Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has challenged tertiary institutions in the country to be prudent in the utilization of revenues they generate internally in order to attract more funding from government and other donors.

Governor Uduaghan, receiving the Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Prof. Godwin Oshodin, on a courtesy call in Warri on Thursday singled out the management of UNIBEN for judiciously deploying internally generated revenue (IGR) into visible infrastructure and development of human capital.

“Let me congratulate you (VC) and thank you for all you have done and you are still doing for the university because looking at what you have presented, it shows that even with IGR a lot can be done,” he said.

Dr. Uduaghan who is the Visitor to the Delta State University observed, ” when you do a lot with what you are able to collect, we are encouraged to bring in more into the university system. So I want to thank you for what you have been doing with the internally generated revenue ”

He also commended the vice chancellor and the management team of the of the school for the enviable academic standard that the University of Benin has been reputed for over the years, explaining that it was a proof of the industry of the management and academic staff.

Governor Uduaghan noted, ” but beyond that is the fact that the university has maintained the standard and it continue to maintain the standard and that is why anytime you hear about University of Benin or the products of the university when they go out, they make their marks anywhere they are.

“That University of Benin is shoulders above other universities in Nigeria, shows how much effort you are putting in.

“Interestingly, last year, somebody called me that the girl who had the best result in the Law School in Abuja is a product of University of Benin…and I was quite proud. That shows how well we are doing as a University.

“So I want to thank you and through you thank the lecturers who have kept the flag flying because without the lecturers doing their work the students will not come out with flying colours.”

Governor Uduaghan promised to look into a request for the building of a conference hall or a hostel block made by the vice chancellor, ” in terms of support, be rest assured that I will give my support. I have seen your presentation. We will look at it and see what we can do with the request you have made. We will quickly get back to you with the area we can give the support”

Oshodin had commended Uduaghan, who is Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Advisory Committee, for the role he played in the ultra modern hostel built by the commission at the school, which was recently commissioned by the governor.

The Vice Chancellor told the Governor that the management decided to visit him as a distinguished alumnus of the institution to solicit his support in helping to build a conference hall or in the alternative a hostel block which will be named after him.

Prof. Oshodin informed the governor that he has judicially deployed IGR to embark on massive transformation of infrastructure and development of human capital in the school, adding that those efforts have received both national and international recognition.

In a bid to sustain the capacity building and empowerment policies of the Delta state government, wife of the Governor of Delta State, Deaconess Roli-Nere Uduaghan has flagged-off the presentation of farm inputs to rural women farmers in the 25 local government areas of the state.

The presentation ceremony which held today (Friday, April 04, 2014) at the Event Centre in Asaba witnessed the distribution of high yielding cassava stems and fertilisers to rural women farmers through the Chairpersons of the 25 local government councils.

Deaconess Uduaghan advised the Council Chairpersons to ensure that the farm inputs were evenly distributed to the rural women and evolve means of constant inspection of the farms to ascertain if they were properly put to use.

She also enjoined the rural women farmers in the state to always put their trust in God to ensure that their plants yield good fruits in due season.

In her response, Chairman of the Local Government Council Chairpersons and wife of the Committee Chairman of Aniocha South local government, Mrs Elizabeth Mabuogwu, lauded the efforts of Deaconess Roli Uduaghan in assuaging the pains of the rural dwellers through the provision of high yielding cassava stems and fertilisers, assuring that the they would ensure that the farm inputs are widely distributed.

THE Niger Delta Indigenous Movement for Radical Change (NDIMRC) has knocked the All Progressives Congress (APC) for raining insults on President Goodluck Jonathan, saying the party was behaving like a rejected child.

In a press statement signed by its President, Nelly Emma; Secretary, John Sailor and Public Relations Officer, Stanley Mukoro, the group noted with total dismay the insults poured on President Jonathan recently by the party describing it as unfortunate and urged the party to respect the Presidency.

The group while lambasting the APC for not seeing anything good in the administration of President Jonathan said that the Party was dead on arrival and had nothing to offer Nigerians.

The group wrote thus; “Our attention has been drawn to the recent insults rained on President Goodluck Jonathan by the APC and we wish to condemn same. The party as far as we are concerned is dead on arrival and has shown in so many ways that it has nothing to offer Nigerians, other than criticizing the good works of President Jonathan.

It added that; “We have seen that the APC is not the Messiah that Nigerians are waiting for. APC is behaving like a rejected child; the leaders of the party are political liabilities to the nation and people and this is why Nigerians should continue to support the administration of President Jonathan and back him for the 2015 Presidential Election because the President has done so much for the country in the last few years.”

Warning the Party to refrain from abusing President Jonathan, the group stated that; “The Party must accord the President the desired respect as done in a civilized society. We are not going to accept any insult on the President again from APC, a party that is hungry for power, yet it has nothing to offer the Nigerian people. We want the APC to respect the Presidency, enough is enough.”

While describing APC as a bad omen for the country with no clear cut manifesto for Nigerians, NDIMRC posited that “President Jonathan will not b distracted by the empty criticisms of APC. The President is committed to the building of a united Nigeria. The President will not relent in his drive to transform the nation social, economic and political landscape”

“President Jonathan has a deep commitment to improving our lot and he will not let Nigerians down. The APC should wake up from its slumber, but Nigerians are already aware that the party is not the better alternative Nigerians are waiting for. As a group, we are not going to tolerate any further insult on the illustrious son of the Niger Delta region, President Jonathan who has done so much for the country than past Presidents,” the group added.

According to the group also; “It is uncultured and disrespectful for the APC to insult the office of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

WILFUL SUMMARY DISMISSAL OF A CLEAR CUT CASE OF KIDNAPPING IN A CALCULATED ATTEMPT TO FRUSTRATE THE COMMAND’S EFFORTS AT TACKLING INCIDENTS OF KIDNAPPING:

On 7/3/2014; a case of kidnapping of one Grace Obi ‘f’ aged 33yrs was reported at Area Commander’s office, Warri. Investigation into the case revealed that the kidnapped victim – Grace Obi actually masterminded her kidnap in a bid to extort money from her husband. This assertion is re-enforced by the fact that out of the N1.5m paid as ransom for the release of the victim who spent 3 days in the custody of the phantom kidnapping gang – N1.2m was recovered from the victim herself, while N300,000.00 was allegedly used to settle the gang for their role.

The kidnapped victim and a member of the gang were arrested who made confessional statements, giving a graphic narration of the incident.

After several overtures made by some highly placed citizens persuading the Command to compromise the case; the Command refused to bulge mainly on the ground that we deemed it necessary to send a clear message across on the Command’s uncompromising stance on cases of kidnapping. Hence on 21/3/2014, the 2 suspects were arraigned in Magistrate Court II Otor-Odu Warri, presided over by Mrs Vivian Duku Tadafe – Senior Magistrate Grade I – being the Court of 1st instance in a 3 count charge of Conspiracy and Kidnapping under the enabling provisions of the State Anti-Kidnapping Law 2012.

In clear violation of the extant law under which the suspects were charged which bequeaths exclusive jurisdiction on the High Court; the trial Magistrate summarily discharged and acquitted the accused persons, thus attempting to dampen the morale of the personnel of the Command in our ongoing fight against incidents of kidnapping and other forms of violent crimes in the State.

CP IKECHUKWU ADUBA NPM, PSC (+)
COMMISSIONER OF POLICE
DELTA STATE COMMAND
ASABA

THE Niger Delta Indigenous Movement for Radical Change (NDIMRC) has taken a swipe at the accusers of the Minister of Petroleum, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke over alleged spending of public funds on the hiring of a private jet for her personal use and gave her a clean bill of health.

The Petroleum Minister had been accused of wasting tax payers’ money in the past two years on the hiring of a private jet.

But NDIMRC in a press statement endorsed by its President, Nelly Emma; Secretary, John Sailor and Public Relations Officer, Stanley Mukoro, posited that the Minister was innocent of the crime she was being accused of.

The group claimed that; “The current onslaught against the hardworking Minister of Petroleum is part of the game plan of the opposition to force the Minister out of office. We strongly believe that the allegation against the Petroleum Minister has political undertone and it is all about 2015 and President Goodluck Jonathan.”

The group while giving the Petroleum Minister a clean bill of health stated that the main objective of the campaign of calumny against her was to clear the coast for President Goodluck Jonathan to fire the Minister like he did to the former Aviation Minister, Mrs. Stella Oduah.

According to the group, “But our findings have shown that the Minister is not guilty as she has not broken any law as being claimed by her accusers. Those accusing the Minister of wrong doing are ignorant and they should not be taken seriously by Nigerians, especially President Jonathan. The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has denied chartering Jet for Alison-Madueke’s exclusive use.”

“The on-going mindless persecution of the World celebrated Nigerian Petroleum Minister, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and other elements is very worrisome; we have come to the conclusion that these actions against the Minister are politically motivated by those bent on pulling her down at all costs. She has done no wrong and so her accusers should leave her alone in order for her to remain focused to carry out her national assignment,” the group wrote.

While imploring her accusers, especially the APC to halt the dirty politics against the Petroleum Minister, the group said; “But we know very well that her accusers are only out to score cheap political points; but they cannot go far on this their failed mission against the hard working Minister.”

“The Nigerian Petroleum Minister is being respected globally, to the extent that she was recently elected as the Alternate President for the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), but back home she is being destroyed for political reasons and we dare say that enough is enough of this political vendetta against an illustrious daughter of the oil-rich Niger Delta region who has done the nation proud since she became Petroleum Minister,” the group stated.

The group advised President Goodluck Jonathan to ignore those calling for the sack of the Minister, saying that; “Her accusers do not mean well for the nation; they are the enemies of the Nigerian people. The APC that is championing this wicked campaign against the Petroleum Minister should concentrate on how to win the 2015 general elections, rather than going petty and dirty.”
“We want to restate it here that the APC agenda and other elements cannot stop the re-election bid of the President in 2015. The Petroleum Minister cannot be intimidated as we are strongly behind her,” the group stated.
“The Petroleum Minister is a committed patriot; she is serving her country to the best of her ability. We want to say that all is well with the level of accountability in the oil and gas sector. The recent allegation against the Minister is also aimed at bringing the hard earned reputation of the Petroleum Minister to public ridicule and this is unacceptable to our group and the entire people of the oil-rich Niger Delta.

Abia state Governor, Chief Theodore Orji has signed the 2014 budget of 115.3 billion naira into law.

The Abia state chief executive had on the 30th of December 2013 presented a budget outlay of 149.6 billion naira to the state house of Assembly followed by a breakdown of the outlay by the state commissioner for Finance in January this year.

However the state legislature after assessing the budget reduced it.

Speaker of the state house of Assembly, Rt. Hon Ude Okochukwu explained that the adjustment became necessary following harmonization of policy thrust of MDAs with actual appropriation submitted to the house.

He said that the 2014 Appropriation law is carefully crafted in the context of medium term expenditure framework which takes cognizance of projections for years 2014 -2016 and in line with the state government’s avowed effort to ensure that the 2014 budget complies with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS).

The speaker pointed out that that the budget is expected to accelerate the completion of all on-going legacy projects in various sector s of the Abia economy, expand the revenue base of the state, integrate the structure of the state chart of Accounting into budgeting and budgeting control mechanisms among others.

He charged all implementing organs of government to strictly see to it that none of the budget’s approved provisions is circumvented.
Giving his accent to the law at the Executive Council Chambers of the Government house, Governor Orji commended the house of Assembly for painstakingly and speedily passing it and assured that the budget will be implemented.

He disclosed that he has authorized the harmonization of all revenues and for all taxes and revenues to be paid directly through the banks.

Governor Orji signing the 2014 budget into law

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State has assured the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) of the government’s cooperation and support to ensure that the killers of two lawyers killed on their way to a court in Ozoro, were apprehended and brought to book.

The Governor who gave the assurance Tuesday in Warri, while presenting four more Toyota Hiace buses to four NBA branches in the State, said that the government will provide all the logistics support for the security agencies to ensure that the culprits were caught.

Besides, he commiserated with the family of the deceased and the NBA over the unfortunate killing of the two lawyers, promising that the state would get to the root of the matter.

The gesture by the Governor fulfills his promise of seven buses for the seven branches of the Nigeria Bar Association in the State; three of the branches have received theirs earlier.

He said that the donation was to enhance the performance of the legal practitioners in the state as well as in appreciation of the harmonious relationship existing between lawyers and the state government.

The keys of the vehicles were formally presented to the chairmen and secretaries of the Sapele, Agbor, Ogwashi-Uku and Oleh branches of the NBA at the Government House Annex, Warri.

Chairman Oleh branch of the NBA, Barrister Kennedy Uwubiti, speaking on the behalf of others, expressed the gratitude of the legal practitioners to the State Governor for keeping to his promise.

The State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Charles Ajuyah, (SAN) had in his opening remarks listed Asaba, Warri and Ughelli branches of the NBA as earlier beneficiaries of the Governor’s kind gesture.

Delta state Commissioner for Information, Chike Ogeah Esq has assured the new Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Peter Onwusanyan of unhindered media access and cooperation in his new assignment to pilot the affairs of the legislature.

Ogeah who was accompanied by a retinue of media practitioners in the state during a courtesy call on the Speaker on Wednesday, April 03, 2014 in his office at the state House of Assembly, said his visit was appropriate as the Commissioner for Information in Delta state.

He assured the Speaker that media practitioners in the state were determined to support the legislature positively in the discharge of legislative duties and in the overall interest of the state.

In his response, the Speaker, Hon. Peter Onwusanyan thanked Barr. Ogeah for the visit and affirmed that the 5th Assembly has been a success as a result of the collective contributions of all members of the House to render service and ensure development of the state.

He noted that it is obvious that the media has contributed immensely to the growth of the state Assembly, especially in helping to enhance the smooth co-operation between the executive and the legislature.

He therefore called on media practitioners in tha state not to hesitate in partnering with the state Assembly in the discharge of their duties, adding that the legislature is not unaware of the Freedom of Information law which enhances transparency in governance.

Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has enjoined the National Judicial Council (NJC) to reverse its decision in the suspension of Justice Agumagu barely days after he was sworn-in as Chief Judge of Rivers State by the State Government.

The political party said it is convinced that the NJC erred seriously on this issue as due process was not followed in Justice P.N.C Agumagu’s suspension, describing the action as ‘macabre dance’ and ‘jungle justice’.

The party’s press statement signed by Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze and made available to Blank NEWS Online said:

“Going by the provisions of section 171 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and section 21 (d) part 1 of the third schedule of the 1999 Constitution, it is clear that the powers of the National Judicial Council (NJC) have to do only with recommending to both the President and State Governors on the appointment and disciplining of Justices and Judges. It was in line with this that the NJC recommended to President Goodluck Jonathan the suspension of the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami. President Jonathan accepted the recommendation and suspended Justice Salami. After due investigation, Justice Salami was cleared of any wrongdoing. The NJC again recommended his reinstatement but President Jonathan did not accept the recommendation, hence Justice Salami was never reinstated”.

With reference to Rivers State, APC noted that “there is a judgment of a competent court headed by Honourable Justice Lambo Akanbi of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, upon which the State House of Assembly and Governor Chibuike Amaechi acted in clearing and swearing in Justice Agumagu as the Chief Judge of Rivers State. In the said judgment, NJC was a party. NJC has a right of appeal but under part 1, section 21 (d) of the third schedule of the 1999 Constitution, the NJC has no power to suspend Justice Agumagu. To make matters worse, NJC breached Agumagu’s fundamental right to fair hearing by suspending him without affording him the opportunity to be heard. The purported query should first have been given for him to defend himself before suspension if found wanting. The NJC has certainly gone beyond its powers. NJC is totally partisan in this particular issue affecting Rivers State as it has clearly demonstrated in this case”.

APC asked those that recommend what it described as ‘jungle justice’ on Justice Agumagu to reverse it as a matter of urgency to avoid ridiculing this great body that is expected to be the embodiment of disciple, justice, equity and fair play, adding that NJC should not for any reason dabble into the murky waters of politics and give leverage to those desperate to remove Gov. Amaechi from office before the end of his tenure, using every funny means no matter how strange to the laws of the land.

The party admonished the NJC and any other interested party that Justice Agumagu was duly approved by a competent court of jurisdiction and duly screened and approved by the Rivers State House of Assembly.

“Due process was clearly followed in his appointment as the Chief Judge of Rivers State and any act by anybody to malign the impeccable character and achievements of this great Jurist and any attempt to rubbish him is not welcome by us and the people of Rivers State”, the statement concluded.

AHEAD of the 2015 general elections, the people of Ndokwa ethnic nationality in Delta State have said it will be fair for the area to produce the next Governor .

Briefing the press after a general meeting at Umutu, Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State, the Chairman of the Organization For Ndokwa Unity also known as Ndokwa Unite, Mr Steve Uweh said Delta is blessed with human and natural resources but with the issue of the Governorship position zoned to Delta North Senatorial District, it will be fair for an Ndokwa man or woman to emerge as the next Governor.

“In our state, there is no other ethnic group that has contested for the position more than Ndokwa people, from when we were in Bendel State and in Delta North Senatorial District, the Ika and Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituencies have held the position of Deputy Governors of our dear state and other sensitive positions but, our people, the Ndokwa people believes they can serve Deltans better as Governor,” Mr Uweh said.

He observed that Ndokwa land was strategically located in the state and serves as a bridge between all the ethnic nationalities in the state stating, “Ndokwa shares boundaries with the Ika and Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituencies, shares boundery with the people of Delta Central and Delta North Senatorial Districts, we have more oil prospecting companies in Ndokwaland than any other Federal Constituency in Delta North, the largest gas plant in West Africa is in Ndokwaland, there is an Independent Power Plant in Ndokwaland and among the oil producing communities in the world, it is a fact that Ndokwa people are the most peaceful and accomodating.”

“We are not insisting that it is compulsory for the next Governor to come from Ndokwa land but, in terms of fairness and objectivity, reasonable Deltans will see reasons to advocate for the next Governor to come from Ndokwa land,” Mr Uweh said, disclosing that members of Ndokwa Unite are in different communities in Delta State canvassing for support for the next Delta State Governor to come from Ndokwa ethnic nationality.

Mr Uweh who was flanked by some members of the Executive Committee of Ndokwa Unite stated members of the group will not relent in their campaign for a peaceful election where all aspirants will not see elections as do-or-die affair and used the occasion to congratulate an Ika, Delta State-born banker, Mr Godwin Emefiele on his confirmation as the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria.

According to Mr Uweh, the appointment of Emefiele by President Goodluck Jonathan was a good development and urged him to put his wealth of experience to bare in handling the nation’s banking sector.

An Umuahia Magistrate Court on Monday issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Mr. Ebere Wabara of the Sun Newspapers for failing to appear in court over charges of sedition against the Abia State government.

He was granted bail after initial arrest by the police and was expected to appear in court on Tuesday but jumped bail prompting the Chief Margistrate, John Ukpai of High Court 4 to order his arrest and that of his surety, Mr. Chuks Onuoha also of the Sun Newspapers.

Briefing journalists at the end of the court session, counsel to Abia state Government, Chief (Barr) Chukwunyere Nwabuko explained that Mr. Wabara is being arrested for disparaging the Abia State government and inciting the populace against the persons of the Governor and his family members through the Sun Newspapers and his internet publications.

According to the Government lawyer, Mr. Wabara was arrested by the police to disclose what he knew about his allegation that Engr. Chinedu Orji, son of the Governor ordered the killing of the Governor’s aide, Mr. John Ndubuka as well as the killing of perceived opposition which he has been publishing in his accomplice on-line site, The City Reporters by one Don Norman.

Barr.Nwabuko pointed out that Wabara had initially denied owning the internet online site, The City Reporters, but was indicted following police investigation of the on-line site.

The matter was adjourned to 10th of April due to the absence of the accused.

The Chairman of the Delta State House of Assembly Commission, Barr. (Mrs.) Josephine Ada Kachikwu has described Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan as a leader who is consistently committed to excellent service delivery.

According to Barr. Kachikwu, Governor Uduaghan has always made funds available for the training and re-training of staff, disclosing that the Commission has benefitted immensely from Governor Uduaghan’s commitment towards ensuring that members of staff are well equipped to do their jobs.

In a report detailing the activities of the Commission since its inauguration in 2011, Barr. Kachikwu stated, “the Commission, in order to motivate workers to higher productivity, has organised training programmes in the nation’s best management, administrative, legislative institutions and they include, the Centre for Management Development (CMD), Lagos; Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), Badagry; National Insitute for Legislative Studies (NILS), Abuja; Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Abuja; Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Benin City and Warri and a few technical consultants.”

“The investment on training has paid off handsomely as we can now boast of a work-force that can deliver on our core mandate of providing personnel that will assist the legislators to make good laws for the good people of Delta State,” Barr. Kachikwu said, emphasising, “we wish to register our appreciation to the Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan for his magnanimity in approving funds for the training.”

The Commission Chairman also, thanked Governor Uduaghan for approving the procurement of cars for the Secretary of the Commission, Directors and the Accountant, while a 35-seater air-conditioned Costa Bus for staff and a Hilux Double-Cabin Toyota Van aside of a functional loan scheme for workers.

She added that “to maintain our flagship position as the best House of Assembly Commission in Nigeria, we blazed the trail by introducing a scientific method of checking lateness to work and absenteeism through what is called the Clock-in-Clock-Out-Machine which captures the biometric information of each employee as he clocks-in and clocks-out daily.”

Barr. Kachikwu noted that the method, “gives graphically the number of days and hours of attendance of each worker, it is fraud- proof as nobody can clock-in or out for another person, not even a twin brother or sister,” stating that members of the Commission, Hon. Sam Ogrih; Hon. John Idogun; Hon. (Pastor) Mrs. Cordilia Onya; Hon. (Chief) Roland Kemefia; Hon. (Barr.) Benedict Etanabene, and Hon. (Prince) Mike Oputa, have contributed immensely to the success story of the Commission.

She assured members of the public that the Commission will not relent in its function of recruitment, promotion, training and discipline of staff of the Commission.

Blank NEWS Online can reveal that 26 employees of the Delta State House of Assembly Service Commission (DSHAC) have been dismissed for parading fake certificate.

The Chairman of the Commission, Barr. (Mrs) Josephine Ada Kachikwu who disclosed this in a statement made available to Blank NEWS Online, also said that the dismissal was done after a thorough verification and re-verification exercise carried out by a firm of auditors engaged to carry out a certificate verification exercise of the staff of the Commission.

“Based on in-fighting by some employees over seniority resulting in protests that some of their colleagues were presenting fake certificates so that they would be upgraded far and above their equals, the Commission engaged the services of a firm of external auditors to carry out certificate verification.”

“The firm has submitted its report and every case was subjected to further re-verification to remove any possible human error and so far, 26 employees have been dismissed from the services of the Commission for parading fake certificates; two are on interdiction, while pending cases are about 20.”

The DSHAC Chairman who made this in the statement highlighting the activities of the Commission, reiterated that the decision to sack the staff will go “down in history as the most agonising decision by the Commission.”

She said since the inauguration of the Commission under her watch as Chairman by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan in 2011, it had been carrying out a policy of motivation of employees to ensure an “efficient and effective service delivery in the legislature.”

“It is very important to state that the Commission has set a standard whereby every eligible staff for promotion is subjected to a refresher course and subsequent examination before being promoted; staff are always promoted based on merit,” Barr. Kachikwu said.

She added, “as an incentive package, the Commission pays a handsome out-fit allowance to all staff annually to enable them maintain cooperate and dignifying looks of parliamentary staff,” while “the Commission has provided a labour-friendly climate for the flourishing of a robust workers’ union, the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN).”

Barr. Kachikwu thanked Governor Uduaghan for approving the funds for the training and re-training of staff which has made staff to be more conscious of themselves and their duties.

In a bid to defend and clear grey issues raised by Nigeria’s leading anti-corruption whistle-blower and former member of the House of Representatives, Otunba Dino Melaye over alleged mismanagement of a whooping N9 Billion Excess Crude funds released to Delta state in December 2012, the Delta State Commissioner for Information, Chike Ogeah Esq. and his Ministry of Finance counterpart, Mr. Ken Okpara, alongside the Accountant-General of the state, Mr. Cyril Agbele, will on Monday, March 31, 2014 address a special press conference on recent media reports associated with the finances of the State Government.

Despite prompt reactions by Delta State Government through the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Comrade Ovuozorie Macaulay, Dino Melaye has insisted that the Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan led administration misappropriated the said fund.

A statement by State Director of Information, Mr Paul Osahor indicated that the event will hold at the conference hall of the Ministry of Information, Asaba at 1p.m prompt.

The statement, made available to Blank NEWS Online on Thursday, March 27, 2014, advised Journalists in the State especially those residing in Asaba to attend the conference and to be seated at the venue by 12:30p.m.

It could be recalled that in a reacting to a press Hon. Dino Melaye’s claims, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Comrade Ovuozorie Macaulay posited that every fund accruing to the state could be accounted since the money was expended within due process.

The SSG’s statement revealed that although the allocation from the Federation has recently dwindled, the excess Crude referred to by Dino Melaye came in two tranches of N1,090,380,894.61 and N8,348,064,864.52 on 10th December, 2012.

According to him, N9b was used to offset some urgent commitments, just as the state government remains indebted to contractors and Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to the tune of N22,677,938,653.12, earmarked for mainly capital projects.

While challenging the claims, Delta state government asserted that “We urge Hon Melaye to properly investigate whatever information they get before coming out with allegations that are frivolous.”

Delta State Government has debunked allegations by Nigeria’s leading anti-corruption campaigner and former member of the House of Representatives, Otunba Dino Melaye, that it mismanaged N9 Billion Excess Crude funds released to the state in December 2012.

Reacting to a purported press briefing by Hon. Dino Melaye, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Comrade Ovuozorie Macaulay in a Press Statement made available to Blank NEWS Online in Asaba, Wednesday, March 26, 2014, said in spending the money, due process was duly followed and every fund accounted for, urging Hon. Melaye to “properly investigate whatever information they get before coming out with allegations that are frivolous.”

The full text of the SSG’s statement reads:

“The attention of the Delta State Government has been drawn to the press briefing by Hon Dino Melaye alleging mismanagement of funds, specifically the N9b excess crude funds released to the state in December 2012.

“It will be recalled that in the last two years, the fund allocation from the Federation has been dwindling. States have therefore been requesting for the release of part of the excess crude fund to deal with outstanding commitments.

“The excess Crude referred to by Dino Melaye came in two tranches of N1,090,380,894.61 and N8,348,064,864.52 on 10th December, 2012.

“Meanwhile the sum of N22,677,938,653.12 was being owed contractors and Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) mainly for capital projects. The N9b was therefore used to offset part of this commitment.

“Contrary to the impression given by Dino Melaye that the money was spent in less than three days, payment commenced in mid- December, 2012 and closed at the end of January, 2013 a period of over 6weeks. All the payments were duly budgeted for and due process duly followed.

“It must be noted that the Delta State Government uses the ICT based SAP financial management system which has ensured transparency in our payment system.

“It is on record that many people have complained of the strict payment system by the Delta State Government. This is to ensure proper record keeping and accountability.

“It is well known that the Delta State Government has been pursuing the Delta Beyond Oil Agenda to ensure that in future the State does not have to depend on Federal Allocation alone for survival.

“The Honourable Commissioner for Finance will be addressing the press in the next few days to give details of the financial management system.

“We urge Hon Melaye to properly investigate whatever information they get before coming out with allegations that are frivolous.”

Recall that it was this same Nigeria’s leading anti-graft whistle blower, Otunba Dino Melaye, who exposed the fraud in Abuja airport runway contract of several Billions of Naira when he was in the House of Reps, and also exposed the monumental fraud by Goodluck Jonathan’s Minister of Aviation, Mrs Stella Oduah.

While Stella Oduah claimed that she spent N255million on two exotic cars, Dino Melaye contacted companies in America and Germany and they told him that the “REAL” cost of those cars is N96million.

The governor of oil and gas wealthy Delta state in Nigeria, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan was among Guest speakers on Tuesday, March 25, 2014 at the British African Diaspora Conference dedicated to Nigeria and held at the Houses of Parliament in London.

Other speakers at the well attended conference were Chi Onwurah, MP for Newcastle Upon Tyne Central and Meg Hillier MP, Chair of All Party Parliamentary Group on Nigeria.

The conference is organised by the African Partnership Development, an organisation aimed at creating constructive interaction between the African Diaspora Community in the UK, African governments and the UK government.

The conference with theme, “Nigerian Environment Beyond Politics and Amalgamation” focused on Nigeria as the country marks 100 years of Amalgamation by the British colonial masters as well as the need for international dialogue and Diaspora participation in key issues affecting Nigeria.

Highlights of the event was the presentation of a souvenir to the Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Nigeria, Meg Hillier MP by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State during the British African Diaspora Conference which took place at the Houses of Parliament, Grand Committee Chamber, Westminster, London on Tuesday.

The Governor of Delta State, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan has been urged not to relent in his giant strides towards ensuring that the state relies less on oil revenue.

Chairman of the state Council of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Comrade Ifeanyi Obi made the call yesterday in Asaba while speaking on the 2013 Personality Of The Year award conferred on Governor Uduaghan by the Vanguard Newspaper in Lagos.

According to him, the developmental programmes of Dr Uduaghan’s administration was geared towards making Delta an investment haven which will empower Deltans and make the state to be less dependant on revenue from oil.

“Transportation is a key factor to economic growth and as you can see, our Governor, Dr Uduaghan has constructed a lot of roads and has bought taxis and buses to subsidize transport fare in the state,” Comrade Obi said, adding, “today, with the luxury bus, commuters can pay N600 to Ughelli instead of N1,000 and pay N400 instead of N800 from Asaba to Kwale and this is good for the economy.”

He added, “we are praying that nothing will distract our Governor from this development that we are witnessing in our state, the roads are in better condition, some are being expanded and our people are happy.”

Comrade Obi stated that members of NURTW will continue to support Governor Uduaghan’s administration because he means well for Deltans.

While congratulating Uduaghan on the different awards given to him on his achievements in Delta State, Comrade Obi urged Deltans to also encourage the Governor to do more for the people.

The NURTW Boss used the occasion to congratulate Rt. Hon. Peter Onwusanya on his emergence as the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly and urged him to encourage credible debates that will move the state forward and complement what Governor Uduaghan is doing for humanity.

Barely few days into the passing out of camp for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) batch ‘A’, the NYSC Director General, Brigadier General Johnson Bamidele Olawumi has advised corps members to exhibit high level discipline as they set for the mandatory one year national service.

Gen. Olawumi gave this advised weekend, during his official working visit to the 2014 Batch ‘A’ corps members who are currently undergoing their three weeks orientation course programme in Okada, Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State.

Gen. Olawumi also used the opportunity to hand down warnings to the corps members who will be participating in the forth coming 2015 general elections not to involve themselves in any electoral malpractice no matter the situation they may find themselves during the national exercise.

He however reminded them that their one year service is a sacrifice to their fatherland and they must be ready to serve diligently, not to tarnish the image of the Scheme, the trust and the confidence that government has in them as leaders of tomorrow.

According to him, corps members need not be partisan while on national service and they must not allow themselves to be used by any politician in the interest of their selfish motives.

Gen. Olawumi admonished them, “your conscience must not be bought over” pointing out that, “Money is not everything as you are expected to displayed high level standards and discipline to your states of posting and areas of primary assignment”, he said.

SOUTH EAST Governors Forum has condemned the attack, last week, in Imo State on the convoy of the Senate President, Senator David Mark, describing same as a wicked act.

Abia state Governor, Chief Theodore Orji who is also Chairman of the South East Governors’ Forum has roundly condemned the attack on the convoy of the senate president in Imo state on Friday, describing it as wicked and unfortunate.

Recall that the Nigerian Senate President David Mark on Friday escaped an attack by gunmen in Orlu area of Imo State, just as reports say the gunmen specifically targeted the vehicle which the Senate President was expected to enter.

Although no life was lost in the attack, the Senate President was on his way to the burial ceremony of late business mogul, Sir John Richard Anyaehie in Nkwerre Community in Imo State.

While answering questions from newsmen over the incident in Umuahia, Governor Orji said he received the news of the attack with shock, adding that it was saddening that it happened in the South East.

The Governor said the armed attack was disturbing and will not be tolerated and called on security agencies to thoroughly investigate the matter with a view to bringing the culprits to book.

He asserted that the incident should be an eye opener of what is to happen between now and 2015 when election takes place and called on Nigerians especially the South East zone to be vigilant and do everything to enhance peace.

The Governor called on Nigerians to conduct themselves in a disciplined manner to ensure that the coming election is peacefully and freely conducted ,adding that cooperation should exist in the country.

He said that the senate president as the number three citizen of the country is free to go to anywhere he likes without molestation and wondered why anyone would attack him.

He ruled out the possibility that the attack is from the Boko Haram.

“I received the information with shock. It is unfortunate and I want to encourage the Senate President that he should not be deterred.

“It is unfortunate that this type of thing is happening in our zone and we entirely condemn the act. It is a wicked act that cannot be tolerated.
and I hereby, call on security agencies to sit up and investigate this with a view to apprehending the culprits and bring them to book.

“But these people should realise that they don’t have monopoly of violence. Every person should be a disciplined citizen. You don’t just intimidate people by being a criminal; and this is an eye-opener to many people of what is going to happen between now and 2015.

“Therefore, Nigerians should be alert. We don’t want violence in this country. We don’t want something that will lead to the killing of innocent people. We don’t want that. Let us at least conduct this election friendly and fairly, so that those chosen by the people will emerge. We want the corporate existence of the country. We don’t want anything that will disunite us.”

Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has urged political office holders and corporate individuals to support government’s efforts to alleviate poverty in the country.

Govenor Uduaghan who gave this charge on Friday, March 21, 2014 in Asaba when he flagged off the distribution of items to beneficiaries at the second Senator Ifeanyi Okowa Empowerment Programme said that poverty alleviation was a key programme of the Federal and state governments

However, he noted that government cannot do it alone and enjoined public office holders, corporate individuals and other organisations to support government to empower the people and reduce the level of poverty in the country.

He lauded Senator, (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa for his consistency in empowering his people as well as the volume of projects he has attracted to his constituency, stressing that these projects would help in developing the state and reduce poverty among the people.

His words “ I have to commend you Senator Okowa for this empowerment programme, what you are doing is of great assistance to the state and federal government. The government cannot do it alone we need political office holders and corporate bodies to assist us, this will help alleviate poverty in this country.”

The governor commended Senator Okowa for doing the state proud as a senator stating that his sponsorship of over 12 bills in less than three years in the Senate was a record .

He stressed that the empowerment programme was an instructive gesture for those aspiring to be senator and political office holder worthy of emulation.

Governor Uduaghan admonished the benefiaciaries of the items to use them judiciously stressing that the items should not be sold.

He enjoined them to also try to use the items to empower other less privileged people in their society.

“ Let us use these items to empower others, you can employ other people with the items you will receive today. This will expand with the atendant mutiplier effect for this empowerment programme.”, the governor stressed.

In welcome address, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, the initiator of the empowerment programme and Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District, explained that the empowerment programme was aimed at reducing the pains of unemployment and building hope for Deltans.

He observed that it was his responsibility to represent his people who have given him the mandate to serve them in the National Assembly and assured them that he will not fail them

According to him “ l have tried to be a good representative of my people in the past 33months that l have been in the senate, l want to re-assure you that l will not abuse the mandate you have given me.”

He commended President Goodluck Jonathan for his transformation agenda and Governor Uduaghan for his support and urged Nigerians to continue to support the administration of President Jonathan.

Speaking on the second empowerment programme, the senator explained that 150 tricycles, 9 ambulances; 1 Nissan /bus; 123 sewing machines, 56 grinding machines; 25 deep freezers; 20 photocopying machines; 20 computer sets and 250 women to receive monetary support.

Other speakers including Senator Gyang Datong who represented the Senate President and Chief Benjamin Elue commended senator Okowa for the exercise.

AS the political activities towards the 2015 general elections increases, the Governor of Delta State, Delta State Governor Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has admonished members of the Delta State House of Assembly to strike a balance between their political activities and their legislative duties.

The Governor gave the advice in Asaba when the newly elected Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Peter Onwusanya was formally introduced to him in a courtesy visit.

He noted that there might be the temptation of House members paying more attention to campaigning in the field for the 2015 elections thereby neglecting their legislative duties.

His words “We are in a critical period also known as the political period where members of the House may be tempted to pay more attention to the field rather than their legislative duties. You must all try to create a balance between your activities on the field and your legislative duties”.

“2015 general election is not far, let there be a balance between what we do in the field and what we do in the House. There are still bills to be passed, a lot is needed to be done in terms of your legislative duties.”

While congratulating Rt. Hon. Onwusanya on his election, Governor Uduaghan urged him to be aware that all the twenty nine members of Delta State legislature are equal and therefore should deal with issues that concern his colleagues with mutual respect.

He commended the state legislators for the peace that exists in the House of Assembly, observing that the transition was raucous-free.

Dr Uduaghan observed that the immediate past Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei made a lot of contributions towards the development of the House of Assembly, reiterating that the Executive will always ensure harmonious relationship with the Legislative.

Speaking further he stated that the new speaker has a challenge of improving on the achievements of the former speaker Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei and assured him that the harmonious relationship between the executive and the House would be sustained.

Rt. Hon. Onwusanya thanked Governor Uduaghan for the cordial relationship between the Executive and Legislature assuring that the Legislature will continue to work with the Executive for the good of Deltans.

Earlier, the Deputy Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Basil Ganagana who introduced Rt. Hon. Onwusanya said, the new Speaker was elected following the resignation of Rt. Hon. Ochei as the Speaker.

Hon. Friday Osanebi, member representing Ndokwa East constituency was also formally introduced to Governor Uduaghan as the new Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Assembly.

DELTA State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan has identified activities of Boko Haram members as potential threat against the eradication of polio in Nigeria and called for vigilance from states where there are no incidence of polio virus.

Governor Uduaghan made the observation in Sapele during the 2014 First Quarter Polio Eradication Program Sensitization Campaign in Delta State.

According to him, Nigeria ranks among Afghanistan and Pakistan as countries that still have cases of polio in the world, stating that while the two countries have crises related to war, the activities of Boko Haram members in Nigeria were hampering the total eradication of the polio virus and making Nigerians to migrate to move to safer states.

While noting that no incident of polio has been witnessed in Delta State for the past five years, the Governor called for vigilance so as to ensure that their children are immunized against the dreaded disease.

“Today, there is crisis in some parts of the North, so there will be tendency that people might migrate to this part of the country, this is why we must be vigilant,” the Governor said.

He emphasised, “crisis does not help anybody, we must avoid trouble,” adding, “anywhere there is war, there is displacement.”

While urging Deltans to ensure that their environment is clean as a way of checking the spread of diseases, the governor charged all stakeholders to pay more attention to routine immunization for their children.

The Commissioner for Health in the state, Dr Joseph Otumara in an address, stated that the sensitization campaign was a strategy aimed at improving the polio vaccination coverage of children aged between 0-59 months in the collective effort towards the eradication of the crippling Poliomyelitis infection.

He state that the immunization exercise was to interrupt the transmission of the polio virus and eradicate the disease, noting that polio cases has been reduced from 212 which was reported in the year 2012 to one case reported in 2014 in Nigeria.

The local government chairman, traditional rulers and operators in the health sector delivered goodwill messages at the occasion that featured the immunization of children by the Governor and other stakeholders.

Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has signed a 451 billion naira 2014 Appropriation Bill into law with an assurance that more money would be spent on capital projects this year for the benefits of Deltans.

Dr. Uduaghan who stated today [17-03-14] while signing the 2014 Appropriation Bill and three other bills in Asaba disclosed that 161.74 billion naira or 36% of the total budget was for recurrent expenditure while 289.2 billion naira or 64% was for capital expenditure.

Recall that Governor Uduaghan on Wednesday, December 18, 2013 presented a budget proposal of N391.51 for the 2014 fiscal year to the state Legislature, which the House passed after a slight increase to N451 billion.

The other bills signed into laws were The Delta State Local Government Bill 2013; Delta State Security Fund Bill, 2013; and The Renumerations, Salaries, Gratuities and Allowances of other Public Officers Bill, 2013.

The governor said that the bills would assist the state government in ensuring sound financial management, good governance and increased infrastructural development for the benefit of Deltans.

He explained that “capital expenditure was higher than recurrent in this year’s budget as the state government in the last few years has tried to control recurrent expenditure so as to free up more funds for capital projects”, stressing that “ we are spending more on capital projects as this is what the people benefit from directly”.

On the Security Trust Fund Bill, Dr. Uduaghan disclosed that “the bill will enable government synergise with the private sector and corporate individuals on the provision of logistics to meet security challenges in the state.”

Continuing, he said that “ since security is vital to the success of the “Delta Beyond Oil” initiative, we will partner with corporate individuals and bodies on assistance to provide security for all and free up the scarce resources spent on logistics for security for other capital projects”.

Governor Uduaghan explained that the other two bills –Delta State Local Government Bill, 2013 and The Renumerations, Salaries, Pensions Gratuities and Allowances for Certain Public Office Holders Bill. 2013- would reduce the confusion associated with previous amendments and consolidate all amendments into one single law.

The governor stated that local government administration was very important in the development of the state stressing that a strong local government structure would help reduce the burden on the state and Federal government in the provision of infrastructure and services at the grassroots..

According to him “ If we have a strong local government administration in the state it will help reduce the burden of administration on the state and federal government.”

He commended the State House of Assembly for the efforts put into the passage of these bills and promised to continue to partner with them for the development of the state.

While presenting the four bills, the Speaker, Honourable Victor Ochie explained that the four bills were to enhance and improve on the dividends of democracy in the state.

COMMITTEE OF SENIOR JOURNALISTS IN DELTA:

STATE OF THE UNION

We have watched and read with a growing sense of anger and disquiet, the needless vituperations, shenanigans and provocative incitements by certain so called journalists, whose claims to the profession are both questionable and in-credible, both in terms of the medium (media) they purport to represent and the authority on which they have anchored the brazen and warped crusade with which they have bombarded the sensibilities of other more discerning professionals, in recent times.

The climax of this dance macabre, by these horde pugnacious, uncultured gang of mutinous fifth columnist was the insane effrontery and complete disrespect to the entire membership of professional Journalists in the State, which compelled them to proceed to temporarily seal and barricade the Secretariat of the Delta State Council of the NUJ, along DBS Road, on the morning of Monday, March 3, 2014, after purportedly assaulting the security man in the premises, harassing the staff of the Secretariat on duty and carrying out other uncouth actions which attracted the consternation and opprobrium of on-lookers and passers-by.

The situation was eventually normalized, according to reports, after the law enforcement agents had waded in and instructed the unruly agitators, with a stern warning, to subsequently act with decorum in the expression of their discontents, thus leading us to conclude unequivocally in the words of Prometheus (in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem The Masque of Pandora) that, “those whom the gods want to destroy, they first make mad.”.

Against the backdrop of these recent happenings and in our spirited effort to set the records straight and to henceforth protect and safeguard our Union from the unsolicited and needless negative publicity generated by these misguided and obviously manipulated interests, the Committee of Senior Journalists in Delta, embarked on wide consultations with ranking and distinguished professionals of this category and also invoking the faultless and all accommodating Doctrine of Necessity, arrived at the following resolutions, after an extra-ordinary meeting, held at the NUJ Press Centre, DBS Road, Asaba, on Wednesday, March 5, 2014, viz:

1. That, there is only ONE NUJ, Delta State and that contrary to the spurious allegation suggesting that there is an Executive vacuum in the NUJ, Delta State Council, the Comrade Norbert Chiazor led Executive has since set up a credentials committee, headed by a well respected professional and comprising recognized professional members of the NUJ Delta State Council, long before the purported March 2, 2014 terminal date of the Exco

2. That the process of electing a new Executive Council for the NUJ, Delta State Council has already commenced and the Credentials Committee has already issued a credible and well publicized Election Time table and conducted a transparent nomination process from which the list of candidates for the respective positions shortlisted for the elections, has already been forwarded to the national Secretariat of the NUJ, Abuja

3. That we applaud the endorsement of Wednesday March 19, 2014, as the fixed date for the NUJ Delta State elections, by the National Secretariat of the NUJ, after the remaining procedural formalities for the elections have been appraised and express our joy that this pragmatic endorsement by the National Secretariat has finally nullified the arguments of a constitutional breach which certain elements had hinged their warped crusade and zealotry to truncate the continuity and solidification of our dear union by maliciously undermining the electoral process

4. That we recognize and acclaim the credibility and professional capacity of the CREDENTIALS Committee and repose complete trust and confidence in their ability to deliver a credible, free, fair and acceptable elections to the NUJ Delta State Council and in the same vein, urge all true members of the NUJ Delta State Council to turn out enmasse on election day to elect and endorse our next Executive Council and put the enemies of progress to shame once and for all

5. That we challenge anybody to produce constitutional evidence; Chapter, Section, Sub-section or any other evidential instance in the NUJ constitution, where it is stipulated that an Executive Council of the NUJ MUST hand over on the exact date it was sworn-in into office, after its tenure has elapsed

6. That we challenge anybody to produce constitutional evidence; Chapter, Section, Sub-section or any other evidential instance in the constitution, where it is stipulated that a member, group of members of any other body of any nomenclature, has the authority to seal up and barricade the Secretariat of the NUJ and even proceed to forcefully eject staff of the council

7. That we strongly advise all those who are intent on causing trouble with the devilish objective of disrupting the forthcoming NUJ Delta election, that they immediately re-think their malicious agenda as we are ready to explore and apply all necessary and legitimate measures, even in the event of deliberate, perceived or anticipated provocations, to secure, protect and sustain the continuity and consolidation of our union, through the process and instrumentality of the forthcoming NUJ, Delta elections.

8. That, after having weighed the so called allegations leveled against the out-going leadership of NUJ, Delta State Council, alongside its remarkable and outstanding accomplishments both in infrastructural achievement and human/professional capacity development, as well as the sustenance of peace and harmony in the union and indeed the latent and handsome potentials for greater achievements in all the above mentioned sectors in the coming years , we have come to the inevitable conclusion that the only desirable way forward is the continuity and consolidation of these gains and promises and as such, we unanimously endorse the candidature of Comrade Norbert Chiazor, as the carrier of this progressive vision, and lend our support to the groundswell of endorsements from all the other sections of the NUJ, Delta, as the next Chairman for the NUJ, Delta State Council.

9. That while we recognize the right for members to agitate and advocate in the event of perceived allegations (some of them deserving further attention, while some others amounting to nothing more than ridiculous propaganda), we however strongly advise them to seek redress in the event of such disenchantments, through the due process and statutes provided and defined in the applicable instruments and avenues as contained in our constitution, instead fermenting unnecessary trouble and unduly heating up the polity and sending wrong and negative signals and impressions about the membership of the NUJ, Delta State Council, to the global community

10. That pursuant to these resolutions afore listed, we, as recognized and respected senior professionals in the Journalism practice in the state and indeed as bonafide members of the NUJ, Delta State Council, shall not hesitate to invoke the Doctrine of Necessity, as a requisite tool to legitimize our intervention in the event of future situations that threaten to dislocate our union and portend to jeopardize our collective march towards the continued sustenance, consolidation and entrenchment of peace, unity, and the exploration and expansion of the professional frontiers for new achievements and accomplishments both for our members and our union.

WE HAVE SPOKEN.

God Bless the NUJ, Delta State Council
God Bless Delta State
God Bless Nigeria

DAVID DIAI
CONVENER (For and on behalf of the Committee of Senior Journalists in Delta)

Investors in the Nigerian Capital Market are in for good times as the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has commenced the reduction of the cost of its Trade Alert service by about N1.24 billion from March 2014 via the scrapping of the current charge of 0.06% of every trade on the Exchange and an introduction of an enhanced notification system, X-Alert which will be charged at a flat fee of N4 per transaction.

Speaking on the development, Mr Ade Bajomo, Executive Director of Market Operations and Technology at The Exchange noted that the enhanced X-Alert is a service that will allow the investing public know when a transaction has been made on their account.

“Each time investors buy or sell a security, an alert is sent to them via a Text Message to the recipient’s mobile phone or via an e-mail to the recipient’s mailbox. So what that does is to bring real time notification plus transparency to the market at market rates while safeguarding against unauthorised sale or purchase of securities”.

“The big difference for the investing community is that rather than pay 0.12% of every trade roundtrip, investors will now pay a flat fee of N4.00. Based on 2013 figures, the trade alert charges with the old system was some N 1.25billion; with the improved notification system however, the annual cost of the alerts would be some N5.52million based on a N4 flat fee – that is a reduction of N 1.24 billion per annum in the cost incurred by investors transacting in the market”.

Casting more light on the development, the Managing Director of CSCS, Mr. Kyari Bukar who said that the enhanced service is delivered in real time to customers, urged customers to ensure that their brokers are provided with up to date mobile phone numbers and email accounts to enable the notification system work effectively and provide timely update on all account transactions.

There are also the added benefits of effective fraud alert in cases of unauthorized transactions on account, reduction in time spent confirming trades and an enhancement of transparency between the trader and its clients.

Courtesy: African Press Organization

Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan has appointed former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Honourable Justice Idris Lebo Kutigi as the chairman of the National Conference.

Other members of the National Conference team are Professor Bolaji Akinyemi and Dr. (Mrs.) Valerie Azinge, who will serve as Vice Chairman and Secretary respectively.

A statement issued on Monday, March 03, 2014 by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim said, “His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GCFR), president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has approved the appointment of the Leadership of the National Conference as follows:

(i) Honourable Justice Idris Lebo Kutigi – Chairman

(ii) Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi – Vice Chairman

(iii) Dr. (Mrs.) Valerie Azinge – Secretary

“The appointees are to resume at Abuja on Wednesday, 5th March 2014, and would be received on arrival by the secretary to the government of the federation”, the statement concluded.

In another development, President Goodluck Jonathan has on Tuesday, March 04, 2014, approved the wholesale re-organization of the Nigerian Aviation sector.

According to a press statement issued by Sam Nwaboshi, Special Assistant (Media) to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and made available to Blank NEWS Online, it said:

“His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has approved the following re-organization in the Ministry of Aviation:

(i) Engr. Saleh Dumona (Director Projects, FAAN) to replace Mr. George Uriesi as Managing-Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

(ii) Engr. Ibrahim Abdulsalam (General Manager, Procurements, NAMA) to replace Engr. Nnamdi Udoh as Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).

(iii) Capt. Samuel Akinyele Caulcrick (Government Safety Inspector & ICAO Focal Point for Nigeria on line Aircraft Safety Information Systems,OASIS) to replace Capt. (Mrs.) Chinyere Kalu as Rector of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT).

(iv) Capt. Muhktar Usman (Commissioner, Accident Investigation & Prevention Bureau, AIPB) to replace Capt. Fola C. Akinkuotu as Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) subject to confirmation by the Senate. Engr. Benedict Adeyileka is to act as DG, NCAA pending the confirmation by the Senate.

(v) Dr. Engr. Felix A. Abali (Director Licencing, NCAA) to replace Capt. Muhktar Usman as Commissioner, Accident Investigation and Prevention Bureau (AIPB).

(vi) Dr. Tony Anuforo retains his position as Director-General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMMET).

Abia State government says it will investigate the cause of the recent fire incident which engulfed one of the hostels of the Federal Government Girls College, Umuahia with a view to punishing anyone or group found culpable in the act.

Governor Theodore Orji gave the assurance at the school when he visited to see things for himself.

He recalled that this was not the first time a fire incident was happening in the institution in recent times and assured however that it will be the last.
He sympathized with the students who lost their belongings in the inferno and donated the sum of N2 million to the principal of the school to help the affected students replace their destroyed items.

Governor Orji stated that it was his primary responsibility to provide security to the students and thanked God that no life was lost in the incident.
The governor described the institution as a great school which has recorded many achievements in academics and in other areas and stated that he was proud of the institution.

He maintained that he sees the school as his own as far as it remained in Abia.
Earlier, while conducting the governor round the affected hostel, the Ag. Principal of the school, Dr. Earnest Chukwuka explained that the fire started while the students were in the classroom for night prep, pointing out that all the 119 students residing in the hostel lost their personal belongings.

He thanked the governor for sending fire fighting trucks to put off the fire as well as his continued fatherly attention to the school, revealing that the governor always comes to their assistance when they call on him.

In his comment, the Parents Teachers Association chairman, Sir G.O.C. Nnaji stated that one of the problems confronting the school is accommodation, explaining that the insecurity situation in the North had forced many parents to relocate their children back home and appealed to the governor to come to their aid.

An Opel saloon car was stolen at St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church, Sapele Road, Benin City on Sunday morning, February 23, 2014.

The owner of the car, Wilfred Igunbor, a veteran journalist and worked with Daily Times is a parishioner of the church.

Igunbor who has already incident the matter with the police, said he got to the church at about 6.30 am on that day to for the 7.00 am mass.

“I went to park my car with registration number BEN 61 CU dark grey in colour only to discover that my car was nowhere to be found”.

The vehicle particulars are as follows: Registration Number: BEN 61 CU; Chasis Number: VOL00001711233074; Engine Number: 185V25035043.

Members of the public are please advised to contact Mr. Igunbor with this address, 39, Mabel Erewa Avenue, Off Etete Road, GRA, Benin City, or through the following mobile numbers: 08037136290, 08075719002 or the nearest police station.

The governorship ambition of the immediate past Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, may have hit the rocks as the South South Youth Political Forum (SSYPF) vows to stop him over his failure to attract meaningful dividends of democracy to the people during his tenure as minister.

National Chairman of SSYPF, Alaowei Promise Lawuru, in a statement made available to Blank NEWS Online, shortly after a meeting with delegates from Burutu, Delta State, said: “We the youths in South-South are not pleased with Orubebe’s performance because he failed to touch the lives of our people during his tenure.

“We will, therefore, not support such a man who didn’t have the pains of Deltans and the Niger Delta people at heart. At our meeting on whether to work for Orubebe or not, we gave reasons, why Orubebe cannot become Uduaghan’s successor and at the right time before the primaries, they shall be published.”

Meanwhile, Orubebe who recently declared his governorship ambition in Asaba, has yet to grapple with credibility and performance troubles haunting him from various groups in the Niger Delta region, especially over the non completion of the East-West road, a project which he vowed to complete when he was appointed Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan on Tuesday took his campaign of a clean Delta to schools with a charge on teachers, pupils and stakeholders of schools across the state to imbibe the clean culture.

Governor Uduaghan gave the charge while inaugurating 64 ultra modern classrooms at Olodi Primary School and Cavegina Primary School both in Warri, renovated and rehabilitated by his administration.

Dr. Uduaghan who also charged various school heads in the state to provide green environment in their respective schools, placed a ban on the use of public schools for social engagements at weekends.

The Governor who took turn to address the pupils, teachers and stakeholders of the schools separately, pleaded with them to reciprocate the government’s gesture by ensuring that the buildings, including the classrooms, fittings and the environment was maintained and always kept clean.

He cautioned the pupils against such bad habits as writing, placing hands on the walls and littering the premises with empty cans and waste.

Uduaghan also charged the teachers, “Please the culture of a clean environment has to start from the school environment. It should actually start from the home. Let us take the issue of environmental sanitation very seriously.”

Commending leaders of the host communities for providing a peaceful environment during the duration of the work, Dr. Uduaghan pleaded with them to keep eyes on the schools and protect them against vandalism and filth.

Governor Uduaghan also tasked the school heads and teachers to use the pupils to provide and keep green environment in their respective schools, stating that the government was not going to do that for them.

As part of measures to maintain green environment in schools, Dr. Uduaghan directed the State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education to outlaw the use of public schools for social engagements during weekends.

Mrs. Orezi Esievo, the Commission for Special Infrastructure, in her address, explained that the schools which were in deplorable conditions, were renovated and rehabilitated as part of the governor’s human capital development agenda to provide conducive learning environment.

In their remarks, the host communities commended Governor Uduaghan for the transformation as well as for bringing the schools up to date with modern standards.