-Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA) –From Michael EKOKORUWE:
Isoko Development Union (IDU), apex social cultural organization of Isoko nation at the weekend, elected new executive with Professor Christopher Akpotu emerging the President General of the Union.
The election was held at the National Secretariat, Oleh, Isoko South local government area, amidst commendations to Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, governor of Delta State for infrastructural development in both Isoko South and North local government areas of the state.
The election which was part of the December 2020 conference of I.D.U, also have Prince Desmond Ogbaudu as 1st vice President General, Chief Dan Odhomor, 2nd Vice President General, Dr. Felix Iyomaterie as Secretary General while Dr. Mathias Jarikre is 1st Assistant Secretary General and Chief Denis Akwakwa, 2nd Assistant Secretary General.
Others are Chief Jubilant Igelige as Publicity Secretary, Mr. Edward Obobolor Treasurer, Sir. Patrick Omoduvie, Social Secretary, Chief ThankGod Oboyano, Assistant Social Secretary, Mr. Fredrick Efe, Financial Secretary and Mr. Oghenevo Joseph as Assistant Financial Secretary.
Speaking after the inuaguration, Professor Akpotu promised to consolidate on the achievements of the out gone executive, saying “Exactly, that is the direction we are going”.
“We pray that God will always give us the sense of vision to be able to meet the expectations of the people. As much as possible, we are already ignited for action.”
Earlier, the former President General, High Chief Iduh Amadhe said, “We have successfully moved the ship of our nationality to shore. The facts are lucid and empirically observable, therefore, without any feeling of hesitation and iota of skepticism, we are bold to say we have fought a good fight.”
Amadhe reiterated the need for the people to be at peace with one another and demonstrate love. He urged the new I.D.U executive to unit the people and ensure that peace reigns in Isoko land.
He commended Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa for all efforts towards the development of the National Secretariat and stressed the need for sustainability, just as he expressed confidence in the new elected executive of Isoko Development Union.
He urged the elected executive to consolidate on the infrastructural development of Isoko Nation, and called other ethnic Nationalities to speak with one voice, united and cooperate with Governor Okowa for the good of Delta State.
In attendance were the two local government chairmen of Isoko South and North, Sir Itiako Ikpokpo and Hon. Emmanuel Egbabor, High Chief Denis Etaluku, Hon. Eta Enahoro, Presidents General from Isoko communities, delegates from across Delta State and Nigeria, traditional rulers and clergymen from various Isoko communities amongst others.
The Bishop of the catholic Diocese Sokoto, Rev Mathew Hassan Kukah is not one that needs an introduction. His fiery mien, speaks of a unique Clergyman, with a heart for service and a concern for the people’s welfare.
His recent Christmas day Homily has brought to his doorstep, public uproar, opprobrium, applause, attention and hatred all mixed together in one whole swoop.
The most remarkable thing about these tirades, (either from Bishop Kukah himself, against the establishment or vice-versa) is the need to reinvent patriotism, rebrand Nationalism from the present myopia of state sponsored propaganda masquerading as true Patriotism.
Let us dispassionately peep into and analyse the controversial homily and see whether or not Bishop Kukah was saying anything new from what we all know or bringing into the already knotty national issues, new esoteric dimensions to the Nigerian dilemma.
I’m still searching for what the Bishop didn’t say that is embedded in what he has said, that probably may be responsible for these massive uproar. Or could the problem be that of wrong timing, like what Obasanjo did in the eighties, by choosing to launch his controversial book about his bossom friend titled “Nzeogwu” in the very day of the anniversary of the murder of Sir Ahmadu Bello?
One of the Bishop’s major point was the reign of Nepotism aimed at consolidating a Northern hegemony–a skewed leadership formula that favours the north. But these are everyday observations that we’ve come to live with even though they’re sometimes exaggerated flippantly to ruffle political feathers.
Concerning the problem of insecurity in the north, the Bishop has not said anything more “vulgar” than what the Sultan of Sokoto has been saying. Why can’t the Presidential attack dogs face the highly esteemed Sultan? Are we not all aware of the fact that “the roads to the graveyards have become busier than the roads to the farms” in Northern Nigeria?
It is good for us to take a trip down the memory lane and quickly recollect that the reasons some past military adventurers gave, to justify their unwanted interregnum are not different from what the ebullient Bishop referred to in his homily.
It is high time we differentiate the true meaning of Patriotism from the deceptive powers of Propaganda. In Nigeria, especially in recent times, when any public opinion disfavour the establishment, it is assumed to be unpatriotic and capable of putting a knife to the cords that binds us together.
But to embellish the truth in praise- singing while speaking glowingly about the establishment, even in the midst of daunting National challenges orchestrated by the concomitant failure of leadership, it is often dubbed Patriotism. Therefore, those who took us to golgotha have become the patriots while those who accused them of wrongdoing are the propagandists and haters of Nigeria.
All of a sudden, the revered clergyman who fought assiduously for the emergence of the present Drivers, through the same public and pulpit activism has become the unwanted rebel. This is most unkind, given the antecedents of the cerebral and outspoken priest, in our fight for an egalitarian society.
In a society where the norms have become the exception, what you get is state sycophancy and citizenship delusion. The story of the fight to enthrone Democracy in Nigeria cannot be told without a page or a footnote dedicated to the Most Reverend Hassan Mathew Kukah. Majoritarian rule and participatory democracy presupposes the freedom of speech. Let us allow the Clergyman to enjoy the yuletide season in peace.
Austen AKHAGBEME is a Columnist with Blank NEWS Online
-Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA) –From Mike SOGBOLO/Chief Of Bureau (NORTH-EAST):
Suspected Boko Haram members have looted and destroyed four communities in troubled Borno State.
Three persons, two local hunters and a civilian were killed during the attack on the four communities: Tashan Alade, Shafa, Azare, Sabon-Kasuwa and Debro, all in Southern Borno in a massive invasion by insurgents on Saturday.
The insurgents, which took several hours in the attack which looked well planned attacked schools, shops and places of worship, razing them down.
Thousands of bags of farm products recently harvested by farmers, were alleged to have been looted by the insurgents who also emptied shops and market stalls.
All these details were told Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum on Sunday morning during his visit to the affected communities.
The governor have had to cut short his visit to Abuja to return back to Maiduguri and arrival took a military chopper to the affected communities attacked by Boko Haram on Saturday.
All the communities are in Hawul local government area in the southern portion of the state, which used to be relatively safe to attacks from the insurgents.
Zulum, according to his spokesman, Mallam Isa Gusau had traveled from Maiduguri to Katsina and Abuja on Thursday, for series of scheduled activities, which he had to cut short Saturday’s following the attack.
A statement by the governor’s spokesman revealed that four communities: Tashan Alade, Shafa, Azare, Sabon-Kasuwa and Debro were attacked on Saturday by the insurgents.
The statement also revealed that schools, shops and places of worship destroyed by the insurgents with three persons killed in Shafa, among them two hunters and a civilian.
It also said thousands of bags of farm products recently harvested by farmers were looted by the insurgents who also emptied shops and market stalls.
Gusau said his boss was in Yimirshika, Azare, Sabon-Kasuwa and Shafa, where he inspected all destroyed property and ordered immediate reconstruction of property that include police station, market stalls and others.
The statement said: “In Shafa, Zulum ordered the provision of six patrol vehicles and other components to strengthen local security network in the community. Also in Yamirshika, Zulum directed the provision of surveillance vehicles to hunters and vigilantes.”
He said the governor addressed “terrified residents who returned to Yamirshika town earlier Saturday, after attempts by insurgents on the town, was repelled.”
The governor was quoted to have told the people that: “We departed Abuja to Maiduguri this morning, and we are here to show our sympathy and to stand with all of you, our brothers in Hawul, over the sad incident, yesterday (Saturday). I have been fully briefed and I have seen things myself, insha’Allah, we will strengthen security here and in all places. We will as soon as possible, make available all your requirements based on my interaction with security stakeholders and community leaders. We will rehabilitate the Police station, the shops and all other infrastructures destroyed yesterday.”
The governor said he always feel bad going to commiserate after attacks because he feels that government has failed in perhaps it’s major role as protection of lives and property is government’s first priority.
He said: “As enshrined in section 14, 2b of the 1999 constitution, security of lives and property remain the cardinal objective of any government, we know this and we are doing everything within our powers to provide security and ensure the welfare of citizens. We will neither relent nor shy away from our responsibilities, we shall remain resilient and focused in our search for peace in Borno.”
Zulum, while later addressing journalists, said his visit to the affected communities was to strengthen community resilience and provide support to local volunteers supporting the security agencies in restoring peace.
He was accompanied to Hawul communities by the Deputy Governor, Umar Kadafur, former Deputy Governor, Usman Durkwa, Senator representing Southern Borno, Ali Ndume, Commissioners for Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement and Agriculture, Engr. Mustapha Gubio and Engr Bukar Talba, respectively.
-Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA) –From Mike SOGBOLO/North-East Bureau:
Twenty two thousand, five hundred and fifty six ghost workers have been unearthed in Borno State.
This was the finding after two simultaneous verification exercises ordered by Borno State Governor, Prof Babagana Zulum.
The number of ghost workers were contained in separate reports presented on Wednesday to the governor by the committee on local government staff verification chaired by Senator Kaka Malam Yale and another on primary school teachers chaired by Dr Shettima Kullima.
The findings revealed that 14,762 ghost workers were within the local government pay system, while 7,794 ghost teachers were also identified.
A total figure of over N420 million was saved according to the data presented to the Governor. The amount came from about N183.6 million recovered in bogus teachers salary while another N237 million was recovered from ghost local government staff.
In one of the two report presentations, chairman of the Primary School Teachers verification committee, Dr. Shettima Kullima explained that the total number of primary school teachers in the 27 local government areas was 26,450 before the verification. He noted that 24,250 teachers took part in the exercise while about 2,204 did not appear before the committee.
The Chairman further said, the total gross salary of the teachers before the verification was N693 million while the figure had now reduced to N509 million after 18,656 staff were cleared for biometric data capture, which led to the saving of N183 million.
In the other presentation, Senator Kaka Malam Yale who chaired the committee for local government staff verification, said, at the end of the exercise, number of staff dropped from 71,568 to 56,806, with salary dropping from N1.1 billion to N965 million being the new salary for the 27 local government areas.
After receiving both reports, Governor Babagana Zulum said the verification exercise along several other measures were taken to make the local government a veritable tool for local transformation.
Zulum also said the primary school teachers verification was aimed at improving the standards of education, noting that his administration attached high priority to primary education.
The Governor also said his administration will ensure provision of teaching aids, motivation of teachers through the provision of housing facilities, improve their welfare by rewarding hardworking and exceptional teachers.
Zulum commended donor agencies, particularly, the World Bank, UNICEF, UNDP etc for collabration to improve the standard of education in Borno.
Zulum also said his administration will continue to provide education grants to orphans and the children of the less privileged in communities, while scholarship will be approved in due time for students within and outside the state.
Zulum commended both committees for working tirelessly in discharging their duties. However, the committee for local government verification was extended by two weeks to make recommendations on some of the issues raised in their report.
Verification of workers in Borno began in 2013 during which thousands of ghost workers were found. Zulum concluded the exercise at the state civil service level before extending to local government and basic teaching services.
The dying ember of 2020 is a reminder of fiction taking the shape of reality. It was simply imagination mingling with memory invoking the imagery of doomsday scenario, which according to biblical scholars shall mark the end of the world.
I am talking about the almighty coronavirus otherwise christen COVID 19. It originated in China and some scientists speak of man invading the domain of the animals and disease peculiar to animals jumping to human being. As I write this piece, the second wave of COVID 19 is still strangulating the world. Despite the best health facilities of Europe and America, thousands of people have been sent to their early graves. It is one disease that made everybody in the world, a prisoner. Countries are in strict lockdown and nobody is allowed to go to work or catch fun. It is as serious as that. It merely showed the nothingness of man and that we are at the mercy of nature.
The relevance of COVID 19 is that the world is really a global village and that with the advancement of science and technology, nobody is immune from any development in any part of the world, whether good or bad. However, nature smiled on Africa and Africans were in a way saved from the ravages of COVID 19. Western scholars and scientists predicted that should coronavirus hit Africa, that dead bodies would be collected from the streets. The gods of Africa proved such people wrong and that is why those infested in Europe and America are in millions, which of Africa are in thousands. In a similar breadth, the casualties in Europe and America are in thousands while those of Africa are in hundreds. Anybody who says that our ancestors and gods are not working should better show me evidence. As a layman, I would rather explain the good fortunes of Africa in the province that our DNA is stronger than those of Europeans, Americans and Asians. Furthermore, we are used to malaria and that coronavirus is a step higher than malaria. What logic, you may say.
The year in Nigeria shattered the respect of police in the eyes of the public. The youths mobilized, using the social media and demonstrated in the streets bringing to the fore the atrocities of the police. The EndSARS protest was a statement that the police were not really protecting the people but as agents of oppression and intimidation. It grounded the country to a halt and government agreed to listen to their grievances. That is the power of youth and they should use that same power to occupy the political space. They should form their own political parties because in deed and in truth, this country and the future belong to them. The youths should stopped been used as thugs and political messengers getting the crumbs of power. They have the ability and numerical strength to occupy the political space and show the country the direction it should go.
2020 is a year that demonstrated in clear terms that an employee can be greater than the employer. For nine months, the university lecturers abandoned the classrooms and yet were getting their salaries. Universities owned by the Federal Government and Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) were insisting on the mode of payment and other sundry issues. Let me make one point clear. I am a product of three universities and I value the university lecturers. But what incensed me is for the university lecturers in one breadth to talk of university autonomy and in another breadth are talking about national association of universities. It is high time government looked in that direction and corrects the mistake. Even in the advanced countries, there are lecturers and there are lecturers. And this nonsense of equal salaries across the board for lecturers must stop. Those in the federal Ministry of Education must put on their thinking cap and cure this disease once and for all. Those who are not ready to lecture should leave. Enough of ASUU strike.
In 2020, my dear country is inching towards a failed state. All the indices of a failed state are very visible. Non- state actors are those controlling the security of the nation. Farmers could be killed in the farms and secondary students in the neighborhood of 335 could be kidnapped. Armed bandits, kidnappers, Boko Haram terrorists are having a free rein and nowhere is safe in Nigeria. Let me remind those in government that the chief aims of governance are the security and welfare of the citizens. Nigerians are no longer secured and the police, the army and other security agents are at their wits end and could not device means of curbing insecurity. All the pleas by members of National Assembly and other well-meaning Nigerians to change the security structures are falling on deaf ears. I begin to suspect that those close to the president are not giving the correct information about the security situation to him. As for the welfare of the people, many of my compatriots go to bed on empty stomachs. There are many homeless people and thousands of university graduates who are just wasting away. The other day, the man who carried me on okada, happened to be a first class graduate from one of the best universities in the country. Why a skilled man and highly educated person should be doing an unskilled job. Nigeria is now the home of the world poorest people despite the abundant resources that we are blessed with. There is simply leadership deficit.
Let me end this political epistle cum lamentation with my people. The Isoko people of Delta State are becoming disgrace to themselves. Instead of unity, Isoko people are interested in useless conflicts because of land. There was conflict between Ozoro and Oleh, the headquarters of Isoko North and Isoko South LGA respectively. The cause was land, yet these people failed to realize that one day, the land will swallow them, an echo of biblical dust you are and to dust you return. As dust was settling on the Ozoro and Oleh crisis, Emede and Igbide were involved in crisis to the point that some insane youths were dancing with human heads. The shame is that of all of us who have Isoko ancestry. This is the era of computer, artificial intelligence and the use of brains. People are thinking of how to conquer space, we the Isokos are fighting over land where mechanized farming is not done. All the same, High Chief Iduh Amadhe should continue with his trouble shooting efforts, I pray that God (our ancestors and gods) shall crown his efforts with success and remove the badge of shame from Isoko where the political leaders are just apologetically disappointing.
All the same, with six days to the end of the year, I wish you Merry Xmas and Happy New Year.
Julius OWEH, a journalist, Asaba, Delta State. 08037768392
Managing Director/CEO of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Bashorun Askia Ogieh, FCNA, CrFA, has felicitated with Christians on the celebration of Christmas, urging them to always express genuine love by being meek, grateful and giving Thanksgiving to God.
Bashorun Askia gave the charge in a Christmas Message, titled “Awesome Wonderful God,” where he described the outgoing year 2020 as, “Tough, challenging, crippling, deadly”.
He however expressed hope that despite the ugly challenges, there was still every reason to celebrate the season, for “He has kept us faithfully to witness again, the jingles of the bells that announced His Coming for our salvation.”
The Christmas Massage reads: “Tough, challenging, crippling, deadly”. All these and more capture the uncertainties packed into the outgoing year. The year unleashed what the world now calls Covid-19 Pandemic, a sickness still without cure. For us in Nigeria, the lockdown that came with the pandemic ultimately plunged our economy into what the International Monetary Fund (IMF) called severe recession. In all these, however, the Most High God has preserved and upheld us and our loved ones.
“For our staff and critical stakeholders, we have reason to celebrate the season, for He has kept us faithfully to witness again, the jingles of the bells that announced His Coming for our salvation.
“Let us spread round, the warmth and love of the season to our loved ones, through meekness, gratitude and Thanksgiving.
“As you enjoy the festivities, please accept my heartfelt best wishes to you all and your families for a safe and enjoyable Christmas and a very Happy New Year.
As a journalist of over two decades working experience, I have learnt not to stand on the side of any politician, I do not take side especially when they are at dagger drawn against each other, I do not even choose to be an arbiter or referee, for the closer you are to the battle ground, the closer you get yourself in dirtied by their mud. Politicians are like husband and wife, that they have a meeting point where they settle their fights and it may be at the expense of those that were with them during the battle.
But I have to rest my “philosophy” at least for this once; the interview that opened Shettima for the attack was a gift to a friend, he felt he was doing me above every other person a favour by giving that interview having traveled from Abuja with the Arise Team for the interview, in fact he had few days earlier denied an interview that I sourced for ThisDay on the ground that it was not proper considering the mood in the state.
He gave the interview this time around feeling that he should not make the investment of Arise TV a waste and making me look as someone that could not get to influence little thing despite my 15 years coverage of Borno State.
In my rating, the interview perhaps might go as one of the best by him and if placed in the proper context should be able to move a heart to find lasting solution to the problem of Boko Haram which predates even his administration!
It is a great disservice to him for anyone to try to rubbish him or dent his personality on the basis of saying what any sane Bornobe or Nigerians would have said! I knew Shettima before he was elected Governor and knew Fannami Gubio too, they were perfect gentlemen, what gave Gubio the nomination was the need to get the power within Sheriff’s family and nothing more! Sheriff decided on Gubio to placate the patriarch of his family, Galadima Shettima who wanted the seat for Mala, his son. Sheriff knew it was suicidal to go with Mala but a better option for Fannami who was a cousin and from another Senatorial district.
It was however sad that such a gentleman was killed before he could be elected. Shettima was not the outright favourite after the death of Fannami, he had to slug it out with some other people, it was by providence that he was picked over others! He was never close to the insurgents and throughout his reign as governor had to battle with them, ask Shettima what was his greatest challenge he will be quick to say Boko Haram. He could have been one of the greatest governor in terms of “physical structure” achievement but was restrained for a large expanse of his tenure. He even had a running battle with GEJ over the handling of Boko Haram and was very close to Buhari because he felt he was the solution to the problem of his people.
Even in the interview that Shettima was maligned for he gave so much credit to Buhari over GEJ but only advised that modifications should be introduced in the fight. To me, the call for the change of service chiefs was long overdue and was nothing big!
How has Shettima descended from being the darling of the “hailers” to become the cheerleader of the “wailers”. Any true patriot step is ordered by what is good for his people and not personal aggrandizement and it is on this basis, I stand by Kashim Shettima.
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum has said the military has dimmed the hope of their ability to defeat Boko Haram as they have continued to show they cannot secure 20 kilometers away from Maiduguri, the state capital. Zulum said on Monday during his assessment visit to Jakana to assess the place about 35 commuters were abducted by Boko Haram last Friday, that: “So, if the military cannot secure 20 kilometers, how can they keep us with the hope they will defeat Boko Haram?” The governor expressed disappointment over the inability of the Nigerian military and security agencies to secure 20 kilometres from the state capital on the Maiduguri-Damaturu highway despite heavy investment in the ongoing war against Boko Haram. The governor also expressed serious anger over what has become routine attacks on travelers and villagers by Boko Haram, part of which was Friday’s abduction of about 35 commuters. The governor said it was disappointing that majority of the attacks within the last two years, took place between Auno and Jakana, a distance of about 20 kilometers. He said: “I have had occasions to defend the Nigerian military in order to boost the morale of commanders and their troops at the front lines because I know the true picture of things, however, I am really disappointed that despite all support from both the federal government and from us in Borno state, our military is failing to secure an area of 20 kilometers, which is the distance between Auno and Jakana. And incidentally, majority of Boko Haram’s attacks along this Maiduguri-Damaturu-Kano road, keeps happening between Auno and Jakana. The governor also berated the army and his own state government established Rapid Response Squad which combines well equipped policemen, vigilantes and local hunters, for lack of visibility along the Maiduguri-Damaturu road, which he thought, makes it feasible for Boko Haram to keep running their show in the same axis and on multiple occasions. He said: “With all you (journalists) we drove from Maiduguri to here, Jakana. We did not see soldiers on the road, we did not see even our own Rapid Response Squad on this road and they were trained, employed, kitted and paid to protect all Nigerians within their areas of operation and these Nigerians include travelers plying this busy and important road.” He recalled that this year alone, the insurgents carried out many attacks along Maiduguri-Damaturu-Kano road, including the one in February, in which over 30 persons including nursing mother and an infant were burnt to death as travelers. Zulum however assured residents along the road that he was going to immediately hold a security meeting and hopefully come up with more measures to secure the highway, while urging residents to continually support the military by sharing information that would generate credible intelligence on the activities of insurgents.
Seeks Accountants’ Forum Cooperation With Gov. Okowa On “Stronger Delta”
–Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA) –By Albert OGRAKA:
As Nigeria is gradually becoming entangled in the web of ensuing global recession occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown, Forensic Accounting expert, Bashorun Askia Ogieh, FCNA, CrFA, has elucidated on the quick path to global economic recovery.
Bashorun Askia, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), made the disclosure during the Dinner/Awards held by the Forum of Accountants of Delta State Civil Service on Sunday, December 20, 2020 at the Grand Hotel Asaba.
Speaking as Guest of Honour, the ace accountant and forensic expert who was represented by Dr. Godwin Adolor, warned that if the World Bank’s projections about “severe economic recession” in Nigeria is anything to go by, the nation should ensure that urgent steps are taken to revamp the ailing economy.
“About a week ago, Nigeria officially entered another recession, the second in six years. Earlier in June, in the midst of the Coronavirus-induced lockdown, the World Bank had warned that a combination of the pandemic and the collapse of oil prices will plunge Nigeria into what it called a “severe economic recession.”
“The recession is here with us now. And if the projection is right, it may be worse than the one of 2016 which lasted for nearly a year, particularly when Nigeria’s oil production quota has been reviewed downward by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC.”
While agreeing that the path to exiting the recession is strewn with hard decisions, Bashorun Askia listed some of the recipes to include, “safeguarding and mobilising revenues as well as reprioritising public spending to protect critical development expenditures and stimulate economic activity.’
According to him, “The soothing news is that we will overcome. But the path to exiting the recession is strewn with hard decisions. Among the recipes for recovery are safeguarding and mobilising revenues as well as reprioritising public spending to protect critical development expenditures and stimulate economic activity.”
He called on accountants, as managers of resources, to collaborate with government and urgently set the road map to exit the recession, through creative measures to opening new frontiers for income mobilisation.
“My dear professional colleagues, this is where accountants as managers of resources come in. The nation is looking up to accountants of all hue to set the road map to exit this recession as quickly as possible.
“The Government is looking forward to you as professionals for inputs on creative measures to be taken to not just improve the management of existing resources, but opening new frontiers for income mobilisation.”
He enjoined the Delta State government to be more creative in expanding the tax net to boost internally generated revenue, just as he urged the Forum of Accountants of Delta State Civil Service to cooperate with the administration of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa by providing inputs to ensure mobilization of resources for projects execution to sustain the state’s viability for investors, while the recession lasts.
“For Delta State, we have to be more creative in expanding the tax net to boost internally generated revenue. And this falls squarely on the shoulders of the distinguished professionals gathered here.
“At the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) where I have the privilege of being the Managing Director, we have had to deal with increasing demands from our mandate communities in the midst of declining revenue from oil. However, we have evolved measures to infuse greater efficiency in the costing of projects. We will continue to engage the communities in prioritising of projects.
“I am glad that today, we all sit together as professionals. What should inspire us is the need to sustain and improve standards in the management of public resources.
“I urge you all to uphold this spirit at all times and cooperate with the administration of His Excellency, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor of Delta State, in ensuring that even while the recession lasts, we are able to mobilise resources for projects execution. We also have to improve our policies to make our state the first choice of investors.
“I am happy that the Head of Service is here with us, because I will like to recommend that every accountant in the state civil service undergo a short or remedial course in Forensic Accounting. It will help us generally in plugging certain unseen loopholes in our every day official duties. The nuances of what I am saying here cannot be lost on so many of you, I am sure. Training for us Accountants should be purpose specific.”
–Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA) –From Michael EKOKORUWE:
The Apex body of Isoko nation, Isoko Development Union (IDU), on Monday 21st of December 2020, brokered peace between the two warring communities of Igbide and Emede in Isoko South local government area, through its President General, High Chief Iduh Amadhe, the Peace Committee, President’s General from Isoko clans and agreed on six (6)) point resolution to end the land dispute that led to the destruction of lives and properties.
While presenting a communiqué with 6 points resolution to newsmen at the National Secretariat of Isoko Development Union at Oleh, headquarter of Isoko South local government area, the Secretary of Isoko Development Union, Dr. Chris Akpotu, stated that “the re-enforcement of common position by both communities to remove every road block takes immediate effect”.
He said, “both communities have agreed to henceforth completely cease fire end ensure calmness in all ramification, adding that the people should refrain from any form of reprisal attack”.
The communiqué also stated that “the citizens of both communities must not exhibit any weaponry, stressing that any person found with weapon will be fined heavily by the leaders of that community”.
It maintained that “all farming and fishing activities within and around the disputed area should be suspended henceforth, pending final resolution and review of the land by the committee”.
Both communities in principle agreed to have a permanent boundary that will be established and marked –out for generations, adding that a joint peace committee of both communities of Igbide, Emede, I.D.U and the local government council are to resolve all issues relating to the disputed land, the communiqué stated.
While reiterating the need for peaceful co-existence between the people of Igbide and Emede, High Chief Iduh Amadhe said, “I am the peace maker, whether as I.D.U President or not, I will continue to be peace maker in this process because I don’t want crisis in both communities”.
Amadhe warned against utterances that can instigate violence and urged the people to desist from derogatory statements, noting that leaders of both communities should advise thier subjects to remain peaceful as peace has returned.
He cautioned the leaders not to behave like ‘mates’ in a marriage and appealed to the people to stay away from anger and strife, adding that the peace committee will visit both communities to ensure lasting peace.
Amadhe commended Emede community leaders for their peaceful disposition and appealed for continuous understanding and truth in the community.
The high point of the peace meeting with representatives of both communities from Igbide and Emede, President’s General from various Isoko clans, the peace committee and executive members of Isoko Development Union was a unanimous ovation of peace agreement.
…. As Okowa, Otuaro, Elumelu, Oborevwori, Nwaodua, Chijuka, Odoe, Okwuofu, Kachikwu, Others Bid Sir Marcel Mekowuhe Nwaobi Farewell
In an emotion laden voice, the member representing Aniocha North Constituency in Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Engr. Emeka Nwaobi has revealed that his father prior to his death, had always wished he would die in Nigeria when the ultimate call of death would come.
According to him, God granted his request, he came back to Nigeria from the United States of America last December before death came calling on the 26th of August, 2020.
“My father also had wished he was buried as soon as he stopped breathing. He was never keen about being taken to the hospital or run up and down seeking medical solutions if he was sick.
“My father took ill briefly on a Sunday and we decided to take him to the hospital. He was getting better when I spoke with him on a Wednesday and he answered me in affirmative that he was getting better when I asked how he was doing. But I didn’t know that would be the last of our conversations as he took a bow that same Wednesday.
“My father did his best beyond all reasonable doubts and died a gentleman. And that is why we granted his wish of burying him immediately he passed on and decided to do the funeral service now”, Hon. Nwaobi explained.
The lawmaker gave this background while giving a vote of thanks as the first son during the funeral mass at the St. Paul’s Catholic Cathedral, Issele-Uku in Aniocha North LGA of Delta State on 18th December, 2020.
Hon. Nwaobi had therefore, asked God to grant him the grace to fill the vacuum the love his father had for his mother would create in her.
He affirmed that the closest couple he had ever seen in his entire life was his parents who were often seen together walking around the Legislators’ Quarters in Asaba before the death of his father.
He however, appreciated the dignitaries for honouring him and his family with their presence, while praying to God to grant them longevity of life beyond the 87 years lived by his father.
The sermon as preached by the Bishop of Issele-Uku Diocese, Most Rev. Michael Odogwu Elue harped on the quality of life lived by Sir Marcel Mekowuhe Nwaobi, which he said is indicative of the life the children are living, especially Hon. Emeka Nwaobi.
In her tribute, the First daughter, Mrs Uche Caroline Abojei, described her father as a God fearing Man “who Molded My siblings and I in that Light,” assuring that they would continue to make their Father proud by way of upholding his good legacies.
Also in her tribute, the second daughter, Lady Josephine Umemezie who is based in America, said that the days after the passing of the father were the most difficult, “because such a wise, loving and caring Man would no longer be with us.”
Lady Umemezie described the father as a highly disciplined and faithful Catholic who instilled in them, the entire children, the virtue of peace, humility, faithfulness, discipline and the fear of God. “You gave us plenty of advice even in your old age which we will forever be grateful for,” she stated and promised also that their father’s legacies would never be forgotten.
The burial ceremony was graced by the Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, his Deputy, Deacon Kingsley Burutu Otuaro and the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu.
Others include the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Ochor Christopher Ochor, the Deputy Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ehie Ogerenye Edison, members of the Delta State House of Assembly, Members of the State Executive Council, former DG of SSS, Chief Peter Nwaoduah, former Director of Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Fred Chijuka, former Federal Director, Chief Ike Odoe, veteran politician and Chairman of the State Civil Service Commission, Chief Nkem Okwuofu, Chairman of the State House of Assembly Service Commission, Chief Ada Josephine Kachikwu and others too numerous to mention.
The reception at the Hon. Nwaobi’s palatial residence was lavished with Chioma Jesus, the Ekwe Sample, Kandy Sea, Lady Ouch, Iyke Shalom and other popular musicians entertaining the audience.
The euphoria that greeted the return of the abducted students of the Government science secondary school, Kankara, Katsina state, was palpable. It was a thorough relief from the usual double speak and empty yarns that the government spews freely any time there’s a national emergency that bothers on insecurity.
Kudos to the President for a prompt and decisive response this time around. All thanks, too, to governor Masari and his strange contacts, used to negotiate the deal.
While we’re basking in the euphoria of their safe return, the Kankara boys have become a metaphor of some sort; depicting the neglect, hardship, innocence, hopelessness and the near dangerously insecured life the average Nigerian is living.
Everyday as we wake up from sleep, just like the Kankara boys, we are awakened to the reality of a false freedom, where our very existence is threatened, if not by physical means, but by the vagaries of harsh economic reality pervading our land.
As the Naira takes a free fall and journeys southward without restraint, the purchasing power of the average citizen diminishes in obeyance to the prevailing economic reality. The unknown but forlorn future, has become the familiar as everyone seems to come to term with the need for a change, a new driver or a new way of piloting our collective affair.
Without offense to modesty, the release of the Kankara boys have become a palliative, a temporary relief from the overdose of executive lukewarmness, foot-dragging and ill-preparedness in carrying out weightier matters of State by our present drivers.
When are we also going to enjoy a swift response (just like we’re witnessing with the Kankara fiasco) on the economy , having ran into recession twice in recent time? When are we going to wake up one morning to the euphoria of the news that our Refineries have started working and that the pump price of petrol is reversed to an affordable rate?
Just as the Kankara boys were kept in hunger, darkness and under the harsh elements, the Nigerian people have never experienced anything less, figuratively speaking. My prayer is that the joy of a peaceful return, being experienced by the captured Kankara boys as at today, should be our collective experience very soon, when our leaders gets it right.
Austen AKHAGBEBE is a Columnist with Blank NEWS Online
The traditional Palace of Onicha-Uku kingdom in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State, has been relocated to a permanent abode built by the Elumelu family.
The edifice which stands at the centre of the community, was officially unveiled for use on Friday, December 18, 2020 by the Delta State governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon Ndudi Elumelu, who represented the Elumelu family, recounted the challenges of the community in having a centralized Palace for its traditional rulers over the past years due to the rotational system of its traditional institution.
He noted that, the passion of the Elumelu family in providing a lasting solution to the challenge and leaving legacies for their community, they embarked on the project which is now counted amongst other projects built in the community by his family.
“What informed this edifice is as a result of the re-occuring of the traditional institution in Onicha-Uku. The traditional institution is structured in such a way that, the Obiship is rotational and what happened was that, in every quarter, you see Palaces and it became worrisome.
“The Elumelu family sat down and agreed to erect a permanent structure where whoever that the mantle of Obi gets to, will move into this Palace and when the person finishes serving (when he joins his ancestors) the Palace will be cleaned up for the next person. By so doing, everybody will now know that there is a centralized place where you call the Obi’s Palace. So, on behalf of the Elumelu family, we present this gift to the community”, the Minority Leader said.
Hon Elumelu who represents Aniocha Oshimili Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, further disclosed that the wisdom behind the project is to give back to our immediate society.
“We come from a humble background where God has done a lot for my family and it is on record that in Africa, we have my brother through his Tony Elumelu Foundation, gives young african entrepreneurs 100 Million US Dollars annually to augment their businesses. Charity they say begins at home, so this is our own way of supporting our local traditional institution.
Governor Okowa who was represented at the event by his Special Adviser on Local Government and chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Kelly Penawou, commended the Elumelus for the giant gesture to the community and the traditional institution in the state, saying, “Elumelu family has done well. This is not the first project, they’ve built a church, town hall, 6.5mva substation, acquisition centre, 250 bed hospital which is Currently an annex of fmc asaba in the community.”
The Obi of Onicha-Uku, HRM Raphael Agbamuche while performing his first activity in the new Palace, prayed for the Elumelu Family, asking God to bless and protect them always.
Some of the dignitaries who attended the event included the Former Deputy Governor of Delta State, Chief Benjamin Elue; the Permanent Secretary Directorate of Local Government Affairs, Mr. Eric Ebijuwa; Chairman of Aniocha North Local Government, Mr Chuks Oseme, Senior Legislative Aides to the Minority Leader, amongst others.
The duplex Palace features a large palace room, five suite rooms, sitting rooms, dinning rooms, equipped kitchen, two bedroom bungalow detached building, security post, backup power generator and an open court in-front and within the building.
>>Market To Boost Eco-Tourism, Attract Employment, Large Scale Trade Zone
–Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA):
Delta State Government on Wednesday said the floating market at Oghoye, a fishing community along the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, will be ready before the end of the first quarter of the coming year.
Oghoye which is in Warri North Local Government Area of the state, is about 15 minutes drive to the neighbouring Ondo State.
Addressing members of Asaba Correspondents’Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) at his office in Asaba, Commissioner for Works, James Augoye said the N4.2 billion floating market was one of the legacy projects of the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa-led administration.
Augoye said the people of Oghoye had been trading at the market initially built with planks, adding that the state government decided to erect a permanent structure at the location along the Athletic Ocean in order to boost the local economy.
He added that the floating market would not only serve Deltans but those in neighbouring states especially Ondo.
“It is going to improve the business of the local community. Oghoye is a fishing community, and at the moment, their fishes are wasting away because they don’t have preservation facilities.
“Now the state government is providing preservation facility along with other ancillary facilities including toilets for the benefit of the traders and the entire community,” he said.
According to him, the 80 meters by 70 meters platform is 90% completed, explaining that the platform has 90 lock up stores and 80 open stores.
“The market has been there over the years but was built with planks. So every six months, they undergo the stress to re-construct. The state government decided to build a permanent structure to boost socio-economic activities of the local populace,” Augoye added.
Earlier, Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Comrade Dominic Adewole, lauded the commissioner for his contributions toward the actualisation of the ‘Stronger Delta’ agenda of the state government.
Adewole assured that journalists in the state would continue to provide adequate publicity for the ministry through objective, balanced and fair reportage of it’s activities.
One of the most disturbing issues on the national question that most Nigerian political elites shy away from discussing, is the Igbo Presidency.
The need and the quest for the Igbo Presidency has become like a sore on the thumb; whether it is painful or not, it cannot escape the glance of the eyes.
It is against this backdrop that one sees the alleged but undeclared intention of Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi state, to run for Presidency in 2023, as a step in the right direction. Some have wilfully dismissed it as a tall ambition of a dreamer who needs to go back to sleep, to dream again to a relishing realization that the first dream was a fluke joke.
Ever since Dave Umahi decamped to the ruling Party, local and top politicians from Ebonyi state has gone for his jugular. He’s been called pitiable names and even accused of a plan to assassinate a prominent politician, an indegene of Ebonyi state and former President of the Senate, Chief Pius Anyim.
Umahi is accused, by his detractors, to have been deceived by those who wants to cause political disaffection within the rank and file of the Igbo elites, to render them informidable for the daunting task ahead come 2023.
Be that as it may, it is time to begin to think of a power equation that favours the Igbo as far as the position of the President and commander in chief is concerned. Here is a people, beaten and broken in our teething years of madness, until everything was taken away from them in the name of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Reintegration after the needless civil war.
Yet, the silent disdain for the Igbo Presidency, persist within the Nigerian Power elites, as they’re often treated like political outcasts in the Nigerian chess game of politics, at the Presidency level.
There are those who think the Igbo are not United enough to form a common formidable front to articulate and realise their ambition. This narrative is becoming antiquated and tantamount to giving a dog a bad name to help in hanging him.
Dave Umahi must have chosen to be defiant, dareful and rebellious to the conservative local power brokers within the Igbo elites while looking towards Abuja for succour. May the Lords of Aso Rock embrace him and grant him his heart desires with sincerity.
Austen AKHAGBEME is a Columnist with Blank NEWS Online
–Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA) –From Michael EKOKORUWE:
The Forum of Ethnic Nationalities of Niger Delta (FENND) has, at the weekend held its inaugural meeting that culminated to lecture on ‘water resources’ to streamline the purpose of the forum, have orientation of the Water Resources Bill, Petroleum Industry Bill and other matters affecting the Niger Delta region.
The parley was held at Dantinajo Gold resort Oleh, Isoko South local government area of Delta State.
Speaking to Journalists, the convener of the forum, Barrister Dortimi kester Tawari stated that, members of the forum deliberated on the constitution, objectives and strategy on how to achieve the goals, adding that the lecture revealed overview of the water resources bill and overt understanding to enforce the resolution.
Tawari noted that the inaugural meeting and lecture has given members commitment and focus, emphasizing that the impact of water resources bill presented by the Minister of Water Resources to the National Assembly on the Niger Delta, will be x-rayed and published accordingly.
He maintained that expression on how the people of the Niger Delta feel over their God given natural resources scientifically and technically will emerge through resolutions, adding that the meeting has created platforms that will enable the Forum speak with other organizations and regions in Nigeria that are affected by the proposed bill.
According to Barrister Tawari, the purpose of the Forum is to partner organizations and build concession to get ideas towards positive debate that can give the Niger Delta the way forward for the good of the region.
He opined that the Minster of Water Resources ought to be knowledgeable about the implication of the bill on the Niger Delta people.
He stated that the bill has grey areas which must be made public and not kept secret from the Niger Delta people, noting that “River Niger and River Benue flows down to the region and the Niger Delta people are the recipients of the two rivers”.
Tawari stressed that the people will feel the impact because of the region’s location.
Tawari added that the lawmakers ought to know facts as it affects the people before passing a bill that have no good intentions for the Niger Delta.
He noted that the water resources bill affects the existentiality of the people that are the original owner of the water region.
He stressed that the bill will have negative impact on the Niger Delta region, which according to him will be unacceptable to the people.
Members of the Forum at the inaugural meeting and Lecture include, Dr. Ekanem Inyang, Chief Dan Odhomo, High Chief (Engr.) Aneru Izuagbe, Professor Chris Akpotu, Chief Emmanuel O. Uti and Professor Tony Akpoborie. The president General of Isoko Development Union, High Chief Iduh Amadhe was the chief hosts of the program.
The Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), on Sunday December 13, 2020 at the Oriental Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, beat other organisations in the country to clinch the coveted 2020 Peace Legend Award (PLA) as having the “BEST PERFORMING BOARD” in the category of Leadership/Excellence.
Receiving the award on behalf of the Chairman, Executive Management, Board members, management and the entire workforce of the Commission, the MD/CEO, Bashorun Askia Ogieh, FCNA, CrFA appreciated God for the inspiration to remain pro-people and match words with action.
In his words, “This award again confirms our unbroken focus toward touching the lives of our people in concrete terms which is a fallout of the executive directive of our amiable Governor, His Excellency, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa to hit the ground running in service delivery in line with his SMART DELTA template.”
Also speaking to newsmen on the sideline, the Executive Director, Projects, Hon. Barr. Daniel Mayuku said he was not surprised at the award being conferred on the Commission, as in his words, “our steely determination to intervene and negotiate a totally different route in the way projects were being awarded, against the old order, using the bottom-up approach has endeared this current Board to public and independent assessors whose mission is to reward, encourage and celebrate leadership and excellence whenever they spotted one. To me, this award is another undeniable proof and a fit and proper instrument stirring the performance chord in us,” he concluded.
It will be recalled that the Commission also won the “STATE AGENCY OF THE YEAR” award in 2019 in an event organised by the Independent Newspaper Limited.
Indeed, DESOPADEC has continued to receive plaudits and laurels in recognition of its commitment to the development of the mandate areas and it doesn’t intend to soft pedal for any cause.
Also present at the occasion were Executive Director, Finance and Administrative, Hon. Chief Barr. John Nani, the Executive Director, Projects, Hon. Barr. Daniel Mayuku, Executive Director, Social Services, Barr. Leonard Anoka, some Board members and Management staff of the Commission.
-Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA) –From Mike SOGBOLO/North-East Bureau:
Nigerian monarchs have asked the military why can’t you occupy Sambisa Forest and Lake Chad region still housing Boko Haram insurgents.
Speaking on Monday, the Sultan of Sokoto and Co-Chairman of National Council of Traditional Rulers, Sa’ad Abubakar who led other top monarchs to Maiduguri to condole with the government and people of Borno State on recent killing of farmers by Boko Haram at a rice field in Zabarmari, said the military should occupy the Lake Chad region and the Sambisa forest.
Sultan Abubakar, who retired as Army General, said: “I read the comment the governor made some few weeks ago, challenging the military to take the fight to the Lake Chad to clear that place. Your Excellency, while I was a Lieutenant, I was at Lake Chad in Baga for six months, my battalion in Bama used to rotate with the battalion in Monguno and Maiduguri every six months.
“We occupied the Lake Chad part of Nigeria for six months. I was a Lieutenant, I was the operation officer and I have my maps. In Lake Chad that time, we had 36 islands under Nigeria, we occupied 16 of them, the biggest was king Nasara, we controlled that part of Nigeria effectively well as a battalion.
“Now, I don’t know why we can’t occupy the whole of Lake Chad and why we can’t occupy the whole of Sambisa forest. If we want peace, we have to dominate these areas. If we want peace, we have to do away with those terrorists who occupy that place and see nothing good in other people except those that believe in their own negative ideas.”
Sultan Abubakar, who said they were in Maiduguri not only to commiserate with the governor, but to make a strong statement with regards to the insecurity affecting the entire nation, said: “This afternoon, we are at the seat of power of Borno State in front of the governor on this special visit, I said special because this is the first time the national council of traditional rulers of Nigeria has ventured out to any state or any town specifically to discuss or talk about the happenings in that particular place as regards insecurity and mass killings of innocent people.”
He said: “The National Council of Traditional Rulers in Nigeria deems it fit to put a small team to come round to Borno State, Maiduguri, in particular, to make this very strong statement.
“It is not just a condolence visit, it is a statement that all of us are fed up with the shedding of innocent blood under whatever guise across this country. So many lives have been lost in the past, we can’t even compute how many lives we have lost. It becomes like a daily occurrence, a daily event. A new normal, it becomes a story when in a day, nobody was killed in a particular place of this country.
“We had various fora with our political leaders, mentioned this things out, how to take care of our security in various communities. We have written papers, sent our governors, we have discussed with all our leaders, all the way forward.
“But we see things getting worse and worse. It used to be Boko Haram alone in Borno and Yobe, now, in all over the north in particular and generally all over the country. You have bandits and terrorists all over the north, you can’t even move freely. In the south, it is the same thing. The killings have taken new dimensions and we really don’t know what are the causes of these mass killings of innocent people.
“We decided to come together as council of traditional rulers to make this statement to all and sundry, not only to the governor of Borno State, but to all our governors. Let’s rise up to the occasion and see how we can come together to fight this menace of shedding innocent people’s blood.
“When I came to Maiduguri last time to commission the central mosque, the governor was a candidate, this is my first time of coming here since he took over. Alhamdulillah, we have been following with keen interest what is happening in Borno State. Like I always discussed with the Shehu, from day one, even when you were not even sworn in, he told me the type of person you are, and we are not disappointed when you started doing what you are doing. We have seen the very big stride you have delivered just within one year, but you are just starting, you have a lot to do.
“I have known Maiduguri since when I was a small kid, we have grown up here. I served in Bama, I lived in Bama for over two and half years in the barracks. The same barracks I served as Lieutenant was the same barracks vandalized and bombed.”
Earlier, the Shehu of Borno had, while introducing the traditional rulers to Governor Babagana Zulum, assured that the traditional rulers would give all the maximum cooperation to security agencies in the fight against insurgency.
The Shehu also called on the people of Borno to continue to provide credible intelligence reports to the military, noting that the fight against insurgency is a collective responsibility.
Responding, the governor thanked the royal fathers for the special visit.
The governor decried the continous dependence on donations to feed the internally displaced persons as the main source of livelihood.
He said in order to address the cause of the insecurity, there was need to provide sources of livelihoods to the IDPs and those resettled in rebuilt communities.
With the Sultan on the visit are the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemaka Alfred Ugochukwu; Oore of Otun-Ekiti, Oba Adekunle Adebayo,; the Emir of Hadeja, Dr. Adamu Abubakar Maje; the Emir of Fika, Mohammed Abale Ibn Mohammed Idrissa and Amanyanabo of Opobo Kingdom, King Dandasen Douglas Jaja.
It is simply unthinkable, at the degenerate level of our already comatose and completely confused internal security system in Nigeria, in recent times.
That the anarchists can strike without remorse, at a time the chief security officer and the commander in chief himself, is holidaying in Katsina speaks volume of a new found boldness on the part of these daredevil bandits and kidnappers.
That over 300 students can be successfully kidnapped, without an inkling or premonition from an advance security intelligence on the part of the Presidential team, reflects the true state of advance intelligence gathering in our clime.
These are truly bad times, especially for the parents of the abducted children and the state as a whole. From one gory scenario to another, insecurity is taking a new definition and I find this very disconcerting.
Deaths, gruesome killings, abduction of innocent children and women, kidnapping for ransome, etc, are all met with State aloofness, indecision, confusion, blame game and inaction to the consternation and amusement of the international community. How did we get here?
Very recently, innocent farmers in the volatile Northeast Nigeria, were hacked to death with their throats slashed like chickens, with no commensurate response from our security forces. There’s no doubt that their death is in vain as attention is suddenly moved away from them to the Kankara shocker.
This has become the new normal: one bad news to another and then to another. And Nigeria moves on. Yet, the painful irony is the fact that the protection of lives and property remains the fundamental obligation of the State to her citizens. Where this is absent, it becomes practically difficult to refer to such a geographical location as a true State.
But this is where we are and what we’ve become. The cacophony of the hitherto collective voice of dissent, especially in the North is waning and dying. The Falcons can clearly hear the falconers. The fear to speak against the powers that be is palpable. The north is in disarray and disrepair. Are the chickens coming home to roost?
It is gradually becoming obvious that our security challenges have no strategic human solution. When a Nation begins to play politics with the very essence of nationhood and nationalism, chances are that the citizens will suffer for a very long time. Let the government and those reposed with the responsibility of maintaining peace and order in Nigeria bury their heads in shame, as we pray for the safe return of the innocent 333 abducted students from Kankara, in the home state of Mr President.
Austen AKHAGBEME is a Columnist with Blank NEWS Online
The key points of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 were discussed at an event hosted by the World Government Summit, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the African Union – African Peer Review Mechanism (AU-APRM) where a new exchange programme was announced to facilitate knowledge sharing between the UAE, UNDP and AU.
Government ministers from the UAE, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Senegal, South Africa, Botswana and Kenya, gathered at the high-level forum to discuss ways to develop advanced government models in Africa to overcome the impact of (COVID-19) pandemic, and mark the launch of a broader partnership where governments may exchange experiences and collaborate to realize national, regional, and global aspirations.
Opening the forum, Mohammed Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs in the UAE and Chairman of WGS, said hosting the Africa Futures Forum is part of the World Government Summit’s initiatives to provide governments and organisations a platform to shape a shared future, highlighting the historic relations between UAE and Africa.
Also representing the UAE, Ohood Khalfan Al Roumi, Minister of State for Government Development and the Future, reaffirmed the UAE’s stance on global collaboration and announced the Government Experience Exchange Program, which will run in partnership with the UNDP and the AU-APRM, to share knowledge, and experiences to explore joint initiatives.
Achim Steiner, Administrator of the UNDP, said: “Africa has an opportunity to chart a new course with new governmental models that focus on climate action and leveraging the power of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. This forum is a strong platform to strengthen our partnerships for more ambitious choices to build forward better, smarter and more sustainably.”
Amira El-Fadil, Commissioner for Social Affairs at the Africa Union Commission, suggested the wellbeing of African societies across various domains through landmark policies and programme is vital for the continent’s path to future success. On behalf of the AU-APRM, Professor Eddy Maloka said: “Building resilient and strong institutions in Africa with the daunting consequences of COVID-19 across the continent, is more urgent than ever. The APRM partnership with the UAE Government is an ambitious opportunity for Afro-Arab development cooperation”.
Dr. Francis M. Kai-Kai, Minister of Planning and Economic Development of Sierra Leone said that multilateralism will be the key to tackling the global challenges the world faces today including COVID-19, climate change, eliminating poverty and inequality in the world.
High-level ministers from the centre of African governments discussed key themes of future preparedness, strategy and innovation, government excellence and capabilities, government services food security and economic transformation, as well as ways to collaborate moving forward. The forum marks the start of a broader partnership between participants.
The much awaited security outfit in Delta State, codenamed, “Operation Delta Hawk”, has been formally inaugurated to residents of the state to assist in tracking down criminals and their cohorts.
Inaugurating the new security outfit at its official headquarters in Asaba on Thursday, December 10, 2020, Governor Okowa said it was a proactive step towards checkmating insecurity in all parts of the state headlong, since the challenge of insecurity was already taking alarming dimension.
He noted that Operation Delta Hawk which comprised of different security agencies and vigilante group would assist in flushing out criminal elements and criminality in the state.
“Today, we have finally come to inaugurate the Operation Delta Hawk which is a journey that we started a year ago. We had to put in a lot of planning into it. I must truly thank all our service commanders for all that they did to ensure the success of the operationalisation of the Operation Delta Hawk.
“In Delta State, just like other states of the federation, there is no doubt that a lot of kidnapping still take place, there is a lot of banditry, cultism and it is really getting difficult for us to face and worst still is the clashes between herdsmen and farmers.
“Deltans are watching and as they watch, I seek their prayers, partnership and corporation. They need to offer support for the Operation Delta Hawk and for the organised private sectors, I believe that they have a role to play to offer support in terms of both logistics and vehicular support to the Operation Delta Hawk, nothing is too small, nothing will be too big to support this great team that has been put together.”
He called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth leaders and other critical stakeholders across the state to assist the new security outfit, just as he pledged to procure more operational vehicles and other security gadgets by next year.
Earlier in his address, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Chiedu Ebie who thanked Governor Okowa for providing the fund and other logistics for the seamless take off of Operation Delta Hawk, charged the officers and men involved in the fight against crime to put in their best with a view to justifying government’s huge investment in the security architecture.
He said that the new security outfit was a clear indication that the security of residents of the state was very dear to Governor Okowa, adding “what we are witnessing today, is the culmination of 12 months of intense research, planning and engagement aimed at finding a lasting solution to the problem of insecurity in Delta State.
The Coordinator of Operation Delta Hawk, Hon. David Tonwe said no effort would be spared in making the state safe for all.
In their separate remarks, the Chairman, Delta State Security Trust Fund (DSSTF), Elder Emmanuel Ogidi and the Executive Secretary of the agency, Chief Sam Osasa said that the DSSTF was set to advance security in the state and sued for the contribution of the private sector and donor agencies as government cannot do it alone.
On their part, the Chairman, Delta State Traditional Rulers Council, Dr. Emmanuel Efeizomor II and the first Vice Chairman of the Council, the Orodje of Okpe, Orhue the first, thanked the governor for the bold step and called on residents of the state to assist the new security outfit so as to achieve set goals.
Items inaugurated at the flag off ceremony included operational vehicles, body armour, communication gadgets and other security apparatus used in gathering information on security related issues.
Establishes 144 Unemployed Youths In Fashion and Textile Design Enterprise
-Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA) –By Albert OGRAKA:
Delta State Job and Wealth Creation Bureau has continued to top-up the number of engaged youths in skill acquisition, with additional 144 unemployed youths established in the Fashion and Textile Design enterprise.
Recall that in line with Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s vision of achieving a Stronger Delta, the state government had, since 2015 engaged, trained and empowered Delta Youths under its Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP).
A total of 3,881 youths have however benefited from the personal effectiveness training, skills training, entrepreneurship training and start up support activities under STEP.
This landmark feat, according to the Chief Job and Wealth Creation Officer, Prof Eric Eboh, have made Delta State become a role model to other states in Nigeria.
Eboh, made this known while addressing STEP beneficiaries in Asaba during the handling out of starter pack items to 2019/2020 Green STEP beneficiaries in Fashion Design and Textile Design who trained for eight months.
He pointed out that the beneficiaries that have been trained and established in Fashion and Textile Design from 2015 to date are 774 out of which 144 are receiving starter packs having successfully completed the three training phases which lasted for eight months.
According to him “Since inception in 2015, His Excellency, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor of Delta State, has ensured that Job Creation scheme is implemented based on the core principles of professionalism, integrity, quality and discipline. The implementation of the job creation scheme is complemented with mentoring and support from the Directorate of Youth Mentoring and Monitoring (DYMM). As a result of these features and arising from the verifiable tangible results and impacts on economic conditions of youths, the Delta State Job Creation Scheme has become the role model throughout the country.”
He noted that the starter pack items given to the Fashion and Textile Design beneficiaries included Ino Industrial Sewing Machine (EMEL-8500-8900), Industrial Weaving Machine, EMEL-250watts, Cutting Table, Pressing Iron, Generator (3.5kva, Copper Coil) and shop rent, adding that the items given to them are equipment, tools and materials necessary and sufficient to set up, own and run a viable and successful enterprise. He explained that the one year shop rent is to enable them to hit the ground running.
He congratulated the beneficiaries for the successful completion of their training, and charged them to be discipline, diligent, patient, focused and prayerful in order to succeed as entrepreneurs.
“You should have a vision for your enterprise, develop a plan to make the vision and work towards it, do not be discouraged or derailed by initial obstacles that would confront you, rather, see the obstacles as a stepping stones to successful entrepreneurship. Remember the axiom- Winners don’t quit and quitters don’t win. Be humble to learn continuously, be wise to improve yourself and be resolute to grow your enterprise,” he admonished.
While advising them to partner with others through networking and collaboration to ensure success, he stressed that the Delta State Job Creation Programme success is measured by the success of the beneficiaries, assuring them that Job Creation Bureau would continue to work with the Directorate of Youth Monitoring and Mentoring to facilitate networking, mentoring and other support necessary for the survival, growth, success and sustainability of the beneficiaries’ new enterprises.
He reiterated the fact that STEP has a success rate of 66% and YAGEP 77% which are major boost to the economy, giving credence to the recent rating of Delta State by the National Bureau of Statistics as the least poor state in the country after Lagos State.
Responding on behalf of other beneficiaries, Ighogboja Omamezi who hails from Isoko North expressed her gratitude to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for the opportunity to be selected, trained and established under STEP programme.
“I have been unemployed for a very long time, and my life was nothing to write about. With this establishment, I shall be able to stand on my own without depending on any one financially. I have heard people say some beneficiaries usually sell off their starter packs, but as for me, I shall never sell mine because with this starter packs, I can do something for myself and, also, be able to help others so that the aim of our Governor towards the youths would be actualized,” she remarked.
>>The two suspects are members of a 15-man kidnap gang of Nigerian/Nigerien extraction
–Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA) –From Mike SOGBOLO/North East Bureau:
Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have arrested two members of a trans-national kidnap syndicate involved in the kidnap of an American citizen, Philippe Nathan Walton.
Walton was kidnapped on 28th October, 2020 at his farm in Masalata Village, Republic of Niger.
The suspects, Aliyu Abdullahi ‘m’ 21yrs a.k.a Mallam and Aliyu Umaru ‘m’ 23yrs a.k.a Kwatte Kusu, both from Sokoto State, were arrested on 25th November, 2020.
According to the statement by the spokesman of the Police, DCP Frank Mba: “The two suspects – members of a 15-man kidnap gang of Nigerian/Nigerien extraction, led by Barte Dan Alhaji and Dan Buda – were arrested following a special intelligence-led operation aimed at arresting the criminal gang, disrupting and halting other criminal activities by them.
“Investigations by the Intelligence Response Team reveal that the gang was plotting other abductions to avenge the death of their cohorts – four Nigeriens and two Nigerians who died during the rescue operations.”
He said: “The Force is collaborating with its Nigerien counterpart in the investigations to apprehend other members of the transnational syndicate currently at large.”
He added that as part of efforts at tackling transnational crimes, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu is working in concert with other members of the West African Police Chiefs Organization (WAPCO) to deepen intelligence sharing amongst security agencies in the ECOWAS sub-region and strengthen security along the international borders of member States.
He disclosed that the arrested suspects will be arraigned in court on completion of investigations.
As Nigerians prepare to watch their President live, appear before a joint session of the National Assembly on Thursday to address the security crisis across the federation, President Muhammadu Buhari may have cancelled the plan to appear before the National Assembly.
This move has however pitched suspecting Nigerians against the Presidency and further heightening doubts on the availability of Mr. President, a concerned Nigerian who preferred anonymity hinted Blank NEWS Online.
TVCNews has received a statement from the Chief Whip of the House, Muhammed Monguno, that the President has changed his mind.
He is alleged to have said it was widely believed that Buhari had changed his mind because of allegations that he would be abused by lawmakers from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
According to him, PDP lawmakers held a closed-door meeting on Tuesday night, the outcome of the meeting is, however, not yet made public.
It was also reported earlier that Governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) urged President Buhari to snub the invitation of the National Assembly.
During the National Executive Council of the APC on Tuesday, governors were alleged to have prevailed on the president not to appear before the National Assembly.
According to Premium Times, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State moved the motion for the cancellation of the President’s planned address.
The Delta State Chief Job and Wealth Creation Officer, Prof Eric Eboh, has described the Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurs Programme (YAGEP) as the realization of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s vision to engage youths productively in agricultural enterprises.
The Chief Job and Wealth Creation Officer, Prof Eric Eboh made the assertion during the media tour of some of the YAGEP facilities built for youths who are beneficiaries of Green YAGEP in the 2019/2020 Cycle.
The facilities visited included a Green YAGEP Fish Farm in Asaba and Green YAGEP Poultry Farms in Owa-Alero established for beneficiaries in Delta North Senatorial District.
Addressing the journalist in Asaba at the YAGEP farm established for Rosemary Uti, a Green YAGEP beneficiary trained and established in Fish Production, Prof Eboh, expressed joy that Delta youths are living out the vision of the State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa.
He explained that the Green YAGEP Fish farm was a prototype fish farm developed for Green YAGEPreneurs in Fish Production who had been established across the three senatorial districts of the state and that Green YAGEPreneurs are fresh farms who had no experience in farming, but were trained by the State Government in any farming enterprise of their choice.
“As you can see, we have three of 13 X 13 X 4 feet polygon tarpaulin fish tanks resting on a very strong basement. Every beneficiary in Fish Production in other senatorial districts has this prototype. It is well designed and implemented to enable the Green YAGEPreneur in Fish Production to take off successfully. The estimated capacity is 500 fish per tank. We gave them 1,500 juveniles and 120 bags of fish feeds in 2mm, 3mm, 4mm, 6mm and 9mm to grow the fish to maturity. We provided all that is needed from building of structures to management support. Water management is very critical for optimum fish yield,” he stated.
He emphasized that quality fish and feeds were provided appropriately to ensure that the YAGEPreneurs become successful in their enterprises, adding that 252 youths are beneficiaries of the Green and Brown YAGEP in the present cycle.
While congratulating Rosemary Uti for her establishment by the government, he ascribed the credit to the State Governor for his vision, adding that the beneficiaries are to reinvest the proceeds from the sale of the matured birds at the end of the production cycle.
Also at Owa-Alero, each of the beneficiaries visited had a 500 birds capacity poultry pen built for them by the State Government. According to the job and wealth creation boss, “The Poultry farms for Green YAGEP beneficiaries in Poultry Production are to enable them to set up their agricultural enterprises and to grow it to a point where they will harvest and re-invest their proceeds. Each beneficiary has a 21 X 20 feet customized poultry pen for 500 birds.”
He said the State Government ordered the birds from a reputable hatchery and that each beneficiary received 500 day old broilers in addition to other support packages which were adequate and appropriate for their enterprises.
He listed the establishment package for each beneficiary to include a 500 capacity poultry pen at maturity; 500 day old broilers; 145 bags of feeds given in tranches to avoid expiration; 20 adult drinkers, 20 adult feeders, 10 baby feeders and 10 baby drinkers; a roll of 15kg black nylon for brooding; provision of vaccines at different doses; 4 stoves, six months stipends and trainings.
He pointed out that the Green YAGEP beneficiaries are established on their own lands either acquired personally or inherited or on a long-term lease contract, stressing that the documentation of the land was one of the reform measures initiated by the State Government to prevent abandonment of the farm, to eliminate youths who are not serious from the programme and to ensure the sustainability of the programme.
Responding on behalf of other beneficiaries, Rosemary Uti thanked Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for keeping to his promise of creating jobs for the youths. She said she had no knowledge of Poultry farming before she got enrolled in Green YAGEP after over four years of unemployment.
She added that she acquired knowledge in Fish Farm Management and Hatchery during training, pledging to contribute to the development of the state economically by employing 3 persons to work with her when she begins fish hatchery.
The Comptroller General of Nigerian Correctional Service, Ahmad Jafaru, has lauded the efforts of the wife of Delta State Governor and founder of 05 Initiative, Dame Edith Okowa, for continually assisting the inmates and staff through humanitarian gestures.
Dame Okowa, on Tuesday, December 8, 2020 presented medical items and pharmaceutical drugs to the five correctional centers in the state, saying it was part of the 05 Initiative’s programme to reach out to the helpless in the correctional centres.
The medical items have been distributed to the five Correctional Centres in Warri, Ogwashi-Uku, Agbor, Kwale and Sapele respectively.
The Comptroller General, who was represented by Comptroller of the State Command, Ovie Friday Esezobor, while receiving the items, extended appreciations to the wife of the Governor.
“It is a very good Initiative. The Comptroller General of Corrections, Ahmed Jafaru is very happy. They say health is wealth. The 05 Initiative have been very helpful. She does this occasionally to provide drugs for my inmates and that is why the inmates are also very healthy, even during the Covid-19 pandemic. The inmates and the staff of the correctional services in the state are very happy.
“Even before I became the Comptroller in the state, I had heard so much about Dame Okowa and I can only say that she is nothing short of being a true mother of the less privileged.
“I pray that God would continue to enhance the 05 Initiative and we promise our commitment to quality service to ensure that peace reigns in the state, as much as lies within our capacity”, he promised.
Dame Okowa, while presenting the medical items to the Comptroller of the State Command, Ovie Esezobor, at Government House, Asaba, said it was part of the Initiative’s programme to reach out to the helpless in the correctional centres.
She revealed that the 05 Initiative has been burdened by the ailing health situation of inmates in the state’s Correctional Centres and decided to come to the rescue by reaching out to various stakeholders for help.
“Through our visits to the correctional centres to distribute food items and to share the Gospel, we discovered that most of the inmates were not looking healthy and that formed the basis for our decision to reach out with medications through the State Drug Revolving Fund”, she said.
The wife of the governor further explained that the medications being handed over were to be shared among the five correctional centres in the state, according to the number of inmates in each centre.
Dame Okowa, extended her appreciation to the state Ministry of Health, headed by the Commissioner, Dr. Mordi Ononye, for making provision for face masks, hand sanitizers and thermometers to go along with the drugs being distributed.
On his part, Ononye noted that the 05 Initiative had been one of the strongest stakeholders in the health sector, they having continued to drive health programmes.
“The O5 Initiative has made the work of ensuring quality health care for all Deltans easier for the ministry and we assure that as a ministry, we will continue to give our support to the Initiative”, he said.
The event which held in the office Her Excellency in Government House, Asaba also witnessed the presence of the State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Community Development, Mrs Flora Alantan and her Permanent Secretary, and DG 05 Initiative, Mrs Oghenekevwe Agas.
Also present was the Commissioner for Technical Education, Mrs Gbugbemi Ikolo, State PDP Women Leader, Mrs Kawulia Omoko, amongst others.
This exercise makes it the fourth time since 2015 that the wife of the Delta State Governor and founder, 05 Initiative, Dame Edith Okowa, had reached out to the five correctional centers in the state with medications.
Recall that the gesture was first carried out on October 13, 2015; then November 3, 2016, December 19, 2017, December 21, 2918 and December 2019. This is the seventh edition of the initiative by the governor’s wife.
Nigeria is such a unique country. Its uniqueness springs from the bizarre nature of leadership recruitment. It is a situation of people who ordinarily should not get close to the corridors of power are the very ones actually calling the shots. I am talking of state governors whose patriotic flavor is not as deep as my shirt breast pocket. This bizarre leadership and dispensing of democratic dividends came to the fore last week with the governor of Ekiti State and chairman of Nigerian Governors Forum, Dr Kayode Fayemi telling Nigerians of their plan to poach (borrow) N17tn (seventeen trillion Naira) from the pension funds of workers. It is sad and outlandish that some of the state governors who are not only contributing to the pension funds but also owing workers` pension running into years. According to Fayemi, the money will be used for infrastructural development. This move must be resisted by the organized labour because today`s worker is tomorrow pensioner. The Nigerian Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress must demonstrate strategic leadership and fight this evil.
The Nigeria Union of Pensioners has already kicked against the plan, saying that the state government has no authority over the pension funds. Speaking to the press, the Head of Information of Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Mr Bunmi Ogunkolade berated the illegal Nigerian Governors Forum for even thinking of the idea. Said Ogunkolade: `The governors have no authority over the money. It doesn`t belong to them, so how can they approve a proposal to borrow part of the workers` pensions which many of them (governors) are not contributing to ? Do you know that many of the states are not paying the contributory pension? It shows that they don`t believe in it, so why should they borrow from it. It is not in their power to determine what would happen to that money. No! Their forum is not even recognized by law`.
The truth of the matter is that the concept of governors’ forum as operated in other climes is that of peer review and for the governors to compare notes. The 1999 constitution, the fundamental law that governs the current democratic dispensation does not recognize the governors’ forum. It is very strange that in the Nigerian curious brand of federalism, any group can form association and use it as pressure group for their benefits to the disadvantage of the larger society. That is why university teachers in Nigeria can form national association to arm-twist the federal government and at the same time talking of university autonomy. If the governors are very interested in borrowing money, they can approach the capital market or go to the World Bank. The pension fund is no go area and the message should be drummed into the ears of the state governors. These are governors who are famous for spending money without generating a dime.
The NLC, TUC, the numerous human rights lawyers and the press should come out and fight this evil. We must not allow governors who are notorious for economic laziness and could not think outside the box for funds generation to succeed. If we allow them, the workers would be worst for it. This is a very credible reason for workers throughout the country to go on strike and grind the country to a halt to stop the looming economic disaster.
It really staggers the imagination for governors who are not part of the contributory pension scheme and owing pensioners for years to contemplate dipping their hands into the pension pie. In Delta State where I reside, pensioners are the lucky ones who could get their benefits after five years of retirement. To make matters worse, there are three pension schemes- one for permanent secretaries, consolidated pension payment, local government workers and primary schools teachers, and the state civil servants. A retired local government worker or primary school teacher receives pension benefits thrice that of a civil servant. Instead of the government to correct this contradiction, they are thinking of how to borrow pension funds. Other states are even worse than Delta State in terms of pension payment. This is what workers expect Fayemi and his members of governors’ forum to strategize about.
The federal government should step in and direct the National Pension Commission not to release a kobo to these governors. The law setting up the National Pension Commission makes provisions on how the funds should be properly invested. The idea of state governors borrowing from it is not part of it. We cannot trust the state governors with workers` money. It is very unfortunate that most of the state governors who complained of their inability to pay the national minimum wage should be the ones thinking of borrowing workers` money. The minimum standard of governance we expect from them is to regularly pay pensioners their benefits. The default in pension remittance by some state governors is oozing, repulsive and anti-people and this is where Fayemi should focus his attention.
Some state governors are defending the outlandish pension payments for former governors and deputy governors for serving for eight or four years. Others, more sensible governors are repealing that law and we must commend them for their patriotic stance. Leadership is about service and not selfish and primitive accumulation of wealth to the distress of the people, the owners of electoral sovereignty. Here we are talking of people who used their salad years in the service of the nation- thirty five years of service or sixty years. As Karl Marx would say, workers of the world must unite and they have nothing to lose but their chains. Nigerians workers and lovers of fairness and equity must unite and stop the governors in their tracks to misappropriate the pension funds. The pension funds must remain a safety net for workers in period of need and old age.
Julius OWEH, a journalist, Asaba, Delta State. 08037768392
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, (DESOPADEC), Bashorun Askia Ogieh (FCNA, CrFA), has congratulated the Governor of Delta State, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, for being honoured with the coveted Zik Prize in Leadership Award on Sunday, December 6, 2020.
Bashorun Askia, said the award is a recognition of the Governor’s uncommon leadership acumen and shrewdness which he brought to bear in Delta state.
In a statement issued on behalf of the Commission, the MD/CEO reaffirmed that Governor Okowa earned the award because of his strong commitment to developing all nooks and crannies of the state as well as political will-power to ensure spread of democracy dividends.
A statement personally signed by Bashorun (Hon.) Askia Ogieh, FCNA, crFA, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer and titled Excellence In Leadership reads:
“On behalf of the Board, Management and Staff of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), I heartily congratulate His Excellency, the Governor of Delta State, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, on being conferred with the Zik Prize in Leadership Award today.
“Ekwueme, the award is another recognition of your great leadership acumen and shrewdness which you brought to bear in our state. It is also a testimonial of your giant strides in the affairs of our State with your “Stronger Delta” Mantra and vast infrastructural development which has earned you the sobriquet ‘Road Master” and endeared you to all.
“We at DESOPADEC, delivering on your mandate at the grassroots, are proud to be associated with these infrastructural and socio-economic advances which are obviously impacting positively and widely on the lives of our people.
–Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA) –Special Report By Mike SOGBOLO:
United States has removed all visa reciprocity fees for Nigerians seeking visas into the country.
The Donald Trump government in August had announced visa reciprocity fees against some countries seen to be charging high visa fees on Americans, this includes Nigeria
Against the outcry of many Nigerians, the federal government responded few days by reducing visa fees for Americans traveling to Nigeria from $180 to $150 in response to the US embassy’s introduction of a “reciprocity fee” for Nigerians.
The US embassy had earlier claimed that the reciprocity fee, ranging from $80 to $303 and only to be paid for approved visas, were introduced to “eliminate that cost difference” between visa application fees for both countries.
The embassy explained then that move was in line with a Trump executive order in 2017 for the US secretary of State to, among other things, adjust fee schedules “to match the treatment of United States nationals” by other countries. The US embassy claimed it has been in talks with Nigerian authorities for 18 months to align visa fees.
The Nigerian government has also explained after it responded to the reciprocity decision by the US Embassy that the decision to lower visa fees for American applicants was taken months ago but was not implemented given the transition in government.
The US Embassy did not however immediately reverse it’s decision.
A statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has however said the reciprocity fees have been removed.
A statement on Saturday signed by Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ferdinand Nwonye informed that the United States Government has removed all visa reciprocity fees for Nigerian citizens seeking visas to the United States.
The statement said: “The positive development is in line with the removal of excess visa application, processing and biometric fees for United States citizens applying for Nigerian visas by the Nigerian Government.
“The United States Government has therefore eliminated reciprocity fees for Nigerian citizens with effect from December 3, 2020.”
The statement added that: “Prospective Nigerian travellers to the United States are hereby advised to visit: www.travel.state.gov for details.”
-Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA) -From Sunny A. DAVID:
Modern School buildings have been erected at the Community Secondary School, Ufuma, Orumba North Local Government Area, Anambra State.
The Project Coordinator of Bid Engineering and Contractors In-charge of the project, Mr. Okey Ezekwelu, an Architect, explained that the school project was a Community Service Responsibility (CSR) Project undertaken by Total Upstream Nigeria Ltd.
He also said that Total Upstream engaged in education, health, and physically challenged projects as its contribution to National development.
The Project Coordinator made the disclosure while being interviewed by newsmen shortly after he took the Commissioner for Basic Education, Anambra State, Prof. Kate Omenugha, round the school structures at Ufuma.
According to Mr. Ezekwelu, the Community School was one of the schools randomly selected by the company from the South East and the first in Anambra State as beneficiary of Total Upstream Nigeria Ltd., CSR Project.
He explained that the new school buildings were erected based on globally acceptable standards to provide comfortable learning atmosphere for the students.
Mr. Ezekwelu added that the school buildings included an administrative block, 12 classroom blocks, Library, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre and a Sick Bay.
Other facilities on the school premises are 20 toilet facilities, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Intro Tech Laboratories, and Generator House, which houses functional big electricity generating set.
He noted that each classroom would have capacity to seat 50 students.
Prof. Kate Omenugha expressed joy at the completion of the building and commended Total Upstream Nigeria Ltd., for executing the project.
In continuation of its Job Creation Programme, the Delta State Government through its Job Creation Bureau has established another 44 STEP graduands who recently completed their vocational training in Electrical Installation and Solar works.
The 44 STEPreneurs were trained under the Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP) having successfully completed the three training phases of the programme which lasted for eight months.
While addressing the beneficiaries in Asaba, the Chief Job and Wealth Creation Officer, Prof Eric Eboh, said establishing them with starter packs was another forward step in living out the vision of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to achieve youth empowerment, economic prosperity and social inclusion for a Stronger Delta.
He added that since 2015, the State Government has been engaging, training and empowering Delta youths under the Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP), pointing out that a total of 3,881 youths have benefitted from the personal effectiveness training, skills training, entrepreneurship training and start-up support activities under STEP out of which 44 of them were being established with starter packs in Electrical Installation and Solar Works after successful completion of their eight months training.
“Since inception in 2015, His Excellency, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor of Delta State, has ensured that the job creation scheme is implemented based on the core principles of professionalism, integrity, quality and discipline. The implementation of the job creation scheme is complemented with the mentoring and support from the Directorate of Youth Monitoring and Mentoring (DYMM). As a result of these features and arising from the verifiable tangible results and impacts on economic conditions of youths, the Delta State Job Creation Scheme had become the role model throughout the country,” he said.
Prof Eboh pointed out that the starter packs for beneficiaries of Electrical Installation and Solar Works included equipment, tools and materials necessary and sufficient to help them set up, own and run a viable and successful enterprise.
He explained that the recommended enterprise start-up items were complemented with shop rent support to the beneficiary, noting that in keeping with the job creation brand, the training phases were designed and implemented in a manner that would help the beneficiary to acquire the requisite orientation, attitudes, aptitudes, capabilities and resources to successfully own and run an enterprise.
While congratulating the beneficiaries for the successful completion of their training and for being qualified to receive starter pack items, he urged them to make good use of the opportunity by devoting themselves to their businesses to make Governor Okowa’s vision a reality.
He admonished them thus, “You should think and work towards success. You should be disciplined, diligent, patient, focused and prayerful about your respective enterprises. Do not be discouraged or derailed by initial obstacles that would confront you. Rather, see the obstacles as stepping stones to a successful entrepreneurship. Remember the axiom – ‘winners don’t quit and quiters don’t win’. So, learn to persevere and always be solution-minded rather than problem-focused. Make continuous learning and personal improvement your binding principle. Develop a vision for your enterprise, think towards the vision, share the vision with others, make the right decisions and take the right actions today to lay the foundation and raise the building blocks to make the vision happen. Be admonished that tomorrow starts today. What your enterprise becomes many years from today depends on what actions you take today.”
He noted that the success of the job creation programme is measured by the success of the programme beneficiaries, stressing that the Delta State Job and Wealth Creation Bureau (DS-JCWB) would continue to work with the Directorate of Youth Monitoring and Mentoring (DYMM) to facilitate networking, mentoring and other support necessary for the survival, growth, success and sustainability of their new enterprises.
Speaking on behalf of other beneficiaries, Julius Kalaere Pina (Burutu LGA) expressed his readiness to put the knowledge acquired into good use in order to become gainfully employed. He was overwhelmed with joy for the opportunity given to him to be trained and established with starter pack to begin a business after nine years of unemployment.
Also, Nwabuozor Fredick Uzoma (Ika North East) a graduate of Psychology, was grateful to the State Government for the opportunity given to him to be trained as an entrepreneur with a promise to utilize the starter pack well to build and sustain his business.
“As a young graduate I was working as an Uber driver but when I was selected as a trainee, it opened my eyes to a lot of opportunity to establish myself in Electrical Installation and Solar Works. I also paid to train myself on CCTV Installment,” he stated.
President Muhammadu Buhari has sent truckloads of relief material for the families and people of Zabarmari, whose loved ones were slain on a rice field by Boko Haram.
The President’s gesture came 48 hours after he had earlier sent his condolences to the families of the slain farmers, government and people of Borno State through a team led by the Senate President, Senator Ahmed Lawan.
Delivering the President’s humanitarian gesture on Wednesday is the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar-Farouq.
Umar-Farouq, while presenting the President’s gesture, said: “I am here to convey the sympathy of the Federal Government to the Government and people of Borno State over the sad incident that occurred on Saturday 28th November 2020 in Zabarmari community in Jere Local Government Area of the State where innocent citizens were gruesomely murdered by Boko Haram insurgents.
“Beside the 43 persons that were confirmed dead and subsequently buried, it is learnt that some persons in the community were also abducted by the insurgents and are currently being sought after by combined team of the military and other security agencies.
“It is shocking to imagine this act of gruesome murder by the insurgents. This cannot be justified under any guise. We are all aware that our religion is against what has happened to the innocent and hardworking farmers that were not only working to feed themselves but contributing to the food security of the nation.
“His Excellency The President and Commander-in-Chief Muhammadu Buhari GCFR is saddened by the attack and has directed me to come here to deliver relief supports from the Federal Government to families of the victims and other affected persons.”
The items given to the people of the bereaved village, include: 13,000 bags of 12.5kg rice (5 ½ trailer load), 13,000 bags of 12.5kg maize (5 ½ trailer load), 13,000 bags of 25kg beans (11 trailer load), 13,000 kegs of vegetable oil, 2,116 cartons of seasoning (3 trailer load), 1,083 cartons of tin tomato and 650 bags of salt
The Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum commended the gesture from the President even as he thanked the Minister for her prompt response.
–Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA) –From Mike SOGBOLO (North- East Bureau):
Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu has been ordered by a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to immediately commence criminal charges against Eunisell Chemicals Limited, Chika Ikenga and Suraj Yakubu for false information, forgery and impersonation.
The three were accused of having given “false information, forgery and false impersonation” to the police.
The court order followed a case filed by Mr. Kenneth Amadi, Mrs. Happiness Amadi and IDID Nigeria LTD against the police for withdrawing a criminal case earlier filed by the police against Ikenga, Yakubu and Eunisell.
The court presided over by Justice Taiwo O. Taiwo in an order on Monday, instructed the IGP, the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Mr. Anthony Ogizi and Commissioner of Police in charge of the Legal Department, Mr. Augustine Sanomi to “refile the charge and prosecute Chika Ikenga, Suraj Yakubu and Eunisell Chemicals Limited for the offences of false information, forgery and false impersonation as contained in charge NO.CR/361/18 between the IGP and the three accused which charge was filed on the 5th of October, 2018 and withdrawn on the 26th of February, 2019.”
The three were charged to court following false allegations of stealing and forgery against an Abuja businessman, Mr. Kenneth Amadi, Mrs. Happiness Amadi and IDID Nigeria Limited.
Kenneth Amadi, was initial accused of stealing, conspiracy and criminal breach of trust by his former employers, Mr. Chika Ikenga and his company, Eunisell.
But after three years of intense investigation, Amadi was exonerated by the police and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of the accusations.
In giving Amadi a clean bill, the Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU) of the Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department in its report to the Inspector General of Police, signed by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ben Nebolisa Okolo for the Commissioner, stated that investigations show that the “allegations of breach of trust and stealing Against Kenneth Amadi could not be proved, therefore cannot be charged for any criminal Offence.”
But Mr. Ikenga and Eudisell unsatisfied with police investigation petitioned the EFCC which conducted two investigations over a period of two years and came to the same conclusion as the police – acquitting Mr. Amadi of any wrongdoing.
The EFCC, in its letter signed by the Head of Intelligence and Special Operation Section, Mr. Sam Adache, stated that after the commission conducted a careful investigation into the allegations, “the conclusion of the investigation, the allegation contained in the said petition could not be sustained.”
The police was later to charge Chika Ikenga, Suraj Yakubu and Eunisell Chemicals Limited to court for presentation of false reports. But the case was later withdrawn, a situation which forced the Kenneth Amadi, Happiness Amadi and IDID Nigeria Limited who were criminally accused to approach the Federal High Court in Abuja to compel the police to continue the case.
Justice Taiwo in his ruling stated that “having considered the law and the facts before me, this court hereby grants the prayer sought by the applicant. The respondents are hereby compelled to refile the charge and prosecute Chika Ikenja, Suraj Yakubu and Eunisell Chemicals Limited for the offences of false information, forgery and false impersonation as contained in charge NO.CR/361/18 between Inspector General of Police and Chika Ikenga, Suraj Yakubu and Eunisell Chemicals LTD which was filed on the 5th of October, 2018 and withdrawn on the 26th of February, 2019.
He further ordered that the case should be refiled within 14 days by the respondents on the receipt of the enrolled order of this court.
The Nigerian Governors’ Forum Chairman and Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has said that the nation’s security challenges are beyond the Nigerian military, insisting that they are surely overwhelmed and cannot single-handedly handle the crisis.
Fayemi noted that the multitude of security situation affecting many parts of the country, that includes, Insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and armed robbery have overdrawn the military
Speaking in Maiduguri, Borno State Capital on Tuesday, he said: “We are here your Excellency, first to express our condolences to the families and loved ones of our lost citizens, and also to the good people of Borno State, and yourself as the leader of our people here.”
“But what happened in the last three days is by far beyond any imagination, it was a massacre and it was one that none of us could come to terms easily with.
“I know there is an element of fatigue that will creep into this, everytime this happens we never let you rest on your phones expressing sympathies, we come here as delegation, you speak to us about your genuine believe on what could help us tackle this challenge that is depleting our country and we pledge to take steps to engage the leadership of our country. So there is very little we can say to you now that we haven’t said before as your brothers.
“There is nothing new that you haven’t told us, that you haven’t told the delegation from Mr President yesterday. We have all heard directly from you, your 6-point agenda, we have read it and you have just expressed to us in our private conversation. All I can say to you sir, is that we fully and wholeheartedly endorsed every single point on that agenda.”
He added that: “The reality we can all say, I personally as security scholar, the reality I can see is that our military is overwhelmed. Our military is no longer in a position to single handedly tackle this menace effectively.
“It is not a criticism of our military, if one were to suggest a coalition beyond that will even include our neighbouring countries who are probably more experienced in fighting asymmetrical war. It will not be a lost of our pride as a country, if that were to happen and this certainly something that we as your colleagues and brothers will put before Mr President.”
Fayemi was accompanied by the Governor of Sokoto State and the Vice Chairman of the Forum, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Abubakar Bagudu and that of Niger State, Abubakar Bello.
The Governor also stated that, their visit to Borno is an expression of their frustration for not able to make any meaningful development in the security problems facing the country, despite many attempts.
He said: “This is not a visit to gratify ourselves that we have come to you, no, it is expression of also our own frustration that we have not been able make changes, because we have held series of meetings, you have been present at these meetings, some with Mr President, meetings with security chiefs, we have highlighted all the issues, you have spoken, frankly on all those occasions, but we are still where we are.
“We can’t bring back the people we have lost in the last couple of days, but if we do not take the necessary steps the entire nation will be consumed by this insurgency.”
He noted that, despite all these, the Nigerian Governors’ Forum will continue to support the government of Borno in engaging appropriate authorities to find solutions to the insecurity.
“We need to stand solidly with you, assist in whatever way you want us to, ensuring that our government takes the right position in order to tackle this problem. I want to assure that we shall not relent as your brothers in conveying this to the appropriate authorities.” Gov. Fayemi said.
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum who decried the continous attack on innocent people, said: “We need to address the underlying causes of the insurgency, while appreciating the effort of the federal government in implementing some policies that are geared towards addressing poverty in the entire nation, Borno State deserve more.
“We have said all, there is nothing new that I can say. But when shall we end this insurgency, that’s something very important.”
Zulum also expressed appreciation for all the members of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum for their support to Borno in time of her needs. He also thanked them for the visit.
-Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA) – By Austen AKHAGBEME:
One of the most embarrassing phenomenon in Nigeria today is the continued display of bravado and reckless impunity by the ravaging Boko Haram sect and their equally deadly Bandit variant, in their nefarious operations in Northern Nigeria, despite the government acclaimed superiority and control over the crisis.
It is a shame of a nation, nay a people, who boast often of their cultural and religious homogeneity to lord it over the rest of us when it comes to political leadership and electioneering.
Even with the recent massacre of harmless farmers and the feared kidnap of their wives and children, no prominent northern elite is bold enough to cry out to the powers that be. Why is there a conspiracy of silence amongst the hitherto vocal northern elites when their backyards are gradually turning into massive killing fields?
Why is it that nobody is bold enough to call to question, the integrity of those Northern sons and daughters whose hands lies the onerous responsibility to protect life and property in the north specifically and the country in general?
Where are the retired Generals and military goons that often masquerade as Kaduna mafia, Langtang Mafia, Arewa think-tank et cetera? Why is the politically controversial Arewa youth that often issues ultimatum to other “lesser” tribes to vacate the north at the slightest provocation suddenly go mute in the face of the wanton destruction of lives in their region?
Why are the northern governors silent and abandoned their colleagues in the north east to face their predicament alone? Where are the rumoured numerous northern presidential hopefuls today?
It is very obvious that the ordinary man in the north has been shortchanged, bamboozled, deceived and abandoned by their hitherto noisy, manipulative and overbearing elites who never have their thoughts at heart but often resort to them for political and pecuniary gains.
From the banditry and kidnapping in the north west to the menace of the Boko Haram in the north East, northern Nigeria has never had it so bad in terms of insecurity. The painful paradox is the fact that the nation’s security architecture is wholly manned by people from the north, yet nobody raises eyebrows.
It is understood that security is the responsibility of everyone irrespective of the region you come from. And that the other regions are not eldorados or as crisis free as it should be. But the wanton spilling of innocent blood in the north and the awed unity at playing the ostrich by the northern elites, is conspiratorial and highly condemnable.
Let the north speak out against the ongoing annihilation of her people by heartless anarchists and reject the conspiracy of silence of their deceptive and predatory elites. Or else, it might be too late.
Austen AKHAGBEME is a Columnist with Blank NEWS Online
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, (DESOPADEC), Bashorun Askia Ogieh (FCNA, CrFA), has said that Warri, the commercial nerve centre of Delta State is safe and open for businesses, contrary to the notion held by uninformed individuals.
The DESOPADEC’s helmsman stated this on Monday when a delegation of the Delta Broadcasting Service (DBS) Song of the Year Committee led by it’s chairman, Mrs Oborerhiri Isongoyo paid a thank you visit to the Commission in Warri.
According to Bashorun Askia, “We want to tell the world that Warri is safe and good for business through the successful hosting of the song of the year show which was held in the city recently.
“Through this kind of programmes we can encourage Warri economy to blossom again as we tell the true story of Warri to promote what we really stood for,” he said.
Bashorun Askia, who congratulated Ese Amadasun for winning the maiden edition of the talent hunt show which was sponsored by DESOPADEC, said he is interested in programmes aimed at developing talents discovered in the show.
“A post event programme that would market winners of the show will be welcomed. If the event ends here, it is not good enough. Winners should be able to make positive impact on the society in becoming big stars in the future,” Bashorun Askia stated.
The Uzere High Chief promised to partner with DBS in the future but noted that the recession occasioned by the Covid-19 Pandemic should be short-lived so that the Commission will be able to meet up with their request of further assistance.
The head of the delegation and Chairman of the DBS Song of Year Committee, Mrs Isongoyo lauded the support of DESOPADEC for the maiden edition and sought for further assistance in the upcoming second edition next year.
In the delegation were Ceejay Nwajei, Manager Programmes, John Glover, Principal Reporter, Edah Omonigho and Ese Amadasun, winner of the DBS Song of the Year 2020.
Re-OZORO/OLEH CRISIS: “Oleh Odiologbo Should Mind his Utterances”
–Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA):
Prince Tony Ovrawah has condemned in strong terms the attack on HRM Anthony O. Ovrawah Omogha 1, the Odiologbo of Oleh kingdom by Mr. Leo Ogor Okuweh, former minority leader of the house of representatives saying, “Oleh Odiologbo should mind his utterances”, and described it as aberration and disdainful without regard to the royal majesty.
Prince Ovrawah made the statement while reacting to an online publication by TheNewsguru.com on Friday 20th November 2020 by Mr Leo Ogor.
He stated that the statement alleging that Odiologbo of Oleh said, “Leo Ogor armed youths in Isoko to perpetuate mayhem“ is false and devoid of truth in its entirety.
Prince Ovrawah urged the law maker to ignore false rumor and warned agents peddling false information to cause panic and hatred to steer clear of the Oleh / Ozoro crisis as the gruesome murder of the Oleh 12 indigenes at Ada farmland on the 16th of October 2020, is totally unacceptable.
He maintained that Mr. Ogor should have investigated the allegation before making counter accusation on his royal majesty, stressing that the law maker who has represented the people of the constituent for many years, should be more concerned about peace of the people and subsequent solution to the crisis.
Prince Ovrawah said, to accuse a traditional ruler of allegation which is not true shows the height of disrespect, stressing that, to have called Oleh monarch as ‘clan head’ is scornful attitude, He added that inflammatory statements from the law maker who represents Isoko constituency shouldn’t emanate at this time.
He maintained that, challenging the chairman of Isoko traditional rulers council, to show links Mr. Ogor played in the communal crisis should not come at this time that Oleh community is mourning and seeking for Justice.
Prince Ovrawah said, if the law maker is disturbed by the killing, he ought to have been more concerned on restoring peace and to bring the perpetrators to book in his constituency and not to make statements of disaffection and counter claims of allegation and accusation.
He opined that the role played by Isoko development union, representatives of the Delta State government on peace building and conflict resolution, the two local government council since the onslaught should be complemented by the law maker to ensure lasting peace and stop accusing Oleh traditional ruler of baseless allegation.
Prince Ovrawah added that, calling on the inspector general of police and Delta State commissioner of police to arrest and punish the culprits to end the communal crisis and restore lasting peace should be the main focus of the law maker and not to depend on frivolous false information capable of causing tension and disunity among the constituents.
Wife of the Delta State Governor, Dame Edith Okowa and founder of 05 Initiative has encouraged the Coalition of Non Governmental Organizations, to initiate a comprehensive database for the collection of cases of sexual abuses, domestic violence for the purpose of policy implementation.
Dame Okowa said this on Thursday, November 26, 2020, while addressing a gender-based advocates, who thronged her office during a 16 days of activism rally to her office at Government House, Asaba, in commemoration of the International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women.
Addressing the advocates who came under the umbrella of Delta State Coalition Against Gender-Based Violence, she told them to sustain the tempo to curtail acts of abuse, gender molestation and violence prevalent in the society, insisting that much effort is still needed to curtail the menace to the barest minimum.
She frowned at the recurring incidences of child defilement, rape and domestic violence against women, stressing that women should feel safe, speak up, listen and show love to victims of sexual violence.
“We should go to churches, market places, to schools talking to our young girls, see something say something. Stop shutting up your daughters, let them speak because if you don’t listen to them, someone else will give them ears. Respond to these victims, so many of them might not be able to talk, they need love, they need our ears.”
Earlier in her speech, leader of the Coalition and the Executive Director, International Center for Women Empowerment and Child Development, Barr Julian Ogwulu said the commemoration of the 16 days of activism basically serves to raise public awareness on the repugnant action of violence against women and girls, noting that, gender-based violence is one of the most widespread, persistent and devastating human rights violations in our present world.
Barr. Ogwulu, stated that recent statistics published by the State Ministry of Justice showed that Delta State recorded its highest cases of gender-based violence in 2018 since the Ministry started keeping the records. She said that the situation from all indications has further worsened world wide with advent of Covid-19 pandemic.
“Although there are no available statistics yet but there has undoubtedly been a significant increase in the number of reported acts of violence against women and girls in Delta State and across Nigeria since the outbreak of the pandemic.”
She mentioned that impunity, silence, stigma and shame as inhibitors to addressing the large majority of cases of gender-based violence which go unreported, applauded the passage of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) law in Delta state, emphasizing that it has comprehensive and far reaching provision against gender-based violence.
“Indubitably, it represents a formidable instrument for combating violence against women and girls. The VAPP law is therefore a critically important legislation in the fight against gender inequality and the marginalization of women and girls.”
Also the Delta state chairperson of FIDA, Stella-Maris Mejulu, in a vote of thanks, commended Dame Edith Okowa for her passion and assured that the advocacy will continue with the advocacy until the menace is halted.
She thanked the State Attorney General, Barr Peter Mrakpor for ensuring the successful passage of the VAPP law which she said will rip the state of violators of the law.
The National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), led by Mrs Gbemudu was fully on ground amongst other 30 Non Governmental Organizations (NGO’s) and Civil Society Organizations (CSO’s) during the ongoing 16-day advocacy rally to commemorate the International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women.
>>Isoko Sons In Govt To Meet Thursday, 26th Nov. 2020
–Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA)– By Michael EKOKORUWE:
The President General of Isoko Development Union, High Chief Iduh Amadhe has called on the state government to urgently send a delegation to console the people of Oleh over the gruesome killing of the 12 indigenes of Oleh kingdom, as the women protest continues with blocking of major roads and halting of economic activities in the area.
Amadhe made the statement while appealing to the women protesters for calm at Oleh roundabout, Isoko South local government area of Delta State, just as the women vowed to continue the protest until the state government responds to their demand on quick justice over the killing of the 12 indigenes of the kingdom.
The president general stated that government is on top of the situation, assuring that justice will be served through thorough investigation, noting that the problem is not for Oleh alone, but entire Isoko nation. “It is a disgrace to entire Isoko nation, it has never happened like this in Isoko” he said.
He decried the gruesome killing saying, “how can people go to their farm and were massacred, butchered like animals. It is an abomination, even children and women were also killed”.
He maintained that a meeting of all Isoko sons in government through Isoko South local government council has been schedule to hold on Thursday, 26th of November 2020, adding that it will involve traditional rulers, cultural and religious leaders respectively.
According to Amadhe, “we shall look for traditional ways of finding lasting solution to what has happened, and while we are doing that, the Delta State government should expedite action and send delegation to come and console the community that lost their loved ones”.
Speaking to journalists, the women leader of Oleh kingdom, Mrs. Juliana Itewor stated that, the protest continued due to government negligence and lackadaisical attitude in handling the issue, stressing that the protest will continue until they get justice for the killing of the Oleh 12.
She lamented that since the killing, no government official has come to Oleh kingdom to sympathize with them over the gruesome killing, just as a pregnant woman Mrs. Egeme Oghenereke who lost her husband and six other members of her family decried the suffering and agony the killing has caused.
Diego Maradona has died at the age of 60 after suffering a cardiac arrest, according to reports in his native Argentina.
The football legend, according to Agency reports had a heart attack at his home just two weeks after leaving hospital where he underwent surgery on a blot clot in his brain.
Maradona, regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, helped Argentina win the World Cup in 1986, the pinnacle of an illustrious career.
He played club football for Boca Juniors, Napoli and Barcelona among others and was adored by millions for his brilliant skills.
He died of the heart attack just two weeks after being released from hospital after treatment for bleed on his brain.
The football legend had a heart attack at his home just two weeks after leaving hospital where he underwent surgery on a blot clot in his brain.
Maradona, regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, helped Argentina win the World Cup in 1986, the pinnacle of an illustrious career.
He played club football for Boca Juniors, Napoli and Barcelona among others and was adored by millions all over the world for his brilliant skills.
Maradona was responsible for the infamous ‘Hand of God’ that eliminated England from the 1986 tournament.
His career was also tinged with controversy because of drug and alcohol addiction.
The Argentine news outlet Clarin broke the news on Wednesday afternoon UK time, describing the news of Maradona’s passing as having a ‘worldwide impact’.
The sad news was confirmed by Maradona’s lawyer. Soon, tributes were pouring in from all over the world of football.
Maradona left hospital on November 11 just eight days after being admitted for emergency brain surgery.
The iconic former Argentinian footballer was driven away from the private Olivos Clinic just before 6pm on November 11 as hundreds of fans of photographers tried to get a glimpse of him.
Maradona was hospitalised the previous week and had to have an emergency operation to remove a blood clot from his brain.
Argentinian TV reporters travelling on motorbikes filmed the ambulance carrying him leaving before following the vehicle to transmit every inch of his journey.
His lawyer, Matias Morlahas said that the 60-year-old would continue to receive treatment for alcohol dependency.
Maradona, who was the coach of Gimnasia y Esgrima in his home country, had been admitted to hospital on several occasions since his retirement. He almost died of cocaine-induced heart failure in 2000 and underwent years of rehabilitation.
Maradona, who was well known for having a wild lifestyle during and after his playing days, had a gastric bypass operation to lose weight in 2005 and was once more hospitalised two years later for alcohol-induced hepatitis.
He also fell ill at the last World Cup in Russia, where he was filmed passing out in an executive box when Argentina took on and beat Nigeria in Group D.
