TheNewsGuru

Tag: Delta State

  • Breaking: Retired Major-General David Ejoor is dead

    Major-General David Ejoor, who once served as Governor of Mid-Western State of Nigeria, is dead.

    Until his passing, he was a retired Nigerian Army officer who served as Chief of Army Staff (COAS).

    He was the first Nigerian Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy and was once administrator of the now-defunct Mid-Western Region.

    Ejoor was Governor of the Mid-Western State of Nigeria, during the Biafra Civil War.

    Born January 10th 1932 in Ovu, Delta State, Ejoor served as Governor of Midwest state from January 1966 to August 1967.

    He then served as Chief of Army Staff from January 1971 to July 1975.

    Major-General Ejoor was the oldest and most senior Nigerian Military Officer alive.

    Commissioned in 1953 as a Second-Lieutenant, his army number is NA17 after Lieutenant-Colonel Victor Banjo (NA16).

    He was the first Nigerian Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy and was the first military governor of the now-defunct Mid-Western Region.

    As Lieutenant-Colonel, Ejoor escaped death during the January coup of 1966 and took an active part in quashing the coup first in Lagos and then in Enugu where he was the Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion, Enugu.

    Ejoor is the first Urhobo man to join the army. He was acting President General of Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) from 1998 to 1999.

    He was retired compulsorily by General Murtala Mohammed, after the latter had become Head-of-State, with the rank of Major-General on July 29, 1975.

     

  • Delta records 95% PVC collection

    Delta records 95% PVC collection

    Dr Cyril Omorogbe, the Delta Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has announced that the state has so far recorded 95 per cent in Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) collection.

    Omoregbe, who made this known in statement on Friday in Asaba, said that Delta was currently ranked among the states that had recorded high number of PCV collection in the country.

    The REC however noted that it would be impossible to achieve 100 per cent collection owing to relocation of registrants and natural disasters, among other impediments.

    He said, “In PVC collection, Delta as a state, is way ahead of other states in the country. At this point, we are actually knocking on about 95 per cent of collection.

    “There are some states that perhaps, cannot boast of 65 per cent. Don’t expect 100 per cent PVC collection also.

    “There is no way you can expect 100 per cent collection, because people who have some of these PVCs have probably let the state. Some of them are dead,’’ he said.

    He said that INEC had extended the period of PVC collection by three days – Feb 8 to Feb. 11., adding that the exercise would last between 9am and 6 pm daily.

    In another development, the Head of Voter Education and Publicity, Department Mr Bukola Ojeme, said that the commission had trained all categories of election duty staff ready for deployment.

    Ojeme said this in Asaba, during a town hall meeting with women groups and gender-focused Civil Societies Organisations (CSOs) in the state.

    He said that election would be conducted in the 5,863 voting points which made up the 3,624 polling units in the 270 wards in the state.

     

  • Okowa sacks security aide caught on video assaulting a woman

    Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State on Friday ordered the sack of Mr Friday Eluro, a security aide, who was caught on video assaulting a woman.

    The governor gave the directive in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Charles Aniagwu, in Asaba.

    He also directed full investigation into the incident to ensure justice.

    Okowa said that the assault on the lady was unwarranted particularly when it was committed by an appointee of government who ought to ensure that rule of law was observed in all situations.

    The governor, having personally watched the video of the assault directed that the appointment of Eluro, be terminated forthwith to serve as deterrent to others.

    “In the last three and half years, our administration had worked so hard to entrench the enduring peace in our state.

    “We will not sit back and fold our hands to watch appointees of government or any other person no matter how highly placed in the society to take laws into their hands,” he said.

    He warned appointees of government to be of good behaviour and always remember that they were ambassadors of government and were supposed to be role models in the society.

     

  • Police confirm death of 2 suspected robbers in Delta

    Police confirm death of 2 suspected robbers in Delta

    The Police Command in Delta has confirmed that two armed robbery suspects were killed in Agharho in the Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state while attempting to resist arrest.

    The command’s Spokesman, DSP. Andrew Aniamaka, confirmed the development on Friday in Warri.

    Aniamaka said the suspects, whose identities were unknown were shot dead on Thursday while attempting to escape after they were apprehended at their hideout.

    “The suspects were gunned down in their attempt to escape from their hideout after they were apprehended.

    “Items recovered from them were two locally made guns and a Toyota Corolla car.

    “All I can remember about the car registration number is LEH 236,’’ Aniamaka said.

    Earlier, an eyewitness told reporters that the suspects dispossessed unsuspected victims of their property on the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) Road at Effurun in the Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta on Thursday.

    He said that the suspects were apprehended on Friday morning within the Udumurhie axis in Effurun.

    The command spokesman said the suspects were are all males, aged 21 years and 32 years.

    He said that they were undergoing investigation at the Ekpan Police Division.

    “The police got information that the suspects were robbing at about 0300hrs this morning (Friday) and they swung into action and appended them. They are currently undergoing interrogation,’’ he said.

     

  • Top Bracket Insurance Brokers CEO for burial February 8

    Top Bracket Insurance Brokers CEO for burial February 8

    The late Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Top Bracket Insurance Brokers Limited, Alex Onyenike, will be buried on February 8, 2019 at Aragba Orogun in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.

    According to a statement by Dafinone Onyenike, the remains of the Top Bracket Insurance Brokers Limited boss will be committed to mother earth at 10.0 a. m. after a funeral church service.

    Dafinone said the funeral service will take place at First Baptist Church, Aragba Orogun, which will be immediately followed by interment and reception of guests at the compound of the deceased located at Emonu Road, Aragba Orogun.

    According to the statement, two services of songs will hold on Friday, February 1 by 5:00 p. m. at 401 Road, F Close, Festac Town, Lagos State, and on Thursday, February 7 also by 5:00 p. m. at Emonu Road, Aragba Orogun.

    Alex Onyenike, MD/CEO of Top Bracket Insurance Brokers Limited until his death, was described as a good man.

    He suddenly passed away on New Year’s Day 2019. The late Top Bracket Insurance Brokers Limited boss was aged 65.

     

  • Delta records N154bn IGR in 3 years

    The Commissioner for Finance in Delta, Mr David Edevbie, said the state recorded N154 billion as its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) between Year 2016 and Year 2018.

    Edevbie, who stated this on Tuesday in an interview in Asaba, said the state realised approximately the sum of N44 billion as IGR in Year 2016; it realised N52billion in Year 2017 and 58.4 billion in Year 2018.

    He said that the total IGR generated by the state amounted to N154 billion during the period.

    The commissioner also said that the state intended to come up with new plans on how it would increase its IGR this year.

    He added that there had been a continuous process since 2015 to improve on the state’s IGR on a yearly basis.

    “First, in a bid to remove the perception of multiplicity of taxes, we have laid emphasis on harmonising taxes and reducing the number of tax consultants.

    “This has gradually improved accountability for all tax collections.

    “Secondly, the adoption of the Electronic Treasury Receipt has helped the state to eliminate reporting time lags and minimise leakages and the suppression of funds in its revenue collection process.

    “Thirdly, we are now focused more on the informal sector and the unregulated economy, especially, the micro- informal sector.

    “With the introduction of presumptive tax, more than 500,000 people had been captured into the tax net from the informal sector.

    “In addition, there has been tremendous improvements in revenue from land charges.

    “Once all these reforms are institutionalised and sustained, there will be significant growth in the state’s aggregate tax collections,’’ Edevbie said.

    The commissioner also said that the state government had scheduled several training programmes for tax and revenue officers this year.

    He said that they would cover electronic-tax system and the use of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) internet portal to drive tax returns among others.

    He said that there was a strong focus by the state to make the BIR becomes ICT driven.

    According to him, awareness campaigns have also been designed for the public.

     

  • Delta Govt graduates 110 trainees to meet demand for local fabrics

    Delta Govt graduates 110 trainees to meet demand for local fabrics

    The Delta Government says it has trained 110 persons in the last two years to meet the demand for its native attire called the “Akwa Ochan’’.

    Mrs Shimite Bello, Executive Secretary, State Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency, made the disclosure in an interview on Monday in Asaba.

    Bello said that the in the first batch of the programme, 60 graduated 60 persons, comprising of young girls and women in 2018, adding that the second batch just graduated another set of 50 persons.

    According to her, the graduands were presented starter packs consisting of state-of-the-art weaving machines to start their own businesses.

    Bello said that her office decided to train more persons in the production of the local fabrics because of its increasing demand; both locally and internationally.

    “The training of the additional weavers became necessary in order to meet the increasing demand for the fabrics, particularly in the international market.

    “Akwa-Ochan is already trending at fashion shows in Lagos, London and Nairobi.

    “We were able to achieve this following the commitment of Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa to the development of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Centre at Issele-Uku in Ogwashi-Uku Local Government Area of the state.

    “The governor’s commitment necessitated the procurement and installation of state-of-the-art weaving machines at the centre,” she said.

    Bello said during the first training that only the elderly women benefitted.

    She added that the governor thereafter directed that in order to ensure the sustainability of the exercise, there was need to train youths who can sustain it.

    According to her, the exercise cut across all the local government areas of the state.

    “In line with his directive, we selected two persons each from the 25 Local Government Areas of the state for this second batch.

    “And as I speak, we have got a lot of orders for Akwa-Ochan to the point that some of our weavers were already rejecting customers’ orders.

    “The fabrics is getting a lot of demand, currently we have hit the Paris runway, Lagos and Ethiopia as people are now embracing the fabrics for `aso-ebi’ (uniform), because it now comes in different colours and designs,’’ Bello said.

     

  • Okowa assures Delta people of quality leadership

    Okowa assures Delta people of quality leadership

    Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta on Wednesday assured residents of the state of more qualitative leadership if re-elected in the forthcoming election.

    Okowa gave the assurance while speaking at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign in Patani Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

    He said his government was committed to ending poverty in the state.

    He urged the people to be courageous by voting wisely in the general election in the interest of good governance.

    “Vote massively for PDP candidates in the election, do not forget that Delta belongs to all of us, we must protect it.

    “We should ensure victory for PDP for the presidency, governorship, national and state assembly election,” he said.

    The governor said the state government under his watch had embarked on roads and other infrastructural projects in Patani to improve the living condition of the people.

    “I am happy with the peace in Patani, we must stay together as one family by voting PDP all the way.

    “Do not allow anybody to harass you, be strong and courageous,this land belong to all of us, nobody can intimidate us,” he said.

    Okowa promised more robust youth and women empowerment programmes if given another mandate to govern the state.

    Mr Solomon Funkekeme, the Director-General, PDP Campaign Organisation in the state also urged the people to vote massively for the party at all levels.

    “I want you to improve on your voting performance, government will continue to provide dividends of democracy to all.

    “I want you to embark on aggressive house to house campaign to woo more electorate to the party,” he said.

    Prof. Sam Oyovbaire, Chairman of the state PDP Campaign Committee called for unity and courage from the people ahead of the election.

    The state PDP Chairman, Mr Kingsley Esiso assured the people of the party’s resolve to promote good governance at all levels.

    “Let us build on the gains of the past four years, let us give our dear party another chance in the state,” he said.

     

  • 2019: Augoye rolls out drums for Atiku, Okowa, other PDP candidates

    2019: Augoye rolls out drums for Atiku, Okowa, other PDP candidates

    Delta State Commissioner for Works, James Augoye has said Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) will make Nigeria work again.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Augoye stated this on Sunday during campaign drumming support for various PDP candidates in the 2019 General Elections in Ughoton, Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State.

    While speaking during the campaign, Augoye lamented woes the country has suffered under the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

    He said Buhari crippled the economy of the nation and rendered it’s security apparatuses incapacitated.

    Augoye stressed Atiku is the only candidate that can change the fortune of the nation for good, and said the administration of Atiku will be far better off than that of Buhari’s.

    He urged Nigerians to vote massively for the PDP presidential flag bearer.

    The Delta State Works Commissioner also urged the people of Okpe Ward 10 to vote PDP candidates for Delta Central Senatorial District, House of Representatives, State House of Assembly, and Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

    TNG reports Evelyn Oboro is the Delta Central Senatorial District flag bearer, Efe Afe, candidate for House of Representatives, and Sheriff Oborevwori for House of Assembly.

    While highlighting the development strides of Governor Okowa, Augoye said the SMART Agenda of Governor Okowa has yielded good fruits, and benefited Deltans, especially the people of Jeddo, Ugbokodo and Ughoton communities.

    Stressing that Okowa recognises and have high regards for the communities, he said the administration will complete the Okpe road for easy access to commuters, and to ease traffic congestion at Effurun round about and other parts of Warri metropolis.

    “Okpe road is in three phases. Presently we are on phase one. Also, plans are in place for the dualization of Jeddo road from Shaguolo down to Omadino.

    “Jeddo has to return Governor Okowa so that the Okpe road can be completed, and the proposed dualization of Jeddo road can be accomplished,” Augoye said.

    Community leaders, women and youths, who spoke during the campaign declared unparalleled support for all the PDP candidates in the 2019 general elections.

    Speaking during the campaign, chairman of Jeddo community, Solomon Bayagbon said, “Okowa’s government has done much for our community, and we are grateful.

    “I want to assure Governor Okowa that Jeddo community is behind him. The women, youths, and all residents are behind him.

    “We will not disappoint him. We have agreed to declare Jeddo for Governor Okowa”.

    The Jeddo community leader pleaded with Okowa to ensure that contractor handling the Okpe road is mobilised back to site for speedy completion of the road.

    Also speaking, Chief Robert Onome, President General of Okpe Union Worldwide, said the stride of Okowa in the state is worth giving support for.

    “Governor Okowa has shown with his first term the need to give him support for second term.

    “The development he has put in place in Delta has proved the worth of him.

    “For recognising our communities in his government, we will work assiduously to ensure he gets maximum votes.

    “We have all it takes to deliver,” he said.

    The campaign was well attended by chiefs, elders, leaders and youths of the three communities.

    Augoye was ably accompanied by the mobilisation Team Augoye for Okowa 2019 at the campaign.

    Political Adviser to the Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Sheriff Oborevwori; Deputy Chairman, Okpe LGA, and Senior Special Assistant to Governor Okowa and once Okpe LGA chairman, Chief Efe Uko also attended the campaign.

     

  • Police dismiss rumours of pants-snatching in Delta

    Police dismiss rumours of pants-snatching in Delta

    The Police Command in Delta has dismissed as rumours, the alleged cases of snatching of ladies’ pants in the state by hoodlums.

    The command’s Spokesperson, DSP Andrew Aniamaka, told the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday in Asaba that the allegations were mere rumour.

    There have been some social media reports of some young men stealing ladies pants or forcing ladies at gun points to surrender their pants.

    It is believed in some quarters that the criminals use the said undies for rituals which make them get rich overnight.

    “I can tell you that we have not recorded any incidence of snatching of ladies pants as being rumoured.

    The things you are hearing everywhere that ladies pants are being snatched for ritual purposes are mere rumour.

    “One thing I want you to know is that ever since the brutal killing of Elozino Ogege by ritualists there has been widespread rumour of ritual activities in the state.

    “But it is also important to note that all these are unfounded stories that are being concocted to spread fear among the citizens.

    “We have our men on surveillance and they have never reported any incidence of snatching of ladies pants,” Aniamaka said.

    The police spokesperson said there had been a lot of awareness among the residents over the activities of ritualists and the citizens were at alert.

    He warned rumour mongers to desist from spreading fear and apprehension in the state, adding “what we are experiencing presently is just rumours and unnecessary apprehension.

    “Some persons just take pleasure in spreading rumour just to cause fear and apprehension.

    A mentally deranged man in his 20s was almost lynched in the Direct Labour Agency (DLA) Road area of Asaba on Thursday before he was rescued by the police.

    He was said to have been seen in the area severally picking used pampers from refuse bins.