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  • Okowa orders investigation into death of mother, child in Warri

    Okowa orders investigation into death of mother, child in Warri

    Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa has ordered an immediate investigation into the death of a woman and her daughter in Warri on Wednesday.

    The governor gave the order in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Olisa Ifeajika, in Asaba.

    He decried the incident and charged police authorities in the state to commence an urgent and accelerated investigation into the circumstances surrounding the losses.

    According to Okowa, the sad news of the death of a woman and her daughter in a rather bizarre circumstance in Warri on Wednesday is quite unfortunate and disheartening.

    He condoled with the deceased family on the loss of their loved ones and assured them that everyone involved in the processes that led to the incident would be brought to book.

    Okowa called on the people, especially the people of Warri, to remain calm and law-abiding, and allow the government and law enforcement agencies to take necessary steps to address the situation.

    The governor also charged the police to ensure that law and order prevailed in the area.

  • Community Policing: Delta deploys 378 special constabularies to communities

    Community Policing: Delta deploys 378 special constabularies to communities

    Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta on Wednesday announced the deployment of 378 special constabularies to serve in their respective communities in line with the Community Policing Policy of the Federal Government.

    Okowa made the announcement at the Police Community Sensitisation and Awareness Campaign, organised by the Nigeria Police and the Delta Government in Asaba.

    Okowa, represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Chiedu Ebie, said the constabularies were deployed to their own communities to cultivate ties and affinity with community leaders in a bid to ensure security of the community and the state in general.

    He said the state government explored the opportunity provided by the South South town hall meeting held in 2019 when the Inspector General of Police (IGP) rolled out the concept of community policing in the face of rising insecurity and crime.

    “I am glad that the issue of community policing has progressed from a mere thought into a reality with the recruitment and training of over 10,000 constabularies nationwide,” he said.

    He commended President Buhari and the IGP, adding that the police must appreciate the fact that the citizenry demand trust and a better relationship with them.

    “I therefore urge all the newly recruited special constabularies to see their task as one that places a responsibility of trust and of service,” Okowa said.

    He assured that his administration would work closely with the police by adopting the new approach of fighting crimes in the state.

    The governor said that the new constabularies had been well trained to work directly with the police and other security agencies to nip and check crimes and other social vices in the various communities and the state.

    The Chairman of the occasion, Retired DIG Sotonye Nwakama, urged the police to ensure fairness and adopt a new approach as enshrined in community policing.

    According to him, community policing has three essential components; partnership, problem solving and organisational transformation.

    Nwakama noted that adopting the three components of community policing would enable the police become successful in redefining the current animosity between them and the people.

    He said that it has become a law for the police to partner the community, learn to respect the rule of law and the demands of the people.

    “Community policing has been embedded in the law of our country, in Section 4 of the new police Act 2020, an additional responsibilities had been placed on the police to partner with the community.

    “We are going to make this change from the reactive policing which dated back to the colonial days to community policing that is more service oriented,” Nwakama said.

    Speaking on behalf of the constabularies, Constable Monday Chukwuji, thanked the governor for the opportunity to serve and pledged their resolve and commitment to ensure that crimes and criminality were checked.

    “We have been trained and we now have good knowledge to support the police in checking crimes in our various communities,” he said.

  • Okowa felicitates with Saraki at 58

    Okowa felicitates with Saraki at 58

    Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta, has congratulated former President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki as he turns 58 on Saturday.

    The governor in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika in Asaba, acknowledged Saraki’s unparalleled efforts at repositioning and ensuring the independence of the legislature when he served as President of the 8th National Assembly.

    He said that Saraki contributed immensely to the political development of Nigeria as a former Governor and President of the Senate.

    Okowa also lauded Saraki’s role as Director-General of PDP Presidential Campaign Council for the 2019 general elections, which he said, was very remarkable notwithstanding that the party did not win the presidential election.

    Okowa noted that Saraki’s tenure as Senate President was more of the People’s parliament where several life-changing Bills and motions were passed to improve on the welfare of Nigerians.

    “As President of the Senate from 2015-2019, you led a remarkable pro-people Red Chamber which was dedicated to the course of providing Nigerians with legislations that will make their lives better.

    “It is also worthy of note that the Senate you led clamoured, supported and obeyed the rule of law in all its endeavours.

    “Under your watch, the independence of the legislature was a core component of your leadership as summons from the Senate and House of Representatives were well respected by the executive.

    “In spite of several distractions, you achieved significant milestones in the execution of your Legislative Agenda which was aimed at improving governance, ease of doing business and the quality of life of Nigerians.

    “On behalf of my family, the government and people of Delta, I join your family, political associates, friends and well-wishers to thank Almighty God for your life which has been marked with outstanding accomplishments.

    “As you clock 58 years today, it is my prayer that God will continue to bless you with good health and wisdom to continue serving mankind’’

  • You bailed out states during challenging times, Okowa appreciates Buhari

    You bailed out states during challenging times, Okowa appreciates Buhari

    Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari as he turns 78 on Thursday.

    The governor’s felicitation was conveyed in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika on Wednesday in Asaba.

    He said that Buhari’s administration had continued to make progress in some key infrastructure areas, especially the railways and second Niger Bridge and urged him to remain unrelenting in his service to the nation.

    According to Okowa, the president’s patriotic service to the nation has impacted positively in some sectors of the economy.

    “On the occasion of your 78th birth anniversary on Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020, I heartily rejoice with you and your family on behalf of the government and people of Delta.

    “Your administration has demonstrated concern for the poor and vulnerable and small-scale traders across the country through the Social Investment Programmes designed to make life easier for the people.

    “Your gesture of support to the states through bail-out funds and the Paris Club refunds has remained laudable.

    “The funds came at a time when states were in dire need of funds to attend to some challenges, especially payment of pensions and arrears of local government workers’ salaries.

    “As you celebrate a life of remarkable accomplishments and great personal fulfilment, it is my prayer and that of the people of Delta that God will continue to grant you good health, wisdom and patience as you lead the world’s most populous black nation.

    “On this auspicious occasion, I join your family, friends, well-wishers and other Nigerians to thank Almighty God for granting you a life of great attainments and abiding fulfilment,’’ Okowa said.

  • Okowa inaugurates ‘Operation Delta Hawk’ to combat violent crime

    Okowa inaugurates ‘Operation Delta Hawk’ to combat violent crime

    Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta on Thursday inaugurated the state security outfit, “Operation Delta Hawk”, with a charge to ensure success and safer state.
    Speaking at the event in Asaba, Okowa said the outfit was a fulfillment of his administration’s promise to ensure a more secure state.
    He announced the provision of 18 Hilux Pick-Up Vans, a 24-hour communication office and equipment among other gadgets to the outfit to facilitate its smooth operation.
    He lauded the synergy among the various security agencies which, he said, helped to ensure peace and security in the state.
    The governor further said that there was much more work to do, thus justifying the establishment of the outfit.
    He said the outfit, comprising operatives from the various security agencies, would work closely with the state Community Security Corps to check cultism, kidnapping and banditry.
    He solicited the cooperation and support of communities, youths, traditional rulers, individuals and the organised private sector for the outfit to succeed
    “Today, we are here to finally inaugurate, Operation Delta Hawk, it is a journey we started about a year ago, we have to put a lot of planning into it.
    “I must truly thank all our service commanders for all that they did to ensure the success of the operation of the outfit.
    “As I thank them today, we pray that this baby grows very fast to become very effective such that we all will be proud of what we have put together.
    “We are at a time in our nation where there is a lot of insecurity, even the state government and the various security agencies are doing their best, we still have a lot of challenges.
    “In Delta, like other states, there is no doubt that there is a lot of kidnapping, banditry, cultism, worst still is the clashes between herdsmen and farmers.
    “So, we must rise to this challenge and our people need to be secure. This actually gave birth to the outfit.
    “I am aware that in many of our communities, we have vigilance groups, which we already reformed and christened “Community Security Corps”.
    “We are identifying the corps to be profiled by the Department of the State Service and Nigerian Police.
    “They are to be trained to work very closely with the officers and men of the new outfit to strengthen security in our state,” the governor said.
    He pledged to provide more vehicles to the outfit in the first quarter of 2021.
    “It is my hope that in this Yuletide, and thereafter, we reduce the level of insecurity to the barest minimum in the shortest possible time,” he said.
    Earlier, Secretary to the State Government, Mr Chiedu Ebei, described the outfit as part of government’s efforts toward defeating security challenges in the state.
    According to Ebei, today marks the new era under the present administration to enhance the safety and security of the life and property of residents of the state.
    Also, Director General, Security Matters and Coordinator of the outfit, Mr David Tonwe, promised to ensure that the team worked 24 hours to beef up security in Delta.

  • Why Delta won’t copy Lagos to abolish pension payments to ex-govs, deputies – Okowa

    Why Delta won’t copy Lagos to abolish pension payments to ex-govs, deputies – Okowa

    Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has said his administration has no plan to stop pensions of past governors and their deputies like his Lagos State counterpart, Babajide Sanwo-Olu proposed to do while presenting the state’s budget to the assembly on Tuesday.

    Okowa, who stated this on Wednesday in Asaba, stressed that his counterpart in Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, may have reasons to repeal theirs.

    He said, “There is an existing law in Delta State on what accrued to the governors and their deputies, that I don’t want to touch.

    “We are not thinking in that direction, my counterpart in Lagos may have reasons why he wants the law repealed but we in Delta don’t want to go into that.

    “I don’t want to comment on the decision of Lagos State Governor. Each state has the power to make a decision concerning its governance.”

    On the approval given to Zamfara State Government to manage their resources by the Federal government, Okowa said the South-South governors will meet with Ibrahim Gambari, the Chief of Staff to President, President Muhammadu Buhari (retd), to address the issue.

    “That’s why South-South governors are insisting on restructuring and for us to manage our resources.

    “We will be meeting with the President’s Chief of Staff on Friday in Port -Harcourt, so we believe our voice should be heard.

    “If FG should allow Zamfara to manage their resources, South-South should be also be allowed to manage our own,” he said.

  • Why Buhari refused to sign electoral act before 2019 polls – Okowa

    Why Buhari refused to sign electoral act before 2019 polls – Okowa

    Delta Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has said politics was behind President Muhammadu Buhari’s refusal to sign the Electoral Amendment Act before the 2019 general election.

    He described politicians generally as “selfish” , adding that politicians deliberately avoided actions that was capable of undermining their personal interests, even if it was detrimental to common good.

    Okowa expressed optimism that the Electoral Act would be signed on time for the next election.

    He said, “The Electoral Act was not signed because of politics, politicians are selfish. If you watch what is going on in America, President Trump does not want the mailing votes to be counted if they arrive after 8pm on election day. But members of the Democratic Party think otherwise.

    “That is the way of politicians, always be conscious to avoid taking actions and decisions that would undo you. So it was not signed because of politics but I know that it will be signed this time.”

    The governor who spoke in Asaba while addressing youths in Delta North at a town hall meeting following the #EndSARS protests told the youths that politics was about learning along the line and picking the good things seen in good politicians and throwing away the bad ideas.

    “I agree that there is need to re-work our electoral processes but we need to re-engineer our minds because we have lost it and it’s time we began to talk to ourselves.

    “You must truly begin to organise yourselves in truth with a common goal and focus and whoever you select must stand for the common good of others.

    “We are building a new Nigeria with the youths and we must shun acts capable of reducing us when we leave office.

    “We will continue to allow youths, including females, to be part of the governance process because in learning you are building yourself for the future.

    “If you are a youth and you want to be active in politics you must respect your leaders and you must learn to pray a lot.

    “I am encouraged to see many more youths go into politics and I hope it is for the right reasons. I know we have some youths representing their people but are they showing examples to others?

    “The act of leading requires deep thought, sincerity and leadership quality because there is a difference between an orator and the person who is able to lead,” he said.

    The governor said the ongoing creation of new political wards by the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC) was to correct the imbalance in some local government areas, saying that the existing law stipulates that each local government should have a maximum of 20 wards.

    Commissioner for Youths Development, Ifeanyi Egwunyenga, had said the town hall meeting was designed to establish a sense of communication between the government and the youths in realisation of the critical role they played in nation-building.

    Participants at the meeting agreed that the #EndSARS protests were as a result of impunity of security operatives, particularly the extortion and brutality by the disbanded SARS and corruption at all tiers of government, resulting in hardship in the country.

    They called on the government to sponsor regular programmes on fundamental human rights and for the introduction of fundamental human rights in school curriculum.

    The youths also called for the revamping of all farm settlements in the state to engage more youths in agriculture.

  • Okowa relaxes curfew in Delta

    Okowa relaxes curfew in Delta

    The Delta State Government has announced a relaxation of the statewide curfew imposed on 22 October, 2020 following wanton destruction of public property.

    The curfew which had run from 6p.m. to 8 a.m. would now be between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. with effect from Saturday, October 31, State Information Commissioner, Charles Aniagwu disclosed.

    Aniagwu, in a statement on Saturday expressed appreciation to Deltans for observing the curfew, which is expected to restore normalcy in the state.

    “As a government we are not unmindful of the stress our people are going through on account of the curfew, but it was inevitable in order to protect lives and property of Deltans.

    “I must thank Deltans for protecting the interest of our common patrimony by ensuring that no further destruction of public buildings was recorded in the state.

    “As part of our avowed commitment to build a stronger Delta with our youths, let me also express the determination of the State Government to give effect to the decisions reached at the recent Town Hall meetings with youths in the state,” he said.

    Aniagwu appealed to Deltans to comply with the curfew regulation to ensure that peace prevailed in the state.

  • JUST IN: Okowa reviews curfew in Delta

    JUST IN: Okowa reviews curfew in Delta

    Delta Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa , has reviewed the curfew imposed on the state.

    Okowa said the curfew will now only be observed between the hours of 6pm to 8am daily.

    Earlier, Gov Okowa had imposed a 48 hour curfew across the State that was due to lapse today (Saturday) at 6.00 p.m.

    With this development, residents can now resume and go about their lawful duties beginning from Today (Saturday) from 8am to 6pm.

    Okowa made this known Friday while inspecting the Event Centre, in Asaba, the state capital, where palliatives donated by Coalition Against COVID (CA-COVID) to the state government were earlier kept for distribution.

    CA-COVID-19 palliatives is a private sector initiative supporting the fight against the effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the country.

    Okowa said the state had already distributed the palliatives to indigent Deltans long before the #EndSARS protest across the state.

    He warned youths in the state to desist from destroying private and public property in the name of the protest.

    He directed security agencies in the state to deal with anyone trying to attack public and private property across the state as criminal.

  • Okowa, Makinde bar policemen from engaging #EndSARS protesters

    Okowa, Makinde bar policemen from engaging #EndSARS protesters

    Governors Ifeanyi Okowa and Seyi Makinde of Delta and Oyo States has ordered officers of the Nigerian Police Force under their State Command to refrain from engaging or using brute force on #EndSARS protesters.

    Makinde addressed Oyo security chiefs on Monday, stating that citizens had a right to protest.

    He said; “The past few days have been of grief for the people of Oyo State. I cannot imagine the pain and frustration of the parents and families of those who have died or are hospitalized as a result of the actions of the Nigeria Police Force during this #ENDSARS protest.

    “We have agreed that the police should take a backseat as other security agencies take the front line in securing the lives of protesters at this time.

    “Therefore we have deployed members of Operation Burst to the hot spot especially Ogbomosho to ensure that as people protest, they will not be harassed or brutalised.”

    While Governor Ifeanyi urged for peace through his official Twitter account.

    ‘Peaceful protests are a necessary part of the democratic process. As young people across Delta State continue to express their legitimate grievances in this manner, I ask that they remain calm and law-abiding at all times.’

    ‘I also request that the Police allow them to express themselves and refrain from using brute force in responding to these protests.’

    ‘Going forward, we shall continue to engage with all relevant stakeholders to reform the Nigeria Police Force in a manner that makes it more professional, disciplined, and accountable to the people’ Okowa concluded.