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Tag: omo-agege

  • Omo-Agege expresses shock over aide’s death

    The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has expressed shock over the demise of one his legislative aides, Mr. Mudiaga Asagba.

    In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yomi Odunuga, Senator Omo-Agege described the side’s death as “a very sad loss”.

    According to him, the former broadcaster was a dedicated staff who gave his all in the discharge of his duties during his brief time as a legislative aide.

    Until his demise, Mudiaga Asagba, an ace broadcaster whose professional experience traversed both radio and television, was a Special Assistant on Media to the Deputy President of the Senate.

    While praying for the repose of the soul of Asagba, Omo-Agege prayed God to grant his family and loved ones the fortitude to bear such irreparable loss.

    “I receive the news of the sudden death of Mr. Mudiaga Asagba with a heavy heart; he was not only passionate about the job but also gave his all.

    “He will be greatly missed. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this trying time,” Omo-Agege said.

    Mudiaga Asagba passed on in Abuja in the early hours of Monday at the age of 52.

    Asagba was a former broadcaster with the Delta Rainbow Television (DRTV) in Warri, before he voluntarily resigned and joined the services of Quest FM and Television Station in Otor-Ogor, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.

    He also worked with WE FM and Classic FM stations in Abuja.

  • Omo-Agege’s aide survives assassination attempt in Delta

    Omo-Agege’s aide survives assassination attempt in Delta

    An aide to the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege on Youths Affairs, Mr Efe Ugbarugba has narrowly escaped death after he was allegedly attacked by unknown gunmen in Otokutu-Agbarha, Ughelli North L.G.A, Delta State.

    Ugbarugba who is also the Youth Leader of APC in Ughelli North L.G.A alleged that the incident occurred at about 8pm on Wednesday 4 December.

    He said he was attacked after dropping off his wife and kid at home and was attempting to drive off.

    He said he sighted some persons approaching him with guns, adding that as he engaged his car to drive off,the assassin’s shot at him.

    He said: “It was by the special grace of God that I escaped being killed by the suspected assassins. They fired several shots at my car. One of the bullets hit me on the head after piecing through my car windscreen”.

    He added that he drove straight to the police station to report the incident and also secure police report which enabled him seek medical attention.

    He called on law enforcement agents to fish out those behind the heinous crime, lamenting that he now leaves in fears with members of his family.

    Continuing, Ugbarugba said: “I want to sincerely appeal to our security agents to fish out those unknown gunmen who wanted to kill me for no reason. I strongly appeal to our security agencies to urgently do something. No arrest has been made and this is why I am crying out for security to be beefed up around me”.

  • Omo-Agege salutes Uduaghan at 65

    Omo-Agege salutes Uduaghan at 65

    At 65, former Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Ewetan Uduaghan has become an icon of inspiration for many young Nigerians, Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has said.

    According to Senator Omo-Agege, Dr. Uduaghan’s humble beginning, commitment towards forging peace, humanitarian service and nationalistic disposition are among qualities that distinguish him as one of the great sons of Delta State in the service of national interest.

    In a press statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Yomi Odunuga to mark Dr. Uduaghan’s 65th birthday, Senator Omo-Agege expressed optimism that many young Nigerians would be further inspired with the story of how the former governor beat many odds in his life’s journey.

    “I felicitate with one of my dear brothers from Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan as he celebrates his 65th birthday and I pray that he continues to wax stronger on all fronts.

    “The promising young man who began work as a medical officer at the Delta Steel Company in 1983 and rose to become Commissioner for Health, Secretary to the Delta State Government and a two-term governor of our dear state is not only known for infrastructure but also for being people-focused.

    “As governor and as one of the uncommon peacemakers in the Niger Delta region, Dr. Uduaghan saw ahead in his quest for development and he was one of those whose negotiations and encouragement motivated agitators to allow peace to reign.

    “I pray that God grants Dr Uduaghan a long, fulfilling life as he continues to contribute towards the progress of Delta State and our country, Nigeria,” he stated.

  • Omo-Agege mourns Edozien

    Omo-Agege mourns Edozien

    Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has expressed deep loss over the passing of Professor Emmanuel Edozien (OFR), a renowned economist and Economic Adviser to former President Shehu Shagari.

    Professor Emmanuel Edozien, a sibling of the Asagba of Asaba, Obi Professor John Chike Edozien passed away aged 82, in his Ikoyi residence last Saturday following a brief ailment.

    In a statement issued by Senator Omo-Agege’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Yomi Odunuga, the Senator noted the accomplishments of the late Professor in academics and business, adding that Delta State and the entire nation has lost one of its leading lights.

    “It is with a sense of personal loss that I received the news of the passing of our great Professor Emmanuel Edozien into eternal realm. He took his exit peacefully in his home, in the manner of the great dignity that he was known for.

    “In private and public life, in academics where he became a distinguished Professor of International & Development Economics and former Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at University of Ibadan, he was a celebrated scholar.

    “In the public sector and business, he was not only a successful entrepreneur but also a major boardroom figure whose contributions helped the growth of companies and other entities that generate considerable employment in addition to impacting lives so positively.

    “Indeed, his roles as Chairman, Governing Council at Bells University of Technology, Otta; Chairman, PZ Cussons Nigeria PLC; Vice Chairman, AMNI Petroleum; Director, Nigeria Security Printing and Minting Company and Chairman, Board of Trustees, PZ Cussons Foundation readily come to mind.

    “Delta State has lost one of its brightest, Nigeria has lost one of its truly great men but we feel consoled by his very eminent contributions through excellent productivity and impactful growth that will continue to make significant meaning in the lives of many, including those who never met him directly,” Senator Omo-Agege noted.

  • Omo-Agege urges support for Sexual Harassment Prevention Bill

    Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, Wednesday urged Nigerians to support the National Assembly’s efforts aimed at enacting an effective law against sexual harassment in workplaces and educational institutions in the country.

    Omo-Agege, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yomi Odunuga, explained why he decided to reintroduce the Sexual Harassment in Tertiary Institution Prohibition Bill, which he earlier sponsored during the 8th National Assembly.

    He vowed to ensure that the energized concerns of all fathers, mothers and youth accelerate the success of his bill towards becoming an effective law against sexual harassment in Nigeria.

    The Senator representing Delta Central said: “It is a problem that has caused academic injustice, depression and countless other negative effects on individuals and the society in various parts of the world but the key to lasting change is for us to begin it within our own environment.

    “I applaud the First Lady, Hajia Aisha Buhari, the First Lady of Ekiti State, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, the Academic Staff Union of Universities and all those who stoutly rose in support of the BBC’s commendable journalistic endeavour that is effectively beaming light on a hidden menace.

    “I am wholly convinced that the unique student-educator relationship of authority, dependency and trust should never be violated. By the maxim of ‘loco parentis’, educators are like parents. They owe a special fiduciary duty of care to students under their authority – students who trust and depend on them to shape their future career paths.

    “It must, therefore, be extremely offensive to a reasonable mind where an educator treats students as ‘perquisites’ of his office. As a father, it is an issue that I cannot just accept. It is a shame on our conscience as a people. We will stop it.

    “In 2016, with the support of several colleagues in the Senate, I tabled the Bill on the Prohibition of Sexual Harassment in Tertiary Institutions which provides for a five-year jail term or a fine of N5 million for any lecturer convicted for sexually harassing male or female students.

    “The bill also criminalizes any act of neglect or failure by administrative heads of tertiary institutions to address complaints of sexual harassment within a specified period and it also made provisions to adequately punish anyone found to have levelled false allegations of harassment against lecturers and educators.

    “I deeply appreciate the Academic Staff Union of Universities’ (ASUU) decisive change of position on this issue which they opposed three years ago; I see myself, not only as a representative of my senatorial district but as a representative of every parent who has a daughter that will one day, pass through our tertiary institutions.

    “Nobody’s daughter deserves to be treated as ‘fringe benefit’ for anyone in position of trust and responsibility; the psychological trauma of sexual harassment has existed for too long and that is why we are reintroducing the new bill to make prosecution of sexual offenders easier for prosecutors and remove the vexatious argument of ‘consent’ as a defence to perpetrate evil. The punishment of five-year jail term for those found guilty should serve as a deterrent in a society that urgently needs to address this issue of sexual harassment.

    “I feel proud and further motivated. What we all collectively need at the moment is urgent action, especially for the passage of the Bill for the Prohibition of Sexual Harassment in Tertiary Institutions into law,” Senator Omo-Agege said.

    While describing the scourge of sexual harassment in the nation’s tertiary institutions as unacceptable, he said it was high time the trend was nipped in the bud.

    Recall that the proposed legislation sponsored by the lawmaker, was passed by the 8th Senate but never got concurrence from the House of Representatives.

    Nigerians have expressed outrage over a viral British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) investigative video which showed some lecturers of some top universities in West Africa sexually harassing female students.

    The Bill prohibits any form of sexual relationship between lecturers and their students and prescribes jail term of up to five years for lecturers who engage in sexual relationship with students.

  • Doha 2019: Omo-Agege congratulates Ese Brume

    Doha 2019: Omo-Agege congratulates Ese Brume

    The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has congratulated Nigeria’s athlete, Ese Brume for her outstanding performance at the just concluded IAAF World Championships in Doha, Qatar, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

    Omo-Agege said by her performance, Brume has not only made Delta State in particular proud but also Nigeria and Africa in general.

    The senator, in a congratulatory message issued by his Special Assistant on Sports, Mr. Azania Omo-Agege, commended what he called her optimism, determination and hardwork.

    Although the Cyprus-based Ese Brume clinched bronze medal in the long jump event at the IAAF World Championships, Omo-Agege insisted that “Her bronze medal feels like gold to the Nigerian people and we hope she inspires an entire generation of Nigerian athletes to win more medals at the world championships in the future”.

    While descibing her as a role model, Omo-Agege tasked Nigerian youth to emulate her determination, hardwork and can-do attitude.

    The senator said: “Her (Brume’s) determination and sheer doggedness in holding her nerves to win the bronze medal (Nigeria’s maiden medal at the world championships) while competing with the world’s best athletes in the women’s long jump gives us absolute joy and pride.

    “Ese had wept profusely while winning the gold medal at the African games held earlier in 2019 because she recalled being told four years earlier while she sustained an injury that she would not be able to jump anymore. However, her optimism, determination, and hardwork, which are attributes akin to the Nigerian spirit, helped her overcome this obstacle and she has bounced back stronger.

    “The good people of Delta State, and Nigeria at large congratulate her and are extremely proud of her achievement and inspiring comeback. Ese Brume is a role model for Nigerian youth who would be aiming to emulate her determination and hardwork”.

  • Join hands with Buhari to tackle security challenges – Omo-Agege tells Nigerians

    Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has called on Nigerians, irrespective of their political leanings, to join hands with the present administration to solve the security challenges facing the country.

    The Deputy President of the Senate who specifically called on politicians to stop politicising security issues, stressed the need for all hands to be deck to proffer solutions.

    In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Owede Agbajileke, Omo-Agege spoke in Abuja at a national discourse on ‘Peace, Security, Unity and National Reconciliation’.

    The event was organised by the Global Initiative for African Development (GIFAD).

    Represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Strategic Security, Col. Melvin Usman (rtd), the senator said: “Rather than brood and curse over these vices, let us join hands to proffer solutions. These vices are creations of men and as such the solutions cannot be above man. As we know, internal security is mainly exclusive to the central government, and the President has stated that the federal government is addressing the issue with the governments of the states. at all levels. For the states themselves, they can pursue policies that emphasize on those good things that bind us together and avoid those that tend to divide us.

    “This should be the same for all types of groups in Nigeria, be they ethnic, religious. Civil Society Organisations. Non-Governmental Organisations, student groups and all other forms of pressure groups. Even with the private sector, it is a veritable form of social responsibility all over the world for business organisations to promote peace and security around them. It is only where there is peace and security that business can truly thrive”.

    He also called on the private sector to join hands with the government in tackling the issue through corporate social responsibilities.

    He expressed the willingness of the Ninth National Assembly to play its part by passing necessary legislations to help tackle the challenges.

    “On our part in the National Assembly we will continue to pay attention to your views and also legislate on those aspects of our existing laws where amendments are needed. New laws to address areas of lacunae will also be enacted as they are identified. I am now calling on us all to help identify such gaps”, he said.

    Earlier in his address of welcome, GIFAD Chairman, Dr. Onwubuya Breakforth, pointed out that the challenges of insecurity should not be left in the hands of government alone but by collective efforts from all stakeholders.

  • ‘Enormous’ economic potentials in Sapele, Warri other ports revival – Omo-Agege

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has described as “enormous,” the economic gains to be derived from reviving the Sapele, Warri, Burutu, and other ports in Delta state.

    He also harped on the need for oneness in Urhobo nation, urging its leaders to prioritize the interest of the ethnic nationality in their different dispositions.

    The DSP spoke at the inaugural public lecture of the Urhobo Renaissance Movement (URM), held Tuesday, at the PTI Conference Centre, Effurun.

    URM, a group of professionals of Urhobo extraction, seeks to “rekindle the spirit of unity” and promote development across Urhobo nation.

    Represented by an aide, Chuks Erhire, Senator Omo-Agege said rebirthing the culture of Urhobo people will include developing the economic and social sectors of the land.

    “Your task in cultural renaissance, as you know, has to take into account the totality of our ‘Urhoboness’. It is in this context that I understand your earlier call on the federal authorities to resuscitate the six sea ports in Urhobo and adjourning lands that have since been abandoned or closed to commercial traffic. These include Sapele, Warri, Koko, Forcados, Burutu and Escravos ports.

    “There’s need for a concise, constructive and sustained follow-up on this until the desired results are obtained as we are aware of the enormous economic potential this holds. This is in terms of job creation, as well as the creation of ancillary industries, complete with the multiplier trails they leave in their wake.”

    Omo-Agege while recalling the efforts of the founding father of the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), Chief Mukoro Mowoe, to ensuring unity across Urhobo land, posited that the establishment of the renowned Urhobo College, Effurun (UCE), in 1946 “is a reconciling symbol”.

    He further urged the organisation to use its various capacities to forge the much needed “unity of purpose and interest within the Urhobo leadership, and nation in general. We cannot be tired of calling for unity of purpose among our people since our nominal strength translates to divisions and clashes”.

    Meanwhile, in his lecture, Professor of Commercial and Industrial Law, Prof. Joseph Abugu, opined that keys to reviving the fortunes of Urhobo nation should be directed towards cultural, economic and political “resurgence”.

    Calling for Urhobo leaders to be “vocal” in the agitation for Nigeria’s restructuring, he said, “the clamour for restructuring of this country will continue and only equity will cure it. Our independence will come when our leaders recognize there is inequality in the system.”

    Former Minister of Information, who chaired the occasion, Prof. Sam Oyovbaire, had earlier commended the organization for remaining steadfast in its vision to ensuring the development of Urhoboland, urging those with “access to where decisions are being taken” to use it as an “asset”.

    Dignitaries at the ceremony include member representing UghelliSouth North/South/Udu Federal constituency Hon. Francis Waive, Convener of URM, Professor Hope Eghagha, traditional rulers, among others.

  • Nigeria at 59: Omo-Agege greets Nigerians, calls for oneness

    Nigeria at 59: Omo-Agege greets Nigerians, calls for oneness

    As Nigeria clocks 59 years of Independence, the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has called on Nigerians to keep praying for the continued peace and unity of the country.

    Omo-Agege, in his message to commemorate Nigeria’s 59th Independence anniversary, called on Nigerians to join hands with President Muhammadu Buhari to take the country to greater heights.

    In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Yomi Odunuga, the Deputy President of the Senate stressed the need for oneness and accommodation, emphasizing that with determination, the country would surmount its present challenges and emerge stronger.

    “Many great minds have quietly been making great sacrifices in the best interest of our great nation. On this special day, we should resolve to further the onerous task of nation-building.

    “I salute all our heroes past and present, especially our teachers, farmers, public servants and all those security and law enforcement agents whose diligent service means a lot to the current and future generations.

    “As we celebrate this great occasion, I implore all citizens to renew our commitment towards building a great Nigeria by joining hands with government to take our great nation to the ‘Next Level’”, Omo-Agege stated.

  • Develop local drugs to fight diabetes, Omo-Agege urges Pharmacists

    Develop local drugs to fight diabetes, Omo-Agege urges Pharmacists

    …says education, key to reducing prevalence

    Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has called on pharmacists in the country to intensify efforts at research that will lead to the development of local pharmaceutical drugs to replace imported ones in the fight against diabetes and other forms of endocrine and metabolic disorders.

    This, he emphasised, will not only boost the Nigerian economy by creating jobs for citizens but also save the country huge sums of money spent on importing foreign drugs.

    Omo-Agege stated this in Abuja at the 2019 Annual Conference of the Endocrine and Metabolism Society of Nigeria (EMSON).

    In a paper titled, ‘The Role of Education in Preventing Diabetes Complications’, Omo-Agege, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr. Otive Igbuzor, expressed concern over the frightening statistics of over 4 million Nigerians suffering from the disease.

    According to him, considering the huge health implications of the ailment on the nation’s economy, it has become pertinent for EMSON to come up with revolutionary reforms that will change the narrative and reduce the menace of the disease to the barest minimum.

    He stressed the need for strong diabetic education advocacy by individuals, institutions, public and private sectors to stem the tide of the ailment in the country.

    The lawmaker expressed the willingness of the 9th Senate to look at requisite laws that will help the people on the need for healthy life habits.

    According to him, education programmes must inculcate in patients the opportunities which the 2017-2020 Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) holds towards better health management.

    Omo-Agege, who drew the attention of the pharmacists to the rising incidence of the disease in the country to pandemic levels with its attendant negative impact, said it was a deep source of concern to the National Assembly in particular and the President Muhammadu Buhari Administration in general.

    He therefore called on Nigerian pharmacists to make the best use of the abundance of natural plants that nature has bestowed on the nation and come up with medicinal brands that can compete favourably with imported ones.

    He noted that such enlightenment “will help cover the most mileage in the war against diabetes mellitus. This is so because, most of the essentials in life-style issues have to do with body mass control; the latter which is a highly implicit cause of type-2 diabetes. For juvenile or type-1 diabetes, which is more or less hereditary, your organisation needs to do more work in terms of research and education, to counsel parents with diabetes-genetic history on how to better manage the lifestyle habits of their offspring. It is a matter of education. On our part in the legislature, we will continue to look at appropriate and requisite laws that will help advance your work and also help general consciousness among our people on the need to live with healthy life habits”.

    A statement signed by Mr Yomi Odunuga, Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, to the Deputy President of the Senate, stated that the senator expressed concern that the menace of chronic ailments have further compounded the short life expectancy of Africans.

    Omo-Agege said the healthcare component of the ERGP is expected to raise primary healthcare delivery coverage from 12.6 percent which the present administration met in 2015 to 45percent in 2023.

    “Through adequate education and campaigns, it is expected that by 2028, we will hit the 98% target coverage for primary healthcare delivery throughout the country.

    “When the present administration came to power in 2015, it began to address the issue of deficiencies in primary healthcare delivery by different intervention programmes. For instance, the present administration is employing the Basic Health Care Provision Fund and a compulsory health insurance scheme which exempts 40% of the poorest Nigerians from financial contribution, among others, to drive the process,” he added.

    In his address, the Chairman of the occasion Professor J.A. Otubu decried the changing lifestyle of Nigerians which have contributed to the emergence of strange illnesses in the country.

    He enjoined Nigerians to stick to African indigenous food and refrain from the consumption of foreign processed food to engender a healthy population in the country.

    The keynote speaker and globally acclaimed medical practitioner, Dr. Kamaiya Kaushik submitted that the rate at which the disease is spreading globally was frightening.

    Kaushik put the figure of global victims of the disease at over 425million people of more than 16 million sufferers of the disease in sub-Saharan Africa, with Nigeria accounting for over 4million, the highest in the region.

    On the way out, he advocated strict lifestyle monitoring, diet control, physical exercise, regular medical check-up amongst others.

    Women Affairs Minister, Dame Pauline Tallen; Chairman Senate Committee on Health, Senator Yahaya Oloriegbe and other dignitaries who graced the occasion were unanimous in enjoining Nigerians to adopt a healthy lifestyle in order to halt the diabetes pandemic ravaging the Nigerian population.