These press statements made available to Blank NEWS Online were signed by the Delta state Commissioner of Police, IKECHUKWU ADUBA NPM, PSC (+) and the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP. CELESTINA KALU of the Delta state Police Command respectively.

Delta Police Declares NZEFILI NWADUKWE Wanted Over CORONATION OF ILLEGAL KING IN ABALA–OBODO COMMUNITY IN NDOKWA EAST L.G.A:  

Delta State Police Command took exception to the incident of 5th April, 2014, where one Nzefili Nwadukwe was illegally coronated as King against the existence of a Government recognised King. This illegal coronation is done in flagrant contravention of an existing law banning the creation of parallel monarchies in a community.

Nzefili Nwadukwe is by this publication declared wanted and will be hunted down to face the full wrath of the law.

Furthermore, this is to sound a note of warning to persons or group of persons intending to usurp a Government recognised monarchy in contravention of the law to have a change of mind and follow the due process of the law in pursuit of their ambitions. This is moreso, as the Command will not fold its arms to watch any person or group of persons attempting to truncate the relative peace we have so far achieved in the State as we will not hesitate to visit the full wrath of the law on such culprits, please.

ARREST OF SUSPECTED KIDNAPPERS:

On 17/5/2014 at about 1100hrs, operatives of Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad (SAKS) Asaba had an encounter with suspected kidnappers operating in a Toyota Camry car with Reg. No. AA123BT between Utulu-junction and Ubulu Okiti along Benin/Asaba express way. In the process, the Camry tyres were punctured; it veered off the road and stuck in the bush while the hoodlums fled into the bush with bullet wounds. Natives and vigilante men in the area were contacted to watch out for the wounded hoodlums.

In furtherance of the search for the hoodlums, on 20/5/2014 a combined team of policemen and vigilante recovered one FNC rifle with two Magazines and thirty-nine (39) rounds of live ammunition apparently abandoned by the fleeing kidnappers in the bush at Ubulu-Okiti.

The Camry car used by the culprits with blood stains has been recovered. The gang is said to have previously attacked one Apostle Moses Gradure ‘m’ and it is believed that the gang was also responsible for the kidnap of a Cuban national, one Ernesto Mendez in March, 2014. The victim is yet to be seen.

Meanwhile, efforts have been intensified to arrest the fleeing criminals.

RECOVERY OF SNATCHED VEHICLE:

Also on 12/5/2014 at about 01:00hrs, Special Anti-Robbery Squard (SARS) patrol team Asaba, acting on information from the control room, state Headquarters Asaba pursued a gang of armed robbers who snatched a Toyota Corolla car, with Reg. No. ASB373AE, ash in colour, belonging to one Augustine Eke ‘m’, to a point near Asaba Airport where the hoodlums were forced to abandon the vehicle after exchange of fire and escaped into the bush.

The snatched Toyota Corolla car was recovered while efforts are on to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

ARREST OF ROBBERY SUSPECT/RECOVERY OF FIREARM:

In another development, on 18/5/2014 at about 1240hrs, one Joel Oghali ‘m’ of Oroma quarters Ekuku-Agbor, the director of Micon Might filling station, Ogbagidi quarters Ekuku-Agbor  reported at the police station Agbor, that on the same date at about 0930hrs one Marvin Aliemeke ‘m’ of No. 102 Amos Victor street by Deeper Life road Boji-Boji Owa, Wilson ‘m’ surname and address yet unknown and one other young man who can be identified if seen, invaded his filling station with an unregistered Lifan CG 125 motorcycle, attacked his daughter, Nneka Oghali ‘f’ aged 18yrs on gun point and robbed her of N100,000.00 cash and six handsets belonging to various persons.

Based on the report, patrol team in synergy with vigilante men moved to the scene and arrested Mavin Aliemeke while others escaped.

Items recovered include two locally made single barrel guns. Meanwhile, case is under investigation while efforts are on to track down the fleeing suspects.

Meanwhile investigation is on at conclusion suspect(s) will be charged to court while effort is still at top gear to arrest the rest of the fleeing hoodlums.

The warring factions of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Warri Depot yesterday resolved to work together in the interest of peace in Warri axis and progress of the association.

Rising from a peace parley convened in Asaba by the Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, the factions disclosed that they have agreed to put their differences aside for peace to reign in the association.

Fielding questions at the end of the closed door meeting, the Vice Chairman of IPMAN Warri Depot, Comrade Benjamin Emoefe stated that all efforts towards consolidating on the peace within the association would be pursued with vigour by all members

“There is now peace in Warri Depot of IPMAN. We have resolved all issues amicably and we have promised to work together for the progress of the association”, Emoefe, leader of one of the factions stated.

On his part, the Chairman of IPMAN, Warri Depot Comrade Akpo Edafevwoture, leader of the second faction, said that the Governor has prevailed on them to “maintain peace and go back to work together in harmonious relationship”.

“The Governor wants to see us work together as we have been doing before the crisis”, Edafevwoture stated, adding: “issues of elections will be resolved in six months time”.

He said that members of the IPMAN have agreed to hold their elections on November 20, 2014 .

They commended Governor Uduaghan for intervening in the crisis and promised that they would give peace a chance and work together as a united association.

The State Commissioner for Information, Barr. Chike Ogeah who also fielded questions from journalists after the meeting, said members of the marketers association have agreed to sheath their swords and resolve their differences amicably.

According to Ogeah, the differences between the various factions of IPMAN in Warri Depot have been resolved and that members of the association have agreed to work amicably for the progress of members and in the interest of peace in the state and the country.

He cautioned that IPMAN members should desist from further actions that would cause a breach of peace in the state.

That every part of Nigeria can blossom and achieve a full employment economy is a vision that has been clear to me for a long time. The path to it has been, for me, the idea of zones of development which first took concrete form in my efforts 17 years ago to fashion a development unit out of the parts now generally in the South East and South- South Geopolitical zones of Nigeria. When recently I was invited to give a keynote address at a summit of South South- South East professionals I could not but recall my journey to a template for developing that economic area.

But I owed the development of my ideas on parts of the big picture to nuggets of wisdom in the work of other people. Principal in this area has been the idea of breaking Nigeria into zones of development for purposes of development planning, and the concept of economic development areas for the purpose of competitive exploitation of factor endowments of local economic units in global value chains.

I first encountered the concept of zones of development in Nigeria in the writing of a University of Lagos Economics teacher Anusionwu more than 20 years ago, before he left to work for the African Development Bank. The idea resonated with me immediately because it seemed a good way to get people to see the endowment of the nation and realize that every part of Nigeria was endowed enough to develop rapidly at the regional or sub national level.

The local development areas and value chain support concepts came to me from the Monitor Company who were leaders in competitiveness execution and had developed the concepts of growth drivers mapping of local economic units. This company that came out of the work of Harvard School Professors years ago had tried to enter Nigeria not long ago but has since gone through metamorphosis.

In 1996 after attending the Aspen Institute, France, Europe, – Africa summit, which had theme: Africa must produce or die, I began to look for structures that would support rapid production platforms for development.

Why, I asked, did we see the demise of the competition between the regions, in the 1950s and 60s,a phenomenon Howard Wolpe and Robert Melson at Michigan state described as Competitive Communalism ethnic nationality groupings competing to bring the most progress to its peoples. Three good examples of this competition come from the dawn of television broadcasting, the race for education, and the quest for industrialization.

With the west leading off in launching the first television station in Africa with the bragging pay ff: WNTV- first in Africa, Eastern Nigeria quickly followed with its own audacious call tune: ENBS.TV second to none. Free education in the west set the Eastern region racing in same direction but with wore limited cash. The answer would be a great formula that brought the state, the community and missionaries into a synergy partnership known as Ibuanyidanda. This enabled the East leapfrog a lag relative to the West. In the same way, on industrialization, the East reacted to the Ikeja Industrial estate with Aba and Port Harcourt and the Sarduana with the Kakuri, Kaduna, Textile hub, and Bompai in Kano.

This reinforced for me the idea of bottom up development in a Federal state in which the development thrust is significantly domiciled nearest to the people at the sub national government level.

I shared my thoughts on how to apply planning for rapid growth at the sub national level at a meeting of an Igbo Think Tank group, Aka Ikenga. I argued that just as the Province of Penang led the way in Malaysia’s ascendency, a region like the South East and South South could become the Rhine Valley of Africa. As I was Chairman of the Economic and finance committee of the group I was mandated to produce a blue print for the region. The product was called the Niger Basin Project. It constructed linkages between production hubs linked by rail and 12 lane turnpikes highways with connector grids. Hydrocarbon hubs in Port Harcourt, driven by crude oil, and around Warri, driven by Gas, were modeled. The western side, using Gas to power initiatives would supply most of the power, supplemented by clean burning coal from the extensive coal belt running through Enugu but Gas would drive both fertilizer production and Heavy industries’ parks dependent on cheap gas which would be made extremely cheap to trade off on taxes from power dependent industries to be located there; Nnewi would be an Industrial Centre for consumer goods and automobile parts just as Aba would be a hub for light manufacturing and fashion goods. Agriculture cities would be located in the North of Edo state, Ebonyi and CrossRiver.

With new bridges across the Niger making Asaba- Onitsha twin cities like Minneapolis-St Paul or Kansas City, Missouri and Kansas. It would be easy for Onitsha to grow in status as the retail hub for west and central Africa, expected at the time to be serviced by the Airport planned for Oba, a role now played by Asaba.

The Agriculture hubs of Edo, and Ebonyi and the palm oil and rubber belts running across the region and feeding industrial parks in Edo and Ebonyi with standard gauge rail links between the parks and supply routes were to provide form for infrastructure development and some areas in which global leadership would be sort by investing in human capital and competitiveness drivers.

I took this plan to the 1998 World Igbo Congress in London. That year, unfortunately was the year General Abdusalam Abubakar flagged off return to civil rule. Politician of all hues from the South East descended on the summit and aborted the core issue of development.

Ironically, many years after, the Governors of the South South decided to collaborate on regional economic development. In their wisdom they asked that I serve as chairman of the South South Economic Summit. It was a chance to revive the Niger Basin project. Once again, the triumph of politics has slowed down reaching the possibilities.

I continue to be persuaded that a regional development strategy based on value chains and competitiveness derived from becoming globally dominant around some factor endowment; supported by reforms on issues of values and national character will be what propels Nigeria into a global power house status.

* Patrick Okedinachi Utomi, a Nigerian professor of political economy and management expert, writes from Lagos, Nigeria

As Nigeria grapples with the challenge of winning the war against terror, the governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, has urged political leaders to always use their positions to unite the nation and join hands with the relevant authorities in defeating the enemies of the country.

Noting that the fact the international community is aiding the country to combat terror, especially that posed by the extremist Islamist group, Boko Haram, Uduaghan said leaders irrespective of political leaning should be statesman-like in their utterances and support the Federal Government in the war.

Uduaghan spoke through Chike Ogeah, Delta State Commissioner for Information in Lagos when the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) conferred on him the award of a “Positive Thinker” based on the transformational policies and programmes of his administration which have brought massive economic turnaround in the state.

He expressed dismay at the utterances of some political leaders on the country’s security challenges which bothered on playing politics with a serious national issue.

The governor commended the role of women in nation building noting that in all spheres of endeavour, they hold the hope for Nigeria’s resurgence as a major international player.

He particularly frowned at a situation where some persons are perceived as less important and some others arrogate to themselves the monopoly of wisdom, but called for synergy of effort for the common good of the nation.

He said his administration has taken deliberate measures, especially through the Delta Micro Credit Programme (DMCP) where over 111,000 people have been empowered to start up and nurture their business, for self reliance in the state in line with the Delta Beyond Oil initiative.

He noted that the programme which is being managed by Dr. Anthonia Ashiedu has won for the state numerous awards, especially that instituted by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to reward states’ initiative in aiding the growth of small businesses.

He pledged the readiness of Delta State to share its rewarding experience in promoting micro-credit with other states.

Speaking at the ceremony, the national president of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mohammed Garba, described Dr. Uduaghan as one of the governors whose policies and programmes have brought about manifest transformation in their states, saying that he deserved the award as well as the numerous others he has received. He described Governor Uduaghan as very focused and committed to the development of the state.

Present at the ceremony held at the weekend were Mr. Misan Ukubeyenji, Delta State Commissioner for Agriculture; Dr. Anthonia Ashiedu, Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Mrs. Orezi Esievo, Commissioner for Special Infrastructure.

This is the latest in the series of recognitions and awards for Dr. Uduaghan, especially from media practitioners and publishing houses in all parts of the country and beyond. Similar awards commending his efforts to develop the non-oil sector of Delta State’s economy had come from the Sun Group of newspapers, Leadership, Vanguard, Nigerian Pilot and Metro Eireann, Republic of Ireland’s leading and only multicultural newspaper.

The Nigeria -Turkey relations may soon be broken as facts made available to Blank NEWS Online indicate that Turkish Airlines and the Turkish intelligence service MIT may have been aiding islamist terrorists with massive supply of arms to wage war against Nigeria’s Federal Government and it’s Christian people.

This findings form part of the newest targets of tapes, leaked on the internet, with an audio recording allegedly showing a senior Turkish Airlines (THY) official asking about weapons deliveries to Nigeria during a telephone conversation.

A new recording has been leaked by the Başçalan Haramzadeler Youtube account, allegedly of a conversation between Mustafa Varank, the chief advisor to Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdoğan, and Turkish Airlines (THY) Executive Assistant Mehmet Karakaş on the issue of weapons deliveries to Nigeria using THY planes to transport the goods to the west African nation.

With Karakaş asking bluntly whether the weapons are “going to kill Muslims or Christians…,” and references made to Turkish intelligence service MİT chief Hakan Bey, this latest leak has caused outrage across the Turkish nation and could very well open the door to serious consequences should these allegations be proved true.

The translated conversation:

MK: Mustafa, salamu alaykum.
MV: Alaykum salam, brother.
MK: Mustafa, I brought up an issue with you, if you remember? About the question of transport…
MV: About that, we couldn’t meet with Mr Hakan, that’s why I didn’t get back to you.

MK: Come on, Mustafa.
MV: This is very urgent.
MK: We are transporting a lot of equipment, its going to Nigeria right now, OK? Is this going to kill Muslims or Christians…

MV: I’ve got it, brother.
MK: We are committing a sin, so you know.
MV: Alright. I will let you know in one or two days.
MK: God bless. And give them the contact number, too. Let them talk to him. OK?
MV: Alright. See you.

The Heads of State of Benin, Cameroon, Chad, France, Niger and Nigeria, as well as representatives of the European Union, the United Kingdom and the United States, participated on 17 May 2014 in a Summit in Paris dedicated to security in Nigeria. This Summit has helped intensify regional and international mobilization to combat the terrorism of the Boko Haram group.

The Summit concluded with several decisions that will strengthen cooperation between regional States, both to enable the liberation of the abducted school girls and more generally to combat Boko Haram. The partners present (the European Union, France, the United States and the United Kingdom) are committed to supporting this regional cooperation and strengthening the international means to combat Boko Haram and protect victims. All these States reaffirm their commitment to human rights and particularly the protection of girls who are victims of violence and forced marriage or threatened with slavery.

– Regional Cooperation

Nigeria and its neighbours will build analysis and response capabilities that will contribute to enhancing the security of all populations and the rule of law in the areas affected by Boko Haram’s terrorist acts.

To combat the Boko Haram threat, which has recently manifested itself through several murderous attacks and the abduction of more than 270 school girls, Nigeria and its neighbours have decided to immediately:

1. On a bilateral basis

– Implement coordinated patrols with the aim of combating Boko Haram and locating the missing school girls

– Establish a system to pool intelligence in order to support this operation

– Establish mechanisms for information exchange on trafficking of weapons and bolster measures to secure weapons stockpiles

– Establish mechanisms for border surveillance;

2. On a multilateral basis

– Establish an intelligence pooling unit

– Create a dedicated team to identify means of implementation and draw up, during a second phase, a regional counter-terrorism strategy in the framework of the Lake Chad Basin Commission.

This approach is consistent with the 2012 Summit of the Lake Chad Basin Commission. The United States, the United Kingdom, France and the European Union will coordinate their support for this regional cooperation through technical expertise, training programmes and support for border-area management programmes.

– Efforts at international level:

The participants commit to accelerating the implementation of international sanctions against Boko Haram, Ansaru and their main leaders, within the United Nations framework as a priority.

– Mobilization to support marginalized areas and their fragile populations, and particularly women exposed to violence

The P3 and the EU pledge to mobilize donors in support of programmes fostering the socio-economic development of the regions concerned, with particular emphasis on gender equality, the rights of women and girls and in particular their right to education, increasing women’s participation in all decision-making processes, and supporting victims of sexual violence, including through legal assistance, medical care and psychosocial support. The EU will dedicate a certain number of its programmes to these aspects and will strengthen its efforts to combat radicalization.

The participants agreed that the United Kingdom would host a follow-up meeting next month at Ministerial level to review progress on this action plan.

Courtesy: Blank NEWS Online/APO (African Press Organization). SOURCE: Présidence de la République française

It was a solemn atmosphere at Micheal Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia, as scores of people, prayer intercessors and clergies from different denomination in Abia State gathered to seek God’s divine intervention for the release of the still missing Chibok abducted school children in Borno State and end to Boko Haram activities in the North Eastern part of the country.

The quiet and heart rendering gathering organized by the office of the wife of the governor in conjunction with the state branch of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), saw the many of the congregation clad in black attire to reflect their pensive mood wept bitterly as they prayed on the security challenges in the country and the possible fate of the abducted school girls.

They offered intercessory prayers to God seeking his intervention on the matter particularly the abducted school girls and other Boko Haram abductees, for peace and unity of the country particularly end to insurgency and blood spilling in the country, wisdom for the leaders and development of the Abia State.

Preaching a sermon, Deliverance from Captivity, the Abia State Chairman of CAN, Bishop Goddy Okafor, said that devil is behind those working against the unity this country.

Bishop Okafor who cited various bible passages to buttress the topic stated that the aim of the enemy was to hold the people captive so that they would not offer the sacrifice of praises unto God and put the people in condition of confinement so that they will not be able to allow light to shine.

The man of God stated that they gathered in Umuahia to seek the face of God through prayer for the release of the abducted girls by the Boko Haram sect. .

Pastors Emeka Awa, Silas Ike, Mrs Charity Ogbonna and Mrs Oluchi Abraham, expressed the hope that the prayers offered would draw down the powers of God in the country and ensured the release of the Chibok school girls and an end to activities of the Boko Haram.

They further commended the wife of the governor, Mrs. Mercy Odochi Orji for organizing the solemn assembly for residents of the state to seek the face of God over the security challenges in the country. They expressed the hope that just like the similar solemn assembly led by Mrs Orji in 2009 which led to the release of kidnapped school children in Aba and an end to kidnapping and other violent crimes in the state, the gathering would lead to freedom to the school girls and peace in the country.

The wife of the deputy governor, Lady Nene Ananaba had earlier read the Bible passage taken from Acts 12:1-11 during the prayer service.

In an attempt to create a free flow of information from the grassroots to the state government and an effective feedback system, Delta state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has commissioned complaints/information desks in the state local governments.

The desks, according to the Governor’s Special Adviser on Political Matters (Delta North), Omordi George Ugbomah, would aid his boss feel the pulse of the people about the impact of his administration and in a bid to finish strong next year, just as plans are underway to replicate the initiative in the three senatorial districts of the state.

Ugbomah said with the introduction of the two-way information process, the hitherto impression of the people at the grassroots level about government would change from viewing governance in the bad light to accepting to offer suggestions and information on how to attract water, roads, schools, hospitals, housing projects and other basic amenities to their communities.

Meanwhile, the Delta state Commissioner for Information, Chike Ogeah, who flagged-off the system in Asaba on Wednesday, May 14, 2014 on behalf of the state governor, said the desk would serve as a feedback mechanism, hence information is key to the growth and development of any state or nation but lack of it destroys the society.

He noted that aside the synergy it would provide between the people and government, “it will enhance democratic practice.”

“We need information as this point of our political life. It will enable us to know the areas where we need to work harder, to those to lead us and those who have no capacity to deliver. The responses you will get from thise initiative will make you to know that the government of His Excellency, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, is ready to work with you.”

Ogeah lauded the initiator to the project, describing it as not only apt but instructive for those who would not die for lack of knowledge.

In a goodwill message, the Governor’s Communication Manager, Paul Odili, was categorical that the initiative would not only reduce rumour mongering and criminal activities in the state, but will serve as another means of inter/intra ethnic dispute resolution.

While receiving the desks, the local government council bosses said they would put the facilities to good use and further enlighten the people at the grassroots on how to make their inputs in governance and to the well being of all Deltans.

President Goodluck Jonathan’s letter of request to the National Assembly, seeking an approval to extend the proclamation of the state of emergency for another 6 months in the three terrorist infested north-eastern states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe may have suffered a setback as Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State and a pocket of Northern Senators insist on frustrating his appeal for extension.

Jonathan had in the letter to the Senate and House of Representatives respectively on Tuesday, May 13, 2014, expressed the need for the extension due to the incessant terrorists’ insurgency in the affected states, which has caused deliberate security uncertainty.

Relying on relevant Section of the Nigerian Constitution as amended, the President in the letter dated May 2, 2014 said, “By virtue of the provisions of Section 305 (6) (c) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the proclamation aforementioned would have elapsed after six months from the date of approval of the National Assembly.

“However, while substantial progress had been made to contain the situation and restore normalcy in the affected states, the security situation that necessitated the proclamation of a state of emergency was yet to abate.

“The security situation in the three states remains daunting, albeit to varying degrees, in the face of persistent attacks by members of the Boko Haram sect on civilian and military targets with alarming casualty rates.

“In view of the forgoing, I most respectfully request distinguished Senators to consider and approve by resolution, the extension of the proclamation of the state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states by a further term of six months from the date of expiration of the current term.

“The security situation in the three states remains daunting, albeit to varying degrees, in the face of persistent attacks by members of the Boko Haram sects on civilian and military targets with alarming casualty rates.

“In view of the foregoing, I most respectfully request the House to consider and approve by resolution, the extension of the Proclamation of the State of Emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States by a further term of six months from the date of expiration of the current term.”

The President’s letter to the Senate was read by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu who presided over the plenary, while that of the House of Representatives was read by the Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal who directed the committee on rules and business to bring the matter to the floor for today, Wednesday, May 14, 2014 for deliberations.

Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State opposed the move by President Goodluck Jonathan to further extend the state of emergency currently in force in his state and two others in the North-East.

Reactions:

Reacting to the request, Governor Nyako, who spoke through his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Ahmed Sajoh said: “We still hold our position that there was no need to declare a state of emergency in Adamawa in the first place, because the level of attacks in the state has even increased with the imposition of emergency rule.

“As far as we are concerned, the state of emergency has not changed anything and we advise the government to adopt a new approach in tackling the insurgency rather than the business as usual tactics that do not add up.”

Senator Mohammed Ndume (APC, Borno South) said: “We are not in support of extending it because it has not served the purpose for which it was declared one year ago.

“The President asked for powers to enable him tackle the security challenges in the three states, but unfortunately instead of improving in the first six months, things got bad.

“After the second extension, which the President specially said he needed to finish up the war against the insurgents, again things got worse.

“More people were killed and displaced and the insurgents grew stronger.

“So we begin to wonder if they are asking for the extension so that the things will get worse. I think it is time to re-evaluate the whole thing and come up with a better alternative approach.

“We must emphasise on deployment of more troops in the implementation of provisions of Section 14(2b) of the 1999 Constitution, which states that the security and welfare of the citizen shall be the primary purpose of government instead of Section 305. Deployment of troops does not necessarily require state of emergency.”

Senator Ahmed Zanna (PDP, Borno Central) said: “I vehemently oppose the extension. There is no need for it because even without an emergency they can deploy troops and operate. We have given them one good year and two chances and they refused to do anything.

“There is no emergency in the troubled areas in the last one year. Except if there’s a political undertone, it should not be extended.”

Senator Ahmed Lawan representing Yobe North said: “The state of emergency had been operated for 12 months now and will end on the May 19. I think that should be the end. That is not to say that the military operation in the North-East should cease.

“Instead, Federal Government should deploy more military personnel and modern equipment to the affected states.

“What is crucial, essential and imperative, is not the state of emergency but the enablement of the military, especially those in the battle front, to have state-of-the-art technology and weapons.

“They should be motivated so that we can have results. The government does not need to declare another state of emergency before they continue. They are already there.

“The obsolete arms and ammunition should be withdrawn from them and be replaced with modern ones.

“The National Assembly has always expressed willingness to support further funding for the military operation.

“The Senate President, David Mark, who spoke on our behalf last week, told President Goodluck Jonathan that the senate was prepared to approve supplementary budget to further equip the military and boost the morale of the soldiers.

“Therefore, I am completely opposed to the extension of the state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe, but I support further funding for the military operation in the area.”

The Committee on Political Restructuring and Forms of Government at the ongoing National Conference, has adopted a rotational principle for presidency and governorship positions in Nigeria.

The committee, through a majority vote, on Tuesday, May 13, 2014 agreed that the rotational principle should be operative among the existing geo-political zones and senatorial districts respectively and should be enshrined in the Electoral Act and in the constitution of political parties in the country.

While backing rotational principle, Senator Femi Okurounmu, a delegate from the South-West who also chaired the Presidential Advisory Committee on the conference said that the system would give every zone the opportunity to produce president, adding that the new principle should be embedded in the Electoral Act and in the constitutions of the various political parties.

Another member of the committee representing Federal Government, Senator Nimi Amange, said: “If we want zoning, we should zone the presidency to all ethnic nationalities in Nigeria so that all of them will enjoy the presidency.”

Dr. Philips Salawu, former deputy governor of Kogi State proposed that the system should be practiced at the centre, states and local government levels. “The presidency should alternate between North and South among the six geo political zones. It should also be included in the constitution. If you can entrench it in the constitution, the quest for state creation would not be necessary.”

Speaking also, Ambassador Lawrence Agubuzu (South-East) said that “it should be based on geo-political zones since it has been used to determine our sharing formula.”

As for General Jonathan Temlong (Federal Government), “It has to be institutionalized. We also ask the parties to include zoning in their constitutions as it affects all levels of government. It should be given legal backing and entrenched in the electoral law.”

Senator Ladan (North-West) said that rotation should be left to the parties and should not be a constitutional issue because “it will create a very serious problem if included in the constitution. A leader must be elected on the basis of acceptability.”

For Mr. Yinka Odumakin (South-West), “there is no part of the country that cannot have a qualified person. The office should rotate among the zones in the country.”

Also, Professor Anya O. Anya (Federal Government delegate) said that it was proper to locate the matter in the Electoral Law and the constitution of political parties, asserting that “You cannot divorce the rotational principle from the structure.”

As a result of the recent controversy and bickering which trailed the naming of a road in Asaba, Delta state capital, after the state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, the state government has put the records straight in a bid to halt further misunderstanding and misinformation.

A statement signed by Chike Ogeah Esq., the state Commissioner for Information and made available to Blank NEWS Online on Tuesday, May 13, 2014 reads:

“Recently, the chairman of the Transition Committee of Oshimili South Local Government Area, Mrs. Chinwe Monu-Olarenwaju, named what used to be variously called Summit Road, Anwai Road or Illah Road after His Excellency, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, CON, Governor of Delta State.

However, this gesture from the Council seems to have been misunderstood by some people. It has, therefore, become imperative for the issue to be explained.

1. In naming the road Emmanuel Uduaghan Way, Monu-Olarenwaju was exercising the powers of a local council which has the statutory responsibility of naming and managing streets and roads in urban areas.

2. The road had no official name prior to the action by the management of Oshimili South Local Government Area (OSLGA) hence it was variously called Summit Road, Anwai Road or Illah Road.

3. The name, Emmanuel Uduaghan Way, is therefore, the first official name for the road.

4. In taking its decision, the OSLGA acted independently based on their conviction that the Governor fully merited the honour as they are witnesses to the huge transformation Asaba, the state capital, experienced under his watch.

5. It is generally acknowledged that when honour is to be bestowed on anybody, the project or monument to be named after him or her is not necessarily one executed or built by the person to be honoured. In the case of Emmanuel Uduaghan Way, it was entirely down to the decision of the management of OSLGA on which road to name after the governor.

6. The decision of OSLGA management team to name the road after Dr. Uduaghan has been widely applauded by the people of the local government and, indeed, the entire Deltans who feel highly indebted to the governor for uplifting the status of Asaba.”

Signed

CHIKE C. OGEAH Esq
Honourable Commissioner for Information

Warri Wolves Football Club received a boost during the week when attacking midfielder, Ikechukwu Ibenegbu returned from a long span injury he sustained in Bizerte, Tunisia in the second leg of the CAF Confederation Cup and will be available for selection against Lobi Stars on today, Wednesday in Katsina Ala.

Ibenegbu popularly known as “mosquito” will thus feature for the first time for the Warri based team in the domestic league and this will help the team in no small way as they look forward to consolidate their position in the league.

Speaking before the team travelled to Katsina Ala on Monday, Ibenegbu who is a member of the national beach soccer team expressed his joy that he is back to action to help his team.

The former Heartland midfielder who switched to Warri Wolves at the beginning of the season said he is also happy because Warri Wolves will play host to Heartland on Sunday at the Warri City Stadium.

“I am happy to be back to play in the league. Football is what I know and to be on the side line nursing injury is something one cannot stand but I thank God that I am back to help my team. I am also aware that we are playing Heartland on Sunday and for me, it is going to be an interesting match. I spent quite some time with that team and to play against them will be fantastic. ”

Ibenegbu also commended his team mates for doing a good work, presently, occupying the fourth place in the Globacom league with 17 points and believed the team can do more.

” I am happy that they were able to get where they are in the league. They have done well and I know we can still do more. If the Coach picks me, I will do my best to lift the team”, said Ibenegbu.

In recognition of his development strides in providing critical infrastructure, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, CON, governor of Delta State, has been honoured as Governor of the Year 2013 by the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ).

A statement signed by Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu, chairman and Uchechukwu Akinobi, secretary, of NAWOJ, Lagos State chapter, said the award is for Uduaghan’s outstanding accomplishment in tackling the multi-faceted problems of development in Delta State as well as his commitment to alleviating the plight of the ordinary people.

“After a painstaking and critical appraisal of all the state governors and the impact of their programmes on the citizenry, we are happy to inform the general public that Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has been selected as NAWOJ Governor of the Year.

The association praised Governor Uduaghan for the infrastructural development in the state and the diversification of the state’s economy through the Delta Beyond Oil initiative.

It also identified the health system, transportation, scholarship scheme for students, micro- credit scheme that has affected the lives of people in the state, youth empowerment scheme and public viewing centres as areas that set Governor Uduaghan apart as a leader of vision.

“His accomplishments since he came to power have given succour to the ordinary people and hope to millions”, the statement said.

The award ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, May 15, 2014 at Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Ikeja ahead of NAWOJ’s delegates’ conference that begins the following day, a press release signed by CHIKE C. OGEAH Esq., Delta state Commissioner for Information revealed.

This is the latest in the series of recognitions and awards for Dr. Uduaghan, especially from media practitioners and publishing houses in all parts of the country and beyond.

Similar awards commending his efforts to develop the non-oil sector of Delta State’s economy had come from the Sun Group of newspapers, Leadership, Vanguard, Nigerian Pilot and Metro Eireann, Republic of Ireland’s leading and only multicultural newspaper.

President Goodluck Jonathan made history on Saturday when he performed the ground breaking ceremony for the first maritime university in Africa, the Nigeria Maritime University at Okorenkoko, Warri Soith West Local Government Area of Delta State.

Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan on his part has solicited the support of the Niger Delta and the rest of the country for President Jonathan in 2015 and beyond.

President Jonathan who flagged off activities at the university’s temporary site, Kurutie also performed similar functions for the Nigerian Maritime and Safety Agency’s (MIMASA) shipyard and dockyard projects at Okenrenkoko.

The President commended the a Ministry of Transport and NIMASA for the initiative of the university, which he noted would help create and build capacity for the maritime sector and further help in the economic transformation of the country.

Nigeria, he observed once had a vibrant maritime sector but lamented that it latter experienced stagnation that even today some Nigeria bound goods were being diverted to Benin Republic?

According to him, his administration has taken concrete steps towards revamping the sector, adding that the maritime university would go a long way in addressing the problem of dearth of skilled manpower that had been the bane of the industry.

President Jonathan reiterated the commitment of his administration towards developing comprehensive transport infrastructure in the country, explaining, that informed the decision to construct a costal rail system.

“We are working very hard not just coastal road but a costal railway system . Roads alone don’t solve our problems. For you to provide mass transit to move people easily especially heavy materials and human beings you need railways. Until you get railways you cannot talk about effective mass transit system.

“Our roads fail so easily because of the load they carry and that is why we are emphasing on the coastal railway. I had that discussion with the Premier of China and they are totally committed.

“It is a project that is going to cost between 12 to 15 billion dollars that will link Lagos through the South West, South South, South East up to the North. If we achieve that it will really improve communication and improve on our GDP as a nation,” he said.

Governor Uduaghan, also speaking at the occasion urged the Niger Delta and the rest of the country to continue to give their support to the president in 2015 and beyond.

“I must say that we must all together give the maximum support to the president. Yes Mr. President is from the Niger Delta and we thank the other parts of Nigeria for supporting him to become the President in 2011.

“We thank them for their support so far, we plead with them that they should continue to support him now and beyond 2015. I did say that we of the Niger Delta have no reason to oppose Mr. President, some people challenged me. I still stand on that statement. You do not know what you have until you don’t have it.

“We have a president that has been brought to power by every part of Nigeria, for us from the Niger Delta we must continue to be in the forefront to be in the support. We must continue to extend our hands of fellowship to other parts of Nigeria to continue to support him not just in 2015 but beyond 2015,” Governor Uduaghan said.

Dr. Uduaghan commended the president for the landmark projects of a maritime university, dock and shipyard among others in Warri South West Local Government.

“We want to thank you Mr. President because today you are starting a movement in Warri South West that will make it the most educated, the most industrialised and the most empowered local government in Nigeria,” he said

Western media ever obsessed with bad news from Africa have been feasting on Boko Haram -The shameful terror of the extremists, accentuated by mystery abduction of Nigerian school girls.

Here in London the BBC, aided by her global sisters across the world CNN, VOA, Channel 4 and ultra radical Al Jazeera have assailed the senses with haunting distraught mothers wailing the loss of their children juxtaposed with blood chilling footages of Boko Haram barbarians ,draped in heavy guns and all manners of war architecture.

The traditional mainstream press-the newspapers and their stereotyped columnists are all painting Nigeria red! President Goodluck Jonathan is the whipping boy. Poor Jonathan

Melanie McDonagh of EVENING STANDARD calls the “Nigerian president the unhappily named Goodluck Jonathan…(who straddles a country where)…frontline soldiers are under-equipped, yet Nigeria’s annual Defence budget is £3.5 billion”.

In a piece that reads more like the writings of my childhood fantasy, James Hardly Chase, Nicholas Kristof of INTERNATIONAL NEWYORK TIMES penned that: “dozens of heavily armed terrorists rolled into the sleepy little town one night in a convoy of trucks, buses and vans …and vanished … 276 girls are still missing-and the Nigerian government has done next to nothing to recover them”.

He tied up the tale with hideous sarcasm; “Northern Nigeria is a deeply conservative area and if the school girls are recovered, it may be difficult for them to marry because of suspicions that they are no longer virgins”

British newspaper of the year, THE DAILY TELEGRAPH concluded that the Nigerian government has exhibited “impotent response to the kidnapping ..”

The foreign press has one damning predictable verdict: -Jonathan lacks action to find the girls.

Where are NTA, NAN, CHANNELS, AIT…and the flagship of the Nigerian press- THE GUARDIAN to tell the world that Jonathan and indeed all well meaning Nigerians have been having sleepless night fighting Boko Haram?

When will Nigerian-driven CNN come? Where is INTERNATIONAL NEW YORK TIMES- (Made in Nigeria)?

Resources and technology are the punishers of African media. African journalism has the power but no purse. I like journalism in the west no doubt. The twinkling immediacy, vivid colour and ostentation make the news so charming.

The CNN and BBC are all time greats. I am particularly in love with THE WASHINGTON POST, THE NEW YORK TIMES, THE DAILY TELEGRAPH AND THE IRISH TIMES for their history and pioneering journalism. But the leading mascot of journalism in the Western Hemisphere- THE WASHINGTON POST is not my best newspaper in the world.

The dignified elevated language of the Nigerian GUARDIAN and the sweet prose of the defunct DAILY TIMES can make Pulitzer Prize patrons dance in awe. Lagos friend, Maukpe Ogun and her sharp gang on CHANNELS TV tackle complex social and political issues extempore with effortless ease on camera every day.

Each word, syllable and even full stop on CNN by Christie Amanpour and countless on -Air personalities up west, are on the Teleprompter. African journalists have the swagger but no style.

Colonialism or better still neo colonialism is the black man’s burden. Remember Walter Rodney, the assassinated Guyanese radical intellectual. Read How EUROPE UNDERDEVELOPED AFRICA.

Lest I forget, what a cheeky chat I saw on the headline of race sensitive UK newspaper THE VOICE. A British painter, named Maggie Hambling was quoted to have said after watching Oscar winning film, 12 YEARS A SLAVE starring Nigerian international actor Chiwetel Ejiofor that she would love to “own slaves”.

Anger was my palpable emotion when I watched the horrifying film, speechless for almost two hours aboard Heathrow bound Virgin Atlantic.

Who needs slavish property? How can anyone denigrate humanity with so vile a perception, even in this new age? However, tribes or regions are not evil, individuals are. I agree with author, Fredrick Forsythe in the ODESSA FILE.

The ONE WORLD MEDIA AWARDS, the object of my mission in UK, initiated by ONEWORLD Group rekindles a hopeful feeling of oneness and common humanity.

My profound gratitude to the ONE WORLD MEDIA for the sponsorship.

***Norbert Chiazor is the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta State Council.

Abia State government has accused Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha of being insensitive to the plight of his citizens especially Imo workers disengaged from Abia State civil service.

Reacting to a statement credited to Governor Okorocha on May Day in which he was said to be apologizing on behalf of Imo workers sacked by Abia State government and yet to be re-engaged, the Chief Press Secretary to Abia State governor, Mr. Charles Ajunwa said the Abia State Government has so far re-engaged a total number of 2,133 disengaged workers back into its civil service, majority of whom are from Imo State.

Addressing newsmen on the matter at the Government House, Umuahia, the Chief Press Secretary said the statement by Governor Okorocha is unfair on Governor Orji and Abia State government, adding that it was wrong for the Imo State governor to use the occasion of May Day to castigate his Abia state counterpart.

According to him, such a statement from Governor Okorocha is devilish and satanic, pointing out that the Imo Governor’s apology to workers is senseless and unfair.

He said the Abia State government does not delight in telling lies to the public or playing to the gallery, maintaining that the Abia State government has a human face while the state Governor has shown love and compassion to his citizens.

The Chief Press Secretary explained that although Abia indigenes were the first to be disengaged by neighbouring states, the Abia State government was able to quickly re-absorb them without fuss and added that Governor Orji wrote to his colleagues in the South East before the decision to disengage non Abia workers in her employ wherein he explained the reason for his action.

Mr. Ajunwa stated that with an increase in its Internally Generated Revenue profile, the Abia State government rescinded its earlier decision and is striving to reabsorb all those affected by that decision.

As Nigeria continue to tread on the threshold of insecurity, wife of Delta state governor, Deaconess Roli Nere Uduaghan has advised Nigerians to turn away from sin and wholeheartedly embrace God, who is the author and finisher of all things.

Deaconess Roli Nere Uduaghan gave this advise on Thursday, May 08, 2014 at the Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba at a Special Prayer Summit for solution to issues of national concern.

The prayer session organised by wife of Delta state governor, is however not unconnected with the continued siege laid by the Boko Haram Islamist terrorists on the nation’s north, especially with the recent abduction of over 200 school children in Borno state, which has received global condemnation.

In her welcome address, the wife of Delta state governor, Deaconess Roli Nere Uduaghan, said the prayer summit became necessary as a result of the worrisome security situation in the country, which has defiled all human efforts but needed only God’s divine intervention.

She called for atonement from sin by all Nigerians, and prayers of genuine repentance, saying that “In the history of this country, no blood has been spilled as much as we are now seeing. God wants us to return to him because we have all gone astray from the ways of the Lord”.

She emphasised that the present security travails may have been a design by God to teach Nigerians a lesson and make them turn away from their sinful ways, adding that the Church which is made up of the people of God must embark on genuine spiritual prayers to survive the wrath of God.

In his exhortation, Rev. Gideon Oyibo, Delta state chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) revealed that the country is presently under siege, as a result of the many security challenges necessitated by Islamist insurgents in the Northern part of Nigeria.

According to him, “It is only the power of the Almighty God that can help overcome the challenges and restore the nation back to its place of pride.”

Reading from the Bible’s 2nd Chronicles, Chapter 20, Rev. Oyibo emphasised that the only weapon needed to surmount the challenges are God’s own Christian people and through consistent prayers, adding that “the battle is the Lord’s but the people are God’s weapons to fight the battle and bring insurgency to a halt through fervent prayers.”

He advised against casting aspersions and blames on anybody or group, which according to him, will further infringe on the unity of the country, saying that “we have a common battle at hand because Nigeria is one. Our coming together in praying is because physil battle has not yielded any results.”

The Special Prayer Summit was attended by various men, women dignitaries and lowly, drawn from all parts of Delta state, including former Presidential hopeful, Mrs. Sarah Jubril; Mrs. Edith Okowa; wives of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the state Assembly, Mrs. Onwunsanya and Mrs. Ganagana respectively among others including the Senior Special Adviser to the governor of Delta state (Religious Affairs), Godspower Agbuduta.

7th May, 2014:
DELTA STATE POLICE COMMAND MAKES REMARKABLE BREAKTHROUGH INTO THE GRUESOME MURDER OF 2 VIGILANTE CHIEFS FROM THE WARRI AXIS OF THE STATE

​Following the gruesome murder of Hon Prosper Erhinyojare – Chairman of Udu Central Vigilante Group on 17th April, 2014 and one Godwin Migaga (aka Kpuff Man) – leader of Red Bar Security on 22nd April, 2014, respectively; investigation was immediately stepped up and our dragnet so far, has successfully caught the underlisted suspected hoodlums positively identified to have taken part in the Conspiracy, acts and omissions that led to the death of the 2 Vigilante Chiefs, viz;

1) Eric Umokoro ‘m’ aged 30yrs
2) Akpojotor Christian Obele ‘m’
3) Joshua Ogheneovo ‘m’ (aka Abala)
4) Caleb Oghenetega (aka K-leg)
5) Solomon Olo ‘m’
6) Oke Onorede ‘f’

Other members of the gang still at large and have been declared wanted include;

1) David SNU,
2) Rege SNU,
3) Festus and
4) Ojekom

Items recovered from the arrested suspects include;

a) 2 Ak 47 Rifles
b) 90 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition and
c) 2 locally made cut to size single barrelled short-guns

The arrested suspects, some of who had made confessional statements highlighting their functions and degree of involvement in the dastardly act, at the completion of investigation, will be made to face the full wrath of the law.

Investigation has further revealed that the demonic intention of the hoodlums are purely geared at instilling fears on the populace by brutally snuffing the lives out of the 2 vigilante chiefs who had done so much to aid Security Agencies in their duties of law enforcement. The Command and its personnel will not rest on its oars until all the culprits indentified in this act are brought to book.

We however, implore you the good people of Delta State not to be deterred as the Police Force cannot do without your continuous support, particularly in this perilous time. With your collective input, we have the capacity to contain the criminal elements in our midst most of whom, from evidence at our disposal drift into Delta State from the sister states.

As could be seen from the displayed exhibits made up of arms and ammunition of different shades and sizes, recovered from hoodlums within the state in the past one month; there is an obvious arm build-up for which we have mapped out strategies to have them mopped-up.

It is already an over-flogged adage that we cannot achieve any meaningful development in an atmosphere devoid of peace, hence we welcome useful advice; suggestions and genuine information that will aid us in our duties of law enforcement, please.
6th May, 2014:
DELTA STATE POLICE COMMAND TRACKED AN ARMED ROBBERYSUSPECT MORE THAN A YEAR AFTER COMMITTING THE CRIME

On 16/3/2013 a Toyota Highlander Jeep with Reg. No. NEN 48 AA belonging to one Jonah Okechukwu ‘m’ of No. 65 Water Works road Onitsha Anambra State was snatched from him on gun point by unknown hoodlums at Neni town Anambra State.

Sequel to the report, detectives from ‘A’ Division Asaba Delta State traced the vehicle to a compound at Umuagu quarters Asaba. The suspects sighted the detectives and escaped, abandoning the vehicle which was recovered to the police station. When the vehicle was searched a bank passbook and other items, properteries of one of the suspects one Basil Okafor ‘m’ of Casloba Crescent Umuagu Asaba were recovered. The said bank account was flagged since March 2013.

However, on 5/5/2014 the said Basil Okafor, aged 28yrs was arrested by detectives from ‘A’ Division Asaba while trying to make transaction with the flagged bank account. The suspect is undergoing investigation while efforts are on to track down fleeing members of his gang.

5th May, 2014:
OGWASHI-UKU CUT CLASH, ARMS AND AMMUNITION RECOVERED

​On 2nd May 2014 at about 1230hrs, the police at Ogwashi-Uku Division received information that two rival cult groups were engaged in gun battle at Agidieshe quarters Ogwashi-Uku, resulting in the death of two suspected cultists, one Tony Njortie ‘m’, aged 25yrs and Umemezie Chukwuka Emmanuel ‘m’ aged 25yrs.

​Consequently, Anti-Robbery Patrol team was immediately dispatched to the scene where the hoodlums on sighting the team took to their heels. The two corpses were removed and deposited at General Hospital Morgue Ogwashi-Uku for autopsy.

​Items recovered from the scene include:
i. One locally made pistol short gun
ii. Three expended and one unexpended cartridges
iii. One battle axe
iv. Different handsets

Meanwhile, investigation is in progress while efforts are on to track down the fleeing cultists and bring them to justice.

​The Command wish to once more advise youths in the state to shun cultism and related vices, but channel their youthful energies toward productive and profitable pastime that can add value to their lives and society.

DSP. CELESTINA KALU,
POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,
DELTA STATE POLICE COMMAND.

Blank NEWS Online can reveal that officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has on Wednesday, May 07, 2014 swooped on the Director General of Direct Labour Agency (DLA), Mr. Emmanuel Edafe Igbini, in Asaba.

The anti-graft team who were said to have stormed the office in Asaba in the early hours of Wednesday, had also on Tuesday been led by Igbini to Agbarho to ascertain whether his claims of purchase of earth moving and road construction equipment were true or not.

Recall that the embattled DG of the Delta state owned construction intervention outfit, Direct Labour Agency (DLA), Mr. Igbini has been grappling with alleged multiple and gross financial misappropriation.

Igbini, who has been grilled by officials of the anti-graft agency in Port-Harcourt was reportedly swooped upon by EFCC officials on Tuesday and Wednesday, after he failed to defend sundry claims of stealing government money worth over N3.7 Billion for intervention on 157 state roads.

It could be recalled that the EFCC had in their letter dated September 27, 2013 requested for the income and expenditure registers of DLA, proposed and approved budget since 2011 till date, all approvals directed for payment made by the agency (DLA) from 2011 till date, in a tabular form -list of all the contractors, contracts, Direct Labour jobs and equipment procured since inception of his (Igbini) administration till date, all LPOs approved since your assumption of office, mode of payment, amount paid, payment vouchers, copies of cheques if any, and Auditor’s report.

Blank NEWS Online has also learnt that the EFCC had earlier sucessfully obtained vital financial documents from the Delta state Accountant General‘s office in Asaba and some quoted banks in regard to Igbini’s sundry fraudulent acts.

Meanwhile, the state and chapter leadership of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical And Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE) who had picketed the offices of the Direct Labour Agency (DLA) in Asaba had also accused the Director General, Mr. Emmanuel Edafe Igbini of fraud and appealed to the state Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan to urgently sack him.

*Watch Out For More Details

Delta State has taken the lead in the generation of renewable energy as Canada invests five billion United States dollars in Nigeria to produce 3,000 megawatts of electricity.

The initiative of the State Government to key into the green economy programme of the global community paid off as the Federal Government Tuesday evening, signed the Foreign Investments Protection Agreement (FIPA) with Canada to remove existing bottlenecks to smoothen the take-off of Canadian investments in Nigeria.

Similarly, Delta State Government signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with a Canadian investor, Skypower Energy to build and generate solar-powered electricity in the state.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Nigerian minister of Industry, Trade and Foreign Investments, Mr. Olusegun Aganga said that the Canadian investor, Skypower Energy, was investing five billion United States dollars in renewable energy in the country.

According to him, the firm would be producing 3,000 megawatts of solar-based electricity for the national grid with the facility being deployed first in Delta State having taken the initiative for the renewable energy plant.

“Skypower will deploy first in Delta State which has taken the lead because of the enormous work the State has put in to ensure the realization of the renewable energy programme”, the Nigerian minister stated.

He disclosed that the Federal Government will facilitate the provision of license to generate the solar-based electricity for the national grid with about 1,000 megawatts being generated form plants located in Delta State.

The Canadian minister of International Investments, Mr. Christian Paradis hinted that with the FIPA between Nigeria and Canada, more investors would be encouraged to invest in Nigeria.

In his remarks, Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan expressed delight at the FIPA and the keen interest shown by the Federal Government noting that it was an endorsement of the initiative taken by Delta.

“This is very historic and emotional for me. For us in Delta State, we have keyed into the green economy programme of the global community. The green economy is not just in enhancing the environment but also meant to empower the people”, he stated.

The Governor assured that Deltans would benefit from the 1,000 megawatts that would be generated from the state as some of it will be dedicated to the state.

Besides, he said that the FIPA was a big benefit from the World Economic Forum, Africa (WEFA) currently going on in Abuja.

President of the United States of America, Barack Obama has called for urgent international response to the Boko Haram insurgency in Northern Nigeria and describing the kidnapping of over 200 schoolgirls by the Islamists sect as “heartbreaking” and “outrageous”.

“It’s a heartbreaking situation, outrageous situation, this may be the event that helps to mobilize the entire international community to finally do something against this horrendous organization that’s perpetrated such a terrible crime,” Obama said in an interview with US broadcaster ABC on Tuesday.

Obama confirmed that Nigeria had accepted a US offer to send a team of experts to help find the missing girls, saying “we’ve already sent in a team to Nigeria,” consisting of “military, law enforcement, and other agencies.”

This team will work to “identify where in fact these girls might be and provide them help,” the US president said, denouncing Boko Haram as “one of the worst regional or local terrorist organizations.”

Recall that his week, Boko Haram chief Abubakar Shekau claimed responsibility, saying his extreme Islamist group was holding the schoolgirls as “slaves” and threatening to “sell them in the market”, in a video obtained by AFP.

The girls were taken three weeks ago, sparking global outrage, and the mass kidnapping may constitute a crime against humanity, according to the UN.

*Courtesy AFP

Leader of the Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force, Alhaji Mujahid Asari Dokubo, has dared Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekua to be prepared to meet him on the battle field.

Addressing newsmen in Port Harcourt, Asari dismissed the threat by the leader of the Boko Haram sect, Abubakar Shekua against President Goodluck Jonathan, and warned that 2015 would be “more than do-or-die.”

He cautioned that the people of Niger Delta would not be deterred by any threat to them or President Goodluck Jonathan, adding that the 2015 election remains a challenge to the survival of the people of the region.

“They are starting oo! Shekua (Boro Haram leader) said in his video that we should not play with them. He said Goodluck, I am coming for you. Niger Delta, we are coming for you; are we going to allow them? They will shoot the guns; throw the bombs and that is when we will dance.

“2015 is more than do-or-die. It is our very survival that is being challenged; it is our very existence that is being challenged and we must tell them; you are a man and I am a man, we are going to meet at the battlefield. Be prepared, be watchful. The enemies should not be allowed. In this region, there will be only one vote.”

He also dismissed the call by the North for the scrapping of NDDC and a reduction in the 13 percent derivation.

“We have to gather again and tell them (North) that they dare not do it (scrap NDDC and reduce derivation). If they (North) try it now, they will see it. It is because our brother is the President; that is why we are hanging it (peaceful).”

He however called on the NDDC to empower the people of the Niger Delta region, lamenting what he described as near-sidelining of indigenes of the region.

AHEAD the 2015 general elections, Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan has warned politicians against defacing the environment with posters and billboards.

Governor Uduaghan declared that his administration will not waver in its commitment towards having a clean Delta State and as such any political office seeker who indiscriminately paste posters and mount billboards will be prosecuted.

Uduaghan, who handed down the warning at a thanksgiving service to mark the 27th coronation anniversary of the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse II (CON), on Sunday stressed that issues concerning the cleanliness of the environment must be properly regulated.

“We are also looking at those who deface our environment with posters and billboards, we shall soon start prosecuting those who deface our public places with posters,” the Governor said, adding, “you don’t win election with posters, if you are popular, you don’t even need posters to win in an election”, he said.

While reiterating the determination of the state government to ride Warri and its environs of filth, he said, “in short, every part of Delta State must be clean because a dirty environment reflects a dirty home”.

The Governor urged those who were negatively affected by the removal of illegal structures to accept it in good faith and see their fortune as sacrifice towards having a better Delta State where things are done right.

Uduaghan congratulated the Olu on his 27 years on the throne, assuring that Itsekiri people will continue to live in peace with their neighbours and remain in the mainstream politics of the country.

Governor Uduaghan had also on Saturday, May 03, 2014 led his political associates to pay homage to the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse II.

The Olu of Warri was celebrating the 27th anniversary of his coronation and the event which was full of fanfare attracted people from different parts of the country with different groups and Itsekiri communities paying homage to the Olu.

The event which also featured cultural display by different cultural groups was well attended by people of all walks of life.

The coronation anniversary ended on Sunday with a thanksgiving service at the Foursquare Gospel Church, Olu Palace, Warri, where Revd. Edward Gbaiye, of Foursquare Gospel Church, in his sermon, commended the Olu for being a good Christian and urged Christians to always have faith in God.

Among those who joined the Governor to pay homage include former Minister of the Ministry of Niger Delta, Elder Godsday Orubebe, the member representing Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, Hon. Daniel Reyenieju of the House of Representatives, the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Peter Onwusanya and predecessor, Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei, members of the state executive council while the thanksgiving service was attended by the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Prof. Amos Utuama (SAN), the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Peter Onwusanya, traditional rulers from different parts of the country, renowned politicians, captains of industries, among others.

Governor of Abia State, Chief Theodore Orji has formally sacked the Transition Committee (TC) chairmen and Councillors of the 17 Local Government Areas in the state.

The governor’s action, according to a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Charles Ajunwa and made available to Blank NEWS Online, is in accordance with the existing law of the state.

The statement dated May 2, 2014 reads:

His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Abia State has dissolved the Transition Committee (TC) chairmen and Councillors of the 17 Local Government Areas in accordance with the existing law of the state.

The Governor says that the dissolution takes effect from Monday, May 5, 2014 since their tenure is up.

The Governor further directs the TC chairmen and Councillors to handover to the Heads of Service in their different Local Governments.

The Governor apart from thanking them for rendering service to the state, wishes them well in their future endeavors.

Signed:
Charles Ajunwa
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor

The Senator President, Chief David Mark has decried the spate of bombing and abduction by the Boko Haram sect and charged the federal government to declare war on the terrorist group.

Senator David Mark who made the call on Friday, May 02, 2014 in asaba at the funeral ceremony of Late Obi-Bridget Okpuno, mother of Business Mogul Chief Uche Okpuno said that with the recent abduction of school children by the sect, they have gone beyond bounds and has touched the heart of the nation, adding that “it is now time to take the war to the sect’s stronghold”.

According to him, “the country will never negotiate with the sect as long as they have those abducted children with them, they have touched the heart and soul of Nigerians with this abduction. The time to negotiation with them has passed. We will take the war to their doorstep”.

Senator Mark urged the Federal Government to intensify military actions against the sect to bring Senator Mark observed that Federal Government have to wage war against the sect into to preserve the sovereignty of our country Nigeria.

The Senate President warned the Boko Haram sect and their sponsors not to test the will and resolve of the Nigerians and the federal government.

Chief Mark charged Parents to live up to the responsibility of bringing up their children in godly ways to imbibe virtues and become good citizens of the country rather than becoming terrorist and exhibit criminal tendencies saying “ The parents will share some blame when their children turn out to be miscreants in the society.”

Senator Mark prayed God to touch the heart of these youths (Boko Haram) to enable them change their evil ways and stop destroying the country.

He also commended Late Bridget Okpuno for her dedication to God and raising her children in a godly way adding that they are all contributing to the development of the state and country in their different endeavours of life.

In a sermon delivered by Rev. Fr. Peter Muobogwu at the ceremony, the priest stated that there was time for everything in life according to the Bible and it was time for the diseased to die stressing that the joy of death lies in the resurrection of Christ.

He described the deceased as outstanding in generosity and was a committed Catholic who followed God till the end of her life here on earth.

Late Mrs. Bridget Okpuno was survived by ten children including the Chief Executive of U.L.O. Construction Company, Uche Okpuno and was aged 93 years Old.

The Funeral Ceremony which took place at St. Patricks Catholic Church Asaba was attended by the State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, Air Commodore Walter Feghagbo, Former Military Administrator, Delta and a host of dignitaries.

Governor of Abia state, Chief Theodore Orji has reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to the prompt payments of salaries and allowances due to workers in the state, just as he expressed happiness over the cordial relationship existing between Labour and our Government.

He governor who said this at the occasion of the celebration of the 2014 annual workers’ day which held t Ibeku High School, Umuahia on Thursday, emphasised that the collaboration is the sure route to achieving collective prosperity, security and welfare of all Abians.

He said there was good reasons to celebrate the workers that in Abia State for their improving productivity, stabilizing effect on the polity and peaceful environment being enjoyed by the people, adding that the theme of this year’s Workers’ Day: ‘Building Enduring Peace and Unity – Panacea for Sustainable National Development’ came at a very unique time in Abia State and coincides with the era when the Government is consolidating our legacy projects.

According to him, “It is our aim to consolidate our legacy projects to provide the foundation that will drive the new face of Abia, towards a sustainable and predictable development. Now more than ever before, our State desires industrial harmony and the security of lives and property to move our development forward, and I know I can count on our Workers cooperation to do all these.

“I salute our workers of the State for having kept faith with our Government as we struggled in the past years to strengthen our nascent democracy, preserve our security of lives and property; create job opportunities to empower our youths, and pursuing our legacy projects as a preferred development strategy.

“Our efforts have achieved results in the health sector, in the agricultural sector to improve food security and create employment; in re-building our neglected infrastructure, improving our commerce through provision of new markets and in improving our educational system, etc.

“Through these many competing demands, the workers of Abia State continued to work hard, support and trust our Government, and you did not embark on any disruptive industrial actions. Instead, you imbibed the spirit of amicable settlement and peaceful resolutions wherever there were some disagreements. I commend you for this.

“I especially salute the leadership of the NLC and TUC of Abia State, for working to support our security and peace efforts in the State, which have earned us the recognition as one of the most peaceful States in the Nation and as an investment friendly State. That is why the Abia economy is now taking an upwards swing. In all your supports to our Government, the leadership of Abia workers has not abandoned the needs and rights of our workers in your interactions with our Government.

“I also acknowledge that the workers of Abia State have been alive to your social responsibilities, and it was your votes that helped liberate Abia from the clutches of oppression, making it possible for our Government to focus on the needs of our citizens, especially the welfare of our workers and in the improvement of our overall economy.

“That is why in the past, we did not hesitate to implement the new national minimum wage for workers, even paying above what other States committed to.

“Just like I promised you during our last workers’ day celebration, we are fast concluding the construction of a befitting new secretariat complex, and our workers are already moving in there to occupy the spaces. I am now happy that our workers can now work in a relative comfortable environment, and we will also continue to promote our workers as-when due, as well as provide the necessary incentives that promote a healthy workforce.

“Recently, I commissioned one of our housing estates in Isieke, this and our other estates at Amuba and Adelabu are all focused on providing decent and affordable accommodations for all categories of workers. We will continue along this line.

“Through our Labor desk that is manned by your former Chairman of State NLC, we continue to enjoy a harmonious working relationship with all labor unions.

“We will continue to seek this path of cooperation with our workers, so that together, we will build full support and acceptance of government’s good intentions to serve all Abians.

“Our Government will continue to build on the primary areas of cooperation with our Labour Unions, especially through mutual understanding of all issues affecting Labour and our collaborative pro-activeness in addressing all sore areas. I am confident that these paths will be mutually useful in addressing all outstanding labour issues in our State.

“I am very pleased to note the implementation of the minimum wage bill in three parastatals of our State – which were outstanding when we celebrated last year, especially in ADP, Abia Library Board and Abia State Council for Arts and Culture. I assure you that we will soon commence the implementation of out-standing arrears of payments to these workers.

“We will continue to promote the independence of some of our State parastatals where necessary, to enable them assist in improving our State IGR, and also address any other existing disparities in the payment of the minimum wage in our State.

“I am aware that some of our Teachers’ salaries are paid in arrears, including that of the Health Management Board, Teaching Hospital Aba and the Project Implementation Units (PIU). Our Government is working very hard to clear these arrears.

“Also as a pensionable worker myself, I am very sensitive to the plights of Abia pensioners, and know that our government has been in arrears in meeting our obligations to retirees, especially in the payments of gratuities and accruing pensions. We are very anxious to meet such obligations to all pensioners and doing whatever is possible to address the issues.

“Our Government is doing everything possible to improve our financial status, especially our internally generated revenue, so that we will be able to honor our obligations to all workers and retirees as-when-due.

“We are also committed to the prompt payments of salaries and special allowances due to medical and health workers. That is why I recently set up two committees to review and harmonize the fees and levies payable to the State, so that both the State and the tax-paying public can reach a dependable platform for improved and predictable IGR.

“The welfare of Abia workers will continue to occupy a primary position in the agenda of our Administration, and I am proud of the cordial relationship existing between Labour and our Government. This collaborative approach is certainly the sure route to follow if we must reach the collective prosperity, security and welfare of all Abians.

“I am aware that there are two other outstanding promises I made to Abia workers that are not fully fulfilled. One of these is our Government’s resolve to assist Abia Workers to build your befitting Labour House in the State, for the promotion of labour values. I want to restate here that our Government is ready to step in when Labour makes the first move to realize this project. That is why we have made an allocation of a plot of land to Labour to house the project.

“The second outstanding promise I made to Labour, is the provision of buses to your Unions. I have already made good on this by providing one bus to your Union, and the others will come in due course as we manage our lean resources.

“To whom much is given or promised, much is expected. Therefore, as we celebrate today’s workers’ day, I urge all our workers to renew their faith, support and devotion to our Government, knowing that our Government means well for all Abians, and we are workers’ friendly. We cannot develop this State without your full support and sacrifices.

“Our Government is in a hurry to develop this State, and all our efforts are directed towards making Abia better for all citizens, including workers. That is why we must build a sustainable economy of Abia State, and a more secured State, where our workers are full partners. God willing we will not fail Abia State and we will not fail our workers!

“I will end this address by renewing my confidence in the abilities of Abia workers, and as we celebrate today, I call on all of us to rededicate to the over-all work ethics of our service, and to drive this commitment to the service and well-being of the good people of Abia State.”

Meanwhile the Abia State chapters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have conferred the award of the Hero of the Nigeria Public Service on Governor Theodore Orji in appreciation of his good works in the state.

Also conferred with the award of Pillar of the Nigeria Public Service is the wife of the Governor, Lady Mercy Odochi Orji, for her supportive role to her husband which has enabled him to excel in government.

Speaking before conferring the awards on the Governor during the celebration of the 2014 annual Workers’ day at the Ibeku High School, Umuahia, the state chairman of the NLC, Comrade Sylvanus Eyeh, said the governor after 22 years of the creation of the state has laid a solid foundation for the state.

According to him, Governor Orji is a pride to the Abia Public Service which had earlier celebrated him as the Icon of the Public Service, adding that a combination of the private and public service sectors resolved to honour him as the hero of the Nigeria Public Service in recognition of his exemplary leadership potentials.

DELTA State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan has assured workers in the state of improved welfare, better working conditions and extra pay at the end of the year to enable them meet the financial strains during the yuletide season.

Giving the assurance on Thursday at the 2014 Workers’ Day (May Day) celebration in Asaba, Governor Uduaghan observed that workers deserved to be motivated and appreciated for the roles they are playing in ensuring increased productivity, stable government and virile economy.

He disclosed that the extra pay package, which will be the first of its kind in the state, was to encourage them to always put in their best, emphasizing, “Let me assure the workers that at the end of the year, we will work out something extra, definitely, there will be extra payment for the workers.”

He acknowledged that unemployment has become a global phenomenon, explaining that leaders of countries have been forced to resign because of their inability to tackle unemployment.

“The biggest challenge today is unemployment, it is a worldwide phenomenon and as a state, we are working hard to reduce the number of unemployed citizens,” the Governor said, reiterating, “Under the Delta Beyond Oil, we have been able to create opportunities for our women and youths to be engaged and become employers of labour.”

The Governor used the occasion to disclose that his administration will employ more teachers and health workers within the next few weeks in addition to the ongoing employment into the Delta State Civil Service.

Governor Uduaghan lamented that some unscrupulous persons were trying to thwart government’s good intention to conduct fresh recruitment into the state’s civil service by collecting money from prospective job seekers before the exercise even begins.

He warned that anybody caught collecting money from job seekers would be made to face the full wrath of the law, stating that his administration will continue to employ qualified Deltans “based on availability of fund and declared vacancies.”

The Governor commended the organised labour for choosing ‘Peace and Unity: Panacea For Sustainable National Development’ as the theme of this year’s celebration and urged workers in particular and all Deltans to be security conscious, disclosing that a security committee has been set up to deal with the menace of cattle rearers and strangers who do not have genuine reason to be in the state.

“Be mindful of who you take as labourers, house helps, security men, those you collect money from to live in your uncompleted buildings and those we admit into our communities because, they may be dangerous to us,” the Governor warned and urged all Deltans to report all strange movements and faces to security operatives.

Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Delta State, Comrade Williams Akporeha in his address commended the Uduaghan’s administration for converting a large number of casual workers into the state’s main workforce among other gestures towards, workers as well as drew attention to other issues bothering on staff welfare.

Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in the state, Comrade Mike Arinze on his part assured Governor Uduaghan of the continual support of organised labour in his administration’s quest to finish strong.

Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has made history by becoming the first Nigerian Governor to abolish the concept of non-indigeneship.

Amaechi, announced this, weekend, at Government House in Port Harcourt, during a solidarity visit by the non-indigenes in the state, under the umbrella of Non Indiegne Political For​u​m (NIPF), a support group of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State.

“I don’t believe in non-indigeneship. As far as I am concerned, you are entitled to everything if you have lived in Rivers State for at least five years. We are all Rivers indigenes. If you go anywhere around this State and they are segregating against you, please, call my attention. The reason is that we are all Nigerians and we remain bonafide citizens of this country. The All Progressives Congress (APC) believes that there is need for change because the government in power does not want money to reach you. We need the bottom-top approach for our people to benefit and improve their standard of living.”

The Governor also announced the approval of a bus for the NIPF and 20 per cent scholarship for non-indigenes in the state amongst other largesse.

A chieftain of the Forum, High Chief Williams Samuel Ubaka, who presented the delegation’s address on behalf of the Coordinator of the Forum, Chief Uchenna Okokoba said:: “We are particularly happy with the uncommon transformation of y administration, and especially, in the areas of good and accessible roads, healthcare services, education, particularly, the world-class model primary and secondary schools that have admitted our children on scholarship; we are most grateful.”

High Chief Ubaka also commended Governor Amaechi for employing 20 per cent of non-indigenes during the last teachers’ recruitment exercise, and the appointment of their sons into political offices to pilot the affairs of the state.

In his speech, Rives State APC Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, said that with the large crowd of non-indigenes supporting both the Governor and APC, the death of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State is now very obvious.

Ikanya applauded the Governor for carrying non-indigenes along in his administration of the State, saying that by so doing he has demonstrated to the entire nation that he is a true nationalist and a patriotic Nigerian whose love for all Nigerians is no longer in doubt.

Ikanya boasted that no other government in Nigeria has done for the non-indigenes in any part of Nigeria what Governor Amaechi has done for those residing in Rivers State.

He noted that the Amaechi’s administration has sponsored a minimum of 500 Muslims to Mecca annually and that he will sponsor 100 Muslims and 100 Christians from APC by this year. He also hailed Amaechi for approving 10 per cent positions for non indgenes in the Ward, Local Government and State Executive Councils of the APC, which he described as unprecedented in the country.

A member of NIPF Leader and State Commissioner of Commerce and Industry, Barr. Chuma Chinye, assured the governor that his commitment towards the welfare of non-indigenes is not in vain as NIPF is ready to mobilise all the good people of Rivers State to vote for APC come 2015.