Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has released another list containing names of persons to be appointed into the State Executive Council as Commissioner.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Governor Okowa on Tuesday released the Commissioners’ list, containing the names of seven (7) persons.
The Commissioners’ list contains the names of Prof Patrick Mobughare, Chika Ossai, Basil Ganagana Emmanuel, Dr. Mordi Ononye, Ovie Oghwore, Bridget Anyafulu and Solomon Golley.
Delta Governor, Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa has expressed deep sadness on the death of some pupils of two schools in Effurun who were crushed by a truck along NPA Expressway on Thursday.
The truck, which was loaded with petroleum product reportedly lost control and ran into pupils of David Ejoor Primary School and Army Children School, who had closed from school and were waiting by the roadside opposite Army’s 3rd Battalion Barracks, Effurun.
Seven of the children reportedly died on the spot while four were injured and hospitalised.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, on Friday in Asaba the Governor condoled with families of the victims as well as pupils and teachers of the schools over the unfortunate incident.
He said that the incident was particularly heart-breaking given that it claimed lives of innocent children, adding that it was “extremely horrific and saddening’’.
“On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I commiserate with the families of the pupils on the tragic incident.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims’ families and the schools as we ask for the repose of the souls of the dead and wish the injured quick recovery,” the Governor said.
He appealed for peace in the area and charged the Police and other security agencies to track down the driver, who fled from the scene after the incident.
Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has said the EndSARS protest embarked on by Nigerians youths in 2020 to end police brutality opened the eyes of leaders to the suffering Nigerians pass through.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Governor Okowa stated this on Friday while receiving the report of the State’s Judicial Panel of Inquiry into complaints of police brutality and extra-judicial killings in the State, at Government House, Asaba.
Okowa said the EndSARS protest opened a new chapter in the history of the country, and pointed out that no amount of monetary compensation would bring back lost lives.
While advising the Police to always be cautious when dealing with human lives, the Governor said the State Government would do its best to support families of victims of police brutality and extra-judicial killings in the State.
The Governor said that his administration would consider and implement the decisions of the panel and urged the police to see the civil populace as partner in intelligence-gathering rather than antagonists.
He assured that the recommendations would be looked into by the State’s Executive Council, and that justice would be done as much as possible.
“We are all very much aware of the impact of ENDSARS in our country. It opened a new chapter in the history of our country, where it became very obvious that many of our citizens across the nation were suffering silently.
“Many of them were in real pains, rising from loss of loved ones or loved ones that have been maimed by the Police.
“Rising from several stakeholders meetings, we decided that all states should constitute judicial panels of enquiry, for which Delta state constituted one,” the Governor said.
He thanked the Chairman of the panel and members for their painstaking effort in the discharge of the assignment, adding that he was glad that Deltans came out to lay their complaints before the committee.
“I want to reassure you that the recommendations made will be looked into very urgently by the state executive council and that justice will be done to the best that we can as human beings.
“We can not bring the dead to live and no amount of money can buy a soul. However, we will do the best we can to sympathise with the families and victims.
“The fact that we have accepted that something went wrong could help the families heal and we need to lend a helping hand to them. I do pray that we continue as a people to stay very civil.
“A lot of Police officers do their work the way it ought to be done. But it’s unfortunate that some few take laws into their hands and treat people they were supposed to protect as if they ought not to exist.
“That’s not supposed to be so; human lives can only be created by God. So, as much as possible, it is necessary to give respect to that life which we cannot create.
“I was waiting to see the report and know the extent to which our people have really suffered in the hands of security agencies before setting up the human rights complaints team.
“Whatever is being done is not to scrap the Police because we believe that many of them are doing there jobs. In fact, we have to find way to strengthen and encourage them,” he stated.
The Governor added that it was not unknown that in Nigeria, many policemen work in difficult circumstances, sometimes without equipment to be able to effectively do their jobs.
He, however, said that such situation did not give room for people to abuse their offices.
“Therefore, we advise the security agencies which tend to give a bad name to the Police Force and other agencies to desist from doing that.
“I believe that when the police work with the civil class, it will help them in information gathering.
“So, we look forward to a good working relationship of both the government and the police itself in order to provide better policing of our nation without having to go the path that will make our people distrust us,” the governor stated.
Earlier, Chairman of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry, Justice Celestina Ogisi (Retd), had presented the panel’s report and thanked the governor for finding the members worthy to serve.
She recalled that the Panel was inaugurated on October 9, 2020, to receive and inquire into complaints of police brutality and extra-judicial killings in the state, evaluate evidence presented and draw conclusions as to the validity of the complaint(s), and recommend compensation and other remedial measures.
According to her, the Panel commenced work immediately after inauguration by calling for memoranda from interested members of the public and held public sitting at Asaba and Warri.
“In total, the Panel received 86 petitions and 49 were heard on merit while 37 were struck out for various reasons.
“The Panel also received 10 petitions which sought the enforcement of judgments of various High Courts of the State against the Police for acts of Police brutality and extra-judicial killings.
“The Panel recommended the payment of compensation to victims and/or their families for various acts of Police brutality and extra-judicial killings in Delta State.
“We also recommended the enforcement of all judgment debts awarded against the Police, which they have refused to obey till date,” Justice Ogisi stated.
She added that the Police were meant to protect rights of citizens and not routinely breach such rights without being held accountable.
“Police should restrict itself to the performance of their constitutional and statutory duties of preserving life and properties and not go outside the ambit of the law,” she added.
Osubi airport, located in Osubi, Okpe Local Government Area (LGA) of Delta has resumed commercial flights operations to serve the people of Warri.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the federal government approved reopening of the Osubi airport for daylight operations in March, 2021.
The Osubi airport was closed in February 2020, following controversy involving aviation service providers and management of the airport over alleged debt and mismanagement.
Following the approval given by the FG for the airport to resume operation, the State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa had said his government has had fruitful discussions with the management of United Nigeria airlines to commence full operations at the airport.
TNG reports the Osubi airport resumed commercial flights operations with the landing of an Air Peace commercial flight on Friday. It was not immediately clear why United Nigeria airlines had refused to operate the airport.
Present as the airport resumes operations are the Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Sheriff Oborevwori, and the Orodje Okpe, HRM Felix Mujakperuo.
Others are the Ovie of Uvwie, HRM Emmanuel Sideso, the Chairman of Okpe LGA, Mr Isaiah Esiovwa, and amongst other dignitaries.
Meanwhile, in his remarks, Oborevwori expressed happiness over the re-opening of the Osubi airport.
The Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly revealed that the Osubi airport was now under the purview of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
Oborevwori, who represents Okpe State Constituency in the State House of Assembly said: “Today is one of my happiest days and indeed a great pleasure to make this remarks”.
“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, we are here to witness the re-making of history. I say this because on the 17th of April, 1999 when the Osubi Airport was commissioned, it was first of its kind in the State. It attracted headlines as a major breakthrough in air transportation in the State.
“Unfortunately, following controversy involving aviation service providers and management of the Airport, it was closed in February, 2020.
“One year after the shutdown, we are here gathered to witness the reopening of the Osubi Airport by the Federal Government. To me, this is a milestone for the State and Okpe Local Government Area in particular.
“The strategic importance of the Airport to the oil and gas operations, and other commercial activities in the State cannot be over emphasized.
“In 2015, the number of passengers movements into the Airport, according to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Aviation Sector Reports, was 187,630 (one hundred and eighty seven thousand, six hundred and thirty).
“I believe this figure would be more as at the date the Airport was shutdown.
“The implication of the above is that these passengers along with all the economic benefits were taken elsewhere. The loss of revenue to the State and the host community during this period cannot be quantified. Therefore, it is a thing of joy that the Airport is being reopened today for business”.
Oborevwori seized the opportunity to acknowledge and appreciate some persons, who he said contributed towards the re-opening of the airport.
“First and foremost, I wish to thank our Governor, His Excellency, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, for making the reopening of the Airport a priority by engaging the Federal Government on the need to reopen the Airport.
“In keeping with his promise of the reopening without delay, His Excellency provided and installed all the safety requirements which include all procedures, practices and Covid – 19 protocols.
“His Excellency also provided an ambulance and made provisions for maintenance for the take off of the reopening of the Airport. Your Excellency sir, we are grateful to you.
“Our special appreciation also goes to the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, for granting the approval for the reopening,” he said.
He also appreciated the very strategic role of the royal fathers, saying that: “My Special thanks to His Royal Majesty, Orhue 1, Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, and His Royal Majesty, Emmanuel Sideso, Abe 1, the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom.
“In the same vein, I also wish to express my gratitude to my good friend and brother, Alfred Temile, for providing support for the first clearing of grasses in the Airport and maintenance of the fire truck. Thank you for your love and kindness.
“Furthermore, I wish to thank the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and their Management, which now have the management of the Airport under their purview.
“In the same manner, I also wish to thank and urge the NNPC, NAPIMS and all the regulators to ensure the smooth running of the Airport. Finally, I am grateful to everyone that contributed in one way or the other for the approval of the reopening of the Airport,” Oborevwori said.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Delta State, Mr Olisa Ifeajika has said it was not the zoning arrangement in the State that brought Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to power.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Mr Ifeajika stated this while speaking with journalists at the State Government House in Asaba on Thursday.
Ifeajika said it was imperative to put the records straight in order not to mislead Deltans and other Nigerians.
The CPS said it was not true that the Governor came to power through zoning consensus as being canvassed by some highly-placed Deltans.
According to him, there is an insinuation making the rounds, which he said ordinarily one would not have bothered to talk about it, but that because it is coming from very highly-placed persons, there is need to put the records straight.
He further said that the insinuations making the rounds that the Governor came to power through zoning were wrong because people from other senatorial districts participated in the primaries that brought him to power.
He said that there was no time in the history of the state that any primary for governorship was allowed as an exclusive preserve of any senatorial district.
“The insinuation that it was through zoning that Okowa became governor is also wrong. We are all witnesses to the primaries that brought him to power, persons from the other senatorial districts in the state other than Delta North, participated in the exercise.
“There was no time in the state, particularly in this present dispensation that any primary for governorship has been allowed to be for only one particular senatorial district.
“In all the records we have, primaries had been for all comers; people from all the senatorial districts always participated in all of that.
“For the one that brought Okowa to power in 2015, we are aware that aspirants from Central and South Senatorial Districts participated, including a former minister who has become an apostle of zoning and saying that zoning consensus brought Governor Okowa to power.
“Indeed, former Chief of Staff, Olorogun David Edevbie, came second in that race, meaning that if he had come first, there was no way they would have asked him to stay away and allow Okowa to grab the ticket on the grounds that it was the turn of Delta North to produce the governor.
“In other words, it is not true that it was zoning that brought Okowa to power, it was his person, his pedigree in politics and the grace of God. He also had, as he still does, immense goodwill across the three senatorial districts.
“So, what we are praying for and also asking Deltans to do is that everybody should come together and at the right time, the leadership of PDP will come together and decide who the successor to Governor Okowa will be, and of course, they will be guided by God as the governor himself.
“That’s what we need to do; so, the insinuation that the governor is opposed to the next governorship candidate coming from a particular place is untrue and it is important to put that record straight,” Ifeajika stated.
However, the CPS said Governor Okowa is not opposed to the zoning of the governorship position in the State, stressing that the Governor was not averse to the zoning of governorship of the State contrary to insinuations in some quarters.
“It is not true that the Governor of this State, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, is opposed to zoning, particularly for the governorship of this state.
“The times he spoke, it was loud and clear. He said that God will help Deltans to determine who will take over from him.
“But even at that, he told Deltans that at the right time, the leadership of the PDP will sit down to decide who the governor will be and after that, leave it to God to decide ultimately as he cannot play the role of God.
“That has been his position; so, it’s not true that the governor is opposed to power moving to Delta Central or any other senatorial district for that matter,” Ifeajika said.
On the defection of Senator Peter Nwaoboshi to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its effect on PDP’s performance, the CPS dismissed the move, saying that it would not have any impact on PDP’s dominance in the state.
“The beauty of democracy is that people are allowed to move to any party they like. The movement of Senator Peter Nwaoboshi does not translate to the dominance of APC in Delta.
“Yes, Nwaoboshi has gone to APC but I can tell you that the impact of his defection cannot rattle PDP in this State. Delta is a PDP State and will remain so.
“That APC now has two senators does not translate to it being able to take Delta in elections; they cannot win one-twentieth of Delta electorate,” he said.
Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta, has sworn in 18 new Commissioners as members of the State Executive Council.
Okowa performed the ceremony in Asaba on Thursday, saying that five of the Commissioners were women in line with the government resolve to effectively engage women in politics and development.
He charged the commissioners to be innovative by initiating new ideas that would lead to the realisation of the Stronger Delta mantra.
Okowa said that the reconstitution of the cabinet become necessary to move on as a government following the dissolution of the cabinet on May 18.
According to him, the commissioners have to be innovative, shun the routine way of doing things, bring in new ideas, be creative and take bold action.
“They must be effective communicators; they must take time to communicate with their staff and subordinates.
“The commissioners have to be role models both in their public and private lives, live exemplary lives that will portray the administration in good light,” he said.
Okowa also charged them to ensure that they go back home to relate with their people and community and to shun double standards in their dealings with the people.
Responding, one of the commissioners, Fidelis Tillije, appreciated the governor for appointing them to serve.
He assured him of their resolve to work assiduously to ensure realisation of the Stronger Delta mantra of the administration.
The commissioners included -Charles Aniagwu, Fidelis Tilijie, Barry Gbe, Julius Egbedi, Festus Ochonogor, Arthur Akpowowo, Ifeanyi Egwuyenga, Flora Alanta, Churchill Amagada, Chris Onogba and Lawrence Ejiofor.
Others were Evelyn Oboro, Noel Omordon, Rose Esenwu, Shola Ogbemi-Daibo, Jonathan Ukodhiko, Kate Oniawan, and Johnbull Edema.
Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has approved the appointment of two more special advisers.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the two special advisers are Hon. Pascal Adigwe and Hon. Samuel Mariere.
Secretary to the Delta State Government, Patrick Ukah made this known in a statement on Sunday.
The statement reads: :It is hereby announced for the information of the general public, particularly Deltans, that His Excellency, the Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has approved the appointment of the following persons as Special Advisers: (i) Hon. Pascal Adigwe and (ii) Hon. Samuel Mariere.
“Their swearing in comes up on Monday, 28th June, 2021, at the Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba at 10 am”.
Delta Governor, Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa on Thursday, forwarded the names of seventeen Commissioner designates to the State House of Assembly for confirmation.
The names of the nominees were read by the Speaker, Honorable Sheriff Oborevwori at plenary.
Those nominated by the Governor for appointment as Commissioners are; Mr. Charles Aniagwu, Dr. Barry Gbe, Mr. Ifeanyi Egwunyenga, Chief Arthur Akpowowo, and Chief Festus Ochonogor.
Others are Mrs. Flora Alanta, Mr. Churchill Amagada, Engineer Jonathan Igworiwoh, Hon. Evelyn Oboro, Engr. Noel Omordon, Chief Fidelis Tilije, and Mrs Rose Ezewu.
Also nominated as Commissioners are, Engr. Lawrence Ejiofor, Princess Shola Ogbemi-Daibo, Mr. Chris Onogba, Mrs Kate Onianwa, and Mr. John Onyema.
Governor Okowa said the nomination of members of the State Executive Council was in line with the powers vested on him by section 192, subsection 2 of the 1999 constitution as amended.
The nominees have been directed to submit twenty-five copies of their CV to the office of the Clerk on or before June 21, and to appear for screening on June 22, 2021.
Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has said only staff, who have the necessary qualifications to be able to function in the newly upgraded State universities, would be retained.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Governor Okowa disclosed this at the Government House, Asaba while receiving a report on Wednesday from the Project Management Committee set up for the universities.
Receiving the report from the Committee chaired by Professor Patrick Muoboghare, Governor Okowa thanked the committee for being able to conclude its work and submitting its report on time.
He assured the Committee of implementation of the report and urged the members to make themselves available to assist further in the running of the universities.
“I must thank members of the Committee for being able to do your work quickly and to submit a report as early as this. There is no doubt that you put in a lot of work because I do know that you gave it all your passion and time to be able to achieve this report.
“I want to reassure you that we will look very closely at the report and recommendations and we will do the best that we can to implement the recommendations as quickly as possible.
“There is still a lot of work to be done and we will still need your inputs even as we begin the journey to truly bring the three universities to a functional state.
“Where we need further clarifications we will call on you to give us further views as to how to implement those recommendations.
“I am aware that some work is already being done in terms of looking at the existing staff of the former institutions and to see those of them that could truly be absorbed in the universities.
“As much as possible, we want to retain the staff of the institutions, who have the necessary qualifications to be able to function in the upgraded institutions.
“In a few weeks time, a team will be coming to see what we have on ground and that means that we have to work very hard in the next few weeks to ensure that everything that is needed or nearly all that is needed is actually put on ground for our success story,” Okowa stated.
Earlier in his presentation, Chairman of the Project Management Committee, Professor Muoboghare advised the State Government to seek public-private-partnership in the development of the three new universities.
Muoboghare, who is the immediate past Commissioner for Higher Education in the State, said that the Committee which was inaugurated on April 7, 2021 sat for 32 days, concluding its work on June 4, 2021.
He stated that the 329-page report and the Executive Summary touched on such areas as pension, nature of the universities and the way the universities should go with particular emphasis on adherence to acceptable academic to non-academic staff ratio, establishment position and staff mix.
He added that with the establishment of the universities, Delta now had four universities that offer Medicine, Architecture, Geology, Engineering, Agriculture, Regional Planning and Quantity Surveying.
Muoboghare said that the universities were grounded in the sciences and other areas such as Law that had driven parents and children outside the shores of Delta in search of the golden fleece.
According to him, the private sector shall be a key player in the development of the universities thus moving Delta universities from an era of 100 per cent dependent on government to a new era of university autonomy in its true sense.
“We do not envisage a university that will run to Abuja or Asaba to seek permission before engaging necessary staff as that would amount to a breach of university autonomy which is inconsistent with best practices worldwide.
“We believe that if our recommendations are approved and implemented, these universities shall rub shoulders with the best in the African continent,” Muoboghare stated.
Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa seems to be recycling old political war horses as he begins to re-constitute his cabinet.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the State Governor on Wednesday appointed more special advisers, mostly old political war horses
Governor Okowa had earlier appointed 9 advisers, including Dr Kingsley Emu as Chief Economic Adviser, Mr. Omimi Esquire and Hon. Chief Isaac Anwuzia as political advisers.
To join them in the fray, Okowa appointed Dr Austin Obidi, Elder Emmanuel Ogidi, Hon. Sunny A. Emeyese, Senior Apostle Sylvanus Okorote and Hon. Ebikeme Clark as special advisers.
According to a statement by Patrick Ukah, Secretary to the State Government (SSG) in announcing the appointments, “the date for the inauguration of the appointees will be announced in due course”.
Recall that Okowa recently appointed Ukah as new SSG and also appointed a former SSG, Rt. Hon. Festus Ovie Agas as his new Chief of Staff.
He had also appointed Hon. Kelly Penawou, Chief Andy Asawota (Esq.) and Chief Mrs. Mary lyasere as special advisers.
Other special advisers Okowa had earlier appointed included Chief Edwin Uzor, Chief Godwin Ogadi and Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Okoro.
TNG reports the appointments so far gives insights into what to expect from Okowa in subsequent appointments, especially with his Commissioners’ list.