Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of oil and gas rich Delta State, has urged the International community aid Nigeria to grow its economy in the on-going campaign against crude oil theft.

Uduaghan, who is also chairman of the National Economic Council on Crude Oil Theft, said foreign support is needed in the areas of sophisticated surveillance equipment, tagging, identifying final destination of the stolen crude and proceeds.

The governor, while speaking shortly after his address at the Nigeria’s Honorary International Investor’s Council meeting in London, weekend, urged the international community to intensify efforts in the blockade of inflow of small arms into the country.

Uduaghan revealed that the committee approved by President Goodluck Jonathan which comprises of six state governors, members of the state security agencies, the Petroleum Minister, National Planning, Justice, NNPC officials NIMASA and all the IOC’s have been working tirelessly to reduce the crude theft which stands at about 40, 000 barrels per day.

He said the Committee is laying a lot of emphasis on prosecution, assuring that all cases are being streamlined by the legal task force headed by the Minister for Justice and that some cases will be starting soon.

He also appealed to the IOCs to be alive to their social responsibilities and commended Chevron for the initiative of regional development councils which is giving its host communities a sense of ownership

He further enjoined the oil exploration companies to assist in curbing the excessive stealing of crude oil in the Niger-Delta region of Nigeria, since the technology involved in the thievery is very sophisticated and requires the knowledge of those in the industry to succeed.

Uduaghan assured Nigerians and the international community that the Jonathan’s administration has the political will to stop the crime as it is causing a huge loss of revenue and causing serious environmental damage.

Recall that the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) recently expressed concern about crude oil thieves and illegal refineries operators in the Niger-Delta region which loss to the country accounts $1.6billion annually.

The company which cites its forced shut down of the Nembe Creek trunk lines in Bayelsa state, a facility which produces about 150,000 barrels of crude oil per day and its declaration of force majeure on Bonny light export said the closures were to enable Shell remove crude oil theft connections, investigate suspected oil theft leaks and carry out repairs.

While claiming that over 90 per cent of its pipelines in the Niger Delta region have been ruptured by suspected oil thieves, Shell noted that such shutdown of production could also impact negatively on the affected states’ share of oil derivatives from the federation account.

President Goodluck Jonathan will return to Nigeria today, Sunday, November 24, 2013, after attending the International Investors Council Meeting at the Hilton Park Lane in London, a Presidency source has revealed.

Although he missed the opening session of the meeting due to ill-health, President Jonathan, after being certified fit by medical doctors, addressed the meeting of Nigeria’s Honorary International Investors’ Council in London having recovered from the indisposition he experienced Thursday.

Jonathan had said his administration has attained significant momentum on the drive to attract new investors into Nigeria and would continue to encourage existing investors within the country to expand.

A statement made available to Blank NEWS Online by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, disclosed that the president will return on the advice of his doctors.

“Doctors who examined and treated President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for the sudden onset of severe abdominal pains in London have certified him fully fit to return home and continue his official duties.

“After a thorough evaluation of the president’s symptoms, medically referred to as acute abdomen, the doctors concluded that no surgical intervention was required. President Jonathan will therefore return to Abuja tomorrow evening and will be at work in the Presidential Villa as usual on Monday.

“The president is scheduled to depart from London at about 1400 hours GMT and arrive at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at about 2000 hours.

“He seizes this opportunity to thank all Nigerians once again for their sympathy, support and prayers for his quick recovery following the announcement of his indisposition”.

“The Presidency also commends the generality of the mainstream media whose coverage of the President’s slight health challenge in London was mostly factual, objective, fair-minded and supportive”, the statement said.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been cautioned “to tread slowly in order not to render superior courts of records toothless’’ in its current attempts to enforce disciplinary actions against the National Secretary of the Party, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, Dr. Sam Sam Jaja and Ambassador Ibrahim Kazaure, who have all been accused of violating some provisions of the PDP constitution.

The four officials of the party have been arraigned before the Umaru Dikko led disciplinary committee of the Party.

In a correspondence dated November 21, 2013, addressed and forwarded to the National Chairman of the PDP and signed by Mr. Awa Kalu, SAN, representing Oyinlola and others; the counsel informed the National Chairman and the PDP that he had instructions of the four officials invited to appear before the disciplinary panel next Wednesday to act on their behalf in the matter under reference.

“Our instruction is that notwithstanding pending litigations, the distinguished party of which you are the national chairman, intends to put machinery in motion aimed at making mockery of the Judicial process and thus the Rule of Law’’. May we respectfully inform you that Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/774/13, (Prince Oyinlola and 3 Others vs PDP and Another) is presently pending in Court No 6 of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division’’. In addition, there is a pending appeal at the Supreme Court arising from the Court of Appeal Suit No CA/A/84/2013 (Chief Adebayo Dayo & Another vs Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola & 2 Others) in which the Court of Appeal in which the Court of Appeal dealt with the subject matter of your intended disciplinary proceedings’’.

“It is on the basis of the above that we urge you to tread slowly in order not to render superior courts toothless.’’

Recall that nPDP has also berated the alleged summoning of the PDP National Secretary, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, New PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, National Deputy Chairman, Dr. Sam Sam Jaja, and the National Vice-Chairman, North West, Ambassador Ibrahim Kazaure to the PDP Disciplinary Committee headed by Second Republic Minister, Alhaji Umaru Dikko.

A statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of nPDP, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze and made available to Blank NEWS Online on Thursday, November 21, 2013 and reads:

“Our initial reaction was to ignore these reports since the PDP Constitution does not recognize the existence of the so-called Dikko Committee as due process was not followed in its establishment. Besides, the fact that the committee – if at all it exists – did not have the courtesy to directly invite the accused to appear before it strips it of any atom of seriousness.

“Even so, we have decided to react to the reports dust to enquiries by the media. For the avoidance of doubt, the New PDP wishes to state unequivocally that neither the aforesaid leaders nor any other nPDP member for that matter will appear before the Dikko Committee either next week Wednesday, November 27, or at any other date for that matter. The committee is an illegality and alien to PDP and its members. It is not our intention to confer legitimacy on such an illegal contraption by self-serving politicians intent on destroying a house the building of which they were not a part.

“As clearly spelt out in the PDP Constitution, the Disciplinary Committee can only be operational when the National Executive Committee (NEC) of PDP sits and approves it. In the absence of any such approval by the PDP NEC, whatever function the committee is deemed to be performing is null and void. In other words, asking great personalities such as Alhaji Baraje, Prince Oyinlola, Dr. Jaja and Ambassador Kazaure to appear before the Dikko Committee is an insult and an attempt to past through the back door to confer undeserved creditability on this illegal contraption.

“It is unfortunate that factional PDP Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, has succeeded in reducing the party to such a lowly level where due process is now alien to the party’s operations. Otherwise, how could these great men whose contributions towards the growth of PDP cannot be questioned be invited through the pages of the newspapers?

“We have a lot of respect for Alhaji Umaru Dikko as a person. That notwithstanding, we must observe that it is sad that Dikko should accept such an unholy task just because Alhaji Bamanga Tukur feels like using the appointment to thank him for helping him secure the gubernatorial ticket of the defunct Gongola State during their days in the defunct NPN. As the National Chairman of United Democratic Party UDP, Dikko should have known that he cannot jump ship to chair an illegal body in PDP as if we lack credible people that can perform this task without creating problems for the party.

“We challenge the Dikko Committee to prove its seriousness by starting with the trial on Tukur and his cohorts for anti-party activities, specifically as displayed during last weekend’s gubernatorial election in Anambara State, instead of supporting the PDP, they aligned with the APGA candidate, Chief Willie Obiano, thereby making mockery of the efforts of Comrade Tony Nwoye.

“To achieve its objective of ensuring that the APGA candidate wins the election, Tukur and his strategists employed divisive politics to ensure that PDP did not have a candidate until a few days to the election and went into the crucial poll heavily factionalised. To further strengthen the unholy plot, Tukur imposed Comrade Tony Nwoye as the party’s candidate over and above better qualified candidates and in defiance of the Independent National Electoral Commission, which did not recognize Nwoye until the Supreme Court forced the Commission to put his name on the ballot.

“Tukur and his promoters of the Anambra election have demonstrated enough disdain and hatred for the progress of PDP as a party and this is very unfortunate and sad. According to facts, this was done in order for APGA to adopt President Jonathan as its presidential standard-bearer come 2015. The committee should investigate this show of shame and discipline Tukur and all those involved in this wicked act against a party which they are in a hurry to destroy even when they cannot tell the story of how it was formed.

“Sadly, the loss of Anambra adds to the woes of the PDP under Tukur’s watch. Before now, the party had also lost Edo and five out of the six South-West states as well as some states in the North.

“It does not require a soothsayer to see that PDP, which is bleeding to death under Tukur’s unpopular leadership, is doomed if it continues to antagonise the G7 Governors and their followers in the nPDP. This will inevitably climax with the loss of the 2015 presidential election, by which time it would be too late to remedy the damage which Tukur has already done to a party which before his imposition used to be the pride of African politics.

“We once more wish to appeal to the PDP National Leader, President Goodluck Jonathan, the Party Elders and other Leaders of the party to rise to the occasion and ease out Tukur and his National Working Committee so as to pave the way for the enthronement of a competent and focused leadership. This is the only way to rescue the PDP from imminent death. As the adage rightly says: A stitch in time saves nine!”

After commencing commercial flight operations on July 13, 2011, Asaba Airport has handled 6,331 flights and 192,651 passengers at the end of October 2013.

A statement issued by Mr. Pius Mordi, Special Assistant to the Delta state Commissioner for Information, Chike Ogeah Esq., and made available to Blank NEWS Online on November 17, 2013 revealed that the flight statistics is aside from the 18 flights and 63 passengers handled before commercial flights began, bringing total operational results to 6,349 flights and 192,714 passengers.

With an average of 260 flights and 6,880 passengers recorded monthly, Asaba Airport has become one of the busiest and viable airports in the country. The month of April 2011 when the Delta State capital hosted the Second South South Economic Summit recorded the highest flight of 401 while its 9,588 passengers was second to the 9,778 recorded in August 2013.

Unveiling the airport’s performance data in Asaba, Barr. Ogeah, Delta State Commissioner for Information, said the return is unprecedented for a new airport and is only the beginning of the stunning growth of the airport.

“Many people who did not see the vision of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan when he initiated the project in 2008 derided it as a ruse. Today, the status of the airport as ultra-modern with full navigational aids has been confirmed by the landing on Wednesday November 13 of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan’s presidential jet at 11.30am on his way to Anambra State”, Ogeah stated.

He said Asaba Airport was conceived as a strategic economic platform to open up not just Delta State but the neighbouring states in the south east to the global business community, noting that with its designation as a cargo airport, it will become a hub for the export of agricultural and manufactured goods in the near future.

“In deciding to build the airport in Asaba, Governor Uduaghan envisioned it as part of a concerted plan that involved the dualisation of the Ughelli-Asaba Road to link the seaports in Warri and Koko to the major commercial outposts in Onitsha and other towns in Anambra State,” Ogeah said, adding that “today Asaba Airport has become the preferred destination for air travelers in Anambra and Imo states”.

Asaba Airport is currently serviced by Arik Air which operates Boeing 737 planes and Overland Airways who pioneered scheduled commercial flights from the airport where daily flights linking Lagos and Abuja are operated by the two airlines.

Dependable sources have informed Blank NEWS Online that other airlines are gearing up to open more routes from the airport which runway length is 3.4 kilometres and can accommodate the Boeing 747 plane and other long range aircraft.

The National Chairman of the New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP), Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, has on Wednesday, November 13, 2013, resigned his position as Chairman, Nigeria Railway Corporation Governing Board to give him room and time to manage the nPDP adequately and avoid any insinuation or plot to use the appointment of his NRC Chairmanship to blackmail or embarrass him in future.

According to him the struggle to emancipate and enthrone proper democracy in our polity is a task that must be won.

The decision was conveyed through a “Letter Of Gratitude And Resignation Of Appointment As Chairman, Nigeria Railway Corporation Governing Board” addressed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim.

The letter personally signed by Alhaji Baraje said: “I hasten to express my sincere gratitude to His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, through your good office for the confidence he placed in my ability to have appointed me to such an exalted position as Chairman, Nigeria Railway Corporation.

“His Excellency, Mr. President, will recall that this appointment came from his discretion in allotting some positions to our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). However, it is no longer news that there is an ongoing disagreement in principle between some top stakeholders of our party of which I am among on the one hand and the current leadership of the party on the other. This quagmire has upturned my belief in the present leadership of our great party and has consequently made my continued stay as the Chairman, Nigeria Railway Corporation Governing Board uncomfortable.

“Realizing that the position of the Nigeria Railway Corporation Chairmanship was allocated to the party and of which I am supposed to symbolize, I would appreciate if your good office could please convey to His Excellency, Mr. President, of my intention to relinquish this position with immediate effect because I can no longer represent the interest of the party whose leadership I no longer believe in”.

The New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) says it received with joy the news of the Supreme Court’s dismissal of the suit instituted by Sir Celestine Omehia, seeking the ouster of Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.

According to the faction, “Omehia has been in court since the Supreme Court removed him shortly after he erroneously assumed office as Rivers State governor in 2007, declaring Amaechi to be the rightful occupant of the Brick House Government House. Strangely, Omehia has refused to end the litigation process despite Amaechi having finished that tenure and winning a re-election thereafter”.

Continuing, the splinter PDP in a release by its National Spokesperson Eze Chukwuemeka Eze said, “We are, however, not surprised by his attitude, for apart from being desperate for power, Omehia has allowed himself to become a tool in the hands of the acting Minister of Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, who has devoted enormous resources towards the destabilization of the Amaechi administration just to please his paymasters in Abuja”.

While congratulating Gov. Amaechi on his latest victory, the group appealed to Omehia, Wike and others to allow peace reign.

“While we congratulate Governor Amaechi on this latest victory, we at the same time wish to appeal to Omehia, Wike and their co-travelers in this futile and macabre dance to correctly read the handwriting on the wall and give peace a chance as there is a limit to every plot. If they truly love Rivers State as they claim, they should call the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI), which they have been using to cause confusion in Rivers State, to order and allow peace to reign once again in the state to enable Governor Amaechi work with less distractions and concentrate on delivery the democracy dividends for which his administration is well known”.

“Since the resolve of Chief Wike to fight the structure he assisted to build and instead gave birth to GDI which has done him and those he assume to be fronting for much harm than good and has put Rivers State under tension since then, appeal to allow calm to once again prevail in Rivers State becomes imperative at this juncture.

“That Gov Amaechi has done more than any other Governor that have governed Rivers State in terms of providing quality education, quality health services, road and Institutional infrastructure etc is not in doubt and distracting him the way Wike and his people are doing when he is eager to provide more dividends of democracy is not the best way to assist in the growth and development of Rivers State. His tenure ends by 2015 and God has in several ways points to us that this man is His and no amount of blackmail and evil machinations against him will prevail so let him be for once for the peace and growth of our State.

“We salute Gov Amaechi not minding all these distractions. He has continued to prove his mettle as a good leader of our people, and has attracted all manner of awards and recognition to him and Rivers State as a whole in the face of unwarranted persecution and political victimization” Eze enthused.

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) at its monthly meeting on November 09, 2013 in Abuja, has in a bid to review developments and chart the way forward for the party, constituted a six-man committee to receive five new governors into their fold.

In an eight-point statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze and made available to Blank NEWS Online, the factional party lauded recent moves to broker peace between it’s members and President Goodluck Jonathan.

The break-away party also congratulated Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets for the victory at the recent FIFA U-17 World Cup Championship.

The statement reads:

1. The meeting presided over by our National Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, set up a six-man Reception Organising Committee to set in motion the reception in honour of the five new Governors of the PDP who have decided to join our faction of the party. The Committee is headed by Hon. Dr. Sam Jaja, the National Vice Chairman of nPDP, with Hon. Nasir Isa Abubakar, the National Organising Secretary, as the Secretary of the Committee. Other members of the Committee include Engr. Abubakar G. Umar, the National Treasurer; Hon. Binta Masi Garba, the Women Leader; Mr. Timi Frank, the Youth Leader; and Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, the National Public Secretary. The Committee was directed to submit for immediate consideration by the G7 Governors, the venue, logistics and modalities for receiving the five Governors, ex-Governors, Nationalists and key members of the National Assembly who have indicated interest to join us.

2. The NWC received with utmost happiness the ruling of the Appeal Court returning His Excellency, Prince (Barr) Olagunsoye Oyinlola back to his seat as the National Secretary of PDP. It pleaded with him to ensure that the impunity in PDP becomes something of the past as we await other court rulings that will restore the Baraje-led NWC as the authentic NWC of the party to enable us join him in rebuilding the party. The party after considering the expert opinion of the Legal Adviser, Barr. Eric Opia, decided that Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola does not need any other oath of office to return to work as PDP National Secretary as he subscribed to PDP’s oath of office alongside other members of the NWC that were sworn-in at the Eagle Square on March 24, 2012. According to the legal expert, the import of the verdict by the appellate court, which did not attach any condition to its ruling, is that Oyinlola is the validly elected PDP National Secretary. That has also been the position of INEC which monitored the National Convention of PDP held on March 24, 2012. As things stand, Oyinlola remains the National Secretary of PDP and only the Supreme Court can reverse that decision. The nPDP NWC is therefore of the view that Prince Oyinlola should resume office immediately without waiting for any directive from any quarters. Any other person who parades himself as the National Secretary of PDP should be committed to prison for contempt of court.

3. The nPDP National Organising Secretary, Hon. Nasir Isa Abubakar, was appointed to replace Oyinlola in acting capacity pending further directives from the G7 Governors and the nPDP Caucus.

4. the NWC commended and congratulated President Goodluck Jonathan by once again improving on his democratic credentials by directing for the immediate reinstatement of Prince Oyinlola as the duly elected National Secretary of PDP not minding the plots by some undemocratic within the system who want to portray our party in bad light by embarking upon on an exercise in futility by trying to lure the South-West PDP to write a petition against Prince Oyinlola and use it to invite him to the Alh Dikko’s Disciplinary Committee and after suspends him. To us this plot apart from being childish exposes Tukur and his cohorts as true enemies of PDP and the force behind the continuous crisis in the party which they don’t want its end because of their myopic and selfish goals but thank God for the intervention of President Jonathan to end this undesirable macabre dance.

5. NWC congratulated the G7 Governors comprising Governors Babangida Aliyu of Niger, Sule Lamido of Jigawa, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of Kano, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers, Murtala Nyako of Adamawa, Aliyu Wammako of Sokoto and Abdulfatai Ahmed of Kwara State, for their wise decision to embark on a nationwide tour to brief Elders and former Heads of State of our nation on the state of our party and the efforts by some people to ensure that peace continues to elude PDP. This action by the G7 Governors should proof to the entire world our unflinching desire to restore peace to the party. NWC decided to wait for the briefing and recommendation of the G7 Governors before deciding our next move, even as we continue to wait for the invitation of President Goodluck Jonathan to conclude our meeting on the fate of PDP.

6. The NWC welcomed the initiative of the National Security Adviser to President Jonathan, Col. Sambo Dasuki, to further broker peace amongst the G7 Governors, PDP and the Presidency knowing the implication of the continued crisis on governance and the security of the nation. The NSA has once again by this act demonstrated that he is a statesman unlike some of the hawks in the Presidency who prefer that the crisis in the party continues. These hawks are deceiving Mr. President into thinking that they love him more than those in the nPDP while they are actually engineering his political misfortune.

7. NWC commended the nPDP leadership, including both the Caucus and NWC members, for turning the party into the beautiful bride of Nigerian politics in view of the fact that we hold the key to decide the next President of Nigeria come 2015. The NWC considered other options in case our talks with President Jonathan fail to produce the desired result and concluded that our door should be opened to the APC option, while not ruling out other options that would give us the leverage in reshaping the polity come 2015.

8. NWC congratulated the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria for doing the country proud last Friday by winning the FIFA Under-17 World Cup for the fourth time in grand style, stating that the boys have demonstrated our common resolve and belief that Nigeria is a great country and can achieve the seemingly impossible if only our leaders can put their acts together. The NWC advised the Super Eagles to sustain this victory by walloping the Ethiopian team by next Saturday in their World Cup qualifier, even as the NWC prepares to storm Calabar to cheer them to victory.

Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has advised newly married couples to consecrate their marriage in God so as to lay a solid foundation for their union.

The Governor who spoke in Lagos at the weekend after attending the solemnization of holy matrimony between Mr. Eyituoyo Amuka-Pemu, son of Mr. Sam. Amuka-Pemu, Publisher of the Vanguard newspaper and Miss. Oladepe Funmi Adeshina at Yaba Baptist Church said “any marriage built on the love of God will bring manifold blessing to the couples including children who will grow up to become responsible citizens”.

While congratulating the couple, Governor Uduaghan charged them to put God first in every thing they do so as to have a lasting union.

On her part, the wife of the Governor, Deaconess Nere Roli Uduaghan advised the couple, Mr. And Mrs. Eyituoyo Amuka-Pemu to listen to each other and pray together to attract God’s blessings.`

Associates of the groom’s father including the Delta State Information Commisioner, Barr. Chike Ogeah and Chief Ominimini Obiuwevwi charged the couple to seek advice from each othert and aviod taking their complaints to a third party.

Mr. Eyituoyo Pemu and his wife Oladepe were joined as husband and wife bhy Rev. Gabriel Adebayo after they had exchanged marital vows.

The ceremony was also attended by the Governors of Edo, Rivers, and Ogun States. Adam Oshiomole; Rotimi Amaechi and Ibikunle Amosun respectively as well as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim and elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark.

Thursday November 14, 2013 has been set aside for the Unveiling/Formal Presentation Of The Drama Books “King Ozomo’s Quest” and “Sacrifice To The Dumb God”.

The books, a must read, which has gained prominence in the literary industry, according literary critics, writers and playwrights, is an uncommon work of a brilliant playwright that would attain global readership and acceptance.

The playwright, Joseph Nwamana disclosed to Blank POETRY that the ooks would be formally presented to the yearning reading public on Thursday, November 14, 2013 at Nelrose Hotel, Asaba, adding that the launching which will commence at 10:00 am is under the distinguished chairmanship of Prof. B. I. C. Ijomah (Aidigba of Aboh).

The Special Guest of Honour is Prof. Hope Eghagha (Delta State Commissioner for Higher Education); the Chief Launcher is Hon. Daniel Mayuku (Chairman of the Delta state House of Assembly Committee on Budget and Appropriation/ Captain, Ibori Golf Course and Country Club) while the Co-Launcher is Hon. Charles Emetulu (Delta state Commissioner for Energy).

The Guests of Honour include Omordi George Ugbomah (Delta North Political Adviser to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan); Mr. Paul Odili (Manager Communications, Government House, Asaba); Rev. Collins Eke (DESOPADEC Commissioner representing Ndokwa Nation); Hon. Alex Aniche (Chairman, Transition Committee, Ndokwa East LGA) and Prince Mike Oputa (Commissioner, Delta state House of Assembly Service Commission).

The Playwright, Joseph Nwamana hails from Aboh, Ndokwa East local government area in Delta state, Nigeria where he had his early education before proceeding to the Federal School of Arts and Sciences, Lagos.
It was there his creative works, woven from historical recreation, began to manifest.

He later studied English and Literature at the University of Benin, essentially buoyed by his quest for the acquisition of requisite skills in his foreseeable art in creativity.

Nwamana’s talent is also evident in poetry, films and drama. He is also a member of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) and married with children.

The factional PDP led by Alhaji Kawu Baraje has hailed the Court of Appeal’s reversion of what it described as “unjust sacking” of Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola as the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying that the judgement is a proof that the Bamanga Tukur led National Working Committee (NWC) is operating in illegality. In a statement made available to Blank NEWS Online by the faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Eze Chukwuemeka Eze said they received the judgment rendered by the Appeal Court, Abuja, with great joy and gratitude. “This judgment has once again reinforced our belief in the judiciary as the bastion of our democracy and the last hope of the common man. We once again commend and congratulate the judiciary for taking a firm stand for the truth in the face of the plot by some unpatriotic elements to cause confusion in the PDP with a view to destroying this great institution which some of us have laboured for many years to build”. Parts of the release read: “This is just one of the anomalies we have been complaining of that came about due to lack of internal democracy in our party occasioned by the undemocratic elements that hijacked the structure of our party and we are relying so much on the Judiciary to help us in addressing other anomalies that gave rise to our present struggle and restore hope back to our party. “With this judgment, we hope that very soon our other court cases asking for the dissolution of the Tukur-led NWC would be given the same serious attention to enable us formally take over the reins of our party and restore it to the path of honour, justice and democratic norms which Tukur and his cohorts have bastardised. “We wish to assure PDP faithful and all lovers of democracy that the cat with nine lives, Prince (Barr.) Olagunsoye Oyinlola is ready and determined to do the great work of rebuilding our great party. The sacking of the entire illegal NWC is, however, necessary so as to create room for the replacement of the current membership with patriotic party leaders who would join Prince Oyinlola in rebuilding the party, which has suffered so much in the hands of Tukur and his co-travellers. “We sincerely sympathise with the erstwhile National Secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo, who has achieved an unenviable record as the shortest reigning PDP National Secretary since the formation of the party. He should find something better to do and leave politics to politicians and return to the academic world to do what he knows best. “The PDP National Legal Adviser Mr. Victor Kwom should stop further study of a judgement which was very clear even to a layman and set in motion the machinery for the immediate swearing in of Prince Oyinlola by next week Monday, 11th November, 2013, as he is in a hurry to start the rebuilding of the party. The National Legal Adviser who saw to Prof Wale Oladipo swearing in within 24 hours after his own court victory should apply the same treatment to the authentic National Secretary of PDP and stop portraying our party as a lawless party by attempting to delay his swearing in ceremony in obedience to a court ruling aimed at repositioning our party. “We thank some of Tukur’s NWC members and most of the staff of PDP in the Wadata Plaza who have called to congratulate Prince Oyinlola and want him to be sworn-in today. However, as we have already told them privately, that would not be possible as Prince Oyinlola is presently not in Abuja. Monday, 11th November, 2013 is okay as the swearing-in date and we are preparing to storm the PDP National Secretariat to claim what rightfully belongs to us. “As we commend and congratulate Prince Oyinlola for this feat, we urge him not to be corrupted by the undemocratic toxic that may have been dropped in his office by Prof. Oladipo as many Nigerians look up to him to not only to restore hope to the PDP, but to also use his magic wand to unify the party. We are happy of sending him back to the Wadata Plaza in advance as our present day John the Baptist to prepare and to announce to the world of our arrival as the authentic NWC of our great party within the next few weeks”.

Chief Nkem Okwuofu, a staunch Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader in Aniocha North local government area of Delta state, has strongly condemned attempts to link her to the recent alleged assassination plot on the Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Victor Onyekachi Ochei, during a consultation meeting with party faithful in Obomkpa town, on Friday Nov 1, 2013, insisting that “He (Ochei) remains my son yesterday, today and forever”.

Chief Okwuofu, who made this declaration, while addressing newsmen at the Nigeria Union of Journalists Secretariat in Asaba on Wednesday November 6, 2013, said that it had become imperative for her to clear the air on the matter, especially against the backdrop of her recent interrogation by the Delta State Police Command in connection with the incident and the widespread speculations that she may have been fingered in the plot to assassinate the Speaker.

Okwuofu, who is also the Chairman of the Delta State Local Government Service Commission, also dismissed allegations that she was not in good terms with Speaker Ochei, adding that she had no reason to disagree with the Speaker because “He is my son”.

“The Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Victor Onyekachi Ochei is my political son and I have supported him since he ventured into politics. I have no reason to harm him. Onicha-Olona where he is from is next door to Obomkpa and he is always at home when he is in Obomkpa so why should I want to harm him?” She asked.

She equally exonerated the ‘good and peace loving people of Obomkpa’ from the alleged assassination plot and called on the police to carry out a thorough investigation and ensure that they unravel the facts surrounding the incident.

The political chieftain said that although she had disagreements with Hon. Ochei over certain political decisions in the past in Aniocha North, she had since confronted Ochei personally and eventually accepted the reasons given by him for the decisions.

A political source told Blank NEWS Online that the Ochei had infringed on Okwuofu’s political leadership in Obomkpa Ward 3, where she was the erstwhile political leader before Rt. Hon Ochei allegedly dissolved her executive council without informing her, but rather than quarrelling about the undermining of her authority in her own domain, she had instead sought clarification on the matter from Ochei himself and had subsequently accepted the reasons given by Ochei for the decision.

She disclosed that Speaker Ochei had not informed her of the November 1 meeting which had been scheduled in Obomkpa and when her people had consulted her on what line of action to take, she had advised them to boycott the meeting.

“I told them that on that day, they should go to their farms and markets or stay at home if they had nowhere else to go. They should not attend the event. Even I did not attend the event so I wonder how I could be associated with what happened on that day. I even called Speaker Ochei and told him not to proceed with the event”.

Responding to the allegations that the main suspect arrested by the police in connection with the incident was her relative, Chief Okwuofu confirmed that she met the suspect whom she referred to simply as ‘Oyibo’ for the first time over ten years ago when was the Delta state Commissioner for Culture and tourism and he had been introduced to her as a kinsman who needed employment.

She had then employed him, but had subsequently discovered that he was a miscreant and never-do-well who was giving her and her Ministry a bad name, so she had promptly dismissed him after a while and that was the last she had seen or heard from him, adding that she did not know what became of him afterwards and had never intervened on anybody’s behalf who was involved in any case of kidnapping.

Chief Okwuofu also dismissed the notion that what had exploded during the Obomkpa meeting was a bomb, saying that it has now been proven beyond doubt that the explosion was caused by a traditional cannon.

“Events have already overtaken the question whether what exploded in Obomkpa was a bomb or cannon and even news and other reports have confirmed that the explosion was caused by traditional cannon. It is a well known tradition amongst our people to fire the traditional cannon as a mark of respect whenever a big ceremony or a big personality visits a community. The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei is a big personality so it is only customary that the cannon should be fired to honnour him and recognize his presence. It is sad that the cannon had accidentally exploded and caused causalities.”

Okwuofu equally debunked allegations that the re-awarding of a major road contract in Obomkpa was at the reason for her present frosty relationship with Speaker Ochei noted that she had been instrumental in putting the construction of the road into the budget, but the delay in the completion of the road for over a very long time now, especially the Obomkpa stretch, has caused her great personal and political embarrassment and led to accusations that she had misappropriated and diverted the funds meant for the job to her own personal use.

“I was instrumental in putting that road in the budget and it will be the crowning glory of my political career to see the road completed when I am still alive. That road is the major reason why I am in politics and why I am a political leader of my people. I have been insulted and embarrassed by my own people who feel that I have collected and eaten the money meant for the road. Even when my car is stuck in the mud on that road, people will boo me and refuse to come and help me because they think I have collected and eaten the money and am the one responsible for why the road is yet to be completed. So tell me why I should not be happy if the contract has now been re-awarded and the road is completed as soon as possible?

“I have not allowed the Commissioner for Works, Solomon Funkekeme to rest with telephone calls day and night on the matter of that road, to the extent that anytime I call him now he will immediately tell me that he knows it is because of the road even before I say anything. So why should I quarrel with anyone because the road was re-awarded and will now be completed? That road is my legacy project and I will do everything to make sure it is completed now that I am still in politically active”.

While dismissing claims that she is supporting a particular Anioma candidate, a Senator, for the 2015 governorship election in Delta State, Chief Nkem Okwuofu was quick to point that it was still premature for to declare her support for anybody at this time and those accusing her of supporting any particular individual were only being mischievous.

“There are so far about nine (9) aspirants from Delta North, who are said to be nursing the intention to contest the 2015 governorship and all of them from across the whole of Anioma are my sons. Ochei is also my son just like all the other aspirants mentioned. I have nurtured all of them politically, even those from outside Delta North and it is not for nothing that I am called MOG (Mother of governors).

“So it is too early to start saying that I am supporting this person or that person. And by the way, have you seen me campaigning for any aspirant, whether in the newspapers or television? It is too early to start supporting any aspirant for 2015 now”.

Okwuofu was interrogated on Wednesday, September 06, 2013 by the police over the recent cannon blast which allegedly targeted the Speaker Ochei.

The Delta State Police Command through its spokesperson, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Lucky Uyabeme confirmed the development.

Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has charged politicians in Delta State to guard against heating up the polity by their actions and utterances.

Speaking against the backdrop of last Friday’s explosion at Obomkpa in Aniocha South local government area of the State with the attendant allegations and counter-allegations, the Governor stressed the need for everyone to remain calm.

Fielding questions from journalists, Monday evening, shortly after visiting the victim of the explosion, Perpetual Damasus, who is receiving treatment at the Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara, the Governor urged politicians and Deltans in general not to speculate on the incident as the police was still investigating it.

“I want to urge politicians and all Deltans to be calm and patient with the police presently investigating the matter to come up with their findings. We should also conduct ourselves in a manner that will not heat up the polity especially now that political activities are on the increase,” he stated.

Dr. Uduaghan assured residents in the State of safety of lives and property re-iterating that the State Government was on top of the security situation.

The Governor, who took time to study the x-ray and scan results of the victim, urged her to be hopeful as the Teaching Hospital has the facilities and personnel to address her challenges.

The Orthopedic surgeon of the hospital, Prof. Godwin Iweagbu, said the left ankle of the lady was damaged by the explosive but assured that the threat of amputation had greatly reduced.

The victim, Perpetual Damasus, narrated how an explosive from the back of the canopy where she was sitting, hit her in the leg disrupting the arrival of the speaker of Delta State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei to Obomkpa community for an event.

She disclosed that she has been given wonderful attention since she was relocated to Oghara from the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba.

The newly appointed Managing Director of Warri Wolves, Davidson Owumi has indicated his intention to meet with all stakeholders in Warri to discuss the way forward for the Club.

According to the Media Officer of the Club, Etu Moses, the former Chairman of the Nigerian Professional League in a bid to get more information will on a day yet to be fixed next week meet with all stakeholders comprising Ex- Footballers living in Warri.

Those to attend the summit where he is expected to seek their view on the Club which played in the final of the FA Cup and finished 6th on the table of Glo Premier League include the Delta Chapter of the Coaches Association.

Also to attend is the referees Association and Sports Writers who are based in the State in what is going to be his first official duty since he was appointed.

‘“Our Managing Director will hold a serious meeting with all stakeholders next week and the day will be made known before the weekend. The aim of the summit is to find out one or two things which will guide him as he embarks on a mission to take the Club to the next level. As I am talking to you, invitation letters have been sent to the Coaches Association, the Press, the Referees and Ex- Footballers. He wants to achieve something for the Club and to get to the root of what has been happening before his appointment, it is pertinent for him to meet all stakeholders.”

Meanwhile, Mr Owumi who is known as Okada in his playing days with the Super Eagles has urged all those saddled with one responsibility or the other in the Club to queue with his vision or step aside.

Etu disclosed that Owumi will not want to dent his image hence; he has asked all the staff to sit up and work with him to transform the Club.

“He has a vision for the Club and he feels that everybody involved in the running of the Club should follow his footsteps or quit on his own. He has a dream for the Club and hopefully, he will achieve it.”

Former Acting Director-General of Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Mr Joyce Nkemakolam has revealed that the N240 million approved budget for operational vehicles was deliberately inflated to N643 million by the Ministry of Aviation.

This revelation came on the heels of series of investigation and hearing on Thursday, October 24, 2013 by the House Committee on Aviation on the controversial purchase of N255.15 million worth BMW bullet proof cars for embattled Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah.

Blank NEWS Online findings proved that despite the National Assembly’s rejection of an initial request by the NCAA to procure bullet-proof cars during the 2013 ministerial budget defense, the agency went ahead to spend a whooping N643 million against an approved budget of N240 million meant for security and vehicles.

The vehicles purchased, according to Blank NEWS Online sources, were jerked up from 25 to 54 vehicles without following due process and authorization of the National Assembly which earlier approved the limit budget.

The former acting DG of NCAA had on Thursday revealed to the House Committee on Aviation that, “The utility vehicles are purchased annually to service the 22 airports in the country and due to old age there is need to acquire new ones while the bullet-proof cars were bought so that we can use them when the country hosts dignitaries from IATA, ICAO and other international bodies and it was through lease financing.

“We sent a letter to the Ministry on April 5 and got approval on April 15 to go ahead with the lease financing in line with best procurement practices. First Bank, Stanbic and Union banks emerged as potential lessors for the 54 cars at N643,88,250.00million.

“First Bank eventually won and we were expected to complete the payment in 36 months before we finally own the vehicles. In conclusion, I wish to point out here that we are expected to pay N23,249,181.00 million monthly, so ownership of the vehicles is still with First Bank.”

Facts In The Purchase Document:

2013 budget approval — Five Toyota Hilux Pickup vans, 10 Toyota Corolla cars, five Toyota Land Cruiser SUVs, three Toyota Hiace buses, at a cost of N240 million.

Findings:

NCAA therefore, in its own volition, bought 54 vehicles through a bank lease for the sum of N643 million, also financed by the bank.

NCAA to repay the purchasing sum with an interest of less N500 million to be paid on the N643 million within 36 months, while two months instalments on the repayment have already been made to the financing bank.

Oduah’s Self Defence:

The embattled Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, has however written to President Goodluck Jonathan to explain her role in the deal, following the President’s query issued to her on Tuesday, October 22, 2013. It reads thus:

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ON THE PROCUREMENT OF NCAA OPERATIONAL VEHICLES
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, is the statutory regulator of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Industry.

Consequently, the NCAA is charged with oversight responsibilities over all civil aviation operations in the country, including safety, security and strict compliance with ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices, SARPs, and Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations, NCARs.

2. Towards the effective implementation of its statutory regulatory responsibilities, therefore, it is imperative that the NCAA is fully equipped with highly specialised tools and facilities, including adequate operational vehicles to cover all 22 national airports and over 400 airstrips. In keeping with standard practice, provision is therefore made annually for the replacement of obsolete, inadequate and unreliable monitoring equipment.

3.In the 2013 budgetary appropriation, provision was made for the procurement of specialised equipment (including operational vehicles) to complement and in some cases replace obsolete ones.

Furthermore, the fact that NCAA, as the regulator of the industry, often plays host to dignitaries from ICAO, IATA, US FAA, AFRAA, AFCAC BAGASO, CANSO, ACI and a host of others makes it necessary to have specialised operational vehicles.

4.With regard to the procurement of additional operational vehicles (including BMW Security Vehicles), the following due process was observed:

(I) By letter dated April 15, 2013, NCAA officially requested authorisation from the Federal Ministry of Aviation to procure 56 operational vehicles through lease financing. This option was proposed to the ministry to enable the NCAA make 36 monthly payments based on receipts from Internally Generated Revenue, IGR.

Approval

The Ministry therefore granted due approval.

(ii)Based on the ministry approval, the NCAA invited Expressions of Interest from all Banks in Nigeria for the financing of the said vehicles. EOI was adopted because the procurement is two sided. First, the financier would have to be selected before the supplier is determined. This is in line with procurement best practices.

(iii) On May 24, 2013, the response received from the various banks to the Expression of Interest, EOI, request was opened publicly and minutes of the opening exercise was duly documented. During the EOI opening exercise, NCAA got commendation from one of the Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, approved by BPP who were invited for the opening exercise.

(iv) The evaluation of the expression of interests was held on May 31, 2013 during which First Bank Plc, Union Bank Plc and Stanbic IBTC emerged most responsive. On the June 10, 2013 the above three banks were invited to submit Financial Proposals. Thereafter, First Bank emerged the highest rated responsive bidder.

(v)Between June 20 and 25, 2013, invoices were received from various accredited motor vehicle dealers during which only Coscharis Motors Limited quoted for BMW Security Vehicles.

Tenders Board

(vi) On June 28, 2013, NCAA Parastatal Tenders Board approved the selection of First Bank Ltd for the Lease Financing as well as Metropolitan Motor Vehicles and Coscharis for the supply of the vehicles. All necessary approvals were duly sought and obtained accordingly.

(vii) Between July 8, 2013 to August, 12, 2013 various meetings were held with First Bank Ltd, contract agreement was signed and necessary documentation executed.

Your Excellency is respectfully invited to note:

(i) The crucial statutory role of the NCAA in regulating civil aviation operations in the country, including safety, security and strict compliance with ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARs).

(ii) The need for NCAA to be fully equipped with highly specialized tools and facilities (including operational vehicles) to enable the effective implementation of its statutory functions.

(iii) The procurement of specialized operational vehicles is duly provided for in the NCAA 2p 13 (IGR) Budget and the need for adopting instalmental lease payments over36rionths.

(iii) That Due Process was followed in the procurement of the said operational vehicles.

Please your Excellency my continued loyally and esteemed regards.

Signed: Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah, OON, Honourable Minister.

Mixed-Reactions:

Igbo Youth Movement (IYM) through its National Chairman, Elliot Uko called for due process in handling the issue but alleged that Oduah’s present travails is occasioned by “attempts by political enemies of the Aviation Minister led by disgruntled businessmen, who felt dislodged by her far-reaching reforms in the aviation industry, to bring her down at all costs.

“The minister has carried out upgrading that no minister had the courage to do in our nation’s history. Attacking her over vehicle purchase is petty, and opportunistic; they should point to what she ought to do and failed to do.”

Prof. Itse Sagay said, “I don’t see any reason why some people should read tribal or ethnic meanings into this issue. It is a straightforward case of a public officer recklessly and irresponsibly dipping her hands into public funds and spending it without care. The issue of taking sides is becoming a recurring problem in our society”.

Meanwhile, the Socialist Party of Nigeria (SPN) in a statement by Segun Sango, its Protem National Chairperson, said what the scandal had shown “is that the problem in the aviation sector is not primarily that of lack of funds but gross mismanagement of resources. This is why we of the SPN have consistently matched the demand for adequate funding of any public sector with a call for open democratic control by elected representatives of workers, consumers and relevant professionals.”

Also, the All Progressives Congress (APC), in statement issued in Lagos by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said, ‘’We in the APC have not joined the fray over the Oduahgate scandal since it broke out because we thought this was a straightforward case of corruption and abuse of office that should be summarily dealt with. But President Jonathan has again failed to live up to expectation, thus allowing all manners of clowns to seek to pull the wool over the eyes of Nigerians in the name of defending the indefensible.”

The Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says it is alarmed by the report in the Vanguard newspaper of 18th October, 2013 entitled “Alleged plot to kidnap Amaechi uncovered”.

The breakaway PDP in a statement made available to Blank NEWS Online by its National Publicity Secretary, Eze Chukwuemeka Eze said the story which is yet to be denied since its publication, detailed an alleged plot by some unnamed Abuja-based politicians of Rivers State origin to organise the abduction of the Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, with a view to compelling him to sign his resignation letter.

“This is one allegation which should not be waved aside because there already is a precedent, which is why it is referred to as “the Ngige treatment” – a similar strategy having been used by the political enemies of Dr. Chris Ngige to get him out of the way during his days as Governor of Anambra State.

“Besides, Gov. Amaechi has in the past few months come under such relentless onslaught from his traducers that it would be foolish and too risky to rule out the possibility of their resorting to more dramatic measures in their desperation to illegally and unconstitutionally remove him from office.

“We, however, wish to warn that ‘kidnapping’ His Excellency, Gov. Amaechi, and orchestrating his purported resignation would be an invitation to anarchy. Rt. Hon. Amaechi has the mandate of the good people of Rivers State to govern them until May 29, 2015 and nothing must be done to truncate that sacred mandate.

“We appeal to all Nigerians to condemn this insidious plot and advise those hatching it to have a rethink for the sake of our hard-earned democracy.

“We also urge the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency direct relevant security agencies to investigate this evil plot and bring those behind it to book. Enough of this impunity by selfish and misguided politicians who would go to any length to feather their nest even if it would mean plunging the entire nation into avoidable chaos”!

Meanwhile the splinter PDP has reiterated that “it will see this issue to a logical conclusion, including going to the Supreme Court, if necessary, to ensure that a non-member of our party does not continue to lord it over us as our National Chairman. Alhaji Bamanga Tukur and his loyalists should, therefore, not celebrate yet as any such celebration would be short-lived as we are more than ever determined to show him the way out of the exalted position he is illegally occupying”.

The nPDP insisted that they have every right to continue using the PDP flag, symbol and colours, as they are bonafide members of the party and thus entitled to use them.

Blank NEWS Online can disclose that the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) candidate, Emmanuel Agwariavwodo, has gained early lead in the Delta Central Senatorial bye-election held Saturday and confirming his possible declaration as winner at the poll.

Feelers from some tallied results of Saturday’s bye-election in Delta Central senatorial district, Delta State indicated that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Emmanuel Aguariavwodo, seemed to have coasted to an early lead in Sapele, Ughelli South, Ughelli North, Ethiope-East and Udu Local Government Areas.

The Democratic Peoples’ Party (DPP) candidate, Ede Dafinone, was understood to be leading in Okpe Local Government, but it was believed he was going to lose the senatorial election with PDP’s performance in Ethiope-West and Uvwie .

The former senator, the late Senator Pius Ewherido, won the seat in 2011 on DPP platform and his death, June 30, occasioned the bye-election

Former Minister of State for Education, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, hinted newsmen that PDP trounced the other parties in all the units in his ward and in the entire Ughelli South Local Government.

According to him, “In Unit 2, Jeremi Ward 2, we scored 467, the other parties scored zero. We, the leaders, told them clearly who to vote for and they did not make a mistake about it. It is 100 per cent”.

Chairman of the Delta State PDP Campaign Council and Commissioner for Housing, Paulinus Akpeki, was said to have turned the tide against the DPP in Sapele, but the results were not confirmed at press time. Akpeki reportedly lost three out of the 17 units results that were counted as at 4.00 pm.

However, the state chairman of DPP, Chief Tony Ezeagwu, in a statement, indicating that his party might have lost the election, said DPP is rejecting results of the election with claims of irregularities and outright rigging by the PDP.

According to him, ‘’INEC deliberately delayed materials so that our agents could not go with the officials. In places where there were materials, there were no officials from the Commission while in places where there were no materials, there were officials. As a result of that, we in the DPP are rejecting whatever result INEC will announce. The election is a sham.”

But speaking with reporters shortly after casting his vote at his hometown of Olomu, Ughelli South Local Council, the PDP candidate, Chief Emmanuel Aguariavwodo, said he is satisfied with the conduct of the election, adding that “All the aspirants worked with me. We campaigned throughout the length and breadth of the district. The party is the one to beat in the state.”

The All Progressive Alliance (APC) senatorial candidate in the Delta Central bye-election, Chief Otega Omerho, alleged rigging in Aladja wards by the PDP and illicit “thumb printing” in secret locations by the ruling PDP.

The Deputy Governor of Delta State, Prof Amos Utuama, while casting his vote at Jeremi Ward 2 denied allegations of rigging, saying that it has become commonplace in Nigeria for losers to find excuses.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Delta, Mrs Gesila Khan, on Saturday in Ughelli said voting in the Delta Central Senatorial District’s bye-election went peacefully in spite of initial challenges, explaining that the exercise ended on schedule and the conduct was successful.

“Normally, voting ought to have commenced at 12.30 p.m., but because of initial hiccups, it was not so. However, it all ended peacefully at the end of the day.

“There can never be 100 per cent perfection in any election conduct anywhere in the world,’’ she said.

Speaking also, the Delta Commissioner of Police, Mr Ikechukwu Aduba, said the bye-election was peaceful because his men were at all the voting centres to maintain law and order.

He had earlier warned against violence during the poll, threatening to deal with any person found disrupting the election and also warned policemen in the state to steer clear of politicians and government officials during the exercise, saying that any violation of the order would be severely punished.

DPP Draft Statement On Rigged Election:

Today, the Urhobo people were violently denied the collective right to choose a senator of their own. The proposed election to elect a senator is now emerging as a complete sham which we can not associate with under any guise. The scale of impunity and violence by the PDP, thugs/cultists and ‘security agents’ is just unimaginable. The involvement of state security apparatuses is particularly questionable. We are at a loss why and how such violence and external interference have to be brought into Urhobo in the name of election. We dissociate ourselves from the so-called election.

There was no election and we know the conflagration that could follow if we do not stop our people early enough from going to Collation Centres to witness the collation of fake results. It is our responsibility to prevent a total breakdown of law and order. We therefore call on all our agents and election officials to avoid the temptation of physically challenging the PDP and security and. INEC officials, both real and fake, at any designated Collation Centre. We urge our people to hold the peace no matter the anger, intimidation and violence.

As law-abiding people, we in the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) do not give credibility to that which is undemocratic, threatens the unity of our people and makes us a laughing stock. We believe in the vision of our leaders to make our people great based on the finest ideals of democracy. We shall continue to explore all lawful options to this end.

Today, most unfortunately, our people have been setback but our commitment to democracy and justice remains unshaken. We trust our candidate, Chief Ede Dafinone, who was set for a landslide victory and all our members and supporters to abide by our value of peace even in this clear case of extreme provocation. This value has brought us this far and we have no doubt it will always prevail.

Thank you.

Chief Tony Ezeagwu
DPP Delta State Chairman
2.00PM, October 12, 2013.

NIGERIA civil war veteran and renowned author, Brig.General Godwin Alabi Isama (rtd), has laid out a four-element pathway to sustainable development of the Nigerian nation.

Isama, at the launch of the ‘Memoirs Of A journalist In Government Media’ authored by the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), The Pointer Chapel, Comrade Fidelis Egugbo, at the Press Centre, Government House, Asaba, said that though Nigeria had a good future, it required an infallible pathway to sustainable nationhood.

He listed the elements of the pathway to include a credible constitution that would yield a credible polity; an efficient police force that guarantee national security on a sustainable basis; an efficient and time-compliant justice system and a virile press that will be ceaselessly motivated for effective public enlightenment.

According to Gen Isama, who was once interim Military Administrator of Mid-West State, “once we get the constitution and the politics right, every other thing will fall in place, in spite of religious and other concerns,” while the enablement of the Nigeria Police Force for enhanced efficiency such that it could guarantee, on a sustainable basis, national security would help the cause of effective nation-building.

He added that the constitution of joint military/police security outfits was a disastrous option that should be discouraged.

Isama stressed that a potent judicial system was vital for the entrenchment of sustainable nationhood since it represented the benchmark for the delivery of justice, on a cost-efficient run.

He described journalists as the last of the four elements of the pathway which required all-round enablement to constantly enlighten Nigerians on developments in the polity to enable the citizenry make consistently well informed decisions.

The book reviewer, Barr Jimmy Ojei noted with satisfaction that the compendium of the author’s work containing interviews and features that span over a decade was written according to the standard of contemporary journalism, saying he considered the work to be novel in Delta State and Nigeria and a must read by all.

“The book portrays the various historical development of Delta and Nigeria and a socio-cultural contribution of the author to the growth and development of Delta State”, he noted.

The book presenter, Hon Ndudi Elumelu, represented by his Media Aide, Mr. Tony Anyaegbunam who unveiled the book, described the author, Comrade Fidelis Egugbo as a good story teller who balances his facts for the reader to enjoy.

The highlight of the book launch which was attended by the Commissioner for Energy, Hon. Charles Emetulu (Commissioner for Energy), Chief Nkem Okwuofu (Chairman, Local Govt. Service Commission), former General Managers of The Pointer Newspapers, Willy Bozimo, Chief Emma Ejiofor (Onishe of Ubulu), Prince Mike Oputa (member, House of Assembly Service Commission), Albert Ograka (Editor-In-Chief, Blank NEWS Online), Dr. Bonnyface Opia and staff of the Pointer Newspaper company was the cutting of the birthday cake by the celebrant and wife, Comrade and Mrs. Fidelis Egugbo who turns 40 years assisted by special guests.

Ahead of the Delta Central senatorial bye-election scheduled for Saturday (October 12) Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has warned trouble makers to stay clear of the State and allow the election to be held in a peaceful atmosphere.

The Governor handed down the warning in Warri on Tuesday when he met with political office holders and other stakeholders of the People Democratic Party (PDP) at the Governor’s office Annex.

He sued for the best conduct among the candidates and their supporters, saying that there were disturbing security reports that certain persons want to cause a breach of the peace before, during and after the elections.

He however cautioned that anyone found wanting irrespective of political leanings, would be decisively dealt with.

“I am appealing to all political parties not to breach the peace by causing insecurity during the election on Saturday … Security reports show that certain persons are planning to disturb the peace and we must not give them the opportunity to do that. This administration has a responsibility to ensure a peaceful election and we will do all within our power to make sure that Saturday election is conducted in a peaceful atmosphere”.

“We will not shirk in our duty in this regard”, he added at the meeting attended by the State Deputy Governor, Professor Amos Utuama, the PDP State Chairman, Chief Peter Nwaoboshi, PDP Chairmen in the various Local Governments in Delta Central, Political office holders and other PDP stakeholders from Delta Central Senatorial District.

Uduaghan explained that elections should not be by force and condemned the mayhem unleashed by some persons recently when the PDP campaign train by the party’s candidate visited the Ovie of Agbon in Kokori, Ukori 1, assuring that those behind the attack will be fished out and punished no matter their status.

The governor enjoined the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to be deterred by any form of threat of violence as the State Government has put modalities in place to ensure a peaceful election on Saturday.

“I want to assure INEC that we will put in place adequate security measures to ensure a free and fair election as well as security of lives and property”, he stated.

The New Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chaired by Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje has commended the Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, for his steadfastness and exemplary leadership.

The splinter PDP, in a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Eze Chukwuemeka Eze and made available to Blank NEWS Online, said, “Against all odds, Gov. Amaechi has remained focused, providing the kind of exemplary leadership which has not failed to attract attention both at home and abroad.

For the New PDP, Amaechi has “scored yet another, first with the unveiling of Port Harcourt as the first city in Nigeria to become the UNESCO World Book Capital. The Rivers State capital, it would be recalled, had earlier defeated famous cities like Oxford and Moscow to become the UNESCO World Book Capital 2014. The event of last weekend is one in a series of events designed to usher in the 2014 dateline when Port Harcourt will become UNESCO 2014 World Book Capital”.

The rest of the statement reads:

“This ground-breaking development has received praise from far and wide because of its significance and the positive publicity it will bring Nigeria, a blessed country which is often in the news internationally for the wrong reasons due to the misgovernance foisted on it by a heartless cabal.

“Felicitating with the River State Government, Prof. Wole Soyinka, Nobel Laureate for Literature and Goodwill Ambassador/Member of the High Panel for Peace, UNESCO, said: “For us in the Book World, still basking in the glow of a Nigerian city bestowed with the honour of the World Book Capital for 2014, this is a much-deserved recognition. We look forward to next year in Port Harcourt, a historic capital city festooned with the written word with all its spiritually liberating manifestations.”

“We congratulate and felicitate with Governor Amaechi on this happy occasion. He is a role model who has risen above every distraction imaginable orchestrated by the Federal Government to continue to provide purposeful government for the good people of Rivers State.

“We also wish to congratulate him on the African Writers “Quintessence Leadership Award” for exemplary leadership conferred on him over the weekend in New Jersey, USA, by the African Writers Foundation. This is no mean feat considering the calibre of people that received the award.

“We wish to associate ourselves with the charge which the indefatigable Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) gave to Nigerians in his acceptance speech while receiving the award. He was right in challenging Nigerians to demand accountability and transparency from their leaders since it is “the people are the core determinants of the dynamics of every society.”

According to Gov. Amaechi, “It is commonplace to hear in Nigeria that ‘our votes don’t matter’, but I tell you that through constant participation and insistence on transparency and accountability in the electoral process, the people can eventually have their way and the system has no other choice but to be straightened out.”

“The people remain the power-base of the nation. They determine the quality of leaders they get, and determine the direction of the governance. They can monitor accountability in governance and the strategic direction of the country.”

“The time has come for Nigerians to stop complaining in the comfort of their bedrooms and take their destiny into their own hands.”