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Tag: Delta State

  • Gov. Okowa vows to ensure peace in Delta

    Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has said that his administration would do everything possible to ensure that peace returns to the state.

    Okowa gave this assurance on Friday at a public lecture/book presentation held in honour of his deputy, Kingsley Otuaro in Warri.

    The book with the theme: Governance, Security and Peace Building in Niger Delta, was written by the Society for Peace Studies and Practice, Nigeria, South South Zone to mark the 50th birthday of Otuaro.

    Okowa said that people must realise that whatsoever damage done to the facilities in the state was destruction done to the people of the state.

    “I think there is still a lot to be done in Delta, even when we are enjoying so much peace at the moment.

    “People must continue to realise that whatever we do to destroy any of the facilities we have in Delta is actually a destruction done to ourselves,” he said.

    Okowa said that governors alone could not build peace, noting that peace building effort had to involve everybody.

    “Governors alone cannot build peace, it is a participatory thing; all the people of Delta have to be involved so that the partnership will be strong.

    “We have peace building structures, those of us in government must provide that partnership because without that we cannot achieve peace,” he said.

    The governor lauded the Society for Peace Studies and Practice, Nigeria, South South Zone for the great work.

    He directed that copies of the book be given to the 60 traditional rulers in the state as well as the President-Generals of the communities in Delta.

    Okowa thanked God for giving Otuaro the grace to celebrate 50 years and wished him more successful years.

    Earlier, Prof. Isaac Albert, the Director, Institute for Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ibadan in his lecture, stressed the need for Delta to build a consensus.

    “There is the need for us to know the kind of Delta we want; if we destroy our state, who will come from other state to build it for us.

    “Among the Niger Delta governors, there is also the need to build a consensus to tackle the main problems in the region,” he said.

    The 383 page book was reviewed by Prof. Chris Ogbogbo, the President, Historical Society of Nigeria, University of Ibadan.

    In his remark, Utuaro thanked God and the organisers for the honor accorded him.

    “I thank God for the gift of life and mercy; I am overwhelmed and glad to see this great day; being 50 is heartwarming and exciting,” he said.

    In attendance were the, immediate past governor of Delta, Emmanuel Uduaghan, Delta lawmakers at both the state and national assemblies, government functionaries, traditional rulers among others.

     

  • Maritime University take-off fulfilment of Buhari’s promise – Presidency

    The Presidency has said commencement of academic activities at the Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta State is part of fulfilment campaign promises made by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, who made this known in a statement yesterday, said the Buhari’s administration is committed to develop the Niger Delta in line with its new vision for the region.

    The presidential aide said the Maritime University commenced lectures for the 2017/2018 academic year yesterday and that a total of 196 students have so far been accepted into the University to commence their academic programmes.

    TheNewsGuru reports the Maritime University was granted approval in January by the National Universities Commission (NUC) to commence undergraduate degree programmes effective from the 2017/2018 academic session.

    According to Akande, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) had also listed the University in its Central Admissions Processing System in January 24, 2018, while interviews for academic staff positions were conducted between 1st and 2nd of March, 2018.

    “The NUC had approved that academic activities commence in three faculties namely; Transport, Engineering and Environmental Management, with a combined total of 13 departments with various specializations – from Marine Engineering, Marine Economics to Climate Change, Fisheries and Aquaculture,” he said.

    It would be recalled that President Buhari had approved an increase in the take-off grant allocated to the University from the N2 billion earlier announced to N5 billion.

    “This sum was included in the 2018 budget presented to the National Assembly in November 2017.

    “Similarly, an additional N1 billion was approved by the President to support essential infrastructure works and staff recruitment in the University in November 2017,” Akande said.

    Following the commencement of operations in 2017, the University had, in November 2017, invited job applications for academic staff with advert placement in major national dailies.

    Also, the Delta State government had donated two 500KVA generators to the University.

    “Following President Muhammadu Buhari’s meeting with leaders of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) in November 2016, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, was delegated to undertake a tour of the oil producing communities in 2017; and the take-off of the Maritime University was one of the major requests tabled before the Federal Government,” Akande quoted.

     

  • Eight-month-old baby found dead inside drum of water

    An eight-month-old baby simply identified as Abdulaziz, was on Thursday found dead inside a four-feet drum of water in Benin.

    The incident occurred early Thursday morning at number 53 Obakhavbaye Street, Benin City.

    It was gathered that mother of the baby had gone to urinate outside at about 6 a.m, but did not find the baby where she kept him.

    After three hours of searching around the house, the baby was eventually found inside the drum of water dead.

    Landlord of the house, Mr Ali Abubakar, said he was observing his prayers when he heard shouting and wailing.

    Ali said he went downstairs and was told that Abdulaziz died inside a drum of water.

    “It is difficult for that baby to open that drum and enter inside. We don’t know what happened yet but it is a mystery’’ Abubakar said.

    A neighbour, who gave her name as Blessing Akpo, said that it was only God that could unravel the baby’s killers.

    “I have never seen where a baby of eight months old will open a drum of water, enter inside and close it,’’ she said.

    Mother of the baby could not talk as she was still in shock.

    Some policemen from Aideyan Police station were also observed at the residence to investigate the incident.

    When contacted, DSP Chidi Nwanbuzour, the Command’s PPRO said that he had just been briefed about the case.

    He added that the command was already investigating the circumstances leading to the death of the boy.

  • Delta state organises tourism fiesta

    Delta State Government says it will hold a fiesta to showcase its tourism potentials with a view to attract both local and foreign investors.

    The Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mr Chinye Emmanuel, disclosed this when he visited the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) and National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) in Abuja on Thursday.

    The Commissioner said the three-day fiesta, which is scheduled to hold between July and August, was expected to attract both local and foreign tourists in the state to tap from its vast potentials.

    According to him, the platform will also provide an avenue for the people to also showcase their rich culture, food, music and fashion during the event.

    “In view of the dwindling oil resources and economic downturn, the need to look inward and think outside the box to find other sources of revenue must be explored.

    “I believe strongly that tourism is that alternative, if properly harnessed, has the capacity to rejuvenate the economy of this nation,” he said.

    He gave assurance that the security of the lives and property of people, irrespective of the nationality were safe in the state.

    “Today, you can walk freely in Delta state, whether you are a black or white man unlike in the past, where you hear about kidnapping.

    “No more crime as such in Delta state, so with that foreigners will be free to come in and move round Delta state freely,’’ he said.

    He said the visit was to garner the support from NTDC and NIHOTOUR to host tourism fairs, expos, training, cultural programmes, develop its historical sites and monuments, as well as its eco-system in other to promote domestic tourism.

    Responding, the Director-General, NTDC, Mr Folunrunso Coker assured the state government of the corporation’s support in harnessing the tourism potentials in the state.

    “Tourism is a business to look at in Delta state and I assure you of our support in making the event successful and promoting tourism potentials in the state and nation at large,” he added.

    Similarly, the Director General, NIHOTOUR, Mrs Chika Balogun, assured the Delta government that the institute would continue to support it, especially in the training of its tourism and hospitality officers.

    “We assure you of our support in training and retraining of your officers in tourism and hospitality industry to meet up with global standard to create a vibrant tourism sector,” she added.

    Balogun, therefore, encouraged the state government to expedite action in developing some of its tourist sites to increase tourism in the state and reduce movement to other countries for holidays and tourism.

     

  • Delta: 19 NYSC members to repeat service year

    Delta: 19 NYSC members to repeat service year

    The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has said that 19 of its corps members will have to repeat the exercise.

    The NYSC accused them of absconding from their service-year programme and would repeat it whenever they presented themselves to the authority.

    The State Coordinator, Mr Benjamin Omotade, said this during the passing out of the 2017 Batch A, Stream 1 corps members in Asaba on Thursday.

    Omotade said that 16 would have their service year extended for between two weeks and four months.

    He said that they corps were found wanting and had been reprimanded in accordance with the bye-laws of the NYSC.

    He, however, said that three corps members who distinguished themselves in their primary places of assignment during the service year had been selected for recognition and awards.

    He said that two who belonged to Stream 1 would receive the Chairman’s Award while one would be conferred with the state Honours Award during the 2017 Batch A Stream 11 passing out.

    He said that the recognition and awards were also in line with the policy of the scheme.

    He advised the corps members to go home and reunite with their families after a meritorious service to the nation.

    Also, Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta admonished the corps members not to be deterred by security challenges and unemployment.

    Okowa was represented by the Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr Oghenejaro Ilolo.

    The governor said that their participation and experience in the scheme were to equip them with the necessary skills and strategies for survival as adults in a competitive world.

     

  • Delta Assembly approves N600 million loan for Gov. Okowa

    Delta State House of Assembly on Tuesday approved the request of the State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for a N600 million term loan facility from Fidelity Bank Plc.

    This, according to the governor’s aide who made this known, is to enable the State government meet its 50% counterpart contribution required to access the 2017 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) counterpart fund from the federal government.

    The request letter from the governor was read by Speaker Sheriff Oborevwori Tuesday’s plenary, and was approved after a debate of it by lawmakers.

    Earlier, Okowa has interfaced with the people of Warri North and South council areas in continuation of his town hall meeting programme designed to help his government’s planning process especially in area of budgeting.

    Addressing issues raised by various communities, Governor Okowa at the town hall meetings in Warri and Koko said his government is collaborating with relevant authorities to facilitate the dredging of Warri and Koko ports.

    While in Warri south, the attention of Governor Okowa was drawn to the abandoned Ugborodo new town housing unit, abandoned water project started by the Ibori administration, inadequate funding for DESOPADEC and the construction of network of bridges linking communities to Warri.

    The governor promised to give attention to the projects.

    In Warri North, the people asked for the completion of abandoned Koko stadium, rehabilitation and upgrade of Koko hospital, the understaffing problem of Iwere college, and the absence of government project in Egbema community.

    Governor Okowa in his response promised to take care of virtually all the issues raised and investigate the dormancy of Koko Water project, as well as the complaint of mismanagement of sand dredging machine procured by the council area during former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s tenure.

     

  • Do you think Gov. Okowa has achieved his investment priorities for Delta?

    Do you think Gov. Okowa has achieved his investment priorities for Delta?

    At the first Nigeria-China Governors Business Forum (NCGBF) held in Guangzhou, China between April 13th and 14th 2017, Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa presented four investment priorities for the State.

    The four investment priorities presented by Governor Okowa at the business forum are hinged upon agro-industrial parks initiative, smart city development, airport development, and gas-based industrial park.

    The Governor, who said the vision is to make the state a pacesetter in the Nigerian federation, said his administration will leverage on the comparative advantage of the state, promising prosperity for all Deltans based on his SMART, 5-point agenda.

    The comparative advantage, of which, are: the State as a leading producer of oil and gas; the nonoperational 4 seaports, rich vegetation and fertile soil suitable for agriculture; strategic location of the State, and the young, educated and active population.

    Based on the SMART agenda, Okowa promised strategic wealth creation and jobs for all Deltans; meaningful peacebuilding platforms aimed at political and social harmony; agricultural reforms and accelerated industrialization; relevant health and education policies, and transformed environment through urban renewal.

    Three years into the Okowa’s administration, and approaching the election year 2019, it becomes sacrosanct to ask the imperative question: Has Governor Okowa achieved his investment priorities for Delta state?

    The Governor also promised establishment of Delta Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency and Job Creation Office. These have resulted in the offspring of programmes such as the YAGEP, STEP, PPSP, GEEP and the tractorization microcredit scheme.

    So far, the State government has spent billions of Naira on these offshoot programmes. However, it is yet to be known whether the resultant SMEs are sustainable or they will go the way other empowerment programmes of past administrations have gone.

    Governor Okowa also promised diversification of the State’s economy through cassava, rice, tomato, oil palm and aqua-culture agro-businesses. He said the development of road, energy, housing, and water infrastructures would be a priority, and that the State will rely heavily on private sector partnership hinged upon foreign direct investment (FDI) and local investors.

    One of Okowa’s private sector partnership projects is the Asaba multi-million Naira mechanic village. So far Governor Okowa has spent billions on the Asaba multi-million Naira mechanic village.

    At a quarterly media interaction held in Asaba on the 21st March 2018, Okowa said, to curtail the perennial flooding in the State’s Capital alone, the State will spend a whopping sum of N11 billion. He said his administration was committed to fulfilling his campaign promises, including ending the ordeal Asaba residents have to encounter during the rainy season due to flooding.

    The governor disclosed that N720 million was spent in conducting the January 6 Local Government election in the state, including the runoff in some parts of the 25 council areas. He also said that government had set aside N2 billion for the Ministry of Basic and Primary Education to renovate and furnish over 1,600 public primary schools across the state.

    He said the state government was supporting some local governments to build rural markets to grow commerce. The Governor added that it had completed the Oghara Market and approved the building of Ozoro and Burutu Markets.

    On security, he said that government had inaugurated various peace-building committees which had ensured the sustainability of existing peace in the state. The state government also approved an undisclosed amount for the completion of the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba. The Asaba International Airport project has gulped a total of N27.2 billion after 10 years of work on the project. The runway and taxiway alone cost N3 billion.

    All these, others not captured here, the Governor has done with the view to realizing his investment priorities for Delta state. While most of the projects are concentrated in the Capital, a handful of others are scattered across the State.

    Aside from empowerment through the YAGEP, STEP, PPSP, GEEP schemes and political appointments, the State has not provided key employment opportunities for Deltans under the Okowa administration; not even resurrect the scam recruitment exercise of former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan. Even, EduMarshals lost their jobs.

    ICT hubs; factories; ports; stable electricity; proper waste/environment management system; proper drainage system to avoid flooding and erosions across the State; clean pipe bore water, good schools, good hospitals, not photoshopped ones, etc; are still far from achieved in Delta state.

    If Delta state must achieve the status of a smart city as captured in the Governor Okowa’s Delta state investment priorities paper, then he must push for robust telecoms infrastructure just as the way his counterpart in Edo state is doing. A state cannot be said to be smart when there is no broadband penetration.

    It is worthy to note that no government in Delta state, not even the Okowa’s, has dared ventured into projects akin to what is obtainable in states like Lagos state, given comparative allocations the State has accrued in the past three years.

    While Governor Okowa has done novel in certain areas, there are key areas his administration is yet to meet up so far, and only Deltans can actually judge if Governor Okowa has done novel.

    So, we ask, has Gov. Okowa achieved Delta state investment priorities?

    Leave your comment below.

     

  • Okowa, Obaseki celebrate Kachikwu chieftaincy

    Okowa, Obaseki celebrate Kachikwu chieftaincy

    Governors of Edo and Delta states have congratulated the Kachikwu family over the conferment of Ochiligwe of Onicha-Ugbo and Ezinne Oligbo on Barr. Mrs. Josephine Ada Kachikwu, with Governor Godwin Obaseki describing the honours as well deserved.

    Speaking at the conferment ceremony of the chieftaincy titles, in Issele-Uku, Delta State, Obaseki said that Mrs. Ada Kachikwu, who is the stepmother of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, has over the years contributed to her immediate community and exhibited exemplary qualities that marked her out for the titles.

    According to him, “the double titles show that she has a unique personality. This is not forgetting that her husband, late Justice Francis Okafor Kachikwu was a prominent Jurist in the defunct Bendel State and Nigeria, and they both impacted and touched lives.”

    Obaseki added that Mrs Kachikwu provided support to her husband throughout his successful career and even when her husband died, she continued to champion the cause of her community. “This tells of her character and commendable personality. We are happy to be here to celebrate her,” he said.

    Governor Ifeanyi Okowa eulogized Mrs Kachikwu’s outstanding life of service to humanity, noting that she was a mother to all. “We are happy with her, as her service to her community has earned her double chieftaincy titles by two communities here in Delta State. It is wonderful to have this kind of honour.”

    Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu said Barr. Mrs. Ada Kachikwu is a wonderful, committed, dedicated woman, who though married his father at the age of 18, was adept at managing home chores and many other maternal responsibilities of her step-children.

    He said her determination saw her achieve her dreams of being a midwife, lawyer and later a politician, which she used to positively to touch lives.

    He said the story of Nigeria will not be properly told until we are united, irrespective of our political affiliation, noting that it was important to tolerate one another as citizens of the country. “The earlier we rise against sentiment and live as one and united people, the better for us,” he added.

     

  • Step-mother of petroleum minister, Josephine Ada Kachikwu bags double chieftaincy titles

    Step-mother of petroleum minister, Josephine Ada Kachikwu bags double chieftaincy titles

    Step-mother of Ibe Kachikwu, Minister of State for Petroleum, and the Chairman, Delta State House of Assembly Service Commission, Barrister Mrs. Josephine Ada Kachikwu, was on Sunday conferred with two chieftaincy titles in Delta state.

    TheNewsGuru reports Mrs. Kachikwu was conferred with the chieftaincy titles of Ochiligwe of Onicha-Ugbo and Ezinne Oligbo by traditional rulers of two neighbouring communities in Aniocha North Local Government Area of the State.

    The royal father of Onicha-Ugbo Kindgom, HRM Obi Victor Chukwumaleze conferred on her the Chieftaincy title of the Ochiligwe of Onicha-Ugbo kingdom while the traditional ruler of Issele-Uku (Oligbo) Kingdom, HRM Obi Nduka Ezeagwuna II honoured her with the chieftaincy title of the Ezinne of Oligbo Kingdom.

    TheNewsGuru reports Ochiligwe means “Mother of Multitude” while Ezinne means “Good Mother”.

    Mrs. Kachikwu, who hails from Issele-Uku, was married to Late Justice Francis Okafor Kachikwu, the father of Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, of Onicha-Ugbo.

    She thanked the two monarchs for finding her worthy of the prestigious chieftaincy titles, pointing out that the honour/recognition might not be unconnected with her contributions to the development of the two communities and betterment of humanity.

    Mrs. Kachikwu, who said she has a passion to touch lives, especially those of the needy and the less privileged in the society, enjoined well-to-do individuals to extend their hands of fellowship to the needy, saying that by so doing, the society would be a better place to live in.

    At an elaborate reception to celebrate the chieftaincy titles conferment, Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, and his Edo State counterpart, Godwin Obaseke, were markedly present.

    Step-son of the newly conferred chief, Ibe Kachikwu, former Delta State Governor, Chief James Ibori, Okowa’s wife, Dame Edith Okowa and other dignitaries also attended the elaborate party.

     

  • Okowa urges Nigerians not to relent

    Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has called on Christians and all Nigerians to see the Easter period as an opportunity to increase their efforts at showing love and promotion of peace among mankind.

    Okowa, in an Easter message urged Deltans, Nigerians and Christians in particular not to relent in cooperating and supporting governments at all levels in their efforts to put in place programmes and measures that would enhance and improve the standard of living of Nigerians.

    In the message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Charles Aniagwu, Okowa charged Nigerians, particularly Christians, to emulate Jesus Christ who, through his love for mankind, decided to sacrifice his life for people to live.

    “Easter is a period to share love and promote peace. Jesus Christ lived and died for peace and love to reign and we can all emulate the exemplary life of Christ by becoming promoter of peace and love.

    “Easter is the reason why we are called Christians. But Christianity places a demand on all of us, a responsibility to look out for each other and be our brothers’ keepers,” he said.

    The governor felicitated with the people, particularly Christians, on the occasion of this year’s Easter, a period he said was meant for sacrifice and forgiveness as exemplified by the life and times of Jesus Christ.

    He also used the opportunity to thank the people of the state for their unflinching support for his administration, noting that the successes he had so far recorded would not have been possible without them.