TheNewsGuru

Tag: Delta State

  • Okowa calls for engagement of youths to check restiveness

    Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has called for spirited efforts to get youths engaged in order to check restiveness and criminality in the country.

    Governor Okowa made the call on Wednesday in Asaba when he received a team of World Bank, European Union and Federal Government officials.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports the officials were in the state to assess the level of implementation of State Employment and Expenditure For Results (SEEFOR) projects in the state.

    The governor thanked the World Bank and said there were still very big gaps in the area of youths unemployment in the country.

    “We know that partnering with the private sector as a state, we would be able to find other means to attend to the gaps that are still existing in the area of youths unemployment because, once we are able to do that, we would be able to achieve and sustain the security and peace that we have in the state,” Okowa said.

    He disclosed that getting the youths engaged was in line with his administration’s commitment to making the youths job creators through the different youths employment and wealth creation programmes of his administration.

    “We are happy with the partnership between World Bank and the European Union, we are happy that the youth empowerment components is working in Delta State as over 700 youths have been trained and empowered through this partnership and they are on their own. We hope that this collaboration will continue to improve by the day,” the governor stated.

    While noting that his administration has spent a lot of money to ensure the empowerment of youths, Governor Okowa, said that the youths are also working hard to achieve results as “the price of hard work is to continue to work harder”.

    The team leader, Mr Brar Parminder had lauded Governor Okowa’s administration for ensuring that the SEEFOR projects are succeeding in the state, disclosing that they were impressed with the success stories of the SEEFOR programmes in the state.

     

  • Okowa urges non-indigenes to partner with Delta Govt.

    Okowa urges non-indigenes to partner with Delta Govt.

    Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has called on all the non-indigenes of the state, to partner with his administration to sustain peace for development to thrive.

    Okowa made the call on Wednesday in Asaba when the leadership of the Arewa community in the state paid him a courtesy visit as part of activities marking the Eid-el-Kabir festival.

    The governor was represented on the occasion by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Fetus Agas.

    He told the Arewa community that his administration would continue to carry them along as stakeholders in the development of the state and urged them to be patriotic.

    Okowa noted that Delta had been peaceful when compared to some other states and thanked the group for their love, understanding and loyalty to his administration.

    Earlier, the leader of the group, Alhaji Muktar Usman, described the governor as a detribalised Nigerian and assured him of the continued support of the Arewa community to his administration.

    Usman, who is the Special Adviser to the Governor on Non-Indigene Affairs, thanked Okowa for what he described as usual support and encouragement for the community.

    He said the state government had always ensured that Muslims in the state participated in the yearly Hajj festival in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

    He commended the governor for the appointment of members of the Arewa community into his cabinet and also for the completion of the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba.

     

  • Array of aspirants on PDP platform is good omen – Gov. Okowa

    Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has described the array of aspirants for the presidential ticket of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2019 general election as a good omen that will give strength to the party.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports the stated this on Tuesday in Asaba during a consultation visit by the former Governor of Kano State and one of the Presidential aspirants on the platform of the PDP, Senator Rabiu Kwakwanso.

    “We are happy that so many of our party members are coming out to contest for the presidential ticket of our party from the North. It gives strength to the party.

    “All that matters is for the party to manage the situation. I am one person that believes in free and fair election, I talk about it, I preach about it and I live with it, Okowa said.

    The Governor further stated that he believes that people should be allowed to freely decide who will be Nigeria’s presidential candidate in Abuja.

    “We should ensure we provide a level play ground for all our aspirants, especially, in the presidential primaries,” he said, emphasising, “if all aspirants for different positions are aware that there will be a level play ground, they will go all out to meet delegates and canvas for their votes, also, when the result comes out, everybody will accept it as free and fair, this is the right thing to do”.

    He asserted, “as Governor of Delta State, I will not be squeezing the hands of people to a direction, I believe in free and fair election and we shall promote such in our state”.

    While noting that Senator Kwakwanso was working hard to get the presidential ticket, Governor Okowa congratulated him for coming back to the PDP, disclosing that the doors of the party are open to receive people from other political parties.

    Senator Kwakwanso disclosed that he was in Delta State to consult the people concerning his aspiration to contest for the presidential election on the platform of the PDP.

    “How do we save our country? How do we save our party, the PDP? Because, as long as the party does the right thing, the Presidency will move to PDP in 2019,” he stated.

    Earlier, Chairman of PDP in Delta State, Barr. Kingsley Esiso had in a welcome address, stated that Delta State is home to the PDP and will remain so.

     

  • ‘I have not decamped,’ Adolor Okotie-Eboh declares

    Chief Adolor Okotie-Eboh says he has not defected to the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State that he remains a staunch member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State.

    Reports emerged on Tuesday that Chief Okotie-Eboh and a number of his followers had left the APC at the visit of former Governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to the State.

    “Its not true,” Okotie-Eboh told TheNewsGuru (TNG); stressing: “I only accompanied my friend, Kwankwaso, on a courtesy visit to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and nothing more than that”.

    Kwankwaso, a PDP presidential aspirant, paid a consultation visit to Governor Okowa and Delta PDP stakeholders at the Unity Hall Government House Asaba with the APC Chieftain in his entourage.

    “I have not decamped. Kwankwaso is my bosom friend, and I am still a member of the APC. If and only if I am going to decamp, it would be made official,” he told TNG.

    Addressing issues bothering on the current crisis in the Delta APC, Okotie-Eboh said, “The whole issue is being handled by the APC National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomole.

    “I understand there is a panel being set up by the National Chairman that will be coming to Delta to carry out harmonization of the party. I believe that will happen next week”.

    Speaking on the presidential aspiration of Kwankwaso, Okotie-Eboh said, “Anybody is free to aspire for any political position, and Kwankwaso’s case is not different.

    “Like I said earlier, he is my friend and I only accompanied him since he was in my State”.

     

  • Okowa congratulates Paul Usoro on his emergence as NBA President

    Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has congratulated Mr Paul Usoro, (SAN) on his successful election as President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA).

    Okowa who described Usoro’s emergence as thoroughly deserving and an inspiration to young lawyers who look up to him for mentorship in their quest to make a name in the legal profession, urged him to ensure that lawyers continue to support efforts geared towards speedy administration of criminal justice system in the country.

    In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, the governor said, Usoro over the years has proved his mettle in the profession. He urged the new NBA President to bring his wealth of experience to bear, not only in advancing the course of the NBA, but also the legal profession in general.

    He assured the NBA President that his administration would continue to partner with relevant authorities to ensure prompt administration of criminal justice system in the state.

    “On behalf of the government and people of Delta State, i congratulate you Mr. Paul Usoro, SAN on your election as President of the Nigeria Bar Association, (NBA).

    “It is on record that the Nigerian Communication Act and many other regulations governing the telecoms industry in Nigeria owe their existence to Mr. Paul Usoro”.

    “As a top telecom lawyer and IT savvy lawyer it is our hope that, the ‘Prince of Telecom’ as he is fondly called will bring to bear information technology in the legal practice in Nigeria,” the statement added.

     

  • Fables, Lies and Innuendos: In Response to Julius Oweh’s Article re: Hurdles in Delta State APC

    Fables, Lies and Innuendos: In Response to Julius Oweh’s Article re: Hurdles in Delta State APC

    By Felix Anyaruoh

    The recent fairy tale story as told in Mr Oweh’s article published in the Vanguard Newspaper of July 21, 2018 to say the least, is political, mischievous, specious, and filled with smoke and mirrors, innuendos and intellectual sleight of hand. The objective is to inject divisive politics into the Delta State APC family and deny Deltans the right to choose who will lead them come 2019. It is undeniable that the APC needs a United house to take over the reigns of government in Asaba, however, the last time I checked blackmail is not in the lexicon of unity.
    Let it be known that contrary to Mr. Oweh’s diatribe, the only candidate that can unite the APC in the state and subsequently dismantle the PDP in the forth coming elections is no other candidate than Chief Great Ogboru. He has no ties to the corrupt political class.

    He has the broadest base of supporters, has not accepted ‘political money’ and is the least compromised by big money and special interests. Chief Ogboru inspires people of all ages to action. And while inspiration alone isn’t enough to get the job done, it’s a necessary ingredient to begin the hard work. His unwillingness to cross the line into the dark side of politics has touched a fundamental place in the hearts of many who are eager to believe that the political process is not entirely cynical.

    Mr Oweh’s oxymoronic reference of where the next governor should come from shows his biase and unveiled who is sponsors are. However, it is imperative to state that producing the next governor transcends tribal or ethnic coloration, but a governor that will work for the interest of all Deltans. That candidate can be an Urhobo, Anioma, etc. The candidate presented should share its political and economic views. Ogboru has shown, with his forward-thinking initiatives and proposed policies, to be that candidate. I couldn’t be more pleased with the way he managed his vast business empire, with his ceaseless demonstration of dignity, superior intellect and unparalleled innovation. Chief Ogboru will be a governor for all Deltans. He cares about what is best for the greater good and will represent the people, from Ibusa in Oshimili to Ezi in Aniocha,striding through Igbodo in Ika, not ignoring Umukwata in Ndokwa his mother’s place to Otor Iyede in Isoko. He will be well at home in Abraka his father’s home town in Ethiope to Jeddo in Okpe, He will be welcomed at Abigborodo in Warri and finally taking a rest in Burutu – the same Ijaw tribe as his wife.

    It is instructive to note that Chief Ogboru is a true Deltan – his father is urhobo, mother is Anioma and wife Ijaw. You cannot get it better than Ogboru who is a true Deltan. His actions have always been motivated by a sincere desire to do what is fair and equitable. As governor, Delta State will be more unified as a people than it has been in the past.

    Never allow the transitory evanescence demands of man made institution to take precedence over eternal demand of the Almighty God.
    Felix Ayanruoh Esq.
    fayanruoh@yahoo.com

  • SPDC undertakes clean-up of Bayelsa, Delta communities

    The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) says it is undertaking the clean–up of areas recently affected by oil spillage in two Niger/Delta communities.

    The company’s Media Relations Manager, Mr Bamidele Odugbesan, said on Sunday in Lagos, the exercise had reached 95 per cent completion.

    Odugbesan stated that the affected areas were in Trans Ramos Pipeline (TRP) in Aghoro community, Bayelsa, and Odimodi community of Delta respectively.

    He said the pipelines had initially supplied crude to the SPDC Joint Venture-owned Forcados Oil Terminal in western Niger Delta for export.

    He added that the exercise would be followed with immediate remediation of the affected areas.

    He acknowledged that the spills were regrettable, and that the clean-up was in line with the standard operating procedures of SPDC.

    He said the TRP was shut down immediately the incidents were reported and the Oil Spill Response as well as the Emergency Response teams were activated to prevent further spillage.

    “As soon as clean-up and site assessment are completed, we are committed to starting the immediate remediation of the impacted areas in Aghoro and Odimodi.

    “Details of the cause and impact of the spills will be captured in the Joint Investigation Visits (JIV) reports, which will be released after sign-off by all parties.

    “The JIV is a multi-party exercise involving the regulators, the community, representatives of the state government, security agencies, and representatives of SPDC.

    “The outcome is then signed off by the stakeholders to authenticate the findings,” Odugbesan said in a statement.

     

  • Breaking: Over 20 thousand PDP, APC members defect to AGAP

    Over twenty thousand members of Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and that of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Sunday in Delta State defected to the All Grand Alliance Party (AGAP).

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports the members defected to the AGAP at an event held at Ubeji Grammar School where a stampede was recorded when the mammoth crowd of defectors were scrabbling for membership card of the party.

    While although no death was recorded, there were injuries which medical personnel and Red Cross officials attended to swiftly.

    Speaking at the event, leader of the PDP defectors Mr. Gabriel Ejejigbe said “We are defecting from PDP because the ruling PDP government has brought depression and devastation to the people instead of development.

    “Since the inception of this present government, there is no single employment for the teeming youths, no industry, no agricultural implements, no economic development, no security”.

    He revealed that the over fifteen thousand PDP defectors was just a tip of the iceberg, stressing over a hundred thousand of PDP members are registering with him online to vote out the bad PDP government in 2019.

    On his part, Mr. Anthony Ejaife, in his address on behalf of the APC defectors, said the arrival of AGAP in Delta state was a great relief, stressing that before now they have been disillusioned that there was no hope for the State.

    “I thought APC was ripe to oust the PDP government in the State but the ruling government encroached into our midst hence APC has been bedevilled with unending crisis, therefore the coming of AGAP is divine hence thousands of our members are here to join bring good governance to Deltans through AGAP,” Anthony said.

    Chairman of AGAP in Delta State, Prince Alex Oyoro, who received the defectors, promised that, as long as every member of AGAP fight for a common course to bring Delta state to its rightful perspective, everyone would be treated with the same measure.

     

  • Okowa, 2 other South South Governors nominated for Niger Delta Award

    Okowa, 2 other South South Governors nominated for Niger Delta Award

    Three governors in the South South are being considered for the Niger Delta Governor of the Year Award 2017 by GbaramatuVoice Newspaper, a multi-media organisation in the region.

    The governors are Nyesom Wike of Rivers, Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta and Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa.

    Mr Jacob Abai, the Publisher of the newspaper, said in Lagos on Sunday that the award was to reward excellence in governance.

    “The three governors were shortlisted for the award in view of their contributions to development and impacting positively on lives of the people of the Niger Delta region, particularly in infrastructure, education, health and empowerment.’’

    Abai said that a committee to select the choice of the newspaper had been set up and the nomination would be announced soon.

    He said that the award presentation would be part of the grand finale of the third anniversary of the GbaramatuVoice newspaper.

    Abai said that presentation of the award would take place take place on Tuesday, September 11 at KFT Place in NNPC Housing Complex, Ekpan, Delta.

    A lecture on “Niger Delta Beyond Oil: Searching for Sustainable Development” will be delivered by Prof. Charles Quaker Dokubo, Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs and Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme,
    will be followed by the Award of Recognition/Induction into the Gbaramatu Voice Hall of Fame.

    Gbaramatu Voice is a multi-media newspaper in the Niger Delta established in Effurun Sapele in 2015.

    The newspaper is a public trust dedicated to the pursuit of the truth as it affects the South-South region of Nigeria and the larger society.

     

  • Delta: 21 LGAs owing workers months of unpaid salaries

    The Delta Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Mr Joyce Overah, says that 21 out of the 25 local governments in the state are still owing their workers months of unpaid salaries.

    Overah disclosed this in Asaba on Wednesday while presenting the stewardship of his ministry in the last one year during a news conference.

    He said that only four local government areas were not owing staff salaries.

    He said that the rest were owing between one month and seven months’ of unpaid salaries.

    The commissioner, however, did not mention those owing or those that were up to date in the payment of their workers’ salaries.

    The commissioner said that the state government would settle the outstanding salaries of the local government workers from the next tranche of the Paris Club to be paid by the Federal Government.

    He said that the state governor had also approved a committee of qualified accountants from the state Auditor-General’s office to determine the excess bank charges imposed on the council areas.

    Overah said that the committee’s forensic audit would cover between 2007 and 2017.

    He said that the committee was expected to submit a report which the state government would use to recover all wrongful bank charges imposed on the council areas with accrued interests.