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  • Okowa congratulates African Poetry Prize winner, Othuke Umukoro

    Okowa congratulates African Poetry Prize winner, Othuke Umukoro

    Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has congratulated budding poet, Othuke Umukoro, for emerging winner of Brunel International African Poetry Prize 2021.

    Okowa’s felicitation with the Olomoro in Isoko South of Delta-born poet was conveyed in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika in Asaba.

    He described Umukoro, a teacher, as one of Nigeria’s brightest exports to the literary world, noting that the global community was yet to see the best from him.

    The governor lauded the University of Ibadan graduate for his brilliant contribution to poetry genre and for bringing honour and fame to himself and to Delta.

    “On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I congratulate Mr Othuke Umukoro for winning the $3,000-Brunel International African Poetry Prize 2021.

    “As a state, we are particularly proud of your great accomplishment and it is our prayer that you work harder to win more laurels in the near future.

    “We also pray that you will be a good model to young people in our State, and that you spare some time to mentor those that your attainment will inspire,” Okowa said.

    Umukoro was chosen from a shortlist of eight poets, including Gambia’s Kweku Abimbola, Uganda’s Arao Ameny, South Africa’s Isabelle Baafi, Somalia’s Asmaa Jama, Lesotho’s Tumello Motabola and compatriots – Oluwadare Popoola and Yomi Sode.

    Founded by Booker Prize winner Bernadine Evaristo in 2012, more than 1,000 people entered the eighth Brunel University London-backed contest – the world’s biggest cash prize for African poetry aimed at developing, celebrating and promoting Africa’s poetry.

  • Late Hon Ogba: I do not pray to come here for burial again, Okowa tells Isoko indigenes

    Late Hon Ogba: I do not pray to come here for burial again, Okowa tells Isoko indigenes

    By Emman Ovuakporie

    Delta Governor, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa, on Saturday said it’s not his wish to visit Isoko on a burial mission again as Late Kenneth Ogba a member of the State House of Assembly embarked on his final journey .

    The governor also called on Nigerians to dedicate themselves to lives of service to God and humanity in order to impact positively on society.

    He gave the charge at the funeral mass for late member of Delta House of Assembly, Mr Kenneth Ogba, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Oleh, Isoko South Local Government Area of the state.

    Okowa, who was in company with his Deputy, Kingsley Otuaro; Speaker, House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori and his wife, Tobore; Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Christopher Ochor, Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Chief Kingsley Esiso and other top government functionaries, said the late Ogba lived a life of great testimonies and impact.

    He condoled with the deceased’s family, the state legislature and the Isoko people, and urged the immediate family to keep looking up to God to renew their faith at this difficult time.

    “On behalf of my family, the government and people of Delta, I again condole with the family of our late brother, Hon. Kenneth Edafe Ogba.

    “Our brother for whom we are here today was a member of the State’s House of Assembly and he related very well with his colleagues and made great impacts in his immediate community.

    “I didn’t know him too well before the election, but shortly after, I began to be very fond of him; unfortunately, the Lord took him and we cannot question God.

    “I urge you all to renew your faith in the Lord because no matter what we say as men, it is only God who can actually fill the gap,” he said.

    The governor reminded the congregation that there was no good time to die, saying that only God knew why he allowed a man or woman to die at whatever age they did.

    He expressed belief that the deceased played his role in life and God called him at this time for a reason.

    The governor disclosed that few months to the deceased’s demise, they had a close session which got them quite close before death struck.

    According to him, the late Ogba impacted so much on his immediate community, and the age we live up to does not matter but the impact made while we lived.

    “He has been a philanthropist all through his life; he was full of life and loved his people.

    “Looking through the number of persons that are here to mourn him, it is obvious that he made great impact on the society.

    “Even as we mourn, we need to continue to live our lives to contribute positively to the society just as Hon. Kenneth Ogba did.

    “For the Isoko people, you have lost a good son and I condole with you and it is my prayer that I don’t come back here again for burial ceremony.

    “May you never lose your sons and daughters at a time that the grieving is much. May God help us as a people and as a state that we don’t mourn anymore.

    “He may be gone physically but he lives on in the lives of the people he has impacted,” the governor stated.

    Earlier, Very Rev’d Fr Christopher Ekabo, in his homily titled “Increase our faith in a time like this” said the life of a man was defined by birth and death.

    He added that between birth and death there must be self-improvement and service to God and humanity.

    “Kenneth Edafe Ogba lived a life of service to God and humanity.

    “He was a good Catholic and a great family man and he will be remembered for the great works he did while he lived,” the cleric said.

  • Okowa griefs over death of pupils crushed by tanker

    Okowa griefs over death of pupils crushed by tanker

    DELTA State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, Friday, said he was pained by the death of pupils of Army Children’s School who were crushed by Petroleum tanker driver on Thursday in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of the State.

    The Governor on a condolence visit to the school on Friday, described the incident as a very sad one, saying he received the news of the unfortunate incident with deep shock and pain.

    Okowa who was represented by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Sheriff Oborevwori said; “the unfortunate incident of Thursday where the pupils of this Primary School were killed by a tanker is a big pain to the State Government and also a big loss to the families of the victims.

    “We are in a mourning mood at the moment in Delta State as a result of the unfortunate incident on Thursday. As we all know, Delta State is a praying state, it is God’s own state.

    “Even with pains in our hearts, we will pray for the gentle souls of the pupils who lost their lives in the incident. As for the families of the victims of the incident, our thoughts and prayers are with them in this moment of grief. As Christians, we cannot question God”.

    The Speaker was accompanied by the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, HRM Emmanuel Sideso, Abe 1, the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, HRM Maj Gen Felix Mujakperuo, Orhue 1, Deputy Chief Whip of the State House of Assembly, Hon Solomon Ighrakpata and Chairman Okpe Local Government Council, Hon. Isaiah Esiovwa.

    Receiving the Governor’s delegation, the Assistant Headteacher of the School, Mrs Helen Enukpere, lamented that the incident claimed the lives of seven pupils of the school and that of David Ejoor Primary School located in the same vicinity.

    The State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mrs Rose Ezewu and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry were on the ground during the visit.

  • Former minority leader, Ogor hails Okowa @62

    Former minority leader, Ogor hails Okowa @62

    …says your wisdom has impacted on Delta State

    Former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon Leo Ogor has hailed the Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa on his 62nd birthday declaring that his administration has positively impacted on Deltans in all spheres of life.

    Ogor in a statement he personally signed congratulated Okowa describing him as a man who stands by his words as he has displayed in the last six years of his administration.

    “We have all seen how Okowa transformed the educational sector and his infrastructural development across our state.

    “It’s a thing of joy that we are all witnessing a re-birth of our state and Deltans will not be in a hurry to forget your landmarks.

    On behalf of my constituents and Delta State in particular, I congratulate your Excellency as you mark another glorious year.

  • Meet Governor Okowa’s newly sworn in commissioners, their portfolios

    Meet Governor Okowa’s newly sworn in commissioners, their portfolios

    Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State on Thursday swore in 18 new Commissioners as members of the State Executive Council.

    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.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG observed five of the Commissioners were women in line with the government’s resolve to effectively engage women in politics and development.

    Portfolios of the newly sworn in commissioners in Delta State.

    1. Mr. Charles Aniagwu – Commissioner for Information

    2. Dr. Barry Gbe – Commissioner for Economic Planning

    3. Hon. Julius Egbedi – Commissioner for Agriculture

    4. Mr. Ifeanyi Egwuyenga – Commissioner for Youth and Sports.

    5. Olorogun Barr Arthur Akpowowo – Commissioner for Urban Renewal

    6. Chief Festus Ochonogor – Commissioner for Housing

    7. Mrs. Flora Alanta – Commissioner for Women Affairs.

    8. Mr. Churchill Amagada – Commissioner for Trade and Investment.

    9. Engineer Jonathan Ukodhiko – Commissioner for Energy.

    10. Barr Evelyn Omavowan Oboro – Commissioner for Water Resources.

    11. Engineer Noel Omordon – Commissioner for Works.

    12. Chief Fidelis Tilije – Commissioner for Finance.

    13. Mrs Rose Esewu – Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education.

    14. Engineer Lawrence Ejiofor – Commissioner for Culture and Tourism.

    15. Princess Shola Ogbemi-Daibo – Commissioner for Technical Education.

    16. Mr. Onogba Chris – Commissioner for Environment.

    17. Barrister Kate Oniawan – Commissioner for Lands and Survey.

    18. Mr. Johnbull Edema – Commissioner for Bureau for Special Duties.

  • Delta ready to partner FG on AfCFTA – Okowa

    Delta ready to partner FG on AfCFTA – Okowa

    Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta on Tuesday said that his administration would partner the Federal Government toward domesticating the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement.
    The governor gave the assurance in a meeting with a Federal Government Trade delegation led by the Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr Niyi Adebayo, in Asaba.
    He urged the Federal Government to quickly address the issues of high cost of fund and poor power supply in the country.
    He pointed out that there were bottlenecks associated with export trading and urged the Federal Government to work toward eliminating the constraints to encourage more traders.
    He commended the minister for the enthusiasm in moving from state to state in ensuring that more states were involved in the trade agreement to boost export and increase internally generated revenue.
    “It is of great interest to us and I am glad you are moving from state to state to sensitise them well enough and to enable us to collectively take advantage of the agreement to boost trade in the country.
    “There is no doubt that in preparing to ensure that more states get into the market we will welcome this collaboration because it will enhance productivity once we have access to the market.
    “We have tended to stay satisfied with crude oil without actually developing it in a way that it becomes more useful to us.
    “We are glad that this relationship is coming at this time because it will actually stimulate and expand production, thereby creating room for greater employment and people will make more money.
    “When more and more people get employed, there is less insecurity because when you take off more people from the unemployment market, you have less people available for criminal tendencies.
    “We hope the issues of cost of fund and power supply will be addressed because they lead to high cost of production and affect producers in such a way that their products cannot compete favourably,’’ he stated.
    Okowa also urged the federal government to ensure that setbacks involved in exports were taken care of because many exporters were already discouraged in doing the business.
    Earlier, the minister, who was represented by the Director of Trade in the ministry, Mr Aliyu Abubakar, said the AfCFTA agreement sought to create a single market for Made-in-Africa goods with a population of 1.2 billion people and a combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 3.4 trillion dollars.
    He said the AfCFTA would eliminate tariffs on 90 per cent of tradable goods over five years for developing countries and 10 years for least developed countries.
    Adebayo said the agreement would also expand market access for Nigeria’s exporters of goods and services which would, in turn, catalyse production growth and boost job creation in Nigeria’s economy.
    He added that AfCFTA would stimulate Nigeria’s export diversification by providing preferential access to Nigeria products and services to the huge African market which currently sourced 85 per cent of imports from outside the continent.
    Mr Francis Anatogu, the Secretary of the Committee and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Sector Matters, presented a progress report of the National Action Committee on AfCFTA.
    He said the Committee had developed a National Implementation Plan for inputs from government and private sector stakeholders.
    He further stated that domestication of AfCFTA, border regulations enforcement and rules of origin enforcement, trade facilitation and ease-of-doing-business as well as quality infrastructure improvement were some of the progresses made so far.
  • Desperate attempts to pitch me against ex-Govs Ibori, Uduaghan will fail – Gov Okowa

    Desperate attempts to pitch me against ex-Govs Ibori, Uduaghan will fail – Gov Okowa

    Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa on Friday said he would not be distracted by attempts by some of his party men to pitch him against his predecessors.

    He spoke in Asaba while receiving defectors from the opposition All Progressive Congress (APC).

    He said attempts by some persons in the state to put him on a collision course with past leaders of the state would not work.

    He remarked that PDP as a political party believes that power belongs to God and that the people reserved the right to make their choices.

    “We are a party that believes that power belongs to God and that’s why we are rejoicing.

    “We also believe that power belongs to the people and that the people reserve the right to make their choice.

    “Some time ago, I said that power belongs to God and that only God will determine who will succeed me. I wonder why some people are angry about that statement because truly, only God knows who will take over from me.

    “We are one family in the PDP and those who don’t have our character are angry because we always say the truth and they are trying all means to scatter our PDP family, but they will always fail because we have bonded very well together as a party.

    Together as a family, we can continue to make things happen; together as a family we change things in our family by working hard for everyone.

    “We will not work to put money in one person’s pocket, because a day will come when I will expose those of them that are angry with us,’’ the governor said.

    According to him, “you voted for me to do what is right for the interest of the people and not to put money in somebody’s pocket; that’s not what you voted me for.”

    Okowa added that PDP had worked very well in the state, “beginning from Chief James Ibori’s tenure to Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan and myself; we have worked very well and we are still working.

    “If anyone says he is not seeing what we are doing, it’s either that they are blind or they don’t live in Asaba.

    “Their attempt to pitch me against my predecessors will not work because I am not quarrelling with them. My predecessors laid the foundation for what we are doing in the state and I am building on the foundations they have laid.

    “I am building on the foundation that I met. Some people are angry and want to cause quarrel between me and my predecessors but they have failed because no stranger will deceive us in this state.’’

    He commended the people for their support over the years, adding that the coming of the defectors from APC would further strengthen the PDP in the state.

    “I congratulate all of you returning home today; by the grace of God, the people will be happy with us by the time we will be handing over in 2023,” he stated.

    Chairman of PDP in the State, Kingsley Esiso, described APC as a failed party.

    “Under their leadership of this nation, bandits have taken over, prices of food have skyrocketed, farmers can’t go to farm and children can’t go to school because of insecurity.

    “They are dreaming and can’t see Delta. They can plan, they can gather, but they will scatter because God is with us.

    “The party under my leadership will not tolerate any irritants. We will chase them till they meet their end politically.

    “As a party, we take decisions in the best interest of the party and I want to reiterate that Senator Peter Nwaoboshi stands suspended and he must decide where he belongs; he has one month to do so or we will be forced to do the needful,” Esiso stated

  • New Exco: Delta Assembly screens, confirms Okowa’s 17 commissioner nominees, one absent

    New Exco: Delta Assembly screens, confirms Okowa’s 17 commissioner nominees, one absent

    The Delta House of Assembly on Tuesday, screened and confirmed the appointments of 17 Commissioner-nominees forwarded to it by the State Governor, Mr Ifeanyi Okowa.
    Recall that Okowa, following the dissolution of his cabinet on May 18, had on June 17 forwarded the names of 18 nominees to the State House of Assembly for appointment as commissioners.
    One of the nominees and former Commissioner for Finance in the state, Sir Fidelis Tilije, was absent during plenary where others were screened and confirmed on Tuesday in Asaba.
    Those screened and confirmed by the assembly, presided over by the Speaker, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, include Mr Charles Aniagwu, immediate past Commissioner for Information; Dr Barry Gbe, former Commissioner for Economic Planning; and Mr Julius Egbedi, ex-Commissioner for Agriculture.
    Others are Mr Lawrence Ejiofor, former Commissioner for Culture and Tourism;
    Mr Ifeanyi Egwuyenga, former Commissioner for Youths Development; Chief Arthur Akpowowo, former Commissioner for Urban Renewal; and Chief Festus Ochonogor, former Commissioner for Housing.
    Mrs Flora Alanta, former Commissioner for Women Affairs; Mr Churchill Amagada, former Commissioner for Lands; and Mr Chris Onogba, former Commissioner for Environment were also screened and confirmed for appointment as Commissioners and members of the State Executive Council.
    Similarly, Mr Jonathan Ukodhiko, Mrs Evelyn Oboro, Mr Noel Omordon,
    Mrs Rose Esenwu, Princess Shola Ogbemi-Daibo, Mrs Kate Oniawan, and
    Mr Johnbull Edema were also screened and confirmed for appointment as Commissioners
    The motion for the confirmation of the nominees was moved by the Deputy Majority Leader of the House, Mr Oboro Preyor, and seconded by the Deputy Speaker, Mr Christopher Ochor.
    Also at plenary, the Assembly screened and confirmed the appointment of nine secretaries to Local Government Councils in the State.
    The motion for the confirmation of the appointees was moved by the deputy majority leader and seconded by the Minority Leader, Mr Innocent Anidi.
  • JUST IN: Okowa appoints Edwin Clark’s son as aide

    JUST IN: Okowa appoints Edwin Clark’s son as aide

    The Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, on Wednesday approved the appointment of a former member of the House of Representatives, Chief Sunny Emeyese, as Special Adviser.

    Also appointed as Special Adviser is Chief Ebikeme Clark, son of elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, Sylvanus Okorote and Dr Austin Abidi.

    The news of the appointment was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Patrick Ukah.

    Sunny Emeyese represented the Ethiope Federal Constituency in the green chamber of the National Assembly, while Ebikeme Clark is a former chairman of Burutu local government council.

    Governor Okowa sacked all appointees in his cabinet, including Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chief of Staff, Commissioners and Special Advisers, in the month of May.

    He has since appointed Patrick Ukah as SSG and Festus Ovie Agas as Chief of Staff.

    All the appointees are yet to be sworn-in and appointed portfolios.

  • £4.2m Ibori loot: Okowa writes Buhari again, lists six projects worth expending funds on in Delta

    £4.2m Ibori loot: Okowa writes Buhari again, lists six projects worth expending funds on in Delta

    The Governor Ifeanyi Okowa-led Delta State Government has again written to President Muhammadu Buhari over the utmost release of the £4.2 million loot linked to a formal governor of the state, James Ibori.

    The state as earlier insisted said the £4.2 million Ibori-linked loot must be spent on projects in the Southsouth state.

    The state government suggested that the money can be used for the funding of important road projects in Warri, Agbor, Abraka, Sapele, Igheli, Effurum and Asaba, the Delta state capital.

    In its second letter requesting for the release of the £4,214,017.66 repatriated by the British Government to the Federal Government, the state maintained that the cash must come back to it.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the United Kingdom (UK) government recovered the loot from family members and associates of former Delta State Governor James Ibori.

    On May 18, Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami, to whom the state directed its letter, said the Federal Government’s account was credited with the naira equivalent on May 10.

    TNG reports that Account General of the Federation, Mr. Ahmed Idris had last month said the Federal Government has returned the funds to the coffers of the Delta State Government, a claim which was swiftly denied by the state.

    In the letter, the state said it will be a negation of precedent, should the Federal government carry out its plans to deploy the money on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, the Abuja-Kaduna Highway and the Second Niger Brigde.

    The state reminded the Federal Government that should it return the cash to it as it was done when such facilities were recovered from former Plateau and Bayelsa Governors Joshua Dariye and Diepreye Alamieyeseigha.

    The Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the governor, Olisa Ifejika, who confirmed the second letter to the president said: “There have been precedents. When such funds were recovered for Plateau and Bayelsa, they were given to the two states. So, the same rule should apply in Delta’s case.

    “Now that it has been established that the money belongs to us, our Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice has written another letter to the AGF requesting that the money be spent on projects in Delta State.

    “If the Federal Government does not want to release the cash, they can deploy it on their own (federal) projects which they have abandoned in our state and on the completion of on-going state projects.

    ”We have identified for them the Asaba-Illah-Ibiaja Highway; the deplorable Benin-Warri section of the East-West Road and the Agbor-Abraka-Sapele Highway.

    “The on-going state projects are the dualisation of the Ugheli-Asaba Expressway; the Warri/Effurun Erosion Control and Warri/Uwvie Storm Water Control Erosion Road,” Ifejika explained.