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Tag: okowa

  • Allegations of fund diversion against Okowa politically orchestrated – Aniagwu

    Allegations of fund diversion against Okowa politically orchestrated – Aniagwu

    Delta State Commissioner for Works (Rural and Riverine Roads) Mr Charles Aniagwu has weighed-in on allegations of funds diversion against former Governor of the State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, describing it as politically orchestrated to smear his reputation.

    Aniagwu who was Chief Press Secretary and Commissioner for Information under Okowa administration, challenged the accusers to show proof of the alleged funds diversion, warning that they would stop at nothing to sue those involved.

    Aniagwu disclosed this on a national television programme monitored in Asaba.

    According to him, I stand before you today with a deep sense of responsibility to address certain issues and set the record straight regarding the administration of Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa during his eight years as Governor of Delta State.

    “As someone who served as Commissioner for Information and as Chief Press Secretary under that administration, I speak not from hearsay but from firsthand experience.

    “Governor Okowa’s administration received approximately N2.6 trillion naira over its eight years. This sum was prudently allocated to salaries, pensions, capital projects, and critical interventions.

    “To be specific, over N628billion naira went to salaries and wages. Around N249 billion naira was used to settle pensions and emoluments and grants. More than N729 billion naira was invested in transformative capital projects, reshaping the state’s infrastructure.

    Additionally, N221 billion naira was allocated to the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) for targeted development and approximately N490 billion went towards debt servicing and deductions.

    “These allocations clearly show transparency in the administration’s financial management. Claims of misappropriation or “diversion” of funds are baseless and those making such allegations must provide evidence.

    “Accusations that 1.3 trillion naira was “diverted” lacks merit. Where was it diverted to? It is not enough to make vague claims without proof.

    “Under Okowa’s leadership, Delta State witnessed unprecedented growth. Over 2,000 kilometers of roads were constructed, opening up communities and enhancing commerce.

    “The capital city, Asaba, emerged as one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing cities, thanks to strategic investments like the Mariam Babangida Leisure Park. These achievements were well-documented by reputable media houses during his tenure.”

    On allegations of owning a bank, hotels and other properties in Asaba, Aniagwu described them as false, saying that the owners of the bank and hotels were well known individuals which could be verified from the regulatory agencies.

    “They claim that Senator Okowa owns 80% of the capital strength of a particular bank, and we made it very, very clear, and up to today, that once you want to know the owners of a bank, you can go to the Corporate Affairs Commission or you can visit the CBN.

    “These two bodies will be able to tell you whether remotely or directly those who own the bank, the board of directors, and how the funds came about.

    “Now, they claim that Senator Okowa owns two hotels in Asaba.
    Most of these hotels are very well known. One of the hotels has been built as far back as 2015, even before he became a governor.

    “The other one was built by a very strong businessman who came in from Lagos, and we encouraged him, I personally encouraged him, because I know him, to simply come and invest in Asaba, because Asaba is the fastest growing city in Nigeria and he did.

    “From day one, these persons who cannot even find any of such properties linked to Okowa, because the man operated, from the point of transparency and accountability, they could not find any genuine investment of his, hence hey are now trying to give other people’s property to him and claim that it belongs to him. When the EFCCC invited him, of course we do not have any challenge with the invitation by the EFCC at the time he was out of the country, for a vacation and that was the first time he has travelled since he left office, he has been in this country,

    “Those persons who are spinning this information in the media, claim that he was already arrested, because that was their intention.

    “They were even pressurising the EFCC to go and arrest him and the question is, how do you proceed to arrest a man you have not invited?

    “But the EFCC was reasonable enough to say no, we have to invite him, to come and look at the allegations you have raised, we cannot just arrest somebody.

    “He went and responded to the issues, and how I wish the EFCC needed to also bring those people, who wrote the petition, so that if you are not able to substantiate any of your petitions, you too, you become liable.

    “So I can tell you authoritatively that what is at play is politics and I can also assure you that it is going to be more than that, because we can see many things they are throwing out.

    “These properties belong to individuals or entities entirely unrelated to him. The EFCC rightfully invited him for clarification, and he responded in good faith, demonstrating his commitment to due process.

    “The allegations are nothing but political ploys to tarnish his image and disrupt the cordial relationship between the current administration and the immediate past one.

    “Delta State remains a beacon of political stability, with a seamless transition from Sen. Okowa to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, who continues to build on his predecessor’s legacy. This unity poses a threat to those who seek to divide and weaken our state for their gain.

    “You recall in June last year, just barely a month after he left office, these allegations came up because it was contained in a petition written by some persons who wanted to play some dirty politics, either because they were not happy as a result of the turnout of political events in the state.

    “All they feel is that their problem will be the very credible stand of Senator Okowa and that he needed to have been ruined politically in Delta, either at the level of the Senatorial district, which is Delta North where Governor Okowa is from or in the entire state, they will need to find one way or the other to smear his image.”

    “We call on those spreading falsehoods to focus on serving the electorate instead of engaging in smear campaigns, let them win the hearts of the people through performance and integrity. Let us remember that governance is about service to the people, not political machinations.

    “Delta State remains strong, united, and committed to progress. The achievements of Sen. Okowa’s administration and the current leadership’s strides are proof that we are on the right path. Let us rise above distractions and focus on building the Delta State of our dreams.”

  • Integrity Group hammer Anaughe for telling lies against Okowa, Oborevwori

    Integrity Group hammer Anaughe for telling lies against Okowa, Oborevwori

    The Integrity Group has slammed Godwin Anaughe of New Delta Coalition for a malicious online publication against immediate past Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa.

    The group also took a swipe on the author for trying to drag Governor Sheriff Oborevwori into the arena for political reasons.

    In statement signed by its Convener, Oke Idawene, the group said Dr Okowa was only invited to answer to a petition written against him and should not be seen as a guilty charge.

    The statement reads: We wish to react to a recent online publication by a group known as NEW DELTA COALITION which is obviously sponsored by the beleaguered APC for political purposes. The author of the malicious publication, Godwin Anaughe is a known APC apologist who has been dancing round every APC leader for personal livelihood for years.

    That Dr Okowa was invited by EFCC to answer to a spurious petition does not amount to a conviction. It is a normal process, whenever a petition is written against a high profile person for the media to blow it out of proportion.

    That Dr Okowa finished strong as Governor of Delta state from 2015-2023 cannot be controverted. For 8 years,  Dr Okowa raised the bar of governance in Delta state, leaving enduring legacies for all to see.

    The highly ambitious  water storm drainages in Asaba which was initiated by the Okowa administration and now replicated in Warri/Effurun metropolis to mitigate perennial flooding of these cities are testaments of Okowa’s vision for a clean Delta.

    Okowa is remembered for the building of an iconic State-of -the -Arts Secretariat which is unarguably one of the best in Nigeria today. Okowa is remembered for his giant strides in the area of education where he established three  universities to add to the Delta state University Abraka, making Delta State the only state in the Federation with four state owned universities.

    That Aside, Okowa is remembered for establishing several Technical Colleges across the state alongside vocational institutions in order to provide for a paradigm shift from conventional education to technical and vocational education. Deltans will not forget Okowa for his entrepreneurial schemes like YAGEP, STEP, WESAP etc which had engaged several youths and women in Agriculture, artisanal trades and SMEs.

    Deltans are apprised of Okowa’s success in transforming the Stephen Keshi stadium into an international standard sports facility which has played host to several international sports and football competitions

    Dr Okowa never owed civil servants their  salaries throughout his 8 years as governor and he set down a process of phased monthly payment of retirees’ benefits which his successor inherited

    Okowa handed over a healthy state to Sheriff Oborevwori in 2023 and the state has moved on under Oborevwori’s watch. In one and half years of the Oborevwori administration the Governor has firmly rooted his M.O.R.E agenda which includes zero tolerance for shoddy and substandard jobs .

    Delta state is today a huge construction site with Oborevwori engaging A-list construction firms like Julius Berger, CCECC, CCC construction company,Levant construction company and some strong domestic companies to execute high tech road construction projects.!Julius Berger is handling the three Bridges , cloverleaf and road expansion projects in Warri -Effurun area while CCECC is handling sector C of the Asaba Ughelli 149 kilometers expressway including the Obo bridge in Ogwashi Uku.

    With a strong human capital investment in the state which targets youths , women and vulnerable populations in the state, Governor Oborevwori has not borrowed a dime to execute his projects. His judicious handling of the resources of state have been applauded by even his most vitriolic critics.

    It is therefore laughable that an armchair critic would label Oborevwori as a non performer when he should be applauded. Nothing succeeds like success and Governor Oborevwori is heading for the star prize in good governance. The template for measuring a performing governor is lost to NEW DELTA COALITION with its credibility further dented by Anaughe Godwin who is ever ready to be engaged to throw mud at a legitimate government for a fee.

    Like Okowa, Sheriff Oborevwori pays civil servants as at when due and has substantially reduced the backlog of pension entitlement to retired civil servants and teachers .The Oborevwori administration has approved a minimum wage of N77,000 for state civil servants and has upped the ante in improving the livelihood of Deltans through massive entrepreneurial efforts which targets artisans, vulnerable groups and the disabled.

    In just 18 months of the Oborevwori administration he has paid the 2022/23 bursary of 30, 000 students of Delta state origin in tertiary institutions in Nigeria as well as the 2022/2023 financial assistance to Delta state students in seven Nigeria law schools across the country.

    The Oborevwori administration has paid off N14.5billion as pension obligations to retired workers in the state .In line with the M.O.R.E agenda of his administration, Governor Oborevwori in less than 100 days of his administration recruited 3000 teaching and non teaching staff across the state.

    The state’s MORE GRANT SCHEME has recorded tremendous results as thousands of beneficiaries in targeted trades/ artisans have been targeted.The D-CARES programme has been very successful with beneficiaries increased from 36,353 to 110,841 within the first year of the administration.The Delta state government under Oborevwori’s watch has planned to create 50,000 jobs in collaboration with IITA, ADB and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture.

    Under Oborevwori’s administration Delta state maintained its lead in the 8th National Youth games in which Delta state came first with a total of 111 medals distribution into 46 gold, 31 silver and 34 bronze .

    Sheriff Oborevwori in a very short time has distinguished himself in all spheres of governance as he is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring the dividends of democracy to all Deltans irrespective of tribe , creed or belief.

    This piece is not intended to be a compendium of the achievements of Dr Okowa and Sheriff Oborevwori. It is intended to correct the malicious and mischievous publication which portrayed Okowa and Oborevwori as non achievers by a group which calls itself NEW DELTA COALITION

    It is crass irresponsibly for some persons to stand the truth on its head because of politics. Even the most virulent critics of the Oborevwori administration have admitted that the Governor is doing well. Only a blind man or an outrightly mischievous person will spew the kind of lies and misinformation that has come out of the New Delta Coalition

    It behooves on us as responsible media commentators to commend when we see good works being done by a government. Outright condemnation without valid facts is the height of depravity and should be discouraged

    Finally , Dr Okowa has shown clearly that he has nothing to hide. He voluntarily responded to an EFCC invitation and he has responded to all questions and gone home on personal recognition. The media trial of Dr Okowa is therefore uncalled for as he will come out of this phase unscathed

    Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration is also on course and a holistic evaluation of his government will be made after his first tenure in 2027. For now,
    Deltans should do an honest appraisal of the Oborevwori administration and not suffuse the media space with lies, misinformation and propaganda just for political capital.

    The peace we now enjoy in Delta state is because the Oborevwori administration has been fair in the distribution of projects and patronage to all the ethnic nationalities in the state. No amount of baseless criticisms from mischievous persons will distract from this fact.

    In as much as Governor Oborevwori welcomes constructive engagements from Deltans no one will be happy to see a few disgruntled elements throwing spanners in the wheel of progress in Delta State.

    The INTEGRITY GROUP calls on Deltans to continue to support and encourage the Governor Oborevwori administration and the M.O.R.E Agenda as we consolidate on the gains of the administration which has promised to bring the dividends of democracy to every doorstep irrespective of tribe, Political persuasions and creed

    Dr Oke Idawene
    Convener

    Barr Chike Offiah ,PHD
    Secretary General

    Liliveth Ugochukwu
    Publicity Secretary

    Sir(Barr) Simeon Efenudu
    Chairman, Elders Council

    @followers
    Tobore Oborevwori

  • Integrity Group hammer Anaughe for telling lies against Okowa, Oborevwori

    Integrity Group hammer Anaughe for telling lies against Okowa, Oborevwori

    The Integrity Group has slammed Godwin Anaughe of New Delta Coalition for a malicious online publication against immediate past Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa.

    The group also took a swipe on the author for trying to drag Governor Sheriff Oborevwori into the arena for political reasons.

    In statement signed by its Convener, Oke Idawene, the group said Dr Okowa was only invited to answer to a petition written against him and should not be seen as a guilty charge.

    The statement reads: We wish to react to a recent online publication by a group known as NEW DELTA COALITION which is obviously sponsored by the beleaguered APC for political purposes. The author of the malicious publication, Godwin Anaughe is a known APC apologist who has been dancing round every APC leader for personal livelihood for years.

    That Dr Okowa was invited by EFCC to answer to a spurious petition does not amount to a conviction. It is a normal process, whenever a petition is written against a high profile person for the media to blow it out of proportion.

    That Dr Okowa finished strong as Governor of Delta state from 2015-2023 cannot be controverted. For 8 years,  Dr Okowa raised the bar of governance in Delta state, leaving enduring legacies for all to see.

    The highly ambitious  water storm drainages in Asaba which was initiated by the Okowa administration and now replicated in Warri/Effurun metropolis to mitigate perennial flooding of these cities are testaments of Okowa’s vision for a clean Delta.

    Okowa is remembered for the building of an iconic State-of -the -Arts Secretariat which is unarguably one of the best in Nigeria today. Okowa is remembered for his giant strides in the area of education where he established three  universities to add to the Delta state University Abraka, making Delta State the only state in the Federation with four state owned universities.

    That Aside, Okowa is remembered for establishing several Technical Colleges across the state alongside vocational institutions in order to provide for a paradigm shift from conventional education to technical and vocational education. Deltans will not forget Okowa for his entrepreneurial schemes like YAGEP, STEP, WESAP etc which had engaged several youths and women in Agriculture, artisanal trades and SMEs.

    Deltans are apprised of Okowa’s success in transforming the Stephen Keshi stadium into an international standard sports facility which has played host to several international sports and football competitions

    Dr Okowa never owed civil servants their  salaries throughout his 8 years as governor and he set down a process of phased monthly payment of retirees’ benefits which his successor inherited

    Okowa handed over a healthy state to Sheriff Oborevwori in 2023 and the state has moved on under Oborevwori’s watch. In one and half years of the Oborevwori administration the Governor has firmly rooted his M.O.R.E agenda which includes zero tolerance for shoddy and substandard jobs .

    Delta state is today a huge construction site with Oborevwori engaging A-list construction firms like Julius Berger, CCECC, CCC construction company,Levant construction company and some strong domestic companies to execute high tech road construction projects.!Julius Berger is handling the three Bridges , cloverleaf and road expansion projects in Warri -Effurun area while CCECC is handling sector C of the Asaba Ughelli 149 kilometers expressway including the Obo bridge in Ogwashi Uku.

    With a strong human capital investment in the state which targets youths , women and vulnerable populations in the state, Governor Oborevwori has not borrowed a dime to execute his projects. His judicious handling of the resources of state have been applauded by even his most vitriolic critics.

    It is therefore laughable that an armchair critic would label Oborevwori as a non performer when he should be applauded. Nothing succeeds like success and Governor Oborevwori is heading for the star prize in good governance. The template for measuring a performing governor is lost to NEW DELTA COALITION with its credibility further dented by Anaughe Godwin who is ever ready to be engaged to throw mud at a legitimate government for a fee.

    Like Okowa, Sheriff Oborevwori pays civil servants as at when due and has substantially reduced the backlog of pension entitlement to retired civil servants and teachers .The Oborevwori administration has approved a minimum wage of N77,000 for state civil servants and has upped the ante in improving the livelihood of Deltans through massive entrepreneurial efforts which targets artisans, vulnerable groups and the disabled.

    In just 18 months of the Oborevwori administration he has paid the 2022/23 bursary of 30, 000 students of Delta state origin in tertiary institutions in Nigeria as well as the 2022/2023 financial assistance to Delta state students in seven Nigeria law schools across the country.

    The Oborevwori administration has paid off N14.5billion as pension obligations to retired workers in the state .In line with the M.O.R.E agenda of his administration, Governor Oborevwori in less than 100 days of his administration recruited 3000 teaching and non teaching staff across the state.

    The state’s MORE GRANT SCHEME has recorded tremendous results as thousands of beneficiaries in targeted trades/ artisans have been targeted.The D-CARES programme has been very successful with beneficiaries increased from 36,353 to 110,841 within the first year of the administration.The Delta state government under Oborevwori’s watch has planned to create 50,000 jobs in collaboration with IITA, ADB and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture.

    Under Oborevwori’s administration Delta state maintained its lead in the 8th National Youth games in which Delta state came first with a total of 111 medals distribution into 46 gold, 31 silver and 34 bronze .

    Sheriff Oborevwori in a very short time has distinguished himself in all spheres of governance as he is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring the dividends of democracy to all Deltans irrespective of tribe , creed or belief.

    This piece is not intended to be a compendium of the achievements of Dr Okowa and Sheriff Oborevwori. It is intended to correct the malicious and mischievous publication which portrayed Okowa and Oborevwori as non achievers by a group which calls itself NEW DELTA COALITION

    It is crass irresponsibly for some persons to stand the truth on its head because of politics. Even the most virulent critics of the Oborevwori administration have admitted that the Governor is doing well. Only a blind man or an outrightly mischievous person will spew the kind of lies and misinformation that has come out of the New Delta Coalition

    It behooves on us as responsible media commentators to commend when we see good works being done by a government. Outright condemnation without valid facts is the height of depravity and should be discouraged

    Finally , Dr Okowa has shown clearly that he has nothing to hide. He voluntarily responded to an EFCC invitation and he has responded to all questions and gone home on personal recognition. The media trial of Dr Okowa is therefore uncalled for as he will come out of this phase unscathed

    Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration is also on course and a holistic evaluation of his government will be made after his first tenure in 2027. For now,
    Deltans should do an honest appraisal of the Oborevwori administration and not suffuse the media space with lies, misinformation and propaganda just for political capital.

    The peace we now enjoy in Delta state is because the Oborevwori administration has been fair in the distribution of projects and patronage to all the ethnic nationalities in the state. No amount of baseless criticisms from mischievous persons will distract from this fact.

    In as much as Governor Oborevwori welcomes constructive engagements from Deltans no one will be happy to see a few disgruntled elements throwing spanners in the wheel of progress in Delta State.

    The INTEGRITY GROUP calls on Deltans to continue to support and encourage the Governor Oborevwori administration and the M.O.R.E Agenda as we consolidate on the gains of the administration which has promised to bring the dividends of democracy to every doorstep irrespective of tribe, Political persuasions and creed

    Dr Oke Idawene
    Convener

    Barr Chike Offiah ,PHD
    Secretary General

    Liliveth Ugochukwu
    Publicity Secretary

    Sir(Barr) Simeon Efenudu
    Chairman, Elders Council

    @followers
    Tobore Oborevwori

  • Oborevwori extols Okowa at 65

    Oborevwori extols Okowa at 65

    Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori has congratulated his predecessor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, CON as he clocks 65 years on July 8.

    Governor Oborevwori in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, in Asaba, extolled the immediate past Governor of the State for his outstanding contributions to State and nation-building.

    He expressed gratitude to the immediate past Governor for having supported him to emerge as a deserving successor.

    Oborevwori said: “My dear leader, I will start by thanking you for all that you have sacrificed and accomplished to help our beloved State grow.

    “I must express my gratitude to Deltans for sticking with the PDP, and for your administration’s credible performances throughout the State, which undoubtedly played a major role in our electoral triumph.

    “With over 2,000 km of roads and drains completed in the eight years of your government, Your Excellency, you set a high bar that would require the hand of God to surpass.

    “We applaud you for positioning Delta as the leading state in Contributory Health Insurance, and we have since kept the momentum and expanded the coverage to the informal sector.

    “I also want to thank you for the enormous job and wealth creation programmes that you implemented which impacted directly and indirectly over 200,000 young people in the State.

    “On behalf of my family, the Government and people of Delta, I congratulate a gentleman politician and strategist, a consummate political leader and my dear boss, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, CON on his 65th birth anniversary.

    “I join your family, friends, and well-wishers in thanking Almighty God for your life, which has been filled with divine favour and extraordinary accomplishments, on this auspicious occasion of your 65th birth anniversary.”

  • AFN Boss, Okowa, showers praises on Team Nigeria athIetes for winning CAA Region 2 championship

    AFN Boss, Okowa, showers praises on Team Nigeria athIetes for winning CAA Region 2 championship

    The 22 man contingent of Team Nigeria Athletics topped the medal table at the end of the Two Day event with 13 gold, 4 silver and a bronze medal ahead of host Ghana and Burkina Faso.
    The President of the AthIetics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Chief Tonobok Okowa was very excited and equally encouraged with the out put of the team of home grown athletes that engraved their names in gold as well as making history for themselves and Nigeria.
    “Nigeria’s AthIetics will offer more to the World if encouragement comes from all and sundry to assist them. I am elated and and proud of our young athIetes, we as a Federation will continue to try our very best to encourage the athIetes to help them succeed,” Okowa who is also the President of CAA Region 2 stated.
    Similarly the Technical Director of Athletics Federation of Nigeria ,(AFN), Samuel Onikeku, is also full of praises for the youthful Team Nigeria Athletics that is dominating the regional block for the second year in a row.
    Former President of AFN, Chief Solomon Ogba, who is also a Vice President of Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), as well as a board member of AFN representing South West Zone Dr. Solomon Alao were also appreciative of the athletes’ prowess and achievement in Ghana.
    They extolled the performance of the athIetes and assured them of the Federation’s continuous assistance and support, stating that their future is brighter than they think.
    The highlights of their sterling performance on Wednesday night was in mix 4×400m relay which Team Nigeria won in style at the expense of their noisy host – Ghana
    Another heart warming result came from the hand of Nigeria’s emerging Javelin thrower Samuel Adams Kure, he kept spectators on their feet when he won the gold after throwing 70.23m.
    Kure said, “There is more in the tank.”
    It will interest you to know that Team Nigeria Athletics has been recording back to back to back successes in the last four months.
    ★ Top the medal table at 13th African Games in Accra, Ghana in March
    ★ Qualify four out of five relay teams at the World Relay Championship in Bahamas in May
    ★ Won the CAA Region 2 championship in Accra, Ghana in June
    Besides these team efforts, individual members of Team Nigeria Athletics have been posting excellent results in all major competitions since April this year.
    Nigeria’s contingent is back in the country to face the National Trials in Benin in a week’s time. The Trials will be used to select Team Nigeria to the Africa Seniors Athletics Championships in Douala, Cameroon and the Olympic Games in Paris, France.
  • Oborevwori clears Okowa of interference allegations

    Oborevwori clears Okowa of interference allegations

    Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta says Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa, the immediate past governor of the state, has never interfered in his decisions and choices since he assumed office.

    Oborevwori stated this while reacting to speculations that the former governor was influencing his decisions.

    The governor said this at a thanksgiving service held at the Living Faith Church, Ibusa Road, Asaba, in honour of his first anniversary in office.

    Oborevwori, while commending Okowa and his wife, Dame Edith, for their wise counsel, also appreciated the residents’ support for his administration in the last one year.

    He noted that the 2022 PDP governorship primary election was the most keenly contested in the state’s history, acknowledging he would not have been elected without God’s divine touch.

    “From the pool of eminently qualified aspirants and in what was clearly the most contested governorship primaries in the history of Delta, I emerged winner by a wide margin.

    “But, as I have always said, my emergence as the PDP governorship candidate for the 2023 general election was a product of divine choice.

    “For, as the scriptures eloquently testify, the race is not for the swift, nor the battle for the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding; nor yet favour of men of skill but time and chance happened to them all.

    “The above scripture best captured my emergence and enthronement as governor of Delta,” he said.

    The governor recalled that his victories at the primaries and general election were greeted with avalanches of litigations threatening to subvert God’s will.

    According to him, the state and the nation were shocked when he disclosed that he contended with 38 different lawsuits from persons determined to stop him.

    “But, in all, God saw me through.

    “Looking back, I am reminded of Psalm 34:19 which says that many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.

    “This scripture describes the trials and temptations that I faced while the court cases lasted till Jan.19,” he said.

    On his achievements within the year, Oborevwori said his administration had turned the state into a huge construction site with 317 projects across the state.

    “Out of the 317 road projects, 76 of them, spanning 171.49km and 85.30km length of drains, were initiated by my administration in the last one year.

    “A few days from now, we shall commence the inauguration of some of these roads and other projects in other sectors for the world to see what we have accomplished in the last one year by the grace of God.

    “The past year has been one of trials and triumphs, tests and testimonies and adversity and hope; through it all God has been very faithful.

    “Recently, God also showed Himself strong in my family by giving us a mighty deliverance in a car accident.

    ”Indeed, I owe Him a debt of gratitude for His unfailing love, goodness, protection and sustaining grace,” he said.

    The governor assured the people of the state of his commitment to advancing the state in all aspects of socio-economic development.

    In his sermon, the state Mission Overseer of Living Faith Church, Pastor Adekunle Shiyanbade, said the only way up was by giving regular thanks to God.

    Shiyanbade said that the biblical King David excelled because he was a pathfinder in thanksgiving, while God dethroned King Nebuchadnezzar because he ascribed his victories to himself.

    He commended the governor for deciding to thank God as his administration clocked one year and urged him not to relent in maintaining a cordial relationship with God.

    The cleric outlined a change of level, divine preservation, multiplication, divine intervention, access to divine secrets, change of condition, and favour as seven wonders of thanksgiving.

    The governor and his wife, Tobore, were joined by guests, including his deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme and his wife, Ezinne Catherine.

    The service had in attendance the immediate past governor, Okowa, his wife, Edith, and former governor Emmanuel Uduaghan among other dignitaries.

    NAN

  • NYG 2023: AFN president, Okowa charges Delta Athletes to deliver trophy as gift to Gov. Oborevwori

    NYG 2023: AFN president, Okowa charges Delta Athletes to deliver trophy as gift to Gov. Oborevwori

    Chief Tonobok Okowa, the president of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), has appealled to Team Delta athletes to win the 7th National Youth Games as gift for Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori.

    Okowa, who is also the chairman of the Delta Sports Commission, made the appeal during the opening ceremony of the 2023 National Youths Games in Asaba on Saturday.

    He charged the athletes to give their best in all the sporting events at the games and win trophies as a gifts to the state governor.

    “This is the last National Youths Games that I am attending as the Chairman of Delta State Sports Commission. Kindly win this 7th edition as my parting gift.

    “I know you have worked hard enough to attain the first position and do not forget we have a new Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori; this should be his welcome gift.

    “I want you to lift the trophy and hand it over to him on Independence Day (1st October).

    “I know the coaches and officials are on top of their game to ensure you win cleanly, and I know you will always make us proud.

    “Do not forget you (athletes) first and the state follows,” Okowa said.

     Team Delta is participating in all the 34 games holding at the games. 

  • Clark’s attacks on Okowa, avoidable, unnecessary – Delta youth leaders

    Clark’s attacks on Okowa, avoidable, unnecessary – Delta youth leaders

    Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders have described the attacks of elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark on immediate past Governor of the state, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa as avoidable and unnecessary.

    President of the Itsekiri National Youth Council and Coordinating Chairman Delta State Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders’ Forum, Comrade Weyinmi Agbateyiniro stated this on Wednesday when a delegation of the Forum visited Delta Traditional Rulers’ Council at their secretariat in Asaba.

    The youth leaders told the monarchs they were at the secretariat to seek their intervention in curtailing the seeming inter ethnic feud that could emanate from the said attacks on the ex-Governor.

    According to Agbateyiniro, as youth leaders we cannot sit and watch things go wrong in our dear state especially as we see the former Governor as our role model because he paved way for youths to grow in the state.

    “We view our foremost leader, Chief Clark’s attacks and petition against Okowa as avoidable and unnecessary media trial of the former Governor and we urge the Council to intervene,” Agbateyiniro stated.

    Responding, Chairman Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers and Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, HRM Maj. Gen. Felix Mujakperuo, Orhue I, thanked the youth leaders for showing concern and for following the path of peace.

    He said the Council will consider their request and communicate their resolution to the youth leaders.

    “We are proud of you for following the mature way of peace and for not allowing crisis to reign in the state. We will deliberate on this matter and communicate back to you,” he stated.

  • Okowa replies Clark, says DESOPADEC got N208bn in 8yrs

    Okowa replies Clark, says DESOPADEC got N208bn in 8yrs

    Immediate past Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa on Friday said the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, (DESOPADEC) got a total of N208 billion in the eight years of his administration.

    Speaking on the “Morning Show” on Arise Television, the immediate past State Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu said that the Okowa administration was fair in the distribution of projects across the three Senatorial Districts in the state.

    Aniagwu said that the interventionist agency got what was due it according to the law establishing it, adding that the Agency had annual budgets approved for them by the State House of Assembly.

    According to him, the Okowa administration worked hard to enthrone peace in the state especially in oil producing communities and the creeks of Delta by taking development to the oil producing communities.

    He said prior to the emergence of Okowa administration in 2015, Delta was 4th in oil production adding that Okowa administration took the state to number one in oil production because the communities were happy with the projects executed in their areas by the state government.

    “Let me put it on record that we recognise the contributions of the elder statesman to the development of our democracy in time past.

    “We also recognise his age because 96 years is not a joke and to that extent I didn’t come here to join issues with him neither do we have any cause to undermine the respect we have for him on account of the path he has chosen in recent time.

    “The issues he has canvassed are not original to him and because they are not original to him, in a number of areas he progressed in error.

    “Premium Trust Bank does not in any way belong to Okowa. In Delta State during the administration of Governor Okowa, the state operated three distinct accounts.

    “The FAAC Account which takes remittances from the Federation Account and other remittances is domiciled in Zenith Bank and its still there.

    “The second account is called the State and Local Government Joint Account which is the JAAC account and that account is with UBA and you know the owners of UBA.

    “The third account is the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) Account which is with Sterling Bank.

    “The Premium Trust Bank is owned by individuals who have had a very good stay in the banking industry.

    “To prove that the views canvassed by the elder statesman are not original to him, the name of the MD of Premium Trust Bank is Emefienem and he is not even from the same local government with Governor Okowa. The man is from Abavo in Ika South and Okowa is from Ika North-East they are not related in any way.

    “He also talked about Monday Okowa who has been in the banking industry for more than two decades.

    “He started from the old Oceanic Bank to Ecobank before proceeding to Zenith Bank where he rose to the level of branch manager in one of the biggest branches in Asaba and when this new bank came on stream he moved to Premium Trust Bank,”

    On the issue of 13 percent derivation, Aniagwu said the elder statesman was not correct when he claimed that former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike exposed the refunds to the oil producing states.

    According to him, Wike only made mention of it after Delta State Government under the leadership of Governor Okowa had written to the State House of Assembly to seek for discounted facility based on the said refunds.

    “The Federal Government agreed they were owing oil producing states but they were not in a position to refund the entire money at once and that they will pay instalmentally for a period of five years.

    “When we went to the State Assembly and we publicised it in line with our transparency principle. There was no time anybody reported in this country that Buhari doled out N200 billion to one state without publicising it.

    “In the case of Rivers, as soon as it was agreed that these funds need to be refunded, Rivers state without following laid down principles approached a commercial bank and discounted that the expected refund to the tune of 30 percent to the bank and the bank was able to give them the money.

    “For us we didn’t agree to follow that route, we said no, another administration is coming and we cannot discount all our money and we cannot just ignore the next administration.

    “When we approached the House of Assembly with the list of projects we intended to fund with the discount facility it was well publicised.

    The Ex-Commissioner said the Okowa administration grew the state’s internally generated revenue from N53bn in 2015 to N79bn in 2023.

    “We didn’t grow it by over taxing the people but by increasing the tax net as a result of the increasing ease of doing business in the state,” Aniagwu added.

  • Delta group tasks octogenarian Clark to tow path of honour over spurious allegations against fmr gov Okowa

    Delta group tasks octogenarian Clark to tow path of honour over spurious allegations against fmr gov Okowa

    The Delta United Front, DUF has taken elder-statesman, Chief Edwin Clark to task over his recent campaign of calumny against the immediate past governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa cautioning that he was overstretching the bonds of respect deserving of an octogenarian.

    This development came to fore after the elder-statesman levelled various allegations of impropriety against Okowa including the diversion of N1.7 trillion revenue that accrued to the state between 2015 and 2023.

    Asking the former federal commissioner to tow the path of civility and decorum in his attitude towards former governors of the state, the group in a statement issued by Mani Onyi said:

    “We have watched the recent efforts by Chief Edwin Clark to soil the name of the immediate past governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa. Ordinarily, no one would question Pa Clark on his move, but for the obvious inconsistencies and gapping holes in his assertions which we believe flow from the fact that he has allowed himself to be used by desperate political actors in Delta State.

    “We are concerned that at 96 that Pa Clark after fighting Chief James Ibori, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan has set his sight on Senator Okowa, and this time aided by disenchanted political actors who failed to forcefully grab the mandate of the people through violence.

    “We know where Pa Clark stood in the last elections at the national and state levels and we see this as a continuation of the fight he believes he lost. We will not like to give details of his physical limitations which have enabled desperate politicians to encroach on his honour and mobilise him for the hatchet job he has been lured into.”

    “However, we ask that he should withdraw himself from being used by politicians and take his place of honour among the state’s elder-statesmen and should he need clarification we believe Dr. Okowa or the present government will avail him of the explanation that he and every other Deltan may require.”