-Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA) –From Sunny A. DAVID (Editor N’East Bureau):
No fewer than 52 people escaped death in an accident involving six vehicles on Ihiala road, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State as the New Year 2021 began on Friday.
The State Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr. Andrew Kumapayi confirmed the incident to our correspondent in Awka.
He said the accident which occurred at about 2 p.m., was caused by speeding and loss of control.
“The multiple crash involved a Toyota Hiace bus with registration number AGB268ZT, a Mark Trailer with registration number GWA456YR and another Toyota Hiace bus with registration number NEN106XQ.
“Others are an Acura MDX Jeep with registration number NZM764LK, a Marcapolo Luxury bus with registration number AKD483XF and a Hyundai Jeep with registration number EG172SMK,” Mr. Kumapayi said.
He said that witness report reaching the FRSC indicated that the driver of one of the vehicles was speeding, lost control of the vehicle and rammed into the other five vehicles.
“A total of 52 people were involved in the crash – 38 male adults and 14 female adults. No life was lost.
“11 people out of the 52 sustained some degrees of injuries and were taken to Obijackson Foundation and Our Lady of Lourdes Hospitals in Ihiala for treatment by the FRSC rescue team.
“Meanwhile, the FRSC rescue team from Ihiala were on ground controlling traffic as the obstructions were been cleared,” the Sector Commander said.
While wishing the injured people speedy recovery, Mr. Kumapayi warned motorists against speed limit violation and urged them to drive safely and stay safe to avoid accidents.
Wife of the Governor of Delta State and founder of 05 initiative, Dame Edith Okowa, on Friday December 1, 2021 presented gifts and offered prayers to Baby Joy Ogwu Ogbeta, the first baby born in 2021.
The first baby of the year, 2021, weighed 2.6kg and was born at 12:15am on the 1/1/2021 at the General hospital, Asaba to Mr and Mrs Ogwu Ogbeta.
Dame Okowa, who was full of joy on seeing the first baby of the year, said the year 2021 is a special year and appreciated God for keeping everyone alive to see the New Year.
She commended the doctors and nurses who laboured for the delivery of the child and other children who were born on January 1.
Father of the baby, Emeka Ogwu, said he felt very great for the delivery of his first baby after four years of marriage and the special visit of the governor’s wife.
Mr. Ogwu, a business man, said: “I feel very great and happy. My wife and baby are alive and healthy. We have been married for four years before the baby came. This is our first child.
“I feel great and appreciate the governor’s wife for coming to see us. I also see that the structures in the hospital are wonderful. Here is a better place than what we have outside. We need more of this in the state,” Mr. Ogwu said.
Dependable sources revealed that from the registration of the baby for ante-natal till the birth of the baby which was through caesarian section, no money was collected from the family.
Also, all post natal care the child will receive at the hospital for the next five years will be free in line with the under five policy of the Delta state government.
The mother of the baby, Mrs. Mercy Ogwu-Ogbeta is a lecturer at the Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka. The husband is from Aniocha South East hole the wife is from Sapele local government area.
Meanwhile, the governor’s wife had paid N1.139million for the hospital bill of 11 patients at the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, the Delta state capital.
While making the presentation of the cash to the Chief Medical Director of the FMC, Dr. Victor Osiatuma, she thanked God for using 05 Initiative her pet project to meet the need of many people in the state.
She said with the payment, the freedom of the patients had started and they would enjoy the 2021 to the fullest. She added that the year would be freedom from all evils, noting that all evils of 2020 had been deleted.
In response to the gesture of the governor’s wife, Chief Medical Director of the FMC, Dr. Osiatuma said he received the news of Her Excellency’s visit to pay the bills with joy.
He said since the governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa came into power, the wife has never discriminated against federal or state hospitals in her effort to meet the health needs of the people of Delta state
According to him, since Okowa’s wife has been in the office of the state’s first lady, patients in the FMC have always been glad, leaving the hospital with her assistance.
He prayed for God to keep the family of the governor so as to continue to meet the needs of the people of the state.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Bashorun Askia Ogieh, has assured that the much anticipated Skills Academy by the Commission will take off in the new year.
Bashorun Askia said the commission in 2021 will focus on entrepreneurship and building skills for youths of oil bearing communities in the state.
The DESOPADEC boss stated this on Friday in a New Year message personally signed by him titled “A New Year and Hope Renewed”.
He said through the DESOPADEC Skills Academy, the commission will be building entrepreneurs and artisans that would be employers of labour.
Askia stated that era of youths waiting for nonexisting white-collar jobs was over, urging youths to take advantage of the forthcoming Academy to build a better life for themselves.
“On our part, the DESOPADEC under my watch looks forward to collaborating with vision-driven council leaders who will partner with us in executing our innovative programmes to improve the quality of life of our people. Programmes designed to equip our people with requisite business acumen and entrepreneurial wherewithal to venture into businesses will be vigorously pursued by DESOPADEC in the New Year,” Bashorun Askia said.
“Our primary target for the programmes are our vibrant youth and our womenfolk. We are poised to kick start the DESOPADEC Skills Academy, believing that the future belongs to the artisans and not youths who parade certificates, looking for non-existent white collar jobs.
“For the ready youths, DESOPADEC will make them employers of labour and confident and enterprising youths, through our Academy”, he said.
He urged the people of DESOPADEC mandate areas to be optimistic in the New Year, saying 2021 will usher good tidings as against 2020 that came with many challenges which posed threats to the human existence with the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic.
The DESOPADEC boss also charged the people to remain peaceful especially in the forthcoming March 6 council elections, adding that development will only thrive in an atmosphere of peace.
According to him, “Now that we have successfully berthed into 2021 through the mercy and grace of the Most High, we should march on with renewed hope that the New Year holds great prospects for us and our mandate communities.
“By the peaceful conduct of the recently held party primaries ahead of the forthcoming local government elections, we have set the stage for a peaceful transition to a new leadership in the councils.
“DESOPADEC, as always thrives better where peace and tranquility reigns. I urge you all to sustain the spirit of the peaceful conduct of the primaries to ensure the emergence of credible and responsive leadership after the March 6, 2021 council elections.
“I must state, for emphasis, that the Commission has enjoyed the partnership and cooperation of our mandate areas, giving us the atmosphere to impact positively and to deliver our intended vision and mission. For that, we are most grateful and crave further mutual collaboration for the benefit of our people and communities.”
Bashorun Askia assured that the commission will continue to priotise the welfare of staff and operate an open-door policy that will engendered development of its host communities.
He also enjoined the people to continue to support the administration of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in its quest to uplift the living standard and infrastructure of the state.
“Our staff have been amazing. Our successes since coming on board are testimonials. For that, Management has resolved to reciprocate by ensuring that all staff welfare policies, including deserved promotions, are effectively attained. As a listening Board, we expect that our shortcomings, if any, are promptly raised for immediate remedies.
“I urge you to continue to support the administration of His Excellency, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor of Delta State, who has given immense support to the Commission.
“I am optimistic and confident that with the support of our mandate communities, the New Year will herald greater prosperity for our people”, he further stated.
–Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA) –From Mike SOGBOLO (Editor N’East Bureau):
Yobe State Government has said 3,000 new teachers would be recruited in 2021 to address the acute shortage of teachers.
The government who had earlier declared a state of emergency in the education sector and has equally hosted education summit to proffer solutions to the perennial problems in the education sector, has completed seven model in Damaturu, Gaidam, Gashu’a, Nguru, Potiskum and Buni-Yadi in the course of 2020 with construction work on seven other mega schools currently ongoing.
Addressing a press conference on the achievements of the state government in 2020 on Thursday, the Commissioner for Information, Mallam Abdullahi Bego disclosed that the model schools will start operations in the first quarter of 2021
On some of the other achievements in the education sector, Bego said there has been construction of more schools and renovation of existing ones in all the 17 local government areas of the state, including fencing of five model primary schools in five councils.
He also said 69 students were sponsored to law school in the course of the year and 204 Yobe Youths sponsored for Undergraduate Courses to India and Asian countries.
Bego said that reformation of Almajiri Education was pursue and the renovation and equipping of lecture hall for university of Maiduguri remedial programme at GGC Damaturu was commenced.
He disclosed that major achievements and turnarounds were witnessed in all the other sectors in the state.
-Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA) –From Sunny A. DAVID (Editor S’East Bureau):
In the spirit of giving and motherly love, the wife of Atani Monarch, Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, Odua Nwanyi Ngoddy organized a Christmas get- together for the children of Atani and others from neighbouring towns.
Odua Nwanyi in a goodwill message, at the Central School, Atani said the occasion has been an annual event for
several years used to show compassion and love for children in the area, stressing that it is not because she is a wife of a traditional ruler or she has money more than others in the Community.
“Despite the fact that I live in overseas where corona virus is ravaging, and instead of managing how to escape the pandemic with my family, l continued to conteplate on how to feed the Atani Children at home. It is a wonderful experience to host our children today,” she said.
She prayed for Gods’ protection and wished the children good health, long life and success in their various carriers.
In his speech, the traditional ruler of Akili Ozizo, His Royal Highness, Igwe Lawrence Oduah described Children as the future hope, stating that it is worth doing to gather the Children at intervals to give them food and make them happy.
The Monarch poured accolades on Odua Nwanyi Ngoddy and her husband for showing their spirit of philanthropy to the Children of Atani and entire Community, as he prayed God to bless them.
Also, Lady Victoria Ngoddy “Eziogilibuno” who organised this year’s get together on behalf of Odua Nwanyi Ngoddy disclosed that she was sent by Igwe and her wife, Odua Nwanyi to host the children and ensure they were well cartered for.
Lady Victoria Ngoddy disclosed that Igwe and his wife could not return to Nigeria this season as usual due to out break of second wave of corona virus pandemic.
She explained that the occasion was successful and praised Odua Nwanyi Ngoddy and her husband for their kindness towards their ppeopl, recalling that Odua Nwanyi Ngoddy donated food items to the community during the lockdown era.
Similarly, an indigen of Ossamala and founder of Hope Foundation, Dr. Elizabeth Obiora “Ugocharacha” noted that what Odua Nwanyi is doing every year for the children of Atani is worthy commendable, urging other people to emulate her.
Earlier, the Parish Priest of St. Stephen Catholic Church Obosi and an indigen of Atani, Rev. Fr. Eloka Nwachukwu who conducted the opening prayer asked God to guide Odua Nwanyi Ngoddy and her husband, Igwe Augustine Azuka Ngoddy and continue blessing them.
He praised the couple for showing love to both the Children and adults of Atani community every year.
The Cleric advised the Children to be friend of Jesus Christ, reminding them that a person who is a friend of Jesus does not fight, steal or insult his or her elders.
According to him, “A friend of Jesus Christ is a person who goes to school and church on time and regularly, a person who listen to his or her parent’s advise and respects elders.”
L-R. Lady Victoria Ngoddy, Igwe Lawrence Oduah, Rev. Fr. Eloka Nwachukwu with others during the cutting of the cake for the party.
-Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA) –By Michael EKOKORUWE:
The chairman of Isoko South local government area, Sir Itiako Ikpokpo, has lifted the 24hours curfew and suspension of HRM Edward Obukeni 1, Ovie of Igbide and HRM Johnson Eweri 11, Ovie of Emede Communities, at a security meeting held at Oleh, Isoko South local government area of Delta State.
Ikpokpo stated that leaders of both communities have agreed to lead the peace process and commended representatives from Igbide and Emede for the wisdom, noting that the peace dialogue between the communities is positive.
While describing road block as act of carnage and criminality, Ikpokpo urged leaders of Igbide and Emede to ensure that the roads are accessible, adding that the police will arrest any person blocking the road.
He said, resolutions entered into by Igbide and Emede communities at a joint meeting of Isoko Development Union, IDU, clan Presidents General and representatives of both communities held on the 21st of December at the IDU secretariat, showed positive response of the peace dialogue.
The local government boss commended the traditional rulers saying, “the progress report is good, this what is expected and we are happy that they have done well and hope that they will do more to bring the elements involved to book”.
He urged the traditional rulers to take initiative of the peace process and manage it accordingly, adding that the peace committee setup will meet to ensure that total peace is restored to both Communities.
Ikpokpo reiterated the importance of peace among the people and urged them to go about their normal duties, stressing that the situation has been accessed and hopeful that permanent resolution shall be taken as the peace process continues through dialogue.
Responding on behalf of both Communities, High Chief Mike Osighe, the Oletu Ologbo of Igbide kingdom said, Igbide and Emede communities have agreed on total cease fire and assured that the resolution reached is acceptable, noting that the youths have maintained decorum for lasting peace in both Communities.
-Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA) –From Mike SOGBOLO/North-East:
Seven hunters were blown apart by landmine about 30 kilometers away from troubled Maiduguri.
The landmine, which scattered the vehicles of local hunters on the hunt for suspected Boko Haram who had hustled cows from areas in Jere local government area of Borno, also got 19 other hunters injured.
Both Senator Kashim Shettima, representing Borno Central in the Senate and Hon. Ahmed Satomi representing Jere Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives confirmed the incident on Wednesday.
Satomi said: “It was sad that seven local hunters were loss to a landmine with 19 others injured.”
He said: “Hunters on patrol after receiving an alert that Boko Haram had carted away some cattle from some villages decided to pursue them, but unfortunately them hit a landmine in their pursuit.
“On their way after a village call Kayamla in Konduga after Alau Dam, they hit a landmine and their vehicle got broken and they had to call for reinforcement from a nearby unit.
“The reinforcement came with a vehicle loaded with about 20 local hunters which moved to support the first vehicle and on their way they hit another landmine which scattered their vehicles killing seven and injuring 19 others.”
He disclosed that the incident happened about 30 kilometres away from Maiduguri, the state capital.
One of the survivors, Abubakar Gambo, had told journalists in Maiduguri that they were 19 onboard their patrol truck when they heard a loud bang.
He had explained that: “We were on patrol along Kayamla route when one of the rear tyres of our Toyota Land Cruiser truck exploded.
“We thought it was a common tyre burst, but we later discovered it was a bomb blast.”
He has also said while they were trying to change the tyre, they spotted some Boko Haram gunmen creeping towards them, which made they to begin to fire in their direction while calling for a backup.
He said the Boko Haram terrorists afterward fled and left some rustled herds of cows behind.
Gambo said: “Our backup team arrived and began to chase after the insurgents who had already gone far into the bush. As they were making their way back, the vehicle ran over a massive bomb that exploded and killed nine of them instantly, while nine others were injured. I saw their vehicle as it was tossed up into the air.”
The Borno state Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Sa’ina Buba, while confirming the incident that happened on Tuesday during the funeral of the seven slain hunters in Maiduguri, said: “We were saddened by the death of these gallant hunters who have sacrificed their lives to protect us.
He said the corpses were evacuated on Tuesday and the injured were taken to the hospital.
Blank NEWS Online can authoritatively report that the Delta State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has ordered a new partial lockdown of all public activities across the state, as a result of the second wave of COVID-19.
The new directive is contained in a circular dated December 24th, 2020 which was issued and signed by Mr Chiedu Ebie, the Secretary to the State Government, SSG.
According to the circular, all public gatherings have been reduced to only 50 persons while night clubs, bars, recreational centres are not exempted.
Read the full text of the circular below:
“While wishing Deltans and residents in the State the compliments of the season, the State Government wishes to remind all of the exigencies that have been imposed on the world at large by the COVID-19 pandemic for several months now. And based on the advice of medical experts on the resurgence of a second wave of the pandemic which is reportedly more virulent, there have been serious health concerns across the globe.
“In view of this development, and in line with the recent Federal Government advisory, His Excellency, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor of Delta State has directed the general observance of a number of COVID-19 protocols and guidelines which include the mandatory use of face masks, hand washing or use of alcohol-based hand sanitisers and social distancing.
“In the meantime, all night clubs are closed with effect from 25th December 2020. Furthermore:
“All informal and formal festivity events including weddings, burials, conferences, congresses, office parties, concerts, seminars, end of year events shall be restricted to not more than 50 persons.
“All bars, lounges, restaurants, eateries, event centres, cinema houses as well as recreational venues are to operate at not more than 50% capacity.
“Overloading of vehicles should be discouraged and it is mandatory for passengers or commuters to use face masks while drivers should ensure good ventilation and sanitary condition of vehicles.
“All public spaces should run on 50% capacity basis; virtual meetings should be encouraged for business purposes and among social groups. All government staff below grade level 12 are to proceed on extended Christmas holidays till further notice
“All malls, shopping centres, markets and other business centres must adopt the earlier mentioned protocols and guidelines in the use of face masks, hand washing and social distancing.
“All gatherings linked to religious activities are to operate at not more than 50% capacity of the facility in use and ensure mandatory use of face masks, hand sanitizers and social distancing. Where possible, multiple services should be adopted.
“Public and Private Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Institutions are to remain closed till Monday, 11th January 2021.
“All persons above the age of 60 years and/or with comorbidities are to be encouraged to stay at home and avoid crowds.
“Members of the public are advised to call the toll free numbers below to report suspected COVID cases: 08031230480, 08031230481, 08031230528, and 08031230529.
“Let this be a civic duty at this time as we look forward in hope for a better year 2021. On our part, we will continue to monitor the impact of this second wave through the Ministry of Health and additional guidelines will be issued when considered necessary.
“Relevant Taskforce Teams and Security Agencies have been directed to ensure compliance as we continue to engage all critical stakeholders including communities and religious leaders to assist in sensitizing their followers, kinsmen and the general public to comply with these guidelines.”
-Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA) –From Mike SOGBOLO/North-East Chief of Bureau:
Sweden has donated N460 million towards fighting acute malnutrition in the North East, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has said.
A statement by UNICEF on Tuesday said Sweden is partnering with it to end malnutrition in the North East.
It disclosed that it has received N460 million (SEK 10 million) contribution from the Swedish International Development to stop acute malnutrition in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.
UNICEF noted that the funding will support the expansion of services targeted at preventing and treating severe acute malnutrition induced by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The statement further added that the contribution will help protect children from other opportunistic infections that may arise from suppressed immune system. “With 690,090 acutely malnourished children, the three north-east states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe constitute the greatest burden of the 2.7 million acutely malnourished children in Nigeria.
“Affected by armed conflict, displacement, limited access to farmland and high prices of food items, children, families and communities in the region already are among the most food insecure and malnourished in the world.”
According to UNICEF, measures to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has further increased the incidence of malnutrition in children in the three north east states, noting that the funding from Sweden will boost outreach programmes to become more effective.
UNICEF said: “Estimates from the Nutrition and Food Security Surveillance (NFSS) conducted in November 2020 put the acute malnutrition prevalence at 6.2 per cent in Adamawa, 10 per cent in Borno and 12.3 per cent in Yobe. NFSS estimates put severe acute malnutrition prevalence at 0.6 per cent in Adamawa, 0.9 per cent in Borno and 2.1 per cent in Yobe.”
It added that: “Through the use of community mobilisers, the SIDA funding will allow for swift identification, referral and treatment of severe acute malnutrition cases in children in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States. Frequent and increased micronutrient supplementation both at the community and referral centre levels will prevent and treat malnutrition in children, thereby providing them with a healthy start in life’.”
-Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA) – From Michael EKOKORUWE:
Hon. Victor Asasa has emerged consensus candidate for Isoko South local government area under the Peoples Democratic Party as Delta State local government election holds on 6th of March 2021.
While announcing result of the primary election held at Ekpre Otobo Hall, Oleh, Isoko South local government area, the returning officer, Sir Kerry Jackson said, Hon. Victor Asasa polled 116 votes to become sole candidate.
Kerry stated that the delegates unanimously picked, voted and affirmed Victor Asasa as the choice of the people.
He commended the delegates of the party saying, “there is solid PDP family in Isoko South local government and I believe absolute victory during the forthcoming election.”
The chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, Isoko South local government area, Odio Chief Godspower Obaro stated that the choice of Hon. Victor Asasa was the delegates unanimous decision, just as the primary election was conducted peacefully. “As chairman of the party, I am so happy for the peaceful primary election and I congratulate Victor Asasa for the victory.”
He urged members of the party to remain united and prepare for victory on the 6th of March 2021, noting that delegates were from various wards of the local government area and the party has done well.
While appreciating members of the party for affirming him as the consensus candidate for the chairmanship position of Isoko South local government, Hon. Victor Asasa commended the delegates for the confidence reposed in him and love shown from the PDP family saying, “I am overwhelmed, this is show of love from the family, the people queued behind me with joy and said, this is our candidate”.
“I appreciate and I tell you that victory will come in due course, I am confident that people from other parties are making arrangement to join PDP”.
He urged members of the party to be committed as victory will come on 6th of March 2021, just as he promised not to disappoint the people.
On his part, the Chairman of Isoko South local government area, Sir Itiako C. Ikpokpo, commended members of the party, the leaders of the party, especially those that agreed to step down for Asasa to emerge consensus candidate and assured of peaceful election on 6th of March 2021.
Sir Ikpokpo noted that PDP is known for vigorous campaign and stressed that with prayers, counseling, support and guardian from party leaders, winning the election will be easy.
Mr. Atano Efe, electoral officer for Isoko South, representing Delta State independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC), commended delegates for the peaceful conduct of the local government chairmanship primary election.
He urged the electorates to prepare and be committed to whoever they will vote for on March 6th 2021, and assured of the Commission’s preparedness.
Olorogun Lucky Oghene-Omoru has received the prestigious awards of Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultant (FIMC) and Certified Management Consultant (CMC).
The awards were conferred on him by the Council of the Institute of Management Specialists, United Kingdom (IMS Nigeria Chapter) at a well-attended Award Ceremony/Certification Seminar held at Abuja.
The IMS Certifications are globally accepted. It is listed in British Qualifications-the British Council’s reference book, published by Kogan Page Ltd. It is also listed in the BTEC Higher National Professional Recognition & Progression Directory and is on the UK Register for Learning Providers (Provider Reference Number 10035444).
The IMS is a member of Confederation of Professional Awarding Bodies (COPAB)
In an interview with newsmen in his office, Olorogun Lucky Oghene-Omoru who is the current Director General of the Delta State Investments Development Agency (DIDA) stated that the double awards of FIMC and CMC by the International Council of Management Consulting Institutes permits him to practice Management Consultancy Services worldwide.
He stated further that the Award Ceremony/Certification Seminar on leadership and management provoked and inspired high performance leaders in business and society to achieve excellence in their various fields.
According to him the programme brought together business and society leaders to interact, network and share ideas and best practices in business, management and leadership and exchange ideas and opinions about practical management challenges/experience.
The Director General thanked His Excellency Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa for providing the enabling environment for individuals to build their capacity stressing that it has given him the opportunity to advance his career.
He promised to bring his wealth of experience and knowledge to bear on his mandate as the Director General of the Delta State Investments Development Agency.
Pledges DESOPADEC Partnership, Cooperation With Leadership Of Isoko Development Union
–Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA) – By Albert OGRAKA:
The Udu of Isoko Nation, Odio Bashorun Askia Ogieh, FCNA, CrFA, has congratulated the newly elected executive of Isoko Development Union (IDU) and hailed the emergence of Professor Chris Akpotu as President General of the apex social cultural organization of Isoko nation.
Bashorun Askia, who is Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), expressed excitement about what the future holds for the Isoko people under the leadership of Professor Akpotu.
He however told the new President General that despite the huge challenges and daunting tasks ahead of the Union, he should be a “fearless, innovative and assertive leader that would project the Isoko nation in the light of peculiar deprivations.”
“I urge you to tackle without rest, every form of marginalisation being suffered by every son and daughter of Isoko land.”
In a personally signed congratulatory letter, addressed to the President General of IDU, Professor Chris Akpotu and titled, A New Dawn For Isoko Nation, Bashorun Askia said:
‘It was with immense joy and a reinforced sense of optimism that news of your emergence as the President General of Isoko Development Union reached me.
“First, the seamless process of the conduct of the election in a peaceful and convivial manner demonstrated the fact the Isoko people look up to you to navigate them through the intriguing challenges that lie ahead in terms of development, politics, culture and tradition, and the role of Isoko people in the dynamics of national politics.
“Secondly, I am intrigued with your rich pedigree in innovation and inventiveness, being an internationally acclaimed scholar and researcher in Entrepreneurial Economics and Human Resources, an area DESOPADEC is pursuing with an extra vigour.
“I am very excited about what the future holds for the Isoko people under your leadership in the coming years. Bestowed on you is an onerous task and I would therefore implore you to be the fearless, innovative and assertive leader that would project the Isoko nation in the light of our peculiar deprivations. I urge you to tackle without rest, every form of marginalisation being suffered by every son and daughter of Isoko land.
“Let me assure you that the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission will continue to partner and cooperate with the leadership of Isoko Development Union to ensure that justifiable and fair due of Isoko nation are accomplished at all times. My office is open to all collaborative efforts geared towards this end.
“Development thrives better in areas devoid of rancor and where peace reigns and, therefore, one of your major tasks would be to ensure the continued collective unity and tranquility in Isoko land.
“The time to do these start now. Congratulations!”
-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.
