While the Delta state government is battling to quell the communal crisis that has bedevilled Ibabu and Iselegu Communities in Ndokwa West and Ndokwa East Local Government Areas of the state, the member representing Ndokwa/Ukwuani in the House of Representatives, Hon. Ossai Nicholas Ossai has said the Delta State government is working to ensure that there is a peaceful co-existence between the warring Communities.

Speaking at a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Leaders and stakeholders meeting at Kwale, Ndokwa West local government area of Delta State, Hon. Ossai said the member representing Nokwa West constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly and his counterpart in Ndokwa East, Hon. Azuka Azaka and Hon. Friday Osanebi respectively have already raised the issue under matters of urgent public importance and government has waded into the issue.

Hon. Ossai assured the people that the Iselegu/Ibabu crisis is not beyond the Delta State government and as such, “it cannot be presented before the Federal Government for now.”

Hon. Azuka who raised a motion for the Delta State government to intervene on the floors of the state legislature urged the people to be patient, stating, “it is affecting all of us and I go to my village through a bush part, it is an annual crisis which is being addressed and I urge all of us not to discuss the issue here.”

The Commissioner for Energy, Hon. Charles Emetulu who was at the meeting, said government has waded into the issue to proffer lasting solution and urged the people to be patient as it was a security issue.

At the meeting, it was resolved that there will be no imposition of candidates in the forth-coming local government elections in Delta State.

It could be recalled that members of Delta State House of Assembly, recently passed a resolution, calling on Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan to set up a high-powered panel of inquiry to investigate and find solutions to the perennial crisis between Iselegu and Ibabu communities of the state.

This followed a motion by the member representing Ndokwa West constituency, Mr. Azuka Azaka, who said the crisis had worsened, citing a case of the killing of a Delta State University lecturer, who was caught in a crossfire at Iselegu Junction.

The motion, supported by his counterpart representing Ndokwa East constituency, Mr. Friday Osanebi, and unanimously passed, reads: “This House call on Governor Uduaghan to direct security operatives to curtail the perennial inter-communal crisis between Iselegu community and Ibabu community in Ndokwa West and Ndokwa East local government areas, respectively.”

All players of Warri Wolves Football Club have been advised to resume training for the second stanza of the Globacom League on Monday, 23rd, June, 2014 at the Warri City Stadium unfailingly.

According to a brief statement made available to Sports Writers by the Media Manager of the Club, Moses Etu, all the players are expected to be there and anybody who fails will be sanctioned accordingly.

Etu disclosed that the players and officials were asked to proceed on a three weeks break to enable them enjoin the World Cup but with our Federation Cup match in Abuja on July 3rd and League matches coming up, the team need to prepare adequately.

“We are going to resume on Monday at the Warri City Stadium and all the players and officials are expected to be there as anyone who fails will have himself to blame. We have series of matches to play after the World Cup and it is good we resume on time. Management want them to really improve on the first half performance and cannot afford to waste more time,” said Etu

Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan, Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan and his Abia State counterpart, Chief Theodore Orji and the defeated incumbent governor of Ekiti state, Kayode Fayemi have congratulated Governor-elect of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose on his victory at the Saturday, June 21, 2014 polls.

They congratulated Fayose in separate statements made available to Blank NEWS Online on Sunday.

President Jonathan in a statement signed by his spokesman, Reuben Abati on Sunday, commended INEC, the Security Services and the good people of Ekiti State for the successful and peaceful conduct of the elections in keeping with his administration’s avowed commitment to ensure that elections in all parts of Nigeria are progressively freer, fairer and more credible.

“As Mr. Fayose readies himself to assume office in fulfillment of the clearly expressed wish of his people, President Jonathan urges him to be humble and magnanimous in victory and commit himself to forming an administration that will work for the advancement of the interests of all Ekiti people irrespective of their political affiliations or loyalties,” Abati said n the statement.

“President Jonathan calls on Mr. Fayose to regard his second chance to serve as Governor of Ekiti State as a sacred mandate from God Almighty and his people which he must discharge with immense dedication, wisdom and vigour to achieve a much more rapid pace of socio-economic development in Ekiti State for the benefit of its people who resoundingly reaffirmed their trust in his leadership by voting overwhelmingly for his election yesterday.”

Jonathan assured Fayose that the Federal Government will give all necessary support and assistance to his incoming administration and cooperate fully with him in furtherance of the present administration’s objective of significantly improving the living conditions of Nigerians in all parts of the country.

He wished Fayose continued good health and a very successful second tenure as governor of Ekiti State.

Also the Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan congratulated the Governor-elect, urging him to see the outcome of the election as testament of the will of the people and acceptance of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by President Goodluck Jonathan.‎

Uduaghan in a statement by Felix Ofou, his Press Secretary in Asaba, also praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for proving itself once again by conducting a free, fair and credible election devoid of violence.

He thanked and also congratulated the people of Ekiti State for their peaceful conduct during the election which saw Fayose emerging as governor-elect.

Governor Uduaghan however advised Fayose to be magnanimous in victory by forming an all-inclusive government that will address the needs and aspirations of the people.

He said: “Your victory at the poll is a comprehensive testament of the faith the people of Ekiti have in you and the Peoples Democratic Party. It is therefore your responsibility to ensure that they reap the dividends of democracy in abundance.”

Dr. Uduaghan who was full of praises for President Jonathan for providing a level playing field for all the parties that contested the election also commended the security agencies that ensured the safety of lives and property during the conduct of the election.

In the same vein, the Abia State Governor, Chief Theodore Orji, congratulated Fayose, for his hard earned victory at the just concluded governorship election in Ekiti State where he defeated the incumbent Governor Kayode Fayemi of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Charles Ajunwa, Governor Orji who expressed happiness over Fayose’s landmark victory, thanked the people of Ekiti State for remaining peaceful during and after the governorship election.

Governor Orji who also thanked officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Police and other security agencies for the professional manner they discharged their duties, said the people of Ekiti State made the right choice by voting massively for the PDP candidate, Fayose.

The governor charged the people of Ekiti State to give Mr. Fayose all the needed cooperation and support to enable him realize his dream of taking the state to greater heights.

“Mr. Ayo Fayose’s victory is a divine mandate. I know that the newly elected governor of Ekiti State has all it takes to bring the dividends of democracy to the people of the state. He has done it before and he will do it again.”

Meanwhile, incumbent Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State has also in the spirit of good sportsmanship congratulated Ayo Fayose who defeated him in the strongly contested governorship election.

In a very short broadcast at 11am on Sunday, Fayemi said he had called Fayose to congratulate him over his victory at the polls. He also said he was meeting with Fayose on Monday to discuss ways of moving the State forward.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) while congratulating the newly elected Governor described his victory as well deserved.

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, in a statement on Sunday said:
“We are particularly elated that the will of the people of Ekiti state prevailed and we sincerely congratulate them for realising their yearning for a truly democratically elected administration in their dear state,” Metuh said.

“The outcome of this election confirms the popularity and acceptability of the PDP and its candidate, the governor-elect of Ekiti State. It brings to the front burner, the genuineness of the crowd that throng our rallies across the country, especially in Ekiti state.”

PDP also attributed the victory to its “strict adherence to the principles of internal democracy, the kernel of transparency in the conduct of our governorship primary which produced a popular candidate, the overwhelming choice of party members.

Metuh said the victory was also a clear conformation of its position that the APC is not really on the ground and has no genuine followership even in states that are under its control. Thanking the people of Ekiti state for their support, the PDP urged the governor- elect to ensure an all-inclusive administration that will revamp and reposition the state in line with the manifesto and ideology of the PDP and move it from the APC’s valleys of poverty, stagnation and ruin.

“We demand of the APC, the sportsmanship required of democrats in an electoral contest by congratulating the victorious candidate just as we did in Edo state where it won and in Ondo and Anambra States where Labour and APGA won respectively instead of taking to incitement and other bad loser syndrome.

“We wish to state very emphatically that the commitment of the President remains the greatest motivation to the new story of credible polls in Nigeria – a promise he made to the nation in 2010, he has faithfully delivered. He has effectively put behind us, the story of Nigeria as an electoral pariah in the international community. We are so proud,” Metuh stated.

Recall that Ayodele Fayose of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ekiti State, in the election which was adjudged to be free and fair and devoid of violence by the INEC and election observers, polled 203,090 votes as against Governor Kayode Fayemi who got 120, 433 votes, while Labour Party’s Opeyemi Bamidele was in distance third.

According to the returning officer, Prof Isaac Asuzu, Fayose won the highest votes in each of the 16 local governments areas thereby defeating Governor Fayemi at his local government (Oye), former governors Segun Oni at Ido Osi and Niyi Adebayo at Irepodun/Ifelodun.

In his words, “Ayodele Peter Fayose of PDP having certified the requirement of the law and scored the highest number of votes is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected.”

The detail result is: Efon LGA: PDP 5335,APC 3422, LP 358 EMURE PDP 7086 ,APC 5086,LP 1537 oye : PDP 11,200,APC 10,176,LP 512 ilejmeje: PDP 3670,APC 3,236,LP 165 ikere: PDP 16,197,APC 7989,LP 585. IKOLE: PDP 14238,APC 8804,LP 1259. Ekiti South West: PDP: 11036, APC:6746, LP 1,413. ijero: PDP13,814,APiC 9348,LP 1554 Ifelodun: PDP 13038,APC 6834 LP 3555 Moba: PDP 8878,APC 7994,Lp 1000. Ise orun: PDP 10,136, APC 5809 LP 600 Gboyin: PDP 11,046,APC 8138,LP 714 Ekiti West:PDP 10,702,APC 7860,LP884 Ido/_Osi: PDP 13045,APC 7134,LP 1182 Ado Ekiti: PDP 41,169,APC 13,937 LP 2,065

TOTAL: PDP 203,090, APC120,433, LP18,135

Abia State Government has lambasted lawmakers in the Jigawa State House of Assembly in their plot to drag the Abia State government to court over the recent arrest of alleged 486 Boko Haram suspects who are mainly Northern citizens by Nigerian Military officials.

The suspects were arrested by the army while travelling in a convoy of 35 buses in the wee hours of last Sunday morning.

A statement signed by Charles Ajunwa, Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Governor Theodore Orji and made available to Blank NEWS Online reads:

“The attention of the Abia State Government has been drawn to the statements credited to some lawmakers in the Jigawa State House of Assembly, where the latter had vowed to drag the Abia State government to court over the arrest of its citizens among the 486 Boko Haram suspects arrested by the army while travelling in a convoy of 35 buses in the wee hours of last Sunday morning.

“The state government also has noted with dismay the reckless and unguarded utterances coming from some northern individuals and groups pretending to be the voices of the people of the North. These unpatriotic elements for no just cause have deliberately employed all kinds of guerrilla tactics to tarnish the good image of the Abia State government simply because it exposed and alerted the nation including the international community on the arrest of 486 suspected Boko Haram members by a team of vigilant and gallant soldiers on routine patrol at Aro Ngwa and Imo Gate along Enugu/Port Harcourt Expressway.

“As a responsible government, we want to state categorically that Abia State government had at no time ordered the arrest of the 486 Boko Haram suspects travelling in a convoy of 35 buses. Instead, the suspected Boko Haram members were arrested by a team of vigilant soldiers on daily routine patrol at Aro Ngwa and Imo Gate along the Enugu/Port Harcourt Expressway, on the suspicion that occupants of the 35 buses were travelling at odd hours. The soldiers who effected the arrests merely carried out their constitutional and legitimate duties which are to protect lives and property of the citizens especially now that insurgency is on the increase in Nigeria.

“The position of the Abia State government is that the security agencies should be allowed to thoroughly investigate this matter. Those meddling into this matter through their reckless and unguarded utterances aimed at weeping up sentiments for the detained suspects are the real problems of this country.

“There is no need at early stage to trivialize this matter along religious and ethnic lines. The arrest of the 486 Boko Haram suspects by the army should be seen as a serious corporate endeavour which all well-meaning Nigerians should allow the law to take its normal course. The Nigerian security agencies have the capacity to do a thorough job at the end of the day; they need our cooperation at this moment not distractions from self-acclaimed ethnic bigots who never mean well for the nation.

“The threat by some lawmakers in the Jigawa State House of Assembly to drag Abia State government to court if some of its citizens among the 486 Boko Haram suspects are not released to say the least is laughable and diversionary. Their utterances showed that they are lawbreakers and not lawmakers. Instead of the lawmakers to praise the Abia State government for providing the security agencies the enabling environment to discharge their constitutional duties they are busy chasing shadows. We challenge the Jigawa lawmakers to come to Abia to understudy how the robust synergy and relationship existing between the executive and State House of Assembly have ensured the atmosphere of peace and tranquility being experienced in the state today. Abia State government has not breached any law so we are not afraid of any law suit coming from the Jigawa lawmakers or any other group. The Jigawa lawmakers should come to Abia to be coached on the business of lawmaking. The difference is clear to all.

“We implore the Jigawa lawmakers, the Arewa Consultative Forum, some individuals and groups of northern extraction trivializing the arrest of the 486 Boko Haram suspects in Abia, to channel their energies on things that will promote the unity of Nigeria not on things that will destroy the corporate existence of the country. All should join hands with the President Goodluck Jonathan-led government in the fight against terrorism and insurgency.”

In its determination to further boost bee keeping, fishery and oil palm production in Nigeria’s oil and gas wealthy Delta State, the Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan led government has reached an agreement with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) to provide technical assistance to promote agribusiness, agro value development chain and agro processes.

The agreement which was reached when Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, governor of the state, met with the leadership of UNIDO in Vienna, Austria also covers the technological upgrading for the production of footwear and leather goods as well as other products such as Akwa-Ocha fabric ethnic clothing brand.

The assistance on oil palm is for processing, packaging and the creation of market linkages for palm oil processing, vegetable (bleached palm oil) and palm kernel oil while that of fisheries will address the challenges associated with production through aquaculture and value addition via processing, preservation and market linkages.

A statement signed by Pius Mordi, Special Assistant to Delta state Commissioner for Information, Barr. Chike Ogeah revealed that the aid on apiculture will boost bee-keeping and honey production, processing and market linkages.

The agreement represents a deepening of the collaboration between Delta State and UNIDO as there is an ongoing project focused on the establishment of a footwear and leather goods training and production center in Asaba, the capital of the state.

UNIDO is expected to provide capacity building for the state’s personnel in micro-credit models and operations as well as provide associate expert programme. Under the human capacity development programme, the UN agency will provide possibilities for prospective professionals and staff of the Delta State Ministry of Poverty Alleviation to gain valuable experience in the international environment.

The programme will give talented individuals from across Delta State the opportunity to pursue careers in development with hands-on experience in multi-lateral technical co-operation at UNIDO Headquarters in Vienna.

There is also an internship programme for Delta State students and graduates from diverse academic backgrounds geared towards promoting a better understanding of UNIDO’s goals and objectives and as well as afford interns with an insight on how attempts are made to solve challenges confronting developing economies in the areas of industrialization, entrepreneurship and agribusiness.

UNIDO will also facilitate an exchange programme by creating learning and knowledge sharing platforms between designated ministries and staff of the Delta State Government and other institutes and centers of excellence from various countries within UNIDO network. The aim is to share and gain useful experiences in various aspects of SMEs’ operations, management and funding.

Uduaghan’s agreement with UNIDO is a continuation of his programme of providing sustainable institutional frameworks for small and medium scale enterprises to develop through access to cheap funds and expertise for better management of the businesses.

On Uduaghan’s entourage to the meeting with UNIDO are the Commissioner for Information, Chike Ogeah; the Commerce and Industry counterpart, Dr. Kingsley Emu as well as that of Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Antonia Ashiedu.
On the UNIDO side Mr. Phippe Sholtes and Aurelia Calabro.

Under the Delta State Micro-Credit Programme (DMCP) the governor launched on December 14, 2007 over 111,000 people have been enabled to set up their own businesses by the end of 2013.

The DMCP is to provide the micro-credit facility for the development, expansion and sustainability of micro-enterprises by facilitating the access of the economically weak and disadvantaged segments of the population to productive assets and services.

FlashBack:

Blank NEWS Online can recall that in February, 2013 the Delta State government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU ) with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) to establish a shoe manufacturing and leather works production and training centre in the state.

This rare feat by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, has yielded meaningful gains to Deltans, especially the youth, women and persons with special needs, who have become entrepreneurs in various economic endeavour.

Uduaghan had disclosed, during the signing of the MOU, that land was made available by the state government while the 820,000 US dollars state counterpart funding has been released for collection by UNIDO.

According to him, the MOU was part of the measures put in place to achieve the mantra of ‘Delta Beyond Oil’, hence the collaboration is geared towards providing employment for youths in the oil rich state.

Doubts on whether the 486 arrested suspects in Abia state were either innocent Nigerians or members of the Boko Haram terrorist group have been put to rest as the Nigerian Defence Headquarters has disclosed that one of the most wanted terror kingpins of the Boko Haram sect was among them.

The deadly Boko Haram leader who has been on the wanted list of the Nigerian security agencies was spotted among the 486 arrested suspects while being screened to ascertain their true identity.

The Defence Headquarters in a statement issued on Monday, June 17, 2014 and signed by the Director of Defence Information, Major-General Chris Olukolade said: “A terror kingpin on the list of wanted terrorists of security forces in Nigeria has been detected in the ongoing screening of the 486 suspects nabbed while travelling in over 33 Hiace Hummer buses at night along Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway last Sunday.

“So far, other security agencies, including the para-military, have joined the screening exercise to ascertain the status of the remaining suspects. Those identified as possible security risk or illegal immigrants are expected to be identified for further action.”

Meanwhile, “the identified terror kingpin who has been involved in series of unprovoked attacks on innocent Nigerians has been taken into custody while security screening of the other suspects continue”, a security detail had informed Blank NEWS Online.

The 486 arrested suspects who were reportedly heading to Port Harcourt said in a convoy of 33 Hummer buses before they were intercepted by the soldiers had claimed that they were in search of work in the oil rich Niger Delta region.

Recall that Blank NEWS Online had reported that 486 suspected insurgents were arrested last Sunday by soldiers from the Asa Military Base, 14 Brigade, Ohafia Barracks, Abia State, on the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.

Last Note: It could also be recalled that leader of the Islamist terrorist group Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, had threatened attacks in Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta region in two of his released videos in February and May this year.

“You will in coming days see your refinery bombed. Niger Delta, you are in trouble,” Shekau, speaking in Hausa, had warned in the 28-minute video obtained by AFP.

“And you the infidels of Rivers state, Niger (Delta), the town of Jonathan.

“We are going to the refineries. We are going to the unbelievers. We won’t go to your (Jonathan’s) state; we will go to where there are refineries.”

Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producer, derives more than 90 percent of its foreign exchange earnings from oil which is being explored from the Niger Delta region.

The 144 battalion of the Nigerian Army, Asa in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State last Sunday arrested a convoy of 33 buses conveying 486 suspected insurgents including eight females between Aro Ngwa and Imo Gate along the Enugu- Port Harcourt expressway.

The suspects intercepted around 3am on Sunday, claimed to have come from different parts of the Northern states and aged mainly between 16 and 24 and were said to be searching for jobs.

Briefing newsmen at the Headquarters of the 144 Battalion of the Army, Asa where the suspects are being detained, alongside the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Charles Ajunwa and Commander of the military base, Lieutenant Colonel Rasheed Omolori who confirmed the arrest, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Abia State, Dr. Eze Chikamnayo, explained that two buses escaped with their occupants.

Although Lieutenant Colonel Omolori declined comment, he said the incident has been reported to the Defence Headquarters, Abuja.

The Commissioner said the sheer size of the movement made it suspicious, adding that none of the suspects was able to identify the location they were heading to and wondered how such a long motorcade could not be intercepted by security personnel until they reached Abia.

Dr. Chikamnayo said that at the moment, the Army and other security agencies in the state were working to unravel the actual mission of the suspects and those behind the movement.

The Information boss thanked the state Governor, Chief Theodore Orji for creating the enabling environment and investing resources for security personnel to do their job effectively as well as lauded the men of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies for being alive to their responsibility.

He was of the view that if other security personnel in other parts of the country will do as much as their counterparts in Abia, insurgency in the country will be a thing of the past.

“I expect every state to work hand-in-hand with their security personnel to check insurgency. Every security problem is local and if we handle it locally it will be nipped in the bud,” he said.

He cited the case of Abia State during the days of kidnapping and how it was taken as an Abia problem and condemned the idea of demonstrating in Abuja over matters that should be handled locally.

Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has commiserated with the family of Kefee Obareki on the untimely demise of their daughter.

Governor Uduaghan in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Sunny Ogefere described the death of Kefee as a great loss not only to the immediate family and the music industry but Delta State, the Nigerian nation and the black Race.

Dr. Uduaghan lamented that Kefee despite her rise to stardom at a young age still had more potentials locked up in her that would have brought more honours to the Black Race, Nigeria and her home State of Delta .

“Kefee took the music world by storm with her hit album Branama, which not only brought her into lime light but also conferred fame on the Urhobo Language.

“As a government we cannot forget in a hurry the life and spice that her music brought to our occasions that she was invited to perform.

“We will greatly miss Kefee’s warm, charm and brand of music that thrilled our people,” he said.

Governor Uduaghan urged the husband and the immediate family to take solace in the fact that she lived a fulfilled life despite her untimely death.

He prayed God Almighty to grant her soul eternal rest.

The entertainment industry was thrown into great shock on Friday, June 13, 2014 when news filtered in that the revered Branama crooner and gospel singer, Kefee Don-Momoh was dead.

Kefee reportedly died in a hospital in the United States of America where she was taken to after she collapsed on a Chicago-bound flight on her way to a music performance. The plane, as was reported, made an emergency landing in Los Angeles for the singer to be taken to the hospital.

It was reported that Kefee went comatose and was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit. She never came out of the coma.

Meanwhile, the family of the singer has not made any official statement concerning her death.

Kefee’s colleagues and fans have also expressed their condolences and shock about the sad event.

A popular Nigerian singer, Sammie Okposo said, “I don’t think we would ever be able to recover from her passing. Kefee was not just a colleague to me, she was my sister and we worked closely over the years; from her first album till now. It is not just for the people of Delta State or the music industry, or Nigerian entertainment industry, or Africa, but I dare say the world because Kefee has done international events and collaborations. She was an international act.”

“To put it on my BB profile, facebook and instagram feels so strange and difficult. But then, we can ask questions but we cannot question God when it comes to matters like this. It is very sad. The only way I can comfort myself is to celebrate her for what she lived for and the impact that she made in the time that she was with us.”

Singer, Essence has also remained inconsolable since the news of her passing broke. On her BlackBerry Messenger, the singer mourns late Kefee using her picture as her DP. Speaking to Saturday Beats, Essence said, “Kefee was a fighter, a strong Delta woman. She was very vocal and enterprising. She was a unique talent. She had bubbly personality and she will be thoroughly missed. A vacuum has been created.”

Another singer, Weird MC, described her death as a great shock, saying she was yet to come to terms with the news. “It has been a major shock. It is like a dream; so I’m speechless and stunned by the news. I don’t understand what is going on. However, I would miss her for her simplicity.

A fan of Kefee, Royal Prince Sumpa, who wrote from Zambia, said “Oh God, how could my friend go without saying goodbye to her royal friend in Lusaka, Zambia? This is too much pain for me to handle, seriously…I am short of words. Can someone tell me how my Princess royal friend died? You Rest In Peace my sister…We even made plans to record song together with Shovel Franklin and Papa SON in Kingston Jamaica. How could you leave just like that and at a tender age?”

Prince Michael Agunloye, said, “I know you in my own little way, I pray for your soul to be accepted by Him, your creator. Rest in perfect peace my dear. God knows better, may God give Don Momoh the strength to live life properly again after your departure.

Uchechi Usoh said she could not believe Kefee was indeed dead. She said, “I can’t believe you are gone, my Kokoroko queen. I pray that our good Lord will grant you eternal rest. You surely will be missed Kefee.”

Nk Chigbue wrote, “I can’t believe this…prayed so hard, hoping and wishing u wake up from the coma…but I guess God said it was about time. R.I.P Queen Kefee Obareki Don-Momoh #tearsinmyeyes.”

The Abia State government has described the report written by one Willy Eya of The Sun newspaper linking the Abia First Family to the purported governorship ambition of the former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Ihejirika (retd.), as deceitful and malicious.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Charles Ajunwa, said that the actual intention of the reporter of the said story is to paint the hardworking Abia First Family in bad light.

According to him, the claim by the reporter that Ihejirika had the support of the Abia State governor, his wife and son to actualize his alleged governorship ambition “is not only laughable but a comic relief to justify and satisfy his paymasters.”

Continuing he said: “Mr. Willy Eya showed how connected he is narrating what happened in faraway United States where in Dr. Okey Nwadiuko’s house, former Chief of Staff assured his kinsmen and more that he will contest.

“Conversely he claimed that the governor, his wife and son have thrown their weight behind Ihejirika with full financial sponsorship without telling us where this happened.

“This delirious speculations, even assured financial sponsorship yet he passed it off as authentic information. Though we are not surprised of such coming from The Sun newspaper, it’s a joke taken too far.

His Excellency Chief T.A.Orji is proffering solutions to the problems of the state and cannot afford such mischievous distractions. Enough is enough.”

Pharmacists have advocated equal treatment of both health and medical professionals as a panacea for lasting peace in the health sector.

They said collaboration among health and medical professionals is key to permanent peace and stability in the sector, describing the practice environment as highly charged, with mutual suspicion, unhealthy rivalry, rancor, numerous court cases and incessant strike actions.

The pharmacists who were on a visit to the Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr Joseph Otumara, appealed to the commissioner to use his membership of the National Council on Health to prevail on government and other stakeholders to put in place policies that would ensure equality of all professionals in the health sector.

Led by the State Branch Chairman of the Nigerian Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists (NAHAP), Pharmacist Dr Kingsley Amibor, said,”Because of this constant disruption in healthcare delivery, there is so much uncertainty nowadays that the question on every lip is ‘when is the next strike action.”

He also called for the employment of more pharmacists and interns, renovation and upgrade of existing pharmacies in government hospitals, training and retraining of pharmacists and inclusion of pharmacists in DELSUTH Board.

Responding, Dr Joseph Otumara, promised pharmacists in the State adequate representations in the health sector saying they have proven to be reliable partners in the progress recorded in the health sector in Delta State.

Describing pharmacists in the State as well behaved, especially in the face of frequent strikes, Dr Otumara commended their sense of maturity and purpose in not resorting to strikes at the slightest industrial dispute.

While expressing the belief that all the requests by the association were genuine, Dr Otumara gave an assurance that his office would start by ensuring that a pharmacist was included in this year’s medical team to the holy land.

*Contributed by Churchill Oyowe (PRO), Ministry of Health, Asaba.

Protesters today, June 12, 2014 stopped the operations of workers at the Rubber Estates Nigeria Ltd (RENL), Utagba-Uno, alleging insensitivity of the company to the plight of the host community.

The protesters which included the oldest men and women, titled chiefs and the youths from the seven quarters of Utagba-Uno stormed the premises of the company as early as 5.30 am and said work should stop in the company because the management of the company failed to address issues raised by the Utagba-Uno community, Ndokwa West Local Government of Delta State over the years.

Prof. Andrew Orjieh who who read the community’s protest letter said nobody should work to show the seriousness of the grievances of the community against the oil company.

“There should be no work today, we informed you about our coming but, your head office chose to ignore us and sent a junior officer to receive us,” he said, adding, “we are not here to pally, this community is peaceful but, not docile, we have written several letters but your managing director is hiding, at the right time, we will ferret him out.”

According to Prof. Orjieh, the RENL refused to deal with members of the Community’s Board of Trustees set up by the Onotu-Ukus of the seven quarters of Utagba-Uno in November, 2013.

“RENL has since 2013, neglected, and or refused to relate with the said new Board of Trustees of 14 members and this was a big shock to Utagba-Uno community because RENL and its predecessors who have been in Utagba-Uno for over 40 years, know that the seven Onotu-Ukus of the Seven quarters of Utagba-Uno are the altar-ego of Utagba-Uno Community and that they have presented the new Board of 14 member Trustees to RENL on 27th November 2013 to take charge of all aspects of community relations with RENL,” Prof. Orjie said, adding, “each Onotu-Uku is the Administrative head of his quarter.”

He reiterated, “Utagba-Uno community had exercised enough patience because it had always considered discretion as a better part of valour, but, there is mounting tension and anxiety among youths and elders of the community over RENL’s neglect of the community and if RENL continues to show unwillingness in dealing with the duly appointed representatives of the community (Trustees), Utagba-Uno may consider taking appropriate steps to reclaim its land.”

“RENL should exercise wisdom and start to relate with Utagba-Uno through the 14 member and we hope RENL will start doing the right thing henceforward by relating with the Community’s authorized representatives as it is in the best interest of all stakeholders,” the community said in the address signed by Chief G.I. Ilide, the Onotu-Uku of Ikilibi quarters on behalf of the seven Onotu-Ukus of the seven quarters of Utagba-Uno; Hon. Sir James Izah, Chairman, Utagba-Uno Progress Forum; Chief Mathias Osogbue, Chairman, Community Development Council, Utagba-Uno; Prof. Andrew Ojie, Chairman, Community Relations (RENL and Utagba-Uno); and Mr Augustine Okonye, Secretary, Community Relations (RENL and Utagba-Uno).

The protesters also warned that one Mr Amadin G.A. should not be allowed into the company’s premises as he has misdirected the management of the company in dealing with the community.

Responding on behalf of the RENL, the Agric Manager of the company, Mr Ifeanyi Onumegbu commended Utagba-Uno community for their peaceful disposition and maturity in handling issues assuring their their grievances will be properly addressed by the rubber company.

The British Government has expressed readiness to invest in Delta State and assist the state to develop its potentials to grow the economy.

British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Peter Carter who disclosed this in Asaba yesterday during a visit to the state Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, said that the United Kingdom was encouraged by the infrastructural development and incentives put in place by the administration.

According to him, the British Government is impressed with the infrastructures on ground especially the Asaba airport, the wastes incinerator plants, the Ogidigben Gas city project, the Warri Industrial Business Park, among others.

“I am here to personally see the infrastructural development progress you are making in the state and the business opportunities in the state for the British government and British businessmen”, he stated.

Furthermore, he said: “After seeing some structures put in place by the Uduaghan’s administration for investment to thrive, British businessmen as well as the British Council will be delighted to invest in the state”.

“I am convinced that the United Kingdom has a role to play in developing the economy of Delta State, your airport terminal (the Asaba International Airport) is head and shoulders above the ones I have seen in Nigeria. Asaba deserves to be the hub of aviation in Nigeria”.

“I congratulate you for your achievements and I look forward to growing the partnership between Delta State and the UK and the private sector for the mutual benefit of your state and my country.”

Carter promised to bring the British Council with its creative initiative and the creative sector in the state to promote and develop the creative potentials of the people of Delta State, adding: “the creative industry is a huge driver of a successful economy as it creates jobs, export talents and build essential human capital.”

In his remarks, Governor Uduaghan urged the British government to show more interest in developing the economy of Delta State.

Uduaghan observed that as traditional ally to Nigeria, the British government should show more commitment towards doing business in the state and country in general.

According to the Governor, British businessmen can invest in the Warri Industrial Park, the Ogidigben Gas City project, in the area of agriculture, solid minerals, among others, noting that the Nigerian population which is mainly made up of youths also, provides ready market for the industrialists.

“There is a historical tie between Nigeria and United Kingdom and we are happy to be part of that historical tie,” the Governor said, adding, “there is need for improved commercial activities between the UK and Nigeria especially, Delta state because, Chinese and India are now showing their presence in Nigeria and Delta State.”

“Delta State is not only the headquarters of Nollywood, we are naturally talented in the area of comedy and music and I am happy when you talked of the British Council and its creative initiative, we will work with them to improve our creative youths.”

Governor Uduaghan particularly urged British investors to key into the Ogidigben Gas City project and the Warri Business Industrial Park, assuring that despite the number of investors that have already started their projects in those areas, there will always be space for British investors, asserting, “Ogidigben Gas City is the future of the oil industry in Nigeria.”

He stated that the state is secured for business, observing that security challenges have been reduced to the barest minimum while institutional structures have been put in place to check corruption and give confidence to investors.

An untiring advocate of true federalism and Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has harped on the need for a practical federal system of government in Nigeria.

He wants federalism to be practiced in its true sense with a belief that the ongoing National Conference would help correct the ills of the form of government in the country.

Governor Uduaghan, speaking at the 2014 Law Week of the Warri branch of the Nigerian Bar Association ( NBA), on Wednesday, June 11, 2014 lamented that federalism as currently practised in Nigeria was a far departure from the tenants and principles as enunciated by the proponents of the concept.

“There have been questions as to: is there a federalism, what is true federalism? Is there true federalism or there is no true federalism? Is there a federalism that is false? All sort of definitions have been given to federalism.

“But for us and for me, if we agree to practise federalism, then we must practise it the way it is properly defined. For now we are not there yet in terms of federalism. When it suits certain persons, it is federalism and when it does not suit them it is not federalism. But we will get there some day.”

Governor Uduaghan commended President Goodluck Jonathan for providing a window of opportunity to address the problems of the Nigerian Federation through the ongoing National Conference.

Uduaghan who disclosed that Delta State has submitted a memorandum to the conference , expressed the hope that it would help address the imbalance and distortions in the federation.

Uduaghan, while commending the NBA on the theme of its week, “Federalism, Democracy and Leadership in Nigeria” praised the association for constructively drawing government’s attention to critical issues devoid of sycophancy.

The Governor singled out the NBA for constructively drawing attention of government to critical issues devoid of the usual sycophancy, describing the trend as a great support to his administration.

“When you draw the attention of the administration in a very mature way to issues that affect the state that have to be attended to, for me there is no greater support than that.

“In our position people tell us what we want to hear. People tell you so that you are happy . But when we see a group of people who tell us not with the purpose to make us happy but for us to effect changes, that for me is much greater support than any other support.

“The Nigeria Bar Association, especially the Warri branch has done that consistently over the years,” he said.

He commended the NBA for buying into his administration’s on going clean up of urban towns in the state, promising to maintain the tempo till the end of his tenure without wavering.

Uduaghan explained that his administration was stepping up efforts at its infrastructure development programme, especially in the Warri area, adding that the Ubeji and Jedo Roads among others were slated for dualization to ease free movement.

The governor assured that military road blocks in Warri and environs that have outlived their usefulness would be immediately dismantled while those at strategic locations are to be removed gradually.

Chairman of the Warri branch of the NBA, Ben Oji had in his address drawn the attention of the state government to a number of issues , including security, infrastructure development, funding of the judiciary.

DELTA State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan has urged experienced Nigerians to continuously contribute their quota to building a better country.

According to him, Nigeria still requires experienced hands in the area of security, infrastructure development and human capital development, stating that those who have retired based on official age but believes they still have something to offer for the growth of the nation should not relent in doing so.

The Governor spoke yesterday [9-6-14] when he paid a courtesy call on the Vice Chancellor of University of Nigeria (UNN), Prof. Bartho Okolo shortly before he commissioned B.I.C. Ijeoma’s Centre For Social Research (also called Sociology Building) donated by the Delta State government to the institution.

“Nigeria today need a lot of experienced persons to handle issues that bothers on security, infrastructure and more importantly, human capital development,” the Governor said.

He stated that the Sociology Building “was sponsored in honour of one of our very best who passed through this institution, Prof. B.I.C. Ijeoma,” adding, “UNN is one of the foremost universities in Nigeria and we are glad that the tradition of UNN is still being kept till today.”

In particular, Governor Uduaghan commended the University authority for keeping the green environment, asserting, “the world is going green and when I see a community like this, I am very happy.”

The Governor congratulated Prof. Okolo for a successful tenure as the Vice Chancellor of the University, saying, “I thank God for your life and that you are ending your tenure and ending it very well.”

At the Commissioning exercise which was attended by members of the Delta State executive council, Prof. Ijeoma in whose honour the structure was built, Chief Godwill Obielum, among other politicians, Governor Uduaghan thanked everybody in the University for assisting the Vice Chancellor for recording success.

“We are here to honour Prof. B.I.C. Ijeoma who is a pioneer of so many things who today is also a pioneer with a centre named after him,” Dr Uduaghan said, adding, we have great people from Delta State who are been honoured.

He urged students to shun such vices like cultism and examination malpractice and take the likes of Prof. Ijeoma as mentors and avoid crave for material wealth against quality education and decent environment.

“Today, we are here to honour someone who has made a mark, many are honoured when they have died but, we decided to honour our own when he is alive,” he stated.

Prof. Okolo at the occasion, observed that the structure has saved students the rigors of “taking their lectures at the stadium, there was no single lecture hall for the students of Sociology in the university,” adding, “you have touched the hearts of the students and the institution.”

Responding, Prof. Ijeoma thanked Governor Uduaghan for what he is doing for him and his family stating, “Today, you re honoring me again with this centre, this is d first time, I believe I am qualified for this because of my passion for my alma mater, God has used you to keep me living.”

“He has a foresight which many Nigerians do not have and is not carried away by oil wealth but is thinking of what we should do to prepare for period when oil dries up, Nigeria needs him at the centre because he has shown that the ideas within him goes beyond Delta State,” Prof. Ijeoma said, adding, “by honoring a product of this university, you are encouraging others to toe your line.”

The President, Student Union Government, Comrade Christian Agu, thanked the Governor and the people of Delta State for honoring the first President of SUG in UNN while the President, Nigerian Sociology/Anthropology Student Association (NSASA), UNN Chapter, Nnaji Ikenna said, “we thank you for extending your benevolent nature to us by erecting a building for the department thereby, giving us a foothold and an academic mansion in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.”

National President of the UNN Alumni Association, Barr. Andrew Oru on behalf of the alumnus presented award to the Governor. Several other awards were presented by different associations to the Governor.

Kalu’s lamentations will never end. His message read by a very disillusive aide at a retreat in Port Harcourt recently says much about the torments Kalu is passing through. He is in deep melancholy in spite of his stolen riches. We are used to Kalu’s jibes and innuendos but this time, he spoke from the subconscious. I am not surprised at Kalu’s moans. It is his typical refrain. Who are the wolves in sheep’s clothing and animals in human form if not Kalu?

In this same gathering Rochas Okorocha came out with a powerful postulation that suits Kalu like a second skin. According to Rochas ‘who you are before office means a lot. If we elect a criminal into office he will simply become excellent criminal.’ Kalu was simply a fraudster, remember when he donated papers cut into sizes of money, remember his forged certificate that bedeviled him in the first year of his tenure. His enlisting in Abia State University and the retrieval of his unfortunate degree clearly shows that he had no certificates before becoming a governor.

Remember Hon. Ubani’s many articles on Orji. Orji was a dupe that took on many people to the extent that a law court in Lagos seized all his property. It is on record how he got entangled into a drug scam in London and Alex Mbakwe who was surety with his property lost out as Kalu jumped bail.

He never had The Sun Newspapers, Slok Air and other things he is boasting with and all that he claims now. They were all bought with looted money from Abia State coffers. In that same gathering Prof. Jinadu came with another apt situation faced by past governors, those who cannot separate the office and self mostly due to overzealous love for lucre.

That gathering is a good one and Kalu fell into a trap making it clearly obvious that he is still brooding over his loss. We know those who will survive psychologically. Abiola Ajumobi wants to be A PREACHER, Nyako is in a hurry to go back to his farms. kalu wanted to continue ruling by proxy. Kalu is the real animal who did not know that his time in office is gone. He has refused to forget issues in Abia and continue as the evil Godfather. Let him continue. He will get more shocks and embarrassment. Abia people are wiser and have sworn that never again will they elect a no-name howler like Kalu.

*Ibe wrote in from Umuahia, Abia State

Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has urged countries in the world to collectively step up actions to stem the tide of terrorism in Nigeria and other parts of the globe.

Besides, Foreign Defence Advisers/Attaches to Nigeria have also commended the Delta beyond Oil economic development model of the Uduaghan administration in Delta State.

Governor Uduaghan, receiving a team of Foreign Defence Advisers/Attaches to Nigeria on a courtesy call in Asaba on Tuesday, commended the international community for the support it was giving Nigeria in the fight against Boko Haram insurgency, noting that terrorism was a global menace that required concerted action across the world.

“In Nigeria, we are aware of the issue of terrorism, let me thank you, your embassies and your countries for openly condemning terrorism in Nigeria, terrorism is a global challenge and collectively, we can deal with it,” the Governor stated.

He said that his administration has taken proactive steps to ensure that the state is peaceful and safe for all, disclosing that the Nigeria Immigration Service recently identified some illegal immigrants in Delta and has dealt with them in accordance with the law.

The Governor also used the occasion to state that the Delta Beyond Oil model was designed to economically empower the people with the strong belief that when the people are positively engaged, it will be near impossible for them to be recruited for nefarious activities.

“You are abreast with the security challenges in the country, in the Niger Delta, we had our own security challenges starting from militancy and agitations which were dealt with through dialogue and the amnesty programme,” the Governor said, adding: “The fallout of the militancy such as kidnapping, oil theft, and vandalization are also being tackled with our economic model, the Delta Beyond Oil.”

Governor Uduaghan explained that the state was addressing the issue of peace and security from the economic perspective through the Delta Beyond Oil policy because of the uncertainty of oil business.

“The oil can dry up tomorrow but when our people are empowered in the areas of solid mineral, infrastructure, agriculture and tourism; it will be difficult to recruit them for criminal activities as they will become gainfully employed”.

Leader of the delegation, Captain Michael Afolabi of the Nigerian Defence Intelligence Agency had explained the team was in Delta State for the Defence Advisers/Attaches to have knowledge of the area and commended Governor Uduaghan’s administration for setting up structures for investments to thrive in the state.

Col. Rajesh Sethi, Doyen of Defence Advisers and Attaches in Nigeria also speaking commended the vision and foresight of the Uduaghan administration in evolving the Delta beyond Oil Economic Development Model.

He observed that the model has the potential to diversify the economy of the state and also help reduce criminal activities as envisioned by the State Government, adding that the team since it arrived the state has been impressed with the level of development achieved under the Uduaghan administration.

Dreams of greatness are usually inviting but getting there is not a picnic. So, most desperadoes embark on all forms of shenanigans including dancing naked in the marketplace, just to illusively satisfy the daydreaming. Reagan Ufomba is of that stock. His obsession to be at the helm of affairs in Abia is gradually turning his seemingly gentle mien to that of a hunger-stricken carnivorous being, ready to engage its owner.

In fairness, there is nothing wrong with having an ambition or aspiring to a high office, but there is everything wrong in running down the entire system, may be to play to the gallery. For anybody to struggle to make a political capital out of the vexed issue of disengagement of non-indigenes from the State civil service on account of mounting recurrent bills, necessitated by the new minimum wage, which has long been rested, as Governor Orji had approved the re-engagement of the affected persons, is a mischief of monumental proportions.

Is it not contradictory for someone who claimed to have rebelled against societal ills in the seminary school, PDP and APGA, to have, without a hoot, quietly resigned his position in the obvious maladministration in place in Abia State in 2003?

Ufomba’s claim of rejecting to negotiate with TA Orji in 2011, when he couldn’t have bargained from a position of strength, by virtue of his woeful performance in the governorship election, is laughable. His character and careless utterances betray him as someone beyond his political turf. A thinker from Cameroun once admonished that when you give man money and power, you will see the beast in him. And for a man like Reagan who will remain far from the corridors of power to be behaving like a carpetbagger in his perpetual sojourn as a governorship aspirant, pollutes our political space and portends grave implications for the State, if such characters, by hook or crook, assume the reins of power. A hood does not make a monk! Even his borrowed robe of Ochiagha title is a mark of hollowness and superiority complex. Does he understand the meaning of Ochiagha (commander of troops)?

In fact he is behaving like a former governor of the State who hoodwinked the people of the State with titles of DR and a national honour of MON when they were not earned in actual sense. Come to think of it, may I ask, which troops have Reagan commanded. Is it in the military or where else? Or troops of brainwashed never-do-wells that hang-on around him with a false sense of hope, typical of the inordinately ambitious Sorcerer’s Apprentice? He should update us on how he attained the title Ochiagha before insulting the people’s psyche with a charade of falsehood and toxic megalomaniac grandstanding.

His unrepentantly cocky assertion of being the next governor of Abia is as amusing as it is provoking. Abians are yet to forgive him for daring to insinuate a popularity work at Aba with Governor TA Orji in April 2012, just because he claims to pay the school fees of his relations and those of his concubine’s children, while those who run robust scholarship schemes and Foundations to uplift the poor are shunning publicity. Where was this uncrowned Ochiagha when kidnappers almost overran Aba? Why did he desert the area until Governor Orji restored normalcy to the troubled spot? Who does not know that the feat of stemming the scourge of insecurity turned-in harvests of laurels to Governor Orji?

Perhaps Ufomba should be reminded that Abians are not suffering from amnesia and that his antecedents cannot be burnished by orchestrated media campaigns. It is only a myopic person like Reagan who fails to realise the gains of relocating the markets from the heart of Umuahia, the State capital to more spacious sites. Instead of taking the present administration to the cleaners for summoning the political will to do what has been the wish of successive administrations from the East-Central State days, the likes of Reagan should have kept quiet so that people will take his silence for maturity. Now he has inadvertently revealed his lack of clear-cut vision that qualifies him to aspire to govern the people of God’s own State. Abians should therefore be weary of people like Reagan as he will be more dangerous as the 2015 elections gather momentum.

*Nwankwo contributed this piece from Isiala-Ngwa North LGA, Abia State

Blank NEWS Online can report that Niger Delta Indigenous Movement for Radical Change (NDIMRC) has urged retired Army Generals from the North to join forces with President Goodluck Jonathan to fight terrorism, making it known clearly to the Sultan of Sokoto, Sultan Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Northern Governors and ex-military Generals from the North that they cannot stop the re-election bid of President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.

In a press release signed by its President, Nelly Emma; Secretary, John Sailor and Public relations Officer, Mukoro Stanley, the group called on the North to forget the Presidency till 2027 and vowed to cut oil supply to the North should leaders from the region continued to oppose the re-election of President Jonathan in 2015 and using Boko Haram to cause mayhem, especially in the Northern part of the country.

The press release reads; “We want the Sultan of Sokoto to know that we are aware of his game plans with some Governors and ex-military Generals from the North to frustrate the re-election of President Jonathan in 2015. We want the Sultan of Sokoto and his co-travellers to take this as a warning that we will resist any attempt by them to stop the President in 2015.”

“We are not begging the Sultan of Sokoto, Northern Governors, ex-military Generals and other leaders from the region to allow the President contest in 2015, the issue of the re-election bid of President Jonathan in 2015 is sealed, signed and delivered by God. Nobody can stop the moving train of the re-election of the President. The plan by the North to use Boko Haram to frustrate President Jonathan will continue to fail; we have also seen how the enemies of the President are now using the Governors of the North to destabilize the administration of the President and they will not succeed in this their evil mission,” the group stated.

According to the group also, “We are aware of the desperation of the North to take over power in 2015, but they have to wait till 2027. After the tenure of President Jonathan in 2019, power will shift to the East till 2027 and so the North should perish their Presidential ambition till 2027, we are serious about this and that is the way it must be.”

“This is a clarion call on former military President, General Ibrahim Babaginda (rtd), former military Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari and other top retired Army Generals from the North to join forces with President Goodluck Jonathan to fight terrorism. We want to say it again that the security challenges in the northern part of the country demand that all Nigerians unite to address the problem. Our retired army Generals in the North, all the traditional rulers in the North, the northern Governors and other leaders and elders must see to the end of terrorism in the Northern part of the country and give President Jonathan the needed atmosphere to transform the country,” the group stated.

NDIMRC urged Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State to be reasonable and support President Jonathan, rather than allowing himself to be used by those from the North to stop the President in 2015.

The group did not also spare those who have continued to root for the sack of the Petroleum Minister, Mrs. Diezani Alison Madueke, warning them to halt their action against the patriotic Petroleum Minister.

According to the group, “The Petroleum Minister is doing a great job for our country and she should be encouraged to do more. But we want to sound a note of warning here that those doing everything to frustrate the Minister to desist from such act. The Minister is good and the President will continue to retain her even till 2019. The President has been able to carry all parts of the country along. In the past when those from the North were in-charge, the Petroleum Minister and the Group Managing Director of the NNPC came from the North; but the President who is very transparent has changed all that. If we are pushed too far, we will cut oil supply to the North and ensure that the positions of Petroleum Minister and GMD of NNPC are retained by people from the South-South region because for too long, we have tolerated the insensitive of the North to the plight of the people from the oil-rich Niger Delta region and we are saying enough is enough.”

“The Petroleum Minister as a good daughter of the Niger Delta region is spending the resources from the oil-rich region prudently in the oil and gas sector, unlike General Theophilus Danjuma (Rtd) and others from the North who are controlling oil blocs of the Niger Delta region and do not know what to do with the money at a time when the people from the region are living in abject poverty. The time has also come for the Petroleum Minister to allocate more oil blocs to people from the Niger Delta region because the oil belongs to them and God never made mistake of blessing the Niger Delta people with oil,” the group stated.

The group also expressed dismay over treatment being given to people of the Niger Delta region by the oil majors such as Exxon-Mobil, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) and Total Nigeria.

The group wrote “We are warning these oil companies who are not employing people from the Niger Delta Region and at the same time not patronizing local contractors to wake up now and do the right thing as we will not hesitate to come to them soon in full force. Therefore, they should promote Niger Delta people who are working but have not been promoted for many years now. They should equally dole out contracts to our local contractors because the Local Content Act spelt it out clearly that they must patronize local contractors and they cannot afford to honour this provision in the Act, they should stop the frustration of local contractors from the oil-rich Niger Delta region.”

State Governors who left the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) last year to form the New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) before finally merging with the All Progressives Congress (APC) have vowed to abort the second term ambition of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

“We have noted President Jonathan’s claim made last Thursday at the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the PDP in the federal capital, to the effect that PDP is not missing us, as well as his boast that some of us cannot win even our wards during elections,” the
ex-PDP Governors said in a statement issued today in Port Harcourt by former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct nPDP, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze.

The former PDP Governors described Jonathan’s claims as “both shocking and ridiculous considering that he wouldn’t have been President today if not for our sacrifices which ensured that he won both the PDP Presidential Primaries and the 2011 presidential election.”

Eze cited Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi of Rives State as an example. “It is on record that Rivers State under Amaechi’s watch made Jonathan’s presidency possible by delivering over two million votes in his favour during the 2011 presidential polls. For the same Dr. Jonathan to turn around, only three years down the line, to describe Governor Amaechi as a political lightweight who cannot win his ward speaks volumes about how ungrateful and uncharitable a man he is,” Chief Eze said.

As for President Jonathan, Chief Eze told him “to prepare for a grand political war come 2015 as the ex-PDP Governors, working in concert with other democratic forces in APC, are battle-ready to send him and his PDP packing from the Presidential Villa in Abuja.”

The Immediate past Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, has emerged the new Emir of Kano, succeeding late Ado Bayero.

Governor Rabiu Musa Kwakwanso, had promised to unveil the new Emir on Sunday when the Kano Kingmakers of the Kano Emirate Council paid him a condolence visit on Saturday.

The Secretary to the Kano State Government, Rabi’u Sulaiman Bichi, formally announced Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the new Emir on Sunday, June 08, 2014, following his recommendation by the kingmakers and approval by Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso.

Bichi disclosed that the government chose Mr. Sanusi’s out of three candidates forwarded to him by Kano Kingmakers.

“Under state customary law, the kingmakers comprising the Madaki, Sarkin Bai, Makaman and Sarkin Dawaki Maituta had sat down and forwarded three names to the government to choose the one that will succeed the Late Emir Ado Abdullahi Bayero.

“Out of these three names the government has approved Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the Dan Majen Kano, and former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, as the new emir of Kano,” the SSG said.

Although there were no clear indications earlier on whether the first son of the late Emir, Sunusi Ado Bayero, would be picked as the new Emir, the erstwhile CBN boss had a well-advertised ambition to become the future emir of his native Kano, after he bagged a top chieftaincy title (Dan Maje Kano), a historic title reserved for the royal family members from the Kano Habe dynasty, which means Son of Emir-Maje.

Lamido Sanusi has thus become the 14th Emir of Kano from the Fulani dynasty and 57th ruler of Kano Emirate from the late Abdullahi Bayero House.

Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi (born 31 July 1961) was appointed Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria on 3 June 2009 and suspended from office by President Goodluck Jonathan on 20 February 2014.

Meanwhile, there have been pockets of protest by supporters of Sanusi Ado Bayero, the first son of the late Emir of Kano, challenging the sudden emergence of Lamido Sanusi.

A source revealed to Blank NEWS Online that: “Earlier in the day, message came to the Prince while he was at the palace receiving condolences that he needed to go and get set for turbanning in case he was the one selected, so, many of his supporters followed him to his private residence and most of them assumed that he must have been selected since he was getting set for turbanning,” our source said.

“Unknown to many, both nominees were required to be ready whether they will eventually be selected or not, but many misconstrued the order and were shocked when Sanusi Lamido was eventually announced and they are the ones protesting now.”

The Supreme Court Monday May 26, 2014 in Abuja awarded N8m as costs against Dr Dickson‎ Osuala, counsel to Chief Great Ogboru of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) for what it termed as an abuse of the process of the apex court, adding that there must be an end to litigation.

To benefit from the N8m are Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, Governor of Delta State, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)‎, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) who are to get N2m each.

The Supreme Court in a unanimous ruling delivered by seven justices said the‎ case instituted by Dr Osuala on behalf of Ogboru amounted to an affront on the nation’s judiciary as well as an abuse of the court process.

“The said N8m is awarded as cost against the person of Dr Dickson Osuala and is to be paid from his pocket to the respondents “, said the apex court in a landmark ruling on Monday.

Ogboru, through his counsel, had unsuccessfully tried to get the Supreme Court to reopen his case challenging the election of Dr Uduaghan as Governor in the 2011 gubernatorial election in the state. It is the third time the DPP standard bearer will be making such a move.

But the Supreme Court panel presided over by Justice Walter Onnoghen blamed Dr Osuala for not advising his client rightly and embarking on a clear case of gross abuse of the court‎ process. The N8m slammed on Dr Osuala is for the said abuse and a deterrent to others who may attempt similar move in future.

Justices of the apex court on the panel were Justice Walter Onnoghen, Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, Bode Rhodes Vivour, Sylvester Ngwuta, Mary Peter Odili, Olukayode Ariwoola and Clara Bata Ogunbiyi.

Great Ogboru had dragged the Governor of Delta State Emmanuel Uduaghan before the Supreme Court challenging the validity 2011 election victory. Others joined in the suit as co-respondents were the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as 2ndrespondent, INEC as 3 rd respondent and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) as the 4 th respondent.

Osuala had informed the court that Section 285 (7) of the 1999 Constitution which was the basis upon which the appeal was earlier thrown out was “misapprehended” by the court when the appeal was dismissed last year, adding that there was no law like that when the appeal was dismissed.

After the case was dismissed, Osuala surreptitiously brought an application to relist the matter again, a matter which the apex court described as an affront. When the counsel’s attention was drawn to the fact that the court had earlier dismissed the same appeal, he argued and insisted that the appeal must be heard.

The presiding judge, Justice Walter Onnoghen, in his ruling held that the fact of the case revealed that this was the third time the lawyer was approaching the Supreme Court on the same case, adding that the Supreme Court had no jurisdiction to hear the case again having earlier dismissed the same.

“Applicant is advised to approach the high court since he raised the issue of the validity of Section 285 (7) of the 1999 Constitution. As far as the Supreme Court is concerned the subject has been laid to rest”, he declared.

A cost of N2million for each of the respondents was also awarded as cost payable by the lawyer.

The justices further noted that Ogboru through his counsel wanted to resurrect a dead and buried horse, and warned that this would be the last time such a case should brought before the court.

In a reaction at the end of the hearing, Dr Uduaghan through the Secretary to the Delta State Government (SSG), Comrade Ovuozourie Macaulay said the case and all such divisive battles were of God‎ to deal with accordingly.
He said Monday’s ruling was a vindication that no man can fight God, hoping that Ogboru and his ilk would have learnt a lesson and allow the state to move forward.

“Our case has always been in the hands of God. And like we say in Delta, God’s Case has no appeal. That’s what the Supreme Court has affirmed today and we hope Ogboru and his people would have learnt a lesson and realised that it is time to allow the state to move forward‎”, he stated.

The SSG added: “It is a clear signal that the justices of the Supreme Court has sent out. We want to reiterate our belief in the judiciary. We steadfastly followed this case from the beginning. It’s about the fourth time we are coming here for this case. And the justices upheld the same decision. But today they went further and took the case as if it is theirs. Clearly it was an affront on the judiciary because it is the system that Ogboru and his team sought to attack. Not the Governor or the state government. And the verdict tells the whole story.”

But the Delta State Governor disclosed on Sunday June 1st 2014 that a total of 19 cases presided over by 77 judges/justices were instituted against him by his political opponents since May 29, 2007 when he assumed office. A battle that undoubtedly spanned seven good years.

He made the disclosure at a special thanksgiving service to celebrate his recent victory at the Supreme Court in the suit instituted against him by Chief Great Ogboru.‎ Though the event also marked the Governor ‘s third year in office for a second term, it was obvious that the Ogboru saga agitated his mind more.

Dr. Uduaghan promised at the thanksgiving service, which held at the First Baptist Church, Warri to donate the N2 million costs awarded in his favour against counsel to Ogboru by the Supreme Court, to the church.

He explained that the thanksgiving service was held to appreciate God who had given him victories in the several cases that were instituted against him by his political opponents since his emergence as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the 2007 governorship polls.

“For us, this thanksgiving is very important and critical. If you know our political history, since 2007 it has been a long struggle,” the Governor said, adding, “we had 19 cases within the last seven years and a total of 77 judges were involved and I hear that is the highest recorded number of cases in Nigeria today against any politician.”

He noted: “In all of these, it is not by the power of our lawyers or the knowledge of anyone but by the grace of God,” observing, “in this last case, the Supreme Court imposed a fine and warned the lawyer never to bring the case to the court again.

“The case wasn’t my case, it was God’s case and I have told my lawyers to bring the two million naira fine in favour of me to this church because I dedicated the flag given to me as the PDP candidate for the election in this church”.

‎The Governor said that the next one year would be very critical “but, God has been faithful, God is our King, our Lord and whenever you believe in God, you will have the type of results that I got.”

The Governor’s wife, Mrs. Roli Uduaghan at the occasion however called for prayers for him to finish strong and for a God-fearing person to succeed her husband who will consolidate and improve on the gains of the current administration.

In a sermon, the Bishop of Asaba Diocese of the Anglican Communion, Most Revd. Justus Mogekwu had explained, “in giving praise and thanksgiving we recognize God’s virtue and in recognising God’s virtue, we encourage Him to do more for us.”

He noted that the victory against Chief Great Ogboru at the Supreme Court was a victory for Delta State as it could have meant starting afresh and rendering a lot of persons jobless, adding, it would have amounted to someone who works for the interest of the people giving way for someone who will put selfish interest first above other considerations.

The Bishop called on Christians to always put their faith in God rather than man and also pray positively for their enemies since vengeance belongs to God.

Prayers were later offered at the service for President Goodluck Jonathan, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and family, Nigeria and Delta State in particular.

Despite this historic and resounding victory over Ogboru, by Governor Uduaghan, it is doubtful if the DPP flag bearer ‎had learnt any lessons. Indeed, it would not come as a surprise if the one time coup plotter heads for the Federal High Courts simply because Justice Onnoghen and his brother colleagues suggested that that was a likely way to reopen the case.

The supposition being that it was an opportunity to finally prove the point he tried to establish, albeit unsuccessfully at the Supreme Court. But to what aim, when Governor Uduaghan may have left office and his successor probably rounding off a first term? Perhaps to prove that he is an incurable masochist, sadist or raging swine plummeting down the hill‎, not knowing it was headed for doom.

Well, the truth is that the man is free to embark on a Freudian slip, albeit indefinitely. But it will be curious and Nigerians would want to know if The Peoples General, as Ogboru likes to be called would find Dr Osuala or any counsel of his ilk willing to put their neck up for the guillotine.

Deltans and Nigerians are waiting to see how Ogboru responds to the collapse of the Augean‎ stable. It may well turn out to be a long wait if the man’s eyes are finally opened to the reality of the moment as well as the staccato dance by fate on his destiny. Indeed, for Great Ogboru, it may be said that his political empire has been dismantled and buried by Governor Uduaghan. May be.

#Felix Ofou, is Press Secretary to the Delta State Governor

A man who calls himself Uche Igwe had set out on a “regrettably long” journey from Port Harcourt to Aba and found himself trapped in traffic jam. According to him, the journey which would have lasted for less than an hour took him three hours! That doubtful personal experience was considered enough reason by the frustrated traveler to pour invectives on the hard working governor of Abia State, Chief T.A. Orji.

In an opinion article contemptuously entitled “The struggle to succeed failure in Abia State” published in two parts in The Punch editions of May 21 and 28, 2014, Igwe struggled very hard to denigrate the administration that has totally transformed Abia State in every sector.

Unfortunately for Igwe, he has ended up portraying himself as somebody who is not conscious of his environment. It was evident that he was on a journey to rubbish Abia by all means. Obviously he found himself in a difficult position executing the hatchet job he set out to do. Igwe cut a pitiful sight as he frantically searched for a foothold to launch his unwarranted attacks on the Abia Governor. Reading through the article one could see a confused mind rambling from the condition of Port Harcourt- Enugu federal highway and few roads in Aba to the succession race in Abia. In his own marking scheme for good governance, Igwe scored Abia Governor zero because half of Aba was in darkness when he allegedly entered the commercial city in the night of his journey. Is that enough reason to launch a ferocious diatribe on a governor whose performance is unprecedented in the history of Abia State? Igwe should have let the readers know where he is presently residing in Nigeria and whether 24-hour uninterrupted power supply has been achieved in that area.

If he is from Abia or has a modicum of common sense, Igwe should know that Aba is only a component part of Abia State. The commercial city fondly called Enyimba by its residents has been receiving adequate attention from the administration of Chief T.A. Orji. In the last one year, no fewer than 18 roads have been constructed or rehabilitated in Aba alone in line with the ongoing urban renewal project of the present administration. Igwe was blinded by his mercenary pecuniary interest to observe that Aba residents cry of flood during the rains. It was a perennial occurrence before the coming of Ochendo but with the opening of the drainages and removal of illegal structures blocking the waterways, Enyimba residents have been spared the seasonal agony they used to experience during the rainy season.

In order to embellish his mindset Igwe stated that “a sudden heavy odour invaded our nostrils” on entering into Aba and that visitors to the commercial nerve centre were usually treated to such offensive odours as a sign of welcome. One wonders if Igwe was actually in Aba of the present time or he was talking of Aba under the past administration. If he actually meant the present day Aba then something must be wrong with his nostrils and I invite him to visit the ultra modern Abia Specialist Hospital and Diagnostic Centre at Umuahia or Aba. I assure Igwe that medical experts would examine him to find out what is wrong with his nasal cavity and sense of smell for him to perceive past odours as if in the present. Perhaps Igwe’s condition could provide an interesting subject for medical research.

It is rather a big insult for residents of Aba to remind them of the environmental condition of their city before Ochendo came to their rescue by giving them a cleaner city to behold. Governor Orji made good environmental cleanliness an integral part of his urban renewal programme for Aba. It was for this reason that the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA) was decentralized and a deputy general manager was appointed and put in charge of Aba. Since his appointment as DGM, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu and his team at Aba have been working round the clock to keep Enyimba City clean and residents are highly appreciative of Ochendo for their new healthy environment. No matter how wide the imagination of people like Igwe may run the refuse heaps of the past would not return to Aba. The garbage dump on the centre of the road would forever be confined to the satanic imagination of Uche Igwe. Aba has since moved on from its ugly past.

The transformation of Aba is an ongoing project. There is no way the present administration can do it overnight given the competing demands and the limited resources available to government. There are other cities, urban and semi-urban areas in Aba yearning for attention as Ochendo moves to strike a balance on even development of the state. But even at that Aba has been accorded top priority because of its status as the industrial and commercial hub of Abia. Aba by every yardstick has evolved into a mega city over the years. And mega cities come with mega problems. The chief executive of Abia State is mindful of this and has been systematically tackling the mega problems of Aba. So contrary to Igwe’s warped opinion Aba has not been abandoned and will never be abandoned under the Ochendo administration.

If Aba is as bad as Igwe had strived to paint invariably he would have encountered one security issue or the other since according he entered the city at night under the cover of darkness. Yet he could not appreciate the fact that somebody made Aba very safe for him to engage in nocturnal rendezvous. He easily forgot or pretended not to know that the same Aba was blighted by a huge security challenge some few years back and it took the political will and sense of mission of His Excellency to extricate Enyimba city from the grip of kidnappers and other criminal elements. To Igwe that is failure. If Aba has decayed beyond redemption as he suggested how come that big firms are putting their money in Aba. Do investors go to places where there is no sanity? The administration of Ochendo has made Aba very conducive to attract investors. For instance, the Nigerian Breweries Plc has invested N15 billion to expand its Aba plant. Another brewery giant, Guinness Nigeria Plc has bought over Dubic Breweries in Aba. Certainly if Aba is a failed city a multi-national like Guinness would not have increased its investment in Enyimba to take over the production of Dubic beer. Today, the Osisioms depot that was moribund for many years is functional because of the hard work of Ochendo. Many youths who would have taken to vices are gainfully employed in the depot where they earn a living and contributing meaningfully to the society.

From the second part of his mischievous article, it was so easy to locate the myopic view of Uche on issues bordering on governance and the delivery of quality services to the people. In his display of crass ignorance he claimed that the success of any administration is measured by the provision of independent power plant. What a shame! Does it make economic and political sense for Abia State government to dabble into building of independent power plant when there are two of such projects in Aba alone? The Ala Oji Independent Power Plant (IPP) is ready and waiting to roll out. The private driven Geometric power plant at Osisioma in Aba is also waiting for inauguration. In all these, the Administration of Governor T.A. Orji has not only provided conducive environment for the take-off of these projects but also provided land and other incentives. Governor Orji constructed a virgin road leading to Geometric power plant as a mark of encouragement to the investors. This is because Ochendo loves Enyimba City and is desirous of making Aba an international industrial city. The Geometric power plant is a huge investment which has gulped over $460 million and has capacity to generate 141 megawatts of electricity. The chairman of Geometric and former Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji, is upbeat about the positive impact the power plant would have on Aba and its residents.

He has already predicted that “the economy of Aba metropolis, which is the boundary of Umuahia and Aba to Imo River, will see a complete blossoming of industries – small, medium and large scale industries.”

People like Uche Igwe are doing a lot of harm to democratic governance by dishing out lies and blackmail to the unsuspecting public. What purpose does it serve him and his pay masters to insist that snow is black? Igwe would have done himself a lot of good if he has a sense of history. He would have known that Governor Orji did not inherit any infrastructure when he took over the governance of Abia in May 2007. But that did not deter him as he embarked on total transformation of the state. Abia was like building without any foundation. Governors had come and gone both military and democratically elected ones like the one dictating Igwe’s tune. But none of them had to wisdom to lay a solid foundation for the future growth of the state. Abia State Government House is a rented property while the state has no befitting secretariat to accommodate the ministries. The state capital, Umuahia was strangulated.

Uche Igwe did not write like somebody with sound knowledge of his subject matter: Abia. He has no idea what the recent history of Abia looked like. May be Igwe was in one of those tribal homelands in Afghanistan or was confined to the Soviet era labour camp in Siberia and lost touch with the outside world. If Igwe is sincere enough he should have known that Abia lacked the building blocks of development all these past years. But Governor Orji did not indulge in self pity. He did not engage in blame game. In fact, he does not even know how to play that self-defeatist game. Ochendo knows how to work. And he is working very hard to build a new Abia on a solid foundation for sustainable growth. He knows how to solve problems and how to overcome daunting challenge. That is why the deficits in infrastructure is receding at a fast pace. Today, the legacy projects of Governor T.A. Orji eloquently speak for his vision for his beloved state.

The people of Abia are happy because their governor has given them 710 health centres, two specialist hospitals with state of the art diagnostic centres, five completed and equipped 100-bed general hospitals at Ohafia, Arochukwu, Umuahia South, Osisioma and Ukwa West while eight others are under construction across the state. Governor Orji has built over 7, 000 stores in Umuahia modern Market at Ubani Ibeku and Industrial market at Ahiaeke Ndume are ultra modern markets to boost commerce. The newly built artisan market at Ohiya is booming. He is transforming the old primary and secondary schools to model schools, building roads across the state and set up an agency, the Abia State Road Maintenance Agency (ABROMA) to keep the existing road network in good shape all year round. Does a state like Abia not deserve a befitting government house and an international conference centre? Ochendo rightly thinks so and building them for God’s own state. Two blocks of four storey magnificent secretariats have been completed and many of the ministries have already moved into the beautiful edifices. Both the legislature and the judiciary have witnessed tremendous infrastructural transformation. Several housing estates have sprung up under the Ochendo administration. Sadly, Uche Igwe’s antiquated mind has prevented him from appreciating the correlation between good working environment and high productivity. If he is moving with the time he won’t be castigating Governor Orji for building a new government house and a new secretariat.

Contrary to Uche Igwe’s diatribe Abia is a huge success in democratic governance. Ochendo has done so much that whoever would succeed him would definitely inherit a solid infrastructural base. The governor that would take over from Ochendo would have fewer burdens because the foundation has been laid for the person to build on. Governor Orji did not enjoy such luxury because his predecessor left nothing for him to build on. He started from the scratch and vowed he would not want his successor to encounter the same problem hence his tireless efforts to transform every facet of Abia economy. Governor Orji would bequeath a peaceful state to his successor even though he inherited a state in rancor due to the divisive and nepotistic policy of the past administration.

Whoever would succeed Governor Orji on May 29, 2015 would inherit a well organized economy with enhanced internally generated revenue (IGR) profile and a workforce that is happy and highly motivated for optimum productivity. Ochendo has taken governance to a standard that is unprecedented in the history of Abia. His score card is so impressive and intimidating that Abians are now fretting over the kind of person that would preside over their affairs after T.A. Orji. They don’t want their beloved God’s Own State to enter into reverse gear after the Ochendo acceleration. Good enough all the gubernatorial aspirants are conscious of this collective expectation and have been promising to sustain the good legacy of Ochendo.

*Ajunwa is Chief Press Secretary to Abia State Governor

The piece published by Reagan Ufomba in one of the national dailies on Tuesday May 27, 2014 is at best ludicrous. It is very obvious that Ufomba has not discovered himself. He would not, because he had not spared the time to peer into his cosmic realm and so completely unaware of his comical potentials. If he did, Osuofia and Mr. Ibu would have been nonstarters in their comedy field. Ufomba from all his acts and hollow motions make himself a big Joke. If Reagan stopped in his mendacious ways to ponder for a few seconds, he wouldn’t have allowed himself to be rapaciously dangled by a wily puppeteer benefactor.

The page that Reagan wrote in DAILY SUN was donated to Reagan as far as it is used in running down Chief T.A. Orji and put his fame to shame but they cannot because the world knows T. A. Orji and has acclaimed him through many sources. Ufomba has sworn not to see any good in Abia as he has embarked on a war of attrition and total annihilation. For that phobic reason and more, any who whispers T. A. Orji becomes an instant buddy and a serious ally, profusely armed to insult the Abia helmsman. They may be adopting the Persian saying that ‘the enemy of my enemy is my friend.’
We in Abia are not bothered by the types of Reagan because as it was said in Julius Caesar, Act 5 scene 1, ‘the posture of your blows are yet unknown. But for your words, they rob the Hybla bees. And leave them honeyless.

Reagan is a persona non grata in his Umuogelle Village in Ntigha, Isiala Ngwa North LGA. It becomes very abhorrent when a man takes falsehood to his home. The Igbos have a saying that ‘you do not sell a crippled fowl at home,’ but that was what Reagan was alleged to have done as you read along. His credentials smirk of crime, calumny, unbridled duplicity and serial mendacity. Take these for samples:

In 1994, it was alleged that Reagan published an obituary of himself to dodge creditors he swindled. Some years later, he persuaded his people to pay a counterpart fund for a non-existent water project and churned out lies in defence until the youths of his community rolled out tanks against him and he made a plea to save his uninspiring life. What about the Health Centre at the express way near Ntigha Junction which Reagan took over from his town’s women and promised heaven on earth? It is now bushy, and a palace for reptiles and rodents. The story of an Owaza man Reagan was alleged to have collected over 4 million Naira from, with the promise to create an autonomous community for the victim while he was special assistant in the previous regime. Do I go on?

I wouldn’t have picked up my pen over Reagan, having profiled his misdeeds previously but for his quote where he refused to credit Edmund Burke, that Irish Man of note. ‘evil thrives where good men do nothing.’
Reagan is a pretender and in his make-believe write up, made so many claims that should not be ignored. As it is said in journalism, ‘Facts are sacred and opinion is free.’

As Reagan wrote, ‘my team and I would not sleep until the great people of Abia State, who had been beaten to slumber as a result of unprecedented mass poverty and backwardness regain their consciousness and pride of place.’

This as you can see is complete falsehood. Ochendo’s governance has breathed life into Abians if we work on available facts. The Agric sector has been given quantum push. The ambitious liberation farms slated for the 17 Local Government Areas have successfully taken off in most Local Government Areas. The donation of improved variety of cassava stems, palm seedling, cocoa and innumerable others are good examples. The one billion Agric loans have put Abians into being managers of their own resources. Have these happened before?

The youths in Abia have never ever been so empowered since the creation of the state. Abia youths have been taken through multiple skills and empowered to thrive. Over two thousand vehicles have been given out free of charge. Bursaries have been paid to all Abians in the tertiary institutions and computers and other resourceful gadgets issued. Free Education at Primary and Secondary has been on since 2007. Civil Servants were enormously promoted and Abia pays the highest minimum wage in the country, so where is the poverty. Based on many of the above, our children at home and abroad have won laurels to unprecedented levels so we can say that Reagan is having a nightmare wishing evil for Abia.

He went to his usual refrain of Igbos who were transferred to their states. Yes! When the governor took that action, he made it clear to all and explained the reasons as the revenue and allocation of Abia were on the decline but Reagan cannot remember now that Abia has reabsorbed 2,700 of these numbers.
Reagan shamelessly wrote ‘As a young man, I had rebelled against societal ills: I left the seminary school as a result of injustice. I left the APGA faction under Victor Umeh as a result of injustice. I refused to “negotiate” with T.A. Orji after the 2011 governorship election because that would amount to injustice to our people.’

For where? Reagan did not leave these places on his own terms. What has he to negotiate with T.A. Orji? Is it as a party man, or statesman? Probably as a populist? How many votes did he get? A poor percentage of Ochendo’s landslide votes. His trademark lie means that Reagan cannot change. I am sure that Chief Victor Umeh has his dossier on Reagan and would release them at the right time. Do we need to bother with late sage Benjamin Franklin who predicted that ‘it is hard for an empty bag to stand erect.’

Let me sound a note of warning to those who may fall prey to Reagan and his antics. Reagan has never done any good deed all his life. His claims are hollow. He boasted some years ago to establish a cement factory that will beat Dangote and he appointed distributors who gullibly registered. Your guess is as good as mine over what happened to the funds. Where do these factories exist? What does Reagan do for a living? Are his businesses registered and functional? Are they quoted in the stock exchange and NAFDAC? Where do these phantom businesses pay taxes?

Reagan after blowing hot air of going to do new things, grabbed the APGA ticket in 2011 but what did he get? A distant second to Ochendo’s first: 641,158 votes as against 49,421 votes.
A ratio rating of 12: 1,7.7 percent of Ochendo’s total votes and 6.6% of total votes cast for the best four contestants in Abia. As you can see, an abysmal mandatory spread of votes in all local governments in Abia.

Going by the above statistics, is Reagan worth all the troubles? What a huge rejection? What a poor showing for a man who pretended to covet the Abia top post? Reagan is bedeviled with so many curses. When the Ukwa na Ngwa publicly forbade their sons from running in 2011, Reagan disobeyed. He impersonated the bible and blasphemed God by his slogan of Isaiah 43 v. 18, ‘behold I will do a new thing!’

Reagan is not a candidate and can never be. An African proverb once said, ‘never insult the crocodile until you cross the river.’ Reagan has bitten the political fingers that fed him. Mind you, he previously desecrated the altar that raised him. APGA cannot give Reagan a ticket except he runs from the numerous nondescript parties that are at the brink of extinction. Even when he tried in 2011, it was only a handful of votes. Now Ochendo in his magnanimity has thrown his weight behind power shift in the governorship race to Ukwa na Ngwa, so by being of Ngwa extraction, Reagan can run for the election in 2015 but who will support him? Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe, Nkechi Nworgu, Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, Barrister Friday Nwosu all have some credible showing. Can Reagan stand with these heavyweights? Would he measure up to their shoulders, waists or the knees? Reagan is a Jehu, recklessly cruising on the back of the tiger, unaware that he is a super component of the tiger’s next menu.

It sounds so unbelievable and an aberration that this infamous Reagan shares nativity with Monsignor Nwachukwu, the popes nuncio, Hon Chinenye Ike, Eze Amara Nwabeke, an impeccable gentleman, Ginger Onwusibe, the twice appointed Transition Chairman of Isiala Ngwa North LGA and many other illustrious sons. Reagan is a huge joke and will continue to be one, quote me.

*Onuzuruike wrote in from Umuahia, Abia State

Abia State Governor, Chief Theodore Orji, has expressed shock over the death of Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero who died on Friday at the age of 83 after a protracted illness.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Charles Ajunwa, Governor Orji described Late Bayero as a focused leader who he said promoted peace, unity and good neighbourliness amongst Nigerians during his lifetime.

Governor Orji who said that the death of Emir of Kano is a great loss to the nation, added that his wealth of experience is needed at this time of the nation’s history.

He implored the immediate family members of the late Emir of Kano to take solace in the fact their breadwinner lived a fulfilled life worthy of emulation.

“My heartfelt sympathy first goes to his immediate family members he left behind, the government and good people of Kano State. I pray that his gentle soul rest in peace.”

Also, the South East Governors’ Forum has commiserated with the Kano State government over the death of Emir.

In a statement s by the Forum’s Chairman and Abia State Governor, Chief Theodore Orji, the governors of the South East said that they received the news of the death of Emir of Kano, late Alhaji Ado Bayero, with shock and disbelief.

The governors who also sympathized with the immediate family of the deceased, described the late Emir of Kano as a revered traditional ruler who built bridges of love, peace and unity in the country during his life time.

According to them, the great leadership qualities of the late Emir of Kano would be greatly missed especially now that the nation is facing a lot of daunting challenges.

“ We received the news of the death of Emir of Kano with shock and disbelief. We commiserate with his immediate family, the government and good people of Kano State over the death of their revered Emir Alhaji Ado Bayero who died at the age of 83. He was one traditional ruler who distinguished himself through his great leadership qualities which enable him to rule for over five decades. He believed in the indivisibility of one Nigeria.And during his live time he built bridges of friendship, love, peace and unity. We shall greatly miss him.”

The huge crack in the Rivers State APC, after weeks of neglect has come out in the open.

“The APC Legacy Parties, comprising the former ACN, ANPP and CPC parties in the state have not only distanced themselves from the just concluded APC congresses and newly installed executives, but have also taken a bold step to dump the APC and seek refuge in the PDP”, says Wabiye Idoniboye-Obu Personal Assistant on Media and Publicity to Prince Tonye Princewill, a PDP chieftain.

In a communiqué signed and released by the leaders; the APC legacy parties have unanimously accepted to work its way into the PDP, through the guidance of Prince Tonye Princewill who has also received a copy of this communiqué.

The members while complaining of the undemocratic activities in the State APC; came up with the following resolutions:

1. Since our values and presence are not recognized in APC but tolerated, that we should locate an alternative political platform where our interest can be protected and guaranteed.
2. That we should identify with Prince Tonye T.J.T Princewill as our Leader that will guide and lead us to PDP.
3. That we should support the Emergence of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for 2015 and urge him to contest the general election as to complete the good works he is currently doing in our Nation.”

“This is a welcomed development, as Prince Tonye Princewill has already begun talks with the leadership of the PDP on ways and modalities to absorb and engage the new converts. It may interest you to know that the APC legacy parties with a population of over 100,000 members, formed the now APC, but were side-lined on the entrance of the defected PDP members. This was evident during the APC congresses where members of the legacy parties were denied entrance and participation in the exercise”, Wabiye Idoniboye-Obu said.

The governor of Nigeria’s oil wealthy Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan has unveiled a comprehensive package to creating befitting environment to ensure that private sector investments thrive in the state.

Uduaghan’s zeal to lift the state beyond its frontiers include driving investment in technology and industrialization for the global investment community.

And he chose the largest concentration of private fund managers worldwide in Cologne, Germany where he led a delegation from Delta State to unfold the one stop shop investment incentive.

A five-year tax holiday, duty draw back for export-oriented concerns and tariff incentives on value chain enterprises top the log of the carrot Uduaghan dangled before the Cologne Forum, host of the 2014 African Finance and Investment Forum (AFIF).

In his presentation, “Investment Opportunities to Enhance Economic and Development”, the Delta State governor listed other incentives as land acquisition concessions, reduced stamp duty charges, permits and license cost cutting and timeliness and liaising with federal regulatory agencies to facilitate operational licensing procedures.

Explaining that industrialization remains the key driver of his Delta Beyond Oil initiative, Uduaghan said the private sector is leading the establishment of industries in the state through harnessing the economic potentials of the immediate environment and leveraging on the state’s comparative advantage.

With a population of 5.1 million and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $24.88 billion in 2013 as well as huge investments in physical infrastructure development, security and human capital development, Uduaghan said Delta State offers an exceptional and profitable haven for investors.

Three special economic zones targeting diverse areas have been set up with the private sector leading their development. These are the Koko/Ogidigben Free Trade Zone, Warri Industrial Business Park and Asaba ICT Park.

Using the Delta Beyond Oil initiative, Uduaghan identified five key investment opportunities in Delta State. They include power, manufacturing, agriculture, infrastructure and tourism. He emphasized that Delta State is the most viable destination for investors, a situation boosted by its status as a leading oil and gas producer, a coastal state with access to four seaports, having a young, educated and active population and continuous investment in security.

Under his administration, government institutions, processes and systems have been strengthened in the areas of public financial management, policy and strategy, public sector and knowledge management. He said structures have also been set up for the enforcement of the Fiscal Responsibility Act and the Public Procurement Act.

Members of the Delta State delegation include Chike C. Ogeah, Commissioner for Information; Afam Obiago, Economic Adviser to the Governor and Ben Igo, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Economic Planning.

AFIF brings together expert Financiers, Bankers, Investors, Public sector and Entrepreneurs from across sub-Saharan Africa to the rest of the world. The forum is designed for public and private institutions interested in securing finance for projects; investors (private and institutional) looking for projects to invest in; as well as policy makers, financiers/bankers, to build partnership.

The Speaker of the Delta state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Peter Onwusanya, has named Mr. Patrick Nwanze as the Chief Press Secretary (CPS).

Until his appointment, on official secondment, Mr. Nwanze is the Group News Editor of the Delta state owned newspaper, The Pointer Newspapers, Asaba.

Patrick Nwanze (Onowu) is a Mass Communication graduate of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra state.

He is also a Patrician, having attended the revered Saint Patrick’s College, Asaba.

As a member of the Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ) with a remarkable achievement, he has held many strategic editorial and union positions which ranked high among his contemporaries.

He is happily married with children.

Delta State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has taken his drive for investment to Germany where the 2014 African Finance and Investment Forum (AFIF) is currently taking place in Cologne.

A statement signed by the Special Assistant to Delta state Commissioner for Infrmation, Pius Mordi and made availabe to Blank NEWS Online on Wednesday, June 4, 2014 revealed that Governor Uduaghan of oil rich Delta state insists that the insecurity situation in Nigeria is transient.

According to the statement, Governor Uduaghan is due to make a presentation where he will tell the business community about the investment opportunities in Delta state and find investors and financiers for projects in the real sector of the Delta State economy and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) towards the development of the State under his vision of Delta Beyond Oil.

In a keynote address during the opening of the forum organised by EMRC, Belgium and DEG (German Financial Development Institution), Uduaghan identified inadequate transport infrastructure as the major challenge to development in Africa.

He said although Nigeria has security issues, they are exaggerated and will soon be resolved. With the strengthening of democratic structures in Nigeria, Uduaghan said the country offers a stable and profitable haven for investors.
Members of the Delta State delegation include Chike C. Ogeah, Commissioner for Information; Afam Obiago, Economic Adviser to the Governor and Ben Igo, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Economic Planning.

AFIF brings together expert Financiers, Bankers, Investors, Public sector and Entrepreneurs from across sub-Saharan Africa to the rest of the world. The forum is designed for public and private institutions interested in securing finance for projects; investors (private and institutional) looking for projects to invest in; as well as policy makers, financiers/bankers, to build partnership.