Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has said that the appointment of judges rested largely on set guidelines, processes and approval of the National Judiciary Council (NJC) with little inputs from the Executive.
Governor Uduaghan who stated this on Friday, October 18, 2013 in Asaba when he inaugurated three part-time members of the State Judicial Commission said “that only those who meet the ten years post-qualification guideline and approved by the Nigerian Judiciary Council will be appointed judges. I have little input on who can be appointed, as the NJC must screen and approve the people to be appointed. I cannot unilaterally appoint anybody as a judge”.
He charged the newly inaugurated members of the State Judicial Commission, Messsrs. Patrick Oganwu, Peter Wanogho, and Francis Omatseye to ensure quality and selfless service at all time in the discharge of their duties stressing that “they should help chart a robust Judicial Service Commission capable of producing judicial officers and staff that will offer to the public transparent and unimpeachable justice”.
While reaffirming government’s support for the Commission and the state judiciary in the discharge of their respective functions. Governor Uduaghan assured them of government’s readiness to meet their needs within the limits of available resources.
He commended the members of the Commission for their invaluable services and enjoined the new members to improve on the achievements on the ground.
Barr. Patrick Oganwu, who responded on behalf of the newly inaugurated members, commended Governor Uduaghan for the massive infrastructure development in the Judiciary in the last two years and promised the readiness of the members to contribute their quota to the development of the Judiciary in the state.
While appealing for cooperation of the Executive arm in tackling the administrative challenges in the judiciary, Barr. Oganwu called for continuous manpower development of judiciary officials in the state to enable them meet the challenges of the judiciary.
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.
Despite efforts by political gladiators within the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to calm the nerves of aggrieved participants in the last October 12 Delta Central Senatorial District Bye-Election, the last appears seems not to have been heard of the National Assembly poll in Delta Central as the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) has vowed to contest the outcome of the poll at the Election Petition Tribunal.
The DPP senatorial candidate for Delta Central, Chief Ede Dafinone is contesting the victory of Mr. Emmanuel Aguariavwodo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Delta Central senatorial district.
In a statement issued by the publicity committee of Dafinone Campaign Organization on Thursday in Sapele, the DPP senatorial candidate was said to have described the bye- election as political denial perpetrated against Urhobo, the 5th largest ethnic group in Nigeria.
“There is little recognition of Urhobo at the federal and state levels in terms of appointments and positions. Similarly, the interference in the last election where the candidate foisted on the PDP in Delta State is again foisted and this time forcefully on the people of Delta Central”.
The DPP candidate who is not pleased with the result of the election where PDP was declared winner flayed the exercise which he alleged was not free and fair and was enmeshed in violence and intimidation of voters.
He condemned the reckless desperation, the sheer treachery and lawlessness of leaders of the PDP in the state. He also accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of overturning the rule of fairness and allocating victory to the PDP.
“We reject this outright robbery of the people’s will. We condemn this grievous injustice, this unconscionable mockery of all that is decent, of all that is fair and just. The army and INEC, both Federal Government institutions worked with the PDP’s candidate to ensure his victory. The PDP used the army to unleash terror on the people of Delta Central. For hours, gun shots rent the air and the people were clobbered. Also, the announced result shows PDP in first place. As if that is not bad enough, the result shows All Progressives Congress (APC) in second place with DPP the Populist Party in the third place. All that combines to make the whole result laughable” the statement said.
The statement said the party’s legal team had been told to head to the poll tribunal.
“As law abiding citizens, we intend to explore all legal means to ensure this sham of an election is cancelled. We shall be proceeding to the election petition tribunal to present our case” the statement added.
Oke Idawene, SDP; Paul Isamade, ACPN; Efe Tobor, MPPP; & Moses Abeh of APA
A COMMUNIQUE BY THE CHAIRMEN OF POLITICAL PARTIES ON THE DELTA CENTRAL SENATORIAL BYE-ELECTION OF 12TH OCTOBER 2013
Following the conclusion of the Delta Central Senatorial Bye-Elections of the 12th October 2013, we the Chairmen of all registered Political parties in the state called an emergency meeting today 16th October 2013 to discuss amongst other things the conduct of the elections.
Arising from the meeting we the committee of Chairmen of Political parties do hereby resolve that:
i. We commend INEC for the conduct of a transparent, free and fair election in which the PDP candidate, Chief (Hon) Emmanuel Edesiri Aguariavwodo polled a total 263, 024 (Two Hundred and Sixty-Three Thousand, and Twenty-Four) votes to emerge the winner of the Senatorial seat.
Other party results were as follows:
APC –Chief O’tega Emerhor 29, 075 votes
DPP –Chief Ede Dafinone – 29, 005
”
LP –Barr. Andy Osawota – 1, 602 ”
ii. We also commend the security agencies; The Nigeria Police
Oke Idawene, SDP; Paul Isamade, ACPN; Efe Tobor, MPPP; & Moses Abeh of APA
force, State Security Service (SSS), The Nigeria Civil Defence Corp’ and the military for what they called the maintenance of security law and order before, during and after the election.
iii. We thank and commend the political parties and their members for their support in complementing the security agencies by creating a peaceful and enabling environment for voting to take place. We specially thank the Political parties that participated, and their agents; Advanced Congress of Democrats (ACD), Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), All Progressive Congress (APC), All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Democratic Peoples Party (DPP), Labour Party (LP), Kowa Party (KP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for ensuring a successful conclusion of the elections.
iv. We also commend the observers, both local and international specially the INEC/USAID election monitorswho were on ground to record actual proceedings and report accordingly.
v. We commend the Delta Central electorate who by their exemplary conduct has shown to the world how credible elections can be conducted.
vi. On the strength of the above, we hereby call on all parties to this election to unconditionally accept the results as stated above and already announced by INEC.
vii. Finally, we wish to thank His Excellenct the Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan for what they described as “his role in ensuring a safe conduct of the most transparent, free and fair election in our recent history.
God bless Delta State!
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria!!
Signed:
The seven-point communiqué was signed by 19 party chairmen: Oke Idawene, SDP; Joe Chukwu, ADC; Efe Tobor, MPPP; Moses Abeh, APA; Chidi Odogwu, NNPP; Ngozi Ogbogo, AD; Paul Isamade, ACPN; Victor Egwuenu, PPN; Jude Eze, KOWA; Nelly Nwaka, AA; David Ebrunu, ACD; Ashikodi David, Accord Party; Peters Emuakpoje, CPP; Oluremi Mohammed, PDC; Anyanwu Ikechukwu, NCP; John Freeman Ghiadike, NPP; Tony Eboka, APGA; and Val Chichi, UDP.
Against the backdrop of criticism and allegations of flaws in the conduct of the October 12 Delta Central Senatorial District bye-election and the subsequent declaration of Emmanuel Aguariavwodo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the state Chairman of PDP, Barr. Peter Nwaoboshi has said the party would withstand the opposition at the election tribunal.
Speaking at an exclusive Press briefing with newsmen in Asaba, on Tuesday, October 15, 2013 at the state PDP Secretariat, Nwaoboshi queried allegations from opposition parties and derided O’tega Emerhor, canidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Ede Dafinone of the Democratic Peoples party (DPP).
While recalling Emerhor’s complain of massive militarization during the bye-election, Nwaoboshi revealed that at Evwereni ward 3, in Ughelli North local government area, APC scored over 98% of the votes cast, while other parties got less than 2% of total votes cast.
“The total registered voters in that ward is 6, 349. APC secured 6,033, PDP scored 158 and DPP got 75, totaling 6, 266 votes cast. This represents about 98% of the registered voters. Does this show that voters were intimidated to stay at home?”
Delta PDP Chairman, Peter Nwaoboshi (Centre), State PDP Publicity Secretary, Deinghen Macaulay (left) & Special Assistant to Information Commissioner, Pius Mordi (right) during the press briefing @ the State PDP Secretariat in Asaba.
On the alleged imposition of Chief Emmanuel Aguariavwodo on the PDP, Nwaboshi said the plot to adopt the former NDDC boss was a unanimous party decision of stakeholders and a reflection unity within the party.
Chief Nwaoboshi, who lauded other PDP aspirants who did not revolt against the party for not picking them, challenged the opposition to be prepared to defend all the allegations at the election petition tribunal, saying “We shall meet them at the tribunal”.
The result of the by-election, as announced by the Returning Officer, Prof. John Arubayi, shows that Aguariavwodo polled 263,024 votes to defeat eight other candidates, which include Olorogun O’tega Emerhor of All Progressive Congress (APC) 29,075 votes to emerge second, followed by Chief Ede Dafinone of the Democratic Peoples’ Party (DPP) with 29,055 votes while Chief Andi Osawota of the Labour Party scored 1,602 votes.
Meanwhile, following the announcement of Aguariavwodo, as the winner of the Delta Central Senatorial District bye-election, Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan attributed the party’s victory at the polls to its strong ward structure.
The Delta Central Senatorial district winner, Chief Emmanuel Aguariavwodo, had thanked the people of Delta Central for their support, promising that he was going to do his best in ensuring that he brings the dividends of democracy to them.
Allegations:
Ede Dafinine, DPP Candidate
A statemnt by Chief Ede Dafinon, alling for outright cancellation of the October 12, 2013 bye-election result for Delta Central Senatorial District reads:
“Thank you for coming. As you are aware, I am the candidate of my party, the Democratic People’s Party (DPP) for the senatorial bye-election scheduled for yesterday, October 12, 2013. We are here today to tell the world that the people of Delta Central were yesterday violently denied the right to choose a senator of their own. The proposed election to elect a senator was a complete sham.
“There was no election, as defined by our laws. The scale of impunity, assault, molestations and violence by the PDP, thugs/cultists and the supposed security agents was just unimaginable. The lopsided and partisan involvement of state security apparatuses in supporting the PDP and the brazen use of thugs to unleash violence and mayhem on our party members and the electorate is unprecedented. Thus there is now very serious concerns for the progress of our nascent democracy and diminishing hope for peace, unity and good governance of Nigeria now and in the immediate future.
“The significant confidence brought into our elections in 2011 due to visible improvements on the 2003 and 2007 elections was completely wiped off yesterday. The PDP and the Government have yesterday sent, in no uncertain terms, a strong message that the security apparatus of this nation will foist the PDP on the nation at every cost. As was demonstrated yesterday in Urhobo land, security forces and the government will turn a blind eye to open violence and crimes against citizens and a section of the electorate perceived to be supporting other parties outside the PDP.
“Because our agents were openly shot at and maimed yesterday, as it was in 2003 and 2007, we are able to say that the days where elections are gun wars are back. Because INEC officials and NYSC ad hoc personnel bluntly refused to go out to conduct the election in several places, we are also able to categorically say that government, through these agencies, decided the outcome of the election in a clearly premeditated manner. Because security personnel openly flogged and beat up our agents and supporters everywhere without justification, we are able to say that violent bias was used as a tool to coerce our supporters to abandon polling stations. Because in various communities security personnel watched, allowed, participated in and supervised the hijacking of ballot boxes and other election materials by PDP thugs and government officials, we are also able to say that the so-called election was rigged with clear government approval. Because INEC did not release or issue out election result sheets and other sensitive election materials in most places but ‘results’ somehow managed to emerged in favour of the PDP, we are able to say that the so-called results were made to suit the PDP even before any election. Because few electoral materials appeared as late as 3.30PM in the few places where a few INEC officials managed to reach, we are able to say that our people were deliberately excluded from the election since accreditation was meant to end by 12.00Noon. There was just no election as defined by our laws and common sense!
“The point must be made that we do not expect perfect elections anywhere in the world. But we do expect that there will be improvements on past performances. This is just not the case here. What we had was resort to brute force to suppress the will of the people of Delta Central. Yes, it is often said that politicians tend to find faults to justify unsuccessful outcomes of the electoral bids. Ours is just clearly different. We did not lose an election. There has to be an election before we talk about winners and losers.
“This is a clear case of naked criminality; not an election. It is a clear case of the government imposing Chief Emmanuel Agwariavwodo on Delta Central in the same manner and style he was imposed on his party. This is impossible with a truly independent INEC. Herein lies a clear and imminent danger for our democracy. Therefore, we reject whatever result announced by INEC as it is not a true reflection of the democratic will of our people. We call for an outright cancellation of the said election and any fake result arising from same.
“Indeed, we are at a loss on why and how violence and external interference have to be brought into Delta central in the name of election. Delta Central electoral is largely the Urhobo people who have never been so marginalized at the national and state levels as we are today. The dearth of Urhobos at both Federal and State levels belies our position as the fifth largest ethnic nationality in Nigeria. That as a people we are not allowed freely elect our leaders is a further confirmation of the oppression of the Urhobo nation.
“We in the Democratic People’s Party (DPP) do not give in or succumb to undemocratic actions which attack the political will or threaten the unity of our good people. We shall continue to explore all legitimate options to free our people from oppression, suppression and bad leadership. Our commitment to democracy and justice remains firm.
“We support the call by our Party for calm and call on all our supporters maintain the peace even in the face of this extreme provocation. May I, on behalf of our effective grassroots campaign team, leaders, elders, women and youths sincerely thank all our people of Delta Central for their support and prayers. God bless you.”
DPP’s Position:
Also, a corroborative draft statement signed by the Delta State DPP Chairman, Chief Tony Ezeagwu, and made available to Blank NEWS Online on at 2.00PM, October 12, 2013 on alleged rigging of the bye-election reads:
“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.
APC’s Position:
The All Progressives Congress (APC) alleged that the bye-election was marred by “electoral malpractice and widespread violence perpetrated by security agents and thugs.’’
In a statement issued in Lagos on last Sunday by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party alleged that there was no voting at all in most of the eight local government areas and the 85 wards in the district, adding that “the PDP used armed security agents to chase away voters in opposition strongholds.’’
APGA’s Position:
On his part, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Chairman in Delta, Ogueshi Eboka, said PDP won the election and the exercise was peaceful. “We participated and we tried our best but could not win. Definitely, I knew that PDP would win.”
For Olorogun David Omoru, candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), “The bye-election is a disgrace to the Urhobo nation. Emmanuel Aguariavwodo was never elected but imposed on the people by use of force and intimidation. We are going to the Tribunal to prove our case for cancellation. My legalteam is ready with overwhelming evidence against the PDP.”
BlankNEWSOnline 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.”
O’tega Omerho, APC Candidate
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.
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.
The Baraje led-PDP expressed shock over the exit of Chief Lar in a statement by Mr Eze Chukwuemeka who described the statesman as “a colourful politician of substance, a first-class patriot and an accomplished administrator”.
The statement noted that as a former pioneer Chairman of the PDP, Lar played a significant role in laying a solid foundation on which his successors built to make the party the poster boy of Nigerian politics and in sustaining and growing democracy.
According to Eze, “Chief Lar’s death, coming on the heels of that of another of our former leaders, Dr. Olusegun Agagu, has robbed both our great party and the country at large of a rare voice of wisdom”.
“We pray that God Almighty will accept his soul in eternity and grant us Nigerians the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss”, Baraje led-PDP prayed.
“We hereby send our condolences to the Lar family, to the Plateau State Government, to President Goodluck Jonathan and to all Nigerians. A great man has departed! Adieu, Chief Solomon Daushep Lar”.
The first civilian governor of Plateau state and pioneer chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Solomon Lar died in an American hospital in the early hours of Wednesday after a protracted illness.
Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau state had announced the passing on of the elder statesman at Government House and lodge in Jishe, describing the late politician as an illustrious son of Plateau, Nigeria and the African continent, considering his immense contribution during the colonial and military regimes.
Chief Lar, who died at the age of 90 in a Maryland hospital, where he has been receiving treatment, was born in Pongaa, Langtang local government area of Plateau state in April 1933.
He was elected as a councilor to the Langtang Natives Authority in January 1959 and to the Federal Parliament On 12 December 1959 on the platform of Untied Middle Belt Congress ((UMBC).
He was reelected in 1964, and from then until 15 January 1966, when General Yakubu Gowon took power in a coup, Lar was parliamentary secretary to Prime Minister ABubakar Tafawa Balewa.
He was also a Junior Minister in the Federal Ministry of establishments
Lar was a co-founder of the Nigerian People’s Party in the 2nd Republic. He was nominated as the party’s presidential candidate in 1978, and later won the governorship election in Plateau State as the first Executive Governor on 1 October 1979.
A military tribunal set up by General Muhammed Buhari, which tried all former governors, sentenced Lar to 88 years in prison, first in Jos and then in Kirikiri in Lagos.
His case was reviewed and was released by the regime of General Ibrahim Babangida before he was appointed Minister of Police Affairs by the government of General Sani Abacha.
He became first National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) (PDP) in 1998, a position he held until 2002 when he handed over to Chief Barnabas Gemade while in February 2004 he resigned as chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, handing over to Chief Tony Anenih at a caucus meeting in Abuja.
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.”
A deep-seated book chronicling his personal experience in the course of his journalism calling, authored by Comrade Fidelis Egugbo, The Pointer chapel Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), is to be publicly presented on Tuesday, October 8, 2013, at the Press Centre, Government House, Asaba.
The event billed to commence at exactly 11:00am is expected to attract the Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan as Chief Guest of Honour and Prof Amos Agbe Utuama (SAN), Deputy Governor of the state and Chief (Sir) Benjamin Elue, former Deputy Governor, Delta State, as special guests of honour.
Former military icon and Nigeria Civil War veteran and author, Brig. General Godwin Alabi-Isama, will be the Chairman of the occasion, while the presenter of the 866-page book “MEMOIRS OF A JOURNALIST IN GOVERNMENT MEDIA” will be high-visibility national law-maker, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, member of the House of Representatives. It will be reviewed by Barrister Jimmy Ojeh.
The book is made up of a collection of stories/reports, features and interviews written by the author over the period of his subsisting beat at the Government House, Asaba.
The book critically advances the development initiatives and policies of government, as well as the role played by individuals in national re-engineering in the course of governance.
The Delta State government has staunchly defended Mr. Harold Monu, an Aide of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, allegedly caught in the web of payroll fraud.
Although reports had revealed that Mr. Harold Monu, an assistant to the Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, on ICT was recently arrested by the police over the multi billion naira scam rocking the state’s payroll, the state government insists that Monu has helped to stamp out fraud in the state payroll.
The arrest of Monu, was reportedly made in Asaba, the Delta state capital, on Sunday for allegedly defrauding the government of billions of naira through the biometric update and automation of the state’s payroll initiated by the state government to cut down on its rising wage bill.
In a very staunch defence of the governor’s aide, the Delta State government absolved Mr. Monu of any wrong doing, describing him as a key anti-fraud crusader in the efforts of the state government to stem the tide of fraudulent practices in the e-payment biometric system of the state’s payroll.
A statement titled: “RE: GOVERNOR UDUAGHAN’S AIDE ARRESTED OVER MULTI-BILLION NAIRA SALARYFRAUD”, signed by the Delta State Commissioner for Information, Barr. Chike Ogeah and made available to Blank NEWS Online, reads thus:
“The attention of Government of Delta State has been drawn to a news story posted on* premiumtimesng.com *and other online journals on the above subject. The story is a complete distortion of the facts and it is imperative to state the facts here.
“His Excellency, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, Governor of Delta State, had identified the burgeoning state wage bill as a source of concern and constituted a committee to address it. The committee which had Dr.(Mrs.) Beatrice Omeni, a former Secretary to the (Delta) State Government (SSG), swung into action on February 12, 2012 by designing a three-pronged model to verify the wage bill and qualify only bonafide members of staff for the state’s payroll.
“The first part of the exercise was for all staff to physically present themselves for capture of their fingerprints and photographs which are stored in a biometric database. The second stage is for staff to present their original letters of employment, birth certificates/age declaration, letter of promotion and academic credentials which are scanned into a document management system database.
“The third step is to implement a biometric time and attendance system to compliment the other two parts. Right now, the biometrics and documents phases have been successfully completed with documented savings of over N362 million to date and over 400 “ghost workers” have been removed from the state’s payroll.
“The final phase which is the biometric time and attendance system will deliver even greater savings to the state. Contract for its execution has been awarded to a competent vendor who has a track record of success in a sister state. This phase involves a lot of funds as biometric time and attendance devices will be deployed in all government offices and schools across the state, hence the involvement of the private sector and at no cost to the government.
“The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on ICT, Mr. Harold Monu, has been the spearhead of this campaign to stamp out fraud in the state payroll and has been documented to have prevented fraud right from the first month of his appointment in July 2011. He ensured a bank employee was arrested while trying to inject names into the payroll. More recently in June 2013, he discovered a fraud and alerted the banks thereby facilitating the arrest of two suspects trying to cash state fund illegally transferred to their accounts. They have been in the custody of the Delta State Police Command since July 2013.
“Even while Mr. Monu was on vacation, he was able to thwart another fraud attempt in the September 2013 payroll when upon being alerted via email by a bank employee to verify some unusual transactions, he instructed the banks to keep the suspects’ accounts frozen. Another suspect was also arrested and detained in the process.
“Mr. Monu was invited by the police on resumption of duty to give account of his knowledge of events as the head of the biometric unit and was subsequently released after making his statement. There was no financial loss to the state as this attempt was nipped in the bud through the efforts of Mr. Monu. The office of the Account General of the State which is in-charge of payments of salaries is heading its own investigations”, the statement concluded.
Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan has expressed deep condolences with the people and Government of Ondo State as well as families of victims
Thursday’s plane crash.
In a statement by Felix Ofou, his press secretary, the Governor noted that the crash occurred when the nation was still at its wits on how best to console the people and Government of Ondo State on the untimely death of former Governor Olusegun Agagu.
Dr Uduaghan said it was more painful that the corpse of the former governor and key members of the Agagu family and other sympathisers were involved in the said crash.
“How can anyone explain what has happened? How can we console those who have been thrown into another round of mourning? What of sympathizers who have become victims in the Crash?”, he asked.
The Delta Governor however said that instances such as these call for prayers from all, especially for the Agagu family and Ondo State in general.
“These are times when we must draw closer to God. It’s a time when we must come together to pray for the Agagu family, victims of the plane crash and Ondo State. We share in their Grief”, he added.
Uduaghan prayed for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives in the crash and that God should grant speedy recovery to the sirvivors.
Having heard so much about London -‘ebe oku na-enwu n’elu (where light shines from the top), I set out for this trip with so much excitement. This excitement which I can only compare with the one I felt when I first heard the life-changing cry of my daughter Munachimso, was so engulfing I couldn’t sleep on the eve of departure. I walked on the wind. I was so enthused I smiled at virtually everybody and everything.
Sunday September 22nd 2013, remains indelible in history as another group of 16 carefully selected Journalists in Delta State embarked on the second round of the training at the highly reputable Thomson Reuters Foundation in United Kingdom. The training which is the brain-child of the innovative Chairman of the state NUJ, Mr Norbert Chiazor, backed by the powerful vision of an intelligent Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and the magnanimity of the Commissioner for Information, Barr Chike Ogeah, can be compared to none in the career of every journalist. Bravo to Delta State.
I recall that 13 Journalists in Delta State were also flown to the UK last year for Reuters training, the first of its kind in the history of Journalism in the state. Except for Comrade Macaulay the SSG who laid the foundation as a pioneer chairman of the state NUJ, no tenure had impacted so positively on journalists in the state as much as Norbert Chiazor’s selfless leadership. Posterity will surely judge him fairly.
Little wonder why my big boss, the Permanent Secretary of Lagos Television, Mr Lekan Ogunbanwo, my Directors of News and Marketing, Messrs Ayo Agbesanwa & Hakeem Adewunmi and the Director of Admin, Mr Morakinyo Akinrinnade not only gave their permission at a very short notice but supported me immensely. As my superiors, they obviously knew the importance of the training to me as an individual and to the Station as a Corporate body.
Bearing this in mind, I set out with optimism that couldn’t be daunted by the turbulence on air enroute London. For me, it was only a lesson as I practically followed the map with the pilot all through the six hours flight. It was another Geography class but this time, advanced. On getting to Heathrow Airport, looking round at the parts of the facility that I went through, I saw and appreciated the classics of the Asaba International Airport which before now, was just beautiful to my then un-informed mind. I quickly pointed that out to a colleague who affirmed Dr Uduaghan is very intelligent, has travelled round, chose the best of what he saw, improved on it & came out with the Asaba Airport. The margin could only be spotted from the attitude of the staff there and the one here. There is always room for improvement.
Like the Biblical royal welcome for all true christians to the promised Paradise, amidst friends and relations who came to the airport to welcome us was His Royal Majesty, Obi Dr Emmanuel Efeizomor, the Obi of Owa kingdom in Ika North-East Local Government Area of Delta State. The first class chief whose son, Victor Efeizomor of Thisday Newspaper was on the team, gave us a royal welcome with his entourage. We were no strangers. His smiles and general warmth showed his support for Dr Uduaghan’s developmental strides. His dressing of jeans and sweaters was my first insight on what London does to class. I was so used to seeing this very respectable citizen in his full regalia as a king back home in Delta.
The next day was Monday, we are set for class. I noticed that in London everybody is in a haste. People trekked more than they rode. It was a classless society where everybody ran to catch the train & stood when the seats are occupied, no matter who you are. I also noticed that Londoners respond to greetings with artificial smiles unlike the warm African way of greeting. When they bothered with verbal replies, they were most times curt.
The cordial attitude of the people I met on the streets and in the trains gave me a mindset that was somewhat dis-abused by the warmth-infusing welcome I got from the Reuters staff. The Public Relations Officer of the foundation Belen Beccerra was at the reception amongst other members of staff, and of course our own amiable Chike Ogeah, to welcome us with joy & laughter. It couldn’t have been better.
The hull of the visit – the training on Investigative Reporting started in earnest with two very practical instructors – Melanie Cheary & Andrew Gray. My old school days came back so fast. The drilling by the duo, class work, homework & practicals ! Oh my God, you must achieve the objectives of the training at the end of the five days. We all forgot our positions as Correspondents, Reporters, Managers & even Permanent Secretary and became students. At one of the practicals, I was paired with Sir Austin Mowah who is the most senior staff of the State Ministry of Information. I saw the humility in him as we did our work together and waited for our scripts to be graded. I can recall how the General Manager of The Pointer Newspaper, Mr Bosah Iwobi bit his fingers when one of his assignment scripts was graded and he remembered something he would have written. I laughed at him like I would a classmate in secondary school. In that instance, the seriousness of the course gingerly walked past me, urging me to wake up and follow suit.
Outside the professional benefits I got from this training, I got to learn more about the people around me. I discovered them. We were like family & I strongly believe we will continue to be. The training fostered brotherliness amongst the participants. Looking back now, I realize this must be one of the aims of the abroad training. Considering the ethno-religious acrimony in the country today and the Transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan, the Human Capital Development focus of Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan will to a large extent be realised faster when the barriers of ethnicity & religion are overcome. This course strove to achieve that as all the participants lived as a family irrespective of tribe, religion, medium or societal position!
One fascinating aspect of my exposure is the efficiency of the transport system in London. If there’s anything perfect in life, this would be it. I was simply enthralled. You get your travel card, get on the train going your route & every stop was not only announced but you got verbal and written directions on where the stop takes you to. No abuse from the driver or the conductor nor haggling on the fare. There was no quarrel on where you would have alighted instead of the other. It was organised & orderly.
I remember getting off wrongly at a stop on my way from Paddington back to Stratford. There was need for me to get underground and join another train from Oxford Circus station. With the signs everywhere and polite directions from the attendants, I got back on course.
My experience wouldn’t have been complete if I had continued with the thinking that ‘oyibo’ has everything and so travelling abroad solves all one’s problems. The whites don’t have everything, they’re simply conservative. We have more and are freer than them. A classical illustration of this is Recycling. We bathe and throw away the water. A very informed friend who took me round, told me even the water from bathrooms are gathered, recycled-purified & brought back as good water! I was petrified & argued so but he took me to Tam Water where all these are done. The paperbags, containers, shoes etc are recycled and nothing is wasted at the end of the day.
I also learnt that their perceived stinginess is helping their economy. They don’t spend freely. Even electricity is rationed. The bulbs are sensory, going off automatically when nobody is around & coming alive when they sense human presence. Awesome way of saving energy!
I enjoyed their food quite well but longed for our own delicacies. My mouth watered countless times. In Nigeria we have loads of more nutritious, fresher and healthier foods unlike the ‘oyibos’ who depend so much on synthesized canned foods. With a small knowledge of medicine and the inherent diseases in synthesized foods, I kept thanking God I’m a Nigerian, the giant of Africa where Jesus Christ was sent to with all the good things of life. At a time, I couldn’t hold it anymore and so sought an African shop, bought the ingredients and cooked a large pot of okro soup which my friend will still savour for some weeks.
A notion which was deeply etched in me was rooted out. Its a long-standing myth in Nigeria that a news-room should be noisy. I was speechless on getting to the World’s large newsroom that’s only second to the BBC’s. If I had dropped a pin, I’m sure it would have been heard. Seeing & feeling the reflective quietness, I acknowledged journalism is a noble profession for the intelligentia, not low-lives. Its seriously academic because it leads and influences the opinion of right-thinking people. Journalists are meant to be opinion leaders and they can only do this when they are mentally balanced. A self-consciousness suddenly sprang to life in me as we toured the whole of the fourth flour of the towering, expansive building.
A visit to the Frontline Media Club which replicates our own NUJ further opened my eyes to what I profess. On coming out from the building, I saw St Mary’s Hospital where the late Warlord Dim Chukwuemeka Ojukwu died & where Prince Charles’ son was born. The Delta State Teaching Hospital Oghara with all the standard equipment came to my mind and in all, I muttered to myself, East or West, Home is the best. The nostalgia was so strong, pulling me home like the Northern wind.
Oh, I forgot to say that throughout my stay there, there was no power failure. Sub-consciously, I continually felt the need to iron my clothes & charge my devices before ‘these people will seize the light’ because my mind has been tuned to that but I was pleasantly disappointed. I have high hopes that one day, in this country, in our dear Delta State, with the PPPs and the IPPs, power challenge will be overcome. Vehicles did not blare their horns too. I can’t remember hearing any honking except the police cars’ sirens. It made the streets calmer. We’ll certainly get there.
I have the training, I love the experience & exposure, I appreciate what I learnt. God bless Delta State & Nigeria our dear country.
*IJEOMA UBA is the Delta State Correspondent for Lagos Television.
Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has disclosed that the state University Teaching Hospital, Oghara would start kidney transplant latest in February just as he acknowledged the tremendous increase in medical tourism to the State.
Delta State University Teaching Hospital (DELSUTH)
Governor Uduaghan who stated this Tuesday night, October 01, 2013, during a Radio/Television Phone-in-Programme at the Delta Broadcasting Service, Asaba, said that the state government was presently benefiting from its partnership with the University of Texas Teaching Hospital, Dallas with some of its doctors and nurses undergoing training on renal issues and treatment in Dallas.
“Hopefully by February next year, the Renal Unit of the State University Teaching Hospital will start kidney transplant in Oghara in conjunction with the Texas University Teaching Hospital”, he stated.
He said that there has been an increased medical tourism to the State due to the ultra-modern facilities at the State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara.
Dr. Uduaghan revealed that as a result f the pressure on the hospital facilities and personnel, an additional 300 bed-facility would soon be added to the University Teahcing Hospital, stressing that this would ease the pressure on the hospital for medical attention and reduce the waiting time for beds especially for surgical cases.
He explained that the various health programme in the state especially the Free Maternal and Rural Health Scheme have benefitted both Deltans and non-Deltans alike especially the poor and needy in the state, stating that “the programme is open to all Nigerians irrespective of states and tribes in the spirit of brotherliness and peaceful co-existence”.
“As a trained doctor, it will be harsh and inhuman for me to turn back a pregnant woman from the state Free Maternal programme because she is a non-Deltan. We are all Nigerians and we have to help ourselves in areas of need”.
Dr. Uduaghan explained that the state was paying more attention to primary healthcare in order to reduce the pressure on the secondary and tertiary healthcare levels.
On the contributory pension scheme in the state, the governor disclosed that his administration has contributed over 15 Billion naira to the Scheme for Civil Servants in the state since 2007 explaining that the state government has not defaulted in its contributions to the scheme.
He said that government was looking into the challenges faced in the payment of Gratuity and Pension of retirees in the State since 2011 especially those in the transitional stages between the old and new pension scheme and would be sorted out soon.
His words: “This government has not faulted in its contribution to the scheme since 2007 when the contributory pension scheme started. We have not been able to pay for the gratuity and pension of all civil servants that retired since 2011 because there are issues that need to be sorted out before we commence payment. Very soon this will be done and we will pay the entire backlog.”
Delta state Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan who disclosed this Tuesday night, during a Radio/Television Phone-in-Programme at the Delta Broadcasting Service, Asaba, said that the Agro-Cargo section would enable the export of agro-produce from South-South and South-East regions of the country.
According to him, the” the Federal Government will also develop a green area behind the cargo terminal where it will grow vegetables all year round crops for export from the airport. This will encourage local farmers to increase their yields and export to viable markets abroad as well as improve the economy of the nation and the state in particular”.
Dr. Uduaghan opined that farmers in the state would benefit tremendously from the development of the agro-cargo section as they would utilise the airport to export their produce and also sell their produce at competitive rates.
He said that the state was working closely with the Ministry of Aviation to get full operational License for the Asaba International Airport stating that: “a technical team has been put together by the Ministry to collaborate with the state government to rectify gray areas and ensure the granting of the full operational license”.
On road construction, The Governor said that government would commence the construction of all ongoing road projects immediately after the rainy season and promised that they would be completed on schedule.
He also explained that the Asaba-Ughelli Road Dualisation project was on course and the state government would ensure the completion of the road project.
He noted that the topography of Asaba has placed a complex challenge on road and drainage construction in the city stressing that government was redesigning the Asaba Master Drain project Phase II to accommodate the volume and flow pattern of the flood water.
Dr. Uduaghan assured the people that most of the road projects in Asaba Metropolis would be completed during the dry season while Junction Improvement Work and Urban Renewal Work would be replicated at other junctions in Warri and environs.
The Governor informed Deltans that the contract for the dualisation of Okpanam Road has been awarded while the Enwhe Bridge would soon be reconstructed.
Dr. Uduaghan reminded Deltans that cleanliness is next to Godliness. He advised that Deltans should always keep their environment clean at all time and should not wait to be forced to keep their environment clean.
The Governor asked Deltans especially Asaba residents to be patient as plans were in top gear to improve the power situation in the state capital. He informed them that work was going on at the new 300KVA sub-station which would be fed from Okpai and Ivrogbo power plants.
From left: Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, Governor of Delta State, his Enugu and Cross River State, Sullivan Chime and Liyel Imoke during a S,South / S. East Governors meeting held in Enugu.
South-South and South-East Governors have urged the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to call off their on-going industrial action in the interest of the Nigerian students and the nation.
The Governors made the call Sunday, September 29, 2013 at the end of the South-South/South-East Governors’ Forum meeting in Enugu.
They were of the view that the prolonged industrial action was affecting the development of the nation’s youths and the educational system and called for the resumption of academic activities while dialogue on contentious issues among all parties continue.
Governor Liyel Imoke, who gave a brief of the outcome of the meeting appealed to ASUU to put the interest of the nation and the youths ahead of other interests in their dialogue with government.
from left: Governors Theodore Orji, Abia, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, Delta, Sullivan Chime, Enugu, Martin Elechi. Ebonyi, Peter Obi, Anambra, Liyel Imoke, Cross River, Godswill Akpabio, Akwa- Ibom and John Gborubigha, Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State
While commending the security agencies on its efforts to tackle the various security challenges in the country, the Governors called for continuing dialogue to resolve the various national issues to ensure the corporate existence of the country. They called for support for President Jonathan and urged him not to be distracted by emerging issues.
On the 2015 Presidency, The Governors said “that only the nigerian electorates have theright to decide who will lead the country according to democratic tenets” warning that “ the power of the electorates should not be usurped by any person or group”
The Governors also resolved to strengthen economic ties pursue the execution of projects already identified for the common good of their states and the zones.
The meeting was attended by Governors Liyel Imoke of Cross River state, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, Delta, Godswill Akpabio, Akwa-Ibom, Peter Obi, Anambra, Martins Elechi, Ebonyi, Theodore Orji, Abia, Sullivan Chima, Enugu and John Gborubigha, Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State
Blank NEWS Online reveals that the political gladiators from the area are confident that Chief Obielum will make positive changes in the governance of Delta State based on his experience in administration and security.
The politicians made their positions known at a meeting convened by the Delta Progressive Movement at the Kefas Park, Ibusa, Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State.
Chief Frank Oligbo specifically said, “Chief Obielum is a reliable man, a dependable Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) member, a man of the people, a bridge builder and since we want a true democrat to be our next Governor, we shoul all work for the emergence of Chief Obielum because, with him in Government House, we are sure that we have a capable hand as Governor.”
“Chief Obielum is accepted by all Deltans and we are confident that he will not betray our trust, he will improve on what he meets on ground, ensure speedy development of all parts of the state and also, improve on the security situation,” Chief Oligbo said, emphasizing, “this is not about politics, this is the time we should queue behind the person who will serve us and I can tell you that Chief Obielum is the person, a man who will consider the feelings of the poor man on the street, a true democrat.”
In her contributions during the meeting, Mrs Tina Odogwu emphasized that “Chief Godwill Obielum is our man, he plays politics without bitterness or exclusion and takes the masses into consideration and does not empower people because it is election period.”
She reiterated that there is no community in Delta State that has not felt the positive impact of Chief Godwill Obielum asserting, “we know him, he has helped women, he has helped our children, he has helped the youths, he has helped our men, not because of politics but because, he has a large heart and positively believes in the welfare of the people, we shall work for Chief Obielum to be our next Governor and we thank God that he is acceptable by all Deltans.”
Others who spoke at the meeting including Mrs Dorcas Umerah, she called on Deltans not to relent in their support for Chief Obielum stating that “he is the only candidate who is capable of carrying the people along without bias, Chief Obielum is an upright politician, a true member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and we are confident that he will run an open door policy to move our state to the next level.”
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under the leadership of Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje has described the judgment of the suit challenging Prince Oyinlola’s status as the PDP’s National Secretary as a “miscarriage of Justice”.
The factional PDP in a statement signed by its National Spokesman, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka and made available to BlankNEWSOnline, said that the party learnt with shock of yesterday’s judgment by the Federal High Court Abuja presided over by Justice Abdul Kafarati in the suit filed by the Ogun State chapter of PDP against PDP’s National Secretary, His Excellency, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, former Governor of Osun State.
The breakaway PDP observed that in the judgment, Justice Abdul Kafarati ordered the PDP faction led by Alhaji Bamanga Tukur to swear in a new National Secretary for PDP and went ahead to order the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to delete Prince Oyinlola’s name from its records as PDP’s National Secretary.
The Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje-led PDP condemned what it described as “obvious and glaring miscarriage of justice” as the judgment was given in spite of the pendency of Prince Oyinlola’s suit over the subject matter at a superior court of competent jurisdiction – the Federal Court of Appeal Abuja.
The faction said it wish to inform Nigerians that Prince Oyinlola was never served any court processes before the judgment was delivered.
The splinter PDP went further to say that the judgment “unfortunately dishonours the Court of Appeal and His Lordship’s pronouncement” on the subject matter which negates procedures outlined in the Constitution of the PDP for the emergence of the party’s National Secretary.
The faction opined that the Judiciary was the last hope of the common man and a defender of the weak against the strong and appealed to the Judiciary not to indulge itself in anything that may tend to give a contrary impression.
The Baraji New PDP also appealed to its supporters and all PDP members to remain calm as arrangements are being made to appeal the judgment and ensure that justice is done in the matter.
Chairman of the New Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, has unequivocally condemned the rape of the country’s economy by the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Administration.
Baraje led-New PDP stated this in a news release signed and issued in Abuja on the 26 of September 2013 by Mr Eze Chukwuemeka.
The statement said, “Despite claims to the contrary by the Administration in a futile bid to deceive Nigerians, the overwhelming evidence is that the Nigerian economy has been run aground by the present Administration and is now comatose. With the massive scale of officially-induced oil theft, the dwindling returns from oil and massive looting going on at the federal level, Nigeria is surely on the brink of economic collapse”.
The factional party buttressed its position base on the Federal Government’s inability to pay states their share of the Federal Allocation since July adding that the last time states were partly paid was in July.
“The arrears continue to mount by the day. As at today, the states are being owed N336 billion with the N75 billion being the balance of the July 2013 arrears, N121 billion from June augmentation and over N90 billion as July augmentation”.
The implication of this development according to party was that “the 36 states have become impoverished and unable to meet up with basic obligations, including the payment of workers’ monthly salaries, which many of the states have been unable to do due to lack of funds. Most states have also as a result been unable to meet their obligation to contractors. This dangerous scenario is complemented by the growing rate of unemployment, which presently hovers around 80 per cent”.
The rest of statement reads thus:
“Let us ponder this: If states cannot pay their contractors – not to talk of entering into new contracts – if states cannot pay their workers because there is no money to pay them, what could result is a huge social catastrophe that will add to the social, economic and political inferno already ravaging Nigeria today.
“All these portend very grave danger for our dear country as youth and labour restiveness appears imminent. Nigerians should expect further worsening of the unemployment situation and the loss of jobs, which is inevitable should the Federal Government continue with the present shoddy management of the economy which leaves much room for abuse.
“Ironically, while the masses suffer, Government officials continue to feed fat, using various guises to fritter away our common patrimony. They continue to enjoy a life of opulence, which has blinded them to the realities of the monumental suffering to which the masses are being subjected on a daily basis.
“The question to ask is: Where has all the money gone? For an instance, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had revealed that the country earned a total of N1.05 trillion in July, but surprisingly, the minister had not been able to pay states their due statutory allocations. Where are the billions of dollars accruable from daily crude oil sales? Where are the billions of naira accruable from multiple taxation which is strangulating struggling businesses on a daily basis? And where are the billions of dollars which the Jonathan Administration claims to be saving from one so-called cost-saving measure or the other? Nigerians can no longer be deceived! The truth is that Nigeria is broke and it does that worse days are ahead under this inept and visionless Administration.
“PDP under the leadership of Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje strongly condemns this unfortunate situation which indicates that the managers of the nation’s economy may be at their wits end. It is unacceptable for Nigerians to be subjected to this grand level of suffering even when their country is one of the world’s leading oil producers.
“The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) under the able leadership of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi that includes the progressive G7 Governors of the authentic PDP recently raised the alarm, calling on the Finance Minister to resign in view of her shoddy running of the economy. As usual, the Minister, who is also the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, denied that the economy is running on troubled waters, but events have since proved her wrong. Since nobody has a monopoly of wisdom, we wish to advise President Jonathan to humbly consider the NGF Report on the nation’s economy and see what he can borrow from it to take the country’s economy out of the woods.
“Mr. President must act fast to rescue the situation as there is a limit to which Nigerians can be pushed. Anything short of this is an invitation to anarchy. A word is enough for the wise!
“In conclusion, not minding the abysmal failure of the defunct Tukur’s PDP to advise the Executive on how to run a PDP government based on the principles and vision of the founding fathers of the party; we sincerely thank Nigerians for their patience even in the face of poverty while in the midst of plenty bestowed on us by God as we have decided to keep this administration on its toes to ensure that dividends of democracy are rendered to Nigerians considering the massive votes that PDP received from them during the 2011 general elections”.
Delta state government has swiftly reacted in strong terms to an online publication, titled: “Controversy Trails Delta Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan‘s Sponsorship Of Journalists To London Training, As NUJChairman Faces Impeachment”, allegedly published by Saharareporters.
The publication alleged that huge sum of money had been spent by the Delta State Government to sponsor 16 practicing journalists, mostly members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on week-long professional training programme at the Thomson Reuters Institute in London.
A statement signed by the Delta state Commissioner for Information, Barr. Chike Ogeah and made available to BlankNEWSOnline, has however hinged the training programme on the good intentions of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan who recognizes the importance of developing the human capital in achieving developmental goals.
While describing the publication by Saharareporters as characterized by mischief, mental laziness, stagnation and narrow mindedness, the statement which is dated Thursday, September 26, 2013 affirmed that the special training programme for journalists practicing in Delta State is one that the administration of Dr. Uduaghan is proud of and will continue to support.
The statement tagged: Re: “Controversy Trails Delta Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s Sponsorship Of Journalists To London Training, As NUJ Chairman Faces Impeachment” reads:
“The attention of the Delta State Ministry of Information has been drawn to a publication by Saharareporters on its web journal entitled “Controversy Trails Delta Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s Sponsorship Of Journalists To London Training, As NUJ Chairman Faces Impeachment.”
“In the publication, Saharareporters alleged that the sum of N250 million was spent by the Delta State Government to sponsor 16 journalists based in the state on the on-going one-week professional training at the Thomson Reuters Institute in London, the United Kingdom.
“As outlandish as the report may seem, Saharareporters has ceased to amaze anybody with its fabled penchant for ridiculous armchair story writing. Even though Saharareporters willfully failed to crosscheck its story with the Delta State Ministry of Information, common sense dictates it could have easily contacted Thomson Reuters Institute for clarification on the training as the cost of such programmes are on the public domain.
“Obviously, telling the truth was not on the cards for Saharareporters. The fact that the story relates to a profession it purports to be a practitioner was not even enough for them to tread the path of honour and candour.
“First, the cost incurred by the Delta State Government in sponsoring the training programme is N15 million which included the visa fee, return air ticket, course fee, accommodation, transportation within London and allowance for the journalists. The total course fee paid to Thomson Reuters is 10,200 British pounds. Apparently, this was what Saharareporters may have interpreted as amounting to N250 million!
“In its haste to denigrate whatever has the imprint of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, CON, Governor of Delta State, Saharareporters resorted to attacking the noble profession that has brought honour to Nigeria. If any effort had been made to ascertain the truth, they would have known that the Special Assistant to the Commissioner for Information was not on the training tour but is in Asaba. Saharareporters is apparently angry that real journalists have been afforded the opportunity of updating their skill in the best institution in the world at minimal cost.
“It is only in the warped mind of the minders of Saharareporters that the training seemed “controversial”. Making up stories of fictitious discord within the ranks of the state council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) only reinforces the fact that the operators and reportorial crew of Saharareporters need training on the basics of journalism.
“The online journal is too enmeshed in its morbid desire to undermine the administration of Dr. Uduaghan that it has pitched itself against professionalism, good practice and excellence. When Saharareporters classifies the training of journalists in Delta State as a jamboree then the web journal is in trouble.
“Training and re-training of personnel are key to the success of every organization. Not too surprisingly, Saharareporters is still hostage to its early spell when readers were initially taken by the bizarre stories published on the web journal. It should know that Nigerians are now wiser.
“Dr. Uduaghan recognizes the importance of developing the human capital in achieving developmental goals. That is why university graduates of Delta State origin that pass with first class honours enjoy free masters degree programmes in any university of their choice worldwide. It is why secondary school students in public schools in Delta State have their final examination fees paid fully by the state government. It is the wisdom behind the free maternal and child health care for children up to five years. The free tuition and child care are being implemented without consideration to the state of origin of the children.
“We are proud of our record and achievements in the education sector, even as we strive to reduce the state’s relatively low figure of seven percent of children who are not in school. The recent launching of the Education Marshal (EduMarshal) programme is aimed at ensuring 100 percent school enrolment.
“We do not belong to the world of Saharareporters characterized by mischief, mental laziness, stagnation and narrow mindedness. The special training programme for journalists practicing in Delta State is one that the administration of Dr. Uduaghan is proud of and will continue to support.”
He said that while the disease can as well be traced to biological dysfunction on either couple, however, reaffirmed that there are medical cure for infertility.
“Some couple of months back, as the head of the department, we were able to carry out, at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, (UBTH) the first IVF conception and delivery successfully through the aid of this technology”, Prof. Orhue said.
While he admonished couple to make used of advance medical to solved problems associated with infertility and child bearing, the health expert advised government on the need to established institutions and centres dedicated exclusively to tackle cases of infertility in Nigeria.
Gov. Uduaghan (right) and his Deputy, Prof. Amos Utuama (SAN) @ the traditional rulers’ council and chairmen of local transition committees meeting.
The governor of oil and gas rich Delta state, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan says he believes that the Special Task Force headed by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke, would help resolve issues surrounding oil theft in the Nigeria.
He noted that the task-force was meant to overcome the challenges of jurisdiction and prosecution of suspects, adding that all oil theft suspects would now be effectively prosecuted since it was a federal offense.
Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke
He commended the Federal Government for the efforts taken to check oil theft in the country and opined that “until prosecution of all those caught in the vandalisation of pipelines and oil thefts is taken seriously no matter their status, we might not get to the end of this problem.”
Governor Uduaghan however argued that Delta State has the least incidents of crude oil theft in the country, acknowledging the drastic reduction in the spate of piracy and kidnapping in the state.
“Among all the states in the Niger/ Delta Region where there is crude oil theft, Delta State is the least affected. I am happy to say that security in the state has improved tremendously as kidnapping, piracy and oil theft has reduced.”
Cross-Section of Traditional Rulers during traditional rulers council and chairmen of local transition committees
He made the statement Wednesday, September 25, 2013 at a meeting with traditional rulers and Local Government Transition Committee Chairmen in Asaba, where he also urged all stakeholders to continue to cooperate with security agencies to ensure that security was maintained in the starte at all time.
The Governor charged the royal fathers and indigenes of the Niger-Delta Region to cooperate with government and security agencies to checkmate incidents of oil thefts as they were the worst hit by the effects of oil theft stating that “it is not the money being lost through oil theft that is the issue but the damage to the environment through pipiline vandalisation and sabotage. It is not in our interest as we bear the brunt of the physical damage associated with the oil theft especially the contamination of the air, water and food chain and the genetic mutations for years to come.”
He therefore enjoined them to do everything necessary to eradicate the incidents of pipeline vandalism so as to safeguard the environment and their communities.
Blank NEWS Onlinesource revealed that Ndokwa Volunteers had just concluded a two-day conference held in Asaba, tagged, “Repositioning Ndokwa Nation For Sustainable Development“. The event was held under the chairmanship of Chief Omordi Sunny Obi-Ijeoma.
In a press brief with the National Exco of the group, Hon. Comrade Ifeanyi Nwador Anyim, said “Ndokwa Nation needs a rescue team to help determine its priorities.
He however commended the efforts of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan for the initiative of “Delta Beyond Oil” as a means of empowering the people in different sectors.
He also passed a vote of confidence on the member representing Ukwuani Constituency at the Delta state House of Assembly, Hon. (Dr.) Alphonsus Ojo, saying that the legislator has done beyond expectations and deserves another tenure.
The National Secretary of the group, Onotu-Great Ifeanyi Ogwu-Otuya also supported and complimented the efforts of Hon. Alphonsus Ojo as a master of empowerment and community developer with his initiative on empowerment and community development.
Hon. Ifeanyi Nwador Anyim insists and called on the stakeholders and leadership of the Ndokwa National Union to call for Ndokwa National Conference to address issues of poor representation by Ndokwa political office holders.
He commended the efforts of the “Save Ndokwa Nation Group”, under the leadership of Comrade Marcus Enudi for effective representation.
Recall that the by-election is necessitated as a result of the sudden demise of Senator Pius Ewherido of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP).
The Delta State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dame Gesila Khan, who made the disclosure at a stakeholders forum in Ughelli, said that the election would be held in 1,263 polling units, 85 registration areas and eight local government areas in the senatorial district.
According to Khan, “The Senate has formally notified the commission of the vacancy in Delta Central senatorial district. Consequently, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC headquarters, has directed the Delta State office to commence the process of conducting a by- election into the senatorial district.
“The publication of personal particulars of candidates and last date for submission of names and addresses of party agents would be September 28, while publication of final list of candidates nominated for the election, will be September 30, 2013; last date of campaign, October 4, 2013 and possible run-off, October 9, 2013.
“In accordance with the proposed time table for the election, the last date of primaries by political parties for the nomination of their candidates and submission of the list of candidates for the election has been fixed for September 25 and 26, 2013 respectively.
“INEC is not unmindful of the publics’ high expectations. I, therefore, assure the people of Delta Central senatorial district that the commission will leave no stone unturned to ensure a free, fair and credible election. A situation where any of the participants would appear to foment trouble and constitute a cog in the wheel of peace and progress will not augur well for the system.
“The issue of electoral violence will also cease to flourish or reduce to the barest minimum when the political parties, their supporters and politicians in general shun the urge to recruit thugs to unleash terror during the election.”
The REC appealed to political parties to engage in elaborate and extensive voter education campaign, adding that “the parties have a dominant role to play towards achieving the desired free, fair and credible electoral process.”
Khan however condoled with the family of late Senator Ewherido, saying that “Senator Ewherido was a quintessential legislator, who left no one in doubt of his abilities, capabilities and passion to deliver on the mandate from his people during his tenure in the Senate.”
As Delta state government restates its commitment to clinch medals for Nigeria on the world stage, the Governor of the oil and gas wealthy state, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has vowed to strengthen sports development through the provision of more sports facilities for effective training.
The Governor harped on the fact that athletes require facilities and constant training and exposure to excel at the international level and urged parents to support their children who have inclination for sports, just as he pledged to encourage the athletes.
“We are prepared to encourage young ones to achieve their maximum potentials in sports. In Delta State we take swimming seriously and it is part of our youth empowerment programme to channel their energies away from crime.’
The governor, however increased the prize for the competition from N15,000 to N150,000, as the Chief of Naval staff, Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba expressed delight, saying that the swimming competition was a way of training and ensuring the fitness of officers and men of the Nigerian Navy.
He called on all stakeholders and the Delta State Government to help raise the stakes in the swimming competition by discovering talents that would win laurels for the country in international events.
In his comments, the President, Nigeria Aquatics Federation, Mr. Babatunde Fatayi-Williams commended Delta State for her dominance in sports in the last few years and commended Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan for making Delta State field athletes who have so far made Nigeria proud.
The Chairman of Delta State Sports commission, Mr. Amaju Pinnick while welcoming guests, swimmers and spectators to the three day swimming competition said the Olympic sized swimming pool in Oghara was the first of its kind in the country and revealed that a similar one will soon be commissioned at the Warri Stadium.
Mr. Pinnick expressed the hope that the facilities will encourage swimming and enable Delta State maintain her dominance in swimming.
Chike Ogeah Esq., Delta State Commissioner for Information, in this Exclusive Interview with Albert Ograka, Editor-In-Chief of Blank NEWS Online, unearths the strategies of effective governance in Delta state. He is blunt on the efforts and strides of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan-led administration and reveals more on its star projects, especially the Asaba International Airport.
Excerpts:
Blank NEWS Online: Of what importance is the Asaba International Airport to Delta state and It’s people?
Chike Ogeah: The story of that Airport is the most intriguing story I’ve ever heard or seen. The truth is that that Airport is the star project of this administration. That Airport is also the game changer in everything we are doing. We talk about the three-point agenda and of course, peace and security, human capital development, infrastructure development. That Airport in itself captures all three elements of that agenda, because in that Airport, we have the best infrastructure anywhere in Nigeria and now people are even saying anywhere in Africa.
In that Airport, we are developing massive human capital development because as we speak now, the Ministry of Education is providing some major scholarships for Delta indigenes that are training as Air pilots and other related aeronautic education activities.
Entrance to the Presidential Lounge of the Asaba International Airport
Of course, when people are meaningfully employed, like the kind of jobs the Airport is already creating for Deltans, and that means even if you just go there and see the kind of shuttle services of the taxis and other auxiliary activities that goes on; the trading, the cleaning and all that, you will see how many Deltans that have been employed already.
These are people that otherwise, would have been elsewhere, maybe committing crimes, especially the young men operating the taxi services there. So, that is why I say that Airport is a civil basic game changer in what we are trying to do and that is the three-point strategy. Now, the tactic to achieve that strategy is what we call “Delta Beyond Oil”.
Now, What can be better than the development of that Airport and all the ancillary activities that they come with to put in place of oil. As we go forward now, that Airport has been designated by the Federal Government as an Agricultural Cargo Airport.
Entrance to the Another section of the Presidential Lounge of the Asaba International Airport
So, aside from being an industrial cargo airport, where manufacturers can move their heavy equipments and all that; around that Airport, you are going to soon see the development of green house effects where we are going to start cultivating all kinds of cash crops that we have comparative advantages of here, like cassava, maize and all those kind of things. And what is going to happen is that they are going to enforce the kind of weather on those green house effects, where you can plant and harvest on almost same day basis and then instead of all our foods and crops that usually get rotten because you don’t have means of taking it to the last resort bias; these things would be put in a cargo and taken out of the country fresh. So that again is a different ball game when we get to that stage of things, because it’s just going to be agriculture meets aviation in perfect harmony and you can imagine the explosion for the economy. And that is why I say that that Airport is the singular greatest achievement anywhere, because though it is an activity in the Aviation industry but that activity has a multiplier effect on so many other sectors of the economy.
Entrance to the Revolving steps @ the Asaba International Airport
You see, that Airport is so strategic. It is located 10 minutes from the biggest market in Sub-Saharan African, the Onitsha market and maybe 15 minutes from the China/Taiwan of Africa which is in Nnewi where all kinds of metal fabrications and all that go on.
So you can imagine already the kind of use that that Airport is being put to and the way it is. I have a very strong background in Aviation like you all know. I have never seen an Airport grow potentially as that airport grow. Now even with the big Boeing planes that are coming in, if you don’t get your tickets on time when you are going to Abuja or Lagos, you will not even get a space. I’m aware that Aero is going to join in the next few days. Of course, you know Overland has upgraded their own planes, so we are going to have about three or four airlines already plying that airport.
And like we always say about aviation; an airport is a continues work of improvement. Its like a permanent construction site anywhere in the world because airport must meet the challenges of change and change is such a constant, especially in the aviation world. So if you build an airport even like we have done in 2010 or 2011, by 2015 you have to keep making major changes. You can imagine the airports that were built in the 70’s like Murtala Mohammed Airport, that is why they were almost going totally archaic until this Minister of Aviation came and started doing the kind of massive job you can see in the infrastructural renewal of those edifices.
So, like I was saying, this Airport in Asaba would continually be renewed to meet these challenges and you can see it is not just a straight passenger airport, it is also going to be a cargo airport.
Baggage Hall with dual carriage Conveyor Belts @ the Asaba International Airport
And the greatest benefit for Deltans, if you ask me, about his airport, is that instead of our people traveling so much, even the traders, especially the merchant who ship in things, going to Lagos, many of them die on the road in road accidents while going to convey their things from the airport, now they can be doing that with Asaba.
But more importantly is the fact that Delta state is going to be the only state that will have two airports at the end of its administration because we are also building a second airport in Osubi. Now the thinking is that the Warri axis which we refer to as our oil and gas economic zone, then we have the Asaba axis which is the headquarters of the state and also a major economic zone, basically with the provision of this same airport because this airport is what has opened up the whole place. From the airport all the way to Agbor, you cannot find a land to buy because most businesses have taken up all the land. It is affecting the hospitality business, very soon you will soon see a Protea, you will soon see a Hilton in Asaba, and industrial warehouses. They are all coming up and have taken over everywhere.
One of the Conveyor Belts @ the Asaba International AirportAnother section of the Conveyor BeltsConveyor Belts
So the whole idea is that with the condition of the Ughelli-Warri road dualization, though a Federal Government road which this administration is pursuing vigorously, then we can connect those two hubs and what that means is that goods and services can now be flowing both by land, by air and by the time the Warri Port is dredged, which is what the Federal Government has promised us to do, and by sea, then Delta state will already have an economy of its own that would be open to the world and Delta can start doing business with the world. That is the vision of this governor. That is why we keep saying it that this vision might be too big for a lot of people to comprehend and that is why the little criticism we get here and there, but with every successive day, the vision is coming together and I think it’s getting clearer to people what exactly this massive vision of this governor is. That is why those of us that are his vision helpers, all we can do is continue to propagate and try to explain on what this vision is, that it is a vision of Delta banishing poverty and embracing prosperity in an open economy that is about to explode….but you know people don’t realize it but you will see that happen very, very shortly.
Blank NEWS Online: Do you think that successive governments can sustain what you already have on ground?
Chike Ogeah: You see, Delta State University Teaching Hospital (DELSUTH) , Oghara, as you will recall, was started by the successive government but this government came in and took such a first class edifice to now world class level, gone beyond just the infrastructure and put in massive modern day equipment for everything. You can do knee replacement surgery there. You can do kidney dialysis treatment and many other things. The Delta state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan went a step further by having direct relationship with one or two American Universities, where they are sending us first class medical professors as part of the Human Capital Development, who are coming over here.
Main Hall
Mind you, these Professors are Deltans who left Nigeria about 20 or 30 years ago and would have forgotten about Nigeria. We are using that facility to attract them back. And this administration has completed that hospital and delivered maybe the best Teaching Hospital in Nigeria now in Oghara. That is what governance is all about because governance is a continue. And it is our wish and prayer that because these projects are such massive projects, that any successive government, I don’t care from whichever party, would follow suit with a lot of these laudable projects.
Like you say, we don’t have projects in Delta, we have programmes because programmes are beyond projects. Projects are just what you see. How do you categorize what we are doing in health care for instance? Do you know the kind of billions that go into the free ante-natal, free 1-5, free delivery services for all our rural women, even the ambulance services and all what we takes into the rural communities to do all the eye checks and all that. How do you compute that kind of money or you don’t see it because it’s not quantifiable. That is why you see, like I said to you, we have programmes.
Asaba International Airport
The same thing in Education. Look at the massive renovations going on in schools. Okay that you can see. Schools free and like you know, we are going to talk about Education Marshall very soon. They are launching it because it’s a major programme where government officials from the Ministry of Education would be going round the villages, nooks and crannies and if they find any child of school bearing age that is not in school, that child will be taken straight to school. And if we find out that it’s because of some beliefs or the other that the parents are refusing to send that child to school, those parents would be prosecuted because the schools are free. So, why should children not have an education? So these are the things we are doing and that is why I say we have programmes.
But I think the critical thing is to let the people have ownership of these programmes. Let the people be the owners and they will defend it. So whichever government comes and say it is not going to continue with these programmes that is the people’s programme, it is the people they will have to contend with and not the out-going or out-gone administration that would have gone. I have no doubt in my mind that because these are people oriented programmes, they must be sustained by whatever successive administration is coming in.
Blank NEWS Online: Can you beat your chest to say that the facilities at the Asaba International Airport are effectively put to use?
Chike Ogeah: Well, like I said to you, an Airport is a permanent construction site and it’s always changing and improving to meet the challenges. The truth is that we are very lucky in Delta because things like airport, aviation generally are things that should really ordinarily be left to the private sector but Delta is blessed. We had the government come in to give us this fantastic push with that first class edifice.
VIP Lounge
Of course, the usage of that airport, if you ask me today, is maybe 1/3 or less. When we started, I remember I used to enter some planes and there would just be five of us there, at that time. That is how airport development is. It’s called route development, it’s called airport development. Everyday makes a different in that airport, in terms of the usage, in terms of the patronage and all that.
So, what have happened is that instead of building every other year, we have already put an edifice that would just be able to absolve and continue to expand in terms of usage and that is what you would be seeing. I can assure you this time next year, you would be telling a different story. You would be saying maybe we should add more conveyor belts or something. That is how airports work. Why I am optimistic about that is that this airport, actually is serving six states.
Another section of the VIP Lounge
I remember, I was talking to the Secretary to State Government (SSG) of Anambra state when he came over here for the Nigeria Guild of Editors meeting in Asaba and he said to me that “What we are thinking of in Awka now is how to develop a mono-rail from Awka to your airport. Why should we be thinking of building an airport”.
So those are the kind of things I’m talking about. We are serving Imo, Anambra, Enugu, Edo, Delta, Rivers and Cross-Rivers states, though some of them even have airports but depending on the type of plane and flight schedule. So you can imagine and that is exactly what is going on.
Blank NEWS Online: Sir, considering the rate of development at the airport. When do we expect the arrival of Cargo planes at the Asaba International Airport?
Chike Ogeah: Well, you see, especially the Agricultural cargo aspect of it. Like I told you, it’s not even a Delta state initiative, it is a Federal Government initiative and I think they chose certain airports in the country of which Asaba just happens to be one of them, knowing the criteria they used and I think they want to start across board at the same time. I think between this year and next year, they will take-off.
And more importantly, for the overall Cargo which is an initiative of this government, i know work is also in progress with that and i might not be able to tell you this is the day they will start but work is still in progress.
Blank NEWS Online: Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has concentrated more on infrastructure. Why?
Chike Ogeah: I don’t even know whether that is right to say. It’s because we have done so much in the infrastructure you can see, that is why you are coming to that conclusion. Otherwise, the invisible infrastructure, like what we doing in Small and Medium scale Enterprises (SME’s). We have the Central Bank Governor’s prize for over three years and we had to stop. And these are major programmes were we are creating a new class of people from the vulnerable and underprivileged people that were either physically disabled and all that, you now see them having their own businesses and employing people. In the middle of that, we are also building up strong Micro-Finance Banks because they provide these loans to them and these loans are being paid back. And you juxtapose that with the programmes we have in health, education, the ones you don’t see, the training.
So those things have been going on and a lot of money, of course, all the various scholarships. You know that any first class student in a first degree of Delta state set would be paid for to any level his or her abilities can take him or her to anywhere in the world. So we have a lot of those projects but they are not seen.
Passenger boarding bridgeInside entrance to the Avio or Boarding BridgeSide view of the Avio Bridge
But yet, it is important that we put infrastructure. For instance, what I am thrilled about personally are the level of renewal we are doing with our roads because that has been big challenge. And the truth is that since Delta state was created or even from when we were in Mid-West, I don’t think any administration had ever done drains in Delta. This is the first time drains are being done and that is why we are having these issues of flooding or no flooding. Even in a city or town like Asaba where we have a natural drain point in the River Niger. How to get those drains to get to the River Niger, because they are all under the ground, has been a big challenge. This government have to now taken it over. I grew up in this town. This government opened up this whole area. When we were growing up, this whole place was all massive forest. It opened up this area and started providing these kind of massive infrastructure you are seeing now in terms of drainage and by the time those drainage are completed because those are the main thing and not even the asphalting of the roads, and these roads are laid out and asphalted, then Deltans will begin to see the kind of work we are doing there.
You know in Delta, we keep saying its not like most of these states that you make intervention in one or two towns and they start shouting because the places are so small. But in Delta, anything you do in Asaba, you have fourteen, fifteen, sixteen other towns, like Asaba that you must do it and these things are happening simultaneously everywhere, because you know it’s politics and everybody, it’s all about their own self interest. The man in Warri would not sit down and just let you be doing this in Asaba; either would the man in Kwale, Obiaruku, Agbor, Patani, Burutu, Ughelli or Bomadi. Don’t forget we have riverine areas. Their own challenges are different and development in those areas are much more expensive because of their soil, degradation, pollution and all that. You have to contend with all that but yet you must attend to them. We thank God for our interventionist agency of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) also plays its role in that as well.
So those are the kind of things that are being done on daily basis to make sure we provide and don’t forget that this over meant has hinged its Infrastructural Development on some major five-star projects, like the airport we are focusing on, like the Oleri Leisure Park in Udu which is Private Public Partnership (PPP) because the government cannot go on that kind of project on its own, it doesn’t even have the resources. What the government has done is provide an enabling environment for a private firm to come and develop by reclaiming massive wasteland, almost, putting a bridge across the place because the place that was found suitable for that kind of thing has to be a picturesque place with that kind of topography and done what it should do for it and then the company’s going ahead. There are going to be five star hotels, shopping malls, you just name it.
The same thing, we are going to do with the Warri Industrial Business Park which is going to be a conglomeration of major massive manufacturing industries in one place.
If you go to the Asian and the emergent nations, these are how they have been able to transform their economy from developing, struggling economies between 20 to 30 years to world class developed economies.
Blank NEWS Online: What do you mean by the slogan of “Finishing Strong” by the Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s administration?
Chike Ogeah: What we mean by that basically, is just as it says, “We Want To Finish Strong”. Its important. We are saying that we are not going to be distracted. Don’t forget that this administration has been the guinea pig, so to speak, of our democratic experiment. While this governor was winding down on his first term, getting ready for his re-election, a court judgement out of some Court of Appeal in Benin nullified his election, thereafter it was series of elections, we went for what they call re-run, then he had to do the general elections again, then after that it was series of litigation up to the Supreme Court. These are all major distractions, though we remained focused. Thank God for the strong leadership we had, but the truth is that those distractions were there because we were running to Abuja, running everywhere, going to court in Benin and all that.
So, some time was lost, now we we are saying that all that time that is lost, every minute, we count down in this administration now on these. We have planned what we are doing to almost days and hours. It’s that much, because we know exactly the time we have left, and we know we have tremendous work to still do. I told you that this is a big decision government and when you want to do big things, you must be prepared to make that extra sacrifice to be able to make it count.
So, therefore, we’ve all been asked by our leader, the Governor, to redouble our efforts and we must stay focused and know that this development agenda is still the number one priority. That is what “Finishing Strong” is all about.
Gov. Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State(left) Honoring Blessing Okagbare on her recent achievements at the International Athletics
As preparation hots up for the forthcoming 2016 Olympics, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of oil and gas wealthy Delta State has announced a three-year financial grant of $360,000 to Delta-born Africa’s fastest woman, Blessing Okagabare to support her preparation for the Olympics.
The governor, who made the announcement on Friday, September 13, 2013 during a state reception for the world celebrated athlethe at the Government House, Asaba, also enjoined politicians to desist from actions that could distract the athlete as she prepares for the 2016 Olympics.
Governor Uduaghan advised those who desire to appreciate Okagbare to do so quietly without politicizing her in order to insulate her for the set goal of gold medals in the 2016 Olympics.
Gov. Uduaghan (2nd left), Deputy Gov. Prof. Amos Utuama SAN (left), Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Hon Victor Ochei and Blessing Okagbare
“All support for Blessing should be done privately and quietly, we should insulate her from politics, she is a role model, she is not a political model. Okagbare is a pride to Nigeria and a pride to us in Delta State.
“Her feat has shown that youths in the state have enormous potentials for greatness, which if harnessed positively will bring great successes and positive changes to the state and the nation.”
The governor, while reaffirming his administration’s desire to produce gold winning athletes for the country at the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil, announced an annual training grant of $120,000 for three years to Miss Okagbare to support her preparation for the Olympics and reduce competetive distractions ahead of the Olympics Games.
Uduaghan further announced a cash gift of N2.5 million for Miss Blessing Okagbare, N2 million each to Mr. Daniel Etsebiminor, the local coach that discovered Blessing and Mr. Gabriel Okon, her Athletic Federation of Nigeria Coach as well as $20,000 to Mr. John Smith, her international coach.
From left>> Solomon Ogba, Prof. Amos Utuama, Barr. Chike Ogeah, Gov. Uduaghan & Blessing Okagbare
In addition, the Governor appointed Miss Okagbare the Youth Ambassador for the state, gave her a parcel of land in Asaba and announced the naming of a stadium in the state after her.
He also charged the State Sports Commission to identify four young potential athletes capable of winning medals that would be nurtured and groomed to represent the state and country in the 2016 Olymics Games in Brazil, promising to give them training grants for their preparations and exposure to international training facilities.
The governor thanked President Goodluck Jonathan for the honour done to Blessing Okagbare and commended the team, as well as other young athletes from the state who have won laurels in different competitions, especially at the last African Junior Athletics Competitions in Malawi promising that the state government would bestow deserving honour on them.
In his remarks, the President of the AFN, Evangelist Solomon Ogba lauded the Delta State government for encouraging field and track events development in the country, stating that such guesture has earned Delta the champion in sporting activities in the country, adding that Okagbare had placed Nigeria in the 19th position in world ranking.
RECEPTION: from left; President, Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Chief Solomon Ogba, Prof. Amos Utuama, Deputy Governor of Delta State, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State, Blessing Okagbera, Rt. Hon. Speaker, DTHA, Victor Ochie, Chairman, Delta State Sports Commission, Mr. Amaju Pinnic and Director General, Delta State Sports Commission, Mr. Victor Onogagamue during a State reception to honor Blessing Okagbera for making the state and Nigeria proud at the recent international Athletics meet.
Responding, Blessing Okagbare thanked Governor Uduaghan for playing important roles in her success story stating: “My career has grown from good to better but my best is yet to come.”
She appealed to the Federal and State Governments to support athletes by developing sports through funding and proper management, explaining that “proper and adequate funding, especially training grants to athletes will make them prepare properly for competitions and improve their performance.”
Blessing Okagbare displays her medal with Pastor Powell Ojogho on her right and Sunny Areh on her left.
She said that money spent on sports especially to support the training and preparation of athletes in track and field would determine the amount of laurels the country can win in competitions.
Delta state Sports Commission boss, Mr Pinnick Amaju, in his speech thanked Governor Uduaghan for his love for sports, assuring that the state would always excel in sporting activities.
Directorate of Special Infrastructure Commissioner, Orezi Esieo, (left) and Information Commissioner, Chike Ogeah during the ongoing mid-term media report @ Govt. House, Asaba
As the Delta state Mid-Term Reports of the members of the state executive council progresses, more facts have been unveiled on the unprecedented development strides of the Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan administration.
The Delta State Commissioner for Special Infrastructure, Barr. Orezi Esievo, during her mid-term report revealed that the state government has created over 5,000 new jobs, while her counterpart in the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Barr. Richard Mofe-Damijo also disclosed during his session that his Ministry has opened new income streams for Delta state government in a bid to sustain the “Delta Beyond Oil” initiative.
Esievo, during the on-going mid-term report on Wednesday, September 11, 2013 said that the over 5,000 new jobs were achieved in the past 24 months, as part of the dedicated efforts of the MDA’s in the supporting the Delta Beyond Oil initiative of the Governor Uduaghan administration.
She added that the jobs were created by the contractors handling the various government projects across the state in areas including casual, skilled and unskilled labour, equally noted that the jobs are mainly in the social sectors of Health, Education and Housing where the Directorate has wholly renovated and rehabilitated key infrastructure across the state.
Barr. Esievo further affirmed that a total of 50 primary schools have been built, rehabilitated and renovated by the Directorate, with 10 additional schools already equipped with modern facilities built, adding that the Directorate had also been mandated to scope over 60 more schools across the state for the next phase of rehabilitation and renovation.
She confirmed that a host of key special Infrastructure projects in the areas of Health, Commerce and Industry, Housing and other sectors were executed, while work is still going on on some others across the state, even as she added that the projects have created employment for the teeming jobless populace which will in turn have a multiplier effect on the economy and eventually impact positively on the Delta Beyond Oil initiative.
According to her, “The State Government under His Excellency, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan commenced the process of improving educational infrastructure by the construction/rehabilitation of 60 Primary/Secondary Schools across the State in 2011 at the total cost of N10, 459,251,716.85. Presently 90% of the school projects have been completed and are being commissioned”.
Other areas where the Directorate has made its impact felt include; remodeling and rehabilitation and equipping of Eku government baptist hospital, Eku, Construction and equipping of a 100-bed integrated mother and child care centres at central hospital, warri and general hospital, Ekpan, which is a 3 – storey building of 100 beds, Offices, Laboratories, Theatre, Delivery and Labour rooms, 2 holding bays for ante-natal programmes with consideration for physically challenged persons. It is also equipped with a ramp and a 21 – passenger capacity elevator as well as state-of-art furniture and equipment, which is at 90% practical completion stage and is costing the State Government a total sum of N1, 433,761,377.47, the construction of the Mother and Child Care Complex, Ekpan which is costing Government a total sum of N585,445,905.84 for its construction is progressing at a satisfactory pace.
The Special Projects Commissioner also confirmed the Construction of 30 bus shelters and 4 city bus terminals across the state as part of the State Government’s Urban Renewal Strategy in the transportation sector in the state, for the sum of N1, 163,671,492.01, and the
Junction improvement works, which the State Government awarded at the cost of N3, 175,773,182.66 zand mosthave already been completed in the major metropolisis.
Other projects include, the dualisation of ughelli – asaba road (sectors a, b and c) by the State Government and completion of the 149km Federal road from Asaba to Ughelli awarded to three contractors in November 2008 at the total cost of N59,360,265,337.77, Construction of the 11.575km Trans Warri-Ode Itsekiri Bridges and Access Roads with two (2) Nos bridges awarded by the State Government at a cost of N7,299,904,546.94; Construction Of Sapele-Abigborodo – Aruwon Road which is at 55% completion with N3,727,893,723.63 of the contract sum paid.
In the area of promoting Commerce in the State, the Directorate has commenced Construction of the novel and ultra modern Ogheye Ultra Modern Concrete Floating Market Project, with the following facilities 1000 market stalls, 3 concrete stepways/pilling platforms/protective
barriers of 250 by 200 metres, warehouse and coldroom facilities, administrative building with banking hall, berthing facilities, fish processing unit,and other state-of-the-art facilities, at the cost of N3,006,316,012.60.
Esievo equally confirmed the expansion of Osubi Airport to increase the capacity from the existing 2.4km length by 30m width runway originally designed for small aircrafts, to the construction of a second runway of 4km by 60m width, taxiways, fire station, a modern
control tower, an Air force Base with a second apron as well as a hangar for a total cost of N40,076,134,537.23 out of which N10,019,033,633.50 has been paid as mobilisation to the contractor, even as she added that the preliminary work on some sites for the Construction Of Four (4) New State Polytechnics at Sapele, Bomadi, boh and Abigborodo at a cost of N4,400,000,000.00. of which a total f N2,113,784,215.32 has so far been paid. The construction work on thers will commence once the rainy season was over, the Commissioner said.
Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Richard Mofe-Damijo (left), Information Commissioner, Chike Ogeah (middle) and the State Chairman of Nigeria Union Journalist (NUJ) Comrade Norbert Chiazor
In another development, Barr. Richard Mofe-Damijo, Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, also disclosed during his session on Thursday, September 12, 2013, that his Ministry has opened new income streams for Delta state government in a bid to sustain the “Delta Beyond Oil” initiative.
Barr. Richard Mofe-Damijo espoused that through the promotion of the state’s cultural heritage, which has been on the front burner, by redirecting the energies of Deltans towards developing creative enterprises that will convert crafts to wealth.
Apart from the efforts to make Delta state the preferred tourism destination, where the state would become a hobnob of Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings, the Commissioner said that plans are underway for the provision of a symbiotic environment that will aid private sector driven initiatives that will greatly address issues of unemployment, poverty and youth restiveness.
He disclosed that the state government entered into a Public Private Partnership with Sarner PFM for the construction of a World Class Delta Leisure Park at Oleri, in Udu local government, explaining that the project has an initial foreign partners’ financiers to the tune of $250,000,000 Million.
The ongoing world class project is earmarked on a 500 acres of land provided by the state government which also forms the state government’s 10 per cent counterpart funding of the resort.
Senior Civil Servants in Delta State Civil Service has been charged to be shining examples to their subordinates especially in their attitude to work.
The Permanent Secretary, Directorate of Government House and Protocol, Mr. Tony Obuh who gave the charge today, Thursday, September 2013 during an In-House Training organised for workers in the Directorate in line with the State Government Agenda on Human Capital Development said that senior civil servants in the state should act as role model and guide their subordinates on the achievements of set goals.
The Permanent Secretary opined that senior civil servants in the state need to be diligent and upright in handling government business as they have an enormous responsibility to teach their subordinates the rudiments of the service.
He explained that the training would help sensitize civil servants on how best to improve on their attitude to work and educate them on the code of conduct and ethics of the service for effective service delivery.
His words “This training is an initiative for civil servants in the Directorate to be sensitized on the code of conduct and ethics of the service. This will enhance effective service delivery”.
In an opening remark, the Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Emmanuel Okafor said the topics for discussion in the seminar was apt because it was been organised at a time where there was need to rejuvenate the state civil service for effective performance.
He observed that the civil service had cherished values which needed to be upheld emphasising that “the programme is coming up at a time when there is interest in rejuvenating the service.”
He continued “The civil service have cherished values which have been relegated to the background by officers, that is why this topic on code of conduct and ethics is a welcomed development. The guest lecturers are capable hands, l know we will be enlightened by the end of this seminar.”
Mr. Okafor urged participants to take the seminar very seriously in order to be better equipped to discharge their duties diligently.
Delivering the first lecture titled “Code of Conduct and Ethics of the Civil Service” Mr Vincent Edema stated that code of conduct and ethics was important for civil servants explaining that they constituted the ingredients required for the success of the civil service.
He said that the code of conduct and ethics would promote the public image of the civil service and motivate civil servants to perform effectively in their duties.
According to him “ A well observed code of conduct and ethics will promote the goodwill of the civil service and give it a good public image.”
The second lecture delivered by Mr. Andrew Okoh on “Civil Service as a vital organ for service delivery” examined the role played by the civil service in enhancing effective service delivery.
He charged civil servants to see how best they can implement government policies above their personal interest for utmost performance.
His words “Reforms in the civil service are made to improve on the performance of civil servants. Civil servants should know that they have to support and implement government policies above their personal interest.”
Questions and comments were entertained from participants.
Delta state government has condemned the recent unprovoked and physical attack on the state Commissioner for Education (Basic and Secondary), Professor Patrick Muoboghare, by hoodlums in the state.
The attack on the Commissioner has been greeted with wide condemnation from Deltans at home and in the Diaspora.
A statement signed by the Delta state Commissioner for Information, Barr. Chike Ogeah and dated September 9, 2013 described the incident as vicious and undesirable to the peace and security vision of the state government.
The statement made available to Blank NEWS Online, has also denied claims that the attacked member of the state executive council was in coma after the unprovoked attack which caused him severe bodily harm, adding that Prof. Muoboghare is recuperating and responding to treatment in an undisclosed hospital.
A reliable police source has however revealed to Blank NEWS Online that some of the perpetrators of the dastardly act have been apprehended by the police who have vowed prosecute the alleged miscreants.
The statement reads:
“On Saturday, September 6, 2013, the Delta State Commissioner for Education (Basic and Secondary), Professor Patrick Muoboghare, was viciously attacked by some elements among the youth at a meeting in Ughelli North Local Government Area.
“What was scheduled as a peaceful meeting among political groups in the area was hijacked by a few misguided youths that took advantage of the atmosphere of camaraderie to inflict bodily harm on Prof. Muoboghare.
“The commissioner was wounded from a knife attack, but thankfully, he was immediately taken to hospital where doctors attended to him. Prof. Muoboghare is stable, recuperating and responding to treatment. He is not and was never in coma.
“We unreservedly condemn the unprovoked attack on the commissioner. Arrests have been made by the police and perpetrators of the crime will face the full wrath of the law. At a time that Delta State has emerged as one of the most peaceful states in the country, the unfortunate incident belies the perception of the youth as the successor generation among the political class that should usher an era of tolerance in politics.
“We hereby urge Deltans, especially youth to eschew violence in all their conduct as attacks on persons under any guise is a criminal act punishable under Nigerian laws.”
Recall that Prof Patrick Muoboghare was on Saturday, August 07, 2013 attacked by youths during the inauguration of the Ughelli North local government ward executives of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the party secretariat in Ughelli.
In his determination to entrench lasting peace in his kingdom, Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has intervened in the internal crisis between the Itsekiri monarch, Ogiame Atuwatse II (Olu of Warri) and his people.
The Governor who hails from the Itsekiri minority tribe in Delta state, appealed to the men, women and youths of Itsekiri nation to remain calm and peaceful as “efforts were on top gear to ensure that reasons prevailed over the matter.”
Uduaghan, who addressed the aggrieved parties on Sunday, September 08, 2013 at the palace ground of the Olu of Warri, assured the people that “everything will come back to normal soon as all efforts were been made to address their grievances.”
Gov. Uduaghan & Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse II
He informed them that he has already discussed with the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse II, Chiefs and Youths and that all parties were willing to give peace a chance.
The Governor who has been described in many quarters as peace loving, thanked the youths for conducting themselves in a peaceful manner and urged them to remain peaceful and embrace the Peace and Security initiative of his administration.
The Leader of the Youths, Mr. Omolubi Newuwuni had appealed to the youths to hearken to the voice of the governor who has come to ensure that peace was maintained in the kingdom.
The PDP under the leadership of Alhaji Abubakar Baraje has said it has asked its lawyers to press a contempt charge against Alhaji Bamanga Tukur for flouting the orders of a Lagos High Court which asked both sides to maintain the status quo pending the resolution of the case before it on who should lead the party.
A statement issued last night by the National Secretary of the the PDP under Baraje, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, condemned the press conference addressed by Tukur in Abuja on wednesday where he threatened to sack members of the National Assembly who have declared support for the Baraje faction and arrest its officers.
” We have asked our lawyers to press contempt charges against Tukur because his statement was made in clear contempt of the orders of Lagos High Court which three days ago asked both sides to maintain the status quo. We will ask the court to commit him to jail for his disdain for the law and the judicial system.
” We have always been saying it that Tukur represents everything that must not be seen in a democratic organisation. His statement demonstrates not just impunity but also lawlessness and crass ignorance of the tenets of the law and democratic ethos.
” Tukur displayed his disdain for law and order with his threat to order the arrest of law abiding persons in a democracy. We ask what powers he has under our laws to make that statement and what gave him the impression that Nigeria has become a police state where impunity reigns and citizens can be arrested at the whim of any power drunk tzar. Fortunately, our country is a democracy under the rule of law and not under the rule of man. The police and our other security agencies cannot be used to further such agenda as being nurtured in the dictatorial mind of Tukur.
” Again, we believe only an ignorant person would threaten to sack elected Senators and Representatives for staying on the side of truth, justice and fairness. Tukur needs be reminded that members of the National Assembly were elected by the people of Nigeria and are not his appointees who he could dismiss like the minions in his private residence.
” He called the Alhaji Baraje- led leadership of our party impostors and we ask him if he does not know that the endorsement of our cause by elected representatives of our people across all tiers of government has vindicated our position that what we represent in the party today is what the people want. We challenge him to call out those who are with him in his clear journey to perdition even as we add that Tukur should come to terms with the reality of the end of his reign of terror, impunity, dictatorship and lawlessness in our party,” the statement said.
“On our part, we assert our commitment to the consolidation of democracy, peace, love, unity, people centred development and above all, the rule of law in our march towards progress and development. More importantly, we assure our teeming associates and well wishers that we shall conduct our party’s business with patriotism, resourcefulness, truth, justice and fair play as demanded of a political Organisation with a vision and mission.”
INAUGURATION: Gov. Uduaghan congratulates Mrs. Roseline Amioku, one of the Board Chairmen, shortly after the inauguration of Board of Parastatals and Agencies in Delta State by the governor
Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has urged newly inaugurated board members in the state that their primary responsibility is to contribute their quota to empower the people and develop their various wards, local government and the state.
Uduaghan, who announced that his administration has approved an additional 20 youths and women into the youth and women community empowerment programme in the 25 local government areas, observed that the appointment of the board chairmen had equal representation of men and women in affirmation to the 35% women representation in government.
The governor however, charged chairmen and members of the newly reconstituted Boards of government owned agencies and parastatals to use their wealth of experience in repositioning the establishments to impact meaningfully on the life of the people.
Dr. Uduaghan who gave the charge Thursday, September 05, 2013 in Asaba while inaugurating the Chairmen and members of Boards of 14 Parastatals and agencies in the state said that “members of the Boards have vast experience in various spheres of life and should bring their wealth of experience and knowledge to bear on the performance and achievements of the various agencies and pararstatals”.
“You should be able to reposition these agencies and parastatals so that they can achieve their set goals and objectives and impact meaningfully on the life of the people of the state”, he added.
INAUGURATION: from right: Gov. Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State, his Deputy, Prof. Amos Utuama and Senator Ifeanyi Okowa
Governor Uduaghan called on them to maintain a harmonious working relationship with the management of the agencies and parastatals and avoid conflict stating that “his administration abhors any form of in-fighting between board members and management staff of their various agencies.”
The governor opined that everybody, whether Board members, Chief Executives, or the ministry have their roles and responsibilities in the achievement of the goals of the agencies and as such there should not be conflict of interest rather they should work in harmony for the progress of their establishments.
His words “The challenge we have been having with board members in the state is the conflict between them and their chief executives. I don’t want to have such problem again. I want you all to work in harmony with the Chief Executives of their different agencies.”
He continued “Everyone have a role to play to move the parastatals and agencies forward, so there should not be conflict of interest, you should all create a conducive working environment for the progress of your Board.”
The governor informed the inaugurated board members that they also have the responsibility of contributing their quota to the development of their wards stressing that it was their primary responsibility to empower the people.
Dr. Uduaghan announced that his administration has approved an additional twenty youths and women into the youth and women community empowerment programme in each of the local government area.
According to him “We have approved an additional 20 youths and women into our community empowerment programme in each of the Local Government area and we are paying them N50,000 each.”
He congratulated the newly appointed board members and observed that the appointment of the board chairmen was purposely skewed with equal representation of men and women and in affirmation to the 35% women representation in government.
The governor assured those PDP members not yet appointed to be patient saying “your time will soon come. We will appoint more board members.”
In a brief response, the state PDP chairman, Barrister Peter Nwaboshi commended the governor for the appointment and empowerment given to Deltans explaining that the responsibility was given to the party to appoint the board members.
He pledged the loyalty of the board members to the government and the party and promised that they would contribute their quota to the success of the Uduaghan’s administration.
“The appointees realize that this is a PDP government and will contribute their quota to the success of this administration. I am very grateful to you, Your Excellency and will continue to be grateful to you for the appointment you have given to party members. We will not fail you.”
Cross section of Chairmen and members
The appointees include: Lady (Mrs.) Roseline Amioku – Chairman, Delta State Institute of Continuous Education, Mrs. Ifeoma Agbomah -Chairman, Delta State Rural Development Agency, Barr. (Mrs.) Orode Imovbere- Chairman, Delta State Post Primary Education Board, Hon. Emeka Ukpe -Chairman, Delta State Library Board, Chief Lizzy Obukene -Chairman, Delta State Board of Adult and Non- Formal Education.
Others are: Hon. Efe Afe- Chairman, Delta State Tourism Board, Barr. Mrs. Felicia Ajagun- Chairman, Delta State Development and Planning Authority, Barr. Olivia Agbajor- Chairman, Delta Broadcasting Service, Warri; Barr. Theo Azinge -Chairman, Delta Broadcasting Service, Asaba; Chief Willie Ashubu -Chairman, Delta State Arts Board; Hon. Omimi Esquire -Chairman, Land Allocation Committee; Elder Gabriel Lelekumo -Chairman, Rural Water Supply Agency; Mr. David Okpan- Chairman, Delta State Urban Water Board and Alhaji Yusuf Eregbene- Chairman, Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board.
THE emergence of Chief Godwill Obielum as the Governor of Delta State in 2015 would be a blessing to the state, politicians in Oshimili South local government area have said.
At a meeting held at Umuagu quarters, Asaba, the politicians observed that it was a thing of joy that politics in the state has got to a stage where the people are speaking with one voice concerning who should govern them at the expiration of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s administration in 2015.
“For once, we are speaking with one voice in Delta State that we want Chief Godwill Obielum to be our next Governor,” Chief Obidi Amagwulu said, stating, “all over the state, people are saying that Chief Obielum should be our next Governor, this is because, we know Chief Obielum to be a hardworking man, experienced and he does not hold grudges rather, he is a progressive man who believes in a united and progressive state.”
He stated that apart from politicians, especially those in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), non-politicians also desire that Chief Obielum should come out to be the next Governor of the state.
According to him, “Chief Obielum has helped a lot of people, and he does not believe in where you are from, sample the opinion of the people, especially market women and the youths, they will tell you that their prayers is for Chief Obielum to become our next Governor.”
“The politicians in Oshimili South local government area are committed to working for Chief Obielum, he is a true party man who has ensured that the PDP remains strong in our area and we believe that his emergence as Governor will only make the party to be stronger in the state and in Nigeria,” the PDP chieftain said.
Madam Ifeanyi Awana in her contribution said, “this is not politics of deceit, we know Chief Obielum, he also know us, we shall work for him and the good thing is that everybody is working for him to be the next Governor, he is so humble, intelligent and carries the people along.”
She stated, “we, the supporters of Chief Obielum, the progressive minds in the PDP have formed the Delta Progressive Movement (DPM), an umbrella body for progressive people within the PDP to ensure that nothing stops Chief Obielum to become the next Governor of Delta State.
“Chief Obielum is a peaceful man, a man who will not disappoint us as party men and women, he is a man that every Deltan would vote for across party lines,” she added.
Others who spoke at the occasion including Mr. Benjamin Ogugua and Hon. Afam Uzor stated that the era of some politicians coming to deceive them with rice, salt and cash is over, adding, “we will take it from them and still vote for the real person we want after all its our money they are re-circulating.”
While Mr. Ogugua said, “we are committed to working for Chief Obielum, not because of the money, rice or salt but because, he will be a Governor that all of us would be proud of,” Hon. Uzor said, “the era of using money to deceive us is over, this is the time we will support people, beg people we know that are qualified to hold elective positions and I can tell you that God has blessed Chief Godwill Obielum with many good qualities and we want him to be our next Governor.The campaign for Chief Obielum to be our next Governor is a movement based on conscience and the future of our state, not because of what we stand to gain today.”
CHAIRMAN of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Delta State Council, Comrade (Chief) Ifeanyi Obi has pledged unalloyed support to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan administration, urging Deltans to rally round him in his to successful governance.
Comrade Obi who was speaking in Asaba, described Governor Uduaghan as a good leader who is working with the interest of the people at heart, reiterating that to enable him succeed, the people of the state should support and pray for him.
“We need to pray for our Governor, he is doing very well in every part of the state and for us at the National Union of Road Transport Workers, we are happy with him, he has helped us a lot and we shall continue to support his administration.”
He used the opportunity to urge members of the Union to remain law abiding and shun any action that is capable of causing the breach of peace.
“Our members are carrying out their duties peacefully, but, we have observed that there are also, few of them that are not working genuinely in the interest of our Union, we have asked them to retrace their steps and ensure that they are not engaged in any negative action because, we are not going to protect any of our members who flouts the law,” Chief Obi said.
Comrade Obi disclosed that as an individual and the chairman of the NURTW, some persons have tried to blackmail him, stating, “some people have circulated text messages that is not favourable using my name, some have done certain things that are not also too good using my name but that is the burden of leadership, we are entrenching a new union where the members believes in the rule of law and obeys the constitution, it is not easy, but we thank God that we are succeeding.”
He said Governor Uduaghan has good programmes for the people of the state, stating, “our Governor has done a lot for us, all that we need to do is to be patient and pray for him to always succeed.”
Blank NEWS Online can reveal that the oil exploration activities of Midwestern Oil and Gas Company has been cut short by aggrieved youths in Utagba-Ogbe, Ndokwa West Local Government Area of Delta State.
The youths of the community were reported to have shut down the flare and drilling rig of the company on Wednesday, September 04, 2013.
Blank NEWS Online investigations proved that six blue chip companies: Midwestern Oil and Gas, Energia, Pillar Gas, Agip, Sterling Global and Platform Petroleum produce “over 159 barrels of crude oil per day from our land, and we lack development, we are not feeling the positive effects of these companies in our community.”
President of Umusadege Youth Forum, Mr Emmanuel Ejechi, said the closure of Midwestern Oil and Gas Company was a signal to other oil companies operating in the area to implement the MoU they signed with the community.
According to Ejechi, “the shutting down of the activities of the oil company has become necessary due to the company’s failure to implement the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the company with the community before it started its operations.
“Every day, we see the oil companies, especially Midwestern Oil trucking crude oil out of Kwale, our farmlands are devastated, the soil can no longer sustain agriculture, our rivers are drying up, and yet the companies do not care about us.”
“The company is not ready for negotiation, we are ready to negotiate with them and we shall continue to be peaceful because, we are peace-loving, we only asked the workers to leave their premises and shut down the place, which they did without any violence,” Mr Ejechi said, adding, “we want development, government should come to our aid and make the oil companies to employ our youths and develop our community.”
Profile of Midwestern Oil & Gas Company Limited:
Midwestern Oil & Gas Company Limited commenced operations in 2001 and upstream activities in 2005. The Company is owned by the Delta State Government and a group of Nigerian entrepreneurs.
In 2003 the Company was awarded 70% interest in Umusadege Field located in OML 56 which is situated at the northern area of Delta State, Nigeria. Midwestern is the operator of the field in a strategic alliance with Suntrust Oil Company Nigeria Limited and Mart Energy Services Limited.
Sequel to field activities, first oil was achieved by the stakeholders of Umusadege field in April, 2008 at flow rates of around 3,000bopd from re-entry of the Umusadege-1 well. This has been rapidly increased to approximately 15,000bopd through additional development drilling.
The Management of Warri Wolves FC has appealed against the decision of the League Management Company which applied part of the law governing the round leather game by ordering for a re-play of the week 29 match between Kwara United and Warri Wolves.
According to a letter signed by the Scribe, Lawrence Omowho and sent to the Nigeria Football Federation, Warri Wolves condemned the decision by refering to articles 3.7(1), 3.7 (20 3.7(3) and 4.3(10) to support their claims that Kwara United have erred and should face the music hundred percent.
According to the letter, Warri Wolves said the rules which was given to every club at the beginning of the season serves as the arbiter that governs the league and should not be set aside in what they described as selective justice.
Warri Wolves claimed in the said match, it was glaring that the match officials were beaten by the home fans just like what happened between Elkanemi Football Club and Wikki Tourist and at the end, the same body awarded three points and three goals to Elkanemi.
The letter further said whereas the LMC applied section 3.7(1) of the rule by asking Kwara to pay five Million Naira, what happened to the remaining two sections which says the team will forfeit three points and three goals?
The letter also stated that Warri Wolves is only fighting for the interest of the League as it could happen to any Club, hence they regard it as their rights to fight this injustice.
The Management has therefore siad in view of the overwhelming evidence against Kwara United, it would be difficult for the Club to honour the match and called on the Nigeria Football Federation to set up a new body to treat this case.
In recent times the crime wave in Delta have been alarming ; series of criminal activities ranging from armed robbery, kidnapping, dispute between oil and gas bearing communities and international/indigenous oil and gas company in Delta state, today the crime reduction has been improved effectively in Delta state.
This commendation is contained in a fact finding mission which was disclosed in a statement issued to Blank NEWS Online by the project director, Mission for Peace and Security in Nigeria Initiative (MPSNI), Comrade Ifeanyi Nwador Anyim.
According to him, “Delta police commissioner and team deserves awards from the rank and file to the superiors”.
He further disclosed that comprehensive plans and efforts are on going by the Mission for Peace and Security in Nigeria Initiative to hold a two days symposium tagged: THE EFFECTIVENESS OF COMMUNICATION NETWORK IN COMBATING CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES to mark their annual end of year conference/award ceremony.
The award recipients, according to the statement, will cut across the police from the rank and file to the superior officers which will include political leaders who have contributed their effort in ensuring peace and security in their various communities.
He also described the CP Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba as a combatant, unbeatable, result oriented, intelligent and a man victor and merits the 2013 peace and security super cop award of the year along side his team led by DCP Taiwo Lakanu 2nd in command Delta state police.
He commended the effort of the IGP MD Abubakar via Ikechukwu Aduba in the recent approval of album launch of former PPRO Delta ASP Famous Ajieh: Titled “POLICE AND TEACHERS”.
Comrade Ifeanyi Nwador Anyim after a brief interactive session with ACP Famous Ajieh and editor Jide Castro of Great Achiever Magazine/Bulletin at the police Head quarters, Asaba, stated that the approval of the album launch by the IG is a welcome development to the Nigeria Police Force and a means of educating, enlightening and promoting the Image of the Force.
Right Of Reply: SarnerPFM Resorts Limited Rejoinder to the Publication by Sahara Reporters titled, “Governor Uduaghan Accused Of Using Multi-Billion Naira Oleri Leisure Park As Conduit Pipe, Awards Contract To Daughter”
Setting The Record Straight
Introduction:
The attention of Management of SarnerPFM Resorts Limited in Delta State of Nigeria has been drawn to a publication by Sahara Reporters of Thursday August 29, 2013 as regards the Delta Leisure Resorts. The misguided, mischievous reporter claimed to have gathered his baseless and unsubstantiated allegations from sources, among them an unidentified self proclaimed former commissioner in the current Governor of Delta State cabinet. We wish to state in clear terms that the said publication be disregarded in its entirety as the information contained therein is not only false, misleading but lacking in merit.
Having observed with keen interest the completely self serving spirited attempts to comprehensively misrepresent the true situation with respect to the project, it has become imperative and timely that the unsuspecting public be informed of the true situation of the park, hence this rejoinder.
Regarding the allegation that the sitting governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has sunk several billion naira on the Project as a conduit for looting state funds.
The allegation that the sitting governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has sunk several billion nairas on the Project as a conduit for looting state funds is totally false, baseless, malicious and libelous to the person of the Governor, the project and stake holders to project. The Delta Leisure Resorts is a Public Private Partnership Project. The sitting Governor of Delta State has not release any kobo to the project apart from providing infrastructure facilities such as a bridge which not only provide access to the park, but access for 3 villages which has been cut off for years, beautification of main roads in the cities to prevent it from looking like a slump where people are currently causing environment hazards by dumping their rubbish on the middle of the road and cars driving through the road median knocking down pedestrian.
These support Projects are not carried out by SarnerPFM Resorts Limited but duly appointed and reputable contractors, such as FAK Construction company and Dismpro for Oleri Bridge, FAK for beautification and Nigeria Westminster Dredging and Marine for reclamation. All these projects are funded directly by SarnerPFM with government subsequently refund upon issuance of certificates duly signed by all stake holders. The contractors are paid directly by the bank and the accounts are available for all to verify.
Delta State government does not mobilize or award any contract directly to SarnerPFM Resorts Limited outside the signed MOU with the government. SarnerPFM Resorts Limited does not take or received any funds from contractors for project awarded.
Regarding the state of construction on the project
There are works currently on-going on the park itself. The staff-quarters are near 60% completion, the directors’ quarters are 30% completion, the staff quarters in Asaba 95% completion. Intensive construction work is about to commence on the self catering villas, hotels, sport village infrastructure, retail villa, earth work at both sites from September 2013. Over 70% of the specialist work on the theme park are being done overseas and have been procured. 95% of top name operating brands for the park have been signed and contracted with license fees paid.
The Supporting Infrastructure Projects has a lot to show for money that has been expended on it as several construction works has reached their final stage of completion. The Oleri-Aladja Bridge connecting over three communities as well as providing access road to the park has reached 70% completion, the beautification and casting of the road median is well advancing, the insti casting is 90% completion and electrification 90% completed. Reclamation Project is 70% completion. These on-going projects are not only visible to the blind but audible to the deaf. The design stage of the parks which is the most difficult stage in the development of a resort of this magnitude has reached completion. Only mischief makers and people bereaved of basic knowledge of resorts development will deny this fact. To keep pace with the state of development in the park, kindly visit: http://www.deltaleisurepark.com/.
Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has said that the appointment of judges rested largely on set guidelines, processes and approval of the National Judiciary Council (NJC) with little inputs from the Executive.
He charged the newly inaugurated members of the State Judicial Commission, Messsrs. Patrick Oganwu, Peter Wanogho, and Francis Omatseye to ensure quality and selfless service at all time in the discharge of their duties stressing that “they should help chart a robust Judicial Service Commission capable of producing judicial officers and staff that will offer to the public transparent and unimpeachable justice”.
Barr. Patrick Oganwu, who responded on behalf of the newly inaugurated members, commended Governor Uduaghan for the massive infrastructure development in the Judiciary in the last two years and promised the readiness of the members to contribute their quota to the development of the Judiciary in the state.
