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Tag: okowa

  • Asaba township stadium: Delta Assembly approves Okowa’s N1.9bn request

    The Delta House of Assembly on Tuesday approved the request of N1.9 billion for the completion of Asaba township stadium brought to it by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

    The request of the governor was contained in a letter read during the plenary of the Assembly in Asaba by the Speaker of the House, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori.

    Okowa said that in spite of the huge investment on the ongoing Asaba township project which was inherited from his predecessors, the project was yet to be completed.

    He said that his administration was determined to complete the project, adding that the project, when completed would boost sports activities in the state.

    The governor said that the contract was awarded at the cost of N1.9 billion with a completion period of four months ending in December 2017, based on the contractor’s finance arrangement.

    Okowa said that the state government would make payment to the contractor for a period of 18 months through an Irrevocable Standing Payment Order (ISPO).

    According to Okowa, the State Executive Council at its 10th meeting which was held on June 20 and June 21 had approved the funding approach and issuance of the Irrevocable Standing Payment Order ISPO subject to the ratification of the State House of Assembly.

    Okowa, therefore, solicited for the support of the assembly for speedy completion of the project.

    Consequently, the Majority Leader of the Assembly, Mr Tim Owhefere, who moved a motion for the House to receive the letter for further consideration said the letter was of necessity as it would further promote sports development in the state.

    He said that the state government was looking at alternative ways of funding projects in spite of the paucity of funds which should be encouraged.

    The motion was unanimously adopted when put to a voice vote by the speaker.

     

    NAN

  • APC chieftain, Efe Daku blasts Okowa for suspending scholarship scheme in Delta

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Delta State, Efe Daku has lambasted Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for suspending the state’s scholarship scheme.

    Recall that TheNewsGuru.com had earlier reported the announcement of the indefinite suspension of its First Class Graduate Scholarship Scheme by the State Scholarship Board because of what it described as ‘the prevailing economic situation bedeviling the state.’

    This was released in a letter by the Delta State Scholarship Board to all beneficiaries of the scheme.

    The letter, dated 27th September obtained exclusively by TheNewsGuru.com was signed by the Executive Secretary of the Board, Comrade Elijah Ologe.

    The Board noted that despite the fact that it was aware that some beneficiaries depended solely on the funds to run their education in their various tertiary institutions, it has no option but to suspend the scheme as the state government can no longer afford to fund it.

    However, in a swift reaction, the APC chieftain noted that it was appalling that Governor Okowa who benefited from various scholarship schemes while learning has now decided to suspend same to students who have been making the state proud in their various disciplines.

    Daku noted that such acts will further promote brain drain which has already gotten to an unbearable stage in the country.

    He stated this on his Facebook Page on Saturday. His post reads in full:


    ABANDONING OUR ‘BEST & BRIGHTEST’ IN STRANGE LANDS!!!

    We all encourage our youths to study well, for education elevates man beyond what words can describe. In the last couple of years some Deltans have been coming out with amazing first class degrees. Without their asking, you elected to award these extremely brilliant youths various post-graduate scholarships in foreign universities. Having voluntarily given them so much hope, is it right for you to suddenly decide to abandon them in foreign lands? Search your conscience if you have one.

    For about two years, these researchers, experts-in-training, and indeed some of our best and brightest have been asking you for ‘mercy’ to allow them conclude their studies. And now, so merciless at heart, you have formally declared and certified their abandonment with your ‘OYO’ – ‘Own Your Own’ policy. They are now confused, bewildered and vexed in their souls. But because you are not their God, we trust God to arise for them. And be reminded that your public notice may have tried to suppress the status of the current beneficiaries who are suffering untold hardship, but we know because their SOS cries are heard everywhere.

    May the Almighty God show you mercy, for that is the only way you would appreciate what you have done to these wonderfully gifted Deltans. May He reward you.

    I am speaking to the Government of Delta led by Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa – an obvious beneficiary of government scholarships and much more benefits that responsible and progressive governments offer.

    My name is Efe Duku.

     

  • FG should use oil revenue for development of non-oil sectors – Okowa

    FG should use oil revenue for development of non-oil sectors – Okowa

     

    Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has called for the broadening of the nation’s economy through the development of the non-oil sectors and using the revenue from the oil sector.

     

    The governor made the call on Friday in Asaba at a dinner for the Presidential Economic Diversification Initiative Team visiting the state.

     

    He said that the fall in oil price was a wake-up call to the leaders to spend the dwindling oil revenue on the diversification of the national economy to develop and provide employment for the youths/

     

    “I wish to appreciate the Minister of Niger Delta and leader of the team for bringing the team to Delta State.

     

    “Diversification of our economy is the biggest challenge facing our nation.

     

    “And for a long time, we prided ourselves on our oil economy, we need to diversify as the oil economy was not inclusive; it did not provide the much needed employment for all.

     

    “The recession and fall in oil price in the last three years is a wakeup call that we need to sit back and look into ways to spend the oil money to diversify the economy.

     

    “We need to look at ways to provide employment opportunity for our youths and we are presently on the right path to fix our economy through diversification, especially in agribusiness,” he said.

     

    Okowa urged Nigerians, especially the people of the Niger Delta region to maintain the peace and security to attract investors.

     

    He called for attitudinal change among the youths. especially in the region, adding that the youths should embrace agriculture and entrepreneurial skills to fit into the new economic drive in the State.

     

    “We need to truly tackle the issue of security to create employment for the youths and maintain the existing peace. “We need to encourage our youths and provide them with the right skills in the agricultural sector.

     

    “We need to find new ways to create employment for our people and try to tool our children with the right skills.

     

    “And that is the mindset we need to make our children see that agribusiness as the new oil sector,” he said.

     

    Okowa commended the Federal Government and its agencies for their partnership with the states in the diversification of the economy and called on investors to take advantage of the peaceful environment to invest in the state.

     

    READ ALSO:Quality education non-negotiable – Gov. Okowa

     

  • 2019: Wike storms Delta, meets Okowa, Ibori for reconciliation talks

    Ahead of the its repositioning strategy towards the 2019 general elections, the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Reconciliation Committee and Executive Governor of Rivers State, Barrister Nyesom Wike on Saturday arrived Delta State in company of his governor colleague, Senator Patrick Okowa for a reconciliatory meeting with former governor, James Ibori.

     

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the meeting was held in the Oghara country home of Ibori.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the former Acting National Chairman of the party, Prince Ike Uche Secondus, Senator Lee Maeba, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, Hon Tammy Danagogo and Hon Austin Okpara were among other PDP chieftains that accompanied Wike to the meeting with Ibori.

     

  • Okowa approves launch of contributory health scheme in July

    Okowa approves launch of contributory health scheme in July

    Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has given approval for the official launch of Contributory Health Scheme in July, Director General of the State Contributory Health Commission Dr. Ben Nkechika has said.

    Nkechika made this known on Saturday during a sensitisation meeting with primary health care centres coordinators organised by UNICEF in collaboration with the Delta State Primary Health Care Development Agency, (DSPHCDA).

    The meeting was held as part of efforts to actualise the “Primary Health Care Under One Roof” (PHCUOR) programme, alongside reviewing primary health care laws.

    He said therefore, appealed to the primary health coordinators to support the commission to register workers.

    Also speaking, Board Chairman of DSPHCDA, Dr Richard Kofi, said that the meeting became necessary to put the state at par with its contemporaries in the country as regards effective primary health care service delivery.

    He said the PHCUOR policy would make primary health care centers organise for easy information flow and personnel management.

    Dr. Kofi noted that the policy was in line with Governor Okowa’s health for all Deltans at all times.

    Also speaking, a health specialist with UNICEF, Dr Eghe Abe stressed the need to revitalise the health centres across the state.

    “Re-branding of the health centres will attract more patronage especially from rural dwellers. Ebola virus was effectively combated through primary centres,’’ he said.

    He said that the UNICEF was desirous of collaborating with the state, local government as well as agencies in providing qualitative healthcare services to the people.

    Also, the state Director of Planning, Research and Statistics of the Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Gloria Patrick- Ferife, said the PHUOR campaign was geared towards international practices based on the WHO guidelines stringed under one management, one plan, and one monitoring and evaluation system.

    She said the target was to reform and strengthen the state health sector by creating an integrated and decentralised management structure for primary health centres in line with state government “SMART’’ agenda.

    While advocating for reorientation of staff, sustainable funding, a governing board and repositioning of staff and logistics, Ferife said functional primary health centres would dissuade people from going to hospitals for treatment of minor ailments.

     

     

    NAN

  • Okowa thanks Uvwie people, wants rampaging herdsmen checked

    Okowa thanks Uvwie people, wants rampaging herdsmen checked

    WARRI – GOVERNOR Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state has thanked the Uvwie local people for maintaining the existing peace, promising to extend more development to them if they continue to sustain the peace.
    The governor also called on the federal government to urgently do something about rampaging herdsmen who are killing and maiming citizens of Delta and other states of the country at will.
    The governor who said yesterday noted that the menace of herdsmen will continue to be a challenging stress on state governments unless federal government comes up with appropriate laws to nip it in the bud.
    Speaking, in continuati0n of his tour of local government areas of the state, at a town hall meeting in Uvwie local government area at the Petroleum Training Institute, Conference Centre, Effurun, Governor Okowa wondered why some group of persons, from a section of the country, are free to carry AK 47 rifles to kill with impunity while others are not allowed.
    “We are aware that the National House of Assembly is doing it’s best, but we know that this has gone beyond legislation. We have lived with herdsmen before but what we are experiencing today is not what we used to see in past and we are very worried about it.
    “The legislation we are trying to put in place will soon come. But I will let you that we do not have a strong policy because federal government needs to find appropriate strategies as they have full control of the security agencies. We are trying our best to work with them but there are limits
    “However, there are some of these herdsmen who are very good. They identify themselves with the community they reside in and they have been very peaceful. The problem we have is with the ones carrying arms.
    “They use these arms to not only destroy our crops but also use them to engage in other crimes. We have been working with the Commissioner of Police and other security agencies to tackle the issue”
    On salaries arrears owed local government workers, the governor restated that his administration was not owing local council workers, since it was not the responsibility of states to pay local government staff.
    “I have sworn to continue to speak the truth to our people. We have the federal, state and local council areas. I will help when there is money but when local government workers begin to think that their salaries come from the state, that is not true. The only thing that connects us is the money that comes from the federal allocation. It is called Federal Allocation Accounts, FAAC, meeting.
    “In that meeting the money that comes to the state and the one that comes to local government is also defined. And what we do as a state government is to provide ten percent of our internally generated funds to the local governments.”
    On cultism being experienced in the Primary and secondary schools, governor Okowa blamed it on family and society, noting that parents have failed in their responsibilities to take care of their children.
    Present at the town hall meeting were Okowa’s deputy, Kingsley Otuaro, Speaker of the state, Sheriff Oborevwori, Secretary to the State Government, Ovie Festus Agas among others.
  • Stop blaming Buhari for Nigeria’s woes

    Stop blaming Buhari for Nigeria’s woes

    Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta yesterday urged Nigerians, especially political leaders, to stop blaming President Muhammadu Buhari for Nigeria’s challenges.

    Okowa spoke in Benin at the end of a seven-day convention of the Rock of Ages Christian Assembly International (RACAI).

    The convention had the theme: “Too Faithful to Fail”.
    The governor said that Nigerians should support the President instead of the undue criticism.

    He urged Christians to constantly pray that the nation would surmount its numerous challenges.

    According to him, Delta had many challenges shortly after he took over power, but the challenges were surmounted with the help of prayers.

    “I refused to be disturbed or regret being in power at that difficult moment. Apart from plans made to tackle the problems, we embarked on prayer, especially the one we organise every May 29, since 2015.

    “This is a way to say thank you God, we still believe and trust in you. The church must continue to pray for this country.

    “If you do not pray and you continue to complain about the nation’s woes, you are not a Christian.

    “When our nation is sick, we as a people are also sick. We should take the burden of the country as that of ourselves,” he urged.

    The Pastor of RACAI, Mr Charles Osazuwa, said that it was time Nigerians took responsibility of proffering solutions to the nation’s numerous challenges.

    He said that the convention was to sensitise Nigerians to the need to contribute their best to solving the country’s problems.

    “In the course of this conference, knowledge has been imparted on the people; when the people apply it, it will make a significant difference in their lives and that of the country.

    “ It is time for individuals to rise up to take responsibilities rather than complain,” he urged.

    NAN

  • Why I supported Okowa’s emergence as Delta Governor – Ibori

    Why I supported Okowa’s emergence as Delta Governor – Ibori

    Former governor of Delta State, James Ibori, has revealed why he supported incumbent governor of the state, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa in obtaining the party’s (Peopes Democratic Party, PDP) ticket and in finally winning the governorship election in 2015.

    Ibori noted that Okowa who hails Delta North was chosen based on justice, equity and fairness.

    Ibori revealed this when he received a delegation of Ndi Anioma led by Dr Emmanuel Efeizomor, the Obi of Owa, and Chairman, Delta Council of Traditional Rulers, in his home in Oghara on Saturday.

    He commended the Delta North (Anioma) people for the visit and for their prayers which made freedom possible.

    He said the massive support he received from the Aniomas in his quest for governorship in 1998 prompted his choice of an Anioma indigene as his deputy.

    “My believe in justice, equity and fairness informed my firm support for an Anioma governor which has come to pass with Governor Ifeanyi Okowa on the saddle”, Ibori added.

    He promised to continue to identify with Anioma people and urged them to remain united and support Okowa to succeed.

    Earlier, the Owa monarch had commended Ibori for his disposition to advance the political course of Anioma people.

    He said that the five years absence of the former governor was greatly felt by Deltans, particularly the political class and members of the Peoples’ Democracy Party (PDP).

    The monarch added that Ibori’s return would change the political landscape of the state ahead of 2019 elections.

    Others on the delegation were Chief Benjamin Elue, Chief Nkem Okwuofu, Dr. Chris Agbobu, Chief Theodora Giwa-Amu, traditional rulers, legislators and members of the State Executive Council from Delta North.

     

  • FG can’t dictate how states spend Paris Club refund – Okowa

    Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, has said that the Federal Government cannot instruct states, how to disburse their Paris/London Club refund.

    He insisted it was unconstitutional and undemocratic.

    Okowa’s Chief Press Secretary, Charles Aniagu, said this while responding to questions on how Delta State Government appropriated its share of the refund.

    Aniagu made it clear that the funds were neither a bailout nor a gift from the FG.

    The federal government had instructed states to devote their share to payment of accumulated salaries and pensions.

    “The Paris refund, I hope you know that the money belongs to the states, it wasn’t a dash and not a bail out. It wasn’t a gift, it was what rightfully belongs to the states and the local governments and I know you know that we are running a tier of government that is independent and whose powers and responsibilities are guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

    This idea of media houses helping some persons to spread ignorance that somebody can be in Abuja and tell you how to spend your money is not how democracy works.

    “If you are giving me a bailout, you can set the conditions that these are the conditions on which I’ll give you this bailout; you must use this money this way, in which way you can set the rules because you are the one giving.

    But when you are allocating my money to me, our priorities are different. Let us assume in Delta State we are not owing anybody salaries, are you going to say we keep the money until we begin to owe so that we can use it?

    “What we have done is to make very judicious and transparent use of the monies that were refunded to us. We addressed, in part, the plight of pensioners, assisted the local governments too to be able to solve some problems, in addition to giving them part of their money, to reduce the wage burden.

    “We did not also lose sight of the promises we have made to make life better for Deltans, after all, Section 14, subsection 2, paragraph B of the 1999 Constitution states clearly that the primary purpose of government is the security and welfare of the people. So the availability of that fund enabled us to give vent to that particular provision of the Constitution,” Aniagu stated.

  • Okowa advocates holistic approach to eradication of malaria, other diseases

    Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta on Tuesday said only through a holistic approach could malaria and other tropical diseases could be eradicated in the country.

    The governor said this when he received a former military Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, and his South-South Advocacy Group on the control of Malaria and other Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in Asaba on Monday.

    Okowa, however, commended Gowon for his commitment to the Nigerian project, assuring that his administration would support the fight against tropical diseases.

    He also lauded the use of long lasting mosquito-treated nets to check malaria, but observed that a holistic approach to tackling the issue would bring greater relief to the citizens.

    “I support the campaign for the distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets but, we should try a holistic approach to control malaria scourge.

    “Until we do this, we will find that year in, year out, we will keep on distributing nets while we are not controlling malaria holistically.

    “We need to combine both the nets and other control measures in the fight against malaria.

    “This is possible because, until we start driving our nation in that direction, we may not get the desired result.

    “And in the long run, we will find that the money that we have put into the distribution of mosquito nets could have produced better results using a holistic approach,’’ he said.

    Earlier, Gen. Gowon said that the team was on advocacy visit for the eradication of malaria, river blindness, elephantiasis and other neglected tropical diseases.