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Tag: James Ibori

  • Group sends British PM strong message over funds recovered from Ibori

    Group sends British PM strong message over funds recovered from Ibori

    A group known as Warri Beyond Borders has sent a strong message to British Prime Minister (PM) Boris Johnson over the planned repatriation of funds recovered from associates of James Ibori, a former Governor of Delta State.

    The group in a statement jointly signed by Hosanna Jalogho Williams, Hon. (Barr.) Silas Buowe, Hon. Gibson Dick Akporehe and Ft . Lt ( Rtd) Anthony Biakpara, posited that the recovered funds belong to Delta State and should be returned to the State.

    The statement reads: “We woke up, recently, to the news that the Federal government of Nigeria and her British counterpart have finally reached and signed an agreement to repatriate some of the recovered funds from the associates of the former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Onanefe Ibori.

    “The good news is that such a huge sum is a big welcome in the prevailing economic circumstances in Nigeria.

    “The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the United Kingdom and the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the prudent management of the funds, to positively impact on the people of Nigeria and her economy, is desirable.

    “However, notwithstanding the position of Delta State Government on the heist now established against the former governor’s aides, which does not anywhere translate to the position of the hugely impoverished people of Delta, back dropped by their reactions in the wake of the allegations and trials, the indubitable fact about the public life of the former governor is that the only public office he held in Nigeria is that of the governor of Delta State.

    “That being the unassailable position, whatever and wherever public funds traceable to the former governor as proceeds of sleaze, belong to no other institution, agency or state save Delta State only.

    “Hinged on this fact, we are moved to counsel the British government on how the repatriated money should be used by resisting the temptation of allowing herself to be manipulated into making any agreement that shuts out the state and her people from the benefits of what rightly belongs to them, under tenuous grounds.

    “It is worth mentioning that theindigenous people of the various kingdoms which make up Delta State entered into separate treaties with the Imperial Government of Britain instruments that placed people of Delta State in a skewed country christened Nigeria, unfortunately, not for the overall good of the people with who these treaties were entered before compromising their respective sovereignties consequent upon economic exigencies.

    “Also worth recalling is the fact that the people of Delta State have had to bear the burden of despoliation from crude oil exploration activities of Shell Petroleum Development Company, with no commensurate benefits of fair treatment and without the intervention of the British Government to the cries of exploitation from the impacted people.

    “Given this heavy yoke foisted on our people from our past and in recent times, our angst against the British government to again reach a so-called MOU with the federal government of Nigeria instructing that the recovered funds be used for projects outside Delta State to wit, Lagos Kaduna– Ibadan expressway, Kano Express Road , and the second Niger Bridge, cannot be justified under any dominant ethos in any part of the world. Put mildly, this is an act of gross insensitivity.

    “Be it noted too that the recovered loots of former Governors Dariye of Plateau state and Alamiesegha of Bayelsa State respectively from United Kingdom were returned to their respective states without recourse to technicalities as lame excuses to deny the people of the two states what was due them.

    “Indeed, nothing has changed in the basic laws governing government policies especially in CommonWealth nations. Any convention or instrument that does not stand the test of conscionableness is itself an instrument of fraud. Fraud cloaked in legal instrument cannot cease to be fraud and the United Kingdom must commit this to heart and do what is conscionable rather than relying on spacious conventions on laundered money. This paints a picture of hypocrisy against your people and government.

    “Therefore, it is dubious and inappropriate and unacceptable to evoke and apply the principle of law governing lost but found chattel that is not traceable to any owner in dealing with the first expected tranche (4.2 million pounds) of the looted money and the one hundred million pounds also being expected in few months hence.

    “Any legal pundit justifying this most callous and insensitive move is not guided by the spirit of the law but interest(s) tucked in vanishing self serving rhetoric and arguments.

    “We will, therefore, like to sincerely advise the British government to learn from the experiences of other nations where policies like the one being contemplated birthed in hubris and greed, led to confrontations, bloodshed and calamitous outcomes as the people will surely resist the ceding of their commonwealth to others. Should this be the case, let it be known that the blood of the innocent, which might be shed will be on the conscience of the United Kingdom government forever.

    “Need it be said that the United Kingdom which has Imperial vestiges in substantial parts of the globe should be the country to walk the talk in exemplary leadership and advocacy of the highest s love for humanity.

    “We assume that the position of your government on the projects that the recovered looted funds should be spent is a function of oversight than mischief and Imperial revisionist values.

    “In this respect, we humbly and respectfully invite your esteemed and revered attention to federal government of Nigeria owned projects located in Delta State which the returning loots could be deployed to execute with much more seminal benefits for people of Delta State unjustifiably denied of the value of those funds for so long.

    “We the people of Delta State happily bring to your attention the few federal tertiary institutions in our state; the Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effurun, Petroleum Training Institute Effurun, College of Technical Education, Asaba; Federal University of Maritime Studies, Okerenkoko. Presently they are very poorly equipped to provide quality education for the students admitted.

    “Additionally, the long proposed but abandoned coastal road from Koko in Delta State to Lagos the commercial nerve centre of Nigerian, inclusive of the Warri/ Benin Road or the Sapele/Igbanke Road also deserve equal attention.

    “Indeed, this is one of those rare occasions where the British Government must demonstrate enviable transparency for others to emulate. The United Kingdom which promotes global, civilized best practices cannot afford to turn her back on the poor helpless people of Delta state through this punishing and unconscionable MOU with the Nigerian government”.

  • Niger Delta Youths vow to resist diversion of funds recovered from Ibori

    Niger Delta Youths vow to resist diversion of funds recovered from Ibori

    The Niger Delta Youth Council (NDYC) said in Abuja on Tuesday that it would resist Federal Government’s plan not to remit the 4.2 million Pounds looted by Ibori to Delta.

    Last Tuesday, Nigeria and the UK signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Abuja to repatriate the money looted by James Ibori when he was governor of Delta,

    The money, stashed in the UK was recovered by the British government from Ibori, his friends and family members and is expected to be repatriated to Nigeria next Tuesday.

    At the signing of the MOU, Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, said the money would be committed to completing the Second Niger Bridge, the Abuja-Kano Highway, and the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

    In a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, however, the NDYC said the people of Delta would be short-changed and deprived of their legitimate resources to improve on needed infrastructure.

    The statement was jointly signed by NDYC’s Director for International Relations, Mr Collins Achakpekri and its National Coordinator, Mr Jator Abido.

    They promised to use all available legal means to ensure that Delta got what belonged to it as had always been the practice.

    “This is not the first time monies looted from states in Nigeria are being recovered from abroad. However, once the money is returned, it goes to the state where from where it was stolen.

    “The money confiscated from former Governor of Plateau, Joshua Dariye, in the UK was recovered by the Federal Government, repatriated to Nigeria and returned to the state government.

    “The money confiscated from former Gov. Diepreye Alayemiesegha of Bayelsa in the UK was recovered by the Federal Government, repatriated to Nigeria and remitted to the account of the state government.

    “How then will anyone suggest that the 4.2 million Pounds confiscated from Ibori in the UK and recovered by the Federal Government should not be remitted to the state, but used to construct bridge and roads,’’ they queried.

    They lauded members of Federal House of Representatives from the Niger Delta and others for their resolution urging the Federal Government to hand over the recovered loot to Delta.

  • UPU lists projects FG should use funds recovered from Ibori for

    UPU lists projects FG should use funds recovered from Ibori for

    The Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), the apex body of the Urhobo people has listed several projects in Delta State the federal government should consider using funds recovered from James Ibori for.

    This is contained in a statement released by the President General of UPU, Olorogun Moses Taiga, who faulted the federal government on the choice of projects it has chosen to expend the soon to be repatriated funds for.

    The federal government, through the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, said the money being repatriated from the United Kingdom will be used for the construction of the second Niger Bridge, Abuja-Kano road and Lagos-Ibadan Express Road.

    But the UPU President General urged the federal government to use the money to construct the Delta portion of the Benin-Effurun road, failed portions of the East West Road in Delta State and provide more funding for the Federal University of Petroleum, Effurun.

    UPU said the money is Delta money and it should not be expended on projects outside Delta State, while many federal government owned-asset and roads in Delta State are crying for attention.

    “We are not saying the money must be returned to the Delta State government. We are saying the money should be spent on projects within Delta State,” Taiga clarified.

  • Ibori forfeited £6.2 million, not £4.2 million – Kinsmen

    Ibori forfeited £6.2 million, not £4.2 million – Kinsmen

    Kinsmen of James Ibori has said associates of the former Delta State Governor forfeited £6.2 million and not £4.2 million.

    Sunday Agbofodoh, General Secretary of Oghara Development Union (ODU), Lagos State branch made this known in a statement on Tuesday.

    The Union called on the Federal Government to insist that every single penny that has been forfeited by Ibori’s associates in the London trial should be returned to Nigeria.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports ODU’s statement followed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the Nigerian government and the government of the United Kingdom (UK).

    Signing the MoU, the UK government and the Nigerian government agreed on the repatriation of £4.2 million recovered from Ibori.

    Reacting, ODU said that as the United Kingdom claimed to be acting without ulterior motives on Nigeria’s behalf, all the monies forfeited should be returned to Nigeria.

    The union said it has followed the case diligently and knows that the sum the three women associated with Ibori forfeited was £6.2 million and not £4.2 million.

    The Union said Nigeria should oppose UK’s hypocrisy and insist that the entire sum be returned to Nigeria, or UK would have been engaged in witch-hunting Ibori for profit, by withholding Two Million Pounds Sterling.

    “Nigeria should also demand for the interest on the £6.2 million since 2012 because the money would not have sat idly in the bank without attracting interest.

    “The Oghara Development Union stands squarely with Chief Ibori in maintaining his innocence, and so without conceding that Ibori was guilty as charged, and specifying that the forfeited houses were not bought with illicit funds, we nevertheless call on Nigeria to insist that the full worth of the three buildings seized through a court order, be repatriated to Nigeria,” the Union stated.

    ODU argued that all assets linked to Ibori were purchased using funds lawfully and properly obtained and some were bought before Ibori became Governor.

    “Ibori’s businesses and the monies that accrued to them were not hidden from the London and Nigerian “persecutors”.

    “The London Police filed in court a paper which showed that one of Ibori’s companies, Mer Engineering, was earning over $7 million annually.

    “The forfeited London house linked to the First Lady of Delta state when Ibori was Governor, the Hampstead property, is owned by a family trust.

    “The property was purchased by the company, MER Engineering, which shareholding was held by his family trust. MER had obtained facility loan from NNB, a Nigerian bank.

    “The value of this property at the time of its purchase was £2.1 million, which was covered by the NNB facility of well over £3 million meant for working capital and financing of assets.

    “The second property belonged to Miss Udoamaka Okoronkwo, and was purchased for £249, 000 through mortgage. Miss Udoamaka is a successful business woman as can be seen from the facility letter dated 19 December 2005 from a bank in favour of her company, Sagicon Nig, Ltd for N121 million (£1.5 million).

    “The third property, very modest, belonged to Ibori’s sister, a U.K resident, which she purchased for £140, 000. Her husband is a former Federal Permanent Secretary.

    “As a court ordered that the buildings be forfeited, however unjustly, all the monies realised MUST return to Nigeria.

    “It is on record that Ibori was a successful businessman before he became a Governor in May 1999, involved in oil logistics (Upstream) and trading (Downstream).

    “One of his companies, MER Engineering (Nig Ltd), was established in 1992, seven years before he became Governor. He was publisher of a national newspaper called “Diet”, now called “Daily Independent”.

    “Also Ibori had a consultancy job with the Federal Government, with a tripartite agreement between him, the FG and the law firm Washington Christian of USA from which he earned between US$ 3 million to US$ 5 million annually, after successfully reaching the specified goals.

    “His bank statements with the Bank of Austria, the Citibank, Barclays Bank and the Meryl Lynch for those years will also show that he had substantial wealth of his own before he held public office for the first time in May 1999.

    “For instance, on March 11, 1998, his Bank of Austria account contained $557,100.00. His Citibank account contained even more; over $1.5 million dollars in 1998. In fact, the Nigerian and UK persecutors (instead of prosecutors) knew that Ibori was already a Citibank Gold and Private Bank Member and a Gold Card member of the British Airways before he became Governor.

    “But they chose the rags to riches publicity stunt to justify their persecution of Ibori for political reasons. It is well-known that before Ibori became Governor, he self-funded his entire political campaigns – with all the party candidates in 1999.

    “This should put to rest the lies that Ibori was not wealthy before he became Governor of Delta state,” ODU stated.

  • BREAKING: UK to return £4.2m recovered from Ibori in 2 weeks

    BREAKING: UK to return £4.2m recovered from Ibori in 2 weeks

    Government of the United Kingdom (UK) will in two weeks time return to Nigeria the sum of £4.2 million recovered from James Ibori, a former Governor of Delta State.

    The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami made this known on Tuesday in Abuja, the federal capital territory (FCT).

    According to Malami, the money would be used for the construction of the second Niger Bridge, Abuja-Kano road, and Lagos-Ibadan Express road.

    This is coming as the UK government and the Nigerian government on Tuesday signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the repatriation of the money.

    Addressing journalists at the signing event, British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing said the money was recovered from friends and family members of the former governor.

    She lamented that many Nigerians were in the habit of siphoning money from the country to the UK, saying that has also affected the level of trust between the two countries.

    Laing, however, warned that the UK will no longer be used as a destination for looters to siphon proceeds of crimes.

    TNG reports the MoU was signed at the Conference Hall of the Ministry of Justice.

    Laing, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, stressed ill-gotten money is not welcome in the UK.

    “The return of these assets to Nigeria has been subject to a number of hard fought legal challenges by third parties which were defeated in the UK courts.

    “We will ensure the full weight of law enforcement to crack down those who use, move or hide their proceed of crime in the UK,” Laing said.

    Recall that in February 2012, Ibori pleaded guilty in a UK court to money laundering, conspiracy to defraud and forgery and was sentenced to 13 years in prison.

    Some of his associates and family members also received sentences for similar offences.

    The Commissioner said that transparent asset recovery is priority for both UK and Nigeria governments.

    “It is vital that this agreement makes strong provision for transparency, monitoring and accountability.

    “It is a guiding principle of both UK and Nigerian governments that stolen assets should be used for projects that benefit Nigeria’s poor”, she said.

    Meanwhile, Malami also stated that the federal government is committed to ensuring the transparent management of all recovered assets.

    “The assets returned will support and assist in expediting the construction of three major infrastructure projects across Nigeria.

    “The projects are the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, Abuja – Kano road and the second Niger Bridge that are being executed under the supervision of the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority.

    “The project will boost economic growth and help alleviate poverty by connecting people and supply chains from the East to the West and to the Northern part of Nigeria”.

    Also speaking, Mr Dayo Apata, SAN, the Solicitor-General of the Federation, while welcoming the guests said the ministry has fully assumed its leadership role in its constitutional duty in the administration of Justice in Nigeria.

    “It has led to the formulation of National Strategies/Action Plan for combating corruption.

    “Vigorous pursuing repatriation of recovered looted funds/assets in the face of daunting challenges.

    “Drafting of Bills to stifle corrupt practices and to bring about and efficient and beneficial management of the proceeds of crime amongst others”.

  • Keyamo, Ibori grace Igbuya’s father’s 10 years remembrance

    Keyamo, Ibori grace Igbuya’s father’s 10 years remembrance

    The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Olorogorun Festus Keyamo SAN, former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Onanefe Ibori and Chief Ighoyota Amori honoured former Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly and chieftain of APC, Rt. Hon. Monday Igbuya as he marked the 10th year anniversary of his late father, Dcn E. A Igbuya.

    On the entourage of the Honourable Minister and prominent leader of Delta State APC are the following dignitaries and chieftains of APC across Delta State: Prince Sam Kowho, Chief Ominimini Obiuwevbi, Hon. Jaro Egbo, Queen Betty Efekodha, Michael Ukusare Esq, Mr. Collins I. Mukoro, Chief Tony Erukeme, Chief Uyoyou Edhekpo, Mr. Oscar Owala, Mr. Jerry Uloho, Mr. Sylvester Akpojete, Chief Elvis Oharisi, Chief Dr. Mrs Oyubu, Chief Abugeh, Mr. Clement Adjuwheruduvwu, Princess Benedicta Dafiaghor and Mrs Ese Obrike

    Others include Chief Mathias Olowu, Sir Moses Okagbare (KSM), Dr. Mark Osah, Chief Israel Ogidigben (JP), Mrs Elohor Eyide, Mr. Jawin Keyamo, Mr. Emmanuel Etito, Mr. Otega Osievwe, Mc Paul, Oviri Kelvin Ozed, Ifati Martins Luther, Mr. Kingsley Dafeoghor, Mr. Philip Emebosa, Mr. Omosievwe David, Mr. Nick Omoshue, Chief Abuge Harrison, Captain Victor Sota, Mrs Eseoghene Dora, Mr. Okpako Ojegba, Mr. Onoriode Ebresafe, Mr. Alfred Ejayeta, Onuero Joy, Mr. Ogaga Agere, Mr. Erememrena Superior, Mr. Festus Oghuvwu, Mr. Kelvin Oghuvwu, Dr. Ejenebo David, Comr. Ambrose Evughaye, Mr.Charles Uviemu and wife, Mercy Akoreh, Oghenenyerovwo Dafiaghor, among others too numerous to mention.

    The vibrant Deputy State Chairman of APC Caretaker Committee, Engr. Elvis Ayomanor and Sapele APC were fully on ground to receive the Honourable Minister, Festus Keyamo SAN and his entourage.

    See photos below:

  • Delta at 29: My watch as Delta State Governor; A reflection – James Ibori

    Delta at 29: My watch as Delta State Governor; A reflection – James Ibori

    By James Onanefe Ibori

    Let me begin by paying tribute to my predecessors in office who piloted the affairs of the State before the Peoples Democracy Party (PDP) administration was inaugurated on May 29, 1999.

    From Air Commodore Luke Chijiuba Ochulor (rtd) who was the pioneer Administrator on creation in 1991 to the first elected Governor, Olorogun Felix Ibru, after the demise of the civilian administration, Abdulkadir Shehu, Bassey Asuquo, Ibrahim Kefas, John Dungs and to Walter Feghabo who supervised the conduct of the election in 1999, and eventually handed over to me as Governor.

    I want to say without fear of contradiction that Delta in its 29 years of existence has been a success story. It is indisputable that the State has overcome some very challenging times.

    The Warri crisis was my administration’s first challenge. At the inauguration of the PDP administration on May 1999, Warri and its environs were boiling. There was a full-blown attack on Escravos on May 30, which spilled over to the surrounding villages and eventually reached the Warri metropolis.

    The level of destruction was such that it shocked the entire country and dampened the joy of the transition to democracy.

    Its genesis can be traced to 1997 when the Federal Government of the late Gen Sani Abacha created a number of Local Government Areas including Warri South-West LGA, with headquarters in Ogbe-Ijoh – an Ijaw town between Aladja and Warri Metropolis.

    With the relocation of the headquarters of this LGA from Ogbe-Ijoh to Ogidigben, an Itsekiri town on the Atlantic coast, riots followed and hundreds of people died. Six Shell Nigeria (SPDC) installations were taken over by protesting Ijaw youths, leading to a drop in oil production.

    As head of the PDP administration at the time, I knew I had to act swiftly to stem the destruction of life and property. I then summoned a meeting of the major ethnic groups in Warri at the Government House, Asaba.

    I recall vividly that the meeting stalemated, as the leaders disagreed on almost every issue. I then directed that the leaders of the delegations be taken to a room in one of the VIP Guest Houses and left there until they reached an agreement.

    One of the leaders said to me, “Governor, we will not speak to each other even if we stay there for days”. In response, I then said that was exactly my objective.

    On reflection today, our modest efforts have been blessed with some level of peace and understanding. As if the ethnic discord was not enough, Asaba’s position as the State capital threw up a different challenge of its own.

    During my campaign to be Governor of the state, it was clear to me that some leaders from the Delta South and Central Senatorial Districts were deeply unhappy with Asaba as the capital. Conversely, leaders from Delta North Senatorial District were very emphatic on the status of Asaba as the State capital, and they impressed on me to respect it if I became Governor. I assured them that I would always sleep in Asaba as long as duty did not take me out of the capital. This was my way of committing to the status of Asaba as capital.

    Now, I look back with pride. Asaba is a capital city that everyone can be proud of. The PDP administration also set out to avoid the mistake of other states where only the capital was developed.

    So we made sure that Delta did not become one city-state. Apart from Asaba and Warri, we identified another tier of development to include Agbor, Ughelli, Sapele, Oleh, Oghara, Abraka, Ogwashi-Uku, Burutu and Ozoro.

    My prayer is for this dream to endure. Deltans will benefit from a multiplicity of urban centres with well-developed infrastructures. On the political level, I agonized over how to banish the feeling of second class citizenship of some sections of the State.

    Many, who felt left out in the political arrangement, especially, the Ijaws of Warri, were brought into government at the local and the State levels.

    We held tenaciously to the PDP mantra of equity and justice. And this gave birth to the principle of power rotation.

    The result is that for the first time in Nigeria’s history, a minority ethnic group, the Itsekiri, produced the Governor of the State.

    Most of all, I am pleased to note that today, all three Senatorial Zones have produced the Governor of the State.

    In 2007 the baton of leadership went to Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, an Itsekiri from Delta South Senatorial District and from him to Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, an Owa man from Delta North.

    I thank God for their lives and their commitment to Delta State. And to all those who will come after them, I wish fair weather, smooth sailing, but most of all, I wish them inspired leadership as they pilot this most strategic state in Nigeria to greater heights.

    The fourth issue that engaged our attention was true federalism and Resource Control. I embraced it for obvious reasons. We won some battles; more will surely come for the journey has just begun. Some of us are paying the price today for our perceived audacity.

    Some other comrades in the course of the struggle have made the supreme sacrifice. May we never forget them. On a personal note, my greatest regret is that I’m not there with you to savour this special moment.

    However, I must put on record on this historic day, my gratitude to the people of Delta State for the opportunity given me to serve as Governor from 1999 to 2007.

    And it is to the people that I have reserved my last and greatest tribute. I also say to them that the journey has not been without its challenges, but we have made much progress.

    Congratulations on this your well-deserved celebration. I wish you and our dear state peace, unity, and prosperity in the years ahead.

  • Delta State anniversary video sparks reaction from ex-Governor

    Delta State anniversary video sparks reaction from ex-Governor

    A documentary video created by the Delta State Government to mark the State 29th anniversary has sparked a reaction from the former Governor of the State, Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the video, which highlighted the successes of the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa administration, listed the Governors, who have served the State since its creation on 27 August 1991.

    The video captured, after former Governor James Ibori and before former Governor Uduaghan, Rt. Hon. Prince Sam Obi, who served the State as Governor in acting capacity between 10 November 2010 and 10 January 2011.

    See video below (press play):

    https://twitter.com/DSGovernment/status/1298905164544385024

    Reacting, former Governor Uduaghan, the immediate past Governor of the State, described the video as “Delta anniversary history magic”.

    “Anybody who says Gov James Onanefe Ibori handed over to his cousin is NOW A LIAR. The anniversary video has corrected that,” Uduaghan said.

    TNG reports the Delta State House of Assembly in December 2019 passed the Governor and Deputy Governor Pension Rights and Other Benefits (Amendment) Bill 2019 into law, making persons who have served the State as Governors in acting capacity beneficiaries of full pension.

    The bill, TNG recalls, caused rancour and heated up the polity after it was first introduced to the House, but was, however, passed at a plenary session presided over by the Speaker of the House, Sheriff Oborevwori.

    The passage of the bill accommodated the former Acting Governor in the Pension law, and it followed a motion to that effect by the House Majority Leader, Hon Tim Owhefere, and seconded by the Deputy Majority Whip of the House, Hon Fred Martins.

    The Governor and Deputy Governor Pension Rights and Other Benefits (Amendment) Bill 2019, which was read for the first time on 22nd of October 2019 by Tim Owhofere as the Majority Leader, was said to have been pushed by Governor Okowa.

    The bill, eventually signed into law by Okowa, was criticized as crude for unnecessarily accruing so much benefits Obi, who acted as Governor in 2010 for only two months when Uduaghan’s election was annulled by the Court of Appeal.

    By the passage of the bill into law, Obi is entitled to an annual salary of the incumbent Deputy Governor, and the formulae for calculation of his pension and gratuity will have 300% as final pay for gratuity while 70% as final pay for pension.

    Obi, by the power of the bill, also now enjoy free medical treatment within Nigeria and abroad where necessary, subjected to the approval of the serving Governor. Taxpayers will also foot his 15 days annual vacation anywhere within Nigeria.

    As former Acting Governor, Obi will also be entitled to have his luxury vehicle and back up cars changed every two years and a new house built for him anywhere he chooses in Nigeria, with a retinue of domestic staff and security personnel paid from the public purse, office with four staff paid for by the State.

  • You are large-hearted and committed to your people, former SSG tells Ibori

    You are large-hearted and committed to your people, former SSG tells Ibori

    A former Secretary to the Delta State Government (SSG), Comrade Ovuozourie Macaulay has felicitated with a former Governor of the State, Chief James Ibori on the occasion of his birthday anniversary.

    In a congratulatory message, Macaulay extolled the virtues of the former Governor noting that Ibori should be celebrated given his inspirational leadership and the foundation laid for the current growth and development of the state.

    Besides, he asserted that the former Governor’s leadership style did not only impact positively on the State but the South South geo-political zone and Nigeria in general.

    “I must celebrate you for your rousing leadership, not just in Delta State but also in the Niger Delta region and Nigeria,” he stated.

    In particular, Macaulay said that the former Governor has remained “a rallying point, a source of unity and peace currently enjoyed in our multi-ethnic Delta.

    “Your lofty mileposts testify to your large-heartedness, doggedness and commitment to the wellbeing of the people.”

    He wished Ibori many more fruitful returns of the birthday and prayed to God Almighty to keep him in divine health as well as grant him the strength to continue to serve his nation and humanity.

  • Forum of ex-Governors appoints Ibori as patron

    Forum of ex-Governors appoints Ibori as patron

    The Former Governors Forum has appointed former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori as patron.

    This was contained in a letter dated 13 July 2020 and signed by Babangida Aliyu, former Governor of Niger State, who is chairman of the forum and Tunde Esan, Executive Secretary of the forum.

    The letter reads: “In line with the provisions of the constitution of Former Governors Forum:a body of elected Former Governors in Nigeria from 1979 to date and based on the unanimous decision of the Executive Committee of the Forum, we convey to you, your appointment as the Patron of the Forum.

    “The Forum recognises your role not only as a former governor, but equally as respected elder statesman with passion for the promotion of unity in Nigeria, which is the major objective of the Forum.

    “In addition, your role as a Patron will be invaluable in the development of good leadership qualities among the emerging leaders in Nigeria, because one of the key objective of the forum is development of a body of experienced and patriotic Nigerians that provides resource platform for the emergence of selfless leaders, that will make appropriate input for the furtherance of peace and prosperity of the nation at all times.

    “Your Excellency, Former Governors Forum has the largest pool of leaders with experience in governance, in Africa and its role as a major leadership resource base in Nigeria cannot be over-emphasized. While looking forward to your contribution and active participation as a Patron, please accept the assurance of our highest regards”.