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Tag: okowa

  • Gov. Okowa expresses satisfaction over ongoing project in Asaba

    Gov. Okowa expresses satisfaction over ongoing project in Asaba

    Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta, on Thursday, said the ongoing Leisure Park and Film Village project would, when completed, change the landscape of Asaba.
    The governor spoke to newsmen after inspecting the twin projects and expressed optimism that the projects would be completed in February 2022.
    He stated that equipment for the leisure park and film village had arrived at Lagos seaports and would be installed before end of February.
    The governor expressed satisfaction with the pace of work and announced that he would visit the site to ensure that deadline is met.
    According to him, “this is my first assignment in the course of this year, 2022, because of the importance that I attach to the twin project of the leisure park and the film village.
    “We have gone round and obviously a lot of work has been done. There is no doubt that there might be a little delay or the other but definitely a lot of progress has been made.
    “I have been reassured by the contractors that civil works will be completed by the end of February.
    “The civil works will be through by the end of February from what I see but some environmental works are still going on, the issue of greenery of the area.
    “As we walked round we saw some of the trees that are being nursed for the purpose of planting and I am told that many more are also coming in.
    “So, we look forward to the completion of the civil works and the greenery of the area by the end of February.
    “He has also informed us that the equipment that will be required for the leisure park and the games are all already at the port in Lagos and that before the end of January the equipment will start arriving at the site and by February they would have started installations.
    “I want to hold them to their word but obviously I can see some improvement here and it is my desire that we should be able to give life to this twin project by the Easter season which is just only a month and a week by February ending”.
    Okowa said the project was crucial to his Stronger Delta vision and would continue to receive funding in spite of financial challenges due to dwindling revenue.
    “I will be here again in mid February to access the progress of work but generally I am satisfied by the progress of work going on, considering the difficulties that we have now with funding and other challenges.
    “We are looking very enthusiastically to the completion of this project because i know obviously that it is going to change the face of Asaba.
    “The project which has an artificial lake and an observation tower among other facilities will be better appreciated when everything is fully completed.
    “We all look forward to the fun that families will get from this park in the next few months,” the governor said.
  • Sylvester Oromoni: Okowa backs Lagos on school closure, promises to ensure justice

    Sylvester Oromoni: Okowa backs Lagos on school closure, promises to ensure justice

    The Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, has supported the decision of the Lagos State Government to shut down Dowen College over the demise of a 12-year-old student, Sylvester Oromoni.

    Okowa took to his social media platforms to react to the child’s death, stating that the student is a native of his state.

    He said, “Last night, I spoke to Mr. Sylvester Oromoni, the father of late Sylvester Oromoni Jr., the Dowen College student who unfortunately died under very controversial and unclear circumstances.

    “During the call, I expressed my agreement with the decision of the Lagos State government to launch an investigation into the death of Sylvester, a native of Warri South LGA in Delta State.

    “As a government that places priority on the lives of our citizens within and outside the state, we are determined to pursue this case to the end. The matter must be investigated, perpetrators apprehended, punished, and made an example of, to serve as a very strong deterrence against future occurrences.

    “As we continue to watch this case closely, we extend our prayers and support to the Oromoni family. As they mourn the loss of their young son, I pray that Almighty God gives them the strength that they need at this difficult time.”

    TheNewsGuru recalls that on Friday, the Lagos State Ministry of Education announced the indefinite closure of Dowen College, Lekki, pending the outcome of investigation into the boy’s death.

     

  • Okowa, Ibori, Oshiomhole, governorship aspirants, others storm fmr SSG Macaulay’s mother’s burial as Daddy Showkey thrills guests

    Okowa, Ibori, Oshiomhole, governorship aspirants, others storm fmr SSG Macaulay’s mother’s burial as Daddy Showkey thrills guests

    By Emman Ovuakporie

    Owhelogbo in Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State came alive as Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, former Governors Chief James Ibori, Adams Oshiomhole, governorship aspirants on Friday paid their last respect to the departed mother of former SSG Ovuozourie Macaulay, Mrs Hannah Macaulay.

    Daddy Showkey an indigene of Isoko thrilled the guests with his group’s unusual dance steps at the ceremony.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports that the burial attracted who is who in Delta State and the list of dignitaries was endless as more were trooping in as at the time this report was filed.

    Among the governorship aspirants present at the ceremony include: Chief Fred Majemite, James Augoye, David Edevbie, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Sheriff Oborobwei and others.

    Others dignitaries at the ceremony include Chief Ovie Agas, Ovie of Ellu, Emmanuel Ogidi, President of Urhobo Progress Union, Chief O Taiga, President Isoko Development Union, IDU, Dr Chris Akpotu and other dignitaries.

  • Defection talks: Why ex-president Jonathan was absent at PDP National Convention – Gov Okowa

    Defection talks: Why ex-president Jonathan was absent at PDP National Convention – Gov Okowa

    The Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, on Monday said former President Goodluck Jonathan was absent at the just concluded National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party because he had prior engagements abroad.

    Eyes had been raised at Jonathan’s absence at the Convention amid speculations that he may soon defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress or that he was unhappy with developments within the PDP.

    But Jonathan, since leaving the Presidency in 2015, has undertaken several international appointments and regularly travels abroad.

    In July 2020, Jonathan was appointed Special Envoy of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to lead mediation talks during the 2020 Malian protests.

    On Saturday, the day of the PDP Convention, the ex-President was scheduled to depart for Nairobi, Kenya, to attend the 12th African Union (AU) High-Level Retreat on the promotion of peace, security and stability in Africa.

    “I believe communications were made with the former President Goodluck Jonathan but he had prior engagements outside the country,” Okowa said on Monday. “He was unable to attend because he had commitments abroad and he had to meet up with that.”

    The Governor said the PDP “is very cohesive and we are working together.”

    However, Okowa couldn’t explain why former Vice President Namadi Sambo, was absent at the Convention.

    Okowa said the PDP, with the success of its National Convention, was now ready to rescue Nigeria from the APC.

    He said the ruling party had mismanaged the country and his party was a “credible alternative.”

    “We do know exactly what we are in at the moment; there is crisis in everything, in insecurity, in the economy. And a lot of people are really hungry, the number of unemployment is growing, the youths are becoming restive. And they are no longer comfortable with the country they call their own,” Okowa said.

    “So when you look at all these things and the fact that the economy is nosediving everyday, and when you look at the kind of budget that is being presented to Nigerians, there is cause to worry, that it is something that cannot take us in the right direction.

    “The insecurity is beginning to impact on our agricultural production. And that is not good for our country. We may find ourselves in the next few years going into food insecurity, and that will probably be the worst.

    “So looking at this, you will agree with me that we need to retrieve Nigeria from the path we are on now. Something needs to be done. That is why we have presented ourselves as a credible alternative, to take Nigeria back to the path of progress.

    “We need to make people believe that there is hope for a new Nigeria and we will not be in a situation where we have deep insecurity crisis, like we have in places like Afghanistan, because we are almost at that level now at the moment, and it is not the best for our nation.”

    Meanwhile, Okowa denied that PDP Governors had hijacked the party structure.

    “I don’t agree that the Governors are dominating the party,” he said. “The Governors try their best, to give guidance to the party.”

  • Okowa signs Delta anti-open grazing bill into law

    Okowa signs Delta anti-open grazing bill into law

    Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has signed the bill prohibiting open grazing across the state, into law.

    He assented to the bill on Thursday at the Government House in Asaba, the state capital.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that this comes a week after members of the Delta State House of Assembly passed the Prohibiting Open Grazing, Indiscriminate Breeding, Rearing, and Marketing of Livestock in Delta State.

    Lawmakers in the state had passed the bill following the adoption of a motion by the Majority Leader of the House, Ferguson Onwo.

    “Through the passage of this bill, the State House of Assembly has demonstrated its resolve to protect Deltans (residents) from the menace of clashes between herders and farmers,” said Speaker Sherrif Oborevwori who presided over the plenary during which the bill was passed.

    “I commend all the sponsors of this bill for recognising that the security of lives and properties of Deltans, as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as altered), remains sacrosanct.”

    TNG reports that Delta is the most recent state to enact such a law after authorities in Rivers, Ondo, Akwa Ibom, and Lagos had done the same.

    The prohibition of open grazing by these states is in line with the resolution of the Southern Governors Forum, as part of measures to tackle the conflicts between herders and farmers.

    During a meeting of the governors held on September 16 in Enugu, member-states were reminded about the need to enact or amend the anti-open grazing law to align with the uniform template and aspiration of the forum.

    They had commended the rate at which the states in the South were enacting the law and encouraged those yet to enact it to do so expeditiously.

    But the position of the governors was faulted by some prominent Nigerians, including the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, who said it was unconstitutional.

  • Isoko South By-Election: Okowa congratulates Evivie, PDP

    Isoko South By-Election: Okowa congratulates Evivie, PDP

    Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has congratulated Mr Ovuakpoye Evivie on his victory in Saturday’s by-election for the Isoko-South Constituency 1 seat in the House of Assembly.

    The governor also congratulated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the outcome of the election in which its member, Evivie emerged victorious

    Okowa’s felicitations was conveyed in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, on Sunday in Asaba.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had announced that Evivie scored 6,957 votes to win the election.

    Also, Dr Ogaga Ifowodo of All Progressives Congress (APC), got 1,301 votes while Mr Michael Emumena of Social Democratic Party (SDP) polled 1,291 votes to emerge second and third respectively at the election.

    The governor described the victory of Evivie and PDP as “well deserved and a confirmation of PDP’s dominance in Delta”.

    He said that the people of Isoko-South Constituency 1 across the five Wards in the area through the ballots, spoke very lucidly of the choice of Evivie as their representative in the state’s parliament.

    The governor, who led members of PDP in the Ward-to-Ward rally prior to the election, remarked that Isoko- South people had once again proven their loyalty and commitment to PDP.

    However, he expressed sadness at the reported killing of a voter in Irri Ward by unknown gunmen and urged security agencies to go after the assailants and bring them to book.

    “On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I congratulate Mr Ovuakpoye Evivie on his victory in the Isoko-South Constituency 1 by-election.

    “It is heart-warming to see him emerge as member-elect and I am grateful to the people of Isoko-South for their immense support to our party and their clear message to the opposition in the area.

    “Let me also thank the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies, observers and other stakeholders for a successful election adjudged to be free, fair and credible.

    “The introduction of the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) by INEC was the hallmark of the election as real voters were duly authenticated, leading to a very credible and fraud-free exercise.

    “In spite of the peace that characterised the election, I deplore the reported killing of a voter in Irri Ward 10 and, I urge security agencies to go after the culprits and bring them to justice,” he said.

  • Plateau crisis: Okowa orders evacuation of Delta students from Jos

    Plateau crisis: Okowa orders evacuation of Delta students from Jos

    Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has ordered the immediate evacuation of students of Delta origin from crisis troubled Jos, the Plateau state capital, following renewed crisis and security concerns in the North Central state.

    A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Student’s Affairs, Comrade Jerry Ehiwario, said that the evacuation exercise commenced on Thursday, August 26.

    He commended Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for his prompt approval for the exercise, adding that the lives of Delta students was very dear to the state.

    Ehiwaro also commended the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Patrick Ukah for his proactiveness and prompt response.

    He stated further that three buses with police escort has been dispatched to move Delta students from the troubled zone.

    “When we heard about the incident in Jos, i wrote to the governor, informing him on the need to evacuate students of Delta origin from the crisis zone.

    “The governor graciously approved the evacuation which commenced today Thursday, August 26.

    “With this approval, Governor Okowa has once again demonstrated his love for Delta students by ensuring that their safety is topmost priority to the state government.

    “On behalf of my colleagues and NADESTU, we thank our dear governor and father figure, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa for his intervention in saving the lives of our brothers and sisters from the crisis zone,” Ehiwario added.

  • Delta 2023: We’ll patiently wait for Okowa’s directive, Oshimili South leaders tell Urhobo stakeholders

    Delta 2023: We’ll patiently wait for Okowa’s directive, Oshimili South leaders tell Urhobo stakeholders

    By Emman Ovuakporie
    Just like Aniocha political leaders, Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta State political stakeholders are equally waiting patiently for their son, the Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa to give a direction as to where the pendulum will swing to in 2023.
    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) recalls barely two days ago that Aniocha political leaders had insisted that all they want is for Okowa to give a direction.
    The Oshimili leaders too are towing the same course like their Aniocha brothers and sisters.
    The leaders also lauded the Delta Central 2023 (DC-23) lobby group approach towards the forthcoming elections, just as they advised politicians in the state against heating up the polity.
    The leaders made this known when leaders and members of DC-23 paid consultation visit to the political leaders of Oshimili South Local Government Area at Asaba, Delta state.
    Speaking on behalf of the leaders, Chief Edwin Uzor, former State Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, said they believed firmly in the directive of the state governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa.
    “It is where he said we should go that we will go. But we want to advise against heating up the polity in the state because its not necessary. What you people are doing is very good because we have been following your activities.
    “The current politicking in the state is not new, It is expected and usual. It is the beauty of democracy but we will do our best at the appropriate time when we get directive from our governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa”, he added.
    Earlier, National Chairman of Delta Central 2023 (DC-23), Senator (Chief) Ighoyota Amori in his speech, stated that DC-23 is a lobby group made up of card carrying members of the PDP in Delta Central Senatorial District with aim to lobby for the governorship seat to rotate to the Central come 2023.
    He noted that the DC-23 is not different from G-3 of Delta South Senatorial District that was formed to drive the process of election of immediate past governor of Delta state, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan and Anioma Agenda that was formed in 2014 to propel the process of election of the current governor of the state, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa.
    According to him, “those who want to contest against aspirants of Delta Central Senatorial District have their argument for the governorship seat likewise us but we can’t talk of zoning on ethnic lines because the state is made up of various ethnic groups like Urhobo, Ijaw, Itsekiri, Isoko, Ika, Ndokwa, Oshimili, Aniocha and few others, hence the appeal for us to maintain the zoning arrangement on senatorial districts line”.
    “We want to establish a sustainable system where when it gets to the turn of your senatorial district, no one from other senatorial districts will contest against the benefitting district. So the argument that Urhobo or other ethnic groups contested during the turn of other senatorial districts will no longer be there”, he added.
    He pointed out that the DC-23 is not lobbying or campaigning for any aspirant but to ensure that the governorship seat moves to Delta Central Senatorial District in 2023.
    He appealed to the political leaders of Oshimili South Local Government Area to support the DC-23 push for zoning arrangement on senatorial districts line to enable the PDP rule beyond 2023.
    Those that received DC-23 leaders and members include High Chief Edwin Uzor, Ogbueshi Douglas Okolotu, Hon. Shedrack Rapu, Hon. Barr. Bridget Anyafulu, Hon. Chief Mrs. Monu-Olaruwaju, Hon. Emeka Okonji, Evang. Ebielim Maduemezia, Elder Chukwuma Belonwu, Chief John Agunya, Mrs. Ify Ogbogu, Engr. Smart Mega, Olorogun Ngozi Okolie, Mrs. Ngozi Nwabuonwu, Alhaji Anwulu, Mr. Ngozi Okolotu, Hon. Eloke Anekwu, Hon. Olisa Onyeka, Hon. Chike Osadebey, Mr. Ifesiekwu Chike and Hon. Anthony Onyia
    Top among leaders and members of DC-23 that went for the visit include Chief Ighoyota Amori, Hon. Reuben Izeze, 1st National Vice Chairman, Chief Suru Salami, 2nd National Vice Chairman, Dr. Chris Oharisi, Olorogun Taleb Tebite, National Financial Secretary, National Secretary, Olorogun Barr Arthur Akpowowo, National Publicity Secretary, Chief Christian Onogba, Assistant National Organizing Secretary, Hon (Chief) Sunday Apah, Assistant National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Godwin Atose, National Organizing Secretary, Hon. Festus Pemu, Assistant National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Austin Opubor, National Welfare Officer and Hon. Elohor Urhobe, Assistant National Women Leader.
    Others are Chief Ejaife Odebala, Former House of Assembly member, Olorogun Bernard Edewor, Deputy Chairman of BoT, Chief Mrs. Philomena Oyearone, Chief Andy Osawota, Chief Eunice Okoh, Chief (Dr.) Isaac Akpoveta, Engr. Eric Osiobe, Hon. Onoriode Ishegbe, Mr. Godfrey Etabuko, Chief (Mrs.) Alice Ogba, Noreen Ughojor, Chief Victor Otuburu, Chief Collins Eboh, Prince Robinson Samuel, Chief Abraham Ojighoro, Chief Solomon Oturu, Mrs Iroro Mado, Emmanuel Oghomanor, Okor James, Chief Lucky Emojeya, Wilson Agbure, Chief Moses Orhokpor, Mr. David Ejukonemu, Francis Onogbo, Lucky Esokpor, Godwin Oke, Chief Israel Abido, Ese Omamogho, Omonena Opuoru, Okakuro Blessing Erhiawaren Representatives of Olorogun Kenneth Okpara, Representatives of Rt. Hon. Festus Ovie Agas, Representatives of Olorogun David Edevbie, Representatives, Representatives of Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwodo, Representatives of Chief James Augoye and a host of others.
  • Delta 2023: Only Okowa can speak for us, Aniocha South tells Urhobo leaders

    Delta 2023: Only Okowa can speak for us, Aniocha South tells Urhobo leaders

    By Emman Ovuakporie

    Aniocha South leaders of Delta State on Monday did not mince words as they declare that only the governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa as the only person that can speak for them on their intention in 2023.

    This is just as the leader of DC-23, a political pressure group campaigning that the next governor of Delta State in 2023 to be of Delta Central extraction, Chief Ighoyota Amori, has confirmed that there is no agreement on a zoning formula in the state PDP.

    This confirms the earlier statement by the governor of the state, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa that only God knows who will emerge governor in 2023.

    Amori spoke at a consultative meeting on Monday with political leaders of Aniocha South Local Government Area in Ogwashi-Uku.
    Amori who spoke on behalf of DC-23, affirmed that since 1999, aspirants have always come from all three senatorial districts in Delta State.

    Amori who is also the chairman of the governing board of Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency, promised that there will be a meeting of the PDP leadership in the state to decide on a zoning arrangement and afterwards, anyone that goes outside the zoning arrangement will not win any election again. To this, everyone chorused “Amen”.

    “We know that there is no documented zoning arrangement in Delta State. In fact, since 1999, governorship aspirants have always come from all three senatorial districts in the state and there was never any documented agreement to support any zoning.

    “Some people contested just to have a title as former gubernatorial aspirants, and we cannot blame anyone for doing so,” said Amori.

    And in a show of solidarity with the Governor, the Aniocha South leaders told the DC-23 delegation that they stand in solidarity with Governor Okowa, stating that whatever decision he makes will be fully supported by them.

    Chief Chris Agbobu, a former minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and head of the Aniocha South political leaders responded on behalf of the council.

    “We collectively elected Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa as our leader and part of his portfolio is that he is the leader of our great party.

    “Whatever he decides, we will stand in solidarity with him. He is our leader and he will speak for us. Anything he says, we will do,” said the former Minister of Agriculture.

    Political leaders present at the meeting include Hon. Joan Onyemaechi, a former member of the House of Representatives and Director General, Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency; Chief Anderson Mekoma, a former member of the Delta State House of Assembly; former council chairmen of Aniocha South, including Chief Zeliwe Ojeogwu, Dr. Tony Nwaka, Hon. Emmanuel Sorokwu, Chief Isaac Anwuzia and the incumbent chairman, Hon. Pastor Jude Chukwunwike.

    Also at the meeting were the PDP Chairman, Aniocha South Chapter, Hon. Prince Mike Okwufulueze, the LGA Woman Leader, Hon. Lillian Okolie, Arch. Kester Ifeadi and Mr. A.C Okocha.

  • Photo: Osinbajo, Tambuwal, Wike, Emmanuel, Obaseki others storm Delta for Okowa’s father’s burial

    Photo: Osinbajo, Tambuwal, Wike, Emmanuel, Obaseki others storm Delta for Okowa’s father’s burial

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Governors Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom) and Godwin Obaseki (Edo) are currently attending the church service of burial ceremony of the father of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Sir (Chief) Arthur Okorie Okowa.

    Also in attendance are former Governor James Ibori, Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva; National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus; PDP BoT Chairman, Alhaji Walid Jubrin and Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Lucky Irabor.

    The Deputy Governor of Delta, Deacon Kingsley Otuaro; Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori and a host of others are also in attendance.

    The church service is holding at Saint Michael’s Anglican Church Owa-Alero in Ika North-East Local Government Area of Delta State.

    The Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Primate Henry Ndukuba, is ministering at the burial service which also had other top minister of God in attendance.

    More details later…