igboland is now a vital and integral part of a united and indivisible Nigeria and that the pains of the Civil War are many years behind us, yet the wounds inflicted on our minds must be healed and completely too.
“This can only be done by the exposition and enunciation of truth and when those who committed the most heinous atrocities against innocent civilians, women and children, even many years ago, are brought to justice. This can only be done after the souls of the innocents that were slaughtered are appeased by ensuring that anyone, no matter how highly placed, who committed or encouraged any crime against humanity at any point in time in our history against fellow Nigerians is brought to book.
“The best way to do this is not to dismiss these grave and serious questions, because this man was accused of participating in the terrible atrocities against the Igbo, both on January 29, 1966 and during the course of the massacre of innocent civilians in the North in September, October and November 1966.
“At this juncture, we must ask this painful, yet pertinent question: Is it true that the blood of the Igbo people ran up to the knees of Buhari on the night of July 29, 1966? This question, among others were put to Buhari during the sitting of the late Oputa-led panel in 2001 and instead of him answering them accordingly, for attendant matters to be settled once and for all and, if these allegations were indeed true, for him to ask for forgiveness, Buhari refused to turn up. Instead of coming clean and making use of this historic opportunity to settle the matter once and for all and make peace, Buhari went to court to ask for an injunction to restrain the panel from compelling him to come and give answers.
“This is very unfortunate and it is nothing but a sad and graphic reflection of his unrepentant and vicious mindset. The truth is that it is because he failed to face the Oputa-led panel and answer those questions 14 years ago, that we are still asking those questions today.”
President Goodluck Jonathan The Deputy Chairman, Finance Committee of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organization, Dr. Ngozi Olejeme on Saturday reflected on the acts of courage and determination made by women in the fight for equality so far, praising President Goodluck Jonathan for elevating women in the country.Deputy Chairman, Finance Committee of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organization, Dr. Ngozi Olejeme
“We have witnessed a transformation in women’s participation in public life. More women are exercising leadership in politics and business, more girls are going to school” she said.
In her message for International Women’s Day 2015, Olejeme urged women to make an informed decision when choosing the next president of the country.
“Nigeria is moving in the right direction. Women have received reasonable positions in government at the federal level. President Jonathan is promoting girl education in remote villages. We have the environment conducive to business investments and trade. We have policies that are expanding the economy. There is the rule of law in this country. The Jonathan led People’s Democratic Party government is committed to fiscal prudence” she said.
Olejeme advised Nigerian men to move beyond rhetoric and take action to improve the quality of life of women by removing the many obstacles that impede full and equal participation by women at so many levels.
“Women must exercise their choices; they must participate in politics, have income, and live in societies free from violence and discrimination. Women must have access to education and play a full role in the communities’ decision-making processes” she said.
Olejeme who is also the chairman of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) urged women to redouble their efforts to achieve gender equality.
She stressed the need for Nigerian women to be guided by a three- word motto: Together We Build.
“We must keep our eyes on the long -range prize for self and country. We must take an active part in the coming elections and structures that will emerge from these elections”.
On what she knows would take Nigeria forward this month, Olejeme advised Nigerian women to vote for Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.
“A vote for PDP is a vote for progressive policies, high management capacity and vision for serious challenges besetting Nigeria. It is also a vote for inspiring health facilities, high quality education and better future” she added.
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The Buhari Support Organization (BSO), Delta state chapter, has lauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) technical mock trials of the card reader machines, describing the exercise as dependable measure to check electoral fraud in Nigeria.From left: Comrade Victor Beji (Secretary), Prince C. Ikpama (Coordinator- Delta South Senatorial District), Chief Chris Ogwu (Coordinator- DeltaI North Senatorial District), Dr. To bore Ajueshi (Delta state Coordinator), Ogbueshi Douglas Gwon (Deputy state Coordinator) and Mr. Lucky Asawota (Treasurer) @ a Press briefing organized by the Buhari Support Organization (BSO) in Asaba.
Delta state Coordinator of the group, Dr. Tobore Ajueshi on Saturday, March 07, 2015 shortly after an enlarged meeting of the organization in Asaba, disclosed that because of their faith in the use of the card readers, a team from the Buhari Support Organization (BSO) were involved in the monitoring exercise to examine the outcome which he claimed was successful and would frustrate moves by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to engage in electoral malpractices.
Ajueshi, who revealed that Gen. Muhammadu Buhari personally set up the BSO, believing that the 2015 election is very crucial and to ensure that the APC campaigns reach the grassroots, is determined to make a difference with his leadership style that is instilled in core national values.
“If we cast a deep review and carefully analyse the present state of economy of this country as at today and if we review the image that 16 years of negative governance has given to this country both nationally and internationally, then you will agree that there is a dire need to save this country from anarchy and doom,” he asserted.
Speaking on the alleged alliance between All Progress Congress (APC) and the Labour Party (LP), he said there is no concrete agreement yet between the two major opposition parties in Delta state but revealed that negotiations are still ongoing.
He further described allegations of INEC’s registration of millions of underaged persons in the Northern part of the country as a mere propaganda to disallow the effective use of the card readers.
“I assure you that they are always welcome because they are still part and parcel of APC. They were initially in the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) before the formation of APC which they now belong to. We will receive them back into our fold once they agree to join us.”
While appealing to the electorate to vote massively for APC in the forthcoming elections, against the manipulation of the ruling party, he emphasised that APC is certain of getting 60 percent of votes cast for Gen. Muhammadu Buhari during the elections in the state, boasting that Delta state will be returned to APC like Rivers and Edo states.
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True to general public demand on the need for the Independent National Electoral Commissthe (INEC) to conduct a mock trial of is card reader machines in an election situation, ahead of the forth coming general elections, the Nigerian electoral body has fixed today, Friday, March 07, 2015 to test-run the card readers.
INEC reveals that the scheduled field-testing of the Smart Card Readers (SCRs) will hold in 225 polling units and 358 voting points across 12 Registration Areas (Wards) in 12 states of the Federation.
The registration areas where the field-test would take place are in Delta, Rivers, Ekiti, Ebonyi, Kano, Taraba, Kebbi, Lagos, Bauchi, Niger and Nasarawa states.
“Affected RAs are in the following Local Government Areas (LGAs): Port Harcourt City (Rivers), Abakaliki (Ebonyi), Ado Ekiti (Ekiti), Gassol (Taraba), Kumbotso (Kano), Bunza (Kebbi), Kokona (Nasarawa), Shiroro (Niger), Ikeja (Lagos), Aguata (Anambra), Oshimili South (Delta) and Jama’are (Bauchi).”
*Source: Mr Kayode Idowu, Chief Press Secretary to INEC chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega.
It was a night parked with fun, laughter, pomp and pageantry Wednesday in Asaba as members of the entertainment industry held a “Thank You Concert/Dinner” in honour of the Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan to appreciate his support for the industry.
The Event which brought the crème-de – la –crème in the entertainment industry including veterans like Opa Williams, Oris Wiliki, Ras Kimono, Daddy Showkey, Ali Baba, Sammie Okposio, Emma Ogosi, AY, Gordons. Iyanya, Fred Amata, Zeb Ejiro, Emma Grey, DJ Humility, Mandy, Omoni Oboli, was capped with the presentation of a lifetime Award of Excellence to the governor.
Speaking at the occasion, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan disclosed that the human resource development not oil was the greatest resource of the country.Governor Uduaghan of Delta State & Delta-born actors, actresses, producers, comedians, musicians in a group photo
He explained that Delta State has keyed into the development of this resource that was why Deltans can be found in all spheres of human endeavours whether politics, banking, sports, media, or the entertainment industry.
“Our biggest resource is not oil but the human being, in every field in Nigeria, Deltans are there, in banking, media, politics, or entertainment industry”, the governor said.
Governor Uduaghan explained that one of the gains of his administration’s Delta Beyond Oil Initiative was making the state especially Asaba an entertainment hub stating that “ Delta State has the talents, the people and the enabling environment to achieve our dream for the entertainment industry, all we have tried to do is to develop the talents, it is not surprising that most of the artistes especially comedians are from Warri or grew up there”.Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State (right) and Senator Ifeanyi Okowa and Nigeria’s first female comedian at a Thank You Concert by entertainers for Governor Uduaghan in Asaba.
He charged Nigerians to always show appreciation for every support received, saying “nothing is as gratifying as showing appreciation for the support one has received, this act of appreciation by the members of the entertainment industry is so gladdening, I never expected something so big as this gathering”.
“I want to let you know that I am also appreciative of the little time we spent together over lunch or breakfast in my house, when I am with you. You make laugh, you entertain me, it helped to reduce the stress of the work”.
While accepting that more need to be done for the growth of the industry in the state, Governor Uduaghan disclosed that the State Government would explore the possibility of holding a carnival and boat regatta in the nearest future.
The State Commissioner for culture and Tourism, Barr. Mofe Damijo in his welcome address said that the idea for the concert was mooted by Ogus Baba to honour Dr Uduaghan who have doRichard More Damijo (Commissioner for Culture) & Chike Ogeah (Commissioner for Information)ne a lot to support the industry in the last eight years adding: “We are here to honour a man that has a vision to transform Delta Beyond oil, this is one of the gains, entertainment now account for over 2.5 percent of the nation GDP”.Dance Steps: Daddy Show key & Gov. Uduaghan doing it.
Ali Baba, Zeb Ejiro, Opa Williams, I Go Save, Ayo Makun among others in their goodwill messages, commended Dr. Uduaghan for his massive support for the entertainment industry which has taken a lot of our youths off the streets and improved their talents.organiser of the concert, Ogus Baba (right) watches as Gov. Uduaghan is being decorated
The organiser of the concert, Ogus Baba stated that the concert was a private initiative meant to show deep appreciation to Dr. Uduaghan for his massive contributions to the development of the entertainment industry in the country.
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THE Ijaws and Itsekiris on Wednesday, March 04, 2015 in Asaba resolved their differences over the Gas City Project and appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to fix a date for the ground-breaking ceremony.
Rising from a peace parley conveyed by the Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, the two groups resolved to make room for peace as well as ensure that the more than 16 billion United States dollars Gas City project takes off successfully.
Addressing the press shortly after the meeting, representatives of Gbaramatu, Ugborodo and the Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) commended Governor Uduaghan for the intervention and disclosed that all the issues involved have been resolved for the project to come on stream.
Barr. Austin Oboroegbeyi who spoke on behalf of Ugborodo people said: “We agreed that the Gas Industrial City would be named after Ogidigben and the Deep Sea Port would be named after Gbaramatu. All parties agreed that because of the importance of the project the ground-breaking should be done as soon as the president and NNPC can work out a date, we also agreed to ensure peace within the area of the project so that the benefits can come to the communities.”
Chief Godspower Gbenekame who spoke on behalf of Gbaramatu people said. “We agreed that the Gas Industrial City would be at Ogidigben while the Deep Sea Port would be at Gbaramatu. When the President is ready for the ground-breaking, we are ready”, while the representative of the NNPC, Dr David Ige, Group Executive Director (Gas and Power), said: “We have an amicable meeting, the two communities agreed to make peace as a condition for the project.”
Dr Ige added that the naming of the project has not changed anything as it concerns the original concept, stating: “They are inter-dependent projects, everybody is ready for when Mr. President agrees to come for the ground-breaking ceremony, we also agreed to work together to make the project a huge success as its impact would not only be on Deltans but, all Nigerians.”
Governor Uduaghan had stressed the importance of peaceful co-existence and collaboration of the Ijaws and Itsekiris in the area not just for the successful take off of the project but for the security of all in the riverine areas of the State and the economy of the country.
He said that the project was important not just to Nigerians but to the international community adding that President Jonathan was concerned and committed to peaceful co-existence and an economically buoyant nation.
According to him, the President had delayed the flag off of the project for the host communities to settle their differences so that the project would not be stalled.
“Mr. President did not come for the ground-breaking ceremony earlier scheduled not because, he was afraid of being attacked but because he wants the communities to resolve their differences so that nothing would stop the project after the ground breaking exercise,” he said.
Furthermore, the Governor said: “Mr. President is eager to do the ground-breaking ceremony but what is more important is for the project to come to fruition without hindrance as that is the only way we, our grand children and the future generation can benefit from it.”
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Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State, has approved Friday March 6, 2015, as work free day for workers in the State Public Service to enable them go to their various places of registration to collect their Permanent Voters Card (PVCs).
A statement signed by Mr. Paul Osahor, Director of Information and made availabe to Blank NEWS Online on 4th February, 2015 reads:
“It is hereby announced for the information of the general public, particularly Deltans, that His Excellency, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, CON, Governor of Delta State, has approved Friday March 6, 2015, as work free day for workers in the State Public Service.
This is to enable workers in the State go to the places where they registered to collect their Permanent Voters Card (PVCs).
Accordingly, workers in the State Public Service who registered but have not collected their Permanent Voters Card are by this announcement advised to take advantage of the work free day declared by the State Government to visit the Wards in the Local Government Areas where they registered to collect their Permanent Voters Card.
Government has also advised eligible voters in the State who registered but have not collected their Permanent Voters Card to do so before the expiration of March 8, 2015 date stipulated by INEC.”
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Delta state government has expressed shock at the death of Azubuike, a prince of Owa kingdom, who passed on on March 1, 2015 in California, the United States, from a sudden brain aneurysm. A statement signed by the state Commissioner for Information, Chike Ogeah esq reads: “On behalf of the Government and people of Delta State, we commiserate with Prince Nduka Obaigbena, publisher of ThisDay newspapers, the royal family of Owa kingdom and the people of Owa on the untimely demise of Rotimi Azubuike Obaigbena. “The Government and people of Delta State are shocked at the death of Azubuike, a prince of Owa kingdom, who passed on on March 1, 2015 in California, the United States, from a sudden brain aneurysm. “A Certified Public Accountant, Azubuike, elder brother of Nduka Obaigbena who is a member of the Delta State Economic Advisory Team, had been practicing his profession creditably in America where he lived with his wife, Sheri. “The people of Delta State share in the grief of the Obaigbenas and prayed for God’s strength and grace for the family in this tragic time. “As a personal friend, I extend my heartfelt condolence to Nduka on this huge loss. As the maker of all things, God surely has His divine intention for calling Azubuike back at this time. “I am sure the late prince will rest in God’s paradise having lived a life of service during his earthly sojourn. “Azubuike was born in Ibadan on July 27, 1958 and attended Edo College, Benin City as well Howard University, Washington DC. He will be buried in San Diego, California while a commendation service will hold in Nigeria.” ***Read Blank NEWS Online for regular news updates…Also like us on Facebook & follow us on Twitter
After many years of lack of electricity power supply, Ogwashi-Uku community in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta has raised alarm over plans by some stakeholders in Asaba Power Substation to dedicate electricity lines to some industrialist.
Mr Chuks Ogbogwu, Chairman, Ogwashi-Uku Electricity Committee, who led other members to the site of the Asaba 330/132/33kv substantiation, told newsmen that they had taking steps to ensure that nobody diverts the community power lines.
He said that the committee has consistently monitored development of the project to ensure that Ogwashi-Uku and the adjoining communities get the full benefit of the project having waited without electricity for many years.
“We have come to see how far work is going on in this power substation in order to ensure that light gets to our community as soon as the power step down was commissioned.
“We are aware that some industrialist are making plans to divert the light meant for our community and this is not what we expect but we will make sure that it does not happen.
“That is one of the reasons why we are here and we have spoken with the authority concern and we have been assured that such things will not happen,” he said.
Ogbogwu said that the committee would explore all relevant avenues to ensure that the community gets the right power allocations.
He said that the committee has also put machineries in place to fix bad and vadalised transformers, electricity poles and wires to get the community ready to receive power supply when the substation was commissioned.
When contacted, Mr Odinaka Amaobi, Project Manager, Asaba Power Substation, said that the project has been threatened by some of the activities going on within the distribution side of the project in recent times.
According to him, some private companies recently started mounting poles and running lines direct to the power substation feeders which has brought a lot of situation in the site.
“We have to protect government facility and for the community, they came to the site and I have already informed them that nobody will take away their feeders.
“All the six feeders in the substation are meant to go to the communities and the feeders are going to be radiating within Asaba and environs to Ogwashi-Uku, Ibusa and Illah communities.
He said that any company that needs light could take from the communities line and not to be given a dedicated lines from the available six feeders.
He said that the project has rooms for expansion and to take additional six feeders, adding that government has already provided another 150 MVA transformers for the expansion.
He said that the second phase of the project would be for the industrialists and called on the industrialists to put resources together and buy a separate transformer to enable them have dedicated feeders.
“This substation is put at 95 per cent complete, and as we speak the substation has been energised, the remaining five per cent is to energize the feeders transformer which will give light to the consumers.
“And I must assure you that we are going to deliver this substation and give lights to the communities before the elections,” Amaobi said.
Our correspondent reports that with the commissioning of the Asaba substation the many years of epileptic power supply to Asaba and environ may be addressed.
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Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan has expressed concern over the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) decision to use card readers in the conduct of the forthcoming general elections.
The Governor expressed the fear that should the card readers fail and or many people are unable to vote because of inability to collect their permanent voters’ cards, there would be confusion and a serious challenge for the country.
Speaking when the European Union (EU) Ambassador to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Mr. Michel Arrion paid him a courtesy visit in Asaba, he said that he had nothing against the use of the card readers but that it must be well tested to ensure that nothing goes wrong on Election Day.
“Delta state has 40% of what we call difficult areas to reach areas, meaning water and swamp and right now we know that INEC is in the process of using card readers and PVCs. We are not against the card readers but we also do not want it to be used in such a way that our people will not be happy at the end of the day. We think that enough underground work has not been done yet on the use of the card readers”, he stated.
He argued that the electorate has to be properly sensitized and mobilized to ensure that they are carried along and that there were no hitches with the elections.
Besides, Dr. Uduaghan noted that though there has been noticeable improvement, the issue of permanent voters’ card was yet to be fully resolved.
According to him, it has become obvious now that if the elections had held on February 14, Nigeria would have been faced with serious challenges which may have resulted in confusion and chaos.
He said that the postponement of the elections from February 14 saved Nigeria from embarrassment and crisis as it was obvious that the INEC had not carried out enough enlightenment campaign on the use of the card reader and urged the European Union in particular to work with the INEC for successful general elections.
“Our people need to be better educated on the use of the card readers if not it will turn out to be a mess. I can comfortably say that if that election on February 14th was held, Nigeria would have been in confusion. It is obvious from what we can see because we still have the challenge of people going to collect their permanent voters’ card”, he added.
The Governor enjoined the EU to come to the aid of INEC so that the technical issues surrounding the card readers and permanent voters’ cards are resolved effectively.
The European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Michel Arrion has expressed satisfaction wth the preparedness of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the March 28 Presidential and National Assembly as well as the April 11 Governorship and Houses of Assembly elections in Nigeria.Michel Arrion
Arrion, who spoke to journalists on Tuesday, March 03, 2015, shortly after he met with the Delta state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan said the EU team has thrown its full support behind INEC to ensure the conduct of a hitch free elections in the country.
“The European Union’s support for INEC has been positive and we have a good working relationship”, adding that INEC has gotten all the required logistics it needed forbthe elections from the Federal Government including other assistance from the international community.
He disclosed that a 50-member team of long and short term observers from the European Union Election Observation Mission, led by a Chief Observer and member of the EU Parliament, Mr Santiago Fisas are presently on ground in the country and on an advocacy mission for peaceful elections.
Although he agreed that the number of EU observers in the country may not be enough, Arrion emphasised that the team would also count on the findings of local observers in terms of technical deficiencies, media coverages and other issues of national interests.
” There are various criteria to assess the credibility of an election. The EU team would collate the observations of the observers to ascertain the conduct of the elections. Twenty member States of the EU Ambassadors are in Abuja now because of the elections.”
He however emphasised on the need to further sensitize the electorate on election processes, devoid of violence, since the electoral body and the stakeholders are on record time to conduct the elections.
He also advised aggrieved persons whose rights may have been violated to always resort to seeking redress in the courts of law instead of engaging in the use of inflamatory statements which could lead to unnecessary violence.
He therefore scored INEC high in terms of efficiency, preparedness and ongoing staff training but hinged on the need for INEC to further engage its equipment in a rigorous technical test, especially the card-reader machines, which he confirmed as useful inn the forthcoming polls.
About Michel Arrion:
His Excellency Ambassador Michel Arrion is the new Ambassador/Head of Delegation of European Union (EU) to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Ambassador Arrion, a Belgian national, was previously the Head of Delegation of the EU to Rwanda. The new EU Head of Delegation brings with him to his new posting a vast experience on African and particularly West African affairs, having earlier served as Head of EU Delegation to Liberia and Cote d’Ivoire.
In a career spanning over 25 years in the EU, Ambassador Arrion, a lawyer by training, has traversed the various services of the EU. He is married and has five children.
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THEDelta PDP governorship flagbearer, Senator Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa coordinator of Foundation For Humanitarian Support (FHS), Mr Onyewenu Orjione, has said, non governmental organizations (NGOs) would be mobilized to boost and ensure the successful election of Dr Ifeanyi Okowa as the governor of Delta State.
Mr Orjione dropped the hint while speaking about the qualities of the candidates jostling for the governorship position in Delta State.
According to him, Senator Okowa has an enviable track record of working for humanity and electing him as the Governor of Delta State would bring about the delivery of his promised prosperity for all Deltans.
“Senator Okowa is a Medical Doctor, a politician who feels the pulse of the people, within the few years of his being in the Senate, he has empowered a lot of Deltans and his emergence as Governor would be a blessing to all Deltans,” Mr Orjione said, stating, “we are mobilizing all the NGOs to work for the emergence of Senator Okowa as Governor.”
“Naturally, we are not political but, this issue concerns us because, we are working for a better future for our people and I can tell you that we are discussing on how to gather enough votes for Okowa,” he added.
He observed that Senator Okowa’s running mate, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro was a good choice as it has positioned the Ijaws to know that they are equal stakeholders in the governance of Delta State.
Mr Orjione said, “I know Barr. Otuaro as a person, he is humble and has great vision of what he can do for the people and his becoming the Deputy Governor means that the Ijaws can aspire to be the Governor of the state, democracy is about equal opportunities and Senator Okowa no doubt, will give Deltans that opportunity.”
Delta state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has officially commissioned 64 completed township road projects in Asaba, the state capital, assuring that his administration would deliver on its electoral pledge to Deltans.COMMISSIONING: from right; Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State, Chairman, Oshimili South LGA, Barr. Chucks Obusom, The representative of Asagba of Asaba, Chief Goodluck Onyeobi and Commissioner for Information, Barr. Chike Ogeah during the official commissioning of 64 township roads in Asaba by the governor yesterday. Photo: Henry Unini
During the commissioning on Tuesday, March 03, 2015, Governor Uduaghan, was accompanied by Chairman, Oshimili South LGA, Barr. Chucks Obusom, representative of Asagba of Asaba, Chief Goodluck Onyeobi and Commissioner for Information, Barr. Chike Ogeah.
Speaking during the commissioning exercise witnessed by cross-section of Deltans and representatives of the Asagba of Asaba, Governor Uduaghan said it was a thing of joy for his administration to execute projects in Asaba.
He observed that Asaba is a symbol of unity of Delta State and as such deserved developmental projects as it would encourage investors to come and do business in the state.
According to him, “when I came into government, I told myself and the people of Delta State, that Asaba has come to stay as a state capital and so we must make it a befitting state capital.”
“We have to live in unity as a state, we must take it as a responsibility to develop the state capital, we have a befitting Government House, the gains you get from a befitting Government House you cannot imagine it; visitors who see the Government House will be ready to do business with us and invest in other parts of the state,” the Governor said.One of the commissioned roads
He added: “These are not glamorous projects, they are needed for the development of a befitting state capital. The location of Asaba is very strategic in the Delta Beyond Oil initiative, we will take advantage of its closeness to Onitsha market and make Asaba another economic hub.”
Dr Uduaghan assured Deltans that the Asaba Specialist Hospital which has been remodelled and restructured when completed would be one of the best equipped hospitals in the country, adding that the fly-over projects in Asaba and Warri would be commissioned in the next few weeks.
Commissioner for Works, Mr. Funkekeme Solomon in an address, said “over N487 billion has been committed to civil engineering infrastructural development across the state in various spheres” by Governor Uduaghan’s administration.
“733 roads, 25 bridges, two flyovers and two airport development in Asaba and Warri have been embarked upon and to date, over N270 billion has been expended”, he added.
The Asagba of Asaba, Prof, Chike Edozien who spoke through the Iyase of Asaba, Chief Patrick Onyeobi thanked Dr Uduaghan for his efforts while the Chairman of Oshmili South local government council, Pastor Chuks Obusom said, “these projects will make life better for the people of Oshimili South local government and the people of Delta State.”
Meanwhile, the Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Hon Peter Onwusanya, has described the commissioning of 64 township roads within Asaba, Delta State capital, by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan as unprecedented in the history of the state.
The speaker made the observation in a statement shortly after Dr Uduaghan commissioned the roads spread across the nooks and crannies of the state capital.
According to him, the exercise had proved that the governor was bent on finishing strong despite negative opinions expressed by skeptics.
He pointed out that roads in new areas of Asaba were almost impassable before the Dr Uduaghan’s administration and expressed hope that in-coming administration will do more to uplift the status of Asaba as a state capital.
Hon Onwusanya linked the numerous projects in Asaba and environs to the programmes of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to make life meaningful to the citizens and urged the residents of Asaba and environs to vote PDP for all positions in the forthcoming elections.
The speaker who represents Oshimili South Constituency, Asaba, in the House of Assembly, assured that the House of Assembly will continue to make laws for the betterment of the people while performing it’s over sight functions to ensure good governance in the state.
With the departure of Coach Paul Aigbogun of Warri Wolves to the United Kingdom for the NFF organised Capacity enhancing programme which will last two weeks, the responsibility to prepare Warri Wolves for the League cracker against newly promoted Ifeanyi Ubah FC and the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup match against Dedebit FC of Ethiopia on the 15th of March now rest on the Chief Coach, Sam Okpodu.
Okpodu who once featured for the then Green Eagles and known for his knack for goals will work with the other assistants, Coach Anosike and Coach Atune Jolomi in what is regarded as an uphill task but surmountable.
In a release made available to the press by the Media Manager of the Club, Etu Moses, Coac h Aigbogun officially handed over to the assistant Coaches led by Sam Okpodu with an advice to do their best by winning those two matches.
Speaking on the issue, Coach Okpodu said they are happy that the Technical Adviser is going to acquire more knowledge which will help the Club to move forward and they hope to gain from him when he comes back.
Okpodu further assured all stakeholders that they will do a good job and will not disappoint Coach Aigbogun and wish him the best and a safe trip to the United Kingdom and back home.
Meanwhile, Warri Wolves has resumed preparation immediately for the league opener against Ifeanyi Ubah who just won the NNL Super 4 in Ilorin forget the thrashing of RC Bobo Dioulasso at the weekend in the CAF Competition, knowing well that they have to start well so as to end well in the league.
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (left) addressing the mammoth crowd of Arewa and Governor Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan in ASÀBA, Delta statePRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has said that the implementation of the National Conference report would ensure enduring peace and unity of Nigeria.
The President, who decried discriminations against Nigerians not resident in their states of origin, disclosed that the confab report has recommendations designed to resolve the issues stressing that he was determined to implement it to ensure the unity of the country.
Jonathan spoke weekend at a rally organized by northerners resident in the seventeen states of the southern part of the country under the auspices of ‘Arewa Initiative for Peaceful Co-existence In Southern Nigeria’ to endorse him as their sole Presidential candidate for the elections billed for March 28, 2015.
According to him, “the issue of peaceful development is key to all society; without peace, we cannot grow, we have key roles to play to ensure that Nigerians are united. Nigerians should conduct their businesses peacefully wherever they live, we should not discriminate among ourselves.”
“If you vote for us, we will implement the confab report 100 per cent,” the President assured, adding: “We believe Nigeria is one indivisible nation, I believe we should do what is right for all Nigerians. In the next four years, we must make sure we develop our people, we will make sure we create wealth for our people, not to divide them based on ethnic or religious lines.”
Furthermore he said: “It is only a peaceful heart that can bring change to the country, you cannot be angry and effect peaceful change, we must not allow certain politicians to divide us, if we compartmentalize ourselves, we have destroyed what God has given us. Moslems and Christians must see themselves as one.”
The President who thanked the northerners for endorsing him as their sole candidate for the elections reiterated: “There is no person that will become President of Nigeria without the support of all Nigerians; he will not enjoy the office because of the diversity of the country.”
Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan at the occasion, described the rally as “a celebration of unity, celebration of ethnic tolerance and celebration of one Nigeria under the leadership of a peaceful and peace-loving President Goodluck Jonathan.”
The Governor enjoined Nigerians to re-elect President Jonathan because he was effectively tackling the challenges of the country.
“We need to bring back our President and we need our permanent voters’ cards to enable us vote for our President,” the Governor said while the Director-General of the Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Organisation, Dr Amadu Ali, said President Jonathan deserves re-election because of his commitment to a progressive Nigeria.
The grand patron of the Organization that organized the endorsement rally, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa disclosed that the idea behind the initiative was “to galvanize northerners in the southern part of the country to have a voice in the affairs of the country,” stating that the more than ten million northerners who are in the southern part of Nigeria would cast their votes for President Jonathan.
Others who spoke at the occasion assured the President of their votes to enable him implement the recommendations of the national conference which they stated, would usher in a more united, peaceful and developed Nigeria.
VISIT: from right: President Goodluck Jonathan, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State, his Deputy, Prof. Amos Utuama and the Delta State PDP Governorship flag bearer, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa welcoming Mr. President on arrival at the Asaba International airportPRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has assured Nigerians that his administration would not compromise the restoration of peace and security in all parts of the country.
Dr Jonathan, accompanied by the Governor of Delta State, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan and other prominent Nigerians, gave the assurance today Friday, February 27, 2015 during a courtesy visit on the Asagba of Asaba, HRM Obi (Prof.) Chike Edozien at his palace in Asaba, Delta State.
The Asaba of Asaba, HRM, Obi Prif. Chike Edozien (left) welcoming President Goodluck Jonathan (right) when the when the President visited the Asagba as part of his consultation visit to meet with the Arewa Consultative Forum in Asaba. Photo: Henry Unini According to the President, his administration has always done what was best for Nigeria, asserting: “I want to re-assure you that as a party, we will do our best to bring peace and security to the country, and fast-track economic development in all parts of the country.”
He disclosed that he is seeking re-election because of his commitment towards re-positioning the country positively amongst the comity of nations as well as do more for the country.
The President stated that on assumption of office, it was discovered that of the thirty six states of the country, twelve states had no Federal University which his administration has corrected within the past four years, adding: “We have tarred over twenty-five thousand kilometres of the thirty six thousand kilometres (36, 000 km) Federal Roads and we promise to complete the remaining ones and open up more arterial roads when re-elected.”
While disclosing that over 90 per cent of narrow gauge rails have been completed throughout the country, PRESIDENTIAL VISIT: from left; Chairman Oshimili South LGA, Barr. Chucks Obusom, Chief Benjamin Elue and Commissioner for Information, Barr. Chike Ogeah during President Goodluck Jonathan’s visit to Delta StatePresident Jonathan re-iterated: “The implementation of the Nigerian content law in the oil industry has improved the participation of Nigerians in the industry and the implementation of our cabotage law with Nigerians now owning ships and more Nigerians have been employed in the shipping industry.”
“We also saw the need to establish Maritime University for high-powered man-power development in the Maritime Sector; we are moving the country forward.”
Chief Great Ovedje OgboruChief Great Ogboru, the candidate of Labour Party for the April 11 governorship election in Delta, on Wednesday urged that soldiers should not be deployed for the 2015 general elections.
Ogboru, who spoke with newsmen in Lagos, said that deployment of soldiers for elections could take away the civility of the process.
“We shouldn’t deploy soldiers,’’ the governorship candidate told newsmen.
He also spoke on the preparedness of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the elections.
Ogboru said that INEC should have test-run the card readers to be used for accreditation during the elections, before deploying them in the over 119,000 polling units across the country.
“There should have been a pilot test; we are apprehensive of the outcome of the use of card readers,’’ Ogboru said.
He also said that the order of the elections should have been reversed to further reduce tension.
“The tension about the presidential election is so much; I advocate that the governorship election should come first.
“However, we can only advocate, but not decide,’’ he said.
Ogboru said that he was making another attempt at getting to the Delta Government House after previous attempts in 2003, 2007 and 2011.
The candidate said that he believed that he had made a lot of progress over the years.
According to him, the Labour Party is fully on ground in the state and will win in a free and fair election.
Ogboru said that Labour Party programmes were meant to bring a paradigm shift in the state with a system that would improve the lives of the people.
The candidate said that though he intended to wrest power from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta, he pledged his support for
President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election bid.
Ogboru lauded Jonathan for being able to organise credible elections in 2011, saying that the president deserved his support.
“The Labour Party in Delta is aligning with Mr President,’’ he said.
The Delta state police command has recovered over seven thousand permanent voters cards (PVCS) and registers, allegedly stolen from the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by unknown gun men in the state.
The gun men were said to have, on Monday, February 10, 2015, stormed the INEC office at Oghara in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State and made away with over six thousand permanent voters cards (PVCs) and registers.
A dependable source has disclosed to Blank NEWS Online that certain unnamed, desperate politicians, were responsible for the act.
The Delta state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Celestina Kalu, DSP, who confirmed the incident said the stolen PVCs have been recovered and a total of seven thousand three hundred and sixty five (7,365) were seen, adding that investigation is in progress while some of the persons involved in the crime have been rounded up.
Kalu, in a statement made available to Blank NEWS Online and dated 19th February 2015, said detectives in a follow-up investigation have arrested a 46 years old Lucky Aputu of Oji Aputu compound, Onyobulu inland market Road, Oghara and recovered one of the stolen INEC registers from him.
The statement reads:
“On 10/2/2015 at about 2238hrs one Ajiah Shakira Adewale ‘m’ of INEC office, Oghara in Ethiope West L.G.A. of Delta State reported at the Police Station Oghara that on 09/2/2015 at about 2130hrs, unknown gun men broke into INEC office Oghara and made away with six thousand permanent voters cards (PVCS) and registers. He added that he was suspecting the security guards who were on night duty.
“Based on the report, detectives swung into action and arrested the said security guards, one Aherebe Godday ‘m’, Omajemite Justice ‘m’ and Oyubu Ejiro ‘m’, for interrogation.
“However the stolen PVCs have been recovered and a total of seven thousand three hundred and sixty five (7,365) were seen.
“Similarly, detectives in a follow-up investigation arrested one Lucky Aputu ’m’, aged 46yrs of Oji Aputu compound, Onyobulu inland market Road, Oghara and recovered one of the stolen INEC registers from him.
“Meanwhile, investigation is in progress; while efforts are on to ensure that all those involved in the crime are rounded up. The PVCs have since been handed over to INEC.”
The Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC) has revealed that six wards had not been represented in two local government areas since the October 2014 polls in the state.
Mr Moses Ogbe, Chairman of DSIEC said that the affected wards would not be represented until the court decided on the issues, adding that no fewer than 42 cases were pending at the tribunal across the state in respect of the last elections.
“As at today six wards are not represented, four in Ndokwa East and two in Udu LGAs in the 2014 LG elections because the court issued order to stop elections when we had already commenced the runoff elections in the areas.”
Ogbe, disclosed this when Chief Edafe Okereka, President, Grassroots Newspaper Publishers Network, Southern Nigerian Zone and members presented an award of mark of service and certificate to the commission for conducting a free, fair and credible elections.
The chairman said that the commission decided not to announce results of the runoff elections in four wards in Ndokwa East and two wards in Udu LGAs of the state in respect to court orders stopping it from conducting the elections.
He said that the Commission is committed from day one to delivering a credible LG elections and to make sure that outcome of the elections would be satisfactory to the people.
He, however, commended the media, especially the grassroots newspapers who had made it possible for the people in the rural communities to believe and supported DSIEC to deliver a credible elections then.
“Because we were determined to deliver a free, fair and credible elections, we trained, educated and enlightened the people on the voting process, we did not withhold any document and information.
“So, when there was issues in Ethiope East, Ndokwa East and parts of Okpe and Udu LGAs, we did not hesitate to cancel those elections in October and a repeat and runoff elections took place at a later date in those areas,” he said.
The DSIEC boss said the commission was compiling the result of the elections for public presentation, adding that it was determined to do things in the best interest of the people.
He thanked the publishers for honour to him, the commission and to the commissioner for leaving a mark of service and urger them to educate the public on the forth coming elections.
“I urge you to support the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ant the security personnel to ensure a free and credible general elections.
Earlier, Okereka, presenting the awards, lauded the commission, chairman and the commissioners for dutifully conducting a successful 2014 LG elections in the state.
He noted that a grassroots publishers, they had made enquires and had come to conclusion that the chairman and the commission had done well to deliver a peaceful and successful elections in the state.
“We therefore present to you and the commission awards as grassroots ambassador of free, fair and credible elections and for leaving a mark of service to the people of the state,” Okereka said.
It seems the next proper thing to do in Nigeria, once you have made money, is to go grab power by all means as is the story of Diamond Bank’s former MD, Alex Otti.
The Alex Otti I know is the same man that was mentioned multiple times in the internal frauds and money laundering cases at his former bank investigated by the EFCC.
The Alex Otti I know is the same man with a 23-year old concubine mother of two. So much for being trustworthy and moral.
The Alex Otti I know is the same man who has gone round to wet the ground for “grassrooters” and “powers that be” in the community and he has been cleared of the allegation of impersonation while the brilliant economist is said to have dangled some carrots at his wife too, to pour oil on troubled water.
The Alex Otti I know didn’t bring any direct development to Abians by virtue of infrastructure development or employment, at best, on the platform of his former bank.
The Aba mega mall under construction, through a partnership between the State Government and Greenfield Assets Plc, received no contributions from Alex Otti’s former bank nor did the ongoing construction of the Abia Mall. Alex Otti’s promise-filled ambition can’t be trusted
A native of Arochukwu, Alex Otti abandoned his community to claim Isiala Ngwa South heritage all in a desperate bid to assume office as governor.
With a claim of no godfather, Alex Otti can only be funding his campaign with money belonging to customers seeking to be treated right at his former bank. I imagine the condition of the coffers of the State if signed to his administration. Where is the ‘attestable integrity’ that he continually sings about?!?!
Not all that glitters is gold. I mean, we have ‘anointed men of God’ that claim God called them to elections they lost; how much more a money expert. Abians look well o…
The attention of the Delta State Government has been drawn to stories in some sections of the media on the purported sale of shares owned by the government in some companies.
A statement issued by the Delta state Commissioner for Information, Chike OGEAH Esq and made available to Blank NEWS Online explains thus:
When the Delta State Government had resources to spare in the short and medium term, a decision was taken to invest in some viable ventures as a way of saving for the raining day. That decision has undoubtedly paid off with the steep decline in the price of crude oil which led to a huge drop in the statutory allocation the state receives from the Federal Government.
Given the very significant decline in the resources available to the state government as a result of the low price of crude oil, the government decided to sell its shares in Transcorp Ughelli Power Limited and Midwestern Oil and Gas Company Limited.
In line with the provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, the issue was tabled before the Executive Council which approved the commencement of the process of the divestment in both companies. Contrary to what is trending in a section of the press, no shares belonging to the Delta State Government have been sold yet. Rather, the process has just begun with the approval of the Executive Council.
Again, contrary to the impression that the sale is being conducted unilaterally, due process is being strictly observed with the appointment of financial advisers to the exercise. The amount mentioned as realizable is only a benchmark based on the evaluation of current market trends by the financial advisers. In effect, actual sale could see more money being realised. It could also be less.
As part of the adherence to due process, existing shareholders in the two companies will exercise the right of first refusal in deference to the articles of association of both companies.
We will stress here that the Delta State Government bought the shares at a time it had excess funds. The idea is not just to save for the rainy day but also to buy when prices are low and sell when high dividends can be assured. By all market indices, what will be realised from the sale will be a significant profit from the earlier investment.
The enduring hallmark of the Emmanuel Uduaghan administration is its adherence to the rule of law and protection of the common interest of the people of Delta State. The government will never engage in any untoward transaction and there is absolutely nothing “controversial or scandalous” about the sale.
We are aware of the fact that in these political times, even the most altruistic policy decisions will be subjected to mischievous interpretations by political jobbers. However, the government will not be distracted. In line with his vow to continue to work for the people, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan will see to the continuous attainment of his contract with the people of the state until the final day of his administration.
Delta State Governor Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has commissioned the 7.8 kilometres Umunede-Mbiri Road Rehabilitation, promising to continue to deliver democracy dividends to the people of the state.
Addressing the audience which included traditional rulers, palace chiefs, political leaders and stakeholders, the governor said that “the road will improve inter-city road transportation, enhance urban growth, communication and reinvigorate commerce and social life in the area.”.
‘’We constructed this road to take people safely to their destination, when you are drunk, don’t drive, when you are feeling sleepy, don’t drive and when you take drugs, please don’t drive, by God’s grace this road will take us to our destination’’ Gov Uduaghan added.
The governor who said the Mbiri farm settlement road was dear to his heart promised to complete it and other projects in the area before he leaves office.
Gov Uduaghan enjoined the people of the area to vote massively for President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and other PDP candidates in the senatorial district, reminding them that they should endeavour to collect their Permanent Voters’ Card (PVC) on which basis they can vote at the polls.
‘I hope you have all collected your PVCs, please ensure you do that and make sure you vote massively for Mr. President, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa your son and all the other PDP candidates in Delta North’’.
In his welcome address the Commissioner for Works Mr. Funkekeme Solomon said that the Umunede-Mbiri road project was awarded in October 2014 at a cost of 497.12 million naira and was meant to serve as a link road between Umunede, Mbiri town, Mbiri farm settlement and Delta and Edo States boundary.
Earlier during a courtesy visit to the Obi of Mbiri, HRM Obi Dr. Ifeanyichukwu Alekwe II, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan commended the unity amongst traditional rulers in Delta State and urged their subjects to emulate them so that development can come to their areas.
According to him, ‘The presence of other traditional rulers shows the unity among traditional rulers, that is a lesson to all of us who are your subjects because if our royal fathers are united then of course the subjects become united and we have no cause to be divided’’.
The governor who explained that the road to the farm settlement was being delayed due to the need to redesign it promised that the road and the one leading to the palace would be completed before the end of the administration.
HRM, Obi Dr. Alekwe II commended Dr. Uduaghan for keeping his promise to rehabilitate and reseal the Umunede-Mbiri road and assured the governor of the support of his people as well as the protection of all government properties.
In a similar development, Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has directed the re-opening of the Government Reservation Area Model Primary School to accommodate some pupils from the State-run Women Affairs primary School.
Uduaghan who gave the directive while inspecting construction work at Women Affairs Daycare,Nursery and Primary School in Asaba, said the school was congested with 1,892 puplis in 18 classroom.
He observed that it was not ideal for the children to be overcrowded in classrooms meant to accommodate a specific number of pupils.
According to him, it was not conducive for the health of the pupils and not conducive for learning.
As a result, he ordered that the GRA Model Primary School along Okpanam road that was closed down by the State Government last year, be re-opened to accommodate some of the pupils from Women Affairs School.
His words: ” We are going to open the Model Primary School immediately and move the children to the School because this place is too congested for 1,892 pupils. The GRA School and this place will be one school, so we will open it for them.
Besides, he directed that the Women Affairs School currently under rehabilitation and reconstruction should be painted latest by next week and the block of classroom still under construction be completed.
Earlier the Commissioner For Women Affairs, Mrs. Betty Efekoda who was on ground at the school informed the Governor that the school has 33 teachers and 11 non teaching staff, 6 from Women Affairs Ministry and 5 from State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB)
The newly appointed commissioners Charles Emetulu, (left) and Sir Tony Obuh (right) taking their oath of office as commissioners in Delta Executive Council during their swearing-in as commissionersTWO new commissioners were sworn in Wednesday in Asaba, Delta State, with the Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan assuring that his administration would not be derailed in delivering legacy projects.
Former Commissioner for Energy Mr. Charles Emetulu (now Commissioner for Higher Education) and former Permanent Secretary, Government House and Protocol, Mr. Tony Obuh (now Commissioner, Government House- Special Duties) both who resigned their positions to contest for the governorship primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took oath of office as commissioners alongside a new Permanent Secretary, Mrs Emotokare Ikogho.
According to the Governor, “we are nearing the end of our second term in office but, we still have a lot of urgent challenges arising from our committed pursuit to delivering legacy projects in the state and we need not be derailed in our resolve to delivering the dividends of democracy to Deltans.”
“It is necessary that we face these challenges with support and expertise of our best hands, not just best but devoted and loyal persons, he stated.
“I therefore expect that the two new Commissioners and the Permanent Secretary will give their best to the entire state and provide fresh ideas to support government in delivering on our legacy projects, build sustainable foundation for our economy and take Delta State to the next level,” the Governor added.
While advising the new appointees, “to serve with integrity, devotion, loyalty and accountability,” in whatever office they may find themselves, the Governor particularly, described the two new commissioners as “really very humble, the two people involved in the Commissionership are good politicians in Delta who came out to contest for the governorship position, they have political structures which is just the beginning and the sky is their limits.”
The Governor added: “Let me remind you that your assignment will be quite challenging, especially as the time is short, and we seek to accomplish most of our projects, I therefore urge you to have the desirable attitude, ingenuity, and deep insights in handling your various assignments because, that is the only way to leave the desired legacy of service to Delta State.”
Responding on behalf of his colleague, Hon. Emetulu thanked the Governor for the appointment and promised that they will help the Governor “not only to finish strong but to land well,” while Mrs Ikogho pledged to carry out her duties diligently, without fear or favour.Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan (middle) the newly sworn-in commissioners, Charles Emetulu (left) and Tony Obuh, after their swearing-in as commissioners in Delta State Executive Council
DELTA State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan has said that the peace accord entered into by politicians should be respected for a violent-free electioneering process to be achieved.
Dr Uduaghan who made the call Wednesday when candidates for different elective positions of political parties in Delta State signed a peace accord in Asaba stated that peace accords should not be for formalities but should be honoured in the interest of democracy.
The peace accord was packaged by the Delta State Police Command to ensure peace before, during and after the general elections.
“If all of us present in this hall decide that these elections should be violence-free, they will be violence-free. We are signing a document today for violence-free elections, it should not just be ceremonial, we must act with the document,” the Governor said and urged the Police and other security agencies in the state to ensure full compliance with the signed agreement.
While commending politicians in the state for the matured way they have conducted themselves so far, the Governor stressed the importance of the conduct of politicians during and after the elections.
He commended the Police for making it possible for candidates for elective positions and their political parties to sign the violence-free elections accord observing, “this event is very key to the success of the 2015 general elections.”
“We need peaceful elections, no position is worth dying for, eight years is very short, four years is even shorter and you are in the field again, it is not necessary to go to the extent of engaging in violence,” he added.
The Governor described the shift in dates of the elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as laudable, saying, “some people are not happy but a lot of people are happy.”
He urged spiritual leaders, journalists, retired military men, among others to engage in actions which would engender peaceful electioneering process.
The Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Mr Musa Daura zone 5, said it was important for peaceful elections to be achieved, emphasising that “we must all be in the vanguard for a credible and acceptable electoral process.
He said: “We have resolved to provide an electoral environment free of intimidation and politicians should play the game by the rules bearing in mind that politicians are sportsmen. We should shun criminal and electoral violence before, during and after the elections.”
Speaking on peace, the Bishop of Asaba Diocese of the Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Justus Mogekwu urged politicians to imbibe the virtue of humility and avoid acts of desperation in their quest to achieving their political ambitions.
On his part, the Resident Electoral Commissioner of the INEC in the state, Elder Aniedi Ikoiwak said despite the shift in dates for the elections, “we will deliver a credible election not only in Delta but Nigeria.”
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Alkali Baba Usman in an address, said, must not only agree but equally realize the need to be more democratic in the conduct of political activities within the ambits of the law with a view to ensuring peace, understanding and respect for one another.
“The Commands posture is that of zero tolerance to political violence under whatever guise, the Command is committed and poised to provide violence -free environment for all peace loving Nigerians/foreign nationalities resident in Delta State before during and after the general elections”, he stated.
Furthermore, he said: “To this end, the Command has put in place special investigation teams to investigate and prosecute all infractions on the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) in conjunction with the INEC and of course all extant laws in force”.
“Parents and guardians alike should warn their children/wards against being used as a veritable instrument to create confusion in the state as the full wrath of the law will be made to bear on such errant individuals or group of persons along with their sponsors”, the police commissioner added.
Meanwhile, a bid to ensure that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gets 100 per cent votes in the forthcoming elections, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan charged political leaders to head to their different units and ensure that their people vote for the party in the elections.
Addressing members of the campaign organisation of the PDP in Asaba recently, the Governor observed that the shift in date for the elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has provided more room for people to collect their permanent voters’ card (PVC) which would make them eligible to vote.
“As a party that has been on ground since 1998, we have enough man power to win in every election,” the Governor said, adding, “political leaders, coordinators and candidates at the local government, ward and unit levels must work together, continue with our mobilisation campaign at the grassroots to give us victory, nobody should be too big to be part of the ward team.”
The Governor frowned at reports that some candidates of the party were not carrying some members along, asserting that no one should be taken for granted when it comes to elections. He urged the candidates to reach out to everybody not-minding their political leaning or views.
He stated, “some of the candidates have to come down from their high horses, we should not take anything for granted, it should not be a master/servant relationship, it is your duty as a candidate to reach out to aggrieved persons, our candidates should stoop low and meet the people that contested with them in the primaries so that they can get the support of all.”
On PVC, the Governor reiterated that collection of PVC was very important and observed that the shift in date of the elections by the INEC would enable prospective voters collect their PVCs.
“We are still having challenges with our PVC collections, without the card, you cannot vote, the card reader can only take the PVC, it cannot accept the TVC, our people should all collect their PVCs,” he said.
The gubernatorial candidate of the PDP in the state, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa called for a coordinated campaign to enable the party achieve victory at the polls while the chairman of the party in the state, Chief Edwin Uzor urged members of the PDP to work as one united family to achieve victory at the polls.
Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan is set to commission more infrastructure projects across the state as his administration gradually winds down on May 29, 2015.
This disclosure, which was contained in a Government Special Announcement issued by the Delta State Ministry of Information and signed by the Director of Information Mr. Paul Osahor, stated that the Commissioning has been slated for Thursday February 12, 2015.
According to the statement, “It is hereby announced for the information of the general public, particularly Deltans, that His Excellency, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan CON, Governor of Delta State, will on Thursday February 12, 2015, commence the commissioning of some completed road projects across the State.
“The schedule for the commissioning is as follows:
Thursday, February 12, 2015: Commissioning of Umunede/Mbiri Road in Ika North East Local Government Area, Aboh/Ashaka/Ushe/Aradhe Roads in Ndokwa East and Isoko North Local Government Areas and Refinery Road, Effurun in Uvwie Local Government Area”.
The announcement further noted that, Friday, February 13, 2015wil see the Commissioning of Ughelli Dualization Road, Ughelli North Local Government Area and Ovwor Township Roads in Ughelli South Local Government Area, while Saturday, February 14, 2015: Commissioning of Umeh Road in Isoko South Local Government Area.
“Accordingly, all top government functionaries, Permanent Secretaries, Chairmen of Statutory Boards and Commissions and indeed stakeholders in the Delta State project are by this announcement invited to attend the ceremony.
“Chairmen of Local Government Councils where these roads are located are to mobilize the affected communities in their various localities to accord the Governor and his entourage a rousing welcome”, the announcement concluded.
The All Progressives Congress (APC), Rivers State Chapter, has described the last-minute postponement of the February 2015 polls as a criminal ploy to derail the country’s nascent democracy.
The party in a statement by its State Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, described the news of the shift of the elections from February 14th and 28th to March 28th and April 11th as a rude shock and the reason given for the action by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as untenable.
Ikanya said in the statement issued Tuesday in Port Harcourt: “We are shocked beyond words that after repeated assurances by INEC of its readiness to conduct the elections, the commission succumbed to pressures from a fading and unpopular Presidency to shift the polls, giving the lame excuse that the army said that they would not provide security on the two days that the elections would be held! To us, this is a very stupid excuse as INEC is fully aware of the High court judgment in the case of the illegal use of the army to rig the Ekiti gubernatorial election in favour of a dying PDP, that the army will no longer be used for any election in Nigeria. How come that the same army that will no longer be used for election is being used as an excuse to postpone an election that was to take place in few days’ time?”
The Rivers APC Chairman noted that Presidential Spokesman, Dr. Doyin Okupe, and the Presidency itself confidently predicted about the election postponement 26 hours before it was formally announced by INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega stating the same dates that the INEC Chairman announced to the world as the new dates for the elections. “This clearly indicates that INEC was either arm-twisted by the Presidency and PDP to shift the polls or is deliberately conniving with them to push an agenda detrimental to our democracy,” Ikanya said.
He however declared the poll shift is a temporary setback as “Nigerians have resolved to vote out the visionless President Goodluck Jonathan, whose leadership has caused a lot of harm to the unity and progress of our dear nation.”
Continuing, Ikanya said: “We wish to reiterate that we will not tolerate any further attack on our democracy by a group of people already rejected by the Nigerian electorate but who want to cling to power by all cost. Let us emphasise that this shift is only a shift of the date on which Nigerians will vote out the clueless Jonathan Presidency which squandered a golden opportunity to write its name in gold but instead created enormous opportunities for its cronies to plunder and loot our common patrimony with impunity and bring our country’s economy to its knees.
“We join our Leader and Presidential Candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, to appeal to our numerous supporters to be calm and resolute in our campaign as our salvation is now nearer than before.”
Rivers APC also strongly condemned the alleged moves by the Presidency to replace Prof. Jega with a pliable Southerner who would be used to rig the 2015 elections. “We will like those behind these sinister moves not to waste their time, as it will not work. As much as we condemn Jega for allowing the hawks in the Presidency to pressurise him to postpone elections which foreign observers were already in the country to observe, we will not tolerate his sack for any reason whatsoever! Those behind this evil plot are stretching their luck too far and it will certainly backfire against these enemies of democracy,” the party said.
It commended the US, Canada and UK governments, as well as other international bodies for standing by Nigeria and condemning the poll shift and pleaded with them to continue to mount pressure on the Jonathan administration to conduct credible elections and unfailingly hand over power on May, 29th, 2015.
Chief Great Ovedje OgboruThe governorship candidate of Labour Party (LP) in Delta state, Chief Great Ovedje Ogboru has raised fears over the failure of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct mock polls to test-run its equipments, ahead of the forthcoming general elections.
Ogboru, who is making his third attempt at clinching the Delta state governorship seat, spoke at an interactive session with media practitioners in Asaba, Delta state capital on Sunday, February 08, 2015.
He expressed concern over past failures by the electoral body in perfecting the use of its electoral tools and called for an urgent pilot test of equipments, especially the Card Reader, meant for the polls, under strict election conditions.
He noted that the recent postponement of the general elections to March 28 for Presidential and National Assembly elections and April 11 for governorship and state House of Assembly elections, has also given INEC ample time to conduct the mock polls to prove its readiness for the general elections.
“Six-weeks postponement of the polls is enough opportunity for INEC to do a text-run in at least two local governments in a state to determine the effectiveness of its equipment under election conditions.”
He emphasised that a test-run of the equipment, especially the use of the Card Reader would further give confidence to the Nigerian electorates and the wider society, stressing the need for uniformity in the conduct of the forthcoming polls.
“There is the need for INEC to do a test-run of its electoral equipment on a sample population that is reflective of the Nigerian state. Until we have the text-run, it is very doubtful that INEC is ready and it amounts to gambling with the entire electoral process.
“If we must have a credible election, the electoral exercise has to be uniform and standards must be the same everywhere. There is the need to take due diligence and proper measures to ensure that the machines work”, he insisted.
Speaking on the recent postponement of the elections by the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Atahiru Jega, over security issues, the Labour Party (LP) candidate tasked Nigerians to work with the security advice since no free and fair elections are obtained anywhere there is national insecurity.
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True to bookmakers’ predictions and recent pressure on the Chairman of Nigeria’s electoral body, Prof. Atahiru Jega to urgently postpone the 2015 polls, owing to non availability of the Permanent Voters’ Card (PVC), the Independent National Electoral Commision (INEC) has postponed the 2015 general elections to the 28th of March for presidential and National Assembly elections and the 11th of April for governorship and state House of Assembly elections.
The postponement was announced by Jega during a press briefing at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja, shortly after several meetings with 25 civil society groups.
According to Jega, the postponement of the elections is informed by security concerns raised by the security agencies and the insistence of the military that it would not be able to support the Police and other security agencies involved in providing security for the elections scheduled for February 14 and 28.
Jega, who had an earlier meeting with political parties, also met with his 36 resident electoral commissioners on INEC position to postpone or go ahead with the elections.
Jibrin Ibrahim, an election expert and senior fellow at the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) in Abuja, who attended the meeting, quoted Jega as saying that “security operatives from all the agencies insisted that they were commencing a six weeks special operations against Boko Haram insurgents in the north eastern corridors of the country and would rather not be distracted by the elections.
Jega further disclosed that the security forces said the operations are due to commence on February 14, the date INEC had planned for the presidential and federal legislative elections.
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Sir Tony ObuhDelta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan has nominated two former governorship aspirants in the last PDP gubernatorial primary, Mr. Tony Obuh and Mr. Charles Emetulu as Commissioners and Members of the State Executive Council.Mr. Charles Emetulu
The letter conveying the names of the two nominees, addressed to the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Peter Onwusanya, was read on the floor of the house at the resumed plenary of the house after long adjournment for Christmas and New Year break.
The two nominees, Mr. Tony Obuh, a retired permanent Secretary in the Delta State public service and Mr. Charles Emetulu, the immediate past commissioner for Energy were immediately invited for screening and their appointments confirmed.
The two nominees after introducing themselves, including their local government of origin were asked by the speaker, Hon Peter Onwusanya to take a bow and leave following application to that effect by the Majority Leader, Hon Monday Igbuya.
The house also screened and confirmed the appointment of Mr. Famous Ofurobri as Secretary Bomadi Local Government Council.
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Dr. (Pharm.) Nelson EjakpoviDr. (Pharm.) Nelson Ejakpovi is the Secretary to the Medical Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State. In this interview with Blank NEWS Online, he x-rayed his experience he had with the Governorship candidate of the PDP in Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa when he (Dr. Ejakpovi) was the Chairman, School of Health Technology, Ufuoma and Dr Okowa was, the Commissioner for Health, Delta State. He explained what the committee did to have a hitch-free campaign in the state.Senator (Dr). Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, Delta State PDP governorship candidate Below is the excerpt of that interview:
Q: May we know you Sir?
A: I am Dr. Nelson Ejakpovi, the Secretary to the Medical Committee of the Campaign Organization of the party, PDP in Delta State. As the scribe, my function is to ensure that all our activities are properly documented.
Q: The PDP has been campaigning round the state for some time. What is the experience like with the Medical Committee? Has there been casualties?
A: It has been a very welcome development because, truly before now, I was afraid for the PDP. With the emergence of Dr Okowa, it is like a new day for everybody. For once, that momentum, that feeling of oneness has been rekindled. Everywhere we went, you could see the real slogan of the PDP been put to test. When we say power to the people, you see the people vibrate with strong energy that truly, this is their party and we have been welcomed widely beyond imagination. In short, it is a new dawn for us and a confirmation that people still believes in PDP because, come to think of it, PDP has been one of the most consistent political parties in this country, especially, Delta State, we have been very consistent and the characters if individuals that have propelled the party have also been consistent and Senator Okowa is not just a founding member of the party, he is one of the tested hands in the party. So, we have a situation where we have a square peg in a square hole and we can beat our chests and say PDP is fully on ground in Delta State.
Q: As the Secretary to the Health Committee of the PDP Campaign Organization, have you had serious challenges during your rallies at different local government areas of Delta State?
A: God has been on our side. The campaign has been exceptionally quiet in terms of not having serious casualties. The few challenges we had include when the campaign went to Owa-Oyibu and a bus summersaulted and there were two individuals who sustained minor injuries. Apart from that, it has been cases of the usual scuffle when you get to crowded places, the people fighting for chairs, for space, then there were bruises, minor injuries. Those were things we had or people out of exhaustion, the excitement of having PDP, some would be screaming. Like the case we had when we went to Ogwash-Uku, the man was so excited about the PDP that he did not eat and out of exhaustion from shouting PDP, he collapsed. That challenge was not much, all that we did was to drip him up and he was up and fit again. Apart from those incidents, I will say God has been with us, there has not been serious injuries or death that has been recorded. Delta is very peaceful.
Q: But, are you well equipped for any eventuality?
A: Yes, very prepared. In short, for every movement, we have five state of the art ambulances on ground, we have different individuals who have donated – we have one Doctor Ben from Abuja. He came with two ambulances, we have two ambulances from Erhiatake, Chief Ibori’s daughter, she also gave us Doctors Paramedics, the chairman of the committee also bought a well-equipped ambulance which he donated to the campaign. So, we have these five ambulances in the convoy at every point in time. In short, one follows His Excellency-in-waiting, Senator Okowa and other ambulances were deployed to campaign venues well ahead of the campaigns so that as the people were waiting for our candidate, that is Dr Okowa, if there were any incident, either within the campaign ground or close to the vicinity or within the community, we were able to arrest the situation. In the team, we have more than six medical doctors – two from the United Kingdom, four from America who volunteered to join us. They have been with us, they came with medicaments. In short, you will be shocked at the level of preparedness you will think we were running a full-fledged hospital.
Q: Were the rallies successful?
A: Dr Okowa is a breath of fresh air, I must tell you. When I was the Chairman, Governing Council of School of Health Technology, Ufuoma, I was privileged to have worked with him. In my sojourn in politics, Senator Okowa stood out, he is among one of the finest materials we have in the PDP and the politics of Delta State. As a first teem Senator, he became chairman of a committee which tells you that these qualities were not only discovered by Deltans, even at the national stage, it was identified. So, I don’t think we could have asked for more. And the fact he is Okowa, it is electrifying. You see the joy, people are branding their cars, people are printing banners and posters. To a large extent, the large turnout has been because of the quality of person Senator Okowa is. He is a humanitarian, a man who has a strong feeling and affection for the people, his love towards humanity is amazing. It is not just about politicians, it cuts across.
Q: You are talking about Senator Okowa with so much passion but, we are aware that other political parties, the All Progressive Congress and the Labour Party also have strong candidates for the governorship elections. How confident are you that the PDP will win in the elections?
A: You may say because I am PDP but, looking at the situation as it is today, I can beat my chest to tell you that we have no opposition. A few people that you see making noise today, you will have to ask yourself, what is the strength of the opposition? We have travelled to all the local government areas of Delta Stare, I haven’t seen any sign of the opposition on ground. The few places where I saw some signs of opposition were in Delta Central but, out of the eight local government areas in Delta Central, I don’t think I saw signs of opposition in more than two local governments. So, if you remove two local governments from twenty five local governments, we are coasting home with twenty three local government areas. And you see, when we talk about politics, acceptability, it has nothing to do with tribal sentiments. You will be surprise that what we now have in Delta State is about the local government that will deliver most votes for the PDP, we are not talking about winning but, the margin of winning is what we are working for.
Q: As Chairman of the Governing Board of the School of Health Technology, Ufuoma, can you give us a hint about your working relationship with Dr Okowa who was then, the Commissioner for Health which is the supervisory Ministry for the institution?
A: Thank you very much. School of Health Technology is synonymous with Dr Ifeanyi Okowa. You may not know, but let me tell you today, he was the Commissioner who built that school. While he was the Commissioner, it was about that time I was seconded to the school as Chairman of the Governing Council. Actually, on my resumption, I was very furious, I asked the crime I committed for the government to send me to such a forest to go and stay. It was just a school of two buildings and a population of about three hundred and fifty students and they were receiving their lectures in the adjoining secondary school. They had no classes, everywhere was rubber plantation, but I will good kudos first to the governor, Chief Onanefe Ibori. When I complained, he told me that, I was sent there to build the school and I worked very closely with Dr Okowa. Every proposal I sent, every advise we gave scaled through. You will be surprised that in his time, we built a twenty room administrative building, a library was built for the school, three other buildings of six classrooms each were built, then a computer lab was also built. As at that time, the community was encroaching on the land for the school, so, when I went to complained to Dr Ifeanyi Okowa that there was need for us to fence the school, he actually did it and today, the school is fenced round, the access road to the school was so bad and he also did a lot to see that the road to the school was tarred. As at the time he left as Commissioner, from two classrooms, we rose to more than fourteen buildings in the school and the school had a bore-hole, during that time, the school had a school bus, because, as a Commissioner, that was the time he moved that all the schools supervised by the Ministry -School of Nursing, Midwifery, School of Health Technology, were all given school buses, twenty four seater buses and it will surprise you too that the school was on impress of about thirty thousand Nara a month. So, the tutors took it upon themselves, they were surcharging the students, extorting money from them, printing handouts, different levies. So, when I took the matter to him, he said there was need for us to fund the school in other to regulate its activities and stop those extortions and in his time, he was able to make a case and the school now have an impress of about three million naira monthly which made all the departments to have enough money to run their activities and as the Chairman, I stopped the sales of handouts and all other levies so as to create credibility in the quality of education we offered. So, these are the values we are looking for. In his time as Commissioner, we made a case for and created five departments – we created the Department of General Studies, all the students has to go through that department to learn the use and application of English Language. That was when the computer lab was built for all the students to be computer literate. We also created Food/Hygiene, then for the first time ever, that was the land-breaking point of what we had. Before Dr Okowa became a Commissioner, only two trained opticians were in Nigeria at that time, and these two were old men who were already retired from the service. Most of the opticians were those who learnt from optometrics by association. School of Health Technology was the first school of dispensing opticians in the whole of West Africa. It was made possible by the fact that we had a dynamic and focused commissioner. We hear now there are other two but, School of Health Technology was the first school to start the training of dispensing opticians in West Africa and certifying them to be qualified to practice. Again, the school under his watch, there was more discipline, values of education was returned to the school, students were thought and propelled in such a way that discipline was the watch-word because these are going to be health care professionals tomorrow. So, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa made all these possible. From my experience with the way he tacked problems, it gives me a very strong feeling and assurance that Deltans will see great things happen. He is a man with foresight and very articulate. I am very proud of him and very happy he succeeded to be the flag-bearer of the PDP.
Q: Doc, you also had dreams about the future of the School of Health Technology, with Dr Okowa emerging victorious at the polls, what are your expectations?
A: There were few discussions we were having before he left office as the Commissioner for Health which he was also working towards to ensure we achieve. In terms of Education, Deltans are advanced, our quota is quite high. So, in this age and time, we felt the school should rise beyond offering certificate courses, we felt the certificate courses were two low for Deltans and the school should be upgraded to College of Health Technology, we already agreed on it, Dr Okowa was working towards it before he left as Health Commissioner. By having a College of Health Technology, we have the opportunity of issuing OND (Ordinary National Diploma) as the minimum certificate we can offer in that school. We will have cadre of persons who will leave there and go to the University. So by the standard of our education background in Delta State, we deserve to have College of Health Technology where we can even have campuses of the institution. For instance, in Delta State, we are having challenges of radiographers. A College of Health Technology should be able to train radiographers. Those who operates the x-ray machines. You cannot offer that in a certificate course, the minimum qualification you can get in that area is OND, HND. By that standard, it will boost our education level and boost our potentials. I am very sure that now Dr Okowa is coming in, I know that are some of the areas he will look at.
Q: Currently, we have a Medical Doctor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan as Governor of Delta State and another Medical Doctor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa is very likely, hoping to be the next Governor. How do you feel having Medical Doctors as Governor?
A: What is politics? Politics is a platform to offer leadership. A leader who leads others to prosperity. One of the cardinal programmes of a healthcare provider is that a Medical Doctor is almost next to God. If you look at the outgoing Governor, you will see that the pattern with which he has piloted the affairs of governance, he didn’t take it from the part of business, but instead he has tried to veer it to provide a human face to governance. That is the luck we are having in Delta State and we are going to see more of that from Dr Okowa when he comes on board as Governor. The average health worker is a compassionate person and we need compassionate leaders. I think we are lucky that we are not seeing shrewd individuals who are seeing government as strictly business, but giving governance a human face.
Q: The Presidential elections will come up before the governorship elections. Don’t you think the outcome of the Presidential elections will determine what happens at the governorship elections?
A: I don’t think so. This is because Delta State is PDP, we are not influenced by anything from outside, we believe in the PDP and again, I want to tell you that at the national level, we are not afraid, we are not losing the elections. What we are seeing now which we have not seen before is a real democratic process at play. There is no true democracy without a formidable opposition. Let us give kudos to the PDP. What is happening shows that the PDP is very democratic, we are open, we appreciate the fact that the country is more important than ourselves. In time past, there were Presidents who strangled the opposition but if you look at the President we have at the moment, he has given room for a level play ground. For the first time, there is freedom of speech, there is access to everything, we all have equal access right now. That is democracy, it is beautiful. So what we are seeing that is making some people panic, to say, will PDP win is because, they are seeing democratic freedom they have not seen before. For the first time, the Chairman of INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission) is very neutral, INEC has been made so independent. The same way you have with the Police Force, so gradually, the President is creating independence for all these institutions.
Q: What is your advice to Deltans as they set for the elections?
A: They say count your blessings and see what the Lord has done. Rome was not built in a day. In the course of this campaign, I went round, I give kudos to the PDP-led government of Delta State. Look at Warri, I went to interior places, we have made a lot of gains. Deltans should vote PDP all the way. You saw what happened at the Presidential rally, we provided seven ambulances, Deltans came out to speak with one voice that they support PDP, they will translate that into proper votes. We should shun all forms of violence, we must tolerate ourselves and live in peace and enjoy the leadership of PDP.
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