TheNewsGuru

Tag: asaba

  • Asaba to host 2023 NWFL Super Six competition

    Asaba to host 2023 NWFL Super Six competition

    The Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) on Monday announced Asaba in Delta as the host city for the 2022/2023 NWFL Premiership Super Six competition.

    Modupe Shabi, NWFL’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), disclosed in a statement that the competition is billed for Friday to May 12 with six clubs taking part.

    Delta Queens, Rivers Angels, Bayelsa Queens, Confluence Queens, Robo Queens and Edo Queens will participate in the competition.

    The teams are expected to arrive on Friday for the draw and pre-match meetings, while the matches will begin on Saturday.

    “The round-robin competition will see each club meeting every other participant.

    “The Super Six champions will represent the country at the 2023 WAFU B Women’s Champions League qualifiers in August when they will be eyeing a spot in the finals,” Shabi said.

    Meanwhile, Bayelsa Queens are the competition’s defending champions.

  • #JusticeforOnyeka: Governor Okowa calls for calm

    #JusticeforOnyeka: Governor Okowa calls for calm

    Delta Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has called on the police to launch a thorough investigation into the alleged killing of a young man by a police officer in Asaba on Wednesday.

    He decried the shooting of the deceased, Mr. Onyeka Ibe which was said to have occurred along Ugbolu- Illah Road by a member of stop -and-search police team on duty on the road.

    In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika in Asaba, the governor sued for calm, and appealed to residents not to take laws into their hands but should allow the police to conduct an indepth probe into the circumstances that led to the sad incident.

    He confirmed that the police officer, an Inspector who allegedly fired the shot that killed Ibe was promptly arrested and currently being detained at the command Headquarters in Asaba.

    He advised citizens to go about their normal businesses and remain law-abiding, assuring that the law will take its course on the incident after a thorough investigation by the police.

    Okowa expressed his condolences to the family of the deceased and reaffirmed the resolve of the state government to ensure that the prevailing peace in the state endured.

  • Compensation to gulp N1.1bn as Delta Govt approves devt of Asaba waterfront

    Compensation to gulp N1.1bn as Delta Govt approves devt of Asaba waterfront

    Delta Government has approved the development of Asaba waterfront project with construction of six lane road along the waterfront and has earmarked about N1.1 billion as compensation.

    The State Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, disclosed in a chat newsmen on some of the decisions taken at the State Executive Council meeting that held in Government House Asaba.

    He said that the approvals were in line with the Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa’s administrations’ promise to work assiduously till the last day in office.

    Aniagwu also said that the council approved the rehabilitation and asphalt overlaying of the second phase of the Umunede/Ogwashi-Uku Road (old Lagos/Asaba Road).

    The commissioner said that council also approved the construction of perimeter road around the Asaba Airport to check incursion of animals and ensure security at the airport.

    He said that in order to ensure improved services and costs reductions at the state owned general hospitals; government also approved the provision of renewable energy mix (solar powers) to power the hospitals.

    The commissioner said that the government was considering the engagement of a consultant to help it reconcile it’s Federation Account Allocation Committee(FAAC) accounts receipt with financial institutions on commission basis if there were recoveries.

    According to Aniagwu, the Umunede/Ogwashi-Uku road, formerly a Federal Government Road has been taken in phases due to financial burden and that the project has become necessary to open up the communities.

    “We, before now have seen the need to develop the waterfront in Asaba and for us to do that, we needed to also pay compensations to those who own land in the area.

    “The waterfront is from the Anwai axis up to the city centre in Asaba, and beyond the payment of N1.1 billion compensation, we are also going to construct a six lane dual carriage road for us to drive straight to the waterfront.

    “So, that has been approved and for compensation to be paid to those whose land are within the water corridor and to those whose land will be affected by the construction of the six lane road.”

    Aniagwu said that for the state government to keep its debt records straight the council also considered utilising 60 per cent of what the federal government owed it to write off its domestic debt with the federal government.

    “As a government, we are also desirous to finish strong.

    “We also approved today, the engagement of a consultant to help us reconcile our FAAC account because sometimes you may not have the kind of remittance that should come from the financial institutions.

    “We have also considered that the federal government is indebted to us largely, we also have some level of domestic debt.

    “So, we are considering taking about 60 per cent of the money owed us by the federal government to write off what they say we are owing them,” Aniagwu said.

  • Asaba protest: Police identify, parade Inspector involved in killing of Onyeka Ibe

    Asaba protest: Police identify, parade Inspector involved in killing of Onyeka Ibe

    The Police Command in Delta State has identified, arrested and detained a police inspector involved in the killing of a young man in Asaba, which resulted in street protests in the State capital on Wednesday.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Command public relations officer, DSP Bright Edafe disclosed that an investigation has commenced on the matter but refused to reveal the identity of the police inspector.

    “The Police inspector has been identified, arrested, paraded, and detained. The Command assures members of the public and the deceased family of justice. Investigation has commenced, and he will be arraigned in court for prosecution,” DSP Edafe disclosed in a terse statement on the matter.

    TNG reports protest erupted in Asaba, following the killing of Ibe by the yet-to-be-identified police inspector. The remains of Ibe were quickly deposited in a morgue but the angry protesters retrieved the body and paraded it at the State Police Headquarters.

    Bearing different placards, the protesters, who blocked major roads in the State capital, demanded justice be served and the killer of the young man be brought to book.

    An eyewitness, who spoke with TNG, disclosed that Ibe was killed by the police inspector along the Asaba-Ugbolu road.

  • BREAKING: Protest erupts in Asaba as police reportedly kill young man over N100 bribe

    BREAKING: Protest erupts in Asaba as police reportedly kill young man over N100 bribe

    A protest has erupted in Asaba, Delta State capital, following the reported killing of a young man [names withheld] allegedly by a policeman for refusing to pay a N100 bribe.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports angry youths, carrying placards, blocked major roads in the State capital as a result of the reported killing.

    The angry youths carried the corpse of the young man in protest to the premises of the police headquarters in Asaba.

    An eyewitness, who spoke with TNG, disclosed that the young man was killed along the Asaba-Ugbolu road.

    TNG reports videos of the protest are currently circulating on social media with the protest simultaneously ongoing along Nnebisi and Okpanam roads, and pockets of unrest at several locations.

    Efforts to reach the police public relations officer in Delta, DSP Bright Edafe proved abortive at the time of filing this report.

    See videos below:

    https://twitter.com/owums/status/1643590174310367232

     

  • Cabinet approves N15 billion for road linking second Niger Bridge

    Cabinet approves N15 billion for road linking second Niger Bridge

    The Nigerian cabinet has approved the sum of N15 billion for the construction of an access road linking the Benin-Asaba expressway to the 2nd Niger Bridge.

    Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, revealed this while briefing State House Correspondents at the end of the meeting of the Federal Executive Council on Wednesday.

    He said completion of the road will help achieve the dream of inaugurating the bridge before the current administration leaves office in May.

    “The Minister of Works presented a memo seeking approval for the award of contract for the construction of an access road from the existing Benin-Asaba expressway to approach the link road to 2nd Niger Bridge in Delta State.

    Cabinet approves N15 billion for road linking second Niger Bridge
    Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed

    “As you are aware, the government is determined to commission the 2nd Niger Bridge before the expiration of this administration. We can tell you that the bridge itself is substantially concluded but the contract that was awarded today, although the work has started before now, is actually to connect the Asaba-Benin end to the new bridge.

    “The contract was awarded to Julius Berge at a sum of N15 billion. They have started the work but they said it is only proper that they have a contract. We can assure you that the road will be finished in good time for us to commission the 2nd Niger-Bridge,” he said.

    Mohammed also disclosed that the Council approved the sum of N16 Billion as augmentation for the dualization of Suleja-Minna road in Niger State.

  • Asaba stands still as Atiku vows to devolve power to States at campaign rally

    Asaba stands still as Atiku vows to devolve power to States at campaign rally

    Asaba stood still on Tuesday as supporters of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) turned out en masse to grace the party’s presidential campaign at the Delta capital.

    The over 25,000-capacity Keshi Stadium, venue of the rally overflowed with party supporters while those outside the stadium outnumbered those within.

    Addressing the rally, the PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar lauded the large turnout and urged those in attendance to convert their support to vote for the party massively.

    He thanked the people of Delta for their resolute commitment to the PDP since 1999 and urged them to continue to support the party.

    He assured that the support which informed his decision to choose Delta’s Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa as his running mate was part of his commitment to reward the state and Niger Delta in general.

    He said that his administration would devolve power to states to enable them to control their resources, stressing that the sacrifices of Delta and the Niger Delta would be rewarded.

    Atiku said he was not in Delta to campaign but to show gratitude to the people for supporting the party since 1999 till date.

    “Delta and indeed all Niger Delta have never failed me; you have supported me all through and I shall not betray that trust.

    “It is because of the support that I chose one of your own in the person of Gov. Okowa as my running mate,’’ he said.

    He called on the people to support the party and vote en-masse for PDP to ensure the realisation of the party’s agenda.

    Atiku pledged to end strikes in tertiary institutions to ensure credible and functional education system in the country.

    He also pledged to grow the economy through massive industrialisation; ensure security of life and properties and resource control.

    “With me as president, I want to assure you that there will be no more strikes by ASUU.

    “Also, we shall devolve power to the states; there will be resource control and you as the Niger Delta shall benefit from that policy.

    “Security is paramount; it is our responsibility and commitment to secure this country to enable businesses to thrive.

    “Since 1999, Delta has remained a PDP state and it has continued to enjoy the dividends of good governance.

    “You must believe in PDP to deepen development and grow our economy to become the largest economy on the continent,’’ Atiku said.

    On his part, Gov. Okowa charged PDP supporters to convert the large turnout to votes by collecting their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) by voting for all PDP candidates.

    He said the large turnout by youths and others was impressive and since Delta is the choice for vice-president, the people should appreciate Atiku with a large number of votes.

    “We have been looking for a president with capacity, knowledge and experience; Atiku fits in and he is the man to reset the county’s economy,’’ Okowa said.

    In this remarks, Chairman of the Presidential Campaign Council, Akwa Ibom’s Gov. Udom Emmanuel, charged the people to affirm their support by voting for PDP.

    Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Organisation, Sokoto State’s Gov. Aminu Tambuwal and Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo, also echoed the same view.

    According to Emmanuel, the rally was to celebrate victory as Delta and the Niger Delta will poll more than five million votes for the PDP.

    “I am certain that with Atiku and Okowa as president and vice-president, respectively, international oil companies that left Warri and other parts of the Niger Delta region will return.

    Gov. Obaseki pledge the resolve Edo people to poll 1.5 million votes for the Atiku-Okowa ticket.

    Tambuwal said PDP leaders are managers of human, institutions and resources and that a vote for Atiku-Okowa would be rewarding.

    The party’s National Chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, who later received some defectors from the All Progressive Congress (APC), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and Labour Party (LP), noted that Delta remained a one-party state.

    “We are sure that you will all come out en-masse to vote PDP all thorough in February and in Mach elections.

    In their separate remarks, the party’s governorship candidate in Delta, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori; Former Gov. Emmanuel Uduaghan and the Minority Leader, House of Representatives, Chief Ndudi Elumelu, thanked Atiku for the choice of Okowa as running mate.

    They pledged the state’s resolve to deliver massive votes for the party during the elections.

    The rally provided opportunities for food and drinks vendors, POS agents and others to make brisk businesses.

  • Asaba 2023: National Youth Games to be hosted in Delta

    Asaba 2023: National Youth Games to be hosted in Delta

    Delta state has been awarded the hosting right of  seventh   National Youth Games  (NYG) by the Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development.

    The decision to grant Delta state the hosting rights was reached at a stakeholders’ meeting upon the successful hosting of the just concluded 21st National Sports Festival which was also hosted by Delta state.

    The statement announcing Delta as the host of the 2023 National Youth Games was signed and released by Mohammed Manga, Director, Press, and Public Relations, of the sports ministry.

    The State has equally expressed its readiness to host the Games from February 8-18, 2023, as unanimously agreed by the stakeholders at a virtual meeting that took place on Wednesday, January 4, 2023.

    The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, Ismaila Abubakar, stated that the National Youth Games has since inception become a veritable ground for harvesting the huge talents that abound within the country.

    “Many of the discovered athletes have been nurtured to elite level by the Ministry where several of them have been excelling at the international stage by posting podium performances for the country,” Abubakar said.

    ”Other objectives of the Games is to promote National Unity; curb age cheating in Sports and Youth restiveness as well as establish a standard programme for athletes’ succession.”

    Ismaila assured that the Ministry is poised to ensure that the gains and objectives of the Youth Games are sustained hence, the Ministry’s determination to seek an alternative host venue for the National Youth Games.

    Meanwhile, the sport complex of the Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba will host  the 2023  National Youth Games.

    The National Youth Games will kick start in February 8 and will end on the 18th of same month.

     

  • Delta Assembly passes N256.7bn 2022 supplementary budget

    Delta Assembly passes N256.7bn 2022 supplementary budget

    The Delta House of Assembly on Tuesday passed the state N256.7 billion 2022 supplementary budget.

    Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa had forwarded the supplementary budget through a letter, read by the Speaker, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori during plenary on Tuesday in Asaba.

    Okowa said that the budget became necessary due to certain government exigencies, saying it would help to taking care of ongoing developmental projects in the state.

    Leading the debate on the budget, the majority leader, Chief Ferguson Onwo who commended the governor for the initiative, said that the essence of the budget was to cater for projects that were not provided for in the already approved budget.

    He urged the lawmakers support the budget and ensure its speedy passage.

    On his part, the Deputy Majority Leader, Mr Oboro Preyor, said also supported the passage of the budget.

    “If the governor in his wisdom has discovered that there were some projects that were not captured in the approved budget, and he decided to include them in the supplementary budget, I think he has done well,” he said.

    Consequently, the majority leader moved a motion to suspend relevant sections of the House Rules to enable it take the third reading and passage of the bill.

    The motion which was unanimously adopted, when put to a voice vote by the speaker.

    The Speaker while commending the lawmakers for the speedy passage of the bill, said that the budget was an indication that Okowa was irrevocably committed to the overall development of the state.

    “Distinguished colleagues, I cannot thank you enough for the passage of this Bill. We have again proven to the people of the state that government cares and is ever ready to meet developmental needs of the state.

    “This is a sign that democracy is alive and thriving in the state. This bill seeks to adjust and realign the budgetary provisions of the 2022 budget to accommodate hovernment’s commitments/priority projects and programmes not adequately provided for in the 2022 budget.

    “Therefore, I thank His Excellency, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa, for his foresight leadership and zeal for the development of the state and this is a pointer that the state government will surely finish strong.”

  • Asaba 2022: Athlete slumps, dislocate wrist, ruled out of event

    Asaba 2022: Athlete slumps, dislocate wrist, ruled out of event

    A taekwondo athlete, Daniel Otunoye, representing team Zamfara has been ruled out of the National Sports Festival presently holding in Asaba the Delta state capital after he slumped few minutes before his fight with his Bayelsa opponent.

    Otunoye had already gotten ready to slug it out with his opponent Yiazibe Torukuru from Bayelsa when suddenly he slumped at the multipurpose indoor sports hall of the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba.

    Although he immediately received attention from the medical personnel on the ground and later rushed to the hospital for recuperation, Otunoye was eventually ruled out of the competition on medical grounds.

    Otunoye had fought earlier in the day and was a favourite to make the final before his collapse ended the championship for him.

    He was already on the fight arena facing off against his opponent but fell before the opening bell was rung.

    According to the health doctor in charge of the National Sports Festival, Dr. Anthony Enebe, the athlete’s condition isn’t so bad but we have to rule him out to avoid complicating it.

    “The guy (Otunoye) is okay now, he dislocated his right wrist and is a known asthmatic patient, but the asthma isn’t so bad that he can’t compete in an event like this,” Enebe said.

    “I think the dislocation from an earlier bout was what caused him to collapse and needed to be taken out of the fight, but he is fine now.”

    Enebe added that the young athlete’s fight would not be postponed. Instead, Otunoye forfeited the bout, as his condition ruled him out of the rest of the festival.

    “He can no longer make an appearance in this festival. The injury marks the end of the competition for him,” Enebe said.

    One of Otunoye’s teammates, Sherifah Hassan, who was at the indoor hall when he collapsed, told our correspondent what happened on the mat.

    “He didn’t complain about any pains before the fight, his opponent landed a back leg kick on his hand and as soon as it landed, he went down and started shaking,” Hassan, who checked on Otunoye at the medical centre, said.

    “After a few seconds, he suddenly went still and we were scared that he was dead. Our fears heightened because the medical personnel kept touching his wrist and we thought they were checking his pulse, not knowing it was dislocated.

    “I am glad to hear that he is okay now, although I am sad about the injury because I really feel he had a very good chance of winning the gold medal,” she said.

    Otunoye’s opponent will move to the next round of the event.