Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have seized no fewer 1,205,260 pills of opioids in two interdiction operations in Kogi and Gombe states
The anti-narcotics officers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos also disrupted the activities of a drug syndicate that operates between Nigeria, East Africa and Europe, with the arrest of two members of the cartel.
A statement on Sunday by the spokesman of NDLEA, Femi Babafemi said that operatives at the Lagos airport had last Monday intercepted a member of the drug syndicate, Ejezie Ifeanyi, during screening of inward passengers on Ethiopian Airline flight from Malawi via Addis Ababa at the arrival hall.
Babafemi said when a search was conducted on Ifeanyi, it was discovered that one of his two bags has a false bottom concealment, and during preliminary interrogation, the suspect confessed that a member of the syndicate was waiting at the airport carpark to pick him, prompting an immediate follow up operation which led to the arrest of Chukwu Bright, who was waiting in a grey colour Mercedes Benz C180 coupe, marked EKY 973 GQ to receive the drug consignment.
He said after the arrest, a proper search of the bag was conducted before the two suspects leading to the recovery of 3.00 kilogrammes of heroin, subsequent findings revealed that the drug syndicate networks between Nigeria, two East African countries of Malawi and Mozambique and Europe.
He revealed that while Chukwu who lives in Lagos is responsible for the recruitment and coordination of the activities of mules on behalf of other members of the cartel based in Mozambique and Malawi, another set operates from the South-Eastern part of Nigeria.
Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives at the SAHCO export shed of the MMIA last Wednesday intercepted a jerrycan of palm oil going to Dubai, United Arab Emirates. At the point of examination, it was discovered that 600 grammes of cannabis sativa were concealed inside the jerrycan of palm oil. A suspect, Tunde Ogunbowale who presented the consignment for export to Dubai was immediately arrested.
In another case, ab attempt to export 2.7 kilogrammes cannabis packaged as part of dried onions to Dubai through a postal service firm was frustrated by NDLEA officers attached to the courier company, who seized a carton filled with colourful sachets of dried onions, used to conceal the illicit consignment.
In Kogi state, a total of 530,160 pills of tramadol and 99,000 tabs of diazepam were seized along Okene-Abuja highway from a bus driver, Suleiman Oyedokun, 41, coming from Onitsha, Anambra state and going to Kontagora in Niger State last Monday. Same day, 576,100 pills of tramadol concealed in bags of rubber slippers were intercepted by NDLEA officers at trailer garage, old Mile 3 road area of Gombe metropolis, Akko local government area, Gombe State. Four suspects: Usman Suleiman; Ya’u Yusuf; Saidu Suleiman and Abubakar Umar have so far been arrested in connection with the seizure.
In Kaduna, 367 kilogrammes of cannabis sativa were recovered from a vehicle with registration number FKJ141DX. Two suspects: Monday Suleiman, 62, and Sama’ila Mohammed, 30 were arrested while a bribe of N1,200,000 reportedly offered NDLEA officers were documented as part of exhibits to prosecute the suspects.
Operatives in Delta state also last Wednesday arrested a local female distiller of cannabis sativa and dry gin, Ebi Akpotudua, 52, she specializes in producing a cocktail drink popularly known as monkey tail. She was arrested at Ugboroke by river road, Warri with 19.5 litres of monkey tail and 22.2 kilogrammes cannabis.
Chairman/Chief Executive Officers of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) while commending the officers and men of MMIA, DOGI, Kogi, Gombe, Kaduna, and Delta Commands for their professionalism and for staying focused, charged them and their colleagues across the country to intensify the heat on drug cartels.
The Governorship and State Assembly election in Isoko South and North local government areas of Delta State, was generally peaceful and the electorates have commended INEC for improved performance of BVAS and early arrival of election materials.
Situation reports while monitoring the elections in some Wards and Units visited in Isoko South and North local government area revealed that, the electorates turned out massively to exercise their franchise, with entusiasm that their votes will count.
Speaking to Journalists at Oyede Ward 12 unit 9, the governorship candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Dr. Goodnews Agbi who voted at 10.15am, alleged of vote buying by some candidates, but commended INEC for the peaceful exercise.
He stated that, “election is not a do or die affair, there is bound to be a winner or a looser” and urged the electorates to protect their votes and wait for the results, noting that Delta State is moving from corruption to the state of sanity.
At Emede Ward 05 unit 3, the Senator Elect of the Delta South Senatorial District under the platform of All Progress Congress, Hon. Joel Onowakpor Thomas and the wife, commended INEC for the BVAS and early arrival of materials, adding that the people of Isoko Nation, Delta State and Nigeria are happy about the change of government.
He urged the people of Isoko, Ijaw, Urhobo and Itshekiri to give thanks to God for the rapid development that will come to the areas, and promised to give the people effective representation.
The chairman of Isoko North local government area, Hon. Christian Iteire who voted at Oyede Ward 12 unit 5, commended the massive turnout of electorates, even as he hailed INEC improved performance in the governorship and state assembly election.
At Irri Ward 11 unit 7, the president general of Idheze community, Mr. Goddy Egene, commended the conduct of INEC officials and the electorates, just as sorting and counting of votes was in progress at 1.50pm awaiting results.
However, at Ozoro Ward 10 unit 23, the candidates of All Progressive Congress, Dr. Michael Enahoro and the People’s Democratic Party, Hon. Bernard Odio, contesting for Delta State House of Assembly seat, voted in the same Ward and unit.
They commended the people for their peaceful conduct and massive turnout, even as they believed the people had spoken and their votes will count.
Nigerians have been urged to comport themselves while casting their vote, and let their choice actualize the dream of the founding fathers.
” let peace be the hallmark of the Governorship and House of Assembly elections, our positive disposition towards it would characterize the maturity exhibited in the democratic process of the Country”
Speaking via telephone interview, the Honourable Member representing Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Hon. Nicholas Mutu said peaceful election brings free and fair elections.
The Chairman, House Committee on Gas opined that Governorship and House of Assembly elections speaks volume in governance, voting for the right candidate would translate to true satisfaction.
Mutu advised Nigerians especially Deltans to approach the election peacefully and not do or die affair.
He commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other agencies for proper organization.
As a mission statement expressly provided in the law setting up DESOPADEC by the Delta State House of Assembly in 2006 and fully activated in July 2007, the Commission is meant “To put smiles on the faces of the people in the host oil and gas producing communities of the State through massive infrastructural and human capital development.”
Without undermining one for the other, the current board rolled up its sleeves from the blast of the whistle to deliver balanced intervention across the mandate areas in critical infrastructure, education, health, housing, water, road, transportation sub-sectors, as well as in re-skilling the youth in a well thought-out, all-purpose vocational programme to empower them.
-Convocation Ceremony of the 3rd batch of DESOPADEC Skills Academy graduands
The result was the creation of the DESOPADEC Skills Acquisition Academy with the endpoint of making the youth properly skilled, gainfully engaged and productively useful to themselves.
This innovative human capital development template which was officially kick-started in the first quarter of 2020 in a well structured non-formal curriculum saw successful pioneer candidates admitted into the scheme in a grand Matriculation Ceremony.
-Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, at the Matriculation Ceremony of the 4th batch of DESOPADEC Skills Academy trainees
The intent was clear: To give successful trainees a lifetime opportunity in honing their skills in various chosen vocational fields. The skills acquisition scope include Welding and Fabrications; Electrical and Electronic Repairs; Solar Energy Works; Tiling, Interlocking and P.O.P. Works; Catering and Confectioneries; Shoe, Bag Making and Leather Works; Information and Communication Technology, ICT; Health, Safety and Environment, HSE; Fashion Design and Tailoring; Hairdressing and Makeover.
The programme entails a 6-month intensive training and practical exposure, and assessment, evaluation and certification by relevant national technical education boards.
The DESOPADEC Skills Acquisition Academy started with 160 trainees drawn from all the six ethnic nationalities within the mandate areas. They underwent an orientation programme on financial management and efficient book keeping preparatory for their eventual graduation which held at the Petroleum Training Institute, PTI., Effurun, Delta State.
The highpoint of the graduation ceremony was their being well resourced with modern working tools and equipment, aka Starter Packs, to get them to hit the ground running from day one.
It must be stated here that besides the huge investment in their training and starter packs, the graduands also generally got a cash backup of N200,000 each. Some graduands got extra N500,000 each for emerging as best trainee in their respective fields while a star prize of N1 million was awarded to the Overall Best Trainee.
The extra gestures were borne out of a deep commitment by a responsive team and leadership determined to touch lives in a most salutary and impactful way.
The DESOPADEC Skills Academy has graduated two sessions and graduates its 3rd batch by the end of January 2023 after which the 4th batch would immediately commence.
Mention must also necessarily be made of the highly impactful annual Bursary Scheme in favour of tens of thousands of mandate areas students in Nigerian tertiary institutions.
The impact of this payment to the students is to be appreciated in the fact that many of them have expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Board and Management of DESOPADEC for their responsiveness, especially at the very precarious period of the global COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
In keeping with the tradition, arrangement is already concluded for the commencement of payment of for 2022/2023 within the month of February.
Without doubt, the human capital development agenda of the current DESOPADEC board has been greeted with huge aplomb and commended by Government and diverse traditional and community leaders as a noble partnership that supports the greater vision of the Okowa administration which is to build as many youths in the state into responsible, financially independent and prosperous citizens.
Nothing truly could be too much to achieve this focal objective. Little wonder the awards have kept pouring in in torrents to a Commission that has become the toast of a dozen media and award conferment establishments!
Undoubtedly, our testimonial of infrastructure and human capital development interventions evidence a deep commitment to the elevation of human dignity and environmental equity for the people and communities of Delta State oil producing areas. It is a commitment that DESOPADEC will continue to rekindle for the good of the people.
The Association of Contributing Retirees (ACR) have thrown their weight behind Rt Hon. Sheriff Oborewori, the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in this weekend’s gubernatorial election.
At a town hall meeting held at Dantinajo Resort Hotel Oleh, Isoko South Local Government Area, Delta State earlier this week, the Association having expressed their pains amid fear over their delayed gratuity resolved to support the candidature of Rt Hon. Oborewori on the assurance that their demand will be given top priority even before the end of this administration.
In a motion moved by Comrade Frank Oviomo, Public Relations Officer of the Association, they unanimously agreed to vote for the PDP candidate at the coming election.
Speaking earlier, the chairman of the local government Pension Bureau, Mr. Ben Igo had assured that government was doing everything possible to ensure that the benefits of the retirees will be paid within the shortest possible time. He stated that, the state government was working on securing a bond towards the liquidation of all the outstanding payment.
Also speaking the convener of the meeting, Prince Joseph Kpokpogri, identified with the pains and agonies of the retirees and the need for the recognition of the body of retirees (ACR). He stressed the need to prioritize the payment of retirees in the current administration or the incoming government of Rt Hon. Sheriff.
The secretary ACR, Prince Gordon Etuwede speaking on behalf of the members thanked the convener and the team from the Bureau of Local Government pension and their association members for the attendance. He appealed that such meeting should be sustain for harmonious coexistence.
The town hall meeting was attended by representative of the ACR members from the 25 local government areas of Delta State.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has raised an alarm over the potential for the expansion of cocaine market in Africa and Asia.
The UNODC, in a new report on Thursday, also decried the growing cultivation of coca bush and improvements in the process of converting coca bush to cocaine hydrochloride, warning that West and Central Africa are increasingly being used as key transit zones for the drug.
The new report released by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), read: “Global production of cocaine has jumped dramatically over the past two years following an initial slowdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The Global Report on Cocaine 2023 details how coca cultivation soared 35 per cent from 2021 to 2022, a record high and the sharpest year-to-year increase since 2016, with the rise being a result of both an expansion in coca bush cultivation and improvements in the process of converting coca bush to cocaine hydrochloride.
According to the report, the steep growth in supply has been matched by a similar swelling in demand, with many regions showing a steady rise in cocaine users over the past decade. While the cocaine market remains quite concentrated in the Americas and parts of Europe, the report warns that there is a strong potential for a large expansion in Africa and Asia. Nevertheless, interceptions of cocaine shipments by law enforcement around the world have also risen sharply, with seizures reaching a record high of nearly 2,000 tons in 2021.
“The surge in the global cocaine supply should put all of us on high alert,” stated UNODC Executive Director Ghada Waly in reacting to these findings. “The potential for the cocaine market to expand in Africa and Asia is a dangerous reality. I urge governments and others to closely examine the report’s findings to determine how this transnational threat can be met with transnational responses based on awareness raising, prevention, and international and regional cooperation.”
The report examines the emergence of new hubs for cocaine trafficking, noting that countries in Southeastern Europe and Africa – particularly those in West and Central Africa – are increasingly being used as key transit zones for the drug. Ports on the North Sea like Antwerp, Rotterdam, and Hamburg, meanwhile, have eclipsed traditional entry points in Spain and Portugal for cocaine arriving in Western Europe. Traffickers are also diversifying their routes in Central America by sending more and more cocaine to Europe, in addition to North America. The modalities of cocaine traffickers are also examined in the report, with findings showing that the criminal landscape is fragmenting into a myriad of trafficking networks. The demobilization of fighters from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) – who had previously controlled many of Colombia’s coca-growing regions – created an opening for others to step in, such as new, local actors; ex-FARC guerillas; or even foreign groups from Mexico and Europe. Additionally, the report reveals that so-called “service providers”, i.e., specialized groups that lend their services at all stages of the supply chain for a fee, have proliferated.
“With its latest knowledge and trends on the routes, modalities, and networks employed by criminal actors,” noted Angela Me, chief of the Research and Analysis Branch at UNODC, “it is my hope that the report will support evidence-based strategies which stay ahead of future developments in cocaine production, trafficking, and use.”
EviOvetirihas HND in Accounting. He hails fromIsoko South LGA. He is the CEO of Demeg Studios, an outfit he established after he enrolled into STEP in the 2016/2017 cycle. He was trained and established in Information Technology Services. Ovetiri has carved a niche for himself in ICT business in his locality and beyond and has diversified into other businesses. He shares his story after six years.
‘‘After my education, I was unemployed but did menial jobs to make ends meet. My fortunes changed when I got enrolled into STEP and subsequently established in ICT Services. I have made remarkable growth in mybusiness and asides from computer repairs andinstallation, I have diversified into photography, makeover and barbing.
‘’I have a big business outfit in Irri town housing the various enterprises which I diversified into. I have trained over 35 persons and currently, I have seven trainees, 10 permanent employees and three causal employees and I am happily married.
“Through the proceeds from the businesses, I acquired a plot of land, built a house, bought a car as well as some sophisticated equipment for my well setup photography studio such as Sony Alpha Camera A5, Nikon D750, Nikon D500 and Nikon D550 Cameras.
‘‘I am grateful to the state government for the privilege to be part of STEP because it has changed my fortune and repositioned my life for the best.’’
The remarkable interventions of the Askia Ogieh-led board DESOPADEC are visible in the various benefiting communities, have shown commitment to delivering needed development within available resources across the ethnic nationalities in the state.
Energy As was stated by Shubham Chaudhary, World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, “the lack of reliable power has stifled economic activity, private investment and job creation which is ultimately what is needed to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty.”
This deficiency calls for massive generation, distribution and supply of electric power across communities in order to boost their economic activities, improve their social life and shore up the nation’s economy.
In realisation of the need to key into the overall agenda of steady power supply to Deltans and the Nigerian economy in general, the Bashorun Askia Ogieh-led DESOPADEC board in the period under review has indeed brought a huge glow of hope to its mandate communities in the energy sector.
–Uzere Civic Center
Within the three years of assuming office the board has approved and delivered on the installation of several power transformers, high-powered generating sets, solar-powered electrification systems and extension of electricity cable lines to many communities.
These include the supply and installation of a new 2.5kva step-down Transformer at Kokori in Ethiope East LGA; supply and installation of three 500kva transformers at Orogun Agulabhi Street, Okubioku, Okpe Street extension and Erokure communities.
-Ofagbe-Ibrede Road
At Erokure DESOPADEC also extended electricity lines to connect the newly installed transformer. As one of the leaders, Chief Ogaga Oghoghorie noted, it was the first time electricity lines and transformer were getting to the community and they were extremely grateful to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Okakuro Kent Akigho Okiemute, the Urhobo representative and the entire Board of DESOPADEC for their magnanimity
The intervention in the energy sector also includes the extension/rehabilitation of electrification projects at Ode-Itsekiri (Big Warri) in Warri South LGA, the traditional headquarters of the ancient Itsekiri. The 500kva generating plant provided replaced the old generator that was no longer functioning effectively.
-Sekdbolou town hall
There is also the supply of a 500kva generator at Oporoza in Warri South West L.G.A. According to the Executive Director, Projects, Hon. Barr. Daniel Mayuku, the installation of the 500kva generating plant arose from the need to have regular electricity supply in the community. Speaking in the same vein, Hon. Griftson Omatsuli, Member Representing the Itsekiri Nation enthused that the process has elicited palpable happiness among indigenes of the community, adding that the provision of the generator was in line with the interventionist ideals of DESOPADEC.
-Opute Hall, Ozoro
Similarly, the electrification project at Ogume and adjoining communities in Ndokwa West LGA has become a reality, thanks to the full commitment of the board to drive it to conclusion.
All these efforts were deliberately planned and executed to significantly raise the bar in the energy sector of its mandate areas. The response by the benefiting communities has been nothing short of full and unreserved appreciation to a people-friendly and demand-driven board.
Water Water is considered the most essential element for the maintenance and sustenance of all beings. The provision of reliable source of safe, drinkable and adequate water supply is thus a vital prerequisite for the establishment of stable communities.
-20,000-litre water scheme at Ebedei Uno, Ndokwa nation.
For the oil producing communities of Delta State which is predominantly riverine, lack of access to safe water had meant a resort to impure alternatives such as rain water, crude oil-polluted salt rivers and water hyacinth infested streams for their daily water needs.
Guaranteed access to potable water is therefore one of the most critical needs of the people. When juxtaposed with the abundance of petroleum resource in the underbelly of the mandate areas which powers the entire Nigerian federation, the story needed to be changed and the situation is being frontally addressed through the Commission’s deep understanding of the dynamics and exigencies of intervention.
Accordingly and for long, the people of Obodo in Warri South LGA; Ebedei Uno in Ukwuani LGA; Uba Egbelemeji-Koko in Warri North LGA; Uruto Quarters in Isoko North LGA; Oliogo Umuseti in Ndokwa West LGA; Okuovo District in Okpe LGA; Emede in Isoko South LGA and many more benefiting communities will certainly remember the effort of DESOPADEC in bringing succor to them in the water sector.
Housing: Undoubtedly, at the pinnacle of the intervention of the board under focus is the bold initiative of addressing, for once, the challenge of office accommodation that has confronted majority of the Commission’s staff since its establishment in 2007. This resulted in the realisation of the Ultra Modern SEN. OKOWA TOWER, a five-floor, all-purpose office facility and legacy project. It is part of the broader corporate head office development programme that has seen the upgrade of the head office, including the supply of a 750kva generator to power the facility, interlocking of the posterior section of Complex “B” within the premises and many other upgrade initiatives.
–For housing: Lecturers’ quarters at Oleh Campus, Isoko nation
The tenacity of purpose and commitment of the board to leave a lasting legacy in a most pressing area is one that will not only motivate the staff but certainly endear them to the Commission for a long time.
Social and Community Development The social and community development sector is one of the most strategic areas in which the Commission has recorded remarkable impact in touching the lives of both its internal and external publics through massive projects.
The construction of social and cultural monument projects by the current board of the Commission is consonant with its corporate policy and strictly guided by needs assessment of the respective benefitting communities.
Today, the Commission has practically intervened, alongside many other sectors, in delivering well designed, fully furnished, breathtaking, state-of-the art and aesthetically appealing civic centres that meet cultural exigencies and stoke intrinsic pride in various communities across its mandate areas.
Some of the interventions ranging from outright construction to renovation include the unifying cultural edifice popularly known as “Opute Hall” at Ozoro in Isoko North LGA; the sprawling Bashorun Askia Civic Centre at Uzere, Isoko South LGA; Obodo Town Hall, Warri South LGA; National Town Hall, Ogume, Ndokwa West LGA; Sokebolou Civic Centre, Burutu LGA; the newly constructed and fully furnished Ultra Modern Osubi Civic Centre at Okpe LGA; the Ultra Modern Market with lock-up shops and expansive parking lot at Uzere, Isoko South L.G.A, amongst others.
The projects attest to the ever proactive and responsive approach of the current board in fostering business, interaction and bonding among the people.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission said it is deploying 163 observers to monitor next Saturday’s Gubernatorial and State Assembly Elections in Nigeria.
A statement on Wednesday read that: “The President of the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Commission), His Excellency Dr Omar Alieu TOURAY, is deploying an ECOWAS Election Observation Mission (ECOWAS-EOM) to monitor the Gubernatorial and State Assembly Elections in Nigeria to be held on Saturday, 18 March 2023.”
According to the statement, the deployment of the 163 observers is in line with the provisions of Articles 42(2) and 44(b) of the 1999 ECOWAS Protocol relating to the Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution, Peacekeeping and Security: Article 12 of the 2001 Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, and Article 53(c) of the 2008 ECOWAS Conflict Prevention Framework.
The statement further revealed that the observers will be drawn from the Community Institutions (the Commission, Parliament, and the Court of Justice); West African Ambassadors accredited to ECOWAS; Member States’ Electoral Commissions and Ministries of Foreign Affairs; and electoral experts from civil society. It will also include a 13-member Core Team of electoral experts that has been in Nigeria prior to the presidential and national assembly elections.
The statement added that the mission will be backstopped by an ECOWAS Technical Team under the overall coordination of Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security.
The statement said that: “The 18 March elections will complete the current electoral cycle in Nigeria, following the 25 February presidential and national assembly elections to which ECOWAS deployed 250 observers across the six geopolitical zones of the country.
“The 163-member ECOWAS EOM will be deployed from 15 to 21 March 2023 to eighteen (18) States, identified on the basis of a technical assessment and analysis of trends and hotspots, to physically and remotely monitor the elections.
The States were the observers would be deployed include: South-West: Lagos – Ogun – Oyo; South-South: Rivers – Edo – Delta; South-East: Enugu – Ebonyi – Imo; North-Central: Nasarawa – Plateau – Benue; North-West: Kano – Kaduna – Sokoto; and North-East: Borno – Adamawa – Taraba
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has assured candidates seeking to participate in its ongoing recruitment exercise that concerted efforts are being made to resolve challenges they are facing on the application portal with a view to make the process seamless any moment from now.
A statement on Wednesday by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi while stating that barely hours after the online application portal was opened last Sunday, it began to experience glitches due to the heavy traffic of over 200,000 applicants trying to access the system.
He said to resolve this, the agency upgraded the infrastructure on Tuesday to accommodate the large volume of applicants after which over 53,170 applicants had successfully logged into the portal.
He however said: “At the moment, the system is synchronizing the data at the back-end of the infrastructure in order to adjust to the server upgrade. The agency’s management therefore wishes to apologise to the applicants for the hitches being experienced and urge them to exercise patience while the system completes synchronisation to serve them better.”
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) said it has put in place a robust security arrangement geared towards the success of the forthcoming Gubernatorial and State Assembly Elections
A statement on Wednesday by the spokesman of the NSCDC, Olusola Odumosu read that: “Following the review, analysis, and processing of reports and observations from the field on the Presidential and National Assembly elections held on the 28th of February, 2023, the management of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has put in place a robust security arrangement geared towards the success of the forthcoming governorship election.”
He noted that the tightened security approach is to ensure that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) staff, election materials and citizens are secured during the elections.
Odumosu said the NSCDC Commandant General, Dr Ahmed Audi, while addressing some personnel ready for deployment to states for the Governorship and State Assembly election, said that efforts to curb disruption of the voting process necessitated the deployment of personnel to old and newly discovered flashpoints.
The NSCDC Commandant General ordered his men to ensure the protection of critical national assets and infrastructural in their domains where vandalism of public utilities frequently occurred.
The CG affirmed that the already deployed 102,000 officers and men who had been properly trained in regimentation, crowd control, arms bearing and election management techniques are to ensure full security coverage of the election.
He assured that the Corps will continue to work with members of the public to obtain credible information to nip criminal activities in the bud before, during and after the election.
Audi charged all personnel on election duty to observe the rules of engagement and get themselves acquainted with the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), code of ethics, and the electoral law as amended.
He however warned against any form of misconduct, compromise, or accidental discharge, insisting that such acts are unpardonable under his administration.
He said: “You must be professional, apolitical, and non-partisan, respect the fundamental human rights of the citizens, and avoid Intimidation and harassment of voters.
“Personnel must respect fundamental human rights of citizens, protect voters against political thugs, arrest vote buyers, election fraudsters.
“You are to ensure the obedience of law and order, be good ambassadors and maintain the integrity of the system.”
Audi reiterated the need for continuous partnership with the police and other security agencies involved in election security duties, advising them to avoid unnecessary confrontation but to handle misunderstandings (in case of any) with maturity.
Audi warned mischief makers who may intend to perpetrate violence to take lessons from the last Presidential and National Assembly election where many political thugs lost their lives while snatching ballot boxes amongst other electoral crimes
He urged personnel to attract only good comments to the service with their conducts and performances during the polls as anyone found wanting will not be spared and assured those yet to receive the second tranch of the election allowance to exercise patience as glitches in the network is seriously affecting most financial transactions.
He said: “Except for those who supplied wrong account details, and some network glitches, many personnel had received the second credit alerts.”
A $618 million Investment in Digital & Creative Enterprises (I-DICE) Programme has been launched for the promotion of digital technology and creative industries in the country.
The Programme, according to a statement on Wednesday by the French Embassy was an initiative from the Federal Government of Nigeria and aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and innovation in the digital technology and creative industries.
According to the statement, The launching which took place on Wednesday was held at the State House in presence of the Vice-President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, with co-financiers representatives in attendance.
The statement said I-DICE Programme is part of efforts to create jobs for young Nigerians and support the development of these fast-growing industries. It is co-financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB), French Development Agency (AFD), the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) & the Bank of Industry (BOI) with respectively $170 million, €100 million (equivalent to $116 million), $70 million & $45 million in funding.
The statement added that the remaining financing is expected to come from the private sector and institutional investors. The funding will provide training, mentorship, and funding to young entrepreneurs and innovators in the digital technology and creative industries. The Implementing Agency, the Bank of Industry, will coordinate the day-to-day activities of the project.
Speaking at the launch of the program at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, the Vice President called on African governments and the private sector to do more to support the growth of innovation in the continent.
He said: “I think it is now imperative to commence a coordinated approach towards innovation on the continent, bringing together all stakeholders to coordinate efforts at scaling up investments and building programmes that provide the right enabling environment and produce talent pipelines that support the growth of innovation on the continent.”
In his remarks, the President of the African Development Bank Group, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina said: “I am proud of the African Development Bank Group’s leading role in this initiative, which has the potential to generate millions of jobs for Nigeria’s youths.The urgency of leveraging the implementation of I-DICE sustainable job creation and economic transformation is now”
Speaking at the launch event, the French Ambassador to Nigeria, Mrs. Emmanuelle Blatmann, underscored the importance of the digital technology and creative industries to the Nigerian economy. “The digital technology and creative industries have enormous potential to create jobs and spur economic growth in Nigeria,” she said. “The I-DICE program, co-financed by AFD, AfDB, IsDB & the BOI, is designed to support the young entrepreneurs and innovators who are driving these industries forward.”The launch event brought together representatives from the Nigerian government, the private sector, as well as young entrepreneurs and innovators from the digital technology and creative industries. The event featured presentations and networking opportunities, and highlighted the opportunities and challenges facing these industries in Nigeria.
With a focus on enhancing access to finance for start-ups in the digital and creative industry and job creation, the I-DICE Programme is poised to make is a significant impact on the lives of young Nigerians, helping to create sustainable employment opportunities and contributing to the development of the country’s economy. The commitment of the co-financiers to supporting this initiative underscores their recognition of the importance of these sectors in driving economic growth and development in Nigeria, the statement said.
….. Efforts At the Provision of Health Facilities and Clean Water to Catchment Areas
The place of good health facilities and clean water can never be over emphasized as the presence of health facilities in communities and good and clean waters will do nothing but assures a healthy and virile populace. The Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, knowing this has continued to pursue some of the policies that lead to the formation of the commission.
Health
Conscious of the fact that “health is wealth” and that healthy people constitute a great asset to the essential productive processes of their immediate environment and beyond, the current DESOPADEC Board has in the last three years devoted huge resources in the provision of healthcare facilities, equipment and consumables to cater for the needs of its mandate communities.
One of such healthcare facility is the Ultra Modern Cottage Hospital at Oboghoro, a burgeoning coastal community in Warri North Local Government Area, complete with a well equipped Medical Quarters for the accommodation of doctors, nurses and other medical personnel who are now happily delivering services to the people. In the same vein, the board, by popular demand, constructed an Ultra Modern All-Purpose Health Facility at Agoloma in Patani Local Government Area to respond to the health needs of the people. The fully furnished and equipped facility was commissioned by the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori who gave plaudits to the Ogieh-led board for its deep connection with the people.
In his words, the efforts and achievements of the board attests to the ever bold initiative of the Trustees of the Commission on behalf of the Governor Okowa administration.
The board in the period under review also built and equipped a health facility at Utagba-Uno in Ndokwa West Local Government Area. This is in addition to renovating and fencing tens of clinics and hospitals in various other communities within the Commission’s mandate areas.
The Commission also donated equipment worth several millions of Naira to selected cottage hospitals and clinics as in Ogulagha, Burutu LGA; Oboghoro, Warri North LGA; General Hospital, Olomoro and Egbe-Igbide Cottage Hospital all in Isoko Nation. This is besides embarking on continuous free medical health programmes across most communities within its mandate areas.
The icing on the health pie was the provision of comprehensive medical equipment and consumables to all of the 268 Primary Health Care Centres in the state at the end of 2022. The initiative ranks among the single largest dimension of corporate social responsibility in the health sector executed by any interventionist agency. It received the immediate commendation of His Excellency the Governor of Delta State who has also severally applauded the effectiveness of DESOPADEC in aligning with the Stronger Delta agenda of the State Government in health and other sectors.
Water
Water is considered the most essential element for the maintenance and sustenance of all beings. The provision of reliable source of safe, drinkable and adequate water supply is thus a vital prerequisite for the establishment of stable communities. For the oil producing communities of Delta State which is predominantly riverine, lack of access to safe water had meant a resort to impure alternatives such as rain water, crude oil-polluted salt rivers and water hyacinth infested streams for their daily water needs. Guaranteed access to potable water is therefore one of the most critical needs of the people. When juxtaposed with the abundance of petroleum resource in the underbelly of the mandate areas which powers the entire Nigerian federation, the story needed to be changed and the situation is being frontally addressed through the Commission’s deep understanding of the dynamics and exigencies of intervention. Accordingly and for long, the people of Obodo in Warri South LGA; Ebedei Uno in Ukwuani LGA; Uba Egbelemeji-Koko in Warri North LGA; Uruto Quarters in Isoko North LGA; Oliogo Umuseti in Ndokwa West LGA; Okuovo District in Okpe LGA; Emede in Isoko South LGA and many more benefiting communities will certainly remember the effort of DESOPADEC in bringing succor to them in the water sector.
Since 2019 when the current board of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, was inaugurated, the leadership has upheld and pursued the clear executive directive of His Excellency, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor of Delta State, to achieve tangible impact in the oil producing areas of the state.
As an intervention agency of government, the engagement has been undertaken with every ounce of dynamism and full commitment to changing lives and the infrastructure narrative of various communities within available resources.
* Ogulagha Model Secondary School, Ogulagha, Ijaw nation
The array of interventions has been delivered with unalloyed adherence to quality, prudence and direct impact on the beneficiaries. The projects, evenly spread across the ethnic nationalities of Itsekiri, Ijaw, Urhobo, Isoko, Ndokwa and Ika, span the fields of Education, Social and Community Development, Housing, Water, Health, Power, Transportation and Human Capital Development, with the Commission undoubtedly surpassing the assessment parameter on the dashboard.
* Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, at the Matriculation Ceremony of the 4th batch of DESOPADEC Skills Academy trainees
This synoptic appraisal of key sectors evidences the glorious testimonial of a Commission that has truly made a difference in the oil-bearing communities of our dear state and we are delighted by the resoundingly positive impact on the people.
Education Education is one of the parameters used to assess the development of societies and regions, especially by the Sustainable Development Goals. It thus has remained a key sectorial focus in the development of DESOPADEC mandate areas.
Since its establishment in 2007, DESOPADEC has given utmost attention to education through diverse expressions and the Askia Ogieh-led board has sustained this noble trend since its inauguration in August 2019 to embark on delivering brand new or completely renovated or refurbished blocks of classrooms, Lecture Halls, ICT facilities, perimeter fencing, water schemes, Principal Lodges, Lecturers and Staff Quarters, Student Hostels and Halls of Residence, Corpers Lodges, provision of books and furniture, amongst a range of other facilities all tailored towards guaranteeing a conducive environment for teaching and learning.
*Lecturers Quarters, Delta State University, Oleh Campus
These landmark projects in the education sub-sector which are in hundreds litter the ethnic nationalities of the Commission’s mandate areas. They span all cadres of education – elementary, secondary and tertiary – and draw directly from the needs assessment policy and consultations with the respective benefitting communities.
*Lecturers Quarters, School of Marine Technology, Okerenkonko. These interventions address inadequacies and help to still the billows of agitation and apprehension that seem to linger over time.
*Convocation Ceremony of the 3rd batch of DESOPADEC Skills Academy graduands
Despite the global COVID-19 pandemic that threatened lives and upended the socio-economic fortunes of nations, it is incredible that the board could very decisively take on many cost-intensive projects in the sector and deliver at high quality.
The Commandant General (CG) of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr Ahmed Audi has ordered immediate commencement of the surgery required for one of his personnel involved in an accident while on official duty.
Audi gave the directive during a scheduled visit to National Hospital, Abuja to personally examine and assess the patient’s health condition as well as the progress made with their treatments so far.
Asc II Ibrahim Adam (40), is among the personnel of Lagos State Command involved in a fatal road crash which occurred at Giri junction, Abuja, on Friday 24th February 2023, a day before the Presidential and National Assembly elections that resulted in the death of one of the occupants shortly after take off from the Corps National Headquarters.
Affirming his commitment to the welfare of his personnel, the CG directed the Head of unit of the NSCDC Health and Medical Services, Dr Oba Jude (DCC), who was designated to monitor and coordinate the victim’s treatment, to make sure that the required attention is accorded the officer who was diagnosed to have spinal cord injury with multiple fractures.
The CG expressed delight at reports that the personnel is responding to treatment and assured again of his readiness to pay the bills incured for the treatments of the officers.
Audi reiterated that his major concern is to get the officers back on their feet again, noting that: “They are all dedicated and committed officers and my major concern is to get all of them treated and have them back on their feet again.
“I noticed that, there are signs and hope of more significant improvement when the proposed surgery is carried out.
“I am ready to pay the bills of the surgery and other associated treatments no matter how much it is going to cost.”
Audi encouraged the patient who was elated to see the CG by his bedside at the hospital to continue to believe in God who will heal him completely, praying that such an incident will not occur in the Corps again.
The CG consoled family members of the victims and urged them to remain prayerful for God to perfect their healing completely as the Corps plays its own part in caring for the victims.
Other five injured personnel in the accident had been discharged after significant improvements in their health conditions.
After four days of fierce competition, with 100 up-and-coming startups representing 53 countries, one has emerged the victor of the Entrepreneurship World Cup (EWC).
White Helmet, a company that provides a platform to manage and monitor construction operations remotely, from anywhere and at any time, returns home with a US$300,000 share of the $1 million prize pot.
Co-hosted by the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) and Monsha’at – the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority in Saudi Arabia – EWC is one of the world’s largest pitch competitions and startup support programs.
Since launching in 2019, EWC has engaged more than 400,000 entrepreneurs from 200 countries and connected founders with over US$4 million in cash prizes and another US$266 million worth of perks and free support and services.
The competition attracted over 30,000 founders, with 100 of the top-performing countries invited to pitch to a panel of international judges at the Global Finals after several qualifying rounds. The final pitches were held at Biban 2023, the largest forum for entrepreneurs and small-to-medium-sized enterprises in Saudi Arabia.
Providing over 105,000 participants a platform to advance entrepreneurship in the Kingdom, the forum’s theme this year is “Attract-Connect-Achieve”.
In addition to the grand $300,000 prize, 10 startups from diverse countries received cash prizes of $25,000-$200,000 to take their innovative solutions to the next level.
Sami Ibrahim Alhussaini, Governor of Monsha’at, said: “Saudi innovation and ingenuity has driven the advancement of the Kingdom’s startup and SME ecosystem forward over the past years. We are proud to have a Saudi company named the champion of the latest edition of the EWC. We hope this win will inspire more of our people to take that step forward and realize their entrepreneurial ambitions.”
“These founders and their companies are disrupting their industries and testing big ideas with potential to transform our world,” said Jonathan Ortmans, president of GEN. “GEN is proud to co-host the Entrepreneurship World Cup for the fourth year, giving promising companies the opportunity to connect to global markets and investment.”
The Entrepreneurship World Cup is supported by several national and global partners including One Valley, The Global Education and Leadership Foundation (tGELF), Entrepreneurs’ Organization, King Abdullah University for Science and Technology and Startup Genome. The Misk Foundation is a founding partner.
-By Gertrude Onyekachukwu-Uteh and IfeanyiOmenogor:
Glory ChiomaNwafor hails from Aniocha South LGA. She is the CEO of Chioma Farms. She is an SSCE holder; she enrolled into the 2018/2019 YAGEP cycle wherein she was trained and given farm support in Cassava Production. With the support, sheprogressed from subsistence farming to commercial farming. She shares her story after four years.
“YAGEP boosted my farm. Before I enrolled into YAGEP, I was a mere cassava farmer practisingsubsistence farming, but today I have become a commercial farmer. I now sell cassava with lorry. I thank Senator Ifeanyi Okowa for this life changing-opportunity.
“YAGEP introduced me to best practices in cropfarming. I applied it and I am now financiallycomfortable. I have been lifted out of poverty. I have trained four persons in my farm and I have two trainees at the moment. I pay six casual employees who work for me as the need arises.
“I have diversified into maize and yam farming in addition to cassava farming. From the proceeds of my business, I bought five acres of land to expand my farm; I bought a motorcycle and I sponsor myself in the university, because I am currently an undergraduate. I am a happy person.”
Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo has accused members of the opposition party of using both old and doctored videos to blackmail him.
The Governor who spoke through his Press Secretary, Comrade Christian Aburime was reacting to two videos currently trending on the internet, where some youths, led by former Commissioner, Dr. Christian Madubuko made derogatory chants against APGA, and another where Prof. Soludo was purported to have said that he will not work with lawmakers from other political parties.
Comrade Aburime in his response to the first video said it was old, and was made during the regime of former administration, when he had squabbles with the administration.
The Press Secretary said: “The video is old. It was made to spite the last administration then, and was not against the APGA led by Governor Soludo.
“Right now, the same Dr. Madubuko is a part of our government, and has even made a press release clarifying that the video was not made under Prof. Soludo government, and that he supports the Soludo government.”
Also reacting to the second video, Comrade Aburime said: “That video is heavily ‘doctored’ by members of the opposition party, just to spite the Governor.
“Everyone knows that the Governor is a pure democrat. He is ready to work with any member of the House of Assembly, even if they are elected from other political party, so that is not true.
“Members of the opposition have gone to high length to cause disaffection between the Governor and the people of Anambra State, but they will not succeed.
“Anambra is APGA State, and the people are happy with the performance of the Governor so far, and they are ready to vote for APGA candidates in the forthcoming election.”
FBNQuest Trustees, a subsidiary of FBN Holdings in partnership with the Metropolitan Law Firm has launched an endowment fund under the Islamic Banking guidelines to cater to the education of indigent Nigerians for basic to tertiary institutions.
The fund, called Waqf, is an instrument of Islamic Estate Planning largely designed for charitable and philanthropic activities to solve social problems.
Managing Partner, The Metropolitan Firm, said N60 million seed funding has been committed to the fund and is targeted at the less privileged children, particularly orphans in the northeast by providing scholarships and complementing efforts aimed at dousing the burgeoning number of out-of-school children in the country.
She made this known at the 5th Annual Islamic Estate Planning and Clinic and the official launch of the Metropolitan Waqf fund on Sunday in Abuja.
Amin said the philanthropic activity will kick off in the Northeast because it is the region of the country that is most ravaged by insurgency and wanton killings which have left many destitute.
She added that the fund is focusing on education because it is a major social problem in the country that must be addressed for the country to attain desired development.
“We are targeting Northeast right now when it expands, it would be for everyone that meets the criteria. We will start with scholarships, but in the long run, we intend to have schools, especially for that with the best quality education and teachers to nurture and train the children till tertiary level, and we intend to give scholarships to either study in or out of the country at the tertiary level,” she said.
While noting that Waqf is an aspect of Islamic social financing targeted at solving a social problem, she said the fund is open for donations from individuals, and institutions. She equally noted that the Waqf is part of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of the Metropolitan Law.
Abimbola Ajinibi, Senior Vice President, FBNQuest informed that the non-Muslims can benefit from the endowment fund. He said the role of FBNQuest would be to ensure that the interest of the beneficiaries is protected.
“Waqf is called Islamic trust. It simply means that you have three parties, a set law, trustees, and the beneficiaries. Essentially, the trustees hold assets for the benefit of the named beneficiary. Today, we are launching Metropolitan Waqf which means that we are setting up a trust for the benefit of certain people. So we (FBN Quest) are going to act as delegate trustees to ensure that the interest of the beneficiaries is protected,” he said.
In the same vein, the Senator-Elect of FCT under the Labour Party and the member of the Board for the Metropolitan Waqf Fund, Ireti Kingibe, emphasized that the target is to help out-of-school children in the country, especially from the north.
Kingibe also used the opportunity to assure that she will use her office when she assumes office to ameliorate the plight of the marginalized groups in the FCT, especially the youth, women, and children.
Also in her presentation, Mutiat Olatunji, Private Trust Specialist, while giving an overview of the Islamic Estate Planning and Wealth Transfer defined estate planning as a structure set up during a person’s lifetime to cater to o the needs of both immediate and extended family, charitable and philanthropic activities
She also explained Waqf is a veritable tool for inheritance planning, and also be used to cater to generational wealth transfer, medical needs, and charitable activities among others.
A rehabilitated ex-fighter of Boko Haram terror group, Alayi Madu and the traditional ruler of Kajola, a border community between Ondo and Edo states, Baale Akinola Adebayo are among 37 persons arrested over 2.2 tonnes of illicit drugs seized by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos and in raids across 12 states in the past week.
A statement by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi on Sunday said as part of ongoing operations to mop up illicit drugs across the country ahead of the next round of elections, NDLEA officers in the early hours of last Friday stormed Kajola forest in Kajola community, a border town between Edo and Ondo states where they destroyed three cannabis farms measuring 39.8 hectares.
He said the owner of the farms who claims to be the Ba’ale of Kajola, Akinola Adebayo, 35, was arrested on the farm at 2:30am, while two other suspects believed to be his workers: Arikuyeri Abdulrahman, 23 and Habibu Ologun, 25, were also nabbed in a hut near the farms.
Babafemi also revealed that a 26-year-old Alayi Madu, who was a Boko Haram fighter for 15 years before he surrendered to the Nigerian military in 2021 was intercepted by NDLEA operatives last Thursday along Abuja-Kaduna express road with 10 kilogrammes of skunk, which he said he bought in Ibadan, Oyo state and was taking the consignment concealed in a sack to Maiduguri, Borno state.
Madu, in his statement, said he is from Banki town, Borno State and joined the notorious terrorist organisation, in 2006 when he was just nine years old, but repented and surrendered to the military in 2021, after which he underwent rehabilitation and de-radicalisation processes at Umaru Shehu rehabilitation centre, Maiduguri and Malam Sidi de-radicalization centre, Gombe. He was subsequently discharged after spending six months and thereafter traveled to Ibadan, Oyo state where he worked as commercial motorcycle rider (Okada rider) before going into drug trafficking and his eventual arrest along Abuja-Kaduna express road.
Babafemi said at the Lagos airport in Ikeja, operatives acting on intelligence intercepted a consignment of 11.90 kilogrammes of heroin and 500 grammes of skunk concealed in deep freezers, which were part of a cargo that arrived from South Africa last Tuesday onboard Ethiopian airline via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
He said the agency’s sniffer dogs were deployed to locate where the illicit drugs were hidden in the cargo and in no time, identified the cartons packed in the deep freezers.
He added that a total of four suspects, Dairo Quam; Oluwaseun Ogunmene; Adeleke Abdulrasaq; Bamidele Adewale and Oluwafemi Ogunmeru. who played active roles in the movement of the drugs and a truck driver have been arrested so far in connection with the seizure.
Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives attached to the Gate C departure hall of the MMIA last Thursday intercepted a passenger, Aigbedion Philomena heading to Italy via Addis Ababa on an Ethiopian Airline flight. He said when her bags containing body cream, hair attachments, drinks, and some food items were searched, a total of 1.2 kilogrammes tramadol capsules concealed inside gift wrapping sheet and covered with old daily newspapers were discovered.
At the Idiroko land border, NDLEA operatives acting on intelligence last Thursday intercepted a commercial Toyota Camry Salon Car with reg. number JJJ 756 HB (Lagos) along Ilase-Akoko road, Idiroko with 34 compressed jumbo size wraps of imported skunk weighing 17 kilogrammes and concealed in two cooking gas cylinders. Two suspects in the car, Benjamin Ajose, 48 and Oluwatobiloba Ajayi, 37, were arrested.
In Akwa Ibom state,Mrs. Hope Iniobong , 42, was arrested with bags of cannabis sativa weighing 1,112 kilogrammes (1.1 tonnes) in her house at Ediene Abak in Abak local government area, while operatives in Kogi state last Thursday recovered 25 cartons, containing 50,000 ampoules of pentazocine injection weighing 200 kilogrammes in a Toyota Hiace bus marked LAM 652 LG, Kogi, travelling from Lagos to Abuja.
In Ogun state, operatives arrested a female drug dealer, Bola Egbebi in Ota local government area, with different quantities of cannabis sativa, methamphetamine, tramadol 225, skuchies, molly and codeine cough syrup, while in Gombe state, another female drug dealer, Fatima Hassan (a.k.a Boss) was arrested last Saturday in her house at New Mile 3 area of Akko local government area with three and half blocks of skunk weighing 3.245 kilogrammes, two other female drug dealers: Folake Ladipo and Adeola Babatunde were arrested with 49.5 kilogrammes skunk last Friday in Mushin area of Lagos state.
In Kwara, operatives on patrol along Ilorin-Jebba highway last Tuesday arrested two suspects: Ismaila Saidu and Dahiru Abdullahi with 50 bags of cannabis sativa weighing 578 kilogrammes, while in the FCT Abuja, 15 suspects were transferred by the Nigerian Army with 35 bags of cannabis weighing 384.3 kilogrammes.
A 56-year-old suspect, Shinayemà Kelenku was arrested at Tse-kelenku village, Logo local government area of Benue State with 36.7 kilogrammes skunk, while in Delta state, operatives intercepted a suspect, Chimeze Ndukaire, 56, conveying psychotropic substances worth over N30 million in a white Toyota Hiace bus with registration number Lagos FST 279 XS coming from Onitsha to Warri. The vehicle was intercepted last Friday at G.S.M junction, Asaba based on a tip-off, and recovered from the bus include 267.3 litres of codeine (2,673 bottles); 25,110 pills of tramadol and other opioids.
In Kano state, NDLEA operatives last Saturday raided the Sabon-gari area of Kano where they arrested a suspect, Chukwuebuka Christopher and recovered from him 7,740 bottles of Codeine based syrup, measuring 774 litres, concealed inside 43 sacks of garlic.
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) while commending the officers, men and women of MMIA, Idiroko, Edo, Kaduna, Akwa Ibom, Kogi, Ogun, Gombe, Lagos, Kwara, FCT, Benue, Delta and Kano Commands of the agency for their diligence and commitment to work, however charged them and their compatriots across other commands not to rest on their oars.
Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have smashed two syndicates that specialize i criminal conspiracy, cheating, obtaining by trick (OBT) and production/distribution of counterfeited US Dollars (USD) and new Naira notes into the society.
A statement on Friday by the spokesman of the Corps, Olusola Odumosu read that acting on credible Intelligence, the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps’ Special Intelligence Squad (CG’s SIS) in a clandestine operations, arrested two syndicates alleged to be involved in offences ranging from criminal conspiracy, cheating, obtaining by trick (OBT) and production/distribution of counterfeited US Dollars (USD) and new Naira notes into the society.
Odumosu said one of the groups arrested, which consisted of four male adults were caught in possession of $64,800 and N475,000 notes, while fake notes of N1.5 million was also seized from the second group consisting of five male adults
He revealed that the names of members of the syndicate arrested with the sum of N1.5m are ; Dantala Omale, 30 years, Musa Abdullahi, 24 years,, Audu Abdulazeez, 56 years, Umar Hassan 46 years and Mahammadu Yakubu, 30 years.
He disclosed that the arrest was effected when one Dantala Omale was lured to Nasarawa from Plateau state and picked up by the squad on the 22nd of February, 2023, with fake new naira notes of N412,000.
According to him, the arrested suspect confessed getting the fake notes from Musa Abdullahi, aka Baballe which led to the arrest of Abdullahi on 22nd of February, 2023 at Namu area of Quanpan local government area n Plateau state in possession of N49,650 old naira notes.
He said after a thorough interrogation, Abdullahi confessed that he usually gets his supply of fake currencies from one Audu Abdulazeez, aka Dan-Gombe, who the squad arrested on the 3rd of March 2023, at Plateau Express service motor park in Jos, Plateau State, at about 11:20 a.m with N350,000 fake newly redesigned Naira notes.
He said the effort of the squad to arrest all members of the syndicate paid off when Abdulazeez confessed to giving one Umar Hassan the fake notes. When Hassan was apprehended, he was in possession of N20,500 and he also confessed to his involvement in the crime and that he regularly transact with one Mohammadu Yakubu, who was also arrested close to the old CBN office in Lafia town, at about 3:10 p.m on March 5, 2023 with fake N2000 of the new Naira notes.
He said further investigation however, revealed that the group operated within and around Plateau, Nasarawa, Bauchi and Gombe states.
He said members of the second syndicate arrested with the exhibits of $64,800 and N475,000 are; Jonathan Dakogol, Abbas Ibrahim, Isa Ukashatu and Aminu Isa.
Isa Ukashatu and Jonathan Dakogol were arrested with fake $64,800 and N475,000 at Akurba of Lafia local government area in Nasarawa State after being lured to deliver the money to a client.
He said upon arrest, Dakogol volunteered and led the CG’s SIS operatives to Kurgwi area in Quaan’Pan local government area, Plateau State, where one Aminu Isa who was alleged to be a herbalist was also arrested.
Isa also led the Squad to the arrest of one 62 years old Abbas Ibrahim in Quaan’Pan local government area, Plateau State who had collected $30,000 fake US Dollars from him.
He said all suspects at the point of arrest were found in possession of fake dollars and the newly redesigned Naira notes ranging from N500 to N1000 denominations respectively and had also confessed to being involved in the business for over five years.
Meanwhile, the Commandant General of NSCDC, Dr. Ahmed Audi has commended the CG’s SIS for a job well done and described the criminal gangs as economic saboteurs destroying the country through the perpetration of financial crimes and defrauding of innocent citizens.
He stated that their arrest is a good omen for the country because it helped to stop the distribution and influx of fake currencies into society which could have caused great setbacks to the economy.
He charged the squad leader, DCC Appollos Dandaura, and his team to intensify efforts for more arrests by launching their dragnet further into every nook and cranny of the country in order to fish out other dangerous criminal elements and syndicates perpetrating heinous financial crimes at the detriment of the nation.
He warned all criminal syndicates to desist from this venture and get other legitimate means of survival or face the wrath of the law because NSCDC and other security agencies will fish them out no matter their hiding places.
Odumosu said the arrested suspects are still assisting the Corps with useful information for further investigation and would be handed over to the appropriate authority for prosecution after the preliminary investigation is concluded.
He said a manhunt has been launched for other fleeing members of the syndicates.
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, yesterday (Friday) paid visits to families of over 30 fishermen killed by Boko Haram insurgents on Wednesday at Mukdolo village in Ngala Local Government Area (LGA), some kilometers away from Dikwa.
Zulum was in Dikwa town where the fishermen lived and from where they went fishing at Mukdolo before they were ambushed.
Dikwa town, headquarters of Dikwa Local Government Area is located within Borno Central. Dikwa was once occupied by Boko Haram around 2014 as a stronghold before it was liberated by the military, rebuilt by government and reoccupied.
Governor Zulum met all bereaved families of the slain fishermen at the palace of the Shehu of Dikwa, Alhaji Ibrahim Ibn Ibrahim El-Kanemi.
“On behalf of the government and people, I am here to extend our sympathy to you over the killing of our brothers who had gone to earn a living”, Zulum said.
He added, “I urge you to take solace from the Almighty Allah, as He alone can take life. We pray that their souls shall rest in eternal peace”.
Governor Zulum presented relief materials to each of the deceased families to support them during the mourning period.
He assured of continuous assistance to the families left behind by the victims.
The Shehu of Dikwa, on behalf of the families and bereaved communities, expressed gratitude to Governor Zulum for the visit.
Xi Jinping has been unanimously elected president of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) of the PRC at the third plenary meeting of the first session of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China.
Nearly 3000 representatives from all walks of life all across the country voted Xi Jinping, which shows Xi’s great influence and prestige in CPC and the whole of China.
In the past decade, China under his leadership has witnessed historic changes, with its economy more than doubling to 114 trillion yuan (16 trillion U.S. dollars), with absolute poverty wiped out and moderate prosperity attained for the country’s 1.4 billion people.
It was also a decade of severe challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic, a trade war with the United States and the downward pressure on the economy all posed hurdles for China’s development and tested the strength of Xi and the Party he leads.
Bringing about milestone transformations and ushering in a “new era” for socialism with Chinese characteristics, Xi is regarded as the helmsman capable of leading the country in overcoming difficulties and pursuing full modernization.
The Nigeria’s 2023 Census received a major boost with the donation of Post Enumeration Survey (PES) Laptops to the National Population Commission (NPC) on Friday by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
Presenting the 16 laptops, put at a cost of N2 million each to the Chairman of NPC, Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra, the Country Representative, UNFPA Nigeria, Ms Ulla Mueller said Census-taking is a priority national development activity worldwide that should be conducted at least decennially, insisting that: “Despite a seven years’ delay, the Nigeria 2023 Population and Housing Census is billed to be transformative in its agenda and process, buoyed by the extensive use of digital technology to ensure transparency and credibility as well as quality results.”
Mueller said: “The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is delighted to identify with the 2023 Census agenda, continuously providing an enabling environment to ensure that it is embedded in the SDGs framework, ICPD goals, Agenda 2063 and the Nigerian national development vision – all of which emphasize the dire need for up-to-date data pertaining to individual circumstances and ensure that we Leave No One Behind in making key decisions.
“As the Lead global partner, UNFPA brings to the Nigeria 2023 Census high level technical expertise, experience, comparative advantages in operational intelligence and best practices collated from decades of work in more than 150 countries.”
She noted that with the availability of the PES laptops Nigeria’s 2023 Census is bound to meet the global best standard and present the country and indeed the world with a tool needed for development.
She said: “I’m aware that NPC has already put the right structures and work programme in place and are farther along in the process to ensure the successful implementation of the PES as well. Nigeria 2023 Census needs a good PES. It is to be understood that the PES, just like the Census, will be transformational – fully digital and employ methodological and technological innovations to guarantee quality and timely results, and conducted up to international standards.”
The Chairman of NPC, who expressed appreciation for the gift, said: “The presentation of these laptops today not only further affirms the importance of the PES to the entire Census process, but also reaffirms the UNFPA’s commitment towards the success of the 2023 Post Enumeration Survey (PES) and the 2023 Population and Housing Census (PHC) at large.”
He added that: “I am delighted to receive with thanks and appreciation the gift of these 16 (sixteen) Laptops and Accessories from the UNFPA under the very able leadership of the UNFPA Resident Representative to Nigeria, Ms. Ulla Elizabeth Mueller in support of the 2023 Post Enumeration Survey (PES). I wish to assure you that these laptops will be put to effective use towards executing the agenda of the 2023 PES.”
Up until the presidential elections of February 25th, politics and politicking in Lagos has an unwritten but coded formula that drags both the actors and the people towards a particular outcome championed by a particular species of the ruling elite since 1999.
Before now, the political challenge has always been a relatively easy Marathon race where the baton is passed to a known and predetermined winner who will gladly breast the tape to the admiration of the power broker and his adherents.
Presently and just recently, the LP has changed the dynamics. Away from the known and the familiar, politics in Lagos is becoming increasingly unpredictable, blurry and humbling. The reason the incumbent and his main challenger are hitting the streets on foot, canvassing for relevance.
Even though it looks like a three-horse race, it is truly a two-horse race with a fierce pendulum-like capacity to swing either way. And this is interestingly chancy.
The incumbent governor Sanwo-Olu is a scion of the old order, a predetermined baton holder and a thorough representative and representation of the political atmosphere that the Labour Party and her teeming supporters want to change.
To them, it is not a herculean task having defeated other political parties in the state at the last presidential election. History was made and history can be repeated. With the youthful but vivacious Gbadebo Rhodes- Vivour, Governor Sanwo-olu and his APC goons are having a sleepless night.
To them, it must never be heard that the “true owners” of Lagos fell and gasped for breath under the political whiplash of an “obscure” candidate from an “obscure” party, the second time. This may be the reason the Igbo- Yoruba hate card is being vigorously brandished to turn a well-known Lagos family of four-century history into a rude boy from across the Niger.
Politics is a funny game; a dirty one at that. The capacity and temerity to deliver the goodies of democracy and democratisation to the suffocating citizens of Lagos outside the godfather influence are being jettisoned to pursue the ego and whimsical ambition of one political clique to remain in power forever.
May the obvious sympathy and altruistic desire of the people for a change as represented by the political tsunami that gave victory to the LP in the Presidential election in Lagos state remain in office before, during and after the upcoming gubernatorial election.
Austen Akhagbeme is a Columnist with Blank NEWS Online
Wonder ChukwunweikeOcheli is the CEO of NwikiEnterprise. He hails from Umutu in Ukwuani Local Government Area. He has B.Sc. (Edu) in Physics. He enrolled into the Delta State Government’s Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurs Programme (YAGEP) in the 2016/2017 cycle. He was trained and established in Fish Production at YAGEP Fish Farm Cluster in Ugbokodo-Okpe. He received two earthen fish ponds, 122 bags of feed and 2,000 post-juvenile fish. Heshares his experience after six years in business.
“I was single and in search of a white collar job before I enrolled into YAGEP. Today, I am happily married with two children and I no longer search for employment. I live in my own house.
“After establishment with Starter Pack, we were formed into groups and supported with two smokingkilns, a pumping machine and a scale. I am doing very well in my business. I have trained three persons and currently I have three casual staff members.
“I diversified into fish processing, vegetable farmingand palm oil production. I acquired a plot of land, built a house and bought a car from my businesses.
“I have also acquired a drip irrigation system, palm oil milling machine and digester. Currently, I have 2,000 fish in my ponds. YAGEP gave me my first opportunity to own my personal business.”
An initiative to reclaim and rebuild a grassroots peoples’ solidarity movement linking Africa and the USA- Farafina has been launched
According to a statement, Africans on the continent and in the diaspora can and must take the lead both for their own sake and for the future of humanity and the planet.
The statement also added that young people, women and artists making use of new technologies and innovative pathways for radical change must build on the work of earlier generations and mobilize broad intergenerational and transnational linkages.
It said: “The first step is dialogue which must be in person as well as through virtual communication channels. Phase 1 of the tour launches in March 2023. Phase 2 will be an in-person strategic retreat in the fall of 2023.”
Those on Farafina the black link 2023 Tour are Coumba Toure, Faya Rose Toure, Malika Fortier, Ainka Sanders, Nunu Kidane, Patricia Servant, Emira Woods, Marcia Thomas, Althea Anderson, Belvie Rooks, Ash lee Woodard Henderson, Ayesha Imam and many more.
Where to connect for Tour include: Selma, Alabama (March 1 to March 7, 2023); Oakland, California (March 8 to March 10, 2023): New Market, Tennessee (March 11 to March 13, 2023) Meeting with The Highlander Research and Education Center 1959 Highlander Way New Market, TN 37820; Gastonia, North Carolina, (March 12, 2023). The Delegation will meet with Ayesha Imam, a panafricanist and founding director of BAOBAB for Women’s Human Rights in Nigeria, to discuss.
Others are in Washington, DC (March 14 to March 17, 2023); Celebrating Women’s History Month on March 16 at 4 pm at Howard University. Howard University Interdisciplinary Research Building 2201 Georgia Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC, 20059; and New York, New York (March 18 – March 20, 2023). The delegation will end the tour in New York City to meet and network with progressive organisations working toward strengthening solidarity between Africa and United States.
The tour is being package by Priority Africa Network (PAN, www.priorityafrica.org), an Oakland-based organisation with the mission to “build intergenerational bridges within the African diaspora to advance Pan-Africanism ideals that enable an inclusive and equitable society for all people.” And Kuumbati.com, a Dakar based production house, which focus on stories for children, women and Africans.
Delta Government on Monday approved a new retirement age for teachers in the public service of the state.
The teachers will henceforth retire at the attainment of 40 years of service or 65 years of age. The same is applicable to non-academic staff of the state-owned Polytechnics and Colleges of Education.
The approvals were part of the resolutions reached at the State Executive Council meeting in Asaba.
Briefing newsmen on the resolutions, Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, said that the executive council gave the approval to enable the teachers and the tertiary institutions workers to contribute more to nation-building.
According to Aniagwu, with the approval, teachers in the public service of Delta can be in the office up to 65 years of age and 40 years of service.
“We did this because we have seen that even at 65, many have garnered lots of experience to be able to teach more and have a clearer understanding of their fields of study.
“And, they can continue to contribute in moulding minds. Forty years of service is not also a bad idea because we have seen most times that they retire without getting tired.
“Also for the non-teaching staff of our Colleges of Education and Polytechnics, we have given them the advantage of remaining in service as non-teaching staff as much as 40 years.
“They will also remain in service for as long as 65 years of age. So they now have extra five years added to their retirement age and service year,” he said.
Delta State Investments Development Agency (DIDA) is an Investment Promotion Agency (IPA) which was established by Delta State Law in 2016 and started operations in 2017, The Agency is charged with the responsibility of attracting investors to Delta State through several Business Models comprising various types of Public Private Partnerships (PPP) including concessions.
DIDA carries out its investment promotion and marketing activities by creating awareness about the abundant investment opportunities in the State. DIDA performs four core functions: investment promotion of Delta State as a preferred investment destination, facilitating establishment of investments, project management and aftercare services.
DIDA does this by providing information about availability of raw materials and investment opportunities to investors; sectors where the state has comparative and competitive advantages, supporting useful statistical data and business information such as macroeconomic indicators (GNP, GDP, HDI, inflation, demographic information, labor productivity, average wages, attractive sectors of domestic economy; practical investment support like securing permits or completing other administrative obligations; and by administering the investment incentives in the State on behalf of Local and Foreign investors.
Delta State Investments Development Agency (DIDA) in consonance with the key objectives of an IPA was established by His Excellency Sen. Dr. IfeanyiOkowa’s administration with the primary objectives to identify, promote, coordinate, regulate and implement Investment Projects and concessions in the State. Its operational strategy is hinged on harnessing available natural resources based comparative advantage to promote inflow of investments, diversify the economy away from over-dependence on petroleum revenues, generate employment and create wealth in line with the SMART Agenda and the achievement of the Stronger Delta Policy of the present administration
The Agency has since inception been at the forefront of promoting and facilitating both Foreign and Domestic Direct Investments based on public private partnership business model in consonance with the mandate establishing it.
The following are among the key projects facilitated by the Agency:
BURUTU PORT, BURUTU –involves the development of the Port in three phases at the total cost of US$2.037million. The first phase comprises the development of the existing port costing US$ 68.2 million leading ultimately to the third Phase which involves the construction of an Inter-Continental Trans-shipment Port with the depth of 23 metres. Delta State Government has 5% equity stake in the Project which is planned to transform Burutu Port to become the trans-shipment centre for West and South West Africa as well as the hub of Nigeria’s Import – Export Trade involving the Outside World, South-South, Eastern and Northern Nigeria.
DIDA Management visit to the Burutu Port, Burutu
ASABA ULTRA-MODERN MECHANIC VILLAGE AND AUTO PARTS, ASABA – the project was developed under PPP at the cost of N3.0 billion.
It has a total of 1,000 lock up stores and 200 mechanic workshops.
The Asaba Ultra Mordern Mechanic Village and Auto Part, Asaba
VIRTUAL GAS-POWER GAS, EBEDEI – was attracted to invest in Delta State to utilize the abundant natural gas available at Platform Petroleum to produce compressed natural gas (CNG) at the total project cost of US$20.0 million, construction works have since been 100% completed and the project has gone into full production. It is private sector driven.
DIDA Management visit to Virtual Gas-Power Gas, Ebedei
NEW TANKERS PARK AT EKPAN, UVWIE LGA – Is being constructed under PPP arrangement at the cost of N5.0 billion and project has achieved over 60% completion.
PHASE 2 OGBEOGONOGO MODERN MARKET, ASABA – involves the development of an ultra-modern market at the Asaba City Centre at the cost of about N4 billion and the project is nearing completion. It has a total of 1,000 lock up stores.
Phase 2 Ogbeogonogo Modern Market, Asaba
DELTA SONGHAI AMUKPE – The State government has concluded the negotiation to partner with investors, Adventium Global Inc. to fund and manage the farm in order to achieve the aims and objectives of setting up the facility as well as developing the Farm to become a successful Agribusiness Centre. The PPP arrangement involves the capital injection of about US$40.0 Million.
Delta Songhai Amukpe
DELFRASCO INDUSTRY LIMITED, ISSELE-UKU – involves the establishment of a Tower Manufacturing, Fabrication, Hot Deep Galvanizing, Research Testing and Training Centre at the total cost of about US$$40.0 million. Delta State government is de-risking the project by taking up 12.5% equity and has commenced disbursement of funds following the Ground Breaking ceremony of the project and work has commenced at the project site situated at Issele-Uku in Aniocha North L.G.A.
Delfrasco Industry Limited Tower Maufacturing Plant, Issele-Uku
FLNG PROJECT IN DELTA STATE – is being promoted by UTM Offshore Limited and involves the production of Liquefied Natural Gas aboard a Floating Vessel (FLNG) with the capacity of 1.5mmtpa at the setup cost of US$1.7billion which is being funded by mixture of debt and equity. The project’s operational Headquarters shall be in Delta State with the State taking up 5% equity alongside many notable other investors comprising, Vitol, NNPC, etc in addition to debt finance through Afrexim.
DIDA Management Visit to the Flng Corporate Headquarters in Warri
DELTA REST PARK, UMUNEDE /EMUHU – Apart from the Trailer Park, there are many other planned businesses such as Hotels, Restaurants, Small Scale Industrial Clusters, Warehouses, Motor Vehicle Spare Parts Shops, Mechanic service bays, Fuel stations, etc. on land measuring over 176Ha. Delta State Government has executed an MOU to enable the Anchor Investor to commence the construction of the Trailer Park at the cost of N4.0 billion under Concession arrangement.
STALLION AUTO KEKE MANUFACTURING PLANT IN DELTA STATE – Delta State Government has approved the proposal by Stallion Group to establish an Auto Keke Manufacturing Plant in the State on PPP basis at the cost of 5billion Naira and the construction work in the Plant is on-going in the State. As incentive for Stallion Group to locate their Plant in the State, the State Government has provided 1.488 Ha of land with Factory Shed near Okpanam along Benin – Asaba Expressway as temporary location to ensure immediate take-off of the project; while the permanent factory location shall be on 10Ha of land at Delta State Rest Park.
Moreover, the State Government has approved the payment of 15% Subsidy on the price of each Auto Keke to de-risk the investment and to the benefit of Deltans.
DELTA WIRES INDUSTRIES LIMITED
Delta State Government has approved a Public Private Partnership (PPP) with Eastern Metals Ltd to establish an ultra-modern manufacturing facility for collated nails, screws, flats, channels and angles steel to be located at the Delta State free trade Zone. DTSG will take a 10% equity share and also provide 20 hectares of land required for the project at Kwale Industrial Free Trade Zone. When this project is fully operational, it would create employment for teeming youths andincrease the IGR of the State.
DIDA’S FACILITATING AND MARKETING ROLE – In addition to actively developing and promoting investments, the Agency also supports other MDAs in carrying out project evaluation and analysis which are peculiar to their functions such as the CBN Oil Palm programme, Lander Brothers Anchorage project Asabaand Delta State Leisure Park, Asaba. The Agency also assists in marketing projects like the Delta State Agro-industrial Park at Aboh-Ogwshi Uku and KwaleIndustrial Park, to investors.
ONE STOP SHOP AND BUSINESS FACILITATION – DIDA operates a One Stop Shop which enables the Agency to guide investors in obtaining reliable information, approvals as well as offering
services to investors when they have challenges with Security Agencies and all other sundry matters. Delta State has successfully inaugurated the Ease of Doing Business Reform Council in line with the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) namely;
His Excellency the Governor, Chairman
ii.Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Trade & Investments, Member
iii.Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Economic Planning, Member
iv.Head of Service, Member
v.Chief Economic Adviser, Member
vi.Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Member
vii.Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Lands & Surveys, Member
viii.Permanent Secretary and Solicitor-General, Ministry of Justice, Member
ix.Chairman Delta State Investments Development Agency (DIDA), Member
x.Chairman Delta State Board of Internal Revenue, Member
xi.Chief Registrar State High Court of Justice, Member
xii.President Delta State Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture
xiii.Director General Delta State Investments Development Agency, Member/Secretary
The Terms of Reference of the Ease of Doing Business Reform Council comprise the following;
i.Remove bureaucratic constraints, trade encumbrance to doing business and make Delta State a progressively easier place to start and grow a business.
ii.Strengthen the implementation of Business Environment Reforms and deepen collaboration among MDAs, using focal persons towards achieving Socio-Economic advancement.
iii.Ensure transparency and efficiency in the business environment through the strengthening of the State website with critical and quality information on Government laws, policies and programmes to aid Business Owners and Investors.
iv.Institute electronic filling of taxes and tax payment.
v.Establish specialized/small courts for quick resolution of Trade/Business Disputes.
vi.Ensure Delta State achieves performance in result areas and meet eligibility criteria to access the World Bank backed funds of the 3years State Action on Business Enabling Reform ProgrammeSABER and
vii.Constitute a Technical Committee consisting of SABER representatives from the listed World Bank disbursed linked indicators MDAs as contained in the eligibility criteria matrix.
The MDAs and their respective Focal Persons are listed below:
⮚ Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources
⮚ Ministry of Lands and Survey
⮚ Ministry of Transport
⮚ Delta State Board of Internal Revenue Service
⮚ Ministry of Trade and Investments
⮚ Ministry of Oil and Gas
⮚ Ministry of Energy
⮚ Delta State Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Dev. Agency
⮚ Ministry of Environment
⮚ Ministry of Justice
⮚ Bureau for Job and Wealth Creation.
⮚ Ministry of Works
⮚ Delta State Judiciary
REFORMS AND INCENTIVES TO IMPROVE EASE OF DOING BUSINESS IN DELTA STATE
More than ever before the Delta State Government has created the environment for improved Ease of Doing Business (EoDB). The improved business friendly conditions in the State are as a result of deliberate measures and policies in the various broad spheres of business environment viz;
i) Good governance and political stability as the State has become more peaceful
ii) Sound economic management
Promotion of Public Private Partnership (PPP)
iii) Central Billing System of Taxes and Levies etc.
iv) Delta State Security Committee under the Chairmanship of the State Governor- for curbing crime and guaranteeing security law and order for businesses
v) Delta State Anti-Kidnapping Law 2016 – to curb incidence of kidnapping.
vi) Delta State Public and Private Properties Protection Law popularly known as “Deve”- to curb the incessant harassment of property developers.
vii) Delta State Multi Door Court for business resolution disputes.
viii) Setting up of the Delta State Ease of Doing Business Council and assigning of focal persons from relevant Ministries Departments and Agencies etc.
Access to State Government facilities
ix) Intermediating between investors and the host communities.
x) Grant of waivers from payment of tenement rates, fees, levies and other charges for investors for up to 5years after commencement of business.
xi) Grant waivers regarding payment of charges and other related costs in respect of issuance of Certificate of Occupancy / Land Title documents to support investment partners in deserving cases.
xii) Helping investors with appropriate pool of man power resources etc.
Both the Chairman, Mr. Paul Nmah and the Director General, Olorogun Lucky Oghene-Omoru of the Delta State Investments Development Agency (DIDA) speaking about the activities of the Agency said;
“ the Agency has produced Investment Promotion documents to guide investors in determining their project preferences and packaging their investment(s).
“DIDA is also providing advisory services to Exporters in order to access the various lending windows available at CBN, NEXIM and other lending initiatives.
“The Agency is positioned to welcome investors into the State and provide the enabling environment forthem to invest in the State and grow their businesses.”
Governor of Yobe State, Hon. Mai Mala Buni has approved a N500 million Agricultural loan to 4,000 teachers across the State.
According to a statement on Thursday by the spokesman of the governor, Mallam Mamman Mohammed, the loan is to be distributed in two phases is to equip the teachers to prepare and participate in the 2023 cropping season effectively.
He disclosed that each of the 4,000 teachers is to receive the sum of N120,000 to engage in agricultural production.
The governor advised the beneficiaries to use the support judiciously for the intended purpose.
The facility which is to be granted by the Yobe Microfinance Bank, is to be redeemed within 24 months through the Yobe State Ministry of Finance and, the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
Dr. Sheriff Al-Muhajir, Managing Director of Yobe Microfinance Bank, said the project is at the final stage and would be provided before the commencement of the rainy season.
He said: “We are prepared and working on the last stage before the disbursement of the loan.
“Let me re-emphasize the position and advice by His Excellency Gov. Mai Mala Buni, CON, that the beneficiaries of this loan should use it effectively to promote food security and sufficiency” Al-Muhajir said.
The leadership of the Isoko Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), has congratulated Joel-Onowakpo Thomas on his victory as senator to represent Delta South Senatorial district in the fiercely contested election held on 25 February, 2023.
In a press statement signed by Comrade Mike Ilaya and Comrade Matthew Unyove, the Chapel Chairman and Secretary respectively, noted that Onowakpo’s purposeful aspiration to redirect politics in Delta state saw him navigating to victory from a diverse base of support across board in the senatorial district, which include Isoko, Ijaw, Itsekiri and part of Urhobo indigenes.
The statement added that “knowing the undisputable professional quality and capacity of Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, our Delta South Senatorial district has charted the right pact to development.”
It further stated that: “Joel-Onowakpo who is a grassroot person over the years garnering adequate and balanced experience from working both in the private and public sector thus has what it takes for an effective representation for our Senatorial District.”
The Isoko NUJ charged the Senator to “be magnanimous in victory by being equitable in the distribution of dividends to all the people of the Delta South Senatorial District without fear or favour” adding that the collective statement of people of the district should not be overlooked.
The ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) has published its inaugural Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Financing Framework, signalling its commitment to sustainable development and green financing of key projects in priority sectors.
The Framework, which has received a positive assessment from ISS Corporate Solutions, will play a crucial role in linking EBID’s resource mobilization strategy with its objectives of promoting resilient, inclusive, and sustainable growth in its member states.
A statement from the bank quoted it’s President and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Dr George Agyekum Donkor as saying: “We are thrilled to launch our ESG Financing Framework and receive this positive assessment from ISS ESG Solutions,” he added that: “EBID is committed to leading the charge for green financing in the ECOWAS region and fostering the emergence of an economically strong, industrialized, and prosperous West Africa. This Framework will allow us to structure and execute ESG-related funding transactions that support the deployment of capital outlined in our Strategic Plan 2021-2025.”
According to him, “EBID’s ESG Financing Framework includes four green project categories and seven social project categories, all of which have been assessed as generating a positive contribution to sustainability”, with no project categories assessed as having “no net impact” or having a lower assessment.
The ISS Second-Party Opinion, published alongside the Framework, highlights the Bank’s commitment to the Sustainability and Development Goals (SDGs) and its objectives of promoting economic integration, healthcare delivery, social protection, and climate resilience.
The publication of the ISS Second-Party Opinion demonstrates EBID’s commitment to sustainable development and provides greater transparency on the actions it is taking to foster sustainable growth in its member states. With its balance sheet size set to increase by 80% over the next five years, EBID is well-positioned to make a positive impact on the ECOWAS region and become the leading regional investment and development bank in West Africa.
Donkor said: “We are proud to play a role in supporting EBID’s ESG initiatives and the positive impact they will have on the ECOWAS region,” said ISS Corporate Solutions. “This Framework is a testament to EBID’s commitment to sustainable development and demonstrates their position as a leader in green financing in the region.”
The statement said EBID was advised by Rothschild & Co on the structuring of the Sustainable Finance Framework and on the Second Party Opinion review process.
EBID is a leading regional investment and development bank, owned by the fifteen (15) ECOWAS Member States, namely, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo. Based in Lomé, Togolese Republic, the Bank is committed to financing developmental projects and programmes covering diverse initiatives from infrastructure and basic amenities, rural development and environment, industry, and social services sectors, through its private and public sector windows. EBID intervenes through long, medium, and short-term loans, equity participation, lines of credit, refinancing, financial engineering operations and related services.
Delta State Investments Development Agency (DIDA) is an Investment Promotion Agency (IPA) which was established by Delta State Law in 2016 and started operations in 2017, The Agency is charged with the responsibility of attracting investors to Delta State through several Business Models comprising various types of Public Private Partnerships (PPP) including concessions.
DIDA carries out its investment promotion and marketing activities by creating awareness about the abundant investment opportunities in the State. DIDA performs four core functions: investment promotion of Delta State as a preferred investment destination, facilitating establishment of investments, project management and aftercare services.
DIDA does this by providing information about availability of raw materials and investment opportunities to investors; sectors where the state has comparative and competitive advantages, supporting useful statistical data and business information such as macroeconomic indicators (GNP, GDP, HDI, inflation, demographic information, labor productivity, average wages, attractive sectors of domestic economy; practical investment support like securing permits or completing other administrative obligations; and by administering the investment incentives in the State on behalf of Local and Foreign investors.
Delta State Investments Development Agency (DIDA) in consonance with the key objectives of an IPA was established by His Excellency Sen. Dr. IfeanyiOkowa’s administration with the primary objectives to identify, promote, coordinate, regulate and implement Investment Projects and concessions in the State. Its operational strategy is hinged on harnessing available natural resources based comparative advantage to promote inflow of investments, diversify the economy away from over-dependence on petroleum revenues, generate employment and create wealth in line with the SMART Agenda and the achievement of the Stronger Delta Policy of the present administration
The Agency has since inception been at the forefront of promoting and facilitating both Foreign and Domestic Direct Investments based on public private partnership business model in consonance with the mandate establishing it.
The following are among the key projects facilitated by the Agency:
BURUTU PORT, BURUTU –involves the development of the Port in three phases at the total cost of US$2.037million. The first phase comprises the development of the existing port costing US$ 68.2 million leading ultimately to the third Phase which involves the construction of an Inter-Continental Trans-shipment Port with the depth of 23 metres. Delta State Government has 5% equity stake in the Project which is planned to transform Burutu Port to become the trans-shipment centre for West and South West Africa as well as the hub of Nigeria’s Import – Export Trade involving the Outside World, South-South, Eastern and Northern Nigeria.
DIDA Management visit to the Burutu Port, Burutu
ASABA ULTRA-MODERN MECHANIC VILLAGE AND AUTO PARTS, ASABA – the project was developed under PPP at the cost of N3.0 billion.
It has a total of 1,000 lock up stores and 200 mechanic workshops.
The Asaba Ultra Mordern Mechanic Village and Auto Part, Asaba
VIRTUAL GAS-POWER GAS, EBEDEI – was attracted to invest in Delta State to utilize the abundant natural gas available at Platform Petroleum to produce compressed natural gas (CNG) at the total project cost of US$20.0 million, construction works have since been 100% completed and the project has gone into full production. It is private sector driven.
DIDA Management visit to Virtual Gas-Power Gas, Ebedei
NEW TANKERS PARK AT EKPAN, UVWIE LGA – Is being constructed under PPP arrangement at the cost of N5.0 billion and project has achieved over 60% completion.
PHASE 2 OGBEOGONOGO MODERN MARKET, ASABA – involves the development of an ultra-modern market at the Asaba City Centre at the cost of about N4 billion and the project is nearing completion. It has a total of 1,000 lock up stores.
Phase 2 Ogbeogonogo Modern Market, Asaba
DELTA SONGHAI AMUKPE – The State government has concluded the negotiation to partner with investors, Adventium Global Inc. to fund and manage the farm in order to achieve the aims and objectives of setting up the facility as well as developing the Farm to become a successful Agribusiness Centre. The PPP arrangement involves the capital injection of about US$40.0 Million.
Delta Songhai Amukpe
DELFRASCO INDUSTRY LIMITED, ISSELE-UKU – involves the establishment of a Tower Manufacturing, Fabrication, Hot Deep Galvanizing, Research Testing and Training Centre at the total cost of about US$$40.0 million. Delta State government is de-risking the project by taking up 12.5% equity and has commenced disbursement of funds following the Ground Breaking ceremony of the project and work has commenced at the project site situated at Issele-Uku in Aniocha North L.G.A.
Delfrasco Industry Limited Tower Maufacturing Plant, Issele-Uku
FLNG PROJECT IN DELTA STATE – is being promoted by UTM Offshore Limited and involves the production of Liquefied Natural Gas aboard a Floating Vessel (FLNG) with the capacity of 1.5mmtpa at the setup cost of US$1.7billion which is being funded by mixture of debt and equity. The project’s operational Headquarters shall be in Delta State with the State taking up 5% equity alongside many notable other investors comprising, Vitol, NNPC, etc in addition to debt finance through Afrexim.
DIDA Management Visit to the Flng Corporate Headquarters in Warri
DELTA REST PARK, UMUNEDE /EMUHU – Apart from the Trailer Park, there are many other planned businesses such as Hotels, Restaurants, Small Scale Industrial Clusters, Warehouses, Motor Vehicle Spare Parts Shops, Mechanic service bays, Fuel stations, etc. on land measuring over 176Ha. Delta State Government has executed an MOU to enable the Anchor Investor to commence the construction of the Trailer Park at the cost of N4.0 billion under Concession arrangement.
STALLION AUTO KEKE MANUFACTURING PLANT IN DELTA STATE – Delta State Government has approved the proposal by Stallion Group to establish an Auto Keke Manufacturing Plant in the State on PPP basis at the cost of 5billion Naira and the construction work in the Plant is on-going in the State. As incentive for Stallion Group to locate their Plant in the State, the State Government has provided 1.488 Ha of land with Factory Shed near Okpanam along Benin – Asaba Expressway as temporary location to ensure immediate take-off of the project; while the permanent factory location shall be on 10Ha of land at Delta State Rest Park. Moreover, the State Government has approved the payment of 15% Subsidy on the price of each Auto Keke to de-risk the investment and to the benefit of Deltans.
DELTA WIRES INDUSTRIES LIMITED
Delta State Government has approved a Public Private Partnership (PPP) with Eastern Metals Ltd to establish an ultra-modern manufacturing facility for collated nails, screws, flats, channels and angles steel to be located at the Delta State free trade Zone. DTSG will take a 10% equity share and also provide 20 hectares of land required for the project at Kwale Industrial Free Trade Zone. When this project is fully operational, it would create employment for teeming youths andincrease the IGR of the State.
DIDA’S FACILITATING AND MARKETING ROLE – In addition to actively developing and promoting investments, the Agency also supports other MDAs in carrying out project evaluation and analysis which are peculiar to their functions such as the CBN Oil Palm programme, Lander Brothers Anchorage project Asabaand Delta State Leisure Park, Asaba. The Agency also assists in marketing projects like the Delta State Agro-industrial Park at Aboh-Ogwshi Uku and KwaleIndustrial Park, to investors.
ONE STOP SHOP AND BUSINESS FACILITATION – DIDA operates a One Stop Shop which enables the Agency to guide investors in obtaining reliable information, approvals as well as offering services to investors when they have challenges with Security Agencies and all other sundry matters. Delta State has successfully inaugurated the Ease of Doing Business Reform Council in line with the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) namely;
His Excellency the Governor, Chairman
ii.Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Trade & Investments, Member
iii.Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Economic Planning, Member
iv.Head of Service, Member
v.Chief Economic Adviser, Member
vi.Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Member
vii.Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Lands & Surveys, Member
viii.Permanent Secretary and Solicitor-General, Ministry of Justice, Member
ix.Chairman Delta State Investments Development Agency (DIDA), Member
x.Chairman Delta State Board of Internal Revenue, Member
xi.Chief Registrar State High Court of Justice, Member
xii.President Delta State Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture
xiii.Director General Delta State Investments Development Agency, Member/Secretary
The Terms of Reference of the Ease of Doing Business Reform Council comprise the following;
i.Remove bureaucratic constraints, trade encumbrance to doing business and make Delta State a progressively easier place to start and grow a business.
ii.Strengthen the implementation of Business Environment Reforms and deepen collaboration among MDAs, using focal persons towards achieving Socio-Economic advancement.
iii.Ensure transparency and efficiency in the business environment through the strengthening of the State website with critical and quality information on Government laws, policies and programmes to aid Business Owners and Investors.
iv.Institute electronic filling of taxes and tax payment.
v.Establish specialized/small courts for quick resolution of Trade/Business Disputes.
vi.Ensure Delta State achieves performance in result areas and meet eligibility criteria to access the World Bank backed funds of the 3years State Action on Business Enabling Reform ProgrammeSABER and
vii.Constitute a Technical Committee consisting of SABER representatives from the listed World Bank disbursed linked indicators MDAs as contained in the eligibility criteria matrix.
The MDAs and their respective Focal Persons are listed below:
⮚ Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources
⮚ Ministry of Lands and Survey
⮚ Ministry of Transport
⮚ Delta State Board of Internal Revenue Service
⮚ Ministry of Trade and Investments
⮚ Ministry of Oil and Gas
⮚ Ministry of Energy
⮚ Delta State Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Dev. Agency
⮚ Ministry of Environment
⮚ Ministry of Justice
⮚ Bureau for Job and Wealth Creation.
⮚ Ministry of Works
⮚ Delta State Judiciary
REFORMS AND INCENTIVES TO IMPROVE EASE OF DOING BUSINESS IN DELTA STATE
More than ever before the Delta State Government has created the environment for improved Ease of Doing Business (EoDB). The improved business friendly conditions in the State are as a result of deliberate measures and policies in the various broad spheres of business environment viz;
i) Good governance and political stability as the State has become more peaceful
ii) Sound economic management
Promotion of Public Private Partnership (PPP)
iii) Central Billing System of Taxes and Levies etc.
iv) Delta State Security Committee under the Chairmanship of the State Governor- for curbing crime and guaranteeing security law and order for businesses
v) Delta State Anti-Kidnapping Law 2016 – to curb incidence of kidnapping.
vi) Delta State Public and Private Properties Protection Law popularly known as “Deve”- to curb the incessant harassment of property developers.
vii) Delta State Multi Door Court for business resolution disputes.
viii) Setting up of the Delta State Ease of Doing Business Council and assigning of focal persons from relevant Ministries Departments and Agencies etc.
Access to State Government facilities
ix) Intermediating between investors and the host communities.
x) Grant of waivers from payment of tenement rates, fees, levies and other charges for investors for up to 5years after commencement of business.
xi) Grant waivers regarding payment of charges and other related costs in respect of issuance of Certificate of Occupancy / Land Title documents to support investment partners in deserving cases.
xii) Helping investors with appropriate pool of man power resources etc.
Both the Chairman, Mr. Paul Nmah and the Director General, Olorogun Lucky Oghene-Omoru of the Delta State Investments Development Agency (DIDA) speaking about the activities of the Agency said;
“ the Agency has produced Investment Promotion documents to guide investors in determining their project preferences and packaging their investment(s).
“DIDA is also providing advisory services to Exporters in order to access the various lending windows available at CBN, NEXIM and other lending initiatives.
“The Agency is positioned to welcome investors into the State and provide the enabling environment forthem to invest in the State and grow their businesses.”.
Sylvester Iloba is a Public Relations Officer at DIDA.
Let’s give it to them, the youths who saw tomorrow. In a country where the outcome of an election is determined by those who count and collate results and not the voters themselves, nobody gave them the chance.
Everyone who voted for Peter Obi and his Labour Party is a winner and should henceforth chin up, chest out and step out with a gait reminiscent of a victor because nobody gave you the chance.
From being dismissed as just four helpless youths tweeting from a room, you have demonstrated capacity, resilience and determination to turn the tide against retrogressive forces of oppression even in places angels dread to trend.
The struggle has just begun. From your much-publicised “structurelessness”, you have built a structure in the mind of Nigerians, especially the youths that the old cyclical elites are not invincible after all. This is a solid foundation to build upon in years to come beginning from now.
The battle for the soul of Nigeria lies in your hands. Those energetic hands they couldn’t subdue but suffocated in Lagos, Plateau, Nassarrawa, Edo, Delta and the South East. So many jinxes and mental strongholds were broken and overthrown by your relentless effort to prove that a new Nigeria is possible.
The truth and the whole truth will soon be unfolded about the real fight with the beasts in the jungle: the voting, the unvoting, the overvoting, the ballot box destruction and snatching, the manipulation of results, the tribal and religious tantrum, the intimidation and threats. And above all, the BIVAS debacle.
All of these were not unexpected, except that the magnitude was overwhelming. The compromises were from strange quarters and the Octopus saddled with the responsibility of a smoother sail couldn’t be trusted to deliver after gulping a financial budget that equals one-quarter of the entire budget of Ghana.
Back to the youths and patriotic Nigerians who took our legendary pain upon themselves to demand a change, I say kudos once again. The struggle has just begun. They will never forget Papa, Mama and Pickin!
Austen Akhagbeme is a Columnist with Blank NEWS Online
Reports on the 2023 general elections says that as at nine twenty-three on Saturday morning accreditation of voters and voting is yet to commence in polling unit 019 at Igwebuike Grammar School, Awka.
As at the time of this report, there were no INEC officials and election materials at the polling unit.
Many eligible voters who came to exercise their franchise were seen waiting patiently for the commencement of the exercise.
In his reaction, Mr. John Okonkwo who told our correspondent that he came to the polling unit at seven-thirty in the morning to cast his ballot regretted that nothing is happening there but maintained that he will wait until voting starts to enable him vote for candidates of his choice.
Another eligible voter, Maryrose Chukwuka who said that she had waited for about two hours, called on the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC to fulfill its constitutional responsibilities to the Nation by starting the exercise to enable her to exercise her franchise.
At Nanka ward one and two in Orumba North Local Government Area there was a report of late arrival of INEC officials and materials.
Speaking to our correspondent on the development, a community leader in the area, Chief Emeka Ezenwa said that INEC officials arrived at the area with materials around twelve noon for the exercise which was supposed to commence by half past eight in the morning.
Chief Ezenwa who said that the exercise in the area is peaceful and orderly called on Nigerians to pray for the emergency of God-fearing leaders that will improve the living standards of the people.
There were reports of non-functioning of BIVAS machine in some polling centers across the State.
Meanwhile, a former Senator that represented Anambra Central Senatorial District, Senator Ben Ndi-Obi has adjudged Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections as peaceful.
Senator Ndi-Obi who spoke to Journalists after casting his vote in polling unit 007 at Oye Market Square, Umuogbu Awka observed that the exercise went on peacefully without rancour.
He commended the level of professionalism put in place by INEC officials and security agencies at the pooling unit and expressed the hope that the result of the elections will reflect the people’s wish.
Senator Ndi-Obi said even though voting started around 12:15pm in the area, the exercise went on seamlessly and commended the massive turnout of eligible voters during the exercise.
2023 ELECTIONS: Senator James Manager, Hon. Nicholas Ebomo Mutu , Hon. Oboro Preyor, Barr. Newworld Safugha and Others of Bomadi LGA urges Nigerians to take it easy and behave in the manner in the Presidential and National Assemblies elections that would promote the course of democratic process in the Country, saying every Election, a winner will certainly emerged.
Speaking by phone interview from their various Communities , they asked Nigerians to display maturity by peacefully voting the person of their choice , and that, elections were not do or die affairs.
They pointed out that their vote would determine what will become of the Country.
They commended the three tiers of government and agencies working for Nigerians in unionism, welled organized and prepared election that brought electoral materials to the units of various wards.
According to them, the elections were peaceful and well conducted. They expressed satisfaction, saying the people’s wishes should prevail.
Officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have stormed the home and polling unit of the presidential candidate of Labour Party, LP, Mr. Peter Obi.
The officials who came in an unmarked white Toyota Hiace Bus arrived Obi’s house, but the candidate was absent. They proceeded to Amatutu ward two, polling unit 019 at exactly 10:25am.
They however declined interview from journalists.
The leader of the team had a brief chat with the leadership of INEC in the unit, urging him to call the commission’s helpline if they sought help of any kind.
The leader also had a brief chat with Obi who was coming back from what our correspondent learnt was a tour of the village.
The team has however left the polling unit, promising to come back soon.
Mr. Obi is still being expected at his Amatutu ward two, polling unit 019, where he will cast his vote.
The 2023 conduct of election in Isoko South and North local government area of Delta State, has been adjudged to be the most peaceful as electorates turned out en mass and voted for the candidates of their choice.
Situation reports while monitoring the elections in some communities of Isoko South and North local government areas revealed that the people came out massively to exercise their franchise with the determination of changing the narrative with the power of their permanent voter’s cards.
In most of the wards and units visited in the area, material’s for the election arrived late, just as voting commenced at between 10.30am and 11.am respectfully.
At Irri Ward 11 unit 16 hon. Dickson Ebegbare, candidate for Federal House of Representatives under Social Democratic Party voted at 11.am and commended INEC for the BIVAS machines that worked perfectly.
At Oyede Ward 12 unit 5, the chairman of Isoko North local government area, hon. Christian Iteire, commended the electorates that were at the polling unit before 8.am and endured late arrival of materials, even as voting commenced at 11.am
He disclosed that the anxiety created tension as the people were under the sun, but was later resolved and commended the massive turnout of electorates in the area.
Speaking to Journalists at Eni primary school Uzere, Isoko South local government area Ward 4, the M.D / C.E.O of DESOPADEC Odio Bashorun Askia Ogieh, condemned skirmishes that disrupted election at Enwhe community, noting that the era of fighting and ballot snatching is over.
He urged the people to be peaceful, hopeful, steadfast and be determined to bring out peaceful electoral process that will enable government at all levels reset the country.
However, at Otor – Igho Ward 13 unit 3, the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party for Federal House of Representatives, Pst. Engr. Jonathan Ukodhiko and the chairman of the party in Isoko North local government area, Dcn. Godwin Ogorugba, urged INEC to improve on the BIVAS machines and manpower as one electorate was accredited for about 6 minutes before voting, which left the people frustrated in long queues under the sun.
They commended the massive turnout of the people and the determination to elect good leaders, just as they expect improvement in the governorship and state assembly elections.
Other areas visited were Emede Ward 5, Oleh Ward 1 and 2, Ivrogbo Irri Ward 11 and Irri Ward 10 among others.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have stormed the Ujiogba Forest Reserve in Esan West local government area of Edo State where they destroyed 7,286 kilogrammes (72.86 tons) of warehoused skunk and five hectares of its plantation.
A statement on Thursday by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi said the special operation was carried out on Wednesday following credible intelligence that some cartels had warehoused hundreds of jumbo bags of the illicit substance inside the thick forest of the reserve for distribution to some states ahead of the general elections.
He revealed that the operation could however not go on immediately until after several road blocks set up by armed guards of the drug lords were cleared and they were overpowered by the superior firepower of Strike Force officers of the agency in a gun duel.
He noted that after the initial resistance, two rifles, spent cartridges of short guns and an empty shell of AK47 rifle were recovered while a 24-year-old suspect, Calvary Essien, was arrested.
He said that after the gun fight, the NDLEA operatives in their numbers successfully descended on a big warehouse constructed with wood and zinc containing: 100 jumbo bags of cannabis sativa weighing 3.2 tons; 5,000 bags of cannabis weighing 65 tons; and 137 bags of cannabis seeds weighing 4.66 tons, totaling 72.86 tons.
He further revealed that seven bags of cannabis and one bag of its seeds were subsequently taken out of the warehouse for further investigation and prosecution of suspects while the rest was set ablaze.
Babafemi said: “This is coming on the heels of a similar operation on Wednesday 18th January in the Opuje forest in Owan West Local Government Area of the state where massive warehouses and tents storing over 317,417 kilograms (317.4 metric tons) of the psychoactive substance were destroyed and set ablaze in a two-day operation.”
He said a police impersonator, Omoruan Theophilus, 37, who was parading as a Police Inspector to convey the drugs from the forests to the cities and three others: Aigberuan Jacob, 42; Ekeinde Anthony, 53, and Naomi Patience, 42, were arrested in connection with the drugs.
Meanwhile, in his reaction to the latest operation in Ujiogba forest, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) commended all the officers involved in the effort and all the almost 10,000 officers, men and women deployed across the country in the pre-election renewed offensive action to clear every part of the country of illicit substances for use by thugs and miscreants before, during and after the elections.
He said taking the battle to the doorsteps of the cartels deep in the forests is to attack the menace of drug supply from the source and to also send the right message to the barons that there is no safe haven for them and their investments anywhere in Nigeria.
ASABA/Nigeria: Nigerians, especially Deltans have been called see the forthcoming elections in the country, especially the presidential election as that of one family, and they need to conduct themselves with dignity, love and peace, during and after the election.
The Delta Online Publishers Forum, DOPF made this call in a statement signed by the Chairman, Emmanuel Enebeli, and the Secretary, Shedrack Onitsha, on Thursday, February 23, 2023 in Asaba.
The statement reminded Nigerians, especially Deltans of past elections, which was mared with violence, stating that should not be, and warning that the war of wards that had trailed the campaigns is not necessary.
“In a few days, on February 25, 2023, the General Election will begin, which will usher in a new president, Governors of some states, and representatives at the national and state assemblies.”
“We are cognizant of our past, and especially the profound effects of the violent aftermath of past elections, the chaos and violence that characterized the recent political party campaigns. We must not take this into the elections.”
“We urge our political leaders to desist from inflammatory utterances that could incite fellow citizens during and after the election. Political parties and party leaders must control the conduct of their supporters, at the polling stations to avoid any crises.”
“And as Nigerians, we call on every electorate to conduct themselves with dignity, peace and love. We are brothers and sisters. We are all Nigerians before the elections, and we will remain Nigerians after the elections. Let us go to the poll, and cast our votes for a better and strong nation, Nigeria.”
“Vote consciously to secure the future of our country. While important, opinion polls should not be taken as conclusive indicators of the election results. It is only your vote that counts. Vote!”
While pointing out the importance of election in the country and in Delta, it reminded the youths of their place in nation development, and admonished them not to be used as political tools during and after the elcetions.
“The youth hold the future of this country. This is the time to make a difference by choosing the right leaders. You must desist from being used as political tools of violence against each other. We urge you to preach peace and influence positive change for our country.”
“Elections are important for our state Delta and the nation is bigger than each of us. There will be Nigeria after February 25, 2023, and March 11, 2023. Let peace reign in every heart, in every homestead and in every corner of our country.”
