ThisDay Correspondent, Michael Olugbode has won a million Naira dinning voucher at the commemoration of 2024 Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival in Nigeria.

It was two-time lucky for Olugbode who after winning the top prize was picked in another draw for those with WeChat that saw him going home with two bottles of exotic spirit.

The event which was held on Saturday at the magnificent Chinese Silk Road Restaurant located at the Central Business District, Abuja, was organised by the China General Chamber of Commerce in Nigeria in collaboration with the China Cultural Centre and the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria.

The prizes won include electronic devices, TV boxes, dining vouchers, health products among others to Nigerians and Chinese who were guest at the occasion.

The ThisDay correspondent seat number 59 was picked for the ultimate prize of the N1 million dinning voucher as the last raffle for the seat after other prizes have been picked.

He was later picked again for another raffle registered with the WeChat which saw him going home with two exotic bottles of spirit.

Speaking on the prizes, Michael Olugbode told journalists at the event that this can only be divinely arranged as he was already contemplating leaving for home after almost all the prizes have been won and the event was so dragged.

He said: “Something just kept urging me to wait till the very end especially as I had some colleagues that I needed to pick in my vehicle.

“It was great winning the voucher and I must thank the Chinese Embassy, Cultural Centre, China General Chamber of Commerce in Nigeria, and the Silk Road Restaurant for the two prizes. In fact they have by this made me an ambassador of Chinese Culture and the Mooncake Festival.”

The Mooncake Festival, one of the popular Chinese Festivals was organised in Nigeria to promote and strengthen people to people relationship between China and Nigeria.

Speaking to journalists on a sideline of the event, the Cultural Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, Li Xuda, said the festival was one of the most important holidays in Chinese culture for the past 3,000 years.

He added that the festival represents the harvest season and the idea that hard work leads to a fruitful result.

He said: “Today’s celebration is very important and meaningful because the Mid-autumn, also called ‘the Mooncake Day’ , is one of the most important Chinese traditional festivals.

“In this festival we celebrate family reunion, friendship and togetherness; like the popular proverb in Nigeria, united we stand and divided we fall.

“To stand hand-by-hand, shoulder-to-shoulder, we will create a better future which belongs to our people and benefit our two countries.”

He added that: “In the future China, Nigeria, will work together to promote our tangible and intangible cultural heritage and really further strengthen our cultural exchange and cooperation.”

Li also noted that the festival was often celebrated annually on the 15th day of the eighth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, usually in September or October, when the moon is very full and the size is bigger.

Every level of government has been asked to conscientiously budget for disaster in order to checkmate its regular occurrence which recent research stating that it has left about 75 percent population of West Africa exposed and adversely impacted.

Speaking at the mid-term consultative meeting of the Regional Committee for Disaster Management in West Africa organised by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission in Abuja on Tuesday, the Deputy Director Climate Change Department, National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Ghana, Frank Nansam-Aggrey, said there is need for coordinated efforts to tackle disaster in West Africa.

He said: “Disaster issues have become very complex. Every now and then, we hear stories in West Africa about disaster that affects our population. Disasters have many exposed in the subregion, and according to research about 75 percent of our people are exposed to one form of disaster or the other. It is flooding, if it is not flooding then it is drought, if it is not drought it is conflict, so it has become imperative that the subcommittee looks at the issues of disaster very critically for our population is being affected every now and then.”

Nansam-Aggrey who acknowledged that ECOWAS is doing the best with its resources, said “but for financial constraints sometimes that do not make the bloc to meet up to the needs of its member countries.”

He however said: “The countries need to do more, disaster management is looked at as abstract issues, making budgeting to become somewhat of abstract. We need to go the extra mile to clearly and decisively budget for disaster issues so that it is not left to chance and as if it is futuristic.

“It is actually with us. We need to make more efforts from community level, district level to the national level, and all actors must be involved to channel all the resources we can gather to make sure we are all safe in the subregion.”

He said: “The time has come for us to begin to look at the West Africa regional preparedness against extreme disaster occurrences such as floods, fires and other disasters causing total havoc to human existence. Generally, disaster occurrences occasioned by natural and man-made hazard events have increased in the past three decades causing a lot of distress situations to over 75% of West Africa’s population.”

He lamented that: “As reported in the ECOWAS Policy for Disaster Risk Reduction document, large number of people and their livelihoods in West African countries are exposed and vulnerable to at least one hazard event which is further compounded by conflicts and diseases. In addition, in some instances, disasters have put development at risk and likewise, development decisions have led to increases in disaster risks.”

He however said: “In response to these scenarios and through the support of national governments and the ECOWAS Commission to some extent, member states are increasingly intensifying their interests and efforts in disaster risk reduction. In spite of these efforts, significant disaster events such as flooding, sea erosion, and drought keep escalating in severity and magnitude in the sub-region causing budget overruns for member states. As climate change factors continue to worsen extreme weather events, vulnerabilities of our people will equally increase leading to negative financial implications for member countries. This confirms the conclusion that the extent of vulnerability to hazards in the sub-region account for the level of disaster devastation being experienced annually by countries in the region amid inadequate public financing to maintain and enhance resilience or provide relief assistance for disaster victims.”

The Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Mrs. Zubaida Umar who was represented by the agency’s Director, Disaster Risk Reduction, Dr. Daniel Obot decried that “the West African subregion which is characterized by its diverse geography, population and cultures has a complex relationship with nature and human induced disasters.

“Over the years, the subregion has experienced series of disasters, crises and conflict that have posed serious threats to the human population, the environment, infrastructure and means of livelihood.”

He added that: “With this disaster scenario, the regional recovery roadmap, the regional resilience strategy, the roster of experts amongst others will have to be deployed for significant progress to be recorded in the management of disaster risk in West Africa in line with the ECOWAS goal of inclusive coordination and harmonization of disaster risk management efforts.”

On his part, the Head of ECOWAS Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management Division, Mohammed Ibrahim said: “In West Africa and the Sahel region, the magnitude of vulnerability and exposure to hazards and losses from disasters is expected to continue increasing over the next decade. Countries are particularly vulnerable to sudden onset events such as floods, alongside ongoing issues like land degradation, water scarcity, and coastal erosion, which have increased in occurrence and severity due to the adverse effects of climate change.”

He noted that: “Conflict remains primary driver of displacement, but climate change has significantly impacted migration decisions across West Africa over the last few decades. The overlap of conflict and climate disasters underscores the urgent need for comprehensive and coordinated responses to break the cycle of climate change and armed conflict and to increase humanitarian access and funding that supports resilience and adaptation to climate change.”

By Enalo James

When a man, in his elected position , and unarguably his constituents voice, speaks up, it’s incontrovertible, unanimous and obvious

And it resonates. Clearly . No one in their elements , disputes a doyen of the Paris club refunds, less alone, a record breaking personality , who , like Collosus, made history for his country , in countless sojourns, to tall,, as the FIRST Nigerian, nay , African, to mount his country,s flag, the 13th human on earth , at the coldest Antarctica south pole region.

Distinguished Senator Ned Nwoko, the Senator representing Delta North Senatorial district , in the Nigerian senate , has come , seen, and , ultimately conquered

For a robust, brisk, and coordinated blue blood royalty, when Ned speaks, he does so without compunction. He knows his onions

The Senator has, as always , not been given to flippancy . His Anioma State bill which has elicited the most vitriolic of positive and negative admixture of reactions from a mixed grill of his kinsmen, has incontrovertibly , become a reference point in legislative representation

Gliding as it were, to a prism of glee, in addition to furtherance of set goals , the ldumuje Ugboko born Prince , seems to have spoken truth to power in defence of his mandate as Senator of the federal Republic , representing Delta North.

Ned is strident, unapologetic, primed , and determined, to , in  a hurry , ensure his campaign promises , to wit, the step down, via a 100mefawatts diadem , of the Okpai in Ndokwa West Local government lndependent Power Plant ( IPP) facility,  is actualized , so that the entire Anioma nation he represents, is lit up.

Not done , Ned is clear that , the most economically viable but abandoned Ogwashi Uku dam, in Aniocha South, which, to all intents and purposes, will engender rapid agricultural fortunes in the communities around per food sustenance , sees the light of day

A clearly focused Senator of Ned’s clout, for a personality as enlightened as this blue blood Prince to speak truth to power, clearly identifies him as a true representative of the Aniomas he represents.

Ned , as he is popularly called, is self made, a loyal party man, for the avoidance of doubt. Ned it was , who saw , with his resources , emergence of the immediate past Governor , Senator Dr lfeanyi Okowa, as Deputy Chairman of then PDP Council , with Professor Sam Oyovbaire , as Chairman.

Same Ned , expended his personal resources, again, without prodding, to ensure the emergence of incumbent Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori

It’s not out of place to accord the only PDP Senator in Delta State , the trust and respect he deserves.

Ned Nwoko is an unrepentant good man, a die hard empathizer who believes in fairness and equity. PDP is blessed to have him.

By Fred Edoreh

Agreed, politics is allowed, but we must not necessarily destroy our state for mere populism and personal political calculations, or how else can one describe the recent attack on the Delta State Governor, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, by the Senator Ned Nwoko, representing the very good people of Delta North.

The Distinguished Senator, in a meeting with stakeholders of his district, tried to create disaffection against the Governor for allegedly refusing his lobby to provide N35 billion to the contractors for the completion of Phase II of the Okpai Power Plant, a project of the federal authority and its joint venture partners.

There is no doubt that the completion of the project would, hopefully, benefit the state, particularly communities of Delta North District, especially with the order by President Olusegun Obasanjo during the commissioning of the Phase I in 2005, that 50 megawatts of its output should be reserved for communities within 50 kilometres radius of the installation, and the subsequent advise that that quantity should be increased to 100 megawatts, which would support the electrification of a good part of Delta North.

Unfortunately, this has not been effected for reasons only known to the project owners and the Federal Government. Therefore, on the surface, it would appear that that prospect is what Senator Nwoko is pursuing, but he betrayed a different intention with his misguided shot at Governor Oborevwori.

For the benefit of members of the public who may not be conversant with the facts surrounding the project, the Okpai Power Plant, with various phases and units, is owned 60 percent by the NNPC Limited with ConocoPhillips and EniPower each holding 20 percent equity at the start. From the project plan, the power generated would be sold to the PHCN under a 20 years purchase agreement.

Interestingly, by the design and business plan, the power generated is transported directly to the National Grid through the side of the River Niger to serve the FCT and about eight other states in the country, without a step down in Delta State in which it is hosted.

The issue however is that the Phase II of the project and other expansion and step down plans have been stalled. This has elicited several industry questions for over a decade now, and recently became a subject of investigation by the House of Representatives.

A 2020 BusinessDay report about the plant indicated that it is not being utilized in full capacity because the owners have “been unable to sign any power purchase agreement (PPA) with Nigerian Electricity Bulk Trader (NBET), which would have been able to encourage the evacuation of the power through the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to distribution companies.”

“Other reasons the operators of the plant may not be pushing aggressively for the PPA may be because of grid inadequacies and the fear that distribution companies are rejecting power,” the report also stated.

While that situation may still persist, there are even more worrisome issues for which the House of Representatives had to mandate an investigation early in 2024.

As was briefed the House in the motion moved by Hon. Nnamdi Ezechi, representing Ndokwa/Ukwani Federal Constituency, while the expansion of the project was commenced in 2017 and has attained almost 90 percent completion, it seems to have been abandoned by the contractors, Saipem Contracting Nigeria Limited and Agip Oil Company, resulting in the dilapidation of the infrastructure.

Worse is, as the House was told, “there is ambiguity surrounding the project’s contract amount, casting doubt on accountability and transparency in its execution.”

Based on these revelations, the House ordered an investigation, the report of which has not been publicly declared. Also, neither the NNPCL, the Federal Government, the Minister of Power, the multinational equity partners nor even the National Assembly have made any concrete and categorical statements on the way forward.

It is under this situation and confusion that Ned Nwoko is demanding that Governor Oborevwori should provide N35 billion for the contractors.

According to him, he had approached the Minister of Budget and Planning to provide the fund but the Minister said that it will not be possible until next year. Consequently, he wants the Governor to provide the fund in the meantime, so that work can recommence, saying that is what he will do if he was Governor, but that Governor Oborevwori also said there is no such money.

In his estimation, the state has so much money, being that it earns the highest from FAAC, and there is no reason why the Governor should refuse to fund the NNPCL/NOAC Independent Power Plant project. He further went on with the oft repeated propaganda and blackmail by the opposition that Oborevwori is only deploying the state funds to repay loans taken under former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, not minding the various inherited and newly initiated projects going on across the state.

With due respect to the Distinguished Senator, some things must be made clear, and first is that Oborevwori cannot be led by the nose into unplanned and unbudgeted ploughing of state funds into private projects with clearly difficult history, no matter the calculated political propaganda and blackmail deployed.

Governor Oborevwori has never hidden the fact that the state currently enjoys increased FAAC allocation, and he should be given credit for maintaining the peace in the creeks and oil producing communities, also at huge cost, for the stable and increased crude production from which the increased allocation derives.

Even at that, it is well known, except for pretenders and political hawks, that the value of the so called increased allocation is also eroded by the prevailing hyper inflation, especially as it affects construction of projects.

Therefore the government must be clear-headed, prudent, careful, targeted and tactful in the management and deployment of its revenue on planned projects and programmes across the three Senatorial Districts. It does not have to take on every responsibility of the federal government for just the mention of it, even without examining the project history and current management issues.

As clearly stated, the Power Plant is owned jointly by the Federal Government through the NNPC, which now is a privately registered limited liability company, and some multinational oil majors which are equally private entities, and by no strength of imagination can the state be said to be richer than those concerns which have refused or are neglecting to continue the needed investment on their project.

Even at that, the power company has not shown any good faith and social responsibility, especially by neglecting, ab initio, to provide a step down in Delta State while it evacuates the power generated from Okpai unto the National Grid to serve other parts of the country.

It is also really curious why Nwoko will want Governor Oborevwori to throw an unbudgeted N35 billion into a project which has been described at the House of Representatives as surrounded by “ambiguity in its contract amount” and deficient in accountability and transparency in its execution.

It is more so that it is neither the owners, the NNPCL which is the majority shareholder and the partner oil companies, nor the contractors nor the Minister of Power and Energy, nor the Federal Government that is approaching and asking the state to come into the partnership. Just Ned asking Oborevwori to give the contractors N35 billion to work with “in the meantime,” whatever that means.

He did not explain whether the fund is to be a loan, an equity shareholding or dash. He also did not explain, if the owners of the project are convinced about the need for the fund and the urgency, why they have not or cannot approach the banks and other institutions to raise the fund, given their financial capacity and credit worthiness as big businesses.

Perhaps, if Ned was Governor, he can do so by his personal character, but he should also see that other persons cannot be and act like him, and that is certainly not how to run government or even do business. Really, it will take some high level of financial recklessness, except in service of possible pecuniary interest, for a Governor to invest in such muddle.

However, no one is in doubt of the calculated attempt to cause ethnic and district division in Delta State, possibly for projected political expectations. The attack could only possibly imply one, blackmail: making it seem that Governor Oborevwori does not want to invest in a project which is expected to benefit Anioma. It could as well be a first shot towards what is to come. Time will surely reveal.

However, as we all know, the Federal Government only recently unbundled power generation, transmission and distribution to allow the states to play more actively in the sector, and each state is to be left to decide, in its wisdom, how to go about the provision of electricity for its citizenry.

It can choose to partner on existing projects or with existing companies, like Delta State does have equity in BEDC, or to build separate private partnerships to establish new generation, transmission and distribution concerns, even with diverse clean energy sources and business modules.

As Senator Nwoko would know, the Federal Power Agency is said to be owing independent power producers about N1.3 trillion on electricity generated and sold to it, out of which only about N205 billion was recently paid, and over N1 trillion still outstanding. While one wonders how the sub-sector is coping, and why any subregional government would rush into such a relationship.

With the lethargy of the established and wealthy equity partners, NNPCL and NOAC, to invest their funds in pursuit of the full completion and operation of their project, the low enthusiasm by the Federal Government to do the same, and all that being said about ambiguity in the contract amount, the lack of accountability and transparency on the project, it is curious that Ned Nwoko would be putting pressure on Governor Oborevwori to quickly pump state funds into the project. This is even when, according to him, the Budget Minister has said he would provide funds for the project next year. What then is the basis of the current brazen haste?

Perhaps, Ned Nwoko needs to come to clearer terms with the essence of having Senators at the Federal level, to understand that his area to chase is the organisation and functioning of the federal system and its institutions as they relate to the service of his constituency and state.

This presupposes that besides making federal laws, his lobby should be on how to move the federal system and its relevant institutions to provide for his constituency and state, not the other way round, by asking his state government to fund the projects of the federal government, its institutions and their multinational partners.

Notwithstanding his wrong call, the unnecessary outburst and misdirected attack on the Governor, his concern is not missed, hopefully in seeking ways for sufficient electricity coverage of his constituency. If that be it, he can be sure that Governor Oborevwori is even more concerned and certainly working on plans to act and deliver more responsibly towards meeting the electricity needs of the people, North, South and Central. It is the reason why the State House of Assembly recently amended its legislation on Power, empowering the Executive to take determined actions. It must not necessarily be by being forced or blackmailed into throwing N35 billion into a project and a situation which even the Federal House already feels some ambiguity.

By Godslove Preye

The attention of the MORE Reality Group, MRG, has been drawn to a couple of articles which recently circulated on several online platforms. The first was a self explanatory epistle titled: “Assessing the Governor’s Response to Deltans’ Suffering: A critical Look at The MORE Agenda of Governor Oborevwori” which concluded that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has not done much to alleviate the “sufferings” of Deltans, while the second was an OPEN LETTER to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori written by one Otiti Akpovoke in which he, apparently assuming the role of public commentator, noted thus: “…..the people of Delta State, have been disappointed by past leaders since 1999 due to poor governance and selfish management of resources. We urge you to change this narrative and prioritize our pressing needs.

“Instead of focusing on flyovers, bridges, and stadiums, we implore you to address the following: 1. Provide electricity to power our homes and businesses. 2. Introduce transport buses to facilitate easy movement. 3. Construct low-cost housing schemes to shelter our people,” the letter advised.

Interestingly, both articles bear the imprimatur of Akpovoke Otiti, an incorrigible, unrepentantly pugnacious writer, mendacious coward and administrator of a copycat online news portal and whose stock in trade is to regularly and surreptitiously provoke unnecessary traction and attention by dredging up wild, amateurish, puerile and of course kindergarten criticism of the Oborevwori administration.

We have noted unfortunately that in his warped attempt, as it would seem this time, to evoke populist sympathy especially viewed against the strangulating economic bondage and hapless condition that Nigerians across board are currently going through, he and his sponsors have irrationally suggested that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is the reason for the hardship and suffering presently ravaging the land, while at the same time lacking the courage to apportion blame to the place where the accusing finger rightly should be pointing to: the APC-led Federal Government.

This is indeed the point of departure for us in the M.O.R.E. Reality Group and on this score, we are compelled to take a stand against the uncharitable and manipulative façade which initially attempted to genuinely make a case for Deltans, whereas behind the veil is the devious intent to latch on to the critical times that Nigerians are going through and launch a premeditated attack on the person of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his M.O.R.E. Agenda. This is totally unacceptable.

Indeed, only a devious and diversionary propaganda stunt would lament the bitter reality that Nigerians suddenly found themselves reeling under an asphyxiating economic condition deployed by a clueless Federal Government, only for the purveyors to then seek shamelessly, to put the blame on a Governor who neither has the authority to determine the devaluation or floating of Nigeria’s national currency, the Naira, nor controls the removal of subsidy dynamics and the fixing of the price of fuel/petroleum products in the country.

It’s curious for us in the M.O.R.E. Reality Group how this writer, exposing his apparent lack of depth and understanding of governance and administration, failed to acknowledge that the M.O.R.E. Agenda has got nothing to do with the national economic policies of the All Progressives Congress (APC) led Federal Government of President Bola Tinubu, that is almost driving Nigerians to physical and psychological peril across all strata.

With his alarmist bent, the writer stated: “The people of Delta State are facing numerous challenges, and it is essential to evaluate the Governor’s efforts to alleviate their suffering. Unfortunately, it appears that the Governor’s MORE Agenda has not yielded tangible benefits for the citizens.

“Despite the promises and fanfare surrounding the MORE Agenda, many Deltans are yet to experience any positive impact. The Governor’s initiatives seem to be disconnected from the everyday struggles of the people, leaving them feeling neglected and disenfranchised.

“The question on everyone’s mind is: what has the Governor done to address the pressing issues affecting Deltans? The answer, sadly, is not much. The Governor’s policies and programmes have failed to provide meaningful relief, and the MORE Agenda has become a distant memory, with no tangible results to show for it.

“It is time for the Governor to reassess his priorities and develop a more effective strategy to address the suffering of Deltans. The people deserve better, and it is the Governor’s responsibility to ensure that his policies and programs meet their needs and improve their lives.”

It’s clear from the above, that the writer, for reasons best known to him and his cohort of arm chair critics, has decided to champion an unnecessary advocacy and cry wolf where there is none. A clue to this is that he failed to specify the “numerous challenges” he claims that people of Delta State are facing, which are not faced by citizens and indigenes of other states in the country.

He lied when he wrote: “Despite the promises and fanfare surrounding the MORE Agenda, many Deltans are yet to experience any positive impact” and the questions to ask him are these: Is the challenge of the high cost of food, drugs and other consumables the making of Delta state Government? Is the high cost of fuel that has made transportation cost to climb to the roof top, which has set off a terrible chain of suffering, hardship and suffocation on the people, the making of Delta state government and the M.O.R.E Agenda?

To even possess the audacity to mouth the uncouth and misleading claim that “many Deltans are yet to experience any positive impact of the MORE Agenda”…and “The governor’s initiatives seem to be disconnected from the everyday struggles of the people, leaving them feeling neglected and disenfranchised”, reveals that this fellow is completely out of touch and tune with the reality on ground and especially the consistent and concerted efforts of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to consolidate his connection with Deltans.

We will not glorify Akpovoke Otiti by joining issues with him on his delusional crusade, particularly on the silly, off handed dismissal of ongoing and completed legacy and life impacting infrastructural projects across the three Senatorial zones in the state, but we would like to inform him that over 5,000 Deltans have been empowered by the MORE Grant Scheme for petty traders, artisans, female entrepreneurs, as well as persons from poor and vulnerable households in the state; that the direct beneficiaries of Delta COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (D-CARES) Programme was upscaled from from 36,353 to 110,841, which depicts an increase of approximately 205 per cent on the initial figure of 36,353 beneficiaries; or even that the 4th Tranche of the D-CARES Programme which is expected to empower several thousands of Deltans wil soon be flagged off.

He should equally be reminded that the Governor Sheriff Oborevwori administration has not only successfully concluded the payment of the 2022/2023 bursary to 30,116 students of the state origin in Higher institutions across the country, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has also approved the year 2022/2023 Financial Assistance for Delta State indigenes in the seven Nigeria Law Schools across the country running into thousands.

There is no doubt that Governor Oborevwori is not only committed to the delivery of quality governance to Deltans, but has also matched his words with actions by advancing Delta, through providing human capital development that has direct impact on the lives of Deltans.

Let us further inform Akpovoke Otiti that even the Federal Government, recognizing the hardship it has inflicted on Nigerians, not only embarked on a palliatives distribution agenda, which Delta State has implemented judiciously with Governor Oborevwori himself flagging of the third phase of the distribution of food palliatives to the Poor and Vulnerable House Holds (PVHH), as well as widows and Persons with Disabilities (PWD) across the 25 Local Government Areas of the State.

This is in addition to the visit of the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu to perform the official flag off of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Economic Empowerment Programme and activate the recapitalisation grants for 1,000 women petty traders in Delta State. And just recently, a total of forty female farmers across Delta State received grants worth N10 Million to boost their agro businesses, while 1,200 indigent households received food items from the wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and the Governor’s wife, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori.

While Otiti deviously attempts to downplay Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s positive impact on the civil servants in the state, let us however place it on record that Delta State was arguably the first and amongst a handful of states in the country that paid the old minimum wage promptly and dutifully as and at when due and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, in his usual meticulous and astute administrative leadership style, has given full assurance of the implementation of the new #70,000 minimum wage, once the enabling chart has been released by the Federal Government so that mistakes in implementation will be avoided.

Recall also that in the wake of fuel subsidy removal, the Delta State government approved a three-day working week for civil servants in a bid to cushion the effect of the draconian policy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and followed it up with the approval of the payment of N10,000 monthly support to each worker for three months, from August 2023, to ameliorate the hardship on Deltans, which ran into millions of naira. Need we also mention that over 3,000 persons were taken off the unemployment market and employed as Teachers by the state government, yet some clowns will come to the public space and claim that Deltans are not feeling the positive impact of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration.

These of course are the official and formal programmes, but it is also germane to note that several empowerment programmes are being delivered by proxies of the Delta State Governor, including political office holders, top political leaders and statesmen, as well as major stakeholders across the state, to cushion the effects of the hardship and suffering which has no political party affiliation, but has affected both the high and mighty, the low, downtrodden, underprivileged and vulnerable.

MRG therefore calls on the author of the despicable attack on the Oborevwori administration not to be chicken hearted in attacking the Governor who Deltans acknowledge for his good deeds. Rather he should show guts in putting the blame for the suffering of Nigerians squarely on the door post of the APC-led Federal Government of President Tinubu who the generality of Nigerians have identified as running a bad government that is choking Nigerians today.

Journalists, online news platforms and bloggers have also times without number, called attention to what the Government is doing to ensure that health facilities in the state are top notch and it is in record that the Delta State Contributory Health Programme has already enrolled over 2 million Deltans with the prospects of more enrolees coming on board in the years ahead, thus guaranteeing comprehensive health coverage for millions of Deltans.

In the area of sports development, the National Youth Games hosted back to back by Delta State has already commenced with no fewer than 5,776 athletes and several thousands of accompanying officials converging in Asaba for the event. There’s no gainsaying the fact that Asaba will be a thriving, bubbling hub of human and commercial activities, with traders already expressing great optimism and excitement about the huge potentials which the #NYGAsaba2024 will unleash both as a sporting spectacle and as an extravaganza of the celebration of humanity and bonding.

Governor Oborevwori clearly underscored that sponsorship of sporting events, which has not only unearthed star athletes like the globally renowned Favour Ofili, but was a worthwhile investment in keeping youths with sporting talents together and focused in their endeavours to become stars.

As for his admonition to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori that: “Instead of focusing on flyovers, bridges, and stadiums, we implore you to address the following: 1. Provide electricity to power our homes and businesses. 2. Introduce transport buses to facilitate easy movement. 3. Construct low-cost housing schemes to shelter our people,” we wish to just inform Mr. Otiti that the Governor has only just completed one year in office and we in the MRG are fully confident that the Sheriff Oborevwori we know will not only take this suggestion on advisement, but will surely act in good faith with the interest of Deltans at heart as the administration’s MORE Agenda unfolds, especially with the exciting prospects of the introduction of CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) and EV (Electric Vehicles), which is top in the consideration of the state government; the commencement in July this year, of the construction of 250 housing Units by the Federal Govt in Ekpan Community, Uvwie LGA in fulfilment of the Renewed Hope Housing Estate Project, to be completed in three months, for which the state government provided 25 hectares of land with Certificate of Occupancy, in favour of the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, to support the project; as well as leveraging on the new legislation on power generation, to enhance the development of sustainable energy through mini-power projects like the already commenced Ceesolar $395,000 Niger Delta Power Project, and the anticipated collaborations with private investors for more solar powered mini-grids to add to the already inaugurated 91kWp solar powered mini-grid in Okpokunou community in Burutu Local Government area of Delta State, in the collective effort to address the pressing challenges of power and electricity, going forward. These are just a few of the very robust initiatives which the Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration is vigorously but strategically implementing in the three sectors of Transportation, Housing and Power.

M.O.R.E. Reality Group therefore condemns in strong terms, the claims that the Oborevwori administration has not done much to address pressing issues, because from all the facts already stated above, the Governor has painstakingly, steadily, strategically and systematically addressed the issues of meaningful development, opportunities for all, realistic reforms or enhanced peace and security, all encapsulated in the MORE Agenda.

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is indeed working, and Deltans are seeing it.

■ Mr. Godslove Preye, is National Coordinator, M.O.R.E Reality Group.

…As 8th NYG kicks off in Asaba

As the 8th National Youth Games, (NYG), kicked off in Asaba, Delta State, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, has said that the state was renowned for effective sports development in Nigeria.

Oborevwori said this on Thursday, at the official commencement of the 2024 NYG at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba.

He said: “It is our joy and pride to host this event for the second year in a row. Delta State, as you know, is synonymous with sports in Nigeria.

“We are happy to continue to provide the space and opportunities for the nation’s youths to showcase their talents and ensure that there is a standard programme for athletes’ progression in the country.

“Let me also appreciate the Federal Ministry of Sports Development and the Local Organising Committee for their steadfastness in organising the National Youth Games. With about 6,000 athletes and over 1,000 officials participating, this year’s edition of the National Youth Games is record-breaking.

“The Delta State Government is proud to partner with the Federal Ministry of Sports Development to ensure that the goals and objectives of this event are realized. The National Youth Games is a powerful vehicle for athlete development.

The Governor, who lamented that Nigeria’s performances in recent sports events was declining, recommended that age limit for the National Youth Games should revert to the original upper limit of U-17, as against the current U-15.

“This is to provide a platform for our talented ‘senior teenagers and young adults’ to quickly migrate from junior category to senior category of Team Nigeria in all sports and games without a break or vacuum.

“It is equally imperative that states give priority attention to school sports programmes. There should be compulsory inter-house sports competitions in primary and secondary schools as well as the consolidation of school sports festivals,” he said.

Declaring the 8th edition of the sports fiesta open, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, said the NYG was devoted to talent hunting and talent nurturing, adding that there was no better way to develop the nation’s sports than to concentrate on grassroots sports development which the youth games represents.

The President, who was represented by the Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh, said the nation must continue to look at the National Youth Games as a nurturing or talent ground for the future of our sports.

“My hope is that the different sporting federations representing the sporting federations of our country are here on ground to watch the games related to their different sports and to be able to discover first hand, the talents that need to be nurtured for the future of our sports,” he said.

President Tinubu disclosed that his administration was dedicated to repositioning sports for optimum performance in line with its Renewed Hope Agenda, pointing out that it was imperative to invest more in grassroots sports development.

On the age limit of the games which is currently pegged at 15 years and below, the President said he agreed with the governor that the nation should return to the initial age classification of making the games to be under 17 years and below.

He lauded the government and the people of Delta State for their sustained commitment and support for grassroots sports development in the country.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, Chairman Local Organising Committee, LOC, Chief Solomon Ogba, said Delta was renowned for sports and thanked the State Government for always hosting national and international sports competitions involving the country.

While commending Governor Oborevwori for his financial and moral support to the Delta athletes and coaches, he assured all athletes from across the country of adequate accommodation and transportation throughout the 8th National Youth Games.

By Austen Akhagbeme

The New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP, Governorship campaign train led by the Gubernatorial candidate, Dr Azemhe Azena, on Tuesday, visited with the Otaru of Auchi Sacred Kingdom.

Received by the Chiefs representing the 25 Villages that make up the Kingdom, Dr Azemhe Azena spoke extensively about the need to raise new political leaders in Edo North to replace the good work done by others in the past.

“Edo North is blessed with great men in all fields who are capable of changing the narratives by solving the perennial ecological problems bedevilling the senatorial zone”

The Governorship Candidate added that out of the many candidates vying for the Governorship position, he’s the only one who has businesses within the State that employ over 300 Edo indigenes.

” If I can do that as a private citizen, I will do much more as a sitting Governor” he added.

In his response, Prince H.M Momoh, the Daudu 1 of the Kingdom, on behalf of the Otaru of Auchi, Alhaji Aliru Momoh, Ikelebe 111, urged Dr Azemhe Azena to remember the Kingdom and its challenges of erosion that has become a menace in recent times when he becomes the governor of the State.

Prince Momoh, however, added that from the speech of the Governorship candidate, one can deduce sincerity of purpose and the willingness to serve the people based on his antecedents.

The Governorship candidate who is on an election campaign tour of the Edo North Senatorial zone, thanked the revered Monarch for the warm reception and promised to uphold the hopes and aspirations of the Edo people when voted into power.

By Austen Akhagbeme

The NNPP Governorship Candidate, Dr Azemhe Azena, on Tuesday, was received, amidst fanfare, by the palace of the Ogieneni of Uzairue, HRH Alhaji Kadiri Imonikhe Omogbai IV, in Jattu, Edo North.

The Palace Chiefs, led by Chief Inaboya, on behalf of the revered monarch, took turns to pray for the gubernatorial candidate, and thanked God for raising a young and enterprising politician from the senatorial zone who is ready to take the state to its desired destination.

Speaking at the occasion, Dr Azemhe Azena, who hails from Okpekpe in Etsako-East, promised to break the record of performance in the area of development in Edo State, set by the erstwhile governor Adams Oshiomhole, “as records are meant to be broken and improved upon” he added.

Fielding questions from the Palace Chiefs, the NNPP Governorship Candidate allayed their fears about the so-called big parties while likening himself to the biblical David who had what it takes to bring Goliath down.

Dr Azemhe concluded his speech by calling on the people to always ask pertinent questions about the history and antecedents of performance and commitment by those seeking to be voted into power in the State to be able to judge them and make the right decision.

Yobe State Governor, Hon. Mai Mala Buni has initiated partnership with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) to secure employment opportunities for unemployed graduates in the state.

Buni in a meeting with the Director General SMEDAN, Mr Charles Odii on Monday said he is personally worried and shares the pain of the unemployed graduates.

He said: “The government is committed to securing employment opportunity to the unemployed graduates to meet the expectations of their families, for them to live their lives with dignity and prosperity.

“The state government in the recent past massively employed university graduates, Higher National Diploma and National Diploma holders, and National Certificate of Education graduates across the 178 political wards in the state.”

The governor assured that his administration would continue to work towards providing the people with gainful employment for a decent means of livelihood,

He said: “As a government, we are committed to do anything humanly possible to secure and stand for our graduates to be employed, and be self employed.

Buni noted that many youths trained in various trades are today not only gainfully employed but also employers of labour.

He explained that: “This partnership occupies a very special place in the heart of our administration, and we are committed to secure jobs for our youth.

“Government will explore the potential in each of the 17 local government areas to provide means of livelihood and economic prosperity to our youth.”

The Director General, SMEDAN, Mr Charles Odii, expressed the readiness of his agency to partner the Yobe state government to secure employment to the unemployed graduates.

He said SMEDAN would drive, stimulate and coordinate development of micro, small and medium-scale enterprises (MSMEs) among the targeted beneficiaries to promote self employment.

The DG assured that the partnership would provide the beneficiaries with skills that would accelerate self employment programme for economic prosperity.

In attendance at the meeting was the Hon. Member representing Nangere/Potiskum federal Constituency, Hajiya Fatsuma Talba.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has paraded 13 suspected vandals arrested at various locations in Abuja and also recovered some stolen items worth N5 million.

The corps said the success followed intense surveillance and patrol as well as tip off, adding that the intelligence personnel working with the Critical National Assets and Infrastructure Department combed various parts of the nation’s capital city.

The FCT Commandant of the NSCDC, Dr. Olusola Odumosu, while addressing journalists on Monday, said last week, his command organized a training for the intelligence department where they were taught modern techniques on intelligence gathering and were charged to be proactive in order to rid the FCT of vandals of national assets and infrastructures.

He said: “I am glad to let you know that today. We have 13 suspects arrested in different part of FCT within the FCT between Saturday, 7th September, 2024 and the early hours of Monday, 9th September, 2024, and the following persons were arrested:

“Bitrus Obadiah, Male, 33 years from Obi Local Government of Nasarawa State and his counterpart Girgi Msugh Peter, Male, 32 years from Giwer Local Government area of Benue State were both arrested by our men by 2am on Sunday, 8th September, 2024 around Kukwaba 1 railways overhead bridge on Berger area 1 express way before the finance bridge, vandalizing street light cables and billboards.

“Auwal Umar, Male, 42 years from Kontagora Local Government area of Niger State, Jacob Jibut, male, 39 years from kanke Local Government area of Plateau State and Abdulfatai Aliyu, male, 22 years from Batsari Local Government area of Katsina State were caught in the act of vandalizing armored electrical cables along Nnamdi Azikiwe way, Opposite wonderland around 3.30am of Sunday, 8th September, 2024.

“Timothy Maigida, male, 28 years from kachia Local Government area of Kaduna State was caught in the act of vandalization of armored cables at Mabuchi Motor Park on Sunday, 8th September, 2024 by our vigilant men on patrol. Exhibit recovered are shovel, diggers and armored cables. Upon interrogation he also confessed to the crime.

“Williams Friday, male, 51 years from Ojo Local Government of Lagos State and Sunday Ezekiel, male, 27 years from Kabba Local Government of Kogi State were caught jumping the fence into Hilton Garden premises at Wuse Zone 5 around 4.30am on Saturday, 7th September 2024, by our men on patrol, they are suspected of having criminal intentions.

Lawal Harisu, male 29 years, Sabuwa Local government of Katsina State, Mohammed Yakubu male 24 years from Dandume Local Government of Katsina State and Mohammed Zayyanu Auwal, male 27 years from Chikum Local Government of Kaduna State were apprehended 9.01pm on 8th September, 2024 at Prince and Princess Estate vandalizing iron rods from slabs.

“Mohammed Kabiru, Male 26 years from Warri North Local Governrmnt of Delta State, and Abubakar Mohammed, male 24 years from Soba Local Government of Kaduna State were both apprehended under a flower shrub at Mabuchi around 2am today 9th September, 2024. They were caught holding laterite in their hands and were seen hiding from our men on patrol which was very suspicious. Having laterite in their hands at such an ungodly hour is an indication that they had dug something somewhere and were taking cover when they sighted men of the command.”

He disclosed that among items recovered include; Armored cables, Motor Cycles, Shovels, Diggers, Wrentch, Hack saw, Cutlass, Pieces of Iron Rods, Indian Hemp, Water Pump, Bill boards, Hoes, Knives, among others.

Odumosu warned the criminally minded persons “residing in the FCT to do themselves some good and either desist from acts of criminality or relocate from Abuja as we will leave no stone unturned to fish hem out and ensure they are brought to book.”

The Delta Online Publishers Forum (DOPF) has announced its 2024 Annual Lecture, scheduled for Wednesday, November 20, and Thursday, November 21.

The lecture will focus on addressing security challenges in Delta State and across Nigeria with a theme, “Security Challenges: Finding Local Implementable Solutions.”

In a statement signed by DOPF Chairman Emmanuel Enebeli and Secretary Shedrack Onitsha, the forum emphasized the need for practical, community-driven approaches to enhance security. The event aims to ignite discussions on developing sustainable solutions tailored to the specific needs of local communities.

“The lecture will tackle pressing security issues in Delta State and Nigeria, emphasizing community-based strategies for tackling crime and improving safety,” the statement said.

The two-day event will open with a training session for members on leadership and management, followed by the main lecture on the second day. Security experts, community leaders, policymakers, and civil society groups are expected to participate, contributing to strategies that reflect the existing social and cultural realities. The discussions will focus on practical, sustainable approaches to these challenges.

DOPF expressed optimism that the lecture will strengthen community bonds and foster a safer environment conducive to economic growth and social development in Delta State, and Nigeria.

A key aspect of the discussions will be the impact of security threats, such as herdsmen attacks, on agriculture and food production. Experts will address how insecurity has led to displaced farmers and contributed to food shortages, offering insights into the root causes and broader economic effects of these challenges.

To ensure the smooth execution of the event, a planning committee chaired by Mr. Abel Johngold and 12 other members has been set up.

The 2024 DOPF Annual Lecture is expected to serve as a critical platform for exchanging ideas and formulating actionable solutions to security challenges in Delta State and beyond. The statement concluded.

The United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is providing more than $6.5 million to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to address flood-related humanitarian needs across Nigeria.

According to a statement on Thursday by
the Development Outreach and Communications Team of USAID, the funding is part of USAID’s Fiscal Year 2024 support and will enable local partners to respond to flooding and other disasters.

The statement revealed that IOM is allocating $3 million to address flood-related humanitarian needs across the country.

Flooding has affected over 619,000 people in 29 Nigerian states since mid-August, according to Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency. The floods have claimed 210 lives, displaced nearly 228,700 people, and damaged more than 84,800 homes.

According to the statement, this response is part of a larger humanitarian assistance effort. In Fiscal Year 2024, USAID has provided nearly $100 million in previously announced funding to Nigeria to respond to the urgent needs of those impacted by disasters, including floods.

USAID Mission Director, Melissa Jones said:
“The United States remains committed to supporting the people of Nigeria as they face the challenges posed by climate change and increasingly frequent natural disasters. Our enduring partnership is rooted in a long history of delivering humanitarian aid across the nation.”

Borno State Government has assured the residents of Maiduguri and environs that the area cannot be submerged by water as efforts are ongoing to check the seasonal flooding resulting from overflow of Alau Dam.

Alau Dam with a reservoir capacity of 112 million cubic meters was designed to support irrigation activities on the Alau river bank and to supply tap water in Maiduguri Metropolitan and Jere local government areas.

Parts of Maiduguri and Jere is presently flooded as the Alau Dam overflown into residential areas.

Th me Secretary to Borno State Government, Alhaji Bukar Tijani who went around on Thursday to assess the Alau Dam and damages present overflow has caused, assured residents that the Dam is not broken.

The SSG added that the state government is working with the Chad Basin Development Authority to take steps to protect Maiduguriri from flooding.

He said, “There have been a lot of worries as well as speculations that the whole Dam has broken down, but the dam has not broken down.”

“We have been to Alau Dam on behalf of His Excellency, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, Executive Governor of Borno State.

“Borno State Government is partnering very strongly with the managers of Alau Dam. We have discussed and seen what to do, but the rumour of Maiduguri being flooded is not there”, he assured.

Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has sent a high-powered delegation to assess the impact of water overflow at Alau Dam which is threatening Maiduguri Metropolis and its environs.

Alhaji Bukar Tijani, the Secretary to Borno State Government, led the delegation. They were received by Engr Mohammed Zannah, the acting Managing Director of Chad Basin Development Authority (CBDA) at Alau Dam on Thursday.

The delegation comprises Engr Baba Bukar Gujibawu, SA to the Governor on Monitoring and Evaluation, Engr Adam Bababe, Executive Secretary, Borno Geographic Information Service, Engr Sadu Auno, Executive Secretary, Borno State Road Maintenance Agency and the Director General of the State Emergency Management Agency, Dr Mohammed Saidu Barkindo.

While briefing the SSG, Zannah disclosed that despite the high water level in the river which led to overflow, the present conditions do not pose a severe threat to the city, noting that all necessary measures were put in place to control the situation.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has described as baseless, allegations of nepotism and favouritism in the appointment of its Directors, Commanders and other top officials.

The agency in a statement on Thursday described as false, insinuations in some social media posts suggesting that appointments into high ranking positions are tilted in favour of Northern Muslims against Southern Christians.

The statement read that: “For the benefit of the reading public, the agency will like to state as follows:

“Out of the 20 Directors/ Commandant in NDLEA, 14 are Christians and 6 Muslims; of the 14 Zonal Commanders, 9 are Christians and 5 Muslims; out of 37 State Commanders, 19 are Christians and 18 Muslims; of the 14 Special Area Commanders, 10 are Christians and 4 Muslims; out of 12 Coordinators/Heads of Units, 9 are Christians and 3 Muslims; while out of 11 Heads of Operation, 7 are Christians and 4 are Muslims.

“In all, out of the 108 topmost appointments and positions in the agency, 68 of them are occupied by Christians and 40 Muslims, which represents a ratio of 63% – 37% as against the perception some mischief makers are trying to create against the leadership of the agency.

“The agency wishes to assure the public that its leadership remains focused and committed to the goal of curbing the scourge of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking while upholding the tenets of fairness, equity, and merit in its distribution of opportunities for its workforce.”

ActionAid Nigeria has condemned the latest hike in pump price of petroleum products, demanding immediate action from the government on economic reform

The Non Governmental Organisation said increasing the minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000 was never enough to bring economic succour

ActionAid, in a statement on Wednesday signed by its Country Director, Andrew Mamedu asked that: “The Federal Government must prioritise the welfare of Nigerian Citizens over revenue generation and provide a comprehensive plan to protect vulnerable citizens and support small businesses within 48 hours. This plan must include measures to mitigate the impact of high fuel prices on the poor and vulnerable.”

Mamedu lamented that: “Since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, the removal of fuel subsidies has led to a harsh economic reality for many Nigerians. Despite efforts to recover, the Federal Government’s decision to allow fuel prices to surge again has worsened the situation, leading to a ripple effect on the economy.

“In May 2023, just before President Tinubu’s inauguration, petrol prices were already high at N185 per litre, causing widespread discontent among Nigerians due to the accompanying high cost of goods. However, on his first day in office, fuel prices skyrocketed to N500 per litre, leading to a sharp surge in the prices of essential commodities.

“Since then, fuel prices have continued to rise steadily. By August 2023, it reached N626.70 and continued to fluctuate, surmounting N668.3 in January 2024 and N770.54 in July 2024. As of September 2024, it has increased again to a staggering N897 per litre, which greatly worsens the situation for many Nigerians.”

He noted that: “Clearly, Nigeria’s fuel pricing is heavily influenced by the dollar-to-naira exchange rate due to the country’s reliance on imported fuel, which is denominated in US dollars (USD). Consequently, a depreciation of the naira against the dollar leads to higher fuel import costs, resulting in increased prices at the pump as well.

“This direct correlation between exchange rates and fuel prices makes Nigeria’s fuel pricing vulnerable to exchange rate fluctuations. Any changes in the dollar-to-naira rate will have a ripple effect on fuel import costs, ultimately impacting the prices consumers pay at the pump, and highlighting the need for a more stable exchange rate to mitigate the volatility in fuel pricing.”

He added that: “It is one thing to fix an impending problem of inflation in the economy, and it is another thing to provide temporary solutions to keep the mouths of Nigerians shut. Although the minimum wage has increased from N30,000 to N70,000, it fails to address the root causes of inflation and does little to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians, who continue to bear the brunt of skyrocketing commodity prices, particularly fuel costs. We need a comprehensive and sustainable solution, not just a quick fix to silence the masses.”

On the latest increase, Mamedu said: “ActionAid Nigeria strongly condemns this development, which will push millions of Nigerians deeper into poverty. We demand transparency in fuel pricing, including a clear breakdown of costs and revenues associated with fuel imports, refining, and distribution. The Federal Government must provide a detailed explanation of the fuel pricing mechanism to ensure accountability and trust.

“To address the root causes of this crisis, we also demand the establishment of an independent committee to monitor fuel pricing and ensure transparency. This committee must include representatives from civil society, the private sector, and government agencies. Additionally, the Federal Government must invest in Nigerian refineries and provide targeted support to vulnerable citizens and small businesses affected by fuel price increases.”

He said: “Concurrently, the Federal Government must implement a comprehensive economic reform plan as soon as possible, including measures to diversify the economy, increase foreign exchange earnings, and stabilize the naira. This plan should include specific targets and timelines for reducing inflation, improving foreign investment, and promoting local production. We demand transparency and regular progress updates to ensure accountability and build trust with the citizens.”

Mamedu warned that: “ActionAid Nigeria will hold the government accountable for their actions and demand a better future for all Nigerians. We will take all necessary actions to ensure that the government is held accountable to Nigerian citizens.”

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) has commended the officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces for their professionalism, patriotism and daily sacrifices in their efforts to curb banditry in the North West and other security challenges in parts of the country.

Marwa gave the commendation on Tuesday when the National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre, Maj. Gen. Adamu Laka paid him a courtesy visit at the NDLEA’s National Headquarters in Abuja to seek collaboration of NCTC and NDLEA.

He said there is need to support and encourage the Armed Forces following a viral video of bandits celebrating the ‘capture’ of a military armoured vehicle stuck in a mucky path in Kwashabawa, Zurmi local government area of Zamfara state, adding that the Nigerian military is well placed and capable of containing banditry like they already contained insurgency in the North East.

He urged Nigerians to stand with the military and other security agencies in the ongoing efforts to end all security challenges facing the country. According to him, “man for man, officer to officer, soldier to soldier – the Nigerian Armed Forces personnel are an equal or better match to any of their colleagues anywhere in the world.”

Marwa said this explains their success in peacekeeping operations even before independence and the reason why they are well sought after by the United Nations, adding that the exploits of our armed forces under ECOMOG are still fresh in memory. “I recall that during my tenure as Defence Adviser in our Permanent Mission to the UN, Nigerian troops were always sought after for their professionalism and effectiveness”, he stated.

The NDLEA boss harping on the need to appreciate the sacrifices being made by personnel of the armed forces, said: “We must always remember that our men and women in uniform left their families and went to the bush these past 15 years, fighting an asymmetrical warfare in ill-defined territories and an amorphous enemy that easily mixes with the rural population.”

He said if the same security forces have been able to contain the Boko Haram insurgency in the North East, which was once far worse than the present banditry in the North West, they will in a matter of time end the criminal activities of non-state actors in Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina and other parts of the region.

Marwa said rather than fall for the propaganda of criminal elements, the Nigerian public should stand up for massive and unequivocal support to the armed forces and other security agencies in diverse ways. “Our support and goodwill towards our security forces can come in the form of encouraging words, scholarship for their orphaned children and other empowerment grants to their widows and families, all of which can be channeled through their Service Headquarters”, he added.

He commended Gen. Laka for the visit while expressing confidence in his ability to succeed on his task at the NCTC.

Speaking earlier, Laka said he came on the visit to seek collaboration between the NCTC and NDLEA because of the strong nexus between drugs and crimes. He noted that with over 50,000 arrests in three years, the activities of NDLEA have disrupted crimes, and struck a significant blow to the criminal organizations as well as activities that thrive on illicit drugs and substances.

According to him, “we all know the nexus between drug abuse, crime and terrorism. We know that drugs fuel various forms of criminality, including terrorism by providing financial resources and impairing judgment, thus contributing to violent extremism. This nexus underscores the importance of a holistic approach to combating these threats.

“We have state-of-the-art laboratories at the centre. We have toxicology lab, DNA lab, fingerprint lab, data extraction lab, and so on and these labs are open to you. I would like a situation whereby we can collaborate with the NDLEA to fight threats of terrorism in the country.

“Additionally, there is a need for strategic communication and sensitization campaigns on the nexus between drugs, and crime. So, we would also like to collaborate with the NDLEA to organize sensitization workshops, seminars, and so on to enlighten the public on the danger of the use of drugs.”

$1.6million have been provided by the Economic Community Of West African States State (ECOWAS) Commission and the World Food Program (WFP) to fight the rising malnutrition and poverty in Katsina and Sokoto brought about by surge in banditry and internally displacement in the North West.

Donation of palliative to the North West by the WFP is expected to increase to the troubled North West region as a total of 500O metric tonne of wheat donated by the Ukrainian government is scheduled to be received at the weekend.

The Deputy Head of Programme WFP, Manuela Reinfield made the disclosure on Friday at the launch of the second phase of the ECOWAS, WFP, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affair Stabilization Project for 2024/2025 in Katsina.

Reinfield, while noting that the project took off at the right time, given the deteriorating food security situation and insecurity situation in the North West, said Stabilization Project aims at providing monthly cash transfer support of N11,500 to about 14,500 beneficiaries in both Katsina and Sokoto states for the next six months.

She revealed that nutritious food comprising of corn-soya blend, to pregnant and lactating women and their children under 2 years to prevent malnutrition will also be distributed in both states.

She added that Kastina and Zamfara state will get unconditional food assistance with the wheat grain expected to arrive in the country from Ukraine on Sunday

The Permanent Representative of Nigeria in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Amb. Sani Nuhu explained that the regional bloc which had established a Stabilization Fund to assist victims of terrorism and banditry in the region decided on the humanitarian assistance to the Northwest because of the sad situation

He said: “ECOWAS Commission came up with the idea of setting aside $1 million to
be given to Nigeria every year to come up with a program on providing social alleviation initiatives to victims of insecurity in the northeast and the Northwest.

He said ECOWAS had selected WFP as implementing partner so as to ensure that the assistant get to the intended beneficiaries.

On his part, the Kastina State Governor Dikko Umar Radda commended ECOWAS, WFP and Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs for the support saying the project will empower and transfer best practices to the state institutions during implementation as there will be room for continuity and technical collaboration even after the expiration of the project

He assured that the state will be ready to
provide conducive environment for continuous partnership with the donor partners.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Olumuyiwa Enitan, in his remarks stated that beneficiaries of the program were carefully selected in line with global practices as they are the most vulnerable in the state

He said 14,694 vulnerable population has been selected from Kastina and Sokoto state saying with 7,347 beneficiaries were selected across 2 local government areas of Kastina state.

He disclosed that the gesture was with the intention of ensuring a future where peace, stability and prosperity become a realit

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted a total of 31, 124, 600 pills of tramadol 225mg and bottles of codeine-based syrup worth about N18 billion at both Port Harcourt and Apapa seaports.

According to a statement on Sunday by the spokesman of the agency, Femi Babafemi the seizures at both Port Complex, Onne, Rivers state and Tincan seaports in Apapa, Lagos, were made following intelligence processed by the agency on the movement of the shipments from their port of origin in India, leading to a demand for a 100 percent joint examination of the watch-listed containers with the Nigerian Customs Service and other sister security agencies.

He noted that a breakdown of the seizures show that 350,000 bottles of codeine-based syrup were recovered from two containers at Tincan port in Lagos last Thursday and Friday with each of the two containers having 175,000 bottles of the opioid.

He said at the Port Harcourt Port Complex, Onne, NDLEA operatives equally intercepted a total of 447 cartons of tramadol 225mg containing 29, 840,000 pills of the opioid as well as 380,000 bottles of codeine syrup from three containers last Thursday, adding that the tramadol shipments came under different brand names such as Royal Tapetadol, Carisoprodol 225mg and Royal Tramadol Hydrochloride 225mg.

Babafemi said the following day, Friday, another set of three containers watch-listed by NDLEA were subjected to joint examination, and at the end of the exercise, a total of 3,030 cartons of codeine syrup containing 554,600 bottles of the opioid were recovered from them, bringing the total bottles of codeine seized at Onne, Rivers and Tincan in Lagos to 1,284,600 bottles worth N8,992,200,000.00 in street value while the combined seizure of tramadol stood at 29,840,000 pills valued at N8,940,000,000.00.

The spokesman said NDLEA operatives at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Rivers state last Tuesday arrested a suspect, Eze Emekan, while attempting to board a Cronos airline flight to Malabo, Equatorial Guinea with 1,490 pills of tramadol concealed and packaged as cosmetics of different brands inside his luggage. His attempt to compromise the officers to evade arrest was rebuffed.

He said a wanted ex-beauty queen, Ms. Aderinoye Queen Christmas also known as Ms. Queen Oluwadamilola Aderinoye has surrendered to the Lagos Command of the agency after about eight months in hiding.

He recalled that the former beauty pageant was declared wanted by the agency in January after she escaped from her Lekki, Lagos residence when NDLEA operatives raided her apartment at Oral estate, Lekki following credible intelligence she deals in illicit substances.

Babafemi said the suspect was Miss Commonwealth Nigeria Culture 2015/2016 and founder of Queen Christmas Foundation, and recovered from her home during the search witnessed by the estate officials include 606 grammes of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, an electronic weighing scale, large quantities of drugs packing plastics, a black RAV 4 SUV marked Lagos KSF 872 GQ, and her picture frame among others.

He said the suspect who claimed she has been hiding in Akure, Ondo state capital since January when she escaped arrest in Lekki Lagos however surrendered to the agency last Wednesday.

Babafemi disclosed that no less than 1,122 kilogrammes of cannabis were seized from a suspect, Mustapha Ibrahim when he was arrested last Monday along Orchid road, Ajah, Lagos, while 816 kilogrammes of the same psychoactive substance belonging to a suspect at large was recovered from the same location same day.

In Niger state, NDLEA operatives last Monday arrested a suspect Friday Gabriel along Minna-Suleja road while conveying 1,900 capsules of tramadol, 300 bottles of codeine syrup and 600 packets of exol-5 tablets; operatives in Bauchi state on Saturday arrested two suspects: Garba Muhammed, 35; and Usman Shehu, 31,
along Bauchi-Gombe road while transporting 308 blocks of cannabis weighing 246.4 kilogrammes, concealed in false compartment of a J5 bus marked Edo state URM 38 ZY.

The spokesman said commands and formations of the agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week.

In his response to the latest seizures and arrests, Chairman/ Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended all the officers and men of PHPC, Tincan and the Special Operations Unit of the Agency that had been working on the targeted containers for their vigilance and professionalism.

He equally praised the support received from other stakeholders at the ports that enabled the seamless and successful operations in the course of targeting the shipments, while applauding operatives in Lagos, Niger, Bauchi and PHIA as well as other commands across the country for their diligence and balance in their drug demand reduction and drug supply reduction efforts.

Leadership of Ukpe Anioma Progressive Association, (UAPA), has given their support to Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta north senatorial district at the national Assembly over the creation of Anioma state as the sixth state of the South East geopolitical zone.

At a meeting held in Agbor, Ika South local government area, Delta state, they salute the courage and wisdom of Senator Nwoko in championing the noble course which was generously debated along with other burning issues concerning the Anioma region and vowed to do everything within their power to encourage him on.

The National Coordinator, Chief Alex Ikpeazu, flanked by other senatorial leaders: Dr Emeka Okolie, Ben Enwose-Williams, Dr Chris Ugoh, Chief Joe Nwaoyor, Chief Gabriel Ohai, Chief Fred Okoruwe, Chief Alfred Obuseh, Vera Nwanodu Adesotu, Stella Bardi and Chukwuma Dafe, called on all their sons and daughters to overwhelmingly support this historic opportunity.

They said since the National Assembly is desirous of correcting the injustice meted to the south east geopolitical zone with only five states as against the six states in all other geopolitical zones, the need to take advantage of the good national intention and ensure that Anioma becomes the beneficiary cannot be overemphasized.

While appreciating the Senator for 14 motions and 19 bills moved, submitted and proposed, they agreed Anioma people have never had a representative with an open door policy, who is impacting directly on the generality of the people irrespective of political affiliation

They urged Senator Nwoko to set aside as an annual event the historic gathering of civil servants, community leaders and indigenous people of Anioma extraction residing in Abuja where he had an eventful interaction with them where questions were satisfactorily answered which was the very first time any representative have had such.

As part of their resolutions, UAPA state that:
“In the history of political representation of our people at the National Assembly has any representative intentionally opened their heart and mind for effective representation of our people as we are seeing in Ned Nwoko and we will therefore

“Constituency projects which hitherto were selfishly and secretly distributed by our past representatives to their cronies have now been laid bare with beneficiaries cutting across all political parties and ordinary Anioma sons and daughters by Senator Ned Nwoko in virtually all the communities in Delta North” lkpeazu noted.

International partners and local stakeholders in the global effort to combat the scourge of illicit drug trafficking have expressed their preparedness to support the Alternative Development Project of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

According to a statement on Friday by the spokesman of NDLEA, it is an initiative aimed at encouraging illicit drug producers and dealers to engage in lawful and productive business opportunities.

They made the commitments in their remarks during the opening ceremony of a two-day workshop on “Building a Support Network for the Alternative Development Project in Nigeria”, organised by the Alternative Development unit of NDLEA at the agency’s National Headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) explained the decision to embrace the ADP initiative. According to him, “In Nigeria, the Alternative Development Project will focus on reducing the vulnerabilities of ignorance, poverty, hunger, unemployment and underdevelopment that push people into illicit economies, particularly illicit drug cultivation. Aside from its link to transnational organised crime, illicit drug cultivation fuels national organised crime that causes agricultural states to abandon food crop cultivation for cannabis plantations in some communities in Southwest Nigeria. We intend to reduce these vulnerabilities both in urban centres and rural areas through the provision of functional mechanisms and facilities for sensitisation, skills acquisition, empowerment and positive engagements for sustainable livelihoods.

“As a diversified enterprise tailored to meet various needs and interests of the people, the Alternative Development Project in Nigeria will focus on agricultural and community development, research and basic infrastructure, and industrial and commercial engagements. We will begin with agricultural development through the crop substitution project. We will also focus on advocacy and education programmes and set up mechanisms to monitor and evaluate project implementations, progress, impacts and challenges.”

He expressed appreciation to the Global Partnership on Drug Policies and Development in Berlin, Germany for providing a fully funded Alternative Development study visit opportunity to Thailand for some NDLEA officers. He equally applauded the contributions of the immediate past Country Representative of UNODC in Nigeria, Mr. Oliver Stolpe; Chief, Drugs, Laboratory and Scientific Services Branch of UNODC, Vienna, Dr. Justice Tettey; Ashnik Alternative Development Initiative, an NGO and other stakeholders who assisted in developing the framework for the birth of the Alternative Development unit of the agency.

He called for a more robust global support to ensure the success of the project.

In his remarks, Tettey commended NDLEA for blazing the trail in Alternative Development initiative in Africa. He identified four critical elements needed for the success of the project as: “people- centred and responsive approach where the aspirations of the people, inclusion and local ownership of AD programmes will ensure meaningful participation of youths, women and the locals in the project design and implementation; value added production chain and access to market which involves research- aided identification of high- yielding marketable crops in harmony with the local environment and equally satisfy local and international markets.”

He noted that environmental considerations must be paramount in all efforts around Alternative Development to ensure sustainability and protection of the ecosystem. He pledged UNODC support to ensure a successful implementation.
Equally in his remarks, Mr. Danilo Campisi, Officer- in -Charge , UNODC Country Office, Nigeria, stated that 8,900 hectares of cannabis farmland being cultivated in six states in Nigeria would have been used for production of licit crops. He condemned the recruitment of young men who are desperate for livelihood in the communities by drug barons, who exploit their vulnerabilities.

Earlier, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Agribusiness and Productivity Enhancement, Dr. Kingsley Uzoma commended the NDLEA boss for the laudable initiative, noting that the Alternative Development project is in line with President Tinubu’s commitment to addressing issues of unemployment, youth and women empowerment by providing tools and resources needed to engage in productive licit farming activities in order to prevent the vulnerable from engaging in unlawful activities.

Others who spoke at the workshop include; Ms. Ana Medeiros, who represented acting Chief of Mission, United Nations International Organisation on Migrants; Mr. Thierry Rostan, Global Coordinator, Alternative Development/ Sustainable Livelihood Team, Vienna, Austria; Professor Bala Shehu of the Ashnik Alternative Development Initiative; Dr. Jonah Kolo, the Coordinator of the AD project and Dr. Martin Agwogie, President , International Society of Substance Use Prevention and Treatment Professionals (ISSUP), Nigeria, among others.

The British Government has awarded 82 Nigerians, the prestigious Chevening and Commonwealth scholarships to study a wide range of master’s degrees and PhD programmes in the UK in 2024.

This year, 32 scholars received the Chevening scholarships, and 50 scholars have been awarded the Commonwealth scholarship so far.

A pre-departure ceremony was held in Abuja on Thursday for scholars based in Abuja and environs, while a similar ceremony will hold in Lagos next week, and will be hosted by the Deputy Head of Mission, Abby Bernard, for scholars in Lagos and nearby cities.

At the Abuja pre-departure reception, the British Deputy High Commissioner, Mrs. Gill Lever, congratulated beneficiaries who succeeded in securing a scholarship through the highly competitive application and interview process.

The British Government has awarded 82 Nigerians, the prestigious Chevening and Commonwealth scholarships to study a wide range of master’s degrees and PhD programmes in the UK in 2024.

This year, 32 scholars received the Chevening scholarships, and 50 scholars have been awarded the Commonwealth scholarship so far. A pre-departure ceremony was held in Abuja yesterday for scholars based in Abuja and environs, while a similar ceremony will hold in Lagos next week, and will be hosted by the Deputy Head of Mission, Abby Bernard, for scholars in Lagos and nearby cities.

At the Abuja pre-departure reception yesterday, the British Deputy High Commissioner, Mrs. Gill Lever, congratulated beneficiaries who succeeded in securing a scholarship through the highly competitive application and interview process.

Speaking at the ceremony, Lever said:
“The UK continues to support the educational development of Nigerians and remain transparent and inclusive in the selection process across board.
“I challenge each of you to aim for excellence in your studies, to be great ambassadors for Nigeria in the UK, and to take advantage of every opportunity during your scholarship – through growing your knowledge, enriching cultural exchange, and confident networking – and then bringing those experiences back to Nigeria and doing great things for your country while creating a positive change in this country and the world.”

Also speaking at the reception, Director Operations, British Council Nigeria, Idowu Akintade, said: “We hope the skills and knowledge you gain from this scholarship opportunity prepares you to make positive impact in the development priorities of Nigeria.

“I encourage you all to build a strong network and continue to be great ambassadors of the prestigious Commonwealth and Chevening Scholarships.”

Chevening and Commonwealth Scholarships are awarded to individuals who demonstrate intellectual ability, leadership potential and a commitment to development of their home country.

Nigeria has a huge alumni base with over 4500 (3000 Commonwealth and 1500 Chevening) alumni across both scholarships with very prestigious people impacting and contributing to Nigeria’s development.

Special promotion has been given by the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) for eight officers for bravery in the discharge of their duty.

The promoted officers are of the Marine Command of the agency and the honour was given to them for their brave and professional conduct during a recent operation to arrest drug traffickers and interdict canoes and boats moving illicit drugs from Ghana to Nigeria through the Lagos waterways.

Speaking at a brief ceremony to decorate the eight officers with their new ranks and also hand them commendation letters at the agency’s National Headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, Marwa said “every time we have a breakthrough, it tells the world a story about the new NDLEA we are working hard to build. It also reinforces our conviction as an organisation that we are on the right track. So, an occasion such as this is a source of pride for me.”

Marwa while justifying the essence of the special promotion and commendation, said: “In this case, we have officers who exhibited bravery and an unwavering sense of duty in the face of adversity on the waterways to thwart an attempt by a criminal gang to smuggle 60 jumbo bags of illicit drugs from a neighbouring country. Despite obvious attempts to thwart our interdiction bid, our officers were resilient and prevailed over the situation. It is in recognition of their gallantry that they are given special promotion and we are holding this ceremony to decorate them.

“This is keeping with our culture of rewarding hard work, results and sacrifice.”

He said the reward scheme is also part of the sweeping reforms he instituted in the past three years to motivate officers to raise their performance level.

Marwa said: “Under this scheme, we have instituted the bi-annual Command Awards and Commendation as well as special promotion for deserving officers, among other measures. I must say that the eight officers I will be decorating shortly showed bravery and dedication to duty and are deserving of a reward.”

Marwa recapping the details of the particular operation that led to the promotion, said: “on the 23rd of August 2024, the Special Marine Squad received actionable intelligence at 3am. They immediately swung into action and intercepted a boat along Alfa beach, in Lekki, Lagos. Another boat was equally sighted. They however faced some unfavourable encounter in the process of intercepting the second boat, but in the face of violent provocation, our officers did not lose focus, as they went ahead to recover the exhibits.

“They were able to seize 60 bags of Ghanaian Loud, a strong strain of cannabis, weighing 2, 400 kgs. They successfully arrested a suspect, Hambo Tete, 30, who is Ghanaian and impounded the exhibit boat powered by three outboard engines. The action of these officers in the night was significant for two reasons. First, it is an affirmation that we have been successful at making the normal trafficking routes through the airport and land borders impenetrable. Hence, traffickers seeking alternative routes are trying to turn to the waterways.

“The second significance is that such traffickers will meet their Waterloo even on the waterways because of the presence of our Marine Command. Those who have been following the development in NDLEA are aware that we now have a full-fledged Marine Command with well trained divers. In the recent past months, we have been reinforcing the Command with equipment and training for which we are grateful to the UK Home Office International Operations. What this crop of officers did is a loud statement to trafficking organisations that NDLEA will continue to work with other security agencies and stakeholders to ensure that our waterways are not safe routes for drug traffickers just as the airports, seaports and land borders.”

Addressing the promoted officers and their colleagues across all commands and formations, Marwa charged them on the need “to sustain the momentum of our trajectory and also protect the integrity of our job. That entails that we should be mindful of our actions and activities in the line of duty or off duty.”

He said: “I expect them and every officer not to rest on their oars. There is so much work to do out there, and there are dangers involved. As long as we conduct our operations in line with established SOPs, as these officers did, and as long as we don’t compromise our mandate, we shall always prevail, without casualty and without erring in our action.”

The promoted officers are: Dick Aaron Dick; Alabi Mayowa; Gabriel Ubokikwan; Aso Daniel John; Abdul Emmanuel Sule; Ngabolo Victor Sonpano; Jonah Emmanuel Sule and Membe Timipa Gabriel.

Speaking on behalf of the promoted officers, the team leader Aaron Dick expressed gratitude to the NDLEA boss for transforming the agency to an efficient and result-oriented organisation through purposeful and exemplary leadership. He said the special promotion and commendation will not only motivate him and his colleagues to do more but will equally inspire other personnel of the Agency to be exceptional in the discharge of their duties.

Journalists have been asked to embrace the act of inclusive storytelling in their trade as it remains a powerful tool that inspires individuals and communities to make positive decisions towards a better future.

The Executive Director, Gender Strategy Advancement International (GSAI), Dr. Adaora Sydney – Jack gave the advice at the Gender the Agenda Project Story Circle Exhibition and Award Presentation in Abuja.

Sydney -Jack, also explained that the power of Inclusive storytelling plays a vital role in driving social and political progress.

She said: “In today’s media landscape, where attention spans are short, and information overload is a constant challenge, the power of storytelling in journalism had never been more crucial. By harnessing the motive and transformative potential of storytelling, tourists can cut through the noise, capture audiences’ attention and drive meaningful engagement with important issues. Whether it’s through long-form features, traditional media, talk shows, multimedia presentations, journalists have a vast array of tools at their disposal to craft narratives that inform, inspire, investigate and ignite.”

She added that effective journalism must be balanced and factual, explaining that: “It is essential to recognise that effective inclusive storytelling in journalism requires a dedicated balance between facts and narrative techniques. While the core facts must remain accurate and verifiable, journalists can use storytelling devices to engage their audience and create a memorable impact. This blend of factual accuracy and storytelling prowess is what distinguishes great journalism from mere reporting”.

She also said that the power of Inclusive storytelling in journalism lies in the ability to spur action, while disclosing that: “The Story Circle Exhibition is not just an exhibition of stories of journalists but a barring of their efforts, the challenges, the resilience,the determination in seeking the truth and demanding accountability on issues as they concern our target demography who are women and persons with disabilities within the FCT. It is also a consideration of what can happen when you dare the odds and redefine opportunities in an environment where the journalist is seen as an opponent rather than the path finder.”

Also speaking, the Director MacArthur Foundation, Mr. Kole Shettima,said his organisation takes priority in work around accountabilities, strengthening the criminal justice system in the society , and bringing about behavioural change, to support Civil Society Organisation (CSO).

He said: “We support the work around investigative journalism because we believe that accountability journalism is critical and important for the progress and development of our country. We believe that duty bearers must be held accountable and we do that through the reality that our journalists are going through what other journalists are going through around the globe. We believe that supporting journalists to do independent work is important towards editorial independence. In all the work we do, we approach it towards gender and social inclusion perspectives. In doing this work around gender social inclusion , we pay attention to gender, disability. PWD.”

On her part, the Executive Director, Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism, Motunrayo Alaka, who was represented by Kimberly Chukwu, said: “The MacArthur Foundation, strive to build an ecosystem where transparency, accountability and good governance thrive at all levels of government—especially at the state and local levels.

“Together, we have cultivated a space where investigative journalism is not only about uncovering the truth but also about ensuring that the voices of the marginalised are central to the narratives we construct. Gender-lensed reporting is not just an optional approach; it is essential for nuanced and comprehensive understanding of current issues. When we include the perspectives of women in our stories, we move closer to the truth, recognising that the experiences of half of our population are integral to the fabric of our society.”

A cash of N100,000 was given to each of the two winners of the competition, Laraba Murey and Momso Damien

The story circle exhibition was organised by Gender Strategy Advancement International supported by Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism investigative and MacArthur Foundation.

The United Nations Women (UN Women) has decried that are emerging threats to women’s peace and security (WPS) including insurgency and endemic poverty that need to be urgently addressed.

Speaking on Tuesday at the Validation Workshop of 3rd National Action Plan (NAP) on Women Peace and Security in Nigeria, the UN Women Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms. Beatrice Eyong said: “As we prepare to celebrate the twenty-fourth anniversary of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security in October this year, we need to remind ourselves that there are emerging threats to women’s peace and security, including insurgency and endemic poverty that need to be addressed.”

She insisted that: “It’s crucial to create an environment where women can actively contribute, and have their voices heard in developing and implementing solutions to address the root causes of conflict and promote peace, at all levels.”
 
She noted that the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), unanimously adopted on 31 October 2000 has led to a shift in the architecture of peace processes and reconstruction, including a major catalyst for the advancement of gender equality and the promotion of women’s rights in the area of peace and security.
 
She added that: “The UNSCR 1325 builds on a body of international human rights laws and legal instruments and recognizes that armed conflict impacts women differently from men, and therefore demands protection of women and girls before, during and after armed conflict . It also recognizes women’s role as peace builders and agents of change, and calls on UN and member states, civil society, and the international community to ensure women’s increased participation in conflict prevention and peacebuilding processes. prevention of conflict and all forms of violence against women and girls in conflict and post-conflict situations.”
 
Eyong noted that: “Nigeria’s heroic decision to address contextualized women’s peace and security issues have been made possible with the adoption and implementation of the first and second National Action Plan (NAP) on women, peace and security, adopted in 2013 and 2017, respectively. Over the years, these efforts have contributed to remarkable achievements, including domestication of laws and policies that protect women and girls’ rights; increase in Women’s Participation and Representation in Traditional decision making structures; establishment of functional women, peace and security architecture; development of State Action Plans (SAPs) in sixteen states, and local action plans, as well as enhancement of gender responsive security sector through the development Gender Policies and implementation mechanisms for security sector institutions. Additionally, there are ongoing initiatives aimed at strengthening enabling environment for diverse women and girls to play greater role in peace and security decision making processes towards achieving sustainable and integrated security that promotes ownership and accountability through inclusive governance and innovative financing systems.”
 
 She said: “It is important to note that the 3rd NAP aligns with national development priorities of Nigeria and is guided by and reflects the following important principles: (i) High-Level Political Will; (ii) Do No Harm/Safeguarding; (iii) Legislative & Compliance Mechanisms (iv) Intersectionality, Ownership & Accountability; (v) Effective Communication and Reporting; and (vi) Strengthened Coordination and Partnership.”

She told the stakeholders that: “Together, we must work towards addressing women’s needs and integrating their perspectives in conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and security processes to ensure the full achievement of a more inclusive, safe, peaceful, and prosperous society. UN Women remains committed to the WPS agenda and broadly the advancement of gender equality and women empowerment.”

Delta State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), State Congress holds on Saturday 31st, August 2024 at the Cenotaph, Asaba by 10:00am.

Delegates and Aspirants for various offices should be seated by 9:00am.

For the avoidance of doubts, delegates for the State Congress are:

1. The Governor and the Deputy Governor of Delta State. 2. Former Governors and their Deputies. 3. Serving and Former Members of the BOT. 4. Members of the party’s State Executive Committee. 5. Serving and Former Members of the NEC and ZEC. 6. Serving and Former Members of the National Assembly. 7. Serving Members of DTHA and Former Principal Officers DTHA. 8. Local Government Council Chairmen and Vice Chairmen. 9. All Local Government Party Executive Members. 10. All National Assembly and Delta State House of Assembly Candidates of the PDP in the last general election. 11. Three Delegates from the Wards. 12. Former Members of the State Working Committee of PDP. 13. Former Local Government Area Party Chairmen. 14. One Physically Challenged Person per Local Government Area. 15. All Serving elected Local Government Councilors. 16. All serving Chairmen, Deputy Chairmen, Secretaries, Women and Youth Leaders of the Wards in the State. 17. All National Delegates.

All the categories of persons mentioned above must still be members of the party.

PDP! Power to the People!!

Signed:

Engr. Dan Ossai, MNSE, CEng.
State Secretary,
PDP, Delta State.

28th August, 2024

The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu and the wives of state governors on Tuesday signed an agreement to tackle Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and harmful social practices against women in Nigeria.

The agreement was signed in Abuja at the maiden edition of Gender and Social Norms Summit 2024 organised by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Renewed Hope initiative in collaboration with the Office of the First Lady.

In her keynote address, the First Lady said that the prevalence of harmful practices such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), child marriage, which in some cases leads to Vesicovaginal Fistula (VVF), and other forms of violence against girls and women remain unacceptably high.

She said, in spite of various efforts, the incidence of these practices continues to grow, decrying that the spate of rape cases and GBV had reached an alarming rate, not sparing babies too.

She said: “Do we allow this trend to continue, or do we look the other way? That is why I am calling on the law enforcement agencies, the Inspector General of Police, the Attorney General of the Federation and the National Assembly.

“To appropriate and enforce stiffer laws and punishments for perpetrators of rape, sexual violence, and other forms of GBV.
No guilty party should be allowed to go free and start running the streets looking for the next victim.”

Tinubu admitted that collective action was needed to put an end to the practices, while advocating for the development of state-specific action plans to promote the allocation of adequate resources in government budgets to support gender equality initiatives and GBV prevention programmes.

She noted that: “This summit provides us with a common platform to create awareness, exchange lessons learned, and promote effective strategies for preventing and responding to GBV and harmful practices.”

The UNFPA Officer-In-Charge of the Nigerian office, Mr Koessan Kuawu, on his part, said that family planning was not only a crucial health intervention but a cornerstone of gender equality and women’s empowerment.

He however lamented that in many communities across Nigeria, social norms drive misconceptions and cultural barriers, hindering the uptake of family planning.

He noted that Nigeria occupies a unique position globally in the pursuit of the Social Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030 due to its vast population.

He, however, commended the government for its steadfast dedication to creating an enabling environment, through the passage and enforcement of critical legislation, such as the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act 2015, and also the implementation of the National FGM Policy, National Child Marriage Policy, and state-specific action plans to eliminate FGM and child marriage.

He said: “These milestones have been achieved through persistent advocacy efforts aimed at strengthening the adoption and implementation of these laws.”

Kuawu noted that though eliminating GBV and harmful social practices was an immense task, it was not insurmountable, insisting that: “With the right resources, political will, and community support across the states, we can change the narrative for women and girls in Nigeria.”

On her part, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Uju Ohanneye, advocated for stricter penalties for perpetrators of violence against women.

She noted that: “Overseas, where they are afraid to commit crimes or social norms or things that can harm another, it’s because when you do it, you face the consequences, legally and otherwise.

“However, here in Nigeria, when you have connection, before you know it, it dies a natural death and we forget so easily.
“So on this note, to support this program, we in the Ministry of Women Affairs will move forward to make sure there will be consequences if you commit a crime.”

The Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), defined social norms are the unspoken rules or expected behaviour that set social standards of appropriate and inappropriate behaviour in a specific culture or social group.

Fagbemi, who was represented by the Solicitor-General of the Federation, Mrs Beatrice Agba, said GBV encompasses various forms of violence directed at individuals based on their gender, often rooted in unequal power dynamics and societal norms.

Fagbemi noted that the practices “may unfortunately be attributed to the patriarchal and male dominance theoretical framework in place in our society.”

He said that the Federal Ministry of Justice was fully aware of the crucial role that the justice system plays in addressing gender and social norms issues through the provision of a framework for accountability, protection, and empowerment.

The Attorney General added that by upholding the rule of law, promoting gender equality, and advancing justice for all, the justice system could contribute significantly to creating a more inclusive, equitable, and just society for the present and future generations.

He said in addition to ongoing legislative reforms, the ministry was working with critical stakeholders to engage community actors such as traditional rulers, faith-based organisations, and informal community justice systems to address the notions and institutions that perpetrate violence against women and girls within the criminal justice system.

“We are initiating a pilot phase with the Area Councils in collaboration with area council chairmen in order to support ongoing dialogue and initiatives on this subject.”

By Albert Ograka

As preparations for the 8th National Youth Games gain momentum, Mr. Harrison Ocholor, Chairman of the Media and Publicity Sub Committee, has announced that the Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC), Chief Solomon Ogba, has established several subcommittees to ensure the event runs smoothly and efficiently.

Speaking to journalists in Asaba, Mr. Ocholor revealed that Chief Ogba has formed 12 subcommittees, each with a specific role to ensure the successful execution of the games.

He highlighted that the Games Village Management subcommittee will be led by Mr. Peter Itawansa, with Mr. Francis Egwudiuzor serving as Secretary. The Protocol and Ceremonial subcommittee will be headed by Chief Chinoye Daphey-Aliyu, with Mr. Sylvanus Okotoko as Secretary.

The Media and Publicity subcommittee will be under the leadership of Mr. Ocholor himself, with Mrs. Okonma Franca as Secretary. The Technical subcommittee will be managed by Mr. Onos Oborevwori, with Mr. Christian Chiekwe serving as Secretary. Chief Victor Onogagamue will chair the Facilities subcommittee, with Mr. Dickson Mordi as Secretary. SP Curtis Omorhienrhien will oversee the Security subcommittee, assisted by Mr. Anthony Ojei as Secretary.

Furthermore, the Feeding and Accommodation subcommittee will be chaired by Mr. Odemerho Francis, with Mrs. Blessing Ogbaudu as Secretary. The Medical subcommittee will be led by Dr. Anthony Enebe, with Mrs. Rita Daibo as Secretary. The Transport subcommittee will be headed by Mr. Onoriode Omajajah, with Mr. Edwin Onoyona as Secretary.

Additionally, Chief Ogba announced that the Mobilization subcommittee will be chaired by the Commissioner for Youth, Barr. Harry T. Trakiriowei, while Honourable Emmanuel Sinebe, Chairman of the House Committee on Sports and Youth Development, will oversee the Hospitality subcommittee. Finally, the Games Secretariat will be managed by the Director General of the Delta State Sports Commission, Mr. Ohwojero Festus, with Mr. Emoni Williams Esq as Secretary.

Chief Ogba urged all subcommittees to demonstrate dedication and excellence, emphasizing that their hard work is essential to the successful organization of the youth games.