The people of Oleh community in Isoko South local government area of Delta State, have commended the Delta State government on the steps taken so far in promoting peace between land owners families from Ozoro and Oleh communities.

They appealed to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to correct the grave errors and complaints by Oleh land owners on the state government white paper, before the delineation of the boundary mark for both communities.

The statement is contained in a press release by the president general of Oleh community, Comr. Chief Believe Alakri during a press conference held at Oleh civic center, Isoko South local government area.

Alakri who debunked a press release by the president general of Ozoro Progressive Union on 12th of June, 2023 on the caption: “Ozoro / Oleh boundary: Ozoro PG Calls on Delta Government to implement White Paper to douse rising tension”, noted that Oleh community leadership did not bother to respond as it was mindful of not heightening tension between the two communities over the land boundary dispute between both communities.

He said, the white paper plan submitted by the technical team of the Commission of Inquiry had disturbing developments and the land owners families of Oleh community drew the attention of the immediate past governor of Delta State, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa in a later on 12th of October 2022, over ceding areas where Oleh land owners optained judgement to the Ozoro Land owner families.

He maintained that the state government failed to respond to the letter by Oleh land owners families, just as the land owners families approached the high court of Delta State to seek redress in suit no. HCO/54/2022, and justice in areas complained of in the said white paper.

Alakri said, “the high court in it’s wisdom restrained the Delta State government and Ozoro Land owners families from any delineation of the boundary mark for both communities pending the hearing of the case’.

Contuining he said, “On the 12th day of June, 2023 the Ozoro community in flagrant disregard of the court order, mobilized earth moving equipment to the disputed areas and began clearing same in what the Ozoro community president general calls “Community development project – creating of access roads in Ozoro by the Ozoro community”.

Alakri noted that the act admitted by the president general of Ozoro community, is an affront to the order of a court of competent jurisdiction and likely to cause a breach of the peace with intent to provoke communal crisis between Oleh and Ozoro communities.

He maintained that, it is a disregard to the Delta State government for the Ozoro community leadership to attempt to implement the White Paper on their own while the matter is still subjudice.

The Oleh president general bemoaned the murder of the Oleh 12 people, murdered in cold blood on 16th October, 2020 still lying in the mortuary, just as he said, the Akwesi, Ukpebor and Esekpe bush that belongs to Oleh land owners families has been taken over by men employed by Chief Daniel Miller Akpoili, president of Ozoro community working on the land while the Ozoro community vigilante fully armed, provided security.

Alakri called on the commissioner of Police, Delta State and Inspector General of Police to call the area command, Ozoro Area Command, to be neutral and impartial in the discharge of his duties as there is a subsisting order of a court of competent jurisdiction to which there is no appeal.

-See press statement below:

PRESS RELEASE BY THE PRESIDENT GENERAL OF OLEH COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT UNION (OCDU) COMRADE (CHIEF) BELIEVE ALAKRI DATED 13^TH OCTOBER, 2023 ON THE PROVOCATIVE ACTIVITIES OF THE OZORO LEADERSHIP LED BY CHIEF DANIEL MILLER AKPOILI ON THE DISPUTED LAND BOUNDARIES BETWEEN OLEH AND OZORO LAND OWNING FAMILIES. Gentlemen of the press, on behalf of the Odio-Ologbo of Oleh Kingdom, Oleh Kingdom Council of Chiefs, the land owning families in the disputed area between Oleh and Ozoro land owning families and the entire people of Oleh kingdom, I, Comrade (Chief) Believe Alakri, President General of Oleh Community Development Union (OCDU) welcome you to this World Press Conference to intimate the world of the attempt by the Ozoro leadership led by Chief Daniel Miller Akpoili(President General of Ozoro Progressive Union) at provoking a native war between Oleh and Ozoro communities. Introduction: The attention of the good people of Oleh kingdom was drawn to a press release by the President General of Ozoro Progressive Union dated 12^th day of June, 2023 on the caption: “Ozoro/Oleh Boundary Dispute: Ozoro PG Calls on Delta Govt  to implement White Paper to douse rising tension.” The Oleh Community leadership did not bother to respond to the above mentioned press release as it was mindful of not heightening tension between the two communities over the land boundary dispute between the land owning communities from both communities. I am however constrained by recent events to make this press conference in order to let the world know the clandestine activities of the Ozoro President General Chief Daniel Miller Akpoili with respect to the disputed areas and to put the record straight and avoid the misrepresentation of facts to unsuspecting members of the public as portrayed in the press release of 12^th day of June, 2023 by Chief Daniel Miller Akpoili (President General of OzoroProgressive Union). I, on behalf of the peace loving people of Oleh kingdom state thus: 1. Upon the release of the Delta State White Paper on the land boundary dispute between the Oleh and Ozoro communities, the Oleh land owning families in the disputed area painstakingly read through the White Paper and studied the plan produced by the technical team of the Commission of Inquiry and observed disturbing developments which the land owning families of Oleh in the disputed areas drew to the attention of the immediate past Governor of Delta State Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa via a letter dated 12^th October, 2022 wherein they made several observations which includes but not limited to the fact that while the Judicial Commission of Inquiry stated in one breath that parties to the dispute should respect court judgments, it went ahead to produce a plan ceding areas where Oleh land owning families have obtained judgment to the Ozoro land owning families. For instance CONSOLIDATED SUIT NOS: HCO/28/88 AND HCO/7/89 BETWEEN OGHENEWOGAGA ATASE & 3 ORS VS EMMANUEL ODHOMO & 8 ORS AND OLEH FARMERS MULTI-PURPOSE CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED VS ETIJORO EDHOGBO & 6 ORS. The above judgment affirmed the title of Ekrona – Ekredhegbe – Ekromokpose families of Oleh to the land lying and situate along Oleh-Ozoro Road, Oleh. The decision of the Delta State Government setting aside the judgment in the above case is in conflict with its own findings that judgments be obeyed. 2. When the Delta State Government failed and neglected to respond to the letter written by the Oleh land owning families, the land owning families of Oleh approached the High of Delta State in Suit No. HCO/54/2022 to seek redress and justice in the areas complained of in the said White Paper. 3. The High Court of Delta State in its wisdom restrained the Defendants in the case which includes the Delta State Government and Ozoro landing owning families from carrying out any delineation of the boundary mark for both communities pending the hearing of the case. 4. On or about the 12^th day of June, 2023 the Ozoro community in flagrant disregard to the Court order in the suit filed by the Oleh land owning families mobilized earth moving equipment to the disputed areas and began clearing same in what the Ozoro community President General calls “….community development project-creating of access roads in Ozoro by the Ozoro community.” The above act expressly admitted by the Ozorocommunity President General in his press release is not only an affront tothe order of a court of competent jurisdiction, but acts likely to cause a breach of the peace with intent to provoke communal crisis between Oleh and Ozoro communities. This act also constitutes contempt of court in the face of the valid Court order restraining the Defendants from doing any act pending the determination of the substantive suit in Suit No. HCO/54/2022. 5. The Oleh land owning families determined not to be provoked by the Ozorocommunity leadership into taking laws into their hands petitioned the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 5 over the actions of the Ozorocommunity leadership. 6. It is clear from the above that it is the Ozoro community that is provoking the Oleh Community and not the other way round. Again one is tempted to ask if it is the Ozoro community leadership that is to implement the White paper or the Delta State Government. It is a disregard to the Delta State Government for the Ozoro community leadership to attempt to implement the white paper on their own while at the same time calling on the same Government to urgently implement same while the matter is still subjudice. It is also hypocritical and inconsistent for the Ozoro community to assert to be conducting themselves peacefully and law abiding while at the same time disobeying a subsisting court order restraining them from entering into the disputed land for any activity whatsoever. 7. The allegation of unprovoked attacks and aggressive tendencies from the Oleh community by the Ozoro President General in his press release is not only wicked but malicious and unfounded, a calculated attempt at bringing into disrepute the good image and reputation of Oleh community. 8. On or before the 9^th day of October, 2023 Chief Daniel Miller Akpoili(President General of Ozoro Progressive Union) in company of Sir Raphael Afemari, Enifome Enaroseha Eribo, Emamoke Enaroseha Eriboand others in continuation of his attempt at provoking war between Oleh and Ozoro community led earth moving equipment into Akwesi, Ukpebor and Esekpe bush owned by Oleh land owning families in the disputed areas and began bulldozing same in total disobedience to the existing court order restraining parties from doing anything on the land.  9. In response to the information that part of Akwesi, Ukpebor and Esekpe bush was been bulldozed, the Oleh land owning families in the above mentioned bush visited the area only to find out that Chief Daniel Miller Akpoili(President General of Ozoro Progressive Union) and his cohorts were supervising the bulldozing of the land. Chief Daniel Miller Akpoili and his cohorts mentioned above took to their heels while the operator of one of the earth moving equipment named Mr. Gowon Sunday Johnny whose nick name is NO STAIN was arrested by the Oleh Vigilante to the Divisional Police Headquarters, Oleh. 10. In his characteristic manner at misrepresentation of facts, Chief Daniel Miller Akpoili made a false report at the Police Area Command office, Ozoro alleging that persons from Oleh community attempted kidnapping him but succeeded in kidnapping only the operator of the earth moving equipment bulldozing part of the disputed areas.  11. Chief Daniel Miller Akpoili during a phone conversation with me on 9^thOctober, 2023 when he called to complain to me of what transpired in the disputed areas being bulldozed under his supervision alleged that the area was approved by the Delta State Government for the establishment of a camp for Internally Displaced Persons to be  built by NDDC to the knowledge of the Isoko North Council Chairman HON. CHRISTIAN ITERI, Delta State Commissioner of Police, Assistant Commissioner of Police and the Area Commander, Ozoro.  12. Chief Daniel Miller Akpoili during the phone conversation with me boasted that what happened to Oleh Community in October 16, 2020 will repeat itself and nothing will happen and that Oleh community should be ready for war.  13. Gentlemen of the press, I wish to remind you that the Oleh twelve murdered in cold blood on 16^th October, 2020 are still lying in the mortuary. 14. On the 11^th day of October, 2023 I in company of the Vice President, Woman Leader and the Vigilante Chairman of Oleh Community where at the Isoko South Council Chairman’s office at the instance of the Chairman, Isoko South Local Government Council who convened a meeting which also had in attendance the Police Area Commander, Ozoro Area Command; the Divisional Police Officer, Oleh Divisional Headquarters, a personnel of the State Security Service and some staff of the Isoko South Local Government Council to find out what the issue is in the bid to prevent a breakdown of law and order arising from the activities of the Ozoroleadership on the parts of the disputed land between the Oleh and Ozoroland owning families.  15. After the meeting with the Isoko South Local Government Council Chairman, the Isoko South Local Government Council Chairman, the Area Commander, the Oleh Divisional Police Officer, the personnel from the State Security Service visited Akwesi, Ukpebor and Esekpe bush belonging to the Oleh land owning families and met the men employed by Chief Daniel Miller Akpoili President General of Ozoro community working on the land with the Ozoro community vigilante fully armed providing security coverage for the workers. 16. The Area Commander who saw the above scenario refused and/neglected to stop the men from working on the land and stated he could not stop them because he wants to make peace.   17. Whenever any person(s) is arrested to Oleh Divisional Police Headquarters, over incursion into the disputed area, the Area Command ALWAYS give order to the Divisional Officer to release such persons and/or transfer such person(s) to his command at Ozoro where he usually releases such persons without investigations. 18. On the 9^th of October, 2023 when the operator of the bulldozer hired by Chief Daniel Miller Akpoili (President of Ozoro Progressive Union) and his cohorts to bulldozed part of the disputed area was arrested to Divisional Police Headquarter, Oleh, the Area Commander on becoming aware, immediately gave an order for the his release without an investigation into how, why and who authorized the operator to carry out clearing activities on the disputed area because according to the Area Commander the Ozoroleadership were beating the drums of war and boasting that if the operator is not released they will war against Oleh community.  19. The actions of the Area Commander with respect to provocative activities of the Ozoro leadership in the disputed area between the Oleh and Ozoro land owning families to say the least has been biased and is counterproductive in the search for peace in the disputed area. Consequently, we wish to state unequivocally that the Oleh leadership has lost confidence in his ability to handle cases emanating from the disputed area and shall not at anytime submit to his office for any form resolution. Conclusively, while thanking the Delta State Government on the steps taken so far in promoting peace between the land owning families from Oleh and Ozorocommunities, we humbly appeal to your Excellency Rt.Hon. Sheriff Oborevworito as a matter of utmost importance and consolidating on the achievements made so far on the matter use your good offices to correct the grave errors complained of in the White paper by Oleh land owning families before setting machineries in place for the delineation of the boundary mark for both communities.  At the same time, I also call on the Police High Command, especially the Commissioner of Police, Delta State and the Inspector General of Police to call the Area Commander, Ozoro Area Command of the Nigeria Police Force to order to be neutral and impartial in the discharge of his duties and if he will not discharge his duties neutrally or with impartiality, he should be transferred from the Command. With his office, he must by law act with neutrality and impartiality. He is not expected to act otherwise when there is a subsisting order of a court of competent jurisdiction to which there is no appeal. I urge the peace loving and law abiding indigenes of Oleh and our brothers and sisters in Ozoro to maintain a peaceful disposition towards each other. Thank you for your attention. God bless you. Signed Comrade (Chief) Believe Alakri President General, Oleh Community Development Union(OCDU)   

By the powers vested in President Bola Tinubu as established in section 2 (3) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission

(Establishment) Act, 2004, that “the Chairman and members of the Commission, other than ex-officio members, shall be appointed by the President,” President Tinubu has approved the appointment of Mr. Ola Olukoyede to serve as the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for a renewable term of four years in the first instance, pending Senate confirmation.

Mr. Ola Olukoyede is a lawyer with over twenty-two (22) years of experience as a regulatory compliance consultant and specialist in fraud management and corporate intelligence. He has extensive experience in the operations of the EFCC, having previously served as Chief of Staff to the Executive Chairman (2016-2018) and Secretary to the Commission (2018-2023). As such, he fulfills the statutory requirement for appointment as Chairman of the EFCC.

Mr. Olukoyede’s appointment follows the resignation of the suspended Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa.

Furthermore, President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Mr. Muhammad Hassan Hammajoda to serve as the Secretary of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for a renewable term of five years in the first instance, pending Senate confirmation.

Mr. Muhammad Hassan Hammajoda is a public administrator with extensive experience in public finance management who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Maiduguri and a Masters in Business Administration from the same university. He began his career as a lecturer at the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi. From there, he went into banking, including successful stints at the defunct Allied Bank and Standard Trust Bank.

President Bola Tinubu tasks the new leadership of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to justify the confidence given to them in this important national assignment as a newly invigorated war on corruption undertaken through a reformed institutional architecture in the anti-corruption sector remains a central pillar of the President’s Renewed Hope agenda.

• Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President, (Media & Publicity)

October 12, 2023

I am constrained to react to some newspaper publication today, especially that of Tribune, Vanguard and the Nation over the judgment delivered by an Ondo Customary Court on the 10th of October by Magistrate Stephen Rotiba, on the case between my daughter and sister Mrs. Lilian Chibuzor Abua and his ex-lover, Prophet Ayodeji Obayan.

Ordinary, the family would not have reacted to the deliberate, malicious and one–sided news story being published and broadcasted, but in order to put the records straight, we make bold to say that these sponsored articles are in bad taste and does not in any way reflect the true position of the 35 minutes judgment delivered by the learned judge on Tuesday, 10th of October, 2023.

To put the record straight; I was at the court as always, and I heard the entire ruling of the judge. There was never a moment that the judge gave custody of any of the four children to Prophet Obayan as alleged by tribune newspaper report nor paternity to him too because he clearly stated that in his earlier ruling on the custody of the children the 26^th day of April, 2023 the custody to the mother still stands.

His early ruling, “On the issue of custody of the children of the ‘marriage’. I also agree with counsel to the respondent that this court does not have the vires and the requisite jurisdiction to determine same save for the last child of the ‘marriage’ which is still 16 years old. A conscientious consideration of the principles embedded in Okwueze Vs Okwueze Supra is to the effect that a child of 16 years old is clothed with the will to determine or elect his or her action, in-action, commission or omission. It is consequent on the foregoing stated reason that I also resolve this issue in favour of the respondent.”

*Prince Abua Obi and Prophetess Lilian Abua

I was surprised to see that some of the papers tried to add some tribal twist to the whole story without even seeing a copy of the judgement or being present at the court when the case was going on or when the judgement was read on the 10^thof October. Where they got their malicious story remains a mystery to me and our family.

While we call for a more responsible journalism where all the principles of truth and justice should be meted to all parties, we want to remind you that there are facts the public needs to know before jumping to a conclusion on the sponsored stories currently in the media space.

1: Chibuzor Lilian who hails from Abia state(the eastern part of Nigeria) never had a bride price or dowry paid by Mr Ayodeji Obayan who hails from Ondo state. There was no legal binding on them as a couple. They started cohabiting around year 2000.

2. The relationship between Ayodeji and Chibuzor Lilian was a toxic affair whilst they were cohabiting. Ayodeji was a bully and an abuser. He abused Chibuzor Lilian both physically, mentally, emotionally, verbally and otherwise until she decided to run for her dear life with her four children when the situation became unbearable in the year 2017

3: In the Igbo culture, if a woman gets pregnant out of wedlock and gives birth without the dowry being collected by her family, the child bears the woman’s maiden name. There is no way the father of the child can lay claim to the child/children if he hasn’t paid their mother’s dowry. 

4: Chibuzor Lilian being a submissive woman who fears God and follows His leadings has always covered up for Ayodeji’s inadequacies and short comings with love and humility but Ayodeji keeps taking advantage of her submissiveness.

5. She was the pillar of the relationship Financially but she never Lord it over the man still, his greed and selfishness accompanied with over bloated Ego won’t let him see things clearly. Tell me which reasonable man dumps his partner? Ayodeji would stoop so low as collecting Five Hundredthousand naira from Chibuzor Lilian for a child’s school fees that is less than One Hundred and Fifty thousand naira. Tell me if that is not fraud? Or is it his political ambition? Chibuzor Lilian single handedly funded Ayodeji’s Ambition yet, he was still ungrateful… 

6. Tell me, which man in his right senses threatens a woman of killing her whilst she was mourning the death of her father? It’s only a diabolical Egocentric man like Ayodeji . He told Chibuzor Lilian he was going to kill her after she loss her Dad. And that our father whom he fears is dead, who will protect her?

7. Countless times, Ayodeji has physically abused Chibuzor Lilian and left her with severe injuries both physical and internal injuries thereby landing her in the hospital in Nigeria and even abroad. The court also confirms that.

8. On many occasions, Ayodeji has verbally abused Chibuzor Lilian, he goes as far as bragging to her that he has another marriage with someone else is way better and that Chibuzor Lilian was below his standard. He, Ayodeji is a self-acclaimed politician.

9. Chibuzor Lilian had to run for her dear life with her fourchildren, that was when she found love and happiness elsewhere and decided to follow the pathway of happiness. Who wouldn’t? 

10. It was also the same Ayodeji that will be calling the children he and Chibuzor Lilian had as Bastards whenever they try to protect their mother from his numerous battering. 

11. Let it be known that the children from this union are not kids, they age , 23yrs(1st born) 21yrs (2nd born) 18yrs (3rd born) and 16yrs (4th born) they are grown and can make decisions for themselves. They saw the maltreatments being meant on their mother by a man who is supposed to be their father. Now they are happier without him and have chosen a path of happiness without Ayodeji.

12. Prophetess Chibuzor Lilian Abua was never in another relationship until Ayodeji left the relationship. Now, she is happily married to Apostle Prince Abua and their marriage is legal with the full support of our family.

So, the whole narrative that she abandoned her marriage for another man is all hog-wash and a deliberate media campaign not only to tarnish her image but also a deliberate attempt cleverly calculated by a lazy man whose stock in trade is to take advantage of a vulnerable woman.

While we don’t want to engage Ayodeji in media fallacies, we employ media practitioners to always cross check their facts before going to bed with their stories, if not for the sake of the innocent children but for the sake of posterity, justice and fairness.

In the final analysis, the court do state that there was no marriage in the first place to dissolve but that they were constrained by natural justice to put an end to a union that has gone sour, so where did the reporters get their ‘marriage’ dissolution story from?

THIS WOULD BE FAIRER REPORT….

An Ondo State Customary Court sitting in Oke Eda, Akure, the state capital, has finally ended the protracted union between Prophet Ayodeji Obayan and Prophtesss Lilian Chibuzor Abua.

At the final ruling on Tuesday, Magistrate Segun Rotiba, while dissolving the union between both parties who have been co-habiting for 23 years with four children, said following evidence before the court, he has no hesitation than to dissolve the union.

He also insisted on his earlier ruling over the custody of the four children who are all adults to their mother, who has been rising them alone.

“Following these same principles and evidence before the court I am constrain beyond any form of doubt that the petitioner has not fulfilled the above stipulated ingredient for a customary marriage.

He said while the evidence of the respondent and her witnesses was very consistent and accurate with their evidence, the inconsiderably inconsistencies of the petitioners and his witnesses to prove to be their Waterloo.

“I therefore ruled that the petitioner failed to establish the existence of a valid customary marriage.”

He said for the fact that the petitioner was not been able to approve the existence of any customary marriage does not in any way stop the court from making a pronouncement on the relationship or union between the petitioners and the respondent as established in evidence, more so that law empowers them to rule on a union of this nature.

“In dissolving the union therefore,” the judge said since evidence shows that though both has once lived and had four children together, he has no hesitation than to dissolve the union based on the established fact that woman is now legally married to Prince Abua Obi

He, however, frowned at the timing of respondent change of name for the children, especially when the matter was before the Court.

Responding to the rulings both counsel to petitioner and respondent, hailed the judgment of the learned judge.

Signed 
Pastor EMMANUEL AZUBUIKE

Delta State Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads) Comrade Reuben Izeze says the state government was consolidating infrastructural renewal in Asaba, other urban and rural centres across the state.

Speaking during inspection of reconstruction and expansion of road and drainage at Ibusa Road Asaba, Comrade Izeze said the work originally meant to deflood adjoining streets and roads from the Koka interchange was a continuation of the work done by the previous administration.

He said Governor Oborevwori was committed to ensuring quality road infrastructure for all residents of the state and appealed for the support and cooperation of the people.

Izeze said, “When Governor Sheriff Oborevwori noticed the flooding on the Ibusa Road, he decided to address it frontally through construction of initial 1.5km and additional 1.3km drains to link up with the storm drains to the river.

“This is part of the ongoing consolidation of what has been done in Asaba metropolis by the previous administration.

“Governor Oborevwori promised Deltans MORE and that is what he is doing and having come on site I can say without any fear of equivocation that the contracting firm are doing a great job.

“The Governor’s vision will come into fruition at the appropriate time and Deltans and residents of this area, particularly those who come to Ibusa Road will be the beneficiaries of this project,” he said.

Comrade Izeze expressed satisfaction with the quality and speed of work done on the project assuring that the contractor would deliver the project within 6 months.

He said adequate compensations have been paid to property owners for their inconveniences stressing that no property would be encumbered without compensating the rightful owners with appropriate titles.

“From this particular phase of the project we can see that the construction firm has hit the ground running and I believe very strongly that before the end of the estimated time, they would have completed the project all things being equal and government will keep its own side of the bargain.

“I can tell you authoritatively that in the cause of time, the road will have to be lifted to be at the same level or slightly above the existing drain that will be constructed if you look at the height.

“For those of you who know Governor Oborevwori well, one of the things he has going for him, as part of his life story is empathy.

“The governor will never ever go into anybody’s property irrespective of how urgent the road is, go into anybody’s property who has due approval to build his or her property and touch that property or eject that person without following due process and ensuring that compensation is paid.

“I can assure you that if it gets to that point where you see us touch anybody’s property, the person has been duly compensated,” Izeze stated.

… To partner Al-Azhar University

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum has announced the conversion of Mustapha Umar Elkanemi Arabic (Teachers) College in Maiduguri to a specialised institute for teaching of Arabic and Islamic education that will counter the ideology of Boko Haram.

The governor made the announcement on Tuesday while on inspection visit to the college, preparatory to the conversion.

The initiative is meant as a response to the threat posed by Boko Haram, a militant group known for its violent campaign against education and its propagation of a radical and misguided interpretation of Islam.

The new institute in establishment will be run in partnership with the Al-Azhar University in Cairo and it will be producing students who will return to Borno’s 27 local government areas for preaching that will counter Boko Haram’s ideas.

“We are here to examine the capacity of this school, in terms of human resources and the infrastructure with a view to converting it to be Al-Azhar Institute”, Governor Zulum announced.

When established, “we hope to ensure that each student after graduating from this school, can speak Arabic fluently and have a strong background in Islamic knowledge. Admission to this school will cut across the 27 LGAs so that they can go back and preach peace. We will do everything possible to avoid the reoccurrence of the experience we had in the last decade”, Zulum noted.

Meanwhile, Governor Zulum has directed the newly established Borno State Arabic and Tsangaya Education Board to take over the administration of all Tsangaya and Islamic Schools in Borno State.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Information Center (UNIC) have expressed the need for the media to understand the issues surrounding mental health in order to act optimally in their role to assist in tackling its numerous challenges.

Both organisations gave the advice at the two-day training programme for journalists they put together in collaboration with other UN agencies on Monday in Abuja.

The training with the theme: “Celebrating the power of community kindness” was put together to commemorate the World Mental Health Day (WMHD) celebrated globally on October 10.

Speaking at the training, the WHO Representative in Nigeria, Dr Walter Kazadi, described mental health as intrinsic and instrumental to the lives of all people as it could influence how they think, feel and act.

He said mental health disorders had increased and affected 15 per cent of working-age adults globally, noting that suicide contributed to death among 15-29 years old with up to 70 per cent of them living in low and middle income countries.

He said journalists by the nature of the jobs they do face tremendous amount of pressure, especially with lot of media outfits working for 24 hours, 7 seven days a week.

He added that: “Given the importance of the work you do, there’s a need to build your capacity on mental health.

“Therefore, various topics will be covered over the next two days, including what is mental health and why we all need to have good mental health.

“Mental health is universal human right, intersection between journalists and mental health, practical strategies to prevent and/or manage common mental health conditions, and how to empower you to report on mental health issues.”

He assured that WHO would always remain committed to building journalists capacity and to empower them on different aspects of health including strategies for managing individual health.

On his part, the Director of UNIC, Mr Ronald Kayanja said the training had become important to enable journalists understand proper ways to look after their mental health.

He said: “These days, we are so conscious about physical health, but now we should also learn a lot about our mental health.

“How we report about mental health issues requires capacity building, to help us understand how to keep ourselves and also report mental health.”

Meanwhile, Dr Tunde Ojo, National Coordinator, National Mental Health Programme, Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) said the training was designed to equip journalists with necessary tools to deal with mental health issues.

Ojo said it has become imperative to understand one’s mental state, while discharging one’s duty, therefore the training was organized to promote mental wellbeing of journalists.

He added that: “Journalist can be quite vulnerable while discharging their duties and if neglected it can cause serious damage to one’s entire wellbeing.

“Journalist are exposed to lots of things daily that impact their mental health negatively; we want journalists to know how to cope with mental health, when to take break or even see an health expert when necessary.

“Understanding mental health can help journalists give better reportage about it; we believe journalists and healthcare workers are strategic, because whatever they decide to do can affect the society.”

The event which was attended by journalists from across 40 media organisations featured discussion on prevention strategies for common mental health conditions, intersection between mental health and journalism.

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 67-year-old alleged trafficker, Chukwuemeka Clement, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja for ingesting 100 wraps of cocaine.

Chukwuemeka who was arrested last on Tuesday during the inward clearance of passengers on Ethiopian Airlines flight 951 from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, claimed he ventured into the enterprise to raise enough money to marry a new wife and start life afresh after wasting 30 years of his life in Brazil, Ethiopia and Thailand.

He was arrested after body scan revealed multiple pellets in his stomach and subsequently when under observation excreted a total of 100 wraps of cocaine weighing 2.195 kilogrammes in four excretions.

According to the spokesman of the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, Chukwuemeka In his statement, claimed to have spent 30 years in Brazil, Ethiopia and Thailand, and was once married, but lost his wife and without a child. He added that was why he decided to go into drug trafficking to raise enough money to marry a new wife and start life afresh.

Babafemi said on he same day, Tuesday, NDLEA operatives at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, intercepted a 45-year-old woman, Bilkisu Mohammed Bello while preparing to board a Saudia Airlines flight to Saudi Arabia.
She confessed during interrogation that pellets of cocaine given to her to swallow before her flight were kept in a house in Farawa area of Kano.

When she later led NDLEA officers to the house, 52 wraps of the illicit substance with a total weight of 767 grammes were recovered.

Babafemi also revealed that NDLEA operatives supported by officers and men of the Nigerian Army, Civil Defence Corps and Amotekun personnel last Tuesday stormed James village, in Ogunmakin, Obafemi Owode local government area of Ogun state where they located and destroyed 10.38 tonnes of cannabis sativa covering over 4.152 hectares.

He disclosed that while on their way back from the operation, the team also intercepted a truck marked FS548XN carrying a 40ft container loaded with logs of wood, noting that a search of the container led to the recovery of two bags of cannabis sativa weighing 20 kilogrammes while six suspects: Ahmed Yusuf, Olaniyi Babatunde, Adedeji Babatunde, Richard John, Osolale Olamilekan and Abdulazeez Saied, who were in the truck were arrested.

In the same vein, operatives on Sunday 1st October raided Obi camp in Owan West local government area of Edo state where 30 sacks of skunk weighing 300 kilogrammes and concealed in charcoal were evacuated from an old dilapidated mud house. Similarly, two cannabis farms measuring 1.179065 hectares at Igbanke forest in Orhiowon local government area of the state were identified and destroyed last Friday while four suspects: Tersoo Zaria, 28; Ifeanyi Osai, 53; Moses David, 19, and Daniel Gabriel, 20, were arrested.

In Gombe state, a suspect, Auwal Bindow was arrested last Friday along Bauchi – Gombe road with 50,000 capsules of tramadol, while in Oyo state, NDLEA operatives on patrol along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway nabbed Anuoluwapo Iyanu, 32, with 52 blocks of compressed pawpaw shaped cannabis sativa weighing 30 kilogrammes last Wednesday.

The statement further disclosed that the various commands of the agency across the country continued with the War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, advocacy campaign in the past week. Some of task undertaken include: WADA sensitisation lecture for students and teachers of Igbonnibi High School, Ila Orangun, Osun state; WADA sensitisation lecture at Royal Ambassador Secondary School, Makurdi, Benue state; WADA sensitization lecture at Ilora Baptist Grammar School, Ilora, Oyo state and LGA WADA sensitisation lecture for students of Beth-Root Model Secondary School, Onitsha, Anambra state.

Meanwhile, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) While commending the officers and men of the NAIA, MAKIA, Ogun, Oyo, Edo, and Gombe Commands of the agency for their outstanding feats in the past week, equally applauded their counterparts in all the commands across the country for intensifying their WADA advocacy lectures thus creating a fair balance between their drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction activities.

Delta State Government, Monday, alerted Deltans and the general public against falling prey to the activities of scammers whose specialty was fooling the unsuspecting public in order to obtain unjust financial favours under the guise of giving them appointments. 

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Festus Ahon, who reiterated the warning for the third time, said some criminal elements were impersonating the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kingsley Emu; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon Johnson Erijo and himself to defraud unsuspecting members of the public. 

In a statement in Asaba, the Governor’s image maker warned the populace to beware of these phone numbers: “08023138247, 09025320424, 09026109796, 08023138247” or any other number the fraudsters may decide to use, purporting to be the Delta SSG, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor or any other top government appointee. 

He maintained that the said phone numbers did not belong to any of the stated government appointees, but were being used by the scammers to con people for money. 

Ahon, appealed to security agencies to take necessary action on the matter to prevent people from losing their hard-earned money to the con artists. 

The State Government further warned members of the public to be wary and not allow themselves to be duped by the fraudsters parading themselves as agents of the State Government, adding that the Government does not collect money to appoint people. 

Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori on Monday directed that workers be promoted as and when due, with payment of necessary financial obligations, to avoid piling up promotion arrears.

Governor Oborevwori gave the directive when he received on courtesy call, Judges of the State Judiciary, led by the Chief Judge, Justice Theresa Diai at Government House, Asaba.

He said his administration approved over N600 million monthly at N10,000 each per worker to be paid as palliative for three months in the first instance to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal on workers.

Governor Oborevwori said: “On the issue of promotion arrears, I don’t want to hear it again because if workers are promoted as and when due, the issue of promotion arrears will not arise.

“But when you delay and you take about two years and accumulate this money for us to pay, it is not easy for the Government.

“When we came in, we heard about the salary arrears which was not caused by the Government. When people are due for promotion and you don’t promote them at that time, thereby causing problem for the Government.

“When I asked for the salary arrears, I was told N5.5bn and I said I will pay it in four tranches and we have paid two tranches, we will conclude the payment in November. I have promised and I have made the money available”.

The Governor emphasized the importance of the Judiciary to the prompt dispensation of justice and reiterated his administration’s commitment to the realisation of a truly independent and financially autonomous Judiciary.

“When I was the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, we passed the bill for financial autonomy of the Judiciary and that of the request to increase the service years of the Judiciary from 65 to 70 years.

“As a custodian of the executive arm of Government, I am not unaware of the challenges that faces the judiciary but I must confess that they have been a strong ally in shaping the future of our dear State and in moving our nation forward.

“I am aware of the various capacity building fora that the leadership of the judiciary has embarked upon in recent times in the collective development of our judiciary.

“As a Government founded on morality, equity and justice, we will continue to be supportive of your role in the achievements of a better society for mankind.

“The world is changing very rapidly in this advent of technology and we need judicial officers who are not only technologically savy, but are also in tune with global best practices of their profession.

“I believe that by the time they work in the new ultra-modern high court complex, when completed and equipped; I am confident that it will boost the moral of staff and enhance their productivity.

“I have released all what is needed by the contractor handling the High Court complex to complete the project. I believe that you should also put your own pressure on the contractor to make him move faster and finish the work.

“I sincerely thank all of you for coming as I wish you a successful new legal year,” Oborevwori stated.

Earlier, Justice Diai said the judges visited to congratulate the Governor on his victory at the polls and at the Election Petition Tribunal and to intimate him on the commencement of the 2023/2024 legal year.

Diai said the State Judiciary comprised of 37 High Court judges, 15 Revenue Court judges, 103 magistrates and seven Customary Court of Appeal judges among others.

She further stated that eight judges were on assignment for election petitions and thanked the Governor for approving overseas training for 15 judges.

The Chief Judge said automation of revenue collection in all courts in the State was on and called for the establishment of two more juvenile centres in the State, adding that the only one in the State was established in Sapele in 1951.

She said to speed up trial for criminal charges, all High Courts have been directed to hear criminal cases instead of a select few and assured of the cooperation of the judiciary to make his administration a success.

-By Fred Edoreh:

Somehow, death chose our 63rd Independence Day anniversary to remind us of the bad state of federal roads in the Niger Delta, perhaps across the nation. As President Bola Tinubu was performing the anniversary ritual in Abuja, a petrol tanker was struggling through the cracks, ditches and gullies around Koko Junction on the East-West highway. It failed, eventually fell, exploded its inflammable content, charred nearby vehicles and roasted the passengers in them.

While the President’s men tried to amplify his speech from the arcade of power, the air waves was heavied by the ashes, tears and sorrow from the carnage in Koko.

The incident only left one statement: that the pomp and pageantry on the corridors of power do not represent the reality of our existence.

Sadly, those who died had no hand in the cause, they were just victims of their nation, in how they lived and how they died.

We agonise, but the development challenges us to the unending charade and needless politicisation of the management of our federal roads.

Just recently, between August and September, a Senate Ad-Hoc Committee toured the South-South states, ostensibly to investigate why the East-West road has remained uncompleted and to trace the monies that had been thrown on it over the years.

I had thought that the answers should have been sought in Abuja, but the tour was followed by another visit by the current Minister of Works, HE David Umahi, who said Mr President asked him “to come and inspect the roads and see the immediate relief we can give the people while major construction will start soon.”

Gov Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State charitably tried to accept that the visits were not the usual jamboree but emphasised the need for speedy action, especially on the bad spots.

“My appeal to you is that you fast track whatever investigation and inspection you are to carry out…,” Oborevwori told them.

Earlier in July, the member representing Isoko Federal Constituency in the Green Chamber of the National Assembly, Hon Jonathan Ukodhiko, also raised a motion of urgent national importance calling for expedite action to rehabilitate the Warri-Benin section of the strategic highway.

In an August 23, 2023, commentary in the Vanguard newspaper titled “East-West Road And The Shame Of A Nation,” one Jeremi Utome wrote: “It is baffling that successive administrations in Nigeria had allowed the road to degenerate to such state of disrepair. Looking at the present condition of the road, it will not be out of place if the Federal Government tenders unreserved apologies to the people of the region as well as take practical steps to have the road permanently repaired.”

Let me just say that was needed was not an apology, just the repair of the bad spots and completion of the road, but the response had all been sound and fury with no practical attention.

While the legislators were quick to tour the states, there was no urgency in follow up, neither did we see any sense of the said “immediate relief” by the Minister.

So, the people continued to suffer discomfort on the road, longer travel time, damage to business and property, and now, loss of lives that was long avoidable.

There can be no argument on whose responsibility it is to maintain our federal, inter-state, roads. The Nigeria constitution is clear on it. As explicitly stated in Item 11 of the Exclusive Legislative List in Part 1 of the Second Schedule, the “construction, alteration and maintenance of such roads as may be declared by the National Assembly as Federal Trunk roads” are exclusive to the Federal Government, while the states take care of intra-state roads and the local government councils take care of intra-rural roads.

Accordingly, this goes into consideration in the determination of revenue allocation to the three tiers of government, with the FG taking the larger portion.

More so, there is a dedicated Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, FERMA, an arm of the ministry, staffed, budgeted and funded for the maintenance of federal roads.

The question is why the responsible agencies of government have abandoned their duty and left the roads in disrepair. The problem is that the Federal Government has been indulged to recline prettily away from its task with the apparent success of its strong propaganda against the state governments, cashing on the understanding that the people find the state governments closer to them and tend therefore to hold them responsible for every need.

Indeed, for the benefit of the people, the state governments have had to take over the challenge of constructing and maintaining rural roads, knowing that the very poor allocations to the local government councils have incapacitated them from undertaking major projects.

Also seeing the poor response and attention of the FG on federal roads, various state governments have had to intervene with state resources in the hope of getting refunds from the FG.

The interventions had provided some succour until the President Muhammadu Buhari administration declared around June 2020, as announced by Lai Mohammed, then Minister of Information, that “henceforth, if any state takes on federal government road, it will not be paid, they will not get any refund. Even if you want to pay from your own pocket, you will still need the permission of the federal government and it will be supervised by the federal ministry of works and housing.”

According to Lai Mohammed, the FG took the decision after examining requests for refunds on repair of federal roads from 36 states of the federation.

He said while 31 claims were found to be genuine in cost, the roads truly done to standards and about N500b refunded to them collectively, claims by five of the states (Cross River, Rivers, Bayelsa, Osun and Ondo), were initially found questionable, but upon further examination they proved to be correct and the FG also later paid them a cumulative sum of about N148b.

Notwithstanding its own investigation, findings and admission of the veracity of the claims, the FG proceeded on the policy of “no refund.”

Having verified the claims, what could have been the basis of the propaganda of inflation of costs against the states and the declaration of no refund which, to a large extent, has discouraged their intervention and brought us to where we now are?

Of what benefit is it to the nation for the FG to continuously misinform the public and create misperceptions and disaffection against the state governors for intervening even in areas that are of exclusive responsibility to it?

While there is nothing wrong with the states having to obtain the permission of the FG to repair federal roads, and perhaps even in having the federal ministries supervise the works, how justiciable is it for the FG to have declared that the states “will not be paid, will not get any refund” for spending their resources to discharge such responsibilities as clearly apportioned to the FG by law, even when the FG is obviously failing in the duties?

Notwithstanding that the federal roads are federal responsibility and the relentless dissuading propaganda against the states, Delta State Gov Sheriff Oborevwori has been moved, in consideration of the people, to intervene on the Amukpe-Eku-Abraka-Agbor road, another abandoned federal highway.

He is now also constrained to respond on the Koko incident, to provide relief for affected persons, ease the road and help clean up the spillage on the land.

But, as we speak, nothing is being said about the Agbor-Uromi stretch of the Amukpe-Eku-Abraka-Agbor highway connecting Auchi to Abuja. So too are the Benin-Auchi road and the Benin Bypass, all federal roads now become not only terribly unmotorable but have dilapidated into death traps.

The fatal incident of October 1 occured on the East West Road, an important federal highway that connects all the South-South states and the region’s major commercial and oil cities, stretching from Calabar to Port Harcourt, Ughelli, Warri, Sapele to Benin and heading to Lagos.

The road has been under construction, albeit with equivocative attention, since President Olusegun Obasanjo’s regime. In 2013, President Goodluck Jonathan handed it to the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and then Minister Godsdey Orubebe assured it would be completed in 2014. That did not happen.

Several years after, President Buhari handed it back to the Ministry of Works under Babatunde Fashola. The most we saw of Fashola on the road was an apparent propaganda against Niger Deltans in which he declared that “one condition for any project to take place is communal peace (and) if we don’t have peace there, we cannot do anything.”

He also reduced the seriousness of the matter by saying “progress has been made from 2009 till date, but unfortunately that progress is not reported because of the passion with which the uncompleted part has been reported.”

We had no one to put Fashola right, that the delivery of the road is not a matter of press reportage but of the actual experience of the road users. Even so, the issue of peace and community support for the construction and rehabilitation did not arise because the people desire and have always yearned for its completion of the road.

During the last election season, then Deputy Senate President, Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege, also brought his own politics into the matter. Shielding the ruling party at the federal level, falsely blaming the Delta State Government for the poor condition of federal roads crossing Delta and seemingly seeking self-glorious political capital from the contradictions, he claimed that he had secured approval for release of N80b for the rehabilitation of the roads. It turned out empty talk.

We are hearing now again that the current Minister of Niger Delta Affairs is calling for the road to be handed back to his ministry.

It has been such rigmarole and summersaults on the East-West road over the years. All have now led to this harvest of death.

October 1 is symbolic, I do not know on whose head the blood of the dead will lie, but I can advise that we be careful of governing our nation by propaganda for, as the scriptures say, “those who cover their sins shall not prosper.”

• Fred Edoreh is a Veteran Journalist and Guest Writer for Blank NEWS Online

Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Sunday, said his administration would continue to invest in the judiciary to enable it meet up with its obligations of dispensing justice speedily.

Speaking at a special thanksgiving Mass to mark the beginning of the 2023/2024 legal year held at Emmanuel the Saviour Catholic Church, Asaba, Governor Oborevwori frowned at delays in Nigeria’s justice system.

He urged stakeholders to work assiduously to ensure speedy justice delivery in the courts.

He commended the judiciary for starting its new Legal Year 2023/2024 with a thanksgiving service, adding that; “I say that because God Almighty proclaims that righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne”.

The Governor said the Bar and the Bench were co-workers with God to ensure that truth and justice prevailed in the society, saying, “it is a weighty responsibility, and one that you all should take very seriously for a just, secure, and safe society.”

He explained: “There is still public apprehension over delays in our justice system. All those involved, the Bar, Bench, and Security Agencies must see to it that the wheel of justice does not continue to grind slowly as is presently the case in many of our courts. Let us bear in mind that justice delayed is justice denied.

“As a government, our role is to provide the enabling environment for the judiciary to function without let or hindrance.

“Towards this end, we have continued to make the necessary investments in the judiciary to enable it meet the needs of the legal profession, and ensure that the public continues to be served by competent courts of law.

“Some two months ago, we sponsored 15 High Court Judges overseas for a capacity building workshop as part of our efforts at strengthening human capital in the judiciary.”

While wishing the judiciary a productive, rewarding, and fulfilling Legal Year 2023/2024, Governor Oborevwori assured the judiciary of continued partnership for the advancement of the knowledge base of judicial officers.

“We shall continue to partner with the judiciary to update and upgrade the knowledge and skills of judicial officers and their support staff for a robust, professional, and merit-driven judiciary,”

He said work was at advanced stage at the State High Court Complex, assuring that it will be finished and furnished within the shortest possible time to provide a very conducive working environment for the judiciary.

In his homily, Catholic Bishop of Issele-Uku Diocese, Most Rev’d Michael Elue said the judiciary contributes immensely to the rule of law in any state or country.

He said those exercising the powers of government must ensure they comply with the rule of law in all their conducts to show good example to the citizenry.

He said judges must continue to uphold justice to justify the confidence reposed in them and appealed to Nigerians to give the judiciary the atmosphere that favours their independence and incorruptibility.

The Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor and other top government functionariesvaccompanied the Governor to the thanksgiving service.

Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti has commended his Delta State counterpart, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori for his people-oriented and impactful governance. 

Governor Otti stated this yesterday when he received Governor Oborevwori and his entourage at his Umuru, Umuehim country home in Ehi Na Uguru Ancient Kingdom, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area of Abia State. 

The Delta Governor and his delegation were in Abia for the funeral of late Ezinne Gold Egege, mother of Catherine Onyeme, wife of the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Sir Monday Onyeme. 

Otti lauded Governor Oborevwori for the great work he was doing in Delta, especially in caring for the welfare of workers and the downtrodden in the society. 

He said: “I want to thank you for the important things you are doing for Deltans, especially your care and love for human beings. 

“It has come to my knowledge that you have set aside so much money in paying salary and pension arrears and even supporting struggling families. 

“That is what governance is all about because each time governance moves from human being to some other things, you have failed as a leader. 

“This is not about stomach infrastructure but a structured system to move people out of poverty and a system where people will have money in their hands to buy whatever they want.” 

The Abia Governor said: “I didn’t know about the burial and little did I even know that our daughter is a wife of the deputy governor of Delta State. 

“So I said if you are coming to Abia, just come, we will go together. But I was very happy to be there, that is what it is about, life is about relationships. 

“So I want to thank you for the privilege, because you could have come in, attended the burial, and gone back and I will hear days later that you were here, but you are my brother you can’t come without letting me know. 

“So I am happy that you are here, and I celebrate Ezinne that was laid to rest not too long ago for producing a wonderful Catherine Oyeme, who is the wife of Monday Oyeme the Deputy Governor, I also met him today. 

“Even what I know about the choice of your Deputy Governor must be something that is well considered, all the story I hear is that he is very loyal, and I pray he remains loyal till the end. 

“The truth is that it’s not an easy thing. If it was the Deputy Governor mother, yes, but the Deputy Governor wife’s mother, so if he hasn’t been what he is to you, you could have just sent a commissioner to represent you. 

“But because you came in person, you redefined everything. If people have doubts before now I think those doubts have disappeared and you didn’t come alone, you came with Her Excellency.” 

On his part, Governor Oborevwori appreciated his host for hosting the delegation saying, “When we go back, we will tell the story, that Abia is safe for investment. 

“Having somebody that is an economist, knowledgeable with his beautiful wife, we know Abia is in safe hands. What you did today for us you may not understand. 

“Delta State is one state where the people value relationships, and that is what you just established today. 

“Ordinarily, you have been doing prayers, waiting for judgment, we just bumped into you, we already know that God has given you victory. 

“When God says what he wants to do, He does it. He is not man, it’s God that gives power. God brought you at this particular time for certain reasons to see how you can lift the Abia people from the level it is now to another level. 

“I thank you and your dear wife for accompanying us to attend the burial of the mother of my Deputy Governor’s wife. Staying with us, and now giving us lunch. For us to go to one restaurant to host all these people here wouldn’t have been easy. For this love you have shown us, we will reciprocate it. 

“We will one day invite you to come to Delta and inaugurate projects because our agenda is M.O.R.E which is Meaningful Development, Opportunities for all, Realistic reforms, Enhanced peace and security and I know your dreams for the Abia people. 

“We will invite you, host you, not only you but with Her Excellency so that we can spend time together. My wish is for you and the people of Abia state to have a successful tenure where the people will feel the impact of development, also peace, and I know peace will permanently return to Abia state”. 

–From SUNNY A. DAVID:

The Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo has advocated for unity and understanding among Christians of different denominations, with the aim of achieving a shared vision and mission.

Prof Soludo made the call when he received in audience, the Apostolic Nuncio to the Czech Republic, Most Reverend Jude Thaddeus Okolo at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia.

According to him, as the world faces various challenges today, promoting ecumenism becomes more important than ever.

The Governor highlighted the role of Christians in promoting peace and justice in the world, particularly amid the growing political and social tensions, stating on the need to work together in solidarity, compassion, and respect, to promote reconciliation and healing in communities and in the world.

Governor Soludo added that promoting ecumenism requires a commitment to learning about and respecting the various denominations in the Christendom. 

Mr. Governor noted that each denomination has its own unique history, theology, and practices, which can enrich and broaden understanding of the christian faith, acknowledging that through celebrating the differences, unity and solidarity can be strengthened.

Responding, the Most Rev. Okolo revealed that there are various ways to promote ecumenism, including engaging in interfaith dialogue and collaboration, where different religious traditions come together to share their experiences, beliefs, and values.

This he said helps build bridges of understanding and promote mutual respect and tolerance, pointing out that supporting initiatives that bring together Christian denominations in worship, study and service is another way.

The Archbishop said that in promoting ecumenism, everyone is called upon to embody the values of love, compassion, and service that are central to the Christian faith, urging people to take up the call for unity and understanding, and work together towards a shared vision of a better world for all.

He also commended Governor Soludo on his giant strides in education reforms and other people-oriented programmes his administration is executing across the state.

The Nigerian government has called for de-escalation of violence and hostilities between Israel and Hamas.

The Nigerian government in a statement personally signed on Saturday by the Foreign Affairs Minister, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar pleaded for the immediate ceasefire between the two parties.

The statement read: “The Federal Government of Nigeria is deeply concerned about the outbreak of hostilities between Israel and Hamas in the early hours of Saturday, 7th October, 2023 and calls for de-escalation and ceasefire.

“The cycle of violence and retaliation that the current escalation has assumed, only serves to perpetuate an unending cycle of pain and suffering for the civilian population, that bear the brunt of every conflict.”

The statement added that: “The Federal Government of Nigeria, therefore, calls on both sides to exercise restraint, prioritize the safety of civilians and give room for humanitarian considerations.

“We are therefore calling for a peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue.”

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has said that with three professors now in charge of Borno’s health sector, it is either the sector is repositioned now or never.

Zulum stated this on Friday when he received the Health Minister, Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate, at the Council Chamber of the Government House in Maiduguri. 

“I told my team yesterday that this is the right time to reposition the health sector. If we cannot do it now, then we should forget about it because the Commissioner of Health (Babagana M. Mallum) is a Professor, the Chief Medical Director of the Hospitals Management Board (Bukar Kullima) is a Professor, the Coordinator of the State Primary Healthcare Agency (Mohammed Arab Alhaji) is a Professor, and above all you the Coordinating Minister of Health is also a Professor,” Zulum remarked. 

He added, “If these people (three Professors) can not make the needed repositioning in the health sector in the next three or four years, insha’Allah, honestly speaking, I don’t think we can get it right any time soon”, the governor said. 

Zulum noted that his administration will ensure it provides the needed support and political will to address problems affecting the health sector. 

“I want to assure you that this administration is ever ready to provide the leadership and the political will to drive the health sector to the best we can offer,” he said. 

The governor highlighted the gains recorded in the health sector within over four years of his administration which included construction, reconstruction and equipping of about 200 primary and post-primary health centres and provision of medical facilities and consumables. 

Zulum commended the Federal Ministry of Health and parastatals under it for their support to the government of Borno State. 

“It is pertinent to acknowledge support from the Federal Ministry of Health, NPHCDA, NCDC and Partners. The collaboration have been very remarkable and we can only crave for more support.” Zulum said. 

Speaking earlier, the Minister of Health, Professor Mohammed Ali Pate, commiserated with Governor Zulum over the demise of Professor Emeritus, Umaru Shehu, who died in Maiduguri on Monday. 

The minister, who was accompanied by the
Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr Faisal Shu’aib and other officials, expressed gratitude to the governor for his support to federal Government-owned health institutions in Borno, particularly the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. 

The minister’s visit at the Government House was attended by Borno’s Deputy Governor, Umar Usman Kadafur, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan among other officials.

The United States government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission in Nigeria and U.S. government Prosper Africa and Power Africa initiatives, are hosting an investor roadshow from October 9-13 to expose U.S. investors to investment opportunities and the investment ecosystem in Nigeria.

A statement on Friday by the United States Diplomatic Mission to Nigeria, Public Affairs Section said twelve executives from leading U.S. pension funds and financial service providers, managing over $1 trillion in assets, are meeting with Nigerian companies and fund managers during the investor trip.

The roadshow is expected to raise awareness around investment opportunities in the country, particularly in infrastructure, and to build relationships among U.S. and African investors and fund managers.

The statement read that: “With a strategic geographic location, a diverse population, and a commitment to economic transformation, Nigeria presents a compelling investment destination. Nigeria has the largest economy in Africa, with a gross domestic product (GDP) of USD $477 billion as of 2022, and a diverse range of industries, including oil and gas, agriculture, and telecommunications. A research report published by Goldman Sachs highlighted that Nigeria has the potential to be one of the top five global economies by 2075.

“The roadshow comes at an opportune time, given the significant reforms instituted by the Nigerian government under a new Administration. A key objective of the trip is to break down information gaps on the country’s business environment and real and perceived risks, so that investors can accurately assess business and project opportunities.”

The U.S. Consul General to Lagos, Will Stevens noted that: “Beyond advancing specific investment opportunities, this trip is about building enduring trade and investment relationships between America and our Nigerian partners. I would like to thank the U.S. Agency for International Development for supporting this inaugural delegation of U.S. investors, in partnership with Chapel Hill Denham and International Investor Network.”

According to the statement, throughout the week, the investors are scheduled to participate in site visits, events, and investor pitch sessions in Abuja and Lagos, Africa’s commercial capital and the sub-Saharan Africa region’s fourth largest economy. They will also engage with U.S. Government representatives to understand U.S. trade and investment priorities in the region and learn more about U.S. Government resources available to support investors.

This roadshow advances USAID’s efforts to mobilize greater private sector investment into infrastructure projects in priority sectors including agriculture; water, sanitation, and hygiene; and renewable energy. In addition, it advances Prosper Africa’s mandate as a presidential initiative to transform the economic relationship between Africa and the United States and drive large scale investment to the continent.

The visit follows the “Investing in Development” conference, held earlier this year in Nigeria, which highlighted that greater private sector investment in infrastructure is a key pathway to achieving Nigeria’s development objectives. The trip is part of a series of U.S. institutional investor trips to Africa in 2023, organized under the Prosper Africa initiative, to South Africa, Morocco, Egypt, and Botswana.

German-Nigeria trade volume hit €3 billion in 2022, the German Ambassador to Nigeria, Annett Günther, said on Thursday.

Speaking during a parley with media in Abuja, the ambassador revealed that Germany’s main export to Nigeria are machines (28%), food products 20% and chemical products (19%) while Nigeria’s main exports to Germany are crude oil 83%, food products 12%, other raw materials 4%.

The envoy also revealed that no fewer than 90 German companies presently operates in the country with over 17,000 jobs directly created and minimum 10-fold indirectly.

She noted that all the European Union countries put together generated around 160,000 jobs in Nigeria, adding that Germany has invested over €600 million in development projects across all sectors of Nigeria’s economy, making it the second biggest donor.

She explained that this is beside the €620 million pledged to Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

She revealed that in terms of humanitarian assistance, Germany remains the second biggest trading partner of Nigerians with €50 million in 2022 on activities such as protection, food security, health and shelter that save lives every day.

She also expressed willingness of Germany to increase the trade volume with Nigeria, she said: “The occasion is a positive one: The new Nigerian Government under the leadership of H.E. Bola Tinubu has embarked on a difficult but worthwhile journey. He wants to reshape and modernize the economy and secure the lives, liberty and property of the people. He announced bold reforms which would be necessary to place the nation on the path of prosperity and growth. I will not cite everything he said in his inaugural speech and most recently in his speech on the occasion of the 63rd Independence Day…

“We are convinced that this is a good time to deepen and intensify the close and cordial relations between Germany and Nigeria that have existed since Nigeria’s Independence, and to look for ways to further strengthen our partnership.”

The envoy also disclosed that 2000 Nigerians passed the German language examinations at the Goethe Institute in 2022 while about 4,000 Nigerians Students in Germany.

Federal government has assured that it will give special attention to health and economic challenges facing the country’s adolescent and young population.

It said that adolescents persons between the ages 10-19 years constitute 22 percent of Nigeria’s population while young people of age 10-24 years constitute about a third of the country’s population (32 percent).

According to Globally, there are about 1.8 billion adolescents and young people (ages 10-24), this subpopulation constitutes a chunk of productive
demography.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health Daju Kacholom, speaking at the opening of the Global Forum for adolescents held in Abuja on Thursday, disclosed that government has identified social and health challenges confronting young persons in the country and is determined to addressed them.

She alao said: “In addition, Nigeria prioritizes the special challenges of adolescent health and well-being. Projected population of Nigeria states that adolescents (10-19 years) constitute 22% of Nigeria’s population while young people (age 10-24 years) constitute about a third (32%).

Daju Kacholom who was represented by her Special Assistant, Jummai Abdullahi
said: “It is a unique stage of human development and an important time for laying the foundations of good health.
We are gathered here today to mark the Nigeria national event
because Nigeria recognizes the unique place of adolescents in our demographic composition.”

She noted that: “In addition, Nigeria prioritizes the special challenges of adolescent health and well-being. Projected population of Nigeria states that adolescents (10-19 years) constitute 22% of Nigeria’s population while young people (age 10-24 years) constitute about a third (32%),” she said.

According to Kacholom,
the 202 1-2025 National policy on adolescent and young people, states that young people in Nigeria are diverse and heterogeneous in terms of socio demographic characteristics, health needs, social and health vulnerabilities hence the need for special attention to thIs demography.

“It is on this basis that the Federal Ministry of Health in collaboration with youth-led organizations such as Education as a Vaccine (EVA) and PLAN International organized this national event which is being live streamed on various social media platform,” she said.

Kacholom said the major aim of
the Global Forum for Adolescents was to increase awareness on issues of adolescent and to sustain financial commitment for Adolescent friendly services towards achieving Sustainable
Development Goals.”

Also speaking at the occasion, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Country Representative, Dr Gifty Addico, said: “Adolescents and young people under 25 years which make up about 63% of our nation’s population are a key focus group for UNFPA mandate areas. This cuts across our three transformative goals of zero preventable maternal deaths, zero unmet need for family planning and zero tolerance for gender-based violence and other harmful practices.”

Addico, who was represented by Gender/FGM Analyst, Ms. Karima Bungudu said: “I keenly anticipate the commitment pledges from the Government and our esteemed partners today. This isn’t mere rhetoric but a heartfelt promise to our Nigerian youths, underlining our collective commitment to their aspirations.
 
“UNFPA is committed to advocating for the rights of young people, empowering them with knowledge and skills to protect themselves and make informed decisions so they can realize their full potential and contribute to economic and social transformation.”

The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) has advocated for the establishment of a Health Development Bank of Nigeria to tackle the perennial challenges facing the nation’s health sector

The non governmental organisation (NGO) made the call on Thursday at an advocacy engagement which brought stakeholders across the country to Abuja to discuss the state of the nation’s health sector.

The Lead Director of CSJ, Eze Onyekpere
in his opening remark said the call was
premised on the poor funding of the health sector across the tiers of government; the low absorptive capacity of the Federal Ministry of Health; the equipment, infrastructure and technology needs of the sector and the need to tie investments to results.

He noted that the need for establishment of the Health Development Bank of Nigeria has also become imperative in order to respond to growing health tourism; repositioning the pharmaceutical, medical devices and equipment industry; facilitating private sector service delivery; the need to develop critical human resources for health competencies; enhancing sustainability and credibility of health financing; and improving health sector contribution to job creation, taxes and GDP.

Onyekpere said the Health Bank will provide equity capital and funds by way of single digit interest loans to Nigerian public and private health institutions, establishments and organisations for short, medium and long-term investments in the health sector at such rates and upon such terms as may be determined by the Board of Directors in accordance with best practices in development banking policy.

He revealed that with the bank would make fund available for the establishment and improving the state of the art reference hospitals and highly efficient mono-specialty hospitals; allow for facilities upgrade, health supporting infrastructure such as power, clean water and sanitation; provide for laboratories, diagnostics equipment, maintenance and infrastructure; improve information and communications technology connectivity that supports improved health information systems, mobile services and digital health solutions; help emerging technologies, and innovative approaches to healthcare delivery including use of drones to supply blood and other health inputs, virtual outpatient platforms, etc;

He also added that it would lead to equitable provider payment mechanisms and systems to promote access to health care by creating incentives to improve health service delivery, quality and efficiency; help in the manufacture and production of vaccines and other pharmaceuticals, especially to improve upstream research and production, production of intermediaries and active pharmaceutical ingredients and excipients; improve local manufacturing and production of health devices, supplies and technologies; assist in health research funding in critical areas to be determined by the National Health Research Committee;

The Lead Director also said this would help in outsourcing of specialized services and public private partnerships including service level agreements guaranteeing drugs and commodities in a universal health coverage environment; promoting low carbon health service delivery infrastructure and climate resilient health facilities leveraging technology and innovation; training and development of critical but unavailable human resource competencies in health including biomedical sciences and engineering; and developing health financing advisory services to enhance equity, value for money and fitness of purpose in the health sector.

The CSJ in conjunction with other stakeholders is working on a Bill for an Act to establish the Health Development Bank of Nigeria to provide medium- and long-term sustainable credit facilities to health institutions in Nigeria, to facilitate and promote the establishment, improvement and upgrade of health infrastructure and services and for other related matters

-By Magnus Emuji / Chukwudi Asoya:

The immediate past Special Assistant (SA) to former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa on Teachers Professional Development Centre , Dr. Anthony Onwuka has described the appointment of Chief Patrick Ukah as the Director-General of the Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency as a round peg in a round hole and lauded Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori for the gesture.

Dr. Onwuka stated this in his country home Okpanam, Oshimili North Local Government Area while fielding questions from newsmen.

He said that as a strategist and uncommon administrator, Chief Ukah would make meaningful impacts in the DSCTDA and called for synergy among stakeholders to ensure that the vision behind the establishment of the agency was effectively achieved.

Dr. Onwuka, who hails from Okpanam, stated that under the administration of Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Chief Ukah attracted several projects to Okpanam such as road construction, installation of street lights in strategic locations in the community and empowerment through political appointments for a number of Okpanam indigenes.

He noted Okpanam had been transformed into a modern city like Asaba as a result of being part of the state capital territory, adding that over 80 percent of civil servants lived in Okpanam community.

Dr. Onwuka further described Chief Ukah as a result oriented and very proactive individual, stressing that he would under his watch, the state capital territory development agency would record more success in terms of cleanliness.

Dr. Onwuka reiterated his commitment and support to Oborevwori led administration, saying that the administration would bring more development to the state.

-By Albert Ograka:

Delta State Government has commented members of the Delta Online Publishers Forum, (DOPF) for their consistent and unwavering  support of the M.O.R.E agenda of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration.

Executive Assistant to the Governor on New Media, Comrade Felix Ofou, expressed the appreciation when he played host to a delegation of the Delta Online Publishers Forum, (DOPF) led by the Chairman, Mr Emmanuel Enebeli.

He emphasized that the support and cooperation would engender robust partnership between the online publishers in DOPF and the state government.

Comrade Ofou noted that members of the Forum had consistently been publishing the activities of government over the years at their own cost, even in the current hard times, assuring that their partnership would not be taken for granted.

He said the importance of online news platforms could not be over-emphasized, describing them as critical stakeholders in the New media space, pointing out that the DOPF members had used their vast experience and integrity to manage information on government activities without resorting to Yellow Journalism.

The EA urged the publishers to always liaise with his office whenever there were issues to be clarified before going to press and pledged that they would be carried along by the Oborevwori administration in the scheme of thing.

Earlier in an address, the Chairman of DOPF, Mr Emmanuel Enebeli, said the visit was to congratulate Comrade Ofou on his appointment, which he noted would undoubtedly give the New Media in the state a boost.

Mr Enebeli commended the Oborevwori administration for the infrastructural development it had so far initiated, especially in the Warri, Effurun and environs axis of the state and urged the Governor to act on the Agbor-Umutu,-Obiaruku-Abraka road to make it motorable and boost economic activities in the state.

The DOPF Chairman said members of the group deserved a better deal in view of their sacrifices in running government reports on a daily basis and solicited the cooperation of the EA in that regard.

The Governor of Delta State, Rt.Hon.Sheriff F.O Oborevwori has formally approved the appointment of the following persons as members of the Delta State Advisory and Peace Building Council.

Prof. Sam Oyovbaire -Chairman

Chief Dr. Chris Agbobu

H.E Chief BSC Elue

Chief Nkem Okwuofu

Barr. Mrs.Josephine Ada Kachikwu

Alaowei Broderick Bozimo

High Chief Gen. Broderick Demeyeibo Rtd.

Chief Mike Adiotomre JP

Hon. Anthony Akpomiemie

Chief Ignatius Agidi

Chief John Nwagimeje

Mr. Sam Nwa Igumbor

Chief Benson Iyama

Sir. Simeon Efenudu

Sen. Mrs. Stella Unuezi Omu OON Mni

Dr. Eddy Ugboma

Chief Emmanuel
Onyenkwu

Rear Admr. Mike Onah Rtd.OON JP

Chief Robert Onome

Avm. Frank Ajobena CON Rtd

Mr. Tony Monye

Ibonye Philip

Engr. Dr Pius Sinebe MFR

Chief Mrs. Margaret
Unukegwo

Chief Godwin Edeki

Chief Eddie Ono-Sorhue

Chief Major Patrick A. Egone Rtd.

Chief Emmanual Ogobene

Chief Sylvester Oduara O. Kohwo

Dr. Adogbeji Ideh

Dame Esther Uduehi PHD KSG

Chief Hope Erute

Hon Mrs. Irene Imilar

Chief Dr.Roland Oritsejafor

Chief Dr. Isreal Abido JP

Mr. John Edah

Chief Monday Arawore

Prince Igwe Nzekwe

Chief Iduh Amadhe

Chief Michael Eze

Rev.Gideon Oyibo

Bishop Emorariemu Benson

Bishop Jude Akhere

Bishop Godfrey Ifeanyichukwu Ekpenisi

According to a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG),Dr. Kingsley Emu, the date for their inauguration will be announced in due course.

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has secured the conviction of a well-known socialite in Benin City and high-profile trafficker, Felicia Osaigbovo, also known as Mama Masha.

Mama Masha was sentenced to 12 years in prison and fined N24 million by Hon. Justice Geraldine Imadegbelo of the High Court, Criminal Division, Benin City.

According to a statement on Tuesday by the spokesman of NAPTIP, Vincent Adekoye, the 62-year-old woman, is a member of a human trafficking syndicate, and was involved in the recruitment and trafficking of 12 Nigerian girls to Belgium for sexual exploitation.

He said notably, 12 collaborators, including three of the convict’s children, have already been convicted in Belgium.

The case against the convict commenced on July 1, 2021, with a 24-count charge that included assisting the activities of persons engaged in trafficking in persons and organizing foreign travels that promote prostitution, in violation of the Trafficking in Persons Prohibition Enforcement and Administration Act (TIPPEA), 2015.

Mama Masha was said to have pleaded not guilty to all counts. The statement said the prosecution presented three witnesses, including a Belgian Chief Inspector of Police and submitted 13 exhibits as evidence.

Following a thorough trial, the court found the convict guilty on all 24 counts, leading to a sentence of 12 years in prison and a fine of N24 million.

In response to the judgment, Director General of NAPTIP, Prof. Fatima Waziri–Azi, PhD expressed her appreciation for the verdict by the judiciary, emphasizing that it represents an appropriate and significant punishment. She lauded the collaborative efforts of the Belgium Police Authorities, the Federal Ministry of Justice, the UK National Crime Agency under the Joint Border Task Force Initiative, and UNODC in ensuring justice for the victims.

Upon assuming office in September 2021, the Director General pledged to pursue high-profile traffickers vigorously. This conviction underscores NAPTIP’s determination to send a clear message to those involved in this heinous crime.

She said: “NAPTIP shall continue working tirelessly to ensure a safer and better society.”