Delta and Rivers are currently topping the medal table at the ongoing 19th National Sports Festival holding in Abuja.
The medal table release on Sunday shows Delta and Rivers topping the table with a total of 14 medals each.
Delta had 10 gold, a silver and three bronze medals while Rivers state followed with four gold, five silver and five bronze.
Kano State followed with nine medals of three gold, four silver and two bronze medals while FCT followed with four medals of three gold and one silver.
Edo has two gold medals, three silver and four bronze while Lagos state has two gold, two silver and 12 bronze medals.
Bayelsa has one gold, seven silver and two bronze medals while Oyo has got one gold, two silver and eight bronze.
Yobe has one gold, Ogun and Benue has one silver each while Bauchi and Katsina have two bronze medal each.
Abia and Adamawa have one bronze medal each.
The 19th NSF continues with competitions in various sports.
The police command in Delta on Monday received Mr Anthony Ogbizi as its new Commissioner of Police (CP).
The spokesperson of the command, DSP Andrew Aniamaka, in statement Monday said Ogbizi had already resumed duty in Asaba.
He disclosed that Ogbizi who had served at various capacities before his redeployment to Delta was the Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi Command.
“The new police boss is taking over from CP Muhammad Mustafa who has been redeployed to Ebonyi State for his primary assignment.
“An alumnus of the University of Calabar, CP Anthony Ogbizi hails from Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State,” Aniamaka said.
According to him, the new CP enlisted into the Force in 1986 as Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) and held various posts before his latest appointment.
“CP Ogbizi was also Deputy Commissioner of Police Administration, Force Headquarters Abuja and Commissioner of Police, former Special Fraud Unit, Abuja.
“He was also the CP Community Policing, Force Headquarters Abuja, CP Special Squad Unit Abuja, CP Railway Command, CP Abia State Command,” Aniamaka said.
Ogbizi, upon his resumption of duty, had promised to build on the existing security mechanism in Delta.
He appealed to members of the public to always cooperate with the police and other security agencies at all times.
In his farewell remark, the outgoing CP commended the rank and file of the command for their cooperation.
He specifically thanked the Delta Government and the people of the state for their cooperation with the police authorities.
Mustafa urged the government and the people to extend the same cooperation to his successor to enable him discharge his duties effectively.
Latest pathetic confessional statements of a 4-man Yahoo Plus gang have revealed how Elozino Ogege, a First Class 300 Level undergraduate of Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, was killed.
TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports the 4-man Yahoo Plus gang made the confessional statements on Wednesday at the Delta State Police Command, where the Commissioner of Police had magnanimously permitted the PPRO, DSP Andrew Aniamaka to parade the suspects.
First to reveal how they killed the DELSU 300 level First Class undergraduate was the security guard, known as Onos, who had offered to assist the victim to secure an accommodation.
The 4-man Yahoo Plus gang that killed Elozino
According to him, “I was contacted by Desmond and another to provide a female student for Yahoo rituals. We had planned it, and when Elozino approached me that she was looking for accommodation, I saw it as a good opportunity.
“I contacted Desmond who told me to tell her to come back the next day. So the next day, they brought a Corola car; and when Elozino came, they used something on her face which made her unconscious.
“We took her to a bush where we first plucked out one of her eyes while she was still alive. She was even crying and begging us to forgive her and let her go, but we plucked the other eye, removed her breast and heart before she died”.
Implicating his supervisor, Onos posited that he was posted into the school by his supervisor for the purposes of carrying out such missions when contacted.
But the Supervisor with a security company attached to the University, Uche Nwaosisi who said he is from Asaba, denied knowledge of the crime, stating that he was among those that chased and caught Onos when the police came after him in the school.
“When all these were happening, Onos threatened to implicate me for assisting the police to catch him. When the police caught him, they discovered two phones with him, which he claimed I sold one to him. That was my involvement,” the Supervisor claimed.
However, one of the Yahoo Plus conspirators, Desmond who appeared remorseful, affirmed that Elozino’s murder made it the fifth lives he had taken for ritual purposes.
He said the first four female victims were adopted at Oghara and killed for rituals, adding that Elozino’s murder was his first from the University community in Abraka.
“Each time we killed, we removed the vital organs like the eyes, the heart and the breast of the victims, normally females, and take to the Baba (herbalist), who usually would ask us to come back.
“Baba used to burn the heart and pound it to make powder substance out of it. It is the powder that he gives us, which we apply before speaking to our victims to make money from them. Any big woman we approach obliges us and provides money for us,” Desmond revealed.
For the herbalist who appeared hardened and unrepentant, identified as Robinson, he kept calling on God as a witness that he was speaking the truth.
He said Elozino’s heart and eye happened to be the first he received from the Yahoo Plus customers.
He said he first met the boys seven years ago when they brought an accident victim for him to cure, maintaining that he specializes in treating bone fractures, making women pregnant, preparing love portions for people, curing appendicitis and others.
He said when they came with Elozino’s body parts, they gave him N10,000, promising to give him more money later, and asked him to make them rich.
The Baba (herbalist), posited that they later brought N130,000 more to him and that was when he discovered they had mighty buildings.
He said he only prayed for them to succeed in what they do.
He, however, could not state categorically what he used those body parts for, whether he used to burn them or pound them in the mortal that was brought as evidence to the Police Headquarters.
The second Yahoo Plus member was alleged to have slumped and died when the police was close to catching him.
The minor female relative who was used to make a call relating to their illicit operation was arrested and still with the police.
Addressing the journalists, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Andrew Aniamaka maintained that, now that all the killers of Elozino had been caught except the one that slumped and died, the police would now arraign them in court to face the consequences of their action.
He stressed that nobody should blame hardship to take up arms against fellow humans, adding that in most sane climes, hardships even bond people together.
The Command’s Spokesperson posited that it is an issue of value orientation; thereby calling on families, churches and other faith based organizations to rise up against this menace of ritual killings plaguing our society.
Aniamaka reassured the public that the Command was ready to face headlong any security challenge ahead of the Christmas season.
He said the operations order for the Ember months had since been dropped, arguing that all the police crack teams like the Dragons, Eagle Net, Squadrons, Safer Highways, SARS and others had been on red alert to effectively curtail crimes and criminality within this period.
The Central Naval Command (CNC) has begun a riverine and sea exercise tagged: Ex Toru-Gbown.
The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) CNC, Rear Adm. Saidu Garba, flagged-off the exercise on Wednesday at the Nigerian Ports Authority Jetty in Warri, Delta.
Garba said that the three-day exercise would take place in Bayesla and Delta.
Ex Toru-Gbown means water protection in Ijaw Language.
The FOC noted that the command had the responsibility of providing adequate security in the area, and gave the assurance that it would continue to discharge its duties diligently.
“So far, our operations have recorded huge success in reducing crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and other maritime crimes.
“Ex Toru-Gbown is a riverine exercise scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2018.
“Last year, the command, in a similar fashion, hosted ‘operation Octopus Grip’.
“Our presence here today is an indication of the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to safeguarding the nation’s maritime environment, which is filled with illegalities,’’ he said.
The FOC said that the exercise was aimed at assessing the combat readiness of the command and the capability of specific bases/units in conducting riverine and checkpoint operations, among others goals,’’ he said.
He said that the navy was providing an environment that would enable sustenance of economic activities, including shipping and oil and gas production.
Earlier, the Central Fleet Commander and the Officer in Tactical Command, Commodore Sunday Oguntade, said that the command could handle cases of hijack or kidnapping at sea.
He said that Nigeria’s maritime environment had much resources, and that over 90 per cent of them were from oil and gas.
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has ordered for a clampdown on internet fraudsters popularly known as “Yahoo Boys.”
This followed the murder of a student of the Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, Elo Ogege by suspected ritualists masquerading as “Yahoo Boys.”
In a statement on Monday in Asaba, Okowa said: “On behalf of the government and people of Delta State, it is with a heavy heart that I write to express our profound commiserations to the family of Elozino Ogege, the Isoko nation, her friends, both within and outside the university community.
“I am glad that the security agencies have made serious progress in the investigation into the murder and l can assure Deltans and Nigerians that justice will be served on the perpetrators of this dastard act.”
He added that “As a government whose primary responsibility is the protection of lives and property, as well as the welfare of her citizens, I urge Deltans and Nigerians to partner with the government and report to security agencies the activities of these gangs with a view to assisting the society to get rid of such dangerous groups. Never again as a people shall we condone the activities of these known criminals as we all seem to agree that “enough is enough.”
The Delta House of Assembly on Tuesday passed the State Public Finance Management Bill.
The passage of the bill followed the consideration of the report presented by the House Joint Committee on Public Account, Rules and Business during plenary in Asaba.
Presenting the report, the Chairman of the Committee, Mr Anthony Elekeokwuri said the bill when passed would help to strengthen the management of public finance in the state.
The Majority Leader, Mr Tim Owhefere moved a motion for the third reading of the bill and it was seconded by Mr Daniel Mayuku representing Warri South West constituency.
Consequently, the bill after passing through its third reading was passed after a voice vote by the Speaker, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori.
Oborevwori thanked the lawmakers for their commitment to the speedy passage of the bill.
He said the bill would help to strengthen the financial management of the state as well as promote accountability in the public sector.
The speaker directed the Clerk of the Assembly, Mrs Lyna Ochulor to send a clean copy to Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa for his assent.
Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has urged the federal government to put stringent measures in place to discourage gas flaring.
Governor Okowa made the call on Monday in Asaba when participants of Course 41 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji led by Major-General Felix Edafioghor paid him a courtesy visit.
He stated that the call was necessary as such moves will create job opportunities and curb environmental hazards arising from gas flaring.
“If you go to where gas is flared, which is still very common, you will understand why we need to be more serious about taking decisions as to stop the flaring.
“Stopping gas flaring will be so much better for our people, because, the flared gas in itself has already destroyed the environment, not just the natural habitat in terms of farming, it has also polluted very badly the air that we breathe and only God knows the level of damage that it has caused.
“The laws must be implemented in such a manner that gas flaring is not just tied up to fines because, as long as gas flaring is tied up to fines and the oil companies begin to realize that it may be cheaper or easier to pay the fines than to stop the flare of gas, then, we obviously are not discouraging them,” Okowa said.
The Governor further stated that he was aware that a lot has been done in the last few years but, that there is a lot more that can be done.
“The gas that we flare can generate a lot of income for the oil companies if only it can be properly utilized, so, we must stay on our laws and ensure that we do what is right and stop tying the issue of gas flaring to fines because, the continuing tying of gas flaring to fines is injurious to our people and our environment,” he said.
Decrying the attitude of some oil companies to their nonchalant attitude to the effect of gas exploration activities on the environment, Okowa said, “the oil economy has impacted negatively on our environment because, in the course of exploration the environment has greatly been damaged.
“This has also been worsened by the regularity of illegal bunkering that takes place in the state to which a lot of damage is done to our environment and that in itself constitutes both an agricultural hazard and also health hazard to the people”.
Okowa commended the visiting team and observed that their findings will be useful to the government and people of the state.
Earlier, Major-General Edafighor had told the governor and members of the state executive council that the team was in the state for an environmental study tour as part of the fulfilment of their training programme.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said that Nigeria can only progress when all its citizens have a sense of security, unity and belonging.
TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Obasanjo stated this on Saturday in Asaba at a meeting with the Executive members of the Delta state traditional council.
“I am an incurable optimist about this country, Nigeria is not a perfect country but it can be made to make progress, move at a pace that will be advantageous to all of us, no matter our tribe, position gender and race.
“We can have a country that is at peace with itself, where unity is enthroned, a country where everyone will be their brothers’ keeper, where performance will be obvious in the governance and running of the affairs of our people, a country where everyone will have a sense of belonging,” the former president said.
Obasanjo commended Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for bringing peace, unity, development and cooperation among Deltans, urging the traditional council led by its chairman, Obi Efizomor II, Obi of Owa, to continue to be pillar of support to the governor in his developmental strides.
He reminded them that they were bastion of peace, unity and development in their various domains and that they should do their best for the unity and security of the state at all time.
Governor Okowa welcomed Chief Obasanjo to the state to commission some landmark projects stressing that his presence and wealth of experience would encourage his administration to carry out more development for the people.
Obi Efeizimor II, Obi Of Owa in his remarks urged Chief Obasanjo to use his wealth of experience to fight injustice in the society stating that the country was at the verge of collapse and need men like him to intervene in its affairs.
World football governing body, Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) has approved the Stephen Keshi Stadium for international football championship.
TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick made this known on Sunday at Super Eagles arrival at the Asaba International Airport after their qualifying match for AFCON with the Bafana Bafana of South Africa.
The NFF President stated that it was a thing of pride for the Super Eagles to travel through the Asaba International Airport.
“When it was announced yesterday (Saturday) that we are boarding and flying to Asaba, it gave me great joy, it shows that God rules supreme in Delta State, we have qualified for AFCON and we are going to Cameroon to make great impact.
“On behalf of NFF, I thank the Governor and the good people of Delta State for their show of enthusiasm since the Super Eagles came, that stadium is wonderful and the Super Eagles will beat Uganda in their friendly match, remember that the Ugandan Team has also qualified for AFCON,” Amaju said.
Meanwhile, former President Olusegun Obasanjo is in Delta state to commission some key projects of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, including the main bowl of the Stephen Keshi Stadium.
The former president will also commission the old Lagos-Asaba road, Agbor and the Owa-Eke/Owa-Alero road in Ika North East Local Government Area.
